Dr Sudath Gunasekara President Senior Citizens Movement, Mahanuwara.

21.10.2015.

Serious and immediate attention of all citizens in this country is drawn to the above important news item.

While listening to a news briefing by MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardhana yesterday I learnt about the withdrawal of this gazette by Minister Kiriella. The whole country should be thankful to the MEP and its leader for taking up this very important issue that concerns the legitimate rights of the people in Parliament when there is no representative to talk on behalf of them in Parliament.

In this note I want to bring to the notice of the MEP leader and the general public of this country a gross injustice done by the TELECOM to its subscribers.

I have noticed for the past few years increasing charges practically almost every month by the SLT in different forms.

I give below three tele bills received by me for the months of August, Sept and October 2015 for your information. I have no doubt all subscribers of SLT throughout the Island must have got similar bills as well.

                                                                                  Bill 1

I give below three telephone bills received by me

SLT 081 2232744 period 1.9.2015-30.9.2015

Monthly subscription                                                       345.00

Domestic voice usage                                                       122.89

Discount                                                                               122.89

SLT Broadband Entrée (Rental)                                       499.00

Cess                                                                                         17.22

Telecom levy 10%                                                                 50.90

             25%                                                              88.01

1000.13

                                                                   Bill 11

Aug-Sept 06/08 to 05/09 TP   071 8075326

Monthly subscription                                                 539.00

Call charges                                                                 295.00

GORS/EDGE/HSDOA                                                     91.60

Cess 2%                                                                           18.88

Telecom levy 10%                               39.84

             25%                           136.48           176.32

Total charges for the month                                 1,120.80

Arrears                                                                           48.72

Total Payable                                                          1,169.52

                                                                   Bill 111

Sept/Oct 06/09 to 05/10 TP   071 8075326 TP 8075326

Monthly subscription                                                 539.00

Call charges                                                                   276.50.

815.50

Cess 2%                                                                           16.64

832.14

Telecom levy 10%                     30.50

             25%                 131.76                       162.26

994.40  

Arrears                                                                       1,169.52

Total Payable                                                            2,163.92                              

Going through these bills you will notice that these bills include several charges outside the normal telephone levies like Cess, 10% and 25%. My Aug-Sept 06/08 to 05/09 TP   071 8075326 also includes a levy called GORS/EDGE/HSDOA. But it is not there in next month’s bill. I do not know what the hell are GORS/EDGE/HSDOA. BUT I presume they are also another form of Taxes haphazardly charged by the TELECOM to increase its profit at the cost of Subscribers. Monthly subscription                                                 for this month also has been jacked up to Rs 539.00 from previous months.

Very often these unjustified taxes exceed the call charges. In addition to the Monthly subscription on my land line SLT also has charged another levy called a SLT Broadband Entrée (Rental) 499.00 in addition to the 345.00. Both these charges are recurrent and also charged every month.

In the past, once a telephone is installed the customer gets a monthly bill only for the calls he/she has taken for the month. And that is all. But today the TELECOM appears to add a new kind of tax almost every month without going through the normal process of first getting the approval of Parliament.

This type of haphazard and arbitrary decision making by political appointees to satisfy the Ministers for their survival and fatten their purses is worse than daylight highway robbery.

I do not know whether TELECOM charges are also covered by the MEP motion. If it is not covered I would request the MEP leader to take up this also as early as possible and bring redress to the helpless millions exploited by these treacherous officials under the tag YAHAPALANAYA.

This is how the TELECOM shows billions of rupees profit on its balance sheet at the end of the year. This is how a government said to be democratically elected exploits its subjects without caring a damn for the plight of its citizens.

I hope Hon Dinesh Gunawardhana will take this matter also in Parliament on behalf of the hapless masses who suffer as they themselves have to pay their bills, as none of the other politicians and officials is ever concerned as it poses no problem for them, as their bills are settled by the State or in other words by the people of this country.

By Dasun Edirisinghe

The joint opposition yesterday challenged President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to make public all documents related to the UNHRC report on Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes.

Addressing a well-attended rally at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, organised by the joint opposition, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader and Colombo District UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena said that the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had betrayed Sri Lankan forces in Geneva by supporting the US-backed resolution against, Sri Lanka.

He said the Sri Lanka government, Sri Lanka’s security forces, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and several other local and international NGOs had information pertaining to the provision of food and other supplies including medicines to the LTTE controlled area while the war was being fought.

“Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who led the government’s delegation to Geneva, did not have the strength of character to reveal such information and defend the country and he had meekly given in to US pressure,” Gunawardena said.

Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had even gone against the country’s Constitution by supporting the US-backed resolution.

Prof. Peiris said now the resolution had become Sri Lanka’s own resolution against itself because the government supported it despite several friendly countries advising it not to do so.

NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa, PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila, LSSP Leader Prof. Tissa Vitharana, Communist Party Deputy Secretary Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Sri Lanka Mahajana Party General Secretary Asanga Navaratne also addressed the gathering.

UPFA MPs Dullas Alahapperuma, Kumara Welgama, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Bandula Gunawardena, Gamini Lokuge, Namal Rajapaksa, Prasanna Ranatunga, Kanchana Wijesekera, D.V. Chanaka Dilshan, Kanaka Herath, Salinda Dissanayake, Niroshan Premartne, Geetha Kumarasinghe and several UPFA Provincial Councillors also attended the rally.

Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D.

The armed conflict in Sri Lanka lasted for nearly 30 years. The soldiers who participated in this war underwent extreme forms of battle stresses. Some of the combatants who were exposed to distressing battle events had dissociative reactions.

According to Chu (1998) dissociation refers to a disruption of the normal integration of experience. As described by Van der Hart, Van der Kolk, & Boon (1998) Dissociation is a way of organizing information and it is a compartmentalization of experience: elements of an experience are not integrated into a unitary whole but are stored in isolated fragments.

The DSM-IV refers to dissociation as a disruption in the usually integrated functions of consciousness, memory, identity, or perception of the environment (APA, 1994). The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) contains dissociative amnesia (DA), dissociative identity disorder (DID), dissociative fugue, depersonalization/derealization disorder, and dissociative disorder not otherwise specified (DDNOS) (APA, 2013).

Dissociation can be interpreted as a protective or defensive reaction in extreme stress. Among the dissociative disorders, psychogenic seizures, psychogenic tremors, aphonia and fugue states were found among combatants. Some of these reactions were evident soon after a traumatic battle event and some manifested as delayed reactions.

The Nature of Dissociative Disorders in Combat

The dissociative disorders, including “psychogenic” or “functional” amnesia, fugue, dissociative identity disorder (DID, also known as multiple personality disorder), and depersonalization disorder, were once classified, along with conversion disorder, as forms of hysteria ( Kihlstrom, 2005). Dissociative symptoms are an important element of the long-term psychopathological response to trauma (Bremner et al., 1992). Historically, the dissociative disorders were also considered among the most rare forms of psychopathology ( Kihlstrom, 2005).

According to Pierre Janet, dissociative disorders are characterized by the dissociation from ordinary consciousness and memory of `systems of ideas and functions that constitute personality. Such systems escape personal awareness and control (van der Hart & Nijenhuis 2001). Many traumatized individuals alternate between re-experiencing their trauma and being detached from, or even relatively unaware of the trauma and its effects (Nijenhuis & Van der Hart, 1999 ; Nijenhuis,   Van der Hart,   & Steele, 2004).).

Combat related stress can generate numerous traumatic experiences and this overwhelming stress can lead to unresolved mental conflicts and dissociation. These reactions disrupt the soldier’s normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.

Somatoform Dissociation  

Somatoform dissociation is a unique construct that discriminates among diagnostic categories. It is highly characteristic of dissociative disorder patients (Nijenhuis et al., 1999). Along with psychoform dissociation, somatoform dissociation has been put forth as a core aspect of dissociative states, possibly as reliable as psychoform dissociation in the screening for dissociative disorders (Simeon et al., 2008). According to Pierre Janet and several World War I psychiatrists, dissociation also pertains to a lack of integration of somatoform components of experience, reactions, and functions (Nijenhuis, 2000).

Somatoform dissociation is supposed to be a vital aspect of the general concept of dissociation (Nilsson et al., 2015). Somatoform dissociation is a lack of the normal integration of sensorimotor components of experience, e.g., hearing, seeing, feeling, speaking, moving, etc. It is a major consequence of psychological trauma that is especially prevalent when threat to life from another person has occurred (van der Hart et al., ‎2000).

Waller et al (2000) stated that Somatoform dissociation can be understood as a set of adaptive psychophysiologic responses to trauma where there is a threat of inescapable physical injury. Those responses are related to a range of psychiatric disorders, and are likely to interfere with treatment of those disorders.

Somatoform dissociation was found among a number of Sri Lankan combatants who fought in the Eelam War. Captain SXXT7 served in the operational areas for over 7 years and witnessed the gruesome realties of the war. Once his best friend – another fellow officer died in front of his eyes due to enemy fire. His initial response was shock and fear. After these traumatic battle events, Captain SXXT7 experienced anesthesia and numbness in his right arm. He was referred to a Neurophysiologist who found no organic pathology. However he continued to experience anesthesia and numbness in his right arm for over one year.

Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia following combat trauma in various wars has been extensively documented (Witzum et al., 2002). Dissociative amnesia is a disorder characterized by retrospectively reported memory gaps. These gaps involve an inability to recall personal information, usually of a traumatic or stressful nature (Leong, 2006) and it is characterised by functional impairment (Staniloiu & Markowitsch, 2014). Psychological stress and trauma were etiologically linked to its development across various cultures ( Markowitsch & , Staniloiu 2013).

Dissociative amnesia is classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, as one of the dissociative disorders, which are mental disorders in which the normally well-integrated functions of memory, identity, perception, or consciousness are separated (dissociated). Patients with dissociative amnesia usually report a gap or series of gaps in their recollection of their life history. The gaps are usually related to episodes of abuse or severe trauma. In dissociative amnesia, the continuity of the soldier’s memory is disrupted. They have recurrent episodes in which they forget important personal information or events, usually connected with trauma or severe stress.

Private DLX68 witnessed the death of four soldiers following an incoming mortar. Although Private D was physically unharmed he was frightened and felt powerless. He went in to heightened stress reaction and later evacuated by a medical evacuation squadron. Even after several years Private D could not remember how he was evacuated from his bunker and he had memory gaps about the incident which occurred in the battle field.

Fugue States in the Battle Field

Dissociative fugue is a rarely reported diagnostic entity (Mamarde et al., 2013). It is a psychiatric disorder characterized by amnesia coupled with sudden unexpected travel away from the individual’s usual surroundings and denial of all memory of his or her whereabouts during the period of wandering (Igwe, 2013).

Fugue states can result from dissociative disorders as well as depressive disorders. Dissociative fugue states are not uncommon in combat situations. During the Second World War and post-war period, some psychiatrists began to pay attention to two emerging phenomena: a high incidence of dissociative symptoms such as fugue and amnesia among combatants (Nakatani, 2000)

Corporal AXCN89 has served 17 years in the operational areas. On one occasion he went in to dissociative fugue and walked in to the enemy linens. He was not intoxicated. When he was found by a friendly group of soldiers, Corporal AXCN89 had thrown his weapon and was wondering about in hostile territory. He did not have any idea of what he was doing near the enemy lines. Later this soldier was diagnosed with dissociative disorder.

Psychogenic Seizures

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures represent a complex interaction between neurologic and psychological factors (Pritchard & Hopp, 2014). They are somatic manifestations of psychologic distress (Kumar, 2004; Alsaadi & Marquez, 2005). Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures resemble epileptic seizures; have no electrophysiological correlate or clinical evidence for epilepsy, whereas there is positive evidence for psychogenic factors that may have caused the seizure (Bodde et al., 2009). Psychogenic non epileptic seizures are diagnostic and therapeutic challenge (Auxéméry et al., 2011).

Psychogenic attacks differ from epileptic seizures. They are usually differentiated from epileptic seizures on the basis of absence of tongue biting, falling, incontinence, post ictal phenomena and concomitant abnormalities on the electroencephalogram (de Timary et al., 2002).

Psychogenic seizures are caused by subconscious mental activity, not abnormal electrical activity in the brain. (Devinsky, 2007).Psychogenic seizures can arise from various psychological factors, may be prompted by stress, and may occur in response to suggestion. It has also been found that such disorders may be self-induced. They may be used to get attention, to be excused from work or merely to escape an intolerable combat situation.

Corporal CXVB43 was exposed to traumatic combat situations. A number of times he witnessed killings and faced enemy artillery attacks. Several times his platoon was surrounded by the enemy and every occasion he felt desolated. Corporal C was lucky enough to survive without any physical injuries. In 2004 he manifested convulsions and investigated at the National hospital Colombo. His post ictal EEG report and brain scan did not confirm any pathological condition. The eye witnessed account revealed that Corporal C is experiencing psychogenic epilepsy. He was diagnosed with Dissociative Disorder by the Consultant Psychiatrist of the Sri Lanka Army.

Psychogenic Aphonia

Psychogenic dysphonia refers to loss of voice where there is insufficient structural or neurological pathology to account for the nature and severity of the dysphonia, and where loss of volitional control over phonation seems to be related to psychological processes such as anxiety, depression, conversion reaction, or personality disorder (Baker, 2003). Psychogenic dysphonia has variable clinical manifestations (Martins et al, 2014). It is important to consider the psycho-emotional aspects involving patients with voice disorders since they may cause or modify the symptoms and affect the prognosis (Guimaraes et al., 2010). Therapeutic interventions in voice disorders recommend the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment (Sudhir et al., 2009).

Bombardier TLX64 experienced horrendous combat events during 1997-1998. On one occasion he and his team went on an ambush. Unexpectedly, the enemy attacked them and Bombardier T witnessed the deaths of his friends. The enemy shot them and chopped their heads with machetes. He was hiding in the woods and observed the terrible events. He was the only member who survived that day. In 1993 he complained numbness of the right hand and difficulty in speech. Bombardier T was seen by the Consultant ENT (Otorhinolaryngology) surgeon and found no ENT pathology. He regained his voice after hypnotherapy.

Psychogenic Tremors

Psychogenic tremor is the most common psychogenic movement disorder and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with tremor, particularly if it is of abrupt onset, intermittent, variable and not congruous with organic tremor. The pathophysiology of Psychogenic tremor is poorly understood ( Thenganatt & Jankovic, 2014).

Tremor is defined as a rhythmic, involuntary, oscillating movement of a body part occurring in isolation. Psychogenic tremor may involve any part of the body, but it most commonly affects the extremities. Usually, tremor onset is sudden and begins with an unusual combination of postural, action, and resting tremors (Fernandez, Machado & Pandya, 2014).

Psychogenic tremor decreases with distraction and is associated with multiple other psychosomatic complaints (Ahmed, 2014). Diagnosis is based on history, clinical signs and investigations (Bhatia & Schneider, 2007). Several tests can be useful in diagnosis, such as: accelerometry, EMG and response to placebo or suggestion (Redondo et al., 2010).  Treatment requires a strong alliance between the medical team and patient (Redondo-Vergé, &   Carrion-Mellado, 2012).

Lance Corporal SXC54 was investigated for tremors and weakness of the right hand which had no apparent organic basis. After neuro-physiological investigations it was revealed that Lance Corporal SXC54 was suffering from psychogenic tremors. Combat stress may have had a link with his psychogenic tremors. As a soldier he had undergone a numerous combat related stress events. In 1991 he and his unit were trapped inside the Elephant Pass camp for nearly one month. The enemy attacked them with mortars. He was highly distressed and uncertain about the rescue. Finally they were freed by some friendly forces. Although he was able to leave the camp physically unharmed his mind was filled with battle events. After several months he experienced tremors in the right hand and he could not use his firearm. This phenomenon could be explained as unconscious avoidance of the battle field.

Delayed Dissociative Reactions

Combat stress has a residual effect on some veterans. The delayed retrieval of traumatic events have been written about for nearly 100 years in clinical literature of military veterans who survived combat. Delayed onset dissociative reactions have been found among some Sri Lankan combatants. The diagnosis of combat related Dissociative Disorders is more difficult in cases of delayed reaction to trauma. Some of the dissociative reactions can manifest 5-10 years after the original trauma or may be after a long period.

In the beginning of this century Janet already noted that: “certain happenings … leave indelible and distressing memories– memories to which the sufferer continually returns, and by which he is tormented by day and by night” (van der Kolk, 1994). According to Dr. Michael Robertson of the Mayo Wesley Clink, aging veterans of World War 2 have manifested combat stress reactions after 50 years Therefore treatment of combat stress cannot be limited to a specific time period.

Acknowledgements

• Dr Neil J. Fernando – The Former Consultant Psychiatrist of the Sri Lanka Army

• Dr Monday N. Igwe Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Nigeria & Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria.

• Yvonne Schaffler Ethnomedicine and International Health Department for General Practice Center for Public Health Medical University of Vienna

• Dr Jan Baker Speech Pathologist and Family Therapist Clinical Consultant in Voice and Counselling Supervision of Professional Practice Adjunct Associate Professor Flinders University, SA

• Jack Tsai, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine Co-Director, Yale Division of Mental Health Services Research

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එස්. අකුරුගොඩ

1815න් පසුව, යලිත් වරක් විවිධ උපායන් මගින් රට සුදු අධිරාජ්‍යවාදින්ගේ යටත් විජිතයක් බවට පත්කර රටත් ජාතියත් ආගමත් විනාශ මුඛයට ලක්ව ඇති මොහොතක මල්වතු හා අස්ගිරි මහනාහිමිවරුන් කටයුතු කරන ආකාරය දෙස රටේ බෞද්ධයින් බලා සිටින්නේ මහත් සoවේගයෙනි.

එහෙත් 1815 දී සුද්දන්ගේ බසට රැවටී තාන්න මාන්න බලාපොරොත්තුවෙන් රට ජාතිය හා ආගම ගිවුසුමකින් ව්දේශිකයිනට පවරාදුන් එදා සිoහලේ පාලකයින් සිදුකළ මහාපාවාදීම ඇගයීමට එදා වැඩමකළ කොබ්බෑකඩුව මල්වතු මහනාහිමි අනුගමනය කරමින්, වත්මන් මල්වතු හා අස්ගිරිනාහිමි වරුන් යලිත් රට විදේශීය බලවතුනට යටත්කොට ඇති වත්මන් පාලකයින්ගේ ගුණ ගායනා කරනු දැකීම එතරම් පුදුමයක් නොවේ. හරියටම මීට වසර දසීයකට පෙර සිදුකල ඒ අනුවන කමේ විපාක දැක බලා ගැනීමට ඔවුනට වැඩි කලක් ගියේ නැත. 1818 ඌවේ කැරැල්ල එයට නිදසුනකි.

දෙවන ලෝක යුද්ධයක් නොවන්නට අපට 1948 දී නිදහස නොලැබෙන්නට ඉඩ තිබින. දෙවන ලෝක යුද්ධයෙන් පසුව බටහිරයන්ගේ හුදු දේශපාලන අරමුනු උදෙසා දෙකඩකළ බෞද්ධ වියටිනාමය හා කොරියාවත් ගැන සිතන්න. එවකට 85% බෞද්ධ වූ දකුණු කොරියාව අද බෞද්ධ රටක් නොවේ. මෙයින් වියටිනාමය බටහිරයන් පරදවා තම රට එක් සේසත් නොකළේ නම් වියටිනාමටද දකුණු කොරියාවටවූ දෙයම සිදුවනු නිසැකය.. බටහිරයන් ගේ යටත් වජිතයක්ව පැවති, අදත් ඇමරිකානු බලපෑමට ලක්ව ඇති, පිලිපීනයේ බුදුදහමට සිදුවූ විනාශය තවත් උදාහරණයකි.

එදා 1948දී අපට කිසියම් නිදහසක් සුද්දන්ගෙන් ලැබී, පසුව පනස්හයේ පෙරලිය නොවන්නට අද අප රටේ බුදු දහමටද කොරියාවට හෝ පිලිපීනයට සිදුවු දෙයම වන්නට ඉඩතිබින. 1948 -1956 කාලය තුල රට පාලනය කල එ.ජා.පය සුද්දන් අනුගමනය කරමින් පූර්ණ බටහිර ගැති පාලනයක් ගෙන ගියේය.

හැටේ දසකයේ මුල් අවදිය තෙක් රජයේ ආධාර ලබමින් පවත්වා ගෙන ගිය ආගමික පාසැල් රජයට නොගත්තේනම් හා එතෙක් රජයේ මුදල් මත යැපුන අනාත මඩම් නතර නොවූයේනම් ඇතැම්විට කොරියාවට වූදේට සමවන්නට අපටද ඉඩතිබුනි. පාසැල් රජයට පවරා ගැනීමත් සමගම 1962දී සිදුවන්නට ගිය හමුදාමය කුමන්ත්‍රණය සාර්ථක වී නම් අද මෙරට බුදු දහමක් තිබේවිද?

මල්වතු හා අස්ගිරි මහනාහිමිවරුන් දළදා වහන්සේගේ භරකාරත්වය දරණ තිදෙනාගෙන් දෙදෙනකු බැව් පැවසේ. එම මහනාහිමි තනතුරු ථේරවාද බුදු දහමේ වත්මන් උරුමයද අත්පත් කොට ගෙන සිටියි. එසේ වුවද, බෞද්ධයින්ගේ මුදුන් මල්කඩක් බඳූ දළදා මාළිගාවට හා සිරිමහා බෝධියට එල්.ටී.ටීය බෝම්බ ගසා වනාශකිරීමට දැරූ උත්සහය, අද අපේ බොහෝ ගිහියන්ට මෙන්ම, ථේරවාද බුදු දහමේ වත්මන් භාරකාරයින්ට පවා අමතකවී තිබීම අවාසනාවකි.

බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථාන වලට එරෙහිව එදා එල්.ටී.ටීය ආරම්භකල විනාශයන් ‘ඹ්නෑ ගොනෙකුට යුද්ධ කරන්න පුලුවනි’යයි කියමින් දිගටම සිදුකිරීමට ඉඩ හැරියේ නම් අද මෙරට බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථාන තිබේවිද?

එසේම, එම භාරකරුවන්, එදා දළදා මාළිගාවට හා සිරිමහා බෝධියට බෝම්බ ගැසූ එල්.ටී.ටී නායක ප්‍රභාකරන් සමග ඊනියා බියඟුලු සාම ගිවිසුම් ගැසූ හා දැන් එම වියසනයෙන් රට මුදවාගත් විරුවන්ගෙන් පලිගැනීමට බටහිරයනට රිසි පරිදි පහසුකම් සලසාලන අදූර දර්ශී වෛරී පාලනයේ ගුණවයමින් ඔවුන් තව තවත් දිරිගැන්වීම අද මෙරට බුදුදහම මුහුණදී ඇති කනගාටුදායක ඉරනම කියාපායි.

