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News Archive for Nov 2011

Extremist Tamil Separatists Call For A Plebiscite In The North & East To Establish A Separate State Of "Eelam"
Mahinda Gunasekera
The Declaration adopted by the separatist Tamils seeking international support for the holding of a plebiscite in the north and east of Sri Lanka to establish an independant, sovereign nation state of "Tamil Eelam" is appended below. As their military wing has since been eliminated in May 2009, they are now seeking the route of a plebiscite in the predominantly Tamil areas of the north and east to achieve the same goal of a separate state through the break-up of the sovereign, independent nation state of Sri Lanka where they enjoy equal rights. They are calling on... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/11)

“Gateway to success” newly opened Southern high way, riders / travelers must protect this great asset and obey and adhere to the rules and procedures.
Claude Fernando ,Brampton ,Canada
It’s been reported by the media, some of the careless and absent-minded riders and passengers  who travelled  first day on southern highway, have dumped and thrown  empty water bottles, juice cans, lunch boxes even used ‘thambili kombas’ ,newspapers beside the roads and completely messed up and rubbished the picturesque environment very  sadly and badly. Albeit, it’s an unfamiliar experience for Sri Lankans to acquire a such a wonderful and amazing   expressway from Kottawa(Colombo) to(Pinnaduwa) Galle,(It’s going to be extended unto Kataragama via Hambanthota in 2nd pace)  But it’s not necessary to teach  extra “chalk talk”... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/11)

New world body based in India to represent Buddhists from across the world
Courtesy: Indian Express
New Delhi, India -- Supreme spiritual leaders representing most nations with a sizeable Buddhist population are close to deciding on the formation of a new international body based in India that aims to give a united voice to Buddhism in international forums like the United Nations (UN).  The first ever congregation of Buddhist spiritual leaders, “supreme patriarchs” and representatives of Buddhist sects began in New Delhi on November 28.  Lama Lobzang, the President of Asoka Mission that is organising the event, said it was the first time that spiritual leaders belonging to all Buddhist traditions were... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/11)

Appalling Journalism:Jon Snow and Channel 4 on Sri Lanka
  Engage Sri Lanka Publication Release
In June 2011, Britain’s Channel 4 News broadcast a programme entitled "Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields", which made a number of allegations about the last few months of the war in Sri Lanka. (1) Jon Snow, the Channel’s senior news presenter, claimed the programme was "a forensic investigation into the final weeks of the quarter-century-long civil war between the government of Sri Lanka and the secessionist rebels, the Tamil Tigers." (2) Channel 4 claimed that the government was responsible for the targeted shelling of civilians, extra-judicial executions of prisoners and the apparent rape, sexual... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/11)

Just in case? Russian fleet to reach Syria in December
RT
Speculation is growing whether Russian war ships heading to the Mediterranean will indeed anchor by the Syrian coast. And, despite military officials’ assurances, some expect it to disturb the balance of power in the region. ­Conflicting reports are coming from the Russian military on whether the Russian battle group of three vessels led by the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier will in fact visit the Syrian port of Tartus. The long-planned mission will begin on December 10 and one source in the Russian Defense Ministry has told Itar-Tass news agency that the ships will arrive at the port by the... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 30/11/11)

Russian arms in US backyard: Back in Cuba
RT
Russia has launched a military partnership project with its Cold War ally Cuba, amid rising tensions over US plans to deploy an anti-missile system in Europe. Russian contractors are to supply production equipment for manufacturing 6.52-mm rifle rounds, Kommersant daily reports. Cuban arms plant called Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara will also receive a license and technology for recycling used ammo.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 30/11/11)

Man-made super-flu could kill half humanity
RT
A virus with the potential to kill up to half the world’s population has been made in a lab. Now academics and bioterrorism experts are arguing over whether to publish the recipe, and whether the research should have been done in the first place. ­The virus is an H5N1 bird flu strain which was genetically altered to become much more contagious. It was created by Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who first presented his work to the public at an influenza conference in Malta in September. Fouchier said the strain circulates in animals,... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 30/11/11)

Development Infrastructure
 By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.d.
 The Development Infrastructure plays a key role in the development of a country. Thus the manner in which the development infrastructure of Sri Lanka has taken shape in the past is of great importance to understand what has to be done today to develop the country.  Today, thanks to President Rajapaksa’s efforts, Sri Lanka has ridden itself of the terrorist LTTE and is also blessed with developed roads.  To enable the country to reap the benefits of peace and a developed road network there are a number of other development infratstructure that also has to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

Govt. Concerned about US Meddling in Domestic Affairs - Nov. 26,2011
Ira de Silva London, Ontario Canada
The Editor The Island Colombo, Sri Lanka   Dear Sir:   Reference the news report in your paper of November 27,2011, if as reported, the Government is concerned about the interference of the U.S. in domestic political affairs, why does the government not take appropriate action? Ms. Butenis has a history of interference wherever she was posted and even in her last post in Bangladesh before coming to Sri Lanka, she tried her viceroy act. Surely the authorities in Sri Lanka should do some background checking on actions and attitudes of diplomats posted to Colombo and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

The Two Faces of Sri Lanka
MahamahaRaja
 MOST WRITERS and commenters on this website cannot be faulted when it comes to their response to the issues of Sri Lankan sovereignty and its people’s arduous and successful fight against Tamil terrorism. What is disappointing however is how quickly the clarity, understanding and plain common sense displayed here melts away when the topic changes to the equally important issue of national development. This can be seen on two recent areas discussed on Lankaweb: economics and road construction. SRI LANKA stands on the cusp of prosperity. This will no doubt take the form of a unique Sri Lankan... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

BETRAYAL OF CHILDREN
By Dr. Tilak S Fernando
Akin to various adaptations  such as ‘ Mother’s day’,  Father’s day’,  Aid’s day,  and Disability Day,   Children too  have been  slotted into a  category  under several appellations   calling     the  ‘Worlds Children’s Day’, ‘International Children’s day, ‘Children’s Universal day etc  on different times  of the year. World Children's Day! The UN General Assembly recommended in 1954 that all countries should establish  an "appropriate" day to protect children.  Hence, 20 November was adopted for this purpose. Currently more than one hundred countries celebrate Children’s Day in many forms. International Children’s Day International Children's Day is celebrated... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

The CERN experiment, Einstein and we humans; (Updated- Read more comments)
by Bodhi Dhanapala
An atom-smashing experiment conducted at CERN (European Center for Nuclear Research) to test the behaviour of matter at high energies and very short impact distances  has reported a surprising outcome. It claims that some neutrinos (these are electrically uncharged particles with almost zero weight) had been detected that seemed to move with velocities faster than light! Now, according to Einstein nothing can move faster than light, as every object increases its mass as you increase its speed, and ultimately becomes infinitely heavy at the speed of light. Light has zero mass and so it alone can... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

Presentation by Representatives of Amnesty International & R. Sambathan on November 17,2010
Ira de Silva London, Ontario Canada
Mr. Scott-Reid, M.P. Chair, Canadian House of Commons Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing committee of Foreign Affairs & International Development Dear Sir:   Listening to the recording of the presentations made on November 17, 2011 to your committee by Amnesty Canada's A. Neve and J. Argue, the impression I got was that although these two gentlemen use the mantle of Amnesty to appear impartial, unbiased and have one believe that they are "balanced" and work for everybody's  "human rights",  their statements, conclusions  and recommendations lack not only credibility,  impartiality and the much emphasised concept of accountability, but... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

I think not truck loads of firewood but truck loads of money would be burnt wastefully.
Dr Hector Perera  London
 Any energy saving ideas?  When I recently visited Sri Lanka, I met so many interesting people at different places such as in small shops and in a few supermarkets. I also met two Principals of two leading girls’ schools in Gampaha, Rev Sister Mary Deepani at Holy Cross College and Mrs Hema Jayawardena   at Ranavali Balika Vidyalaya.  I talked to them over the phone, send faxes and emailed before I went to Sri Lanka and they had a clear idea about my aim. They welcomed me any time to teach some of their school children about my... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

In Memory of Mr S.Pathiravithana
Ranjith Soysa
Mr S.Pathiravithana, an erudite journalist who was the former Editor of the Ceylon  Observer, the Daily News  and the Island passed away recently after a brief period of illness. As an intelligent and an investigative journalist he was able to understand and comprehend the story ofSri Lankaand her people. He interpreted it effectively and positively. He was able to rise above the others in his chosen area and never spared his words in re-assessing the ‘golden’ chains forced onSri Lankaby the colonial masters. Many of his contemporaries simply did not have the guts to see through the colonial... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

Trilingual Website on Gender based Violence in Sri Lanka
CENWOR-Press Release
“Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence” which commences on 25th of November is an international campaign to raise awareness on this critical issue. The Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR) with the support of Women Defining Peace (WDP) will launch ACT NOW, a web portal in Sinhala, Tamil and English, on the 8th of December 2011 to support efforts in eliminating violence against women. The event will take place at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. The Chief Guest on this occasion will be Hon. Ms. Eva Wanasundera, Attorney General of Sri Lanka and the Guest of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

Dr. Abdul Kalam's Letter to Every Indian (Appropriate for Sri Lankans too)
 Dr. Abdul Kalam
Why is the media here so negative?  Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?  We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?  We are the first in milk production.  We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.  We are the second largest producer of wheat.  We are the second largest producer of rice.  Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit.. There are millions of such achievements but our... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/11)

Sea alert: Russian warships head for Syria
Moscow is deploying warships at its base in the Syrian port of Tartus. The long-planned mission comes, providentially, at the very moment when it could help prevent a potential conflict in the strategically important Middle Eastern country. ­The Russian battle group will consist of three vessels led by the heavy aircraft-carrying missile cruiser, Admiral Kuznetsov. Russian military officials insist that the move has no connection with the ongoing crisis in the region and was planned a year ago, the Izvestia newspaper reports. Apart from Syria, the aircraft carrier and its escort ships are set to visit the Lebanese capital, Beirut,... -Full Story- (rt.com - 29/11/11)

Bomb voyage: 600 Libyans ‘already fighting in Syria’
RT
The Libyan government apparently wants to share its successful experience of overthrowing the Gaddafi regime with like-minded Syrians. It has sent 600 of its troops to support local militants against the Assad regime, according to media reports. The fighters have joined the Free Syria Army, the militant group carrying out attacks on government forces in Syria, reports the Egyptian news website Al-Ray Al-Arabi citing its sources. The report says the troops entered Syria through Turkish territory. The alleged incursion happened with the consent of the chairman of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustafa Abdul Jalil. The NTC allegedly... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 29/11/11)

Russia launches new missile defense to cover Atlantic
RT
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has ordered operational the newest Russian radar system that protects from missile attacks and covers all Europe and Atlantic. Medvedev personally arrived in Russia’s westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad and received a report from the Space Defense Troops commander that the radar station was fully ready for the launch. After this, the president gave the order to put the radar on combat duty.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 29/11/11)

Elaine Pearson's (Human Rights Watch) Presentation on Sri Lanka's Human Rights Violations‏ - November 18,2011
Ira de Silva London, Ontario
Mr. Scott-Reid, M.P. Chair, Canadian House of Commons Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing committee of Foreign Affairs & International Development   Re: Presentation by Ms. Elaine Pearson, Deputy Director, Asia Division of Human Rights Watch on Sri Lankan Human Rights - Nov. 18,2011   Dear Sir:   I have read Ms. Elaine Pearson's presentation on Sri Lanka to your Committee. I am sending this response to you and sincerely hope that you will read it as I believe that Ms. Pearson's presentation has made various assumptions, used material that is unsubstantiated, relied on material... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

An Outsider’s View—10-CESJ’s ‘Just Third Way’ provides design for building new world economic system without pitfalls of capitalism-socialism
By Shelton A. Gunaratne Professor of mass communications emeritus, Minnesota State University Moorhead
 Republicans and their Tea Party troglodytes tend to believe that capitalism is an unchanging phenomenon. Therefore, they yearn to seek solutions to America’s contemporary problems in the U.S. Constitution and associated conventions adopted and practiced in the late 18th century. Oblivious to America’s vastly changed demographics, they are hell bent on clutching on to their materialistic privileges and wealth that both industrial and technological capitalism bestowed upon them. They fail to see that immigration from the rest of the world has transformed the culture of the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

Southern expressway and intelligent politics of mass transport
Chandre Dharmawardana
The Southern Expressway is an example of the government’s policy "to ensure that all segments of the country receive the dividends of development", as stated in the Daily News article announcing the "Gateway to Wonder" (Daily News 26-11-2011). The integrity and governability of a nation depend on its transport system. The Romans knew it. The British were quick to build roads and railways, to move troops and haul commercial products to imperial markets. Since then, Sri Lanka’s roadways stagnated at the level of the British era, while the gross population quadrupled. The road usage increased much faster.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

My short encounters with Peter Roebuck and Haroon Lorgat in Colombo
By Senaka Weeraratna
 I wish to place on record my two short meetings with Mr. Peter Roebuck at the SSC Grounds (Sept. 18 -20, 2011) and subsequent meeting with Mr. Haroon Lorgat on Sept. 20, 2011 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.  It happened in the last three days of the Third and Final Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia played at the SSC Grounds in Colombo (Sept. 18 - 20, 2011).  I was very keen to use this last opportunity before the Australian cricket team and the accompanying journalists left the country at the end... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

