A number of commemorative events have been organized to mark the 10th death anniversary of former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge who was brutally assassinated on January 08, 2009.
The 10th anniversary of the assassination of Lasantha will be marked with a service at his graveside.
Family, friends, former colleagues and others, including those from political and diplomatic circles, will gather at Borella Kanatte on 8 January at 9 a.m. to mark the anniversary and remember Lasantha.
This year’s memorial will also feature a tribute to other journalists slain in the line of duty, acknowledging that Lasantha’s story wasn’t the only one.
Assassinated on 8 January 2009, Lasantha was one of Sri Lanka’s leading journalists and an outspoken critic of the Rajapaksa Government. He was attacked as he drove to work and later died of his injuries. The brazen attack was carried out by two gunmen on motorcycles in the middle of morning-rush-hour traffic.
The investigation into Lasantha’s murder has yielded no tangible results thus far and his killers still roam free, a decade later.
A forum titled ‘10 Years After Lasantha: Whither Investigative Journalism in Sri Lanka?’ will be held January 08 at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), No. 24, Horton Place, Colombo 7, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The speakers will comprise The Sunday Morning Editor and former The Sunday Leader Editor Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, Sunday Observer Editor and former The Sunday Leader journalist Dharisha Bastians, AFP Sri Lanka and Maldives Bureau Chief Amal Jayasinghe, Nikkei Asian Review Regional Correspondent and former The Sunday Leader Features Editor Marwaan Macan-Markar and Groundviews Editor and former The Sunday Leader journalist Raisa Wickrematunge. A panel discussion will follow.
Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of the slain journalist, said: “Its hard to believe it’s been ten years since my father’s passing. It’s hard to put into words how surreal a decade feels when the grief is as real and consuming as it was the day he died. It’s hard when images of a crime scene are embedded in your mind; I don’t know if they will ever fade and if I can ever truly live in peace.
n Tuesday last, that’s January 01st, few asked me “what’s new this year?” My reply was in turn a short question; “New in what?” It’s a long list one began with; heavy road traffic, hospitals, schools, income and cost of living, solid waste disposal, rising apartments and more. But these were basically all issues in the “City”, issues the Colombo middle class is concerned about. Thus, they are spoken of only in terms of city life. Road traffic is talked about without any mention of public transport. Hospitals are spoken about with no mention of preventive health and a referral system. Schools are spoken of in relation to Grade I admissions for ‘over popular’ national schools. Solid waste disposal is only about removing them from one’s own household. Rising apartments are about encroaching on one’s previously used common amenities. The only issue that reaches beyond the city is “income and cost of living”. That too is not approached in terms of rural economy. This city approach was always the case every year, in and out of the calendar.
What could be new then? For me, all those issues come uninterrupted from past years. Even in terms of city life they will not be solved without “national planning” in any year to come. What is proposed and is hung for publicity with the new tag “Megapolis” as “development planning” is mere “city expansion” in Western Province. Often at the expense of the environment. There is no “urban planning and development” in them. But have big profits for investors. “National” planning lost its importance after the economy was opened up for free trade 40 years ago. Most urban professionals now see “planning” as means to a “closed” economy wholly controlled by the State. This middle class mindset is well tuned now to demand a total withdrawal of government and State interventions in economic activities. They want the free market to take over “development” while not defining what “development” is.
That urban ‘mindset’ raises the next logical question, “Why elect a parliament and a government?” We don’t need to if the “free market” is to be given responsibility for “development”. If the government and the State have nothing to do in it. We have by default, come to that in this New Year. We have carried over a government to this New Year that cannot govern. A government that is in crisis.
"The only issue that reaches beyond the city is “income and cost of living”
President Sirisena still holds the reins in keeping the Wickremesinghe government in crisis. While compromising to have Mangala Samaraweera as Media Minister, he negotiated to have 03 of his “Yes men” in Lake House, SL Rupavahini and in ITN. But he is still firm yet on his stand of not swearing in any SLFP MP as a minister who would cross over. This is now turning into a crisis within his SLFP. His men who were earlier privileged to be ministers in Wickremesinghe’s government, are now being denied same. Most being ministers for over 12 years running and some for over 20 years being Ministers in President Kumaratunge’s cabinet, they and their families don’t know what life is without ministerial privileges, perks and benefits untold. But for Sirisena, he will have to maintain an “anti UNP” image with his SLFP to work out an alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP, his only available option. The crisis lies there and he would have to live through that crisis this New Year.