බුදුසසුන රැකගත යුතුය. ඵහෙත් ඵය රැකගත යුත්තේ සසුනෙන් පිටත සිටින සතුරන්ගෙන් පමනක්ම නොවන බැව් පෙනෙන්නට තිබේ.

ඒකාබද්ධ විපක්‍ෂය විසින් සංවිධානය කරනු ලබන ජන සමුළු මාලාවේ පළමුවැන්න අද(19) කොළඹ විහාර මහාදේවී එළිමහන් රංග පීඨයේදී පැවැත්විය

Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka (RASSL)

Royal Asiatic Society Sri Lanka (RASSL), Monthly Public Lecture The Challenges in Protecting the Monuments of the Ancient Fortress of Kotte” by Mr. Ishan Wiratunga, Secretary, Kotte Heritage Foundation  will be held on Monday 26^th October 2015 at 5.00 p.m. at the Gamini Dissanayake Auditorium No. 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07.

Kotte is the 4^th longest serving capital in ancient Sri Lanka but it is the most neglected archaeological site. Other than  the Alakeshwara Palace and Beaddgana mounds, the Rampart, ancient moats and associated locations are in great danger of extinction. Encroachers who destroy monuments get away as there are no proper name boards covering the entire kingdom of ancient Kotte. Although the DG of Archaeological Department had agreed to attend to this matter, it had delayed for a long period of time.

ALL ARE WELCOME

http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/43600

A 43 year old lawyer Sri Lankan Tamil origin has been elected as a Canadian member of Parliament from the Liberal party at the 42nd Canadian general elections held on October 19th 2015.

By Moon Of Alabama Information Clearing House”

October 19, 2015 “Information Clearing House” – The Aleppo power plant is a 1,000 megawatt thermal plant in five units build by Mitsubishi Heavy Industry in 1995-1998. It is situated some 25 kilometers east of Aleppo city center.  During the fighting around Aleppo various electricity distribution stations were damaged and electricity in parts of the city has become scarce and unpredictable. But the main power station had so far not been hit.

The plant is in the hands of the Islamic State but there is an informal agreement between the government, which controls the distribution network, and those who hold the power generating station:

[T]he agreement of understanding pertains to the division of the electricity supply between the parties, whereby ISIS will receive 60% of the quota and the Syrian regime will receive 40%.

Both sides will have some electricity and the civilian as well as fighters on both side will be better off than without electricity. No side has a motive to destroy that plant.

But last night the U.S. coalition bombed the Aleppo thermal power plant and destroyed parts of it:

A military source told SANA that warplanes of the Washington alliance violated Syrian airspace and attacked civilian infrastructure in Mare’a, Tal Sha’er, and al-Bab in Aleppo countryside on Sunday.

The source added that the warplanes attacked the biggest electric power plant that feeds Aleppo city, which resulted in cutting off power from most neighborhoods in Aleppo city.

Just a week ago U.S. air attacks had attacked another power station and a big distribution transformer al-Radwaniye also east of Aleppo.

The electricity generation and distribution system is civil infrastructure. It is used and useful to everyone no matter what side of the conflict. After the first U.S. attack on a power station a week ago the Russian president Putin was asked about the strikes. He called them “strange”:

“On Sunday, the American aviation bombed out an electrical power plant and a transformer in Aleppo. Why have they done this? Whom have they punished there? What’s the point? Nobody knows,” the president said at a meeting with the Russian government members.

The Russians and the Syrians are sure that it were F-16 planes from the U.S. coalition that bombed the power infrastructure even though the coalition reports do no mention the attacks. Why are these bombings not mentioned in the U.S. coalition reports?

The U.S. claims it is only fighting the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. It accuses Russia of not only attacking ISIS even though Russia, and Putin himself, always said that ISIS is not their sole target but that supporting the Syrian government against all its enemies is the overarching aim. The Russian just snuffed out a 16 vehicle ISIS convoy. Something that the U.S. somehow never manages to do. The U.S. itself, by the way, has killed and kills some non-ISIS “moderate rebels”. All its complains against the Russians are just nonsense.

But why would fighting ISIS or this or that “moderate rebel” terrorist necessitate the destruction of valuable infrastructure which serves all sides of the Syrian society?

Without the plant Aleppo city, with some 2-3 million inhabitants and refugees, as well as the surrounding areas in Aleppo governate have no electricity. The damage the U.S. bombing caused will make sure that any repair will take a long time. This will make life for people on every side of the war more unbearable and more people will leave to seek refuge in foreign countries.

Is that the purpose of the U.S. bombardment of electricity infrastructure in Syria? If not what else is this supposed to achieve?

R Chandrasoma

The Tathāgata was a Seeker of the Truth before his enlightenment – and his career as the Great Expositor was preceded by a dialectical interaction with the leading saintly intellects of the day. The Jaina Teachings provided the initial stimulus for his path-breaking spiritual innovations and the Brahaminic wisdom of the day was an everpresent background against which he set his revolutionary teachings on Anatta and Anicca. The point to stress is that he was a quester of the truth before he turned discoverer of the path. The earnest Buddhist Pilgrim or Devotee of today is faced with a puzzling choice – must he, like the Great Teacher, seek the truth before adopting a creed or Follow the Path that  the Enlightened One had discovered and luminously set forth for the good of all? Seemingly all established religions set forth a path that must be traversed before the attainment of that spiritual and moral excellence that is the necessary pre-requisite for a fulfilled life. Must it not be conceded, however, that a huge gulf separates the Seeker from the mere Follower? As that Modern Sage Krishnamurti puts it ‘Truth cannot be brought down, rather the individual must make the effort to ascend to it. You cannot bring the mountain-top to the valley. If you would attain to the mountain-top you must pass through the valley, climb the steeps, unafraid of the dangerous precipices’.

We say all this because the Buddhists of Sri Lanka are fast becoming Path Followers and that questing metaphysical spirit – the desire to know the truth through personal endevour – has all but gone. Earnest seekers of the Truth must tussle with the enemy of ignorance by reviewing all pretenders to this truth – including those beliefs and systems of thought that seem greatly at variance with the enthroned beliefs of their own religion. In this day and age Science is religion’s chief adversary – and for a sincere Buddhist to set aside or overlook this high achievement in secular matters is not merely odd but perilous. In our country contrariness is equated with the heretical and to hew to a well-known path of lofty indifference to anything outside the professed orthodoxy seems to be the accepted wisdom – the wisdom of only looking backwards.   Orthodox Monks of the Sinhala Tradition speak glibly of Heavens and Hells –  glorious Abodes for the Worthy and Punishment Centres of extraordinary cruelty for the Wicked. This phantasmagoric vision of ethical re-balancing in distant worlds is an acient but  childish dream – but it persists in the kind of debased folk-Buddhism that the masses  are made to believe. In the latter, Karmic Merit is treated as a transferable commodity and placatory ‘poojas’ for the gods play a foremost role in the pious endevours of the lackadaisical Buddhist masses of our country.  Above all, an Ecclesiastical Brotherhood of Renunciants – the Monks – now play the role of the Exclusive Interpreters of the Doctrine (Saerdotalism). Religious Services – not the pursuit of the Sacred Truth – is at the heart of the new orthodoxy. That this is a truly lamentable metamorphosis of a great religion that has illumined the lives of countless millions will be conceded by all who treasure the truth as against the trumpery of a show-piece public religion for the masses. A concluding word on Buddhism – it is an awakening to transcendence – the aqustion of a spiritual vision that makes the worldly and mundane a distraction in the great task of being one with the Absolute. (Nirvana)

Adaderana

By The Nation –

aithripala, Sirisena, made it clear this week that he wants a supine press, and considers the media absolutely free as long as (as a unit) its practitioners do his bidding. This person gives an entire new meaning to the term cheap tin pot dictator, but more about that later.

Nothing in Yahapalanaya has changed anything fundamental in this country. The NGO charlatans such as Jehan Perera and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu are still the same. If at all, along with the handiwork of fellow mountebanks such as Weliamuna, their exertions towards ensuring that the soldiers who fought to save you and me are locked up, or worse, are being redoubled.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is still a traitor, the worst of his kind, the type that caused the lives of over 50 Sri Lanka army intelligence personnel to be taken, because he gave them away, lock, stock and location, when he was Prime Minister for a brief interregnum in 2001 or thereabouts.

The UNP is still filled with incompetents who cannot get things done, but can crank out bad news at the top of every hour. This is why the tea industry is down, the rupee is precariously devalued, the rubber prices are down, and the only issues being aired on TV concern so-called international courts, hybrid mechanisms and corruption, so called, by the previous dispensation.

Ranil Wickremesinghe is a vapid know-nothing, who hasn’t the foggiest idea of the words in our national anthem, nor about the elementary workings of an economy.

It is a safe bet that he has not read anything important in his life. It may be correct that this is true for most of our leaders including the last one, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

But if the latter was not very well read, he had enough of street smarts, common touch and useful nouse to compensate, whereas Wickremesinghe is a typical exemplar of Alexander Pope’s warning to nincompoops — ‘a little learning is a dangerous thing, drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring.’

A brief perusal of the policy positions taken by Wickremesinghe is  enough to make it absolutely clear that he has no idea what an absolute fool he must look these days.
He has the audacity to insult the Licchavis by saying that the current administration is modeled on the Licchavis system of consensus and unity, while completely stomping on the Opposition, which in the General Elections just behind us, trailed by a mere 50,000 votes, which translates to a ten seat difference due to the quirks of our system.

He calls the deliberately stomped on and curtailed opposition a bunch of pimps in Parliament, forgetting that as far as pimping and procuring goes, his record is unmatched. He pimped and pimps for the racist Tamil diaspora so-called, and pimps relentlessly for the American government of which he has made this country a cheap, supine satrapy.

But having polarized the country as never before by stomping on the Sinhala majority by shutting out their voice in Parliament in many ways, and having used the totally politically degenerate Sirisena to emasculate the SLFP, he talks about Licchavi unity.

But wait, he thinks that Licchavi unity is obtainable and desirable, by shutting out the voices of the Opposition, and by buying over the media through a capitalist pro UNP ownership cabal, now in his pocket.

His nephew’s publications are a disgrace — one of their newspapers recently referred to Wimal Weerawansa’s intervention in Parliament on the Geneva issue, as ‘an unnecessary problem’ in a news headline.

Maithripala Sirisena says, addressing a group of journalists at the BMICH last week, that the press was of one voice, their voice, on the recent Geneva developments, except one English newspaper. He proceeds to castigate this newspaper, issuing veiled threats disguised as bromides about this newspaper’s attempts to ‘disappear him politically.’

He can be safely told that his insecurity is as a result, entirely, of his despicable politics, the kind of politics that redefines the word ‘nadir’, because he has taken skulduggery to a new and sickening low, starting from being the worst type of a traitor to his own political party, and then excelling himself by smuggling in rejects through the National List.

That this pantomime goes on without there being outright rebellion and mutiny is a measure of Sri Lankans’ special brand of equanimity; there is no need to politically disappear a substandard specimen of human detritus such as Sirisena. Given enough rope, he will hang himself soon enough.

A special word of mention goes in these times, when amorality passes off for the norm and the last vestige of decency in politics is no more, to Colombo’s so called voices of liberal dissent! There are no Friday Forums any more to talk about political rejects being smuggled in through the National List. The country’s liberal conscience is in bed with forces of unreason, with their Pinochet-like suppression of Opposition voices, and the handover of the country’s judiciary to foreign prosecutors and other pretenders.

Support for the  last item of cowardice in that list can be expected from a brand of spineless political eunuchs, but at least when it comes to a travesty of democracy, and good governance, through the taking of a son on a joy ride with the UN delegation, at taxpayer expense, or through the hijacking of a National List, one would expect the Tissa Jayatillekes of this world to attempt, at the very least, a squeak through the Friday Forum, but no, there isn’t even the usual nauseating staccato passing of wind.

For this, we give this (mentally) naturalized American in exile Jayatilleke (not forgetting his equally risible Forum caboodle) a Cranberry, as that’s what the Yanks bestow upon those who have been total disasters in their reckoning. Rarely in any human endeavour has there been a more hypocritical, servile and craven bunch as Colombo’s America-aping ‘liberals’ for whom the worst dictator is lily white or roseate, as long as the Americans tell them, that is so!

කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන් විධායක අධ්‍යක්ෂ කැෆේ/ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රය

උදලාගම හා පරණගම  ජනාධිපති කොමිෂන් කොමිසමේ වාර්තා ජිනීවා මානව හිමිකම් කවුන්සිලයේ දී ලංකාව සම්බන්ධයෙන් සම්මත වූ යෝජනාව පිළිබද පාර්ලිමේන්තු විවාදයට පෙර ප්‍රසිද්ධ කරන්නැයි කැෆේ සංවිධානය හා ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රය රජයෙන් ඉල්ලා සිටී.

මෙම වාර්තා දෙක කඩිනමින් ඉදිරිපත් කිරීම මගින් ජිනීවා යෝජනා පිළිබද පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ දී පවත්වන විවාදය අර්ථවත් කිරීමට හැකියාව ලැබෙනු ඇතැයි යන්න අපගේ විශ්වාසයයි.

ඇමරිකා එක්සත් ජනපදයේ සහාය ඇතිව එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ මානව හිමිකම් කවුන්සිලයේ දී සම්මත කරගනු ලැබූ යෝජනාව සම්බන්ධයෙන් පැවති සමාජ  කතිකාවේ උණුසුම මේ වන විට පහත වැටී ඇති නමුත් ඔක්. 22, 23 දින පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ දී පැවැත්වෙන විවාදය අතර සහ නොවැම්බරයේ  විසර්ජන පනත් කෙටුම්පත විවාදයට ගන්නා අවස්ථාවේ දී පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේ දී නැවත මතු වනු ඇත.

විමල් වීරවංශ, උදය ගම්මන්පිල සහ දිනේෂ් ගුණවර්ධණ වැනි මන්ත්‍රීවරු එක්ව මව්බිම සුරකීමේ ව්‍යාපාරය නමින් නව පෙරමුණක් පිහිටුවාගෙන ඇති අතර එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ මානව හිමිකම් කවුන්සිල යෝජනාවට විරුද්ධව ප්‍රචාරක වැඩසටහනක් දැනටමත් ආරම්භ කර ඇත. මෙම සතියේ  පාර්ලිමේන්තුව රැස්වූ විට මෙම යෝජනාවට එරෙහිව දැඩි හවිරුද්ධව හඩක් මතු වනු ඇත. මෙම යෝජනාව ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කරන ලෙසත් ලංකාවේ මානව හිමකම් උල්ලංඝනය වීම් සිදුව නොමැති බවට වන ස්ථාවරයකට යන ලෙසත් ආණ්ඩුවට බල කිරීමටත් එම කණ්ඩායම කටයුතු කරනු ඇත.

කැෆේ සංවිධානය හා ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රය විශ්වාස කරන්නේ දේශීය පරීක්ෂණයක් ආරම්භ කිරීම සදහා වන මූලික පියවර වන්නේ උදලාගම හා පරණගම කොමිසන් වාර්තා ප්‍රසිද්ධියට පත්කිරීම බවයි.  මෙම කොමිසන් වාර්තා ප්‍රසිද්ධියට පත් කිරීම මගින් මානව හිමිකම් උල්ලංඝනය කිරීමේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් අධිකරණමය ක්‍රියාමාර්ග ගැනීමට ඇති උනන්දුව පෙන්වා දිය හැකිය. හිටපු ජනාධිපති මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ විසින් මෙම කොමිසන් පත් කරනු ලැබූ අතර ඇතැම් අවස්ථාවලදී ජාත්‍යන්තර විශේෂඥයින් ද මේ සදහා සම්බන්ධ කරගනු ලැබීය.

කැෆේ සංවිධානය හා ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රයට වාර්තාවන ආකාරයට මෙම කොමිසන් වාර්තා මගින් සෙංචෝලේ ළමා නිවාසයට ගුවන් ප්‍රහාර එල්ලවීම,  මුතූර්හි සහන සේවකයින් 17 දෙනෙක් ඝාතනයට ලක්වීම, ත්‍රිකුණාමලයේ දී පාසල් පාසල් සිසුන් ඝාතනය කිරීම, දිගම්පතන  මරාගෙන මැරෙන බෝම්බ ප්‍රහාරය ඇතුළු සිදුවීම් ගැන අවධානය යොමු කර තිබේ. පරණගම කොමිසමේ වාර්තාව සකස් කිරීමේදී මානව හිමිකම් පිළිබද උනන්දුවක් දක්වන රාජ්‍ය තාන්ත්‍රිකයින් මූලික කාර්යභාරයක් ඉටු කර ඇති බවද අනාවරණය වෙයි. ජාත්‍යන්තර විශේෂඥයින් ජාත්‍යන්තර මානුෂවාදී නීතියේ ප්‍රතිපාදන යොදාගෙන සිවිල් වැසියන් ආරක්ෂා කිරීම දක්වන උනන්දුව මෙයට ඇතුළත් වේ.

මෙම කොමිසන් සභා දෙක සිය වාර්තාවන් සකස් කිරීමේදී ගැටුම්වලින් සිය පවුල්වල සාමාජිකයින් අහිමිවූ පුද්ගලයින් විශාල සංඛ්‍යාවකගෙන් ප්‍රකාශ ලබාගෙන ඇත. උතුරු නැගෙනහිර පළාත්වල මානුෂීය සේවාවන් සැපයූ ජාත්‍යන්තර රතු කුරුස සාමජයට, උගත් පාඩම් හා ප්‍රතිසන්ධාන කොමිසන් සභාවට, සිවිල් සංවිධානවලට මෙන්ම උදලාගම කොමිසමට හා පරණගම කොමිසමට දහස් ගණන් සිවිල් ජනතාව පැමිණිලි ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබුණේය.

මීට පෙර අප විසින් පුවත්පත් නිවේදනවල සදහන් කළ ආකාරයට අතුරුදහන්වූ පුද්ගලයින්ගේ පවුල්වල ඥාතීන් මෙම කොමිසන් සභාවලට පැමිණිලි ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබූ අතර ඒ සම්බන්ධයෙන් ලබාදිය හැකි සාක්ෂිද ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබුණි. ඇතැම් පීඩාවට පත්වූ පුද්ගලයින් මෙම කොමිසන් සභාවලට එකම පැමිණිල්ල කිහිපවරක්ම ඉදිරිපත් කර තිබුණේ තමන්ට යුක්තිය ඉටු කරගැනීමේ අරමුණ ඇතිවය. මොවුන්ගේ පැමිණිලි සම්බන්ධයෙන් විභාග කර ඉදිරි පියවර ගැනීමට පිළිගත හැකි හා ස්වාධීන ආයතන තිබුණේනම් මොවුන්ට එකම පැමිණිල්ල ආයතන කිහිපයකට ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමට සිදු නොවන බව අපගේ විශ්වාසයයි.

උදලාගම කොමිසමේ වාර්තාව  හා පරණගම කොමිසමේ වාර්තාව කඩිනමින් ප්‍රකාශයට පත් කිරීමෙන් පසුව රට තුළ මානව හිමිකම් පිළිබද සාධනීය සාකච්ඡාවක් මතුකිරීමට හැකියාව ලැබෙනු ඇත. එමෙන්ම ලංකාවේ සිදුවූ බව කියන මානව හිමකම් උල්ලංඝනය කිරීම සම්බන්ධයෙන් වන විවාදයක පළමු පියවර විය යුතු වන්නේ මෙම කොමිසන් වාර්තා මත පදනම්ව ඇතිවන සාකච්ඡාවක්ය.

කැෆේ සංවිධානය හා ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රය තවතදුරටත් ඉල්ලා සිටින්නේ එක්සත් ජාතීන්ගේ මානව හිමිකම් කවුන්සිලයේදී සම්මතවූ යෝජනාව සම්බන්ධයෙන් පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේදී ලබන 22 වැනිදා හා 23 වැනිදා පැවැත්වෙන විවාදයට පෙර උදලාගම කොමිසමේ වාර්තාව හා පරණගම කොමිසමේ වාර්තාව නිකුත් කරන ලෙසයි. එමගින් පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රීවරුන්ට කරුණු පදනම්වූ විවාදයක් පාර්ලිමේන්තුවේදී පැවැත්වීමට හැකියාව ලැබෙනු ඇත. එමෙන්ම මානව හිමිකම් උල්ලංඝනය වීම් පිළිබද පරීක්ෂණයක් පැවැත්වීමෙන් ජාතික ආරක්ෂාවට හානියක් නොවන බව පෙන්වාදීමටද හැකිය.

කීර්ති තෙන්නකෝන්

විධායක අධ්‍යක්ෂ

කැෆේ/ශ්‍රී ලංකා මානව හිමිකම් කේන්ද්‍රය

2015 ඔක්තෝබර් 19

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Press Statement by CaFFE and CHR

Without releasing Udalagama and Paranagama Reports to the public domain merely talking about Reconciliation and Transitional Justice is Pointless – CaFFE/CHR

Although the debate on the US sponsored resolution which was passed at the UNHRC seems to have subsided, CaFFE believes that hardliners in Parliament will regroup and use the month leading up to debate on the Appropriation Bill for 2016 to mobilize public opinion.

Although the majority of the urban elite seem to view the resolution positively, CaFFE believes that the a section of the Sinhala community has reservations about the resolution. They believe that the allegations on human rights violations are exaggerated and resent any attempts to prosecute members of the armed forces. More than anything else they are suspicious of foreign involvement into the domestic judicial affairs of Sri Lanka. While this is not the majority, it is important to address their concerns.

MPs like Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila and Dinesh Gunawardane have formed a new front called the ’Movement for the Protection of the Motherland and they will conduct a series of campaigns against the Geneva Resolution. MPs led by the this group will carry out and all-out attack on the resolution in Parliament on October 22-23 2015 and they will demand that the government completely discards the resolution and take the position that significant human rights violations have not taken place in Sri Lanka.

CaFFE and CHR are of the opinion that as a ‘bare minimum’ to begin a new domestic investigation the reports of Udalagama and Paranagama Commissions should be made public. These reports, we believe, will create more demand for alleged instances of rights violations to be judicially investigated. These commissions were appointed by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government and their committees also comprised of international experts at some level.

CaFFE and CHR have reliably learnt that the Udalagama Commission has focused extensively on the air force bombing  of a children’s home at Sencholai, the massacre of 17 ACF employees, the assassination of five students in Trincomalee and the 2006 Digampathaha truck bombing etc. We are also aware that John Holmes (UK), an international expert has contributed to the Paranagama Commission, and QC Desmond De Silva has played a major role in writing the report. We have also been informed that the foreign experts have used International Humanitarian Laws provisions and principles protecting civilians, such as principal of distinction, necessity and proportionality to justify the conduct of the SL military.

