95 pc of Lankan Tamils Want Federal Constitution, Says Government Panel Member

S.Thavarasa | P.K.Balachandran

By P.K.Balachandran-16th July 2016

COLOMBO: Ninety five percent of Tamils living in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, have asked for a federal constitution, says S.Thavarasa, a member of the government’s Public Representations Committee (PRC) which interviewed thousands of Lankans on what they would like to see in the new constitution that is to be drawn up soon.

Refuting the reported contention of PRC chairman Lal Wijenaike, that most Tamils did not seek federalism, Thavarasa said that he could produce documentary proof to show that the North-East Tamils demanded federalism.

“I have copies of all the submissions,” he told Express on Saturday.

Wijenaike had made the statement attributed to him at a hurriedly convened press conference on Friday.

It is suspected that government might have asked Wijenaike to say what he did in order to douse speculation among Lanka’s Sinhalese majority that the government may accede to the Tamils’ demand for federalism.

The basis of this fear is that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the largest Tamil party, is an ally of the government.

Fearing pressure from the TNA, Patali Champika Ranawka, a member of the Lankan cabinet and leader of the Sinhalese-rights party, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), recently asked the Tamils to give up the demand for federalism if they want a solution to the ethnic conflict.

Like the JHU, other Sinhalese parties in the government may also be fearing that if the government gave in to the demand of the Tamils, the ruling coalition will suffer erosion of support among the majority Sinhalese. In that event, the Joint Opposition led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the gainer at the coming local bodies’ elections.

Middle Of Road Proposal  

It is in view of the Sinhalese opposition to a federal constitution that S.Thavarasa’s party, the Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party (EPDP), proposed to the PRC that a middle of the road solution may be sought if the Sinhalese parties give up their insistence on a Unitary constitution.

“The EPDP suggested that a middle of the road structure, which is neither fully federal nor fully unitary, could be worked out if there is agreement that the controversial terms ‘federal’ and ‘unitary’ are not used,” Thavarasa said.

He pointed out that there is a thirst for devolution in all Sri Lankan provinces and not just in the minorities‘ dominated Northern and Eastern Provinces.

“At a conference of Chief Ministers called by the Prime Minister on July 9, all the  six  Chief Ministers who attended sought devolution as decreed by the 13 th.Constitutional amendment including power over lands and the police,” Thavarasa said.

The 13 th.Amendment enacted at the instance of India following the India-Lanka Accord of 1987, created elected  Provincial Councils with powers over land and the police also. But powers over these two important subjects were never actually devolved ,thus effectively crippling the Provincial Councils.

Army major general submits misleading name list to court ! (Audio hereunder)

(Lanka-e-News -15.July.2016, 10.00PM)  The name  list submitted to the Mullaitivu court  by an army Major General on the 14 th regarding a group of individuals who went missing  during  the final phase of the war , when the army took over has been categorically rejected by the Mullaitivu district judge S. Samsudeen.

During the final four days of the war , a large number of Tamil residents  were entrusted to te custody of  the army by their relatives with supporting evidence in order to provide security to them . However as they have by now gone missing ,  14 habeas applications were filed in this connection in the Mullaitivu court.

When this case was heard last in  February, since the army major general  revealed that the name list of those who were entrusted to army custody  is available , the judge ordered him to appear with the name list to give evidence.

Lawyer R. S. Ratnavale who appeared on behalf of the petitioners said , the name list produced by the army officer on the date the trial was heard  was different, as confirmed by the court.

As the list produced by the army officer is the list of the 12139 members of the LTTE who surrendered and were rehabilitated , that list cannot be accepted the Mullaitivu court stated, while rejecting it.Accordingly ,the Mullaitivu court ordered the army officer to produce the correct name list on the 29 th of September – the next date of trial. 

Lawyer Rathnavale informed court that a majority of those who surrendered were members of the LTTE organization. Following the announcements made by the army that their lives will be safeguarded, they were entrusted to the custody  of the army by their relatives with  supporting  evidence , he added.

