Steer econ growth to sustain well-being of Asia – President Sirisena calls on G 7

Click here to see the video and the photos of the event

( May 27, 2016, Tokyo, Sri Lanka Guardian) President Maithripala Sirisena said that Japan’s formal announcement that G7 will explore what is needed to sustain the well-being of Asia to steer economic growth, highlights the relevance of Sri Lanka being here. “It endorses Prime Minister Abe’s reasoning for selecting us.”

Addressing the G 7 Outreach Summit today (May 27) in Ise-Shima in Japan, he said that with a revolutionary change of governance, his government has succeeded in creating the path for viable development environment and for reconciliation in a multi-faceted society. Now, the people are free and respect human rights.

He described to the leaders of the world’s most affluent nations the steps taken since the national Unity Government was established to strengthen democracy, rule of law and good governance.

“We lack finances for extensive development efforts and therefore seek developed nations’ and multilateral and bi-lateral investors to invest in Sri Lanka,” President Sirisena said and expressed the hope that the G7 Summit of 2016 will look at countries like Sri Lanka in this regard.

“Your invitation to me would yield real benefits beyond bounds, if serious attention is drawn to our problems. I very much appreciate the feelings of friendship and understanding demonstrated by the Heads of State of G7 countries and the Heads of State of Outreach countries during these sessions,” he said in conclusion.

Full statement of President Maithripala Sirisena on ‘Stability and Prosperity in Asia’ at theOutreach Sessions of the G7 Summit. On 27th May 2016 in Japan

Hon.Shinzo Abe -Prime Minister of Japan and Chair of the Outreach Sessions of G7 Summit,
Honorable Heads of State of G7 Countries,
Honorable Heads of State of Outreach Countries,
Excellencies,
Representatives of UN and other Organizations,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

I thank the Prime MinisterHon.Shinzo Abe, for the invitation extended to me to attend the Outreach Sessions of the G7 Summit. It is a privilege and honor bestowed on Sri Lanka.

Japan’s formal announcement that G7 will explore what is needed to sustain the well-being of Asia to steer economic growth, highlights the relevance of Sri Lanka being here. It endorses Prime Minister Abe’s reasoning for selecting us.

The 2016 Outreach Session’s theme is on stability and economic prosperity in Asia. The terrorism and conflict that lasted for nearly 30 years resulted in the economic downfall in my country.

Stability and prosperity will depend on the opportunities, political and development environment, giving prominence to the huge public demands, good governance and the psychological needs for freedom, and protection from adverse situations.

With a revolutionary change of governance, my government has succeeded in creating the path for viable development environment and for reconciliation in a multi-faceted society. Now, the people are free and respect human rights. I am aware how G7 countries have appreciated the change we created. This change was endorsed by the people in January and August 2015 in two elections. It exhibited peoples’ opposition to abuse, corruption, and many such ills, which are detrimental to stability and prosperity.

These slowed down capital inflows and investments, which are the mechanisms for stability and prosperity.

To create stability we formed a National Unity Government under my Presidency, combining the country’s two main rival political parties in the Parliament. Our government introduced the 19th Amendment to the Constitution through which I transferred to the Parliament most of my executive powers, except those denied by the Supreme Court. It is democracy at its best.

As a demonstration of my commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, and my firm determination to wipe out corruption, I established a Special Presidential Task Force to investigate Stolen Government Assets, and appointed a Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption and established a Special Division within the Police titled the Financial Crimes Investigation Division to investigate major financial crimes.

Corruption and discrimination were factors that promoted political violence, withdrew investments and created an unstable economy. Therefore, our actions will instill stability and prosperity.

In addition to disengaging executive powers, I re-established the Independent Commissions such as for the Public Service, Human Rights, Police, Elections, Delimitation and Finance.

To focus on reconciliation, as I mentioned at the UN General Assembly, we move forward to establish mechanisms for Truth Seeking, Justice Seeking, Reparation and actions for non-recurrence, based on extensive consultation with all sections.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I wish to pay my tribute to the people of Japan and the Government of japan for the assistance they provided during the last few decades to enhance the economy of my country and to bring peace to my land at the time of war. I wholeheartedly thank the Government and the people of Japan for it.

We lack finances for extensive development efforts and therefore seek developed nations’ and multilateral and bi-lateral investors to invest in Sri Lanka.

Even as I speak to you today, Sri Lanka is recovering from one of the worst floods and landslides we ever experienced. Immediately several countries offered help in our rescue and reconstruction efforts. We thank them and look forward for more development commitments as the destruction is severe.

Therefore, I believe that the G7 Summit of 2016 will look at countries like ours focusing on all these fields. Your invitation to me would yield real benefits beyond bounds, if serious attention is drawn to our problems.

