26 January 2012, 9:58 pm
By Dhara Wijayatilake
Much is being said about the Report of the five-member Committee appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to report on matters relating to the District ranking error that occurred in the 2011 G.C.E A/L results.
Some allege that the report seeks to cover up a serious flaw in the Z score calculation that has been used. Some allege that it has not addressed a vital concern regarding the Z score.
Continue reading ‘GCE (AL) Exam Z score issue: Expert Advice not Fact-Finding Commission Required’ »
26 January 2012, 9:50 pm
By Dr. Arujuna Sivananthan
Hello Friends,
‘It’s the economy stupid’ was the popular phrase publicised widely by the Bill Clinton team during the Presidential elections campaign of 1992.
George Bush Sr running for a second term was seen as a sure winner then because of developments like the end of the cold war and the US gulf war victory. But the Clinton campaign focused on the recession and projected Clinton as a better choice because Bush had not adequately addressed economic issues. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Sri Lanka Heading Towards Inevitable 20 Percent Depreciation of the Rupee]
25 January 2012, 7:44 pm
By Rajasingham Jayadevan
Hello Friends
Rajasingham Jayadevan is an accountant based in London, Britain. He has been and continues to e a political activist concerned about the future and well-being of Sri Lankans in general and Tamils in particular
Pic courtesy of: A visit to the market in Jaffna ~ by By helpingmedia
~ David Brewer-Dec 6, 2011
Some years ago while visiting Sri Lanka Jayadevan had an unpleasant experience at the hands of the LTTE which he had supported at one time. He was detained and interrogated by the tigers in the Wanni while pressure was exerted by the LTTE to gain control of the Eelappatheeswarar temple in London of which Jayadevan was chief trustee. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Irresponsible diaspora sections cause many problems in Jaffna]
25 January 2012, 6:33 am
by Stewart Bell
Toronto • More than two years after the smuggling ship MV Ocean Lady arrived off the West Coast carrying 76 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, the first public hearing to determine whether to accept them as refugees took place on Monday.
“My life is in danger in my country,” an ethnic Tamil man told the Immigration and Refugee Board, which ordered that his name could not be published to protect his safety. “I fear the army, police and the pro-government Tamil militias in Sri Lanka.”
Continue reading ‘Refugee Hearings Begin in Toronto for Tamil Asylum Seekers who Arrived in Vancouver on “Ocean Lady” Ship’ »
25 January 2012, 6:20 am
by Prof.R.P.Gunawardane
I have watched with great pain of mind the events and developments that took place after the release of the results of GCE A/L Examination held in 2011.
Many errors and omissions in the results have been reported and a presidential committee was appointed to look into this matter. The report of this committee has now been submitted to the President.
Continue reading ‘GCE A/L-2011 results Fiasco: Govt Must Urgently Undertake Complete, Comprehensive review’ »
25 January 2012, 6:17 am
by Satish Chandra
As is customary, official circles in India have hailed External Affairs S M Krishna’s four-day visit to Sri Lanka [ Images ] from January 16th to 19th 2012 as ‘successful.’
Whether or not it was indeed ‘successful’ demands an examination of what transpired during the visit and the extent to which India’s interests were promoted.
Continue reading ‘Why SM Krishna’s visit to Sri Lanka cannot be called ‘successful’’ »
25 January 2012, 6:05 am
IRIN news service
Tea in Sri Lanka is one of the country’s biggest cash crops, but families working on tea estates are among the nation’s poorest in terms of earnings as well as nutrition, say experts who back regional approaches to tackle nutrition disparity.
One in every five children younger than five is malnourished nationwide and one in six newborns has a low birth weight, one cause of infant deaths, according to a recent study from the Colombo-based Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
Continue reading ‘Tea estate worker families are Sri Lanka’s poorest in earnings and nutrition’ »
23 January 2012, 10:09 pm
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Rameswaram (Rameshwar)in the South of Tamil Nadu state in India is revered by Hindus all over the world as a place of tremendous religious significance.The Island town was the scene of an ugly rumpus on the tenth of this month when a well-known Sri Lankan Tamil businessman visiting for a religious purpose was victimized in a deplorable act of rowdyism. He was apparently targeted because of his relationship to President Mahinda Rajapaksa through marriage. [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Rowdyism at Rameswaram by Tamil Nadu 'activist' mob]
23 January 2012, 9:17 pm
By Austin Fernando
Hello Friends
The sharing of powers over land between the Provincial and Central Governments is currently a raging controversy. The “lands” issue has become one of the primary issues on which the Government and Tamil National Alliance (TNA)are finding it difficult to reach agreement upon.
President Rajapaksa’s pronouncements on the subject tend to convey an impression that the TNA representing the Tamil people is making a fresh,unreasonable demand which will not conceded. The reality however is that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the Provincial Councils act have already defined the sharing of land administration powers although it may be ambiguous and may not be satisfactory. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Sharing land powers is part of the devolution process enshrined in the constitution]
23 January 2012, 9:14 pm
The Canadian Human Rights Voice (CHRV) is organizing a non-partisan event on February 1st, 2012 ( 10 am till 6 pm ) in Parliament Hill, Ottawa, to discuss Canada’s responsibilities to respond to the violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Sri Lanka.
In December 2011, the Sri Lankan government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission ( LLRC ) released its findings that inquired and reported on its conflict between years 2002 till 2009.
Continue reading ‘Political leaders to attend Human Rights conference’ »
23 January 2012, 9:12 pm
by G.Pramod Kumar
The weird stone barrage by the Sri Lankan Navy on Tamil fishermen from Rameshwaram near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on Saturday, brings forth a vexed issue that seems to perpetually escape resolution.
At stake are the lives and livelihoods of thousands of fisher-folk in Tamil Nadu.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Navy accused of pelting stones on Tamil Nadu boats fishing in the sea and damaging 200 boats’ »
23 January 2012, 1:46 pm
by Human Rights Watch
January 23, 2012
(New York) – The Sri Lankan government in the past year failed to advance justice and accountability for the victims of the country’s 26-year-long civil conflict, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.
