ALI-BATHIUDEEN ALLIANCE AND MUSLIM POLITICS IN SRI LANKA- KEERTHI TENNKOON

Image: a Muslim protest in Colombo.

20/12/2017

The Eastern Province based Muslim identitarian politics, brought to the fore by M. H. M. Ashraff, founder/leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), has entered a new phase with the alliance between the former General Secretary of SLMC, Hasen Ali and Minister and Leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Rishad Bathiudeen.

Currently SLMC is the dominant force in Eastern (Ampara) based Muslim politics along with United People’s Freedom Alliance’s (UPFA) A. L. M. Athaullah. SLMC has hitherto been acknowledged as the undisputed representative of eastern Muslims. However, the current SLMC leader, Rauff Hakeem, hailing from Kandy (Kandiyaan), is rapidly losing support among the Muslims of Ampara (Mattayan).

Athaullah who has considerable power in Akkaraipattu, does not tolerate opposition to his authority and he is attempting to ensure that his son is his successor. He has also joined President Maithripala Sirisena. M. L. A. M. Hizbullah, leader of the Kattankudi Muslims is also supporting the President and President Sirisena has appointed over 10 Muslims organizers to Ampara.

Bathiudeen’s Eastern arrival

However, during the 2015 General Election, Bathiudeen, ‘invaded’ Ampara and his ACMC obtained 33, 000 votes (10%), 18% votes in Kalmunai, 27% from Samanthurai and 10% from Pottuvil. Although they did not obtain a seat in Parliament, ACMC indicated they also have a considerable presence in Ampara. With the alliance with Ali, these numbers are sure to swell.

Bathiudeen became the figurehead of Muslim nationalist/identitarian politics during the 2015 General Election. When he was criticized by Sinhala nationalist/identitarian movement, Bathiudeen used that to increase his appeal among the Muslims. He sure is a great marketer and he is always present whenever there is even a slightest issue between the Sinhala and Muslim communities. Within few years he has become the ‘other’ of the Sinhala nationalist/identitarian movement as well as of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). As the animosity with the Sinhala and Tamil nationalist/identitarian movements becomes greater, Bathiudeen’s popularity among the Muslims also increases.

Ali on the other hand is perceived as a gentleman politician, in both Colombo and the East. Although he has always entered Parliament through the national list, we all saw his abilities as an organizer during the 2015 Presidential Election.

In August 2015, many expected that the two national lists seats obtained by the SLMC would go to then Chairman of the SLMC, Basheer Segu Dawood and Secretary, Ali. However the SLMC leader appointed M.H.M. Salman and his brother A.R.A. Hafeez (who resigned in 2016 and M.S. Thawfeeq was appointed to the position).

Dawood and Ali, following Udaya Gammanpila, formulated a Pivithuru SLMC. This later morphed into United Peace Alliance. Mansoor A. Cader was appointed General Secretary of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) in place of Ali. Hakeem promised, before God, that he will remove Salman from the national list slot and give the position to Ali. However since this did not materialize, Ali formed United People’s Alliance (UPA) with Bathiudeen.

Muslim politics in the North

Bathiudeen has managed to assume full control of the Northern Province, using the United National Party (UNP) as his cat’s paw.

It is now obvious that 90% of the candidates contesting for the coming Local Government (LG) elections from the UNP led alliance will be Bathiudeen’s acolytes.

Bathiudeen will now contest the Eastern Province separately and the SLMC has no other option but to join the UNP. Since the UNP does not have strong candidates in the east, the SLMC will have a significant bargaining power. The UNP list for the Northern Province will be created by Bathiudeen and contesting with the UNP is beneficial for him because the UNP can attract some Tamil votes in the North, a feat beyond Bathiudeen.

Plight of Sinhala & Tamil candidates

Bathiudeen will also have a significant say in selecting UNP’s Sinhala and Tamil candidates in the North as well and anyone who wants nominations from the UNP must become a supporter of Bathiudeen. Or they must join the TNA, which is what has already happened in Thunukkai and Manthei. Bathiudeen is also responsible for selecting candidates for the seat for the Sinhalese in Vavuniya and thus the Sinhalese candidates who were to contest from the UNP are now planning to contest independently.