I very much appreciate the feelings of friendship and understanding demonstrated by the Heads of State of G7 countries and the Heads of State of Outreach countries during these sessions.

Finally, while thanking the Organizers for the wonderful hospitality provided to me and my delegation, I wish the outcome of G7 Summit to be a great success.

– Thank You.

Affairs Of An Island & The World

By Asanga Abeyagoonasekera –May 26, 2016

Asanga Abeygoonasekera

A Forgotten national hero: remembering Ven. S.Mahinda

On the 15th of May sixty five years ago was the death of one of the great national hero’s of Sri Lanka Ven. S.Mahinda also known as Tibet S.Mahinda. Born in Gangtok, Sikkim state of India located in the Himalayan Mountains, this foreigner by nationality to Lanka dedicated his life to awaken the nationalistic sentiments to liberate the country from the British. His poetry generated sparks through our independence movement. Remembering individuals in our society is important not only the politicians who was behind the national struggle. A memorial lecture to remind us of S.Mahinda’s work particularly in the sphere of literature to our younger generation should have been conducted.

Regional Disaster management Center

The worst natural disaster after many years affected the island of Sri Lanka., The floods and related landslides killed more than 91persons with still more than 100 missing and 400,000 affected. The floods have caused more than $1.5 billion worth of damage. Many Sri Lankans locally and internationally combined strengths to assist generously toward the cause of flood aid to come out of this situation just like in 2004 Tsunami.

Photo courtesy Isuru Perera

Last November the first annual international disaster convention in Sri Lanka was held by MDF which this author attended and Chaired a session to share the successful Tsunami reconstruction work at fishery harbours corporation during his time. The first thing I noticed when entering the conference was many empty chairs, apparently many high level politicians and officials were invited but they couldn’t make it due to their busy schedules. The military was present with few interested participants. During my remarks commenting “It was Prime Minister who established the ministry of disaster management, he understood the importance of the subject back then. We need a national disaster management plan for all stakeholders to work together, public private partnership is essential and all of them need to sync or else they will work on their own silos. SAARC Regional disaster management center in Dhaka contribution is limited and I don’t think it’s operating. Sri Lanka is an ideal location a geo-strategic hub to setup a regional disaster management center.” With the increased regional natural disasters in the last several months in Nepal, Bangladesh, South India and now Sri Lanka the government should seriously consider setting up a state of the art fully equipped regional disaster management center that could predict accurately few days before the disaster.

Read More

IMF bailout is a dire need: Poll

Friday, 27 May 2016

The latest nationwide survey conducted by research firm TNS Lanka, for business magazine LMD, reveals that majority of the people believe Sri Lanka is in dire need of an IMF bailout.

The magazine notes that, according to the poll results, 60% of those polled acknowledge that the bailout is needed on the grounds that it will help stabilise the country’s economy and benefit national development.

However, 32% disagree with this claim and 8% are sitting on the fence, LMD notes.

Of those surveyed, 62% opine that the present Government is to blame for the prevailing situation – they say that the Administration needs to take responsibility for settling loans. But curiously, LMD observes, more than 71% of the survey sample upholds the view that the previous Government is responsible for the current state of affairs.

As to whether that the country’s economic management is in good hands, only a quarter of respondents respond positively, LMD reports.

Among the resolutions to avoid ‘any possible bankruptcy,’ the people suggest that strengthening domestic production, reducing expenditure and more efforts to develop the economy is the way forward. In fact, two-thirds of those surveyed believe that Sri Lanka should spend less to avoid costly funding.

The latest edition of the pioneering business magazine has been released to leading supermarkets and bookstores in Colombo and the outstations.

Its May Cover Story features an exclusive interview with entrepreneur, philanthropist, celebrity Sir Richard Branson, and his insights into Sri Lanka’s investment potential (for the full story, log onto www.LMD.lk).

MILITARY FILE RELATED TO EKNALIGODA ABDUCTION GONE MISSING

25/05/2016

Homagama court was told on 23rd May that a report obtained from the Army Commander giving details of the soldiers who visited the Akkaraipattu army camp and left on January 25,2010 had gone missing reports the Island. This information was divulged by that CID SP Shani Abeysekera, making a statement before court.

Homagama Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake further remanded seven suspects taken into custody in connection with the alleged abduction and disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda after the court hearing.

SP Shani Abeysekera had further said that a statement had been obtained from Capt.Wickremesionghe, who was in-charge of the camp on the day in question and he had identified some of the signatures on the attendance register of Jan 26, 2010 and he had taken the responsibility for the other signatures in the register on the statements made by drivers. He said three of the drivers were recognised and of them two had already retired while the other had deserted.

