Semiotics Of A Crime: ‘Pivot To Asia’ & A Call To De-Colonize The Indian Ocean

By Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake –JUNE 14, 2019

Dr. Darini Rajasingham-Senanayake

“Because the Indian Ocean is sort of the world’s energy interstate and China will have a maritime presence, perhaps even a naval presence in some distant morrow. So the opening of this port in south Sri Lanka is of real geopolitical significance.” ~ Robert D. Kaplan author of Monsoon[1]

Crime is essentially about meaning and semioticsis the ‘science of interpretation’ ~ Marcel Danesi

Six weeks after the Easter Sunday crime in Sri Lanka, it is an open secret among Colombo’s diplomatic community and intelligentsia that Saudi Arabia funded and had prior notice, while the United States had prime motive to stage the Hollywood-style “shock and awe” suicide attacks, mysteriously claimed by the Islamic State two days later.  Sri Lanka is a 70 percent Buddhist county with around ten percent each of Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and hence the Euro-American, Christian-Islam “Clash of civilizations” narrative has little traction in the island –a detail that seems to have confounded the masterminds of the attacks on selected churches and luxury hotels in a carefully planned logistics operation.

The US had planned to sign the controversial Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) after the attacks that effectively paralyzed and destabilized the country for weeks when acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would visit the island after the Shangri la Dialogue. SOFA would enable American troops to enter the strategically located Indian Ocean Island in an “emergency” such on Easter Sunday, which would be effectively rendered a servicing and logistics hub (code for military base), centered on the coveted Trincomallee deep sea natural harbor in the Eastern Province, which some ‘terrorism experts’ claim IS wants for its Caliphate. There is no evidence to suggest that IS has blue water ambition.

While many countries have lifted travel warnings seemingly confident that no more attacks are forthcoming six weeks later, in the streets of Colombo heightened anti-American sentiment is apparent:  There is a sense that larger global forces are circling, playing and preying on the country. Thus, the English language Island newspaper on quoted award winning Naomi Klein’s “Shock Doctrine: the rise of Disaster capitalism” that describes how CIA tested economic and environmental “shocks” are administered to bend societies to the will of the American Empire and related business and security interests.[2]

As the shock of the Easter carnage ebbs in Sri Lanka questions regarding the motives embedded in the empirical detail and design of the crime have come to the fore. There is a growing divide between international expert narratives that claim IS was responsible and local perception that the US had a hand in the Easter attacks. Some commentators have suggested, following Tony Cartalucchi that: “the US deliberately created ISIS to serve as a pretext for illegally occupying Syria..  and will continue to use ISIS’ convenient expansion worldwide to justify a continued, global US military presence worldwide as well.”[3]

The insular and nationalistic general public of strategically located Ceylon/Sri Lanka, ‘islanded’ for generations by 450 years of European colonialism and post-independence Euro-American occupation of the Indian ocean, suddenly seems to be going through a steep learning curve regarding the country’s geostrategic and geopolitical futures asquestions are being raised as to who funds, owns and operates the shadowy IS network? Shocks and terrorists, economic and environmental Disasters, also provide opportunities for learning and growth– if only local and global political leaders who seem impervious to learning lessons would stand aside.

Trump’s Pivot to Asia and a Pattern of mysterious attacks

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Hizbullah’s rant in Kattankudy 

'Sharia University' in Batticaloa

by Rajeewa Jayaweera-June 15, 2019, 6:40 pm

MLAM Hizbullah, former Governor of Eastern Province, made some startling statements at the Periya Jumma Mosque in Kattankudy recently. His rant, in tone, contrasted to his mild and defensive public comments in the immediate aftermath of a visit by several Parliamentarians to the 'Sharia University' in Batticaloa and after handing over his letter of resignation as Governor.

Key elements of his delivery were;

1 Muslims should live with their heads up.

2 We are a minority only in this country but is a majority in this whole world. (testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), Hizbullah claimed it was stated to pacify some people inside a mosque and not at a Public Meeting or Press Conference. It seemed to have satisfied PSC members).

3 Till we find a solution to our problems, we should be united. At the time of elections, we must reveal our stance.

4 The President has been given two weeks, and within that time, all allegations against me should be proved.

5 The unity upheld by Muslim leaders including Kabir Hashim and Rauff Hakeem elected by Sinhala people as well was no simple matter.

Hizbullah is right in that Muslims should live with their heads up. Not only Muslims but all people in this country and the whole world must live with their heads up and not down.

The former Governor’s claim of a global Muslim majority is incorrect. According to a 2015 report published by PEW Research Centre in Washington, USA, the global population consists of 31% Christians, 24% Muslims, 16% Unaffiliated, 15% Hindus, 7% Buddhists, 6% Folk Religions and 1% others which included Jews. The link to the PEW report is given at the end of this essay*. Even in neighboring India, out of a population of 1.2 billion in 2011, only 14% were Muslims.

The same report states, by 2060, Muslims in the world will grow by 70% in comparison to a global population growth rate of 32%. In Sri Lanka, as per 2011 national census, the Muslim population of 1.86 million contains an increase of 78.6% between 1981 and 2011 in comparison to a national growth rate of 37%.

There should be no objections to the Muslim community being united. Similarly, there should be no objections if the Sinhala or Tamil communities unite as individual communities. However, the danger in uniting on ethnic lines is the possibility of communalism raising its head. What is of vital importance is for all communities to unite as Sri Lankans.

Threats of revealing the Muslim leadership’s political stance is nothing new. One only must recall of those who revealed their political stance in November 2014 after having enjoyed Ministerial positions under the Rajapaksa administration for many years. It could happen once again in 2020.

The time given by resigning Muslim Ministers for concluding investigations into allegations against some of them is one month. Hizbullah's deadline to the President to prove his wrongdoings is two weeks. President Sirisena's handpicked choice as Eastern Province Governor does not seem to have even a basic understanding of how the entire system works. Other than an inquiry with a predetermined verdict, no in-depth investigation can be conducted in two weeks or even one month. One hopes, the former Governor will not resort to a death fast of his own!