While Sri Lanka’s war-ravaged north and east became more open, the government deepened repression of basic freedoms throughout the country.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lankans face lack of justice, weak rule of law, land grabbing and censored media from an increasingly authoritarian Govt’ »
22 January 2012, 6:02 pm
by National Peace Council
During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna gave support to the Sri Lankan government’s intention to have a Parliamentary Select Committee work out the modalities of a political solution to the ethnic conflict.
The Indian government has consistently expressed its interest in a political solution and that the Sri Lankan government gave such assurances during the war that elicited international support.
Continue reading ‘Senate cannot be a solution to the demand for autonomy in managing local and provincial affairs’ »
22 January 2012, 12:21 am
Professor Alaka Basu ~ pic: cornell.edu
Hello Friends
A friend sent me an interesting article that appeared in “The Telegraph”published in Kolkota (Calcutta). It is written by Alaka M.Basu who is a professor in the Department of Development Sociology at Cornell University,USA.
Ms.Basu was in Sri Lanka on a holiday recently and is captivated by its charm like most travellers to our lovely Island “where every prospect pleases”. [Click here to read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com: Island Mystique: Three startling differences Between India and Sri Lanka]
22 January 2012, 12:19 am
by Tisaranee Gunasekara
False paths, credulously followed… – Gunter Grass (Eulogy on Christa Wolf)
Good warriors often make bad leaders. Those who are good at winning wars are not necessarily good at governance — “with their serial signature fiascos
The AL results imbroglio is, and seems destined to remain, unresolved.
Continue reading ‘Destructive Rajapaksa governance will cause the debilitation of every major Lankan institution’ »
22 January 2012, 12:15 am
By Ranga Jayasuriya
Nearly a thousand political activists who were heading to Jaffna to take part in a protest campaign against the abduction of two of their colleagues had a taste of the bitter post-war reality in the North even before they could reach the peninsula.
Twelve bus loads of activists were held up at impromptu check points and barriers for no apparent reason, though the military and the police spun ludicrous stories to validate those ad hoc measures which were primarily intended to sabotage the protest.
Continue reading ‘Southern political activists enroute to Jaffna for protest demonstration obstructed by Army and Police at Puliyankulam’ »
21 January 2012, 11:58 pm
By Namini Wijedasa
A visiting Indian dignitary last week took it upon himself to reveal the Sri Lankan government’s latest position on power-sharing.
Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna distributing bicycles in Sri Lanka North-pic: Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka
Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said at a media briefing on Tuesday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa told him he would fully implement 13th Amendment”plus”.
Continue reading ‘The politics of deception surrounding the “13th Amendment plus” announcement’ »
21 January 2012, 5:42 pm
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“O let my land be a land where liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath” (Langston Hughes)
Speaking with many tongues is a time-tested Rajapaksa way of obfuscating issues and evading trouble. But occasionally this deceptive habit helps reveal what the regime would dearly want to conceal.
Continue reading ‘Rajapaksa onslaught on democratic institutions and popular rights is a common threat danger to the South and North’ »
21 January 2012, 5:32 pm
by Asanga Welikala
Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka’s book, Fidel’s Ethics of Violence: The Moral Dimension of the Political Thought of Fidel Castro, is a significant contribution towards understanding one of the enduring intellectual dilemmas in the theory and practice of politics: the ethics of the use of violence.
Dayan’s ambitious project in this book is to offer a comprehensively worked out theory for the ethical use of violence, for both revolutionaries and states, based on the political thought of Fidel Castro.
Continue reading ‘Violence and its Moral Dilemmas:Fidel According to Dayan’ »
21 January 2012, 3:58 pm
By M. S. Shah Jahan
Greece owes 367 billion dollars. Who is going to bail out? The other European countries. Ireland owes 565 billion dollars. Who is going to bail out? Rest of Europe. How much Italy and Spain owe? One trillion dollars each.
How the European and US econ. crises look to one Chinese cartoonist, Luojie, of China Daily-courtesy: twiiter.com/globalcartoons
Who is going to bail out them? France, Britain and Germany. How is their money position? They are struggling.
Continue reading ‘Will bankrupt Greece set fire to world economy?’ »
21 January 2012, 3:41 pm
Dr.Abdul Kalam speaking in Colombo Sri Lanka-Jan 21, 2012-pic: news.lk
January 21, 2012
Evolution of Noble Nations
What can I Give?
Dear friends, when I was flying from New Delhi to Colombo yesterday night, I was thinking about what message that I can share it with you. Then came, the poem, which I would like to share it with you.
Continue reading ‘Tolerance is the foundation of sustainable development and peaceful society-Hon. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’ »
20 January 2012, 8:34 pm
by The World.org
Singer-songwriter Bhi Bhiman has been dubbed as Sri Lanka’s Woody Guthrie.
Bhiman, born to Sri Lankan parents, grew up in St. Louis and was initially inspired by Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder.
Continue reading ‘Bhi Bhiman: A Folk Soul Singer with Sri Lankan Heritage’ »
20 January 2012, 6:24 am
Siddharth Varadarajan
India’s respected newspaper “The Hindu”has experienced a change at the Editorial helm with the Editor in Chief Narasimhan Ram stepping down with effect from January 19th 2012.
The Hindu’s national bureau chief Siddharth Varadarajan has succeeded him as Editor. [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: President Rajapaksa must Address Specifics of a Political Settlement]
19 January 2012, 1:13 pm
Thirteen plus not Thirteen minus
by Dushy Ranetunge in New York
The Thirteen amendment was “forced” on us to reverse on going fracture of the republic, caused by tribalists trying to drag it into the past and reverse history into something Sri Lanka never was.
For most of its history, Sri Lanka was administered under a devolved system of governance. We had Rajarata, Rohona, Mayarata.
Continue reading ‘Sinhalese, the majority, will see the light if only they had enlightened leadership’ »
19 January 2012, 6:18 am
The writ application filed by TNA National List M.P., M.A Sumanthiran challenging the Land Circular (2011/04) was taken up today (19th January 2012) in the Court of Appeal.
Ms. Murdu Fernando, DSG appearing for the Respondents gave an undertaking to withdraw the Land Circular and informed Court that a new circular will be issued and presented to Court.
Continue reading ‘Govt to withdraw controversial land circular and present new circular’ »
19 January 2012, 6:16 am
By Agence France-Presse
A Sri Lankan doctor who admitted aiding the South Asian nation’s Tamil Tiger separatist group began his appeal on Tuesday to be allowed to resume work in Britain.
