Month: January 2021

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Douglas Devananda said that the people in the Trincomalee District should receive dividends of the development projects and thousands of jobs that are being provided under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Minister was speaking at the Local Industries Promotion Committee Progress Review Meeting at the Trincomalee Secretariat Auditorium recently. State Ministers Kanchana… Continue reading "All should get opportunities equally – Cries Tamil Minister Devananda"

Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (20) said that destruction of public property couldn’t be condoned under any circumstances. Taking part in the annual celebrations at the St. Sebastian’s church, Katuwapitiya, the scene of Easter Sunday carnage, two years ago, the Cardinal said he couldn’t be silenced by any power. Declaring that St. Sebastian hadn’t been scared… Continue reading "Government supporter Cardinal now says he cannot be silenced"

An LTTE suspect accused of a deadly bombing in Sri Lanka is to go on trial in Germany. The suspect is to appear in court in Düsseldorf, Germany after he claimed to have detonated a bomb when he was a teen, killing six people. The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office in their indictment said that the LTTE suspect detonated a bomb remotely… Continue reading "LTTE suspect accused of deadly bombing in Sri Lanka to face trial in Germany"

India wants the 13th. Fine. If it is believed that repealing the 13th is out of order, then we could keep it but under a different provincial map The LLRC recommended devolution but interjected the important caveat, ‘agreeable to all communities,’ a caveat which those who gaily quote this element of the LLRC report happily leave out The number 13… Continue reading "Let’s go for 13 Plus"

Muslims have become reluctant to go to hospital as they are being cremated if they succumb to COVID-19, MP Rishad Bathiudeen told Parliament today. “Muslims are scared to go to hospital as they are afraid that they will be cremated if they succumb to COVID-19,” Mr. Bathiudeen said. “Some Government MPs are misinterpreting the holy Quran saying it has not… Continue reading "Muslims reluctant to go to hospital – Rishad"

By P.K.Balachandran/Daily Mirror   Colombo, January 19: In the run-up to the March session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Sri Lankan Tamil parties and civil society groups have jointly presented a radical set of demands. On its part, the Sri Lankan government has resolved to stick to its stand that there is no room for any kind of… Continue reading "Clashing demands from Sri Lanka pose a serious challenge to UNHRC"

Washington, January 20 (BBC): Kamala Devi Harris, born to a Jamaican Economist and an Indian Tamil cancer researcher, will make history when she takes the oath of office on Wednesday, becoming the first woman and first black and South Asian American to serve as US vice-president. Harris’ Domestic Policy Advisor is Rohini Kosoglu, daughter of a medical doctor of Sri… Continue reading "Kamala and Rohini: The Indo-Lankan combo in the US Vice President’s Office"

Indian High Commissioner voices concern to Premier Rajapaksa Monday’s hartal paralyses Jaffna peninsula Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Sri Lanka SJB invites disappointed UNP group to join it Ranil to remain as UNP leader Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. Sivakolunthu Srisatkunarajah with the students in front of a makeshift foundation stone. This for the construction… Continue reading "The story behind the 60 hours that shook Jaffna"

Shortsighted moves like Sinhala only The shortsighted moves like Sinhala only paved way for reactions that distanced people. It was the discriminatory historical developments that saw more Tamil people in Government offices and in professions like doctors, engineers, and teachers but a very few would understand that it was the only option young Tamil people had to do as they… Continue reading "Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and 13-A"

SJB MP Harin Fernando today announced that he will wear a black Shawl (Sataka) against the jailing of former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who was convicted for Contempt of Court. “I will be wearing a black sataka to protest against the jailing of MP Ramanayake ,” he said while putting the sataka on in Parliament today. “Mr. Ramanayake was sent to… Continue reading "MP Harin wears a black ’Satakaya’ in Parliament"

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan An empty Ukrainian SkyUP Airlines aircraft had arrived yesterday (19) to fly back around 170 Ukrainian tourists who are irritated over the new health guidelines set by Sri Lanka Tourism. The health guidelines suggest 3 PCR tests in addition to the one they obtain prior to their departure in Ukraine. They claimed it is ‘too much’… Continue reading "Empty Ukrainian SkyUP Aircraft to the rescue in Sri Lanka"

“If you don’t deal with China, you’re better off with us” ECONOMYNEXT – If all goes well – not a small ‘if’, given recent events – Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States later this evening, Sri Lanka time. Outgoing President Donald Trump is boycotting the inauguration, and words like “civil war” are… Continue reading "Biden-Harris: What’s in store for Sri Lanka?"

