Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Media Suppression Continues In Sri Lanka Under Yahapalanaya Government

May 3, 2016

As the world celebrates press freedom day today, media suppression continues to be a serious issue facing Sri Lanka, despite the change in government and rhetoric pledges made by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assuring media freedom in the country.

Since coming to power in January 2015, both Sirisena and Wickremesinghe has used their position to influence media organisations in the country, specially newspapers and television channels against reporting certain incidents, while Wickremesinghe has gone to the extent of lambasting journalists even in Parliament for their writing.

Despite the change in Government, and continuous rhetoric assuring media freedom, Sri Lanka continue to be ranked among the lowest for media freedom in the world. The 2016 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters without Borders ranked Sri Lanka at 141 out of 180 countries, with a score of 44.9%, although Sri Lanka continue to be at the bottom, the ranking is still a remarkable improvement in comparison to 2015, where Sri Lanka was ranked at 165.

Unlike during the previous regime under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa where media censorship, suppression and harassment was carried out more in the open, the current regime has been resorting to a more informal form of censorship. In March this year, Sirisena telephoned newspaper editors and proprietorsand requested them not to publish any news report after Sri Lanka demanded an explanation from the UK government as to why the visa request of Sirisena’s son, Daham and his three friends to travel to UK was subject to long delays. Daham Sirisena reportedly used the Foreign Ministry issued TPLs (Third Party Letters) to the British High Commission in Colombo, to obtain visas for several of his friends, two of whom were blacklisted by the High Commission for submitting fraudulent documents in the past.

Wickremesinghe is known to be more vociferous against the media, since coming into power last year, with him at many instances launching scathing attacks against certain journalists, and media organisations for towing the pro-Rajapaksa line. In one instance, Wickremesinghe demanded certain journalists to quit and go home, if they can’t fall in line, after they wrote critical pieces on him.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, R. Sampanthan has called on the government to take immediate steps to demonstrate its commitment to media freedom and ensure its protection in Sri Lanka. “Disturbingly, Sri Lanka has been ranked 141 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index prepared by Reporters Without Borders,” he said.

Sampanthan reiterated that it was no secret that previous regimes have overlooked serious incidents of intimidation and violence against journalists including the killing of media personnel in Sri Lanka. “As such, I call upon the present government to take all steps necessary to investigate all such incidents and bring to justice perpetrators of crimes both past and present in Sri Lanka,” he said.

03/05/2016

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the South Asia Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) marked World Press Freedom Day by releasing The Road to Resilience: Press Freedom in South Asia 2015-16. The 14th annual report documents the press freedom situation, national and regional activities to empower journalists and capsule reports on important issues of South Asia over the past year.

Thirty-one journalists, bloggers and media workers were killed in the period under review (May, 2015 to April, 2016) with India emerging as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. Afghanistan and Pakistan continued to remain dangerous places for journalists but the most concerning series of events were recorded in Bangladesh.

“Press freedom is not a guarantee across South Asia, and without the support and leadership of South Asia’s leaders, governments and legal apparatuses, press freedom will cease to exist,” the IFJ said.

This year’s press freedom report has built on the findings from the 2015 report, commissioning capsule reports on Bangladeshi bloggers, Chhattisgarh in India, Kabul and Kunduz in Afghanistan along with country-wise press freedom situation analysis for all eight South Asian nations, chapters on impunity, gender and media, and an annexure of list of incidents of major press freedom violations.

The IFJ said that the resilience of South Asia’s media community is a testament to the state of press freedom across the region. In Bangladesh, the battle for freedom of expression has come at a great cost, with seven bloggers killed in the past three years, the most recent, Nazimuddin Samad killed just last month. These horrendous murders are part of a broader project in Bangladesh to silence critics, taking away free speech and freedom of expression.

Building on IFJ work and research into gender equity in the media, this year’s report also documents the growing issues for women in the media in South Asia, with a particular spotlight into online harassment and trolling of women journalists. The report documents the stories of strong, independent female media workers, harassed, intimidated, threatened and attacked for simply doing their job. But the chapter also documents women journalists who, against all odds, are forging new ground and creating a better working environment for themselves and their female colleagues.

While the outlook can appear bleak, South Asia is making progress. Pakistan had a win against impunity, convicting the killer of journalist Ayub Khattak, and Sri Lanka continues on its path to rebuild the media, with arrests in the disappearance of political cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Each of these are steps in the right direction, giving hope to the media community, that over the past 12 months has battled to make their voices heard.

The report, supported by UNESCO, UNDEF and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is also a key tool for advocacy on issues such as press freedom, impunity and gender equity in the media. The IFJ added: “Despite the dangers, the journalists in South Asia are not only focussed on presenting the true story to the public, but also are also working equally hard to ensure people’s right to freedom of expression and press freedom. The journalists are taking their battles to the courts, streets and online space for advocacy and building unity and solidarity for campaigning on common causes.”

