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News Archive for Nov 2013

Human Rights Luxuries of 2 Million Tamils Verses the Right to Life of 21 Million Sri Lankans
Dilrook Kannangara
Too much has been said about human rights of a mere 2 million Sri Lankan Tamils in the past few years. Most of these are absurd allegations as Tamils in Sri Lanka enjoy the same level of human rights as Tamils in Canada, UK or India. However, nothing has been said about the right to life of 21 million Sri Lankans (including Tamils). When a choice has to be made, the right to life of 21 million Sri Lankans at all times must come first despite the human rights of a few. This is the approach taken... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

Sri Lanka Tamils an obstruction to Sri Lanka’s progress and development as a Unitary Independent Sovereign State.
By Charles.S.Perera
 David Camaron said of Muttiah Murulitharan:  “First, I did not hit Muralitharan for six. Secondly, I think he was being quite gentle with me. I certainly could not read which way the ball was going to go and I was fairly lucky to hit it at all. He made a good point that a huge amount of progress has been made in terms of peace, stability and economic prosperity. His organisation is bringing together Tamils, Sinhalese and others to help forge the country together. He is doing amazing work and we should back that work. He also... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

The Apathy Of The British Prime Minister's Call For Rights Violations Put Into Perspective.
Insight By Sunil Kumar
November 28th, 2013   It seems a bit odd that British Prime Minister David Cameron in demanding a "transparent, credible and independent" probe into the alleged massacre of Sri Lankan Tamils, days after he pressed President Mahinda Rajapaska for an enquiry into rights violations during the final days of the civil war in 2009 continues his persistence and never gives up on what many believe is a lost cause However it also seems akin to  a hollow echo which resonates demands of the pro Tamil Tiger Lobby and  has exposed his transparencies towards Tamil Tiger sympathies... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

Deepak Obhrai: Your statement in parliament
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
29 November 2013 Deepak Obhrai, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,  House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Deepak: At 11:25 this morning I watched on CPAC  you getting up from your seat in the House and briefing your parliamentary colleagues with a statement on your visit to the Commonwealth Summit in Colombo, Sri Lanka, representing Canada as your immediate superiors John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister Stephen Harper had decided to boycott the Summit to satisfy the Tamil Diaspora at the GTA, thus... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

Traumatic Brain Injury among the Sri Lankan Combat Veterans
  Dr.Ruwan M Jayatunge 
A significant number of Sri Lankan soldiers sustained head injuries during the Eelam War that lasted from 1983 to 2009. These head injuries mainly occurred due to gunshot wounds, mortar blast injuries, grenade explosions and artillery blasts. Traumatic Brain Injuries increased High morbidity and mortality rates among the Sri Lankan combatants. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) had been one of the signature injuries of the Eelam War. Traumatic brain injury has short and long term consequences. It affects the physical, social, psychological and occupational aspects of combatant’s life.  The combatants with severe TBI have permanent neurobiological... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

SOME SOUND ADVICE FROM THE EARLIER EXPLOTER'S OF TAMIL COLI SLAVES
Mahinda Weerasinghe
Indian State as an Enemy is not an enemy per se; it is subtler than that. If they dig a little deeper they will find that Jaffna Tamil Catholics are behind the whole gambit. They are using that sack of rice "Jayalalitha" and other Indian jokers in order to get their dirty work done.  Indeed, in the BBC sent episode of David Cameron visit to Jaffna, there was a white cassock Catholic priest instigating and directing the people to agitate and acting as director of operations. In this connection India will be worse off than Sri Lanka,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 30/11/13)

British Prime Minister David Cameron may have highlighted alleged human rights issues in Sri Lanka because he had domestic collateral political considerations with an anticipated election in 2015 -Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Britain Dr. Chris Nonis
BBC World News - Global - interview with H.E. Dr. Chris Nonis , Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, on 28th November 2013
*Significant Tamil diaspora in Britain *Census is one of LLRC recommendations British Prime Minister David Cameron may have highlighted alleged human rights issues in Sri Lanka because he had domestic collateral political considerations with an anticipated election in 2015, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Britain Dr. Chris Nonis said in an interview with the BBC on Thursday. "The point... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/13)

‘The Last Phase’, screened at EU Parliament
Courtesy Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)
‘The Last Phase’, a documentary film depicting the life story of a former female LTTE cadre during the final stages of the humanitarian operation in Sri Lanka was screened on Thursday at the European Union (EU) Parliament in Brussels for the first time. Watch full video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngNeF5WY64s The event was hosted by the Chair of the Friends of Sri Lanka Group in the EU Parliament Geoffrey Van Orden, Member of the European Parliament representing the Conservatives of UK. Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and European Union P.M Amza, speaking at the event at the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/13)

Dharshan Weerasekera exposes Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Ministry’s deficient legal work
by Shenali D. Waduge
Lawyer Mr. Dharshan Weerasekera’s highly analytical and insightful article titled “Illegality of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s approach to Sri Lanka’ appearing in ‘Foreign Policy Journal’ of 19 March 2013 and published in several Lankan internet websites and mainstream newspapers i.e. Daily News (November 28 and 29, 2013) in the last few days, has reinforced the huge public disappointment bordering disgust at officials appointed to defend our nation internationally. For over 4 years we have seen Sri Lanka being subject to deplorable foreign and local overtures which our supposedly ‘legal luminaries’ and other loud... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/13)

වසර 36ක් පුරා මෙරට තුල සිදුකරන ලද මානව හිමිකම් උල්ලංඝණයන් හා ඒවාට ඇති විදේශීය ඥාතිත්වය හෙලි කරමු! 2.
චන්ද්‍රසේන පණ්ඩිතගේ විසිනි
වර්ෂ 1972 සැප්තැම්බර් මස 17 වෙනිදාය. මේ දිනයේදී යාපනයේ දොරෙඅප්පා ක්රීඩා පිටියේදී පැවති සැනකෙළියකදී බෝමබයක් පිපිරුවා හැර, අාරම්භ කල දෙමළ ත්රස්තවාදය, වර්ෂ 2009 මැයි මස 18 වෙනිදා නන්දිකඩාල් කලපුවේදී නිම විය. ඒ නිම වූයේ දෘෂ්යමාන ත්රස්තවාදයයි.   දැන් අප සූදානම් වන්නේ ඒ ත්රස්තවාදය මේ රට තුල සිදුකල කාර්යය සම්බන්ධව විදිමත් පරීක්ෂණයක් සිදුකල යුතු ආකාරය සමබන්ධව නවතම ආකාරයේ පරීක්ෂණ සූදානමකටය.   පරීක්ෂණ අංක 1.   1972 වනවිට ශ්රී ලාංකික දෙමළ ජනයාට මෙරට උරුමව තිබූ සමාජ තත්වය ඉතා ඉහල තත්වයක පැවතිණ. එවකට සමස්ත ලෝකයේම දෙමළ සමාජයේ ඉහළම සත්කාරයක් ලැබූ දෙමළ ජනතාවක් වාසය කල රට වූයේ, ශ්රී ලංකාවයි.    එවන්... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/13)

Feedback On Mr. Harper Not Attending the Commonwealth Summit
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
Roxanne James, M.P. (Conservative)  Parliamentary Secretary for Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario   Dear Madam:   You have asked for feedback on Mr. Harper not attending the Commonwealth Summit.      Regarding human rights - I do not agree. Canada has no right to criticise Sri Lanka on human rights when Canada is being investigated for the violation of the human rights of Canadians. Why do you not concentrate on Canadian's rights before you talk of human rights of people in other countries? The hypocrisy of  Conservatives such as... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 29/11/13)

Fixing The Economy Or Drowning In Odious Debt
Janaka Yagirala
Lets face it, we are drowning in debt. Its no secret that our economy is in pretty bad shape, nor does it take a genius to figure it out. It is true that most of the world is suffering a similar fate. The Americans are 16 trillion dollars in debt. The British are close by with 2 trillion dollars. Japanese debt exceeds the value of their economy. These are things our good for nothing opposition will never tell you simply because they only want political power and care about nothing else.  Economists are just like Christopher Columbus’voyage,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/13)

Tamil tigers Pioneered Terror - Dompost 27/11/13
Dr.Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM, Spokesperson , United Sri Lanka Assn., LowerHutt.
Letters to Editor , Dompost.   Dear Editor,   Gus Campbell’s amazing letter seeing the truth as it is restores   some welcome balance to the unfounded diatribe that has dominated the media in the past few weeks, that paid scant attention  to the Tiger   atrocities that included one third of all suicide attacks in the world. It is   covert activities of this group that Gus refers to,  including mingling among civilians, dressed like them, using them asshields and generating heavy duty fire from among them to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/13)

LIFE ABROAD - Part 55: TOWARDS A TENACIOUS APPROACH
Dr.Tilak Fernando
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013 ended on November 17 in Colombo. During its post-mortem, many ideas, suggestions, criticism and especially emotional outbursts have spearheaded in the Sri Lankan press, websites as well as in some of the Western press lambasting the British Prime Minister David Cameron's boorish behaviour for acting as a public school principal in the presence of Prince Charles, who was representing the Head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II. It is natural for us to get caught up in emotional turbulences easily when our adrenalin levels play up,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/13)

Bully Cameron - The God of the GTF - Just do it
‘Old Soldier’
“The end justifies the means to save lives” “Trial by television”(Margaret Thatcher) David Cameron as a guest of Sri Lanka, ostensibly to attend CHOGM, threatened to put his host in the dock at the UNHRC in Geneva. The first lesson even a Corporal of the Brit army is taught is not to threaten. Bullies threaten. Sri Lanka has only this to say to him, just do it chum and we’ll goose step with you every yard of the way. Heil Cameron. David Cameron ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/13)

Minister Dilan Perera says Sri Lanka committed to address the regional mismatches between supply and demand in foreign employment through Colombo Process Chair
Media Release : Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Geneva
Minister Dilan Perera says Sri Lanka committed to address the regionalmismatches between supply and demand in foreign employment through Colombo Process Chair Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion & Welfare Dilan Perera has said Sri Lanka which recently assumed the Chairmanship of the Colombo Process - the Regional Consultative Process on migration, will do its utmost to share its experience and bring together the eleven countries and nine observer countries of this group to address common interests, including the mismatches between supply and demand and applying ethical concepts to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 28/11/13)

Re:Your wanting a feed back about Prime Minister Harper not attending the Commonwealth Summit
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada  (Ottawa-Vanier Riding)
26 November 2013 Roxanne James, Conservative MP for Scarborough Centre, Ontario Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Roxanne: Forgive me if I am breaching Electoral Riding protocols by responding to your letter to your constituents asking for a feed back on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s “principled decision to boycott the Commonwealth Heads Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.” The subject matter on the Sri Lanka file on the Eelam War and the separatist Eelamists in the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/13)

TNA MP Siritharan glorifies Tiger leader Prabhakaran
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
TNA MP Siritharan in a speech made in Parliament on the 26th Nov had lionised the Tiger leader Prabhakaran. He had said that, "Prabhakaran was a national hero" and had called upon Tamils to commemorate his death. Govt MP's have condemned him for making a 'Mahaveera' speech glorifying the terrorist leader. For Siritharan, the man who killed Tamils and Tamil leaders is a hero. Prabhakaran killed leaders of the TULF, EPDP and TELO . Further, he also killed national Tamil leaders such as Lakshaman Kadiragamar and Thiruchelvam. People like Siritharan escaped death because the TNA was the spokesman of the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/13)

The Illegality of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s approach to Sri Lanka
by Dharshan Weerasekera -Courtesy Foreign Policy Journal
March 19, 2013
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon Download this paper (PDF) Since the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka in May 2009, there have been four attempts by the UN, or associated with the UN, to pursue “accountability” with respect to alleged war crimes committed during the last phases of the war.  Two of those attempts have been on the personal initiative of the Secretary General.  The second of those attempts, the “Petrie Report,” a review of the UN’s conduct in Sri Lanka during the last stages... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/13)

Proud Sri Lankans – Buy Sri Lankan – Be Sri Lankan
Shenali D Waduge
The importance of culture, values, traditions, customs are all integrated into how a country’s identity is identified. It is this identity that gets passed down from generation to generation continued to preserve and protect what is held precious to the natives whose identity becomes a key part of who they are and what their country stands for. No country or countrymen should barter that identity or compromise upon it. Placing the countries and people of the world into a global village has created a global economy giving windows of opportunity for manufacture, distribution, import and export... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/13)

Chronic kidney disease in Rajarata, worse than tsunami
by Prof. Sunil J. Wimalawansa
Safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, but more than 2.0 billion people in the world still lack access to safe-clean drinking water and to sanitation; Sri Lanka is no exception. Contaminated water and poor sanitation claim more lives than any war or any single disease. Toxic chemicals or organisms affecting health cannot necessarily be seen, tested, or smelled. Provision of clean water and sanitary facilities can save over 3 million lives globally and about 10,000 in Sri Lanka, annually. Geographical and other issues A casualty with his... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 27/11/13)

Who is responsible for continued accusation of Sri Lanka for violation of human rights and war crimes ?
By Charles.S.Perera
 Sri Lanka is being accused for violation of human rights and its Armed Forces for war crimes  But why and who is responsible for  this wild accusation by the West ?  There had not been any violation of human rights  for which Sri Lanka could correctly  be singled out as the only country in the world committing violations against the rights of its people.  If we examine the number of innocent people who have been killed and continued to be killed by other  wealthy Nations in the world, not in their own countries but in other developing... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

The Rowdiness of David Cameron lets Britain down despite the heartwarming charm of Prince Charles in Sri Lanka
Shenali D Waduge
 The best of British we were told would arrive in Colombo to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. We didn’t have to say ‘Bob’s your uncle’ for Cameron made quite clear all the way from London he was not going to be fagged by Rajapakse’s hospitality and would be asking some tough questions, questions prepared in consultation with the LTTE rump in London amongst whom he is now canvassing after returning. He blew plenty of hot air none of which to be frank was unexpected given the rising number of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

Britain's Human Rights Abuses.
Rudra de Zoysa, New Zealand.
Dear Editor,  I was amazed at the number of examples given by the contributors to this publication about the instances of Britain’s human rights abuses. If you wish to read about all of Britain’s abuses of human rights since 1944 then please refer to or purchase the following book: -  Curtis, M (2004). Unpeople, Britain’s Secret Human Rights Abuses. London, England. Vintage. ISBN: 9780099469728  Mark Curtis is a former Research Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). He has written extensively on Britain’s and USA’s foreign policies. Two of his more... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