High Commission Doors are Open to All Races and Religions – Dr Chris Nonis at the Deepavali Celebration,London
 Sri Lankan High Commission
The Sri Lanka High Commission in London celebrated Deepavali festival on 20th November 2011 at the High Commission premises with the participation of a large number of the Sri Lankan Diaspora.  The event commenced with the lighting of traditional oil lamp. Hindu religious observances were conducted by Sivasri Ramanatha kurukkal who blessed His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, all Sri Lankans, High Commissioner and the staff.  His Excellency Dr. Chris Nonis, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka welcoming the gathering said Deepavali known as the “Festival of Light” brings hope and optimism to all... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

THE BLASPHEMY LAW AND THE MINORITIES
By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sri Lanka.
 Pakistan is a country that has invoked laws of hatred against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which prevent its members in Pakistan from basic acts of worship. The blasphemy laws are one of the many ways in which the government of Pakistan severely violates the internationally guaranteed right to religious freedom. Pakistan's "Blasphemy Law" makes the death penalty mandatory for blasphemy. These laws require no evidence to be presented after allegations are made and no proof of intent, and contain no penalty for leveling false allegations, they are easily used by... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

TEN PROBLEMS – ONE SOLUTION
By Ian
The President in his speech at the Southern Expressway said that this could be a beginning of building of a modern society. He also mentioned that had there been such an expressway linking the north with the south the divisions the extremists would not have succeeded in capitalizing the mistrust among the communities.  Subsequent documentary mentioned that it will bring benefits to villages as opposed to the claims of skeptics that the Expressway would divide the villages. These slogans gave me a boost of dozen of Red Bull’s realizing that our leaders are once again capable of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/11)

Lore of the Law by S.L. Gunesekera- Review of a Masterpiece
By Gomin Dayasri
Name it, it’s there in plentiful: ingredients required to attract contempt of court, breach of parliamentary privileges, libel and every conceivable wrong known to mankind. The reputations of the “repute” and the practices of the “disrepute” are bashed at a level above the navel, graciously, never below the belt.  None touchedwill dare to become a daredevil and challenge the contents. Highlighted are features that will comprehensively negative any such bizarre thought- Public Interest, No Malice, Justifiably well meaning Jest, Truth and still more, thesterile name of a sterling Author, tomake such an exercise, totally anti- septic.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/11)

කෙමරූජ් භිෂණය 4කොටස
වෛද්‍ය රුවන් එම් ජයතුංග
 පෞද්ගලික දේපොළ අහිමි කිරීම කෙමරූජ් සංවිධානය පෞද්ගලික දේපොළ අවලංගු කළේය. පුද්ගලයන් සතුව තිබූ යානවාහන, මිළ මුදල්, රජයට භාරදෙන ලෙසට අණ කරන ලදී. ගුවන් විදුලි යන්ත‍්‍ර, බයිසිකල් පවා පවරාගනු ලැබීය. ග‍්‍රාමීය ප‍්‍රදේශවලට පිටමං කරන ලද ජනතාවට කෙමරූජ් සංවිධානය මගින් නියම කරන ලද නිළ ඇඳුම් විනා අන් ඇඳුම් ඇඳීම සපුරා තහනම් කෙරිණි. මුදල් සංසරණය නවතා දැමීම නිසා ව්‍යාපාර කඩා වැටුණි. ඉඩම්වල වහළුන් සේ ශ‍්‍රමය වැය කිරීම විනා ඉඩම් අයිතියක් කිසිවෙකුට නොවීය.  සුළු ජාතීන්ගේ අයිතීන් අහිමි කිරීම 1978  එළිදක්වන ලද කුප‍්‍රකට කළු පත‍්‍රිකාව මගින් කම්පුචියාවේ සුළුජන වර්ගවලට ජීවත් වීමට තිබෙන අයිතිය අවලංගු කරනු ලැබීය. කම්පුචියාවේ ජීවත් වූ චීන,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/11)

Apsara is collecting signatures
Herold Leelawardena
So, Fonseka’s daughter, Apsara is collecting signatures for a petition to get President Obama to consider commanding Fonseka out of Sri Lanka prison.  I agree that Obama’s predecessor and his wild pack had invaded Iraq illegally. I accept that they did drop depleted uranium bombs and killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians. And I admit that Obama had manipulated to pass a UN resolution on Libya in the guise of saving protesters but skewed it to help change its government and kill its leader.  But Apsara should have pondered whether Obama can order her father out... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/11)

Exports to EU countries grow by 25.5% in first nine months of 2011
The embassy of the democratic socialist republic of sri lanka to belgium,  luxembourg  and the european union
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has said, “ latest statistics from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka reveal that Sri Lanka’s exports to the EU grew by 25.5% in the first nine months of 2011 ( 2635 Million $), compared to the corresponding period of 2010 (2100 Million $). Meanwhile, with respect to Belgium, which is the 4th largest destination among EU countries and the 6th  largest destination of Sri Lanka’s exports to the world, exports... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/11)

Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Kababir, presenting a copy of Quran to the Pope-A Cordial Invitation to the Pope Benedict XVI to Islam
By Zia H Shah MD
Last year we had published our December Allislam-eGazette with the above title. Let me link the materials here for the convenience of the Pope and all our Catholic brothers and sisters. As the Christian masses are leaving theist paradigm in droves, your Holiness, your love of them and God, makes it incumbent on you and all the theists to first strive for theism and then for any particular brand, be it Judaism, Unitarian Christianity, Trinitarian Christianity or Islam, like they say in America, I am an American first and a republican or a democrat second.... -Full Story-
(themuslimtimes.org - 27/11/11)

Sex, lies and young males dancing on Ranil’s lap
H. L. D. Mahindapala
 In this imperfect world it is incumbent upon us mortals to overlook peccadilloes, frailties, fallibilities and the DNA-stamped sins, karma and weaknesses running in our inherited blood, with a bit of ticking off if necessary. But one factor that cannot be overlooked is depravity, committed especially by those who profess to be moral guardians of the nation. When depravity is mixed with idiocy it can turn leaders into monsters. In this state of depraved idiocy they assume that they can get away with any crime – even crimes against humanity. Sri Lanka managed, with great... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

Richard Armitage Do You Have Alzheimer’s disease? Or Alzheimer’s was induced To You By Tamil Sangahm in Boston, USA?
Kithsiri Athulathmudali,Florida,USA
Referring to the Erick Solheim’s Carnival held in Oslo, on November 11th 2011  (This is similar to the Carnival Co-Chars had inNew York hosted by Japanese Yasushi Akashi and Richard Blake) when president Rajapakse went to address the UN)   At this meeting in Oslo, you insulted the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse, in the speech you gave at this meeting. No Sinhala American can stay deaf to such remarks. So, I will challenge you for every word and sentence you uttered at this meeting.  Unlike Erick Solhiem’s speech that was published in full text on the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

IS THE TNA TAKING THE GOVERNMENT ON A RIDE?
By Gomin Dayasri
 Metric that matters most is whether TNA with whom Government has initiated a dialogue genuinely want the reconciliation process to succeed. Or are they merely posturing together to placate foreign embassies? The Government gains if reconciliation becomes a success unlike the TNA. But is the Government capable of structuring and contriving a reconciliation process because of an inadequate intellectual grasp?  TNA –being a demagogic ethnic party, cats - paw until 5/19, of the LTTE: faithful to its unadulterated racial politics, are in peril if it achieves harmonious relationships with the South, disturbing their perpetual political ploys.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

THE IRONY OF WORDS, AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS, BY GENERALS.
SUSANTHA WIJESINGHE
  Dear  Apsara,   26th November 2011.   I see your concern about your father's predicament, sending emails on the Internet, requesting for 25,000 signatures, directed to White House, whom you are banking to interfere in Sri Lanka's Judiciary. NO WAY APSARA, America cannot interfere in squashing a Judicial Order given by the Judiciary of Sri Lanka. People are advicing you in the wrong direction to aggravate the situation further. Instead of approaching in a manner that would melt the Presidents Heart in sympathy, your actions are making him more and more hard hearted and stubborn.   PLEASE READ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

PROVOCATIVE OUTBURSTS OF A BUDDHIST MONK- A STRANGE ALLY OF TAMIL DIASPORA AND WESTERN WORLD!
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
The Sri Lankan President  has inherited series of most difficult tasks when he was given the overwhelming mandate by the people of Sri Lanka.  Apart from the economic issues, Sri Lanka was facing  total disintegration where many parts of the tiny island were inaccessible to the Sri Lankans and controlled by land, sea and air by Tamil Tigers. Mr Ranil Wickremasinghe’s  Ceasefire Agreement has provided a unique opportunity for the Tamil Tigers to strengthen their areas of control wall-to-wall.  When Mr Mahinda Rajapakse promised during the elections that he will end the war if... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

Evil triumphed, justice died, UN collapsed and world came to end.
By Latheef Farook
On 29 November 1947 when UN offered Palestinian lands to Zionist militant Jews to establish a racist state. Zionist Jewish state of Israel, established in Palestinian lands with the full support of British colonial power in 1947 has today become the sole source of wars, bloodshed, instability and unrest in the Middle Eastand beyond. Since early 1930s Israel, the only country in the world without permanent borders, has committed massacre after massacre, invaded neighboring countries, grabbed more Palestinian lands, subjecting Palestinians to brutal oppressions and turned Gaza a virtual open air prison depriving them everything except... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 25/11/11)

I challenge anyone to prove that the Tamil people have not been treated as equal citizens and are still not treated as equal citizens and have lost their dignity and self respect as Sambandan cry?
Dr Sudath Gunasekara. President Senior Citizens Movement Mahanuwara 23.11. 2011.
 This is absolute false and typical baloney of vituperative and communal Tamil politics. Before they point the fore finger at the Government on these stale issues they must first understand that every time they do so at least three fingers in their hands directly point at them and their conscience, for they know that they are lying.  So the more they accuse the Government the more it boomerangs on them. It would have been better if Sambandan had told us as to in what specific areas they are not... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/11)

A reply to Sampanthan who went to Toronto to say, “ ….we cannot trust The Government of Sri Lanka ”
by Charles.S.Perera
(In Toronto while Sampanthan set aflame  hatred  of expatriate Tamils against  Government, Vasudeva Nanayakkara pleaded  for peace and reconciliation .) Did you see Sampanthan and his cronies since their visit to USA and Canada ? They  are dressed up like Englishmen, in coats and ties. Sampanthan went to Toronto in Canada, and on the 30 October,2011 made a long speech to a gathering of expatriate Tamils at the Sri Iyappan Temple Auditorium. It was a speech to the expatriate Tamils in Canada to inflame their anger and hatred against  the Government of Sri Lanka and the Majority he does... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 25/11/11)

Does Pakistan Have Legitimacy To Recognition On The World Cricket Arena One Wonders ?
Howzat?? By Doosra Sammy
November 25th 2011 While this may be interpreted by some, particularly Pakistani supporters that it portrays sour grapes perhaps Sri Lanka may not have been obligated to be condescending and conciliatory towards helping Pakistan regain lost composure on the World Cricket Arena as they have been virtually ostracised by many other nations although the ICC thinks fit towards their continued tolerance. Sri Lanka consequently has paid a price which they need not have.  Taking into consideration that a squad of Sri Lankans with the cream of the nation's cricketers once almost faced certain death at... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 25/11/11)

Alex Neve and John Argue's presentation on Sri Lanka for AI to a sub-committee in parliament
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . K1J 6G1, Canada
25 November 2011 Mr. Scott Reid, Conservative MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington Chairperson, House of Commons Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, House of Commons, Ottawa A Response to the presentation by Mr. Alex Neve, Director General, Amnesty International, Ottawa and Mr. John Argue, Amnesty International,  Sri Lanka Coordinator, Toronto,  on 17 November 2011 Dear Mr. Scott Reid: It is with great admiration to you and your Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 25/11/11)

My passion for Cricket and Justice
By Sarath Abeysundera
 (The Text of a Speech delivered in Kalutara, Sri Lanka on November 25, 2011 to mark the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the founding of the IllstonAbey Cricket Club, Kalutara, which is affiliated to the Illston Abey Cricket Club, Illston, Leicester, UK.  Mr. SarathAbeysundera, an old boy of Royal College, Colombo is the Founder - President of both these two clubs)  My life has been driven by two strong currents – love of cricket and belief in justice. If one were to say that cricket is an euphemism for justice and vice versa, he would... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 25/11/11)

Banned neuro-toxic nerve gas 'poisons' Tahrir
RT
A banned chemical agent has reportedly been used by the Egyptian military as the brutal crackdown against tens of thousands of protesters has clouded prospects of a democratic transfer in the country. ­Rashes, epileptic-type convulsions, temporary blindness and coughing up blood are among the symptoms being reported by Egyptian protesters who have fallen victim to a potentially lethal form of neuro-toxic nerve gas reportedly being deployed by security forces.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 25/11/11)

Nuke carrier leads US strike force into Syrian waters
RT
Nuclear aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush has reportedly anchored off Syria. As an Arab League deadline to allow observers into the country passes with no response from Damascus, the possibility of intervention in Syria seems to be growing. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group along with additional naval vessels are to remain in the Mediterranean to conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.The US 6th Fleet is also patrolling the area, Interfax news agency reports.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 25/11/11)

Tahrir terror: Female journos, ‘naked blogger’ assaulted
RT
Protest-riven Tahrir Square is becoming a savage minefield for women, as French and American female journalists are brutally beaten and raped, and Egypt’s ‘naked blogger’ mobbed. The latest victim is journalist for channel France 3 Caroline Sinz. Sinz and her cameraman were attacked in the square on Thursday. She says several youths and men tore off her clothes and beat her, humiliating her in a way that she claims could be considered rape. After almost an hour, other Egyptians came to her rescue.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 25/11/11)