The Magistrate ordered the CID to conduct further investigations and submit a report to court on June 07, reports the Island.

Where is the change ? Maithri gives the answer well and thoroughly: The ‘change’ astounds and attracts even Japanese media..

(Lanka-e-News- 26.May.2016, 8.10PM) Some of  those who moved heaven and earth , and even were  ready to sacrifice their lives for the brutal corrupt  Medamulana in order  to  keep him installed in power ,without  helping   even as much as with a  drop of water to bring about the salutary  change on January 8 th , are now questioning ‘Is this  the change promised ?’ Certainly this  is being asked not in the best interests of  the country or the people but to muddle up their sane thinking , and to mislead them .

Hereunder  is a report that answers their question . 

The incumbent president Maithripala Sirisena who was in the vanguard of the  change on 8 th January is even now  fulfilling the promises honorably he gave then. He is proving his mettle  in deed silently without making a huge din through  mere use of  words.

For the first time Sri Lanka’s leader  was invited to attend the G -7 conference which is held in Japan with  the participation of  7 main  technically leading countries . This invitation was extended solely and wholly to demonstrate  their respect  and regard they have for  the Sri Lankans who succeeded in toppling a despotic corrupt regime and  making the rainbow revolution to emerge victorious on 8 th January.

President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena who led the rainbow revolution then , flew to Japan yesterday (25)  to attend the conference . He left by flight No. G.K. 348 of Emirates airways , and was accompanied by UNP and SLFP ministers  Mangala, Ravi, Malik, Mahinda Amaraweera and Naveen .

It is worthy of mention , they traveled in  an ordinary passenger plane from Colombo to Japan via  Singapore , and the president as well as the ministers travelled in this  passenger plane mingled with the other ordinary passengers.

The Sri Lankan VIPs had  to wait for 4 1/ 2 hours at Singapore airport   before taking the flight to Japan , and  arrived in  Japan the following morning.

To those stupid self seeking scoundrels  who are asking ‘is this the change ?’ , we wish to remind lest they have forgotten , the Medamulana corrupt despot when he recently  left for Uganda to embrace another cruel despot , asked for funds from the government to pay for a hotel since  he had to wait  for fours at the Dubai airport . He wanted to spend that 4 hours waiting time too  in a  luxury  hotel. Medamulana made his request by letter to the foreign ministry.

The government of course acting sensibly  giving priority to conservation of  public funds unlike during Medamulana’s era , refused to make the disbursement. This Medamulana corrupt despot ‘weeped and wailed’ demanding this payment  out of public funds despite the fact he was touring Uganda aimlessly , meaninglessly and purposelessly on a mission that served no useful purpose for   the country.

How can Medamulana ‘s request be granted  who was on an aimless ,  useless , purposeless and worthless tour ?  when  the president and five ministers attending a most useful and purposeful official conference  are not claiming a cent , and were  prepared to wait in  the Airport for  4 1/ 2 hours until the next flight took  them to Japan.

It may seem  incredible but  is true , when Medamulana  brutal corrupt ex president toured Japan  during his reign , he never travelled  in the ordinary passenger class . He chartered two separate planes to do his tour. Recently when the Sri Lankan Airlines affairs were debated in parliament , the prime minister (P.M.) revealed with facts , figures and documents that when the corrupt brutal Medamulanas  toured overseas , they went not by one but two chartered flights. This was to use the other in case one falls into disrepair .

What’s more ? those two planes were  kept stationed at the destination airports  idling   until Medamulana concluded his tour.    It can be imagined  what a ruthlessly and recklessly  profligate individual Medamulana was despite being a head of a State stricken with poverty. Planes have been used by him like hiring cabs to the detriment of the country. 

The 7 countries participating in the G -7 conference are America, Germany , France, Britain, Canada, Italy and Japan .7 other countries have also been invited.  SL is included along with countries like Bangla Desh and Vietnam . One day has been set aside for the additional countries.

What is most remarkable is while the heads of all the countries (14) were arriving for the conference by chartered flights , it was only SL that was  an exception- the   SL state head and his group arriving sans chartered flight.  Owing to this , the red carpet welcome that was  to be accorded to the heads of the countries participating in the conference had to be changed by the organizers because of SL. All because  the Sri Lankan president and his group  disembarked from an ordinary passenger plane mingled with ordinary passengers ! They had discovered a new method !

This ‘change’ attracted the attention of the Japanese media . That is, they greatly admired and extolled the SL  head of State and the ministers for the profound concern showed by them to the 400 ,000 people (approximately) of SL who have fallen victims to floods and landslides .