Three page article by Rosie DiManno in Nov 2013
Mahinda Gunasekera Agincourt, Ontario Canada
By E-mail November 24, 2013 The Editor Toronto Star Toronto, Ontario Dear Editor, Re: Three page article by Rosie DiManno carried in the Star of November  2013 Rosie DiManno is once again packing her lengthy article with statements from different persons and repeating some allegations picked up from various sources as though these are gospel truths, whereas none of these have been substantiated or established as fact.  It is an impossible task to respond fully to the editor as letters are required to be limited to 150 words. Her long diatribe... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

Attempts to celebrate Tiger leader's birthday and heroes day
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
The birthday of Prabhakaran falls on 26 Nov. During the hey days of the LTTE, Prabhakaran commemorated his birthday by his much publicised speech  which was made at a ceremony in the North. It was his usual call for a separate state and  claim for Eelam. Then the following day, 27 Nov, was commemorated as the heroes day, as a mark of respect for the LTTE combatants who died. With the end of the war these events were abandoned. Last year, the TNA and the LTTE acolytes tried to revive the event by instigating the Jaffna university students and LTTE sympathisers to commemorate... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

වසර 36ක් පුරා මෙරට තුල සිදුකරන ලද මානව හිමිකම් උල්ලංඝණයන් හා ඒවාට ඇති විදේශීය ඥාතිත්වය හෙලි කරමු! 1.
චන්ද්‍රසේන පණ්ඩිතගේ විසිනි
මේ රට තුල වසර තිහක කාලයක් පුරා  යුද්ධයක් පැවතිණි. වර්ෂ 2009 මැයි මස 18 වෙනිදා මේ යුද්ධය නිමාවට පත් කරන ලදී. යුද්ධය නිමා කිරීම වරදක් ලෙස දකිණ ලෝක ප්රජාවෙන් කොටසක් කුපිතව, නව යුද්ධයක් අාරම්භ කර තිබේ. ඊට මුහණදීමට, මුලු රටම ඉතා බුද්ධිමත්ව සූදානම්විය යුතුය. ඒ සදහා ජාතිය පෙල ගස්වන්නේ කෙසේද යන්න සම්බන්ධව සාකච්ඡා කල යුතු අවස්තාව පැමිණ ඇති බව අවබෝධ කරගත යුතුය.   මේ රටේ නායකත්වය, හා ජනතාව, මේ විදේශීය කුපිත කිරීම හමුවේ, දැහැන් ගතව, මේ සිදුවෙන දෑ සම්බන්ධව මනාව බලා සිටිය යුතුය, සිදුවන දෑ කුමක්දැයි මනාව අවබෝධ කරගත යුතුය. ඊට අනුකූලව සිදුකල යුතු දෑ තීරණය... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

Galle Dialogue
By Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy Island
Regional as well as global naval powers are participating in the fourth edition of the Galle Dialogue, scheduled to begin today at the Light House Hotel. Among the participants are those who had been supportive of Sri Lanka’s war against terror paving the way for the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009. A record number of 35 countries, including the US, China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Israel, the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, South Africa and Vietnam are attending the two-day conference. Navy spokesperson Commander Kosala... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

Money Transfer on Kapruka.com
Asoka Seneviratne USA
I am a Sri Lankan living in USA. I have been using Kapruka.com for years to send dozens of gifts to Sri Lanka.  Recently I had to send  $ 2200.00 to family memeber in SL for an urgent matter. I did the transaction through Kapruka.com. They claim to provide the prevailing exchange rate in SL on that date it was Rs 131 per dollar. Of course I didnt expect them to give me that rate but at least 2 or 3 rupees less per dollar. I used a debit card to deposit the money to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

The sun is at last setting on Britain-s imperial myth
Pankaj Mishra The Guardian
The atrocities in Kenya are the tip of a history of violence that reveals the repackaging of empire for the fantasy it is Scuttling away from India in 1947, after plunging the jewel in the crown into a catastrophic partition, "the British", the novelist Paul Scott famously wrote, "came to the end of themselves as they were". The legacy of British rule, and the manner of their departures – civil wars and impoverished nation states locked expensively into antagonism, whether in the Middle East, Africa or the Malay Peninsula – was clearer by the time... -Full Story-
(theguardian.com - 26/11/13)

Second biggest SAARC partner pushing $ 240M investments to Sri Lanka
PRESS COMMUNIQUE – MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE, SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s second largest trade partner in SAARC is bullish, aims at heavy industry sectors here and has even earmarked an investment quantum destined for Sri Lanka. “Pakistani investors have a preference for Sri Lanka due to logistics and developing infrastructure. We now ready with $ 240 Mn in investments earmarked specifically for Sri Lanka” announced an eager Tarek M. Khan, President of Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum (PSLBF) on 12 November in Colombo. PSLBF President Khan was addressing Rishad Bathiudeen (Minister of Industry and Commerce) of Sri Lanka... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

MasterCard introduces ‘Spend & Win’ campaign for Cardholders in Sri Lanka
Media Release -mastercard.lk
November 25, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka: MasterCard announces the launch of the “Spend & Win” campaign for MasterCard debit and credit cardholders and Maestro debit cardholders in Sri Lanka. As part of this new campaign, MasterCard debit and credit cardholders and Maestro debit cardholders of participating banks in Sri Lanka who spend LKR 1,000 or more in a single receipt/transaction between November 25, 2013 and January 31, 2014 at qualifying merchants in Sri Lanka, stand a chance to win stay vouchers at select properties of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts worth LKR 20,000. Each qualifying purchase made... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 26/11/13)

The Economist explains- How did Estonia become a leader in technology?
by A.A.K. | MUMBAI
WHEN Estonia regained its independence in 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, less than half its population had a telephone line and its only independent link to the outside world was a Finnish mobile phone concealed in the foreign minister-s garden. Two decades later, it is a world leader in technology. Estonian geeks developed the code behind Skype and Kazaa (an early file-sharing network). In 2007 it became the first country to allow online voting in a general election. It has among the world-s zippiest broadband speeds and holds the record for... -Full Story-
(economist.com - 26/11/13)

RENEWED CALL TO PROMOTE SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
PRESS RELEASE Sri Lanka Mission Geneva.
Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Chairman of the Personal Representatives of the Group of Fifteen (G-15), has urged WIPO to take measures to promote South-South Cooperation in the field of Intellectual Property for Development. He said that “WIPO should act as a catalyst to increase triangular cooperation between developing countries and LDC’s, through initiatives to identify best practices in the use of intellectual property for, inter alia, technology transfer, public health, food security, and other global challenges in which intellectual property has an important role... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

Peradeniya alumni get-together in Ottawa
By Rajendra Alwis
a special General Meeting of the Alumni Association of Peradeniya (Ottawa Chapter) was held at St. Monika Parish Church, in Ottawa, on 16th November. The evening witnessed a houseful gathering of alumni at the church assembly hall, along with their families and friends. The attendees of the event responded enthusiastically to the events of the day and it turned out to be truly memorable evening. The chief guest of the meeting was the Most Venerable Brahmanagama Muditha Nayaka Thero, the chief incumbent of the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya of Ottawa, who is also a product of Peradeniya University.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

The Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald
Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge
In 1988 I went to Minsk - the capital city of Belarus to find some facts about Lee Harvey Oswald who was believed to be the lone gunman in JFK Assassination. It had been 25 years after the President John F Kennedy's assassination. The Minsk had almost forgotten the American defector who lived in their city. No one talked about him.  Moreover the Soviet people had no interest in the JFK saga and they had other things to worry about. Perestroika and economic changes have caused dramatic changes in their lives. People were anxious about market economy and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

Alleged human rights violations is the biggest money-making industry for anti-Sri Lanka Tamils abroad
Asada M Erpini
The average junior doctor in Sri Lanka earns Rs. 50,000 to 60,000 per month as salary. The situation of university academics is worse: they get a much lower salary and receive no perks as is the case with parliamentarians and provincial council members. Of course the opportunity is there for university dons attached to the medical and dental faculties to engage in private practice to earn an extra income. However, the relatively junior lecturers have to open clinics in fairly remote places as they cannot dream of competing with their teachers who are senior professors, who... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

SHRI LANKA BELONGS TO BUDDHAS & ISRAEL
Shripal Nishshanka Fernando
Nobel doctrines of numerous archeological and historical data shall be utilized to exact determination of authoritative body of a geological portion of the globe or simply who shall govern a country. So called leaders of India, Norway, UK, North America, South Africa and any other country may learn hereby that as a Universal Law, all the Buddhas worship Shri Lanka thrice with absolute truthful bliss of happiness. Gauthama Buddha did his responsibility about 2500 years ago. The baby who will become the Buddha (prince Siddhartha for Gauthama Buddha) shall be born, attain Buddhahood and enter to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

Pali shown the door in Buddha’s Land
The Un­ion Pub­lic Serv­ice Com­mis­sion (UPSC) of In­dia re­cent­ly re­moved the an­cient Pali lan­guage from the list of pre­scri­bed op­tion­al lan­guag­es of the main en­trance ex­ami­na­tion of the In­di­an Ad­min­is­tra­tive Serv­ice (IAS), al­so com­mon­ly known as the In­di­an Civ­il Serv­ice. This came as a shock­ing move to many, as Pali is con­sid­ered as the sec­ond pop­u­lar lan­guage amongst IAS can­di­dates.  How­ev­er dur­ing the tur­bu­lence which oc­cur­red fol­low­ing this in­ci­dent, pro­fes­sors and teach­ers spe­cial­is­ing in the Pali lan­guage in In­dia learnt that Pali which is in­dig­e­nous to the In­di­an sub­con­ti­nent and the lan­guage in which Bud­dha dis­closed the Dham­ma (which is... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

Abductions & Freedom of Speech In Sri Lanka - Jean Morgan Dompost 23/11/13
Dr.Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM, Spokesperson ,United Sri Lanka Assn.,
Letters to Editor , Dompost. Dear Editor, The issue recently has been not freedom of speech but under it’s guise generating misleading reports on Sri Lanka, lacking balance . “ No Fire Zone” pays lip service to the role of the Tiger terrorists in the carnage shown and blames it mostly on the SL forces that rescued SL and the 300,000 Tamil human shields hostaged by the tigers. For balance one should see “ Lies Agreed Upon” on U tube. Muttiah Muralidaran the famed Tamil SL cricketer at the CHOGM... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 24/11/13)

It Is The British PM needing Castigation Not The Government Of Sri Lanka On The Basis Of Breached Protocols, Quite Forgotten Britain's Own Wrongdoings!
Insight By Sunil Kumar
November 23rd 2013 David Cameron has come and gone, breached protocols in a most obnoxious and alarming sense according to many political analysts and left behind him a circumspect web of intrigue in the minds of those ever ready to discredit the Government of Sri Lanka as opposed to those who know the salient truth. It is interesting to note that the British Prime Minister David Cameron whom many investigative sources reckoned after much research was acting on behalf of the expatriate Sri Tankan Tamil diaspora community who comprise a large chunk of voters in... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/13)

A comprehensive program to prevent CKD-related deaths in Rajarata:‏
Prof Sunil Wimalawansa
Please find the attached three (new) events in November, focused to prevent Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) deaths that affects dry zones in Sri Lanka.  also attached is a brief summary of the prevailing issues and solutions that are necessary to overcome the ongoing CKD of-multi-factorial origin (CKD-mfo) disaster that kills ~13 farmers every day, destitute 13 families each day.  At the current rates of deaths, unless intervene efficiently and timely, this will soon surpass the deaths due to LTTE-terrorism! Program 1:  Kandy/Peradeniya: Brain-storming Workshop on "Engineering Solutions" to overcome the CKD; Wednesday, November 20th (9.00 AM to 12.30 PM), senate house auditorium, University of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/13)

2ND OPEN LETTER TO DAVID CAMERON
By Stanley Perera, Melbourne
My dear fellow Cameron, You have turned very ugly in the eyes of the International community behaving in an ugly manner during the time of CHOGM in Colombo. The Singapore Prime Minister says you have no bloody business to interfere into the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. The Indian Prime Minister says that your behaviour is not acceptable with India and India would not behave in that disgusting manner of yours. Russia’s Putting has warmly welcomed HE Mahinda Rajapakse as the chair of the Commonwealth. Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott says you have no business... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 23/11/13)

VINDICATED: “What kind of hypocrite are you PM? …’, was Rajpal’s question
Rajpal Abeynayake writes :
People keep asking me what I ‘shouted’ at David Cameron the British Prime Minister when he left the press conference podium at the media briefing room in Colombo during CHOGM last week. Most who ask have seen the episode on TV, but some could not catch the exact words, as they were not spoken to a mic. So here is what I asked and why -- for the benefit of those who did not know: My shouted out question as the PM left... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/13)

The Blood Spattered Legacy of Crimes Against Humanity of the British Empire
By Ananda-USA
If  Sri Lanka is hauled up by the United Kingdom in front of the UNHRC meeting in Geneva next March as UK Premier David Cameron has threatened to do, Sri Lanka's UNHRC team should ENTER INTO THE PERMANENT UNHRC RECORD a FULL LIST OF global WAR CRIMES and HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS by Britain, and DEMAND EQUAL ACCOUNTABILITY from the United Kingdom. So far, the United Kingdom, has gotten away scot-free with war-mongering and killing innocents all over the world with absolute IMPUNITY, with a slap on the wrist by the captive puppet United Nations and the International... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/13)

Cameron’s hypocrisy-Who shall we bomb next?
Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey -Pravda.Ru
David Cameron has questioned Sri Lanka’s human rights record before the Commonwealth Summit begins on Friday, yet another example of the intrusive arrogance that goes hand-in-hand with NATO foreign policy, yet another example of sheer hypocrisy, insolence and chauvinism. The pig-faced arrogance with which NATO committed war crimes in Libya, entering the country with boots on the ground in direct breach of UN Resolutions 1970 and 1973, the sheer callousness of its attacks on civilian targets without any regard for human lives or well-being, the strafing and cold-blooded murder of the Gaddafi grandchildren, roasted alive in their... -Full Story-
(lankaweb.com - 22/11/13)

Introducing “Numbers Game” – A Detailed Study of the Last Stages of Eelam War IV
Michael Roberts www.scribd.com
Michael Roberts …. See http://www.scribd.com/doc/132499266/The-Numbers-Game-Politics-of-Retributive-Justice  OR http://www.margasrilanka.org/ [right panel at top—then click]    Pic from Tamilnet, 1 May 2009  from Tamilnet, 5 May 2009, in Third NFZ  in the extreme south of the final pocket of LTTEresistance I. PREAMBLE Presented here is an “Introduction” and pointer to a significant visual and textual study entitled “Numbers Game: The Politics of Retributive Justice,” which scrutinizes both the data and other studies of what happened during the last five months of Eelam War IV. This was the period when a large body of people, almost exclusively Tamil in... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/13)

