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News Archive for Aug 2013
Derelict human rights drifting aboard rudderless UNHRC-Part II When the first-born apex institution to protect human rights, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, is killed and buried unceremoniously by its founding fathers at the UN for failing to live up to its mandate it is legitimate to ask whether its successor, the United Nations Human Rights Council, can survive – and if so for how long? -- if that too goes down the same path as its diseased and deceased predecessor. Besides, the Council is ineluctably stuck in a world where there isn’t a single major visible trend on the global screen which... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
MS NAVI PILLAI – MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS INSTEAD OF STEPPING OUT OF LINE
There are suspicious circumstances in the manner in which the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Ms Navi Pillai has so far conducted her meetings  in Sri Lanka.  During her recently concluded tour of North and East, she had organised and attended two secret unscheduled  meetings,  During her visit to Trincomalee, after meeting the Governer Mr Mohan Wijeratne, she had hurriedly attended an unscheduled meeting at a Holiday Resort at Trincomalee with Civil Society representatives.  The media was not allowed to cover the proceedings at this  meeting by NP  though she shouting otherwise  for media... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal ruling stopping Animal Sacrifice strengthens hope for Moral Leadership
Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal ruling delivered on August 29, 2013 has rightfully banned the slaughter of animals for religious purposes and ruled that the police had every right to prevent such animal slaughter from taking place indicating that freedom of religion cannot overrule or overturn existing country laws. The country owes its gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the Judges Sisira De Abrew, Deepali Wijesundera and Sunil Rajapaksa for their moral courage and judicial activist leadership and questions the lack of such moral leadership in other areas of polity given that Sri Lanka’s development must rest... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
Sri Lanka Court of Appeal empowers police to prevent illegal slaughter of animals at Munneswaram Kovil
The Court of Appeal yesterday empowered the IGP and the police authorities in Chilaw to prevent the slaughter of animals at the Munneswaram Kovil in Chilaw, if those administering the kovil violated the Butchers’ and Cruelty to Animals’ Ordinances. The Court issued a Writ of Mandamus (mandatory order) directing the IGP, the DIG of Police, Puttalam District, Senior Superintendant of Police and the OIC of the Chilaw Police Station, to take all necessary action, as permitted by law, to prevent the slaughter of animals, defined in the Butchers’ Ordinance, at Sri Badra Kali... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
The Syrian conflict
With the escalation in the civil war in Syria, the USA is contemplating military action. This time however, they may have to do it without the UK, as Prime Minister David Cameron had to back down due to the House of Parliament voting against military action until more evidence is presented. This is a clear reflection of British MPs bowing to the will of the people, instead of just rushing Britain into another war. The USA and its allies say it has evidence to prove the recent chemical attacks were carried out by the Syrian Government. They... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
THE ROVING EYE-
Operation Tomahawk with cheese
This deafeningly hysterical show of Syria as Iraq 2.0 is only happening because a president of the United States (POTUS) created a 'credibility' problem when, recklessly, he pronounced the use of chemical weapons in Syria a 'red line'. Thus the US government urgently needs to punish the transgressor - to hell with evidence - to maintain its 'credibility'. But this time it will be 'limited'. 'Tailored'. Only 'a few days'. A 'shot across the bow' - as POTUS qualified it. Still, some - but not all - 'high-value targets', including command and control facilities and delivery... -Full Story- (atimes.com - 30/08/13)
UN debate stalls US attack on Syria
NEW YORK - At the United Nations, despite the threat of a United States missile attack on Syria, momentum is actually shifting away from imminent action in favor of a more patient "wait and see" approach spearheaded by the secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon. On Wednesday, the Russian and Chinese delegation walked out of a Security Council emergency meeting on Syria triggered by a United Kingdom draft resolution calling for humanitarian military intervention in Syria "to save civilian lives" in light of the recent ghastly chemical weapon attack that the US, UK and France insist without a... -Full Story- (atimes.com - 30/08/13)
'IF WE HAVE ARMS, IT'S FEDERALISM AND BEYOND' - TNA-'If we don't have weapons we will get nothing':
Suresh Premachandran, MP of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said the Tamil people can begin talks on a federal solution only if 'we have weapons.' "We can talk going even beyond that. If we don't have weapons we will get nothing," he added. He said this at the maiden election rally of the TNA in the campaign for the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) poll, held at the Mannar public esplanade with the participation of all TNA candidates contesting for the NPC, including NPC Chief Ministerial candidate C.V. Vigneswaran. Parliamentarians... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 30/08/13)
"Who Are You To Decide That You Will Launch A War?"
... -Full Story- (informationclearinghouse.info - 30/08/13)
Open letter to Navi Pillai, in order to make her mission to Sri Lanka meaningful.
This listening to interested parties and civil society is an exercise which is not new to Navi Pillai having listened to the Tamils of the diaspora and the anti Sri Lanka NGOs, Human Rights Activists, members of the Darusman Committee,  and all that caboodle. This exercise of listening unless she is calm and equanimous  will only confuse further her already confused mind about Sri Lanka. But from what has been reported she seems to be asking the wrong questions, though she said at the out set that her visit is within the frame work of human rights. ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/08/13)
Navi Pillay can meet LTTE Mahaveer widow but not families of civilians killed by LTTE
The UN Human Rights head is now in Sri Lanka and visiting the country’s North to see for herself the developments since the fall of the LTTE. Much prominence has been given to her meeting with a Mahaveer widow. Leaving aside that her ‘missing’ husband is a former LTTE senior leader and thus no saint we would like to know on the assumption of Ms. Pillay’s claim to be ‘neutral’ why she has not decided to first visit the real victims and their families who were the civilians that LTTE targeted and killed by planting... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/08/13)
LIFE ABROAD – Part 42 : TEA FOR TWO – LONDON LOST TOO !
Tea production in Sri Lanka has always played a vital role to boost the economy of the country and the world market which in 1995 led Sri Lanka to become the world’s leading exporter of tea. A Scotsman named James Taylor arrived in Ceylon in 1847 mainly to grow coffee. Upon his arrival he was assigned to Loolecondera estate in Kandy by the company who brought him down. In 1866 the company embarked on a study program in India on tea growing. Initial experiment Taylor started experimenting with tea plantation in 19... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/08/13)
President Rajapaksa inspects agricultural machineries at Minsk Automobile Plant
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Minsk Automobile Plant for an inspection tour at the conclusion of his three-day state visit to the Belarus Republic, the former Soviet Union country in Eastern Europe on 27 August. Minsk Automobile Plant is highly established industrial plant where high quality passenger buses, trucks and lorries are manufactured for both local and export markets. During the bilateral discussions President Rajapaksa had with both the Belarusian President and the Prime Minister, it was formally agreed to set up assembly plants for buses and tractors by Belarusian investors in Sri Lanka as... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/08/13)
Nearly 5,000 security, police personnel abducted by LTTE :HR ACTIVISTS SEE NO EVIL
Nearly 5,000 security and police personnel believed to have been abducted and ‘disappeared’ during the 30 year war had perished at the hands of LTTE terrorists having being subjected to torture, according to recent investigations by Defence Intelligence Units. Although the LTTE diaspora is harping on losses incurred by the LTTE, no one spoke about or highlighted the injustices caused to these Security Forces... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 29/08/13)
Why America cannot live without wars
WASHINGTON: On a day marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King-s "I-Have-A-Dream" civil rights speech, the United States is poised to unleash another nightmare some 10,000km away in the Middle-East. Washington-s war machine is geared up for limited strikes against Syria because Damascus ostensibly crossed a red line by using chemical weapons against its own population, never mind that many regimes worldwide inflict atrocities against their own people by other means.... -Full Story- (Times of India - 29/08/13)
Tamil ethnic bias and potential conflict of interest disqualifies Navi Pillay from conducting investigations against Sri Lanka
Ms. Navanethem "Navi" Pillay has impressive credentials.  A South African of Indian Tamil origin, she is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She was also the first non-white woman on the High Court of South Africa, and she has also served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. She attended Harvard Law School, obtaining an LL.M. in 1982 and a Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) degree in 1988. Pillay is the first South African to obtain a doctorate in law from Harvard... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
Lessons for Sri Lanka from the Libyan experience
It is not difficult to conclude that Western imperial powers are mapping out their war master plan for economic and political domination across regions. They are openly and covertly interfering in domestic affairs, they are now even openly arming opposition groups, their motive is to destabalize governments that do not follow their policies and their cohorts in crime, the media agencies are doing a splendid job of giving the print news to help the public form their opinion against governments and leaders. We are witnessing a digital brainwashing at its best and humanitarian intervention/R2P or rather... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
‘Violent chaos’: Libya in deep crisis 2 years since rebels took over
On this day two years ago, Libyan rebels were transferring their government to Tripoli. However, the anniversary is marred by an acute parliamentary crisis, a severe economic slump and the country becoming the main base for Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb. August could have been a month of festivities in Libya, marking the watershed in the rebels’ fight against Muammar Gaddafi, who had to flee Tripoli. Even though it would still be two months before the fugitive dictator was captured and brutally killed, the insurgents celebrated their victory and had their government transferred from the cradle of the revolution, Benghazi,... -Full Story- (rt.com - 28/08/13)
Obama set for holy Tomahawk war
The 'responsibility to protect' (R2P) doctrine invoked to legitimize the 2011 war on Libya has just transmogrified into 'responsibility to attack' (R2A) Syria. Just because the Obama administration says so. On Sunday, the White House said it had 'very little doubt' that the Bashar al-Assad government used chemical weapons against its own citizens. On Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry ramped it up to 'undeniable' - and accused Assad of 'moral obscenity'. So when the US bombed Fallujah with white phosphorus in late 2004 it was just taking the moral high ground. And when the US... -Full Story- (atimes.com - 28/08/13)
Putin Orders Massive Strike Against Saudi Arabia If West Attacks Syria
A grim “urgent action memorandum†issued today from the office of President Putin to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is ordering a “massive military strike†against Saudi Arabia in the event that the West attacks Syria. According to Kremlin sources familiar with this extraordinary “war order,†Putin became “enraged†after his early August meeting with Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan who warned that if Russia did not accept the defeat of Syria, Saudi Arabia would unleash Chechen terrorists under their control to cause mass death and... -Full Story- (eutimes.net - 28/08/13)
‘War on chemical weapons’: Obama traps himself into Syrian combat
Only a few days before the 12th anniversary of 9/11, Nobel Peace Prize winner Barack Obama might be fighting side by side with… al-Qaeda, as he was foolish enough to be trapped by his own rhetoric on Syria. The dogs of war bark and the caravan… is Tomahawked. Amid out-of-control hysteria, the proverbial “unnamed US officials†spin like demented centrifuges. Obama’s “kinetic operation†on Syria will fall out of the sky “in the next few days.†It will be “limited,†lasting only “three days,†or “no more than two days.†It will “send a message,†a “short, sharp attackâ€ÂÂÂ... -Full Story- (rt.com - 28/08/13)
What are Fibroids?
Fibroids are muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus or in the commonly “the wombâ€ÂÂÂ. Fibroids are almost (not cancerous). Fibroids can grow as a single tumor, or there can be many of them in the uterus. They can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a grapefruit. In unusual cases they can become extra large. Fibroids become more common as women age; especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
Sri Lanka and Belarus leaders grace the Business Forum in Minsk
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Belarus Prime Minister Professor Mikhail Myasnikovich graced the Sri Lanka – Belarus Business Forum which was held at the National Library Auditorium in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus. Sri Lankan President and Belarus Premier participated the occasion as chief guests.  Economy Minister of the Belarus Republic, Nikolai Snopkov also joined the two leaders. Both leaders and other distinguished guests were warmly welcomed at the entrance by Sri Lankan traditional drummers and dancers. The guests lighted the traditional oil lamp at the launch of the first ever Sri Lanka – Belarus... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) cause of travellers’ diarrhoea
This is a common cause of bacterial diarrhoea caused by ETEC among travellers and in underdeveloped nations, especially among children. ETEC is transmitted by food or water contaminated with animal or human faeces. Although ETEC causes a significant amount of illness worldwide, the infection will end on its own and is rarely life-threatening. When food is prepared in hotels and in takeaways, would they take enough care in food preparation? Take for instant some vegetables such as salad leaves, leeks and ‘mukunuwenna’, one has to think would they be cleaned properly before they were cooked.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
Sri Lanka and Belarus inked Seven Bilateral Agreements
Belarus Republic and Sri Lanka have inked the seven bilateral agreements designed to promote all-round cooperation on Monday afternoon (26) at the Cabinet Hall of the Government House in Minsk, the capital during Sri Lankan President’s three day state visit to the country.  On Sri Lanka side President Mahinda Rajapaksa signed the joint statement with his Belarus counterpart, President Alexander Lukashenko at the end of bilateral discussions. Both leaders jointly presided over the signing ceremony of seven Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). At the signing ceremony they hailed the agreements, which they said marked a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 28/08/13)
A question for Navi Pillai
Of the many questions that will be asked of UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillai on her week-long visit to Sri Lanka, I doubt anyone will ask the following.  Hence, someone should ask it. The question is this: “UNHRC resolution A/HRC/22/L.1/Rev.1, which mandates your visit, includes a clause which calls on the Government to fulfill its public commitments to devolution. The specific words are: “Calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfill its public commitments to devolution of political authority, which is integral to reconciliation and full enjoyment of human rights by all members... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/08/13)
Are we progressing or regressing
Today, the Daily Mirror has highlighted a news report of a local Face Book user operating a closed group called “Kellanwa Rape karanna kamathi kolloâ€ÂÂÂ. It is said that there are several Face Book pages operated by locals with pictures that are taken of school girls and women going about their business (without their knowledge), and publicized for the entertainment of other frustrated, sick-minded individuals. If one goes through some of the local media websites, one would find a plethora of sexist, derogatory, racist and vile comments being added by readers of various articles. Some of the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/08/13)
Are the Muslims falling asleep ?