'Low' forms off Sri Lanka, intensifies one round
Vinson Kurian
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 25: The US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC) has upgraded to 'high' the possibility of a 'significant' tropical weather system evolving just to the southwest of Sri Lanka. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has notified the formation of a low-pressure area in the region that has gone on to become well-marked during the 24 hours ending this afternoon. The dynamics around the churn in the seas are such that the system could gain in strength, according to the JTWC.... -Full Story-
(The Hindu - 25/11/11)

ධාරා
මණ්ඩාවල පඤ්ඤාවංස හිමි
මම සාහිත්‍ය විචාරකයෙක් නො වෙමි, එහෙත් මෑතදී මා අත පත් වූ කැත්ලින් ජයවර්ධන නම්වන ප්‍රකට ලේඛිකාවගේ නවතම නවකතාව වන ධාරා ගැන යමක් කිවයුතු යැයි සිතමි. අපේ රටේ කලින් කලට විවිධ සාහිත්‍ය විචාරක්‍රම පිළිබඳ ව කතාකරනු අපට අසන්නට ලැබේ. විශේෂයෙන් ම සමාජ සත්තා සථාර්ථය ට පසුව වැඩියෙන් ම අසන්නට ලැබෙන්නේ Magic Realism ගැනය. පඔලෝ කොඑල්ලෝගේ (කොයියෝ?) Alquimista කතාව ඉහත විචාර පථයට අසුවේද යන්න ම සිත නැගෙන පැනයකි. නිධානයක් සොයමින් යන සන්තියාගෝ අවසානයේ එන නිගමනය නම් නිධානය ඇත්තේ තමා තුළ යන්නය. (personal legend ) නිධානය සොයා ඊජිප්තුවට ගොස් ආපසු පැමිණ ස්පාඤ්ඤයේ සිකොමෝර් ගසක් යට හාරන විට, හෙවත් තමා සිටිය... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/11)

Elaine Pearson's (Human Rights Watch) presentation on Sri Lanka's Human Rights violations
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . K1J 6G1.Canada
23 November 2011 Mr. Scott-Reid, Conservative MP for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington   Chair, Canadian House of Commons Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. A Response to the presentation by Ms. Elaine Pearson, Deputy Director, Asia Division of Human Rights Watch on Sri Lankan Human Rights Situation on 18 November 2011 Dear Mr. Scott-Reid: It is with great admiration to you and your Sub-Committee on Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development, that I request your... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/11)

Why Sri Lanka Needs To Be Aware of The Possible Danger Of Tamil Tiger Resurgence As Explained By The President
Insight By Sunil Kumar
November 24th. 2011  It seems somewhat incomprehensible that conventional wisdom with an awareness that seems to bypass the minds of anti-givernment elements not surprisingly  seems sadly lacking in those who continue their campaign to falsely promote anti Government propaganda at the behest of the global Tamil Diaspora and never seem to relent their false accusations despite their futility.This has been an observation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has tabled a series of responses to the many accusations levelled at his Government pointing to the need for awareness of a resurgence of Tamil Tiger terrorism and the dangers thereof if preventive measures and high... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/11)

Norwegian peace model and its faults.
Hemasiri
Looking at analysis done by Norwegian govt via NORAD is a document that bring Norwegians into serious disrepute as a peace negotiator. NORAD is a respected organization.  The report started by insulting Sri Lanka and saying “The conflict is understood here as being rooted in processes of incomplete state formation, which led to competing ethno-nationalist projects.”  This statement it self is enough to justify why Norway failed since it ignore how and why Sinhalese Buddhists assert them selves in 1948 after 500 yrs of foreign colonial insults and domination to their country and, how all of these colonials... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/11)

Elegy to an egotist
Victor Karunairaajan
November 23, 2011 Dear Mr Masillamany: Here below is my response in verse to the highly stupid account in World Class Tamil blog, your “Thani Thavil” ranting of utter rubbish and miserable nonsense.  Merely noting “I may be wrong” at the end of a preposterous claim was as good as indicating that deliberate mischief was intended. Integrity in your case is base, bare and barren. I know what you and people like you who armed the Tigers with terrible weapons have done to the people of the Wanni. I was shocked to hear from you that there... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/11)

Anuruddha passes away
From Cyril Wimalasurendre - from Kandy
Former Minister of Power and Energy, Deputy Defence Minister and Kandy District Member of Parliament, General Anuruddha Ratwatte passed away at the Kandy Hospital at 11.55 a.m yesterday. He was 73 years old. Ratwatte was being treated at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, since Monday (21) night. He had been rushed there following a fall at his Anniewatte residence the same night. Gen. Ratwatte leaves his wife Carman and sons Lohan (Kandy District MP), Mahendra (Mayor of Kandy) and Chanuka. Gen. Ratwatte, son of late Parliamentarian Harris Leuke Ratwatte, began his political... -Full Story-
(The Island - 24/11/11)

US multinational Dole scraps Sri Lanka banana plans
The trust said that Letsgrow Ltd - owned by cricketers Pramodya Wicramasinghe and Muttiah Muralitharan - acquired the land from the army.
Conservationists in Sri Lanka have welcomed a decision by US-based multinational food firm Dole to abandon plans for a huge banana plantation.The trust said that Letsgrow Ltd - owned by cricketers Pramodya Wicramasinghe and Muttiah Muralitharan - acquired the land from the army.... -Full Story-
(bbc.co.uk - 24/11/11)

Hugh Grant blasts British press at hacking inquiry
By Richard Allen Greene, CNN
London (CNN) -- Hugh Grant took aim at the British press Monday, calling the hacking of a murdered schoolgirl's voice mail "cowardly and shocking." The British actor also accused newspapers of using criminals as paparazzi and the Mail on Sunday of hacking into his voice mail. The "Four Weddings and a Funeral" star was testifying before a government-backed inquiry into press ethics sparked by public outrage at Rupert Murdoch's News of the World newspaper. The best-selling Sunday tabloid was shut down in July after the revelation that it had hacked into the voice mail... -Full Story-
(edition.cnn.com - 24/11/11)

An Open Letter to President Obama From the People of China Part I - Prelude
Blog China
Sir: We noted with some surprise a recent announcement in The Washington Post of your intention to openly engage in political subversion in our country. We're told you are "very, very interested in how to reach into China, how to (bypass our government and) reach Chinese citizens directly", and that you have enlisted help from apparent Chinese "dissidents", asking where and how you should use your leverage. As we understand it, you mean to try to corrupt the allegiance of our people by attempting to destroy our loyalty and patriotism, to turn us against our own government, and... -Full Story-
(bearcanada.com - 24/11/11)

CIA spy ring busted in Iran and Lebanon
RT
United States officials are saying that shortcuts, unaccountability, laziness and general mismanagement are to blame for the compromising of several CIA informants in Iran and Lebanon who are now feared dead. A CIA-led program in the Middle East is up in the air after officials confirmed to news organizations today that paid informants in Iran and Lebanon working for the US government have disappeared while attempting to infiltrate Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed military organization considered a terrorist group by the US.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

Dirty dozen: Iran claims arrest of 12 CIA agents
RT
Iran has arrested 12 US Central Intelligence Agency agents, the Iranian news agency reported on Thursday, quoting an influential parliamentarian who said the CIA operatives were intent on damaging Iran “from inside and outside”. Parviz Sorouri, from the powerful committee on foreign policy and national security, reported the arrest of the spy ring to the official IRNA news agency. He said the agents were co-operating with Israel’s Mossad and posed a threat to Iran`s security, military forces and nuclear program.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

Man-made super-flu could kill half humanity
RT
A virus with the potential to kill up to half the world’s population has been made in a lab. Now academics and bioterrorism experts are arguing over whether to publish the recipe, and whether the research should have been done in the first place. ­The virus is an H5N1 bird flu strain which was genetically altered to become much more contagious. It was created by Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, who first presented his work to the public at an influenza conference in Malta in September.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

Secrets not Saif: Death penalty threat for Gaddafi’s son
RT
The ICC is leaving the trial of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to Libya’s NTC, despite concerns over the death penalty and “victors’ justice.” Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi is a man with a lot to say. He is the last chance the world has to find out how the Gaddafi regime went from Public Enemy No 1 to bosom buddies with Britain and other Western powers. Libyan law does not allow for international judges from The Hague to be involved, as had earlier been mooted. After Colonel Gaddafi's battlefield execution last month, there had been hopes his captured son Saif Al-Islam would... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

Reset: Will West heed Moscow's wake-up call?
RT
President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday sent a wake-up call to Western leaders, telling them in no uncertain terms that Moscow will deploy long-range ballistic missiles on the European border as countermeasures against the US missile defense system. The Russian leader’s announcement sent shock waves through European capitals, although earlier this year Medvedev had warned that “another arms race” was in the offing unless Moscow was included in the European missile defense project.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

­Did US 'climate weapon' knock-out Russian probe?
RT
Russian space experts are struggling to decode fresh telemetry signals received from the stricken Phobos-Grunt probe. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that America’s ionosphere research site in Alaska caused the spacecraft’s failure. On Wednesday night, the European Space Agency’s station in Perth, Australia, established communication with Phobos-Grunt, which has been rotating helplessly around the Earth since its engines failed to fire two weeks ago. The Perth station sent a command to the Russian craft which caused it to transmit long-awaited telemetry data, which was duly forwarded to Russian specialists.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 24/11/11)

CHINA-A THREAT TO INDIAN HEGEMONIC DESIGNS
PROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER
 It is a day-light fact that at presentChinais the only force which can guarantee the balance of power as well as peace and prosperity in the South-Asian region. With the increasing influence and interference ofUSAin the South-Asian region and after the rapidly growing US-Indiacloseness, world is looking towardsChinafor a more vibrant and lively role to play. Even inPakistanpeople are expecting the role of a saviour fromChina. Such expectations are no doubt generating an air of depression and despair in the countries likeIndiawhich considerChinathe most severe threat to their hegemonic designs in the region. To minimize Chinese... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/11)

The Terror Management Theory and the Movie Bambara Walalla
Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge
Man is constantly building the "Image." It is an Edifice for the entombment of bones -Irvin Kauffman  Sri Lankan film director AthulaLiyanage’s award winning movie Bambara Walalla discusses an uncommon topic that has close connections with the futile human existence and death. The movie Bambara Walallaunveils the unsophisticated reality of existence and death in rural underworld in the Sri Lankan society. AthulaLiyanagepontificates unfounded and senseless existence of a man who is persecuted by life’s miseries through his movie.  http://www.quotationspage.com/quote/97.htmlThe existence and meaning of life constitutes a philosophical question and some believe that human life is mostly a... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/11)

Appreciation - Dr. Abdus Salam – First Muslim Nobel Laureate
By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sri Lanka.
 Pakistan's only Nobel Laureate Dr Abdus Salam's 15th death anniversary fell on November 21st was not commemorated in his own country.  The Physics genius was born in a small town Jhang, Pakistan on January 29, 1926, a little over 85 years ago. In 1979, Salam shared the Nobel Prize with Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow for the historic unification of the weak nuclear force with the electromagnetic force. He faced discrimination in Pakistan because he belonged to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to the extent that the word `Muslim'... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/11)

Court finds Bush and Blair guilty of war crimes
RT
Those who lobbied to have George W. Bush and Tony Blair tried for their role in the Iraq War have finally got their wish. Though the verdict of the court carries no legal weight, its supporters believe its symbolic value is beyond doubt. The court in Malaysia where the trial took place may not have the power to convict, but the verdict against the former British and American leaders was unanimous. “War criminals have to be dealt with – convict Bush and Blair as charged. A guilty verdict will serve as a notice to the world that war criminals may... -Full Story- (rt.com - 23/11/11)

Going ballistic: Russia strikes back with missile warning
RT
Russia proceeds from the necessity to maintain its strategic defense potential, says Russia’s Ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin. ­Russia’s primary interest is in protecting its citizens, says the NATO envoy. “We cannot afford to trade on the security of our citizens,” Rogozin said. “So if anyone puts an eye on it or casts a doubt on it, counter measures should certainly be worked out. And today the president named those measures.” Rogozin went on to predict that there would be some tough talking during the forthcoming meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on December 8.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 23/11/11)

Anonymous goes after UC Davis pepper-spray cop
RT
It’s been a hectic week for Lt. John Pike. First he was suspended for his now notorious pepper-spray assault on protesters at UC Davis. Next he became an online sensation. Now the campus police officer has his phone ringing off the hook — and it doesn’t look like it will stop anytime soon. The online retaliation against the University of California Davis cop has only gotten stronger in recent days, and after a series of edited images portraying the police officer firing at everything from Mount Rushmore and Revolution War soldiers to classic works of art have made their... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 23/11/11)

Replying to Anandasangaree’s the desperate plea of a patriot for a permanent solution
By Charles.S.Perera
Writing to the President of Sri Lanka Anandasangaree says, « Although both of us entered Parliament together in 1970, I am more senior to you in age and in politics. Hence I have a moral duty to tell you frankly what I feel about every one of your actions and decision. » Although the writer  did not enter Parliament with Anandasangaree, he knows that Anandasangaree was a member of the LSSP . And as  the writer is of the same age as Anandasangaree he thinks he also has  a moral duty to tell Anandasangaree that he is the worst... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/11)

An Outsider’s View—9,Marxist notion of socialism unlikely to replace capitalism: Culture determines ‘third way’
By Shelton A. Gunaratne Professor of mass communications emeritus
Minnesota State University Moorhead