The resigning Muslim Ministers and their community may consider the resignations as upholding unity. Nevertheless, public opinion is different. The mass resignations, especially by Kabir Hashim and Rauf Hakeem are regarded by many as a result of political blackmail. It is seen as a community-based decision across party lines to save one Muslim Minister facing allegations of connections with suicide bombers. The call was for the resignation of Minister Rishard Bathiudeen and Provincial Governors Azath Salley and Hizbullah pending investigations. The inaction of a clueless President and the prevention of a No-Confidence Motion against Bathiudeen by a devious Prime Minister resulted in the build-up of public opinion. It paved the way for a death fast by an insignificant nationalist Buddhist monk.

Had Rauf Hakeem (Justice) and Rishard Bathiudeen (Industry & Commerce) resigned from their ministerial posts in the Rajapaksa administration after the anti-Muslim riots in Aluthgama in June 2014, their collective decision of June 3 would have more legitimacy. That Sinhala people voted for Hashim and Hakeem in 2015 is a fact. The question is whether after the Easter Sunday suicide bombings and their collective decision to resign the Sinhala voters will ever support anyone who is seen to have sided with those allegedly connected to the terrorist outfit responsible for acts of terrorism, again, in 2020.

Hizbullah's majoritarianism-based arguments is dangerous. Religious and civil society leaders have publicly appealed to the general public, in this instance, to the majority community, to refrain from discriminating against minority Muslims. Whatever his world view and whatever the measures UN, UNHRC, OIC, and other such organizations impose, Sri Lanka is their country as well. Therefore, the Muslim community will not escape the fallout of such measures and sanctions imposed, based on their grievances. The last thing the community need is to aggravate the boycott of Muslim shops and businesses further. Such a development will have severe consequences for the Muslim community. It is also not in the interest of this country to ruin the country’s premier trading community. It will also impact other communities in the long term.

During his testimony before the PSC, the former Governor also justified Arabization and road name boards in Arabic on the basis it was not illegal and not against the Constitution. It was done to promote tourism. According to World Tourism Organization 2017 statistics, the most visited countries in the world are France, Spain, USA and China with 86, 82, 77 and 61 million visitors respectively. The learned PSC members did not consider it necessary to ask Hizbullah if Arabic road name boards are found in those countries. They also failed to ascertain the type of tourists he hoped to attract to Kattankudy.

Digressing from the core issue, if Muslim ministers had resigned en masse, demanding an impartial investigation of the recent anti-Muslim riots, it would have made them heroes overnight. At least some among the Sinhala community too would have supported them. They must rectify their mistakes even at this late stage of not demanding investigations of 2014 and 2018 anti-Muslim riots. They must also insist on an inquiry of what happened in the North Central Province two weeks after April 21. Muslim homes, Business Houses and Mosques were attacked and torched by mobs. At least on this occasion, let such acts not be swept under the carpet.

After April 21, Police discovered assets worth Rs 7 billion including Rs 140 million in cash belonging to the now banned National Thowheed Jama'ath (NTJ). Could a few dozen well educated young men amass such wealth? It had to be given to them. Who supplied the funds?

MRM Malik, Director of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Department, recently disclosed there were more than 500 unregistered mosques in the country in addition to the nearly 2,400 registered mosques. NTJ did not finance these mosques. Who supplied the funds? Neither did they approve building plans. Who did?

According to Minister Patali Ranawaka, 800 foreign Islamic clerics have entered the country with tourist visas. They are teaching in Madrassas. Have they been apprehended and deported?

Let the government thoroughly investigate these issues. Follow the money trail. Let these issues too not be swept under the carpet.

If anti-Muslim riots are not investigated and culprits punished, many young Muslims will take the path to radicalization. Intransigence and non-cooperation by older generations would be inevitable.

Terrorist funding, illegal mosque construction, and illicit Imams must also be investigated, and culprits punished. If not, Sinhala radicals will react sooner or later in the manner they know best.

Returning to Hizbullah and his rhetoric, his questionable conduct since 2013 with his family owned Hira Foundation and the Batticaloa Campus project is now in the public domain.

The Foundation owns 90% of the campus and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rajapaksa government in 2013 to establish the University College of Batticaloa. Two years later, the Foundation sought approval from the Ministry of Higher Education to upgrade University College to a private university. The undated letter written on a Parliament letterhead and signed by Muhammad Hizbullah MP as Chairman of University College Batticaloa contains the 'Received' date stamp of the Higher Education Ministry dated July 03, 2015.

Such a request from a sitting MP and Deputy Minister of Economic Development on behalf of a private institution is a clear case of conflict of interest. It is alleged, this institution had offered courses in Sharia Law some time ago though no longer found in its website.

Batticaloa Campus Pvt. Ltd has received Rs 3.6 billion (approx. USD 24 million) in seven fund transfers into its Bank of Ceylon account from a Charity Foundation in Saudi Arabia within 15 months between 2016 and 2017. However, the previously claimed grant could not be substantiated with a document. What was eventually produced was from the Al Juffali Foundation in Saudi Arabia dated January 1, 2019. It was a commitment for a soft loan on a differed payment basis. Therefore, on what basis did funds arrive in 2016 and 2017?

Terrorism, the world over works hand in hand with financing and money laundering.

Is further justification necessary for a thorough investigation of Hizbullah and the Hira Foundation’s money trail?

*www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/05/christians-remain-worlds-largest-religious-group-but-they-are-declining-in-europe

Is Sri Lanka under the dominance of a powerful cabal?

Political parties in Sri Lanka, for instance, are dedicated not to the common good of the whole country, but to the advancement of a specific class interest. Because they were vehicles for the fundamental conflict between the people – communities, religions and caste – thus becoming a heinous conspiracy to incite violence and discord


Saturday, 15 June 2019 
                                
There is a saying that “A fish rots from the head”. That is the expression used when a country’s leadership is seen as responsible for violence and unethical behaviour of its supporters and the citizens in general - agitating the majority community causing anger and resentment with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindling animosity of one part against another, fomenting an occasional riot and insurrection.

