Sunday, February 14, 2016

Canadians crack down on guns, alarmed by flow from U.S.
From Columbine to Charleston, here's a look at some of the notable U.S. mass shootings since 1999. (Alice Li/The Washington Post)

Personnel at the cemetery in La Loche, Saskatchewan lit a fire on Jan. 25, 2016 to thaw the frozen ground where they planned to dig a grave for one of the victims of a mass shooting in the remote aboriginal community in western Canada. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP)

By William Marsden-February 14

MONTREAL — Canada bans most guns and has a minuscule number of gun-related homicides a year. But, worried about smuggled firearms from the United States, its government is preparing to stiffen its already tough gun laws and step up border surveillance.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised new regulations and a string of measures to counter gun smuggling, which is regarded here as a dangerous problem underscoring the United States’ much looser firearm laws.

[Why Canada’s gun culture is different — and why its shootings shock America]

The move comes as police have discovered an increased number of high-powered handguns, semiautomatic and automatic weapon s in Canadian cities.

Since 2005, Toronto has had the worst of it. As gun battles broke out across the city between rival street gangs that year, innocent people got caught in the crossfire.

Holy Cow! Is It Cricket?

By Reeza Hameed –February 13, 2016

Markandey Katju, quondam Justice of the Supreme Court of India, is a man who does not mince his words. A maverick, he has a penchant for courting controversies. Not long ago, he dubbed Mahatma Gandhi ‘a British agent’ (he also called Subhash Chandra Bose ‘a Japanese agent’). Katju accused Gandhi of serving the imperial agenda and declared as a myth the widely held claim that Gandhi won India her freedom.

For about twenty years Gandhi practised law in South Africa and in 1915 went back to India, where he became involved in the country’s independence movement. In India, he set out to build a mass political movement by injecting religion into politics, thereby exploiting the deeply held religious sentiments of the people. In almost every meeting he participated, he propagated Hindu religious ideas. The Congress was converted to a party of the Hindu masses, leading to the Muslims and the Congress becoming polarised. Citing the eminent jurist Seervai in support, Katju has argued that Gandhi’s method of appealing to Hindu ideas inevitably led to partition.

Had Katju been in Solon’s Athens, where speaking ill of the dead was prohibited by Solon’s law, his remarks would have got him into hot waters. In twenty first century India, Katju’s remarks touched a raw nerve of the law makers because he had spoken ill of the Father of the Nation. Parliamentarians in both houses took the unusual step of passing unanimous resolutions deploring Katju’s comments. The Lok Sabha resolution condemning Katju’s statement reads:Read More

Will the U.S. Break This Fundamental Law of Finance?

BY DAVID FRANCIS-FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Economists long said it couldn’t be done. But the Bank of Japan is doing it, as are central banks in Switzerland, Sweden, and Denmark. So is the European Central Bank. And U.S. Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen won’t rule it out.

The “it” in question is setting negative interest rates on government bonds. This means that banks have to pay for the privilege to store money in national reserve banks, as opposed to earning interest on it. In other words, depositors are charged to save cash.

When bonds are normally bought, the issuer — whether a corporation or a government — agrees to pay the buyer interest on it. Negative rates flip the script. Investors who buy bonds with below-zero rates agree to pay the borrower to hold their money.

It’s counterintuitive, and it’s a desperate move. It means that methods like quantitative easing, when a central bank floods the market with cash, have failed to spur economic growth. Nor has setting rates at zero, making it free to borrow.

“By lowering the yields on government bonds, hopefully people will give up and start buying other things, get into riskier assets” like stocks, Angel Ubide, a senior fellow and central banking expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told Foreign Policy on Friday.

Negative rates provide an incentive to spend money, not keep it locked up in a central bank. When people hold on to cash, the price of goods and services go down because demand for them lessens. This is known as deflation, something that Japan and Europe are trying to avoid. It’s bad for an economy because lack of consumer demand leads to unemployment, which further drives down costs.

Deflation fears are why Yellen refused to rule out negative rates in the United States. As the chart below shows, the cost of things in the United States is headed south.