 The question is being asked in various fora as to whether the Muslims in Sri Lanka, who were subjected to mental trauma and physical harassment in the recent past by the actions of certain racist Groups, have now deemed it to be ‘safe’ once again for Sri Lankan Muslims. Have the Muslims slipped into a state of complacency ? Do they believe that it was just a passing storm which has now lost it’s sting ? When the anti-Muslim diatribe of the Bodhu Bala Sena reached it’s zenith, coupled with the apparent apathy on the part... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 27/08/13)
In this review of the first book on United Nations Human Rights Council, H. L. D. Mahindapala asks:Can Navi Pillay save human rights and UNHRC?
Part I  The UN has notched some significant successes during its 68-year run, indicating that its life span is going to be more durable than its predecessor, the League of Nations, which died prematurely. Unfortunately, one of its successes has not been in the field of human rights, though it is projected as the sacred temple for the protection, preservation, promotion of human rights. The unceremonious burial of the United Nations Human Rights Commission under the weight of the damning report of Kofi Annan (2005), which condemned its selectivity and politicization, confirms the failure of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Commissioner Pillai: Separate the chaff from the wheat!
Let us hope that the visiting UN Commissioner Navinathan Pillai would not get inundated with the rabble and the self-serving! Dr. Pillai please see for yourself that Sri Lanka can assertively claim a commonality of interests prevailing among all communities as a conduit for healthy give-and take after centuries of living together side by side in thick and thin.  No one would relinquish their stake-hold on a platter. Neither would they want interference in their right to adjudicate their internal affairs. Please inhale a good doze of prevalent ambiance and not get bogged down in the rhetoric.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
C.V.Wigneshwaran TNA Chief Ministerial Candidate to NPC, gives a new twist to 13th Amendment.
The TNA’s Chief Ministerial Candidate C.V.Wigneshwaran is supposed to be a jurist, but unfortunately he seems to have got every thing wrong. He has said in a statement to  Colombo Gazette,  referring to the Indo-Lanka Pact,  “This is an international agreement. This came about following an agreement between India and Sri Lanka. But if it is going to be changed then India must be consulted.†Wigneshwaran has to read up his law books before making such a statements as the Indo-Lanka Agreement is a bilateral agreement, and it has not the character of an International Agreement. The... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Inauspicious Timing of Pillai Visit Where The Urgency Of Grave World Issues Dictate !
August 27th 2013   While the UN Human Rights envoy Naveen Pillai's visit to Sri Lanka could be deemed a fact finding mission it has come at an inauspicious time when the President is out of the country which despite the criticism of some seems to have no bearing on the realities that the President's itinerary probably had his visit to Belarus pre-scheduled. Therefore it was well within his right to proceed as planned with no obligation to re-schedule simply to entertain someone whom Sri Lanka views as mostly contentious and often oversteps her metes and bounds often showing pro-Tamil... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Ms Pillay what about civilians murdered by LTTE in Sri Lanka in non-combat areas and during ceasefires?
What or who gave the right to terrorists and their movements to plan, execute and eliminate people? What or who gave terrorists rights when they are not signatory or bound by the international laws that prevail? Who gave terrorists any right to declare war on nations and with what right have some even entertained these notions that have obliterated situations beyond repair? What or who gave terrorists right to be placed on par with legitimate and elected governments when they are outlawed and proscribed? The fact remains that throughout 3 decades the LTTE specifically planned to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
WE ARE SCEPTICAL ABOUT NAVI PILLAI’S VISIT IN THE MIDST OF NPC ELECTIONS AND CHOGM
The infamous UNHRC commissioner Navi Pillai is on her way to Sri Lanka on a fact finding mission has told Thomson Reuters Foundation by Email interview in her own words quote“ I am going with an open mind and I plan to give a balanced preliminary assessment of my own impressions at the end of my visit unquote (Daily Mirror-23/8/2013). This means, in other words, she acknowledges that she never had an open mind of  Sri Lanka’s situation all this time but imply she was prejudiced, biased and irresponsible  in her reporting to UNHRC about Sri Lanka... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Navi Pillay ?
‘The  Island’ 16th Aug., reported that UNHR Commissioner Navi Pillay was due to visit this country during the last week of this month with a delegation, on the invitation of the government.     Like the little boy in the story of the king who was parading the streets naked thinking, and  others agreeing, displaying his newly woven greatest of dresses which fools could not see, asked the obvious question whether the king was not naked, it took an engineer to jolt me with the following ‘dumb’ question: ‘Now if Navi Pillay, herself being a Tamil,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Sri Lanka of course welcomes Navi Pillai as a visitor and an open minded fact finder.
Navi Pillai has said that she does not come to criticise Sri Lanka, and that her visit is within the framework of human rights. But there is a small hitch in her statement, “I frame myself within the human rights standards set for the whole world by all the governments of the world including the government of Sri Lanka. So I’m not writing my statute. I’m looking at the framework that was also developed by Sri Lanka. So if I raise criticism its whether they are complying to those standards,†It is with regard to the human... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
මà·ÂÂÂනව හිමිකම්උල්ලංà¶ÂÂÂණය කිරීම නීà¶ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂයà·ÂÂÂනà·â€ÂÂකූලව පà·ÂÂÂà·€à¶ÂÂÂà·’ සමà·ÂÂÂජයක නීà¶ÂÂÂිය à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂලින්, මà·ÂÂÂනව හිමිකම්කà·â€ÂÂමක්දà·ÂÂÂයි සෙවීම
මේ වනවිට එක්සà¶ÂÂÂ්ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂීන්ගේ මà·ÂÂÂනව හිමිකම්කොමසà·ÂÂÂරිස්වරිය ලෙස කටයà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෆකරන නවීන්පිල්ලේ මහà¶ÂÂÂ්මිය, උපචලද්දේ මà·ÂÂÂනව හිමිකම්කඩ කිරීම නීà¶ÂÂÂà·’ ගචකොට à¶ÂÂÂිබූ රà·ÂÂÂජ්â€ÂÂÂයයකය. ඒ දකà·â€ÂÂණෆඅප්â€ÂÂÂරිකà·ÂÂÂවයි. අකà·â€ÂÂණෆඅප්â€ÂÂÂරිකà·ÂÂÂවේ මිනිසà·â€ÂÂන්වර්ග à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂනක්සිටියහ. à·ƒà·â€ÂÂපිරි à·ƒà·â€ÂÂදෆජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂිකයින්යනෆසියළà·â€ÂÂම බලà¶ÂÂÂල උරà·â€ÂÂම ජනà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂවයි. à¶â€ÂÂà·€à·â€ÂÂනට කළෆමිනිසà·â€ÂÂන්හ෠ඉන්දියà·ÂÂÂනà·â€ÂÂවන්මර෠දà·ÂÂÂමීම නීà¶ÂÂÂà·’ විරà·ÂÂÂධි කටයà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà¶ÂÂÂක්නොවිණි. සමහර à·ƒà·â€ÂÂද්දන්විනà·ÂÂÂදයට කලේ පà·ÂÂÂරේ ගමන්කරන කළෆජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂක දරà·â€ÂÂවන්යට කරමින්වà·ÂÂÂහන පà·ÂÂÂදවීමයි. ඒ නවීන්පිල්ලේ මහà¶ÂÂÂ්මිය උපචලද රà·ÂÂÂජ්â€ÂÂÂයයයි. උපà¶ÂÂÂà·š සිටම අප මà·ÂÂÂනව හිමිකම්යයි සලකන දෑ කඩකිරීම නීà¶ÂÂÂිගචකොට à¶ÂÂÂිබූ රà·ÂÂÂජ්â€ÂÂÂයයක්උපචලද ඈà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂල නීà¶ÂÂÂිය ලෙස එවකට දකà·â€ÂÂණෆඅප්â€ÂÂÂරිකà·ÂÂÂà·€ à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂල... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
‘Sri Lanka Night’ concert in Belarus Capital
President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Belarus, former Soviet Union and the Eastern European nation on a three-day official visit, graced the cultural and traditional dancing show, ‘Sri Lankan Night’ at the Bolshoi Opera Theater in Minsk, capital city of Belarus last night on August 25. Sri Lankan cultural show was organised by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia accredited to Belarus as a part of the ongoing awareness campaign launched prior to the President’s visit to promote Sri Lanka tourism under the theme “Sri Lanka- Wonder of Asiaâ€ÂÂÂ. Belarus Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Pillay’s visit to Jaffna: UN must be fair in selectivity of contesting political parties
 Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) is deeply concerned about United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay meeting selected political parties or groups contesting in the coming Northen Provincial Council (NPC) Election during her visit to Sri Lanka. If the High Commissioner meets selected political parties or groups contesting for the NPC, it will give that group an unfair, unethical advantage not in accordance with level playing field, which is a fundamental component of representative democracy. ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
UNHCR’s visit to Sri Lanka: welcome to the Emerald Isle, if the lady comes with an open mind
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is to visit Sri Lanka from 25th of August. Sri Lanka had extended her an invitation to visit the country two years back, but she obviously had her reasons to accede to it only now. It has already been announced that ‘Civil Society’ representatives have arranged meetings on 26th and 27th with the lady, to brief her probably on “how bad the country isâ€ÂÂÂ. If the UN High Commissioner has sufficient time to listen to ‘Civil Society’ representatives, it is hoped that she also would have the time to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Belarus is ready to welcome Sri Lankan President
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will begin his three day official visit to Belarus, former Soviet Union country today on Sunday 25 August. Meanwhile Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia accredited to Belarus has organised many cultural and traditional dancing events called ‘Mega Tourism Caravan’ an awareness campaign prior to the President’s visit to promote Sri Lanka tourism under the theme “Sri Lanka- Wonder of Asia†in major shopping malls in the Belarus capital city, Minsk. During the visit, President Rajapaksa is expected to hold bilateral discussions with the President of Belarus Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, Prime Minister Prof.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
TRO, money to TNA?