The recent accusations, averments, and plots against the Muslim community are a heinous conspiracy to stigmatise the community. This has proved without any doubt that the Government of Sri Lanka is in the hands of a powerful cabal.

A cabal is a secret clique that plots and contrives to seek power through intrigue - crafty and involved plots to instigate and carry out politically oriented harmful and devastating illegal acts to achieve their sinister ends.

During the past decade and a half, we have witnessed the deterioration and polarisation of party politics. The current challenges and crises have increased apathy and distrust among voters. It has also encouraged many to support alternative paths of political action—thus triggering the rise of ideologically extremist parties and movements.

Citizen trust is broken when politicians make lofty campaign promises or ‘fact-free’ statements that are spun by a biased media in polarised public debates. If there is one thing about politics that unites the citizens of Sri Lanka these days, it is their contempt for political parties and partisanship.

Let us draw attention to our law enforcement and justice system.

If a head of a justice system or law enforcement can be appointed and removed at will by a political stakeholder, the appointee has an incentive to defer to the will of the appointer – the appointee is prepared to show servility.  We have seen how unquestionable servility can be as much a vice as arrogance.

They have become a byword for a spineless sell-out, an epithet of servility.

We the people of this country are suffering from the very same betrayal, if not, even worse.

In Sri Lanka after Independence in 1948, the power of political parties has risen and fallen, reaching their nadir in the last couple of decades. Party leaders in the political arena are held in disrepute, criticised by one side for being too soft and condemned by the other for being too partisan.

Parties were dramatically weakened, however, in the past three decades; this has coincided with profound cynicism about the state of our political system today.

By understanding how the Sri Lankan Political system has functioned throughout after Independence, we can see that parties are much less effectively organised to accomplish their aims today than they were half a century ago. As a result, we no longer enjoy the benefits that they once brought into our political system.

Political parties in Sri Lanka, for instance, are dedicated not to the common good of the whole country, but to the advancement of a specific class interest. Because they were vehicles for the fundamental conflict between the people – communities, religions and caste – thus becoming a heinous conspiracy to incite violence and discord.

They understood that conflicts would continue to divide people into different parties and factions.  Factions are always a threat to popular government, but they are able to impose their will on others only if they have a majority. The problem of factions was and is the most significant obstacle to establishing good governance on a firm foundation. It has always been and is a majority faction, or majority tyranny. To prevent majority tyranny and consolidated power, it is vital that our Constitution be tailored and strengthened in the interest of the nation as a whole.

Constitutions play an important role in articulating standards, guaranteeing rights, and establishing institutions and processes which safeguard normative aspirations such as respect for human dignity, ethnic and religious diversity and social harmony, political freedoms, and basic standards of material welfare. Added to this is the task of structuring a government strong enough to govern and to facilitate human welfare and economic development as national priorities.

The need to address the fears and aspirations of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, threats to their identity and autonomy, and structuring a government strong enough to govern and to facilitate human welfare and economic development in relation to these factors, should take precedence over any other consideration.

We are aware that it is difficult to secure unity in the face of disintegrative tendencies of profound ethnic and cultural conflict.

Divided societies pose a deep problem not only for the government but to the whole society. It is crucial to nation-building and economic development, which facilitates basic standards of living, to succeed in the continuing endeavour to resolve inter-group conflict which disrupts social stability, advocates and fuels separatist sentiments.

The imposition of a mono-ethnic state on a multi-ethnic society, or a uniform religion on a religiously diverse society, would be a futile and dangerous route to tread. This is because those who begin coercive elimination of dissent soon find themselves exterminating dissenters.

Civil liberties and human rights are the basic freedoms entitled to the members of the human race.  State actions should stand against the infringements of these rights and freedom.  Peace and a just order are integral to a State based on the rule of law. So the part the Constitution of a country should play is extremely important in the implementation of unfettered justice.

Just to make a point so that our citizens and especially the politicians will take note:

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was honest, wise, intelligent, compassionate and hard-working.

Moreover, he had a rare combination of integrity, persistence, and political skill, that would be difficult to overpraise, and he conveyed this awesome, brilliant and meaningful message:

“Don’t interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.”

(The writer counts over 50 years in the insurance industry and is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute (London) and also holds the title of Chartered Insurance Practitioner; as well as an Associate of the Insurance Institute of India. He can be reached via email at zul523@sltnet.lk.)

GLOBALIZATION, SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE EASTER SUNDAY ATTACK. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? – SHIVANI DE ZYLVA

14/06/2019

Social media has revolutionized society. With creative and improved means of communication, live updates become freely accessible, news is as close to you as the play button on your screen, images and messages circulate between millions of people around the world within seconds, and as a result people are now more instantly up to date, aware, and informed.

In the frenzy of information exchange, truth and legitimacy have become increasingly irrelevant. They are concepts that are not quite forgotten, but more seemingly drowned beneath the waves of what is more exciting and controversial. This matters little to us until a day like the 21st of April 2019, when the Easter Sunday explosions inflicted terror and trauma to the lives of all Sri Lankans. It is the day we also began to feel the full force of the impact of fake news, conspiracy theories, and deep-seated ethnic prejudice that veiled itself in robes of nationalism.

The spreading of false information and violent/ prejudicial sentiments can have grave negative effects on people in times of crisis. Emotional individuals including victims, their families, or the exasperated public can be easily manipulated and angered. Violent words lead to violent actions causing chaos and riots that a country like ours cannot afford at a time like this. Information becomes distorted making it hard to distinguish real evidence and facts from falsely manifested information that can make investigations slower and harder to resolve.

On a personal level it is easy for us separate ourselves from racially and politically biased groups. However, each one of us plays a bigger role in the consequences our country now faces than we would like to admit.

Think back on every message you passed on. What was the image/ video? What was the purpose of sending it? And who did you send it to? Your message does not end with the person or group you forward it to. It will carry on, reaching thousands of Sri Lankans, not all of whom are as balanced in judgement, careful in their actions, or rational in their opinions as you. Could your message have travelled through a chain of people and reached the inbox of an individual who was responsible for joining a mob that burnt down an innocent Muslim citizen’s shop or home? No matter how minute the role, could you have played a part in instigating anger and frustration that led to violence actions? Can you guarantee that you have had no role to play?