Cameron's Camouflage Why British PM did shunned local media
by Sanjaya Arachchige
 On May 3 , 1985 Air Lanka flight UL 512 arrived Bandaranayke International Airport (BIA) from Gatwick airport , London.  The next stop for the flight was Malé in Maldives .  The US made Lockheed Tristar  jet was about to take off after an unexpected delay at BIA  , when a devastating bomb explosion  ripped the 276-seat aircraft  into two pieces. This was the time when the Sri Lanka government was still engaged in the first peace talks with Tamil terrorist groups conducted in Thimpu , Bhutan under the auspices of India. There was a ceasefire... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 22/11/13)

Sri Lanka: Are terrorists rewriting laws of war?
Shenali D Waduge
Sri Lanka ended one arm of the terrorists in May 2009. The other more powerful arm remains at large, remnants in hiding locally while others are more vociferously and openly engaging foreign politicians and influencing diplomatic relations as well. Their links to terrorism have taken second place with the strength of their propaganda placing them in a position to determine electoral politics in those countries thus signaling future calamities if unchecked. Herein lies our problem. We have 32 countries banning LTTE as a terrorist entity through their respective local terrorist acts/laws inside of which are a... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

Secretary Defense calls on Pope Francis
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva
His Holiness Pope Francis received Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa at an audience in the Vatican on Wednesday. Mr. Rajapaksa who visited the Vatican as the Special Envoy of His Excellency the President, conveyed to Pope Francis an invitation from President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit Sri Lanka in the near future.  During his visit, the Secretary also paid courtesy calls on dignitaries of the Vatican City State. Mr Rajapaksa appreciated efforts by the Holy See to promote world peace, disarmament, interfaith dialogue and dialogue among civilisations. He said that as... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

Peace in SriLanka, and the Obnoxious Stance of Some Western Countries on SL
Kanthar P (Nathan) Balanathan Australian Citizen
22nd November 2013 Right Hon Mr Stephen Harper Prime Minister Government of Canada House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario Right Honourable Mr Stephen Harper Sir, Peace in SriLanka, and the Obnoxious Stance of Some Western Countries on SL  As a patriotic SriLankan, and a patriotic Australian, I take this opportunity to write to you on a few questions and concerns of some parties, to SriLankan peace and stability. I wish to submit a detailed communication with humbleness, and shall be grateful if you could kindly read the communique in full please. SriLankan Independence &... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

National Unity Charter For Freedom from Sectarianism & Discrimination
Dr. Nath Amarakone (Convenor)
Whereas Sri Lanka gained independence from British domination in 1948,  established a parliamentary system of governance,  and had governed itself since independence as a vibrant democracy under the leadership of different political party groupings, and Whereas  the ruling parties have changed national policies  to suit their short term advantages,  and such changes have led to degradation  of the  body  politic of the country by parochial and sectarian forces  inviting political instability and  destructive terrorism, and Despite the eventual defeat of the last terrorist rampage lasting  three decades by the armed forces of the country under... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

LEGAL CHARLATANS IN LONDON - Life abroad - Part 54
Dr.Tilak Fernando
'Lawyer' is a professional who advises and represents clients, either on a private basis or by working for a law firm. The term varies from most English speaking countries from lawyer to attorney and advocate. In the United Kingdom lawyers are divided into two categories - Solicitors generally advise clients, draft contracts and represent them in lower courts; Barristers (Counsels) being court specialists receive instructions through their solicitors only. A statute enacted in 1275 approved punishment for 'professional lawyers guilty of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

ADB touch to regional gas pipeline project
 By NJ Thakuria
Guwahati: The political turmoil may not recede in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but the initiative for an inter-country gas pipeline project continues as the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been ‘appointed transaction advisor to help attract a commercial consortium leader of global repute that will build, own and operate the planned 1,800-kilometer natural gas pipeline. The gas pipeline connecting Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan with  India is estimated to export up to 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India over 30 years. The project (TAPI), supposed to be... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

AMBASSADOR HANGAWATTE ELECTED AS CHAIRPERSON OF WORLD HERITAGE GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Sri Lanka’s first such endeavour
Embassy of Sri Lanka Paris
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, Professor Karunaratne Hangwatte was unanimously elected to chair the 19th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention at the opening of the sessions yesterday (19.11.2013)   This is the first occasion on which Sri Lanka has been elected to chair the General Assembly of the World Heritage Convention, having accepted the Convention and becoming a States Party in 1980. The proposal was made by the Chairperson of the Asia Pacific Group, Ambassador Mohammed Reza Majidi of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 21/11/13)

Sri Lanka-s largest trade exhibition with Chinese participants attract 1 bln USD investment
Xinhua
COLOMBO, Nov. 21 (Xinhua)-- Sri Lanka has attracted investment of 1 billion U.S dollars from the largest ever trade exhibition held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth leaders summit that also included 42 Chinese companies, a statement from the Industry Ministry here Thursday. A 100-member Chinese delegation attended the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) while 42 representatives from Chinese companies participated in the trade exhibition on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that ended Sunday.... -Full Story-
(shanghaidaily.com - 21/11/13)

David Cameron – a boorish, British bungler bogged in bovine bravado
H. L. D. Mahindapala
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting  (CHOGM) which ended on Sunday without a hitch was a remarkable feat for Sri Lanka considering the massive forces of the Tamil diaspora and I/NGOs doing their damnedest to sabotage the event, nationally and internationally. They were aided and abetted by the mighty forces of Britain and India, along with Canada and Mauritius, which, at their worst, created some negative headlines. Prime Minister David Cameron’s megaphone diplomacy struck a strident and menacing note. He came with the sole intention of playing to the Tamil gallery in UK.  He was... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

No business for countries to intervene in others' affairs: PM Lee
channelnewsasia.com
SINGAPORE: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says countries cannot force reconciliation on Sri Lanka, nor is it their business to intervene in another country's affairs. Mr Lee was speaking to Singapore media at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo. Host country Sri Lanka faced strong pressure from some members over its alleged human rights abuses during its war with the separatist Tamil Tigers. This year's CHOGM was somewhat overshadowed by the decision of some member countries to boycott the meeting. On the final day, British Prime Minister David Cameron called on Sri Lanka to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

OUTCOME OF CHOGM
Janaki Chandraratna Perth, Australia
 CHOGM 2013 was an outstanding success by any standard. In fact it was the best CHOGM we have had for many years. Sri Lankan President and the Government need to be congratulated in presenting a great display to Commonwealth visitors as well as to the world. There were many benefits in hosting CHOGM in Colombo. Firstly, Colombo received an accelerated face lift and the arterial connections were strengthened in time to be on par with of many developed nations. Secondly, Sri Lanka successfully attracted many tourists for CHOGM as well as for other related forums... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

British PM David Cameron has got his wires crossed
Malin Abeyatunge
British PM David Cameron, his conservative party and the opposition Labour party have become the puppets of the LTTE rump. LTTE rump rules UK now and what a shame for once a big Empire. British citizens may be crying in silence. When our President was invited to address Oxford University, LTTE rump headed by Global Tamil Forum, British Tamil Forum protested and demanded the British Government to stop him addressing the prestigious Oxford University and even went to the extent of asking the British Government to arrest him for war crime when he lands on British soil. The... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

UK Prime Minister Covers Up Crimes Against Humanity – Lectures Sri Lanka on Crimes Against Humanity
globalresearch
“Hypocrisy, the most protected of vices.” Moliere (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, 1622-1673.) Last week a little more was learned as to the circumventions in Whitehall and Washington delaying the publication of the findings of Sir John Chilcot’s marathon Inquiry in to the background of the Iraq invasion. The UK’s Chilcot Inquiry, was convened under then Prime Minister Gordon Brown, to establish the decisions taken by the UK government and military, pre and post invasion. It ran from 24th November 2009 until 2nd February 2011 and cost an estimated £7.5 million. The as yet unpublished Report is believed to run to 1000,000... -Full Story-
(globalresearch.ca - 20/11/13)

Misplaced theatrics to display Canada's politically motivated concerns for victims in North Sri Lanka
By E-mail   Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario Dear Mr. Obhrai, Misplaced theatrics to display Canada’s politically motivated concerns for victims in North Sri Lanka Your pre-CHOGM rush to Jaffna and placing of a wreath of all places at Elephant Pass leaves room to doubt your real intentions, as Canada had already announced the boycotting of the summit by the Prime Minister and prior attempts to seek to deny Sri Lanka this opportunity to host the meeting already granted by the Commonwealth.  Considering Canada’s campaign against Sri Lanka,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

Canada says Sri Lankan Tamils remain fearful, after Tory MP visits region
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
The Editor Brandon Sun Brandon, MB   Dear Sir:   It is indeed strange that the "Harper government says Sri Lanka's Tamil minority continues to be fearful of the country's leadership" when they are living productive lives, free of the fear of being blown up in buses, trains, shops etc. all over the island.- which applied to all Sri Lankans, not just the Tamils.  Under the LTTE the Tamils in the north  did not have freedom of movement, their children were conscripted as child soldiers and they were forced to live as dictated to by the LTTE, a... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

FAUX MOVIES CAN'T UNMAKE COUNTRIES-Secretary to the President tells post-CHOGM press conference
CHAMIKARA WEERASINGHE-Daily News
'Anybody can make movies with present day technologies and make what is unreal, real'
Views cannot be arrived at about a country on the basis of films made available by individuals or from information on computer screens with the aid of information technology, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said at a post-CHOGM press conference in Colombo. "There are a lot of people who criticise Sri Lanka from abroad," he said and added: "This... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 20/11/13)

David Cameron you forgot to shine light on 3 Britishers killed by LTTE in Sri Lanka
Shenali D Waduge
 Those preparing the speeches of David Cameron and advising him what to say in Sri Lanka have made a big blunder – they have forgotten to mention that 3 Britishers were killed on 3 May 1986 when the plane they were onboard was bombed by the LTTE killing the McPherson family and 21 others injuring over 40. Of the 13 foreigners who died there were Germans, French, Japanese, 1 Maldivian and 1 Pakistani. In darting off to Jaffna, Cameron missed out on what he should have done as a Britisher to place a wreath at least... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/13)

Tamil Eelam in Tamil Nadu where Tamils can all be happy – Sri Lankan Tamils too.
 Shenali D Waduge
A question that needs to be finally asked and answered is whether the Sri Lankan Tamils are really upset that the LTTE has been defeated and how many Tamils elsewhere share the same sorrow? If tragically the majority of the Tamils wherever they live feel angered by the demise of LTTE’s ground force and leader we have some serious issues at hand. Tied to this notion of thought is the inability to understand why post-LTTE defeat, the Tamil party fielding the Chief Ministerial candidate for the North would continue to echo everything that LTTE stood for... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/13)

After the Commonwealth Summit, Canada's Deepak Obhrai comments
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
17 November 2013 Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario Dear Deepak: I have just read your Conservative spin about Sri Lanka in today’s BRANDON SUN’s National Breaking News, a Canadian Press news item which had a title – Canada says Sri Lankan Tamils remain fearful, after Tory MP visits region.  According to your conclusion, it says, “The Harper government says Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority continues to be fearful of the country’s leadership, as a controversial... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/13)

Internet: www.unitymission.lk Students of Davidson College, USA hosted by Unity Mission Trust
Media Release
 The Unity Mission Trust hosted the 22 visiting students from Davidson College along with their Programme Director Dr. Kenneth Menkhaus from the 4th to 6th of November at the Hotel Ramada for a conference on “Unity, Integration and Harmony Building in Sri Lanka”. This is a unique first time event in Sri Lanka. Davidson College which was established in 1837 is situated in North Carolina in the United States of America and is one of the top 10 liberal Arts College’s in USA. The students of Davidson College visited Sri Lanka for 10 days as part of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 19/11/13)

For Cameron garnering Diasporic votes overshadowed CHOGM and its goals
By Philip Fernando
 The attempt at political skullduggery that Prime Minister Minister David Cameron exhibited in Colombo using war criminality charge against Sri Lanka, duelling CHOGM host President Mahinda Rajapaksa seemed a brazen plot to garner votes back home. Statesmanship vanished as he denigrated CHOGM with sticky rhetorical verbiage, an egoistic flashing of the crudest type. Cameron got rebuffed almost immediately by the detached Prince Charles on arrival in Colombo who quoted late Jawaharlal Nehru that the Commonwealth was capable of bringing a touch of healing thereby delivering the very best future for those in the Commonwealth that should... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

Commonwealth Charter cannot ignore the right to apology and reparations due to former British colonies
Shenali D Waduge
It has become a trend to design and implement a string of international laws, charters, treaties and what not, all applicable to one set of people totally omitting the architects of these laws who created these laws having first flouted them and continue to flout them. Therefore, much as we like to praise the camaraderie of the Commonwealth and its heads meeting we need to seriously bring some neglected issues to the forefront of discussions. All former colonies are today Third World nations except Australia, Canada and New Zealand – these three countries have much to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

President tells International Media - 'DON'T DIVIDE'
Chaminda Perera and Sandasen Marasinghe-Daily News
No time frame can be determined for solutions
PSC will have the final say
President Mahinda Rajapaksa asked the international media to be fair by Sri Lanka and not to sow division between communities as it was not what the Sri Lankan people want. The President expressed this view responding to a question raised by a foreign correspondent at the concluding press conference on the outcome of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013 held at the Committee Room B... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

What's really behind Stephen Harper's mask of hypocrisy?
By Hassina Leelarathna
Is the Canadian leader’s boycott of the Commonwealth meeting in Colombo yet another foreign policy decision that appeases the Religious Right? Prime Minister Stephen Harper announcing his decision to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) bandied the very familiar shtick of “serious human rights violations” against Sri Lanka, citing, among other things, the impeachment of chief justice Shirani Bandaranaike, extra judicial killings, and disappearances and the jailing of political opponents and journalists as specific reasons. That supercilious pronouncement evoked a volley of editorials and opinion pieces highlighting the blatant credibility gap... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

Harper boycotting Commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka
Asoka Weerasinghe  Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
18 November 2013 The Editor, Ottawa Citizen Dear Editor: “Abuses ‘elephant in room’ at summit” was a disingenuous comment by Parliamentary Secretary  Deepak Obhrai, Canada’s representative to the Commonwealth Summit.  At first blush I thought that he was admitting Canada’s appalling human rights record on our First Nation peoples, but  it seems that it was directed at the host country, Sri Lanka, which has come out of a 30 year war with the most ruthless Tamil Tiger terrorists who fought wanting their separate, racist, mono-ethnic Tamil... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