Murugesu Vinayagamoorthy spent almost five years in a US jail for providing material support to the rebels, who were defeated by Sri Lankan troops in 2009 after decades spent fighting for an independent homeland.
Continue reading ‘Lankan Tamil doctor accused of helping LTTE wants UK job back’ »
18 January 2012, 9:18 pm
External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna arrives at the Kilinochchi District Hospital, Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Photo: R.K.Radhakrishnan-courtesy: The Hindu
As most of you are aware India’s minister of External Affairs SM Krishna is currently in Sri Lanka. Krishna is a Kannadiga and a former chief minister of the South Indian state of Karnataka.
A highlight of the Indian foreign ministers Lankan trip was his visit to the Northern Province where many Tamils reside. Krishna participated in many functions related to projects benefitting by India’s generous assistance and aid.
Krishna whose mother tongue Kannada like Thamizh belongs to the Dravidian school of Languages often tried to reach out to the audience by speaking in Tamil during his Northern trip. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna reaches out to people of Northern Sri Lanka]
18 January 2012, 8:54 pm
by S.Anthonithasan Croos
The Ten Year National Plan – milestone towards a Trilingual Sri Lanka
A Ten Year National Plan for a Trilingual Sri Lanka will be launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on January 21, 2012. This is yet another strong initiative of the President to create long lasting peace and harmony among all Sri Lankan communities, through a steady and far-sighted language policy.
This initiative should be viewed as a gradual evolution and a major stride from the President’s declaration of the year 2009 as the Year of ICT and English.
Continue reading ‘All Sri Lankans need to learn English for national integration, development and prosperity’ »
18 January 2012, 8:52 pm
By S L Gunasekara
In the heyday of the LTTE, the TNA had it good.
While the Tamils whom they claimed to represent suffered indescribable hardships, torments and agonies by reason of being under the jackboot of the Tigers with their little children being regularly kidnapped and their hard earned money extorted from them by the LTTE, the TNA which was supposed to represent them raised not a whimper of protest, but on the contrary, functioned as obedient servants and respectful acolytes of the Tigers, acknowledged them as being the sole representatives of the Tamils and obeyed their every whim and command.
Continue reading ‘TNA does not speak out against India in support of Tamil people in Sri Lanka on any important matter’ »
18 January 2012, 6:32 am
A pictorial perspective
Hello Friends,
“Thaippongal” is the traditional Tamil Thanksgiving festival that augurs bountiful harvests and good fortune. It is known as “Thamizhar Thirunaal” and “Uzhavar Perunaal”.
[Click here to view/read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com: Thaippongal celebrations at Temple Trees]
17 January 2012, 9:06 pm
Gordon Weiss
Hello Friends,
The book written by former UN official in Sri Lanka Gordon Weiss titled “The Cage:The fight for Sri Lanka and the last days of the Tamil Tigers”has made huge waves. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: 'I have been damned by the establishment in Sri Lanka and its proxies in Australia' – Gordon Weiss]
17 January 2012, 9:04 pm
By Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka
I look at the issue of accountability primarily as a political scientist and from a comparative politics point of view. And I am struck by the fact that what I consider to be an exemplary progressive democracy, Brazil, headed by Dilma Rousseff, who was herself an guerrilla and a political prisoner, tortured by the military junta, has only now, some weeks ago, instituted a commission of inquiry into the conduct of the military junta from 1964 to 1988.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka subscribes to universality of values but there is a problem’ »
17 January 2012, 9:01 pm
by S L Gunasekara
Our late colonial masters, the British, have an institutionalized system of ‘family bandyism’. Their Head of State will always be from one family.
When the mother Elizabeth dies it will be her eldest son or failing him his eldest son or failing a son, a daughter who will succeed to the job of Head of State with all the allowances and perquisites that go with it at the expense of the people of the United Kingdom.
Continue reading ‘Institutionalization of family bandyism in the politics of Sri Lanka’ »
17 January 2012, 6:06 am
The Visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna participated in Thai Pongal celebrations held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on Jan 16- pic:president.gov.lk
January 17, 2012
Hon’ble Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister of External Affairs,
Distinguished Representatives of the Media,
1. I am pleased to be in Sri Lanka again. At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Minister Prof. Peiris and the Sri Lankan Government for the warm hospitality extended to me and to my delegation.
Continue reading ‘‘President Rajapaksa assured commitment to pursuing the 13th Amendment plus approach’ – Indian External Affairs Minister’ »
16 January 2012, 10:52 pm
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Hello Friends
The controversial report presented by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has evoked much interest in many different circles. It is being projected by some as Sri Lanka’s effective response to the demand for an International accountability mechanism on the one hand while others criticize it as falling far short of International standards [Please click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Devastating critique of LLRC Report by the TNA]
16 January 2012, 5:40 pm
Mayor Rob Ford
January 2012
WHEREAS our city’s Tamil community is committed to preserving its rich heritage and has contributed greatly to Toronto’s diverse population.
Tamil Heritage Month provides the opportunity to showcase and share the community’s vibrant culture and traditions and longstanding history with Toronto residents and visitors.
Continue reading ‘City of Toronto proclamation: January 2012 Tamil Heritage Month’ »
15 January 2012, 8:49 am
The Government of Sri Lanka suffered a big blow today when the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which is the premier political party of the Sri Lankan Tamils rejected the report presented by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation(LLRC) that was appointed by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a domestic mechanism to probe past events related to the ethnic conflict and recommend proposals aimed at ensuring accountability and effecting ethnic reconcilation.
The TNA which described the LLRC report as inadequate in an interim assessment issued earlier has released a comprehensive , analytical final report consisting of 114 pages in two sections.
Continue reading ‘TNA rejects LLRC report as failing to meet international standards of accountability and right of victims to truth, justice and reparations’ »
15 January 2012, 8:45 am
By Emily Wax
Despite differences that spurred civil war and cost tens of thousands of lives, the Tamils and the Sinhalese from Sri Lanka have at least one thing in common: a love of tea.
But some Tamil Americans say they are cautious when they go to Dupont Circle’s Teaism because their archenemies — the ethnically Sinhalese Sri Lankan Embassy staff — might also be in there sipping Ceylon green from the old country.