'Is this right of the 'good governance' government' asks wife of arrested LTTE member

03 May 2016

Recalling the protracted process of her husband's release from the Sri Lankan government's 'rehabilitation' programme, the wife of Krishnapillai Kalainesan, the former head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) intelligence wing in Batticaloa who was arrested on Monday, wiped away tears, asking if it was right of the government of 'good governance' to do such a thing.

"On the 14th August 2013, they gave us the letter granting us rehabilitation - look here it is. They took our signatures however, they did not give him to us. They did not hand over my husband to us," Mr Kalainesan's wife, Kayalvili told LankaSri.

"Meanwhile, those known as the Batticaloa [Sri Lankan military] intelligence officers held him in custody for one month here.So they only handed over my husband to us after one month."

"At that time, when we were really struggling without any employment, they [the military] were the ones who taught the job of how to weave palm leaves. Doing this is how we were living. Then only after 3 months did we get this canteen job."

"When we are doing this canteen job, what is this [arrest]? Is this right of the 'good governance' government to do this?"

"If they will do this, then what of my two children? If this happens to children who are in education, what will I do?"

"I have two children, and because of this I ask that my husband is quickly brought back to me."

Mr Kalainesan, known as Lt. Col. Prabha was arrested from his home at 6.30am on Monday morning. His was the latest in a series of arrests of former LTTE members.
The former head of the LTTE's Trincomalee intelligence wing Thalaiarasan was taken into custody on April 27th, in relation to the alleged find of a suicide vest in Chavakachcheri.

The former LTTE commander, Kanathippillai Sivamoorthy, known as Nagulan, was abducted in Jaffna on Tuesday and was found later in custody. His detention came shortly after the arrest of the LTTE cadre Damotharan Jayakanth by the TID as well as the former LTTE commander, Ram, who was earlier reported as abducted in the Eastern province but found to have been detained by the TID.

Major General Chaagi Gallage’s conspiracy inside the army leaks out..!

(Lanka-e-News- 03.May.2016, 11.30PM) Major General Chaagi Gallage ,a pro Gota officer in the army has hatched a conspiracy to foment racial hatred and stoke racism within the army , based on reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

The conspiracy is basically requesting the low rung officers to sign a false affidavit that the opposition leader Sampanthan forcibly entered the Kilinochchi army camp .On that day , Sampanthan had informed the officers of the relevant army camp that he is holding discussions in Kilinochhchi. An issue discussed at the meeting was the lands of the Tamils that had been requisitioned by the army camp. But now these lands are not being used for any purposes of the army, and the requisitioned land about 18 acres in extent belonging to the Tamil people has now turned into a wild forest . The only purpose this land serves to the army now is : it is being used for hunting the animals coming into it by the army and providing meat to the army higher ups.

When Sampanthan the opposition leader had asked for permission to inspect this land , the officers of the army had allowed him. An army colonel had also removed the two barriers guarding the army camp and allowed Sampanthan in . The latter after seeing the area where the barbed wire rolls were , had told the army officers , ‘ I am going to Colombo son , I shall go,’ and gone back.

It is this incident that is being distorted by Chaagi Gallage , who is painting a different false picture , and collecting signatures on a bogus affidavit by forcing the relevant officers including the colonel to sign. However an officer of the army camp who was hurt had questioned , ‘ how can we prepare a bogus affidavit against an individual who entered the army camp after saluting us? ’

Gallage was in fact got down to Colombo because he was conducting himself in a manner that kindled racism. Is the army commander unaware of his conspiracy ? Or , he knows it , but prefers to pretend that he is deaf and dumb ? Lanka e news inside information division is in the process of delving into this.

---------------------------
by (2016-05-03 23:18:27)

Sampanthan meets protesting politicos on Kilinochchi incident

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

A group of minor political party leaders who recently staged a demonstration outside the Opposition Leader’s Office, met with Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan yesterday.

The group had demonstrated against Sampanthan’s alleged forcible entry into a military camp in Kilinochchi last month. Sampanthan had briefed the party leaders on the incident, his office said in a statement. “Party leaders thanked the honorable opposition leader for briefing them on this issue and requested him to organise a visit for them to see the places in North and East where the Military has occupied private lands,” the statement from the Opposition Leader’s Office said.

Sampanthan had assured the politicians that a visit would be organised in the future for them to see the ground situation in both the north and east.

TNA Spokesperson and Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran was also present at the meeting. (DB)

Media secretary to be removed

2016-05-03

The government has decided to remove Nimal Bopage from the post of Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary reforms and Mass media.