However, on the other hand, it is also clear that these two commissions have interviewed a large number of persons who have lost their loved ones and have recorded extensive statements from thousands of individuals. As an organization who worked extensively in the North and East we have seen thousands of people complaining to the ICRC, the LLRC, the Civil Society Actors, the Paranagama Commission and Udalagama Commission.

As we said in a previous press statement ‘most of the family members of those who have disappeared have given evidence before all the above mentioned commissions. We have seen them repeat the same story and each time they relive their deepest moments of sorrow and are paralyzed for days. As an organization who has seen this ground reality, we see no reason to subject the same individuals to go through the same process through another ‘credible and independent mechanism or institution’.

Thus we want the government to publish these reports and we want extensive public discussions about the contents of these reports among Sri Lankans. A debate on these commission reports is a first step in commencing a true debate on alleged human rights violations in the country.

CaFFE and CHR further demands the government to release Udalagama and Paranagama reports before the Parliament debate on the 22^nd and 23^rd of October 2015, so that Sri Lanka’s Parliament and politicians can have an evidence based debate in regards to alleged human rights violations, domestic investigation of the said incidents and how national security will not be compromised by such an inquiry.

Keerthi Tennakoon

Executive Director/CaFFE and CHR

Sugath Samarasinghe 

The 15^th year of the last 3 centuries seem to be disastrous to this country. I am particularly comparing what happened to Sri Lanka at the UNHCR this year with that of 1815. In 1815, the independence of Sri Lanka preserved for 2300 years was offered on a platter to the British by some of the Kandyan Chieftains ostensibly to be rid of the Wadiga King who was described by the British as a ‘tyrant’. Of course the ceding of the country without a fight, for the first time, was done on several conditions written down on what was called The Kandyan Convention. Some of the important conditions therein among others, was the continuation of the Sinhala system of government and preservation of the place of the Religion of the Buddhoo” which the British violated in no time. As regards the latter condition, when objected to by Christian Missionaries, Robert Brownrigg the British Governor of Colombo who presided over the signing of the Convention explained that if they did not concede that, the Kandyans would never have agreed to cede their country. The simple minded Buddhist prelates who were present on this occasion too were so naïve to believe the white skinned British were in fact gentlemen who would honour their word.

Does it sound similar? The Sri Lankan government agreed to make it a joint resolution with the US because the original words Hybrid Courts” was omitted to replace it with the paraphrasing the meaning of the same term with joint mechanism” having foreign judges, lawyers and new laws legal reforms needed etc. if not for which primafacie it would have looked a total surrender. Then, in order to save face our President says that had they not agreed to this arrangement the Report would have been hundred times or thousand times worse. What would have been worse than this, one could not imagine. What he did not know, is that if we did not agree to accept the UNHCR Resolution, they could not have proceeded to have an international investigation in Sri Lanka. They would have had to go through the UN Security Council. The only way they could circumvent this problem was by getting us to agree to accept, by twisting our arm. The situation was compounded by the Prime Minster who probably intended to assuage the Armed Forces saying that it was not the three Services that the Intl Community was after but the Judiciary. It is not difficult to realize once they had dealt with the Judiciary in the way they want, Armed Forces would be the next target. It is difficult to imagine that the Prime Minster could be so naïve not to see through this. It is more logical that he was trying to pull wool over the naiveté of the People with whom the sovereignty is supposed to lay inalienably.

Once all this is accomplished everyone but the government could anticipate what is to follow. Could a government be so foolish or are they trying to look foolish deliberately while they are acting on a predetermined plan like the Pied Piper of Hamlin? Which sensible government of a sovereign country would accept such an intrusive directives to change its laws to formulate new laws, to target its Forces that won a ‘war’ for them after 30 years of fighting sacrificing so many lives and, that too to take effect with retrospective effect, directives also to sack those in command identified by such ‘courts’, withdraw its Forces from specific parts of the country and downsize their Military as directed and also change their constitution on the lines suggested by them? Have we already ceded our country to the ‘International Community’/ Western Powers? Is it any different from what happened in 1815?

It took over 150 years to extricate our country from being a British colony. Could anyone imagine whether we could ever come out of this self imposed subjugation? What shall we do?

I quote below a correspondence between Ehelepola Adikarama who was accompanying the British troops to take Kandy, and Molligoda Adikarama who was leading the Udarata troops at a barrier below Kadugannawa.

Ehelepola:

ගුණවත් මොල්ලිගොඩ සොහොයුරු තුමනි සොඳ

බලවත්වරත් වරද කලෙ මට වඩිග රජ              තද

තෙරපත් කරලන්ට ඉංග්රිසින් හට                 මෙසඳ

කොහොමත් ඉඩදෙණු මැනවි නොකරමින්     යුද

Molligoda sent the following reply:

  බලවත් සොහොයුරනි ඇහැළේපොල           රයුතු

     ඉඩහැර මම ඉඳිමි ඔබෙ අදහසට                       සිතු

     මෙවිතර කල් පැවති අපෙ ජාතියෙ                  දිමුතු

     පුවතර නිදහස ඉවරයි මෙයින්                     මතු”

Sugath Samarasinghe  

PRESS RELEASE By Prof. Suwanda H J Sugunasiri

Oct. 06, 2015

This brief article seeks to substantiate the Hypothesis, ‘The Triune Mind parallels the Triune Brain’. ‘Triune Mind’ in the Pali Canon in Buddhism is as in the model proposed by Suwanda H J Sugunasiri (Canadian J of Buddhist Studies, 10), and Triune Brain as in the model proposed by Paul MacLean. The former is shown to serve as the psychological (nāma) component of the latter physical component, While MacLean’s model is currently in disfavour within neuroscientific circles, the criticisms are met by pointing out the justified but narrower interpretations given by the critics. Expanding the category of ‘mammalian’ to ‘sentient’, based in the Buddha’s term sattā ‘sentient being’, is shown to be the answer to the critics. Thus, MacLean’s Reptilian Brain (R-complex) comes to be re-branded Protosentient-Complex, Paleomammalian Brain as Paleosentient-Complex and Neomammalian Brain as Neosentient-Complex. The term ‘complex’, also used by MacLean, is used here to mean ‘bundle’ (khandha), capturing the complexity of each of the Mind types. The paper is an introduction to a forthcoming book length treatment, tentatively titled, TRIUNE MIND, TRIUNE BRAIN: Map of the Mind through the eyes of Buddhianscience & Westernscience.

The paper is available for free download at http://hdl.handle.net/1807/69843.

 (Formerly of the Faculty of Divinity, Trinity College, University of Toronto, and Founding Editor / Editor Emeritus, Canadian Journal of Buddhist Studies. Prof. Sugunasiri, may be reached at suwanda.sugunasiri@utoronto.ca.)

 Dr Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D.

චානක බණ්ඩාරගේ

 15/10/2015 දින මෙම වෙබ්අඩවියේ පළවූ ‘15/10/1505 (510 years ago to date) is the day that the Portuguese first landed in Colombo, Sri Lanka’ යන ලිපියේ සිංහල පරිවර්තනය

1505 වසරේ ඔක්තෝබර් මස මැද සමයේ කපිතාන් ලොරෙන්සෝ ද අල්මේදාගේ නායකත්වයෙන් යුත් යුධ නැව් 9ක් ඉන්දියාවේ කල්කටාවෙන් සහ ඉන්දියන් සාගරයේ මාලදිවයින් දුපත් වලින් තම නැව් සඳහා අවශ්‍ය කරන නාවික කඹ සොයා ගත නොහැකිව නැවත පෘතුගාලය වෙත යාමට තීරණය කරන ලදී. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව පිළිබඳව අල්මේදා දැන සිටියේ නැත. මාලදිවයිනේ සිට ආපසු යන ගමනේදී ඈත ක්ෂතිජයේ තද කොළ පැහැති ගස් කොළන් සහිත දිවයිනක් ඔහුගේ නැවියෝ දුටුහ. එම දිවයින (ශ්‍රී ලංකාව) වෙත ඉතා ඉක්මනින් ගිය නැව් පංතිය ගාලු වරායට සෙන්දුවී එහි නැන්ගුරුම් ලා ගත්හ.

මෙම සිද්ධියට පරම්පරා දෙකක කාල පරිච්චේදයකට පෙර තොටගමුවේ ශ්‍රී රාහුල හිමියන් සිය පරෙවි සංදේශයේ 84වැනි කවියෙන් ගාලු පුරය වර්ණනා කර තිබුනේ එහි සාප්පුවල මුතු, මැණික්, රත්‍තරන් ප්‍රදර්ශනයට තබා තිබු අයුරින් කෙනෙකුට සිතෙනුයේ මුළු මහත් මුහුදු පත්ලම හරා ඇද්දෝයි කියායි.

ගාල්ලේ නැන්ගුරුම්ව තිබියදී නැව් වලට අවශ්ය අලුත්වැඩියා කටයුතු කරගන්නා ලදී. තමනට අවශ්‍ය නාවික කඹද පෘතුගීසිහු ගාල්ලෙන් සොයා ගත්හ. දින ගනණාවක් සඳහා අවශ්‍ය ආහාර පාන සහ ජලය ඔවුහු එක්රැස් කර ගත්හ. මේ සිය නව ගමන් මාර්ගය උදෙසායි. ඒ, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ කොලොම්තොට (කොළඹ) කරා යාත්‍රා කිරීමයි.

කොළඹ වෙත ගොඩබිමට කිට්ටුවෙන්ම ඔවුහු යාත්‍රා කළහ. මෙම අපුරු දිවයිනේ චමත්කාරජනක දර්ශනයෙන් ඔවුහු මවිතයටත්, සතුටතත් ඔවුහු පත් වුහ. ඔවුන් මාලදිවයිනේ සහ කල්කටාවේ දුටුවේ වියලි, කර්කෂ භුමින්ය. නමුත් ශ්‍රී ලංකාව අසිරිමත්, සාරවත් දේශයක් බව ඔවුහු දුටුහ. මුහුද දෙසට නැමුණු පොල් ගස් වලින් නික්මුණු ප්‍රනීත සුවඳ ඔවුහු ආශාවෙන් ආශ්වාස කළහ. සැම තැනකම තද හරිත වර්ණ වෘක්ෂ, සහ වනාන්තරද, කඳු මත ගොඩ නගා ඇති සුදෝ සුදු බෞද්ධ චයිත්‍යයන්ද ඔවුහු ආශාවෙන් නැරඹුහ. අප දිවයිනට ඒමට පෙර ඉමහත් දුර්මුඛ මානසිකයෙන් හෙබි පෘතුගීසීහු අප දිවයින දැකිමෙන් නව ජීවයක් ලබා ගත්හ. මේ සුන්දර, රමණිය දිවයින සොයා දීම ගැන සිය දෙවියන්ට ඔවුහු ස්තුති පුද කළහ.

1505 ඔක්තෝබර් 15 දින පෘතුගීසි නාවික බලකාය කොළඹ වරායට සේන්දු වුහ.

කොළඹ මෝදර මුස්ලිම් පල්ලි දෙකක් පෘතුගීසින් දුටුහ. පිරිමි සහ ගැහැණු ළමුන් ධීවර ගී ගයමින් මසුන් පිරි දැවැන්ත මාදැලක් අදිනු ඔවුහු දුටුහ. කොළඹ වරායේ නවාතා තිබු නැව් රාශිය දැක පෘතුගීසීහු විශ්මයට පත්වුහ. නැව් වලට සපයන අපනයන භාණ්ඩ අතර දළ ඇතුන්, කොප්පරා, අලුත් පොල් (ගෙඩි), කුරුඳු සහ වටිනා දෑව වර්ග ආදිය විය.

කෝට්ටේ එවකට සිටි ධර්ම පරාක්‍රමබාහු රජතුමාට (8වන පරාක්‍රමබාහු) සුදු හමැති පෘතුගීසීන්ගේ නැව් පංතියේ පැමිනීම එසැනින්ම සැල විය. ඔහුගේ චර පුරුෂ සේවයට අනුව පැමිණි ආගන්තුකයන් නරක අයවුන් නොවිය. තමන්ගේ පැමිනීම ගැන අල්මේදා රජතුමාට දැන්වීමට සැලැස්විය. මේ පැමිණ සිටින්නේ පෘතුගාල රජුගේ දුතයන් බවත් කපිතාන් අල්මේදා යනු එවකට ඉන්දියාවේ (කල්කටාවේ) සිටි පෘතුගීසි රජුගේ ප්‍රථම නියෝජිතයාගේ පුතා බවටත් රජතුමාට දැනගැනීමට ඔවුහු සැලස්වුහ. තමනට රජතුමා හමුවීමට අවැසි බව ඔවුහු අවධාරණයෙන් සැල කර සිටියහ. තමා හමුවීමට අවස්ථාව දෙන ගමන්, කොළඹ වරාය තුල ජලය සහ දර සෙවීමට සිංහල වැසියන් පෘතුගීසින්ට කරන ලද අවහිරතා පිළිබඳව රජතුමා තම කණසල්ල පෘතුගීසින් වෙත පිරිනැමිය. ඒ අතරම, පෘතුගීසි නැව් වල තිබු කාලතුවක්කු පෙන්වා සිය රට වැසියන් නැවත බිය නොවද්දන මෙන් ඉල්ලීමක්ද රජතුමා පෘතුගීසින්ගෙන් කර සිටියේය.

රජු හමුව සඳහා අල්මේදා තම දුතයා වූ ෆ්රැන්කෝ කොට්‍රින්ව යැවිය. රජ මාලිගය වෙත ඔහුව ගෙන ගියේ ගංගා, කඳු, තරණය කර දින 3ක් ගෙවා, අති දුරස්ථ වූ දුෂ්කර මාර්ගයකිනි. ඇත්ත හැටියෙන් නම් ඒ ගමන පැයකින් කල හැකිව තිබුණි. ‘පරංගියා කෝට්ටේ ගියා වගේ’ යන පිරුළ අප අතර ඇත්තේ එබැවිනි.

මෙවැනි ධීර්ග මාවතක් තෝරාගැනීමට හේතුව රජතුමා සහ රාජධානිය ගැන විස්තර පෘතුගීසින්ගෙන් වසං කර තැබීමටයි.

පැවතී සාකච්චාවලදී පෘතුගිසි නියෝතවරයා රජතුමාට සැලකර සිටියේ ඔවුහු රජතුමා සමඟ වෙළඳ සහ වාණිජ කටයුතු සිදු කිරීමට කැමති බවයි. එසේ කිරීමට නම් රජතුමා තම පෘතුගාලයේ සිටින රජතුමා වෙත පඩුරු/ත්‍යාග යැවිය යුතු බව හේ පැවසිය. තම රජුද එවැනි පඩුරු/ත්‍යාග ඉන්පසුව එවන බවද දැන්විය. තමන්ගේ යෝජනා රජතුමා පිළිනොගත හොත් ඔහුට දඩුවම් කිරීමට සිදුවියහැකියයි තර්ජනයක්ද කළේය. පෘතුගාල නාවික හමුදාව එවක ලොව සිටි ප්‍රබලතම නාවික හමුදාවක් බවත් රජතුමා තමන්ගේ යෝජනාවලට එකඟ වුවහොත් රජතුමාට අවශ්‍ය මුහුදු ආරක්ෂාව තමනට ලබා දිය හැකි බවද පෘතුගාල නියෝජිතයා රජතුමාට සැල කර සිටියේය.

 කපටිකමින් අනුන වූ පෘතුගාල දුතයා රජුට පෙන්වුයේ තමන්ට ශ්‍රී ලංකාව අයිති කරගැනීම පිළිබදව කිසිම ආශාවක් නැති බවත් තමන්ගේ එකම උවමනාව ශ්‍රී ලංකාව සමඟ වෙළඳ සහ වාණිජ කටයුතු පටන් ගැනීමත් ඉන්දියාව සමඟ (කල්කටා) තමන්ගේ දැනට පවත්නා විශාල පරිමානයේ වෙළඳ සහ වාණිජ කටයුතු සඳහා ශ්‍රී ලංකාව තාවකාලික නාවික නැවතුම් පලක් බවට පත් කර ගැනීමත් බවය.

දෙරට අතර රාජ්‍යතාන්ත්‍රික ගිවිසුමක් (treaty) අත්සන් කල යුතු බවද හේ පැවසිය.

රජතුමා මේ සමන්ධව සිය ඇමති මණ්ඩලය සමඟ (එයින් හතර දෙනෙක්ම ඔහුගේ සොහොයුරෝ වුහ) සාකච්චා කළේය. එහිදී තීරණය වුයේ මෙම රාජ්‍යතාන්ත්‍රික ගිවිසුම එකෙහිනිම අත්සන් තැබිය යුතු බවයි. ඒ අනුව ගිවුසුමට ඔවුහු අත්සන් තැබුහ. ගිව්සුම ප්‍රකාරව රජතුමා වසරකට කුරුඳු අති විශාල ප්‍රමාණයක් (රාත්තල් ලක්ෂ 2ක් පමණ) පෘතුගාලය වෙත තුටු පඳුරු ලෙස සැපයිය යුතු වීය.

ගිවුසුම අත්සන් කිරීමෙන් පසුව පෘතුගාල නියෝජිතයා තම නැව් වෙත රැගෙන ගොස් බැහැරන ලදී.

සාකච්චාවන් වලින් ලද අති සාර්ථක ප්‍රතිපල ගැන අල්මේදා අති මහත් ප්රීතියට පත් විය. ලැබූ ජයග්‍රහණය සමරනු වස් සිය නැව් වල කාලතුවක්කු වලින් අහසට වෙඩි තබනු ලැබිය. වෙඩි හඬ ඇසුණු කොළඹ වැසියෝ අති මහත් භීතියට පත්ව අවට ඇති කැළයන්හි සැඟ වුහ. කොළඹවාසින් එයට පෙර කිසිදාක කාලතුවක්කු වෙඩි හඬවල් අසා නොතිබුණි.

අල්මේදා ඉතා විගසින් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවට අදාළව තානාපතිවරයෙක් පත් කළේය. ඔහු පයෝ ද සුසා විය. මෙම තානාපතිවරයා රජතුමා වෙත යැවිමට අවශ්‍ය බව ඔහු කීය. තානාපතිවරයා රැගෙන යාමට රජතුමා අලි ඇතුන් එවිය. මෙවරද රජ මාලිගයට ගියේ දින 3ක් ගෙවා දුර බැහැර මාර්ගයෙනි. නමුත් කොළඹ වරායේ නවත්වා ඇති තම නැව් වල කාලතුවක්කු වෙඩි හඬ කෝට්ටේ රජවාසලට ඇසීමෙන් රජතුමා තමන් රැවටු බව තානාපතිවරයා දැන ගත්තේය. මෙම වෙඩි තැබීම කෝට්ටේ එවිට සිටි තානාපතිවරයාට ඇසේදැයි බැලීමට අල්මේදා විසින් කරන ලද්දකි.

රජතුමා සමඟ ඉතා සුහද සාකච්චා තානාපතිවරයා පැවැත්විය.

කෝට්ටේ රාජධානිය සතු ධනය සහ එහි සශ්‍රීකභාවය පිළිබඳව තානාපතිවරයා විශ්මයට පත්විය. ඔහුගේ දෑසින් දුටු මැණික්, රත්‍තරන් සහ වෙනත් ස්වර්ණාභරණ ඔහුටම ඇදහිය නොහැකි තරම් විය. රජතුමා තානාපතිවරයාවෙත රනින් කල අක්තපත්‍රයක් පිළිගැන්විය. එහි අකුරු ලියා තිබුනේ සිංහලෙනි.
ආපසු නැවට පැමිණි තානාපතිවරයා අල්මේදා විසින් ඉතා හොඳින් පිළිගැනුණි. ඔහුව රැගෙන ආ සිංහල රාජ සේවකයන්ද ඉතා හොඳින් පිළිගැනුණි, ඔවුන් වෙත විශේෂිත භෝජන සංග්‍රහයක්ද පැවැත්විණ. භෝජන සංග්‍රහයට පාන් සහ රතු වයින් අඩංගු විය. සිංහලයෝ මෙවැනි ආහාර වැළඳු ප්‍රථම අවස්ථාව මෙය විය. පරන්ගීහු ගල් කා ලේ බොන බව සිංහලයා එදා කිවේ එහෙයිනි.

පොරොන්දු වූ කුරුඳු තොගය එදිනම පෘතුගීසි නැව් වලට පැටැවිණි. කෝට්ටේ රජුගෙන් පෘතුගාල රජ වෙනුවෙන් ඇත් පැටවූ 2ක් ත්‍යාග වශයෙන් පිරිනැමුණි. මුහුදු ගමනේදී ආහාර පිණිස ජීවත්වෙන කුකුලන් රාශියක් නැව් වලට පැටැවිණි. පිරිසිඳු පළතුරු විශාල ප්‍රමාණයක් (කෙසලේ, අඹ, අන්නාසි, තැඹිලි ආදිය) නැව්වලට පැටැවිණි. පෘතුගීසීන්ගේ ඉල්ලීමට ඉඩ දෙමින් ඔවුනට තම රජතුමාගේ නිල මුද්‍රාව සහ ක්‍රිස්තු කුරුසය කොළඹ වරාය තුල ගලක කෙටීමට ඉඩ දෙනු ලැබිය (කොලඹ වරායේ මේවා අද දවසටත් දක්නා ඇතැයි කියත්). පිටත්වීමට කලින් ඒ ස්ථානයේ කුඩා කතෝලික දේවස්ථානයක් සාදා එහි කතෝලික පුජාවක් පැවැත්වීමටත් අනුමැතිය ලැබුණි. මේ, ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ පැවැත්වූ ප්‍රථම දිව්‍ය පුජාව විය හැකයි. පල්ලියට අසලින් කුඩා කර්මාන්තශාලාවක් සැදීමත් එහි ස්ථිර මට්ටමින් පෘතුගිසි සේවකයන් කිහිප දෙනක් නවත්වා තැබීමටත් අවසර ලැබුණි.

නැව් සමුහය පෘතුගාලයේ ලිස්බන් වරායේදී වීරවරයන් මෙන්, මහත් වූ හරසරයෙන් පිලි ගනු ලැබුහ. නැව් කාණ්ඩයේ අති මහත්වූ සාර්ථක ප්‍රතිපල පිළිබඳව පෘතුගාලය තුල ඒ වනවිට ඉමහත් ප්‍රසිද්ධියක් ලැබී තිබුණි. ලොරෙන්සෝ ද අල්මේදා අද්මිරාල් තනතුරට උසස් කරන ලදී. ත්‍යාග කරන ලද දළ ඇතා (එක් ඇතෙක් මුහුදු ගමනේදී මියගොස් තිබුණි) පෘතුගාලයට පා තැබූ ප්‍රථම අලියායි.