While the government of SL has requested aid from foreign countries , the head of the state and his ministers who were  truly overwhelmed with grief and unable to bear the sorrow of the  tragedy of monumental proportions have instead of  spending many millions on chartered flights  preferred  to arrive in Japan by  an ordinary passenger plane .

This tour of the SL head and his group attaching  top  priority to austerity is yet another answer to those who ask ‘is this the change the people expected on 8 th January?’ Halting the profligate expenditure of the rulers is indeed  a change .

It will be best if the media develop  the spine to openly admire and extol if something  good is done , as well as condemn and criticize openly if a wrong is committed.

Derana the notorious self centered media Institution that is day in and day out  screaming against the withdrawal of the military security of Medamulana corrupt brute even after being fully aware it is he who surely and wantonly drove the country into irretrievable doom and gloom , should instead , if it has even an ounce of  love for the country truly report to the people not of the military security withdrawal done duly and legally , rather about the commitment and dedication of the present leaders who are determined to stamp out profligacy , and are sincerely concerned about the masses. It is high time these hypocritical ,selfish , self seeking media coolies of SL reform  and learn  to show  a greater and sincere concern for their own country much more than the Japanese media showed towards SL .

By a Lanka e News special correspondent
Translated by Jeff.

---------------------------
by     (2016-05-26 14:50:30)

Remove Vajira from Cabinet

2016-05-27

The Yahapalana government of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe came under severe criticism for its delay in taking action against the alleged corrupt individuals in the previous regime. The recent move to appoint Anusha Pelpita, former chairman of Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) who is facing a legal battle against fraudulent deals, as an additional Secretary to the Ministry of Home Affairs, has now come under scathing attack by the civil society movements which played a major role in electing the government into power.

? You were part of the civil society movement that helped elect the government into power. When you look back the past several months do you really think the government has progressed?
A: The government has good and bad sides. People chose a new President and a government on 8 January and 17 August with a lot of aspirations. We also stood by President Maithripala Sirisena with the expectation that he would take steps to change the executive presidency.

Furthermore, we remained with President Sirisena for certain reasons. First, certain legislative measures were obliterated by the previous government, and the country was economically pulverized. There were also issues on law and order.
"We requested President Sirisena to make amendments to ensure that government will engage in safe politics.
We asked for electoral reform and the economy is in shambles due to corruption and theft. Administration ought to publish the names of the persons and bring them before the law.
In addition, there were killings committed by a few government officials during the previous government and names of certain legislators have been linked in the killings.
The government pledged to finish the tasks and the 19th Amendment was passed.
When the 19th Amendment was debated in Parliament we saw how the Opposition responded.
We recommended electoral reforms and a draft was made. However, we could not get the endorsement from all the sectors.
Police have completed investigations on some murders but there is a delay at the Attorney General's Department.

?Do you believe the present government did not keep its word to change society?
A: If the general public thinks the current government has lived up to its expectations it is wrong because it has not done so. Our suggestions are clear, therefore, the government should act on them.
But there are reasons why they cannot live up to the people's expectations. Firstly, the country got used to a corrupt political environment for the past ten years and they did not respect democracy. The Mahinda Rajapaksa regime destroyed several political parties as well.
We do not think that culture will change just because a new government has been appointed. If the people pressurize the government there is a possibility to change that culture.
People are used to vote candidates who are corrupt because they treat them well. That is why a Ratnapura District politician who was in remand prison got more votes than others.
Parliament consists of 225 members. Out of them only 25 per cent is newly elected parliamentarians.
Since there are senior representatives in Parliament, old habits are still there. That is why parliamentarians have regular fights.
To change this environment, the law should be more effective and the government should conduct an effective programme in the country to deal with the situations.

?Why did the Civil Society Movement complained that government officials are enjoying their perks but not working for the country?
A: There are responsibilities for officials as well as ministers, deputy ministers and State Ministers. If they are holding a post in the government and if they look into the responsibilities and work accordingly then only the country can move towards success. However, some politicians are more into earning for themselves using their position in the government.
The problem is this is a national government in which UNP and SLFP have to work together. But both parties have different terms and conditions. Therefore, when decisions are taking there is a delay.
There are certain individuals who are trying to get posts in the government who were involved in corruption in the previous regime. But there are several individuals who are already holding posts in the government.