Kalmunai MC is the bastion of Muslim politics and it comprises of Kalmunai Tamil, Kalmunai Muslim, Karativu and Saindamaradu.

As Saindamaradu Pradeshiya Sabha has not been established, Chairman of the Jumma Mosque Y.M. Hanifa is to lead an independent group. Votes in Kalmunai are divided between SLMC, Ali – Bathiudeen alliance, SLFP and SLPP and will become further complicated by the Saindamaradu factor. This will also ensure that the number of votes SLMC gets will go below 50% for the first time.

Ampara has always had powerful Muslim politicians who held positions in the Chandrika – Mahinda administrations and they have artificially created local government bodies in the East. This has lead to anomalies. For example, one can walk from Karativu Divisional Secretariat office to Saindamaradu Divisional Secretariat office. And if a separate local council is established for Saindamaradu, the Tamils who live there will not be represented.There is also an idea that Muslims should only vote for a person named by the mosque in Maliyakkadu, which belongs to Karativu.
Unlike Muslim politics in Colombo and Kandy, Muslim politics in the East is not conscious and candidates who can either spend money or toe the racial line have a clear advantage. This dynamic will reach a new level this time.

The Hasen Ali – Rishad Bathiudeen alliance will clearly change the political dynamic in Ampara. However it is not still clear how it will affect Muslim politics at National level.

The writer is the Executive Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE)

MMDA Reforms: The Need Of The Hour – A Muslim’s View

By M Mifly Naleemi –December 21 2017

The unique feature of Islam is the justice, fair play, equity and equality to all irrespective of gender, status, class and ethnicity of a person. The theologians or Ulamas are too not exempted from this basic fact. That is why it is said there is no “Priesthood” in Islam. No one has any special privilege or favor other than through his/her deeds and actions. No one is above the law and everyone is subject to criticism and question

Nowadays, print and social media write for and against the views and suggestions purportedly attributed to Dissenting Group of the Saleem Marsoof MMDA Committee to the proposed amendments recommended by the committee headed by former Acting Chief Justice Saleem Marsoof.

 

I feel it is my duty too as a member of the Muslim community who was actively associated in the Islamic theological studies for the last fourteen (14) years to express my views on the proposed views and suggestions of Dissenting Group so as to dispel the consequential misunderstandings and misconceptions which would have been created in the minds of people who have lack of deep knowledge about Islam and Shariah. 

 

Dissenting Group is attributed to have said inter alia the following contentions which have been subjected to severe criticism by the media.

 

Imposing of minimum age of marriage is the violation of Shariah.

 

Appointment of women Quazi is in contravention of the Shariah. 

 

There are some basic principles for understanding and interpretation of any law- be it western or Shariah- If anyone tries to understand or explain such laws superficially without having awareness of such basic principles, misinterpretation of the law would be the inevitable result.

 

Few such basic principles related to understanding the MMDA Reforms are as follow:

 

Contextual meaning prevails the literal meaning. 

 

In pari materia (“upon the same matter or subject”) When a statute is ambiguous, its meaning may be determined in light of other statutes on the same subject matter

 

Golden rule versus literal rule. (Isthikraa’u). The golden rule gives the words of a statute their plain, ordinary meaning. However, when this may lead to an irrational result that is unlikely to be the legislature’s intention, then it is interpreted taking the spirit of the entire statute into the consideration.

Generalia specialibus non derogant. 

 

Specific rule prevails the general rules

 

I had a reasonable doubt when I read the views of the ACJU on the proposed reforms to the MMDA whether it had any idea of the principles of interpretation of a law.

 

I wish to explain the five (05) basic Islamic rulings covering the entire life of any human being so as to understand the incorrectness of ACJU on the above said two contentions. 