Several ethical and legal questions raised by Canadians with Sri Lankan origin, on the TNA leaders’ recent visit to Toronto. Sri Lankans in Toronto claim that TNA leader R. Sambandan in their recently concluded trip to Toronto had several fundraising events organized by Pro LTTE fund raisers. Specially the one held at Jaasmine Banquet Hall, no. 90 Nolan Court, Markham, Ontario, raise more concern; as they doubt whether the fundraising was carried out by the LTTE funding arm TRO.... -Full Story- (3rdvoice.wordpress.com - 26/08/13)
Armed robbery at journalist’s residence: Two army deserters held - Five-member gang included three brothers
August 25, 2013, 10:00 pm The scene of Saturday’s abortive robbery (pic by Ranjith Wimalasiri) The police investigating Saturday’s abortive armed robbery at the Dickman’s Road residence of The Sunday Leader Associate Editor Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, yesterday said that two of the four suspects, now in police custody, were army deserters. Confirming the alleged involvement of deserters in the robbery, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya told The Island that the army would provide all information regarding the suspects required by the police. The Brigadier identified the suspects as K. P. Chamara Kumara of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 26/08/13)
Sri Lanka still trying to forget over 300 attacks by LTTE in 30 years
Some organizations are trying to remember a solitary incident that took place in 1983 but unrepeated since to continuously project and promote a larger objective. They take great pains to ‘remember’ this solitary incident but refuse or ignore to hold a single exhibition, documentary or issue a statement for the 300 or more attacks by the LTTE. We wonder why they wish to only concentrate on one unrepeated incident only. These ‘remembrance’ programs copy the strategy of Channel 4 and are held every time Sri Lanka attends an important event. It is obvious that they are... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
UNHCR’s visit to Sri Lanka: welcome to the Emerald Isle if the lady comes with an open mind
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is reported to visit Sri Lanka from 25th of August, although the country had extended an invitation for a visit two years back. It is already announced that ‘Civil Society’ representatives have arranged meetings on 26th and 27th with the lady to brief her probably on “how bad the country isâ€ÂÂÂ. If the UN High Commissioner has sufficient time to listen to ‘Civil Society’ representatives, it is hoped that she also would have the time to read, or at least be briefed about, the views of a member of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Terrorizing Nations' Amity by TNA LTTE RUMP
Much has been said by Ranjith Soysa, Spokes Person SPUR, about the violation of the Sri Lanka Constitution, by the TNA, with impunity. His plea to implement the Laws of the Country, to those who violate the Constitution of Sri Lanka, is symbolic of the thoughts of all Sri Lankans. The wheels of DISCIPLINE should turn, to do away with the Stink that emanates from TNA skunks. The Government should not ruminate to take action right away, in arresting the Terrorists Skunks in Parliament, and those complicit with them.  Now that the Government has a '' Low... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members must face the consequences of violating Sri Lanka Constitution
It is alleged that Tamil National alliance parliamentarians R Sambandan and A Sumanathiran participated in a number of clandestine meetings organised by the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) in Canada. TGTE ‘s sole purpose is to establish the separate state, Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. Establishing Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka was also the goal of Tamil Tiger Terrorists, the LTTE. The members of parliament must act according to Sri Lanka’s Constitution and the TNA members who had been directly and indirectly involved in supporting the LTTE and its fronts in... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
à·ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂරී ලංකà·ÂÂÂවට පà·ÂÂÂමිණෙන,.ලà·ÂÂÂකයේ අංක එකේ අපරà·ÂÂÂධකà·ÂÂÂරයà·ÂÂÂගේ පිල්ලිය
ලà·ÂÂÂකයේ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂ්මකව සියළà·â€ÂÂම අපරà·ÂÂÂධයන්මෙහෙයවීම කලමනà·ÂÂÂකරණ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනය වන්නේ එක්සà¶ÂÂÂ්ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂීන්ගේ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනයයි. මේ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනයේ ඉදිරිකà·ÂÂÂල වකවà·ÂÂÂනූන්සදහ෠සිදà·â€ÂÂකරන අපරà·ÂÂÂධයන්ලà·ÂÂÂයිස්à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂවේ අපේ රටේ නමද ඇà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂලà¶ÂÂÂ්කර ඇà¶ÂÂÂ. අපේ රටට අපරà·ÂÂÂධයක්සිදà·â€ÂÂකිරීමට නම්අප විසින්අපරà·ÂÂÂධයක්කල බවට චà·ÂÂÂදනà·ÂÂÂවක්අපට එරෙහිව ගොනෆකල යà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂය. මේ වනවිට ඒ සදහ෠පසà·â€ÂÂබිම මේ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනය ගොඩනංව෠හමà·ÂÂÂරය. දà·ÂÂÂන්මේ රටට රිංගීමේ පියවරක්ඉදිරියට à¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂබිය යà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂය. එහි à¶ÂÂÂà·€à¶ÂÂÂ්පියවරක්වà·ÂÂÂයෙන්එක්සà¶ÂÂÂ්ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂීන්ගේ සංවිධà·ÂÂÂනය විසින්මේ රà·ÂÂÂජ්â€ÂÂÂයයට පිල්ලියක්එවීමට කටයà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෆසංවිධà·ÂÂÂනය කර ඇà¶ÂÂÂ. පිල්ලියක්යනෆපිල්ලියක්මිස සොය෠බල෠à¶ÂÂÂීරණය කල à·„à·ÂÂÂකි මිනිස්සම්පිණ්ඩයක්නොවේ. මේ පිල්ලියට සිදà·â€ÂÂකල à·„à·ÂÂÂක්කේ පවර෠ඇà¶ÂÂÂà·’ කà·ÂÂÂර්යය ඉටà·â€ÂÂකිරීම මිස... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
කà·â€ÂÂඩ්ඩොයි - පà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂලයොයි එකà¶ÂÂÂෆවෙල෠පල්ලි හදනවට අපි විරà·â€ÂÂද්ධ උනà·ÂÂÂ
ඉකà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà·ƒà¶ÂÂÂියේ සෙනසà·â€ÂÂරà·ÂÂÂද෠කොළඹ ග්â€ÂÂÂරෑන්ඩ්පà·ÂÂÂස්‌ ප්â€ÂÂÂරදේà·ÂÂÂයේදී හිටිහà·ÂÂÂටියේම ඇà¶ÂÂÂිවූ ජනà¶ÂÂÂ෠පිපිරීමà¶ÂÂÂ්සමග රටේ ජනà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂà·€ à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂà·… ඇà¶ÂÂÂිවූයේ අවිනිà·ÂÂÂ්චිචබව සමග මà·â€ÂÂà·ƒà·â€ÂÂවූ à¶ÂÂÂිගà·ÂÂÂස්‌මකි. ග්â€ÂÂÂරෑන්ඩ්පà·ÂÂÂස්‌ සිද්ධිය à¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂළින්ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·’à·€à·ÂÂÂදී ගà·ÂÂÂටà·â€ÂÂමක පෙරනිමිà¶ÂÂÂà·’ පහළ වන්නට වීම ඊට à·„à·šà¶ÂÂÂෆවී à¶ÂÂÂිබිණ. à·ƒà·ÂÂÂබà·ÂÂÂවින්ම මේ සිදෆවූයේ කà·â€ÂÂමක්‌ද? ග්â€ÂÂÂරෑන්ඩ්පà·ÂÂÂස්‌ ස්‌වර්ණ චෛà¶ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂය මà·ÂÂÂà·€à¶ÂÂÂà·š කà·ÂÂÂලයක සිට ක්â€ÂÂÂරියà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂ්මක මà·â€ÂÂස්‌ලිම්දේවස්‌ථà·ÂÂÂනයක්‌ à¶ÂÂÂිබියදී එක්‌à¶ÂÂÂර෠පිරිසක්‌ à¶ÂÂÂà·€à¶ÂÂÂ්පල්ලියක්‌ ඉදිකිරීමට යà·ÂÂÂම ගà·ÂÂÂටà·â€ÂÂමේ නිමිà¶ÂÂÂ්චවී à¶ÂÂÂිබිණ. පà·ÂÂÂරණි මà·â€ÂÂස්‌ලිම්පල්ලියක්‌ à¶ÂÂÂිබියදී මෙසේ ග්â€ÂÂÂරෑන්ඩ්පà·ÂÂÂස්‌ ප්â€ÂÂÂරදේà·ÂÂÂයේ ජනà¶ÂÂÂ෠සමගිය බිඳ à·€à·ÂÂÂටෙන අයà·â€ÂÂරින්ඊට යà·ÂÂÂබදව à¶ÂÂÂà·€à¶ÂÂÂ්මà·â€ÂÂස්‌ලිම්දේවස්‌ථà·ÂÂÂනයක්‌ ඉදි කෙරà·â€ÂÂණේ කà·â€ÂÂමක්‌ අරබයà·ÂÂÂද? ඒ පසà·â€ÂÂපස සිටිය෠කවරහà·â€ÂÂද? à¶â€ÂÂà·€à·â€ÂÂන්ගේ අරමà·â€ÂÂණ කà·â€ÂÂමක්‌ වූයේද? මෙම... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
I am scared of Policemen
 As a child, I remember,  in our small village, there used to be a single cop – known as “policekaran†– and our mothers used to terrorize us into doing the right thing always, be it eating our spinach, studying or not sinning,  saying “ Policekaran will comeâ€ÂÂÂ. This instilled in us such fear that even when we have not done anything wrong, the mere sight of any police, even quite later, used to make my heart beat faster with fear.  It took me quite a while into my teenage years  to realize that... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Is our President a Dictator?
THE DICTIONARY.COM defines Dictator as: “a person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.†If we go by this definition,  a person elected to be The  President of Srilanka, whoever it may be, is a Dictator; and it is not meant to be a derogatory term rather it is a fact he or she has absolute power.  It could be a positive attribute too, say for example when he chooses to free prisoners who are languishing in jail for minor offences where the law... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
British Bombing Strategy in World War Two
More than half a century later, the strategic bombing campaign continues to nag the national conscience. Some historians go as far as to suggest that by bombing cities the British -descended to the enemy-s level- (John Keegan). This is, of course, an exaggeration. The bombing of Dresden cannot be equalled with the horrors of Auschwitz.... -Full Story- (bbc.co.uk - 24/08/13)
Navi Pillay says, she is 'Open-minded'?
UN Human Rights Chief, Navi Pillay, a South African national of South Indian Tamil Origin, arrives in Sri Lanka on 25th August for a week. The invitation for her to visit Sri Lanka had been extended two years ago so that she can see for herself the efforts of the govt on reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation after the war. In an interview just before her departure to Sri Lanka, she had said, that she is 'open-minded' and she will not be pre-judging anything ahead of her visit. Then she had said that, 'she wanted to find out more and discuss about the massacre... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone gets new Admin Office
President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open new Administration Office of the Sri Lanka Board of Investments (BOI) at the Mirijjawila Export Processing Zone in Hambantota. The new admin office will control all administrative and processing activities for exporting goods of the Mirijawila Export Processing Zone. It is located in close proximity to the Hambantota seaport, Mattala International Airport, international conference hall, oil refinery and the extension of the railway line. BOI took steps to set up two investment zones in Suriyawewa and Mirijjawila in the Hambantota district under the directive of President Rajapaksa. The project which comes... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Eminent scholar Prof Mendis Rohanadeera commemorated
One of the highly respected and prominent intellectuals in the recent past Professor Mendis Rohanadeera was commemorated recently at a special ceremony organised by the Rohanadeera Study and Research Center. The second memorial ceremony of the late Professor popularly known as ‘Giruwaye Maha Praggnaya’ took place at BMICH under the auspices of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by: Udesh Gunarathna A book of poems, the last creation of Prof. Rohanadeera, was handed over to President Rajapaksa by his wife and family members. An autobiography of the late Professor was also presented to the President at the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Khalifa of Islam on Essence of Ahmadiyya.
 (Given below is an excerpt of the Friday Sermons of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam, delivered on 16th August 2013, at ‘Baithul Futhuh’, London, U.K. gave a discourse on essence of Ahmadiyyath). Ahmadiyya Khalifa said: A few days ago I had a discussion with an officeholder and it became clear to me that there are some issues I need to address. These are especially needed for a certain class of our membership. Then there are also some issues... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
A look at an Insider’s Challenge to History Brown Sahibs and Cultural definitions
Reading the last part of Prof. Sudharshan Seneviratne’s article published in The Island of 8th and 15th August 2007, sub-titled ‘Towards an alternative dialogue -Re-reading Heritage for Conflict Resolution", (an abridged version of his Vesak Commemoration Lecture delivered in Katmandu, on 28th May 2007), which came to my attention a little late, my immediate reaction as a student of history of the old school, was one of astonishment. I asked myself first of all whether it was possible to subvert, in the guise of ‘demystifying all forms of parochialism in a scientific manner, and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Questions for UNHRC Head Navi Pillay to answer in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka welcomes Ms. Pillay. After 30 years of terror Sri Lanka breathes freedom minus terrorist attacks and suicide missions. Civil crimes that take place everywhere round the world cannot compare to the fear 20million suffered during 3 decades of terror. 4 years on we hope that Ms. Pillay will view for herself the measures taken in the areas of rehabilitation and reintegration examples of which needs to be showcased as casestudies for even nations like and NATO who lack similar programs despite militarily invading nations on the guise of humanitarian intervention. Sri Lanka would... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 24/08/13)
Materials implicating Syrian govt in chemical attack prepared before incident – Russia
Materials implicating the forces of Syrian president Bashar Assad in chemical weapons use near Damascus were prepared prior to the alleged incident on August 21, the Russian foreign ministry said. Moscow continues to monitor closely the event surrounding the “alleged†chemical attack near Damascus, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Aleksandr Lukashevich, said in a statement.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 23/08/13)
LIFE ABROAD – Part 41: ‘Lanukasa’ is not about rope tricks
Kavi (Poetry) has been part and parcel of Sinhala language from its inception. In Sanskrit it means thinker, a wise man, sage, seer, prophet etc. The primeval poets were rishis in India who composed mantras (Vedas) to various gods. In contemporary usage in India and Sri Lanka it is regarded as literature used to denote a person of greatness who could pen or sing a poetry impromptu (Hituwana kavi/Situvan kavi). From time immemorial a unique character of the Sinhala folk has been their Sinhala language which dates back to over 2300 years and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/08/13)
TNA PS members join with the government
Vice Chairman of the Wadamarachchi Pradeshiya Sabha E. Santhasorupan and Vice Chairman of the Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha M. Logasinhem met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and pledged their support to the government today on 22 August. Both Tamil provincial leaders are representatives of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from Jaffna Peninsula. They have crossed over to the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and extended support to the government and became members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) during the meeting with the President at Temple Trees. The two TNA stalwarts said that they join the government... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 23/08/13)
Upul Jayasuriya, President BASL abuses his position seeking information to discredit Sri Lanka.