Before you hit the send button next time think about what agenda was behind the post you are sharing, does it prompt fear, prejudice, or outright racism? Do the colors, symbols or language represent a political party or extremist group? And are you unknowingly giving them publicity through your share?

      

What is most important is to be sensitive towards the people your post will affect. Think twice about the purpose of what you share. If every citizen of our country was careful and caring in the message they spread, could we avoid tragedy and chaos the next time? And if we do not, how much could go wrong?

President Maithri likely to resume Cabinet meetings

 

 

By Gagani Weerakoon- Jun 16 2019

The doors of Kochchikade St. Anthony’s Shrine where 54 persons were killed in the suicide bomb attack on the Easter Sunday were opened for the public after restoration work carried out by Sri Lanka Navy personnel.

 Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith gracing the occasion said that the country needs strong political leaders who work courageously for the good of the country and its people and those who love the country more than they love themselves.

“The country needs honest political leaders who have a backbone, who do no wrong deeds and who do not safeguard those who do wrong deeds and take steps to punish those among them who do wrong. It is the duty of political leaders to do their duty to create a just society,” the Cardinal said at the service.

Cardinal Ranjith said that many people in Sri Lanka are living in confusion in the aftermath of the attacks and are wondering if the country will be able to overcome this situation. “Many are questioning if we can trust our leaders to do what is right,” he said.

He said, the country needs political leaders who safeguard the rights of the people, and those who provide for the economic upliftment. “These are the kind of leaders the country needs today. We pray that there will be such leaders,” he said.

The Cardinal also referred to the terror attacks. “There is nothing more valuable than a human life. Therefore, no one has the right to snatch another’s life. Every human life is equally valuable.
We completely reject the use of human life to achieve political goals. There is no place in heaven for those who carried out the attacks. They will only go to hell,” he said.

The Cardinal also said that the country has been unfortunate that in the past 40 to 50 years people have been killed to achieve political objectives.

Meanwhile, UNP Muslim Ministers who recently stepped down from their portfolios are likely to resume in their former capacities next week following discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Former Minister of Postal Services and Muslim Religious Affairs, M.H. Abdul Haleem said, “We are considering the request made by the Sangha Council of the three Sects to resume in our previous posts.  The situation in the country has now come back to normal and therefore, we may resume in our portfolios during the coming week.”

He further said, a decision in this connection will be taken once Wickremesinghe returns to the country. “Former Minister Kabir Hashim and I sacrificed our portfolios. We have continuously stayed in one Party and have never crossed over.
But the others who stepped down have been changing political parties. We have never made such moves and we also have a Sinhala voter base in our electorates. Therefore, we decided to consider the Sangha Council’s request.
 We need to respect their wishes. I have already told Hashim that we will have to consider the wishes of the Sangha Council,” he said.

Previously, Haleem and Hashim along with Muslim Ministers representing other parties stepped down from their portfolios in the wake of Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera going on a fast and calling for the removal of Rishad Bathiudeen and the then Governors of the Western and Eastern Provinces over alleged connections to the events of 21 April Easter Sunday.

The PSC probing the Easter Sunday attacks has now become a much-talked about topic. The JO Parliamentarians are voicing their concerns of the way the PSC is operating saying putting high-ranking Government officials under spotlight and asking them to reveal sensitive information regarding national security in front of the media itself is a threat to national security.
But the members of the PSC are adamant that no such information is revealed to the public through the media. It is interesting to see that half of these accusations by the JO are directed at Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. The Speaker too is of the opinion that no information threatening national security is revealed at the PSC meetings.

SLFP Parliamentarians however, say that the PSC is trying to scrutinise the President. The General Secretary of SLFP Dayasiri Jayasekara during recent media briefings voiced this concern.
The President himself in a number of occasions has asked the Speaker and high officials of the Government to not reveal PSC proceedings to the media but his requests have fallen on deaf ears.

The conflict of opinions eventually became a conflict between the Legislature and the Executive. It came to a point where Parliament and President began to disagree on matters.
The conflict worsened so much that the President called a Special Cabinet Meeting last Friday which forced all the parliamentarians who had gone outstation to return to the capital.

The Cabinet meeting started at 7:30 in the evening and went on for about an hour. Instead of following the usual practice to discuss Cabinet Papers, the President continued to criticise the Government. Except for the few, almost all the Cabinet members listened to the President in silence.

“What is the Government doing by appointing a PSC and revealing national intelligence to the media? Who will be responsible for the lives of these officers?
There are five ongoing cases in the Supreme Court regarding this; three have connected me as well. The AG has clearly said that the actions of the PSC are interfering in the proceedings of these ongoing cases.
 I sent the AG’s statement to the Speaker and as they were memorandums from me, the Speaker should inform Parliament about them. He has failed to do it.
What is this game played with the intelligence? Please put an end to this. If the Government is acting disregarding my words, there will be no more Cabinet meetings hereafter. I will not attend anymore ceremonies or events.
 I will continue to do my work and that will be it,” the President said sternly.
“You appointed the Malalgoda Commission to look into this. That report, too, is yet to come. At least bring that report to Parliament,” requested one minister.

“I will send any report to Parliament,” the President said. “But remember this. So far, the PSC has brought forward either retired officers or officers who were put on compulsory leave. I will not send any one holding office before the PSC,” said the President ending the Cabinet meeting.

The President didn’t convene last Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. This became a huge issue. Without a Cabinet meeting, decisions could not be taken and many opined that immediate action should be taken before the country went into a state of anarchy. Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and the JO opined that the Government should go for an election.

Meanwhile, a number of UNP Ministers and Parliamentarians tried to resolve the issue but the President was of the firm opinion that he will not change his mind until the PSC is stopped.
Minister Sajith Premadasa has met the President and it is said that his meeting with the President has somewhat cleared the air over the whole issue. It is tipped that the Cabinet meeting next Tuesday is going to happen.

