Continuing book review of Dayan Jayatilleka’s, Long War, Cold Peace — Part V- INDIA PAVING THE PATH TO THIRD WORLD WAR
Posted on May 25th, 2013
H. L. D. Mahindapala
India has not only lost its moral compass in foreign policy which was packaged and hailed as the “Panchaseela” at the height of the Non-Aligned Movement but also the strategic compass to navigate in the Indian Ocean. India needs an ethical / balanced foreign policy to win back the moral and political leadership which it lost in the post-Indira Gandhi period. India’s moral posturing in international fora may appeal to the West and its “strategic partner”, America, right now, not to mention its local boot-lickers and knaves. But how far can India go with America, leaving its neighbours behind? And how far can India go to stabilise its own security against emerging rivals in the East if its neighbours are on the other side? Can India secure her interests and security in the region without stabilising its neighbourhood and wining the hearts and minds of the SAARC members — the deciding factor in her overall security? Isn’t India digging its own grave by relying too much on far away America, (which, of course, has its own limitedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and temporary advantages,) instead of buildingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ lastingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ bridges of strategic friendships with its indispensable neighbours? To what extent will India’s “strategic partnership” with America protect India if India keeps needling and antagonising its neighbours? Can India put all it security interests in the American basket alone?
Indian and regional critics of Indian foreign policy are urging India to go for “soft power” rather than the big stick for the simple reason that India’s security depends essentially on the stability and progress of its neighbours. A destabilised region will invariably affect India’s security and economy. An anti-Indian neighbourhood is going to be the worst nightmare for Indian foreign policy-makers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ India’sƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ pursuit ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ aggressive interventionist and provocative policiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ have not only sent negative ripples into every corner of SAARC but also raised alarm amongƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ its own domestic analysts in the media, academia and the seasoned India-watchers.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ LeadingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ analysts ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ like Dr. Subramaniam Swamy,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ mature ex-members of the South Bloc and the military establishment are no longer hawkish as the politicos sounding off at the street level for electoral gains. India cannot risk any further military adventurism in the region without devastating blow-backs to its ownƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ strategic and internal structures.
India, so far, has not gained byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ increasingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ tensions andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rupturingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ relations in the SAARC region,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in particularƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ with its excessive andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ counter-productive pursuit ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ self-interests. Take the case of Sri Lanka. India has been the chief exporter of terrorism to SriLanka. Indian -made terrorism mushroomed in every corner, leading to the longest war in Asia. India trained, financed and, in addition, gaveƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ diplomatic cover to the Tamil terrorists whom they knew would violate all known canons of human rights.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ What has India gained so far? Has it even solved the problemƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ it created by exporting terrorism?
IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ steppedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in with its Indo-Sri Lanka Agreement of 1987 and its Peace Keeping Forces to eliminate the evil which it planted in the first place on Sri Lankan soil. It muscledƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in on the pretext of stabilising Sri Lanka. But the Indian intervention set the nation on fire. No one wanted the Indian solution. Not the TULF. Not Prabhakaran who was offered the Chief Ministership. Not the SLFP, a pro-Indian party. Not the UNP who signed it under duress. Not the JVPƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ nor the masses as a whole. It was purely an Indian solution for an Indian problem which never worked for the Jaffna Tamils, for the Sinhalese or the Indians who had to retreat leaving with their tails between their legs. In fact, the Tigers boasted that they defeated the fourth largest army in the world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Intervention in Sri Lanka was a disaster for India. No Indian general, nor sensible analyst has claimed that the IPKF escapade in Sri Lanka was a victory for India.
The Indian cure was worse than the Indian disease it exported. Its Peace Keeping Force committed gross violations of human rights among the Jaffna Tamils. It is claimed that Rajiv Gandhi was assasinated by one of the female victims of anƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ IPKFƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rapist.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Having done the damnedest against Sri Lanka, including voting on country-specific resolution at the UNHRC, India has the audacity to joins hands with America — another war criminal who admittedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ just last week that its dronesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ targeted and killed four of its own citizens — and accuse Sri Lanka of violating international humanitarian law. According to the latest reports,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ US drones had killed 28,000 to 44,000 victims.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Will India move a resolutionƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ at the UNHRC accusing its “strategic partner” ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ conducting its warsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ violating international humanitarianƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ law? There isn’t aƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ turban big enough in India to hide its hypocrisy and humbuggery. What moral right has India to point an accusing finger at Sri Lanka after exporting terror and creating all the conditions for the violations of human rights in Sri Lanka?
From Kashmir to Sri Lanka India has been the primary cause of instability in the SAARC region. With its bull-in-a-China shop policy (this can be even taken literally now) India can continue to play havoc in the region. But it will boomerang on India’s own stability, security and even economic growth. My friend Dayan Jayatilleka’s Indian bogeyman threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka can do so at its own peril in the future, particularly because it is trapped in the intersecting geo-political forces competing in the Indian Ocean.
Second, neither the build up of bases in the Indian Ocean by America, nor the new “strategic partnerships” in the region, indicates that the Indian Ocean is going to be the swimming pool of India. Dayan’s scenario of India coming out as the genie out of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ bottle to dominate the region, with American aid, is good on paper. His theory assumes that Sri LankansƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ , SAARCians,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and the other rivals of India willƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ curl up and die, allowing India and America to dominate the Indian Ocean. He even claims thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the Americo-Indian forcesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ will target Hambantota and rule the waves of the Indian Ocean.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The only thing he hasn’t said that China will have to find a new route over the north pole as it will have no space in the Indian Ocean. His knowledge of dialectics should inform him that every action has its reaction and that neither India nor America can have their own way.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Does he seriously believeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that the other powers will hand over the Indian Ocean to Americo-Indian forces and not do anything about it?ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
India will have to fight for every drop of water to maintainƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ its presenceƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in the Indian Ocean. In other words, in the new geo-political realities emerging in and around the Indian Ocean India’s position is not that strong as it imagines. India never had the strength to stand on its own. Nor does she have the capacity to keep all its neighbours under her thumb. The extreme swings from one bloc in the west to another in her foreign policy reveal that India is not sure of itsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ security nor herƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ neighbours. India’s power in the global theatre depends on the strength of its “strategic partners” in the west. But the more it goes with the West the more it will alienate the regional neighbours as seen in India’s decision to vote with the US-led anti-Sri Lankan resolution at the UNHRC.