There’s a potential downside to negative rates: People could withdraw their cash from banks rather than pay to store it. This is why economists long thought the idea was impossible.
But so far, it hasn’t happened. Most business are willing to pay a small fee to keep their money in a bank as opposed to stuffing it under the mattress. Some 40 percent of all European government bonds, worth $3.18 trillion, now have a negative yield, according to Deutsche Bank.

It’s too early to tell if the policy works.

The Bank of Japan set negative rates at the end of last month. The European Central Bank did the same in 2014.

Both continue to struggle to grow. The EU expects its economic activity to increase by 2.1 percent this year, while the IMF expects Japan’s GDP to go up 1.7 percent over the same time period.

One fear is that charging banks to store cash will hurt the broader financial sector, especially in Europe, where some bank stocks are down 40 percentyear to date. However, Ubide said these fears are unwarranted because not all of reserves are in bonds with negative rates.

“To be honest, this is a high-quality problem for the banking sector. This is not going to be what makes or breaks it,” he said.

“Negative rates have been around for two or three years,” Ubide added. “I don’t hear anyone complaining too much. This is a learning-by-doing experiment.“

English-speaking Americans facing job discrimination

Patrick Maitland-Feb 12, 2016

Ordinary people, especially African Americans, are facing major job discrimination from employers who all to common add the following words to their job descriptions: “Must be bilingual” or “Spanish speakers preferred.”

The United States boasts the most diverse population and culture in the world, with approximately 337 languages spoken, 176 of which are indigenous. Languages brought to the country by colonists or immigrants from Europe, Asia, or other parts of the world make up a large portion of the languages currently used.

However, despite the absence of an official language at the federal level, an estimated 80 percent of Americans speak English. And most do not speak a foreign language. In most cases, it is compulsory for students to be proficient in English at the tertiary level.

We are disturbed by the trend in recent years of our education system pushing our children to learn Spanish. Most African-Americans are educated in America’s public education system, but learning a foreign language has never been a requirement to graduate from high school.

However, as we scour the landscape of the increasingly challenging job market, we are now discovering that the most preferred candidates are those who are bilingual or Spanish speakers.

This puts African-Americans at a very disadvantageous position. Sadly, Spanish-speaking job seekers, some with poor command of the English language, are selected over more well-rounded and better-qualified English-speaking Americans.

Therefore, the practice of employers, including several city and state agencies, demanding “bilingual” or “Spanish speakers preferred” be included on job postings should be a case for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate. The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Nonetheless, all across the United States, the Spanish-speaking population is growing every day. Almost 20 percent of Americans do not speak English as their native language, and much of that percentage is made up of people who mainly speak Spanish.

During the past four decades, states such as New York and Florida have been experiencing a high influx of immigrants from Spanish speaking/Latin American countries to the extent that they (Latinos) now comprise up to 35 percent of registered voters. But, only a small number of these people speak Spanish only, as is the case in Florida.

However, these numbers are very important to politicians looking to boost their popularity among Latino voters. Politicians across New York City have been placing advertisements and making appearances aimed at attracting Spanish-speaking New Yorkers. It would appear that politicians, in their quest to attract voters, are promoting a “campaign of discrimination against people who don’t speak any Spanish.”

In our diverse communities, we must provide space for everyone to survive and be comfortable, but denying an American a job because he/she is not a bilingual or Spanish speaker should not be tolerated.

As a GP, watching my wife suffer from postpartum psychosis was unbearable

Henry and Jenny and their two young children Rueben and Lilly. CREDIT: JULIAN ANDREWS

Many mothers with post-partum psychosis are often misdiagnosed.

By Henry Thomas-

13 FEBRUARY 2016

It was three weeks after my wife Jenny gave birth to our second child, Libby, that her mood suddenly changed.

Previously calm and happy, enjoying bonding with our little girl, she became highly emotional when her Caesarean scar began to cause her pain. But it was when she went into our bedroom, pulled out a drawer and threw its contents across the room – an action that was utterly out of character - that I knew something was seriously wrong.

That day, last June, marked the onset of Jenny’s postpartum psychosis, a severe mental illness triggered by childbirth.

It causes sufferers to become overwhelmed by high and low moods, paranoia and delusions. Nobody really knows why, beyond an assumption that hormones released during and after pregnancy play a significant part. Although it affects one in 500 mothers, the condition is almost unheard of.