When the custody of  this group was being handed over to the army  , two catholic priests were present as witnesses appointed by the army , in addition  to recording  the evidence and to translate the language . Thereafter  , the group that was entrusted to army custody  along with the two priests were loaded into a bus and taken to a different destination , the petitioners have stated.

The lawyer revealed that these priests have by now gone missing , and a habeas corpus case  in the same way has been filed in the Mulliativu court in regard to one of the priests who is now missing.

The audio tape of lawyer Rathnavale can be heard by clicking  on the voice tape herein.

By Dinasena Rathugamage from Vavuniya
Translated by Jeff

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by     (2016-07-15 16:53:52)

The Strains On Judicial Integrity

By Rajan Hoole –July 16, 2016

Dr. Rajan Hoole

Antecedents Of July 1983 & The Foundations Of Impunity – Part XI

Former Chief Justice M.C. Sansoni was clearly a man acting under pressure. The Commission itself became a forum for organised perjury against Tamil leaders, while the Report avoids any mention of the activities of the Sinhalese leaders.

A number of witnesses trooped in and claimed that Mrs. Amirthalingam had said at several meetings that she would make slippers out of the skins of Sinhalese and she cannot rest until she swims in the blood of the Sinhalese. One such witness was the Ven. Nandarama Thero, the chief priest of the Naga Vihare, Jaffna, who claimed that the statement was made at an election meeting close to his temple on 4th July 1977. The police report of that meeting was called, and it showed that Mrs. Amirthalingam did not speak at the meeting. Pointing out that not in a single meeting has this charge against Mrs. Amirthalingam been backed up by a police report, Sansoni dismissed these charges as a ‘dangerous and evil conspiracy’.

Former Chief Justice Milliani Claude Sansoni

Yet, time and again excerpts from these allegations have been reproduced in the Press, without mentioning that Sansoni convincingly refuted and dismissed them. The impression that is sought to be conveyed is that the Tamils are fond of leaders who make gory, threatening speeches.

These claims about speakers wanting to swim in Sinhalese blood and make shoes out of Sinhalese skins have been repeated by T.D.S.A. Dissanayaka in his War or Peace in Sri Lanka (p. 20). He says that these speeches were made by ‘callow youth’ from TULF platforms, but rumour attributed them to Mrs. Amirthalingam, and such reports triggered off the violence. He does not mention his source, but not a single police report has been cited in the Sansoni Report to show that such statements were at all made by anyone.

This is one of those instances where Sansoni showed the competent judge in him. He resisted attempts to frame and character-assassinate individuals and was sympathetic to individual victims. Another instance concerned Dr. J.T. Xavier, then surgeon at Trincomalee Hospital. His case illustrates the general vulnerability of Tamils in this system.

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Political decision making process in gridlock

*      Partners in govt. pull in different directions
*      Questions over latest international bond issue? 
*      IMF programme in jeopardy
*      Street protests against VAT continue despite SC interim order

July 16, 2016, 8:38 pm 

That this government has tied itself up in knots not only locally but internationally as well became apparent last week, when the former head of state Mahinda Rajapaksa - now the central personality of the opposition - was the only important to politician to send a proper letter congratulating the newly appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain Theresa May. President Maithripala Sirisena has sent only a twitter message. It is certainly true that Sirisena ran a jazzed up presidential election campaign designed to appeal to the younger generation with his name written as ‘My3’ – sms fashion. Yet, need this be taken so far as for an incumbent head of state to congratulate an incoming head of government with a twitter message? However he at least sent a twitter message. All we heard from the prime minister about the appointment of a new Conservative Prime Minister in Britain was a deafening silence.

The UNP especially is supposed to have a special relationship with the British Conservative Party both being members of the International Democratic Union – the global brotherhood of centre-right political parties. As such, for the UNP not to send a letter congratulating the new Conservative PM of the UK borders on deliberate rudeness.