Partying Lanka sighs for missing Manmohan Singh at CHOGM
Y P Rajesh
Hoardings across Colombo scream -CHOGM 2013, Makes Us Feel Proud As A Nation-. In interviews, government ministers and top officials say hosting the Commonwealth summit "signals Lanka arrives on world stage". A banner headline in the state-controlled Daily News quotes a combative President Mahinda Rajapaksa as saying he has "nothing to hide; I have questions for British PM also". Locals witnessing the song-and-dance medley at the inauguration are pleased by the spectacle on a global stage. It may all be a put-on but Sri Lanka, it seems, is having a grand public relations party.... -Full Story-
(indianexpress.com - 18/11/13)

LIFE ABROAD - Part 53 STUBBORN FACTS
Dr.Tilak Fernando
History means knowledge acquired by investigation or study of the past. History is also referred to as an academic discipline used as a narrative to examine and analyse sequence of past events objectively. Apart from historians’ approach to modern history such as the emergence of coffee and tea plantations in Sri Lanka during the colonial era, stories common to a particular culture or a place are classified as legends which do not support the discipline of history. Although Ceylon’s past history has been compiled into text form by many erudite historians, there are certain... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

Why is Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister keeping mum when Britain is humiliating Sri Lanka on our soil?
Shenali D Waduge
Why did the President of this country have to end up defending the nation when those enjoying plush positions and virtually in orbit 24x7 roaming Western shores remain absolutely nonplussed about how to respond when the Prime Minister of Britain breaching all protocols insults us on our soil? Why has the External Affairs Minister or the Ministry not responded in any way to the snubs that have come pouring from Cameron both prior, during and even after his departure from Sri Lanka? We can count the number of people holding positions who have come out without... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 18/11/13)

CHOGM Declaration : Stop West-sponsored ICC’s witch-hunt on Third World Nations
Shenali D Waduge
 An ICC that cannot take US and UK to trial is not an international court. This is why the African Union has finally decided to review its relationship with the International Criminal Court in view of the rising number of cases against African leaders sponsored by Western nations. If its Africa today it will be Asia tomorrow and ONLY Third World nations and their leaders. As Chairman of CHOGM, an organization that represents 53 members, President Rajapakse must call for an emergency session and call for the membership to unilaterally oppose ICC rulings for an international... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

We thank India for not attending CHOGM – Lessons not learnt by Sri Lanka
Shenali D Waduge
 The present Government will go down in history as giving India the biggest stakes in Sri Lanka’s post-conflict despite being rewarded with consecutive humiliations by India. None of these humiliations have even remotely pushed Sri Lanka’s leaders to realize that India CANNOT be TRUSTED or made Sri Lanka’s leaders resolve to secure the country of Indian incursions. Its best response has been to give India backseat position at CHOGM. These childish antics will get the Government or the country nowhere. It has certainly been a testing process for Sri Lanka’s policy makers. But they have... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Gota slams Cameron for politicking in Colombo to placate LTTE rump back home
By Shamindra Ferdinando Island.LK
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that UK Premier David Cameron was playing politics in Colombo to placate the LTTE rump back home. Cameron’s strategy was obviously influenced by the UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF), British Tamil Forum (BTF) and Tamils against Genocide, he said. The British government delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) went to the extent of meeting representatives of the three organizations in London before leaving for the Colombo CHOGM via New Delhi, the Defence Secretary pointed out. "The British Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are eyeing... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Lanka will not bow down to international pressure - President=Those living in glass houses should not throw stones:Govt implemented own mechanism, no international inquiry required:
by P.Krishnaswamy
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka would not bow down to international pressure or any threats of an international inquiry over alleged war crimes. “The country is free, independent and democratic,” he said, adding that “those living in glass houses should not throw stones at others”. “For over twenty long years, there was no access to the Northern Province which was under the terror regime of the LTTE” the President told a media briefing at the BMICH yesterday. Addressing the media on the eve of the conclusion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2013 which... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Cameron Confronts Sri Lanka Leader over Human Rights Abuses‏
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
The Editor Letters The Star Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir: I am writing to bring to your attention that you are again reporting inaccurate information on Sri Lanka. The most glaring inaccuracy is "a UN report found credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Sri Lankan government in the last days of the conflict against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam charges the government has denied". Firstly, is is not a "UN" report. It was a report the Secretary General asked for as an advisory document. Regarding finding... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Kenya FM says ICC States to amend Statute
By KENNEDY KANGETHE | November 17, 2013
NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 17 – Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has faulted the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for failing to listen to the African voice in its decision on the Kenya cases at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Addressing the press in Colombo, Sri Lanka where she was attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Mohamed said Africa cannot put its destiny in the hands of a Council that does not take it seriously. “What is disappointing is that for the first time Africa actually came together and went to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

An open letter of appreciation
Rohan Bandarage
Dear Mr. Abbot The Sri Lankan community of Australia deeply appreciates your sentiments at the recently concluded CHOGM. You stood out as a leader who could not be swayed by proxy propagandists, hell-bent on stymying the emerging prosperous nation of Sri Lanka. You attended CHOGM for what it is meant for to foster partnership with member nations. The Western block silently watched Sri Lanka terrorised by Tamil Tigers for 30 years. The Tigers were fuelled by their Diaspora, aided by West governments and institutions.  Sri Lanka yet managed to crush the world’s deadliest terrorist outfit. You were... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

OPEN LETTER TO DAVID CAMERON
By Stanley Perera – Melbourne
My dear David, Sri Lankans are aware that you are the Prime Minister of the U.K.  Sri Lanka is no longer a British colony.  Sri Lanka became an independent country in the year 1948.  Therefore if you are a learned British Prime Minister, you need to treat all Commonwealth countries on equal status with the U.K.  IF THAT SIMPLE PHENOMINON IS PRACTICED BY YOU, I BELIVE YOU HAVE BEHAVED IN SRI LANKA IN A DEMORALISING AND DISGUSTING STANDARD.  You may be suffering from the superiority complex.  But you must realise that Sri Lanka is... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Mahinda Rajapaksa a national hero in Sri Lanka, despite Commonwealth criticism
x
COLOMBO // Mahinda Rajapaksa may be a pariah for some of his Commonwealth peers, but for many of his fellow Sri Lankans their president is a national hero who ended four decades of bloodshed.For all the international criticism, Mr Rajapaksa-s popularity has stood firm at home among a population who endured 37 years of war before government troops crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels once and for all.... -Full Story-
(thenational.ae - 17/11/13)

David Cameron’s visit to Sri Lanka
Bandula Chandraratna
It is with disgust I watched the Prime Minister David Cameron giving a press conference, in Sri Lanka. He went to Sri Lanka Charged-up, after meeting the representatives from Global Tamil Forum and speaking with the United Nation’s Human Rights High Commissioner Naveen Pilay, got off the plane in Sri Lanka after midnight and charged on the red carpet towards the airport terminal, like a bull in a bull-ring, ignoring the children and others who waited till after midnight to welcome him to Sri Lanka. At the press conference he gave an ultimatum of four months... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Commonwealth leaders focus on post-2015 development in summit with high China presence
RT
COLOMBO, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Commonwealth leaders on Sunday committed to work on post-2015 development including debt financing and climate change during a conference that was marred by criticism over Sri Lanka-s human rights record. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was preceded by three other conferences. The Commonwealth People-s Forum and Youth Forum were successfully completed this week, with Sri Lanka agreeing to host a secretariat to represent 1.2 billion young people who are part of the organization-s 53 members.... -Full Story-
(shanghaidaily.com - 17/11/13)

SRI LANKA UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED TO COMMITTEES OF UNESCO: Completes 64 years of relations with UNESCO
MEDIA RELEASE 
Sri Lanka was unanimously elected to two Committees of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the elections that took place yesterday, (14. 11. 2013) which was also the sixty fourth (64th) anniversary of Sri Lanka joining UNESCO on 14th November 1949. Sri Lanka was elected to the Headquarters Committee, which, since its establishment in 1949, has been mandated with advising the Director General of UNESCO on all matters concerning the Headquarters of the Organization and is tasked with providing suggestions, guidance and recommendations.  Sri Lanka will serve a four year term on the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Muralitharan 'confronts' David Cameron
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
PM Cameron, a keen cricket fan, took time off from the CHOGM to play cricket. At the Colombo cricket Ground, Cameron  had met Murali while he was participating in the 'Murali Charity Foundation' which promotes cricket between the Sinhala and Tamil youth. Cameron is an admirer of Murali as he had watched him bowl out one English team after another over the years. The press had later asked Murali about the meeting. Murali had 'bowled out' Cameron as well by saying,"... He had been misled by other people. I go on and off to the North. I see from my eyes the improvement which had... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Crimes Against Humanity: Why Is Henry Kissinger Walking Around Free?
By Andy Piascik
November 17, 2013 "Information Clearing House - - Two months ago, hundreds of thousands of Chileans somberly marked the 40th anniversary of their nation’s September 11th terrorist event. It was on that date in 1973 that the Chilean military, armed with a generous supply of funds and weapons from the United States, and assisted by the CIA and other operatives, overthrew the democratically-elected government of the moderate socialist Salvador Allende. Sixteen years of repression, torture and death followed under the fascist Augusto Pinochet, while the flow of hefty profits to US multinationals – IT&T, Anaconda Copper... -Full Story-
(informationclearinghouse.info - 17/11/13)

Exposed: The UK army black ops squad ordered to murder IRA-s top -players-
MAILONLINE
The controversy has raged for decades: did the Army operate a covert shoot-to-kill policy during the Troubles, using shadowy military units? Here, for the first time, a former member of the mysterious Military Reaction Force has revealed the chilling extent of its activities – including the state-sponsored killing of at least 20 suspected terrorists. Simon Cursey – not his real name – was a member from 1972 to 1974 and, in a compelling new book, confirms that the MRF was shockingly real... and lethal. The vehicle check came back crackling over the air. A positive stolen car. I looked... -Full Story-
(dailymail.co.uk - 17/11/13)

Tourism: Ideas for consideration if Tourism is to be developed
By Garvin Karunaratne  former Government Agent, Matara
A Spectacular Phenomenon Last week I went to Iceland, in search of the Northern Lights, a mysterious phenomenon - coloured shades of light in the sky taking various forms, at times even sequencing a dance.  Every tourist that enters Iceland is determined to see the Northern lights. This is the attraction that lures tourists to many countries in the far North like Norway. I have seen sunrise at Haleakala in Maui, Hawaii and there at sunrise various colours were emitted in the sky for quite a while. It was a grand sight.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

Opinion: Sri Lanka not a British colony anymore
By K.M.H.C.B. Kulatunga
Certain Western countries are trying to make use of the Commonwealth to pass judgments on smaller countries which had been former British colonies, under their iron fist. Certain so-called big countries appear to think that countries such as Sri Lanka are still their colonies and that we should dance to their melody. Under the circumstances, Sri Lanka is fortunate to have a fearless leader in the calibre of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has always put country before self to safeguard the interests of his people and the motherland. ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 17/11/13)

David Cameron – Winston Churchill is not the best example for Sri Lanka to follow
Shenali D Waduge
 David Cameron has asked Sri Lanka’s President to act like Winston Churchill. That really isn’t the best of examples to give because in looking up Winston Churchill his policies is nothing that Sri Lanka or any of its leaders adopted or would care to adopt just because Churchill said ‘victory in magnanimity’ – he said a lot more horrible things too. Even Germany called Churchill a war criminal. Next, David Cameron wants us to draw parallels with Northern Ireland. That too is not a good idea either. Lastly, David Cameron again uses an often flogged word... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

This is BBC calling-Now click on to Channel-4
By: Gomin Dayasri
On Air, BBC answers to a London Call for Aunty Beeb. Her Randy Niece is Channel 4.Both live off portions of state licensing revenues while Aunty is the recipient of government grants; Aunty and Niece have to street walk to collect funds to survive - sources being predominantly fat cat corporations. Diaspora are lavish on pleasing the media. The young lass is an easier and cheaper prey to solicit than the aged relative. They live on the pride of a self proclaimed holy trinity of -objectivity, impartiality and balance- in a reality show, cause for mirth!... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

C-4 Callum Macrae absconding without paying van driver
P.A.Samaraweera
 Callum Macrae and the C4 team had to abandon their trip to the North due to a protest staged at Anuradhapura railway station. Some people had protested against their shady move in going to the North. The protest leaders had explained to Macrae the resons for their protest. They had also told him that C4 is doing all this propaganda against Sri Lanka because they are payees of the LTTE rump. After waiting for 3 hours at the railway station, Macrae and the C4 team had no alternative but to turn back. So they have hired a van to return to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

MacRae and Channel 4 ‘s “Killing Fields”- Coming Apart at Its Seams-Was Channel 4 , the (Intentional) Victim, and, Is Ofcom, also Complicit?
By lbw……
The discovery of the original version of the gruesome killing scene inChannel 4’s “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields”, with all dialog in Tamil, a sophisticated plot to modify videos for terrorist propaganda has  been revealed.  This confirm the earlier affirmations by experts that the ‘channel-4’ video had been digitally altered to include dialog in Sinhalese, the language of the Sri Lankan soldiers. A world-renowned expert from CISCO Inc.’s Digital Technology Division had earlier analyzed the video aired by Channel 4, in detail, and came with the definite proof that the Channel 4 video’s audio track had been altered... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

Demolition of Prabakaran memorial in Tamil Nad
C. Wijeyawickrema
 “We are helping Tamilnadu to achieve self-rule”  V. Balakumaran, Advisor to Prabakaran, (Jan. 2006)  "There is no state without a Tamil, but there is no state for the Tamils."  World Confederation of Tamils (2006) (www.tamilnation.org)  “If the Tamils’ cry for separatism is given up, the two communities could solve their problems and continue to live in amity and dignity”             M. C. Sansoni, former CJ (Sessional Paper No. 7 of 1980) Introduction             The demolition of the Prabakaran-related memorial by the Indian government was an interesting news item on domestic Indian politics.  The Mullivaaikal Memorial was opened... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

Let not one take notice of faults of other’s-Let one be concerned only about what one has done SRI LANKA PRESIDENT MAHINDA RAJAPAKSA AT CHOGM 2013
Ladies & Gentlemen,
A warm welcome, to the opening ceremony of the 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. It is my pleasure to welcome to Sri Lanka, Your Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, fellow Commonwealth Heads of Government, Foreign Ministers, spouses of visiting dignitaries, delegates and special invitees. Your Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, representing the Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, - is no stranger to Sri Lanka. In fact, Your Royal Highness’s Trust has funded several on-going social development projects here. I am sure Your Royal... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