There was a news item in the Colombo Page on 20 August, 2013, that the President of the Sri Lanka Bar Association Upul Jayasuriya plans to write directly to  the Commonwealth Secretariat calling for transparency and to release two legal opinions sought by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the Impeachment of former Chief Justice Shiranie Bandaranayake which are reportedly withheld. Upul Jayasuria appears to be taking the initiative to turn the Association of the Lawyers of Sri Lanka a Political Party. It is not the role of the Bar Association to be concerned about those members of the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/08/13)
Towards religious harmony
In view of the several incidents leading to religious disharmony which took place recently the Government should consider to appoint a commission to examine the causes and evolve a system to nip in the bud such unenviable situations. Among the issues which should receive the attention of such an inquiry are : 1 The growth of aggressive and violent religious movements in Sri Lanka. 2 The role played by the foreign organizations in assisting such movements. 3 Dissemination of violent religious contents in the educational institutions. 4... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 22/08/13)
Navi Pillai should come to Sri Lanka with an open mind unencumbered with prejudices.
 If Navi Pillai is on a fact finding mission to Sri Lanka, she should set aside her prejudices and come with an open mind. Then and then only will she see for herself how Sri Lanka exists as a country with three Communities making up her population. But if she is coming to see to what extent she could justify her prejudices against the Government of Sri Lanka and the Sinhala people of the majority Community, then it is better she stays back and learns about Sri Lanka from its enemies-the Tamil Diaspora, American Sate Department, the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/08/13)
Animal Sacrifice in Sri Lanka must STOP
For 25 centuries Sri Lanka was a nation that had prohibited animal slaughter of any kind by royal decree. The royal proclamations by the Sinhala Buddhist kings forbidding every citizen including visitor and trader to slaughter animals has not been repealed and questions why what did not exist under traditional governance today takes place in the form of animal sacrifice, a ritual killing as part of some religions to appease a god or gods. How can taking the life of another bestow merit on a person? It is the ethical and moral dimension of animal sacrifice... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 21/08/13)
Do Sri Lankan Muslims Lack Empathy?
There is a world of difference between the terms fundamentalist and extremist. A fundamentalist is one who chooses to adhere strictly to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah, but does not impose such practices on other Muslims – verbally or otherwise. An extremist is also one who chooses to adhere strictly to the teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah, but is ready and willing to go to extreme lengths including violence to ensure that other Muslims too adhere to such practices. It is extremely important that the members of Muslims Questioning Extremism understand... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/08/13)
Prof. G.L. Peiris gets wide coverage in Indian media:BOYCOTT DOESN’T STOP PSC
External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris stated that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) would be making recommendations on the future of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and criticised the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and other parties for refusing to participate in the PSC deliberations, according to the Hindustan Times and The Hindu. The minister was addressing a media conference at the official residence of Sri Lanka’s... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/08/13)
Visiting Royals pay homage to Sri Dalada Maligawa
The visiting princesses of Japan and Thailand paid homage to Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy this afternoon (20) on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day. Princess Tsuguko of Takamado of the Japanese Royal Family and the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand met President Mahinda Rajapaksa prior to their visit to the Maligawa. Two separate meetings took place at the President's House in Kandy. Just after the discussions the President and the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa accompanied two Royals separately to pay homage to the most venerated temple in the Buddhist world. The two... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/08/13)
No Animal Rights Law in Sri Lanka
With the cruelty towards animals increasing in leaps and bounds, the outraged cry of animal rights activists are to be heard, condemning acts of cruelty and demanding that the ill-used law be brought forth and action be taken.  Many suggestions and requests have been made with petitions now being signed to ban the slaughter of animals, but the government is yet to make a move towards updating laws activists say have been enacted during the British rule that are now redundant. Laws and the changes that need to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/08/13)
Correcting false ideologies connected to milk bacteria
There is an alarming sound around the Nation of the health dangers of milk bacteria. I am writing this article to correct false ideologies and bring the reader, the Ministry of Health and the producers to the correct whereabouts of milk production, which will aid all in building a healthier Nation. Fist of all let me begin with pasteurization. Pasteurization is the process of heating milk and then rapidly cooling it to eliminate bacteria and its lengthened shelf life. Powdered milk undergoes dehydration to create... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 20/08/13)
Greenwald partner sues Home Office as UK defends -Miranda op
The UK Home Office says it has “to protect the publicâ€ÂÂÂ, but Miranda has accused Britain of a “total abuse of power†and has said he will take legal action against the Home Office. The Guardian is “supportive†of his action. David Miranda, the partner of US journalist Glenn Greenwald, who published documents about the NSA and GCHQ spying activities leaked by Edward Snowden, in Britain’s Guardian newspaper was questioned for nine hours in London’s Heathrow airport on Sunday under Schedule 7 of the UK’s anti-terrorism law.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 20/08/13)
The Guardian: Downing St. involved in -Snowden materials- destruction order
A “very senior government official†acting on behalf of Britain-s prime minister demanded the return or destruction of files leaked by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, the Guardian-s editor Alan Rusbridger told the BBC. The effort to seize or destroy the Snowden-related documents held at the Guardian-s London office was handled by senior Whitehall officials, who answered directly to Number 10 Downing Street, Rusbridger said during an interview with BBC News on Tuesday.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 20/08/13)
The Changing Face of Islam in Sri Lanka
 The world is fast changing. Wherever you live, you cannot escape news bombardment of violence by Muslims around the world. Not all Muslims are terrorists and not all terrorists are Muslims. However, there is a growing link between the spread of Islam and the spread of extreme violence. The Sri Lankan context has enough examples of the changing face of Islam. Islam was introduced to Silandiv (Sinhala Island or Serendib in Arabic) in the 10th century by South Indian migrants who illegally settled along the western coast of the island nation. They never confronted the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/08/13)
If Tamils can live in the South why can’t Sinhalese live in the North?
The very organizations and individuals ever ready to pull out the red card of international human rights and laws have been chanting the chorus of a “sinhalization†of “historical Tamil areas†totally ignoring that it is the right of any citizen to live within the territory of the State in addition to the inability to even prove of anything called a “historical homelandâ€ÂÂÂ. With more Tamils living outside a fictitious “Homeland†and amongst the Sinhalese further nullifying claims of discrimination the Sri Lankan Authorities should not allow political pressures to deny the right of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/08/13)
Fodder For The Pillai Cannon Provided By A TNA - LTTE Link Awaits Her Visit.
August 20th.2013  Given the high handedness of this would be TNA candidate who seems to have thrown away all related protocols and has started yapping about what she intends to do with hardly a mandate for it, one Ananthi Sasitharan of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and a candidate for the forthcoming Northern Provincial Council (NPC) polls, has had the nerve to describe the newly set up Presidential Commission to look into disappearances during the final stages of the war in 2009, as unreliable.  And almost in apathetic ignorance she  has said that she would... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/08/13)
Stop vain slaughter of Animals to make sacrifices at Munneshwaram, and to celebrate Bakr-Eid.
Not because  Sri Lanka is a Buddhist Country that slaughter of animals as religious sacrifice should stop, but any where in the world killing of animals for religious purposes to satisfy a God or a deity is savage, and meaningless, and no God will be honoured to have animals being killed as a Sacrifice for him. The God of the Bible wanted blood sacrifices and peace sacrifices and the people of Israel made these sacrifices at the Tabernacle and the Arc of God. Bible is full of such sacrifices carried out to satisfy the God . After... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 19/08/13)
Who in Sri Lanka suffers from a Stockholm syndrome and unrequited post-colonial love?
The Question is – Are we proud of gaining independence, do we regret that we gained independence and most importantly are we working towards giving up our independence? It is in the backdrop of these questions that we cannot pretend that with or without CHOGM the British Government has been leading every rebuttal against Sri Lanka at every opportunity. The bewildering scene is that despite the darts that continuously point towards Sri Lanka, like a jilted lover refusing to accept reality there are some amongst us repeatedly going behind the colonials and to add insult to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/08/13)
Changing Face of Islam in Sri Lanka- A reply to Editor of Ceylon Today.
The Ceylon Today of the 17 August,2013 carried the Editorial, “ Changing face of Buddhismâ€ÂÂÂ. The Editor is an uninformed moron. The Buddhism has not changed its face for more than 2600 years. It will remain the same for another 2600 years or more. But what the editor tries to hide is the fact that it is  Islam in Sri Lanka that has changed its face from what it had been before. The Editor of Ceylon Today says, “Not so long ago, when the religion was described as a cause for conflict, Buddhists begged to be different.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/08/13)
Where are the next of kin of the supposedly executed 40,000-125,000 Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka?
The "experts" and "authorities" must have their say and certainly their voice is far more powerful than a country as small as Sri Lanka. They are the ones that make the laws, they decide who the villains and the heroes are, they can make heroes into villains and villains into heroes, they can frame charges, they can also decide not to frame charges - in short it is only their wishes that prevail. Justice is justice that suits them and not the victims. Victims are who they define as victims on a selective basis and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/08/13)
Do Sri Lankan Muslims have a dual identity problem when singing the national anthem?