Continue reading ‘Tamil Americans wary of Sinhalese Sri Lankan embassy staff in Washington’ »
14 January 2012, 10:39 pm
Bountiful Pongal Day tweets & tweetPics via twitter.com/DushiYanthini
January 15, 2012
Happy Thai Pongal greetings written in Tamil with wheet flour and tumeric
Continue reading ‘In Pictures: Bountiful Pongal Greetings from Nedimala-Dehiwala’ »
14 January 2012, 9:25 pm
Excerpts of court documents filed by US Justice Dept. on Jan 13, 2012, in response to US intentions sought by the District Court of District of Columbia, in the matter of Torture Victim Protection legal action, Kasippillai Manoharan, et al., v. Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa:
The United States of America, by and through the undersigned counsel, respectfully files this status report concerning the Court’s December 30, 2011 Order regarding a Statement of Interest:
1. Plaintiffs seek a judgment under the Torture Victim Protection Act against President Mahendra Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka for, inter alia, alleged command responsibility for extrajudicial killings of certain Sri Lankan nationals. See Kasippillai Manoharan, et al., v. Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa (Dkt. #1).
Continue reading ‘US Justice Dept suggests immunity for President Rajapaksa in Torture Victim Protection legal action’ »
14 January 2012, 6:03 pm
Hello Friends
The drastic decline in the Sri Lankan cricket teams performance in recent times is a cause for concern and worry among all lovers of the game who root for our Lankan lads.
It can only be cricket that draws a shop-window crowd like this in Colombo, Sri Lanka ~ pic courtesy of: twitter.com/brysonhull
The latest defeat in South Africa has upset many and even made our unflappable cabinet minister Keheliya Rambukwella “feel horrible”. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Cricket team crisis due to dressing room divisions?]
14 January 2012, 6:01 pm
By Namini Wijedasa
Control over territory was central, to the LTTE’s futile battle for a separate homeland. Now, nearly three years after the war ended, ownership of land in the north and east remains a complicated, controversial and tangled mess.
Two new reports shed light on serious disputes related to property throughout the north and east. Much of these issues are results of the protracted war and are so overwhelming that government agencies seem unable to deal with them.
Continue reading ‘Military occupation of land is part of a wider phenomenon of militarization’ »
14 January 2012, 4:54 pm
Gen. Sarath Fonseka
A politician’s desire to be remembered is only natural. To be remembered forever would be the acme of political desires. What better way would a Sri Lankan desire be remembered than for his name be inscribed in the Mahavamsa.
(The Mahavamsa we have to explain to those uninitiated in our history is the record of kings and their reign said to have commenced around 2500 years ago and continues to date.)
Continue reading ‘Name of Sarath Fonseka is part of history that cannot be obliterated’ »
14 January 2012, 4:48 pm
Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya
Nobody can accuse Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Washington, of not trying his best. But his best–even when nurtured by an expensive PR company–is evidently not enough.
The genial and approachable Wickramasuriya was the subject of a widely circulated email last week. The title of it was, ‘When an Idiot was made an Ambassador.’ Wickramasuriya is by no means an idiot.
Continue reading ‘Are our diplomats and hired PR firms doing enough in the international arena?’ »
14 January 2012, 4:35 pm
By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene
The continuing failure of Sri Lanka’s institutions of justice is well demonstrated in the most recent Views of the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Committee (UN Committee) calling upon the Sri Lankan State to effectively investigate and prosecute the murderers of a small time businessman in Negombo after he, his wife and their two children had been repeatedly intimidated and threatened by police officers whom they had angered.
The Committee was responding to an Individual Communication filed by the deceased’s wife Pathmini Peiris
Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Committee Wants Sri Lanka to Investigate and Prosecute “Murderers” of Peiris’ »
14 January 2012, 4:27 pm
by Rajah Kuruppu
A recent event that underlines the innate good nature of man was the great Walk from Dondra in the South to Jaffna in the North covering a distance of 670 kms. to generate funds to build the Paediatric (Children’s) Cancer Ward in the Jaffna General Hospital.
The Walk named Trail, a journey of 27 days was undertaken in the month of July from 1st to the 27th.
Continue reading ‘The 670 km Walk from Dondra to Jaffna in aid of a Childrens ward (cancer)for Jaffna Hospital’ »
14 January 2012, 4:20 pm
BY Tisaranee Gunasekara
“A historic victory can wreak as much havoc as a historic defeat”
Tony Judt (Reappraisals: Reflections on the Forgotten 20th Century)
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has spoken: the dead Tiger might arise.
If the Tiger does rise from the ashes of an annihilating defeat, a lion-share of the credit for that near-miraculous resurrection would belong to the Rajapaksas.
Continue reading ‘Will Southern and Northern opposition join hands to defeat measures empowering Rajapaksas and disempowering people of Sri Lanka?’ »
14 January 2012, 3:01 pm
cartoon courtezsy of: LakbimaNews.lk
In recent months, people in Lanka have seen a dramatic increase in the number of protests involving thousands of university students. Many of these turned violent after clashing with the police, who tried to stop their campaigns.
Last week Jayewardenepura student demonstration was stopped at Colpetty junction, but there was no clash.
Continue reading ‘Mahinda regime put petrol to the fire by creating a problem in the A-Levels results issue’ »
14 January 2012, 2:50 pm
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
Tiger fascism and Sinhala supremacism: two inimical but mutually sustaining extremisms which have been the bane of post-independence Ceylon/Sri Lanka. Sinhala supremacism created a language issue, prevented its resolution and enabled its metamorphosis into an ethnic problem.
Tiger fascism rendered a negotiated settlement of the war impossible and murdered many Sinhala and Tamil moderates who stood for a devolution-based political solution to the ethnic problem.
Continue reading ‘Tiger fascism is no more but Sinhala supremacism has made a triumphant return’ »
14 January 2012, 1:40 pm
Bountiful tweets & TweetPics via twitter.com/DushiYanthini
Maayappu came all the way from Matale to Bambalapitty to have a better business during Thai Pongal.
Better Business
Continue reading ‘In Pictures: Pre-Pongal stroll through Bambalapitty’ »
14 January 2012, 12:24 pm
Sri Lanka – A Food Security Assessment Report
by World Food Programme
This report presents the results of an in-depth study of food security in Sri Lanka, a country emerging from decades of violent conflict and still recovering from the worst flooding in recent history.