The capitalists poo-pooh Marx and Engels’ dialectical materialism theory, which asserts that every economic order grows to a state of maximum efficiency, while at the same time developing internal contradictions or weaknesses that contribute to its decay. Although rarely acknowledged by Western scholars, the dialectical method attributed to Hegel, Marx and Engels owes much to Buddhist and Chinese philosophy, which assert:  that the universe is an integrated whole wherein everything is interdependent, interrelated and interactive (in effect, the law of dependent co-origination in Buddhism) that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/11/11)

Fmr.Military Leader Broke Cardinal Rules Of His Responsibility,Is Not The Most Distinguished Military General By His Own Actions And The Bickering Needs To Stop!
LankaWeb Weekly Editorial
November 23rd 2011  They may be Priests of many denominations, Opposition politicians. Attorneys at Law and various activists from many spheres but what they are calling for in realistic terms to sanctify the actions of Fmr. Army Commander Lieut. Gen. Sarath Fonseka  and grant him his freedom is a far cry from what he truly portrayed himself to be after he stepped down from his Military command and attempted to enter public life. In his contestations for the highest office of the land the Presidency he showed himself in his true colours as a power hungry, status greedy, selfish... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/11)

Norwegian Report: A Pawn or Prawn?
By Gomin Dayasri
 The official Norwegian assessment of its 12-year peace effort (1997-2009) in Sri Lanka titled “Pawns of Peace” is a mere surface scratch. The Judge and the Jury in the report being Norway, the fault lines are spread in other directions omitting to mention the more sensitive mistakes Norway made.  Report is a whitewash of its Sri Lankan adventure. It could re-enact a repeat performance elsewhere due to a faulty analysis: that may prove costly to another nation prepared to accept their assistance and attention. Deep down Norway’s intentions were honorable, but left in the hands of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/11)

Recognition Awards for Helplanka at UK Parliament
PRESS RELEASE
UKandSri Lankabased charity Helplanka and its Directors and Volunteers were hosted by Tom Brake MP ( Patron of Helpanka) at a Reception at The House of Commons inLondon. Messages of congratulations  from  both HE Mahinda Rajapakse and Rt Hon Nick Clegg were read at the event which was attended by several UK MPs and Mr P Hamza Deputy High Commissioner forSri Lankain theUK.  Among the winners of awards for outstanding achievement were several Sri Lankan Nationals whose contribution to the charity has been exemplary including : Mr Rushan Pathirana, Mrs Inoka Sirimanna, Mr Indika Goonetillake, Mr... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/11)

The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, No.13 of 1907 - An Analysis
by Senaka Weeraratna
           This statute governs the prevention of infliction of cruelty on animals.  Its main aim is the prevention of behaviour deemed 'cruel'.  The public increasingly view cruelty to animals as an undesirable human attribute which if left uncorrected, such cruelty could some day be extended to humans.  In "western" countries this conduct, i.e. animal abuse in childhood, is regarded as a psychopathological condition that may evolve into violence towards humans in the future.             Statutory Predecessor             The statutory predecessor of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance No.13 of 1907, is the Cruelty to Animals Ordinance,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/11)

Safe driving on expressway
Dr.Tilak Fernando
‘A vital transport system, with effective motor traffic law enforcement, helps to buttress a nation’s economic growth’. I have quoted this before in this column, but it becomes more appropriate on November 27 when President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurates the first phase of ‘The historic Southern Expressway.’ The main function of the motorway will be to move people and goods 126.5 kilometres within 70 minutes efficiently. For those commuters who decide to use the highway two super luxury buses are going to be deployed initially. According to SLTB chairman M D Bandusena experienced drivers too have been trained... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/11)

Tests and ODI Fruitless So Whose Making Excuses This Time?
Top Spin By Suni
November 21th 2011 The signs of weariness, underperformance and indifference  are definitely showing in the Sri Lankan team beaten comprehensively by Pakistan in the Test Series and now the ODI' s in Dubai , Sharjah and the Emirates per se  so who's making excuses this time?  Little wonder that someone has remarked after the latest loss " Is Sri Lanka cricket on the decline and will people lose interest ? the answers to which can only be best known to the players and Administration and none other, leaving the adoring Sri Lankan fans around the world as well as in... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/11)

‘White Breed’ at Channel 4 and concocted videos…
By Prasad Gunewardene
Once again the ‘White Breed’ at Channel 4 who speaks and write English, a language falsely claimed as the ‘Queens Language’, though it has its original roots to a tribe in Germany centuries ago as evidence, are now preparing another concocted video on baseless and unfounded ‘war crimes’ in Sri Lanka, displaying the venomous pattern of the old imperial hegemony in insulting the people of Asia, as they’ve done to Africa and Latin America from time immemorial.... -Full Story-
(nation.lk - 21/11/11)

Russian warships entering Syrian waters to inhibit foreign invasion as opposition calls for no-fly zone
By Madison Ruppert
In what represents the most confrontation between the West and Russia over the issue of Syrian intervention to date, Haaretz reports that a Syrian news agency said that Russian warships are due to arrive in Syrian territorial waters. Haaretz characterizes this move as “a clear message to the West that Moscow would resist any foreign intervention in the country’s civil unrest,” and indeed it is a clear message that comes with threat of military repercussions. Previously Russia has made it clear that they will not support yet another Western intervention in Syria but with the Arab League... -Full Story-
(pakalertpress.com - 21/11/11)

Russian FM blames West for ‘provocation’ over Syria
RT
Russia has accused the west of exacerbating the already tense situation in Syria. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says calls for the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime are nothing but a provocation. ­“In Syria we are now seeing a situation where the Arab League is calling for a halt to violence and the beginning of dialogue, and western countries and the capitals of some countries in the region are making calls to the contrary, expressly recommending the opposition hold no talks with the Assad regime,” Lavrov announced. “It looks like a political provocation on an international scale. Yes, violence has... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 21/11/11)

‘CIA, MI6 and Mossad: Together against Syria’
RT
The West is doing its best to destabilize the situation in Syria, author and journalist Webster Tarpley told RT. According to him, civilians have to deal with death squads and blind terrorism, which is typical of the CIA. ­“What average Syrians of all ethnic groups say about this is that they are being shot at by snipers. People complained that there are terrorist snipers who are shooting at civilians, blind terrorism simply for the purpose of destabilizing the country. I would not call this civil war – it is a very misleading term. What you are dealing with... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 21/11/11)

The Role of the Public Sector in National Development
By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D.
With the Parliament passing the Act to take over the under performing enterprises that were once privatized, I recall a Paper I wrote earlier which details how the Public Sector once handled enterprises efficiently. In 2009 I recommended that all garment factories that are on the verge of declaring themselves bankrupt should be taken over. I yet stand by this idea.: In my eyes, any enterprise in Sri Lanka though it rightly belongs to the owner, the latter is also bound to run the enterprise in the national interest- for the creation of employment to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

When autumn winds buffet democracy
The Island Editorial -Courtesy TheIsland  21-11-2011
Democracy has perhaps come under threat more from its western defenders who systematically abuse and undermine it to further or protect their interests than from dictators. For, dictatorial rulers suppress democracy so flagrantly that people are jolted into rising against them––albeit with delay in most cases. But, duplicitous policies of pseudo champions of democracy who resort to undemocratic methods to safeguard their interests have led to a serious erosion of people's faith in pro-democracy campaigns the world over. What democracy has suffered at the hands of its champions may be called, not to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

Norwegian Report:A Pawn or Prawn?
By Gomin Dayasri-Courtesy The Island 
The official Norwegian assessment of its 12-year peace effort (1997-2009) in Sri Lanka titled "Pawns of Peace" is a mere surface scratch. The judge and the jury in the report being Norway, the fault lines are spread in other directions omitting to mention the more sensitive mistakes Norway made. The report is a whitewash of its Sri Lankan adventure. It could re-enact a repeat performance elsewhere due to a faulty analysis: that may prove costly to another nation prepared to accept their assistance and attention. Deep down Norway’s intentions were honorable, but left... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

Norway’s failed bid
Bandu de Silva-Courtesy The Island 
I refer to your very forthright editorial comments on this issue in today’s issue of The Island (19th November 2011). I myself wanted to comment on what the Norwegian Report and Minister Eric Solheim said concerning India but put it off in order to confine first to deal with the alleged "Premadasa Contact" with the Norwegians which was published in The Island Nov 19. The Editorial is on the spot in saying that what Norway and Solheim say of India is not to be taken seriously. This, in a nutshell, is exactly what I... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

Failed peace process:-NATO, Norwegian military roles exposed
By Shamindra Ferdinando-Courtesy The Island 
Now that Oslo had admitted that the Norway-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) received intelligence from both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), those running the peace process couldn’t have been unaware of LTTE’s preparations for war, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday. He was commenting on the Norwegian peace evaluation report released in Oslo last Friday. "In spite of foreign intelligence services confirming our own assessment regarding LTTE preparations for war, those spearheading the peace process turned a blind eye to the rapidly deteriorating situation," Rajapaksa said.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

Sri Lanka says China's "win-win" philosophy benefits world
Courtesy Xinhua
 COLOMBO, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka says China's "win-win" philosophy which has underpinned China's relationship with the rest of the world is beneficial not only to China but also to the rest of the world. The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry on Sunday quoted the country's envoy to the United Nations Palitha Kohona as saying that China's growing economic power and linkages with the rest of the world have provided an economic bounty, not only to China but to many developing countries. "The Five Principle of Peaceful Co-Existence and the win-win philosophy which have underpinned... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

පිඹල යන්න ඕනෑනම් මේ පාරෙන් එන්න-"එක්‌ස්‌ප්‍රස්‌ වන්" මාර්ගයේ තතු විස්‌තර මෙන්න
ස්‌තුතිය මහා මාර්ග අමාත්‍යාංශය,  රාජ්‍ය ප්‍රවෘත්ති දෙපාර්තමේන්තුවට සහ දිවයින පුවත් පතට
කඩුල්ලෙන් පැන පොඩිනියරෙන් මහ නියර හරහා ගොඩඋන අපි අඩිපාර ඔස්‌සේ ගුරුපාරට පිවිස, තාර පාර ඔස්‌සේ ගමන් කර, මෑත කාලයේදී කොන්ක්‍රීට්‌ පාරෙන් කාපට්‌ පාරටද ලබන 27 වෙනිදායින් පසුව අධිවේගී මාර්ගයට පිවිසීමට සූදානම් ව සිටිමු.  දිනෙන් දින සංවර්ධනයේ නව මං පෙත් සොයා යන ශ්‍රී ලාංකිකයන් වන අපට එදින සිදුවන්නාවූ දැ මතකයන් සුරැකිව ගබඩා කිරීමට තරම් වටිනාකමක්‌ ගෙන දේ. දක්‌ෂිණ ලංකා අධිවේගී මාර්ගය හෙවත් එක්‌ස්‌ප්‍රස්‌ 01 (E-01) ලෙසින්ද නම් වන මෙකී මාර්ගය ලබන 27 වෙනිදායින් පසුව ගමනා ගමනයට විවෘත කෙරෙනුයේ මෙරට මාර්ග පද්ධතියේ රජු ලෙස කිරුළු පළඳ ගනිමිනි. 2005 වසරේදී ආරම්භ වුණ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/11)

America: The new sick man of Asia?
By Peter Lee
The tag line for United States President Barack Obama's appearance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Honolulu was "The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay". The question is, is the United States a leader bringing economic and security solutions to the Pacific, or is it the new "Sick Man of Asia", infecting the region with its imperial malaise. Obama was in full scold mode at the meeting, telling the Chinese their economy was "grown up" and it was time for Beijing to "stop gaming the system".... -Full Story-
(atimes.com - 20/11/11)

Ramayana row divides India
By Sudha Ramachandran
BANGALORE - India's liberal intellectual tradition has received a stunning blow with the removal of an essay that celebrates diversity from Delhi University's BA history (honors) syllabus. The decision marks the "surrender of academic freedom to political pressure", eminent Indian historian Romila Thapar has lamented. The essay in question is the late A K Ramanujan's Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translations. Written in 1987, the essay drew attention to the "astonishing" number of "tellings" of the Indian epic, Ramayana (the story of Ram) over the past 2,500 years in different... -Full Story-
(atimes.com - 20/11/11)

Jehan Perera writes and DBS Jeyaraj presents : « Economic and political costs of over-extending military role »
By Charles.S.Perera
Jehan Perara’s article , « Economic and Political costs of over extending Military  Role» has been published in the DBS Jeyaraj’s  anti government website TransCurrent. And DBS Jeyaraj makes his own comments in presenting Jehan Perera’s article. This is to examine his comments. What have they against the Sri Lanka Armed Forces unless they want to be in the good books of the anti Sri Lanka Western Countries, perhaps hoping for a few priviledges falling into their laps. The Sri Lanka Armed Forces are an integral part of our Nation and our country. Our Armed Forces cannot be... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/11)

AHMADIYYA MUSLI YOUTH ASSOCIATION - ANNUAL GATHERING.
By A. Abdul Aziz. Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, sri Lanka.
 Sri Lanka Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association) holds its Annual Gathering (Ijtima) today -  Sunday the 20th November 2011 at Ahmadiyya Jubilee Hall, Periyamulla, Negombo under its President Iman Fazal. Program starts with Thahajjud Prayer (Pre-dawn Supererogatory Prayer) and the main event starts at 9.00 a.m. with flag-hoisting accompanied with silent prayer.  The National President of Sri Lanka Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at A.H. Nasir Ahmad will be the Chief Guest.  The event includes Academic Competitions and Prize as well as Certificates will be awarded to the winners.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/11)