The first two words of the term 'Sri Lankan Muslim' reflects the national identity while the last word reflects the global identity of any member of the Muslim community of our motherland. A Sri Lankan Muslim should be able to identify the appropriate 'hat' that he should wear in a particular situation. If the occasion demands that a Sri Lankan Muslim sing the national anthem of his motherland, then he should not hesitate to demonstrate his national identity with pride. Not doing so will create an impression among the other communities that the Sri Lankan Muslims... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/08/13)
රජය හ෠කිරිපිටි සමà·ÂÂÂගම්එක්ව නිà·ÂÂÂ්පà·ÂÂÂදනය කරන නවà¶ÂÂÂම ජනà¶ÂÂÂ෠අර්බූදය
අපට ජීවà¶ÂÂÂ්වෙන්න පිරිසිදෆවà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂය, පිරිසිදෆජලය, පà·ÂÂÂà·‚à·Šâ€ÂÂÂයදà·ÂÂÂයක්ආහà·ÂÂÂර වලට අමà¶ÂÂÂර, කà·ÂÂÂලයà¶ÂÂÂ්අවà·ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂයය. අපගේ මේ කà·ÂÂÂලය, රජය හ෠වෙළද සමà·ÂÂÂගම්එකà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂà·€ ගොඩනංවන්න෠වූ ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂික ගà·ÂÂÂටළෆසම්බන්ධවද යොමෆකරන්නට සිදà·â€ÂÂවීම මෙරට ජනà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂà·€ ලද අභà·ÂÂÂග්â€ÂÂÂයයක්සේ දිස්වේ. ඒ හරහ෠ජනà¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂවට සිදà·â€ÂÂවෙනà·â€ÂÂයේ à¶â€ÂÂà·€à·â€ÂÂන්ගේ ආà¶ÂÂÂ්මීය කටයà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෆඉවà¶ÂÂÂල෠පටෆà¶ÂÂÂලයේ විසිරී පවà¶ÂÂÂින ජà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂික ගà·ÂÂÂටළෆකෙරෙහිද අවධà·ÂÂÂනය යොමෆකරන්නට සිදà·â€ÂÂවීමය. පසà·â€ÂÂගිය උණà·â€ÂÂà·ƒà·â€ÂÂම්යà·â€ÂÂධ සමයේ අපගේ දේපල ජන ජීවිචවලට අමà¶ÂÂÂරව විà·ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂල කà·ÂÂÂලයක්ද විනà·ÂÂÂ෠කර දමන ලදී. මේ උණà·â€ÂÂම්යà·â€ÂÂද්ධය විසින්විනà·ÂÂÂ෠කරන ලද කà·ÂÂÂලය, අප විසින්රටේ සංවර්ධනය උදෙස෠යොමà·â€ÂÂකල යà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෆවකවà·ÂÂÂනà·â€ÂÂවක, මේ සමà·ÂÂÂජය විසින්ඊට ඉඩ අහà·â€ÂÂර෠à·ÂÂÂà·“à¶ÂÂÂල යà·â€ÂÂද්ධයක්රටà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂල... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 18/08/13)
36 Brotherhood detainees die near Cairo as Islamists attack prison convoy – state media
Dozens of Muslim Brotherhood supporters died on Sunday as police escorting prisoners in trucks exchanged fire with Islamist attackers near Cairo, state media said. Conflicting reports stated that some or all of those killed suffocated from tear gas. Thirty-six Islamist prisoners were killed in Egypt while being transferred to Abu Zaabal prison in northern Cairo, Egypt’s official MENA news agency said. The statement did not provide a detailed picture of the incident, but indicated that some of the killed detainees were trying to escape the prison.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 18/08/13)
US “Death Squad Envoy†Arrives in Egypt – And the Slaughter Begins
When the US sends a “death squad ambassador†to Egypt, you can figure that the big slaughter is about to begin. As of today, it has begun. Just as I predicted, the mass slaughter of Morsi/democracy supporters was triggered by false-flag terror. Yahoo News reports: “Live (Egyptian) television footage on several channels appeared to show hooded Brotherhood (sic) gunmen brandishing what appeared to be small automatic rifles and firing them in the direction of soldiers.†In fact, the “hooded gunmen†– like those who set off the Sunni-Shia violence in Iraq in Iraq and Syria – are... -Full Story- (veteranstoday.com - 18/08/13)
One Month to Northern Provincial Council Election, India Shows Signs of Going Back on CHOGM Promise
It works like clockwork. Tamil Nadu leaders have demanded the Indian government boycott CHOGM summit in Colombo. It is a repetition of what happened in 1954, 1964, 1974, 1985, 1987, 2011, 2012 and 2013 – Sri Lanka always kept its side of the bargain but India never kept its word. After the first Indo-Lanka agreement on Tamils of Indian origin in 1954, the Indian delegate made it very clear that India would not take back any Indian Tamils from Sri Lanka. It was the same stance India followed over and over again in 1964 and 1974. ... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
When TNA leaders go shopping for separatist sponsorship in Canada and US
There is little that sets the LTTE and TNA apart. The objectives of both remain the same only the modus operandi differed. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces eliminated the ground terror of LTTE removing the terrorist aspect from the quest. Now the TNA has taken over the baton with the objective well on track. The world and Tamils conveniently forget that LTTE launched its campaign by killing their own Tamil people FIRST while Tamil parliamentarians simply watched. Our issue is that while LTTE is designated as a terrorist organization and remains proscribed even 4 years after... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
Exchanging real estate, power and religion for worthless titles Conversion of Prince Vijaya Pala
The Portuguese were able to bring undue influence on a number of members of the Royal households of Kotte, Sitavaka and Kandy to embrace Christianity. This was done largely by way of missionary education, which was directed by political considerations. >From the early period of Portuguese presence we learn that King Bhuvanakabahu was able to avoid being converted though Franciscan friars applied much pressure on him to do so. But he was unable to prevent missionaries from gaining intimate access to his court. Missionaries tutored his grandson Dharmapala, which finally resulted in him being... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
40,000 killed in last phase of war? Gota challenges UN to produce evidence Issues to be raised with Navi Pillay
August 17, 2013, 7:27 pm Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday challenged the UN to furnish evidence relating to the main war crimes allegation that 40,000 persons allegedly disappeared during the final phase of the war in early 2009. He emphasized that none of those propagating war crimes allegations, including the UN, had so far revealed the basis of their accusations. In a brief interview with The Sunday Island, Rajapaksa said the government intended to take up the issue with United Nations Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) Navanethem Pillay scheduled to visit Sri Lanka later... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
Remember and take lessons from British colonial history and not white wash or censor it
1) Queen Victoria From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria 2)    Queen Victoria And The British Crown Win The Prize http://www.deliberation.info/queen-victoria-and-the-british-crown-win-the-prize/ 3)   Commonwealth Games. Aboriginal Genocide, QEII & British War Crimes https://sites.google.com/site/aboriginalgenocide/commonwealth-games 4)    Great Famine (Ireland) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_%28Ireland%29 5)    Royal Wedding, Censorship, Holocaust Commission And Holocaust Denial  By Dr Gideon Polya http://www.countercurrents.org/polya020511.htm 6)    1857 British Raj atrocity exposed - from 1.8 bn victim Indian Holocaust to 10 bn First World Climate Genocide http://creative.sulekha.com/1857-british-raj-atrocity-exposed-from-1-8-bn-victim-indian-holocaust-to-10-bn-first-world-climate-genocide_424422_blog 7)    7)  Indigenous Genocide, Climate Genocide And Holocaust Denial By Dr Gideon Polya Countercurrents.org... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
President Rajapaksa declares open the Wahalkada at Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya.
 President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the Wahalkada at the Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya, which was constructed in memory of their deceased parents, father D. A. Rajapaksa and mother Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayaka, this evening on 16 August.  The President accompanied with Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa representing Rajapaksa family at the ceremony. They also engaged in performing religious observances at the Viharaya. Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya, Venerable Dr. Devalegama Dhammasena Nayaka Thero bestowed blessings on the President and the Rajapaksa family and delivered the main sermon. The President has also presided over a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
Guwahati Scribes defy militant’s diktat on I-Day
Guwahati: The city based scribes and patriotic citizens have once again shown their defiance to the militant’s diktat on India’s 67th Independence Day with unfurling the National flag in a festive atmosphere. As declared in advance, the nationalistic scribe and citizens paid homage to hundred thousand martyrs of India’s Freedom Struggle on August 15 saluting the Tricolour in Guwahati Press Club campus. A number of armed separatist outfits based in northeast India asked the citizens of the land-locked region to keep away from any kind of celebrations on the occasion of I-Day and they even called for a... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 17/08/13)
When Buddhism is caught between the Abrahamic religions (the Church and Islam)
An important factor has been overlooked.  Islam and the Generic Church have been pursuing world conquest and domination through control of territory and people while Judaism has pursued the goal of dominating world affairs (directly and indirectly) by controlling all world capital. All 3 religions are pursuing a historically mandated predatory global agenda but this time round the quest to conquest non-Abrahamic territories for the Church is planned to be bloodless, “legitimate†using the pan-national/international structures and “liberal†politically correct idioms while Islam proposes to use its weapon of birth and conversions and Judaism controls the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/08/13)
Can the Catholic Church ever have a national consciousness?
 First and foremost let me define the terms so as not to get lost in the fog that could ensue from this discussion. People talk of the Cardinal, the bishops, the bishops’ conference, priests and also of the faithful as all being the contents of one and the same basket. Let me make it clear at the outset that the Catholic Church is ESSENTIALLY its hierarchy, meaning the ruling elite generally described in Sri Lanka as the bishops’ conference which includes the cardinal. Now what exactly is the hierarchy? Most basically it is the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/08/13)
Racism and Bigotry on TIME - Is journalism the new soft terror?
TIME is known for their extremist view of developing nations and world Buddhists. The following examples, which amount to a tiny portion from a very large list, will show without any doubt that TIME is corrupt, narrow-minded and racist. Acting Like Bigots: Supporting Racism and Terror, and Attacking Developing Democracies TIME has a track record for supporting suicide terrorists, audaciously pandering to liberal politicians and attacking developing democracies. They have no shame or a conscience. TIME is not alone in its filthy and racist approach to so-called journalism. Google News, CBS, CNN, New York... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/08/13)
Need cooking programmes to promote healthier diet and lifestyles among University students.
I started cooking while I was attending University because I didn’t like at all these fast foods and takeaway foods. I will give the reasons as I go along. Then I discovered that food was not just nourishment for the body, but also that cooking was balm to the wounded soul. There are a few pretty straight forward recipes, I cooked these when I was a student, I cook them still. They are designed for ease and comfort. How many students eat pasta, spaghetti, rice, chicken curries and vegetable curries? When I said the word,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 16/08/13)
WAY PEOPLE VOTE
 Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid may take seats as honorable members of Parliament. Even an aged Pamela Anderson or Cameron Diaz could walk away with parliamentary pensions.  Mervyn Silva and Duminda de Silva entered the precincts of Parliament legitimately as easy riders. Elected - overwhelmingly by the choice of the people. Those electors are not from backward Wanni or from the backwoods of Monaragala: indeed from the two most literate and sophisticated districts of Gampaha and Colombo. Intriguing.  In a long list of candidates Duminda de Silva secured spot No 2 in Colombo and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
The Real Truth About The Weliveriya Incidents Points Not To Army Excesses But A Distortion Of Facts Conveniently Concocted By Enemies Of The State.
August 15th 2013 Perhaps the time is right to set the record straight after so much anguish, wanton loss of life and so many accusations against the Government and the Armed Forces that the core issue is as follows. Researchers have found that it had simply to do with a supply of drinking water contaminated by toxins seeping into the ground water that supplied it from a large manufacturing concern in the vicinity and the only liabilities resting on the Administration had to do with not responding post haste to correct the problem. What followed... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
What happened to the Proposed PSC on the 13 Amendment ?
 There was quite an excitement some where in mid July about taking a decision on the removal or removing certain provisions of the 13Amendment to the Constitution. PSC was appointed with the Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva in the Chair.  Then a decision had been taken to call the views of the public on the issue. The last date to receive the views of the public was fixed for the 9th August, 2013.  Since then nothing has been heard. The elections for the Northern Provincial Council is to be held in September. Therefore any decision with regard... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
Ethnocentrism, in Guise of ‘National Identity,’ Mars U.S. Immigration Debate in Age of Globalization
J. P. Calvert, who identifies himself as a former college educator, has been writing to the Red River Valley newspapers for at least the last five years (“Diversity damages society,†Grand Forks Herald, Sept. 23, 2007) to instill fear in the white community about the dangers of legalizing the 11 million or so illegal immigrants in the United States, the majority of whom are Hispanics. In his latest column titled “Must... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
Buddhism and Science – untangling confusions
A leading lexical authority defines Science (from Latin scientia, meaning 'knowledge') as the systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe and things therein. On the other hand Religion is defined as a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe as the perilous habitat of sentient questing beings. More pointedly, this universe is considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, demanding devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. It is... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
'Rising India' is doing some (heavy?) lifting only in Sri Lanka!
Some unpalatable truths about India's real place in the world have been told in recent weeks by Indians of repute in the media.  On July 30, Shastri Ramachandaran, an independent political and foreign affairs commentator, writing in IDN-InDepth News, which commands a global influence on issues of human development and international affairs, wrote: "Official India does not call itself a 'Superpower'. The preferred term is 'Rising Power'. However, Rising Power or 'Rising India' is no less of a misnomer as it is unsuited to India's status and relevance in world affairs."  "There is not a single... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
LIFE ABROAD - Part 40 :FROM MEMORY BANK - FRED CLARKE INTERVIEW
Those who have not seen the late Sir Arthur C. Clarke and his brother Fredrick (Fred) Clarke will automatically get confused if they were to go by their photographs! They were not born as twins yet Fred Clarke looks very much like his brother. Sir Arthur, who died in Sri Lanka on March 18, 2008, was the British author and inventor known for visionary science fiction novels like '2001 A Space Odyssey', 'Mysterious World' (1981) and many more, whereas his brother Fred who came out from an Army Career retired as... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 15/08/13)
Tale of One City / One City with Two Tales
 Reading political savvy columns in Sunday Times (ST) and Sunday Island (SI) from abroad helps to touch base with Weliveriya. Is it a Tale of One City or One City with Two Tales?  Was it a dress rehearsal for a regime change or a spontaneous outpouring of dissent?  Look at the end result to determine the origin and intent. People took over the pavements and spilt on to the road. Protested loud and long and the message reached home. Lives were lost injuries were caused and the military were occupied. Disturbance was on public space... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
A hovering ‘Ides of march’ for the President and an ominous bloody future for the Nation
I refer to the article in Ground Views titled: Is a Black July being threatened through the State media? By Dayan Jayatillake. He is replying to an article by Jayantha Gunesekera itself titled: TNA! Police powers a way to hurt Western Province Tamils. Gunasekera’s article is a warning to the TNA incorporated in the sentence: Let them not endanger the lives of and property of Colombo Tamils. What he is telling the TNA is: you cannot take a part of the whole only for yourself, and also take parts of the rest also for yourself... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
The Report of your recently held Bishops’ Conference
Your Eminence, I am writing in response to the Report of your recently held Bishops’ Conference as reported by the media. The Report appeals to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapksa: Not to repeal the 13th amendment to the Constitution of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka Not to dissolve the Provincial Council System whereby political power is devolved to the Provinces Not to remove police and land power granted to the PCs by the Provincial Council Act. I am a Sinhala Roman Catholic and a patriot. I am very disappointed... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
Dayan Jayatilleke’s jubilation at the Master Stroke of Sampanthan
“Justice Wigneswaran is a candidate that every Tamil can be proud of to have as his and her representative, and may make a Chief Minister that most Sri Lankans of whichever ethnicity or religion can be proud of. In fact he will have the salutary effect of raising the bar of performance for every chief minister and Sri Lankan politician throughout the island.†This is the eulogy with which Dayan Jayatilleke expresses his jubilation at the master stroke, as he calls it of TNA’s Sampanthan. It may perhaps be too early for his jubilation as Sampanthan’s master... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
Mosque attacks in the UK
The statements issued from UK and US Governments leave out events that take place in their own lands. The standards and norms have differed in applicability. When non-Western nations claim existential fears because of Muslim conquests of non-Muslim territory, these countries are asked to apply “multicultural†lingo but when Muslims call for Sharia enclaves in the UK it is defined as “extremismâ€ÂÂÂ. Whatever symbolic gestures are made by various inter-faith groups they cannot disguise some important facts. If people are reacting violently it is because the Government has failed to protect their rights against incursions taking... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
Who will stop UN's racism?