A comprehensive program to prevent CKD-related deaths in Rajarata:
Prof.Sunil Wimalawansa
Please find the attached three events in November, focused to prevent Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) deaths that affects dry zones in Sri Lanka.  also attached is a brief summary of the prevailing issues and solutions that are necessary to overcome the ongoing CKD of-multi-factorial origin (CKD-mfo) disaster that kills ~13 farmers every day, destitute 13 families each day.  At the current rates of deaths, unless intervene efficiently and timely, this will soon surpass the deaths due to LTTE-terrorism! Program... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

Thisara Perera's Exclusion from The First Two New Zealand ODI's Proves Costly And Suggests Flaws In The Selection Panel.
Top Spin By Sunny
November 17th 2013    When Sri Lanka's  captain Angelo Mathews, makes excuses to the press ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand here at Dambulla about the exclusion of prominent all rounder Thisara Perera one of the best in the sport today in the limited over version as acclaimed by many, something seems untoward.   The whole business of his lengthy explanation to the media as to why promising all-rounder Thisara Perera was left out for the first two ODIs against New Zealand seems hardly convincing, almost as though  he was helpless in effecting the inclusion of Perera based... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 16/11/13)

Cameron's hypocrisy
Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey -Pravda.Ru
Who shall we bomb next? David Cameron has questioned Sri Lanka's human rights record before the Commonwealth Summit begins on Friday, yet another example of the intrusive arrogance that goes hand-in-hand with NATO foreign policy, yet another example of sheer hypocrisy, insolence and chauvinism. The pig-faced arrogance with which NATO committed war crimes in Libya, entering the country with boots on the ground in direct breach of UN Resolutions 1970 and 1973, the sheer callousness of its attacks on civilian targets without any regard for human... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Deepak Obhrai lays a 'Wreath of Hypocrisy' at Elephant Pass
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
15 November 2013 Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario.  Dear Deepak: In my last letter to you on 13th November on your laying a wreath for the Tamil Tigers at Elephant Pass, I said that you were “brave, arrogant and stupid.”   I still maintain that observation on that provocative act.   Today, I came across a staged photograph of you holding a banner, rather strange I thought, above the wreath which read – “In memory of all innocent... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Sri Lanka: End of India’s ‘Panchasheel’
By Janaka Perera
 The level of Indian participation in this year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) reflects the deterioration of Indo-Lanka relations within a span of less than 40 years.  When the last major international conference, the Non-Aligned Movement Summit, was held in Sri Lanka in 1976 the ties between the two countries were at their peak.  The Bandaranaike and Gandhi families were like relatives.    Up to the end of the 1970s Sri Lanka was one of the very few South Asian countries which had the least problems with India both having maintained systems of parliamentary democracy despite... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

UNP and the CHOGM
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
The CHOGM is now in full swing. During the last few weeks there was so much talk about countries which were going to boycott the Summit. Mean while in the domestic front, we have the UNP and TNA which boycotted the CHOGM. The UNP is in a mess and some claim that there are signs of a split. And the UNP as usual is putting the blame on the govt for this internal row.   This week, when the newly formed 'United leadership Council' met, another group calling the 'Organisation for building national unity' had gathered outside Sirikotha and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

The ugly Englishman and their servants
Professor Nalin de Silva.
 The Channel 4 (of the BBC) crew that has come to Sri Lanka with Visas to cover the CHOGM is not doing what they have being given accreditation to do. It is clear by their behavior that they are interested in cooking up another video footage(s) against the Sri Lankan government and the armed forces and of course the Sinhala people though not clearly expressed. They think that Sri Lanka is still their colony and are angry that the President, the Defense Secretary and the armed forces were able to defeat the LTTE terrorists... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Downgrade diplomatic relations with Canada!
Asada M Erpini
 There was a time, some decades ago, when Canada was viewed as a distant country, which gave aid to Sri Lanka, and not having any malicious intent towards the small island nation. There were Canadian railway engines that chugged along the age old rail tracks, assistance following the December 2004 tsunami and a few other projects to which Sri Lankans at the time were grateful. A government of Canada website mentions that development assistance dates back to the 1950s and that the annual bilateral assistance amounts to $6 million.  An important matter as far as the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Cameron, Manmohan Singh, Maccrae and Valmiki
Professor Nalin de Silva.
Going by the reports that appeared in Indian news media I thought that finally the Indian Prime Minister would come to Sri Lanka to participate at the CHOGM even for a few hours at least to mark his presence. However, it was not to be. Remember that it is not Manmohan Singh who is not coming to Sri Lanka but the Indian Prime Minister. The talk of how many CHOGMs the Indian Prime Ministers have missed during the last fifty or sixty years is nothing but diplomatic mockery. After all it is not the same... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Sri Lanka’s National Shame – lack of effective modern legislation to protect animals
Shenali D. Waduge
 If the international community were to raise the issue of the lack of effective legislative protection for animals in Sri Lanka incorporating modern standards of treatment of animals,  in addition to their never-ending spotlight on the country’s human rights track record, Sri Lanka’s politicians and law makers will have nowhere to turn. We will become a pariah state overnight in world councils and will be placed in the same category of ‘failed’ states that lack a moral and ethical foundation for proper governance. We must realize even now that the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

A Video: Sri Lankan diplomat says rights criticism a ‘proxy propaganda war’
Just watch how Dr. Nonis shreds this CNN guy apart...just brilliant! I bet they won't rebroadcast this clip!! http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/14/world/asia/sri-lanka-commonwealth-nonis/index.html?hpt=ias_c2... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Callum MacRae (Tiger Director making Films-for-Pay)
Divaina.com
November 14, 2013 The Pet Tiger, Callum MacRae, who recently arrived in Sri Lanka to report on the CHOGM, cannot be dismissed as a mere idiot. Having been educated at Britain’s Edinburgh Arts College, he is an educated crafty man. Therefore, his vile activities have some impact and public acceptance. Britain, the birthplace of Colonial Imperialism, which stole a significant portion of the world’s wealth over a period of 500 years and sucked out and digested all that was of value in Sri Lanka, is Callum MacRae’s birthplace. He is a news reporter available to all and sundry... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Response to Canadian Broadcasting Corp. "Sins of Sri Lanka" -
Ira de Silva, Ontario, Canada
F. Harrison states that she has interviewed these people in the U.K. They have gone there to claim refugee status. All over the world those claiming refugee status make these claims. If they are in the U.K. why do they not go to the British courts? It is said that they have lawyers - perhaps they are immigration lawyers who are using these allegations to get them refugee status. Why not go to open court, provide details and file a case? Is it because they want to go back to Sri Lanka for holidays?... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

CHOGM 2013: UK reps behaving as if we were still a colony - Gotabhaya
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that the UK government was acting as if Sri Lanka were still a British colony. The actions of some of the British representatives here for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) had undermined bilateral relations, Rajapaksa said. He was responding to statements attributed to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague and Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire at the British High Commission and Chaaya Tranz, Hikkaduwa, respectively. Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said that they would never have behaved in such a way in any other country.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

‘We reject illegal killings’: Germany suspends drone purchase
RT
Berlin has suspended the purchase of armed drones on the grounds that it “categorically rejects illegal killings.” This follows a report by Amnesty International that accused Merkel’s government of aiding the US with drone strikes in Pakistan. A draft agreement between the Social Democrats and the Conservatives obtained by Der Spiegel condemns the use of drones for targeted attacks. "We categorically reject illegal killings by drones. Germany will support the use of unmanned weapons systems for the purposes of international disarmament and arms control," said the statement. The government says that before acquiring the remote-controlled craft, it must... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

CBC's THe Current on HR violations in Sri Lanka -Nov 14th
Mahinda Gunasekera Agincourt, Canada
November 14, 2013 CBC, The Current Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir/Madam, I watched The Current this morning and submitted the following comment in respect of matters discussed in the program.  It appears as though Sri Lanka is being tried by the media on numerous allegations deemed "credible".  What does "Credible allegations" mean?  If these are not formally presented to the Sri Lankan authorities and the accusers are unwilling to corroborate or substantiate these allegations, they will remain mere allegations that cannot be proceeded on and perpetrators if any tried in a court of law and punished... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

BBC’s never-stopping propagation of baseless lies: “UN reports 40,000 civilians killed by Sri Lanka”
Asada M Erpini
A report in the media, dated 14 November, quotes BBC as saying, “UN estimates 40,000 civilians were killed in the last five months of the war”. BBC is obviously referring to the war of liberation that culminated on 19 May 2009. The fact that there was never a UN report that gave the figures stated above clearly is irrelevant to BBC – the once prestigious British institution that none would pay a tuppence today to watch, especially when it comes to its news broadcasts. The UN Office in Colombo at the time said that it estimated... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Sri Lankan diplomat says rights criticism a 'proxy propaganda war'
By Susannah Cullinane, CNN
(CNN) -- Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Britain has blamed criticism of his country's human rights record on a "proxy propaganda war" being carried out by those who funded the nation's "terrorist conflict." (Video Link) : http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/14/world/asia/sri-lanka-commonwealth-nonis/index.html?hpt=ias_c2  ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 15/11/13)

Tamil Eelam returns to Tamil Nadu, India
Shenali D Waduge
 The charade of setting up Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka has lasted long enough – 30 years to be precise. Tamil Nadu has been happy to watch from the balcony attempts to set up the foundation for Eelam in Sri Lanka as prescribed by Indian Governments. With the vanquishing of the LTTE that hijacked the Eelam idea thus bringing a lot of hounds to the region the scenario has become complicated. Too many players all out to get their own pound of flesh. Be that as it may, sheer grit and commitment won the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Sri Lanka does not need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Shenali D Waduge
A country that has become the 1st to eliminate a terrorist movement should not have to look at or copy models of other nations when what prevailed in South Africa is totally different to the scenario that prevailed in Sri Lanka. South Africa’s issue was apartheid – invading colonial settlers taking control of all that rightfully belongs to the indigenous blacks. It was a clear case of black-white discrimination. Sri Lanka’s case as proven beyond doubt was one of TERRORISM. Terrorism meant that though LTTE fighting force were all Tamils, its supporters and other aligned were... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

No business in Sri Lanka for Indian business mission!
Asada M Erpini
 A high level business mission is apparently in Colombo now, according to media reports dated 12 November. The gentlemen and the lady constituting the team should be given a plain and simple answer: “You have no business in Sri Lanka”.  The Prime Minister of India has already written to the President of Sri Lanka that he does not wish to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that is scheduled to open in Colombo on 15 November. Instead, he opts to send a team headed by his Minister of External Affairs, giving no clear reason... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

My comment to The Daily Mirror 14/11/13:
 S de Silva London
The Daily Mirror reports that William Hague MP expects “Accountability for Past Crimes”.  Fine!  Please remind Mr Hague, without being vague!, that ANY accountability has to apply to ALL and that must include the LTTE and their financial backers in the West and also cover the full 30 years of the conflict and NOT just the last 3 months for the convenience of the LTTE.  And while Mr Hague is on the theme of accountability he should really direct his mind also to  the vast crimes his forefathers have committed during their illegal occupation in... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

The Commonwealth should take over the mantle of bringing about economic development, the need of the hour,
By Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D.
It has been aptly said that the sun did not set in the days of the British Empire.  The Empire included Australia, Canada, India and  many African countries and the sun did shine every minute  on some part of that vast Empire.  With the countries gaining independence one by one, the power of the British Empire was on the wane and then began the Commonwealth in 1949. The countries that became independent were entitled to become members of the Commonwealth. Today 53 countries cooperate and are held together. It is a force that covers... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Sri Lanka Media Watch
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
The Editor National Post Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir: Reference this article, what is interesting to note is that Mr. Samathanan came to Canada as a refugee. The inference is that he would have claimed persecution, discrimination, torture etc. to support his application for refugee status. That he lied to get refugee status is clear because he returns to Sri Lanka without any fear, starts a business, gets married has children and settles back in Sri Lanka. He does not seem to have had any intention of hurrying back to Canada in fear of his life. He then... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

CORRUPTED JOURNALISM: CHANNEL 4 AND SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka Media Watch
Engage Sri Lanka has published Corrupted Journalism: Channel 4 and Sri Lanka. It is a 222-page study of the allegations made by British television broadcaster Channel 4 against the Government of Sri Lanka regarding events in the last few weeks of the Sri Lankan civil war, fought between the government and "Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam" (LTTE, also known as the "Tamil Tigers") rebels. In the course of two hour-long programmes, presented by Jon Snow, Channel 4 alleged that war crimes and human rights abuses had been committed by the government as the war ended... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Use CHOGM To Direct The Focus On Tiger Diaspora
Dr. Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM Spokesperson,,United Sri Lanka Ass., Lower Hutt, NZ
The Editor Lanka Web.   Dear Editor,   The CHOGM offers an excellent opportunity to focus the spot light on the Tiger Diaspora who are the ones at the bottom of the international media woes for Sri Lanka currently. They are the ones once again terrorizing Sri Lanka, this time with the pen through internationally orchestrated  misinformation. To do this they are now  using powerful  allies acquired through the use of their ill gotten war chest of billions. At this time it is most notably the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Deepak Obhrai lays a wreath for the Tamil Tigers at a cemetery at Elaphant Pass
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
13 November 2013 Hon. Deepak Obhrai, MP Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario Dear Deepak: Today’s Sri Lanka’s THE ISLAND reports that “PM Harper’s rep lays flowers for Tigers”  It continues to say that you had laid flowers at the Elephant Pass cemetery on your way back from Jaffna.  “They entered the cemetery in spite of a Sri Lankan official accompanying them requested not to lay flowers there.”   And Deepak you went ahead and did it, anyway, disrespecting the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Killing Fields: Threadbare Journalism on Display at Curtin University in Perth
Dr D. Chandraratna
As recently as last month there were two instances in Australian Universities when academic freedom became mere sophistry and nonsense. In the first case, the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Sydney University, an academic from Israel’s Hebrew University was refused permission to respond to a talk given by another academic who, according to the Jewish lobby in Sydney, blatantly misrepresented Israel’s position. The second instance was the screening of Killing Fields at Curtin University in Perth where the Sri Lankan community was refused a chance to present their side of the story to the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Crisis Looms As Second PM Shuns CHOGM
Dr. Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM Spokesperson,,United Sri Lanka Ass., Lower Hutt, NZ 
The Editor, Letters to the Editor, Dompost. Dear Editor, The Indian Prime Ministers absence from the CHOGM being hosted by his neighbor Sri Lanka, would   cause as much a crisis as it did to the  very successful Perth CHOGM two years ago , by the absence of  it’s neighbor, the New Zealand PM. The shameful thing however is that both the Indian &   Canadian Prime Minister’s absences are being dictated by internal political considerations rather than any human rights issues as they... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