This decision had been arrived at after considering the impact of a statement made by the secretary on the media policy of the government of good governance, and acting in contravention of the efforts of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to establish an independent media environment by issuing such statements.

The statement under the title “ Uthum vu Madhya Nidahasa, Awabhavitha Nokaramu” issued by Mr. Bopage drew much attention of the government, prompting the Premier to summon Bopage and severely reprimand him.

Bopage soon after assuming duties had issued this controversial statement which had belittled the Yahapalana government and the senior Cabinet Ministers had expressed their serious concern, and the decision to remove him from the post had been taken thereafter.

The directive removing the secretary is expected to be forwarded to President Maithripala Sirisena within the next few days. (Anjula Maheeka Weerarathne)

Will Kelaniya Campus address the real issues?

- May 03, 2016

The vacation given to students of Kelaniya University has been extended further. The university was to be closed from April 26 to May 04 due to an infection at the university’s hostel, but it has now been extended until May 11.

When contacted, president of the university’s Students Union Nandana Sudesh Abesinghe had this to say,

“This problem arose on April 26 at the girls’ hostel. First the campus was closed claiming water was contaminated. Water tanks were cleaned by no sample was taken. Later, it was claimed as food poisoning. But, no clarification was given. We requested a meeting. But, there was no positive response. Later, what the management did was to issue a statement declaring the university out of bounds for students on the afternoon of the 28th. We make it clear that not only food poisoning, but many other serious issues prevail with regard to basic facilities, such as canteens, lavatories, hostels. All these affect students’ health. Authorities are avoiding these problems without giving proper solutions.”

Several attempts to reach Dr. Chaminda Abeysinghe who is in charge of students’ affairs for a comment failed.

WikiLeaks: Socialist Sirima Govt. Paid Ten Rupees, Lunch Packet And Free Transport For May Day Participants

May 3, 2016

Socialist United Front government led by Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike paid ten rupee payment and a lunch packet per head and free transport to people in order to attract tens of thousands to the Galle Face Green May Day rally according to a “confidential” diplomatic cable sent to US Secretary of State by the US Embassy Colombo.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike

Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked US diplomatic cable from the WikiLeaks database dated May 04, 1973.

In the context of current debate on payments, free transportation for Maithripala Sirisena and Mahinda Rajapaksa factions of Sri Lanka Freedom Party ‘May Day’ rallies, we publish below the cable in full;

SRI LANKA CELEBRATES MAY DAY

Date:1973 May 4, 12:45 (Friday)

Original Classification:CONFIDENTIAL

Current Classification:UNCLASSIFIED

From: Sri Lanka Colombo
To: Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs | Commander in Chief US Pacific Command | India New Delhi | Secretary of State | United Kingdom London

1. SUMMARY: UFG COALITION PARTIES MOUNTED ALL- OUT EFFORT TO CELEBRATE MAY DAY. FREE TRANSPORT AND MONEY PAYMENTS HELPED TO ATTRACT TENS OF THOUSANDS TO GALLE FACE GREEN. PM TOLD CROWDS THAT SIZE OF TURNOUT DISPROVED CLAIMS THAT RECENT SENANAYAKE FUNERAL SHOWED POPULAR REJCTION OF UFG. SHE REITERATED COMMITMENT TO 1970 ELECTION PLATFORM OBJECTIONS AND PROMISED SPEEDIER IMPLEMENTATION, CITING LAKE HOUSE TAKEOVER AS MOST RECENT PROOF OF UFG INTENTIONS. OTHER SPEAKERS ATTACKED UNP AND CLAIMED THAT PARTY REACTIONARY AND THAT IT ACTIVE IN ATTEMPTS TO DISCREDIT UNITED FRONT THROUGH INCIDENTS. RALLY UNDERSCORED UFG NERVOUSNESS AND UNCERTAINTY, ATTITUDE WHICH MAY LEAD TO TOUGHER LINE WITH UNP. END SUMMARY.

(Lanka-e-News- 03.May.2016, 11.30PM) The security detail of Kurunegala district M.P. Mahinda Rajapakse comprising of about 150 soldiers of the forces had been withdrawn with immediate effect and were replaced by police constables. In this connection , the Rajapakse brigand of the ‘rogues on behalf of rogues’ led by bankrupt politico Dinesh Gunawardena holding a press briefing today alleged this is a vindictive action.

Truly speaking , this is indeed a vindictive action of the Rajapakses of the past that has boomeranged on themselves now.