This is a direct result of the Sri Lankan government needlessly getting involved in the internal politics of foreign countries. The present government sent a special ministerial team comprising of ministers of both the UNP and the SLFP to Britain to canvass among Sri Lankan expatriates on behalf of the ‘remain’ campaign. Even Suren Surenthiran of the Global Tamil Forum had the good sense to avoid getting involved in the Remain vs Exit controversy, giving their supporters the freedom of choice probably because they had a better awareness of the ground realities in Britain. Now with David Cameron, one of the foreign patrons of this government gone, there is an awkward silence on the part of the Sri Lankan government not knowing how to react to the new powers that be in Britain whose internal and external policies will be quite different to that of their predecessors.

Full Story>>>

Flip-flopping on accountability: A timeline

Featured image courtesy The Wire/Ishara K

GROUNDVIEWS on 07/16/2016

The topic of international involvement in Sri Lanka’s accountability process, specifically the participation of foreign judges, is controversial and hotly contested. The UNHRC resolution, co-sponsored by Sri Lanka in October 2015, called for “a credible accountability process” which “should include independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions… and further affirms in this regard the importance of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, including the Special Counsel’s office, of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, and authorised prosecutors and investigator.” However the Government has changed their stance on this consistently, especially since President Maithripala Sirisena took office on January 8, 2015.

In this light, Groundviews has created a timeline of statements with regards to the accountability process, beginning from that date.

View the timeline here, or below:

Army sergeant major the leader of murder squad responsible for ghastly brutal murder of Lasantha Wickremethunge arrested.!

(Lanka-e-News -16.July.2016, 10.00PM) The  leader of the murder squad  responsible for the brutal cold blooded murder of Sunday Leader news paper editor , Lasantha Wickremetunge was arrested yesterday(15)  night at about 11.00  by the CID. The murder squad leader is a sergeant major of the army.

Based on the investigative evidence gathered , the sergeant major was arrested and brought to Colombo . He is  under interrogation now.

This sergeant major had been the leader of the squad that committed murders  during the lawless brutal gory era of the Rajapakses when Sinhala and Tamil journalists were killed in cold blood with impunity. Since the culprit is a very  close friend  of the present chief of the army intelligence division , there had been an  enormous amount of obstacles created against his arrest. Because  he had been committing any ruthless murder for and on behalf of Rajapakses , he was  never denied promotions, perks  and foreign tours.

About a week ago , sketches created  of two murderers ,based  on the description provided by the eye witnesses who saw the murderers were released by the CID to the media with request for information from the public for identification of the murderers (the two pictures are herein).

Lasantha was murdered in broad daylight on 8 th January 2009 before a large number of on lookers at Dehiwala on the main road. With the help of  a sharp weapon used to kill sheep , the head of Lasantha was pierced .  During that period when murders at the behest of the government was the order of the day , these assassins arrived on  a motor cycle , and after committing the murder escaped unhindered and effortlessly , despite the fact there were several army security points in close vicinity. At that time it was major general Mahinda Haturusinghe ( now retired) , a lackey , crony and stooge of Gotabaya Rajapakse who was in charge of the security for Colombo.

Lasantha was murdered  with the help of  a secret weapon that is used to kill sheep – there were only 6 such weapons in SL !

Based on reports reaching Lanka e news , there were only six (just a few) such instruments with the SF of SL which were imported a short period before the incident. These were imported by the ministry of defense on the instructions and permission of the then army commander Sarath Fonseka . This contraption  has a trigger when pulled thrusts out a sharp instrument instantaneously , and when that is withdrawn it drags with it the flesh entrapped by it.

It is obvious , since the murderers escaped from the high security zone with ease after committing the crime in broad daylight right  in the midst of army security points , the killers were aided by  the security divisions. Moreover ,until today the police chief in charge of that region had not been questioned over this .Hereunder is an  evidence which indicates how the police acted  in   Lasantha’s murder….

Following the exposure of  Gotabaya’s illicit MiG jet deal by Lasantha in the newspapers , the latter gave unlawful  instructions to Sisira Mendis  who was the Director CID at that time. When Mendis told Gota , he cannot carry out unlawful orders , Mendis was transferred to Vavuniya.