PM Harper's Representative laid flowers at Elephant Pass LTTE Cemetery
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
Canadian PM Harper's representative MP Deepak Obhrai had laid flowers at the Elephant Pass LTTE cemetery. LTTE terrorists fought against the lawfully established govt of Sri Lanka.  Obhrai's action would of course boost the morale of the Tamil diaspora. Obhrai had done this despite the fact that even in Canada the LTTE is proscribed as a terrorist organisation.  Accompanying Obhrai had been the HIgh Commissioner for Canada, Shelley Whiting. A request  by the Sri Lankan official, who accompanied them, to refrain from doing so had been ignored. This is something that should be looked into by higher authorities.   Obhrai may... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

A blot on the commonwealth
Dr. Chula NA Rajapakse MNZM Spokesperson,,United Sri Lanka Ass., Lower Hutt, NZ
 The Editor, Letters to Editor.   Dear Editor,   Your editorial  fails to recognize important realities of   today’s Sri Lanka. The Rajapakse administration in 2009 rescued SL from   three decades of Tiger Terrorism , that denied  twenty million Sri Lankans  the most basic human right, the right to life. Since then SL has overwhelmingly endorsed this administration in Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial elections. Following demining, three hundred thousand displaced Tamil civilians have been resettled .  12000  rehabilitated  former combatants , six hundred child soldiers ... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Harper's Rep Lays Flowers for Tigers
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
Regarding Mr. Harper's representative laying flowers for the Tigers, it illustrates clearly that Canada has become the new spokesperson for the Tamil Tigers in their continued effort to divide Sri Lanka and create their Eelam.  It also proves that Canada who has supported Tamil terrorism in Sri Lanka for decades continues to do so and is treating  the dead LTTE cadres the same way as they treat fallen Canadian troops. It is ironic that on November 11, which Canadians consider remembrance day honouring  Canadian troops who died in defence of  Canada's freedom,  is the day  Mr. Obrahai... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 14/11/13)

Do Tamils Control the Indian Government?
Prof. Hudson McLean
For almost thirty years Tamils dominated BBC News, and suddenly disappeared when the LTTE was decimated by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa. India, so it seems has not learned a lesson of "going-to-bed" with LTTE, even after LTTE terrorists blew-up Rajiv Gandhi during his visit to Tamil Nadu. The latest reaction from another Prime Minister of India demonstrates the Indian politics being subservient to the Voice of Terrorists. Having exerted pressure on the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, the Tamils managed to control the Head of India. Looks like when the (Tamil Terrorist) Tiger wags the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 12/11/13)

Deporting the Australian Senator and the New Zealand MP is the correct move
Asada M Erpini
 The Sri Lankan Immigration authorities asking Australian Senator Lee Rhiannon and the New Zealand MP Jan Logie, as reported in the media on 10 November, to pack their bags and get out of Sri Lanka is the correct response to their engaging in activities not permitted under the conditions on which they were granted visas. While the two deportees state that they had received tourist visas in the ‘Special Project’ category issued by the Sri Lankan consulate in Australia, they seem to ignore the fact that the Sri Lankan consulate in Australia is a representing body... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 11/11/13)

Controversial UK Channel 4 and Callum Macrae of faked Killing Field fame !!!
By Charles.S.Perera
 UK Channel 4 is a “publisher broadcaster” with its programmes produced by other companies, its funds come from broadcasting and distributing these programmes. UK Channel 4 commensed in 1982 and its history since then is studded with , disgusting sensationalism, controversy,  racist and hateful programmes which are more often faked and false.   One of its much criticised low and immoral television show was the Wank Week.  A season of television programmes about masturbation broad cast in March 2007. The first of this show was about a Masturbate-a-thon, a public masturbation event, organised to raise money for the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 11/11/13)

Australian & New Zealand Parliamentarians doing 'politics' in Sri Lanka, deported
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
Australian Greens Party Senator Lee Riannon and New Zealand Greens Party MP Jan Logie, who had visited Sri Lanka on tourist visas, had been deported as they had been engaged in local 'politics'. Their mission had been funded by the Global Tamil Forum. The Greens Party is famous for supporting bogus refugees from Sri Lanka. Having visited the North, they had attended pre-arranged meetings with Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi, PLOTE, TELO & EPRLF. Their discussions had been on topics such as war crimes, human rights, devolution etc. The tour and talks had been under the auspices of the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 11/11/13)

Australian Senator deported
Bandu de Silva
As a former Consular man (Policy level), I can say that the issue of visa or refusal is a sovereign prerogative that states enjoy. The  decisions cannot be questioned. so are any conditions applied to  different categories of visas. These have to be meticulously observed.  sri Lankans go through much humiliation at foreign Embassies in  getting visas. I think that applies even to Cabiney Ministers. The two Greens, MPs from Australia and New Zealand  may be big noises  in their respective countries but they cannot expect to take the law of another country into their hand... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 11/11/13)

THANK YOU GUTLESS SINGH SRI LANKA DOES NOT MISS YOU AT ALL
 By Stanley Perera, Melbourne
 In the perspective of patriotic Sri Lankan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Sing’s boycotting CHOGM in Colombo is considered as blessings in disguise.  Vast majority of Sri Lankans do not fancy Indians in Sri Lanka.  In the event India participating (Manmohan Sing) would have been Indian stealing the show of Sri Lanka.  India feels that they are the leaders in Asia which is a fool’s way of thinking.  It is very sad to note that India bullying surrounding smaller countries since India gaining independence from the U.K.  But Pakistan rejecting the Indian supremacy in the region... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 10/11/13)

Burma, S.Africa...Britain? Intl press freedom team dispatched to UK for first time
RT
“A press freedom mission to the United Kingdom is unprecedented and we cannot underestimate our concern for what is happening,” said Vincent Peyrègne, CEO of the Paris-based organization in a statement published on their website. “It is rather difficult for the United Kingdom to lecture Sri Lanka and others about their press freedom record, when its own actions result in such widespread international condemnation,” he added.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 10/11/13)

India to send delegation and PM Singh to skip CHOGM
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
India had signalled that the Indian PM will abstain the CHOGM. Instead they had decided to send a delegation headed by the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid to participate in the summit. However, Tamil Nadu is disappointed over this because they wanted India to boycott the conference completely. Due to the forthcoming elections, India's internal problems seem to take precedence over International matters. As it is, no single party in India could form a govt without support from Regional states. So Tamil Nadu had become a king maker.    There was a time when the Congress party was all... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 10/11/13)

"Understanding the Tamil Tigers"
Dr Romesh Alagaratnam Senewiratne-Alagaratnam
I am making a series of documentaries titled "Understanding the Tamil Tigers", based on my inside knowledge of the organization and research I have done into the LTTE over the past 20 years that I have been fighting them. These are the first 4 parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM_AFBFOsNA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFQbxZ3ehao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSOmqXezfn8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaULpEPTHDs... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 10/11/13)

The Day of Reckoning is not too far for the Superpowers
By  Garvin Karunaratne
Prime Minister of Britain Mr Cameron has threatened to teach President Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka a lesson in human rights. Premier Cameron tends to forget  Britain’s ignominious Empire record and also its current violations of human rights.  Premier Cameron  has said that he intends to have some “tough conversations with the Sri Lankan Government. I am not happy with their human rights record. I am not happy with what they have done following the conflict and we’ll have some very frank conversations to make those points.”(Channel NewsAsia:25/10/13) He has said that he “will demand Sri Lanka... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 10/11/13)

India debate: Aren-t Tamil interests served better by engaging with Lanka instead of boycott?
... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 10/11/13)

Britain’s Mass Murder of Indigenous Australians (Aborigines)
Shenali D Waduge
 To those that do not know of Britains colonial crimes in their eyes Britain is the epitome of justice, equality, the nation that rears gentlemen of breed and holds the seat of democracy. To those that are aware of British mass murder as ordered by British Governments, the scale of cataloguing these crimes becomes a task in itself and should nullify all claims of any gentlemanly behavior. The invasion and decimation of Aboriginal Australia was and is entirely a British affair. When Britain devastates a 65,000 year old culture in just 200 years and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Britain’s Mass Murder of Indigenous Australians (Aborigines)
Jith
British Genocide in Sri Lanka to boot! Painting on British suppression of the 1818 rebellion. A word of advise to Messrs candid Cameron and vague Haigh people in glass houses should not strip in case you are exposed in the Emperor's new clothing. Just forget the promise you gave the LTTE Diaspora for any electoral and/or financial benefits. You are the last people qualified to lecture Sri Lanka on human rights because your country's hands are bloodied with acts of inhuman genocide against colonials  through out history--even exceeding acts committed by... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Allegations vs. being guilty: Sri Lanka’s human rights violations as seen by the West and the human rights groups
Asada M Erpini
 Ever since the military arm of the LTTE based in Sri Lanka was vanquished by the valiant armed forces of the sovereign republic of Sri Lanka, there have been incessant cries of human rights violations by the political and military leadership of the island nation.  The noises made by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other such groups, the former Sri Lankan Tamils now comfortably based in the most affluent countries of the world and the corrupt politicians in western countries, led by Canada, who would sell their grandmother for the bloc vote of Tamil immigrants... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Suggested Questions For PM David Cameron, at Press Conference
 Dr. Chula Rajapake  MNZMLower Hutt.Spokesperson,United Sri Lanka Assn. NewZealand
Please find below questions being posed to th Q7 A TV program on NZ TV. These could be used also at press conferences in Colombo  with the British PM , David Cameron:  Given that the main basis for questioning the right of Sri Lanka to host the CHOGM and chair the commonwealth for the next two years are the allegations of human right violations in thelast three months of their war of liberation from three decades of Tamil Tiger terrorism, through SL forces indulging in directed shooting at civilians... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Ref- Why Commonwealth nations should boycott the Sri Lanka Meeting
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
The Editor Embassy Magazine Ottawa, Ontario   Attention:  K. Shane   The opinions expressed by R. Thavaratnasingham that the Commonwealth should boycott the meeting are not surprising as he is the president of the Canadian Tamil Congress which organization is anti-Sri Lanka because they support the division of Sri Lanka to establish a mono ethnic, fascist, racist,Tamil only area which they call Eelam which was the same goal of the LTTE terrorists. SInce the end of the war, expatriate organizations with this same goal have not given up their efforts to achieve their ambition of dividing... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Time for Real Canadian Action on Sri Lanka - Paul Dewar
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
The Editor Embassy Magazine Ottawa, Ontario   Attention: Kristen Shane    Mr. Dewar's tone and sentiments in this article indicate that he believes that Canada is in a position of authority on Sri Lanka when he states that the Canadian Government can and should do more to defend democracy and human rights in Sri Lanka. As a member of the Canadian Parliament he is entitled to his opinions of how he and Canada are in the world but the fact remains that when it comes to international politics and Sri Lanka in particular, neither he... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

HM QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSTS COMMONWEALTH HIGH COMMISSIONERS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE PRIOR TO CHOGM 2013
MEDIA RELEASE Sri Lanka High Commission London
Her Majesty the Queen hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace for the London based Commonwealth High Commissioners, all of whom sit on the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM 2013) in Sri Lanka, the event was also attended by HE Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General; the Rt Hon William Hague MP, Foreign Secretary; the Rt Hon Hugo Swire MP, Minister of State for the FCO. The Queen was accompanied by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, and TRH the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

GOMIN DAYASRI 'S SPEECH ON 13 TH NOVEMBER AT 6 .30 PM AT WAVERLEY VICTORIA
... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

CKD Workshop at UoPon the Wednesday, November 20th morning (9.00 AM to 12.30 PM) at the senate house auditorium and the CKD-Oration at Ananda College on the 30th November, at 4.30 PM
Professor Sunil Wimalawansa, MD,PhD,MBA,DSc
Please find the attached two events related to the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affecting the dry zones in Sri Lanka, and a brief summary of the prevailing issues related to this ongoing disaster that kills on average, 13 farmers every day that destitute 13 families each day. Those who are in Kandy/Peradeniya region: I hope you will be able to participate and contribute at the workshop on the Wednesday, November 20th morning (9.00 AM to 12.30 PM) at the senate house auditorium, University of Peradeniya. We welcome your participation/contributions.   We look forward to seeing you at the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 09/11/13)

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lanka Navy
Asada M Erpini
Never a day seems to pass without the Tamil actress turned politician, and now the Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu shedding bucketfuls of tears to highlight the plight of Tamil Nadu (TN) fishermen harassed, shot at or arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy. The latest in her never-ending lamentations on behalf of the TN fishermen and the accusations against the lawful naval arm of the Sri Lanka government is the apparent arrest of 86 TN fishermen by the "highhanded and belligerent Sri Lankan Navy", as reported in the media on 08 November 2013. And, the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Westminster Hall debates on 6 Nov 2013 2:30 pm on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka— [Mr David Amess in the Chair]
Stanley de Silva, UK
To: Sheryll Murray MP (South East Cornwall, Conservative)
Having personally listened to you at the Westminster Hall on 6th November, I am writing to you to sincerely and personally thank you for your supportive words on Sri Lanka at the meeting as almost a lone voice in the midst of a chorus of LTTE anti-Sri Lanka rants resembling a Kangaroo Court! Your words outlining the shameful ‘Great’ Human Rights doings of the British Empire for the benefit of the audience during the Wellassa uprising (Just one of many) in Sri Lanka against the British... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Paul Dewar says "Time for real Canadian action on Sri Lanka"
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario .Canada
8 November 2013 The Editor (Letters) EMBASSY, Ottawa, Ontario Dear Editor: In your Opinion Diplomacy column Member of Parliament Paul Dewar says, “Time for real Canadian action on Sri Lanka”.  Wrong!   Hold your horses Paul Dewar, it is “Time for real Sri Lankan action on Canada.” No right minded Canadian can ignore the fact that there were countries that aided and abetted the Tamil Tiger terrorists to fight their separatist war in Sri Lanka , and Canada happened to be one of them and we were front and... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Raj Thavaratnasingham of Canadian Tamil Congress does not want the Commonwealth summit to be held in Srt Lanka
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester . Ontario . Canada
8 November 2013 The Editor (Letters) EMBASSY, Ottawa Dear Editor: Raj Thavaratnasingham, the President of the Canadian Tamil Congress’s  Opinion Diplomacy essay, “Why Commonwealth nations should boycott the Sri Lanka meeting” is silly and churlish. “Sri Lanka should be suspended from the Commonwealth for these abuses, and certainly should not be hosting CHOGM,” Raj continues. If Raj’s barometer of judgment is human rights violations of a country to qualify for the approval of other Commonwealth nations to host a Commonwealth Summit, then he is out of luck.  I... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

