China goes in for radical economic and military reform to meet new challenges

Saturday, 22 July 2017

Even as war clouds gather over the Sino-Bhutan border where China’s real adversary is nuclear-armed India, China has announced its intention to thoroughly overhaul its military and economic structure and philosophy to meet challenges of the emerging world order.

The idea is to make China’s economy and military meet needs arising from its expanding global interests as reflected in its One Belt One Road (OBOR) global communication and infrastructure project.

President Xi Jinping has made reform and expansion of the economy and the military his platform in his bid to continue as the Communist Party chief when the 19th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is held in autumn this year.

Xi, who is General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), unveiled on Wednesday, his master plan at the 37th meeting of the Central Leading Group for Deepening Overall Reform (CLGDOR), which he heads.

The CLGDOR resolved that all branches of government should be devoted to reforms and make “concrete and pioneering efforts” towards that end. It called for a green and sustainable development in agriculture; ensuring grain safety and raising farmers’ incomes. It urged the establishment of a national technology transfer system with a focus on strategic industries of far-reaching significance.

Given the importance of inculcating the right culture among the people, it called upon public cultural institutions to improve their management and services, and to inject vitality into these institutions. Efforts should be made to raise the professional level of civil servants by recruiting people with special expertise, it said.

In view of the OBOR, the CLGDOR emphasised the need for improving people-to-people communication with other countries, “with confidence in the path, theories, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics”.
Military reform
On Wednesday again, President Xi called on the country’s major military research and educational institutions to nurture talent and aim to be world-class.

After presenting the heads of the three institutions with the military flag at a ceremony that marked the reshuffling of these institutions, Xi called the reshuffling a vital decision made by the CPC Central Committee and the CMC to realise the “Chinese Dream” of having a “stronger army.”

The President emphasised the need for first class research in military science to devise methods to combine theories with technological innovations.

Stressing the need for coordinated action under a unified command, Xi that military institutions should inculcate the habit of coordinating thinking and action among the various branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA is a unified armed force with ground (Army), air (Air Force) and sea (Naval) wings. Within the PLA there are Strategic and Rocket forces which are separately organised. The overall control is exercised by the Central Military Commission (CMC) which is a politico-military body headed by the President himself.

“It takes first-class military talent, theory, and science and technology to build the PLA into a world-leading military,” Xi told the heads of PLA units.

But overall control must be in the hands of the political leaders of the country, and military officers and men must be imbued with the right political ideology to be able to work according to the nation’s basic principles, he said.

He therefore “ordered” the chief officers to stick to the correct political direction by safeguarding the authority and the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee; conforming to the CPC Central Committee; and upholding CPC’s absolute leadership over the military.

As on date, there are now 43 military education institutions, including two – the National Defence University of PLA and the National University of Defence Technology – directly under the CMC, 35 specialised in specific armed services, and six of armed police forces.


Making PLA lean and mean 
Xi is determined to make the wobbly Soviet model 2.2 billion strong PLA into a “leaner and meaner” modern American-style fighting machine. It recently announced a cut of one million men, which will affect the army mainly.

The emphasis from now on will be upon the naval, strategic, rocket and air forces in preparation to face threats from long distances, and to fight in far-flung areas given its global OBOR project. China is aware that its regional rivals, Japan and India are preparing to fight long distance wars.

Saving money is hardly the criterion for the numerical cuts, but putting money to better use is.

China is still one of the highest spenders on the military in the world. From 2005 to 2014, its military expenditure is estimated to have increased in real terms from $ 71 billion to $ 191 billion, making the country the second-largest spender after the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

The rate of increase in China’s military spending is the highest in Asia. Between 2013 and 2014, China’s military expenditure increased by 63.4% while that of Japan went up by only 5.7% and India’s by 14.2%.

However, according to Xinhua, the PLA’s budget for 2017 has been pruned to $ 153 billion. The US defence budget is much higher at $ 583.7 billion. China’s per capita military spending represents only about 5.6% of that of the US; 11% of Britain’s; and 25% of Japan’s, Xinhua points out.

According to Dr.Satoru Nagao of the Integrated Area Studies on South Asia Gakushuin University in Japan, China does not have enough weapons for all its men in uniform, and therefore it has decided to cut down the number of men and equip the remaining well.

According to another expert, Beijing is preparing to counter US deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor missiles in South Korea, whose powerful radars  could see through most part of China including its missile development program. China is also aware the India is also improving its missile capability besides being nuclear armed.