 

Obligatory (“Wajib”): The doer is rewarded and the abstainer is punished. Ex: Being truthful.

Prohibited (“Haraam”): The doer is punished and the abstainer is rewarded. Ex: Deception.

 

Commendable (“Sunnath”): The doer is rewarded and the abstainer is not punished. Ex: Giving charity. 

 

Undesirable (“Makrooh”): The doer is not punished and the abstainer is rewarded. Ex: Telling white lie.

 

Permissible (“Mubaah”): The doer is neither rewarded nor punished. Ex: Selection of dress, foods and other similar day to date affairs.

 

Any aspect- without any exception- of life of any human being does not fall except under one of the said five rulings in the sight of Shariah.

 

Imposition of minimum marriageable age

 

There is no any explicit or implicit ruling in Shariah saying that giving of a girl in marriage once she attained the puberty is “Obligatory” (wajib) or “Commendable” (Sunnath), instead it is permitted (Mubah).

 

In Islamic Shariah, what is prescribed as “Permissible” (Mubaah) can be made as “Obligatory” or “Prohibited” for a “Public interest” which is called in Shariah as “Maslaha Mursalah”.

 

 Several examples can be cited. The Holy Qur’an was compiled for the public interest after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Nobody said it is in contravention of the Shariah. The restrictions and control imposed (for the public interest) on the trade of import and export cannot be argued as it is violation of Shariah simply because the Shariah has not imposed any restriction on international trade.  The mandatory requirement of possessing of valid driving license is not against Shariah even though it has not imposed such restriction. All these issues are classified under the category of “Permissible” (“Mubah”).  

 

Similarly, imposition of minimum marriageable age (which falls under the category of “Permissible”) for a “public interest” (Maslaha Mursalah) is not a violation of Shariah simply because Shariah has not imposed such restriction as claimed by ACJU.

     

Assuming without conceding that child marriage is “Obligatory” or “Commendable”, the golden rule -which is equivalent to “Isthiqra’a” in the Shariah- on analyzing the other verses and spirit of the Shariah law, implies that child marriage is not recommended due to several reasons including the impossibility of getting just and fair consent from a child bride. 

 

The following authentic Hadees explicitly emphasizes the importance of getting the consent of the bride prior to her marriage.

 

“When a man gives his daughter in marriage and she dislikes it, the marriage shall be repudiated” (Bukhari, 67:43).

 

Hence, the probability of such negative ruling may lead to an absurd result that is unlikely to be the pure intention of the Shariah and so on.  

    

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Reclaiming Social Sciences and Humanities: Notes from South Asia

Image courtesy Hilary Burage

SASANKA PERERA- 12/20/2017

Keynote address delivered at the 4th Annual Research Symposium of National Centre for Advanced Studies (NCAS) in Social Sciences and Humanities, Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 20th 2017. I acknowledge the substantial contributions of my colleague, Dev Nath Pathak at South Asian University in formulating this text.

Let me begin by thanking Prof P.S.M. Gunaratne for inviting me to deliver this keynote address. Interestingly however, despite being a Sri Lankan university insider for nearly twenty years as a teacher, I was never part of the layers of operations at UGC with which National Centre for Advanced Studies (NCAS) is affiliated.  As a result, I was never privy to the intrigues of UGC.  I am still an outsider to this system, and now to the country’s university system as well.

Reclaiming Social Sciences and Humanities Notes from South Asia.docx by Thavam on Scribd

Gender overlay in gender equality laws

By Faizer Shaheid-2017-12-20

"We all see only that which we are trained to see."

― Robert Anton Wilson, Masks of the Illuminati

The feminists have been at it again, constantly nudging the innocent bystanders, asking them to look their direction, to reason with them, and to endorse what they wish to say. True enough, on more occasions than not, there is a method to the madness, but more often than not, the innocent bystanders only seem to be looking in one direction.

The recent debate on marital rape has gained momentum over the years, and it appears that efforts are underway to crystallize it into law in Sri Lanka, but why is the debate still focused only in the feminist direction?