WHY WOMEN IN CHINA DO NOT GET BREAST CANCER
By Prof. Jane Plant, PhD, CBE- Extracted from Your Life in Your Hands, by Professor Jane Plant/ 
I had no alternative but to die or to try to find a cure for myself. I am a scientist - surely there was a rational explanation for this cruel illness that affects one in 12 women in the UK ? I had suffered the loss of one breast, and undergone  radiotherapy. I was now receiving painful chemotherapy, and had been seen by some of the country's most eminent specialists. But, deep down, I felt certain I... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Shell Shock to Palali Syndrome – Slide Show
Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D.
Palali is a well-known area in the Jaffna Peninsula in the Northern Sri Lanka. Palali has an important airport that serves as the main lifeline in the North. A large number of soldiers travel to the Northern Peninsula through the Palali Airbase. During the Eelam War, Palali Air Base played a key role (like the Tan Son Nhut Air Base during the Vietnam conflict) providing essential food items, medicines and ammunition to the troops. Throughout the Eelam War, many battle casualties were transported to Colombo via Palali. Therefore, Palali is a part of the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Buddhist group: Don’t allow religious and ethnic lines to worsen
by Qishin Tariq, The Star, November 3, 2013
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Isolation between races and cultures will lead to mistrust and fear as groups grow more separate, warns an international Buddhist group. The chairman of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), Dr Harsha Kumara Navaratne, from Sri Lanka, said isolation would happen if a country allowed religious and ethnic lines to worsen. “The people in Sri Lanka live in separate areas, attend separate schools and speak separate languages. This isolation contributes to mistrust and fear,” he said, adding that other groups become abstract and were easily... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Glory of Holy Qur’an.
By A. Abdul Aziz.
 (Given below is the script of the address by Dr. Ifthikar Ahmad Ayaz at Ahmadiyya Convention – U.K.-2013).  Dr. Ifthikar Ahmad Ayaz  OBE (Officer of the Excellent Order of the British Empire) Alfred Einstein Nobel Medal for Peace Man of the Year in Human Rights 2010 International Peace Prize University of Cambridge Ambassador of Knowledge Honoured as a Cambridge Blue Included amongst the Great Minds of the 21st Century and 500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century. Dr Ayaz is the Consul General for the Pacific islands of Tuvalu in the U.K. He is Senator... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

It is "wrong" for energy firms to increase their bills when wholesale prices are "not going up substantially", the British Prime Minister has said.
Dr Hector Perera    London
When some energy giants put the prices up by 10% who gets affected, it’s the millions of customers who use gas and electricity. Even the British Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron states that is “wrong” to do so due to various reasons but I wonder if the energy giants would reverse the increase. His comments came as fuel poverty campaigners demanded that party leaders act on the ''national crisis'' of cold homes. The UK is second only to Estonia among European nations for the number of people who are struggling to pay their energy... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

Platinum 1 partners Konsept Centro for Nolte Pantries
Media Release
Newly re-branded home furnishings consultancy Konsept Centro, formerly Centrepoint interiors, has been awarded the contract for the import, supply and installation of high-end German pantries at the exclusive and luxurious PLATINUM 1 residential skyscraper. The sole Sri Lankan agent for Nolte of Germany, which offers a full range of high-end pantries, kitchens, etc., Konsept Centro has been contracted to fit out PLATINUM 1’s 20 floors, which encompasses a premium residential condominium that comprises 66 apartments and four duplex type penthouses, along with luxury shopping and recreational space. Located in the heart of the city, at Number 1,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 08/11/13)

JOHN SNOW, PEEP-SHOW
The Daily News Editorial
The figures they pluck from the air! Channel 4's John Snow in the run up to CHOGM interviewed the affable Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, and in his ignoble hurry to trip him up, tripped himself up, with a figure of 12000 disappeared in Sri Lanka since the year 2009! The figure was not substantiated by a jot, and not sourced -- but coming from Channel 4 this is fairly standard practice. But yet, 12000 disappeared - after the war was over?! The enormity of the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/13)

CHOGM-What does it matter Manmohan Singh comes or not, or Stephen Harper boycotts it ?
By Charles.S.Perera
 CHOGM is a bi-annual meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Governments.  It is like an association of  past Students  of a school.  Being a meeting of politicians they talk about politics as it affects them and each other.  Governing a country is no easy matter.  There are those who are critical, and those who are supportive. There are those who are rational and those who are irrational.  Each country has different problems that require different solutions .  Therefore, there is no effort on the part of those attending the CHOGM to evolve a unitary method of solving problems... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/13)

PRINCE CHARLES HOSTS ST JAMES’ PALACE RECEPTION PRIOR TO CHOGM 2013 VISIT
MEDIA RELEASE  Sri Lanka High CommissionLondon
  HRH Prince Charles with HE Dr Chris Nonis at St James’ Palace  Prince Charles hosted a reception at St James's Palace for members of Britain's Sri Lankan and Indian communities to mark the royal couple's tour of India and Sri Lanka. H.E. Dr Chris Nonis, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK,  was joined by India’s Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Virendra Paul, at the Palace to extend a ceremonial welcome to the Prince of Wales and Duchess... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/13)

බලනු මැන, අප වෙනුවෙන් කථා කරන ඉන්දීය ජනතා පුතුනගේ බලය Dr Subramanian Swamy in NDTV debate - Was LTTE chief-s son killed
... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 07/11/13)

Context-free versus Context-dependent Political Strategies - the dilemma for Sri Lankan Rulers
R Chandrasoma
It can be argued that politics must be based on inalienable moral principles that are unflinchingly applied irrespective of consequences. Thus, it may seem eminently reasonable that the Death Penality should be abolished because the taking of the life of even a convicted murderer is morally wrong and judicial executions cannot be be carried out in a civlized nation. It will be admitted by all that such 'context-free' decision-making by rulers is the exception rather than the norm. A moral stand can win the plaudits of the devout but may be politically unworkable or even foolish.... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/13)

In Focus Life Abroad - Part 52:JOKES APART!
Dr.Tilak Fernando

The topic of immigration has always given adequate ammunition to politicians to woo public votes, of late, mainly in the UK and Canada. Illegal immigrants seeking entry to Australia has become world wide information. Consequently, the Australian government is spending a fortune on advertisements on Sri Lankan TV to discourage 'boat people'. Many such illegal immigrants have perished in sea beds unaccounted for, so far. People are tempted to seek 'imaginative' greener pastures by raising loans to pay immigration racketeers who... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 07/11/13)

“Sinhalese should be allowed to live in Jaffna”, says Tamil movement
 Asada M Erpini
An interesting news item that appeared in the media on 06 November is that that was attributed to one Ravi Kumar: “Sinhalese who wish to live in the Jaffna peninsula should be allowed to do so”. The report is interesting from many angles. Firstly, it is heartening to note that there exists a Jaffna Tamil Buddhist Association. Most Sri Lankans are used to associating the Sinhala ethnic group with the Buddhist religion, so much so that there is even the phrase Sinhala Buddhists, an expression in which the two ideas go hand in hand. As opposed... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/13)

Support of CHOGM
Dr. Chula Rajapakse MNZM Spokesperson United Sri Lanka Association,
To: Rt Hon. John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand.  Dear Mr Key, I am writing further to our brief meeting earlier this evening at the Diwali Celebrations in Parliament,  to reiterate the deep appreciation of the Sri Lankan community in Wellington and New Zealand , atyour continued and enthusiastic support of the CHOGM in Colombo, despite the relentless barrage questioning your stance. This barrage is based on poorly substantiated and often patently untrue allegations against Sri Lanka , originated by the international Tiger Diaspora, but now being orchestrated by... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 06/11/13)

Subramanian Swamy Vs Vaiko on Justice delayed again 30 Aug 11
... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 06/11/13)

Commonwealth gathers momentum in Colombo
H. L. D. Mahindapala
 Under normal circumstances the life span of a loose, scattered and wobbly institution like the Commonwealth of Nations does not tend to be long. It should have withered and died shortly after its birth in the London Declaration of 1949. But it survived for 64 years. Today it stands as a union of 53 heterogeneous nations yoked together under a Queen who was also the head of the extinct Empire. The unbroken continuity also speaks for its stability and viability.  Sri Lanka was a founding member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is appropriate that... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

Sri Lanka: What are the names of the ‘40,000 dead’ – Where did they live and where are their relatives?
Shenali D Waduge
There appears to be a scramble among LTTE supporters to compete with each other as to whose guestimates can embarrass the Sri Lankan Government and its Armed Forces. What is preposterous is that the sources for these guestimates come from LTTE sources. Leaving aside the exaggerations behind these claims what must not escape anyone’s attention are a few simple questions a) Where are the 40,000 or even 125,000 bodies of the supposed dead? b) What are their names – the dead must surely have names and those claiming anyone is dead must surely know who the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

What a bleeding heart and compassionate soul we have in Karunanidhi!
Asada M Erpini
‘"We have been left wailing" over Britain’s Channel 4 video that shows a group of soldiers surrounding a half-naked Tamil lady," DMK chief M Karunanidhi said’. That is how some Indian media, quoted by those in Sri Lanka, refer to Karunanidhi’s ‘desperation’ after Channel 4 of the UK aired its reportedly fake video. The report on the wailing by the long-past-the-sell-by-date gentleman (and obviously his ilk) raises many pertinent issues that need the attention of the discerning reader. First and foremost, if the allegations made by the Channel 4 team are proved -beyond any reasonable doubt... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

PRE- CHOGM REFLECTIONS FOR ‘SOUL SEARCHING’ BY INDIA
Nihal Pathirana - Former Deputy Director Geological Survey Department.
We in Sri Lanka were pleased to hear of the  ‘Times of India’ report  that  India has resolved its  differences with China. India has signed nine agreements with China, including pacts on border cooperation and on sharing of trans-border rivers. The agreements on border defence will boost communication between the two sides about manoeuvres along the frontier, jointly combat smuggling there and assist each other in locating people who may have strayed across the line. "We have agreed that peace and tranquillity on border must be the foundation of growth... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

“India's foreign policy is defined also by values very dear to the Indian people”, says PM of India
 Asada M Erpini
A media report dated 04 November quotes the Indian Prime Minister as having said, “India's foreign policy is not defined merely by its interests, but also by the values which are very dear to the Indian people”. That certainly is a profound truth and the gentleman needs to be applauded by all, provided that this is a genuine sentiment and stance. But when one reads the background to the pronouncement and the statements attributed to the Minister of State and the Environment Minister in the same report, a completely different picture emerges. It is not the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

Original -channel 4 video - in Tamil
Here-s the original video, all dialog in Tamil, which was doctored by a group of former-LTTE people who fled to East Germany:... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 05/11/13)

Investigation into the LTTE
Dr Romesh Alagaratnam Senewiratne-Alagaratnam
... -Full Story-
(youtube.com - 05/11/13)

Subramanian Swamy on Truth About Rajiv Gandhi Killing
... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 05/11/13)

Pan Africanism Vs International Criminal Court
by Amadi Ajamu
 The International Criminal Court has made it its mission to depose African leaders who have dared to move their nations towards greater political and economic sovereignty. Western financiers have manufactured an international judicial policy of destabilization and recolonization in order to gain control of Africa's human and natural resources. So far, the ICC has eight African nations under investigation: The Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Uganda, Sudan, Republic of Kenya, Libya Arab Jamahiriya, Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, and Mali. At the same time, western nations have accelerated their vicious assault on African nations... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

UK’s tough message to Sri Lanka
By Neville Ladduwahetty
November 5, 2013, 12:00 pm At a media meeting with Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi, Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron is reported to have stated that he plans to have:"some very tough conversations with the Sri Lankan government… I‘m not happy with what they’ve done following the conflict and we’ll have some very frank conversations to make those points" (Daily Mirror, October 31, 2013). This was followed up by UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Hugo Swire in a statement to the House of Commons where he had said: "When visiting Sri Lanka... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 05/11/13)

COMMENT America-s forked tongue on Iran
By Kaveh L Afrasiabi
Against a backdrop of long-standing animosity and unresolved disputes between Iran and the United States, the rally in Tehran marking the 34th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US embassy there has taken place at a crucial time for the marathon nuclear negotiations due to resume in Geneva next week. The collective expression of antipathy towards the Western power to some extent mirrors the avalanche of anti-Iran hostilities in the US media, particularly during the past few weeks.... -Full Story-
(atimes.com - 05/11/13)

Britain allegedly spied on Merkel a mere stone-s throw from her desk
RT
Britain is using its Berlin embassy to spy on the nearby Bundestag, as well as the office of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Concern was raised following the latest Snowden revelations and prompted the German FM to invite the British ambassador -for a talk-. The news comes just one week after the alleged closure of an American listening -nest- just 150 meters away from the British embassy, which is believed to be damage control following the embarrassing details of how the US itself is listening in on Merkel.... -Full Story-
(rt.com - 05/11/13)

CHOGM IS A PUZZLE IN THE AMERICAN MIND
By Shelton A. Gunaratne*
 The insular American press has ignored the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting  (CHOGM), scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka from Nov. 15-17. It comprises 53 independent countries (with a total population of 2.25 billion occupying almost one-third of the world’s land area) that were once British colonies. I wrote this column to point out that this omission reflects a serious flaw in the news judgment of the American media establishment and the hired journalists who filter the news that’s “fit to print.” Before I substantiate this thesis, let me introduce some basic facts... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

CHOGM a Club of old “friends” ?
By Charles.S.Perera
 A club is defined as a formal association of people with similar interest.  Hence we could perhaps call the CHOGM a Club where the old Colonial Ruler and the leaders of its former colonies get together for a friendly pow-wow about each other and their concerns.  They have shed their Colonial garbs and meet as leaders of Sovereign States on equal terms.   They meet as friends now  though  memory of the colonisation by the British is filled with hatred for the brutality  beyond  any comparison to “violation of human rights” with which it clamped the rebellions against... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