In 2005 to enable Mahinda Rajapakse to become the president , it was his predecessor Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge who handed over the SLFP party’s presidential candidacy to Mahinda and went on retirement honorably, .Sadly , at that time Mahinda took revenge on her in diverse ways. That was the time the war was at its peak , and when Chandrika fell victim to an LTTE suicide bomber though she managed to escape death after losing an eye. Without taking all these into consideration , Mahinda the byword for lawlessness and ruthlessness withdrew her security detail of 168 members of the forces most inhumanely..

Mahinda successfully carried out his vendetta through Sarath N. De Silva the ex chief justice (CJ) who delivered judicial decisions to suit the aims and agendas of Mahinda, which unscrupulous decisions , Sarath Silva regretted later openly.

When a henchman of Mahinda Rajapakse filed a petition in the supreme court (SC) to decide what security detail would suffice for a president who had gone on retirement , Sarath Silva who was the CJ at that time delivering the verdict said , 7 police officers including an ASP would be enough as security detail for a president who is no longer in power. This verdict was delivered on 2 nd May 2006. That was exactly ten years ago !

Thereafter, Mahinda Rajapakse even without calling for a report pertaining to Chandrika’s security requirements as an ex president of the country , he dismantled her security detail of 168 members of the forces, and replaced them with 7 police personnel. Chandrika who was a direct target of the LTTE realizing this was an orchestrated betrayal exposing her to the terrorists, left for England.

In the circumstances there is already the SC verdict in regard to the security detail that can be made available to an ex president who is now out of power. That decision applies now to Mahinda , and to incumbent president Maithripala Sirisena too in the future . That is , Mahinda should be provided with a security detail comprising 7 police personnel. Ironically , this was a decision that was delivered by Sarath N. De Silva for unscrupulous reasons in favor of Mahinda then now boomeranging on Mahinda himself.

Therefore , Dinesh Gunawardena the bankrupt politico of the Rajapakse brigand who was left with no option except shout ‘ it is a political revenge!’ due to a rare unbearable hindquarter pain resulting from his ‘headquarter’ moving into his hindquarter following his senile decay. It is a pity that this bankrupt Dinesh whose headquarter is in his hindquarter, naturally hasn’t even that little grey matter to understand that the architect of this disastrous situation is Mahinda himself.

Moreover the present government had taken a decision that no politico shall be provided with any security otherwise than police security. Therefore , neither president Maithripala nor prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is provided with security comprising members of the forces. They are also having only police security detail. In other words , Mahinda who is just an M.P. now , cannot be provided with security comprising members of the armed forces.

Strictly speaking, what Mahinda Rajapakse now rightly merits as ‘ex president’ is the status of an ordinary M.P. of a district and not that of a president , because he was a president (one and only !) who faced defeat while seeking presidential election , and also chose to demean himself to become an M.P. via parliamentary elections after having been a president. What belongs to such an individual are not the privileges he was entitled to based on his past official position , rather based on his present official status.

A case in point is that of Prasanna Ranatunge who was the chief minister of Western province…

He is today Gampaha district M.P. What he is entitled to now are not the privileges he enjoyed when he was the chief minister. He is today entitled to the privileges attaching to his status as an M.P. In that case , how can that be different in respect of Mahinda Rajapakse ?

Might it be pointed out ,Chandrika the ex president after retirement did not hold any post , there was therefore nothing untoward in recognizing her as a former president and according the privileges due to a former president . But in Mahinda’s case it is different : He did not go on retirement but suffered defeat. Besides he has shamelessly or otherwise accepted the post of M.P. which post he is holding now.

In these circumstances , he is entitled to a security detail consisting of two police officers only like any other M.P. On the other hand if he is to ask for special security from the government , the latter should make a separate evaluation via its intelligence division in that regard. Or else , Mahinda must pay to the private security firms and seek security detail.

Interestingly , Minister Wijayamuni Soysa made an intriguing and pertinent statement relating to the withdrawal of the military security detail of Mahinda Rajapakse. He said, ‘ Mahinda cannot be allowed to have battalions with him and go around the country in order to overthrow the government .Those with (demented) military mentality like to have military by their side. He has an affinity for extremism and fascism.

Since this is a government that is adhering to Democracy , good governance , human rights and aiming at national reconciliation , none shall be permitted room to change this welcome trend and system. Therefore the security provided shall be of the police.’

---------------------------
by (2016-05-03 23:13:46)

MR’s security issue plunges House into chaos Several MPs injured in free-for-all

By Saman Indrajith -May 3, 2016, 12:00 pm

A row broke out in Parliament yesterday leading to the suspension of sittings and sending several MPs to parliament medical room after the government had turned down a Joint Opposition request to reverse its decision to reduce the security provided to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Several MPs including UNP Kegalle District MP Sandith Samarasinghe were injured. He was rushed to the National Hospital subsequently.

Parliament was plunged into chaos when Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe asked Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka to respond to a question raised by Joint Opposition about the reduction of security provided to the former President.