Mendis who was responsible as the police officer to lead and direct the court to deliver a 100 years jail sentence to Prabhakaran was transferred to Vavuniya in order that he would fall victim at the hands of the LTTE who were infuriated against Mendis over the sentence. Anyway that is another story. 

In any event , Lasantha was murdered a few weeks later. That murder investigation was handed over to the CID after Mendis was removed from the post of Director CID.

Today ,it is significant to note this murder investigation was resumed only after the government of good governance was installed and the brutal lawless Rajapakse regime was thrown out lock , stock and barrel.  Interestingly , Sisira Mendis is now a  security advisor.

By a Lanka e news special correspondent
Translated by Jeff

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by     (2016-07-16 16:03:22)

A Chilcot Findings & Lessons For Sri Lanka

By Arun Kumaresan –July 16, 2016

Arun Kumaresan – Air Vice Marshal (Ret’d)

A Chilcot findings and Lessons for Sri Lanka – lack of accountability process and normalization of violence and utter impunity

Chilcot Inquiry named after its chairman, Sir John Chilcot, also commonly known as Iraq inquiry was tasked inquire into the role of Britain in the Iraq War. The inquiry was announced on June 2009 by the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The committee had broad terms of reference to consider Britain’s involvement in Iraq between mid-2001 and July 2009. It covered the events leading to the conflict, the subsequent military action and more impotently its aftermath with the purpose to establish the way decisions were made both by the political and the military leadership It was also tasked to determine what happened and to identify lessons to ensure that in a similar situation in future.

British media channels highlighted the purpose of this inquiry was to seek justice for the unfortunate loss of lives of 200 odd British soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice during the US led invasion to Iraq. They wanted to know the rationale behind Tony Blair’s government committed its’ troops.

This has relevance in post-independence Sri Lankan history that was characterized by turn of events leading to spilling of blood and loss of life in violent circumstances. We witnessed three major ethnic riots; two Marxist led revolutions and the 30 plus years of Tamil militancy. All had one thing in common. Tens of thousands of military and police personal; tens of thousands of revolutionaries and militants; tens of thousands of civilian who were either caught in between, on suspicion or in the rage and emotions both in and outside the area of direct battle; – lost their lives. They had one thing in common of being SRI LANKANS.

Nationalistic fundamentalism or Ideological extremism may it be; the instruments used to establish their respective end points represented violent barbarism. Both state and non state apparatus need to take equal blame for this anarchical approach. State took cover under perceived legitimacy to govern and non state entities took cover under the justification of perceived need of nationalistic demand or based it on an ideological necessity.

The foundation towards accepting criminal behavior as a norm commenced in 1958 during the communal disturbances. Going even by the conservative estimates 300 to 500 civilians were killed and many wounded. It was said, nearly 70 percent killed were Tamils and corresponding balance were Sinhalese. Those who were the cause for this death and injury are known in legal parlance as “Criminals”. They were never brought to justice (the prosecutions were symbolic and limited to figures in single digits). Nationalistic instincts for both Sinhala and Tamil sides gave these criminals room and space to cover their criminal conduct as a nationalistic necessity and they were allowed to remain in the society. Then leaders from both sides for the first time laid the foundation to immune the Sri Lankan society to invariably accept some forms of crimes carried out in the name of race. The political leaders were never made accountable for both their actions and inactions.

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IS in Sri Lanka: Intelligence Hoax or the Real Threat?

Was there any intelligence cooperation between the intelligence agencies of the countries in the region, before the stories popped up through selected media outlets?

by Nilantha Ilangamuwa

( July 17, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Interesting but frightening reports are coming out from the mainstream media in India on the ongoing ideological covert operations by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria known as ISIS or ISIL or IS, in Sri Lanka. Almost all news stories are able to quote the Indian intelligence sources anonymously, while those news pieces have been dramatically decorating the imminent threats.

