Month: September 2018

In Sri Lanka the Term “Patriot” is Sometimes Defined as one who Defends Military Heroes Whatever the Charges Against Them and a “Traitor”as One Who Dares to Scrutinize Their Actions. By Priyan Dias Much rhetoric has been used in various media over the years, and recently too, on the subject of patriots and traitors. I feel constrained to express my… Continue reading "In Sri Lanka the Term “Patriot” is Defined as one who Defends Military Heroes Whatever the crime they do, and a “Traitor”as One Who Dares to Scrutinize Their Actions."

By Kumarathasan Rasingam The culture of impunity to the security forces under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act [PTA] and their licence to kill, especially the Tamils, caused several disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Sri Lanka. It is to be noted that the Mass Graves, Disappearances and the Prevention of Terrorism Act [PTA] are all inter-connected. The Office of the Missing… Continue reading "Mass Graves, Disappearances, OMP, PTA – Justice for Tamil Victims?"

By Kavindya Perera The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday (10), informed Additional Magistrate Mount Lavinia (MTL), Lochana Abeywickrema that they will need to once again record statements from former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Army Commander Field Marshal and Minister Sarath Fonseka in connection with the journalist Keith Noyahr, abduction and assault case. The CID informed the Court that… Continue reading "CID wants to question Gota and Fonseka again"

A father, mother and two of their three children were mercilessly attacked by police who went to inquire about a Muslim man’s land lease and the dispute arising with a Tamil man named Vasanthakumar over that. The two children, Vasanthakumar Kirubaharan aged 16 years and Vasanthakumar Kiriya aged 13 years have been admitted to the Mankulam hospital this evening (9… Continue reading "How can such a Racist police force offer Tamils protection?"

Kandasamy Ponnamma is still haunted by the sight of her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren waving as they were taken away by Sri Lankan troops in May 2009. Ms Ponnamma wept helplessly as the bus carried off her loved ones, soon after security forces defeated Tamil Tiger rebels. She was among tens of thousands who had fled a tiny coastal… Continue reading "Sri Lanka conflict: ‘Why can’t you find our sons?’ – About 20,000 Tamils, are thought to be missing."

Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne Could not Have Left For Mexico Without the Knowledge of President Sirisena Who Is the Minister of Defence Charges NMSJ Co-convenor Sarath Wijesuriya. Posted by Administrator on 11 September 2018, 1:11 am President Maithripala Sirisena should take the responsibility for Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne leaving the country to participate in 208th Independence Commemoration Ceremony… Continue reading "Chief of Defence Staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne Could not Have Left For Mexico Without the Knowledge of President Sirisena Who Is the Minister of Defence Charges NMSJ Co-convenor Sarath Wijesuriya."

President Sirisena Will Make Statement in UN General Assembly on Sep 24 That Would Vindicate Lanka’s Security Forces From All Allegations Levelled Against Them. President Maithripala Sirisena said that he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24 and he would make a statement to vindicate the Security Forces from all allegations levelled against them. President Sirisena… Continue reading "President Sirisena Will Make Statement in UN General Assembly on Sep 24 That Would Vindicate Lanka’s Security Forces From All Allegations Levelled Against Them."

The Permanent High Court-at-Bar set up to hear high-profile financial frauds and corruption cases yesterday served indictments on former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and six others. This is in connection with an incident that the D.A. Rajapaksa Museum and Memorial in Medamulana was built using public funds amounting to Rs.33.9 million. When the seven accused appeared before Trial-at-Bar Bench comprising… Continue reading "PASSPORT OF Gotabhaya Rajapaksa IMPOUNDED – High profile financial frauds and corruption cases"

SEP 10, 2018 Chief of Defence Staff into Mexico Ignoring the Court Orders Reliable sources say that today the Chief of Defence Staff Mr. Ravindra Wijegunawardena departed… (Lanka e News – 10.Sep.2018, 10.15PM) Former Navy commander and present chief of staff Ravindra Wijegunaratne who is incriminated in the ghastly murder of 11 innocent individuals including students after extorting payments had… Continue reading "Chief of Defence Staff into Mexico Ignoring the Court Orders"

In its first interim report, the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) recommended the government to suspend state officials including members of the armed forces and police who were named as suspects or accused in criminal actions relating to abductions and enforced disappearances, pending the final determination of such cases. The OMP report said the government should ensure that suspected officials… Continue reading "OMP wants officers accused of enforced disappearances suspended"

United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said today he would undertake the task of strengthening the party and bring 100,000 people (twice the size of Mahinda’s JO protest) to Galle Face Green for a rally if Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe approved of such a move. Police had said that 50,000 people took part in the Mahinda’s JO protest.… Continue reading "I’ll bring twice the Mahinda’s JO size of protesters to Colombo: Sajith"

As far back as in October 2014, President Mahinda Rajapaksa accused the Northern Provincial Council government of hampering the development of the Northern Province. His specific charge was that “the government has provided a significant amount of services for the welfare of people in the North” and that  “They are not allowing us to do our work and they are not… Continue reading "Northern Provincial Council: Fiduciary Responsible?"

There was a tense situation in Mullaitivu today after locals were angered by police inaction against the attempt to build a Buddhist vihara by a group of Sinhala people, including Buddhist monks.  The group were caught by locals and handed over to Oddusuddan police today. Despite a pledge to ensure the suspects would be produced before court, the police later… Continue reading "Tensions in Mullaitivu: locals angered by attempts to build Buddhist vihara"

[Tue, 04 Sep 2018, 23:14 GMT] The villagers of the ancient Tamil village of Kumuzha-munai in Karai-thu’raip-pattu division of Mullaith-theevu district on Tuesday evening laid siege to a 16-member group of Sinhala Theravada Buddhist extremists from the South, who had come with a Buddha statue, which they wanted to erect at Kurunthoor-malai, a place with traces of ancient heritage in… Continue reading "Tamil villagers lay siege to intruding monks, expose ethnic bias of SL Archaeology Department"

Joint opposition Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa apologised to the public for any inconvenienced caused as a result of the joint opposition protest staged in Colombo yesterday. However he says they had no choice but to stage the protest to show the Government the people want change.  “I also want to apologize to the public if this protest was any kind of hinderance to… Continue reading "JO protest ends with one man’s death, several taken to hospital – Namal says sorry from 5* Hotel"

“Janabalaya Kolombata” Protest Comes to an End as Demonstrators Commence Leaving Colombo Despite Organizers Claim of Laying Overnight Siege to the City The “Jana Balaya Kolambata” protest campaign has seemingly come to an end despite claims by Joint Opposition MPs to protest overnight and lay siege to the capital city. JO activists started cleaning up the Lake House roundabout and… Continue reading "Failed protest – ”Claim of Laying Overnight Siege of the City”"

Papare bands, ice lolly bikes to keep supporters entertained:Protestors disperse by 7PM, no overnight occupation of the city:With no political epicenter and speeches, demonstration descends into chaos:This is a democratic government and we proved it today – they came, they protested and they left. Tomorrow we get on with business: Kabir Hashim:Thousands surround Lake House round-about:Rally was set up to… Continue reading "Mahindas Protest turns to carnival"

By Chathuri Dissanayake  Nearly 3,000 loyalists of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday occupied the Lake House Roundabout in Fort and held a ‘sathyagraha’ after the ‘Janabalaya Colombata’ protest march organised by the Joint Opposition (JO) was wrapped up.  The Government members discredited the campaign as unsuccessful as it had failed to garner support from the wider public.  Addressing his supporters… Continue reading "Mahinda plays Racist card to topple Government."