While things stand like this, the Prime Minister has written a letter to the President to say that the President’s actions are illegal.
Another reason to send this letter was the Prime Minister’s dissatisfaction on how the ministries of the resigned ministers were assigned to deputy ministers, disregarding his suggestions.
The Prime Minister has informed that the ministries should go to Malik, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and Rajitha. Ignoring this suggestion, the President has assigned the duties of the vacant ministries to the deputy ministers.
Hence, Lucky Jayawardena, Anoma Gamage and Buddhika Pathirana were assigned as acting ministers. This fuelled the dispute between the President and the Prime Minister.

As if to not let this standoff between the legislative and executive further continue, PSC Chairman, Deputy Speaker Anura Kumarasiri, after having consultation with PSC members, took measures to stop former IGP N.K. Illangakoon and former Law and Order Ministry Secretary Padmasiri Jayamanne from coming before the PSC.

Both were scheduled to appear before the PSC and are members of the three-member committee appointed by the President to investigate and recommend further action on those who are responsible for Easter Sunday attack.

Meanwhile, the President left the country last Thursday morning to go to Tajikistan. Faiszer Mustapha and the Governors Shan Wijayalal de Silva, Keerthi Tennakoon and Maithree Gunaratne, too, accompanied President on the tour.

MR’s advice

Muslim Parliamentarians who resigned from their ministries met MR at his official residence last Saturday. Hakeem explained the reasons behind the Muslim representatives stepping down from their duties.

“All of you shouldn’t have stepped down at once. Now, the people are suspicious of all of you. I think the problem could have been resolved without all of you having to resign,” Rajapaksa said.

“The issue was turning towards a different direction because of Rathana Thera’s hunger strike. That’s why we resigned. We thought the issue would develop into a conflict. We didn’t have any other option,” Hakeem said.

“A little more thinking should have gone into this before you decided to resign. Now wrong impressions about you have gone to the public. This could prove to be wrong precedents in future,” Rajapaksa noted
“I have never had any contact with these extremists,” Bathiudeen said.

“Then you should have supported the investigations. You could have cleared yourself and come before public after the investigations. Dodging investigations has made the public suspicious of you,” Rajapaksa said.

“Not all Muslims are extremists. Only a small minority is affiliated with the extremism,” Hakeem said. “We all know it. But because these matters are sensitive, it cannot be resolved if decisions are taken in a hurry.
 It is better to act in understanding of the opinion of the majority,” the Opposition Leader pointed out.

The group led by Hakeem continued to justify their actions but Rajapaksa said the decision should have been thought over some more.

Happy Hizbullah

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) yesterday recorded an eight-hour long statement from former Governor of the Eastern Province M.L.A.M. Hizbullah.

Hizbullah who appeared before the PSC on Thursday (13) said that he had met alleged ring leader of Easter Sunday suicide bombers Zahran Hashim only once during the General Election in 2015, where the latter got all candidates representing SLMC, UNP and UPFA to agree to a set of conditions that they should adhere to during election propaganda activities.

While noting that Zahran was responsible for his election defeat, Hizbullah said he was in fact happy that the ring leader is no more.

Hizbullah, giving a statement before the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) on the Easter Sunday terror attacks, further said that Zahran Hashim supported Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena during Presidential Election 2015 while he (Hizbullah) was supporting President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said that after giving nominations for the General Election in 2015 Hashim asked all the candidates in the district to meet him.

“During that meeting he came to an agreement with everyone present. Even the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), the United National Party (UNP) and the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) candidates signed that. He imposed some conditions such as not using music in our propaganda meetings, separate seating arrangements for men and women etc. We all signed. That is what any politician would do for votes. Hashim had the ability to influence about 2,000 – 3,000 voters and we all needed those votes.

But my supporters played music at meetings and Hashim withdrew the agreement. After that he began to work against me and I was defeated in the election. I am really happy that Zahran is no more because I would not face any trouble at the next General Election.”

The former Governor also clarified his controversial remark that Muslims are a minority only in Sri Lanka, but globally they are the majority.

“I did not say that at a public forum or a media briefing. That remark was made during a private meeting in a mosque. Muslim people are terrified after the terror attack. I wanted to encourage people to resume their livelihood and to return to normalcy.”

 Gagani Weerakoon

 02:00 AM Jun 16 2019

Easter Attacks PSC: Public Administration Secretary Makes Shameful Display Of Racial Bias In SLAS

JUNE 13, 2019

Testimony by Secretary to Ministry of Public Administration, J J Rathnasiri before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing Easter Sunday bombings today, was a shameful display of racial bias in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.

Rathnasiri was questioned by PSC members on the circular he issued a few weeks ago that imposed regulations regarding government employees’ dress code, which discriminated against Muslim women and the Abaya.

Responding to queries he said the circular was issued following a discussion at a Secretaries’ meeting and the subject Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara was made aware of it.

When questioned whether Cabinet approval was sought before issuing the circular he said it is not the usual practice.

Rathnasiri went on to say the circular serves as ‘a reminder’ in keeping with previous circulars issued on public sector employees’ dress code and that religious, ethnic or communal identities are not considered when making such decisions.

“No matter what religion or community, the dress code must be adhered to and that includes uniforms issued for various sectors. . . After Easter attacks it was pointed out there was a need to issue a reminder about the regulations on dress codes for government employees; previous circulars were issued but they were not adhered to,” he added.

Rathnasiri seems to take after Sirisena when it comes to being aware of repercussions of his actions. He says he has not been made aware of any cases where employees have faced inconveniences due to the regulations imposed by his circular.

“We are ready to take action upon discussing with the Minister, if we are made aware of any injustice or inconvenience…The instructions so far is to revise the circular and not suspend it,” he added.

He also went on to criticize those who sought assistance of the Human Rights Commission with regard to the matter.

“If a state sector official was subjected to injustice, they should be seeking help from the Public Service Commission – not the Human Rights Commission,” he remarked.

PSC Member M A Sumanthiran inquired him of the direct link between the dress code and security, noting since the bombers wore trousers and shirts, they should be banned from being worn as well as per the logic displayed in Rathnasiri’s circular.

To that he said his circular simply refers to ‘what is appropriate’ in terms of a dress code as employees of state sector workers.