මා දැන සිටි ඔරුවල බන්දු
වෛද්‍ය රුවන් එම් ජයතුංග 
ඔරුවල බන්දු මිය ගිය පුවත ලැබෙන විට මම කැනේඩියානු ආධුනික ලේබකයෙකු වන රේගන් ඈශ්බි හට මොලියර් ගේ ටාටුෆ් සහ ජාතක කතා පොතේ එන සෝමනස්ස ජාතකය අතර  මාටින් වික්‍රමසිංහයන් විසින් පෙන්වා දෙන ලද  සමානත්වය අලලා   ලිපියක් සම්පාදනය කරමින් සිටියෙමි. ඔරුවල බන්දු ගේ  මරණයේ පණිවිඩයත් සමග මම ලිපිය ලිවීම නවතා රේගන් හට කෙටි විද්‍යුත් තැපැල් පණිවිඩයක් යැව්වෙමි. ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ ජේෂ්ඨ ලේඛකයෙකු මියගොස් ඇත. අදාල ලිපිය  පසුව එවමි. ඉන්පසු මම ඔරුවල පිළිබඳව අනුස්මරණිය කෙටි ලිපියක් ලීවෙමි. මේ එම ලිපියයි.   කේ ජයතිලකයන්  දැයෙන්  සමුගෙන ඉතා කෙටි කාලයකින් තවත් ලේඛකයෙකු  අප අතරින් වියෝ වී ඇත. ඔරුවල  බන්දු  යනු සුවිසේෂි හැකියාවන් තිබු ලේඛකයෙකි. ඔහුට විදේශීය බස ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/11)

Oruwala Bandu – an Archetypalist in Simplicity
By Dr. Chandana Jayalath
 A slim fair man has been riding a foot cycle to then the‘kadamandiya’ to collect the newspapers to be aware of what is happening around. Everyone sees the same man with white national dress, without shoes or slippers, standing amongst the sadine-packed crowds, daily commutes by rail for a duty which only a handful could do. He was a lecturer in Russian language and literature at the Kelaniya University. He lived down-to-earth life, as this phrase exactly suggests, he did not need all the bling, and did not want to do what all others wanted... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/11)

Tantirimale to Kataragama. Ideas for Development
 Garvin Karunaratne’ Ph.D., Former SLAS(G.A.Matara 1971-73) November 18, 2011
Mt travels in Sri Lanka in November 2011 took me to Nuwarakalaviya, Sabaragamuwa and Ruhuna, areas where I spent years in my young days as an administrator, In them I was working with the farmers and entrepreneurs, finding solutions to their myriad problems, problems that kept them gagged and bound. I have tried to share my experiences in my two novels: "Mukulita Piyumo Ayi Vana Meda Me", in1970 and in "Vidanege Diyaniya" in 2010 (Godages).  The problems of the peasants made me move from literature to economics and today I... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/11)

Sri Lanka to scrap 100pc tax on foreign land buys
The Sri Lankan government is scrapping the 100% tax levied on foreigners buying land, in favour of a new special land tax to be unveiled in the 2012 budget. The new tax will remove restrictions on foreigners buying and developing land anywhere in the country, and will also close loopholes which have allowed many foreigners to buy land in Sri Lanka tax free. It is also thought that removing the tax will increase tourism and property sales to foreigners. The overall aim of the decision is to increase the revenues coming into government coffers from the sale of land to... -Full Story- (themovechannel.com - 18/11/11)

Sri Lanka eyes deficit cut in 2012 budget
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka aims to maintain 8 per cent economic growth and cut its fiscal deficit to a 20-year low in the 2012 budget due to on Monday, with investors concerned after the government sent several conflicting signals on investment policy The 2012 budget will be President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second full-year budget since the end of a 25-year war that had hindered the Indian Ocean island nation’s $50 billion economy. The budget is expected to focus on development and maintain lower tax regimes adopted in the 2011 budget, which was meant to instill confidence with investor-friendly polices. “I think it... -Full Story- (gulftoday.ae - 18/11/11)

TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT BY DAILY NEWS
... -Full Story- (Daily News - 17/11/11)

Failed peace process: NATO, Norwegian military roles exposed
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Now that Oslo had admitted that the Norway-led Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) received intelligence from both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), those running the peace process couldn’t have been unaware of LTTE’s preparations for war, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said yesterday. He was commenting on the Norwegian peace evaluation report released in Oslo last Friday. "In spite of foreign intelligence services confirming our own assessment regarding LTTE preparations for war, those spearheading the peace process turned a blind eye to the rapidly deteriorating situation," Rajapaksa said.... -Full Story-
(The Island - 17/11/11)

A Letter from Canada
Victor annai (Richards Karunairajan)
They are in fact the anti-forces to reconciliation and peace in Sri Lanka. We certainly do not want a Tamil mafia to develop, even more to turn our homeland into a mafia land, which in my view, was the ultimate motive of Velupillai Prabakaran. We have to confront the activities of the diehard LTTE groups in Canada and bring about an end to them. Dear Umasuthan: I was happy to meet you and your colleague David in the offices of the Canadian Tamil Congress in Toronto and share with you some of my concerns but... -Full Story-
(srilankawatch.com - 17/11/11)

Blood on Wall Street: Violent OWS arrests (GRAPHIC PHOTOS, VIDEO)
RT
At least 175 people have been arrested during clashes between police and Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in New York. Some protesters were bloodied during arrests. ­This man who identified himself as Brendan Watts was beaten to the ground by police officers in Zuccotti Park. According to reports he was injured and suffered a fractured skull after being hit with a baton to the head as police clashed with protesters.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 17/11/11)

What Occupy Wall Street Has Taught Me
Alec Baldwin.
Have you seen Hard Times: Lost on Long Island? The film won the Audience Award/Best Documentary at the Hamptons International Film Festival in October. The documentary follows a group of unemployed men and women, ranging in age from their late thirties into their sixties, who are looking for work while living in certain middle class suburbs on Long Island. I had not seen the film during the festival itself, but when I screened it the other day, I realized the true meaning, for me, of the Occupy Wall Street movement.... -Full Story-
(huffingtonpost.com - 17/11/11)

Aren’t we going too far to develop tourism, and shouldn’t we be more selective in accepting foreign investment?
By Charles.S.Perera
 At last we know, that Sri Lanka is not to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Mr.Sunil Gunawardhana a veteran Sri Lanka athlete and coach has bemoaned that Sri Lanka had been denied the occasion after a thirty year war in its effort to reconcile the communities by uncaring sportive bigwigs of the Commonwealth Games Federation voting 43 to 27 in favour of Australia.  Those who voted against Sri Lanka were undoubtedly, mostly politically motivated Westerners against developing Nation breaking new grounds in economic and social development. It was expected , that despite the West becoming failed Nations... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/11)

Buddhist Organisations in Sri Lanka call for Humanitarian assistance to be given to the Flood affected people of Thailand
WFB for Humanitarian Assistance
Several Buddhist organizations in Sri Lanka led by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress have appealed to both the Public and Government of Sri Lanka to give humanitarian assistance by way of cash and goods to the flood affected people of Thailand in their hour of need.  A joint statement issued by six Buddhist organizations has urged the People and Government of Sri Lanka to rise to the occasion as several other countries have done in going to the assistance of Thailand.  The full statement reads as follows:   “The people of Thailand are going through... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/11)

Should Norwegian money bags be our conscience? Or, should Norway be held responsible for the LLTE ‘s killings?
Ranjith Soysa
The study conducted on Norway Peace Plan has revealed many issues which will be vital for the present and future policy makers of Sri Lanka. While some Sri Lankan politicians, many members of the business fraternity and all the foreign funded NGOs including a number of journalists supported the Norwegian peace treaty, the majority of the Sri Lankan people clearly understood the hidden agenda of the Vikings. One of the important areas which was not discussed in detail in the study referred to was the dubious role played by Norway in her attempt to help directly the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/11)

PAKISTAN: A senior surgeon belonging to the Ahmadi sect is abducted with his son and remains missing
AHRC
A senior surgeon belonging to the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam has been missing since October 30, 2011. He was traveling in a car with his son of eleven years. The car was found abandoned far away from his home. Dr. Shah Muhammad Javed, a resident of Sadiqabad Mohallah Kotli Azad Kashmir, the Pakistani part of Kashmir, is a Senior Surgeon in Kotli District Hospital and also owns and operates a private clinic, under the name of "Dr. Shah Muhammad Javed Surgical Clinic", which is located opposite to the General Post office. He has been missing since 10:30 pm,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/11)

The Long Wait for New Dual Citizenship Regulations – This needs the attention of President Mahinda Rajapakse
Anjalika Silva  USA
When the country’s immediate need to bring back knowledge workers to assist in the development process, why is so much weight given to a flawed system of dual citizenship which has now become tied to reversing brain drain and a hindrance to bringing people back. Politicians extend invitations to expats to come back when overseas. What about the rest of it? It is a long time since the notice stated below first appeared on the website of the Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration with no indication of what is to follow. “Acceptance of Dual... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/11)

Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam affirms :” There is no single model of development valid for all peoples, at all times”
Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam -Media Release
The right to development is a universal and inalienable human right, an integral part of our human heritage, which is as much a prerogative of States as it is of individuals.  Speaking at an event to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Declaration of the Right to Development organized by the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of Islamic Countries and the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam, as Chairperson/Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on the Right to Development, reminded the international community that the Declaration recognizes “the human... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/11)

Beware of Tamil Fraud
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . K1J 6G1 Canada
15 November 2011 Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MP (NDP) for Scarborough-Rouge River, House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Rathika: Holy Ganesh and Vishnu! Well…well…what do you know!!  Did you read the news item BEWARE OF FRAUD!  It is all about five of your Tamil people, perhaps convention refugees, who very likely cheated their way into Canada saying that they were persecuted and discriminated by the majority Sinhalese in yours and my Sri Lanka, the same mantra that you keep doling out in parliament to disgrace Sri Lanka that you... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/11)

Prof. G.P. Malalasekara Commemorative lecture by Prof. Y. Karunadasa-THE WORLD OF BUDDHISM: UNITY IN DIVERSITY
Professor Y. Karunadasa delivered an erudite lecture on the 3rd of November 2011 on the topic
' THE WORLD OF BUDDHISM: UNITY IN DIVERSITY' to mark the occasion of the commemoration of the 112th birth anniversary of Professor G.P. Malalasekara, eminent Buddhist Scholar, in the Auditorium of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress. The function was organised by the World Fellowship of Buddhists, Sri Lanka Centre. The WFB was founded by Professor Malalasekara in 1950.  Prof. Y. Karunadasa graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Ceylon in 1958 and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of London in... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/11)

‘LOCO’ VIEWS OF CHRISTAIN FANATICS.
Mahinda Weerasinghe
By early 2005, subsequent to the post Tsunami devastation, Christian fanatics were claiming that ‘Tsunami was sent by God’. The Island editor Prabath Sahabandu was promoting such opinion using his position, being a ‘True believer’. By mid February 2005 he published an article which was especially disgusting, which targeted the basic Buddhist philosophy and the secular thinking as well, that the ‘wrath of God was shown by his sending a Tsunami’ and I was livid. I responded to this crass propaganda of his, with ‘If Tsunami was sent by God, and then we are oblivious to His... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/11)

News for hearing - music for listening!
Dr.Tilak Fenando
   In Letters to the Editor column (sometime in June) Melville Perera in Kohuwela wrote on ‘Radio/TV News reporting and Ads’ and made no bones about it when he clearly voiced his opinion viz: “Be it anywhere, people are interested in reading or listening to news, local as well as international, relayed over the electronic media”. “It is regretted to note however that one feature of this reporting is the speed at which it is delivered. News is an important issue for the general public and a part of everyday life. Therefore, it must be reported and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/11)

Unique Farewell to Bhupenda
Nava Thakuria
 It was understood that the people of Assam love Dr Bhupen Hazarika very much, but the wave of condolence poured on the legendary singer was unique and never to be repeated. Not only Assam, the entire eastern India with Bangladesh had shown their greatest farewell to the versatile genius. More to it, the news channels and newspapers of Assam had dedicated their precious space for full five days to Bhupenda, as millions of his fans called the cultural icon.  The news broke from Mumbai, where Bhupenda, 86, was undergoing treatment for some weeks, at around 4.37 pm... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/11)

Did Mossad kill Iran’s missile research?
RT
A key figure in Iran’s missile program has been killed in an explosion at a Revolutionary Guard base in the country. Some reports suggest that the blast which killed Brigade General Hassan Moghaddam and 16 others may have been an act of sabotage. General Moghaddam was a senior officer involved in developing new long-range ballistic missile designs, and Tehran says many of its missile program’s successes were due to his special skill and expertise. He and 16 others were killed on Saturday when a shipment of artillery shells detonated at a military site some 25 kilometers west of Tehran.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 14/11/11)

NATO’s Law of the Jungle in Libya
Article: Peter Dyer
NATO’s Law of the Jungle in Libya Exclusive: The murder of Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi was widely hailed in the West as a just outcome. But it involved powerful nations making up the rules as they went along, the law of the jungle disguised as international justice, observes Peter Dyer. By Peter Dyer November 11, 2011 If there is one thing the “humanitarian” intervention in Libya has convincingly demonstrated it is this: the only real international law is the law of brute force. The Libyan dust now appears to be settling. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has... -Full Story-
(scoop.co.nz - 14/11/11)