Since Xi’s announcement of reducing the number of troops by 300,000 in 2015, the PLA has founded a Strategic Support Force dedicated to electronic, information and space operations, and established a Rocket Force to replace the former Second Artillery Corps.
Centralisation of command

The complexity and destructiveness of modern warfare also demand centralisation and therefore, the Rocket Force, the Special Strategic Forces and Cyber warfare forces will be under a central command at the Central Military Commission (CMC). According to Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Director for Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, despite the CMC, the PLA is still very much compartmentalised and lacking in coordination.

Another goal of the reform is to put China’s navy and air force on a more equal footing with the traditionally dominant ground force. The navy and air force and not the army, will be the cutting edge of the PLA.

Corruption and economy main concerns as East Timor votes for parliament

East Timorese wait in line to cast their ballot in parliamentary elections in Dili, East Timor July 22, 2017. Source: Reuters/Lirio da Fonseca

 22nd July 2017

EAST Timor headed to the polls Saturday in a parliamentary election that could determine the economic future of Asia’s youngest democracy.

The economy, corruption and the government’s failure to use the wealth generated by oil and gas sales to support development and create jobs has dominated the weeks of political rallies leading up to today’s vote.

More than 20 political parties are vying for 65 seats in this tiny country of just 1.2 million people. In a country dogged by conflict and political upheaval, there was calm and good humour on Saturday morning as polling stations opened for the 750,000 registered voters to cast their ballot.

SEE ALSO: East Timor: Ex-guerilla fighter set to be next president

The parliamentary poll, which will determine the next prime minister, follows the victory of former independence fighter Francisco “Lu Olo” Guterres in a presidential election in March.

The president is largely a figurehead, with the government run by a prime minister chosen by the party or coalition that wins the majority of votes.

Former president of East Timor Xanana Gusmao speaks at a National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) political rally ahead of this weekend’s parliamentary elections in Dili, East Timor July 18, 2017. Picture taken July 18, 2017. Source: Reuters/Lirio Da Fonseca

Former independence fighter Xanana Gusmao and his National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) party are seen as the front-runners in today’s vote.

The current government is a coalition of two major parties — Gusmao’s CNRT, and Fretilin, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor.

According to the AAP (via SBS) Lu-Olo and his wife, Cidalia Mouzinho Guterres, joined families and several other members of parliament at a polling station at a primary school in the capital, Dili, where he praised the “peace and stability” of the campaign.

“I feel happy and proud that during the one-month campaign. These people are already showing the international community that in Timor Leste we hold (elections) in peace and stability,” he told reporters.

A major concern throughout the campaign has been the government’s reliance on oil and gas revenue to fund projects, salaries and services, with fears that unless the economy diversifies quickly, the country will run out of money within 10 to 15 years.

SEE ALSO: East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao submits resignation

The energy sector accounted for around 60 percent of GDP in 2014 and more than 90 percent of government revenue.

Analysts have said the challenge for any incoming government would be to diversify its sources of income into agriculture and manufacturing.

An East Timorese woman casts her ballot in parliamentary elections in Dili, East Timor July 22, 2017. Source: Reuters /Lirio da Fonseca

In a country in which half of the population live in poverty, today’s voters expressed most concern over tackling corruption, providing jobs and focusing on basic needs such as health, sanitation and education.

“What we need and what is essential to us is three things: electricity, water and roads,” 57-year-old government worker Aleixo da Costa Sarmento told AAP while casting his vote.

“They must create more jobs for the youth because so many are still unemployed.

“We must fight against the corruption. People cannot live and move forward because corruption only makes one or two people rich.”

The former Portuguese colony was invaded by neighbouring Indonesia in 1975. An often violent 24-year resistance movement took East Timor to independence in 2002 and many of its key figures still feature prominently in running the country.

Polls will close at 3pm local time and preliminary results will be known by evening, though official results will only be announced early August.

Additional reporting by Reuters

HIV and cancer teams double up to seek out new disease killers

Kate Kelland-JULY 22, 2017

LONDON (Reuters) - HIV experts at an international conference starting on Saturday are keenly courting colleagues in oncology to explore whether advances in harnessing the immune system against cancer can help the search for a cure for AIDS.

The two diseases, while very different in many ways, have some key crossover points when it comes to developing new treatments, specialists say - most notably the immune system, its crucial T-cells, and its ability to fight-off invaders.

"The parallels between HIV persistence and cancer are striking," said Francoise Barré-Sinoussi, former president of the International AIDS Society (IAS), which is hosting a week-long conference in Paris.

"In both cases, the immune response is unable to target and clear HIV-infected cells and tumour cells."

Scientists working in both diseases also face similar challenges in tracking the size, number and spread of infected cells, she said, which can hide out in reservoirs in hard-to-reach tissues.

HIV experts see this as one of the key links to cancer medicine, which in recent years has seen the development of a new generation of drugs that target and re-arm the immune system, rather that just poisoning tumour cells.

