Sri Lanka - News and Discussion

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 16 Mar 2010 15:45

Sri Lanka: Secret list reveals government's media hit list
Posted: 15 March 2010
Journalist included in leaked secret service memo
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=18676

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 16 Mar 2010 17:37

In recent days there has been a concerted offensive against NGOs in Lanka who receive foreign funding,like the CPA,etc.Some media reports give detailed accounts of the expenditure of these NGOs,allegedly showing their exorbitant charging for surveys done and which countries fund these entities.The GOSL has alleged that these entities work at the behest of the funding agencies as "stool pigeons",propagating through their voices the "foreign" line of political thinking.While such open criticism is par for teh couse,the NGOs must reply,freedom of speech is the right for every citizen of the island and cannot be crushed or silenced through threats and intimidation.

Rahul M · Post by **Rahul M** » 16 Mar 2010 20:44

joshvajohn wrote:............India worked against Sri Lanka president: minister
http://www.student-direct.co.uk/2010/03 ... verlooked/

the link says nothing of the kind. in fact the word "India" occurs only once and then only as part of the sentence "....citizenships of more than 800,000 Indian Tamils....'

what's the point of such misleading headers ? not the first time you are doing it either.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 16 Mar 2010 21:57

The link seems to have changed the title and even the article!!! You may still trace it in the folloing link..
India worked against SLanka president: min
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100308/wl ... 0308081317
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-wor ... 16491.aspx

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 17 Mar 2010 23:28

UN Chief to go ahead with proposal for panel on Sri lanka
http://beta.thehindu.com/news/internati ... 248409.ece

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 18 Mar 2010 18:58

Kudos to India for its Panchayati Raj system,recommended for Lanka.

The relevance of the Indian Model of governance to Sri LankaBy Arjuna Hulugalle
http://www.island.lk/2010/03/18/features1.html

We can surely take a leaf from the Indian Constitution. The 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1991-1992 made rural democracy mandatory, creating a three tier grass root democracy at the village, block (Municipal) and district levels in the states. 29 subjects are managed by the elected representatives of the Panchayats. They are

1. Agriculture, including agricultural extension;

2. Land improvement, implementation of land reforms, land consolidation and soil conservation;

3. Minor irrigation, water management and watershed development;

4. Animal husbandry, dairying and poultry;

5. Fisheries;

6. Social forestry and farm forestry;

7. Minor forest produce.;

8. Small scale industries, including food processing industries;

9. Khadi, village and cottage industries;

10. Rural housing;

11. Drinking water;

12. Fuel and fodder;

13. Roads, culverts, bridges, ferries, waterways and other means of communica tion;

14. Rural electrification, including distribution of electricity;

15. Non-conventional energy sources;

16. Poverty alleviation programme;

17. Education, including primary and secondary schools;

18. Technical training and vocational education;

19. Adult and non-formal education;

20. Libraries;

21. Cultural activities;

22. Markets and fairs;

23. Health and sanitation, including hospitals, primary

health centres and dispensaries;

24. Family welfare;

25. Women and child development;

26. Social welfare, including welfare of the physically and men tally handicapped;

27. Welfare of the weaker sections, and in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes;

28. Public distribution system;

29. Maintenance of community assets.

Constitutional concessions are most often horse traded and inspired by mere expediency. One should avoid if one can. What is needed is an actual platform for genuine development to reach the people rather than appeasing the illusions and vanity of the elites. A meaningful evolution will also take time and constitution making has to be an evolution. The conceptualists of the Indian Panchayatiraj system envisaged that it will take 25 years for the system to come to fruition. That was stated when the 73rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution was enacted in 1991. It is only now that the strength of the system is emerging as a success story.

thusitha · Post by **thusitha** » 22 Mar 2010 03:02

Philip
While such open criticism is par for teh couse,the NGOs must reply,freedom of speech is the right for every citizen of the island and cannot be crushed or silenced through threats and intimidation.

Yeah, it would be very interesting to know how much money actually goes to NGOs and how much money comes out from the NGOs. I believe it is like 10 cents to a dollar. NGOs are one of the biggest scams on earth. They should be audited by reputed auditors and there should be a better way to transfer the funding to the poor people without such a waste.