OPEN LETTER TO ROY G. WIGNARAJAH, Media Coordinator for TGTE, Canada
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
12 November 2011 OPEN LETTER TO ROY G. WIGNARAJAH, Media Coordinator  for TGTE, Canada Dear Roy Wignarajah: I have just read your Press Release of November 6, 2011, TORONTO TAMILS PROTEST AGAINST SRI LANKAN DUPLICITY, the subject was the Deepavali Celebrations organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa, and the Sri Lanka’s Consular Office in Toronto held at the Korean-Canadian Association facilities. Well…well…well…Roy, that was something…a hell-a-va read.  “How can these Tamils be so bloody stupid”, I muttered under my breath.  At the very outset, let... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 13/11/11)

India held secret meetings with LTTE, Solheim says Former envoy to Sri Lanka reveals officials' role in ceasefire
IANS
Oslo: Indian officials met in "secret" with the LTTE ahead of Sri Lanka's 2002 truce although New Delhi considered the Tamil Tigers a terrorist group, Norwegian cabinet minister Erik Solheim has revealed. The former envoy to Sri Lanka also said India played a covert role in events that led to the Tamil Tigers and Colombo signing a ceasefire agreement nine years ago. Solheim spoke at length at his office here after addressing a meeting where a report was released on Norway's role in Sri Lanka's peace process.... -Full Story-
(gulfnews.com - 13/11/11)

Lessons unlearnt
Courtesy The Island   Editorial
Norway seems to have sought to counter a perceived attempt by Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt Commission (LLRC) to blame Oslo for the collapse of the disastrous 'peace' deal (2002-2009). Ahead of the submission of the LLRC report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Norway has released the findings by its version of a lessons learnt commission in a report titled, Pawns of peace-Evaluation of Norwegian Peace Efforts in Sri Lanka, 1997-2009. (The executive summary of the Norwegian report refers to 'some broader lessons for peace-building elsewhere'––emphasis added.) The Norwegian report indited in INGO lingo is full of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 13/11/11)

Hussain crows about Hussain in vain
H. L. D. Mahindapala
 One of the common strands that runs through the pompous pontifications of Izeth Hussain is the assumption that his statements consist of profundities of an intellectual maestro who could beat all his rivals, except, of course, the four unnamed “great diplomats of the world” who are supposed to be his only equals. This trait leads him to take himself so seriously that he has to proclaim to the world that he is “a sophisticated Westernized intellectual, recognized as one of the literati, a former diplomat who was given high positions by the SLFP…”  Writing advertisements... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 13/11/11)

Tamil Nationalists Suffer Multiple Humiliating Defeats in Australia, India and USA
- Kumar Moses
Tamil Elamists have been defeated comprehensively throughout the world. When their floating weapons warehouses were sunk one after another, they didn’t even admit it. They pretended nothing happened. It’s the same pretending game they play now. All patriotic Sri Lankans who invested their time and effort must celebrate these defeats of Tamil nationalists. The few in number but dedicated patriotic web spaces deserve the praise of all.  It is Nanthikadal part fifty as nothing else compares to the gravity of the new set of defeats Tamil Nationalists suffered recently. They are well accustomed to defeats... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 13/11/11)

මිහිරි පහසක් අහසේ -- a sweet blowing in the air
අහංගම
මිතුරනි, සතුරනි, රණ නරඹන්නනි, මෙගේ සිහිනයක් සැබැ වෙලා! හතුරන්, මිතුරන්, නැහැදිච්ච අමනයන්, ශිෂ්ටවත් අය, මහ උගතුන්, බොරුකාරයන්, බියගුල්ලන්, අහිංසක නූගතුන්, නාකි, තරුණ කව්රුත් වගේ සිංහලෙන් ලියනවා! බැන ගන්නවා, කුණුහරප කියනවා, සුභාෂිතයෙන් කවි එලි දක්වනවා. මේවා බලාගෙන ඉන්නවා තව පිරිසක්. ඒ අය බැල්කනියේ කව්ලුවෙන් පාරේ කලබැගෑනිය බලාගෙන ඉන්න රදළයන් වගේ අයයි. "අපි ඔය පාරේ යන රස්තියාදු කාරයෝ නෙවෙයි. උන් එකෙක් මැරුවත් අපි අපේ පාඩුවේ ඉන්නවා මිස අසාධාරණයක් වුනත් ඒවාට හවුල් වෙලා අපේ තත්ත්වය බාල කරගන්නේ නෑ" (Eggheads not getting drawn into street fights) කියන අයයි. ඒ වගේ රදළයෙක් මා එක්ක කතා කරනකොට කිව්වා, "තමුසෙගෙ සිංහල ක්‍රමය කව්රුත් පාවිච්චි කරනවා... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 13/11/11)

Bright signs of Asian friendship at Frankfurt Consulate Deepavali Festival-LIGHTING THE LAMP OF FRIENDSHIP
Deepavali Festival Celebrated in Frankfurt Consulate
Hindu devotees as well as Buddhist, Muslim and Christian diaspora joined Mr. Pradip Jayewardene, The Consul General of Sri Lanka, to celebrate Deepavali Festival in Frankfurt last weekend. The religious ceremony to invoke blessings was conducted by Pirathishda Kalanithi Siva Sri Arumuga Paskarakurukkal from the prestigious Hindu Shankarar Sri Kamadchi Ampal Temple in Germany's Hamm-Uentrop city.  Addressing the visitors, Mr. Pradip Jayewardene highlighted the importance of the festival in today's context where the community needs to overcome all misconceptions and work together towards a better future. Messages from H. E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Saadi Gaddafi Granted Aslyum In NigerOn 'Humanitarian Grounds'
Colonel Gaddafi's son Saadi has been granted asylum by Niger on humanitarian grounds, the country's president has confirmed. Saadi escaped over the Libyan border to Niger after Tripoli was captures by National Transitional Forces in August. Interpol has an international arrest warrant out for the 38-year-old who has been accused of committing crimes while he was head of Libya's football federation.... -Full Story- (huffingtonpost.co.uk - 12/11/11)

Libya: Media blackout, why?
Has anyone noticed the virtual silence on Libya among western news agencies? If Libya was today quiet, and without any conflict, we could believe the Lies on Sky and friends incorporated that a dictator had been toppled and his enraptured people freed, living now in peace, preparing for democracy. But this is not the case... What I am about to say comes as no surprise at all for those of us who know Libya, know Colonel Gaddafi and who warned NATO about the monumental mistake being made before the invasion began, as indeed was the case before Iraq in this... -Full Story- (english.pravda.ru - 12/11/11)

Armed clashes intensify in divided Tripoli
By Alice Fordham
Escalating clashes between militia groups near Tripoli have killed several fighters over three days, amid growing concerns about rivalries between the heavily armed rebels who control overlapping areas in and around the Libyan capital. “There is a big fight now, a new front,” said a fighter from the western city of Zawiyah, who was positioning a rocket on a flatbed truck at the side of the main road 16 miles west of Tripoli. “We are fighting the Wershifanna tribe. There are remnants of Gaddafi people among them.”... -Full Story-
(washingtonpost.com - 12/11/11)

THE BUDDHA’S SENSORY BECOMING PRINCIPLE
Mahinda  Weerasinghe
VITAL INFORMATION This reply to ‘The Island paper was, formulated and forwarded to the Editor of the Island, about three weeks ago. But it never saw the ‘dawn of light’ in the Island.  As, many such critical response of mine. Buzz around the patriotic authors living in Lanka and ex.pat authors, is that Christian/ Catholic media is expunging such crucial information from getting through to the public. Indeed, what the public hears is ‘the sound of one hand clapping’.  In such a manner, such editors of the English media have been brain washing the Buddhist public... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Why believe in so-called scientific knowledge
Wilfred Fernando
Dear Editor Mahinda Weerasinghe's letter in today's Lnakaweb website prompted me to send the attached letter similarly rejected by the Island paper, due to matters in favour of Buddhism. The letter attached is a reply I wrote to a challenge extended to me by Carlo Fonseka. After such a challenge appearred in the Island of 5th November it was an embarassment not to reply. That was the predicament I was left with by the Island after their refusal. Later on last Wednsday I have sent another letter to the Editor imploring to publish it after modifying it... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Obama,Cameron and Sarkozy Committed war crimes in Libya
By Latheef  Farook 
 So, finally the America, Britain and France, controlled by the international Jewry, have slaughteredLibya’s oppressive dictator Muammar Gaddafi, massacred innocent people, raped and killed women and girls, destroyed the modern infrastructure   and pushed this most prosperous African country into Stone Age.  These war crimes were committed not by the often demonised Taliban or Al Qaeda but by American President Barack Obama, British Prime Munister David Cameron and French President Nicolai Sarkozy team with the active collaboration ofIsrael. Of course the Jewish controlled Western media won’t speak about these war crimes.  American led NATO AWACS spy plane... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

The Return of the Tamil Brigade
Prof. Hudson McLean
The Return of the Tamil Refugees from Tamil Nadu demonstrates  the success of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government policy of humane fairness. As most of the supporters of LTTE Terrorists claim unfair treatment of Tamils in the North and left the shores of Sri Lanka to their historical Homeland of Tamil Nadu. Those loud mouth pundits in Tamil Nadu and other Indian politicians should look at how the Motherland of India treated their own Kith & Kin. I doubt very much that if these "refugees" were treated with kindness by their Motherland, they would return to Sri... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Iraq Reminds Us Why Accountability Matters
by Rami G. Khouri
Released: 9 Nov 2011 BEIRUT -- Just as I was leaving the United States last week after two months of traveling around the country and encountering the best of the people and culture, I read a newspaper story that reminded me of the dark and ugly side of the country. It was a New York Times report from Baghdad quoting senior U.S. and Iraqi officials who expressed, “growing concern that Al-Qaeda’s offshoot here, which just a few years ago waged a debilitating insurgency that plunged the country into a civil... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

JVP Commemorates Wijeweera !
P.A.Samaraweera, Australia
JVP dissidents had said that they would commemorate the 22nd death anniversary of Wijeweera (RW) on 13th Nov. and return to rebuild the leftist movement from zero. They have said that RW had at the brink of his defeat asked his followers to restart the struggle for a socialist revolution. So they waited for 4 decades to make a decision to breakaway.   Then on the other side, JVP Gen Secy Tilvin Siva had said that his party is committed to the policies of the founder leader RW and the party would always follow his footsteps. And said, that it is... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Proud Sri Lankans Muzzled By Pakistan And Frazzled By Mismanagement?
Top Spin By Suni
November 11th 2011 The signs of weariness, underperformance and indifference seem to be showing in the Sri Lankan team beaten comprehensively by Pakistan in the 1st ODI at Dubai.What with contract payments in arrears, team unity in dissaray it is rumored  and a general hang dog air about the team  where the  captaincy  too seems pathetic not only to himself but also to the team where he also needs to tone down the excessive use of the term "definitely" in all his opening lines which is becoming a bit annoying to his world wide audiences surely as there... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/11)

Visiting Sri Lanka Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . K1J 6G1 Canada
10 November 2011 The Editor, EMBASSY, Ottawa Sir/Madam: Avinash Gavai asked the Sri Lankan Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara who was visiting Ottawa recently: “What about mending fences with the very large politically active Tamil Diaspora here in Canada?” Among the many possible answers to this pertinent question this response too should be thrown into that mix. As long  as the Tamil Diaspora still have members of their family to be brought into Canada on the family reunification programme; as long as some members can fast track to become... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 10/11/11)

Europe keeps LTTE alive-‘Tamil Tigers’ extinct in Sri Lanka, but not abroad
Kanchan Gupta
Berlin: Daud Haider, well-known Bengali poet and our gracious host, was keen to treat us to a home-cooked meal which would include, apart from prawn curry, karela fry, which I presumed would be done Bangladeshi style, and daal with drumsticks. On the way back to his apartment, tired and hungry after tramping around the city the whole day, we stopped by at a store owned by a Sri Lankan Tamil family. It had a narrow doorway and seemed more like a corridor that had been converted into a shop packed with shelves laden with generic desi groceries,... -Full Story-
(dailypioneer.com - 10/11/11)

IAEA report on Iran exposed as a BIG fraud
Ahmadinejad rejects U.S. allegations on nuclear weapons Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said his country does not need nuclear weapons to "cut the hands" of the United States, and can achieve their goals by peaceful means, thus repudiating claims about its nuclear program. "Our nation can achieve success through reflection, its rich culture and prudence," Ahmadinejad said in criticizing Washington and its allies, who use an assembly of unfounded allegations against the Islamic Republic. The president spoke before the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports accusing Tehran of having planned nuclear weapons, something the country's government vehemently denies.... -Full Story- (english.pravda.ru - 10/11/11)

Biggest success? NATO proud of Libya op which killed thousands
RT
With Gaddafi dead and its “military job now done,” NATO has declared its campaign in Libya one of the “most successful in NATO history.” However, untold casualties and a country devastated by war call into question the alliance’s notion of success. ­Coming through on last week’s promise to end military operations in Libya, on Friday NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen declared the military operation in Libya would be wrapped up on October 31, the Associated Press (AP) reports. His announcement came a day after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution to lift the no-fly zone over Libya.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 10/11/11)