Whisper it softly, but whisper it we must. Do international organisations exempted from national anti-discrimination laws discriminate on grounds of race or nationality? Some years ago, a widely admired UN official was pulled out of the Balkans because the Europeans would not accept a non-European as head of the UN mission. Rather hypocritically, Europeans do not apply this logic to excuse themselves from serving as heads of UN missions elsewhere. We have seen the same double standards in the choice of the World Bank and IMF chiefs. Under a cosy, self-serving... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
Six new foreign envoys present credentials
Six new foreign envoys including five High Commissioners and an Ambassador taking assignments in Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 12 August (Monday). The ceremony for the handing over of credentials by the new diplomats was held at Presidential Secretariat in Colombo under the patronage of President Rajapaksa.  The new envoys who presented their letters of credence were Mr. John W. H. Kijazi                        - High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania Mr. Andre Sanra                                - Ambassador of Republic of Benin Ms. Lesego Ethel Motsumi                - High... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 14/08/13)
The Existential Fears of Buddhists in Sri Lanka must be given high priority and addressed without delay
A specter is haunting Sri Lanka. The specter of the country being overrun by Muslims. That something so unpleasant might happen in Sri Lanka virtually unopposed and unresisted by those who have been elected to power exclusively by the urban and rural Buddhist vote explains to a great extent the despair and sense of betrayal of Buddhism and the national interest by the powers that be which in turn is manifesting in the forms of suspicion and distancing between the two communities i.e. Buddhist and Islamic, in this country. Thanks to Muslim obduracy and incursions into... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/08/13)
Khalifa of Islam on real Eid!
In his Eid-ul-Fitr Sermon delivered by Ahmadiyya Khalifa Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad on 10th August 2013 at Baithul Futuh, London U.K. explained about the real Eid in the sight of God. In his lengthy address, His Holiness dealt the subject in depth. Thousands of Ahmadi Muslims in United Kingdom gathered on this event. Earlier, Ahmadiyya Supreme Head led the Eid-ul-Fitr prayer. The English Translation of the full Sermon – the link of which is:-... -Full Story- (youtube.com - 13/08/13)
This could be the eighth wonder of the World!
This could be the eighth wonder of the World! Buddhist complex Maytszishan little known. It is located in Gansu Province in northwest China. This is a striking architectural complex, carved out of the rock. Maytszishan has 7,000 Buddhist sculptures and nearly 1,000 square meters of murals. 11 more images ... Maytszishan is just a few miles south of the Great Silk Road. Many of the monks chose to stay in these caves and work there. One of the earliest written records... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/08/13)
Asian Buddhist Renaissance through Revival of Nalanda University
 The above caption reflects a vision that is realizable with the renewal of the legacy of the Nalanda University. From the 9th to the 15th century countries like China, Tibet, Mongolia, Korea and Japan among others had forged an Asian Buddhist Renaissance drawing on a comprehensive and progressive Buddhist version of Indian science and technology that had been developed originally in Buddhist Universities like Nalanda, Vikramshila, Odantapuri, Somapura, Jagaddala, and Vallabhi. With Asia re-emerging on the world stage a “project like this could help to give the much needed intellectual lift to the study... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 13/08/13)
Open letter to President
Dear, Mr. President, I would like to take time to write this letter because I am a concerned citizen of the country. It is not that I like you personally, but we all have to uphold democracy in the end. Democracy as we know it has been the foundation of the Sri Lankan society for millennia. If democracy falls, we all fall. I really wish that you take few minutes of your precious time to read this and take necessary action if you think that is appropriate. May I forward my point very clearly first; let... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/08/13)
රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්වල මà·ÂÂÂරයà·ÂÂÂ!
අප පà·â€ÂÂංචි කà·ÂÂÂලයේ à·ƒà·â€ÂÂරංගන෠කථ෠අස෠ඇà¶ÂÂÂ. මේ à·ƒà·â€ÂÂරංගන෠කථ විසින්අපට ලබà·ÂÂÂදà·â€ÂÂන්දà·ÂÂÂනà·â€ÂÂම්සම්බà·ÂÂÂරය අà¶ÂÂÂිමහà¶ÂÂÂ්ය. අපි විà·ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂල à·ÂÂÂබ්දයක්ඇසà·â€ÂÂන විට අන්ධයින්සේ කඩà·ÂÂÂබිද ගෙන දà·â€ÂÂවන්නන්නොවන්නේ, ඒ à·ƒà·â€ÂÂරංගන෠කථ෠විසින්අපට ලබà·ÂÂÂදà·â€ÂÂන්දà·ÂÂÂනà·â€ÂÂම්සම්බà·ÂÂÂරයෙණි. අපි à¶ÂÂÂල්අà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà¶ÂÂÂට à·€à·ÂÂÂටà·â€ÂÂන බෙලි ගෙඩියේ කථà·ÂÂÂà·€ දන්නෙමà·â€ÂÂ. එබà·ÂÂÂවින්අහස කිසිද෠කà¶ÂÂÂ෠නොවà·ÂÂÂටෙන බව ඉගෙන ටෙගන ඇà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà¶ÂÂÂෙමà·â€ÂÂ. මෑà¶ÂÂÂකදී රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්වල නම්වූ ග්â€ÂÂÂරà·ÂÂÂමයේද එවà·ÂÂÂනිම සිදà·â€ÂÂවීමක්සිදà·â€ÂÂවිය. කොටි රටපà·â€ÂÂරà·ÂÂÂම මිනී මරමින්රජ කරන යà·â€ÂÂගයේදීවà¶ÂÂÂ්කලබල නොවූ රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්වල ගම්වà·ÂÂÂසීන්, පà·â€ÂÂදà·â€ÂÂමà·ÂÂÂකà·ÂÂÂර ආකà·ÂÂÂරයට කලබල වූහ. ඒ à¶ÂÂÂම ලිං ජලය මේ ගම අසල à¶ÂÂÂිබෙන කර්මà·ÂÂÂන්චà·ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂලà·ÂÂÂවක්හේà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂවෙන්අපවිà¶ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂරව පà·ÂÂÂවිච්චි කල නොහà·ÂÂÂකි à¶ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂ්වයට පà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà·€ à¶ÂÂÂිබෙන බවට අවබà·ÂÂÂධයක්... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/08/13)
The Buddha as Scientist
 To call the Buddha a Scientist may come as a surprise to many, including well-intentioned Buddhists. Webster’s defines a Scientist as “a specialist in science, especially as natural scienceâ€ÂÂÂ. To be ‘scientific’ is to be “systematic and exactâ€Â and be  “trained in following or observing the principles and methods of scienceâ€ÂÂÂ. Part of this method is that  conclusions are arrived at after the fact, i.e., objectively. So how does the Buddha pan out? What natural science is he a specialist of? Of course, the ‘sentient being’ – one with senses. This... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/08/13)
The new mosque in Grandpass is a warehouse.
An authorization letter or the so-called permit for Grand pas mosque is dated 8th Aug 2013. But building of the mosque had been completed long before that date. That means building work for the mosque must have begun without authorization. We can assume from the date of the permit that its issuance may have done in hush hush and a rash manner. Why do we say that? Local Buddhists say, the building in depute is located on Swarna Chaitya Road where an old mosque is also located. And its construction work had been started in 2010 not as... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/08/13)
Threat to Buddhism in Myanmar and the arming of Rohingyas
When Hannah Beech writes “When Buddhists go bad†not only is it heralded world over but Time Magazine puts as its July cover Burmese monk Wirathu and christens the front cover “Face of Buddhist Terrorâ€ÂÂÂ. But we can’t call that racism or hate speech. Yet, when Hindus or Buddhists reacts they are automatically accused of violating freedom of expression and indulging in hate speech. When the world media is owned by the West most of which belong to religious entities it is not difficult to ascertain the drift in attack and it is always... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 12/08/13)
Weliveriya in the Limelight
On 12 March 2012 the Mail Online reported , “NATO troops in Afghanistan are on high alert after the Taliban vowed to avenge the deaths of 16 innocent civilians - including nine children and three women - who were shot and killed by a rogue U.S. soldier who opened fire after suffering a 'mental breakdown' early Sunday morning. The Army staff sergeant, stationed at a U.S. base in Kandahar, entered three Afghan family’s homes at 3am and began the vicious killing spree. Relatives of the dead said he then 'poured chemicals over their dead bodies and burned... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
Weliweriya Water Protests : Answering more important Questions
It has become a habit to politicize selective events but ignore the core issue. Before everyone is conveniently taken off track by politicized versions what needs to be reiterated is that the key issue was WATER, the people went on to the streets because of WATER and what resulted was because of WATER… or was it? Why are the finger pointers not demanding action from authorities about the WATER? Why has the water been shoved into the background? From the commentaries that abound the shift is focused towards portraying the impression that the Sri Lankan military... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්‌වල වසන්à¶ÂÂÂය බොඳ උනà·ÂÂÂට හමà·â€ÂÂදà·ÂÂÂà·€ පලි නෑ!
 "ඒ පස රà¶ÂÂÂෆවà·â€ÂÂයේ ලේ වලිනි" රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්‌වල ඛේදවà·ÂÂÂචකයට පසà·â€ÂÂද෠"දිවයින" කà¶ÂÂÂෆවà·ÂÂÂකියේ මà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෘකà·ÂÂÂà·€ à·€à·â€ÂÂයේ එයයි. ඒ ලේ à·€à·ÂÂÂගිරà·â€ÂÂවේ කවà·â€ÂÂද? මෙම රචනයේ මà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂෘකà·ÂÂÂà·€ වන්නේ එයයි. ප්â€ÂÂÂරà·ÂÂÂ්නයට පහසෆපිළිà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂරක්‌ දà·ÂÂÂනටමà¶ÂÂÂ්සමà·ÂÂÂජගචකර à¶ÂÂÂිබේ. හමà·â€ÂÂදà·ÂÂÂà·€...... හමà·â€ÂÂදà·ÂÂÂà·€ යොදව෠අහිංසක මිනිසà·â€ÂÂන්ට වෙඩි à¶ÂÂÂිබ්බ එක කොහොමටවà¶ÂÂÂ්අනà·â€ÂÂමචකරන්නේ නෑ. ප්â€ÂÂÂරà·ÂÂÂ්නය මෙච්චර දà·â€ÂÂරදිග යන කං බලධà·ÂÂÂරීන්නිලධà·ÂÂÂරීන්මොකද කළේ....... ආදියේ සිට මà·ÂÂÂවිල්ආරà·â€ÂÂවේ ජලය හ෠රà¶ÂÂÂෆපස්‌වල ජලය යන්නට ගලපමින්" හමà·â€ÂÂදà·ÂÂÂà·€ කෲර ලෙස රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්‌වලදී à·„à·ÂÂÂසිරà·â€ÂÂණà·ÂÂÂ" යන්න සමà·ÂÂÂජගචකිරීමේ වෑයමක්‌ මේ වන විට දියà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà·€ à¶ÂÂÂිබේ. රà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂපස්‌වල ප්â€ÂÂÂරදේà·ÂÂÂයේ මිනිසà·â€ÂÂන්වà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂර ඉල්ල෠කරන යà·â€ÂÂද්ධයà¶ÂÂÂà·Š, හමà·â€ÂÂදà·ÂÂÂà·€ හ෠පොලිසිය මිනිසà·â€ÂÂන්සමග අරගල කරන ආකà·ÂÂÂරයà¶ÂÂÂà·Š,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
Are we not Lost in the Wood for the Trees
Economic strategies to bring Sri Lanka out of the economic stalemate of today has come to the fore with the Economic pundits of the world coming together at our Economic Summit 2013. They all talk of traditional economics and forget that in his latest book, Professor Jeffery Sachs  admits that “Economics as an academic discipline was turned on its head by Milton Friedman.(“Price of Civilizationâ€ÂÂÂ2011) However out institutes of higher education yet teach traditional economics and do not dare to touch the IMF's economic mantra with a barge pole. Our dons are frightened to meet... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
Navatkuli Sinhala Village attacked on Saturday 10 August 2013 at 930 pm
It is regrettable to note that the Navatkuli Sinhala village (the Sinhalese settlement 6 km south of Jaffna) had been bombed on Saturday 10 August 2013. Miraculously no one had been injured. A bomb had been thrown at the Navatkuli Buddhist temple at about 930 pm, during which time the main priest (in his mid-eighties) and the 2nd monk had been inside the temple. They were spending their ‘Vas’ season inside the temple. A devotee (leader of the Navatkuli Sinhalese village) had just finished offering flowers to Lord Buddha in the Buddhist Shrine... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
Behold the True colour of Vignaswaran. The cat is out of the bag
I give few excerpts from an interview given by C.V.Vignaswaran, the Tamil National Alliance nominee for the post of Chief Minister Northern Provincial Council on why he entered the political arena as reported by Padma Rao Sundarji of Hindustan Times that appeared in Ceylon Today of 24th. July, 2013. I am quoting these few lines in this note hoping that this piece will be an eye opener to those political pundits, who do not know the history of this country and who talk of reconciliation with the communal Tamils by... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
New Indian Envoy Keen to Improve Sri Lanka Ties
A report attributed to the new High Commissioner of India to Si Lanka that appeared on 10 August under the title, “New Indian Envoy to Sri Lanka Keen to Improve Ties†mentions that he is “keen to build on existing ties between the two countriesâ€ÂÂÂ. The issue of building upon ties that the High Commissioner refers to seems fine on superficial browsing. But on careful examination, the discerning reader would wonder what and where these ties are that the gentleman wants to improve upon. And, many Sri Lankans, on the other hand, will be able to... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
‘Federal’ Marriages and Water Wars
“There is no state without a Tamil – but there is no state for the Tamils.†World Confederation of Tamils (www.tamilnation.org) ‘India is a Myth’: The merchants of federal formula are reluctant to compare ‘Federal’ arrangements with marriage contracts. In the recent past we saw this behavior first hand in an exchange of letters with one Kandappa from Jaffna under the titles “Federalism and Marriage†and “Federalism and Sexism†(Island, Jan 11, 2006). The comparison exposes defects in the Federal method. This is why Mr. Anandasangaree has become the Ambedkar... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
CAN MARKETS DETERMIN QUALITY HEALTHCARE?