And even from a far away land as Australia, it can easily been seen how the NGOs try to meddle with the government of SL just by looking at the newspaper articles. Quite a few of them were indirectly supporting LTTE activities and basically are fronts for western medelling of the nation. And of course, there must be few of them who are working for the poor people.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 22 Mar 2010 04:26

Boycott Sri Lanka campaign gains momentum in USA
http://truthdive.com/2010/03/22/boycott ... um-in-usa/

EU: Sri Lanka could avoid trade rights loss
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... FQ4H00.htm

Virupaksha · Post by **Virupaksha** » 22 Mar 2010 04:36

joshvajohn wrote:Boycott Sri Lanka campaign gains momentum in USA
http://truthdive.com/2010/03/22/boycott ... um-in-usa/

EU: Sri Lanka could avoid trade rights loss
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financia ... FQ4H00.htm

When the gora bluff of human rights and so on is called, the true colours come out, i.e. blackmail. par the course throughout history.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 23 Mar 2010 02:29

Sinhala colonization is introduced in Mullaitheevu - Suresh Piremachandran
http://www.lankaeverything.com/index.ph ... d=1:latest

Minister Dalas Alahapperuma discloses the secret connections between TNA and several parties of opposition who are keen to betray the country.

http://www.slbc.lk/index.php/component/ ... he-country

thusitha · Post by **thusitha** » 25 Mar 2010 03:40

Has this article got any truth, or is this Sensational Media?

LTTE cadres’ intruded into TN to eliminate Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh - Intelligence cautioned

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/0 ... -intellige

Breaking News
Sathyalaya Ramakrishnan reporting from Chennai
Chennai, 22 March (Asiantribune.com):
Even as the Sri Lankan Government claimed it has eliminated the Terrorist Movement - Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) last year, a shocking report has emerged that core cadres had "sneaked into Tamil Nadu, with the plan of eliminating Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh” when he visited here last week.

Investigating into the source of maps seized by Customs authorities in a consignment booked to the U.S. by a retired Army officer, police with the inputs from Central and State intelligence agencies stumbled upon a plan that some key cadres of the LTTE had intruded into Tamil Nadu.

According to highly placed police sources, hours before Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh arrived in Chennai to inaugurate the new State Assembly and the Secretariat complex on March 13, the Central Intelligence Bureau alerted the Tamil Nadu police that LTTE cadres had entered the city and were staying at Valasaravakkam, on the outskirts of Chennai.

While police launched a massive combing operation to locate the suspects, another input came that a satellite phone was switched on in the city, reliable sources in the state intelligence department said. The source further said, about six teams led by senior police officers conducted searches based on certain clues and swooped down on three Israeli nationals who were found to be in possession of the Sat-phone.

Cont...

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Mar 2010 04:02

Is this Sri Lankan Guardian a real newspaper ?

And what's with the ads for the "Asian Human Rights Commission", with HQ in China but which reports on "Bangladesh, Burma, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand" and has nothing to say about Human Rights in Occupied Tibet, East Turkestan or China?

The site seems to be sponsored by this dubious HR organization?

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Mar 2010 17:47

The AHRC is an independent, non-governmental body, which seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of human rights in the Asian region,

I went to their website and saw that they are based in HK, China.
They have zero information on human rights in China, occupied Tibet or East Turkestan.
They do however call for removal of armed forces act in Manipur (complete with ads with Chinese writing).

I do not understand how an Asian human rights organization supposedly based in HK is silent on Chinese human rights abuses. I can only conclude that they are a propaganda outfit.

Their sponsorship of this Lankan Guardian doesn't do much for its credibility. I click on the Lankan link and see an ad claiming state terrorism by GOI.

Note that BRF is not a platform for the dissemination of propaganda from those hostile to India.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 27 Mar 2010 19:52

I do understand the criticism about AHRC and also it is based in Hong Kong. I think they are not mouth piece of China but due to fear of Chinese red army they dare not to criticise any human rights violations in Tibet. But they seem to be an independent body. If they do criticise they will be out of Hong Kong.

This is a kind culture that China is promoting around India. Now the same thing in Sri lanka

Sri Lanka (SL) rewards an over-appeasing Delhi with a ‘China threat’ at its door.
by Vssubramaniam March 25, 2010
http://www.groundreport.com/Business/Sr ... _1/2920630

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Mar 2010 22:18

But they seem to be an independent body. If they do criticise they will be out of Hong Kong.

There is nothing independent about an "Asian Human Rights Commission" that is silent about the greatest abuser of human rights in Asia.

Further, a 'commission' is a government authority created by act of some competent legislature.
This AHRC is no such thing.

The moderators have looked at these links and we find both sites quite suspicious.

Both the "Sri Lankan Guardian" and the "Asian Human Rights Commission" are to be considered haram on the forum. Please don't post links to their stuff here.