India’s failure to win a single nation in the region as a committed ally has serious consequences to India’s moral, politicalƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and strategic standing in the region. India is perpetually plagued with disputes of distribution of water, contested territories, and borders. SAARC which should have taken off like any other regional bloc have stalled because of India’s expansionist ambitions, imperialistic interventions and super power posturing which have angered all its neighbours.
Third, if Sri Lanka is to be carved up it will have to be by military force because Sri Lankans will never agree to carve up its territory under any circumstances. As seen in the previous failed IPKF adventure India will be faced with stiff resistance from the Sinhalese, particularly with a battled-hardened army who knows the terrain like the back of their hands. The resistance to foreigners — a historical trait ingrained in Sri Lankan genes — will bleed IndiaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ into economic anaemia and political discombobulation.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ India got a taste of Sri Lankan resistance when Rajiv Gandhi narrowly escape a deadly blow from a naval rating who was on parade farewelling him. India, of course, may try planting one of its stooges as its surrogate ruler. Ranil Wickremesinghe is a likely succesor to Don Juan Dharmapala. But how long can he survive as a stooge of India?
Fourth, how safe will India’s investments be in Sri Lanka if India decides to balkanise Sri Lanka. India’s best strategy will be to make Sri Lanka an integral part of its growing economic empire. But for that India cannot be only one side. India has to keep Sri Lanka as a whole and not as fragmented parts. That is on the economic side. But if India thinks that it can get away by doing to Sri Lanka what it did to Pakistan it has to think again. India’s military adventure in dividing Pakistan into the east and west has not paid any long-term dividends to India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Furthermore, if India decides to solve the Tamil problem in Sri Lanka by dividing it into two ethnic enclaves it would only end up as a bigger burden on India’s back. Holding and influencing Sri Lanka as one unit is much easier than dividing it into two: it is certainly one problem less because the Jaffna Tamils would definitely play India against other forces in the region to get more and more. If, however, a part of Sri Lanka goes to India’s agents the other part would automatically go to India’s enemy, whoever it may be. Can India afford to lose its most vital southern flank when the north, west and east are already in peril ? India would have no clout in keeping the most vital part of the Indian Ocean balanced between India and China. What can India gain by dividing Sri Lanka except the permanent hostility of the Sinhalese?
Right now Asia is hotting up as an emerging Bermuda triangle of tensions, conflicts, and big power rivalry. America is pushing Japan, Pillipines and Vietnam to get tough with China on territorial claims. At the same time India, Australia, Japan and US are collectively getting together to throw a defensive ring round China. Beneath the theatrical Indo-Sino bonhomie expressed overtly, tensions over contested borders and territories are simmering, waiting for an opportune moment to erupt. Many more explosive Kashmirs and Ladahks will recur until it blows up in a big bang, sooner or later.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Oddly enough, the preconditions for war which prevailed in Europe in the early 20th century, just prior to World War I and II, are reappearing menacingly in the East. Big power rivalry, testing each others nerves trying to gain supremacy in the East, looms large in the horizon likeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ dark clouds that can come over suddenly, drenching the whole region in nuclear fall outs. Each attempt to muscle into disputed space in land and sea is an ominous cloud thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ wouldƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ darken the Asian horizon.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
New alignments, new bases, newƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ “strategic parternships”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ are emerging with the sole intention of winning supremacy over the other. India continues to view Pakistan as the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”real threatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ even though it is adjusting its military strategy to include the possibility of a limited two-front war with both Pakistan and China. The first Blue Book on India published by a Chinese think tank, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, (CASS) said: “New Delhi is focusing to deal with limited war with China and Pakistan at the same time…. It spoke of large increase in troops at the borders and upgradation of border forces with new weapons and equipment,” said a PTI report.”It also spoke of increase in Indian defence budget with the rapid growth of the Indian economy making it the biggest buyer of the international arms,” said PTI.
These new developments are falling into place ominously threatening peace in the East. The last two World Wars were fought in the West. The Third World War, if it comes, will be fought in the East with India as its epicentre. After the two World Wars and the rise of the European Union and the collapse of the USSR tensions between warring European nations have eased. Nor is there a race for armaments in Europe to threaten each other. Their armaments industry is aimed at exporting weapons to flashpoints in the East or Africa in the main.
China and India, on the contrary, are building up their military hardware at break neck speed. Besides, with the backing of America India is provocatively needling China on many frontsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ under the veneer of friendliness. The symptoms, the threats and the tensions that divided Europe and caused the two World Wars are emerging in the East. ChinaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ is being hemmed in from all sides. India has been most active, with US as its “strategic partner”, to throw land and littoral rings round China. Most significantly, there are four nuclear armed nations in Asia — Pakistan, India, China and North Korea. Of the four nations China, Pakistan and N. Korea form one bloc. India has to look far into the West to balance the combined nuclear superiority of the other three. Hence “the large increase in troops at the (Indian) borders and upgradation of (Indian) border forces with new weapons and equipment ,” as stated in the CASS report.
Whether Sri Lanka likes it or not it will be drawn into the nuclear holocaust of the Third World War, if and when it breaks out. India and China are focussed on the Indian Ocean which means thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Americo-Indian “strategic partnership”ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ will keep a sharp eye on Sri Lanka. The CASS report too focussed on IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s maritime military deployment in recent years, the prime cause of ChinaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s worry as it regards IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s fast expanding blue water navy as a major threat. In this scenario being India’s neighbour has serious consequences. Those communities nearest to India will receive the first nuclear fall-out on their heads.