පෘතුගාලයේ මැනුවෙල් රජතුමා (1495 – 1521), පුද්ගලිකව සහභාගී වූ දේව මෙහෙයක් ලිස්බන්හි දී 21/12/1507 දින පැවැත්විණි. එහිදී දෙවියන් වහන්සේ විසින් එරටට ලබාදුන් අනගි ත්‍යාගය (ශ්‍රී ලංකාව) පිලිබඳ තුති පිදීමක් විය. මැනුවෙල් රජතුමා 1507 වසරේදී එවකට සිටි පාප්තුමා වූ පාවුළු ජුලියස් II තුමාට (1443 – 1513),තම රටට ලැබුණු මහඟු ත්‍යාගය ගැන ලියා දැන්විය.

කෝට්ටේ රාජධානිය තුල යුධ කඳවුරක් සහ කොළඹ නගරය තුල කොටුවක් (fort) තැනිය යුතු බව පෘතුගාල රජතුමා අණ කළේය. එවකට ඉන්දියාවේ (කල්කටාවේ) සිටි පෘතුගීසි රජුගේ ප්‍රථම නියෝජිතයා (ලොරෙන්සෝ අල්මේදාගේ පියා, ෆ්රැන්සිස්කෝ අල්මේදා) මින් ඉදිරියට ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සිට තම කටයුතු කල යුතුයයි පෘතුගාල රජතුමා නියම කළේය. පෘතුගාල රජයේ ඉදිරි ආසියාව සම්බන්ධවූ වැඩපිළිවෙලවල් ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සිට මෙහෙයවිය යුතු යයි අන්ග්යාවක් දෙනු ලැබිය.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා රජු වෙත සුදුසු තුටු පඩුරක් යැවිය යුතු බවට පෘතුගාල රජතුමා නියම කළේය.

කෝට්ටේ රාජධානිය සහ පෘතුගාලය අතර පැවතී මේ පුදුමාකාර, තදබල මිත්‍රත්වය රඳා පැවතියේ මාස කිහිපයක් පමණි.

පෘතුගීසි හමුදා විසින් කොළඹ වරායෙන් පිටවන සියලු නැව් තම පරික්ෂාවට භාජනය කරවිය. මෙයට මුස්ලිම් නැව් හිමියෝ සහ සිංහල වෙළදුන් විරෝධය පෑහ.

ශ්‍රී ලංකා සමාජය ක්‍රිස්තියානිකරණය වීම සහ බුද්ධාගමට පෘතුගීසින්ගෙන් ඇතිවූ තර්ජන සහ ඔවුන්ගේ අයහපත් කල් ක්‍රියා නිසා සාමාන්‍ය වැසීයන්ට පෘතුගීසින් එපාවී තිබුණි.

1518දී පෘතුගීසින්ට කොළඹ කොටුවක් සැදීමට රජතුමා අවසර දුන්නේය.

1519දී ධර්ම පරාක්‍රමබාහු රජතුමා මිය යනවිට පෘතුගීසීහු ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ සිය පියවර මැනවින් සටහන් කරගෙන තිබුණි. ධර්ම පරාක්‍රමබාහු ට පසුව රජවුයේ ඔහුගේ සොහොයුරු විජයබාහුයි. ඔහු 1521 වෙනතුරු රජකම් කළේය.  

1521දී විජයබාහු රජුගේ පුතුන් තිදෙනා සිය පියා ඝාතනය කර කෝට්ටේ රාජධානිය තම තමන් අතර බෙදා ගත්හ (‘විජයබා කොල්ලය’ නවකථාව කියවන්න). වැඩිමහලු, බුවනෙකබාහු කෝට්ටේ රජකමටත් සෙසු සහෝදරයන් දෙදෙනා සීතකවක සහ රයිගම රාජධානිත් සාදාගත්හ. බල පරාක්‍රමයෙන් සහ දක්ෂකමින් අග තැන්පත් සීතාවක රජවූ මායාදුන්නේ බුවනෙකබාහුගේ කෝට්ටේ රාජධානියෙන් කොටස් වරින්වර අල්ලා ගත්තේය. මේ අනුව ආරක්ෂාව පතා බුවනෙකබාහු පෘතුගීසින් කරා බෙහෙවින් යොමු විය. මේ අනුව, දිගින් දිගටම පෘතුගීසින් වෙත කුරුඳු ත්‍යාග පිරිනැමීමටත් වෙනත් තුටුපඳුරු පිරිනැමීමටත් ඔහුට සිදු විය. පෘතුගීසි බලය මැඩිමට මායාදුන්නේ එවකට කල්කටාවේ පෘතුගීසින් සමඟ සටන් වැදී සිටි සැමොරියන්වරුන්ගෙන් උදවු උපකාර ලබා ගත්තේය.

මායාදුන්නේ සහ පෘතුගීසින් අතර දැවැන්ත සටන් ඇති විය. මායාදුන්නේගේ පුත්, රාජසිංහ (සීතාවක රාජසිංහ) පියා මෙන්ම දක්ෂ රණ ශූර රජෙක් විය.

මුහුදු නාවුක ශක්තිය නොමැතිවීම කොට්ටේ සහ අවට රජවරුන්ට තිබු බලවත් අඩුපාඩුවක් විය.

ක්‍රමානුකුලව පෘතුගීසින් මුළු කෝට්ටේ සහ ඒ අවට කුඩා රාජධානි අත් පත් කර ගත්හ.

1565දී ඔවුහු සිය රාජධානිය කෝට්ටේ සිට කොළඹට ගෙන ගියහ.

බුවනෙකබාහුගේ අභාවයෙන් පසු ඔහුගේ මුනුබුරු ධර්මපාල කුමරා (දොන් ජුවන් ධර්මපාල) රජ විය (1551 – 1597).   ධර්මපාල කුමරුට සහාය දෙනමෙන් බුවනෙකබාහු 1543දී පෘතුගීසින් සමඟ සම්මුතියකට එළඹී තිබුණි. ධර්මපාල රකින බවට පෘතුගීසින් කැප වුහ. නාම මාත්‍ර රජෙක් වූ ධර්මපාල සැබවින්ම පෘතුගීසින් විසින් පාලනය කරන ලද ‘පඹ රජෙක්’ විය. ෆ්රැන්සිස්කන් වරුන් විසින් අධ්‍යාපනය ලබා දුන් ධර්මපාල කතෝලික භක්තිකයෙකු ලෙස බවුතිස්ම ලැබුවේය. ශ්‍රී ලංකාව පාලනය කල එකම සහ අවසාන කතෝලික රජතුමා ධර්මපාල විය. ඔහුගේ සහකාරියක් වූ, දෝන කැතරිනා, පසුව කෝනප්පු බණ්ඩාර හා විවාහ විය. මොහු, පසුව විමලධර්මසුරිය නමුන් උඩරට රාජධානිය පාලනය කළේය (‎1592–1604).

1559දී ඇතිවූ මුල්ලේරියාව සටන (මායාදුන්නේ සහ පුත් රාජසිංහ එකමුතුව) සහ 1594දී ඇතිවූ දන්තුරේ සටන සිංහලයන් විසින් පෘතුගීසින් වෙත විශාල හානි සිදුකල සටන් වේ. මුල්ලේරියා සටනින් එහි වගුරු බිම් ලේ පැහැ විය. දන්තුරේ සටනින් මුළු පෘතුගීසි හමුදාවක්ම සමුලඝාතනය කිරීමට සිංහලයෝ සමත් වුහ. දන්තුරේ (මහනුවර නගරයට සැතපුම් කිහිපයක් දුරින් පිහිටි ගම්මානයකි – අද, ගන්නොරුව) සටන පැරදුනි නම් කන්ද උඩරටද අල්ලා ගැනීමෙන් පෘතුගීසින්ට මුළු ශ්‍රී ලංකාවම අල්වා ගතහැකි වනු ඇත. මේ සටන මෙහෙයවුයේ විමලධර්මසුරිය රජතුමායි.

මුළු රටම (ශ්‍රී ලංකාවම) අල්වා ගැනීමේ පෘතුගීසි සිහිනය කිසිදා සැබෑ නොවිය.

1658දී ලන්දේසි සහයෙන් පෘතුගීසින් මෙරටින් පනවා දමනු ලැබීය.

බ්‍රිතාන්‍යයන් (1798- 1948) මෙන් නොව, රටේ ආර්ථිකය සරු කිරීමට පෘතුගීසීහු මුකුත් නොකළහ. ඔවුන්ගෙන් මෙරටට ලැබුණු ප්‍රධානතම ලැබීමක් නම් කතෝලික දහමයි. මෙය ශ්‍රී ලංකාවේ කතෝලිකයන්ට මහඟු දායාදයක් බව නොරහසකි.

නමුත්, මේ දායාදය පෘතුගීසින් මේ රටට පිරිනැමුවේ ශුද්ධ වූ කතෝලික ධර්මතාවන්ට අනුව නොවේ. කතෝලික ආගම ව්‍යාප්ත කිරීම සඳහා පෘතුගීසීහු බෞද්ධ පන්සල්, පිරිවෙන්, පුස්ථකාල රාශියක් ගිනිතබා විනාශ කළහ. වෙරළාසන්න බෞද්ධයන් හට නොයෙක් අයුතු ලාබ ප්‍රයෝජන ලබා දී ඔවුන්ව කතෝලික ආගමට හරවා ගත්හ. උදාහරණයක් ලෙස කතෝලික වූ බෞද්ධයන් සහ පෘතුගීසි නම් ගත් සිංහලයන් පෘතුගීසි ආණ්ඩුව වෙත ගෙවිය යුතු නොයෙක් බදු , ආදායම් බදු ආදිය ගෙවීමෙන් නිදහස් කළහ.

මෙම සිංහල පරිවර්තනය මුල් ඉංගිරිසි ලිපියේ කතුවරයා විසින්ම වේ

පසු සටහන්:

සිංහලයන්ගේ අහිංසකත්වයෙන් සහ ආගන්තුක සත්කාරයෙන් පෘතුගීසීහු අයුතු ප්‍රයෝජන ගත්හ.

ලොරන්සෝ ද අල්මේදාගේ ක්‍රියාවන් විමර්ශනය කිරීමේදී විද්‍යාමාන වන්නේ ඔවුන් නාවික භටයන්ට වඩා මුහුදු කොල්ලකරුවන්ට සමාන කල හැකි පිරිසක් බවයි. ඉන්දියන් සාගරයේදී, මැද පෙරදිග සහ අපරදිග බලා යාත්‍රා වූ සහ එහි සිට පැමිණි නැව්, විශේෂයෙන්ම මුස්ලිම් නැව්, මේ අය කොල්ලකන ලදැයි සැක කරන කරුණු සාධක ඇත.

නැව් 9කින් පමණක් පැමිණ මේ තරම් ලේසියෙන් රාජ්‍යයක් කොල්ල කෑමට ඔවුනට හැකි වීමෙන් පෙන්වන්නේ (ක්‍රමානුකුල, කාලාන්තරයක් තුල බව සත්‍යකි) එවකට සිටි කෝට්ටේ රජු කොතරම් අඥයානවන්ත රජෙක්ද යන්නයි.

වෙරළබඩ බෞද්ධ සිද්ධස්ථාන කැඩීමෙන් ලැබුණු ගල්, කොළඹ කොටුව සැදීමට යොදාගත් බව ‘16th Century Clash of Civilizations” නමැති ග්‍රන්ථයේ සඳහන් වන බව පැවසේ.

ලන්දේසින් සහ බ්‍රිතාන්‍යයන් මෙන් නොව පෘතුගීසින් සාමාන්‍ය ශ්‍රී ලංකික වැසියන් සමඟ කුළුපග ආශ්‍රයක් ඇතිව ජීවත් වුහ (සාමය පැවති සමයන්හි). බොහෝ පෘතුගීසින් සිංහල කාන්තාවන් විවාහ කර ගත්හ. මෙයට පෘතුගාල රජය කෙලින්ම අනුබල දුන්නේය. මේ නයින් ‘බර්ගර්’ නමින් වූ නව ජාතියක ආරම්භය මේ රටේ ඇතිවිය.

Chandre dharma-wardana 

Corruption too must be judged against what is the going yardstick in other parts of the world. Corruption is a natural phenomenon (like entropy) in rapidly evolving  complex physical systems. There is no entropy production (corruption) in systems that evolve infinitely slowly, as we know from thermodynamics.

In the West, the Enron scandal, the scandals involving the bail out of Fanny-May, Goldman-Sachs etc., during Obama’s bail out, or the scandals involving the blatant handing over of the Iraqi war spin-off business to Haliberton (Dick Chaney, Rusmfeld, Bush are principal shareholders), running into billions are well known.

That Koffe-Anan’s son and Tony Blair also profited vastly are well known.  Earlir, In Canada 7 minsters of the Malroney small cabinet  had to leave because of vast corrupt side deals, and even the prime minister Malroney was caught taking money (e.g., airbus purcahse scandal) and depositing them in swiss accounts through Hans-Schreiber, a man similar to sajin Vass who also worked with the german chancellor Helmut Kohl. The subsequent Canadian governments all lost on various mega-scandales (“sponsorship” scandal etc. Bridge scandals  in Quebec almost every bridge was found to be unsafe due to contractor fixing and millions of dollars per bridge being taken by politicians fixing contracts).

In Italy every politician has to be lining the pockets of the Mafia.

MR must be judged in comparison to his regional counterparts and not just the Western Politicians whose approach to corruption is very sophisticated and well-integrated with the banking system that they own.  In India, Sonia Gandhi and her family’s mega scandals are well known but the spineless nice-guy (last Indian president) kept mum over it and that was part of his job. The Telecom scandals of some of Modi’s associates are also well known. Give Modi another 6 or 7 years and his story will be exactly the same.

Go to Bangladesh or Pakistan, the financial scandals and levels of corruption are an order of magnitude greater than those ever reported in the mega-gossip columns  in SL.

The Pakistani corruption has gone on ever since the end of Jinnah.

Dilrook argued even in Dec 2014 that MR must be thrown out,  and he worked hard ( presumably  mainly journalistic) to put the Mangala-Ranil-Sirisena team (well-known to be  western puppets) in power.

So, in following the concept of eliminating the enemy completely that may people follow in their political struggles (e.g., in China when they eliminate opponents on the basis of corruption), Dilrook wants the death sentence without concerning himself of  the social turmoil that will ensure from it in the country where the rajapaksa’s have a huge emotional following. This process of executing popular figures and army generals is a part of the “orange revolution” strategy followed by the US to create social turmoil and chaos in the country, giving them (their western capital) to move in. So Dilrook is wittingly or unwittingly an agent of the Shock-and-turmoil doctrine of the US  neo-cons.

Instead, the present govt. has paid patronage to established  financial crooks like Paskaralingam whose activities in draining the country during Premadasa’s time are not examined by the Welliamuna-Rajitha types. The boss of transparency international has nothing to say about the Cenrtal bank bond scandal.
This proposal is on the basis of Welliamuna’s still unproven allegations when his previous allegations against Air-lanka bosses ended up as empty noise. No banking system (not those in bermuda, Kayman islands, and certainly not Dubai ) will release names and amounts just because a team of lawyers asks for them, as their complete financial policy is based on secrecy and trust. For them, money and business has no moral stigma.
The VVIPs mentioned by rajitha are not even indicted, leave aside being convicted. Switzerland ALLOWED the convicted American Mining magnate (who owned most of the Cu mines in Nigeria) to escape to Switzerland and retain  his deposits o f  billions there, knowing that a US court had convicted him. He returned to the USA when George Bush pardoned him (the pardon was negotiated by the king of Spain, Tony Blair and Clinton, who were all paid handsomely by the mining magnate, as reported in the Canadian Broadcast Com (CBC)  TV investigative report an year or so ago.

So to me the story that the names and amounts were revealed purely because Welliamuna et al team of lawyers demanded it, or even the American Govt. demanded it,  seems not credible. the claim that “every dollar transaction can be followed by the US”, is nonsense, as they couldn’t do it when the bank melt-down occurred in 2008.

Unfortunately, the public are not interested in corruption and they have always voted criminals and crooks into power. That seems to be the case in so called ‘democracies’, including the US and UK. The safeguard built into democratic systems is that leaders should not be in power for more than one, or a maximum of two terms. When the public ignore this, and when the a constitution is amended to allow this, the results are what is expected – corruption, nepotism and increasing concentration of power in the hands of a few, because they think they are in power for ever, and have no fear of having to account for their actions.

The punishment for corruption by top officials is some public stigmatization followed by a pardon from the highest level. In “dictatorial” countries like China they have not pardoned corrupt officials but followed the method of Dilrook and imposed the death penalty, but this has been mostly done to eliminate political competitors.

The first step is the FILE CHARGES in a court of LAW in Sri lanka, with the available evidence, instead of Rajitha making a press statement, and Dilrook pronouncing the punishment. I am sure many of you have seen the Gilbert and Suillvan play, The Mikado.
First the execution  and then the trial!

https://youtu.be/i8G9v1iQJEw

2015 ඔක්තෝබර් මස 18 13:53:04 | . , සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් දේශපාලන විශ්ලේෂක,පරිවර්තනය කෝවිද ගුණසේකර

මෙරට අති සුවිශේෂී පුද්ගලයෙකුගේ දේශපාලනයේ නියුතු පුත්‍රයෙක් සතුබව කියැවුනු ඩුබායිහි ජාතික බැංකුවේ (නැෂනල් බෑන්ක් ඔෆ් ඩුබායි) ගිණුමක් ගැන තොරතුරු මෙරට දේශපාලඥයින්ට ලැබුණේ පසුගිය පාර්ලිමෙන්තු මැතිවරණය පැවැත්වුනු අගොස්තු 17 වැනිදාට දින 10 කට පමණ පෙරාතුවය.මෙම ගිණුමේ ඩොලර් බිලියනයක් පමණ තැන්පත් කර තිබෙන බව පැවසුනු අතර එය එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂයේ මෙන්ම එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂය සමග අත්වැල් බැඳගෙන සිටි ශ්‍රීලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂයේ සාමාජිකයින්ව ප්‍රීතියට පත් කිරීමට සමත්වූ පුවතක් වුනි.එනිසාවෙන්ම මේ සම්බන්ධ පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු ආරම්භවූයේ එම සමයේ සිටමය.

මෙම කටයුතු භාරකෙරුණේ මානව හිමිකම් ක්‍රියාධරයෙක් සහ ට්‍රාන්ස්පිරන්සි ඉන්ටර්නැෂනල් සංවිධානයේ ශ්‍රීලංකා නියෝජිතයා ලෙස කටයුතු කරන නීතිඥ ජේ.සී.වැලිඅමුණ මහතාටය.වත්මන් රජයේ වංචා හා දූෂණ මර්දන පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු වල වැඩිබර කරට ගෙන කටයුතු කරන්නේ ඔහුය.එමෙන්ම පසුගියදා පැවති මානව හිමිකම් කවුන්සිල සැසිවාරයේදී රජය නියෝජනය කරමින් එහි කරුණු දැක්වූයේද ඔහුය.වැලිඅමුණ මෙම ගිණුම සම්බන්ධ පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු ක්‍රියාත්මක කළේ ආතර් කොනන් ඩොයිල් කතුවරයාගේ නවකතාවල එන ෂර්ලොක් හෝම්ස් විලාසයෙන් අතිශය රහසිතගතවය.ඔහු හෙළිකරගන්නා තොරතුරු මැතිවරණ ජය තහවුරු කිරීම සඳහා තුරුම්පුවක් ලෙස භාවිතා කිරීම එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂය ප්‍රමුඛ විපක්ෂයේ අපේක්ෂාව වුනි.

නමුත් වැලිඅමුණගේ පරීක්ෂණ සාර්ථක ප්‍රතිඵල ලබාදුන්නේ නැත.ශ්‍රීලංකන් එයාර්ලයින්ස් දූෂණ සෙවීමට වරක් ඔහුට පැවරුණු අතර එම අවස්ථාවේදීද සාර්ථක ප්‍රතිඵල ලබාදීමට ඔහු අපොහොසත් විය.මේ සඳහා ඔහුට ගෙවීම් ලෙස රුපියල් ලක්ෂ 30 ක මුදලක් ලබා දී ඇති බව සඳහන්ය.වැලිඅමුණ ශ්‍රීලන්කන් සම්බන්ධයෙන් පිළියෙල කර තිබූ වාර්තාව කොළඹ පිළිගත් නීතිඥවරු අතරද කතාබහට ලක්වුනු අතර ඔවුන්ගේ මතය වූයේ එය නෛතික ලෙස පිළියෙල කළ වාර්තාවකට වඩා පදනම් විරහිත කරුණු වලින් අලංකාර කර තිබූ වාර්තාවක් බවය.වාර්තාවෙන් චෝදනා එල්ල කර තිබූවන් කිසිවෙකුවත් අධිකරණය හමුවට කැඳවුනේද නැත.ඒ මෙම වාර්තාව නීතිපතිවරයා අතටත්,පොලිස් අපරාධ පරීක්ෂණ දෙපාර්තමෙන්තුවටත්,මූල්‍ය අපරාධ විමර්ෂණ ඒකකයටත් භාරදී තිබූ වාතාවරණයකය.

ඩුබායි ගිණුම ගැන තොරතුරු සොයාබැලීමේ නිල අවසරය ජනපති මෛත්‍රීපාල සිරිසේන වැලිඅමුණට ලබාදුන්නේය.ඊට අමතරව ඩුබායිහි පාලක මොහොමඩ් බින් රෂීඩ් අල් මක්ටුම්ගෙන් මෙම පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු සිදුකිරීමට අවසරය ලබාදෙන ලෙසද ජනපතිවරයා ඉල්ලා සිටියේය.මෙලෙස ලැබූ අවසරයෙන් වැලිඅමුණ ඩුබායි හා කොළඹ අතර අවස්ථා කිහිපයකදීම ගමනේ යෙදුනේය.ඔහුගේ පළමු රාජකාරිය වූයේ ඩුබායිහි අධිකරණයේදී ශ්‍රීලංකාව නියෝජනය කිරීමට එරටින් නීතිඥයින් සමාගමක් තෝරාගැනීමය.මේ කටයුත්ත වෙනුවෙන් කොපමණ මුදල් ප්‍රමාණයක් වැයව ඇත්දැයි සඳහනක් නැත.තමන් තෝරාගත් නීතිඥ සමාගමේ විශ්වසනීයභාවය ගැන ඔහු රජයේ ප්‍රබලයින්ටද සහතික විය.