Related posts:

Ministry Of Public Administration To Stop Female Public Servants Wearing Abaya?

An Open Letter To The Chairman, Human Rights Commission, Dr. Deepika Udagama: On The New Government Uniform

Circular Imposing Dress Code Is Irrational, Arbitrary And Violates Constitution: Human Rights Commission Of Sri Lanka

Read More

Thicker Than Water

RAISA WICKREMATUNGE- 06/14/2019

On April 21, 2019, the doctors working at the National Blood Transfusion Services woke to chilling news. A series of suicide bomb blasts had occurred across the island. As of June 11, 254 people lost their lives. At least 500 more were injured.

“By 9 am, we knew what had happened. By 11 am, the Centre was full,” recalls Dr Senal Rupasinghe, Medical Officer in Charge of the Donor Section at the National Blood Transfusion Service.

Both mainstream and social media shared an appeal attributed to the National Blood Transfusion Service, calling for people to donate in aid of the victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. The Service said it could have managed with existing stocks.

Thousands responded to the call, flocking to blood banks across the island to donate. Over 3700 pints were collected across the island on Easter Sunday, Rupasinghe said. At the National Blood Centre on Elvitigala Mawatha, thousands had to be turned away, after the Centre had collected their contact details. They were asked to return and donate later, when the need was more pressing.

The real crisis came a few days later, when planned blood donation drives were cancelled due to the security situation. Smaller scale campaigns calling for donations from State institutions, the private sector and the tri-forces helped ensure that there was a steady supply for those in need, said Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Lakshman Edirisinghe.

“Continuity is vital. After an incident like this, there will be many people injured. They need blood, and this is over and above the usual requirement that is needed,” he added.

Sri Lanka’s blood donations are entirely voluntary and unpaid. Easter Sunday was no exception. As the doctors recalled, people from all walks of life, and from all communities, came together to try to save lives.

Watch a short video, compiled for World Blood Donor Day, here, or scroll below.

Sri Lanka 'super woman' cop guilty of child abuse

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court also noted 'with concern the increasing number of incidents of abuse of power by law enforcement authorities' AFP/File

14/06/2019


Sri Lanka's Supreme Court fined an award-winning woman police officer for illegally detaining and intimidating a teenage girl to frame a local politician for rape, officials said Friday.
Chief Inspector Waruni Bogahawatte was also ordered to pay 100,000 rupees ($570) as compensation to the victim while the state was also ordered to pay 50,000 rupees in the hearing earlier this week.

 

The 15-year-old girl was forced by Bogahawatte to undergo repeated medical examinations to establish if she had been sexually attacked.

A three-judge bench held that Bogahawatte, who won the best woman officer award in 2017, had abused her authority and violated the girl's fundamental rights and also intimidated her family.
Local media had hailed her at as a "super woman" chasing child abusers and sexual offenders.

The court heard that Bogahawatte repeatedly forced the girl from the southern town of Akuressa to make a false statement against a low-level politician who faced several unrelated rape allegations.

When the girl insisted she had not been raped or sexually molested by the politician, Bogahawatte had illegally detained her at Matara police station in 2012 and subjected her to four medical examinations which proved negative.

Bogahawatte also locked up the girl in a cell with an adult offender, violating rules in dealing with juveniles. The court felt that the girl, who cannot be identified by the media, had been treated as a perpetrator rather than a potential victim of a crime.

"This court also takes an opportunity to note with concern the increasing number of incidents of abuse of power by law enforcement authorities.

"There is no doubt that what is brought before courts is a fragment of the totality of incidents taking place across the country," the judges said Wednesday in their 24-page decision seen by AFP.

A senior police source told AFP they would immediately withdraw the awards given to Bogahawatte and she would also be subjected to an internal investigation and risked losing her job.

Another women's organisation which granted her a "Top Career Woman" award in 2014 said it was reviewing the case.

The Supreme Court asked police to remind their staff of the need to protect the basic rights of individuals.

? 2019 AFP

All media is social

by Sanjana Hattotuwa-June 15, 2019, 6:42 pm 

My Editor, and the general readership of this newspaper fall into a demographic that doesn’t quite understand the media landscape in Sri Lanka today. As long as this demographic doesn’t go on to propose and make laws or regulations that seek to govern for tens of millions what they cannot or do not understand, I empathise with their confusion and discomfort. Because of sheer complexity as well as the speed of evolution, we can no longer clearly explain what we see or study in contemporary media landscapes. It wasn’t this way growing up.

Today, the very act of tuning into a channel or turning a page to access the news is quaint in a world where boundaries between terrestrial broadcast, print media and content consumed online are indivisible and invisible. It used to be the case – as recently as a decade ago - that agile, responsive campaigns anchored to civil society were best able to leverage the affordances, power and reach of new media platforms. I should know, having created Groundviewsas an entirely web-based operation and platform in 2006 to carry what at the time, print and broadcast media would or could not. A year after, I created the first official Facebook Page and Twitter account for any media institution in the country. They were respectively the first accounts in South Asia for a civic media platform. Neither Facebook nor Twitter remotely resemble what they are and look like today. There were far less than a hundred thousand on Facebook at the time in Sri Lanka. There was no like button. There were no responses through emoticons. The mobile app was rudimentary. You couldn’t upload photos or videos. There was no misinformation produced by anyone active at the time, from any political or partisan perspective, in the way it is understood, treated and studied today.

I saw in both platforms the ability to bypass authoritarian censorship, reach new audiences quickly, create and sustain engagement around inconvenient truths and publish in the public interest content that on these platforms, created a new, resilient engagement economy that contested or bypassed traditional media’s stranglehold on framing the news. I was right to identify the potential to change the way society speaks with and sees itself, and political communications are conducted. I was profoundly naïve in my idealism that it would be a tool enduringly employed for public interest media, or in the service of civil society output bearing witness to human rights in a context of violent adversity.