That adds to the crisis, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe is faced with, in his own party. He is being lobbied and pressured to provide more ministerial portfolios to his party men, for their loyalty in staying with him and without crossing over to Rajapaksa. That being the major or only qualification to become a minister in this laughable “democracy” there is no loud and clear protest voice against it by the Colombo “civil society”. Wickremesinghe’s dilemma is, he simply cannot provide any more portfolios, trapped in his own Constitutional clause included in the 19 Amendment. When he defined a “National” government in the Constitution, an absurd provision to have in a Constitution, his only thinking was, he could provide for a large cabinet to include President Sirisena’s men and have a majority government under him. But that could only limp around for 03 years from August 2015 and not 04 and a half, he thought he could continue with perhaps troubleshooting now and then. Apparently, his government though without numbers for a majority and with no provisions for more ministries to please his party men seems to be kept afloat on the promise of a “New Constitution”. PM Wickremesinghe was reported as having said he would bring the draft bill for the New Constitution to parliament before 04 February. That seems a double promise. One, a promise for the ITAK leadership in the TNA to support Wickremesinghe to continue as PM. Two, that seems what the Western Diplomacy in Colombo wanted from Wickremesinghe in return for their not so covert support and believe would be honoured. For both parties, it could end up as the New Year wish for 2020 as well.
It was a New Year wish for the now Colombo based ITAK leadership since 2015 when they opted to stand with Sirisena as Common Candidate. That political stand 04 years ago then, was validated by the Tamil people in both elections; 2015 January presidential election and the 2015 August parliamentary elections expecting the TNA leadership to have solutions and answers for their daily issues. Veteran politician and the most senior in active politics Rajavarotham Sampanthan wanted two things done from the Tamil people at this 2015 August parliamentary election. He told the Jaffna Tamil voter, he wanted Sumanthiran in parliament, no matter what. That squeezed out EPRLF leaders Suresh Premachandran from parliament with many allegations against the ITAK leadership. Most importantly, Sampanthan also wanted Tamil people to vote for the TNA en bloc to strengthen its bargaining power and promised answers to all Tamil issues with a New Constitution before 31st of December, 2016. Two full years has lapsed by now with no change in the promise, made for 2019 as well.
"Even in terms of city life they will not be solved without “national planning” in any year to come"
Leave alone a New Constitution, the ITAK leadership could not negotiate any solution to any of the daily issues the North East Tamil people wanted solved. They could not and did not want to push for on the land issues and military occupation of land. The issue of involuntary disappearances was compromised to have another Commission with an awkward name, the “Missing Persons Office”. That would only do what 03 other previous Commissions did, except offering “compensation” and a “certificate for missing”. They claim it would be legally accepted. There are regular reports of collective Sinhala encroachments on land belonging to Tamil people with patronage from Security forces, the ITAK leadership wouldn’t speak about. The issue of Sinhala fishermen having free access to Northern waters while Northern fishermen still have to get permission from the SL Navy, is not on ITAK’s political agenda.
The political reason why ITAK leadership keeps evading all these issues, but believes a New Constitution is possible is more a comedy than a tragedy. The loose explanation is, they should not push theWickremesinghe government into a tight corner demanding answers to those issues, for that would provoke Sinhala Buddhist sentiments and make it difficult for the government to push through the “new Constitution”. The proposal for a new Constitution is far more explosive with the TNA seen as a “hand” in making it. Also, with any new Constitution the Sinhala South too has to give consent to at a Referendum, Rajapaksa is there to campaign against.
"This city approach was always the case every year, in and out of the calendar"
Thus, ITAK’s craze for a ‘new’ and an impossible Constitution to even table in parliament, ignoring all the issues of the Northern and Eastern People, has already made them “betrayers”. They have already lost the glitter they walked around with, during the 2015 August elections. Their “politics of compromise” the ordinary agitating Northern people reject has paved the way for a new Tamil political entry very much a replicate of Sinhala Southern “Pohottuwa” politics in Tamil North. It is thus a cautious wait to see if former Justice Wigneswaran would clear his way from falling into the trap of hard line “Tamil nationalism”. Turn of political events in 2019 thus would cater to further Sinhala - Tamil polarisation, holding the Muslim community helplessly trapped within it. Their political leaders have proved they cannot be trusted in negotiating any decent alliance on principles. This for the last decade and more has left the Muslim community without any principled political leadership. Sinhala campaign has already begun with Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for “Sinhala patriotism” to save the country from being parcelled into 09 different parts.