The Indian naval and air bases in S. India are definite targets in any war. So, as they say, it is the moths closest to flames that will get burnt. Whether it is going to be a man-made nuclear war, or an explosion of nuclear plants due to unforseen acts of nature, like 9.0 earthquake which caused the nuclear plants in Fukushima to explode, it is the Jaffna Tamils who will be the first victims of any nuclear fall outƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ over India. The Japanese government evacuated people within a 30 km radius of Fukushima. In the event of a nuclear explosion of any kind in India my friend Dayan’s formula of 13th Amendment will not save the Jaffna Tamils. They will have to abandon the 13th Amendment and come down to live with the Sinhalese, as the 75,000 Muslims did when they were driven out like cattle by Prabhakaran.
This is why the Sinhala south will be indispensable to the Jaffna Tamils and other minorities as it has been in the past. Not for the first time the Tamils will find the Sinhalese not so bad as they are painted to be, if and when the region goes up in flames. As in the past the Sinhalese will have no problems living with the Tamils or Muslims as long as they are willing to share the land as common property without any borders. After all the majority of the Tamils live with the Sinhalese in the south. Additions from the north fleeing the Indian nuclear holocaust will not make much of a difference to the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, democratic Sinhala community.
Despite sporadic soda-bottle outbursts of violence, provoked mainly by aggressive minorities, the Sinhalese have co-existed with relative ease and harmony with all minorities down the ages. Though the differences are exaggerated they are not visceral or even historical. When, for instance, the tsuanmi hit the east it was the Sinhala peasants who took food and other essentials to the neighbouring Tamil victims in the east before the Government or NGOs ever reached them. It was the Sinhalese who elected Muslims, Burghers, Europeans ( H. R. Freeman, Government Agent in NCP) and even Tamils as their representatives to the legislatures at all levels. The list is long.
Quite rightly, Dayan quotes Buddhism as the most viable doctrine for harmonious living. This doctrinal influence has always opened up space for minorities to co-exist non-violently until the mono-ethnic extremism of the north exploded in its most virulent form in the forties, as pointed out by historian G. C. Mendis. Mono-ethnic extremism, driven byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ new kid in the peninsular bloc,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ G. G.Ponnambalam,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to beat theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ established old aristocracy of MahadevasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and RamanathansƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of Jaffna,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (Jane Russell) overan the most constructive political movement of the Jaffna Youth,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ who boldly went against the caste and communalism. It was snuffed out byƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ rabid and oppressive Vellahla casteismƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ which morphed into virulent communalism –the most violent and negativeƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ force inside and outsideƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the peninsula.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
The Sinhalese do not claim sole ownership of the land for any particular sentient being. Even the fringe elements who claim that the land belongs to the Sinhalese have not advocated ethnic cleansing, or the right of minorities to share the land as common property.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ If any extremists have made such claims they do not belongƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to the traditional Sinhala-Buddhist mainstream which had opened up its space down theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ages for all migrants to live in harmony with them. The founding father of the Sinhala-Buddhist civilisation, Ven. Mahinda, laid down the doctrine of trusteeship — not ownership — which has been the guiding force in dealing with the minorities. In this doctrine of trusteeship it has been the established tradition of the Sinhala-Buddhists to share the land not only with fellow human beings but even with birds and beasts. We are to be the guardians only and not land-grabbing, exploitative owners. However, at the heart of the conflict is the obnoxious and divisive concept of exclusive ownership of land of one northern tribe which insists on mono-cultural supremacy denying multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious co-existence.
Consequently, minorities who violate this doctrine with violence (Vadukoddai violence is an example) and claim parts of the territory exclusively to one group, excludinig others, rouse the wrath of the Sinhala-Buddhists. Resisting such mono-ethnic extremism to keep the land open for all communitiesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to share it as common property is not a denial of the human rights of any minority group. Those who claim human rights must respect the rights of all other human beings to live and let live in communal harmony, adjusting to each others needs, no matter how long it takes, without resorting to violence.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Those who resort to violence must also learn to accept the consequences of their needless violence. They can’t forever blame others for their sins. Above all, they must learn to share the land as common property of all communities. The intrasignet refusal to find space for non-violent co-existence has been a problem created and perpetuated only by the Jaffna Tamil leadership which has been described aptly by Bishop S. Jebanesan andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ R.F.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Young (The Bible Trembled) as “Vellahla-Jaffna-SaiviteƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ” — the trimurti, or the Holy Trinty of Jaffna politics.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ThisƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ compound word encapsulatesƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ preciselyƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the over-archingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ peninsular political culture which went berserk when it fell into the hands of the first-born children of the Vadukoddai Resolution.
TheƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ideological contest thatƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ dominated the Cold WarƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ period has been replacedƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ by theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ plagueƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ majority-minorityƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ confrontations. Defining the parameters for co-existence between these two groups hasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ tortured the best of minds.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Identity politics has taken centre stage.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ At the end of theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 33-year-old warƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the majority and the Jaffna Tamil minority in Sri Lanka areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ at loggerheads still, arguing who should get what in what quantity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Whatever the diffferences may be non-violent co-existence within a democratic framework is a sine qua non for peace and stability. Dayan accepts this. The disagreement is on the means not the end. He saysƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the 13thƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Amendment is the way out. It raises more questions than it answers.
More of this in the next article.
To be continued
May 25th, 2013 at 3:19 pm
BAN CATTLE SLAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY!
“Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa today requested the President to immediately ban the slaughtering of cattle within the country.
In the wake of a Buddhist monk setting himself on fire yesterday to protest against the slaughter of cattle for meat, the Minister has written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa saying measures should be taken based on that incident.
The Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities further points out that the majority of the country’s Buddhist and Hindu people reject cattle slaughtering with disgust and that only a small group in Sri Lankan society approves of it.