However, great stories require substantive investigation, so that they will have the authentic shreds of evidence to prove, which, unfortunately, is almost absent in the news of IS presence on Sri Lankan soil.

However, security threats are not a new phenomenon in Sri Lanka as the nation suffered from one of the most brutal terrorism effects for about three decades, costing countless human deaths and high-value human resources through mental conflicts amongst Sri Lankans. It has assassinated the opportunities towards what Sri Lanka wanted for itself.

More disturbingly, for some reason, many surrounding nations around this beautiful island have contributed to destabilisation rather than extending a helping hand to develop sovereignty. Many were interested lookers on of the political turmoil in Sri Lanka. At the same time, the conflict was a shield used by the corrupted system to strengthen its custody of power resulting in the deterioration of the commitment to Common governing principles and values of the State.

During the latter part of the conflict many neighbouring nations and other foreign counterparts, have helped us the threat of the Tamil Tigers went beyond the earlier projections. It was ultimately threatening to the neighbouring countries in addition to seriously damaging the sovereignty of the Island.

Just little more than seven years after vanquishing the Tamil Tigers, what we have confronting us is the ISIS. Indian mainstream media have been quoting their intelligence sources to alert us on how the ISIS members have been sneaking into Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan security forces, based on the media reports, have launched the “investigation”.

However, according to highly placed intelligence sources in Sri Lanka, the threat is much more than just security threats. This could be the new version of earlier strategic double-dealing steps by regional power players to counter the escalating influence of China in the country.

Was there any intelligence cooperation between the intelligence agencies of the countries in the region, before the stories popped up through selected media outlets? Will those speculations create more opportunities for those interested parties to sneak into the system? Has the government strengthened the professionalism in the country’s intelligence agencies or ignored their service on sensitive issues? The truth is out there!

Substantive intelligence cooperation is the fundamental tool to prevent any cause of harm. But, history tells us, as B. Raman, a late spymaster of the R&AW recalled in his memoir, most of the regional intelligence agencies are, strong in TECHINT but weak in HUMINT; strong in crime investigation but weak in crime prevention; strong in crisis management but weak in crisis prevention; obsessive in its secrecy but fearful of transparency; the list goes on.

In the case of IS presence in Sri Lanka also this is the underlying problem. But that does not mean we are away from the threat. What one could appreciate here is that the intelligence hoax takes the place of conspiracy theories, which will lead to an acquisition of having more political means than security cooperation strengths.

There is much information gathering going on in relation to the IS. Many of those have highlighted the danger of this vicious terror outfit which has its tentacles throughout the world. Therefore, almost every caring citizen is fearing the imminent threats.

What is important for Sri Lanka at this stage is the monitoring, gathering and analysing of an ongoing tendency of extremism in relevant segments of all communities in the country, and the economic implications in the region. Sri Lanka needs more investments by the state-friendly strong responsible investors. This could help heal the wounds in the fragile economy of the country. Will the response from the ruling parties to the IS threats in Sri Lanka, be developed on this very notion?

Time to re-read and take the necessary steps on the danger of old ghosts who felt emulous of possessing victory status in the name of development and peace in Sri Lanka.

Sinhalese students attack Tamils at Jaffna University 16 July 2016 Sinhalese students at Jaffna University attacked Tamil students at the campus earlier today, as clashes erupted at a orientation programme leaving dozens injured.   A university lecture hall, furniture and windows were smashed in the violence, as students fled in the chaos. The clashes erupted as Sinhala students brought in Kandyan dancers to a 'welcome party' at the university, held for first year students at the campus. Discussions had taken place last week over the dances that were to take place.  On Saturday morning however, tensions grew as Sinhalese students clashed with traditional Tamil musicians playing at the ceremony, as they attempted to take over proceedings.    “Suddenly a group of four Sinhala students started to run towards the Tamil students," said a science faculty student speaking on condition on anonymity due to safety concerns. "They started shouting... "This is a Sinhala state we will do whatever want!"" "They were holding sticks, iron rods broken pieces of furniture,” he added, as they proceeded to attack the Tamil students. At least 10 students have been admitted to hospital in the clashes, as Sri Lankan police descended onto the scene. Troops from the Special Task Force closed off the area, with military intelligence operatives also reportedly deployed in the area. Sinhalese students were swiftly escorted by Sri Lankan police back to their homes or to Jaffna Hospital to receive treatment. Tamil students meanwhile have been more cautious to seek treatment. "If a Tamil student was to go to the hospital with injuries, staff will know it was because they were attacked," one eyewitness told the Tamil Guardian. "Then it's only a matter of time before police harassment begins." Meanwhile officials at Jaffna University declared the campus would be shut down for at least two weeks due to damages sustained and in a bid to help ease tensions on campus.