Health care is the basic human right that every citizen must be offered in any civilised society. Can commoditisation of health care be the answer to the failure of a state system? Was the state system a failure? Should healthcare be determined by the amount of money you have? Is it moral? Is the system efficient? Should the expensive drugs and investigations be rationalised determined by need of the patient and in keeping with the economic status of the country. These are very pertinent questions that any society should answer especially as we are seeing the... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 11/08/13)
‘Sinhala Bushism’ and the 13th Amendment
Sinhala Buddhist chauvinists Dayan Jayatilleke, Ph.D., (DJ), writing as the son of the late journalist Mervyn de Silva, has utilized the American idea of the Father’s Day for three related purposes: (1) to try to prove that Bushism (militarism) does not work even in an otherwise unbeatable Israel, and (2) that Bushism (Sinhala over-lordship) cannot succeed in Sri Lanka, and (3) Sri Lanka’s peace and prosperity lies in his 13-A now and 13-A plus later plan (The Island, 6/22/2009). In this process, he has added a yet another appellation to the "list of adjectives" developed... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 10/08/13)
Can UN shoot at unarmed civilians inside a Haiti Church and get away?
It was in May 2009 that the Sri Lankan armed forces eliminated the terrorist movement known for decades as the LTTE including its leadership. That achievement made Sri Lanka the only nation to have defeated terrorism militarily. That LTTE support-bases were infuriated at the denouement was no understatement and their international lobbies unleashed their wrath instead of commending Sri Lanka because 20million people could finally live without bombs and suicide missions. The onslaughts of allegations were many and continue without proof in a global tarnishing campaign. The alternate option UN and the West has chosen... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/08/13)
ARE IDOL WORSHIPPERS OF LANKA RIPE TO BE NIPPED BY THE ‘BELIVERS OF THE RELIGION OF PEACE’?
Being the continuation of WOULD LANKA’S FATE BE SIMILAR TO THOSE PREHISTORIC BUDDHIST NATIONS ALONG THE SILK ROAD, PENDING ERADICATION? (Part I of II) According to the Islamic writers; around 610AC, Muhammad, a native of Mecca, received a message from Allah through Angel Gabriel concerning his Islamic mission. No locals in Mecca at that point in history took kindly his mission, except a ‘hand full’ of his immediate family. The rest of the inhabitants of Mecca were totally opposed to Allah’s anointed prophet. Indeed in order to avoid losing his life, Muhammad fled from... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/08/13)
“Security forces grab land in the North and Eastâ€ÂÂÂ: Sampanthan
 All land as well as water and mineral resources in the country should be viewed as technically belonging to the state. When the name of an individual appears on a deed, it merely means that the custodian of the relevant land at any given moment is that person, yet the state retains overall ownership.  The security of the country supersedes all other issues. That is why education, infrastructure development, culture, etc. get relegated to the backburner when the security, sovereignty, or national integrity is threatened by home grown elements such as the JVP in the past... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/08/13)
Teach some basic cooking to school children and to University students
Not everyone is bothered to cook and eat; some people just depend on takeaways only otherwise those takeaways shops would have closed long time ago. Some people have no time at all to cook and some people might not have even seen a kitchen either. There are various reasons, some people are too busy, time is too tight so they just get something to eat and pass the time. Some rich and famous people, bankers, doctors, university lecturers and certainly the politicians would not have any time at all to cook due to various reasons.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 09/08/13)
Tamil nationalism in Sri Lanka: Suryanarayan’s misinterpretations
The local media reproduced a report that had appeared in the New Indian Express (NIE) on 08th August 2013 penned by V Suryanarayan, a former senior professor of University of Madras. When talking of Tamil nationalism in Sri Lanka, he points out, “Tamil political leaders (of Sri Lanka) in the early years of independence never thought of a separate stateâ€ÂÂÂ, but only wanted federalism. He continues that the ‘communal holocaust’ of July ’83 led the violent demands that had gradually been building up to spread like wildfire. The true situation is far from what is alluded... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
Open minds and the collegial spirit are sine qua non for the flourishing of a University.
 • In recent dispatches, many lamented the absence of Sri Lankan representation in the initiatives taken by an international group of scholars to to resurrect the famed Nalanda University at its original site in Bihar, India. At a time when Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka had become largely sacerdotal, formulary and hidebound, Indian religious scholarship reached great heights and profoundly insightful Buddhist thinkers such as Nagarjuna, Vasabahdhu, Dignaga and Dharmakirti led the way. Nalanda university (from about the Fifth century AD to 1197 AD) was the cradle and crucible that engendered innovative leaps in that metaphysical adventure... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
Army crackdown: GR responds to allegations
August 8, 2013, 10:10 pm Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday alleged that in the wake of the recent army crackdown on Weliweriya protesters, on the night of August 6, an attempt was being made to strengthen the call for an international war crimes investigation against the Sri Lanka Army. Defence Secretary Rajapaksa lashed out at the main Opposition UNP for calling for an international investigation into incidents involving the army and those protesting against latex gloves manufacturing factory situated at Nedungamuwa, Weliweriya managed by Dipped Products PLC, of Hayleys Group, which is alleged... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
Chinese media on Snowden: Washington -ate the dirt- this time
Chinese media has described the Kremlin as the “winner†and the White House as the “loser†in the Snowden case, following Barack Obama-s cancellation of a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this autumn. An unsigned editorial piece in China-s English-language newspaper Global Times said that “Moscow displayed its national characteristics of decisiveness and boldness†and has kept Washington “at bay.†The article suggested that Moscow’s traits are of vital importance in an international climate of US dominance.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 08/08/13)
Global Sinhala Dhamma Discussion Series (Teleconference): 300th Meeting (Aug 10, 2013)
 The teleconference on Saturday, August 10, 2013, 7:00PM-9:00PM (EDT) [4:00PM-6:00PM (PDT)], will be moderated and led by Ven. Pandith Ambalantota Kolitha Maha Thero of Sarathchandra Buddhist Center, North Hollywood, CA, USA.  The topic for this special 300th meeting will be:Cultivation of the Mind Through Buddhist Meditation. Ven. Pandith Ambalantota Kolitha Maha Thero will be joined a panel of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
A Srilankan invention, a stroke of rare genius – the utterance that renews the face of jurisprudence and politics world wide.
 It will be recalled how, when Shirani Bandaranayake was literally put on the Supreme Court bench by her erstwhile mentor Prof. G.L.Peiris, the latter was nicknamed ‘Pottani Sir’, by the protesting legal fraternity. The phrase was shouted lout loud to the four winds and adorned posters and banners. The ‘pottaniya’ of course contained his academic qualifications. It is by its fruits that the tree is known. This very realistic adage based on facts sanctioned by the forces of nature also applies to human actions. What pottani Sir emptied within his lecture rooms was the knowledge... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
DCD පරීකâ€ÂÂÂà·‚à·ÂÂÂවට අවà·ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂය සියළෆරසà·ÂÂÂයà·ÂÂÂනà·ÂÂÂගà·ÂÂÂර පහසà·â€ÂÂකම්ITI à·ƒà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂයි
• ෆොන්ටෙර෠සමà·ÂÂÂගමේ ප්â€ÂÂÂරකà·ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂය ITI ආයà¶ÂÂÂනය à¶ÂÂÂරයේ ප්â€ÂÂÂරà¶ÂÂÂික්à·ÂÂÂේප  කරයි. • 2012 වසරේ à·ƒà·ÂÂÂප්à¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂම්බර්නොවà·ÂÂÂම්බර්කà·ÂÂÂලයේ නිෂ්පà·ÂÂÂදිචකà·ÂÂÂණ්ඩ වලට අදà·ÂÂÂල à¶ÂÂÂවමà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà·€à·ÂÂÂඩි à·€à·ÂÂÂයෙන්දේà·ÂÂÂීය වෙළෙඳපොලේ පවà¶ÂÂÂින ෆොන්ටෙරà·Â නිෂ්පà·ÂÂÂදන වල DCD අන්à¶ÂÂÂර්ගà¶ÂÂÂයි. ෆොන්ටෙර෠ආයà¶ÂÂÂනය විසින්නිකà·â€ÂÂà¶ÂÂÂ්කළ නිවේදනයක්උපà·â€ÂÂට෠දක්වන මà·ÂÂÂධ්â€ÂÂÂය කිහිපයක à·€à·ÂÂÂර්à¶ÂÂÂ෠කෙරෙන්නේ à·ÂÂÂà·Šâ€ÂÂÂරී ලංකà·ÂÂÂවේ ඇà¶ÂÂÂà·’ පරීකâ€ÂÂÂෂණà·ÂÂÂගà·ÂÂÂර වල DCD පරීකâ€ÂÂÂà·‚à·ÂÂÂà·€ කිරීමට à¶ÂÂÂරම්à¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂකâ€ÂÂÂෂණික පහසà·â€ÂÂකම්නොමà·ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·’ බවයි. à¶ÂÂÂවද කà·ÂÂÂර්මික à¶ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂකâ€ÂÂÂෂණික ආයà¶ÂÂÂනය (ITI) මේ සම්බන්ධව කළ පරීකâ€ÂÂÂෂණයේ à·€à·ÂÂÂර්à¶ÂÂÂà· à·ƒà·ÂÂÂවද්â€ÂÂÂය බවයි. මෙම ප්â€ÂÂÂරකà·ÂÂÂà·ÂÂÂය à¶ÂÂÂරයේ ප්â€ÂÂÂරà¶ÂÂÂික්à·ÂÂÂේප කරන ITI ආයà¶ÂÂÂනය සඳහන්කරන්නේ DCD පරීකâ€ÂÂÂà·‚à·ÂÂÂවට පමණක්නොව DCD අමà·â€ÂÂද්â€ÂÂÂරව්â€ÂÂÂයක්ව භà·ÂÂÂවිà¶ÂÂÂයෙන්නිෂ්පà·ÂÂÂදනය කෙරෙන මෙලමයින්පරීකâ€ÂÂÂà·‚à·ÂÂÂවට ද à¶ÂÂÂම ආයà¶ÂÂÂනය à·ƒà¶ÂÂÂà·â€ÂÂà·€ පරීකâ€ÂÂÂෂණà·ÂÂÂගà·ÂÂÂර à¶ÂÂÂà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà¶ÂÂÂà·Šà·€,... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
LIFE ABROAD - Part 39: DOCTOR, GOD, OR MAN?