He stated that in India, which has a majority of Hindu devotee, cattle slaughtering has been banned and that during festivals such as Thai Pongal they are kind enough to express gratitude to Cattle, who play an important role in the traditional Indian farmstead.
As such it is greatly disappointing that cattle slaughtering continues to take place in Sri Lanka, a country which boasts an agricultural economic design, says Weerawansa .
He therefore requests the President to take necessary measures to immediately ban cattle slaughtering in Sri Lanka.”
– adaderana.lk
Well said Wimal W.
I’m sure BBS will SUPPORT YOU in this regard. Glad BBS and NFF has something COMMON to work on.
May 25th, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Minister Wimal Weerawansas request to the President is laudable. It is symbolic of the views of all Buddhists, that cattle slaughter in Sri Lanka should be stopped forthwith. His Excellency should respect the Venerable Sangha, who immolated himself, and sacrificed his life for the cause, ‘to stop cattle slaughter ‘.
I wrote a long article in the lanka Web early last year, requesting the Government to confiscate the lorries transporting cattle illegally for slaughter, amongst other similar suggestions. The Government completely ignored it, apparently, because many Government Politicians are involved in the trade. I also suggested that the driver and all others travelling in the vehicle be charged and sentenced to jail, and that Parliament ensured such legislation. Too many favourite politicians are complicit in illegal cattle slaghter. That is how they line their pockets.
Also the media or any individual who videoed the immolation is complicit in the murder of the venerable sangha. Their names should be exposed, and they should be charged for MURDER. I do hope the Government will not pussyfoot on this.
May 25th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Dayan promotes 13th amendment because he was once a minister of the northern provincial council under permumal? Only those who have tasted trickle knows how tasty they are
May 26th, 2013 at 1:42 am
The TNA worshippers of the “ONE True SunGod” hope to win in PEACE through the 13th Amendment Backdoor the Tamils-only Apartheid Eelam that they failed to win by murderous WAR.
A little bit of Eelam today through Provincial Council Elections to get themselves in the saddle, then more and more later by using land and police powers to expel central government and Sinhala and Muslim people, and create facts on the ground, onwards steadily towards complete separation and a Unilateral Declaration of Independence.
Expect to see the resurrection of now defunct Tiger cemeteries, building of Monuments to the Tamil Tiger War Dead, a resumption of the brainwashing of future generations of Tamils picking up where the defeat of the Tamil Tigers halted the process, unlimited immigration from Tamil Nadu to change the demographics of Sri Lanka permanently, and so on ad infinitum, ad nauseam … all geared to secession from Sri Lanka.
In what way is this goal different from that of the late unlamented SunGod? His proxies in Colombo, the TNA, who cheered on his murder and mayhem only a few years go, are now masquerading as “democratic legislators” orchestrating the “human rights” approach to Eelam through subterfuge. The murderous wolves of yesteryear are now hiding under the sheepskins as perpetually wailing victims of discrimination.
Clearly, the GOSL, and Sri Lankans as a whole, have not exerted themselves enough, and devoted sufficient resources, to EXPOSE these SERIAL CON ARTISTES for who they really are: Criminal Terrorists who murdered 150,000 innocent citizens of in Sri Lanka with IMPUNITY with the covert and overt Aid from India and Western Countries.
Rise Up ….. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. and REPEAL the 13th Amendment from Sri Lanka’s Constitution, and TOTALLY UPROOT Provincial Councils from Sri Lanka’s System of Government.
May 26th, 2013 at 7:59 am
GOVT HAS REFUSED TO GIVE A STATE FUNERAL TO THE MONK WHO SACRIFIED HIS LIFE TO BAN CATTLE SLAUGHTER.
DONT THINK THAT MAHINDA”S GOVT IS FOR SINHALA BUDDHISTS
MAHINDA WILL NEVER SCRAP PROVINCIAL COUNCILS AND WILL FORCE CHAMPIKA TO ALTER HIS PROPOSAL AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE MORE FACILITIES TO INDIA…..NEVER ABOLISH “thesavalamei”” THEY WILL NEVER SAY THAT THIS CONTRY IS A SINHALA BUDDHIST COUNTRY … AND WILL NEVER SETTLE 75% SINHALESE IN NORTH WITH FACILITIES BUT WILL GO ON SAYING THAT SINHALESE ARE NOT PREPARED TO GO THERE
PEOPLE KNOW THAT THE GOVT IS NOT SRAIGHT FORWARD AND THEY DONT TRUST THE GOVT FOR THEM TO TAKE A RISK TO GO TO THE NORTH AND SETTLE
GOTA SAYS ONE THING AND OTHER MINISTERS SAY SOMETHING ELSE AND MAHINDA SAYS NOTHING…”kate pittu””?
WHO WANTS A DUMB PERSON AS A RULER? but he knows that we have no other alternative. so he goes on in his own way….
rise up patriots to wake up this man BEAT UP DRUMS TO WAKE UP””kumbhakarna”
May 26th, 2013 at 11:02 am
Dear Mr. Sumithipala…………Very impressed with your article, & can’t wait till next installament appears…Comments made by others are also pertinent, we MUST act now. Beause delaying will give enemies of Sri Lanka, more space & time to disrupt.
This amendment as a Tamil gentleman said in his article in Sri Lanka Guardian, it is time to act. HE IS ALLL FOR ABOLSHING 13 because he says Jaffna Tamils will continue their discrimination, with leagal right to do so, when Tamils win NPC elections.
So do not waste time, organize, rise up in this our of need……….May the Noble Triple Gems bless our motherland & may God Bless Sri Lanka…UNITED & FREE. another expat expressing his views~ J
May 26th, 2013 at 11:03 am
Sorry, I got the name wrong…..It should read MAHINDAPALA….my mistake…J
May 26th, 2013 at 11:38 am
The JHU, demanding REPEAL of the 13th Amendment, asks GOSL to POSTPONE PC Elections until ALL enthnically cleansed Sinhalese and Muslims are RESETTLED in the NORTH!