Thank you for your cooperation.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 28 Mar 2010 02:12

Lawyers alarmed over 'rights abuse' in Sri Lanka
By Saroj Pathirana
BBC Sinhala service
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8566946.stm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 28 Mar 2010 23:59

Lankan navy attacks Tamil Nadu fishermen in Palk Strait
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_la ... it_1364416

Indian Fishermen captured by Sri Lankan Naval Personnel
http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/0 ... -personnel

Neither DMK nor Congress government is bothered about Indian Fishermen being attacked by SL army. Even Pakistan does not shoot or attack Indian fishermen.

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 29 Mar 2010 00:14

The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has initiated a project to set up a 150-bed hospital at Dickoya, near Hatton, in the Central province of Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture towards the neighbour which has suffered from the violent civil war ended of late, it is learnt.

http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnew ... leid=54710

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 30 Mar 2010 05:22

US-Lanka spat over military cooperation
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/stor ... ooperation

The United States and Sri Lanka are at loggerheads over military cooperation in the context of the US charge that the Sri Lankan army had committed war crimes in the final phase of its military operations against the LTTE in 2009.

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 30 Mar 2010 22:44

Sri Lanka stymied investigation
http://www.smh.com.au/national/sri-lank ... -rbl7.html

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 31 Mar 2010 15:11

Tormenting the Tamils with our terror laws
http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2861384.htm

India’s failed Diplomacy taints Indo -America partnership
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.p ... /7174.html

Karan Dixit · Post by **Karan Dixit** » 01 Apr 2010 10:52

COLOMBO: Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha on Wednesday handed over to U.L.M. Haldeen, Secretary, Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, the first lot of 10,000 of the 400,000 cement bags being supplied by India.

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/01/stor ... 281600.htm

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Apr 2010 20:37

Rajiv Gandhi assassin release plea rejected

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 03 Apr 2010 23:16

Sri Lanka's traitorous politics

The end of the civil war has seen an authoritarian culture take hold in which the term 'traitor' is flung about with wild abandon
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... r-traitors

Sri Lanka War Crimes Investigation: USTPAC Supports UN Secretary General's Move Creating Advisory Panel
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/04/prweb3806104.htm

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 04 Apr 2010 05:44

Angry President tells jeering crowd to leave

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was jeered by a section of the multi-ethnic crowd while speaking in Tamil at a political rally in support of UPFA candidates in Vavuniya on Thursday.

The President reading from a teleprompter was addressing the crowd in Tamil when a section of the Sinhala crowd jeered. “I am also a Sinhalese just like you, but I will speak only in Tamil, and if you cannot understand, then leave the venue,” the President told those who were continuing to jeer and hoot.

Undeterred President Rajapaksa continued in Tamil and said “since you have tried to interrupt me I will continue to speak in Tamil.”

Later the President had summoned Vavuniya district UPFA candidate P. Sumathipala and warned him to restrain his supporters. This was after investigators found that supporters of Mr. Sumathipala were involved in the jeering.

Mr. Sumathipala told the Sunday Times his supporters were only cheering the President. This was the third occasion that there were disturbances when the President had been at a public rally, speaking in support of candidates contesting the upcoming general elections. Earlier in Kandy a section of the crowd booed when the President referred to Sarath Amunugama as the group leader for the Kandy district.

This was followed by a similar incident of jeering at a Galle meeting when the President referred to Sachin Vaas Gunawardene.

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100404/News/nws_03.html

Tamils want an end to Sri Lanka discrimination after election

Discrimination dominates ethnic group's voting for this week's elections
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/ap ... l-minority

“The People Are Frightened…”
http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/04/0 ... %E2%80%9D/

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 05 Apr 2010 13:00

The UPFA’s continues its political hold on Sinhala nationalism after President Rajapaksa’s convincing victory in the Presidential election and it is likely to be repeated in the General Elections on 8th April. In electoral terms, this has been the most significant electoral victory Sinhala Buddhist nationalism has gained since the victory of 1956 over the Sri Lankan polity signaling grim prospects for the building of a Sri Lankan identity accommodating the aspirations of the ethnic minorities. We have already paid a high price for the tragic political outcome and the continuing legacy of the 1956 victory. The victory of the Presidential election and the up-coming general elections in April 2010 and its likely outcome can take us to a political project similar to the 1956 political project, making ethnic relations between the Sinhala community and ethnic minorities politically unworkable as well as discriminatory towards the Tamil community

http://www.groundviews.org/2010/03/25/p ... ationhood/

TNA highlights Sinhalese influx into North Lanka
http://expressbuzz.com/news/tna-highlig ... 59252.html

Kashyap · Post by **Kashyap** » 06 Apr 2010 19:13

Interesting...