Jenny was extremely unwell for six months, most of which we spent apart, while she was treated in specialist psychiatric units. For five months, our newborn daughter was with her, which meant our two-year-old son Reuben and I were separated from them both.

It was a horrendous period, which almost pushed me to breaking point. As her husband, and a doctor, I wanted desperately to make her better, but there was nothing I could do.

Yet we are among the lucky ones - as a medic, I knew how to search for the best care available. Most families in the same situation do not, and sadly, 80 per cent never receive it.

Even so, I was left furious with how our local mental health services handled us, at times. Next week, NHS England is expected to publish a report on the improvements that are required in mental health care.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

I saved Mahinda from the electric chair-MS

Video: Ex-CJ says if not for his order Mahinda won’t be President today

2016-02-13

President Maithripala Sirisena said that he is the one who saved former President Mahinda Rajapaksa from being sent to the electric chair.

He said that former President Rajapaksa claimed that if he (Maithripala) became the President of the country, he (Mahinda) would be send to the electric chair over alleged war crimes. "But my government was able to save him from being sent to the electric chair,” President Sirisena said addressing an event in Welikanda, Polonnaruwa today.

He also said the entire country would be developed without developing selected areas in the country.

News1st Former CJ Sarath Silva tenders apology for a particular decision taken during his tenure

RTI Shelved To ‘Protect’ Govt.

February 13, 2016

The Right To Information bill, one of the key promises of the ‘Yahapalanaya’ regime prior to consecutive elections, has been shelved due pressure from officials and Ministers who insist that they should ‘safe guard the government’, high ranking government sources confirmed.

The Right to information bill which was drafted and had been presented to the cabinet has not been presented, due to the need to ‘water down’ the contents, significantly impacting the essence of the Act.

The draft which was endorsed by the Cabinet was considered among the best Acts for Right to Information globally.

According to sources Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had informed delegates from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) at the Commonwealth meetings in Colombo few days ago that ‘some segments’ in Government are having ‘concerns’ about the ‘strength’ of the RTI draft and are calling for amendments to ‘safeguard’ the Government.

“The current draft prepared with the participation of the civil society was endorsed by the Cabinet and considered to be the 7th best RTI law if approved. It is a shame if it was watered down to suit the needs of those who are afraid of the draft.” a RTI campaigner told Colombo Telegraph.Read More

War violations probe is Sri Lanka’s decision

Says Prince Zeid who believes victims on all sides must have faith in mechanism

by Lakshman Gunasekara

Courtesy: Sunday Observer, Colombo

( February 14, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, may have been relieved that the kind of Sri Lankan hospitality that his delegation received during his visit here last week was quite unlike the abusive ‘welcome’ extended by some pro-government activist groups and ministers of the previous government when his predecessor, Ms. Navi Pillay, visited Sri Lanka. Indeed, at the press briefing in Colombo at the end of his visit, Prince Zeid remarked on it. Interestingly, the demonstration outside the gates of the UN compound in Colombo, the venue of his media briefing, was not by a group against the UN delegation but a group of Sri Lankans who wanted to meet the delegation and share their human rights issues. In an interview with the Sunday Observer (also telecast on Rupavahini TV), the UN Human Rights chief addressed the thorny issue of a ‘hybrid court’ and explained that the Geneva Resolution did not stipulate any such requirement but only made recommendations.

Zeid with the President Maithri in Colombo

Q. How satisfied are you as the United Nations monitor of the Sri Lankan process on the progress so far – is Sri Lanka adequately on track to implement the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution?

A. There has been progress. But, I think that everyone will say – and I think even the Government would say – that there has not been positive change at the rate that people would like. There are a variety of reasons : some of which has to do simply with time.

By Namini Wijedasa.-14/02/2016

Everywhere he travelled in the North and East, head of the United Nations’ rights body Prince Zeid Bin Ra’ad al-Hussein received letters from ordinary people.

They waited for him on the way to most of his official meetings staging, as the UN calls them, “unplanned interventions”. He took time to speak with all of them and faced no restrictions.