Meanwhile, Basil leaves a liberal door open for Muslim leaders to enter into negotiations with the SLPP. The political summary for 2019 thus shows, President Sirisena, PM Wickremesinghe and the ITAK leadership in TNA, all living through a crisis, while Rajapaksa keeps his platform strong in the Sinhala South, thanks to all the blunders the ITAK leadership keeps making. There is thus nothing new this New Year too unless the growing crisis throws up a parliamentary election before the year closes.
The SLFP/UPFA yesterday ruled out its support for draft constitution that was to be presented to parliament before Independence Day, Feb 04.
Addressing the media at National List MP Tilanga Sumathipala’s residence, UPFA MP Dilan Perera denied having a consensus as regards the proposed draft constitution with the UNP-TNA-JVP grouping.
Perera said so in response to a statement issued by the TNA on Wednesday (Jan 02)
The TNA quoted its spokesperson and Jaffna District MP M.A. Sumanthiran as having told visiting member of European parliament and of the Friends of Sri Lanka Group in the European parliament Geoffrey Van Orden the draft constitution which was to be presented in Parliament on Dec 07, 2018, would be presented before 4th of February 2019.
The TNA issued the statement in the wake of Orden meeting its leader R. Sampanthan and Sumanthiran in Colombo.
Briefing Orden of political developments in the country, Sampanthan has underscored the importance of the reconstitution of the Constitutional Council through which the independence of the judiciary has been preserved which was clearly demonstrated during the recent crisis situation.
Sampanthan was also quoted as having said that "our support to reinstate the Government was on Principle. The country was in distress and there was no Prime Minister or a Government. We had to support to reinstate the Government to prevent further damage being done to the economy and for normalcy in the functioning of institutions in this Country."
MP Perera alleged that the TNA was making a despicable attempt to cause ethnic tensions. Perera emphasized that the UNP-TNA-JVP-SLMC combine lacked required two-thirds majority in parliament to enact far reaching constitutional reforms.
However, National List MP S.B. Dissanayake admitted that a section of UPFA parliamentary group was exploring ways and means of forging an alliance with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe with a view to securing ministerial portfolios.
Dissanayake alleged that those contemplating to switch their allegiance to Wickremesinghe claimed they represented the SLFP interests.
The UPFA parliamentary group consists of 95 lawmakers.
Responding to a query later, Dissanayake identified the dissidents as those who skipped the vote on a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against Wickremesinghe moved by the Joint Opposition on April 04, 2018 over treasury bond scams.
Dissanayake claimed that the UNP government was in severe crisis due to President Sirisena’s tough stand as regards the restriction of the number of cabinet ministers to 30.
Dissanayake discussed strong opposition even within the UNP, which was reflected by non-cabinet minister Dr. Harsha de Silva, who insisted that those switching allegiance shouldn’t be accommodated in the cabinet.
The UPFA vowed that it wouldn’t allow the UNP spearheaded operation meant to divide the country on ethnic lines to appease those still pursuing separatist agenda.
At the onset of the briefing MP Perera said that the President Sirisena and former President Rajapaksa were going ahead with their plans and were engaged in building up a broad political front against the UNP.
Perera admitted that there were some disruptive elements within their group bent on undermining their efforts.
Commenting on the ongoing battle between the Joint Opposition and the TNA over the latter seeking the Opposition Leader’s Office, Perera alleged that one-time Velupillai Prabhakaran’s cat’s paw was determined to retain its seat in the Constitutional Council for obvious reasons. The MP claimed that the UNP and the TNA wanted to keep control of the Constitutional Council responsible for key appointments in accordance with 19th Amendment to the Constitution.
The UNP-TNA-JVP combine was making a desperate bid to control 10-member Constitutional Council, Perera alleged.
Dilan Perera pointed out that having moved the Court of Appeal against Mahinda Rajapaksa’s appointment as the Prime Minister on the basis of 122 lawmakers opposition to the Rajapaksa government, only 102 voted for Vote on Account on Dec 21.
Friday, 4 January 2019 Sri Lanka is plunged into a historic situation in which its Constitution has virtually lost its spirit and the functional strength due to lack of consistency and the proper order that a Constitution ought to have. This situation has created a necessary precondition for adopting a new Constitution for the country soon.
Morality and Conscience Among Politicians is Non-existent in Today’s Political Toilet Bowl.