? The Civil Society Movement also promised to reveal names of officials who are thriving on public funds but not working according to their responsibilities. Can you tell us who they are?
A: When we consider government officials, we do not accept the appointment of the Governor of the Central Province because we do not believe she does not have the qualifications to be appointment to such a post. We do not approve of the appointment of Anusha Palpita as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs under Vajira Abeywardena.
The appointment of Palpita was done by Minister Abeywardena. He took the decision while having so many allegations against him.
Furthermore, Palpita has allegations against him for purchasing Rs 600 million worth of Sil clothes during the election period.
Therefore, Palpita should not be given any responsible post. He should be interdicted by the Presidential Secretary because the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission is under him.
The Presidential Secretary and Minister Abeywardena have done something wrong by appointing him to a post in his ministry.
Also the Civil Society Movement thinks Vajira Abeywardena is not suitable as the Minister of Home Affairs and he should be removed. When Thilak Marapana gave some wrong information we spoke against him and he resigned.

? Due to pressure from society Rajitha Senaratna, Arjuna Ranatunga, Champika Ranawaka and Sarath Fonseka submitted a joint Cabinet paper to President Sirisena to discuss investigations against the corrupt elements. What is the view of the civil society?
A: We did not pressurize them to bring a Cabinet paper. It is their view on the government and that is why they decided to submit a Cabinet paper to President Sirisena. We appreciate their efforts and we want progress in investigations against corrupt elements.

? Does the government respect the views of the Civil Society?
A: When we wanted to remove Thilak Marapana from the government they listened and even when there were certain issues at the AG's department, the government listened to us.
Therefore, if we are against certain things the government should listen to us as well because we also helped them to defeat former President Rajapaksa.

The Arrest Of Former DIG Anura Sennanayake & The Problem Of Command Responsibility

By Basil Fernando –May 27, 2016

Basil Fernando

Former DIG Anura Senanayake was arrested and produced before the Colombo Magistrates Court, and the Court ordered him to be remanded till 26 May 2016. According to reports, the allegations against him relate to the murder of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen. It is particularly alleged that he attempted to misdirect the inquiry into this case, at the initial stages, trying to pass off the murder as an accident. The Officer in Charge (OIC) of crimes at the Narahenpita Police Station, now also under arrest, has confessed that the former DIG instructed and directed investigations to be carried out on the basis that it involved an accident despite the observed evidence making it obvious to the OIC that there were sufficient grounds to suspect murder. The purpose of this article is not to go into the case details as such but to focus on such high ranking police officers being suspected of serious crimes on the policing service in Sri Lanka.

There are a number of criminal cases in which senior police officers of such rank as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGs), down to the Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) and Officers in Charge (OICs), have been charged in courts; some have already been found guilty and sentenced on serious charges, such as murder. Some others are being investigated on charges of murder and related offences and of deliberate subversion of the judicial process by tampering with investigation processes and reports. Some recent cases relating to such senior officers are: the case of former DIG Vaas Gunawardana, who with six others was convicted and sentenced to death on charges of abducting and murdering a businessman; the case of ASP Cooray, who was found guilty and convicted for the murder of senior Minister Jeyeraj Fernandopulle; the case of Thajudeen’s murder itself, wherein, apart from former DIG Anura Senanayake, Traffic DIG Amarasiri Senaratne and former Director General of Military Intelligence (DGMI) Major General Kapila Hendawitharane have been questioned by the CID, and two Head Quarters Inspector of Police (HQIs) on duty in Narahenpita and Kirulapone have also been arrested along with Sumith Champika Perera, former Crime OIC of Narahenpita police; and the infamous murder case of Sumith Prasanna Jayawardena, wherein the Embilipitiya ASP W.D.C. Dharmaratne has been arrested and remanded. There have been others who have been charged for bribery and corruption.  

A policing system is a monolithic system, which runs on the basis of control from the top to the bottom. It is a strict system of command and the control, and the actions of the officers of the lower ranks are entirely in the hands of the officers of higher ranks. The system works on the basis of command responsibility, which is a doctrine of accountability of superior officers regarding all other who act under their direction and command. This system can function only to the extent that the principle of command responsibility is respected and maintained within the organisation.

Read More

Disciplinary action against Prof. Ananda Samarasekara!

May 26, 2016

The Sri Lanka Medical Council today (26) gave a written undertaking to Colombo magistrate’s court no. 03 that disciplinary action would be taken with regard to the report submitted by Prof. Ananda Samarasekara, Dr. Rajaguru and another doctor who performed the first postmortem examination into the body of Wasim Thajudeen. With that promise, the SLMC submitted a new postmortem examination report to the court.

It has accepted that Prof. Samarasekara and the other two doctors were responsible for the disappearance of the leg bones of Thajudeen. Based on Samarasekara’s report, magistrate Nishantha Peiris had ruled that Thajudeen had died in a vehicle accident.

The Attorney General’s Department is of the view that legal action could be initiated against the three on charges of criminal negligence, concealing evidence and conspiracy. Therefore, Prof. Samarasekara and the two others are risking arrest.

