උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

ලංකාවේ වෙනදේ

‘ද අයිලන්ඩ්‘ පුවත්පතට ප්‍රකාශයක් කරමින් ආරක්ෂක ලේකම් තුයියකොන්නා මහතා සදහන් කරන්නේ ජනාධිපති අනුර දිසානායක මහතා සහ ඉන්දියාවේ අගමැති නරේන්ද්‍ර මෝදි මහතා අතර ඇතිකරගත් එකඟතාවය මත අත්සන් කළ ආරක්ෂක ගිවිසුම සකස් වන්නේ හිටපු ජනාධිපති රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතා 2023 ජුලි 21 දින ඇතිකරගත් එකඟතාවයේ දිගුවක් ලෙස බවය. 

ඒ පිළිබඳව අදහස් දක්වන දේශපාලන විචාරකයන් සදහන් කරන්නේ තුයියකොන්නා මහතාට අදාළ ක්‍රියාවලිය පිළිබඳව අවබෝධයක් නොමැති බවය. ඊට හේතුව 2023 ජුලි 21 දින රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහ මහතා සහ නරේන්ද්‍ර මෝදි මහතා අතර ඇතිකරගත් එකඟතා ප්‍රකාශය තුළ ආරක්ෂක ගිවිසුමක් පිළිබඳව  කිසිදු කරුණක් අඩංගු නොවීමය. ඒ අනුව රටේ ආරක්ෂක ලේකම්වරයා ඉන්දියාව සමඟ  අත්සන් කළ ආරක්ෂක ගිවිසුමට අදාල දේශපාලන පසුබිම අධ්‍යනය නොකිරීම බරපතළ තත්වයක් බව ඔවුහු සදහන් කරති. 

Wimal Weerawansa

2025 පලාත් පාලන මැතිවරණය සඳහා මතුගම ප්‍රාදේශීය සභාව සඳහා පංචා යුධය ලකුණින්” තරග ව දින ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණේ අපේක්ෂක අපේක්ෂිකාවන්ගේ ජයග්‍රහණය තහවුරු කිරීම උදෙසා අද (05) දින එළිදැක්වූ ලස්සන මතුගම ” වැඩපිළිවෙල එළිදැක්වීමේ අවස්ථාවේදී ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණේ නායක විමල් වීරවංශ මහතා විසින් සිදුකළ කතාව.

ධර්මසිරි සෙනෙවිරත්න

මෝඩි ඉන්දියාවේ ශ්‍රී මහා බෝධියටත් මෙහෙම වඳිනවද?. මෝඩි,.සිකිමයට භූතානයට නේපාලයට කලදේ දැන දැනත් ඉ න්දියා ලංකා දෙරට එසේම යාකරනන්නට එනවිට එහි භයානකත්වය නොදැනද හාමුදුරුවෝ පිරිත් නුල්බැඳ ”හොඳ එකා ”කියා පිටටත් තට්ටු කරලා ආශීර්වාද කරන්නේ . අපේ උන්මයි රට පාවාදෙන්නේ. මිතුරු කම එකක් පාවාදීම වෙන එකක් .ලංකාවේ බෞද්ධ කාන්තාවන්ට අඩිය තියන්න නොදෙන ශ්රී මහා බෝධියේ උඩමළුවට මිසදිටුවෙකුට අඩිය තියන්න දෙනවා රට රවටන්න. අපි ගියා නම් බලන්න ඕන එයාලගේ ”රැස්පොට් ‘.. වීඩියෝවේ නිවේදකයා පුන පුනා කියනවා මෝඩි භික්ෂුන්ගේ දෙපා අල්ලා වැන් ඳ බවත් ඒ තරම් බැතිමත් නිරහංකාර බවත් පෙන් වන්න. එයා නිකන් දෙකට නැමුන විතරයි . මෝඩි ලා බෞද්ධයන් කළඟ දනින් වැටෙන්නේ නැහැ,අපි නොදැක්ක තැනක දෙපා වැන්ද කියමුකෝ. එත් ඔය ඒ ක උලුප්පා කියන්නේ මෝඩ සිංහල බෞද්ධයෝ මුලා කරන්න..මටනම් හිරිකිත හිතුනා හාමුදුරුවෝ මෝ ඩි ගේ පිටට තට්ටු කරන කොටයි මෝඩි වඳින කොට භික්ෂුව මොඩිගේ අ ත් අල්ල ගන්න කොටයි දීන විදිහට. ඉන්දියාව එක්ක විතරක් නොවෙයි හැම රටක් එක්කම මිත්‍රව ඉම්මු . වසර දාස් ගණනක් ඉන්දියාව අපව ආක්‍රමණය කල හැටි විනාශ කල හැටි ,හා අශෝක වැනි අ ය බුද්ධ ධර්මය ඉදිරියට දමා සිංහලේ රජු තිස්ස ”නැවත අභිෂේක කල හැටි ‘ ‘ත් අමතක නොකර ඉන්දියාව සමග කට යුතු කරමු . දැන් ඔය අත්සන් කරන ආරක්ෂක ගිවිසුම් නිසා ඉන්දියාවයි චීනෙයි යුද්ධ කරන වෙලාවක චීන්නුන්ගේ බෝම්බ වල ට ලක් වීමේ අවදානමක් ඇතිවෙන්න ඉඩ නොදී සිටීමත් හරි වැදගත් .