Bravo, JHU!
…………………..
JHU to mount “three pronged approach” to abolish 13th Amendment
By Franklin R. Satyapalan
Island.lk
May 25, 2013
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), an important constituent party in the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, yesterday unveiled a “three pronged approach” to abolish the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
JHU spokespesman, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe said the party would mobilize the public to urge the government to change its stand on the 13th Amendment by holding awareness rallies countrywide from the June 1, canvass the support of political parties in government and as well as the opposition and present a private member’s motion in Parliament after the conclusion of the Vesak celebrations.
JHU sources said that the decision to take to the streets and “go before the people” was made in the backdrop of the statement made by Cabinet spokesman, Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa that the government had no intention of abolishing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution or postpone the Northern PC polls scheduled for September this year.
“We are totally against the holding of the polls to the Northern PC as we believe the local and international political situation and pressures being brought to bear could have serious implications for the country”, they said.
If the polls should be held in the North, then the Sinhala and Muslim people who were ethnically cleansed from the North should be resettled. There were about 20,000 Sinhalese living in the Jaffna district earlier. All of them should be resettled before the polls are conducted”, the sources said.
When asked whether there was sufficient time before the scheduled elections in September to resettle these people, the sources replied “In that case, let the government postpone the polls until such time all Muslims and Sinhalese were resettled”.
Warnasinghe said that there would be no problem as the majority of the displaced Tamils are being resettled. All the IDP camps had been closed down.
Asked about the implications the government would face from neighboring India and the international community if it abolished the 13th Amendment and went back on holding the Northern PC poll, Warnasinghe said that Sri Lanka, as a Sovereign country, need not give into pressures from any quarters, be it India or the international community.
May 26th, 2013 at 11:54 am
My Dear Sonia,
Since the Tamil Separatists in Sri Lanka have your support, adore and worship these Maoists are “Freedom Fighters” too!
Oh, by the way, I recommend Full and Complete Devolution of Power to these Maoist Freedom Fighters so they can achieve their “Legitimate Aspirations” outside of India’s control …. as you Indians prescribe to Sri Lanka.
When 800 million people of India are under the control of Maoists during the night in areas the Indian government claims to control by day, I would say that your saree is on fire!
Good Luck with swallowing that poison pill of Devolving Power to Terrorists claiming to be Freedom Fighters!
……………
Sonia Gandhi ‘devastated’ by India Chhattisgarh ambush
BBC
May 26, 2013
The president of India’s Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, has said she is “devastated” by Saturday’s attack on party officials in Chhattisgarh state.
At least 24 people were killed, including Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nandkumar Patel, his son, and local leader Mahendra Karma, when suspected Maoist rebels ambushed their convoy.
Mrs Gandhi visited some of the wounded with PM Manmohan Singh on Sunday.
The prime minister said India would “never bow down” before the rebels.
He denounced the “barbaric attack” which he said should be an inspiration in the fight against extremism and violence.
Unconfirmed reports said they were unable to visit the scene of the attack because of security concerns.
‘Firm action’
The convoy carrying state Congress leaders and party workers was ambushed at around 17:30 (10:00 GMT) on Saturday as it travelled through the Darba Ghati valley, in the Sukma area about 345km (215 miles) south of Raipur, following a campaign rally.
Police said the convoy was first forced to stop by felled trees on the road. At least one vehicle at the front of the convoy was then hit by a land-mine blast before as many as 200 suspected rebels opened fire, they added.
map
The main target of the attack is believed to have been Nandkumar Patel, who witnesses said jumped into a ditch with his son, Dinesh, to take shelter before they were abducted. Their bodies were later found nearby; the Congress chief was reportedly mutilated.
Mr Karma was found dead at the scene. A former home minister in Chhattisgarh, he founded the Salwa Judum, a local militia given the task of fighting the Maoists which has been accused of abuses.
Former federal minister Vidya Charan Shukla was among the 32 people wounded in the ambush, many of them seriously, police said.
He was taken to hospital outside Delhi where his condition was described as stable.
Mrs Gandhi denounced the “dastardly attack” on India’s democratic values, words reiterated by the prime minister as they visited Raipur.
Congress party leader Mahendra Karma with his bodyguards. File photo Mahendra Karma was instrumental in setting up a movement to fight the Maoists
“Those who have lost their lives in this barbaric attack are martyrs of democracy,” Mr Singh tweeted from Raipur, where many of the wounded are being treated.
Maoist rebels, also known as “Naxalites”, have been operating in central and eastern India for the past four decades. They demand land and jobs for the poor, and ultimately want to establish a “communist society” by overthrowing India’s “semi-colonial, semi-feudal” form of rule.
After attending an emergency meeting in Delhi with the prime minister, Mrs Gandhi described the attack in Chhattisgarh as “shocking”.
“Naturally, we are devastated,” she told reporters. “It is despicable that ordinary people engaged in political activity were attacked.”
The prime minister had also spoken by telephone to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and promised him all “necessary aid”.
“Government will take firm action against the perpetrators of violence of any kind,” he said in a statement.
May 26th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
My Dear Sonia,
Since the Tamil Separatists in Sri Lanka have your support, please adore and worship these Maoists these “Freedom Fighters” too!
Oh, by the way, I recommend Full and Complete Devolution of Power to these Maoist Freedom Fighters so they can achieve their “Legitimate Aspirations” outside of India’s control …. as you Indians prescribe to Sri Lanka.
When 800 million people of India are under the control of Maoists during the night, in areas the Indian government claims to control by day, I would say that your saree is on fire!
Good Luck with swallowing that poison pill of Devolving Power to Terrorists claiming to be Freedom Fighters!
……………
Sonia Gandhi ‘devastated’ by India Chhattisgarh ambush
BBC
May 26, 2013
The president of India’s Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi, has said she is “devastated” by Saturday’s attack on party officials in Chhattisgarh state.