Back in 2007 when the LTTE attacked the Anuradhapura airforce base, B Raman had this to say:

"It was an act of unbelievable determination, bravery and precision successfully carried out by a 21-member suicide commando group of the Black Tigers---significantly led by a Tamil from the Eastern Province--- with the back-up support of two planes of the so-called Tamil Eelam Air Force...It once again underlines the LTTE's reputation as an organisation with a tremendous tenacity of purpose, grit and sophistication in thinking and planning. Its recent set-backs have not weakened its morale. "

But B Raman doesn't seem to have such wonderful words to describe the Maoists who are responsible for the killing over 75 CRPF members. Wasn't it also "an act of unbelievable determination, bravery and precision" according to Mr Raman?

Anabhaya · Post by **Anabhaya** » 06 Apr 2010 21:01

It is not completely unknown that a few elements in the Cabinet Secretariat have always had a soft corner for the 'boys'.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 06 Apr 2010 21:24

Kashyap wrote:Interesting...

But B Raman doesn't seem to have such wonderful words to describe the Maoists who are responsible for the killing over 75 CRPF members. Wasn't it also "an act of unbelievable determination, bravery and precision" according to Mr Raman?

Look, there is a lot of support for the tamil cause in SL. There still is today, albeit most of it is from the old generation (DMK and AIADMK bigwigs). The tamil cause is a big rallying point. Was B Raman around when RAW were training the tigers?

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 07 Apr 2010 00:05

With such international and regional connivance in waging war and with financial backing by China, Iran, Pakistan and then Russia too, all what this regime needed was local mobilisation in support of the war. That was not achieved by simply and ruthlessly trampling the society into silence. That would not have been easy in a country with a long tradition of democratic life. Next to India, Sri Lanka is the only country that can boast of a long history of democratic social existence, equipped with all the necessary constitutional provisions and a long list of social tools that make democracy and freedom, a part of socio political life.

http://www.groundviews.org/2010/04/06/a ... arliament/

SL lacks basic rights and freedoms: Britain
http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed ... 25492.aspx

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 07 Apr 2010 18:44

IOL: Indian & Western intelligence agencies are wondering where Pottu Amman has disappeared.

The head of the Sri Lankan army has officially announced that Amman, whose real name is Shanmugalingam Shivashankar, is dead.

On January 10 last year, four months before the rebels' defeat, the Sri Lankan Army press service said Amman had handed himself in. It was SL govt who made the request for Pottu Amman's name be taken off interpol list of wanted people on March. This tipped of western and yindu's intel. India wants Pottu Amman obviously because he was one of the brains behind the 1991 assasination - hence why govt rejected release of Nalini (perhaps she can confirm his role?). Possible plea bargain for Pottu Amman from SL?

Indian and Western intel think that he may have defected and started singing about LTTE networks in France and Canada (very important networks). Pottu Amman had visited these countries.

Indian intelligence who helped SL defeat the LTTE, has not given up looking for Pottu Amman.

More later

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 08 Apr 2010 09:35

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8608482.stm

An extraordinarily biased, condescending, one-sided and third-rate piece of journalism by an idiot who still thinks his britian is the colonial master of coolies in sub-continent..

Muppalla · Post by **Muppalla** » 09 Apr 2010 08:49

OT

What is the religious affliation of Mahinda Rajapakse? His parents have christian names like Alwin etc. He is mentioned as Budhist in various sites.

Suppiah · Post by **Suppiah** » 09 Apr 2010 10:32

Among Sinhalese Lankans (middle class & above) I often see a totally relaxed attitude to religion especially Chrisitian-Buddhist-Hindu. They seem to adopt multiple identities with ease. I think MR family has a mix just like many others.

thusitha · Post by **thusitha** » 09 Apr 2010 13:24

Rajapakse wins the election.

Government is Expected to win around 138-142 seats. The way it is going, the government will get around 60-65% of the vote.

thusitha · Post by **thusitha** » 09 Apr 2010 13:28

Suppiah
Among Sinhalese Lankans (middle class & above) I often see a totally relaxed attitude to religion especially Chrisitian-Buddhist-Hindu. They seem to adopt multiple identities with ease. I think MR family has a mix just like many others.

Just not the middle class, it is among every one. I believe there is no competition between Buddhist and Hindus as the religions are pretty much similar. But once in awhile there is problems with Christian Evangelicals and fundamental Muslims (But non violent).