“The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” — Marcus Aurelius
by Zulkifli Nazim-
All politicians claim they are against wanton spending of the taxpayer’s hard-earned dollars. Similarly, they are against government waste, fraud and abuse. They believe in a strong national defense and reducing domestic crime. They all agree that our infrastructure is crumbling and in dire need of repair or replacement. They openly acknowledge that our inner cities are decaying corpses where there is little employment and crime, corruption and chaos running rampant.
Then, why is so little done, if both sides agree on so much?
Because, they are lying through their teeth. It is all about their personal political power and the ability to retain their privileges, perks and personal profits that come with government service as an elected official. They care little about national security and domestic policy – other than how it affects them personally.
We have never before, in the history of our beloved country Sri Lanka, faced the clear and present danger of politicians willing to sell their votes and sell out our country for their own personal gain.
To add insult to injury steps in the black media – The media does not like to report when things are going well, they like to report on the dark-side of Sri Lankan Politics. To rally their base – without a tangible enemy, the media cannot put a face on promoting twisted and misrepresented views against people or parties to be replaced, destroyed or eliminated, so they deliberately create a palpable enemy.
Personal honour, morality and beliefs in religion and Country, is almost nonexistent in today’s political toilet bowl.
Politicians want and need conflict and stories of conspicuously and outrageously reprehensible behavior – To justify their very existence – and if no problem exists, they will make one up so as to compare and contrast their viewpoint with that of those who want the same office and to promote their own political ideology.
In short – The majority of Sri Lankan politicians are Liars extraordinaire. Scoundrels without a shred of personal integrity. Unwilling to follow the laws they themselves create.
This is what today’s politicians are hell bent on doing – To promise entitlements to politicians whose egregious, condemnable and deplorable proclamations makes Sri Lanka feel ashamed in the eyes of the world.
They are also experts in demonizing their enemies – if one side promises good things, they rant and rave that they are based on evil motives.
It appears that in this political setup you need your need enemies to survive; otherwise whom are they going to find fault with?
As we have begun the New Year 2019, we must think about what we should do in the course of this year. Do an analysis on which politicians will serve the country and which are likely to be race-baiters and hyper-partisans.
Hyper Partisanship is a sharply polarized situation in which political parties are in fierce disagreement with each other and this does not bode well for all Citizens.
This does not promote honesty and integrity from our politicians. As always, their jobs are more important than running our country or following the expectations of the masses that elected them.
Know that the politicians we elect to represent us are our employees, and indeed they have a difficult job to perform. Their job has many facets, all of which must be considered.
First and foremost a politician must be able and willing to govern the country, state, city or other political entity for which they were elected according to the will of the people. They must work with other politicians of widely different concepts of what is best. They must do this within the confines of current laws.
A good employee, one with integrity and honesty, will perform his or her task to the best of their ability. Their own desires and needs will be put aside when on the job. A good employee will, if unsure how to proceed, ask for help or advice.
To function effectively, politicians need political capital and this political capital being able to gain popular support is trust and honesty.
It is extremely important for you, as a party member, to keep his own integrity and honesty. If you give your word, keep it; If you promise, do not break it; If people trust you, do not betray them; If you say something, keep it truthful and don’t try to spin it. Don’t demand for what someone else has been provided with.
Now the question arises: “Are our politicians good employees?”
We think that this is a far cry.
You as citizens of this blessed country, What is it you want for the future of your children and the descendants down the line?
Don’t you think it is now time to quickly decide what your Sri Lanka should look like. An oligarchy, where A political system governed by a few people or a socialist democracy – rule by corrupt politicians and unions like France?
And most of all, do you want to continue to create special classes of people, the bureaucrats and their public employee unions, who are guaranteed a job for life and politicians with lifetime benefits which exceed those available to ordinary people?
There is much to think about … and little time to actually ponder the consequences of your next vote and next action. Now is the time to consider what Sri Lanka you want to live in – and how much you are willing to pay for the privilege.
Our customary few lines that usually accompany my New Year’s wish-list this time comes from the land of Skippy the Kangaroo and boxing day MCG cricket (sans the sand-paper of course); hence the slight delay in reaching you, my apologies! Our extensive travels and the chance to look at things from a more abstract perspective, away from the local body-politik, did once again contribute much to the thought process that preceded these words; reflecting upon the unprecedented roller-coaster ride we went through last year in our socio-political life and the resultant eerie silence that we’re experiencing at present, with almost a fear of not knowing what new surprise awaits us at the next turn.