මෝඩි ලංකාව ඉන්දියාවේ ප්‍රාන්තයක් කර ලංකාව සංවර්ධනය කරන වගකීමක් කරමත තියා ගන්නේ නැහැ .ඒ වෙනුවට කරන්නේ සිංහලයෝ කාලබීල හරි හාමතේ ඉඳල හරි ඕන කුද යක් ගහ ගෙන ඉඳල ඉන්දියාව ගහන බෙර පදේට නටන ජාතියක් කිරීමයි. ඒ ක උන්ට වාසියි ලේසියි , ලාභ දායකයි .

.ඉන්දියාවේ ඩොලර් සොච්චමකට රට අනතුරේ දාලබලය රැකගන්න හදන්න එපා අනුර.

ඔබ ගමේ කොල්ලෙක් නේද ? ඔබව මෙයට පොළඹවන ලිබරල්ලු ඉන්නේ හිනාවෙවී ..රනිල් හා හරිනී ඉන් දෙන්නෙක් .

එදා දේශප්‍රේමියෝ අද දේශද්‍රෝහියෝ නොවිය යුතුය . ජන මත විමසුමකින් අනුමත කලයුතුදේ අඩුගනනේ පාර්ලිමේන්තුවටවත් කැ බිනේට්ටුවටවත් ඉදිරිපත් නොකර, යහපාලන ද්‍රෝහීන්ගේ ”2016 අංක 12 දරන තොරතුරු දැනගැ නීමේ ”’ පනතේ ”හොර වගන්ති වලින් මුවාවී රටල් සමග හොරෙන් ගිවිසුම් අත්සන් කරන දේශද්‍රෝහී තත් වයට පත් වීමට, වරක් දේශප්‍රේමීන් ව සිටියවුන් පත් වුයේ කෙසේද ?

68 ලක්ෂයක් රැ වටෙව්වේ කවුද ?කෙසේද ?

68 ඇස් ඇරෙයිද ? සදහටම අන්ධ වෙයිද ?

NN’s Fareed Zakaria, host of Fareed Zakaria GPS” shares this take on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, including the repercussions he predicts

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

Today holds special significance as it coincides with the state visit of the Indian Prime Minister underscoring the profound historical, cultural, and strategic ties that unite our two nations and reaffirming the shared vision of our leaders for a prosperous and secure Indian Ocean region.

Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) made these remarks during his visit to the Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri at the Colombo port on Sunday (Apr 06).

The Deputy Minister was received by the Commanding Officer of the ship Captain Rajat Kumar. Indian High Commissioner HE Santosh Jha was also present at the occasion.

Speaking further, Deputy Minister Maj. Gen. Jayasekara said that the Indian Ocean remains a strategic lifeline for global commerce, necessitating collaborative efforts to combat security threats. We deeply appreciate India’s unwavering support in strengthening Sri Lanka’s maritime capabilities, ensuring safer seas for both our nations and beyond, he added.

He acknowledged India’s continued assistance in infrastructure development, capacity building, and humanitarian efforts that have played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s progress.

He further said that as we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, we must continue expanding our defence and security collaboration, particularly in addressing emerging threats such as maritime security challenges, drug trafficking, transnational crimes, and climate change.

Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army and Navy, members of the diplomatic corps, senior military officers and Defence Attachés from India, USA, Australia, Japan, Russia and Bangladesh, were among those present at the event held onboard the ship last evening.

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa participated in the ‘Rising Bharat Summit 2025’ in New Delhi today, which aims at strengthening trade, security, and diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka.

The summit, which brings together influential leaders and thinkers, focuses on key regional issues and future collaborations.

Namal delivered a speech during a panel discussion on the topic ‘Strengthening Indo-Sri Lanka Ties Through Dialogue, Collaboration, and Shared Progress.’ His remarks highlighted the importance of fostering deeper cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for mutual growth and stability in the region.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also expected to join the summit later today, further underscoring the significance of bilateral ties between the two nations.