ගිණුමේ මුදල් අපරාධ හෝ අයථා ක්‍රම වලින් උපයාගෙන ඇත්නම් එම මුදල් රාජසන්තක කිරීම දක්වා ඩුබායි බලධරයින් මෙහෙයවීමට තමන්ට හැකියාව තිබෙන බව එම නීතිඥ සමාගම අවධාරණය කළ බවද වැලිඅමුණ රජයට දැන්වීය.පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු මෙසේ ඉදිරියට ක්‍රියාවට නැංවෙන අතරවාරයේ වංචා හෝ දූෂණ විමර්ෂණ කොමිසමේ අධ්‍යක්ෂිකා ඩිල්රුක්ෂි ඩයස් මහත්මියද,වැලිඅමුණ හා එක්වූවාය.ඇයගේ නිලය නිසා වෙනත් රාජකාරියක නියැළෙන අවස්ථාවකදී ඇයට ගෙවීමක් බලාපොරොත්තු විය නොහැකිය.මේ වන විට මෙම ගිණුම සම්බන්ධයෙන් විවිධ තොරතුරු නොයෙක් මාධ්‍යයන් පළ කරමින් තිබිණ.මේ කියන අති සුවිශේෂී පුද්ගලයාගේ තවත් පුත්‍රෙයක් සතු ගිණුම්ද මෙම බැංකුවේම තිබෙන බවත් පැවසිණ.

දේශපාලඥයින්ට තම ප්‍රතිවාදීන්ගේ තොරතුරු ලබාගැනීමේ මාර්ගයන් රැසක් තිබෙන බව අමුතුවෙන් කිවනොයුතු කරුණකි.මෙලෙසම ඩුබායිහි බැංකුවක තිබෙන ගිණුමක් ගැන විමර්ෂනයක් වත්මන් රජයේ මැදිහත්වීමෙන් සිදුවෙමින් පවතින බවට තොරතුරු එවක හිටපු රජයේ තවත් අති සුවිශේෂී පුද්ගලයෙකුගේ කණට යෑමට වැඩිකළක් ගතවූයේ නැත.වරක් අගමැති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතාද සහභාගීව සිටි උත්සව අවස්ථාවකට මෙම පුද්ගලයාද පැමිණ සිටි අතර ඔහු එහිදී මේ පිළිඹද අගමැතිවරයාගෙන් විමසීය.එය හිටපු රජයේ ප්‍රබලයින් සම්බන්ධයෙන් සිදුකෙරෙන පරීක්ෂණයක් බව කී අගමැතිවරයා ඊට අමතර දෙයක් නොකීය.හිටපු රජයේ ප්‍රබලයෙක් වන මෙම පුද්ගලයා මෙසේ විමර්ෂණයක් පැවැත්වෙන බව දැනගැනීම යනු ගිණුමේ හිමිකාර පාර්ශවයද එය ගැන හොඳින් දන්නා බවයි.එනිසා වැලිඅමුණ සිතා සිටි පරිදි ඔහු සිදුකරමින් සිටි කටයුතු වල රහසිගතභාවයක් තිබූයේ නැත.අදාළ පාර්ශව දෙකම,එනම් රජය හා ගිණුම් හිමියා විමර්ෂණය ගැන හොඳින් දැන සිටියේය.මේ ගැන කිසිත් නොදැන සිටි කොට්ඨාශය වූයේ ජනතාවය.පසුගිය රජයේ වංචා හා දූෂණ ඇතැයි කියමින් බලයට පත්වූ වත්මන් රජයට වසරක් ගතවී ඇතත් එම චෝදනා ඔප්පු කරගැනීමට නොහැකිව ඇතැයි ඔවුහු චෝදනා කරමින් සිටියහ.

ඩුබායි ගිණුමේ තිබෙන මුදල් වලින් කොටසක් යුක්රේනයේ බැංකුවක ගිණුමකට යවා ඇති බවට නිල තොරතුරු ගෙවුණු සතිකිහිපයේදී රජයට ලැබිණ.නිල නොවන ආරංචි වලින් සීෂෙල්ස් හා බහාමාස් වල බැංකු වලටද මෙම ගිණුමෙන් මුදල් යවා ඇති බවද කියැවිණ.මෙනිසා රජය තීරණය කළේ බැංකු ගිණුමෙන් ඉදිරියට මුදල් ගනුදෙනු සිදුවීම අත්හිටුවීමටත්,එසේ ඉතිරිව ඇති මුදල් ශ්‍රීලංකා රජය වෙත ලබාගැනීමටත් අවශ්‍ය නෛතික පියවර ගැනීමට ගිණුමේ විමර්ෂණ කටයුතු වෙනුවෙන් තෝරාගෙන සිටි ඩුබායි නීතිඥ සමාගමේ නීතිඥවරුන් මෙහෙයවීමටය.පසුගිය සතියේ දේශපාලන තීරුවෙන් අනාවරණය කර තිබූ ආකාරයට එම නීතිඥවරු ඒ සඳහා අවශ්‍ය පියවර ගත්හ.බ්‍රහස්පතින්දා පැවැති නඩු වාරයෙන් පසු ඩුබායි නීතිපතිවරයාගෙන් මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් කටයුතු කළ යුතු ආකාරය පිළිඹද විමසීමට නඩුව නැවත ඉරිදා දිනයේ කැඳවීමට තීරණය විය.

ඩුබායිහි ඉරිදා දිනය සැළකෙන්නේ සතියේ පළමු දිනය ලෙසය.එහි වෙසෙන්නෝ නිවාඩු දින ලෙස සළකන්නේ සිකුරාදා සහ සෙනසුරාදා දෙදිනය.මෙනිසා බොහෝ වැදගත් කටයුතු ක්‍රියාවට නැංවෙන්නේ ඉරිදා දිනයේ සිටය.සාමාන්‍ය අවස්ථාවකදී නඩු වාරයන් ගැන තොරතුරු මහජනතාවට දැනගැනීමට හැකියාව තිබුණද මෙම නඩුව ඇසීම සිදුවූයේ රහසිගතවය.

ඉරිදා පැවැත්වුණු නඩු විභාගයට ශ්‍රීලංකාව නියෝජනය කරමින් වැලිඅමුණද,අල්ලස් හෝ දූෂණ විමර්ෂණ කොමිසමේ අධ්‍යක්ෂිකා ඩිල්රුක්ෂි ඩයස් මෙනෙවියද, ඩුබායි නීතිඥ සමාගමෙන් සපයා තිබූ නීතිඥවරු පිරිසද සහභාගීවූහ.නඩු විභාගයට සහභාගීව සිටි එරට නීතිපතිවරයා පසුගිය සතියේ සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් දේශපාලන තීරුව ගෙනහැර දැක්වීම ශ්‍රීලංකා නියෝජිතයින් දෙදෙන තරමක් මවිතයට පත්කිරීමට සමත්වූවක් වුනි.වැලිඅමුණට ඔහුගේ විමර්ෂණ වල ප්‍රගතිය සම්බන්ධයෙන් රජයේ ප්‍රබලයින්ව දිනපතා දැනුම්වත් කිරීමට උපදෙස් දී තිබිණ.සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් හට දැනගැනීමට හැකිව තිබෙන පරිදි ඔහු එසේ යෙදුණු එක් දුරකථන ඇමතුමකදී මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් අදහස් දක්වමින් පුවත්පත් වාර්තාව නිසා ඩුබායි අධිකරණය නඩුව,අපරාධ නඩුවක් ලෙස නොව සිවිල් නඩුවක් ලෙස විභාගයට ගනු ඇතියි සිතිය හැකිබව කියා ඇත.ඔහු මෙවන් නිගමනයකට එළැඹියේ කෙසේදැයි පැහැදිලි නැත.

‘එයා එහෙම කියනවානම් මාධ්‍ය ස්ත්‍රී දූෂණයක් වාර්තා කළහමත් ඒකට පැවැත්වෙන නඩුව අපරාධ නඩුවක් හැටියට නැතිව සිවිල් නඩුවක් හැටියට විභාගයට ගන්න අධිකරණය කටයුතු කරන්න ඕනානේ? ඒත් එහෙම දෙයක් වෙන්නේ නැහැනේ.‘

වැලිඅමුණගේ ප්‍රකාශය සම්බන්ධයෙන් අදහස් දැක්වූ රජයේ ප්‍රබලයෙක්ගේ සහයකයෙක් සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් හා කීය.

නමුත් වැලිඅමුණගේ අසාර්ථකවීම පසුපස තිබූ සැබෑ හේතුව අනාවරණයවීමට වැඩි කාලයක් ගතවූයේ නැත.ඩුබායිහි විනිසුරුවරයා බැංකු ගිණුම අත්හිටුවන ලෙස හා මුදල් ශ්‍රීලංකාව වෙත ලබාදෙන ලෙස ශ්‍රීලංකා රජය කළ ඉල්ලීම ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කර ඇත.විනිසුරුවරයාගේ තීන්දුවට ප්‍රධාන කොටම හේතුවී ඇති බව පැවසෙන්නේ එරට නීතිපතිවරයා මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් කර තිබෙන කරුණු දැක්වීමයි.ගිණුම් හිමි තරුණ දේශපාලඥයා එම ගිණුමේ තැන්පත් කර ඇත්තේ අයථා ක්‍රම හා අපරාධ වලින් උපයාගෙන ඇති මුදල් නම් ඔහු සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රීලංකා බලධරයින් මෙතෙක් පරීක්ෂණයක් ආරම්භ කර නොමැත්තේ ඇයිදැයි ඔහු විමසා තිබේ.එනිසා ශ්‍රීලංකා රජය කරන මෙම ඉල්ලීම් ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කළ යුතුයැයි ඔහුගේ අදහසවී ඇත.නඩුවේදී මෙවැනි බාධයක් මතුවන්නට ඇති හැකියාව වැලිඅමුණගේ අවධානයට ලක්නොවූවා වන්නට ඉඩ ඇත.මෙම තරුණ දේශපාලඥයා සම්බන්ධ දූෂණ හා වංචා පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු සිදුකරන්නට ශ්‍රීලංකා බලධරයින්ගේ අවධානය යොමුව තිබෙන්නේ දැන්ය.වංචා හෝ දූෂණ විමර්ෂණ කොමිසම ඉදිරි දිනකදී මෙම දේශපාලඥයා කැඳවා ප්‍රශ්න කරනු ඇතැයි තොරතුරු ඇත.නඩුව විභාගයට පෙර මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රීලංකාවේ බැංකු විශේෂඥයින්ගෙන් සහ වෙනත් වෘත්තිකයින්ගෙන් විමසීමට රජය කටයුතු කළේදැයි යන්නද ගැටලුවකි.

වැලිඅමුණ හා ඔහුගේ සහායිකාව අඟහරුවාදා දිවයිනට පැමිණියහ.සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් හට දැනගැනීමට ලැබුණු ආකාරයට රජයේ බොහෝ අමාත්‍යවරු පසුගිය සතියේ සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් දේශපාලන තීරුවෙන් හෙළිකෙරුනු තොරතුරු ගැන රජය පැහැදිලි කිරීමක් සිදුකළ යුතුව ඇතැයි යන මතයක සිට ඇත.වංචා හා දූෂණ මර්දනය කරන බව කියමින් තමන් පත්වූවත් මේ දක්වාම සැළකිය යුතු කිසිවත් කරගත නොහැකිවී තිබීම නිසා තමන්ද,රජයද ක්‍රමයෙන් ජනතාව අතරින් ප්‍රතික්ෂේපව යමින් තිබෙන බවත් ඔවුන් කියා ඇත.එනිසා හොඳම දෙය වන්නේ මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් පැවැත්වෙන විමර්ෂණයෙන් හෙළිවුනු කුඩා තොරතුරක් හෝ ජනතාව හමුවේ අනාවරණය කිරීම බව ඔවුන්ගේ අදහසවී තිබේ.අපට දැනගැනීමට හැකිවුනු අයුරින් ජනපති සිරිසේන පෞද්ගලිකවම වැලිඅමුණ අමතා විමර්ෂණය ගැන තොරතුරු මාධ්‍ය හමුවක් පවත්වා ලබාදිය හැකිදැයිද විමසා ඇත.

නමුත් එයට වැලිඅමුණ ලබාදී ඇත්තේ යහපත් ප්‍රතිචාරයක් නොවේ.

‘එහෙම කළොත් මේ කරලා තියෙන දේවල් වලිනුත් වැඩක් නැතිවේවි.‘ ඔහු කියා තිබේ.

මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමසීමට වැලිඅමුණ සම්බන්ධ කරගැනීමට නොයෙක් අවස්ථාවන්හිදී උත්සාහ කළද ඒ කිසිවක් සාර්ථකවූයේ නැත.ඔහුට යැවූ කෙටිපණිවුඩ වලටද පිළිතුරු නොලැබුණි.ඔහු මෙවන් පිළිවෙතක් අනුගමනය කරන්නේ ඇයිදැයි ගැටලුවකි.

කෙසේවුවත් බ්‍රහස්පතින්දා පැවති මාධ්‍ය හමුවේදී සෞඛ්‍යය අමාත්‍ය රාජිත සේනාරත්න මහතා බැංකු ගිණුම සම්බන්ධ තොරතුරු කිහිපයක් මාධ්‍ය හමුවේ අනාවරණය කළේය.මුලින්ම මෙම ගිණුම ගැන තොරතුරු අනාවරණය කළේ තමන් බවත් ඔහු කීවේය.

බදාදා පැවති අමාත්‍ය මණ්ඩල හමුවේදී විදේශ අමාත්‍ය මංගල සමරවීර මහතා ශ්‍රීලංකාව හා එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්‍යය අතර උපදේශක කටයුතු පිළිඹද ඒකාබද්ධ කමිටුවක් ඇතිකිරීම සඳහා වන අවබෝධතා ගිවිසුමක් පිළිබඳ යෝජනාවක් ඉදිරිපත් කළේය.මෙහිදි පසුගිය සතියේ සන්ඩේ ටයිම්ස් දේශපාලන තීරුව උපුටා දක්වමින් අදහස් දැක්වූ අමාත්‍ය පාඨලී චම්පික රණවක මහතා එහි සඳහන් තොරතුරු අමාත්‍ය මණ්ඩලයේ කිසිවෙකුත් නොදන්නා බවත් මේ පිළිබද සියලුදෙනාව දැනුම්වත් කළ යුතු බවත් කියා සිටියේය.අමාත්‍ය මණ්ඩලයේ කිසිවෙකුත් ඩුබායි බැංකු ගිණුම සම්බන්ධයෙන් සිදුවෙමින් පැවතුනු විමර්ෂණයන් ගැන නොදැන සිටි බව හෙළිවූයේ මෙම අවස්ථාවේදීය.එයට පිළිතුරු දුන් විදේශ අමාත්‍යවරයා මෙම ලිපිය පළවීම ශ්‍රීලංකාවට හිතකර තත්ත්වයක් ඇතිනොකළ බව කියා සිටියේය.

‘මේ විමර්ෂණය සිදුවූයේ රහසිගතව.මේක කොහොමද මාධ්‍ය වලට ගියේ කියලා අපි හොයලා බැලුවා.එයින් පෙනී ගියේ මේ තොරතුරු ලැබිලා තියෙන්නේ අපෙන් නෙවෙයි,ඇමරිකාවෙන් කියලා.‘ ඔහු කීය.

මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් ජනතාව අමතා ප්‍රකාශයක් කළ යුතුයැයි රණවක අමාත්‍යවරයාගේ අදහස වුනි.අගමැති වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතාද ඊට අනුමැතිය පළකළේය.නමුත් විදේශ අමාත්‍ය සමරවීර එසේ ප්‍රකාශයක් සිදුකිරීම ප්‍රතික්ෂේප කළේය.

පේරු හි ලීමා නුවර ලෝක බැංකු හමුවකට සහභාගීවීමට දිවයිනෙන් බැහැරව ගොස් සිටි මුදල් අමාත්‍ය රවී කරුණානායක මහතා දිවයිනට පැමිණියේ කැබිනට් හමුව පැවැත්වෙමින් තිබූ අවස්ථාවේදීමය.ඒ පැමිණි වහා ඔහු ගියේ කැබිනට් හමුවට සහභාගී වීමට ජනපති ලේකම් කාර්යාලයටය.මෙම තරුණ දේශපාලඥයාට අමතරව තවත් පුද්ගලයින් හත් දෙනෙක් සතුව ඩුබායි බැංකු ගිණුම් සතුබව ඔහු කීවේය.ඔවුන්ගේ නම් ඔහු හෙළිකළේ නැත.එයින් එක් පුද්ගලයෙක් බව පැවසුනේ මෙම තරුණ දේශපාලඥයාගේ සොහොයුරෙකි.තවත් පුද්ගලයෙක් වූයේ රජයේ  අනුදැනුම ඇතිව රජය වෙනුවෙන් වෙළද ගනුදෙනු වල යෙදුණු ආයතතන ප්‍රධානියෙකි.ඔහුගේ නම ගෘහස්ත ගෑස් සම්බන්ධ ආන්දෝලනාත්මක ටෙන්ඩර කිහිපයකටද ඈඳී තිබෙන්නකි.ඔහුගේ ගිණුමේ ඩොලර් ලක්ෂ 87 (රුපියල් 12,2248,050) ක් ඇතිබව පැවසුණි.හිටපු ජනපතිවරයාගේ කාර්යාලයේ සිටි ප්‍රබල නිලධරයෙකුද මෙම පුද්ගලයින් අතර සිටී.ඔහුගේ ගිණුමේ ඩොලර් ලක්ෂ 1680 (රුපියල් 236,0652,000) ක් ඇති බව සඳහන් විය.තවත් පුද්ගලයෙක් හිටපු ජනපතිවරයාගේ ළගම හිතවතෙක් බව පැවසිණ.ඔහුගේ ගිණුමේ තැන්පත් කර ඇති මුදල ඩොලර් ලක්ෂ 5180 (රුපියල් 727,8677,000) ක් බව කියැවුණි.ගිණුම් වල තැන්පත් කිරීමට මුදල් රටින් රට රැගෙන ගොස් තිබෙන්නේද මේ පුද්ගලයා බව සඳහන්ය.ඒ එවක ඔහු සතුව තිබූ රාජ්‍ය තාන්ත්‍රික බලතල යොදාගනිමිනි.

බැංකු කටයුතු සම්බන්ධයෙන් හා ආයෝජන කටයුතු සම්බන්ධයෙන් ඩුබායි ප්‍රකටය.මෙනිසාම එරට ආයෝජකයින්ගේ තෝතැන්නකි.දකුණු ආසියා කලාපයේද,නිරිත දිග ආසියා කලාපයේද දේශපාලඥයින්,රජයේ නිලධරයින්,සහ ව්‍යාපාරිකයින් ඩුබායිහි නොයෙක් ආයෝජනයන් සිදුකර ඇත.විදෙස් බැංකු ගිණුම් පවත්වාගැනීමට ඩුබායි බැංකු සිදුකරයි.මෙසේ පවත්වාගැනෙන ගිණුම් වල රහසිගතභාවය සුරැකීමටද ඔවුහු කැපවී සිටිති.එසේ වුවත් සිදුවන බැංකු කටයුතු පූර්ණ ලෙස අධීක්ෂණය කෙරෙන රාජ්‍ය ආයතන හා වැඩසටහන් පද්දතියක්ද ඩුබායිහි ක්‍රියාත්මකය.

මෙවන් වාතාවරණයක කිසියම් බැංකු ගිණුමක් අත්හිටුවන්නැයි ඩුබායි බලධරයින්ගෙන් එක්වනම ඉල්ලා සිටීමට රජය කටයුතු කිරීම අනුමත කළ නොහැක.සැකකටයුතු මුදල්

ගනුදෙනු සිදුවන්නේ නම් ඒ ගැන විමසිලිමත්වීමත් අවශ්‍ය පියවර ගැනීමත් රජයක් සතු වගකීම් බව සැබෑය.නමුත් මෙතැනදී සිදුවිය යුතුව තිබුණේ ඩුබායිහි මුදල් ගනුදෙනු සහ බැංකු කටයුතු සිදුවන ආකාරය හොඳින් අධ්‍යනය කර පියවරක් ගැනීමය.මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමසීමට අදාළ රාජ්‍ය ආයතනයන් හා ඇමතිවරුන් සම්බන්ධ කරගත්තද ඉන් ඵලක් නොවීය.ඩුබායි ගිණුමේ විමර්ෂණයේ තොරතුරු වැලිඅමුණට හා ඔහු සේවයට යොදවාගත් ඩුබායි නීතිඥ සමාගමට පමණක් සීමාවී තිබීම මීට හේතුව වුනි.

බ්‍රහස්පතින්දා පැවති මාධ්‍ය හමුවේදී විදේශ අමාත්‍ය මංගල සමරවීර සඳහන් කළ රහසිගත විමර්ෂණයේ ඇතැම් තොරතුරු සෞඛ්‍යය අමාත්‍ය රාජිත සේනාරත්න හෙළිකළේය.දැනට කිසිවෙකුගේවත් නම් සඳහන් කිරීමේ හැකියාවක් නොමැති බවද ඔහු කීවේය.පහත දැක්වෙන්නේ අමාත්‍යවරයාගෙන් මාධ්‍යකරුවන් ඇසූ ප්‍රශ්න කිහිපයක් සහ ඔහු ඒවාට ලබාදුන් පිළිතුරුය.

ප්‍රශ්නය – ශ්‍රීලංකාවේ ඇතැම් දේශපාලඥයින් සතු බව කියන ඩුබායි බැංකු ගිණුම් ගැන වාර්තා තිබෙනවා.මේ ගැන කියන්න පුලුවන්ද?

පිළිතුර –  මතක ඇති මේ බැංකු ගිණුම් ගැන මුලින්ම තොරතුරු හෙළිකළේ මම බව.ඒ හෙළිකරපු දේවල් තමයි අද මතුවෙමින් තිබෙන්නේ.නමුත් දැන් මේක ඒවා ගැන කතාකරන්න කාලය නොවෙයි.දැනටමත් වුවමනාවටත් වඩා මාධ්‍ය වාර්තා මේ ගැන පළවෙලා තියෙනවා.මට කියන්න තියෙන්නේ පරීක්ෂණ කටයුතු සිදුවෙමින් පවතිනවා කියලා විතරයි.පුද්ගලයින් 8 දෙනෙක්ගේ බැංකු ගිණුම් ගැන අපි ගාව තොරතුරු තියෙනවා.අපි දන්නවා ගිය ඉරිදා පැවති නඩු විභාගයේදී මොනවාද වුනේ කියලා.එතනදී ලංකාවේ පලවෙන පුවත්පතක දේශපාලන තීරුවක් ඔවුන් අපේ නියෝජිතයින්ට ඉදිරිපත් කරලා තියෙනවා.ඔවුන් අහලා තියෙන්නේ මේච්චර තොරතුරු මාධ්‍ය වලට ලබාදුන්නේ ඇයි කියලා.අපිට එච්චර හොඳ නැති තත්ත්වයක් එතන ඇතිවෙලා තියෙන්නේ.