Gender disparities have persisted through centuries and continue to this day to a far lesser extent. This is primarily thanks to the feminist movement, which began in the early 1830s. The feminist movement has endured and grown from strength to strength, and it appears that from this position of strength, women centric terms are being shoved to propel the women-oriented movement further.

The modern feminist

First and foremost, allow me to clarify that I appreciate the work of the feminist movement up until the 1990s. However, the definition of feminism as described by Google became clearer to me afterwards. Google defines 'feminism' as "the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes." The strong emphasis on the words 'women's rights' suggested a lack of focus on men's rights.

Any modern day feminist would claim that the feminist fight is the good fight for the equality of the sexes. However, translate that into action, and you would find a lot lacking in their focus on men's rights. This has led to a rising trend of feminist fanaticism, which has in turn resulted in anti-feminist groups.

However, this trend had grown only very recently. The feminists had fought hard for their rights throughout the first and second waves of feminism. It is the third wave of feminism that appears to have gone overboard with the demands. This is especially in view of the fact that women enjoy without objection many rights which continue to be unavailable to men.

When discussing equality among genders, an important issue to be considered is the lack of a common standard of equality.

Whether equality should be weighed in the standards of formal equality or substantive equality is debatable. Most feminists prefer the loose perimeters of substantive equality as it would best meet their demands. This would mean that, irrespective of whether both genders are of equal standing, the differences must be ignored to ensure equal treatment.

If the differences cannot be equalized, then affirmative action policies are introduced to ensure fairness. However, the same rules would not apply in all circumstances. For example, if a woman becomes pregnant, she becomes entitled to maternity leave, yet paternity leave is rarely recognized, and if recognized, then unequal to the period of leave granted to women.

On the other hand, feminists have claimed unequal remuneration to be an issue. UN Women has claimed that women still get paid approximately 22% less than men for work of equal value. When living in a capitalistic world, it is quite understood that profiteering companies would generally have employed more women if work of equal value can be obtained from a woman at a 22% lesser pay.

Therefore, there are only two possibilities. Either the issue of unequal remuneration is merely false propaganda, or companies have issues and risks to undertake when employing women. I choose to believe in the latter.There could be many reasons why companies may choose to employ men over women. Perhaps there could be a risk of pregnancy, which may reduce productivity, or that women are entitled to maternity leave. Perhaps, it is because it is legally not permitted under the Shop and Office Employees Act for a woman to work before 6:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. under general circumstances. There may be many reasons that are considered by a company when recruiting and measuring the value of an employee.

It may also be considered that women are sometimes paid higher in certain professions than men. For example, female models are paid higher than men in most circumstances. The top paid models in the world, Kendall Jenner ($22 million), Gisele Bundchen ($17.5 million), Chrissy Teigen ($13.5 million), Adriana Lima ($10.5 million) and Gigi Hadid ($9.5 million) among others are all female models.

Issues feminists ignore

While gender equality is paramount, it must also be understood that gender is not merely a social construct. Perhaps, some may debate on this point with a conjecture to a third gender, or with transgender persons in mind. Yet, nonetheless, whether it is male, female, a third gender, or an assumed gender, unless and otherwise one can transform into an animal of sorts, he or she must possess the attributes of a gender. The point to note is that these attributes differ.

The attributes of a male are significantly different from that of a female. There are differences in height, weight, speed, bodily formations, bodily functions, and many other aspects. When these are taken into account, it is at times difficult to confer upon every individual an equal amount of rights. For example, pregnancy is a bodily change experienced only by a female and never by a male, and is caused by sperm produced only by a male and never by a female.

Therefore, as far as maternity laws go, men would usually have no objection when it comes to the right of maternity leave conferred upon women. Likewise, it must also be recognized that the fastest women athletes have never until now beaten the records set by the fastest male athletes. However, males and females both play a role in each event, each doing their part and never competing with one another.