While saying that US stand with all families who have lost loved ones to this Covid-19 pandemic, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz said their rights and dignity should be respected by permitting the observance of their faith in accordance with international public health guidelines. “Ratified by Sri Lanka in 1955, UDHR Article 18 states that everyone has… Continue reading "Respect religious beliefs of COVID victims: US envoy"

By Easwaran Rutnam  The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is expected to table a damning report on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next month, Daily Mirror learns. UN sources told Daily Mirror an advanced copy of the report is expected to be published well ahead of the Geneva session to ensure it makes an… Continue reading "UN rights chief sends critical report on Sri Lanka to Government"

The sentence of 4 years’ rigorous imprisonment is unprecedented and exceptionally severe, says M.A. Sumanthiran PC. M.A. Sumanthiran PC Speaking in Parliament today re. Ranjan Ramanayake, Sumanthiran said: “I want to flag one or two issues concerning the responsibility of the parliament in this regard. But before I do that I am bound by law and tradition to disclose my interest in the matter.… Continue reading "Sentence Of 4 Years RI For Contempt Of Court Is Unprecedented: Sumanthiran"

This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested a new and America has risen to the challenge. Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate but of a cause, a cause of democracy. The people – the will of… Continue reading "“And I pledge this to you. I will be a President for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight for those who did not support me as for those who did.”-46th US President Joe R. Biden jnr"

(Text of Intervention made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran regarding Ranjan Ramanayake MP) ……..I want to flag one or two issues concerning the responsibility of the parliament in this regard. But before I do that I am bound by law and tradition to disclose my interest in the matter. I am the counsel who appeared for… Continue reading "“I am the counsel who appeared for Hon. Ranjan Ramanayake in the supreme court.I was privileged to appear for a clean, honest politician in a court and I am proud of that”- M. A. Sumanthiran MP"

While Tamils have been resisting several attempts at landgrabs and Sinhalisation across the North-East, and particularly in Mullaitivu, fronted by state agencies such as the archaeology department and forest department, the minister’s presence in Monday’s landgrab represents the first time the Sri Lankan government has openly demonstrated its involvement in the colonisation. The event was held despite police using coronavirus restrictions… Continue reading "Sri Lankan minister leads Buddhist land grab of Tamil Hindu Temple"

The Gotabaya administration has already declared that it will not co-sponsor any resolution against itself. And therefore, any resolution will have to be re-worded, incorporating new content. The contents of the new resolution will have to take into account, the Tamils’ new and radical demands, new issues like the burial of Muslims who had died of COVID, and of course… Continue reading "Colombo unfazed by possible Western hostility at UNHRC session"

ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Tamil political parties, Civil Society organisations and Victims’ Organisations have written to the 47 member states of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) demanding action against what they call is a deteriorating Human Rights situation in this country. The letter signed by all the political parties representing voters in the Tamil majority areas in the North… Continue reading "Sri Lanka Tamil parties want UN action against the government for HR violations"

Devolution of Power  However, devolution of power to the Sri Lankan provinces remains a ticklish bilateral issue. There is a demand from Sinhala nationalists to abrogate the 13th  Amendment (13A) which set up elected Provincial Councils. But even here, a tacit Indo-Lankan understanding can be discerned. Jaishankar raised the issue with President Gotabaya because the devolution package is embedded in… Continue reading "devolution of power to the Sri Lankan provinces remains a ticklish bilateral issue"

Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris revealed on Saturday at Getambe Rajopawanaramaya that a draft of the new Constitution would be presented to Parliament before the end of 2021.  During a conversation with Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimala Nayaka Thera, the Chief Incumbent of Rajaopwanaramaya on Saturday afternoon, Prof. Peiris said that adequate time would be given the stakeholders to discuss, comment and make suggestions to… Continue reading "New Constitution to protect the Buddhist heritage."