Organizers said the summit is a crucial platform for discussing future avenues for trade, security, and diplomatic engagement between India and Sri Lanka.

Courtesy Adaderana

A specially deployed Sri Lankan Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Team, comprising Tri-Service personnel, has been mobilized in Myanmar to support post-disaster recovery efforts following a powerful earthquake that recently struck the country, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, the team had proceeded to the disaster-stricken region approximately 450 km away and is currently stationed in Nay Pyi Taw province. 

On Monday (Apr 7), they were deployed to Pobba Thiri Township to conduct two mobile medical clinics with transport support provided by local authorities, the statement added.

After reaching Pobba Thiri, the team conducted a rapid situational assessment to identify urgent medical needs and has since commenced providing medical services to the affected population. Their efforts are focused on delivering essential healthcare, addressing injuries, and supporting the well-being of communities impacted by the disaster.

The Sri Lankan troops have been commended for their swift response, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to humanitarian service. Their presence reflects Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to regional cooperation and solidarity during times of crisis, according to the Ministry.

The Ministry of Defence of Sri Lanka said it continues to monitor the mission and has reaffirmed its full support, expressing confidence in the contingent’s capacity to provide timely and effective assistance to those in need.

The death toll from Myanmar’s devastating March 28 earthquake has passed 3,600 with scores injured.

Courtesy Adaderana

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa says that politically driven delays in development projects in Sri Lanka resulted in an energy crisis that ultimately led to the country’s worst financial crisis.

Speaking during a special address themed The South Asian Platter: Menu for Growth” at the ‘Rising Bharat’ Summit held in India today (April 8), Rajapaksa stressed that development efforts must be carried out without delay, highlighting the importance of acting when the moment demands it.

We must implement and execute what has to be done at that given time.” 

What we saw in the past couple of years—because we purely ignored certain development projects based on political reasons—for example, Sampur was supposed to be started in 2015, and similarly many other projects were delayed like Uma Oya from the Iranian funding—and as a result, in 2022 we faced an energy crisis that later turned into a financial crisis”, MP Rajapaksa stressed.

Commenting on the impact of US trade tariffs to the South Asian region, Namal Rajapaksa urged South Asian nations to move beyond political divisions and pursue regional cooperation to tackle shared development challenges.

Highlighting the urgency of regional partnerships, Rajapaksa emphasized the potential of South-South collaboration, especially among Indian Ocean nations, stating, This is the time that the region should get together, and Indian Ocean countries have to get together and build new partnerships on trade.”

…What has happen in Washington will not only affect directly to Sri Lankan apparel or the exports—but also the maritime industry in Sri Lanka. You know, we are heavily depending on trade and logistics as well at the same time”, Rajapaksa added.

The parliamentarian also underlined the importance of strengthening ties with regional powers. This is something we need to work together with countries like India, to see how we can work new alliances and build new partnerships within the region,” he added.

When asked about the challenges of advocating reform while being linked to a prominent political family, Rajapaksa acknowledged the complexities, and expressed, It’s how you project yourself and how you face it, because it’s going to be always challenging. Politics is not an easy profession to be in. The circumstances change. As politicians and as political parties, we should reform around it.”

It will be challenging, but it’s all about how we face it and understanding the global context as well—because politics is no more conceited on your own constitution or only to your own country”, he added.

Courtesy Adaderana

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has personally written to United States President Donald Trump on ways to mitigate the impact and reduce the tariffs imposed recently, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando announced in Parliament.

Deputy Minister Fernando said the White House has also acknowledged the letter sent by the Head of State.  

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha stressed that the new government is focused on reducing the trade deficit with the United States in response to the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

In response to a question raised by New Democratic Front (NDF) Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake in Parliament today, Deputy Minister Fernando noted that data from the last five years indicate the trade deficit with the US is at 88 per cent.

The Deputy Minister of Economic Development noted that apparel, food and three other items account for 85 per cent of the total exports to the United States.

He said they are subject to tariffs and paratariffs, but the recent levies announced by President Donald Trump were calculated based on the trade deficit between countries and the US.

Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando defended the actions of the incumbent government saying they took proactive and reactive measures to lessen the adverse impact of the tariffs on local businesses.

The Deputy Minister confirmed another round of discussions will be held tonight (8) with the Office of the US Trade Representatives.  

Deputy Minister Fernando noted that the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US has been actively discussing with the Trump administration since February this year.