Universities across the island have seen a rise in tension this year, with several assaults on Tamils by Sinhalese students.

See our earlier posts:Sinhala students assault security guard at Jaffna University hostel (08 Apr 2016)

Several Tamil students admitted into hospital following assault (31 Mar 2016)Sinhala mob attacks Tamil students (31 Mar 2016)Sinhalese students attack Tamils at Eastern Uni (13 March 2016)

The latest attack comes after a Tamil father of two was killed by a Sinhalese mob this month.

See our earlier posts:Tamil killed in Sinhala mob attack (08 Jul 2016)Sirisena postpones Batticaloa event near site of Sinhala mob attack (10 Jul 2016)

Poor support to Karu Jayasuriya by SL airport

Jul 16, 2016

Hon speaker of parliament mr Karu Jayasuriya was admitted to a private hospital for treatment on 9 July and the team of doctors treating him after 4 days of treatment advised him to travel to Singapore for further tests as little progress was made.

The hospital then assisted in contacting the hospital in Singapore where further management could be done.

Flights were booked for travel for Hon speaker and his daughter who is a medical professional with over 20 year experience and currently working in the World health organization through Emirates holidays on EK 348 due to depart Colombo at 3pm on 12 July.

The need for wheelchair was explained and also inquiries were made from Emirates holidays as to the availability of oxygen on the flight. The information given was that oxygen is available in the emergency kit. The inquiry was made as to the availability of oxygen on a precautionary measure only and even during the hospital treatment he never received oxygen. When the booking was done there was no information given by Emirates holidays on the need of a medical clearance certificate by discharging hospital.

The hon speaker came to the airline by wheelchair and then walked to his allocated seat on first class when an airline personnel inquired as to a medical clearance certificate. The discharge summary from hospital was given but was not accepted and then discussion ensued on the issue and the airline decided to contact their US health centre of Emirates airlines. The speakers daughter informed them that it was possible to get an immediate clearance certificate from the discharging hospital within 10 minutes which was not accepted. By the officer of Emirates handling the matter.

The officer (who has no medical background ) then proceeded to fill in the questionnaire by himself using the discharge summary and asked a few questions from his daughter and then sent the information to their US office.

The Sri Lankan airport has a medical desk and a medical officer who could have easily issued the certificate. But they were never considered. They then informed after about 20 minutes that their "US" desk had claimed the hon speaker is not fit to fly based on the form submitted by the officer of Emirates.

Whilst the discussion was going on the luggage had already been offloaded by airline staff without any reference.

Whilst acknowledging the rules of the airlines questions remain in the following areas:

(1) why was the need for medical clearance never informed by Emirates when the request for wheelchair and oxygen was made?

(2) why was the offer of obtaining the required clearance by the discharging hospital refused by the officer especially When the process would have taken less than 10 minutes?

(3) why was the doctor at the airport never consulted to obtain the required clearance?

(4) how can a officer of the airline look at a medical discharge summary and fill in details of medical history? The form was never shown to the daughter who herself is a qualified Doctor

(5) why were the luggage offloaded before conclusive discussions were finalized?