Continue reading ‘Over 60 percent of households in the Northern Province are food insecure’ »
13 January 2012, 7:48 pm
by Gamini Jayasinghe
Thai Pongal is a “Thanks giving ceremony” celebrated by farmers in particular to thank the nature spirit- the sun- and farm animals for bringing prosperity to agriculture with plentiful harvests.
They venerate and thank the sun god – the nature spirit and offer the first part of the produce in the form of cooked rice. They do not forget to make this an occasion to thank the farm animals who contribute to the prosperity of agriculture in a big way.
Continue reading ‘Thai Pongal-Thanks Giving Festival auguring bountiful harvests and good fortune’ »
12 January 2012, 8:55 pm
Minister Alistair Burt
Alistair Burt, Minister with responsibility for Sri Lanka, informs the House of the Government’s views on the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s Report.
“I would like to inform the House of the Government’s views on the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’s (LLRC) report, which was published on 16 December 2011.
Continue reading ‘‘LLRC implementation useful first step but independent mechanism to investigate allegations of grave abuses important’’ »
12 January 2012, 8:38 pm
Two of the four US Marines seen in a videoappearing to urinate on dead Afghan bodies have been identified, a Marine Corps official told the Reuters news agency.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Marines believed the video was authentic.
The two that were identified are still part of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to the official who spoke to reporters on Thursday.
That unit served in Afghanistan’s Helmand province from March until September of 2011, the official said.
Earlier on Thursday, Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the video.
Continue reading ‘Official says a video which depicts four US service members urinating on corpses in Afghanistan is authentic’ »
12 January 2012, 5:45 pm
By Ayesha Zuhair
The report of the International Crisis Group (ICG) on ‘Sri Lanka: Women’s Insecurity in the North and East’ alleges that that violence against women in Sri Lanka’s mainly Tamil-speaking North and East is on the rise and that women in the region face “a desperate lack of security” in the aftermath of the armed conflict.
The Crisis Group report, released on 20 December 2011, asserts that women continue to live in fear of violence from various quarters and victims have little means of redress.
Continue reading ‘Is enough being done to address the security concerns of women in the North and East?’ »
12 January 2012, 6:29 am
Minister John Baird MP
oreign Affairs Minister John Baird on Jan 11, 2012 issued the following statement on the final report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission:
“Canada notes the public release of the report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Although we are still studying the report, the commission has addressed and provided recommendations in some areas of concern, including reconciliation, the rule of law and demilitarization.
Continue reading ‘‘LLRC recommendations can contribute to the process of political reconciliation’-Canadian Foreign Minsiter’ »
11 January 2012, 8:22 pm
By Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Hello Friends
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s younger sibling and secretary of the Defence and Urban Development ministry is arguably the second most powerful man in Sri Lanka.
pic: defence.lk
It is an open knowledge that the retired colonel of the Gajaba Regiment calls the shots in the Country’s defence establishment. [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: LTTE linked overseas groups want armed struggle to resume in Sri Lanka]
11 January 2012, 1:31 pm
pic courtesy: businesstoday.lk
Sri Lanka was one of the forerunners in the fight for universal suffrage since 1927; in this region we were one of the first countries to give women the right to vote and contest.
In 1931 when the battle was finally won we had 4.5 percent in the council.
Continue reading ‘‘I have been fighting for at least 30% mandatory women representation on nomination lists’’ »
11 January 2012, 1:29 pm
Arundhati Roy
Arundhati Roy reacts to the objection to her attending the fair organised by The Book Sellers and Publishers Association of South India
“The protest began when The Cage by Gordon Weiss (former UN spokesperson in Sri Lanka) was released.
The book indicts the Sri Lankan government for war crimes, but is also sharply critical of the LTTE’s tactics. The protestors did not mention the book, but accused the publishers of being RSS, anti-Dalit, anti-Tamil, anti-Kashmir and anti-Muslim.
Continue reading ‘Arundhati Roy criticises protest in Chennai against Gordon Weiss’s book ‘The Cage’’ »
10 January 2012, 9:14 pm
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Rameshwaram Police has cracked down on the Tamil Nadu political activist mob that attacked Sri Lankan Tamil businessman Thirukumaran Nadesan
Agitators laying seige to ahouse where Thirukumaran Nadesan had performed a puja in Rameswaram on Tuesday-pic courtesy of: The Hindu
Police arrested Seven persons including “Karate”Palanisamy of Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham&Kan.Illango of Naam Thamizhar Iyakkam. [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: 7 persons remanded for 15 days in Rameswaram for 'attack' on Sri Lankan businessman Thirukumaran Nadesan]
10 January 2012, 1:18 pm
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s extended family member Thirukumaran Nadesan has been”attacked” by agitators in Rameshwaram, TamilNadu
Nirupama Rajapaksa, with husband Thirukumaran Nadesan, at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai on November 10, 2009. File Photo: S. James.-courtesy: The Hindu
Thirukumaran Nadesan an influential businessman is the husband of Parliamentarian Nirupama Rajapaksa who is a niece of President Rajapaksa [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: President Rajapaksas's relative Nadesan attacked in Rameshwaram by Tamil Nadu political activist mob]
9 January 2012, 1:21 pm
G. Parthasarathy, former diplomat delivering a lecture in Chennai on Sunday. Photo: N. Sridharan
In the present-day world where politics is invariably trumped by economics, India has to have a drastic rethinking of its policy in favour of economically empowering the Tamils in Sri Lanka as a sustainable solution for their rehabilitation, former diplomat G. Parthasarathy said on Sunday.
Continue reading ‘“Rethink policy to empower Sri Lankan Tamils economically”’ »
8 January 2012, 9:30 pm
Mano Ganesan
Speech made by Mano Ganesan leader of the Democratic People Front, at the NSSP annual convention
“It is Answering Time for the southern Sinhala establishment. Tamils in particular and the Sri Lanka onlooker world community in large are the petitioners.