Among the drugs in this new class are medicines known as PDL-1 or PD1 inhibitors that engage and revitalise the patient's own immune system to attack the cancer.

Sharon Lewin, an HIV expert at the University of Melbourne and co-chair of the IAS's HIV Cure and Cancer forum, describes this progress in oncology as a "revolution" which has led to "some spectacular successes" that are now being eyed by AIDS researchers.

"These treatments basically reinvigorate an exhausted immune system, exhausted T-cells. They reverse the dampening down of the immune system that happens in cancer," she told Reuters in a telephone interview.

"In HIV, exactly the same thing happens - the T-cells become exhausted and can no longer function as efficiently."

While HIV researchers are keen to see whether new-generation cancer drugs could show promise in HIV, there has also been a caution about conducting what might be risky trials in people whose illness is well managed with safe, effective AIDS drugs.

Because of that, the first clinical data - some of it presented at the IAS on Saturday - is in patients with both cancer and HIV, Lewin explained.

"This is the first scientific meeting where we're getting a chance to see what these drugs look like in HIV," she said.

"It's very early days, but basically what we are seeing is that they are just as safe (as when used in cancer), and in some cases they also seem to be disturbing the (HIV) virus (from its hiding places). The hope is they will also kick-start the immune system as well."

Reporting by Kate Kelland; Editing by Andrew Bolton

Aids deaths halve as more get drugs

By James Gallagher-

20 July 2017

Deaths linked to Aids have halved in a decade, official figures shows.

The condition, which is caused by HIV, used to be one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

A report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids) showed deaths had fallen from a peak of 1.9 million in 2005 to 1 million last year.

It said the "scales have tipped", with more than half of people getting drug treatment for the first time.

An HIV infection cannot be cured - it can only be contained with daily doses of antiretroviral therapy.

Unchecked, it destroys the immune system, causing Aids. At this point people tend to die from other "opportunistic infections" such as tuberculosis.

Worldwide, 36.7 million are living with HIV and 53% of them are getting the therapy that gives a near-normal life expectancy.

Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAids, said: "We met the 2015 target of 15 million people on treatment and we are on track to double that number to 30 million and meet the 2020 target.

"We will continue to scale up to reach everyone in need and honour our commitment of leaving no-one behind."

UNAids said eastern and southern Africa were "leading the way" and had cut new HIV infections by nearly a third since 2010.

Life expectancy has increased by 10 years over the past decade too.

The agency has set a series of goals known as the 90-90-90 targets.

The aim is for 90% of people with HIV to be diagnosed, 90% of those to get therapy and 90% of those to have their infection suppressed, by 2020.

In 2016 the figures were 70%, 77% and 82% respectively.

Mr Sidibe added: "Communities and families are thriving as Aids is being pushed back."

However, the agency warned that inadequate treatment in north Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe had seen death rates increase sharply.

Follow James on Twitter.

Lest we forget: The anti-Tamil pogroms

The riots of 1958


Saturday, 22 July 2017

It is of no doubt, that Sri Lanka has tainted its history with the blood of the innocent. After gaining independence from the British we turned our attention towards, quite literally, “killing each other”. Some call it nationalism, some ethnic cleansing and some pure mundane madness. Whatever it may be, it is essential that we as a people understand the true events that led to an unwarranted war that claimed the lives of the very same we sought to enrich.

The Gal Oya riots

Lest we forget The anti-Tamil pogroms.docx by Thavam Ratna on Scribd

Looking at Systemic Torture in Sri Lanka

The Diplomat’s Taylor Dibbert speaks with Frances Harrison of the International Truth and Justice Project.  

Frances Harrison is the program coordinator of the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and author of a book on the final phase of the Sri Lankan civil war. She discussed a new ITJP report with The Diplomat.

ITJP has recently released a new report. What are a few of the big takeaways?

By Taylor Dibbert-July 21, 2017

Tragically, “white van” abductions, illegal detention, and torture continued throughout 2016 and into 2017. One security force team abducts, another interrogates and tortures and a third releases for a ransom. The victims, who are Tamil, were detained in purpose-built cells and interrogated in rooms specially equipped for torture. Senior officers walked into torture chambers. [The Eelam People’s Democratic Party] EPDP remains involved in securing releases for money; immigration fraud at the airport [in Colombo] persists unchecked. The military and [Terrorism Investigation Division] TID are still using Joseph Camp as a torture site along with unknown sites; perpetrators are beginning to use biometric fingerprinting machines that were only recently introduced in Sri Lanka.