ප්‍රශ්නය –  නාමල් රාජපක්ෂ කියලා තියෙනවා මේ ගිණුම ඔහුගේ නොවේය කියලා?

පිළිතුර – අපි කවුරුවත් කියලා තියෙනවාද ගිණුම ඔහුගේ කියලා? ඇයි ඔහු විතරද රාජපක්ෂ පවුලේ ඉන්නේ? ඇයි මේ කලබල වෙලා.අනිත් රාජපක්ෂවරු ඔය සද්ද නැතිව ඉන්නේ.දැනට ඔහුව නම් කරලා නැහැ.අපි ටිකක් ඉඳලා බලමු.විමර්ෂණ කටයුතු දැන් සිදුවෙනවා.ගිණුම් අයිති කාටද කියන එකයි ඒ ගිණුම් වල කොච්චර මුදල් තියෙනවාද කියන එකයි අපට ඉක්මනටම දැනගන්න පුලුවන් වේවි.

ප්‍රශ්නය – ඔබ කියනවා ගිණුම් 8 ක් තියෙනවා කියලා.ඒ ගිණුම් කාටද අයිති කියලත් ඔබ දන්නවාද?

පිළිතුර – අපි ඒ අය ගැන කතා නොකර ඉදිමු.විමර්ෂණ කටයුතු දවස් කීපයකින් ඉවර වේවි.එතකොට කියන්නම්.

ප්‍රශ්නය – මේ ගිණුම් වල කොච්චර සල්ලි තියෙනවාද?

පිළිතුර – එක ගිණුමක ඩොලර් බිලියන 1.086 (රුපියල් කෝටි 14000 කට ආසන්න මුදලක්) ක්,තවත් ගිණුමක ඩොලර් බිලියන 1.8 (රුපියල් කෝටි 25000 කට ආසන්න මුදලක්) ක් තවත් එකක ඩොලර් මිලියන 500 ක්. ( රුපියල් 702,575,000)

ප්‍රශ්නය – මේ ගිණුම් අත්හිටුවලාද තියෙන්නේ?

පිළිතුර – අපි ඉල්ලීමක් සිදුකර තිබෙනවා.මුදල් රාජසන්තක කරන්නඅවශ්‍ය නීති පියවර ගන්නත් බලාපොරොත්තු වෙනවා.

ප්‍රශ්නය –  ඔවුන් කීවොත් සල්ලි ඔවුන්ගේ නොවේ කියලා,එතකොට ඒවා අයිති වෙන්නේ රජයටද?

පිළිතුර – මගේ ගිණුමට කවුරුහරි මුදල් දානවනම් ඉතින් කොච්චර හොඳයිද.ඇත්තටම කවුරුහරි ඉදිරිපත්වෙයිද දන්නේ නැහැ මේ දවස් වල නාමල් රාජපක්ෂට එච්චර හොඳ නැති හින්දා මම එයාට ආධාරයක් කියලා ඩොලර් බිලියනයක් එයාගේ බැංකු ගිණුමට දැම්මා කියලා.

ප්‍රශ්නය –  ඔය පුද්ගලයින් මේ ඔවුන්ගේ ගිණුම් නොවේ කියලා කියනවානම් ඒ කියන්නේ ඔවුන්ට මේ මුදල් වුවමනා නැහැ කියන එකද?

පිළිතුර – කොහොම වුනත් එයාලට මුදල් ලැබෙන්නේ නැහැ.ඒ මුදල් අයිති රටට.

ප්‍රශ්නය – ඒ වගේ මුදල් අපේ රටට ගෙන්වාගත හැකි නීතියක් ඒ රටේ තියෙනවාද?

පිළිතුර – මෙතන ගනුදෙනු වෙලා තියෙන්නේ ඩොලර් වලින්.ඩොලර් වලින් සිදුවෙන සියලුම ගනුදෙනු ඇමරිකාවේ අධීක්ෂණය යටතේයි සිදුවන්නේ.මේ හින්දා අපට හැකියාවක් තියෙනවා ඇමරිකාවේ සහය ඇතිව මේ මුදල් ගනුදෙනුව සිදුවෙලා තියෙන්නේ කොහොමද කියලා හොයාගන්න.නමුත් මේක කල් ගතවෙන වැඩක්.මොකද ලෝකයේ ඩොලර් ගනුදෙනු සිදුවෙන්නේ හිතාගන්නවත් බැරි ගණන් වලින්.ඇමරිකාව අපට දැනුම්දීලා තිබෙනා මේ සම්බන්ධයෙන් විමර්ෂණ සිදුවන බව.ඉදිරියට වැඩි විස්තර හෙළිවේවි.

ප්‍රශ්නය – මේ කියන ගිණුම් වල හිමිකරුවෝ වෙන්නේ අර ඉස්සෙල්ලා කියපු අයද?

පිළිතුර – අපට තව ටිකක් කල් දෙන්න.

යහපාලනය පොරොන්දුවූ වත්මන් රජය මෙම විමර්ෂණය ගැන තොරතුරු ජනතාවගෙන් සැඟවිය නොයුතුව තිබුණි.එමෙන්ම විමර්ෂණ කටයුතු විනිවිදභාවයක් ඇතිව සිදුකිරීමට වෘත්තිකයින්ගේ සහය ලබාගත යුතුව තිබුණි.නමුත් ඒ කිසිවක් සිදුව නොමැත.රජය මෙවන් කටයුතු සම්බන්ධයෙන් මීට වඩා වගකීමක් ඇතිව කටයුතු කළ යුතුව ඇත.

Sudath Gunasekara 17.10.2015.

In the first place I want you to read the content of the following two news items

Indian express 12.10.2015 Indian express

SL Deceiving Nations, says Karunanidhi

By Express News Service

Published: 12th October 2015 05:38 AM

Last Updated: 12th October 2015 05:38 AM

CHENNAI: DMK leader M Karunanidhi on Sunday charged Sri Lanka with using its geographical location to deceive other nations and asked the Union government to take steps to safeguard the livelihood of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu.

Karunanidhi cited Lanka rejecting the Indian government’s request to allow TN fishermen to fish in Lankan waters for 65 days and not to arrest them when they crossed the international maritime boundary, referring to the arrest of 19 fishermen from Nagapattinam. It may be recalled that the Lankan Fisheries Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, had refused to agree to the Indian government’s proposal”.

This old man of Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka’s traditional adversary, wants Sri Lanka Government to allow Indian (Tamilnadu) fisherman to fish in Sri Lankan waters for 65 days and also not to arrest Indian poachers robbing  the fish harvest in Sri Lankan  waters. He also blames the Sri Lankan Minister for refusing permission for poaching on Lankan waters. This man and that foul mouthed women Jayalalitha appear to think that they have a birth right to fish in our waters. They also appear to treat this country as a part of Tamilnadu or at least another State of India. That is why both of them ask the Indian Government to take steps to safeguard the livelihood of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu by which both of them claim Sri Lanka and all other neighbouring countries must allow Indians to poach in our waters in order to safeguard the livelihood of the fishermen of Tamil Nadu. If we allow them to fish in our waters then where do our fishermen are going to fish. I think both of them are mad. Both of them are a nuisance to both Sri Lanka and India. Now  let us look at the Fisherworkers Forum of India  has to say  about this problem.

Home > States > Tamil Nadu

Fisherworkers Forum Urges PM to Find Permanent Solution to Fishermen Issue

By Pradeep Kumar

Published: 12th October 2015 05:38 AM

Last Updated: 13th October 2015 05:08 AM

Email2

File Photo for Representation

PUDUCHERRY:

National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) has requested Prime Minster Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels to hold dialogue with neighbouring countries, who arrest, attack and incarcerate Indian fishermen.

NFF chairperson, M Ilango and general secretary, Narendra R Patil, in a letter, have urged the PM to pay attention to the issue that affects the livelihood of fisher communities and bring a permanent solution with a human touch.

They also wanted the PM to hold consultation with leaders of the fisher communities at the national level.

Ilango said fishermen of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Diu, Daman and West Bengal are continuously affected by the navies of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Giving statistics, he said since the beginning of 2015, innumerable number of fishermen of Gujarat have been arrested by Pakistan Marine Security Agency (PMSA). The 11 boats that went out for fishing from Porbandhar and one boat from Okha were confiscated by PMSA and the 100 fishermen of those vessels were arrested last week.

In January, 38 fishermen were arrested and their 7 boats were confiscated by Pakistan authorities. In March, 48 fishermen were arrested and their 8 boats were impounded. In April, another 47 in 8 boats were arrested.

This September, a fisherman named Iqbal Bhatti from Okha was shot dead in the international border near Indian seas. The fishermen who go out fishing from Gujarat, Diu and Daman are continuously suffering a state of uncertainty over safety of their lives, he added.

On October 1, 61 fishermen of West Bengal were arrested by Bangladesh and their 5 boats confiscated.

In the South, 40 fishing boats of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are confiscated and let to lie unmaintained for months by Sri Lanka and 35 fishermen are imprisoned.

Ilango said all the countries concerned, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are members of the UN and they have ratified the International Law of the Seas. But no effort has been taken by these countries to implement the International law and instead they continue to arrest or shoot innocent fishermen and confiscate their boats, Ilango added.”

Following Karunanidhia and Jayalalitha they also want fishermen from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Diu, Daman and West Bengal to poach in Sri Lankan and Bangladesh waters with impunity.  They also call these poachers innocent.

Both parties, the South Indian Politicians who are sworn enemies of this country and the Fisherworkers Forum of India demand the same thing. That is,

1 They want us to allow their fishermen poachers to freely harvest fish within our waters and also engage in illegal deep sea fishing

2 They don’t want us to take any action against these poachers

3 They want our countries to look after the livelihood of their fishermen

Why can’t the Sri Lankan authorities ask these idiots whether they are also prepared to do the same things in return.

That is our fishermen also to be given permission to fish in their waters. India too  should not take any action against them and consider their livelihood as well.

As for me I am not aware of this ‘International Law of the Seas’ which allow fishermen of any country to poach in others waters with impunity, they are talking about.

Why can’t each country instruct its fishermen to strictly carry on fishing only within their own waters without violating maritime boundaries of other nations and stop poaching in others waters? If that is strictly followed there will be no problem of arresting or confiscating boats or fish harvest. Also both K&J can devote their time usefully to matters of domestic politics without creating problems to Modis Government as well.

Why can’t these fools realize that we are also concerned about the livelihood of our fishermen as much as they are concerned about theirs? If they think that we should allow Indian fishermen to poach in our waters at their will merely because India is bigger and we are small nations. Their bigness has nothing to do with our sovereignty and Independence. We are separate countries. All maritime resources within our maritime boundaries belong to us.

Next time they might demand that we should allow their excess people to settle down on our land and also to rob our other resources within the country. Just now they don’t behave like civilized people.

As a responsible citizen of this country I must clearly state that this type of nonsense by all Indians, which has become a nuisance for a long time, whether it comes from Tamilnadu or any other source must stop immediately. Please learn to respect the other man’s right as well before you try to impose your will and policeman role on neihgbouring countries merely because you people think you are big and more powerful. If you Indians read Panchatanatara

The Government of Sri Lanka should also assert its legitimate position and tell the Indian Government to stop this nuisance. They should govern or get out and allow someone who can do that better. It is the duty and the responsibility of the Government to protect and safeguard the interest of our people and our country. That is why we have elected them to power.

This is not the only issue the government is sleeping and inactive. I don’t see any difference between the way the Government handling this issue and the way it handles the following domestic issues.

Drugs, wild elephants invading villages, foreign employment of women, increasing crimes particularly against children and women, non implementation of capital punishment and increasing crimes, corrupt politicians, purchasing of agricultural produce like paddy, vegetable and big onions, mess created by the 13^th Amendment and the tragedy of Provincial Councils, lack of good governance, absence of rule of law, daily increasing traffic accidents and resulting deaths, students unrest, vandalism against archaeological wealth, Illicit Kasippu brewing and cannabis growing and trade, falling standards of Public Service, wastage in Government expenditure, Muslim and Tamil communal cries, Indian cultural invasion in the TV, illicit immigrations by Indians, child abuse and rape of old women, political corruption, abuse and misuse of power by politicians, the cancer of International schools, appointment of a non citizen  as  Central Bank Governor, mess in the Parliament, UNHCHR  mess, decline in the Sasanaya and lack of discipline among clergy and deterioration in the Sasana.

Reasons as I see why this situation perpetuates.

1 The politicians are not interested in settling these issues as they have no time to devote on such trifle things as they are only interested in settling their own problems like coming to power, consolidating the power they have robbed and remaining in power as long as possible.

2 None of them have the political will and the commitment to sit down an seriously study these issues and resolve them firstly, as perpetuating such issues benefits their political survival and second it will not benefit them as most parties involved in these issues are strong supports and financiers of politicians who directly and  indirectly finance them. Now look at Welesuda aman from Gampola operating mainly in Kolonnawa.

2 They may be not left with any time to matters like this as their priories are amassing wealth, property and robbing public assets and foreign sojourns and taking revenge from opponents

3As such they don’t have Time to even think about these trivial things

4 Either they don’t have the knowledge or don’t want to get expert advice either, as they consider knowing everything and even if they resort to them they often go for wrong advice.

5 Above all, all our Governments are eternally scared of the Indian Government

Now you see ladies and gentlemen why Indians are poaching in Sri Lankan waters without caring a damn to Sri Lankan Government.

By A. Abdul Aziz. Press Secretary.

 Chairman, Ahmadiyya International Human Rights Committee (AIHRC) Dr. Sir Ifthikar Ayaz met the Speaker Honorable Karu Jeyasuriya at his office in Parliament Complex on Friday – the 16^th October, 2015.

Sir Ayaz had a very useful and productive meeting on the state of Human Rights in the region and the rest of the world with the Speaker Honorable Karu Jeyasuriya.

Chairman, AIHRC said: status of human rights in Sri Lanka has been improved and the new Government is doing a great deal for the unification of all section in the nation. A commendable example for the rest of the world, the Chairman observed.

He also brought the attention of the Speaker to the plight of asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka and the countries of region. Referring to Sri Lankans seeking asylum in other countries, Chairman, AIHRC said, as the peace and harmony exist in this beautiful Island, there is no need for any Sri Lankans to go anywhere. What really needed is, all people must support the Government for a peaceful, harmonious, prosperous Sri Lanka.

The Speaker assured that all religions were treated with respect and dignity and there will be no discrimination between any faiths in any kind.

Chairman, AIHRC stated that his Community – Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is striving hard all over the world to bring peace and avert the threat of another World War. He further said: The Supreme Head of the Ahmadyyya Muslim Community has travelled to all the major countries of the world and encouraging politicians and governments to take the path of dialogue and reconciliation to resolve the conflicts.

The Speaker was presented the copy of addresses of the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community ‘The World Crisis and the Path Way to Peace’. The Speaker was also presented the book ‘Life of Muhammad’, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who was the Founder of the religion of peace.

Sir Ayaz was accompanied by Mr. A.H. Nasir Ahmad, National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at – Sri Lanka, Mr. M.A. Anis Ahmad, National Vice-President (AMJSL) and Mr. S.A. Tariq.

On 13 October, the Speaker was donated the copy of Sinhala Translation of the Holy Qur’an by another delegation of Sri Lanka Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at Parliament Complex.

by Rajan Philips Courtesy Island

More by accident than by design, Mr. DEW Gunasekara has kicked open Sri Lanka’s constitutional can of worms. All he may have wanted to do was to make a political statement by grieving before the Supreme Court that the new UPFA leadership under President Sirisena wrongfully deprived him of a national list seat in parliament in favour of a defeated SLFP candidate. Then his intrepid lawyer, Nagananda Kodituwakku, appears to have made a startling discovery that the wording of the provision in the 14th Amendment, relating to the appointment of national list MPs, is different from the wording that was presented to and was passed by parliament in 1988. The parliamentary version apparently excluded candidates running in the general election from being considered for national list appointment as MPs. The current constitutional version includes them. The alleged switch in wording is a terminological fraud. If what we are hearing is true, all three branches of state power would seem to have colluded in this fraud at the highest levels. Again, if true, one cannot imagine a more unbecoming and more embarrassing fraud in constitutional politics in Sri Lanka or elsewhere.

Quite rightly, Mr. Gunasekara and his lawyer persisted in their search for an ‘official confirmation’ of what already appears to be true, but they have been denied the full disclosure of information apparently on the grounds of privilege and confidentiality of executive-judicial communication. Mr. Gunasekara has indicated that he would take the matter to the UNHRC in Geneva, presumably for help from Geneva for forcing disclosure in Colombo. Even if he doesn’t go to Geneva, the constitutional situation created by the revelation about the 14th Amendment needs to be addressed by the current legislature and the chief executive. President Sirisena, as well as the government and the opposition in parliament – both the official TNA opposition and the restive UPFA opposition, owe it to the public to declare where they stand on this matter and how they propose it to be addressed. They cannot afford to remain silent and they should not be allowed to remain silent. The judiciary could afford to remain silent if no one goes asking for its opinion. But now even the Court cannot remain silent as Mr. Kodituwakku has already filed another petition requesting a full bench hearing to address this matter and to suspend all National List MPs until the Court rules on the matter. And before anything of consequence happens, there is nothing to stop the unseemly spectacle of a retired Chief Justice offering public debriefing on past and present cases. Any such debriefing on the 14th Amendment will as always be unamusing and unenlightening.

According to Mr. Kodituwakku’s court submissions, there were “two Bills” at play in the 1988 enactment of the 14 the Amendment to the constitution – to change country’s electoral system from the first-past-the-post system to the current proportional representation system including the provision for national list MPs. The first Bill, as presented to parliament on 4 May 1988, by Prime Minister Premadasa was the outcome of nearly five years (1983-1988) of deliberations by an all-party Parliamentary Select Committee. And it excluded candidates contesting the national election from being eligible for appointment as national list MPs. The second Bill was the one that was allegedly referred to the Supreme Court by President Jayewardene, and it permitted candidates in the national election being considered for appointment as national list MPs. This second Bill apparently was not made public, either through parliament or by publication in the government gazette. The second ‘Bill’ is apparently a known fact, but DEW Gunasekara and his lawyer are having a hard time getting official confirmation of it. Mr. Koditwakku is trying the Supreme Court again, while Mr. Gunasekara is studying the UNHRC option.

Sirisena-Wickremasinghe Responsibility

It is indeed surprising that the fraud apparently committed in enacting the 14th Amendment has gone on for so long without anybody noticing it. Or, it may be that people – in the know, knew about it but chose to do nothing because every chicanery had become par for the constitutional course under the 1978 Constitution. The legislature that enacted the 14th Amendment in 1978 was the same parliament that was elected in 1977. Four-Fifth of the members were UNPers who had their term extended over ten years through the undemocratic referendum of 1982. The following year all hell broke loose in July and the official TULF opposition was sent packing to India by the enactment of the Sixth Amendment. The Old Left was still shut out, and Bernard Soysa as well as A. Amirthalingam would become MPs again only after the 14th Amendment and that too through the national list. So anything could have been legislated in that parliament of 1988, without serious scrutiny. But that does not excuse what seems to have happened in the enactment of the 14th Amendment.

The not so funny situation now is that there is nobody around to take to task for what they allegedly did 27 years ago. Almost all the actors in the fraudulent enactment are dead and gone and there is no point in piling dirt over people who are dead. At least some of the UNPers now in parliament may have known about the fraud, but even they can claim the benefit of statutory limitation against punishment for past crimes. But politically from the standpoint of good governance, the current UNP leader and Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, owes it to the country to provide full disclosure of the two alleged ‘Bills’ that were in play in 1988, and to indicate which ‘Bill’ would prevail in the future, even after 27 years of constitutional fraud. Without question, President Sirisena shares the responsibility with his Prime Minister to put an end to the fraud that appears to have been the 14th Amendment from the time it was signed and stamped as part of the constitution.

The first part of fulfilling their shared responsibility is for the President and the Prime Minister to put in the public domain all there was to the enactment of the 14th Amendment 27 years ago in 1988. By so doing they can spare the Supreme Court the dilemma of either directing the Executive to open up the records and creating an unnecessary precedent for bossing the executive, or dismissing the petition through some arcane interpretation of the constitution and creating doubts about its own independence in the public’s mind. The current Supreme Court doesn’t have to go through this dilemma for something that was done 27 years, and the only two people who can save the Court from this dilemma are Mr. Sirisena and Mr. Wickremasinghe. The second part of fulfilling their responsibility is to categorically say that the current constitutional provision allowing defeated candidates to be appointed as national list MPs will be definitely rescinded as part of the enactment of the 19thAmendment. The anticipated 19th is the ideal formal opportunity to terminate 14th Amendment fraud, but the commitment to do so must be made immediately.

So what happens to the defeated candidates who have been appointed as national list MPs displacing the original national list MPs including Mr. DEW Gunasekara? And what happens to Mr. Gunasekara himself and others like him who have been consigned to political purgatory as result of internal SLFP struggle for control of the Party? Nothing much can happen to either group as there is no point in trying unscramble badly scrambled egg. Defeated candidates who have become MPs will remain as MPs until the next election and a new parliament under the 19th Amendment. Their punishment till then be could be public ridicule and loathing that may make the less thick skinned among them to quit their posts as MPs. As for Mr. Gunasekara and his ilk, it is too bad that they will not be able to benefit from his judicial voyages to expose the 14th Amendment fraud. While he is to be entirely commended for single-handedly bringing a 27 year old fraud into public spotlight, Mr. Gunasekara’s current situation of being denied a seat in parliament is not a direct result of the 14th Amendment fraud, but a direct result of his persistent and prolonged association with the corrupt Rajapaksa regime. He too was guilty by association and is now suffering the political comeuppance.

Will DEW go to Geneva?

There is an additional reason why President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe must address this matter as soon as possible. Otherwise, they may have to deal with an intervention by UNHRC, if DEW Gunasekara were to take his complaint all the way to Geneva. In fact, if the President and the Prime Minister were to dither and dillydally as has been their wont on a number of other matters, Mr. Gunasekara will be perfectly justified in taking his case to the UNHRC in Geneva. The political fallout of DEW going to Geneva will be an interesting twister of ironies. Even if Mr. Gunasekara’s real intention is embarrassing the government, his trip to Geneva will invariably embarrass the government’s critics as well. On the one hand, after co-sponsoring a binding UNHRC resolution on itself, the government cannot turn around and find fault with Mr. Gunasekara going to Geneva to complain to the UNHRC. On the other hand, the government’s critics who are now damning the government for what they see as kowtowing in Geneva, cannot afford to cheer Mr. Gunasekara flying with his complaint to Geneva.