At the commencement of sittings soon after the Speaker’s announcements and presentation of Public Petitions, MEP

Leader Dinesh Gunawardena said that the army commandos specialised in VIP security attached to the security contingent of former President Rajapaksa had been taken away. "He is the President who fought valiantly against the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.

Threats to his life still remain as the remaining LTTE cadres are hell-bent on avenging their losses. When we raised this matter in this House sometime back the Leader of the House pledged that the government would not do so. Now, what we feared has happened. We need to know from the Prime Minister whether the government will reverse its decision."

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe: "We are all for the safety of the former President. We need to save him as it is thanks to him that we came to power. He cannot put in the harm’s way for we need him to stay alive so that we can stay in power. He helped me reach this position. On the night of the election he handed over the country to me.

"With regard to safety of politicians, the Security Council recently took a decision to deploy only policemen. We are ready to increase the number of policemen or to provide STF commandos for the security of the former President. Police VIP security is provided to all former leaders in the world. For example, former heads of state including George Bush and Tony Blair, who face threats from the ISIS terrorists, are provided police security. Situation is the same in India. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, too, has been provided with police security. The incumbent President and I have police security. Now, we have come to know that some army men worked in the security team of the former President were not even properly trained.

"The former President is not the only person who was instrumental in ending terrorism. Hasn’t Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, too, contributed to that? Do you remember the way you responded to us then when we raised the matter of reducing his security when we were in the Opposition?

I am willing to increase the number of policemen or to provide STF security to the former President. I am not thorough with technical aspects of VIP security issues and will like to invite Field Marshal Fonseka to explain the matter in detail."

When the Field Marshal started to read out from a sheet of paper the members of the Joint Opposition got up from their seats and protested demanding that Prime Minister should not pass the responsibility to a junior minister for the issue of security of former President was a serious matter. The Joint Opposition MPs led by MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena invaded the Well and moved towards the Chair. Sergeant-at-arms Anil Parakrama Samarasekera and his deputy Narendra Fernando walked to the Mace to prevent the protesters from grabbing it.

Amidst the protest Field Marshal Fonseka continued to read out his statement but only parts of his speech were audible. "Captain Neville, who had been detailed for the security of former president, did not have any sort of training in VIP security. He was just one of the henchmen who did dirty work for Rajapaksa. Neville has not even completed officer training programmes he should have undergone prescribed for his rank … Rajapaksa should have remained the former President. Instead he chose to become an MP and should now satisfy with privileges provided to an MP (inaudible).

At this point the Joint Opposition MPs shouted "Vel Vidane…Vel Vidane…Vel Vidane…" drowning Field Marshal’s voice.

Other Opposition MPs including those of the JVP were seen taking pictures of the chaos while the PM remained engrossed in reading a file.

UNP backbenchers came to the front and stood around the Prime Minister.

As MPs of both sides got to the Well and in the melee, UPFA MP from Kelaniya Prasanna Ranaweera was seen raising his hand against Kalutara District UNP Palitha Thevarapperuma, who took the blow squarely and retaliated. Kalutara District UPFA MP Piyal Nishantha rushed to the scene and threw punches at MP Thevarapperuma. As fracas continued everyone was rushing to the centre several MPs fell down. Colombo District UNP MPs Marikkar fell down but was pushed out from the melee by several others but Kegalle District MP Samarasinghe was not that fortunate; he was seen rolling on the Well to avoid kicks from the Opposition MPs. Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman was complaining that he had been assaulted. MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena shouted at Chair: "Speaker, we asked for a response from the Prime Minister not from his watcher."

As pandemonium prevailed Deputy Secretary General Neil Iddawela was seen suggesting to the Speaker that session be suspended.

The Speaker announced that sittings suspended for five minutes and the Prime Minister left the chamber. The MPs Bandula Gunawardena, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Sriyani Wijewickrama were seen trying stop the clash. UNP Members Sagala Ratnayake and Malik Samarawickrama were seen negotiating with opposition MPs Udaya Gammanpila, Prasanna Ranatunga, Niroshan Premaratne, Salinda Dissanayake, Rohitha Abeygunawardena, CB Ratnayake, Gamini Lokuge, Johnston Fernando, Ranjith Zoysa, Chandrasiri Gajadheera, DV Chanaka, Uditha Lokubandara, Namal Rajapaksa and Weerakumara Dissanayake.

Sittings commenced about one and a half hours later around 3.00 pm and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya after making a special statement adjourned the House.

‘2006 attack on Gotabaya was an inside job’

Sarath Fonseka-Gotabaya Rajapaksa

COLOMBO, May 4, 2016

Sri Lanka’s former army chief told Parliament on Tuesday that a bomb blast apparently targeting former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s brother 10 years ago was an “inside job” to win sympathy for the then-ruling family.