The tenor of the United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner’s visit was relaxed and informative, official sources said. He readily posed for photographs throughout the tour

. The Government considered the visit a success. Prince Zeid was afforded wide and open access to officials and civilians. Despite a tight schedule, he spoke at length with ordinary people and also visited the historic Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna as well as the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy.

The visit was remarkably different from the one Prince Zeid’s predecessor, Navi Pillay, conducted. Her tour was marred by demonstrations everywhere she went by groups who were not permitted to have appointments with her. There was only one similar protest during Prince Zeid’s visit.

On the last day, an organisation of Muslims expelled from the North by the LTTE waved placards and shouted slogans outside the United Nations Headquarters in Bauddhaloka Mawatha demanding a meeting with the rights chief. The demonstration took place while Prince Zeid was conducting a news conference inside.

The joint opposition also held a protest at the start of Prince Zeid’s visit. A meeting with Mahinda Rajapaksa, the former president, or other vocal members of the joint opposition, was not on his agenda. It prompted some of them to remark that Prince Zeid only saw one side of the political story.

During meetings with the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters in Kandy, Prince Zeid was told there was opposition in the country to the setting up of a hybrid court involving foreign judges.

The prelates said measures were being taken to promote reconciliation and unity and that Sri Lanka must be permitted to resolve its problems on its own.

At his news conference—where he delivered a 20 minute statement before taking questions—Prince Zeid indicated that the concept of foreign judges was not set in stone.

“The preference of the Sri Lankan Government has been made known,” he said, in response to a query. “We have a view that we put into the report but, as we discussed this with them, we know they are looking at various options within the limits of what they have defined as their preference.”

“What we’re saying from our side is that it is your sovereign right to make these decisions,” he said. “We can make recommendations but it is your sovereign right. However, in the end, the recommendations or rather whatever you do will be for naught if the victims themselves do not feel that justice is being done.”

“So in the final analysis it’s not whether the UN says this is good or this is not good, this is enough or not enough, it’s not whether others do it,” he continued. “It’s whether the affected communities on all sides, all of those who have suffered loss, suffered losing their parents, their children, their siblings, it’s only they that ultimately can make these determinations and say that the government has done enough in respect of us.

And for that reason the consultative process is so vital and so important for Sri Lanka.”In his prepared statement, however, Prince Zeid was heavily critical of the country’s judicial system.

“Sri Lanka has many excellent judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officials,” he remarked. “But over the years the system they depended on, and which depends on them, became highly politicised, unbalanced, unreliable. The country’s history over the past few decades is littered with judicial failures,” he said.”

“Virtually every week provides a new story of a failed investigation, a mob storming a court-room, or another example of a crime going unpunished,” he said. “Sexual violence and harassment against women and girls is particularly poorly handled by the relevant State institutions — especially when the alleged perpetrators are members of the military or security services — and, as a result it remains all too widespread.”

Prince Zeid paid particular attention during his visit to victims. One of the most moving stories he related during his news conference was about a woman who had suffered sexual abuse during the JVP insurgency.

“I met one woman carrying the emotional scars of her rape by security forces nearly 30 years ago during the JVP insurgency,” he said. “Her pain, and that of all these victims and their families is terrible to behold, and it is cruel to prolong it if ways of alleviating it are available.”

Asked by a journalist whether this meant the ambit of his office’s focus would now extend back to the time of the JVP insurgency, Prince Zeid said his point was that victims do not forget their pain easily.

“When I was meeting this lady, and she was a very dignified lady who expressed in heartfelt terms and in detail, sort of horrifyingly, how she was abused, and she was weeping,” he narrated. “And one realizes that for victims of any such violation time collapses very quickly.”
ST

Ranil Wickremesinghe Not Against An International War Crimes Probe

February 13, 2016

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was in Cochin, India on Friday said that his government was not against an international participation in carrying out investigations into alleged war crimes, during the last stages of the conflict between the military and the LTTE.

Wickremesinghe had made these comments while offering prayers at the Sree Krishna Temple in Guruvayur, the Times of India reported.

The Sri Lankan premier emphasized that his government wanted to ensure that everyone be held responsible whether they were military personnel or the LTTE. Reports estimate some 40,000 civilians were killed during the final stages of the war which ended in 2009.