Continue reading ‘By ignoring Tamil and Muslim issues the national opposition is conducting a one-eyed democracy campaign’ »
8 January 2012, 9:02 pm
Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, MP
Speech by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, MP at the inaugural session of the ‘Global Languages Meet’ on January 7, at the Sir Sayoji Rao Auditorium, Varodara,India
It was an honour to be present at the launch of the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, and I must congratulate Dr Ganesh Devy, your founder, on so successfully pushing through this initiative, a landmark venture after the pioneering work of Grierson nearly a century ago.
Continue reading ‘We need to ensure a sane language policy that Provides maximum opportunities to all our citizens’ »
8 January 2012, 6:27 pm
By Marianne David
Hello Friends
It was three years ago on this day (January 8th ) that former Editor of “The Sunday Leader” Lasantha Manilal Wickrematunge was brutally murdered in broad daylight on his way to work by “unknown”assassins.
Lassie Boy as I called him was my Friend,Colleague and Editor. The death of this fearless Editor has created a vacuum in Sri Lanka’s Journalistic sphere that may never be filled. [Please click here to red in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Remembering Lasantha, with love]
8 January 2012, 8:35 am
by Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Sri Lanka today is a country that is enjoying the benefits of peace. For three decades, the people of this country suffered immensely as a result of terrorist activities. The LTTE’s defeat in May 2009 has set the stage for a national revival that should enable Sri Lanka to become one of the leading countries in Asia. Professionals have a critical role to play in this national endeavour.
At the same time, it is extremely important that as professionals, all of you are aware of the challenges facing this nation.
Continue reading ‘Ex-LTTE cadres, pro-LTTE activists and LTTE sympathisers operating in various guises’ »
7 January 2012, 8:57 pm
by Tisaranee Gunasekara
“Look over the edge of the abyss, and consider how close we are to losing what we have created here. Ask yourselves if the time has not arrived for us to come to our senses, to break out of our paralysis, to demand for ourselves, finally, the lives that we deserve to live”. David Grossman (2006 Rabin Memorial Lecture – New York Review of Books -11.1.2007)
The unprecedented victory over the LTTE is being followed by equally unprecedented, albeit less felicitous, events.
Continue reading ‘Current crime wave generated by ruling family acolytes is unprecedented in annals of modern Lanka’ »
7 January 2012, 8:55 pm
by Javid Yusuf
To gain an accurate understanding of the Muslim community’s approach to the rebuilding of Society it is necessary to first comprehend a Muslim’s outlook to life itself.
For Muslims, religion is the most important aspect in life and hence the approach to public affairs would be premised upon a system of values that Islam embraces.
Continue reading ‘Any Solution Addressing the Concerns of Tamils and Muslims must not be at the expense of the Sinhalese’ »
7 January 2012, 8:53 pm
by Dr. Vikramabahu Karunaratne
The full report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) is in public domain, after it was presented in parliament on 16 December, by the Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. He in fact made it very certain that the recommendations would be carried out to the letter.
The report and its recommendations do not satisfy the Tamil organizations. There is no mention of war crimes, crimes against humanity and there is no mention of a need to investigate such crimes.
Continue reading ‘LLRC report places govt in the dock over five issues’ »
7 January 2012, 8:46 pm
by Kishali Pinto Jayewardene
Several months ago, President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared to the world that the ‘truth’ in regard to the last stages of the war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and government forces will be revealed by the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) commissioned by himself (see Sri Lanka’s state run daily newspaper on 26th October 2011).
Continue reading ‘Firm Duty of this Presidency to Listen to inconvenient ‘truths’ in the LLRC report’ »
7 January 2012, 8:41 pm
by Dr.Tissa Vitarana
General Secretary, Lanka Samasamaja Party
The LSSP welcomes the LLRC Report because it provides a positive and constructive basis for achieving reconciliation and national unity.
It is a balanced, serious and comprehensive report that also makes available, as a separate Annexures publication, all the data drawn on by the LLRC Commission in preparing its report in a transparent manner.
Continue reading ‘LSSP welcomes LLRC report as positive, constructive basis for achieving reconciliation and national unity’ »
7 January 2012, 7:45 pm
Namini Wijedasa Interviews V.Aanandasangaree
Nothing has improved for the Tamils of the North even two-and-half years after the war, said Veerasingham Anandasangaree, secretary-general of the Tamil United Liberation Front, last week. Excerpts from the interview:
QUESTION: How would you analyse the progress of talks between the Tamil National Alliance and government?
ANSWER: Both sides are just marking time.
Continue reading ‘Tamil problem is not ‘Instant Noodles’ nor ‘Kothu Rotti’’ »
7 January 2012, 7:04 pm
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“Nothing is closer to the law of the jungle than a system of distorted laws and procedures” – Haaretz Editorial (2.1.2012)
President Rajapaksa won the Eelam War, with the help of countless others (including the imprisoned Gen. Fonseka). In fairytales, the hero who saves a country from some deadly peril is rewarded with kingship and a happy ever-after ensues. In real life, when heroes claim countries as their reward, tyranny beckons and tragedy happens.
Continue reading ‘So far no Rajapaksa has condemned the alleged crimes of their henchman’ »
7 January 2012, 11:20 am
Skandavarodaya College, Chunnakam, Jaffna
Skandavarodaya College, Chunnakam, Jaffna which was established in 1894 by philanthropist and educationist, late Kandaiya Upaathiyayar is completing 117 years in the sphere of education.
To mark this occasion a special commemorative first day cover and stamp will be issued by the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.
Continue reading ‘Stamp and First Day Cover for Chunnakam Skandavarodaya College 117th year Anniversary’ »
6 January 2012, 8:04 pm
by Evan Duggan, Vancouver Sun
A young scholar from B.C. has found herself in the centre of the international climate change spotlight after a video of her rousing speech at the Durban climate talks in South Africa last recently went viral.
Anjali Appadurai, a former student of Gleneagle Secondary in Coquitlam, who is now a third-year student at College of the Atlantic (COA) in Maine, stepped up to the microphone and challenged the delegates to put aside what she called short-sighted ambitions in order to set long-term goals to fight climate change.