Sarath Fonseka, now a government legislator, said the December 2006 bomb attack blamed on separatist Tamil Tiger rebels had been stage-managed by the President’s brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, then-then Defence Secretary.

“No terrorist will set off a suicide bomb 25 meters away from the intended target,” Mr. Fonseka told Parliament during a debate on scaling down military security granted to the former strongman leader.

The government has said it is removing troops in Mr. Rajapaksa’s bodyguard and replacing them with police commandos as part of a policy of relieving the military from civilian security duties.

Gotabaya escaped the 2006 bombing in Colombo unhurt but it killed two members of his military convoy. — AFP

20 million dollar commission from oil pipelines

May 03, 2016

Reports reaching us substantiates a powerful government minister has removed a Malaysian company which estimated 100 million dollars to lay an oil pipeline from Colombo ports to the Kollonnawa refinery and submitted a new estimate worth of US dollar 120 million. News reaching us points out a sum of 20 million dollar is supposed to be shared between the minister and the transaction.

Personal information reveal the first estimate for this pipeline laying was USD 80 million and in addition 20 million USD has been added to the amount twice.

However petroleum resource minister Chandima Weerakkody said the Malaysian company has not come forward to undertake this contract and the cabinet would decide who should be given the contract and no ministers has been involved in acquiring any commission.

Gaza’s only orphanage struggles against odds

Children perform during a celebration marking Arab Orphan Day at the Al-Amal Institute in Gaza City in March 2010.Mohammed AsadAPA images

Boys and girls hold hands while performing a line dance

Isra Saleh el-Namey-3 May 2016

In spite of all he has been through, nothing hurts Yousif al-Shimbari more than getting used to mornings without hearing his mother’s voice.

During Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014, the 14-year-old and his family sought refuge from their Beit Hanoun neighborhood in the northern Gaza Strip to a UN-run school in the area, thinking themselves protected by its blue flags and logos.

They were not. On 24 July, two weeks into the onslaught, Israeli shells slammed into the school, killing at least 15 and wounding scores. Among the fatalities were Yousif’s mother. Among the wounded, he and his sister. Manar, 15, underwent surgery. She had both legs amputated.

Yousif and Manar now live in Al-Amal Institute for Orphans in Gaza City, formed in 1949, the only institution devoted to the care of orphaned children in the coastal enclave.

The institute is their only option, Yousif said, with relatives unable to help out all 11 siblings.

“We are scattered. Some of my sisters live with relatives and it is not very often that we meet,” he told The Electronic Intifada.

He attends a nearby school, but playing football with his roommates from the institute is the best part of his day. He is ambitious but says he is not sure about what will happen in the future.

“I love mathematics and I wish to become an engineer one day like my father,” he said. Yousif’s father died of natural causes seven years ago.

Straining resources

Yousif and Manar are just two of 40 children at Al-Amal who lost one or both of their parents during the 2014 Israeli onslaught. They joined another 90 children housed there before the attack and the institute’s budget is strained to bursting point. In all, 52 children at Al-Amal have lost both parents and all have lost their fathers, the principal breadwinners. In Arabic, an “orphan” includes those who have lost one or both parents.

Iyad al-Masri, Al-Amal’s executive director, told The Electronic Intifada that the institute follows strict criteria for selecting only the neediest orphans to be accommodated. “The lack of funding constrains us,” he said.

Staff meticulously scrutinize data to discern whether it is better for a child to stay at the institute, and if he or she has absolutely no other safe place to go. Only then does the administration contact relatives to offer shelter.

Local individual sponsors and foreign charity groups provide the bulk of the institute’s funding covering operational expenses and services that include education, healthcare and entertainment.

But as the number of orphans hosted has risen, meeting those needs is proving more challenging than before.

“[Local] sponsors are fewer than before due to the generally deteriorating conditions in Gaza,” al-Masri said. “And these days, foreign support is mainly directed to Syria.”

Dramatic increase

Three successive Israeli military onslaughts in less than six years have caused a marked increase in the number of orphans in the embattled and isolated strip of land.

According to Itimad al-Tarshawi, an official at Gaza’s Social Affairs Ministry, of Gaza’s 15,223 orphans, 3,366 lost parents to Israeli aggression.

“Two thousand children lost their fathers or mothers or both in the 2014 summer aggression alone,” she noted.

Al-Tarshawi voiced her concern over the inadequate care provided to orphans resulting from the lack of resources. Gazan orphans should get free education, full health insurance and protection, but none of that can be guaranteed in the desperate financial situation in Gaza.

She appealed to the international community to step in.