4thOPEN LETTER TO C.V.VIGNESWARAN A GOOD JUDGE DOES NOT SIT ON HIS BRAIN
By Stanley Perera, Melbourne
A good judge does not sit on his brain, but a good judge may sit on a case.  Then what kind of a judge is Vigneswaran?  It is up to the reader to decide and judge what kind of a judge is Vigneswaran judging by his behaviour and utterances. A good judge does not utter anything that is useless or anything to upset anybody.  Then what kind of a judge is Vigneswaran?  Vigneswaran is a dumb judge who utters things that upset patriotic Sri Lankans.  Vigneswaran says that he will join with Tamil Nadoo to... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

Just two massacres for PM Cameron’s consideration
Durand Appuhamy Negombo  Courtesy Island
November 4, 2013, 12:00 pm Given the unending torrent of unsubstantiated accusation against our security forces and the abuse resorted to against the good name of our country by the British government and some of the British Parliamentarians—a few of whom are alleged to be in the pay of the foreign LTTE—I regard it appropriate to resurrect just two, out of many, massacres committed by the colonial British on the Kandyan freedom fighters. I offer no comment as I have dealt with them in my two books, viz. THE REBELS, OUTLAWS... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

UK minister turned GTF policy advisor in CHOGM sabotage bid
By Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy Island
November 3, 2013, 10:21 pm Joan Marie Former British Labour Party Member of Parliament Joan Marie Ryan, on behalf of the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), has thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa for backing its ongoing efforts to prevent Indian participation at the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka. She represented Enfield North between 1997 and 2010. Ryan, is a former minister as well as UK’s Special Envoy to Cyprus, has written to Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa in her capacity as the GTF policy advisor. The Oct. 25... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

A STORY UNTOLD
By. Dr. Nishan Wijesinha (Specialist Consultant) MIS Services, St. Anthony’s Road, Colombo
Reminiscing the  memories foretold of my great grand father Mudaliya Louis Corneille Wijesinha, who was and the first national scholar to translate the world famous Mahavansa from Pali to English; was a close associate to D.M. Rajapakse who was a State Councillor for Hambantota in the 1930s; and Danister Serasinghe, a reputed lawyer of the imperial era; from the Beliatta constituency. It was one of their visions that Hambantota could be made the commercial hub of sea and air transportation and the hydropower giant to aid... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Jan Kohout on the official visit to Sri Lanka on November 6-7, 2013
PRESS RELEASE-Embassy of the Czech Republic
After meeting his counterpart Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris in New York in September 2013, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Jan Kohout will be visiting Sri Lanka on November 6-7, 2013 during the regional visit to South Asia in order to deepen the bilateral dialogue and support the business cooperation. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Jan Kohout will be visiting Sri Lanka accompanied by the Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Jiri Balvin, Deputy... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 04/11/13)

Tamil Politicians – Priests – Public Officials and Academics killed by the LTTE
Shenali Waduge
However much the TNA or the new Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran attempts to turn a megalomaniac terrorist banned by 32 foreign nations as a Terrorist Organization, into a ‘HERO’ there are some hard facts that Tamils should not forget. First reminder is - LTTE’s first killing spree started not by killing Sinhalese but by killing Tamils – the popular Mayor of Jaffna, Alfred Duraiappah became Prabakaran’s first target followed by scores of Tamil police officers gunned down while on duty. There are many Tamils who bemoan that a Tamil cannot become the President of... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

We have nothing to learn from South Africa: Comment on the South Africa-Sri Lanka Dialogue.
By Garvin Karunaratne former Government Agent, Matara
 Follow South Africa for reconciliation says Minister Peiris, at the South Africa-Sri Lanka Dialogue(Sunday Island26/10/13). unaware of what happened in South Africa. Nelson Mandela to gain his release from prison sacrificed the future of his own people the blacks and was rewarded with the Noble Peace Prize. . That was not what President Rajapaksa did to liberate Sri Lanka from the terrorist LTTE . He defeated the LTTE, wiped them out from Sri Lanka. He did not follow the path of Mandela, which Chandrika Kumaranatune tried to do in the PTOMS agreement... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

Marilyn Monroe and the ‘Wigneswaran marriage’
C. Wijeyawickrema
 “It is not clear whether the Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister Retired Supreme Court Justice C.V.Vigneswaran’s maiden speech on 25th October at the chamber of the   Northern Provincial Council Assembly was an ultimatum or a challenge to the Central      Government of Sri Lanka. –Editor, Asiantribune   “If the Tamils’ cry for separatism is given up, the two communities could solve their   problems and continue to live in amity and dignity.”    M.C. Sansoni, CJ (Sessional Paper No.7 of 1980).   13-A is a vessel with holes             After reading the Asiantribune editor’s 27 October report on... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

3rd OPEN LETTER TO C.V.VIGNESWARAN-FROM UPSTAIRS TO THE BASEMENT
By Stanley Perera-Melbourne
It is a prestigious position to be a Judge of the Supreme Court.  After retirement Supreme Court judges held prestigious positions like chairmen of a commission appointed by the government for their impartial reports.  There was no one that the writer can think TO have  entered gutter type politics after retiring from the Supreme Court.  It is a precious and most respected position in a country.  Supreme Court means absolutely supreme.  Let alone the federal politics, local politics is something nowadays is fit for an ordinary jonnie and certainly not suitable to a retired Supreme Court... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

Vote of Thanks to Dr. Ananda Guruge
by Senaka Weeraratna
 October 27, 2013  (An edited version of a Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr. Senaka Weeraratna to Dr. Ananda W.P. Guruge upon the delivery of a bilingual talk on the topic ‘ The Role of Sri Lanka in the growth of Buddhism in India in the new millennium’  on Sunday October 27, 2013 at 2.30 p.m. at the "Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mandiraya", Colombo 05) Mr. Chairman, Members of the Maha Sangha, Dr. Ananda Guruge, our invited guests, ladies and gentlemen! It's my privilege and honour to propose a vote of thanks to our distinguished guest speaker... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

Tamil civilians killed by LTTE
Shenali D Waduge
When propagandists can project a terrorist organization and a terrorist leader as martyrs and there are people who accept this version despite evidence showing the exact nature of their terror – there is cause for concern. No organization or leader who has turned the gun on people they claim to protect or worse to have formed their organization to represent them cannot by any definition qualify for that role. How can LTTE ever have been representative of the Tamils as the present TNA leaders and C V Wigneswaran and their Western friends claim? While history has... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

රටේ අනාගත සුභ සිද්ධිය වෙනුවෙන් මහජන නියෝජිතයින් ගන්නා තීරණ ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමේ වගකීම නිලධාරින්ට පැවරෙනවා...
-විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්‍ය නීතිඥ පවිත්‍රා වන්නිආරච්චි මැතිනිය -
රටේ අනාගත සුබසිද්ධිය වෙනුවෙන් මහජන නියෝජිතයින් ගන්නා තීරණ ක්‍රියාත්මක කිරීමේ වගකීම නිලධාරින්ට පැවරෙන බව විදුලිබල හා බලශක්ති අමාත්‍ය නීතිඥ පවිත්‍රා වන්නිආරච්චි මැතිනිය ප්‍රකාශ කරයි. පහළ ‍ශ්‍රේණියේ සේවකයාගේ සිට ඉහළම තලයේ නිලධාරියා දක්වා මෙම වගකීම පැවරෙන බවද අමාත්‍යවරිය පෙන්වා දෙයි.රටේ අනාගතය වෙනුවෙන් නිවැරදි දිශානතිය පෙන්වීම ජනතා නියෝජිතයින්ගේ කාර්ය වන බවත්,ඊට අනුගතව රටේ ජනතාවගේ සුබසිද්ධිය උදෙසා ක්‍රියාකිරීම නිලධාරීන්ගේ වගකීම හා යුතුකම වන බවත් නීතිඥ පවිත්‍රා වන්නිආරච්චි මැතිනිය කියා සිටියි. අමාත්‍යවරිය මේ බව පැවසුවේ 2013.11.01 දින කොළඹ බණ්ඩාරනායක ජාත්‍යන්තර සම්මන්ත්‍රණ ශාලාවේදී පැවති ලංකා විදුලිබල මණ්ඩලයේදීර්ඝ සේවා වාර්ෂික තිළිණ ප්‍රදානයට එක්වෙමිනි.ලංකා... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 03/11/13)

Minister Jason Kenney's Press Release on the 202 Tamils rally
Asoka Weerasinghe Kings Grove Crescent . Gloucester  Ontario . Canada
1 November 2013 Hon. Jason Kenney, PC., MP Minister of Employment and Social Development and Minister of Multiculturalism House of Commons, Ottawa. Dear Jason: On October 31, 2013 at 4:17 PM, I received your Press Release – Minister Kenney defends  Human Rights at a Rally with Canada’s Tamil community,”  sent by electronic-mail to me by a member of the Tamil community accompanied by this note – “Hello Ashoka,  This was the reaction from Minister Jason Kenney for your letter…..” My first reaction before I read the Press Release was –... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/13)

2nd OPEN LETTER TO C.V.VIGNESWARAN - ISN’T SRI LANKA A LUCKY COUNTRY VIGNESWARAN?
 By Stanley Perera-Melbourne
Not many Sri Lankans were fortunate enough to have lived in Colombo 7, let alone greater Colombo area.  But Vigneswaran lived all his life in Colombo 7.  Not many Sri Lankans were fortunate enough to enter Royal College.  But Vigneswaran had his education from Royal College where Doctors, Lawyers and Engineers were produced.  Obviously Vigneswaran’s children also must have entered the Royal College.  Not very many Sri Lankans living outside Colombo have the opportunity to enter Law College, Colombo.  But Vigneswaran entered the Law College without any difficulty or without a pedigree in legal profession.  Not... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 02/11/13)

Ethics of Business and Financial Journalism in Sri Lanka
Shenali D Waduge
Media’s role in general is to provide the news and allow readers to make their own conclusion. Thus the motto ‘we inform-you decide’. Of late, segments of the media think they have every right to function as prosecutors, judges, jurors and executioners. The situation appears no different in Sri Lanka. In the realm of business reporting financial journalists are looked upon as guardians of the public trust. This means that financial journalists must conduct their professional lives in a manner that avoids any suggestion of personal gain or misuse of their press privilege. Yet,... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

PM Manmohan may attend CHOGM - says Indian media !
P.A.Samaraweera, Melbourne
The Indian media had reported that PM Dr. Singh is most likely to attend the CHOGM. The Congress Core Committee had evaluated the PM's attendance and had decided that the benefits in attending the summit outweigh the 'costs'. Some issues that they looked into had been maintaining good relations, strategic interests of India etc. The Core Committee had also been concerned that non-attendance would make Sri Lanka get closer to China and Pakistan. Further, a boycott would be considered as a snub by Sri Lanka. And that would have further deteriorated the relationship between New Delhi and Colombo.India as well has to play its... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

TAMILS AT RISK?
Ranjith Soysa
The British Home Office says while there are new “at risk” categories for Sri Lankan nationals being sent back after their asylum requests are rejected, Tamils per se are not at risk. Minister of State for Immigration Mark Harper said that each application for protection is considered on its individual merits against country information obtained from a wide range of sources. From January to June this year Britain has deported 347 Sri Lankan nationals either voluntarily or by force, he said. The Home Office policy on the consideration of applications for protection from nationals of Sri... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

Australian & Indian Veiws on Sri Lanka vs. Canada
Ira de Silva Ontario, Canada
Members of Parliament House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario. News reports from Australia during the visit of the Indian Foreign Minister headlined "India, Australia back CHOGM in Sri Lanka" state that Australia and India will not follow Canada in boycotting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka due to concerns over the country's human rights issues. It is a sign of mature, balanced diplomacy that they have made this statement in contrast to Canada.India which has the state of Tamil Nadu where over seventy-two million Tamils live and is the homeland... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

81 global exhibitors and counting at biggest Lanka Brand-push ever
PRESS COMMUNIQUE – MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY & COMMERCE, SRI LANKA– OCTOBER 31, 2013
Int’l scale Reflection of Sri Lanka is in parallel to CHOGM One firm from Canada for Reflection   Biggest exhibitor volumes are from China, India More than 800 expected buyers as of now Reflection also highlights Lanka’s logistics, knowledge, and int’l compliance The biggest trade, tourism and investment exposition in history is drawing increasing numbers of participants-including one from Canada as of 30 October. “As of now 660 Lankan and international exhibitors have confirmed for ‘Reflection of Sri Lanka’ event. Also more than... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

නව ග්‍රන්ථයක එළිදැක්ම - ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ විහාරාශ්‍රිත සිතුවම්කලාව - කර්තෘ: දයා හේවාපතිරණ
අප විචිත්‍රවත්වූ දේශීය සංස්කෘතික උරුමයෙහි අසීමිතවූ වටිනාකම ගෙනහැර පෑමට ගත් පියවරක් ලෙස මෙම ග්‍රන්ථය හඳුන්වමි. බෞද්ධ සිතුවම්, අප රට දෘෂ්‍ය කලා සම්ප්‍රදායයන් අතර සුවිශේෂීවූ මනස්කාන්ත අංගයකි.  ‍මෙම සිතුවම් අතර බහුලව ඇත්තේ මෘදු ගුණයෙන් සහ උත්කෘෂ්ඨ බවින් සපිරි කලා නිර්මාණයන්ය. ඉන් සමහරක් දකුණු ආසියාවේ ඇති බෙහෙවින්ම පැරණි බෞද්ධ කලා නිර්මාණයන්වේ.  හෙළදිව වසර 2200 ක් ඉක්මවන අඛණ්ඩ බෞද්ධ සංස්කෘතික ඉතිහාසයේ ආරම්භයේ සිට නූතන කාලය දක්වා බෞද්ධ සිතුවම් කලාවේ සමස්ථය නිරූපණය වන පරිදි මෙම ග්‍රන්ථය සකසා ඇත.  සම්මත වර්ෂ පූර්ව නොහොත් ක්‍රිස්තු පූර්ව 3 වන සියවසින්, නැතහොත් මහින්දාගමනයෙන් ඇරඹෙන හෙළ බෞද්ධ සිතුවම් කලාවේ ඓතිහාසික කාල වකවානුව, අවධි හතරකට බෙදිය... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/11/13)

Environmental activist prefers non-burning of wastes
By NJ Thakuria
Guwahati: To deal with the huge volume of garbage produced by every city today, an eminent environmental activist of Assam emphasizes on promoting non-burning technologies. Aashim K Chatterjee, who stronglyopposes the open burning of garbage, argues that the practice can help curbing the level of pollution in the air. Attending a program on October 30, 2013 in Guwahati Press Club, Mr Chatterjee pointed out that the increase of dioxin in the air isbecause of open burning of various wastes that is inviting a number of cancerous diseases to the human health. He also asserted that the... -Full Story-
(LankaWeb - 01/11/13)


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