Commenting on this, a legal expert told us that the Thajudeen case could be the best criminal case in recent history.

CM Nazeer Ahamed Saga: Need To End This Political Arrogance !

By Lukman Harees –May 27, 2016

Lukman Harees

“Politics is a pendulum which swings between anarchy and tyranny are fuelled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions“– Albert Einstein

During the previous regime, we had the likes of political thugs such as Mervyn Silva who punished a state official by tying him to a tree; politicians who talked filth in public media such as SB and Johnston Fernando and we had a Local body chairman in Hambantota who sought to attack opposition politicos with a pistol in hand and another one punishing a teacher in school. It was a common sight during those days for civil servants and law enforcement officers to be treated by the politicos like slaves and bring subjected to ridicule and utmost humiliation by those so called servants of the people, most of them did not even possess basic educational qualifications. The Political Rowdyism and hooliganism have been the order of the day then.

It was therefore not surprising that the people voted that regime out and voted another set in, who strategically cashed in on the emotional feelings of our people and assumed a pseudo reformist image claiming to bring in good governance. But sadly, this same rowdyism continues if not to the same degree and political rowdies have become a public nuisance and even an embarrassment. No end appears in sight for political haughtiness and arrogance.

Chief Minister of Eastern PC Nazeer Ahamed

The process of political degeneration, in many aspects has been worsening in public life during the last few decades. It has been an utter shame that this Yahapalanaya clique too has been continuing to encourage and use Political Rowdyism and allow the offenders to go scot-free. Many political characters of dubious credibility in the earlier regime, although were apparently charged by the courts for various offences, and sent to ‘prison’ were kept in comfort in the hospital and released on medical grounds. Parliamentary proceedings have become a comedy where everything but the vital affairs of the country are discussed and decided upon. The members continue to utter filth and profanities, disobey the orders of the Chair inside the parliament while outside they flex their muscles, and misbehave in public and act in an arrogant manner not befitting their status.

It was in this context that the country learnt about the disgusting news of this haughty Chief Minister of Eastern PC Nazeer Ahamed verbally abusing a Navy officer in public, after accusing him of failing to understand protocol. This ugly incident occurred at an event held last week during the opening ceremony of a science lab and computer unit at the Sampur Maha Vidyalayam, in the presence of the Governor Austin Fernando and the US Ambassador as well. A child too was seen accidentally being hit by the hand of the Chief Minister. The reason given by him was that he was angry over the failure by the organisers of the event to initially invite him on stage to present gifts to the children.

Read More

Political violence and (this time) the Chief Minister!

HILMY AHAMED on 05/27/2016

Chief Minister Nazeer Ahamed’s outburst is not acceptable by any standards. As the senior most political office holder in the province, he has a much bigger responsibility to ensure that law, order and justice prevails. If he was insulted, the stage was not the forum to address it. He was a bad example to the children around him.  Yet, haven’t we seen similar behavior or worse in parliament when innocent children who come to witness some rare species are entertained from the well of our august assembly?

Latest media reports indicate that the Navy has ordered the Chief Minister out of its camps. Can the commander of the Navy make such an order at the Chief Minister of a province? Who has the authority to make such orders? Has the President, who is in Japan, pressed his command button? What has the Prime Minister done about it, in the absence of the President? What are Hakeem and his party (already in the midst of an internal struggle) going to do? Will the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) rejoice at the prospect of taking over the Chief Ministers office in the Eastern province too?

Nazeer Ahamed’s violent behavior is not an exception in today’s political culture. We have the leader of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa, (who is now demanding the head of the CM) abusing a senior Police officer in front of the United Nations office complex on Baudhaloka Mawatha, literally on the orders of the then Secretary of Defense, or our man with a clean head from Galle Hon. Nishantha Muthuhettigama, storming in to a police station, holds the policemen hostage and takes away one his own from the police cell. Sounds more like the recreation of a scene from a South Indian Tamil movie, isn’t it? The list of offenders (Political thugs) is countless and the impunity that has been offered to these third rate politicians is the cause for the breakdown of values in our society. No concrete action has been taken against these perpetrators and hence, the trend continues. Nazeer Ahamed could well become the guinea pig, and if it means reforming our politicians, so be it. This may have deeper repercussions as Nazeer Ahamed is a Muslim and represents the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.  Will Hakeem and Co. walk out of Yahapalanaya if marching orders are delivered to Nazeer Ahamed?