It is the same when it comes to anti-rape legislation. Perhaps, only a woman can be penetrated vaginally, but the vagina is not the only body part which can be penetrated. Therefore, rape cannot be committed only against women. Likewise, only a male may possess a penis, but the penis is not the only body part or object which can be used to penetrate a body part. Then why does Section 363 of the Penal Code only state that only a man can commit rape and only a woman can get raped?

The rape issue

Penetration can be oral, anal, or vaginal and can be made using a penis, or finger/toe, or even an object. Yet, when the law expressly states that only a male can be the perpetrator and that only females can be victims, an issue arises in the definition of rape. Although the problem of males being raped can be addressed through the crime of grave sexual abuse under Section 365B of the Penal Code with the same extent of punishment, the issue will not be considered as rape.

The underlying issue is that there is lack of recognition of a female perpetrator and a male victim, while most modifications and additions are made in respect of only rape law. For example, Section 363 (e) recognizes any type of sexual intercourse with a female below the age of 16 years will be considered statutory rape. What if a 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female engage in sexual intercourse while in a relationship? The male automatically becomes a perpetrator, while the female becomes a victim.

The issue becomes worse when considering problems relating to marital rape. Marital rape is an issue that has been debated timelessly over the years, and in the case R v R in 1991, the House of Lords determined that it was possible for the husband to rape his wife. The issue of consent is the biggest problem in such circumstances, especially in relation to evidence before a Court of Law. Evidence of penetration is insufficient as penetration may have occurred from previous penetrations. Therefore, the mere word of the complainant becomes the solitary evidence before Courts. Furthermore, what if it is the husband who has been abused by the wife?

Conclusion

While marital rape is certainly unconscionable, it also imposes a massive burden upon the Court of Law, especially when determining the guilt of a suspect. It sheds a man, even if he may have been a husband, in a negative image where his integrity and repute will be challenged. Even so, the Minister of Justice, Thalatha Atukorale, although having adhered to the feminist demands for the recognition of marital rape, has failed to address the issue of gender bias in the law on rape.

It is advisable for the Minister of Justice to follow the example set by the USA. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) operating under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice in the USA decided to redefine rape in the following manner:

"Penetration of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, no matter how slight, or even oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim."

The above definition recognizes both males and females as having potential to be a perpetrator or a victim. This is a more apt definition for the law on rape. It is also a more urgent amendment required to rectify the gender bias in the law on rape.

(The writer is a political analyst and an independent researcher of laws. He holds a Postgraduate Degree in the field of Human Rights and Democratization from the University of Colombo and an Undergraduate Degree in Law from the University of Northumbria, United Kingdom)
faizer@live.com

Ban on Asbestos to be relaxed

2017-12-20

The Cabinet yesterday decided to relax the ban imposed on the use of Asbestos roofing materials imported from Russia amid reports that the Russian Federation had allegedly retaliated by suspending tea imports from Sri Lanka.

Russia imposed a temporary restriction on tea imports from Sri Lanka last Thursday saying a beetle was detected in a consignment of tea purchased from Sri Lanka.

However, it is believed that this was in retaliation to Sri Lanka’s decision to ban the import of Asbestos roofing materials from Russia with effect from 2024 on the basis that such roofing materials were harmful to the environment.

Plantation Industries Minister Navin Dissanayake briefed the Cabinet on the crisis triggered by the restriction on tea exports to Russia and is reported to have informed the Cabinet that the ban on the use of Asbestos roofing materials was a likely factor that led to this crisis.

President Maithripala Sirisena had subsequently instructed the Cabinet to withhold the decision to ban the use of roofing materials for an indefinite period. (Kelum Bandara)

*Canada to ban asbestos: What you need to know about the common carcinogen

*Asbestos-related deaths may continue to rise long after 2018 ban

Victory in Geneva – Lost in Colombo!

Thursday, 21 December 2017

I woke up to a call from a good friend and a classmate who was really happy about his daughter Thivinya – currently a student in a Colombo school (Museaus) – winning a Gold medal for her invention in a competition in Taiwan (Kaohsiung International Invention and Design Expo 2017). He has also heard that in addition to the Gold medal she has won another medal – Best Leading Innovation Award!