Continue reading ‘Video: Anjali Appadurai ~ Student from B.C. in climate change spotlight after passionate speech’ »
6 January 2012, 3:31 pm
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
True tale of a Tamil Tigress-4
After joining the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) formally the two friends Shenuka and Nirmala were lodged at the house of a widowed mother of three daughters by senior tiger leader Murali. This lady was an aunt of Bharathan Rajanayagam who was then in charge of the LTTE ‘s TV and photographic unit. [click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Guerilla poet stands guard as sentinel at Jaffna Fort]
5 January 2012, 5:29 pm
Since the end of the war in May 2009, it has become important for all ethnic communities of Sri Lanka to re-examine and reevaluate their past.
It is through this process of self-reflection that some of the major issues that confront state and civil society today can be meaningfully reconceived and reconfigured for the future.
Continue reading ‘An appeal to the Tamil Community and its civil and political representatives’ »
4 January 2012, 10:28 pm
By S. Ratnjeevan H. Hoole
These are the days of talk – and I do mean talk – of national integration. As I write a paper to be read at the annual meeting of the American Society of Engineering Education on the siting of the new engineering faculty in Jaffna and do the requisite reading for it, my attention is increasingly forced on two Tamil achievements that do not get the plaudits they deserve from our nation.
Continue reading ‘Two Tamil achievements that have not got the plaudits they deserve’ »
4 January 2012, 1:06 pm
By R. Bhagwan Singh
Driving on the potholed A9 highway to Jaffna that could break the strongest of spines, it was great relief spotting a volleyball match in progress at a wayside playground.
It was in Kilinochchi, which used to be the LTTE capital until President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced its capture by his troops on January 2, 2009. Less than five months later, the forces ended the Eelam war killing the Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.
Continue reading ‘Indian misery in Sri Lanka: Tamils no longer India loyalists while Sinhala govt cosies up to China’ »
3 January 2012, 6:40 am
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“by clever and persevering use of propaganda, even heaven can be represented as hell to the people, and conversely the most wretched life as paradise”-Hitler (Mein Kampf)
If the law was allowed to take its normal course after the Kolonnawa mini-war, the Christmas Eve murder of a British tourist in Tangalle may not have happened. If the regime did not protect parliamentarian Duminda Silva so blatantly, Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa may not have thought that he too could get away with murder.
Continue reading ‘‘Rajapaksa Wamsa’: The New Mahawamsa will be a twisted historical narrative’ »
2 January 2012, 11:59 am
by Terence Fernando
About 200,000 displaced people are still living in refugee camps in northern Sri Lanka, even though southerners believe everything is back to normal.
The government organises trips to the war zone only to show monuments that celebrate the army’s victory.
Continue reading ‘Solving Sri Lanka’s ‘Tamil problem’ in 2012’ »
31 December 2011, 8:42 pm
Nishan Duraiappah was recently promoted to inspector for One District (Milton and Halton Hills) of the Halton Regional Police Service. Metroland West Media Group File Photo
The first time Nishan Duraiappah laid eyes on Milton, Ontario, it was as a six-year-old Sri Lankan immigrant.
An only child, Duraiappah arrived in this country when just a year old and after a brief time in Toronto, moved to one of Milton’s first new subdivisions.
Continue reading ‘Nishan Duraiappah says he will lead by example’ »
31 December 2011, 8:02 pm
by Namini Wijedasa
THE Sri Lankan government’s defeat of the separatist Tamil Tigers in 2009 ended a three-decade war that took tens of thousands of lives. But only now is the government beginning to acknowledge its huge human cost.
Art by Karen Barbour-courtesy: NYTimes.com
Two weeks ago, a government-appointed reconciliation commission released a long-awaited report, giving voice to the war’s civilian victims for the first time.
Continue reading ‘If Sri Lanka wants true reconciliation, simply blaming the Tigers is not enough’ »
30 December 2011, 4:50 pm
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
True tale of a ‘Tamil Tigress’ – 3
1987 was an eventful year in the modern history of Sri Lanka.It was the year of the Indo-Lanka accord signed by Indian Prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President Junius Richard Jayewardena on July 29th. It was in the aftermath of the accord that war erupted on October 10th between the Indian Peace keeping force(IPKF) and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
The year began with a significant development occurring within LTTE ranks. It was on January 5th 1987 that LTTE supremo Veluppillai Prabhakaran gave the slip to his Indian monitors in Thiruvaanmiyoor, reached the Tamil Nadu Kodiakkarai coast and crossed over by sea to Maathagal in the Jaffna peninsula. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Avatar of 'Guerillee' Shenuka: From SOLT activist to LTTE trainee]
30 December 2011, 4:47 pm
By Col R Hariharan
The Rajapaksa government should be happy with the report of the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC) presented to the Sri Lankan parliament on December 16, 2011 as it has not pinpointed responsibility on anyone (other than political and systemic weaknesses and the LTTE) for the mess Sri Lanka finds itself after the Eelam War.
Continue reading ‘LLRC Report gives badly needed breathing space for Rajapaksa govt’ »
30 December 2011, 4:37 pm
by Karu Jayasuriya MP
Election of the Office Bearers of the United National Party is over. There is criticism about the manner it was conducted. Let that be as it is, as a political party especially being the largest individual political party and the largest party in the opposition, we are obliged to rally the masses against the anti democratic acts of the present regime and to play the role of an alternate government.
Continue reading ‘The United National Party has the strength of a massive tusker’ »
30 December 2011, 4:32 pm
In La Lettre Diplomatique (The Diplomatic Letter) 2011
Two years after the end of a three decades conflict, the lifting of the emergency rule in late August 2011 confirmed the beginning of a new era for Sri Lanka . With the recent discovery of gas fields off its coast, its future looks bright. H.E. Dr Dayan Jayatilleka, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to France , tells us about the opportunities of this renewal for the country’s development and the assets of its strategic positioning at the heart of the Indian Ocean rim.
Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka, Future Hub of the Indian Ocean Rim?: Full interview of Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka’ »
28 December 2011, 11:09 pm
by Sumanasiri Liyanage
Is the GCE Advanced Level results fiasco the latest of the government’s spiraling mismanagement of education?
I received an official text message on Sunday afternoon informing that the GCE A/L results were available on the web. Although I do not have anyone known to me who sat for the GCE A/L examination this year and is awaiting results, I for an unknown reason checked the website and found no results were on display.