Mr. Gunasekara taking flight to Geneva will trigger a new debate about Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and its commitments as a result of Sri Lanka’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).This time the proponents and opponents may have to change sides. Regardless of who is on which side, the constitutional position about Sri Lanka’s accession to the Optional Protocol was well articulated by the late RKW Goonesekere. He wrote a brief opinion piece in the journal Polity (Vol 3; No. 5 & 6; October-December 2005) to provide a counter-viewpoint in the wake of the wayward ruling in the infamous Singarasa case. The last paragraph of that opinion peace is worth being repeatedly reminded of:

“Nowhere in our Constitution is it said that the Supreme Court is Supreme; it is but another court exercising the judicial power of the People who are sovereign. It is the People’s right to say that the Supreme Court’s pronouncement taking away a valuable right conferred on the people was per incuriam and in excess of the Court’s jurisdiction. A treaty solemnly entered into by the State in the exercise of the executive power and in terms of international law as reflected in the Vienna Convention on Treaties is not, it is submitted with respect, subject to judicial review. There is a procedure in the Protocol for a State Party to denounce the Protocol, but until this is done, the Protocol is in force in this country. It must not be forgotten that Sri Lanka’s accession to the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was one of the major accomplishments of the late Lakshman Kadirgamar during his distinguished career as Foreign Minister.”

State Shall not Exploit the People” MEP’s Complaint on the Telecommunication Levy Bill  A Victory for the Common People

The Good Governance regime, on 6th October, retracted its controversial, negligently and recklessly drafted Telecommunication Levy (Amendment) Bill which it had placed before Parliament on the Order paper of 22nd September 2015, with the objective of amending the Telecommunication Levy Act No.21 of 2011 and imposing additional levies on persons receiving telecommunication services. The Government was forced to retreat by a petition brought before the Supreme Court by Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Vice President Somaweera Chandrasiri (former Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the Central Council of Ceylon Trade Unions).

The Bill sought to load further burdens on consumers, and to impose retrospective punishment, which is against natural justice. Mr Somaweera Chandrasiri filed a Special Determination Application No.22/2015 through the General Secretary of MEP Attorney at Law Thissa Yapa.

Arguing on the matter Senior Counsel Canishka Witharana made the following submission before a bench comprising of the Chief Justice K Sripavan, Justice Anil Gunarathne and Justice Sisira de Abrew on 5th October 2015:

That the bill is so negligently and recklessly drafted that it never gives any legitimacy for the levy which is presently being charged from the users. Therefore with the retrospective operation of the new law (Bill) the users will become subject to re-pay the taxes as a new levy on the usage from 1st April to the date the Bill becomes law”. Further the Bill is self-conflicting with regard to the liability to pay the levy when comes to recovery of levy on the usage of the pre-paid customers.

Just because a Government claims to have a majority in Parliament, it cannot place any irresponsibly drafted Bill to make Law. This is a speedily recoverable levy through the (electronic) system. Therefore more responsibility is placed on the legislature to be even more meticulous.”

The Directive Principles of the Constitution provides that the ‘State Shall not Exploit the People’. Article 27(7) states as follows;
The State shall eliminate economic and social privilege and disparity and the exploitation of man by man or by the State”.

The People exercise their Sovereignty at the election with the LEGITIMATE EXPECTATION that the Representatives shall do their duty by the people as elected representatives in the process of LEGISLATION, the another manner in which the Sovereignty is being exercised.”

This Bill attacks and violates the Sovereignty of the People (Articles 3 and 4) of the Constitution as thus: 1. Negligent and reckless legislation. 2. (Negligently or purposely) drafting a bill to DOUBLE Tax the people for a specific period (ie from 1.4.2015 to the date of certification). 3. Drafting a law to exploit the people (by the State). 4. Drafting a law in a manner to nullify or give no value to the charges levied during that period under the existing law (which is presently being charged).”

However the Senior Deputy Solicitor General, Janak De Silva, appearing for the Attorney General informed Court that he had received instructions in writing from the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance that the Government would withdraw the amendment bill and such intentions had already been communicated to the General Secretary of the Parliament.

This letter bears a date subsequent to the date of the institution of the said Application in the Supreme Court.

In the circumstances after hearing the Counsel for the Petitioner, the Court postponed the matter for 8th of October for the Submissions of the Attorney General.

However, answering to a question raised by Hon. Dinesh Gunewardena on 6th October in the Parliament, Hon. Laksmen Kiriella made announcement of the withdrawal of the Bill.

This decision was communicated to the Supreme Court by the Senior Deputy Solicitor General on the 8th of October and the Special Determination matter was withdrawn for the reason of the withdrawal of the Bill by the Government.

Mr. Somaweera Chandrasiri complained to the Supreme Court that the said Bill was inconsistent with the constitution and need approval at a referendum in addition to 2/3rd Majority of the Parliament in order to become law.

Once again MEP has championed the cause of protecting rights of the common masses, this time in avenues of advanced technology. It has, thereby, put the Government on the back-foot, for bad governance! (Desarasa)

Let us examine strategies adopted by Tamil Nadu politicians to achieve above objectives.

(a) They deliberately refused to recognize Tamils in Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan citizens. Instead they identified them as Tamils based on their race. Thus racism is the basis of their strategy.

(b) They bred, nurtured, trained and deployed terrorist outfit called LTTE with the direct involvement of Indian Central Government to fight against Sri Lankan government.

(c) They pressurized the Central Government of India to intervene in Sri Lanka and settle so called ethnic problem which was infact created by themselves in connivance with Central Government of India.

(d) They set T.N.A. as their proxy in Sri Lanka to carryout their mission.

(e) They also launched a massive campaign in pro-Eelam countries in the West in the pretext of campaigning to protect human rights of Tamil Community in Sri Lanka. They use Tamil diaspora for this purpose.

Consequent to the intervention of the Indian Central Government, Tamil Expansion so far driven by Tamil Nadu politicians was converted to Indian Expansionism. The Indian Central Government was so dared to harbour, train and equip LTTE terrorists in India and thereafter to deploy them in Sri Lanka to fight against Sri Lankan government.

Further to the above, Indian government brought over Sri Lanka a package of solutions to the ethnic problem which consists of the Peace Accord signed in 1987, the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution and Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1987.

Peace Accord

Let us now examine the so called Peace Package brought in to Sri Lanka.

It was a fact that the Peace Accord was imposed over Sri Lankan government under duress. Neither Parliament nor the people of this country demanded such an Accord. The LTTE also rejected the Peace Accord. Sri Lankan President J.R.J was compelled to accept and sign it due to intimidation caused and duress imposed by sending Indian Air Force Jets over Sri Lankan airspace. It was imposed so hastily, neither Parliament nor the general public of Sri Lanka were given an opportunity to raise their views on it. Obligations to be fulfilled on the part of the Indian government and the LTTE as set out in the Accord were never honoured.

There was a provision in the Accord that the LTTE should surrender arms kept in their possession within 72 hours after signing the Accord and all parties should cease hostilities within 48 hours. Sri Lankan Forces were ordered to be confirmed to the barracks. Moreover the Indian government has ensured that Peace will be definitely restored in Sri Lanka.

Those obligations were never honoured. Instead, the LTTE was continued to strengthen its armoury and intensified attacks immediately after the Accord against Sri Lankan Forces who were in contrast ordered to be confined to barracks. The IPKF which was brought in to combat had become a total failure. As a result, the Indian government was compelled to withdraw the IPKF and abandon the Peace Accord unilaterally. Accordingly, the Peace Accord become an Accord non-existent. So that how can they say repealing the 13A would cause a violation of the Peace Accord which is non-existent.

The next component of the Peace Package is the 13th Amendment to the Constitution imposed over Sri Lanka so hastily. This is also a unilateral proposal which was formulated and drafted without consulting the Sri Lankan government by Indian government ex-parte. Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1987 is the outcome of 13th Amendment.

Indian government

Sri Lankan Parliament being dominated by President JRJ by keeping letters of resignation of MPs in his pocket and pressurizing them using his 5/6th power was not given a fair opportunity to debate and come out with independent views of MPs on the 13th Amendment. On the other hand President JRJ was forced by the Indian government to get it through by the Parliament by hook or crook. In fact, the majority of Judges of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka declined to agree with the procedure followed by the Sri Lankan government to get it through.

Accordingly, it was a fact beyond reasonable doubt that the 13th Amendment was passed so hastily under pressure and duress imposed over President JRJ himself. At this juncture President JRJ would have to allow Parliament to take an independent decision on her own volition on the 13th Amendment instead of pressurizing Parliament to fall in line with JRJ who surrendered to the Indian government consequent to the pressure imposed upon him by then Premier of India Rajiv Gandhi. In fact there was another reason for Rajiv Gandhi to apply such hasty pressure on President JRJ and get him to kneel down in front of him.

That was the injurious approach caused by JRJ’s government towards the Indo-Lanka relationship. I remember once at a Parliamentary debate one of the MPs insulted Gandhiyan regime comparing Premier Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi to a cow and a calf.

It was a fact neither the Sri Lankan Parliament nor the masses of this country and even the LTTE did not demand for a solution to ethnic problem from the Indian government. In the above circumstances accepting the 13th Amendment imposed by India under duress or otherwise by President JRJ on his own, suppressing the views of Parliament and general masses could be adjudged as one of the greatest betrayals of the history of Sri Lanka. Implementing the 13th Amendment instead of rectifying the mistake caused by President JRJ is considered the worst betrayal.

Provincial Council system

The Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1987 and the Provincial Councils so formed have been imposed on Sri Lanka in place of the existing local government mechanism of Sri Lanka. It is a fact that the Provincial Council system is a total failure. Activating those Provincial Councils in full scale as provided in the Act had become impossible due to the contradictory nature of jurisdiction and authority provided to these councils by Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1987 with the Central Government of Sri Lanka. In fact the intention behind imposing such an alien system by the Indian government in place of the existing system of Sri Lanka was nothing but satisfying the Eelamists to some extent on the pretext of devolution of power.

Indo-Lanka Peace Accord

It may be noted that devolution of power was not a demand agitated by masses of the Tamil Community of Sri Lanka. It has been formulated and promoted by some Tamil Nadu politicians as a strategy of promoting expansionism. The 13th Amendment and PC system are considered as an outcome of the above attempt. It is presumed that Provincial Councils have been imposed in place of the existing local government system of Sri Lanka, mainly to satisfy those who agitated for a separate autonomous state called Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka.

This notion is corroborated due to the fact that whilst incumbents of almost all Provincial Councils and even the critics who vociferously argue in favour of the Provincial Councils system have admitted that there are some serious shortcomings in the Provincial Council system. In contrast only the TNA has accepted that it as a perfect system and the most appropriate mechanism for devolution of power. This is so due to the fact that their claim for an autonomous state for Tamils could be achieved to a great extent if not in total extent through the Provincial Council mechanism.

Ethnic conflict

In this context I wish to point out that the Provincial Council mechanism has aggravated the ethnic conflict in this country instead of resolving it due to the fact that it has been created for an obvious clash between TNA, its followers as one party and rest of the masses of Sri Lanka as another party. The TNA is not prepared to search for a better system other than the PC system created by 13A. Let us now examine how the critics who argue vociferously in favour of the 13th Amendment defended their views.

(a) They argue the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council system are the most appropriate solution for the ongoing ethnic conflict. However, they cannot justify this argument in view of the factual position that I have elaborated in this article above. The latest attempt to justify their argument has been caused by Vasudeva Nanayakkara. Whilst admitting the PC system is a white elephant, he says the present Cabinet is also a white elephant. What a silly defence. Does it mean that people of this country should go ahead with another white elephant because present Cabinet where Vasudeva is a senior member appears to be a white elephant.

(b) They further argue that repealing of 13A would destroy the unitary status of Sri Lanka. From the foregoing facts it may be observed that destroying of the country’s unitary status has already been initiated through the PC system, imposed by the Indian government since that system is acceptable only to TNA, not to the masses of this country. In short it is not a win-win solution for both parties to the ethnic conflict.

(c) They argue that it is not legally possible to repeal 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1978 since Sri Lanka is legally bound in terms of the Peace Accord signed with Indian government in 1987, to accept and implement them. I have already pointed out in this article above that Peace Accord had become a non-existent one due to the fact that Indian government was so miserably failed to fulfill undertakings set out in the Peace Accord on her part, so that Accord has been abrogated long time ago unilaterally by Indian government.

(d) They also argue repealing would cause irritation of India, Diaspora and pro Eelam Western powers so that they can penalize Sri Lanka. Does this mean Sri Lanka should carry on with dangerous and faulty mechanism of PC system which was imposed by force by Indian government unilaterally just to satisfy India and Pro Eelam powers disregarding suitability of that system to Sri Lanka. This is utter nonsense.

(e) Finally they say those who agitate for repealing of 13A and PC system are racists, extremists, chauvinists and idiots. Does this mean that general masses of this country should accept only what handful of critics have stated in favour of 13A. Racism was initially raised and promoted by pro-Eelam politicians mainly TNA on their claim for a separate state exclusively for Tamils not the masses of this country. I don’t think fighting for a better mechanism for devolution of power by masses of this country could be categorized under any of above Isms. This kind of defence insulting one party against other party without valid grounds seems utter nonsense.

I have noticed some politicians who hold ministerial positions in present government had once stated in public quoting Mahawansa as well in order to defend their arguments for 13A saying that King Dutugemunu had given orders to ensure the protections of Dravidans of this country after defeating Elara who was an intruder who had plundered imminence wealth caused immeasurable damages to the Sinhalese Buddhist culture of this country. It is a diabolic lie. There is no reference whatsoever in Mahawansa to corroborate above statement. Same politicians were so vociferous to state further it is not necessary to go for a referendum to observe views of masses on 13A due to the fact that Solburey Constitution and Janaraja Constitution were adopted without any referendum. I am sorry to say that they are so ignorant of the fact that there was no provision in the existing Sri Lankan Constitution at that time to obtain concurrence of the masses through a referendum.

They rebuke further that Mahinda Chinthana very clearly endorses power devolution and all Sinhalese nationalists who now against 13A had in fact ratified it for solutions beyond 13A at all party representative commission. Does this mean that they should not change their stance once they found that 13A is inappropriate. Can’t they change their views to suit the best interest of the country? In fact there is no endorsement whatsoever in Mahinda Chinthana that 13A is the only mechanism to be used in the process of devolution of power in Sri Lanka.

Sinhala Buddhist culture

In order to justify their arguments in favour of 13A they have further stated in public that Buddhist monks of this country have opted to revere the President, Speaker and their team instead of practicing the doctrine of the Buddha. This argument has nothing to do with justifying their attempts that 13A and PC system should not be changed. Instead it has revealed their wrath and jealousy over cordial relationship that exists between State and the Mahasangha of this country and the role that Mahasangha play in Sri Lankan society being custodians of Sinhala Buddhist culture. I am of view that above statement appears to be an insult caused in public to ridicule the President, the Speaker and Mahasangha.

From the foregoing facts it may be observed that those critics have forgotten the fact that ultimate and absolute authority to find a better system in place of 13A and PC system rests with general masses of this country, either through Parliamentary process or a Referendum. In view of above let me conclude that PSC appointed by the Speaker seems a better forum to find out an appropriate solution for ethnic conflict of Sri Lanka.

However, Referendum seems the best mechanism due to the facts that sense and views of masses at grass root level could be represented through an independent Referendum instead through PSC and also that there is a possibility of manipulating PSC mechanism by members from so called Socialist Block to push through their ideologies disregarding the real pulse of the masses of this country on this so called ethnic conflict.

– See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/13-was-marker-larger-tamil-nadu#sthash.VZ9JZSdN.dpuf

http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=features/13-was-marker-larger-tamil-nadu

Courtesy Sunday Island

Proliferation of sea piracy in the Western Indian Ocean resulted in International Maritime Organization (IMO) establishing a High Risk Area in which piracy threat was greater. Many Western Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) started providing security to ships in this HRA, and since Sri Lanka was at one end of the HRA based their operations off Sri Lanka.

They also obtained the required weapons belonging to Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) from Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd (RALL) for convenience. Whilst providing these weapons to those maritime security companies, 197 weapons belonging to GOSL were misplaced, as once issued from Colombo, there was no way of monitoring them.

Avant Garde then conceptualised and proposed to GOSL a system to eliminate any possibility of misplacing, but instead properly account for weapons once issued by RALL, through the establishment of many operational centres in the periphery of the Indian Ocean in a ‘Closed Circuit Network’ (CCN) where any RALL weapon issued from one location had to be returned to any other location of this closed circuit network.

Floating Armouries were to complement the CCN wherever land operational centres were not possible. Then, there was to be a guarantee that any weapon issued would be returned. The proposal also entailed that the entire investment to be borne by Avant Garde without a cent being invested by GOSL.

Since the proposal was conceptualised and proposed by Avant Garde, it has the intellectual right to it. Consequently, the CCN was established in 2012 through a joint venture with RALL where the accountability of weapons in those operational centres were to be by RALL representatives. These weapons were approved by the MOD. The operation progressed satisfactorily and smoothly.

In 2014, the ship used as the floating armoury in Red Sea was replaced by another ship from Sri Lanka, which was renamed as MVAvant Garde and set sail from Colombo on 07 April.

Transparency of the operation was assured by regular reporting to MOD and RALL, and the full operation has been clearly shown in the Avant Garde web site (www.avantmaritime. com) from the inception. The venture continued successfully and the CCN concept of Avant Garde ensured that not a single weapon was misplaced since then.

There was international acclaim of this operation and the model was suggested to be taken as a template for other operators by authorities of the calibre no less than the Indian Navy Commander and the UK-based Security Association of Maritime Industry (SAMI).

However, events in January 2015 leading to the baseless detention of the floating armoury at Galle; MY Mahanuwara, caused many international Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs), till that time reliable clients of Avant Garde, to abandon Avant Garde and migrate to alternative solutions greatly reducing the business of Avant Garde. By the time Avant Garde was cleared by Galle Magistrate and the Attorney General s department, the damage has already been done.

The resultant loss of revenue made the business untenable, and RALL was apprised of the situation at many meetings, as well as in writing, that the floating armoury in the Red Sea will have to be therefore, withdrawn. Consequently, arrangements were made to withdraw the floating armoury in the Red Sea to return to Sri Lanka. In addition to the daily weapon report prepared by the RALL representative on board, an independent list of items on board was prepared by the RALL representative on board; Lt. Col. Albert Tillekaratne. The list was sent to RALL and the Head of the RALL Armoury, Major Wijekoon confirmed to its accuracy.

Thereafter, on 22 Sep, RALL was requested for armed guards for the passage through the High Risk Area (HRA), which is a security measure adopted by any ship, and the MOD approved it on 23 Sept. keeping all other relevant authorities, including the Sri Lanka Navy, informed (MOD letter No. MOD/CS/ SS / RAKNA/ 20 dated 23 Sept.).

Therefore, the contention of the Sri Lanka Navy that it was unaware of the vessel was in the least, preposterous. The vessel left the Red Sea on 24 Sept, and at the same time a letter was originated seeking approval of RALL to transfer the consignment of weapons, ammunition and associated equipment to its armory at Galle once the ship arrived in Galle (Chairman Avant Garde Letter No AST/ STP/ 13 dated 24 Sept. 2015). The Secretary of MOD accepted receipt of that letter at a recent media interview.

However, the approval to it was not as prompt as should have been, hence the ship, having arrived off the port of Galle, remained in international waters outside Sri Lanka territorial waters and Galle port limits awaiting the approval.

When the ship left Red Sea, there was a request to embark and return to Sri Lanka 3 Sri Lankan sea marshals who have been in the employment of a foreign PMSCs (Tundra) based in Sri Lanka. They were provided the facility as supernumeraries of the ship, which is not unusual. The PMSC local agent, MALSHIP, in its efforts to disembark these 3 Sri Lankan Sea Marshals expeditiously, has submitted a request to OHM Galle, which is not within their purview, and has entered a wrong name as the captain of the vessel.

The document seeking clearance of a ship is submitted by the ship’s local agent, and MALSHIP has no business to do it even to clear its own personnel. That needs to be done by the ship’s local agent. Therefore, whatever MALSHIP has submitted has no validity at all. It is perplexing why OHM Galle accepted such an invalid request when it should have been simply disregarded and discarded.

Neither Avant Garde nor the ship’s local agent, Sri Lanka Shipping Ltd, was aware of MALSHIP request, and even if any of them were aware, it would have been dismissed as irrelevant and invalid. An investigation, if any, should be initiated as to why OHM Galle even accepted it, let alone publicise it and release a totally irrelevant, wrong and damning information to the public .

The ship, MV Avant Garde, remained outside the port limit in international waters awaiting clearance from MOD. This is the usual practice of any ship awaiting whatever clearance or approval. Even then, for good order, Avant Garde made it a point to keep Mr. Victor Samaraweera; Chairman RALL, Adm. Jayantha Perera; Presidential Advisor on Maritime Affairs, Senior Additional

Secretary; MOD, Mr. DMS Dissanayaka, and Secretary RALL; Mr. DRM Ranatunga informed about the ship waiting outside awaiting MOD clearance to transfer the consignment to RALL armoury.

The MOD gave approval on 6 Oct. 2015 (MOD Letter No MOOUO/CS/FA/AT dated 6 Oct. ‘15), which was received at 9.45 a.m. but the Sri Lanka Navy boarded the ship just 30 minutes before and assumed command. The action of the Navy is shocking in view of it being informed regularly of the progress as indicated above.

It is relevant at this juncture to emphasise that Avant Garde has always conformed to national and international laws from the inception and, as mentioned earlier, has been receiving accolades and admiration from players of the industry as well as independent international experts in maritime affairs.

Also, there is no discrepancy whatsoever in the consignment of weapons, ammunition and associated equipment maintained by RALL representatives on board and exactly tallies with details available at RALL armoury.

In light of above, the reason for selective targeting of Avant Garde is the mystery, not anything that it has alluded to have done. It is clear that many envious business contenders are at the bottom of these efforts to disrupt activities of Avant Garde, but unfortunately without realising the great and irrevocable damage done to the country in general and Sri Lankan shipping industry in particular.

Galle has become a thriving business centre for ship agents and that is now affecting livelihoods of many. Despite all this, the projection of this incident as a mysterious event appears to be a systematic effort to mislead the public at large. There are over 15 floating armouries operating in the Red Sea and Gulf of Oman servicing many foreign PMSCs, and Avant Garde was the undoubted business leader made possible by its incise knowledge of the business, until deriding rhetoric in Sri Lanka cast a shadow over the stability of its business.