Victory in Geneva – Lost in Colombo!.docx by Thavam on Scribd

CCC House: A home away from home

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Maharagama is a place where varied emotions are observed. Shaven heads and looks of despair on the faces of both adults and children; a common sight. Within the hospital premises however is a place alive with hope; The Courage Compassion Commitment (CCC) House, a non profit organisation based in Sri Lanka and Australia supporting NCI to provide much needed care for those battling cancer.   

2017-12-21 

The CCC House is a 188-bed cancer transit home for outpatients at the NCI. Modelled after a similar concept practised at the Ronald McDonald House in Australia, the facility is the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka. Established through a tripartite agreement among the NCI, Ministry of Health and the CCC, it facilitates cancer patients of all ages from across the country. 

Today the establishment is a fully equipped transit home providing all facilities required by patients confronting the toughest challenge of their lives

At the time of our visit, the facility was almost unoccupied. The Manager of CCC House, Laksiri Fernando informed us that this was because most patients visit the hospital during the morning hours for their treatment. “The patients we provide for at the CCC House are those who have to obtain treatment from the hospital regularly. We accommodate patients from as far as Jaffna,” he said. The process of admission and discharge at the CCC House takes place through referrals from the consultant doctors at NCI, while the registration at CCC House and discharge is handled through the wards at the hospital.

Tusitha Kumarakulasingham of the CCC House Management Committee believes that Former Director of NCI, Dr. Kanishka Karunaratne and Founder and Chairman of CCC House Jetha Devapura were the driving force behind the establishment of the facility. The CCC initiative was first registered as Care for Cancer Children to assist children fighting cancer at the NCI. Their work included several projects to support the paediatric wards of the NCI which included knowledge transfer programmes between the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Melbourne and the NCI. Their work was dedicated to provide the best practice in paediatric oncology treatment and care to benefit child and adolescent patients at the NCI. 

Their vision and commitment to serve beyond paediatric cancer treatment is clear to anyone who steps inside the facility. In 2007, following recommendations from experts, the CCC Foundation envisioned the CCC House, a transit home with almost 200 beds at an estimated cost of Rs.180 million. Even though it seemed an impossible task at that time, Phase 1 of the CCC House, consisting of 100 beds was completed in 2010 where child cancer outpatients of the hospital were able to move to CCC House with their care givers, which was soon followed by adults.

Today the establishment is a fully equipped transit home providing all facilities required by patients confronting the toughest challenge of their lives. The expansive land provided by the Ministry, adjacent to the hospital building, affords patients the convenience of access, vital for their well-being. All meals are provided by the hospital. Each floor of the building has spacious dining rooms where patients can take their meals in a relaxing environment. The first level of the CCC building has direct access to the ground floor of the hospital. We were told that these rooms have been reserved for children in need of wheelchairs. On the day of our visit, 44 out of 45 beds were occupied by children. The total count of patients at the premises was 119. 

As we walked through the wards of CCC House, we came across the most inspirational sight. The names of four children residing at the CCC House were written on a notice board opposite a room, where they were sitting for their Ordinary Level Examination. Along with officials from the Department of Examinations, a parent of one of the patients sat outside the room anxiously waiting for his child to return from the examination centre. 

We learned that four students sat for the GCE O/L examination last year too and all of them obtained brilliant results. One of the students in fact had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the time of the examination

We learned that four students sat for the GCE O/L examination last year too and all of them obtained brilliant results. One of the students in fact had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the time of the examination. But with a special arrangement with the Department of Examinations the child was able to write the exam while an invigilator from the Department sat with her within the ICU. 

How you can help

Stories of such courage and determination are many at CCC House. The good news is that you too can be a part of their story. According to the Management Committee the maintenance of the establishment costs Rupees 1 million per month. CCC House operates completely through the efforts of volunteers. The Manager of CCC House said the facility operates with a bare minimum of staff operating on shifts. This includes a nurse and an assistant who monitor the health of patients at the transit home. 