Looking back at the whirlwind Judicial-Legislative-Executive activity particularly over the last couple of months of last year makes us pose the question “why”? Beyond the obvious political self-interests of all concerned parties in this equation which are self-evident to even a novice in the science of politics, a more cogent question to me is why did the system break down? What happened to the so called “yaha paalana” regime that many of us risked life & limb to install and put in place? When I visit this question critically, I am simultaneously alerted to the fact that this year we commemorate for the 10th consecutive time, the brutal slaying of our one time learned friend and better known journalist par excellence Lasantha Wickramatunge (the twain not mutually exclusive nor far divorced from one another in fact, as what happened to yaha paalana has very much to do with what was not delivered as assured); thus with your permission I’d like to dedicate a few paragraphs in his honour, hoping at least this year we’ll set out to rest some of our “ghosts of the past” to final rest!
What is happening with “Lasantha”?
My mind runs back to that fateful day in January 2009. We too had recently returned from England with a young family to a country with heightened military operations against the LTTE amidst internal political turmoil, having been away for several years and despite many invitations (and opportunities) to remain there; as we felt that our professional presence “at home” was needed more than the selfish demands of greener pastures elsewhere. Almost immediately on returning to Hulftsdorp I was active again in initiatives driven primarily by “legal quarters” aimed at upholding democratic values and the Rule of Law. That day having just returned from Court, I received a telephone call with the dreadful news and being close to the Kalubowila hospital I remember rushing there with another colleague at the Bar (Prasad). The sorry sight of our slain colleague being rolled on the stretcher in front of our eyes and the news that followed almost immediately that “the freedom of the pen” had been killed was too much to take.
I still remember that sombre walk home, climbing up the staircase and my kids Kiara & Chrishen vividly recall how I took them down to the yard where I had recently taught them how to put up a flag-pole, toggle a knot and raise the national flag; we took the flag down to half-mast and I uttered these words to them – “puthe (daughter/son), today is the day we killed freedom to speak in our country“!
What happened thereafter, our protests and struggles are very much recorded history which is freely available online so I don’t need to repeat it but what is important is that we gave leadership to a movement of the People, a resurgence to demand for what we felt was rightfully our sovereign entitlement; a government subject to the Rule of Law and principles of democracy, which we finally thought we attained in January 2015, coincidentally also on the 8th day of the month! What have we done thereafter? Have those persons that we installed in office delivered our desired results or are they so overcome with self- indulgence, having tasted state power after many years, that other than their own pursuits of fast accumulating personal wealth and basically enjoying a jolly gay-life with their merry men, there is nothing much that we the People have secured after all that struggle?
For instance do any of them who shouted with us for “justice for Lasantha” on the streets prior to the election (or even Thajudeen & Ekneligoda for that matter) even know what is happening to those cases or prosecutions; or have we once again been taken for a ride and these poor souls not being allowed to rest peacefully even now, after all that struggle? Isn’t that (coupled with many other broken promises) the reason for the yaha paalana regime to face their Waterloo, as they did in November/December last year?
Public bus drivers in the North engaged in strike action on Friday in protest of the Sri Lanka central transport board’s failure to address their complaints about mismanagement and corruption in the board’s regional management.
Bus services from all seven bus depots in the Northern Province ground to a halt during the strike.
The bus drivers union in the North said the transport board was to blame for inconvenience caused to the public as the department had failed to address previous protests and complaints.
The year we just left behind saw two communal riots, specifically two anti-Muslim riots, one in February in Ampara town and the other in several townships in Kandy Districts in March. Ampara incident was triggered over an unidentified substance in a beef curry at a Muslim owned eatery, which was describes as male contraceptive. The riots in Kandy District were an outcome of an incident where a Sinhalese lorry driver had died after being assaulted by four drunken Muslims.
A third similar mishap which was about to be triggered by the vandalizing of several Buddha statues at Delgahagoda and Hingula in Mawanella area was averted by the timely intervention of the alert leaders of Buddhist and Muslim communities during the last few days of the year 2018. Who vandalized these Buddha statues? Muslim extremists, Sinhala media has concluded, probably based on the fact that some Muslims have been arrested over the matter. Not clear who did it, Muslims and the Tamil media seem to be attempting to say. They also suspect a conspiracy to implicate the Muslims in the dastardly act, in order to rouse hatred between communities and trigger another communal riot.