It has caused many clients to take business with Avant Garde elsewhere, losing invaluable foreign exchange to the country and depriving respectable employment opportunities to many retired ex-servicemen war heroes who have sacrificed their youth for others to live peacefully. What a travesty!

It is also relevant to mention that the concepts and operational planning of Avant Garde conforming to national and international laws and obligations to maintain its legitimacy are being conducted by many specialists and experts in the field, comprising of 2 former Navy Commanders, a former Director General of the Coast Guard, a former Chief of Staff of the Army, 2 former DIGs, 3 senior retired civil servants, very senior foreign Naval officers, supported by many other very senior and well respected senior military officers.

They assure complete accountability and transparency of all Avant Garde activities and such an experienced team is unlikely to be found in any other business organisation in the world. The expertise of those people should not be undermined nor ridiculed. Unfortunately that appears to be happening in Sri Lanka, where allegations are being made without any grounds whatsoever, in deriding rhetoric to mislead the general public, which could be considered as downright betrayal.

DHARSHAN WEERASEKERA

A Parliamentary ‘debate’ on the OHCHR report and the related resolution is scheduled for the 22^nd and 23^rd of October, if I’m not mistaken.  All indications are that the Government will trounce the opposition by branding them ‘extremists.’  (By ‘opposition’ what I mean are those who see the OHCHR report as inimical to Sri Lanka’s interests, and want to resist the related recommendation for a ‘Domestic Mechanism.’)

The opposition, meanwhile, seems to lack a coherent and focused plan of action.  Their strategy appears to consist mainly of various efforts at informing the public that the predicament Sri Lanka faces at present is really bad (i.e. similar to 1815 or worse) which is all true, but hardly useful if what one wants is a practical way to address the said predicament.

In my view, the Government is actually in a very vulnerable position with respect to the OHCHR report and the related issues.  In this article, I shall briefly describe the conundrum that I think the Government is facing at present, and a possible strategy that the opposition can deploy to resist the establishment of a ‘Domestic Mechanism,’ or at any rate to buy some time until a better plan can be devised.

The Government’s Conundrum

The Government’s conundrum with respect to the OHCHR report is that, though the latter was released to the public on the 16^th of September, to this day there has been no analysis or assessment of the report undertaken by the Government, an NGO, ‘think tank,’ academic institution, or even a newspaper.  Under the circumstances, the Government has two options during the ‘debate’ in Parliament, where it will have to go on record with its stance on the report.

First, the Government can say it accepts conclusions of the report without reservation.  But, in that case, if it is found later (after the required analysis) that the report is a highly compromised document—i.e. full of contradictions, obfuscations and even outright lies—the politicos who endorsed the report along with their legal advisors would be liable among other things for dereliction of duty and  incompetence.

It should be noted that, the ‘Public Trust Doctrine’ is well-established in Sri Lankan Constitutional jurisprudence.  The ‘Public Trust Doctrine’ says that public officials hold power—and this obviously includes control over the resources and long-term interests of the State—in trust for the people, and if they violate that trust they can be held accountable.

Second, the Government can avoid giving a clear answer to the question as to whether it accepts the conclusions of the OHCHR report without reservation, and instead use its majority in Parliament to push through the required enabling legislation for the ‘Domestic Mechanism.’

I am aware that there is a faction even within the nationalist/patriotic forces generally opposed to the OHCHR report as well as the related resolution, that is in favour of a ‘Domestic Mechanism,’ under the reasoning that, if we had such a mechanism, we can ‘tell our side of the story.’

Perhaps what gives the aforesaid faction hope is that some of the charges leveled against the Government, such as indiscriminate shelling of civilians and denial of humanitarian assistance to civilians, can be rebutted easily by citing publicly available facts, including from the records of various UN agencies, ICRC, and so on.

In my view, the flaw in the reasoning of the aforesaid faction is that they presume that the domestic mechanism, once operational, will pursue all of the OHCHR’s charges.  But, what if it focuses on just a few of the charges, such as, say, ‘Unlawful killings’—i.e. incidents such as the purported killing of LTTE political wing leaders Nadesan and Puleedevan, the purported killings of Isaipriya, the LTTE ‘media-personality’ and so on?

According to the OHCHR, the allegations regarding ‘Unlawful killings’ are based on the testimony of certain witnesses, plus video and photographic evidence, much of it uncorroborated.  With the necessary changes to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Ordinance, it would be possible to allow for the use of this type of evidence.

If the Government makes the aforesaid changes to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Evidence Ordinance, and if the proposed ‘Domestic Mechanism’ is a self-sustained unit, that is, it has a judicial element, a prosecutorial element, and even a defence element, and there is no provision for appeal to the normal domestic courts of the country, our soldiers and commanders who have to face such a mechanism will be trapped.

It has been reported that the Government is fully committed to defending the soldiers and commanders who will be brought before the ‘Domestic Mechanism,’ and has even pledged to hire defense attorneys for them.  (See, for instance, ‘Govnt will hire lawyers and pay legal costs to defend military personnel charged with war crimes,’ Sunday Times, www.dbsjeyaraj.com, 10 October 2015)

The above is obviously a nice gesture, but, once the rules of procedure and of evidence are rigged, the outcome of each case is predetermined.  They’ll all end with the inevitable verdict of ‘Guilty!’  No defense attorney will be able to change that.

To turn to the matter of immediate concern, as I mentioned earlier, it is quite possible that the Government, using its majority in Parliament, will push through the necessary enabling legislation and establish the ‘Domestic Mechanism.’ My point, however, is that though the Government may do this, it can backfire on the Government in a very serious way, as follows.

Let us suppose, for a moment, that the Government passes the required enabling legislation and establishes the ‘Domestic Mechanism,’ and, as I anticipate, certain members of our armed forces along with the political and civilian leaders who were at the forefront of the war against the LTTE are tried, convicted and punished.

The present government, like all governments, will fall some day:  that is a law of history.  (If I may borrow a phrase from the great historian Edward Gibbon, from a slightly different context:  ‘The grave is ever beside the throne.’)

Once the politicos who make up the present government are out of power, they may be able to wriggle out of a lot of things, but if they voted ‘yes’ on a vote in parliament, which in turn led to measures that caused irreparable harm to members of the armed forces and popular civilian leaders, and perhaps also the country as a whole, it is something they will not be able to wriggle out of so easily.

It would be possible for a future government to make the necessary changes in the law to apprehend, try and punish the persons whose undeniable act led to the aforesaid consequences to members of the armed forces, to popular civilian leaders, and perhaps the country as well.

No politico will risk something like the above, especially if they knew they could provide themselves with an insurance policy, namely, an argument to show that they took rudimentary precautions to evaluate the claims of the OHCHR report, and also to give the people a chance to read the report, before taking any steps that could lead to long-term harm to the country.

Strategy for the opposition

On account of the matters discussed herein-before, I believe the strategy for the opposition should include the following three elements:

1. A demand that no decision be taken with regard to the ‘Domestic Mechanism’ until the people of Sri Lanka have had a chance to read and reflect on the OHCHR report, and to that end, demand that an official translation of that report into Sinhalese be provided to members of the public, since the majority of the population of the country speak Sinhalese. (For purposes of political correctness, let us say a Tamil translation ought to also be provided.)  The point is that, a separate vote should be taken on the issue of providing the translations, so that the names of the politicos who voted ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the measure are clearly on record.

2. A demand that no decision be taken with regard to the ‘Domestic Mechanism’ until the Government commissions an independent and credible assessment of the OHCHR report, with respect to whether the various conclusions in the report follow from its evidence. Again, a separate vote should be taken on the issue of commissioning such an assessment, so that the names of the persons who voted ‘yes’ or ‘no’ are on record.

3. Simultaneously to the above two steps, civil society organizations working with the opposition or independently should file petitions at the Human Rights Commission and also the Supreme Court, complaining of the Government’s failure thus far to provide a Sinhalese translation of the OHCHR report, which is a violation among other things of their fundamental right to equality and also to freedom of thought and conscience. (In order to think about relevant issues, one needs the relevant information, and it goes without saying that the lack of a Sinhalese translation of the OHCHR report must obviously hamper a Sinhalese-speaker’s ability to think about the contents of that report.)

Dharshan Weerasekera is an Attorney-at-Law.  He is the author of two books:  The UN’s Relentless Pursuit of Sri Lanka (2013), and The UN’s Subversion of International Law:  The Sri Lanka Story (2015)

Shenali D Waduge

If Sri Lanka is to be compared to any nation it must have similar historical civilizational traits. No amount of distortion, attempts to re-write history by religions out to convert Vedic religions can take away the Buddhist heritage of Sri Lanka and changing the constitution is one attempt to replace the foremost place given to Buddhism by applying a multicultural multi-religious pseudo eye-wash which over time invariably will result in either the Church or Islam determining and dominating how affairs of the State will run according to the religious tenants of their faiths which gives no equal status to Buddhism or Hinduism. When Cardinal Parolin signed the agreement on the Italian model” in the Asian nation, a Catholic stronghold celebrating 500 years of evangelization the proof was sealed. The arrival of the Portuguese in Sri Lanka is nothing for us to feel proud about though the present PM wanted to celebrate the arrival. The architect of the 19^th amendment Jayampathy Wickremaratne however thinks otherwise and wishes Sri Lanka to follow the example of East Timor http://www.dailymirror.lk/91161/forming-the-new-constitution

History of East Timor

 The Portuguese arrived in 1505 to both Ceylon and Timor. Dominican Friars created a Catholic conclave in 1556 and territory became a Portuguese colony in 1702. The Dutch took over West Timor in 1613. Timor natives were converted to Catholicism. Portuguese were taught and citizenship granted only if natives knew the language and were Catholic as the Church took over education raising natives to think and live as per Christian dogma only. More than 90% Timorese are Catholic. During World War 2 Timor was occupied by a small British, Australian and Dutch force, to preempt a Japanese invasion. Japanese did invade in 1942.

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1997. Portuguese Timor became independent in 2002. In anticipation of this independence the US set up a post in capital Dili in 2001 claiming that Timor needed US presence alongside the UN Transitional Administration (something along similar lines now being pushed for Sri Lanka)

• East Timor’s Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR) took 3 years (January 2002 to 2005) was 2500 pages and covered human rights violations in East Timor between 1974 & 1999 (25 years)

US Role

• More than 1000 declassified US & British documents was also included calling for reparations from US/UK Governments and Western arms manufacturers for supporting Indonesian invasion and occupation of East Timor from 1975 until UN sponsored vote in 1999.
• East Timor was originally occupied by the Portuguese and Lisbon held legal sovereignty over Timor in 1975.
• Indonesia invaded it in 1975 after the green light was given by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and President Gerard Ford. That 24 year occupation lost 100,000 Timorese lives.
• Questions arise as to the extent of ties US had with Suharto between 1975 and 1998 for the US to provide military support for the Indonesian armed forces to invade East Timor and US were well aware of Indonesia’s killing spree. Did the US request the Indonesians to invade East Timor and was this why the US followed a ‘policy of silence’?
• President Ford and Secretary Kissinger arrived in Indonesia, Jakarta on 5 December 1975 and US Ambassador David Newsom conveyed to Indonesia that it should ‘take no military action until well after the President’s departure from Jakarta” (this shows that the US knew or the military action and questions whether US requested the action to take place as the Indonesians used US arms/weapons) Did the US want Indonesia to integrate East Timor to Indonesia and was it because this plan failed the US went on to another plan and was this why it took till September 1999 for US to describe Indonesia’s military violence as a form of ‘terrorism’.
• The other reason to suspect US hand in the invasion is the manner Carter Administration & National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski blocked attempts by US Congressman, Donald Fraser to obtain a copy of the cable transcribing the meeting President Ford and Kissinger had with President Suharto on 6 Dec 1975. The text of that cable was released in December 2001
• US officials as proven by the declassified cables show that US ignored reports of Indonesia’s massacres of Timorese civilians. This is seen in the US envoy Jean Stapleton Roy that the Clinton administration did not desire to let East Timor further damage ties between the two nations” therefore even when Indonesian army killed 1500 Timorese in September 1999 the US took Indonesia’s side!
• The ‘policy of silence’ stems from the National Security Council memo from W R Smyser to Kissinger on 4 March 1975 giving US policy responses based on the fact that US has ‘interests’ in Indonesia and none in Timor. In other words actions of powerful nations have no moral or righteous basis except based on what has geopolitical/trade interests for these nations!
• Another clue that declassified documents provided was that the plan for Indonesia to invade East Timor had been planned for a year before the invasion and probably it was the US that spurred the East Timorese to seek Unilateral Declaration of Independence on 28 Nov 1975 to justify Suharto’s military invasion. A similar nudge took place when Iraq’s Saddam was discretely told to invade Kuwait and that turned out to be Saddam’s downfall planned by the US. The lesson in all this is any third world leader that trusts the US is a bloody idiot! The US always plays a double game and works with both parties often at the same time. This was clear in the manner that the entire weaponry used for the takeover were American and trained by Americans.
• The scale of hypocrisy can be seen in the manner that the Australian consul to Portuguese Timor James Dunn in March 1977 published a report alleging that the Indonesian forces had killed between 50,000 to 100,000 East Timorese the US Embassy in Jakarta rejected the charges as ‘exaggerated’

Church role

• The other interesting factor is that though Indonesia is Muslim, Suharto’s only general army commander Benny Moerdani was Catholic and when Indonesia invaded Timor in 1975 Timorese were 34% Catholic. The Timor resistance movements were steered by the Church (no different to the Church links to LTTE) and this indirectly enabled the Church to increase the flocks which has been the case with the Tamil Hindus converting to Catholicism throughout LTTE rule as the Church not only provided salvation but promised a better life in the West, western education, employment and all things that poverty stricken Timorese and Tamils yearned for. You have to wonder whether a dual objective is taking place with every crisis planted!
• The role of the Church in Timor raised further eyebrows when it supported former student activist and political prisoner Fernando “La Sama” de Araujo at the Presidential election in 2007. The Church was an ally of colonials and remains a major political player in all former colonies still.
• In August 2015, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State signed a formal agreement sanctioning complete harmony between the State and the Church (can people now understand why Buddhist Sri Lanka does not wish anyone to tamper or tweak the existing constitution because it would be a subtle way to remove the foremost place rightfully held and should belong to the Buddhists of Sri Lanka who built this nation). By 2015, over 96% of 1.2m Timorese had become Catholic and converts become more Catholic than the Pope! http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/world-news/detail/articolo/timor-est-42800/ The link refers to drafting the new Constitution and a request was made to officially introduce Catholicism as ‘state religion’. The celebration of 500 years of evangelization is what Sri Lanka’s present PM suggested in 2005 and the former President fell for inviting the Pope to canonize a person who had arrived in disguise to murder and convert natives costing him an election defeat. In Timor the message released was The Catholic Church, for over 500 years has given great spiritual, human and material support to the people of Timor, contributing in a decisive manner to the process of liberation of East Timor”. In Sri Lanka this statement is nowhere near valid for those who are aware of the scale of destruction and murder and mayhem committed by the Portuguese and the Church. http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=13665 /  http://www.asiantribune.com/node/86125
• Under the veil of secularism an agreement with the Holy See has been in place since 2006 and it was these players that decided on what changes were to take place to the criminal code based on Church beliefs and the place given to the Catholic religion in administration, schools and society was secured. Is this not what the new constitution is aiming to achieve in Sri Lanka by replacing the place historically held by Buddhism with Evangelism and does this not give the Buddhists every right to object?
• If the Church can argue that preference given to Catholicism in East Timor s valid on account of Portuguese rule except for the period ruled by Indonesia why cant Sinhala Buddhists say the same when they have a history of over 2600 to showcase?

UN role

• Funnily enough the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution condemning Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor on 1 Nov 1977 and called for self-determination which the US voted against! In 1993 US co-sponsored a successful resolution at the UN Human Rights Commission criticizing Indonesian abuses in East Timor.
• Coincidentally in 1983 August the Timorese Fretilin guerrillas attacked Indonesian military forces killing 18 soldiers – in 1983 July the LTTE guerrillas attacked Sri Lankan military killing 13 soldiers!
• Suharto came into power in 1965 after a murder mayhem but UK and US continued to keep him as ally. http://www.peace.ca/usauktrained.htm no accountability for US/UK action has been called from the UN to date!

New Constitution

• What is interesting is the manner in which Western Think Tanks were taking interest in helping draft Timor’s constitution no different to Western-funded local NGOs playing a similar role in public opinion gathering (officialising their biased views)
• Catholic NGOs played in integral role in East Timor no different to the similar role played in Sri Lanka and naturally Western-Christian influenced media have held sway in both nations and thus have used electronic and print media to influence the naïve people of both countries.

Invariably what needs to be accepted is that the West cares little about human rights, democracy, justice or accountability and neither are they bothered about the rights of the minorities or the grievances of the majority. But they do love using the issues that countries suffer from as slogans to advance their own agendas for it becomes all the more easier to use tense internal conflicts to enter as peace makers, conflict resolutionists and mediators but in reality they are only putting their foot in to aggravate the trouble so they can keep the locals busy solving issues while they put teams to advance their goals. If locals by now cannot understand the repetitive nature of how the West functions they deserve the treatment given.

As things stand nothing should be changed if it is being promoted by the very countries that are responsible for the chaos in Sri Lanka indirectly and directly.

Shenali D Waduge

Dilrook Kannangara

Nepal’s constitution has triggered Nazi action, particularly, Operation Himmler, from India, again. At the same time, India uses same Nazi action against Sri Lanka, to change the Sri Lankan Constitution to appease Indian ethnic communities living in Sri Lanka. This repetitive behaviour of India is the same conduct Nazi Germany followed to invade Poland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, etc. The world must stop such invasive interference based on ethnicity. Protection of a nation’s ethnic groups rests with that nation. If any external party is unhappy with the rights of a minority ethnic group due to its presence in that external country as well, awarding them citizenship and taking them in are better tactics.

Operation Poomalai Equals Operation Himmler

In early 1939, minority ethnic Germans were attacked in Poland and their houses torched, allegedly by the majority community of Poland. According to Germany, they were tolerated by the Poland government. On September 1, 1939, a German language radio station, Gleiwitz in the border of Germany-Poland was attacked by Germans posing as Poles. Claiming to protect the German minority in Poland from attacks by Poles, Germany invaded Poland (Fall Weiss) initiating WW2. Similar claims were made against Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and Germany invaded them.

Germany followed the same tactic against Switzerland. A pan-German plan called for the unification of all Germans into a Greater Germany on the basis of ethnic German people’s right to self-determination. However, this plan failed as German leaders realised the horrors that awaited minority Germans if they invaded Switzerland. Switzerland skilfully managed its domestic and foreign relations to stump Germany.

Imperial Japan used the same logic to justify the invasion of Manchuria.

One would have thought these Nazi tactics died with WW2. They didn’t. They reincarnated in India. Having trained, armed, protected and financed Tamil terrorists since late 1970s, India claimed Tamil civilians were besieged in Jaffna peninsular due to Sri Lanka’s Operation Liberation in 1987. Using this as a cover, India invaded Sri Lanka’s airspace in late May 1987 ostensibly to help Tamils. It was called Operation Poomalai – meaning flower garland according to the South Indian language Tamil. It was nothing but the reincarnation of Operation Himmler.

Without stopping at that, India invaded Colombo and forced the government to sign the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord that imposed the 13A to the Constitution and restricted Sri Lanka’s right of self-determination. Instead, it imposed a pan-Indian and pan-Tamil right of self-determination extending to South Indian ethnic communities living in Sri Lanka. As with the original Operation Himmler, its second version was also tolerated by the international community, unwilling to intervene. Unfortunately, unlike Germany, these Indian impositions have not been shaken off.

Nepal and Bangladesh

India justified its interference with Nepal citing concerns of minority ethnic groups in Nepal – Madhess and Janjati – that are found in larger numbers in India. According to India and these minority groups, the new Nepal Constitution hurts the Madhesis and Janjatis. India demanded seven (7) amendments to the Nepali constitution ostensibly to protect interests of these minority groups. Thankfully, Nepal has so far resisted to Indian Operation Himmler.

Nepal’s constitution is Nepal’s business and not India’s. If India is genuinely concerned about Madhesis and Janjatis in Nepal, India should grant them Indian citizenship and settle them in India. Otherwise let Nepal handle its own internal affairs. Nepal needs a constitution for Nepal and not India. There can be no justification for the interference in purely domestic affairs of Nepal. Similarly, India interfered with Bangladesh. India’s conduct is the reincarnation of Nazi tactics in Poland, Austria and other independent countries in Europe prior to WW2.

Top democracies including USA, UK, France, Germany, Canada and Australia don’t grant special rights to minorities. The success of these countries speaks volumes of how to draft a constitution and how not to draft one.

Minorities Deserve Nothing More than What UN Charters Specify

UN Human Rights Charter and the charter to protect minorities and indigenous peoples specify the ways and means to protect minorities. Beyond those specifications, there is no requirement to appease minorities. Just because a minority ethnic group in a country happened to have relatives in India or Nazi Germany doesn’t necessitate special constitutional provisions to look after their interests.

For instance, there is absolutely no requirement to make Tamil language an official or national language of Sri Lanka. No UN Charter requires Sri Lanka to do so. On the contrary, in 1956 an overwhelming majority of voters decided Sinhala language must be the only official language and that must stand. Further, there is no UN Charter calling for devolution of power to minority groups. As such, Sri Lanka must not do so.

Veering away from the minimum specified in UN Charters endangers and trespasses into the rights of the majority and dilutes the right of self-determination of an independent nation.

Indian Patchwork Model Inappropriate

Indian ethnic patchwork model is not the best governance form the world has. In fact, most countries that followed it ended up disintegrated. The Soviet Union and Yugoslavia followed similar patchwork unions and they can only be found in museums, not on a world map. Even India’s continuation as a single nation is in grave doubt as multiple erosions have already disintegrated British India.

Many leaders of Indian states that were independent even under British rule protested the formation of India and some preferred suicide than joining India. Modern patchwork union of India is built on the suicides of its minority leaders and states.

Therefore, India should not impose its grim ethnic patchwork model on other nations.
Faced with the Indian threat of Operation Himmler, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh must balance their political, economic and military interests with China and Pakistan – the other Asian and regional giants. As Switzerland did, these smaller nations should deploy military capabilities within geographical areas where Indian communities (minorities) live to prevent the emergence of a pan-Indian mega state on the ashes of established nations.

A new non-aligned movement for Asia is needed to balance its interests between various competing parties. The old non-aligned movement is outdated and irrelevant. India cannot be in any non-aligned movement as it is heavily aligned to USA on geopolitical matters against truly nonaligned countries.