The arrogance of the staff was clearly visible and this delay in travel required the hon speaker to be in negombo Until the next flight to Singapore was boarded at 1am requiring approximately 10 hour waiting time and the inconvenience to all including the medical personnel in Singapore who had made special arrangements for this visit. The next flight to Singapore was the Singapore airlines flight due to leave Colombo at 0155h which was caused a 9 hour waiting time. As he was not in a position to return to Colombo he stayed at a nearby hotel for a period of over 8 hours until he boarded the Singapore airlines flight.

Made in China but sent from Canada


2016-07-16
Food and the rising cost of living are much in focus these days, with the Supreme Court ordering the suspension of the controversial increases in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rates, and the government imposing maximum retail prices on 15 essential items with a warning that the Consumer Affairs Authority will take tough action against sales outlets which violate the price control notification.

    The National Government responded positively to last Monday’s headline- hitting order by the Supreme Court, much in contrast to how the former Rajapaksa regime acted against the then Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake when she ordered in 2012 that the proposed Divineguma Draft Bill was unconstitutional and must be approved by the people at a referendum. After the historic people’s victory and change of government on January 8 last year, there are allegations of hundreds of millions of rupees being abused under the Divineguma law and the then Minister was arrested on charges relating to it. 

 However the National Government is likely to move an amending Bill in Parliament soon seeking approval for the new VAT rates. Yesterday most of the Pettah traders closed their shops and held a protest against the proposed Bill while government leaders say the protests are not spontaneous but manipulated by political parties including the so-called Joint Opposition and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). 

   As the Daily Mirror said in its Thursday editorial, civic conscious people need to cooperate with the government to ensure that sales outlets, big or small, comply with the regulations for maximum retail prices. If the outlets are found to be disobeying the orders, we need to see the power of consumer resistance with the people refusing to buy from those outlets. 

   With so much attention on food issues, we also need to reflect on some vital aspects relating to food safety and quality. Former Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) expert Ranjit Seneviratne has sounded a warning to consumers regarding food safety and quality. He has been advocating organic, fresh foods as the best for good health and disease prevention. He says we need to, as far as possible avoid food that is canned or tinned, plastic or paper-packaged or in bottles as most of them contain chemical preservatives, colours and flavours – some of which are known to be harmful in various degrees. 

 In his latest disclosure Mr. Seneviratne makes the shocking revelation that some of the products labelled “Made in Canada” could actually be produced in China or Hong Kong, Vietnam or Thailand where international food standards are not strictly maintained. Anything goes, inside the can that is.
   Beware, check your sardines or tinned fish. Did you notice the size of the fish these days? It is getting bigger by the day. Make a note of the barcode (690- 695) – China. Carefully note bar codes -- this will assist you. Your health and your children’s health should not be gambled with. 

    According to online reports with pictorial evidence, most of the high-liner fish products come from China even though the box says ‘Products of Canada’. It is from China and ‘processed’ in Canada, that is, the coating is added and packaged in Canada only! 

   The fish are raised in pens using chemicals that are banned in Canada as cancer causing. But this is legal in China. Many companies are known to be using a Hong Kong address to avoid this type of image reputation.  

  Since the European Union two weeks ago lifted the ban on fish exports from Sri Lanka, the Fisheries Ministry says more than 150,000 kg of fish have been exported, earning millions of dollars. That is good. But we also need to raise questions as to why we cannot provide all the fish and fish products our people need, without importing junk items which may be toxic.   

Surrogation of dog meat instead of wild meat in Kataragama

(Lanka-e-News -16.July.2016, 10.30PM) Information has disclosed about a racket which surrogate dog meat instead of wild meat for the people who come to Kataragama during the Esala season. It was revealed the racket which functioned in secret before is now continued in a more organized way, when an organization named Ahimsa Sri Lanka which is promoting rights against animal violence made an investigation in the Kataragama area recently.

Chief incumbent of the Kataragama Kirivehera raja maha temple venerable Ruhunu Magampaththuwe Kobawaka Dhamminda said this dog meat racket is started in the Kataragama area by a group of sly traders, growing fast during the Esala season taking advantage of the insanity of the people who like to eat wild meat when they visit Kataragama.