Six persons, all Muslims have been arrested over the incident and one of them, according to the media had been arrested while in action. Two others, also a Muslim father and son are said to be evading arrest. The evading father had through a Whatsapp audio clip pleaded innocence of him as well as his son. Technically, those arrested are still suspects and the case against them has to be proved. Yet, there is no assurance either that they would be proved innocent at the end of the case against them. That is, nobody can rule out the possibility of them having been involved in the crime which could have triggered a nation-wide communal clash. No Muslim politician or organization has come forward to absolve them of the incident. On the other hand, the comments by the Muslims in the social media explaining how Muslims should respect the other religions are an admission or an indication of their suspicion that their fellow members of the community might have been involved in the incident.
"Vandalising religious statues is a means of imposing force on members of other faiths which is against the holy Qur’an which says there is no compulsion in religion. It also decrees to the Muslims not to revile what others worship, leave alone vandalizing"
We cannot rely only on the police investigations to find out the truth, as they have proved their expertise in extracting confessions on any crime even from the most innocent man on earth. A best case in point was the “confession” the Kotadeniyawa Police had extracted from a suspect whom they had nicknamed “Kondaya” over the sexual abuse and killing of five year old girl, Seya Sadewmi of Kotadeniyawa in 2015. Later, they had indicted another person and released “Kondaya.” When the Ampara incident occurred in last February, all Muslims (and also a majority of Sinhalese) denied the allegation of even the existence of “Vanda pethi” or contraceptives, leave alone mixing them with the beef curry. However, this time nobody among the Muslim community totally ruled out the involvement of some of their fellow men in the vandalizing of Buddha statues, despite them having not admitted the allegation either. Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar said that the Muslims must repair the statues, while another Parlamentarian, Mujibur Rahman, calling the crime as savage had suggested maximum punishment for the criminals.
Two versions on the motive of the crime have been floated by interested parties. The large majority of the countrymen believe it as a religiously motivated act while a few people attempt to portray the incident as politically motivated, or to say that a political conspiracy was behind the crime. National Freedom Front (NFF) leader, Wimal Werawansa who prefers to see a Tamil conspiracy behind every vile or vice act occurring under the sun had stated that the government was behind the incident in order to please the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) with a Sinhalese-Muslim racial riot. However, the logic in his argument is incomprehensible. Yet, given the nature of Sri Lankan politics, one cannot completely rule out the involvement of politicians or some officials with vested interest in this dastardly crime. For instance, the inaction of the law enforcement authorities during the anti-Muslim riots in the Kandy District in March somewhat corroborated the allegation later made by Namal Kumara that some senior police officials were behind the riots.
"Yet, given the nature of Sri Lankan politics, one cannot completely rule out the involvement of politicians or some officials with vested interest in this dastardly crime"
The statement purportedly given by one of the suspects to the police that they had vandalized the Buddha statues as the holy Qur’an teaches to believe in only one God corroborates the version that the incident was religiously motivated. Muslims believe in one God, a God who is in everything and all over the universe and thereby figureless. Hence, they believe that finding the God in statues or idols or making idols in His name is a rejection of His very nature. Also they do not accept erection of statues or drawing of pictures of living creatures of the God either, except for the purpose of education.
If the purported statement by the suspect is true, he might have meant this universality of God. If in fact they were the culprits and if this was the rationale behind their dastardly crime, they seem to be absolutely mistaken and not understood the basics of their own religion. The Islamic teaching on idol worshipping is not accepted by the non-Muslims. It is their inalienable right. Thus Buddhists worship the statues of the Buddha and various other deities. Despite not having statues or pictures of God, the creator, Christians, irrespective of their denominations worship statues of Jesus, Mary and many saints. Hindus have idols of so many deities they believe in. This is also their right.
"Islam is a religion that recognizes the rights of the non-Muslims to practise their religions. As the suspect had been purportedly quoted by the above news item as saying, the holy Qur’an insists on the existence of one and only God"
Islam is a religion that recognizes the rights of the non-Muslims to practise their religions. As the suspect had been purportedly quoted by the above news item as saying, the holy Qur’an insists on the existence of one and only God. But the same Qur’an asks the Prophet to tell the other religious communities “I do not worship what you worship, you do not worship what I worship, I will never worship what you worship, you will never worship what I worship, you have your religion and I have mine.” What more religious freedom one needs than this? If the suspect really had quoted the holy Qur’an to justify their crime, it clearly shows that they have not understood this small chapter in the same Qur’an.