The CCC Foundation now seeks to build the CCC Trust Fund, so that the establishment is ensured sustenance. Cancer could take any one of us. “When the hospital started they had 800 beds for more than 1,000 patients. Early cancer patients generally have to come for day treatment which usually involves chemo therapy or radiation therapy. However these treatments have come with numerous side effects which patients struggle to cope with. Some of these patients cannot afford to travel or seek accommodation elsewhere or know who to trust. Unfortunately there are lots of people who swindle patients even at these hospitals. Under such circumstances, these day care patients had no option but to stay in corridors, inside the ward, on floors or even chairs, before this facility was built.

A cancer patient’s immunity drops significantly during their treatment. A brief cold for us could mean the end of life for a cancer patient. Therefore this was not acceptable but the hospital had no other choice,” Kumarakulasingham explained. 

“We want to continue with the same standards. We need about one million rupees each month to continue our services. Lots of people come and give by means of alms-givings which we encourage. But maintenance of the place including janitorial services, security and other utilities require funds. We make sure that they are in a comfortable and hygienic environment,” she added.

There are many ways you can get involved to make a difference at the CCC House, from sponsoring a bed to supporting mental health through CCC Line. The maintenance cost for a bed at the CCC House is a mere Rs.160 per day. Donors are therefore able to choose from packages ranging from one month up to an entire year. You can also support their various fundraisers and also volunteer at the CCC House. 

It’s the season to give and give back. Whether you give time, goods, money or support, the dedicated staff at CCC House will make sure your contributions will make a lasting impact in someone’s life this season. So why not take a little time away from all the festivity and celebration and support the CCC House, where a little goes a long way. Your donation will not only help the continuity of the services at the CCC House but also help improve the survival rate and emotional well-being of cancer patients at the NCI.

Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe 

Donations can be made through the following methods  

Dialog users can make a general donation through their mobile phones: 
Type CCCH (SPACE) (Amount) and send to 77100
Cheques:
Could be sent to:
CCC Foundation Sri Lanka
Suresh Mendis
C/o. Classic Travels (Pvt) Ltd.,
379/4, Galle Road Colombo 3
Direct Debit:
CCC Foundation Sri Lanka
Commercial Bank – Foreign Branch
A/c Name : CCC Foundation
Sri Lanka
CCC House Account: 1416440701
CCC Line Account : 1030025894
Swift code: CCEYLKLX
For more information please visit website: cccfoundation.org.au.  

Israeli settler kills farmer but Palestinians face charges

Palestinians pray at the site in Qusra village where Mahmoud Odeh, 48, was shot dead by an Israeli settler the previous day.Shadi Jarar’ahAPA images

Maureen Clare Murphy-19 December 2017

A Palestinian – but not yet any Israeli – faces serious charges over an encounter between settlers and residents of a West Bank village that left a Palestinian farmer dead last month.

Muhammad Wadi has been charged with attempted murder by an Israeli military court.

The indictment over the 30 November incident in Qusra village states that Wadi entered a cave where a group of children and one adult had taken shelter and threw large rocks at them from close range, wounding the head of the adult, the Israeli daily Haaretz reported.

Nineteen other Palestinians were arrested on suspicion of involvement, the paper added.

The deadly confrontation occurred when a group of children were led on a hike near the Palestinian village as part of a bar mitzvah celebration.

The settlers claim that Qusra residents attacked them, and that one of the hike chaperones fired his gun in self-defense, killing Mahmoud Zaal Odeh, 48.

The shooter was questioned by police on suspicions of negligent homicide and subsequently released.

Israel’s defense minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said that the Israeli man had acted in “self-defense,” claiming that a group of Palestinians had attempted to “lynch” the children.

“My thanks and recognition to the armed escort who saved the hikers from a clear and present danger to their lives,” he added.

Qusra residents, however, told media that Odeh was working his land when he was shot.