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What’s very shocking to me is that we are now seeing families where several siblings have all been tortured in the post-war period. And individuals who have been detained and repeatedly tortured on as many as three or four separate times. They arrive in the United Kingdom and promptly try to kill themselves – hardly the action of economic migrants. Being an asylum seeker in Britain after enduring war and torture is a terrible ordeal. I help run a small project for 30 recent survivors from Sri Lanka, offering group trauma counselling in Tamil and English classes and a hot spicy meal, and I can’t describe the intensity of the suffering we see. Torture survivors are the first to fall through the cracks of the welfare system.

Very few of the victims we meet now were hard core [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] LTTE cadres, who joined voluntarily and spent years with the organisation being extensively trained. Instead we see forced or child recruits or people with only a tenuous link to the LTTE often through family members. We tend to make assumptions that the Sri Lankan security forces would logically only persecute senior LTTE cadres who might be deemed to pose a future security threat, but instead it’s now clear that this is an ongoing process of crushing Tamils who demand their democratic rights as Sri Lankan citizens. Indeed, asserting one’s rights if one is Tamil, is interpreted by the security forces as an act of defiance and equated to “restarting the LTTE.”

How long did it take to prepare the report?

The report is based on 24 statements from victims of torture that occurred in 2016 and 2017, and reinforced by 33 statements from 2015 victims. Each statement took 3-4 days to record and obviously the work has been ongoing over the last 30 months. We analysed the information and wrote the report, asking our talented Tamil graphic designer to visualize the torture methods in a way that was innovative.

In terms of policy-oriented recommendations – to address torture, abduction, unlawful detention, sexual violence and impunity – what are some positive actions Colombo could take in the next few months to suggest it’s serious about meaningful reform?

I have divided the recommendations into how easy they would be, not politically, but administratively. These are just a personal selection, acknowledging that many others in Sri Lanka have made important recommendations on specific initiatives that I won’t repeat:

Instantly possible:

• Show at peak hours (and on repeat) the Channel 4 “No Fire Zone” film in Sinhala on Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (state run TV).
• The President, Prime Minister and armed forces commanders go to Palali Air Base and, in front of hundreds of soldiers and on peak time state TV, issue in Sinhala their instructions to military and police not to commit sexual violence, showing they really mean it this time.
• The President and Prime Minister publish a version (redacted to protect victims not perpetrators) of the [UN Office of Internal Oversight Services] OIOS inquiry report in to the allegations of extensive child sexual exploitation by Sri Lankan UN peacekeepers from 2004-7 in Haiti and to announce how may Sri Lankan soldiers/officers were held criminally accountable rather than just demoted or early retired.
• Publish photos and names of all Sri Lankan service men and women going abroad henceforth as UN peacekeepers, so as to be transparent.
• The President and Prime Minister stop denying the allegations of war crimes and praising the “war heroes” acknowledging that their current rhetoric emboldens racists and deniers.
• The President and Prime Minister “own,” endorse and adopt the recommendations of the consultation task force report [pertaining to transitional justice mechanisms] that they commissioned.
• Order the 58th Division [of the Sri Lanka Army] to hand over the list of surrendees from May 18, 2009 [when the war ended] to the Mullaitivu court.

Require administrative action but no new legislation:

• Institute a vetting process for public officials and stop appointing alleged perpetrators to senior positions.
• Reply to the questions [the UN Committee Against Torture] UNCAT asked about Sisira Mendis’s alleged involvement in torture.
• Reconstitute the witness protection National Authority without alleged perpetrators.
• Enable witnesses abroad to testify through letters rogatory rather than requiring them to enter Sri Lankan embassies.
• Set up a credible independent investigative unit with international assistance, so as to be able to start holding perpetrators accountable.
• Decommission Joseph Camp.
• Establish an independent body to pay reparations to thousands of torture victims outside Sri Lanka, while protecting the victims and their families.

Do you expect that the Sri Lankan government will take any of the steps that you’ve suggested?

No.

What are the best ways for international actors to help Sri Lanka curtail systemic torture and related offenses?

Increased international pressure is urgently required on the human rights issues. I have heard people in the UN argue that speaking out about ongoing violations and impunity will only bring the Rajapaksas back to power and that one cannot approach this government in the same terms as the last. Here at the ITJP we are not interested in regime change or supporting one government as opposed to another; we hold them all to the same high standards, which they have committed to. I do expect the UN to learn from its appalling past in Sri Lanka in 2009 and to speak out clearly for the destroyed people I see still fleeing abroad who have no voice. The failures of the international community in 2009 in Sri Lanka sparked the UN’s “Rights Up Front” movement, but it’s tragically made absolutely no difference in Sri Lanka itself. Independent experts like Felice Gaer and Ben Emmerson have been outspoken about the violations though.