“We may not have the full expertise to identify the exact factors that led to those casualties. So international participation is welcome for determining such causes,” he said, but quickly added that the ‘right to make the final judgment’ that was responsible for the deaths and on the nature of punishment should rest with the judicial system of Sri Lanka.Read More

Paranagama probe mechanism a possible solution — Desmond De Silva

The Paranagama Report destroyed the ‘myth’ of the 40,000 civilians killed in the final months and went onto further destroy the allegation of genocide against the government of Sri Lanka. The Report even referred to a Judgment of a Dutch Domestic Court which absolved the Sri Lankan government from being characterized as a “racist regime” and went on to deal with the principles that immerged in the International Court of Justice in the case of Croatia vs Serbiaas recently as 2015. The application of the principles that emerged from that case could in no way satisfy the pro-LTTE accusations of genocide.

by Manjula Fernando

Courtesy: The Sunday Observer, Colombo

( February 14, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sir Desmond de Silva, Queen’s Counsel of the United Kingdom, is an eminent British jurist who later had a career in international legal activism, serving on various international bodies dealing with critical judicial and legal issues pertaining to international crisis situations and country hot spots. He has been previously picked by the UN to produce a report on international law violations and was Chief Prosecutor of a UN-sponsored international criminal tribunal. His e-mail based interview with the Sunday Observer last week was his first after the Paranagama Report was published. In it, he responds to the allegations against him and the implications of the Paranagama Commission Report in the light of subsequent developments, especially in the aftermath of the UN Human Rights Council resolution in Sri Lanka.

( Thousands of houses were destroyed during the 30 year war in Sri Lanka)

13/02/2016

Honourable Ranil Wickramasinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

Honourable Prime Minister,

We welcome the initiative and responsibility embraced by your Government in deciding to construct 65,000 houses for war-affected communities in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country.

Apart from addressing much-needed housing needs, a project of this magnitude has the potential to create new opportunities for social mobilisation and stimulate the local economy. We therefore fully support the housing project in principle, but are compelled to draw your attention to certain serious concerns and questions with significant social, economic and political ramifications, not only for communities in the north and east but also nationally.

a) While the outcomes of the procurement process have not been formally announced, the Minister for Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs is reported as saying in different meetings and forums that Arcelor Mittal will be awarded the contract to supply pre-fabricated metal houses.

The Member of Parliament from Jaffna, M.A. Sumanthiran, is on record terming the tendering process “a sham” as the Minister had already informed them of the choice of this company as early as August 2015 (The Sunday Times, 17 January), even before the call for expressions of interest was issued.

By Surendra Ajit Rupasinghe –February 13, 2016

Ajit Rupasinghe

On the Historic Significance of Singing the National Anthem on National Independence Day in Sinhala and Tamil

The singing of the National Anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil languages on National Independence Day is of crucial significance due to several major factors. First of all, it is a singular achievement for all progressive and democratic forces throughout the country and the world who had stood, and continue to stand for, the principles of equality, dignity, autonomy and security of all citizens of Lanka. It is an achievement for all those who respect unity in diversity, respect universal human and democratic rights, and stand against the politics and ideology of supremacy, chauvinism and hegemony, and any and all forms of national discrimination, oppression and subjugation. It is a positive achievement, however limited and partial, of the Tamil nation for all that it has suffered and endured, and continues to suffer under military occupation and threatened by new forms of political subjugation. Irrespective of whatever interest, motive or agenda behind this policy, the act itself is an achievement for all progressive forces, and a clear gain for the national liberation struggle of the people of Lanka.

Tamil Version of National Anthem of Sri Lanka

It constitutes a frontal blow on all racist, chauvinist, neo-fascist forces. It serves to symbolically pierce its shield of over-lording omnipotence and invincibility. Singing the national anthem in both Sinhala and Tamil occurred in the context where these neo-fascist goons were, and are, on the rampage; where the national flag had been stripped of all minority identities, with just the lion and the sword emblazoned, along with the slogans of ‘Sinha-Le’ (Blood of the Lion) being posted publicly. It occurred in the context where the Bodu Bala Sena had acted as the ‘Balu Bala Sena (Army of Canine Force) in front of the Homagama courts. This act of singing together in both languages occurs even as the camp of neo-fascism is trying desperately to rear its monstrous head to strike back and seize power with terrorist vengeance yet unknown.Read More

Sinha Le, Anyone?