At least 24 people were killed, including Chhattisgarh Congress chief Nandkumar Patel, his son, and local leader Mahendra Karma, when suspected Maoist rebels ambushed their convoy.
Mrs Gandhi visited some of the wounded with PM Manmohan Singh on Sunday.
The prime minister said India would “never bow down” before the rebels.
He denounced the “barbaric attack” which he said should be an inspiration in the fight against extremism and violence.
Unconfirmed reports said they were unable to visit the scene of the attack because of security concerns.
‘Firm action’
The convoy carrying state Congress leaders and party workers was ambushed at around 17:30 (10:00 GMT) on Saturday as it travelled through the Darba Ghati valley, in the Sukma area about 345km (215 miles) south of Raipur, following a campaign rally.
Police said the convoy was first forced to stop by felled trees on the road. At least one vehicle at the front of the convoy was then hit by a land-mine blast before as many as 200 suspected rebels opened fire, they added.
map
The main target of the attack is believed to have been Nandkumar Patel, who witnesses said jumped into a ditch with his son, Dinesh, to take shelter before they were abducted. Their bodies were later found nearby; the Congress chief was reportedly mutilated.
Mr Karma was found dead at the scene. A former home minister in Chhattisgarh, he founded the Salwa Judum, a local militia given the task of fighting the Maoists which has been accused of abuses.
Former federal minister Vidya Charan Shukla was among the 32 people wounded in the ambush, many of them seriously, police said.
He was taken to hospital outside Delhi where his condition was described as stable.
Mrs Gandhi denounced the “dastardly attack” on India’s democratic values, words reiterated by the prime minister as they visited Raipur.
Congress party leader Mahendra Karma with his bodyguards. File photo Mahendra Karma was instrumental in setting up a movement to fight the Maoists
“Those who have lost their lives in this barbaric attack are martyrs of democracy,” Mr Singh tweeted from Raipur, where many of the wounded are being treated.
Maoist rebels, also known as “Naxalites”, have been operating in central and eastern India for the past four decades. They demand land and jobs for the poor, and ultimately want to establish a “communist society” by overthrowing India’s “semi-colonial, semi-feudal” form of rule.
After attending an emergency meeting in Delhi with the prime minister, Mrs Gandhi described the attack in Chhattisgarh as “shocking”.
“Naturally, we are devastated,” she told reporters. “It is despicable that ordinary people engaged in political activity were attacked.”
The prime minister had also spoken by telephone to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and promised him all “necessary aid”.
“Government will take firm action against the perpetrators of violence of any kind,” he said in a statement.
May 26th, 2013 at 12:32 pm
In the above article on the Attack by Maoist Terrorists in Chattisgargh, India, note the following statement:
“However, Gill said the state government was incapable of devising a strategy to tackle the Maoist threat. “They don’t have the political will and bureaucratic and police set-up to prevent such attacks,” he said.
He said the state government had ignored the need for special forces to tackle the threat. “Most of the special forces in the state are being used for non-operational duties like guarding state politicians,” he said.”
Likewise, if LAND and POLICE powers are vested with a Tamil majority Provincial Council in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, they will not have the “political will, and the bureaucratic and police setup” … to put it mildly …. “to prevent such attacks”.
In fact, it will be the TNA-dominated Provincial Government that will initiate and orchestrate such attacks.
Only the central government can enforce the necessary action to maintain peace in the NATIONAL INTEREST which is not shared by the TNA separatists.
If the TNA gets control of the Northern Province, and land and police powers to boot, there will be INTERMINABLE CONFLICTS between the Central Government and the ProvincialGgovernment setting the stage for another Eelam War …. this time possibly with ACTIVE Tamil Nadu participation.
Why would ANY GOSL allow such a security threat to arise and threaten the lives and livelihoods of ALL of Sri Lanka’s people …. all over AGAIN? But, such STUPIDITY is at the heart of the impending PC Elections in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Are we to gift to the Tamil Separatit Terrorists in PEACE what they failed to win in Murderous War? Have all of our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, police and civilians DIED IN VAIN?
Rise Up …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. and COMPEL the Government of Sri Lanka to REPEAL the 13th Amendment rammed down Sri Lanka’s throat by India; an India that does not even know how to maintain its own territory free of terrorism!
Rise Up …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. and GET RID OF the 13th Amendment and the Provincial Councils NOW before it is TOO LATE!
May 27th, 2013 at 12:59 am
Bravo, Mr. Defense Secretary!
Indeed Sri Lanka cannot change its system of Governance to suit a Foreign Country; a Foreign Country that Rammed the 13th Amendment down Sri Lanka’s throat while it was Militarily Occupying a large part of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is NOT BOUND BY AGREEMENTS FORCED UPON IT UNDER DURESS. Under International Law, no Country is bound to honor agreements entered into under blackmail.
Sri Lanka did what it had to agree to do then … in order to survive … just as a KIDNAPPED PERSON would sign over his property when a gun is held at his head. But, it is the duty of that victim to regain his freedom and to recover his assets and rights at the earliest possible opportunity.
There are many PRECEDENTS in International Law of NULLIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO UNDER DURESS. For example, Hitler forced Czechoslovakia to give up the Sudetenland to Nazi Germany under the threat of invasion by Nazi Germany, and abandonment by the Allied Powers. As soon as Nazi Germany was defeated, Czechoslovakia ABROGATED the Munich Agreement, and reconstituted itself in full regaining the Sudetenland.
The Rape of Sri Lanka by India, and the attempt to partition Sri Lanka by IMPOSING BY FORCE the 13th Amendment upon Sri Lanka, are CRIMES under International Law just as much as the Rape of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany was a CRIME.
It is the DUTY of ALL PATRIOTIC Sri Lankans to help FREE Sri Lanka of this CHAIN OF BONDAGE to India’s internal and regional political needs.