I can’t help recalling that at the height of the war in 2009 the assumption of many in the international community was that if the LTTE were “removed” as a political force then “the problem” would be solved. A few years later, the assumption was that if the Rajapaksas were removed then “the problem” would be solved. Personifying the problems and pushing all the collective blame for systematic failures on to individuals is obviously a flawed approach. This is about systemic and institutional failure.

Many in the international community convinced themselves that Sri Lanka in 2015 offered a once in a lifetime opportunity for historical change. They’re now so invested in wanting the country to be a transitional justice success story that they cannot readily admit it’s failing rapidly and the transition was flimsy at best. A new and more sophisticated international approach is urgently called for – one that I hope prevents any more human beings being branded with a hot metal rod to give them “Tiger stripes” until they pass out unconscious from the pain.

This interview has been edited lightly. 

Sampanthan, a leader in the freedom struggle – PM

Jul 21, 2017

Only R. Sampanthan, the opposition leader, is living among those who fought alongside D.S. Senanayake to win independence for the country in 1948, said prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Sampanthan is proud, as a Tamil and a Hindu, to have joined with Senanayake to create a free Sri Lanka, he said.

Speaking at the launch of the book ‘People of Sri Lanka’ by the National Reconciliation, Dialogue and State Languages Ministry on July 18, the PM said Sampanthan did not attempt to give a common meaning to various religions by abandoning their visions and followings.

Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or any other community are a diversity, but Sri Lanka was our motherland, he quoted the opposition leader as saying.

The book compiled under the guidance of minister Mano Ganeshan on the 19 different ethnic groups in the country, their culture and traditions, paved the way forward with diversity, said the PM.

Ganeshan, irrespective of having or not having power of the state, fought for national unity, without belittling any community or religion, he said.

National unity

An ardent fighter for democracy, Ganeshan is the best suited person to build national unity, Wickremesinghe went onto say.

Thirty years after the Senanayake period, the country had to face a 30 year racist and separatist war, and now president Maithripala Sirisena is trying to unite all communities and take the country forward, he said.

The government’s politics had nothing to do with racism or religious extremism, he said, and said it had an economic, political and social vision to run the country, the PM said.

A fear that terrorism will resurface is not there any more, together with the fear that the minorities will be repressed gone after 2015.

First, understanding among the communities is a must after which all should unite and live together, he said.

A constitution that doesn’t divide the country

Due to that understanding, affairs relating to the constitutional process have been made possible, he said.

The PM said it was not a report by a majority or a minority to divide the country, adding that the public should be consulted for their views and a dialogue conducted, based upon which the Constitutional Council can draft the final report.

The government led by the president has fulfilled the responsibilities in the past two years and there is capability to speed forward with the support of all, he said.

The first copy of the book was presented by Ganeshan to the PM.

UN resident coordinator Una McCauley, received a memento from president Maithripala Sirisena on the occasion.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, R. Sampanthan, provincial governors and chief ministers and other politicians, state officials and invitees participated.

- radiogagana

TAMIL PEOPLE ARE NOT SATISFIED OVER GOVT’S SLOW PROGRESS – TNA

21/07/2017

A meeting was held between the Tamil National Alliance led by R. Sampanthan and visiting
United Nations Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman today at the UN
office in Colombo.

Mr. Sampanthan raised concerns related to matters that affect the day to day life of the Tamil
people living in the North and the East. He highlighted that lands belonging to people must be
returned to people. “there is no justification for the Government not to release these lands even
after 8 years since the war came to an end” he noted. Speaking further on the land issues Mr.
Sampanthan pointed out that the armed forces are engaged in cultivation activities in these
lands that severely affects the livelihood of our people.

Speaking of the Missing persons Mr. Sampanthan noted that there had been over 20,000
people who went missing as per the submissions given to several commissions. And he further
clarified not all of them belong to the armed group. People want to know the truth as to what
happened to their loved ones, people are living in trauma, and this must come to an end he
added. “The Office of the Missing Persons should be established soon to give some relief to
these people” Mr. Sampanthan noted.

Speaking on the Prevention of Terrorism Act Mr. Sampanthan noted that it was an undertaking
given by the government to the International Community to repeal this law. Yet very little
progress has been made in this regard he added. Mr. Sumanthiran pointed out that Government
has made an explicit promise on this to the UN. Yet Ministers in Government make statements
that are contradicting the very same promise. The TNA leader pointed out that the government
cannot afford to go backward and that it is the responsibility of the International Community to
ensure that these promises are met without delay.