It was impossible to foresee the use, abuse, adoption and adaptation of social media today by powerful political and media actors a decade ago. In May and June 2009, posts on Facebook that in turn linked to content on other sites like Flickr or YouTube captured horrific ground realities as well as propaganda from the Government and the LTTE. Leading up to 2010’s Presidential Election, the two leading contenders – Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka – created Flickr, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook accounts anchored to their campaigns. It was the first time a Presidential election featured online media as an extension of traditional campaign activities and propaganda. The General Election later that year featured party leaders as well as political parties signing up to Facebook. The Municipal Elections in Colombo, a year later, was when from the Western Province and beyond, political communications on social media, distinct from communications in other media, platforms and fora, sprang to life. In late 2013, Mahinda Rajapaksa launched his official Twitter account. The one used for his Presidential bid in 2010, by then, was long discontinued. By 2015’s Presidential election, social media was central in the organic online campaigns to champion the current President as well as sophisticated, slick propaganda campaigns of the Rajapaksas, by then treating engagement in digital domains as a seamless extension of hoardings, posters, mugs, caps, pens, wall clocks and other more common debris of campaign freebies handed out at rallies. This was also when the clear distinctions between traditional and social media started to break down.

This brief history, as with any brief history, glosses over competing trends and a more nuanced appreciation of the media landscape’s evolution, even just since 2015. It does, however, serve as a warning for those who seek to weaponise the fears of an older demographic around the dangers of the current media landscape to support policies and regulations that ultimately help censorship. The careful capture and preliminary study of data from the local government election in February 2018, the Digana riots last March, new forms of political campaigns like Jana Balaya led by Namal Rajapaksa that used digital content to mobilise footfall, the unprecedented 52-day constitutional crisis late 2018, the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terrorism including repeated and increasingly devastating riots against Muslims, the coverage of the PSC on the Church attacks, the release of Gnanasara Thero late May and mid-2018, his incarceration, major civil society initiatives and campaigns, the commemoration of a decade after the end of the war and the volume of content uploaded to YouTube by every single major TV broadcaster since 2015 all suggest – unequivocally and indubitably – that social media is now populated the most by content produced by traditional media.

So what does the term social media mean today, if anything? To many, it continues to conjure up a domain inhabited by anarchic voices, uninterested in or divorced from truth, producing hate and hell-bent on destroying everything good or great about our society. However, the data strongly suggests the greatest producers, by far, of content that incites hate and violence online are, in fact, traditional TV channels. The data indicates that during the constitutional crisis, credible journalism produced by trusted journalists was in high demand on Twitter. The data clearly shows that though the most amount of political commentary happens outside the official pages and accounts of political parties or politicians, first time and young voters are anything but apathetic or disengaged. In the myriad of conversations I track daily, quality, civility, expression, intent and perspective may leave much to be desired, but is this not a valid critique of media the pre-digital generation grew up with and still like to romanticise?

I believe leading politicians know this, but in their pursuit of power see greater appeal in whipping up anxieties to ultimately help secure their control of all media. But to know and realise this helps resist it. The greater the appeal of a president’s or politician’s proposal to fight misinformation, the more sceptical we should be. The simpler the solution proposed, the greater the risk of censorship and abuse. The greater the paternalism overtly, the stronger the parochialism covertly.

Shutting down or blocking Galle Road because of a higher volume of bad drivers in recent years, contributing to many more offences, accidents and deaths, is not an option. Instead, we stress the stronger application of existing road rules and question why they aren’t enforced. Why should a conversation on media regulation be any different?

Behind the scenes

Saturday, 15 June 2019 

We see and hear many things happening on the stage. Some we only hear about and do not see. More things are happening without being seen clearly. An observation with extensive view and survey will be the only means of bringing to light the true nature of the happenings going on in the dark. This is an attempt in that direction in the context of what is currently unfolding in the country.

The events and episodes enumerated here appear to be unconnected to each other but a careful examination will show up the anatomy of the issues. A chronological order of the events and concerns would be helpful in this exercise. Hence so we proceed.

Sri Lanka enters into an expanded version of an Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) with USA on 4 August 2017. According to what was partly disclosed in Parliament on 24 May byMP Kiriella,the ACSA previously signed during the tenure of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga was renewed in 2007 when Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was the Defence Secretary,and it has now been renewed again.

He did not,however, inform the Parliament that the new ACSA in 2017 has 80 pages of content with specific notations on strategic issues in comparison to the nine-page document that existed. When the matter was raised in the media, expressing concern as to how the President as the Defence Minister gave his consent to such an agreement, it is revealed that the former Defence Secretary and now Ambassador for GermanyKarunasena Hettiarachchiwas pressurised bythen Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam and by the Foreign Ministerto rush and expedite the signing of this agreement.

He did so even before he received awaited reports and observations from the Commanders of the SL Armed Forces who had serious reservations about the matter. It is reported thatPrasad Kariyawasam is now an employee of the US Government attached to the USAID.

This agreement paves the way for US military forces to use our ports and airports in addition to mutual cooperation between the two countries to extend logistical support, supplies and services. It is not known whether the ACSA has any reference to an understanding for a subsequent Status of Forces agreementbetween Sri Lanka and the US.

The Seventh Fleet of the US Navy

In December 2018 the Seventh Fleet of the US Navy was engaged in their periodic naval exercises in the Indian Ocean.

The Seventh Fleet called over in the region in January for a second timeto carry out a more specific military exercise involving Sri Lanka. Calling this operation a “temporary cargo transfer initiative” the American Military forces used our Bandaranaike International Airport(BIA) between 24 and 29 Januaryto transport some unidentified supply materials to a US Aircraft carrier called USS John Stennis,berthed in Sri Lankan waters near Trincomalee.

The materials arrived at the BIA in a US military plane and were transported to the US ship using the ship’s military aircraft which used the BIA for landing and loading before transporting them to the naval ship harboured in our waters.

No one had any more information about this operation although such an operation needs security and defence clearance of our Government. This was described as a commercial operation according to the embassy news release. The Defence Secretary, when asked, had said that the MOD and MOF have no involvement in regard to these operations as they are commercial.

He appears to have been totally influenced by the embassy news. But this defence secretary was unaware of a second statement issued by the US mission to the effect that “The US Navy is doing a cargo transfer operation at Sri Lanka’s main international airport under a plan to use the island’s location to make it a military logistics hub”!