Russia: IAEA report‘s goal to make Iran “guilty”
RT
Diplomats in Moscow say the UN nuclear watchdog presented no new facts concerning the Iranian nuclear program – but instead deliberately politicized the existing ones, largely ignoring Tehran’s willingness to cooperate. The Russian Foreign Ministry’s official statement says the fact the IAEA’s director was able to visit several locations of interest previously restricted to Agency inspectors is being underplayed. That, together with the fact Tehran’s desire to work closely with the UN watchdog to resolve any outstanding issues should be present in the report and is conveniently absent, led Russian officials to the conclusion that the IAEA “had a... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 10/11/11)

‘IAEA has not found a gram of military uranium in Iran’ - Iran's envoy to IAEA
RT
Iran has gone many times beyond its legal obligations to prove its civil intentions to the IAEA, the country’s envoy to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Ali Asghar Soltanieh, told RT after the release of the Agency’s report. The 25-page report delivered by the UN atomic watchdog has gone down with the western media as “ the strongest evidence yet ” that Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons. The Agency unveiled that Tehran has been and may still be gathering information required to make nuclear arms, testing high explosives and detonator development to set off a nuclear charge,... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 10/11/11)

How many nations are there in this country?
Dr. Sudath Gunasekara:  President Senior Citizens movement Mahanuwara. 9.11.2011.
This has been a very big puzzle for me for quite some time. I have no doubt that majority of you who read this note might have had the same problem.  This is mainly because vey often people who mater in society, when they speak at public forum use to say ‘me rate Siyaluma jatinta’ meaning all nations in this country. What baffle and confuse me is the question as to how many nations are there in this country. Because I always thought there is only one Nation in this... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/11)

Sri Lanka Deepavali Celebration in Toronto
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
9 November 2011 John Carmichael, Conservative MP for Don Valley West, Ontario  House of Common, Ottawa, Ontario  Dear John Carmichael: It is with utmost humility that I say “Thank You” and doff my hat to you for attending the Deepavali Celebration in Toronto, organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa and Sri Lanka Consular General’s Office in Toronto. What was significant in your attendance was that you showed your honesty in wanting the reconciliation process between the two communities that have been polarized by their Tamil... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/11)

Tamil Tiger Fronts Continue To Flout Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Laws
SRI LANKA UNITED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CANADA  4 Arkona Drive, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1T 1X3
 The Tamil Tiger fronts which keep mushrooming under different names and guises continue to conduct the various programs initially drawn up by the internationally designated terrorist movement known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which are aimed at generating both propaganda and funds for their cause. On the 29th of October, 2011, the National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT) and the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO) launched the ‘Pongu Thamil’ event which is referred to as a ‘Tamil Upsurge’ at the legislature grounds... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/11)

An Important Sequel to Recent item ~ The Tamil Tigers Will Never Re-Surge In Sri Lanka But Thanks To Countries like The USA, Australia, UK And Canada They Might In Other Parts Of The World If Not Destroyed in their Entirety!
Insight By Sunil Kumar November 5th. 2011
This Refers to Germany as part of the European Union And the following is an endorsement !  The following Item portrays exactly what was suggested  in the above refered to article and is a virtual endorsement of the dangers of tolerating any attempt to recussitate the Tamil Tigers elsewhere in the world.It is hoped that the countries refered to together with any others with sympathies for the Tamul Tigers whether inadvertently or not will take  note! The duplicities exposed here on the part of Europe seems astounding and the world already... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/11)

An Outsider’s View—8 ,Adopt Middle Path economics best of capitalism and socialism to bridge Wall and Main streets
By Shelton A. Gunaratne Professor of mass communications emeritus, Minnesota State University Moorhead
 How can a democracy committed to “equality and justice for all,” a phrase Americans recite in their Pledge of Allegiance, allow itself to become a nation, in which: The top 1 percent own 34 percent of the wealth (income plus assets), and the next 9 percent own 38 percent of the wealth, thereby entrusting the top 10 percent of Americans with 72 percent of the nation’s wealth? The top 1 percent of Americans own 23 percent of national income? And the top 10 percent share... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/11)

Australian Press Gets it Right for the First Time
Dr D.Chandraratna Perth, Australia
Today for the first time the Australian newspaper, ‘The Week End Australian’  published an accurate picture of the ground realities of post conflict Sri Lanka and the growing presence of the LTTE in Australia by the veteran journalist Greg Sheridan.  As pointed out in the Australian press the villain in Sri Lanka is and was the LTTE. Thanks to their protectors overseas, and buying power both monetarily and electorally the war crimes and human rights violations are presumably from the government side and it is only a few who even refer to the atrocities committed... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/11)

The torments of balding
 Dr.Tilak Fenando
If hair loss appears to be one of nature’s blunders to some ‘caring’ gentlemen who would devote their lives to create an illusion vital to their self-esteem, then could it be viewed as nature perpetrating an expensive boo-boo? Millions of men the world over go bald and none of them do like it a bit. It is quite natural, therefore, that balding men tend to worry unduly the moment they look at the mirror and find out that they are thinning out on top!  Their immediate reflex action would be to try secretly to resolve the problem... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/11)

Shocking revelation of unfair trading practices in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan
SKITTLES FEW DAYS TO EXPIRY SOLD AT HEALTHGUARD PHARMACY, DHARMAPALA MAWATHA, COLOMBO-03. WILL THE MEDICATION ALSO BE SOLD LIKE THIS? At the main counters of the Healthguard Pharmacy there are 2 Baskets of Skittles with a large label which states "Buy 1 and Get 1 Free for Rs.200/=. The two packs are attached with a cellotape so as to conceal the expiry date. The expiry date states 10th November 2011. Will this the way they would sell their medication as well? Over to to the Copnsumer Affairs Authority. AMUL GHEE EXPIRED ON 21ST OCTOBER ON SHELVES... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/11)

Mahinda triumphs over Tamils and I/NGOs in Perth
H. L. D. Mahindapala
 There were only two winners at the CHOGM held in Perth: Queen Elizabeth and President Mahinda Rajapakse. Both got what they wanted. Queen wanted succession to pass on to a female, overturning the British tradition of passing it first to the male even if the females are senior and she won. She also won the right to lift the ban on Catholics ascending the throne – a law observed since Henry VIII refused to recognize the supremacy of the Pope in the domestic affairs of England. She sailed through smoothly.  The big victory, however, was... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Harper Commonwealth Progress - Nov. 2,2011
Ira de Silva London, Ontario  
The Editor Embassy Magazine Ottawa, Ontario   Dear Sir:   It is not what Mr. Harper said after he left the Commonwealth Conference but what he said before he went and the communique that was issued at the meeting that should be highlighted and the question asked whether Canada will abide by it's commitments.   Before he left he singled out Sri Lanka for criticism probably to satisfy his ethnic Tamil voters in the Toronto area whom he is eager to cultivate and draw away from the other political parties. Media reports indicated that... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Criticism of Sri Lanka ignores Tiger threat
by: Greg Sheridan, Foreign editor  -Courtesy : The Australian  November 05, 2011 12:00AM
November 05, 2011 12:00AM   A female Tamil Tiger fighter in action near Kilinochchi in 2006. Picture: AFP Source: AFP THE criticism of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa, when he visited Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, left the key Sri Lankan villain out of the story. The criticism was that the Sri Lankan government engaged in serious human rights abuses, shelling areas where civilians were present, at the end of its civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Some thugs can’t even name themselves…
Written by Malinda Seneviratne
It has been reported that Rajiv Gandhi, on his way to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord, had told Tamil Nadu politicians that the agreement he was to sign with the then president of Sri Lanka, J.R. Jayewardene, would bring Sri Lanka under the Indian orbit, just like Bhutan. The before and after of the Indo-Lanka Accord is well known, but considering the recent joint-statement issued by the ministers in charge of external affairs of the two countries, it is worth a recap. India, under Rajiv Gandhi and before him, under his mother, Indira Gandhi, armed, funded... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Would The Decision Against The Pakistanis Have Been Different Had Those Found Guilty Been From A Western Country And Non Minority ?
Top Spin By Suni
November 4th 2011 The recent high court verdict of " guilty !" returned by the presiding judge in the Spot Fixing Allegations case seems as though he was hell bent on convicting the Pakustanis onvolved regardless of many principles involving fairplay and justice. Despite the many arguments in favour of the concept such as, "they are deliberate cheats, they have brought the game to disrepute etc. etc. as waves of rhetoric hit the fan.. one wonders whether there has been a huge double standard and miscarriage of justice involved and whether the case was tried... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

GRATEFUL LADY HILLARY CLINTON? YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I WILL SCRATCH YOUR”s
By Stanley Perera-Melbourne
One can imagine Hillary Clinton entered into an agreement with Sri Lankan born billionaire Raj Rajaratnam who is an American criminal serving 11 year jail sentence, if the Tamil Terrorists funded Hillary’s presidential campaign, Hillary will return the favour to the Tamil Terrorists if she won the election. Hillary lost in one way and on the other way she won the Secretary of State position by stooping into serve under her opponent and thereby Hillary becoming the lowest of the low. Hillary was grateful to the Terrorists LTTE immediately after receiving the donation (a large sum... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

The recent statement by the General Secretary of the JVP
Henry
The Editor.   The recent statement by the General Secretary of the JVP that it regrets the decision to form alliances with certain politicians and political parties in the past is not the half of it.   If Sri Lanka is to accept the JVP as a sane  political party, it must first apologize to the nation for the stupid mistakes it made ifirst in 1971 and then in the 1990' s to wage war on the people of Sri Lanka in its efforts to grab power at any cost. The death and destruction they caused cannot be swept... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Harper: Commonwealth progress
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
4 November 2011 The Editor, EMBASSY, Ottawa Sir:  ‘Harper: Commonwealth progress’ was predictable as night would follow day. What was embarrassing was how he failed to lead the Commonwealth of Nations as the Pied Piper to scuttle the Commonwealth Summit to be held in Colombo in 2013. If domestic politics is what influenced Prime Minister Harper to take this strong negative stance against Sri Lanka to appease the Tamil Diaspora in the Greater Toronto Area who gave him the loot of 15 ridings to be taken away from the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

Commonwealth Summit 2013 & Eminent Persons Report
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
4 November 2011 The Editor (Letters) THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Sir: It is a bit presumptuous, strange and tawdry for Canada to add pressure on Sri Lanka and wanting to boycott the Colombo’s Commonwealth Summit in 2013 spelling out alleged violations  of Human Rights during the final phase of the Tamil Tiger terrorist war as the reason when Canada allowed the Tamil Diaspora fund one-third of the war-budget by stuffing two million dollars a month into the war chest during the 13 Liberal governing years. Our presumptuous “We are... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/11)

The Tamil Tigers Will Never R-Surge In Sri Lanka But Thanks To Countries like The USA, Australia, UK And Canada They Might In Other Parts Of The World If Not Destroyed in their Entirety!
Insight By Sunil Kumar
November 4rd. 2011 Thanks to the Present Administration of H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa the Tamil Tigers have been completely eliminated in Sri Lanka and in all probabilities will never re- surge or re- emerge in Sri Lanka which is a fair conclusion given everything that has transpired to ensure this from the time they were completely annihilated and destroyed in Sri Lanka where today their memory is a reviled one by all of Sri Lanka's  freedom loving citizens.   However there is a remarkable turnaround in Tamil Tiger sympathies and tolerances globally from many unlikely sources... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/11)

Jim Karygiannis at Pongu Thamil celebrations
Asoka Weerasinghe, Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
 November 2011 Jim Karygiannis, Liberal MP for Scarborough-Agincourt, Ontario. Dear Jim: Last evening I received a photo of you standing in a military precision at attention beside the poster of Velupillai Prabhakaran, with the words “Our Glorious Leader”, addressing the Pongu Thamil celebrations in Toronto the other day. I wasn’t sure whether you were singing the Tamil Tiger National Anthem  or “O! Canada”, standing at attention with a mic at your mouth, or whether you were addressing the Tamil crowd who still worship their ‘Sun God’.   I burst... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/11)

For Colombian, living is to exist absolutely for the other; where does Colombian false superiority rely on? (EPITAPH OF A COLONIZED Part 3)
Geethanjana Kudaligamage
The basic principle of the life of colonized Colombian is that it implies that living is to exist absolutely for the other. For the colonized Colombian, living is an act of performance, a ‘role play’ based on a given script. Playing a role also implies the existence of an audience. He imitates a given role expecting someone else in the audience to observe him performing it. He also expects this audience to assess his performance because his actions are contingent to the approval of someone outside to him. If his performance is close to his role-model,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/11)

PINING FOR LOST PRESTIGE AMONG NEW GLOBAL REALITIES ...
Nimal Fernando
Despite having hardly anything to show for their efforts after many months of an orchestrated campaign to discredit the present Sri Lankan administration, the promoters of Tamil demands seem set on maintaining the decibel levels in some western capitals. British Prime Minister David Cameron has even taken it upon himself to "warn" the former colony to improve its human rights record before 2013. This prompted  a priceless response from Stanley Perera of Melbourne, who commented in these columns this week that this particular David is an amateur! Apart from normal human failings or lack of character on... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/11)

Railway station and tracks found on Mars
Pravda
Joseph Skipper, a well-known US researcher, a virtual archeologist, found railway tracks, a railway station and a railway carriage on the photos of Mars. Skipper is known for his meticulous studies of high-resolution Google Mars space images, Dni.ru website reports. This time, the researcher found a whole transport system on the photos. Many are skeptical about Skipper's discovery. There is a dash line on the satellite images, but it was very brave of Joseph Skipper to call the line a railway. However, other scientists could not explain what the dash line could actually be.... -Full Story-
(english.pravda.ru - 03/11/11)