Speaking on the framing of a new Constitution Mr. Sampanthan said, over a period of 30 years
so much of work has been done regarding this matter and every successive Government
wanted to change the constitution including former President Mahinda Rajapaksha. After the
change in the Government in 2015 moves were made to make this a reality, and our people had
many expectations on this matter. But there seems to be a certain degree of uncertainty
especially among the SLFP members who are in the Government he added. They seem to be
thinking of their own political agendas and not the overall interest of the country. They must
come together and give their cooperation to this matter.

“We cannot indefinitely wait on these matters, we are prepared to work on these matters he said.
TNA Leader stressed that TNA’s demand is not to divide the country but to find a solution based
on consent and the consensus of political parties and people.” We cannot allow these people to
play petty political games and victimize our people once again” Mr. Sampanthan said.
Speaking on the UN resolution Mr. Sampanthan said that the progress shown in the
implementation of the resolution is not satisfactory and Government must expedite its actions in
regard to this. We did not oppose the time extension asked by the government on this because
we felt that this time frame will be utilized to make progress to the maximum by the government.
But looking at the progress made in the past few months the Tamil people are not satisfied he
added.

Commenting on the concerns raised by the TNA delegation the United Nations Under Secretary
General assured that the UN is watchful over the current developments in the country. He
further added that the substance and the processes of the Constitution are vital not only for long
term political solution but also for the economic development and prosperity of the nation.
He further noted that the Government’s good intentions must be translated into actions where
the people on the ground could experience the difference. He assured that the Secretary
General and the UN community is very much concerned about the progress in some of these
important matters, and assured the UN’s continuous constructive engagement with Sri Lanka in
the future.

TNA delegation led by Hon. Sampanthan was comprised of Parliamentarians M.A.
Sumanthiran, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, S. Sitharththan and Sivashakthi Ananthan while Under-
Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman along with the UN Resident Coordinator
Ms. Una McCauley and other UN officials participated in the meeting which lasted for one hour.

Corbyn ‘Deeply Concerned’ Over Ongoing Torture In Sri Lanka

JULY 22, 2017

Leader of the UK’s main opposition Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn Friday expressed “deep concern” over the reports of ongoing torture of Tamils by the Sri Lanka security forces, and stressed that the UK’s foreign policy on Sri Lanka should be focused on accountability, not just promoting trade and investment.

Jeremy Corbyn

Referring to the recent report by the Johannesburg-based International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) titled “Unstopped: State torture & sexual violence in 2016/17 in Sri Lanka”, he said that the lack of accountability for the crimes of the past has enabled these horrific violations to continue in the island nation.

“I am deeply concerned about the evidence presented in this ITJP report about the ongoing torture of Tamils; it is the lack of accountability for the crimes of the past that has enabled these horrific violations to continue and we are all culpable if we don’t speak out loudly,” Corbyn said in a statement on Friday.

The ITJP’s latest report is based on detailed testimony from 57 Tamil victims of illegal detention and torture under the Sirisena-Ranil government – 24 of them tortured in 2016 or 2017.

Releasing the report in London last week, the ITJP said that the abduction and torture of Tamils by the Sri Lankan security forces “remain systematic because in 30 months the new Government has failed to dismantle the networks of the ‘deep state’”.

The ITJP said the ongoing torture “is not the conduct of a few “rotten apples” in the Sri Lankan security forces as it includes senior officers who themselves participate in the torture which is systematic and condoned”.

“On the basis of this report, the Home Office must immediately revise its country guidance on Sri Lanka – so that the risk categories match what’s clearly going on there rather than some wish believe view from London,” the Labour Party leader said.

“It’s time our foreign policy on Sri Lanka focused on accountability not just promoting trade and investment. I intend to call for an independent audit of DFID funding for training of the Sri Lankan
police – we need to know if this funding has helped diminish torture or just made the perpetrators better at covering it up,” Corbyn said in a hard-hitting statement.

Corbyn’s statement has come within a day after the outcome of the UN Special Rapporteur’s recent visit to Sri Lanka was raised in the House of Commons.

Read More

Old wine in new bottles: Sri Lanka’s latest counter-terrorism proposals

Jul 21, 2017

Last Friday, the UN Special Rapporteur (SR) on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism, Ben Emmerson QC, issued a statement of findings upon the conclusion of his visit to Sri Lanka. You can read it in full here.

The statement begins with a hard-hitting assessment of the government’s record on delivering the broad range of measures needed to bring about a just and sustainable peace, including those commitments contained within Human Rights Council 30/1 (co-sponsored by the government of Sri Lanka in 2015). “Progress in achieving the key goals set out in the Resolution” the SR concludes, “is not only slow, but seems to have ground to a virtual halt. None of the measures so far adopted to fulfil Sri Lanka’s transitional justice commitments are adequate to ensure real progress, and there is little evidence that perpetrators of war crimes committed by members of the Sri Lankan armed forces are bring brought to justice”.