Continue reading ‘If GCE (AL) results fiasco occurred in another democratic country the responsible ministers and officials would have resigned voluntarily’ »
28 December 2011, 8:50 am
by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka
Whatever one may think of the LLRC and NORAD reports, it is incontrovertible that two of the three major players in the last stage of the Sri Lankan conflict have undertaken and undergone a preliminary audit of sorts—the Sri Lankan state and the Norwegians– while the third (and the second in importance) has not, and not even thought to.
There has been no equivalent from within the Tamil civil society or the ‘Tamil nationalist movement’.
Continue reading ‘TNA ‘rejection’ of LLRC report may lead to ‘rejection’ of party as peace partner’ »
27 December 2011, 10:04 am
Tamil United Liberation Front(TULF) Secretary – General and former Parliamentarian Veerasingham Anandasangaree has in a letter written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed that a solution to the Ethnic problem is needed immediately
Here is the text of the TULF leader’s letter:
Continue reading ‘‘Please Stop Saying you Unified Country Because Sri Lanka was Never Divided to be Unified’-Sangaree Writes to Mahinda’ »
25 December 2011, 1:29 pm
This is the text of an official communique released by the Ministry of External Affairs(MEA), India on December 25 th2011- In response to a question the Official Spokesperson (MEA) said:
The report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), was tabled by the Government of Sri Lanka in its Parliament on 16 December. While we are still studying the report which runs into over 400 pages, I can share with you some initial comments on its contents.
Continue reading ‘India Welcomes Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission of Sri Lanka and Urges Implementation of Recommendations’ »
25 December 2011, 1:25 am
by Tisaranee Gunasekara
“… From the very beginning there was a very clear military plan and in parallel…a plan for humanitarian assistance”
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa (Testimony before the LLRC)
“….the Commission is satisfied that the military strategy that was adopted…was one that was carefully conceived, in which the protection of the civilian population was given the highest priority.” (The LLRC Report)
A perceptive analysis of past errors and some judicious recommendations for the future constitute the strongest aspects of the LLRC’s much-awaited report.
Continue reading ‘LLRC was born to deflect international criticism and forestall a UN inquiry’ »
25 December 2011, 1:21 am
By Victor Ivan
This article is meant to analyse the inadequacy of traditional interpretations of the ethnic crisis and point out limitations inherent in them.
It is not incorrect to treat this issue as an ethnic crisis. Yet, in my opinion, it is not correct to treat it only as a conflict based on ethnic differences that prevail between the majority Sinhala community and the other minority communities -Tamils and Muslims. In other words, the crisis scenario embraces different facets that extend beyond ethnic lines.
Continue reading ‘The impact of caste, creed, language and religion on the politics of Sri Lanka’ »
25 December 2011, 1:16 am
by Jatila Karawita
TNA National List MP M.A. Sumanthiran says that the LLRC Report has ‘dramatically failed to address the accountability issues pertaining to the final phase of the North-East ethnic conflict between the government security forces and the LTTE.’
In an interview with Jatila Karawita, MP Sumanthiran, while dismissing all allegations that they were negative or pessimistic on this issue, charged that while the government had held out to the world that the LLRC would be the domestic mechanism to address issues pertaining to accountability, it (LLRC) had failed to shed light on accountability totally.
Continue reading ‘LLRC has failed totally on the most crucial issue of accountability – Sumanthiran’ »
25 December 2011, 1:08 am
by Ranga Jayasuriya
The EPDP Leader and the government strongman in Jaffna, Minister Douglas Devananda says that he would go to courts against the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission over allegations raised against the EPDP in the LLRC Report that it was responsible for operating illegal armed groups and abducting people.
In an interview with Ranga Jayasuriya, he alleged that the Commission had misquoted him and that the selected content of the LLRC Report, which had adverse reference to the EPDP — had been leaked to the media even before it was submitted to Parliament.
Continue reading ‘‘I am innocent, I am an ahinsaka kola. I don’t do these kind of things’ – Douglas Devananda’ »
25 December 2011, 1:00 am
By Namini Wijedasa
The government will study the Prevention of Terrorism Act to identify “possible inconsistencies” with internationally recognized human rights norms and amend the law accordingly within two years, says a document to be launched in January.
The National Action Plan for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, an advance copy of which was obtained by LAKBIMAnEWS, also pledges to adopt legislation within one year to ensure the right to information, to decriminalize medical termination of pregnancies in case of incest, rape and major congenital abnormalities within five years, and to ensure equal rights for non-marital children within one year.
Continue reading ‘Watered down version of National Action Plan for Human Rights to be presented in Geneva UN’ »
25 December 2011, 12:53 am
by Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne
The conflict within the UNP is not a clash of personalities. I am convinced of it more than ever today. The radical young leaders insist that the problem is in Ranil’s nature.
His attitude of taking every thing within the passive, liberal framework is making the party politically impotent. Hence, all conservatives have gathered behind him. Though Ranil talks of social democracy; his close adjutants do not know the elementary meaning of the word.
Continue reading ‘Ranil is not racist but gangs running behind him are openly chauvinist’ »
25 December 2011, 12:49 am
By A concerned lawyer
The National Child Protection Authority purporting to act under the provisions of Section 34 of the NCPA Act No. 50 of 1998 arrested and detained Rev. Sister. Eliza in remand custody for an alleged offence under Section 34 of the said Act
Continue reading ‘Was Rev Sr. Mary Eliza of “Prem Niwasa”‘s arrest and detention legal?’ »
25 December 2011, 12:44 am
by Arthur Wamanan
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said it was still committed to proceed with the talks with the government. TNA Parliamentary Group Leader, R. Sampanthan says there was no truth in allegations that it was acting on instructions of the Diaspora, adding that the party had clearly stated their position on the solution to the ethnic crisis.
Sampanthan speaks to The Nation on the state of the TNA-government talks and the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC).
Following are excerpts:
Continue reading ‘‘Vast majority of diaspora in agreement with our position’ – Sampanthan’ »
24 December 2011, 3:51 am
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Hello Friends
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Many Faces of Christmas – Shaped Wooden Puzzle from Sri Lanka~ Photographed by Mary Harrsch at an exhibit of over 900 nativity scenes hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Eugene, Oregon, USA
For Sri Lanka the war ended officially in May 2009. [Click here to read in full ~ on dbsjeyaraj.com: Christmas and New Year Greetings and Wishes Everybody]