The political culture that has been bred since the introduction of the 13^th amendment to the constitution by the then head of state President J R Jayewardene is probably the root cause for all these violence that has been unleashed with impunity by our elected representatives? The provincial council’s brought in a large number of street fighters to administer the provinces. This was mainly because the elected MPs in the districts didn’t want to breed a set of new politicians at the provincial level who would be a threat to them in future parliamentary elections. So, they chose either their siblings or those who are closest to them – the goon squad, who would remain loyal to their masters until death. The eventual fading away of that older generation of politicians saw the natural entry of these provincial politicians to parliament. 

Today, we have a large number of them in our august assembly.  When we see the parliament today, it is worse than Mariya Kade, or the worst favelas of Rio de Janeiro.  Violence has become part of the political culture. Politicians do not have the right to act with impunity, whether it is inside the sanctity of our parliament or outside. Laws should be applied equally to all.

There is an urgent need to bring in legislation to ensure that our elected representatives behave in more civilized ways. The President and Prime Minister, who have up to now maintained decency and decorum in their political history should bring in these changes through the proposed constitutional reform process that would arrest the unscrupulous behavior of our elected representatives.

The Nazeer Ahamed episode in Sampur is even more regrettable because it involved a highly respected former civil servant and a senior member of the armed forces. It is even worse because it happened before an audience of our future leaders – the student population.

It is regrettable that this issue is being politicked and there are serious attempts to drive a wedge between the government and armed forces by the power hungry and joint opposition. The joint opposition has been firing from all sides on the arrest of security forces personal that are suspected of abducting and murdering our media colleague, Ekneligoda. Now, they have got their Stinger missiles targeted at the Yahapalana government ally, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress. Communal dice have been cast to create conflict and go back to the days of Ven. Gnanasara’s hate campaign which the former regime sponsored offering them impunity.

Nazeer Ahamed is a politician and does not represent the Muslims as Chief Minister. He is the Chief Minister for the Eastern Province and the government of Sri Lanka has made his appointment. There is absolutely no need for anyone to brand this as a communal issue. Whatever action needs to be taken to discipline the Chief Minister should take its due course.

Sri Lanka needs a new political culture. The civil service needs to get back its pride and bowing down to political dictates must cease. The naval officer was mature and patient enough not to draw his weapon and blow the head off the Chief Minister, but continuing this culture of political thuggery may drive a self respecting security forces officer to draw his weapon and sacrifice his life to save his dignity. (Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un) “Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return”.

Sri Lanka tri-forces shun Eastern Province CM after outburst at a Navy officer

May 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka's tri-forces have decided to shun the Chief Minister of Eastern Province Nazeer Ahamed after he verbally assaulted a Sri Lanka Navy officer at an event in Trincomalee recently.

Accordingly, the Chief Minister will not be allowed to enter any military camps and the tri-forces -Army, Navy and Air Force- will not participate in any functions attended by the Chief Minister, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) said.

The Chief Minister at an event on May 20 in Sampur Maha Vidyalaya, where Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando, who was the Chief Guest and US Ambassador Atul Keshap were also present, has berated a navy officer telling him to "just get out from here."

"Get out from here idiot. If you don�t know what protocol is, just get out. Who the hell are you to stop me? Even you, Governor don't know what the protocol is. I respect the Excellency the Ambassador much more. You should know Governor, you should know the protocol," the Chief Minister is seen saying to the Navy officer in a video clip of the event.

The Navy Wednesday submitted a report to Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi calling for appropriate action on the verbal assault directed at the Navy officer by the Chief Minister.


The Defense Secretary said the report handed over by the navy was forwarded to the President and the Prime Minister.

President intimidated by organized threats of rogues..!

-Instead prove there are fourfold more honest patriots to replace them..!

(Lanka-e-News -26.May.2016, 11.45PM) 139 high ranking officers who held various posts under the Rajapakse administration , and are still in those positions in State Boards and authorities have decided to resign in protest against the on going investigations into the financial frauds , bribery and corruption charges , based on reports. 

This protest was intimated to the president , and the latter before leaving for Japan yesterday had ordered to halt the arrests  that were to be made today (26) . Six individuals including a  former chairman of the Sri Lanka tourism promotion  Authority , Directors of the board and  an additional secretary were to be arrested today on charges of  grave financial frauds .

These officers who were  to be arrested said , they were notified  to report to  the FCID today , however yesterday night , the FCID officers had phoned them and stated  it is not necessary for them to come to the FCID.

Among those to be arrested is  an additional secretary of the Prime Minister’s secretariat , Ms. Hema Dharmawardena.

She  was an ex secretary of the economic development ministry Basil Rajapakse. In addition , Bhashwara Senanka Gunaratne ( he was directly involved in Mahinda Rajapakse’s election campaign  ,and a most corrupt individual about whom Lanka e news has exposed umpteen times) a former chairman of the authority; Director General D.S. Jayaratne , and members of the board , namely , Ranasinghage Semasinghe , Don Chandrasiri  and Amitha Kithsiri Ranawake are among them.