The statement goes on to address ongoing human rights violations under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a draconian piece of legislation that has been used by successive governments as a tool of repression and intimidation, overwhelmingly against members of the Tamil population. The PTA, the SR writes, has “fostered the endemic and systematic use of torture” in Sri Lanka, with over 80 percent of those most recently arrested under the PTA in late 2016 complaining of torture and physical ill-treatment following arrest.

As to the government’s latest draft counter-terrorism proposals designed to replace the PTA, the Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA), the SR finds a number of “central flaws” in the draft framework, “which, if enacted, would guarantee the continued violation of the human rights of terrorism suspects”. These include – as outlined in a recent independent legal analysispublished by the Foundation for Human Rights – provisions preserving the admissibility of confessions, as well as overly broad definitions of terrorism which would allow the legislation to be used in situations “far removed from acts of real terrorism”.

Earlier this week the Sri Lanka Campaign published an infographic explainer, based on some of this independent analysis as well as the findings of the SR, in order to decipher the contents of the CTA and highlight the continued risks of serious abuse that it poses. You can read it below, or here as a PDF. Please help spread the word, and ensure that this dangerous legislation never becomes law, by sharing it on social media today.

Things are getting worse for us Machan' – 'govt. will not fall until 2020, Machan’

Jul 21, 2017

GMOA president Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya recently met another doctor, who is not a nobody, but Rukshan Bellana, who plays a key behind-the-scene role in the Mahinda faction.

Padeniya told him, “Things are getting worse for us, Machan. Can’t you tell the boss and get a game going? Striking work will not work again. Doctors are disappointed. Can’t you tell the boss and bring down the government? We will support in every way possible.”

Bellana replied, “This government cannot be brought down, Machan. The president and the prime minister will somehow take this government until 2020.”

This made Padeniya very much concerned, and Bellana went on, trying to calm him down, “Don’t daydream, Machan. Side with the government and get something done. Now, SAITM is not likely to be abolished. The government has already won the SAITM battle. Therefore, any strikes will be meaningless.

A few months ago, Padeniya and the GMOA did not want to discuss with the president or the PM, but later took a step backward and discussed with the PM and the health minister. It will not come as a surprise if they take another few steps backward and abandon the various poltical and other groups that are in the battle against SAITM.

New inland revenue act satisfies needs of IMF

July 21, 2017

The proposed Inland Revenue Act has been compiled by the IMF and presented to parliament for approval says the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka.

He said this at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta yesterday (20th). Members of the Central Committee of the JVP Northern Provincial Councilor Wasantha Samarasinghe and Western Provincial Councilor Sunil Watawala too were present.

Mr. Dissanayaka addressing the media said, “The new proposed Inland Revenue Act has been compiled by the IMF and presented to parliament for approval. Earlier, the Governor of the Central Bank stated the act has to be approved to get a second instalment of the line of credit by the IMF. An announcement issued by the Central Bank on the 8th states, “Following the Executive Board’s discussions of the review, the IMF has commended the stable macroeconomic and financial condition of Sri Lanka despite severe weather events and global market volatility. The IMF has also welcomed the fiscal consolidation measures implemented by the Government, particularly the submission of the new Inland Revenue Act to the Parliament.” This indicates the act has been compiled by the IMF. Officials of the Department of Inland Revenue, trade unions, tax paying citizens or audit institutions in our country have not mediated in compiling this act. The pact is the same pact compiled by the IMF to Ghana with a few changes. It is not one that has been compiled taking the interests of officials of the Department of Inland Revenue, tax payers and those interested in taxes. The act presents legal amendments that tally with the plundering economic policy followed by the IMF throughout the world.

The act has been introduced as one that the government promised to introduce to the Department of Inland Revenue as well as to other financial sectors. The clauses in the act go beyond tax amendments introduced in the budget. The act introduces a large number of tax amendments that have adverse effects on the country and the people. The 10% tax that is levied when investing from the EPF has been increased to 14%. As a result funds of more than 2.5 million members of IMF would be slashed.

Also, tax reliefs that had been given for the development of various sectors have been completely removed. Despite, the tax levied on the income from stage plays had been given a tax relief of 50%, the new act has removed the relief. Also, writers and publishing institutions had been given a 50% tax relief for the income from their first publications, the proposed act has removed it. The musicians had their income from the creations exempted from any tax. However, the proposed act removes this concession. The new proposals remove the tax relief given to new inventions.

The aid to university students, presents awarded by the President, the benefits the insured senior citizens get once the insurance is matured had been exempted from tax. However, all of them are taxed by the proposed Act. Accordingly, everything in the cultural, inventive and educational sectors has been brought under tax schemes.