The medical men and women stand out as the crème of any society who are regarded and graded as 'God' in human form because unlike butchers who use the knife to kill, surgeons use their scalpel to cut and give life to fellow humans. Doctors are governed by a strict code of professional ethics, and people seek their assistance with implicit faith but what happens if those professionals break the trust of the public? It will reflect ghastly if a fellow doctor colleague working in the same hospital team becomes a victim and... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 08/08/13)
Legal Action seems the only way available to protect mother Lanka
It seems all the protests and demonstrations against the 13th Amendment have come to no avail. The Government will hold the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election on Friday, 21 September 2013, with the current provisions of the 13th Amendment intact. The Government states like the eight other provincial councils, the NPC,  once formed will also not receive the Police and Land powers. All Governments since inception of the 13th Amendment in 1987 suppressed giving Police and Land powers to provincial governments. This has been a good move. It is refreshing to note... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 07/08/13)
Contaminated Milk Powder – Why have authorities lied to Sri Lankan consumers?
It was as far back as in early March that the Nation newspaper boldly informed the public of Sri Lanka about hazardous milk powder sneaking into Sri Lankan market. Milk powder containing DCD (Dicyanidiamide – a hazardous agrochemical) produced by New Zealand Dairy Company Fonterra whose flagship brand “Anchor†is popular in Sri Lanka. Is it because Fonterra controls 60% of the milk market that authorities remained mum and waited for China and Russia to take action to join them to ban and suspend milk imports months later? We wonder what other type of imported items... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/08/13)
The Weliweriya Tragedy and Political Vultures
The incident that happened at Weliweriya was a tragedy. The villagers who protested had a genuine grievance, water. At the end, three lives were lost and most of the people who were injured were innocent bystanders. Those who died cannot be brought back to life, no amount of “compensation†will ever compensate their loss to their loved ones. Putting emotions aside, which is no easy task, what should be done is to ensure that these tragic events will never be repeated ever again. The military has done the right thing by opening an investigation under none other... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/08/13)
No Matter How Dire the Situation is, People Must Not Resort to Violence
Events of 1818, 1848, 1915, 1958, 1971, 1983-2009 and 1989 show violence - no matter how hard pressed the people are - cannot be justified. Further examples can be found in Egypt, Libya and Syria where people have resorted to violence and its coming back to bite them. Lack of clean water is a dire situation for the people in Weliweriya as much as fuel for fishermen in Chilaw, saving storm affected fishermen at sea for their families in Dehiwela and narcotics for drug addicted prisoners in Welikada. However, they have no right whatsoever to use violence... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/08/13)
Approach Not Foul Deeds
 (Given below is an excerpt of the Friday Sermons of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Supreme Head of the world-wide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam, delivered on 2nd August 2013, at ‘Baithul Futhuh’, London, U.K. gave a discourse on approaching not foul deeds based on Divine Commandments.) Ahmadiyya Khalifa started saying that : Last Friday sermon was based on Divine commandments as cited in verses 152 – 154 of Surah Al An’am. Only the first three commandments, i.e. avoiding Shirk, kind treatment of parents and significance of good... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 06/08/13)
Weliweriya : Attempting a “Sri Lankan Spring†through a Civil Coup D’etat
The tragedy that befell Weliweriya has given early Christmas for those who had been splitting hairs wondering how to serve their sponsors to showcase a state of chaos in Sri Lanka. The usual coterie of anti-Sri Lankan destabilizing operators some of whom are columnists were quick to action writing aggrieved accounts about the incident claiming they could not sleep thinking about the 3 deaths. We wonder how they slept through 3 decades of terror with people blown to pieces virtually every day or their lack of sleep about the fatalities that occur daily as a result... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/08/13)
“No land and police powersâ€ÂÂÂ: Sampanthan disappointed
Media report on 04 August that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan has “expressed disappointment over President’s stance on land on police powers to provincesâ€ÂÂÂ. He has reportedly stated that the president keeps changing his stance on the subject. His reference obviously is to the President’s recent statement that land and police powers will remain with the government. How sad for Sampanthan! At least the man should be appreciated for his lack of vacillation. He is steadfast in his stand and never keeps wavering: while the LTTE held sway over the illegally acquired... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/08/13)
For the want of clean drinking water
01st August 2013. Villagers from Weliweriya took to the streets protesting the lack of clean drinking water. The alleged source of the contamination is said to be from a well known factory. The army was brought in to quell the protests and things took a drastic turn for the worse. Three people have already succumbed to their injuries; two of them were just teenagers. It is also being alleged that those who escaped to a nearby church and sought safety were attacked by masked security personnel. The church priest and a nun were alleged to have been... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 05/08/13)
Rajiv Gandhi orders Prabakaran’s Assassination but Prabakaran Assassinated Rajiv first!
Maj Gen Harkirat Singh, commander of the IPKF claims that he was ordered not once but twice to eliminate Prabakaran when he arrived to meet the Indian Generals in Palaly in September 1987. What is poignant about this revelation is that it was only on 3 June 1987 that India violated Sri Lanka’s territory by dropping parippu threatening Sri Lanka not to retaliate, thereafter on 29th July 1987 Sri Lanka was forced to sign the Indo-Lanka Accord as well as amend its country’s constitution and introduce the 13th Amendment alongside the Provincial Council system. It was... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 04/08/13)
The Global Drug production, smuggling and distribution is worth $400 billion
The global drug trade contributes to higher profits than human smuggling or diamonds. Only the arms trade has a slight edge. The profits shared from drugs is distributed to those associated within the chain and include rural farmers, urban dealers, middlemen, transporters, big and small businesses and even politicos. 5% of the world’s population from age 15 to age 64 use illegal drugs with 230million victims while the problem users number 27million. Yet, the legal “drugs†in the form of prescription drugs alongside alcohol and tobacco outnumbers the illegal victims! So which is worse? The main... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/08/13)
Asoka Weerasinghe retires as political activist in Canada on August 4, 2013
Q: I understand that you have decided to retire from political activism in Canada on August 4th. Is there any particular reason or significance to choose this date for your retirement? A: Yes indeed.  That would be the 30th anniversary of the day when I decided to stand tall for my Motherland, Sri Lanka. It was on August 4, 1983, along with my most dependable friend, Asoka Yapa, I decided to go on the ITV 6 o’clock National News to tell our side of the story about the riots in Colombo after the Tamil Tiger... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/08/13)
Tamil lasses add colour to Sri Lanka Army
Pradeepa Murugapillai is smart in her army uniform. The black pottu on her forehead gives her a conservative look despite her wearing the knee length tight skirt and black military shoes. Girls at a daily inspection The 21-year-old girl, with only an education upto Ordinary Level and a low paid factory worker earlier, is now a professional soldier of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). She is among 100 Tamil girls to become soldiers of the SLA. Drawing a decent salary, the girls... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/08/13)
CEB engineers refuse to give in to Indian demands Proposed Sampur coal-fired power plant
Despite Power and Energy Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi and Ministry Secretary M. M. C. Ferdinando giving assurances that work on the much delayed second coal-fired power plant, for the country, at Sampur, would go ahead, a section of the engineers are adamant not to give into the demands of neighbouring giant, India, until crucial technicalities have been ironed out. The Indian government’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was out to get the maximum our of the proposed 500 MW coal powered plant in Trincomalee, but the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) would be ready to give... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/08/13)
SRI LANKAN CRICKET WITHOUT MAHELA, DILSHAN AND KUMAR! -BLEAK FUTURE AHEAD UNLESS MAHELA, DILSHAN OR KUMAR RECALLED FOR CAPTAINCY
Sri Lankan cricket is still depending on the great trio of Mahela, Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara to win matches.  On any given date, the failure on the part of the trio to score runs create a vacuum with  the rest of the Sri Lankan batters succumb like wooden spooners. Yesterday's T20 with South Africa  was a classic example,  in spite of Kumar Sangakkara was still unbeaten and providing counselling to all new batsmen arriving at the crease. None of them listened to the Great Kumar Sangakkara, they threw the game away like a bunch... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 03/08/13)
‘Russia is not a colony, US has no legal basis to claim Snowden’ – lawyer
The US government stance on Edward Snowden causes more harm than good to the USA, lawyer Anatoly Kucherena said, calling the US officials’ claims of filing “lawfully†grounded requests for his extradition “cynicalâ€ÂÂÂ. According to Kucherena, Russia is “fulfilling its humanitarian mission,†and threats of sanctions against Russia if the country does not extradite the whistleblower are groundless.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 03/08/13)
INDIA FINDS A MARKET FOR THEIR SUB STANDARD COAL IN SRILANKA?
Power and Energy minister said plans are under way to launch construction work on the 500 MW Sampur coal power project at Trincomalee, a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) of India. The project has been approved by the board with out completing a feasibility report according to the former minister which Sunday times reported. The project report has been referred to the Attorney General for approval. When approval is obtained, the Ministry will give the green light... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/08/13)
New Delhi’s concern for Sri Lanka’s Tamils and poverty of Indians
A report by Kuldip Nayar that appeared in Island on 01 August should be food for thought to the Indian Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, if they are really concerned about the Tamils domiciled abroad or living within India. The report states that 65% of Indians are poor and 35% of them are destitute. Nayar continues, “add dimensions other than food, you end up comparing India with backward countries in Africaâ€ÂÂÂ. These data are not anything that the Indian leaders can be proud of: yet, the Indian Prime Minister’s ‘magnanimity’ towards Sri... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/08/13)
John Baird & The Commonwealth Summit in Colombo
1 August 2013 Hon. John Baird, PC. MP Minister of Foreign Affairs, House of Commons, Ottawa Dear Minister John Baird: There was much humour in what I read in today’s ColomboPage which said: “Baird denies sending Sri Lanka Commonwealth summit RSVPâ€ÂÂÂ. It continued “July 31 (CBC) Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird denied reports Tuesday that he has confirmed plans to attend the Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka.â€Â Then your Rick Roth said according to the news item, “But Baird’s spokesman Rick Roth says the minister has yet... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 02/08/13)
Telecom giants give GCHQ unlimited access to networks, develop own spyware – Snowden leaks
Major telecom companies have been assisting the UK intelligence agency GCHQ by granting access to all the traffic passing through their fiber-optic cables – and by developing Trojan software, leaked papers obtained by German media reveal. The classified slides obtained by German news agencies Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and NDR list global telecommunication operators among the collaborators of the UK’s Government Communications Headquarters. The documents are said to have been leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 02/08/13)
Germany scraps old surveillance pact with US, Britain over NSA leaks
Germany has dissolved a fifty-years-old surveillance pact with the United States and Britain in response to a “debate about protecting personal privacy†in the country, which was sparked by revelations of the former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. The agreement that dated back to the late 1960s gave the US, Britain and France the right to request German authorities carry out surveillance operations so as to protect their troops stationed within the country.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 02/08/13)
New Army Commander Has Much To Deal With In A Nation Emerging From Strife And Is A Wise Presidential Choice.
August 2nd.201  It seems in conventional wisdom that the new Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake has sized out many issues relevant to a Nation emerging from strife and disruption where his predecessors and the incumbent Administration overcame many problems and the status quo has to be maintained as a trouble free Nation for many years to come.  Sadly also these are issues which his immediate predecessor failed to perceive in proper perspective and eventually fell foul of the Administration in taking a direction he envisioned albeit non Nation friendly in the long term by way of... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/08/13)
Revived Nalanda – the World’s Oldest Buddhist University - must be led by a Committed Buddhist as in the past
In 1193 A.D. Nalanda, the world’s oldest Buddhist university was ransacked and destroyed by foreign invaders led by the Turkish Bakhityar Khiliji because the 14 acre “giver of knowledge†was a strong pillar of Buddhism and attracted students from all over the then known world, including countries such as Turkey and Persia.   The invaders burnt to ruins the magnificent library and other architectural masterpieces of the Nalanda University. In 2006, it was announced that Nalanda University was to be revived with the efforts and contributions of numerous countries. However, the issue is that old Nalanda was essentially... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/08/13)
Snowden granted 1-year asylum in Russia, leaves airport
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia and is allowed to enter the country-s territory. The whistleblower has been granted temporary asylum in Russia, Snowden-s legal representative Anatoly Kucherena said, with his words later confirmed by Russia-s Federal Migration service.... -Full Story- (rt.com - 01/08/13)
Life Abroad - Part 38:Colombo cleaner than London
Human beings are born with a vital organ called the brain with much more intelligence than any other creature in the world, yet it is apparent that an important part in its grey matter has been purposely omitted or missing by-default giving the freedom for each individual to take decisions independently for better or worse in one's actions. That is the underlying factor why in this present existence everyone becomes irritable, unhappy, anxious, hyper or hypo-manic from time to time, irrespective of the fact whether one is a millionaire or a pauper.... -Full Story- (LankaWeb - 01/08/13)
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