On the premise of the statement by the said suspect one has to raise another important question. If they really prompted to vandalise the statues by the teachings of the Islam, how can they send their message to the idol worshippers by fleeing after vandalizing them stealthily in the dead of night? Besides, now they have been compelled to tell hundreds of lies to escape the long arm of the law. No religion sanctions lies even in the name of it. Neither Islam nor the suspects, if they are the real culprits, would gain anything, nor would a single Buddhist get a good impression on Islam or Muslims through this kind of provocations. We have witnessed in many places in the world in the past that provocations against other religions brings in nothing but disgrace in return.
"We cannot rely only on the police investigations to find out the truth, as they have proved their expertise in extracting confessions on any crime even from the most innocent man on earth"
Vandalising religious statues is a means of imposing force on members of other faiths which is against the holy Qur’an which says there is no compulsion in religion. It also decrees to the Muslims not to revile what others worship, leave alone vandalizing. Yet, we have to repeat two points. One is that suspects are innocent until they are proven guilty. Secondly, unlike the period before 2014, religious leaders in the country are more dedicated to maintain the communal harmony which was proved again in this as well.
The likes of Ranil Wickremesinghe who deceptively appeared for democracy and political ethics are now engaged in a shameful attempt of saving their share. They, without any shame, prepared a list of 35 to get cabinet posts. As such, both these main political camps cannot bring civility to politics in our country. The economy in the country has broken down. As such, we have to commence a discussion to take the economy on a new path. Currently, the issues in the services sector are not being discussed. We promise the country that the JVP would take measures to save the people and the media that are lead round and round pitfalls and commence a discussion on genuine issues of the people,” said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka at a press conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta on 02.01.2019.
The Member of the Central Committee of the JVP Parliamentarian Dr Nalinda Jayatissa too was present.
Mr Anura Dissanayaka said, “This year is turning out to be a year of elections. Elections to nine provincial councils are due during this year. A presidential election is due in November this year if no measures are taken to abolish the executive presidential system before that. Also, the present government set up after the conspiracy that was defeated a few weeks ago has no ability to govern the country and we as a party intend struggling to win a general election this year.
Meanwhile, two parties are spreading communal fabrications to create a communal conflict in the North and the South. The communal group in the North and the communal group in the South are spreading communalism targeting the forthcoming elections. Mahinda Rajapaksa camp sows in the South communalism that hints at a division of the country and a federal system of government. They also charge that the JVP is assisting to divide the country. We would categorically like to say that the political practice of the JVP has always been a policy that keeps the rights and needs of the people and the Motherland foremost. Every time there was a threat of the country being divided the JVP struggled against such attempts with dedication and sacrifice. Even when some who pose as patriots now were hiding under beds the JVP fulfilled its social obligation defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Motherland.
After signing the Indo – Sri Lanka pact the Northern and Eastern provinces were merged. According to the pact a referendum had to be held within a year to decide whether to continue with the merge or not. However, no referendum was held but the former Presidents extended the merge through gazette notifications. Even after Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power he implemented the gazette that had been signed by Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was the President before him, The East was demerged only by legal action taken by the JVP in 2006. We did so to establish the rights of the people in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
After the war, the situation has changed. If a political movement cannot adjust its politics according to changes that occur, people have nothing to do with such a political movement. As such, we appear and raise our voice for a new constitution that is consistent with the new situation emerged after the end of the war and protects the rights and dignity of all people. In all our election manifestos we would definitely state that it is essential to have a new constitution to replace the 1978 constitution. However, various communal groups say a new constitution would be passed before 4th February. We would like to say a constitution cannot be formulated according to fantasies that blobs in the heads of Ranil, Sumanthiran or Mahinda. The ’78 constitution contains how a new constitution could be established. We are fully aware that a new constitution cannot be presented in this Parliament due to the way it conducts itself. Hence, we would like to request the media in this country not to report irresponsibly various things uttered by various people on various stages. We would like to emphasize to media institutions that reporting such statements is an act of treachery.
On 9th January 2016, a new proposal was presented in Parliament regarding the process to formulate a new constitution. This explains how the new constitution would be formulated and how it would be adopted. We ask the media institution in our country to report the processes of formulating and adopting the constitution correctly. The process proposed in Parliament includes 33 factors. The first is turning the whole Parliament into a Constitutional Assembly. Its head will be the Speaker. The Constitutional Assembly with 225 MPs will meet in Parliament. In addition, a Steering Committee was appointed with MPs from all political parties representing parliament. Then several sub-committees have been appointed for various subjects. A report is being prepared by the Steering Committee on the three subjects of the electoral system, devolution and abolishing the executive presidential system. In addition, a committee to get the public opinion is functioning.