“It is totally unacceptable to leave these children in such terrible living conditions, all of which have resulted from a 10-year-old blockade driven by unjust political agendas,” al-Tarshawi said.

But a lack of money is not the only problem confronting Gaza’s orphans. Khaled Tuman, the mental health worker at Al-Amal, told The Electronic Intifada that the orphans face a number of psychological issues, particularly the newcomers.

The first three months are the hardest. “Certainly, to grow up in such an overcrowded place where you have dozens of boys and about eight supervisors in your ward is not like living with your parents at home,” Tuman said. “The environment here is a sharp contrast to the tranquil and private family life they used to have.”

Challenges and determination

The fact that all the children come from different backgrounds is also challenging to both children and the administration. Disagreements, fights and conflict can emerge, and supervisors are always alert to negotiate all the different kinds of issues that may arise with and between the boys. Some recreational activities can be helpful in this respect, and staff find such techniques useful to help children assimilate fully.

“Our duty is mainly to provide parental care. A child cannot live without it. We do our best to be good fathers to those children,” Tuman said. “We want them to be able to tell us everything they want so we can help.”

The unusual circumstances of life at Al-Amal has not meant that the children who come out of it are not successful or equipped to pursue ambition in their lives. On the contrary: the opportunity to restore some faith and confidence after bitter childhoods often spurs them on.

Bashar Abu Quraya’s name trips easily off staff tongues. His is an example they often wheel out for the children there.

Abu Quraya, who spent 10 years at Al-Amal, achieved a very high score in the tawjihi, the high school examination. He is now studying medicine in Turkey. Luck plays its part. Unnamed philanthropists are helping him financially. But it is his own perseverance that has enabled him to even get to a position close to fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

And while the institute’s children are encouraged to learn the skills that prepare them for a future independent of and outside the institute — they cannot stay after the age of 18 — their orphanage does not completely abandon them. In many cases it donates to pay the college tuitions for talented former “alumni.”

“Most of our orphans come to pay us visits and tell us what happens with them,” Tuman said. “We are always happy to remain in touch with them.”

Isra Saleh el-Namey is a journalist based in Gaza.

Hamas denies commenting on Corbyn pledge to negotiate with all sides

Hamas spokesman says he did not give interview as Israel's Labour party says it may sever ties with UK party over anti-Semitism row

Jeremy Corbyn has suspended MP Naz Shah and former London mayor Ken Livingstone and has launched an inquiry into anti-Semitism in the party (AFP)

Tuesday 3 May 2016

Hamas has denied a report that one of its spokespeople “welcomed” comments made by British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, allegedly telling a right-wing news website that his willingness to engage with Hamas was a “painful hit” for Israel.

Taher A-Nunu, who is also a senior Hamas official, reportedly told Breitbart Jerusalem that Corbyn’s views on Hamas showed “that freedom movements are still appreciated and respected”.

“We consider the statements of the Labour leader to be an important message to people in Western countries that Hamas is not and will not be considered a terrorist group and our struggle is reduced to the borders of occupied Palestine,” Nunu was reported to have said.

However, Nunu has since denied making the statement, telling Middle East Eye that he gave no interview to the publication and did not mention Corbyn.

“I did not make any statements on this issue at all,” Nunu said. "I call on all of the media to delete my quotes because they are not true.

"I didn't speak to anyone - not to local or international media. No one called me at all."

Another Hamas source also told MEE that the group has made no comments on Corbyn's leadership.

Late on Tuesday, MEE contaced one of the authors of the Breitbart article to comment on Nunu's denial, but has not yet had a response.

Over the weekend, the Labour leader said that he would continue to speak with both Hamas and Hezbollah, despite the fact that they are labelled terrorist organisations by Israel and some in the West.

Nunu's alleged comments come as Israel's Labour Party said on Tuesday that it is weighing severing ties with its British sister party after three more local UK councillors were suspended over fresh anti-Semitism allegations on Monday.

Britain's Labour Party has been fielding accusations of anti-Semitism for months, ever since leftwinger Corbyn was elected party leader in September in a surprise victory.

Last week, British MP Naz Shah was suspended from the party over Facebook posts made before she became an MP, including one which suggested that Israel should be moved to the US.

The following day, former London mayor Ken Livingstone sparked controversy while attempting to defend Shah when he said Nazi leader Adolf Hitler had supported Zionism “before he went mad and ended up killing six million Jews”. He was subsequently suspended from the party.

On Friday, Corbyn announced an independent review into the allegations, saying there was no place for "anti-Semitism or any form of racism in the Labour Party".

Israeli Labour concern

Corbyn’s camp also strongly defended his statements about Hamas and Hezbollah saying that “he has met many people with whom he profoundly disagrees in order to promote peace and reconciliation processes, including in South Africa, Latin America, Ireland and the Middle East”.