Sri Lanka MUST NEVER FORGET this CRIME which our own ethnic relatives in India, and our collaborators in the struggle for independence from Western Colonialists, INFLICTED upon us.
Sri Lanka must ALWAYS be PREPARED to DEFEND and PROTECT Sri Lanka’s TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, Sri Lanka’s unique CULTURE that has DEVELOPED INDEPENDENTLY over many millenia from its early Indian origins, and the FREEDOM to GROW and PROSPER in the FUTURE as we Sri Lankans see fit.
There is AMPLE EVIDENCE in the MISSTEPS India has taken since independence, in governance, foreign relations, maintenance of internal security, and the assurance of equity to all of its citizens, that India has little to offer Sri Lanka in the way of SOUND ADVICE. India is travelling on a fast path to disintegration; Sri Lanka would be well advised to avoid all self-serving advice given by India and to protect itself in every way from contamination by India’s self-inflicted social diseases.
Rise Up …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. to GET RID OF the 13th Amendment and the Provincial Council System designed to create a Patchwork Quilt of Racist Apartheid Bantustans in Sri Lanka.
Let Sri Lanka move CONFIDENTLY towards the goal of ONE Indivisible Nation, of ONE Inseparable People, sharing ONE Indomitable Destiny!
……………………
Lanka can’t toe India line on 13th Amendment: Gotabaya
By P K Balachandran
NewIndianExpress.com
May 27, 2013
The influential Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has said Sri Lanka should jettison the system of devolution contained in the India-inspired 13th Amendment of the country’s constitution, irrespective of India’s reaction.
“Just because India or some other country will get angry, we cannot stop doing what is good for our country,” Gotabaya told the Tamil daily Sudar Oli on Sunday.
He was asked if his statements against the devolution of power to the provinces would not irk India, which was responsible for the promulgation of the existing devolution system through the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987 and the 13th constitutional amendment which followed it. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid had recently expressed displeasure over Lanka’s attempts to prune the 13th amendment to deny the provinces powers over land and police.
Gotabaya expressed the fear that if the Tamil majority Northern Province went into the hands of the pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) following the September 2013 elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC), that province would demand power over land and police and jeopardize national integrity and security.
He recalled that the 13th amendment did not have the people’s support when it was enacted in 1987. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna had “set fire to the whole country,” and the LTTE leader Prabhakaran had rejected it, he pointed out.
“Why should we implement it merely because it meets India’s needs?” Gotabaya asked.
According to him some forces were trying to weaken Lanka’s Central Executive by divesting it of powers of land and the police; demanding independent commissions to make official appointments; and promoting an independent judiciary. Gotabaya, who is President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s sibling, suggested that Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims, should all “forget” about the 13th amendment and think about a “reasonable” solution to the ethnic question.
However, according to “The Sunday Times” President Rajapaksa had told the cabinet that the NPC elections should be held as scheduled in September, and under the existing constitutional arrangement. Perhaps, Rajapaksa does not want to ruffle feathers in India and the West ahead of the Commonwealth summit scheduled to be held in Colombo in November.
May 27th, 2013 at 1:24 am
Here is MORE of TNA’s CONSTRUCTIVE attitude!
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Sampanthan says Gotabaya is not govt.
DailyMirror.lk
May 27, 2013
“Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said police and land powers would not be given to the Northern Province. I am not ready to talk to him because he is not the government,” said ITAK leader R. Sampanthan at the Trincomalee District General Meeting of the ITAK yesterday.
The meeting was held at the New Silver Star Inn to appoint electoral agents, re-structuring party branches and to explain the current political situation.
“The problems of Tamils have reached the United Nations. UNHCR conducted discussions with regard to Sri Lankan Tamils. Therefore, we cannot give up our principles for the sake of a 2 km road,” he said speaking at the meeting.
“Except for the 50 acre-land acquired for the Sampur Electricity Scheme, all other lands will be released; that was the promise given to me by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, however, in spite of the promise the lands are still not released. Countries which helped to destroy LTTE, should place a solution before Tamils, be it the USA or India; we need a solution and they are duty-bound to provide it,” Mr. Sampanthan said.
He further said “We have shared Rs. 5 million received from our decentralised budget among eleven temples. Had we joined the government, we would have received even Rs.100 million for development, but we will not deviate from our principles.” (Singaravelu Sasikumar)
May 27th, 2013 at 6:03 am
Just a few ways to describe the incident:- LAW OF KARMA AT THEIR DOOR STEP.~~~~RETRIBUITION~~~~WHAT GOES ROUND COMES AROUND~~~~ANUNNTA KALA KALA DEY, THAMANNTA PALA PALA DEY. SAREE POTAY ELLICHCHA AYO, APAYATA YANNO NIYATHAI.
MAOISTS ~~NAXALITES ARE NOT TERRORISTS !! THEY ARE FREEDOM FIGHTERS TRAINED BY INDIAN RAW. THERE ARE GOOD TERRORISTS AND BAD TERRORISTS. THESE ARE GOOD TERRORISTS. IN ANY EVENT, GOOD OR BAD, THEY KILL.
May 27th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
Rise Up …. O Patriots of Mother Lanka …. GET RID OF the 13th Amendment and the Provincial Council System designed to create a Patchwork Quilt of Racist Apartheid Bantustans in Sri Lanka.
Rise up … O Patriotic Sons and Daughters of Lanka …. your Motherland needs you to DEFEND her NOW! Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country … NOW!
Let Sri Lanka move CONFIDENTLY towards the goal of ONE Indivisible Nation, of ONE Inseparable People, sharing ONE Indomitable Destiny!
………………………
Provincial council system fails to address the problems of Sri Lanka’s North and East – JHU
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 27, Colombo: An ally of Sri Lanka’s governing party, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), says the provincial council system was introduced to address the problems of the North and East, but has so far failed to resolve the issue.