The chief incumbent appeal the Sri Lanka Buddhist community who visit pilgrimage to Kataragama not to indulge in such sinful deeds in the most sacred Buddhist holy place in Sri Lanka.

Ahinsa Sri Lanka has able to observe a place where stray dogs which roams around the Kataragama sacred town are tied and kept in a chamber. The place is located in Sella Kataragama closer to the Vathuruwarama temple. It was revealed the retained dogs are killed and used for meat according to the orders wanted by such pilgrims.

Meantime the area residents have found bags containing dog heads following the slaughter. Chief incumbent of the Sella Kataragama Wathuruwarama temple venerable Denagama Dhammarathna said the following.

“We can hear such unfortunate incidents from recently. This is an excellent example that the Buddhist morality is diminishing in the current modern Buddhist society. Therefore I urge to all Buddhist who visit Kataragama more than purifying only the body to purify your heart, body and words and secure the five precepts in Biddhism. If you don’t oblige, the people, your family family, community, society and the whole country would face a disaster very soon”

Chief incumbent of the Gana Kovil in Sella Kataragana venerable U. C. Dissanayake said the people who come to Kataragama and demand for wild meat is cursed by the Kataragama God and feed them with dog meat. He said that curse will not stop but continue till they die.

Ahinsa Sri Lanka has informed the relevant officials about the racket continued in Kataragama. They said under the wildlife and floral ordinance act, killing animals and possessing wild meat is a serious offence and due to the fear of law the pilgrims are induced to buy dog meat instead of wild meat and the racket is functioning smoothly.

Kataragama esala perahera committee organizer Kalabooshana Sumana Somapala said the dog meat racket has increased so much that following the Kataragama esala festival  there is a clear reduction of the stray dogs around the area

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by     (2016-07-16 21:09:10)

Duty Of Care A Much Needed Inclusion In The Animal Welfare Bill Of Sri Lanka

By Thimal Gajadeera –July 16, 2016 

Thimal Gajadeera

The proposed Animal Welfare Bill has been welcome news for Animal Rights activists who have been clamouring for the introduction of stricter legislation to replace the anachronistic Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance of 1907. The Bill intends to strengthen the laws on animal cruelty as well as try and clearly define the offences and to bring forth stronger penalties to those who commit the aforementioned offences.

In the draft Animal Welfare Bill it states that “no person may abandon an animal” and stringent penalties are given out in order to prosecute those who do.However it brings for the issue of duty of care and the extent to which it is applied in the protection of animals.

“The Animal Welfare Bill is much needed for Sri Lanka. And the inclusion of duty of care towards animals is also key to ensuring that the objective of the Bill is
met. It is difficult to prevent cruelty to animals, where there is no duty of care towards even those that one has taken charge of voluntarily,” said Convener of Animal Welfare Coalition, Attorney-at-Law, Vositha Wijenayake.

Duty of Care Around the World

The idea that pet owners having a duty of care to protect their pets is present in legislations around the world.This is brought forward due to the fact that there has many cases of abuse which especially by pet owners who have bought pets and have subsequently failed to provide any basic care for them.

In England The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 brought forward the concept of a ‘duty of care’ on pet owners to provide for their animals’ basic needs, such as adequate food and water, veterinary treatment and an appropriate environment in which to live. Previously this ‘duty of care’ had only existed for farm animals.

In Switzerland Pet owners owning pets such as dogs need to pass written and practical testing in order to own a dog and thus creating a legal duty of care and a responsibility of the individual in order to own a dog.

In the government of Queensland, Australia states under section 17 that a person in charge of an animal owes a duty of care to it and goes on to further elaborate that a person is in breach of that duty when he or she does not take reasonable steps to provide the animal’s needs for the following in a way that is appropriate—food and water; accommodation or living conditions for the animal;to display normal patterns of behaviour; the treatment of disease or injury; or ensure any handling of the animal by the person, or caused by the person, is appropriate.

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