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“…an anti-civilatory, myth-making nationalism…”
Karl Dietrich Bracher
(The German Dictatorship)

( February 14, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It beats the Grimm’s Tales and the Arabian Nights hollow, that story of a princess who runs away from her home and mates with a lion. Not a lion-like man, not a member of a tribe named after the ‘king of beasts’, but an actual man-eating lion. The Great Chronicle (Mahavamsa) takes considerable pains to make the point. The princess, described by Bhikku Mahanama as ‘fair’ and ‘amorous’, gives birth to twins. Sihabahu is so named because his hands and feet are ‘formed like a lion’s’. He eventually kills the father and marries the sister. Vijaya, the Sinhala Manu according to Mahavamsa, was a product of that incestuous union.

Thus Sinha Le, lion’s blood. A physical impossibility, an obvious fabrication, this is our version of creationism, our geo-centrism, which we continue to believe despite evidence to the contrary, because it is an article of faith. And for decades this story was taught in schools not as myth or even religion (the distinction depends on who is doing the looking) but history. It was also used by everyone, from anti-devolution politicians to hardline monks, from academics to military men, from novelists to lay people, to justify Sinhala Buddhist supremacism and to oppose any political concessions to the minorities.

In the teaching of Gautama Buddha there is no concept of holy war, no place for force/violence in the protection of either the Dhamma or those who practice it. Classical Buddhism does not provide a ruler with a mechanism to use religion to justify war, because the Buddha’s rejection of violence is absolute and non-negotiable. Classical Buddhism accepts that violence is a part of statecraft; but that violence cannot be perpetrated under cover of protecting or promoting Buddhism. A Buddhist ruler may have to pursue policies of violence but that violence must be of the secular and not religious variety.

(Lanka-e-News- 13.Feb.2016, 11.45PM) Karunasena Hettiarachi an ignoramus on security affairs despite being the defense sectreary along with president Maithripala have appointed three most incompetent corrupt individuals yesterday and a few days ago to high ranks of the Air Force and the army.

They are Air Vice Marshal Ranil Gurusinghe as the chief of staff of the Air force, Major General Milinda Peiris and Major General Sumedha Perera as the chief of staff and deputy chief of staff of the army respectively. These are individuals who don’t deserve even a place in the forces that respect discipline ,and should be kicked out from the forces ,owing to their past misconduct and weaknesses let alone their unsuitability based on competence.

Major General Milinda Peiris

Milinda Peiris who was appointed as the chief of staff yesterday evening is a disgraceful villainous officer who openly breached army discipline by openly participating in the last presidential election campaign of ex president Mahinda Rajapakse while summoning the soldiers and delivering political lectures to them .Under the army Act , he is liable to punishment for the wrongdoings committed by him with full knowledge.Moreover he was the one who heard the case in Gotabaya’s mean one sided military court against General Fonseka , dragging the General into it after latter’s retirement. Milinda became most notorious for giving an unfair verdict prejudicial against Fonseka.

It is significant to note that the present commander in chief of the forces abrogated the punishment meted out to Fonseka , because the verdict against Fonseka delivered by the military court was erroneous , and not for any other reason. The irony of it is , the individual who heard the case in the military court , and whose decision was considered as wrong and tantamount to a Kekille court judgment , is being appointed now as the second in command of the army by the same commander in chief of the forces who earlier decided that the military court gave a wrong verdict. This move only means that the army is being further degraded , and the army discipline is being wantonly demolished instead of being developed.

Major General Sumedha Perera

Lanka e news has made a number of exposures regarding this individual who acquired a notoriety simply because of the egregious wrongs committed by him. The main wrongdoing of his among the many is : When he was a major he transferred a land in Obeysekera belonging to Obeysekera walauwa to himself by writing a forged deed. As a punishment for this criminal fraud , he was dismissed from the army.