The Israeli military took Odeh’s body to Tel Aviv for autopsy without his family’s knowledge or permission, according to the rights group Adalah, before it was released to the family for burial.

A week later, dozens of settlers came back to Qusra to resume the hike under heavy military guard and in the company of Israel’s deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely and agriculture minister Uri Ariel:

View image on Twitter

Jacob Magid

✔@JacobMagid

Roughly 100 settlers arrive outside of Qusra to finish bar mitzvah trip that ended in clashes w/ Palestinians last week. Accompanying the bar mitzvah boy is Minister Uri Ariel

2:55 AM - Dec 8, 2017

•  22 Replies
 
•  44 Retweets
 
•  66 likes

Jacob Magid

✔@JacobMagid

Replying to @JacobMagid

Asked whether it was necessary to bring so many children to an area still cooling down from last week's violence, Ariel says "we have a strong army and feel safe wherever we go on our land." pic.twitter.com/bj8v3u8pug

Jacob Magid

✔@JacobMagid

And we're off. Also joining in on the fun is Deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely and itamar Ben Gvir pic.twitter.com/aNkOC0Jeeh

3:24 AM - Dec 8, 2017

Also with them was Itamar Ben-Gvir, a settler, extreme right-wing activist and attorney who is considered the “go-to man” for Israelis who have committed violence against Palestinians, including two teens suspected of involvement in an arson attack that killed three members of a Palestinian family in a West Bank village in 2015.

Sarit Michaeli, international advocacy officer for the Israeli rights group B’Tselem, characterized the hike as a “settler provocation parade”:

Sarit Michaeli@saritm0

Israeli deputy mfa participating in a settler provocation in the Qusra area https://twitter.com/TzipiHotovely/status/939078112867995649 …

5:46 AM - Dec 8, 2017

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And we're off. Also joining in on the fun is Deputy foreign minister Tzipi Hotovely and itamar Ben Gvir pic.twitter.com/aNkOC0Jeeh

— Jacob Magid (@JacobMagid) 8 December 2017

The hike ended in a photo-op and rally at the cave where settlers accused Palestinians of laying siege to the group of children.

Settler violence

Residents of Qusra have long been subjected to violence, property damage and harassment by settlers.

In September 2011, the village’s mosque was vandalized and torched with burning tires as a “price-tag” or revenge attack after police demolished three structures in the unauthorized Migron settlement outpost.

That same month, Qusra resident Issam Badran was killed by Israeli soldiers during confrontations that erupted after settlers entered village land.

A military investigation into Badran’s killing was closed without an indictment being filed.

In January 2014, Qusra residents detained more than a dozen settlers who had raided the village and attempted to uproot olive trees.

Qusra residents have also been subjected to night raids on their homes by Israeli forces as part of their “mapping procedure” to surveil the entire Palestinian civilian population.

Meanwhile, an Israeli minor from the nearby Itamar settlement who assaulted a human rights activist and threatened him with a knife was sentenced to community service for the October 2015 incident.

The teenager had attacked Arik Ascherman, then head of Rabbis for Human Rights, while the latter was helping a Palestinian farmer harvest olives.

The incident was recorded on video:

The judge who handed down the sentence against the youth “wrote that she opted for community service because a conviction could hamper the teen’s chances of getting drafted into the Israeli army, and because she believes he has a good chance at rehabilitation,” Haaretz reported.

The teenager was represented in court by Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Palestinian children who are arrested by Israel on charges such as throwing stones at soldiers do not enjoy such leniency.

A growing number of US lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that would require the secretary of state to annually certify that no US funds allocated to Israel are used to “support military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian children.”

The bill condemns Israel’s prosecutions of Palestinian children in military courts while Israeli settlers in the same territory live under civilian law.

Israel operates a two-tier legal system in the occupied West Bank; Palestinians are subject to military courtswhere they are denied basic due process and face near-certain conviction, while Israeli settlers are under the jurisdiction of Israel’s civil police and courts.