Already, the Steering Committee has met on several instances. A report is being prepared by the sub-committees as well. Another report is being prepared based on the information received from the public. The draft should be prepared based on all these reports. It should be debated in parliament, get new proposals and then the new constitution should be prepared. Next, a vote is taken from the Constitutional Assembly and if it doesn’t receive a 2/3rd majority the Constitutional Assembly would be dissolved. However, if it receives a 2/3rd majority, the process would go forward. It will be referred to the cabinet for approval and will be presented to Parliament again with the report from the Prime Minister. Next, a gazette notification will be issued and it will be referred to the nine provincial councils for their approval. Subsequently, it will be debated in Parliament again, passed with a 2/3rd majority and the President “shall submit to the People by Referendum”. If it is approved by the people the new Constitution should be endorsed by the President. It is with such a long procedure that a new constitution could be adopted. Just imagine the demon those communalist groups are creating to deceive the masses!
It is the media institutes in our country that acts as the conveyor of communal lies to the society. We could definitely say that the present Parliament will not be able to adopt a new constitution. Mrs Sirimawo Bandaranayake had a 2/3rd majority in Parliament. In 1978 Mr J.R. Jayawardene had a 5/6th majority. Ms Chandrika Kumartunga had only a simple majority with 113 MPs. Today’s Parliament is like a hotch-potch. Such a Parliament cannot pass a constitution. It cannot get a 2/3rd majority. Rajapaksas who have carried out a conspiracy and have been totally defeated and exposed are now spreading communalism based on the constitution to conceal their defeat. Hence, we ask the people and the media in this country not to be a victim of those communal slogans. There are two communalist groups in the North. One is the TNA including Sambanthan and the other is Vigneswaran’s group. Both these groups sow communalism in the North. Both these groups have not fulfilled anything on behalf of the people in the North. The weakest provincial council in the country is the Northern Provincial Council. Instead of working for the people they are spreading communalism for power. The attempts of these communalist groups should be defeated. We would not allow the masses in our country to be deceived by their false demons.
Today there is no dialogue about social issues in our country at present. The political dynamism is decided by the media institutions. At times the real issues are concealed and fake issues are brought to the surface. It is the media institutions that decide what topic to be debated. Certain media institutions have become the prey of main political parties. As a result, genuine issues of the people have been concealed. During the 50 days of the conspiracy, the genuine issues of the people were suppressed. In our country the least paid are journalists. Even their issues are not discussed. The real issues of the farmer community, fisherfolk, unemployed youth, working people in state, private and estate sectors have been concealed. The two political camps take to the surface fake issues for their benefit. The JVP would strive to bring to the fore real issues of the people during this year. This is the political resolve for the JVP in the New Year. The tragic and the regrettable destiny confronted by the masses in our country should be changed. Politics of civility should be established to drive away the savage political culture that exists at present.
The likes of Ranil Wickremesinghe who deceptively appeared for democracy and political ethics are now engaged in a shameful attempt of saving their share. They, without any shame, prepared a list of 35 to get cabinet posts. As such, both these main political camps cannot bring civility to politics in our country. The economy in the country has broken down. As such, we have to commence a discussion to take the economy on a new path. Currently, the issues in the services sector are not being discussed. We promise the country that the JVP would take measures to save the people and the media that are lead round and round pitfalls and then commence a discussion on genuine issues of the people.”
02 January 2019
n Tuesday last, that’s January 01st, few asked me “what’s new this year?” My reply was in turn a short question; “New in what?” It’s a long list one began with; heavy road traffic, hospitals, schools, income and cost of living, solid waste disposal, rising apartments and more. But these were basically all issues in the “City”, issues the Colombo middle class is concerned about. Thus, they are spoken of only in terms of city life. Road traffic is talked about without any mention of public transport. Hospitals are spoken about with no mention of preventive health and a referral system. Schools are spoken of in relation to Grade I admissions for ‘over popular’ national schools. Solid waste disposal is only about removing them from one’s own household. Rising apartments are about encroaching on one’s previously used common amenities. The only issue that reaches beyond the city is “income and cost of living”. That too is not approached in terms of rural economy. This city approach was always the case every year, in and out of the calendar. 
controlled by the State. This middle class mindset is well tuned now to demand a total withdrawal of government and State interventions in economic activities. They want the free market to take over “development” while not defining what “development” is. 