The administrative officers’  association had made an organized effort to obstruct the arrest of these corrupt officers (male and female). A number of officers of this association are linked to various fraudulent  and corrupt activities., and among them a great many are certainly going to be liable because there is cogent and copious evidence to prove their crimes, sources say.

This officers’ mafia that is operated by the joint opposition is constituted of ex president’s  secretariat chief of staff Gamini Senarath, Public service commission secretary Gamini Seneviratne, Government administrative officers association president Ranjith Ariyaratne and ministry of public administration secretary Dadallage. 

Following the investigations based on the statements recorded of the afore -stated  accused , they were charged  under the General growth property Act. The investigations had revealed  they have been directly involved in the frauds , or have connived at them or they have as state officers not taken action to prevent the crimes.

The Attorney General’s department has given instructions to the FCID to take these officers into custody, but because of the president’s orders the police had been intercepted , and no action could be taken by them. 

Political analysts are of the view , because of the intervention of the president , all the investigations into frauds and corruption are being foiled. The allegations leveled  at the police that only those who have been hand picked based on political and other reasons are being arrested , are being borne out by this action of the president , the analysts point out .

The president who solemnly vowed that he would establish good governance and came to power , if he is to make an abject surrender to threats and intimidations posed by crooks  and the corrupt , and takes steps to safeguard them, the officers of the AG’s department and the police officers who undertook these investigations risking their lives are certainly going to be bitterly disappointed and disillusioned. 

That will be a new encouragement and experience to the rogues.. If 139 rogues are to resign from their government posts on behalf of rogues , the best course of action is for the government  to gladly  relieve these crooks of their jobs , while also depriving  them of the pension . 

The president should steadfastly stand by the people for good governance who installed him in power, without betraying the trust they reposed in him . He must replace the crooks with non corrupt patriotic indviduals and prove there are four fold more such individuals who love  the country.

By Yasakulaputhra
Translated by Jeff 

---------------------------
by     (2016-05-26 21:45:30)

Education & Reconciliation; The Sri Lanka Case

By S. Sandarasegaram –May 26, 2016

Prof. S. Sandarasegaram

Education is considered as panacea for most of the social ills. It is also considered as a powerful weapon in ameliorating the problems such as unemployment, pollution, national disintegration, population explosion, increase in crimes, aids and the list is lengthy. Discourse on establishing social cohesion and reconciliation in Sri Lanka is full of suggestions pertaining to educational reforms and strategies and the educational policy makers are very much concerned about focusing their attention on the four million children enrolled in the school system because this target group is easily approachable through the means of state schools and the national curriculum which are almost compulsory for them.

The sixteen million people who are not in schools and a fraction of them are enrolled in higher educational institutions are not very much touched by these educational policies for reconciliation but those 90000 students enrolled in the state university system are to some extent taken into account through social cohesion projects, thanks to the generous funding policies of the international agencies. These projects do not reach thousands of students enrolled as students in the external degree programs conducted by the state universities and the students enrolled in the hundreds of private institutions of higher education providing courses of foreign universities. Apart from these students, the general public are not properly brought within the purview of the educational policies aiming at bringing about reconciliation in the country. As easily said the print and electronic media, agencies for non-formal education and non-governmental organizations working along these lines and even the political parties have the responsibility to promote the gospel of reconciliation and social cohesion among the general public. If we do not have state sponsored educational programmes to reach these out-of school population all attempts at bringing about reconciliation through education will only have limited impact on the realization of the noble objective. But in this paper attention will be paid only to the role of the formal system of school education in promoting reconciliation and social cohesion.

While it is possible to incorporate some principles and material in the school curriculum pertaining to reconciliation and social cohesion and make arrangements for intermingling of students from different ethnic communities in the school system one has to study whether these measures alone could bring about reconciliation in the absence of measures necessary for removing all grievances expressed and experienced by the minority communities. In other words there are serious concerns entertained by the minorities which need to be addressed as an important component of reconciliation. Any member of the Tamil minority will talk about the presence of military in the North, incarceration of unspecified number of Tamil prisoners without any trial, delay in releasing lands to the legitimate owners in the North, non-implementation of language provisions enshrined in the Constitution and reluctance to devolve power to the Provincial Councils. Reforms in school education can inculcate relevant values to live in a multicultural society to the new generation of people who are not fully aware of Implications of the grievances listed above and they (the reforms) would not have any impact on the adult population finding ways of expressing their real or perceived grievances. Whether the values taught by the school system is reaching the family or larger community from which the children come is another question to be studied.

Read More