“Jeremy Corbyn has been a longstanding supporter of Palestinian rights and the pursuit of peace and justice in the Middle East through dialogue and negotiation,” the statement said.

Nunu, however, allegedly told Breitbart that Corbyn’s refusal to disavow talks with Hamas served as proof that the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign was succeeding.

Corbyn’s statements comes “as part of the international boycott campaign that the enemy (Israel) is suffering from,” Nunu was reported as saying. “This campaign is succeeding on both the economic and political levels and it comes at a moment that the enemy is facing difficulties in justifying its crimes against the Palestinian people.”

In reaction to the chain of events, the Israeli Labour spokesman told AFP on Tuesday that breaking ties with its British counterparts is just "one of the options that is being considered".

Israeli lawmaker Oren Hazan of the ruling right-wing governing Likud party said Corbyn ought to focus on the "real front of Islamic terrorism playing a lead role in Europe... instead of focusing on a peace-seeking country like Israel."

The head of the opposition Yesh Atid party, former finance minister Yair Lapid, said: "The disease of anti-Semitism has taken root inside the British Labour Party and the leadership seems both incapable and unwilling to tackle the problem."

The Israeli foreign ministry and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment, saying it was a domestic British issue.

Rebel shelling hits Aleppo hospital amid cease-fire efforts

A Syrian man walks past destroyed buildings on Monday in Aleppo's Bab al-Hadid neighborhood, which was hit by airstrikes. (Karam Al-Masri/AFP/Getty Images)

By Erin Cunningham-May 3

ISTANBUL — A Syrian rebel assault on government-held parts of Aleppo killed as many as 19 people, activists and Syrian state media said Tuesday, in attacks that included a deadly rocket strike on a hospital even as diplomats struggled to find ways to quell the fighting.

The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, traveled to Moscow to push for a halt to the violence that monitoring groups say has killed more than 250 people in the past week. Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“We all hope” that there will soon be “a relaunch of the cessation of hostilities,” de Mistura said at a joint news conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

An earlier cease-fire brokered by the United States and Russia across Syria has all but collapsed.

“What the Syrians want to hear is no bombs, no rockets, no shelling, no aerial bombing," de Mistura said. Then peace efforts will be back “on the right track.”

[Aleppo’s chaos claims pediatrician who refused to flee]

But on Tuesday, the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said "scores" of people were killed or injured in rebel shelling of government neighborhoods in the western part of Aleppo, which has been divided between the rebels and the regime since 2012. The number of dead and injured could not immediately be confirmed.

Rebel fighters attacked several government positions in the Zahra neighborhood of Aleppo but were eventually repelled, activists said. The Syrian military also said it had fought off "terrorist" forces in the area, according to a statement reported by the Associated Press.

The bombardment included a rocket attack on a hospital and maternity clinic in Aleppo, SANA reported. At least three women were reported killed.

The strike came just hours before the U.N. Security Council passed a unanimous resolution calling for an end to attacks on health-care workers and facilities worldwide. Support for the resolution gained momentum after a deadly air raid on the Quds hospital in rebel-held Aleppo killed more than 50 people last week.

"This resolution cannot end up like so many others, including those passed on Syria over the past five years: routinely violated with impunity," Joanne Liu, international president of Doctors Without Borders, which supported the Quds hospital, said in an address to the Security Council on Tuesday.

"In Syria, where health care is systematically targeted and besieged areas are cynically denied medical care . . . uphold your obligations," Liu said.

Syrian state television said dozens of people were killed or wounded Tuesday when rebels fired rockets into a government-held neighborhood in the northern city of Aleppo. (AP)

The mounting death toll in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, has stirred international outrage and concern that the country's civil war could be tumbling into a new round of bloodshed and humanitarian misery.

[Russia and United States seek new ways to halt Syrian carnage]

Syria's information minister, Omran al-Zoubi, warned Tuesday that the government was ready to strike back against rebels shelling civilian areas. Opposition-held areas have also been pummeled by Syrian government airstrikes, and at least two people were killed Tuesday in the city’s Fardous district, activists said.

As many as 400,000 people have been killed in the five-year conflict, de Mistura said last month.

In Moscow, Lavrov said the United States and Russia would establish a joint center in Geneva to monitor the Syrian conflict. The United States has been launching airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria and has also supported some rebel groups.

"U.S. and Russian counterparts will be sitting at the same table. They will be looking at the same maps," Lavrov said of the proposed monitoring center. "They will work together to make sure that any violations [of the cease-fire] are nipped in the bud."

“There are groups in Syria trying to escalate violence," Lavrov said. "And they shouldn't be allowed to do so."

Zakaria Zakaria in Istanbul and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.