JHU parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thero has said that the JHU’s decision to move a motion seeking the abolition of the provincial council system was based on many reasons that range from the illegal manner in which the Constitution was amended to establish the Provincial Council system to its failure to address the issues in the North and East.
“The Provincial Council system was brought about as a solution to the problems in the North and East. Over 5,000 Indian forces personnel sacrificed their lives in Sri Lanka’s North and East in order to get this system implemented. However, the terrorists in the North and East did not agree to the Provincial Council system. Therefore, the system has not solved the North and East issue. This is an issue that has been coming from the past,” he has explained.
According to Ven. Ratana Thero, the worst clause in the amendment is on the merging of provinces if there were no objections between the respective provinces.
“Under this clause, the North and East provinces were merged on the basis of the area being the traditional homeland of the Tamil people. This is a wrong concept and it cannot be proven with historical facts,” he has observed.
“After considering all these reasons, the JHU will introduce to parliament next week a motion to repeal the Provincial Council system,” Ven. Ratana Thero has said.
He has added that the JHU would speak to other parties including the UNP, TNA and the JVP to get their support for the draft motion.
The Thero has noted that the party was looking at people’s support before looking for government support for its draft motion to amend the Constitution and repeal the Provincial Council system in the country.
May 27th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
While PATRIOTS rush to her DEFENSE, here is another group of TRAITORS from the LSSP stabbing Mother Lanka in the back.
Our MEMORIES are LONG; we will NEVER FORGET who the TRAITORS are.
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Sri Lanka’s leftist ministers to support Tamil party on the 13th Amendment
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 27, Colombo: Several ministers in the Sri Lankan government are to support the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in demanding the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Leader of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) and Minister of Technology and Research, Prof. Vitarana, General Secretary of the Communist Party (CP) and Minister of Human Resources, D.E.W. Gunasekera, and Leader of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) and Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara had reportedly met a group of TNA parliamentarians.
The meeting had taken place last week at the Parliament Complex.
TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said the meeting between the leftist ministers was an encouraging sign given that certain elements within the government are opposed to the 13 Amendment.
He has observed that the three ministers had said the 13th Amendment should not be weakened and the Northern Provincial Council polls should be conducted in a manner without destabilizing the amendment.
The ministers had also said that land and police powers should not be stripped off the 13th Amendment.
Two allying parties of the government, Jathika Hela Urumaya and National Freedom Front oppose giving land and police powers to the provinces and call to abolish the 13th Amendment.
May 28th, 2013 at 11:33 am
JHU to hand over private member’s motion on abolishing 13 A tomorrow
by Ranil Dharmasena
Island.lk
May 27, 2013
The Jathika Hela Urumaya would hand over a private member’s motion to the Secretary General of Parliament tomorrow, seeking to repeal the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which established the Provincial Councils, Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gamanpila said yesterday.
Gamanpila told The Island that the Sinhala and English versions of the proposed draft bill were ready and the Tamil translation too would be ready by today.
After handing over the bill, they would meet all political parties represented in Parliament, including the Tamil National Alliance, to apprise them of the importance of abolishing the 13th Amendment.
May 28th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Jayawewa! A 3rd Expressway for Sri Lanka.
May the Noble Triple Gem Bless and Protect China … the Stalwart Friend of Sri Lanka.
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China to fund construction of Northern Expressway in Sri Lanka
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 28, Beijing: China has pledged to provide further funding to develop Sri Lanka’s transport sector that includes a number of expressways, road networks and railway lines.
During bilateral discussions held between Sri Lanka and China in Beijing Tuesday, the two countries signed an agreement for China to fund the construction of a new Northern Expressway from Colombo to Jaffna.
As a part of the proposed aid to develop Sri Lanka’s transportation sector, the Chinese government will also aid developing a Colombo-Kandy-Kurunegala expressway and extending the southern expressway from Matara to Kataragama.
Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris, speaking to Chinese investors and representatives of the corporate sector of China at an event in Beijing today presented main advantages Sri Lanka can offer as a destination for investment and trade.
The event “Sri Lanka: Promising Business Destination” was organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing and the Export Development Board.
The programme emphasized on matching arrangements between Sri Lankan and Chinese companies for the purpose of increasing volumes of trade between the two countries.
May 28th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
China pledges to continue support to Sri Lanka’s development
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
May 28, Beijing: Sri Lanka and China held bilateral talks Tuesday to discuss further strengthening the relations on number of areas when the visiting Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan welcomed President Rajapaksa accompanied by the First lady of Lady Shiranthi Wikaramasinghe Rajapaksa at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing this afternoon.
The Sri Lankan President was received a 21-gun salute and inspected a Guard of Honor when he arrived at the Great Hall of the People.
The two countries pledged to work towards further strengthening relations in several areas including trade, tourism and investment.
President Rajapaksa thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping for China’s continued support to Sri Lanka in a number of spheres. He also congratulated President Jinping, who took over as China’s new president in March of this year, and said his assumption to this high office is testament to the confidence that the Chinese people have in him.
He said that his many visits to the East Asian nation have helped him gain a deep and profound understanding of China’s political, economic and social dynamics, and that he looks forward to working closely with the new administration.
President Jinping, recalling the long-standing ties between China and Sri Lanka, said that the fact that President Rajapaksa is visiting China for the seventh time is an indication of the strength of the relation between the two countries and said he looks forward to further strengthening bilateral ties during his tenure.
During the bilateral meeting, the two delegations also discussed trade and tourism. The two countries signed an agreement to establish two committees that would work towards a free trade agreement. This would give Sri Lankan products such as apparel, gems and jewelry, tea and rubber wider access in the Chinese market.
In the area of tourism, Sri Lanka and China agreed to work towards the goal of attracting 100,000 Chinese tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka by 2015.
China has also pledged support for a number of other projects: Water supply schemes in Attanagalla, Minuwangoda and Kurunegala, an international conference hall in Kandy, an arts theater in Anuradhapura and the development of the national hospitals in Colombo and Ragama.