Johnson & Johnson baby shampoos contain carcinogens
Pravda
Carcinogenic substances were found in children's shampoos by Johnson & Johnson. The lab research of the goods was conducted under the order from US-based non-commercial association Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The independent laboratory analyzed a series of cosmetic products for children produced by Johnson & Johnson. Dioxane and quaternium-15 were found in Johnson's Baby and Johnson's Baby Wheat Extract shampoos as well as in Johnson's Baby bubble bath, Independent News Bureau said. Dioxane is a potentially carcinogenic substance. Quaternium-15 is an antibacterial additive, which emits formaldehyde. The latter is internationally recognized as a carcinogen.... -Full Story-
(english.pravda.ru - 03/11/11)

Johnson & Johnson baby shampoos contain carcinogens
Pravda
Carcinogenic substances were found in children's shampoos by Johnson & Johnson. The lab research of the goods was conducted under the order from US-based non-commercial association Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. The independent laboratory analyzed a series of cosmetic products for children produced by Johnson & Johnson. Dioxane and quaternium-15 were found in Johnson's Baby and Johnson's Baby Wheat Extract shampoos as well as in Johnson's Baby bubble bath, Independent News Bureau said. Dioxane is a potentially carcinogenic substance. Quaternium-15 is an antibacterial additive, which emits formaldehyde. The latter is internationally recognized as a carcinogen.... -Full Story-
(english.pravda.ru - 03/11/11)

FROM HOSPITAL TO OVERSEAS PARADISE!
By M D P DISSANAYAKE
Serious questions are being asked in regard to the arrangements to despatch  a VIP to overseas for medical treatment.  The drama unfolded so far is not palatable and is not going to be understood by the general public. There has been a lack of transparency and clarify by the relevant Authorities to dispel rumuors, which are damaging the image of the government.  It is well known that in many instances, the real culprits escape the punishment but a ‘henceman’ finally becomes a scapegoat.  Contract killing is a major business in Sri Lanka.  Very... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

Abolition of Proportional Representation, good governance and democracy?
Dr Sudath Gunasekara 2.11. 2011.
 Can you restore democracy and good governance in this country only by abolishing Proportional Representation? A very ‘BIG NO’ is the simplest answer. But as a responsible citizen concerned with good governance for the good of the people and their happiness, I thought I will pen few words on this all important issue and consequential matters whatever it worth. This indeed is a long story. But I will try to make it as short as possible. I am fully aware of the complexities and the limitations of any attempt to find a satisfactory answer... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

Rathika Sitsabaiesan on Sri Lanka in Parliament - October 29, 2011
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . K1J 6G1.Canada
1 November 2011 Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Deepak Obhrai: I was delighted to read your response to the rookie NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan on October 26th, when she said: “ Mr. Speaker, I would thank the parliamentary secretary for taking the time to be here tonight. On September 27, I was grateful to have the opportunity to co-host a screening of the Channel 4 documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields, with my fellow parliamentarians, the Hon. Member for... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

TNA’s move against the State
S. Akurugoda
According to media reports a delegation from the TNA which is in the US on an invitation extended by US Under Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake, had talks with US concerning the subject of self determination of Tamils in Sri Lanka among many other things. The TNA was also scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during the US visit. As reported in The Hindu, the TNA has the support of the main Opposition party, the United National Party.  The above report... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

CHOGM and moral defeat for Canada and the LTTE rump !
 P.A.Samaraweera, Australia
Attempts to humiliate Sri Lanka by the LTTE rump and terror backers ended in disaster at the CHOGM in Perth. They took to the streets to vent their anger on Sri Lanka President during the Opening Ceremony. One of their members filed a human rights case against the President in Melbourne but the Australian govt did not allow it to proceed citing diplomatic immunity.   Some time back the LTTE rump sabotaged the President's speech at the Oxford Union. Their tactic in Perth as well was similar but it back-fired.   Among the member countries at... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

ලිබියාව, ලෝක පුවත් සේවා සහ අපි
මණ්ඩාවල පඤ්ඤාවංස හිමි
හිටපු MI5 ඒජන්ත ඇනී මැෂොං මහත්මිය RT නම් රුසියන් රූපවාහිනිය සමග කළ සාකච්ඡාවේ දී නැටෝ බෝම්බ ප්‍රහාරය විසින්, සැලකියයුතු මට්ටමේ ඉහළ ජීවන තත්වයක් තිබූ ලිබියාව අද ගල්යුගය දක්වා ආපසු තල්ලුකර ඇතැයි කීවාය. ඇගේම වචන කියවමු: “ඔවුන්ට නිදහස් අධ්‍යාපනයක් තිබුණි; නිදහස් සොඛෟ සේවාවක් තිබුණි; ඔවුන්ට රජයේ වියදමින් පිටරටවල දී අධ්‍යාපනය ලැබිය හැකි විය. විවාහ වන විට සැලකිය යුතු මුදලක් ඔවුන්ට ලැබුණි; (රජය ඩොලර් 50000 ක් පරිත්‍යාග කරයි) එබැවින් අප්‍රිකාවේ වෙනත් රටවල වැඩි අවධානයට ලිබියාව ලක්විය; දැන් නැටෝ සංවිධානයේ මානවවාදී මැදිහත්වීම නිසා එම රට සැබවින් ම ගල්යුගයට ම දක්කා ඇත. ඔවුන්ට ඉදිරියේ දී එම ආකාරයේ ජීවන මට්ටමක් නො... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

"අධික වැසි සහ අකුණු සහිත කාලගුණික තත්ත්වය මත විදුලි අනතුරු අවම කරගැනීමට ලං.වි.ම. මහජන සහාය පතයි"
මාධ්‍ය අංශය - විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්‍යාංශය
දැනට පවතින අධික වැසි සහිත කාලගුණික තත්ත්වය හේතුවෙන් විදුලි රැහැන් මතට ගස් කොළන් කඩා වැටීමි ආදියෙන් සිදුවන විදුලි බිඳවැටීම් අවම කරගැනීමට හා ඒ තුළින් මහජනතාවට ඇති අවදානම අවම කරගැනීමට සහයෝගය ලබාදෙන ලෙස විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්‍යාංශය ජනතාවගෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටියි. ලංකා විදුලිබල මණ්ඩලයේ විදුලි රැහැන් පද්ධති වලට බාධා වන ලෙස ගස් කොලන් වැවීම හේතුවෙන්  වසරකට සිදුවන විදුලි අනතුරු සංඛ්‍යාවේ කැපීපෙනෙන වර්ධනයක් සිදුවී ඇති අතර විදුලි පද්ධත යථා තත්ත්වයට පත්කිරීම සඳහා අධික වියදමක් දැරීමටද සිදුවීම හේතුවෙන් විදුලි රැහැන් පද්ධති වලට බාධා වන ලෙස  ගස් කොළන් වැවීම සිදු නොකරන්නැයි  විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්‍යාංශය සමස්ත ජනතාවගෙන්... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

Philosophy underlying the Hajj
By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Sri Lanka.
 There are 5 main acts that are performed during Hajj, viz: 1. Circuiting the Ka'aba 2. Running between the Safa and Marwa hills 3. Assembling at Arafa. 4. Throwing stones at Mina 5. Sacrificing animals How do these acts assist in obtaining spiritual purity? This is a very relevant question, especially in the face of rising questions about how a trip to Mecca and throwing stones and running around the place, and attending a meeting would serve to purify one's soul. Therefore it is essential that the real... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/11)

Touring Anuradhapura and Tantirimale
by Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D. Former SLAS, G.A. Matara 1971
 Last month we decided to visit Anuradhapura, a must whenever we visit Sri Lanka. It is the one place on earth that enthralls me and holds me spell bound. I have traveled the world, criss-crossing the USA and Canada twice and visiting every place of interest in them The countries I have been to include Greece and the hallowed Mayan Mexican Pyramids , but when I enter Anuradhapura they all fade into the dust. The Dagobas in the distance , the placid waters of the tanks and the simplicity of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

AFTERMATH OF CHOGM
JANAKI CHANDRARATNA Perth Australia
 The aftermath of CHOGM was somewhat a disappointment not only to organisers and participants but also to the community at large.  AlthoughPerthwas to host a landmark meeting for ‘reform, renewal and resilience’, the outcome fell very short of these ideals.  It is indeed a surprise that the organisers and the Eminent Persons Group (EPG), who were charged with the reform agenda, could not foresee the project was doomed to be a failure from the start. They seriously underestimated the needs and values of the 54 participant countries. These participants represented a range of developed and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

CHOGM 2011
Ira de Silva London, Ontario
The Editor The Island Colombo, Sri Lanka     Dear Sir:   It is reported that Canada had again raised alleged accountability issues in Sri Lanka under any other business at the end of the third session of ministerial-level talks. There is no indication as to what Sri Lanka's response was on "issues of accountability" but I hope that Sri Lanka raised the issue of Canada's accountability for LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka. It is not a mere allegation but a fact that the LTTE supporters in Canada raised money through various illegal means... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

Is fighting against Terrorism a violation of human rights ?
By Charles.S.Perera
 Terrorism by itself had been  against   human existence.   In  ancient history they speak of the  hordes of Genghis Khan spreading terror among the people, so were the Crusades,   the Catholic Inquisitions were inhuman massacres of humans and destruction of cultures , the Islamic conquest of India was a carnage, to mention a few.   They burnt cities , massacred people and destroyed places of worship and study.  These ancient marauders of human civilization valued more the treasures than human life. They were different in that some conquered  countries  , others  terrorized people for  treasure and valuables, yet others... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

Why dog remains a dog even in its own universe? An open letter to all dogs-(EPITAPH OF A COLONIZED-PART 2)
 Geethanjana Kudaligamage
 Is dog a dog to begin with? Dog becomes a dog only in the universe known to man. Man stands as the sole observer and there he interprets his universe and represents the world as he wish. He makes the dog to be what it is. Although man’s representations can be valid only for him, still the dog endorses those representations despite the fact that these selfsame representations condemn him into his perpetual dogness. This manmade dogness on the other hand with all its pejorative depictions, tells the status-quo and sets standards for the relationship between man... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

The Debate - "Why Muslims Killing Each Other" by Shenali Waduge & Follow Up by Hudson McLean.
Prof. Hudson McLean
Wow! I am simply amazed by the reaction to a Simple Question and a Factual Statement of Events. At No Point either writer accused the World's Largest Religion of Islam Muslim, or any attempt was made to insult the Religion per se. Why cannot some of the readers attempt to answer the question in a civilised, intelligent, reasonable manner? However several readers of LankaWeb twisted the Statements of Fact to create a "Mountain out of a Mole Hill". At least one writer having made a derogatory remark, aplogised and withdrew his remark. Apology accepted. Sir, You... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

THE DEAD REFUGEE IS A SINHALESE
MEDIA RELEASE  SRI LANKA SUPPORT GROUP, CANBERRA
We can say with absolute certainty that the dead detainee in the Vilawood Detention Centre is a Sinhalese and not a Tamil. His name is Dayarathne Jayasekera. This is a Sinhalese, Buddhist name. Mr Jayasekera was 26 years old. His body currently lies in a morgue in Sydney. Tamil Separatists in Australia are using his death to promote its ongoing fight for the division of Sri Lanka and create a separate state called Tamil Elam within Sri Lanka. They say Mr Jayasekera committed suicide by drinking poison, and it was because he... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

කෙමරූජ් භිෂණය3
වෛද්‍ය රුවන් එම් ජයතුංග
අලූත් ගමක් බිම්මල් සමූහයක් මෙන් පොල් අතුවලින් තැනූ නිවාස සහිත අලූතින් ඉඳිකල ගම දිස්විය. කන්ඩාල් ප‍්‍රදේශයට අයත්වූ මෙම ප‍්‍රදේශය අතීතයේ සරුසාර ගොවි බිමකි. යුද්ධය හා බිමිබෝම්බ නිසා පාළුවී ගිය කුඹුරු පෙන්නුම් කළේ ශෝකාන්ත දසුනකි. කුකුල් කූඩුමෙන් තැනූ පොල්අතු නිවාස වලට නාගරික ප‍්‍රදේශ වලින් බලහත්කාරයෙන් ගෙන ආ පිරිස් පදිංචිකරවනු ලැබීය. පවුලේ සාමජිකයන් මියයෑම හෝ අවතැන් වීම නිසා වියෝදුක්ගිනි දරාසිටි ඔවුන් කුසගින්න හා වෙහෙස නිසා තමන්ට හිමි බිම්කඩවල වැතිරී ගිමන් ඇරියහ. ඔවුන් සැමදෙනාගේම මුහුණින් දිස් වූයේ භීතියයි. අපට කුමක් සිදුවේද යන අවිනිශ්චිතතාව සෑම පුද්ගලයෙකුගේම සිතේ ඇවිළුණු ගින්දර වූ අතර අන්‍යයන් සමඟ කතාබස් කිරීමට පවා බියගත් ඔව්හු වටපිට... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)

Running the economy: Sanity, vanity or reality -Dr Anila goes on rampage: takes govt. head on regarding policy issues-
By Ravi Ladduwahetty-Courtesy The Island 
In a no holds barred address, delivered in an unbridled spirit of candour spanning 47 uninterrupted minutes where she virtually kept a 1,200-plus spellbound audience virtually at the edge of their seats in pin drop silence, the single largest conference audience in this country to date which no Colombo five star could hold, comprising mainly Fellow and Associate Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, laced with erudition and statistics from her retentive memory, and at times sending them into raptures with caustic wit, biting satire and anecdote, she dared... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/11)


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