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 09 Apr 2010 13:39

Sino-Lankan bonhomie will bring India closer to
http://expressbuzz.com/world/%E2%80%98s ... 62856.html

joshvajohn · Post by **joshvajohn** » 09 Apr 2010 13:43

Sino-Lankan bonhomie will bring India closer to
http://expressbuzz.com/world/%E2%80%98s ... 62856.html

China was active and assertive not only in the border areas. It has been equally so right around India’s periphery. Taking advantage of the suspicions and distrust of India in the other States of the South Asian region, China, which is not a South Asian power, has acquired a growing South Asian presence.

It continues to help Pakistan in further strengthening its nuclear and missile capabilities which are directed against India. After having completed the construction of the Gwadar commercial port on the Baloch coast, it has promised to develop it further into a modern naval base which would be available for use to the Chinese Navy too.

It won the gratitude of Sri Lanka by supplying it arms and ammunition to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and is embarked on the expansion of the Hambantota commercial port, which might one day be developed into a naval base. A grateful Sri Lanka has given a block for gas exploration to a Chinese company without inviting bids. India was given a block for exploration without bids and China was treated on par with India.

http://www.eurasiareview.com/2010/04/33 ... a-and.html

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 09 Apr 2010 15:04

Election results show a sweeping victory for Pres.Pajapakse's SLFP led coalition,the UPFA.The lacklustre performace by the Ranil W led oppposition has much to do with the very poor turnout for a Lankan election,around 50%+,and an electorate which sees very little merit in an opposition which has for its top leaders a soft toy in Ranil,a hot-hydra headed JVP and a hard nut-case in Herr General! That the Tamils in the north hardly had a decent chance to vote with maqny unable to vote due to (deliberate) confusion as to where to vote,a serious lapse as there are lakhs displaced still due to mine clearanc ops still going on,only added to the opposition's handicap.But that's politics and the UNP have also been guilty in the past of many electoral violatiosn.The boot is truly on the other foot now and frankly a new leadership has to emerge from the debris of the collapsed "Green House" (green being the UNP party colour).With Rajapaks's son also winning the most preferential in the deep south,displacing Sajith Premadasa into second,the future crises for the Rajapakse govt. will come from within as there are so many family members to be "looked after" and he will face somewhat of a similar problem that the good Dr.Kalaignar is facing with his progeny in TNadu! There have been rumours of much rivalry within the first extended family for juicy tenders.

Kashyap · Post by **Kashyap** » 09 Apr 2010 22:27

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa wins parliament majority

COLOMBO, April 9 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday won his third battle in less than a year, securing the parliamentary majority he asked voters to give him to lead the nation from a martial past toward prosperity.

The veteran politician, 64, in the space of 11 months has won a war many deemed unwinnable, beaten back a stiff challenge to his re-election with a landslide victory and now will have a stronger parliamentary majority to entrench his dominance.

It is a stunning turnaround for a man who won his first term with barely 100,000 votes, but has since established a record of shattering expectations, crushing his rivals and displaying a mix of guile, charm and force in getting what he wants.

In May, he stood victorious in one of Asia's longest-running and bloodiest civil wars after the military crushed the separatist Tamil Tigers in a cataclysmic finale that drew Western condemnation for its brutality and disregard for civilians. In January, Rajapaksa defied forecasts he would race to a photo finish with former army commander General Sarath Fonseka, turning in a 57.8 percent tally against the popular soldier's 40.2 percent.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SGE6380DC.htm

What to watch for from Sri Lanka's next government

By C. Bryson Hull

COLOMBO, April 9 (Reuters) - The strong victory of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ruling coalition in parliamentary polls should bring much-needed clarity for investors who have been keenly watching one of Asia's newest frontier markets.

Significantly, Friday's victory means the one thing Rajapaksa had told everyone to wait for -- the end of the post-war political season he predicted would give him a much stronger government -- is now here.

* FOREIGN POLICY

Rajapaksa has carried the torch for Sri Lanka's longstanding non-aligned position and will continue to do so.

At the end of the war he skillfully caromed the West off of Iran, Pakistan, Myanmar and China, and in turn played India off of China, to avert pressure while troops fought to the finish.

He also wants to avert plans pushed by the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora and supported by some Western governments to bring accountability for alleged war crimes at the end of the conflict.

The government does plan to work to get back a European Union trade concession that it is slated to lose in July, after failing to meet human rights standards the European body has prescribed.

Watch for moves he'll take to rebuild Sri Lanka's geopolitical status and strategic position in the Indian Ocean, which has always made it attractive to the world's big powers.

Rajapaksa wants Sri Lanka to return to its former glory as an Asian hub for commerce and trade.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE6380H720100409