The10% tax levied for agricultural implements has been raised to 14%. The 12% tax levied for small and medium scale industries has been raised to 14% and the 10% tax levied from lottery wins has been raised to 14%. The tax amendment act has presented more tax amendments that what is included in budget proposals.

The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax from those who are employed has been raised. In the earlier budget professionals who earn 1.2 million per annum had been given a tax relief. The amendment was not presented to parliament or approved. However, the proposed act has brought down the annual nontaxable income to Rs.500,000. As such, all professionals who earn more than Rs.500,000 would be taxed. Also, the tax rates for the taxable income were 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% etc. However, the new act increases the 16% ratio to 24%. Also, professional institutions such as the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Banks’ Association, Universities, Medical Council, Sri Lanka Institute of Printing, the Energy Conservation Fund have been brought under the tax scheme.

Also, the income earned by Sri Lankans supplying services to foreign institutions or income obtained supplying services abroad were exempted from tax. For, the foreign exchange earned and the experiences and know how the professionals get is very important for our economy. However, all these sectors have been made taxable. However, income received by a foreigner serving in Sri Lanka has been exempted. The government, instead of encouraging Sri Lankans supplying services to foreign institutions, encourages foreigners to take the place of Sri Lankan professionals. This move has been proposed to encourage foreigners who would come to Sri Lanka through EYCA agreement the government is waiting to sign with India. As such, we have a doubt whether the government in Sri Lanka is that of Sri Lankans or westerners.

The Department of Inland Revenue has to explain the reasons when it rejects any reports of income submitted by tax payers. It would confirm the rights of the tax payers. However, the new Act has given the authority to reject reports by tax payers without submitting any reasons. This is very unjustifiable. The Taxpayers’ Association of Sri Lanka has filed a case against this. Also, the Department of Inland Revenue consists of a commissioner general and officials below him. However, according to clauses in 2006 Act, other officials too have been given certain authority. This would make administration efficient. However, the new Act nullifies the authority of other officials and the whole authority is centred on the commissioner general. The commissioner general has been given unlimited authority and all other officials have been made submissive to him. It is a hindrance to the efficiency of collection of taxes. The commissioner is also given powers to appoint outsiders for the process. This would also allow the commissioner to appoint a private company for the process of collecting taxes. This is a move to give the authority the government had to collect taxes to private companies. This is the need of the IMF. The functions of the Department of Inland Revenue could be handed over to private companies through this Act.

Also, any official committing a tax fraud could be investigated only by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. However, the proposed Act contains a clause that states any official committing such a fraud could be fined Rs.1 million or one-year prison sentence or both. Also, the Commissioner has been given powers to settle the matter without going to a trial. This has made all officials under the commissioner submissive to him. As such, the proposed Act obstructs administration and hinders efficiency. It is difficult to understand the Act as certain words that do not occur in our glossary of terms have been included in it as it is a translation of the English version of the Act prepared to Ghana. It is very clear that the Act has not been compiled targeting Sri Lanka.

The records received by the Department of Inland Revenue are very confidential. They would be available only to the Bribery Commission, Attorney General or the Minister under special provisions. The tax payers are given this protection to prevent their confidential information from being made available to wrong persons. Information of income of any establishment is confidential. However, the Act presented by the government states exchange of tax information or come to an agreement with foreign companies is possible with the recommendation of the Minister. This deprives the protection for the tax payer. It is a threat to businessmen.

At present, the Department of Inland Revenue carries out its tax collecting process using a special software. This software was created by a company in Singapore. The Department of Inland Revenue has spent Rs. 5000 million for this. This process carried out tax collecting very efficiently. In creating this software the legal regulations of the Act in 2006 were followed. However, due to the bringing in of a new Act in place of the earlier one, it would not be possible to use the software created spending Rs.5000 million. A new software would have to be created. Of course, IMF has agreed to make available a loan for this. When considering all these facts it is very clear that the new Act is a need of the IMF. As such, this Act should not be passed in Parliament.

The 2006 Act should be made more efficient by adding amendments. However, there is no need to bring in a completely new Act. The only necessity of bringing in a new act is to prepare legal background to manipulate the economy of our country according to the needs of the IMF. This is why IMF releases the loan instalment when the Act is presented to Parliament. When the government wanted to present the Act in Parliament we asked the government to have a discussion with relevant sectors. However, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was adamant that the act should be put to Parliament.

It was because of IMF pressure. Ranil – Maithri government should be responsible not to the IMF but to the people in our country. Hence, this act should be defeated. The JVP is prepared to defeat the Act. This Act goes beyond the budget. Hence, we would take all the measures to create a dialogue in the country and nullify it.”