‘How come those who voted for Fonseka still push for an int’l war crime probe?’ By Shamindra Ferdinando Wartime Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama (2007-2010) yesterday (17) said that those who had been tainted by their association with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were seeking the cooperation of external and internal elements to undermine the democratically elected government. The… Continue reading "Wartime FM calls for tangible measures to counter Geneva threat"

Three Tamil political parties represented in Parliament backed by several other civil society groups, have urged the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to set up an evidence gathering mechanism, similar to the International Independent Investigatory Mechanism (IIIM), in relation to Syria, established as a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly, with a strict time frame of 12… Continue reading "TNA, allies call for outfit like IIIM in Syria to probe SL"

Plantation companies and the Government have failed to reach an agreement to pay Rs. 1000 as a daily wage to plantation workers. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had proposed in the 2021 Budget that the daily wage be increased to Rs. 1000 from January this year. However, plantation companies have on Friday proposed a fixed wage of Rs. 700 a day… Continue reading "No deal on proposed Rs. 1000 daily wage for plantation workers"

(Text of Letter sent to all heads of missions of 47 Member states represented in the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) by leaders of Tamil national political parties, members of the Tamil victim communities and Tamil civil society organizations) 15 January 2021 Heads of MissionsMissions of the 47 Member States represented in the UN Human Rights Council Your Excellencies, Call… Continue reading "Setting up of an International Independent Investigatory Mechanism"

Sri Lanka’s main Tamil political parties have sought an international probe, including at the International Criminal Court (ICC), into allegations of human rights abuses during the civil war, deeming there is “no scope” for a domestic process that can “genuinely” deal with accountability. In a joint letter — dated January 15, 2021 — addressed to members of the UN Human… Continue reading "Tamil parties seek International Mechanism"

The US State Department has amended its Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO) list and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) remains to be a banned organisation in it, the State Department said. Under the Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations list, the LTTE can be seen listed as an organisation designated since 10/8/1997. In a release issued by the State Department on… Continue reading "US State Dept. reviews foreign terrorist organizations; LTTE continues to be banned organisation"

England’s management have insisted they are “not concerned” despite two members of staff at their hotel in Galle testing positive for Covid-19. The England camp were notified on Friday morning that two staff members, both of whom work in the kitchen of the hotel, had tested positive for the virus in tests conducted on Thursday. Neither is understood to have… Continue reading "England ‘unconcerned’ by hotel staff’s positive Covid tests"

By Kumar David – Prof. Kuma David He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts And put down the mighty from their seats. (Luke 1:51-52) Madmen have been Emperors, Kings and Presidents; Caligula, George III and Idi Amin who allegedly chopped up his Chief Justice Kabimu Kiwanuka, preserved body parts in a fridge and ate them at leisure. And of… Continue reading "What Can Nandasena Learn From Donald’s Demise?"

Sivanesathurai Chandrarakanthan alias Pilleyan was arrested by the CID in October 2015 in connection with the assassination of former TNA parliamentarian Joseph Pararajasingham. After his arrest, they wanted to record statements from two key witnesses in the incident to continue the investigation. As the statements had to be recorded in Tamil, a Tamil Sub Inspector of the CID had been… Continue reading "Pillayan, reclaim the bribe offered"

A Statement by Human Rights Watch (Lanka-e-News -13.Jan.2021, 11.30PM)  Sri Lanka’s human rights situation has seriously deteriorated under the administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2021. Government security forces have increased intimidation and surveillance of human rights activists, victims of past abuses, lawyers, and journalists. Minority Muslim and Tamil communities have faced… Continue reading "Sri Lanka: A Return to Threats, Fear: Crackdown on Critics, Disregard for Accountability"