However after Gotabaya Rajapakse became defense secretary , since Sumedha Perera was his bootlicking lackey while he was in the Gajaba regiment , and because he was a pro Rajapakse lickspittle and crony ,Sumedha was recalled to the army , granted double and treble promotions to make him a major general .

Let us make it abundantly clear that Sumedha was punished for his monumental deed fraud not by a Kekille military court that delivered wrong verdict against Fonseka , rather by a recognized civil court of the country based on valid and genuine legal grounds. Therefore a president who is elected by the people for good governance ought to do if he is to fulfil their aspirations truly is : take steps to restore justice where injustice was done by dismissing Sumedha Perera from the post he was illegally appointed to by Gotabaya , and chase him out of the army- the treatment he deserves best . Instead, by propelling Sumedha to the post of deputy chief of staff , never can an army that respects discipline be re-built.

Air Vice Marshal Ranil Gurusinghe

Krisanthus Ranil Gurusinghe who was appointed as the chief of staff of the Air Force a few days ago is a worse scoundrel than the two officers aforementioned. He was found guilty of flying a helicopter while being in a drunken state , killing two individuals and then destroying the helicopter on 27 th May 1985 . He faced a sentence following punishment meted out to him.

The punishment meted out to him was : 20 years in jail, no promotions, and life time ban on flying helicopters. Though he amended his 20 years jail sentence on an appeal , the life time ban on his helicopter fllying still stands. Through bootlicking and doing sordid biddings of the Rajapakses , he managed to withdraw the prohibition on his promotions , to get himself promoted.

The most bizarre drama is , the good governance government appointing an individual who is officially forbidden to fly helicopters during his whole life to the post of second in command of the Air Force . Besides ,in seniority too he is very much below , and most corrupt. Though Ranil Gurusinghe is fully answerable ,nobody knows what happened to the sum of Rs. 18 million collected by giving helicopters on hire for the Indian oil drilling operations . If he is to be exposed fully , a separate article has to be written. He is not only absolutely unsuitable for the new post , but is one against whom an immediate inquiry shall be instituted to chase him out of the Air Force.Hence , by making this appointment the Air Force is not going to be elevated in its stature . The president himself would have understood what amount of damage resulted by making Gagan Bulathsingala another corrupt incompetent officer as the Air Force commander when the latter’s daughter shamelessly pounced on foreign singer Enrique and kissed in public insulting the whole Sinhala race, and sparking a huge scandal . By now if he is a sane and sensible president he should have think , how can Gagan who cannot bring up properly or control his own daughter at home , build the image of the Air force? Though Gagan took his daughter to the president to beg and plead for pardon , and the president gave the pardon , surely the president cannot give pardon to Gagan for the monumental frauds and corruption committed by him while being in the Air Force – he can only be punished by the president .

There are plenty of senior officers in the forces who are maintaining a clean slate who can be offered these positions . There is no mandatory requirement to appoint these corrupt and incompetent individuals. It is hence a curse on the country that the president as defense minister , and his classmate Karunasena Hettiarachi who is his defense secretary haven’t the suitability or the ability to choose the right candidates for the high rung posts in the Forces. Every appointment of this duo is a square peg in a round hole.

These are corrupt officers during their whole lifetime did their best to keep the worst corrupt brutal Rajapakse regime in power. Therefore president Maithripala must think a little deeper and understand , by appointing these corrupt and inefficient Rajapakse stooges and scoundrels to the high rungs of the Forces , the good governance government which is in its infancy cannot be safeguarded .

In the event of the government meeting with disaster most unlikely though , it would not be possible to search and find even a part of the president’s remains .At least he must have an understanding pertaining to protecting his own life let alone the country.

Late J.R Jayawardena did not seek to secure the post of defense ministry of which he had no knowledge . He entrusted that to Lalith Athulathmudali who was qualified abroad even when his son Ravi Jayawardena was highly qualified abroad as a specialist in defense affairs.Late president R. Premadasa too did not seek to be the defense minister as he had no knowledge in that sphere , and entrusted that ministry to Ranjan Wijeratne. Even Chandrika held only the deputy defense ministry post while handing over the defense minstry to Colonel Anuraddha Ratwatte , and did not interfere in that sphere .

Then why Maithripala ?

The country is indeed lucky that there is no war after Maithripala became president .

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