Even if he became aware we are not sure whether it could have prompted him to take any action or make any further inquiries at least to know what was going on, according to the publicly available knowledge regarding his behaviour prior to the terrorist attack after receiving vital advance information about it.
The MCC

A delegation from US Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) led by its Managing Director visited Sri Lanka during the first week of March.The objective of this visit was to engage with the senior government officials, the private sector and civil society to understand their perspectives about the current situation.

MCC is a foreign assistance agency of the US established in 2004 to provide development assistance to third world countries to alleviate poverty. In Sri Lanka they have been associated with the radical transformation of the country’s land laws and the ownership of lands to increase the market value and tradability of our lands.MCC has an office running in the Prime Minister’s office.
Terrorist attack of 21 April takes place on Easter Sunday

The Defence Secretary Fernando who visits the Kochchikade Church premises (the worst-affected location) immediately after the attack and answering foreign journalists says that “he had prior information but did not think that it is going to be of this magnitude and that the Government cannot give security to tourist hotels.”

The President was away from the country in Singapore and receives the information about the attack at 10 a.m. that day.
Declaration of a State of Emergency and the security forces taking control of the situation

On 26 April, the MCCof the US approves a five-year grant of $ 480 million to Sri Lankaat its meeting held on 25 April in Washington. Minister Mangala Samaraweera announces that it is a blessing coming as a benefit after the terrorist attack. The Government pursues action to enter into an agreement with MCC compact for the $ 480 million grant.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe announces the contemplated steps to annul the PTA and introduce new legislation for prevention of terrorist activities under a proposed counter-terrorism act.

Government decides to share the ownership of east terminal quay of the Colombo Port with a collaboration with Japan and India.

Notice of a no-confidence motion against a minister in the Government is handed over to the Speaker. Another notice of a no-confidence against the Government is handed over to the Speaker.
Special Parliamentary Select Committee to examine the attacks

While the security forces are engaged in serious search operations and arresting those who were suspected and involved the Parliament appoints a Select Committee to examine and report on the terrorist attack and those involved.

PM announces that the proceedings of the Select Committee could be made open to the media. Various officials including those serving in the highly vulnerable and secretive intelligence sectors are made to publicly state about their operational activities under oath which are televised all over the world.  Some members in the Select Committee state how the officials should have acted instead of ascertaining what they actually did. The evidence of the witnesses are open to other witnesses who follow.

There have been instances where some witnesses refer to evidence given by other witnesses by themselves even without being asked. Public anxiously wait for the media to release the live telecast with the same interest of waiting for a serialised tele-drama.

Government plans

Government gazettes State lands (special provisions bill) and is preparing to propose a Land Bank Act. Megapolis and Western Development Ministry is proceeding with the National Physical Plan 2050, proposing economic corridors in four different directions across the country, with priority for a Colombo – Trincomalee corridor as a masterpiece.

It is conjectured that these corridors will be open to foreigners who will also be land owners very soon under the new legislation to be passed; with no upper land ceilings and such spaces will also be open to the military forces invited into the country under the SOFA agreements now under consideration.

The Foreign Minister visits US and meet senior officials. It is strongly suspected that he is discussing the terms of a SOFA agreement to be entered into with the US Government in addition to the ACSA already signed.  SOFA provides for the establishment of military units and bases of super powers and such footprints will subjugate our national sovereignty and independence.

The immunities contemplated under such agreements to the foreign military personnel seriously restrain the human and fundamental rights of our citizens.

 It is suspected that the interested parties are attempting to create a serious security laxity and to use such a situation ostensibly to invite foreign powers to help us.

President’s official visit to China and the commitment of the Chinese Government to give us a grant of Rs.2.3 billion and 100 jeeps to meet our security requirements happened during this period. This happened while the Foreign Minister was in US.

This tour of the President was followed by another visit to India to participate in the Prime Minister Modi’s swearing in ceremony after his re-election.

The ‘Shangri-La Dialogue’ of the International Institute of Strategic Studies(IISS) held in Singapore from 31 May to 2 June is another significant convention which will indicate important consequential passages, accesses and impending approaches regarding the Sri Lankan situation.

The US Secretary who addressed the conference clearly referred to Sri Lanka’s security situation and pledged his concerned support to intervene.

State of the US Assistant Secretary for Political and Military Affairs R.Clerk Cooper visited Sri Lankabetween 2 and 6 June. He travelled across to many strategic places in the country and had discussions with high ranking politicians of the Wickremesinghe Government.

Sporadic communal violence incidents that appeared to spearhead from nowhere long after the terrorist attack on 21 April caused alarm and suspicion that they were orchestrated and not voluntary uprises. Malcom Cardinal Ranjith had taken all steps to prevent any backlash by victimised parties and the entire country had got into that reconciliatory mood with his initiation.

Therefore the minor incidents reported appear to be instigations by some affected groups to divert the focus of the security forces. However the Muslim ministers and State ministers in the Government decided to resign their portfolios with no sound reasoning for such an action.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka during this period is another landmark event of importance to us. He is visiting us on his return from Maldives.

 It has to be borne in mind that the Government of Maldives has refused to enter into a SOFA agreement with the US and it is also reported that China has successfully concluded an understanding with Maldives as a second Indian Ocean stop in their Belt and Road initiative.

The religious prelates of the highest order in Sri Lanka have issued a signed statement calling upon the Government not to enter into any military agreements or others which adversely affect our sovereignty with super powers without referring such to the people at a referendum.

The foregoing account of the current state of affairs of the country speaks a lot about what is in store.

It is time to concentrate on the security of the nation and get our own security forces acclaimed by the whole world as a capable sector to combat any terrorist threat, without any diversions due to political interferences.

While consolidating the search and investigative operations there is a lot more to be done in the areas of border protection, emigration and immigration, foreign exchange remittances in and out which are of great importance in controlling terrorist activities.

The forces should be given a free hand under the existing laws to discharge their responsibilities.

Evasive actions and diversion tactics of interested political and other groups have to be understood in the correct perspective and disregarded to that extent.