He said discussions were held previously with US representatives where it was acknowledged that the on-going situation is not merely between Sri Lanka and the US.

Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando said countries like India did not manage to reduce the tariffs as the calculation was made by a common formula.

He said therefore the government will take pragmatic decisions to lessen the impact the tariffs will have on local businesses.

Shenali D Waduge

In a slap to Sri Lanka’s hospitality, the Indian PM chose to single out only Tamils who account for less than 2.5million in an island of 22million asking the Govt to fulfill the aspirations of only Tamils. Sadly, he said after accepting a prestigious award by the Sri Lankan President. As far as we know Sri Lanka remains a sovereign state, no Sri Lankan leader tells Indian govt how to treat Indian citizens in India. If Mr. Modi feels that the Sri Lankan Tamils are not happy in Sri Lanka, Mr. Modi is more than welcome to give residency in Tamil Nadu to Tamils in Sri Lanka. Let us see how many will accept such an offer. Citizens in Sri Lanka have been living in harmony & that harmony has only been dented by external indoctrinations & poisons fed into the minds of people. There would have been no armed struggle or LTTE had India not secretly trained Tamil youth in India. There would have been no bloodshed or terror beyond May 1987 had Prabakaran been allowed to be captured. Even Rajiv Gandhi would have been alive today.

Thus, the armed militancy had nothing to do with Tamil aspirations & everything to do with India’s aspirations.

The Indo-Lanka Accord, the mention of Trinco Port, Trinco Oil Tanks had nothing to do with the Accord, its annexure but were only mentions in a letter from India PM Rajiv Gandhi to Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardena. These were India’s aspirations not Tamils or even LTTE.

Road, rail, ferry, bridge – all these connectivity’s are not part of Tamil aspirations but India’s aspirations & part of a new ideological Arkhand Bharath initiative.

Therefore, are Sri Lankan Tamil aspirations the same as that of India’s geopolitical aspirations?

Why does Indian Govt worry about Sri Lankan Tamils aspirations” & not about the aspirations of 80million Tamils in Tamil Nadu?

We have been repeatedly asking to clearly lay out what are the grievances of Tamils that are exclusive to them & not shared by the other citizens. As per our constitution, no community can be treated differently where the law must apply equally. So far other than some issues about getting letters in Sinhalese language nothing substantiate has been forth coming. In that case the Sinhalese, especially the Sinhalese children living in the North have a long list of grievances where they are administratively discriminated. Why doesn’t anyone speak on behalf of them?

Who can present a list of grievances that only Tamils suffer that Sinhalese, Muslims or Burghers do not also suffer which warrant a demand for a separate mono-religious state?

No Tamil can claim to have suffered the way the Blacks were treated in US, UK & western countries or how Blacks lived under apartheid rule in their own land. Those who are history savvy should read up on how Blacks were treated & continue to be treated in the West.

Aspirations are vague – aspirations differ from person to person. No Govt can meet aspirations of all its citizens.

The aspiration for a Tamil homeland was first mooted by the TULF & hijacked by Prabakaran to justify armed militancy. All he wanted to initially do was go against the caste system of which he was victim. Prabakaran’s aspiration was to reign supreme over his people as a despot & all Tamils lived in fear under his rule, so much so that all of the present overseas LTTE fronts only established themselves after his death. Had they independently set themselves up, they would have faced their waterloo like many Tamils did. Ironically, it is only those living overseas holding foreign passports who are wailing for a Tamil Eelam. Those that do so in Sri Lanka are the hired lot emerging only before Geneva sessions or when some handout is given.

We have always wanted to know why India started to train Tamil youth in guerilla warfare. We have yet to receive an answer. However, the oft quoted reason is that India wanted to palm off India’s headache in Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka.

What was that headache? That headache was the self-determination bid.

The same ethnic group cannot evolve in 2 different countries & claim self-determination in 2 different countries using the same arguments?

Which brings us to the question which country Tamils were first birthed in. This brings us to Tamil Nadu, thus the original demand for self-determination by Tamils began in 1938 in Tamil Nadu & not Sri Lanka.

Madras Province (Tamil Nadu, parts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala) was ruled by British. Tamil Nadu spoke Tamil, Andhra Pradesh spoke Telugu, Karnataka spoke Kannada, Kerala spoke Malayalam.

The other parts of Andhra, Karnataka & Kerala were ruled by Kings. These kings were subservient to the British.

Madras Province became Madras State in 1947 after Indian independence.

It is also important to note that the term Dravida Nadu was coined by colonial missionaries Bishop Caldwell as part of divide & rule mischief. In all probability the Tamil Eelam homeland” must have also been coined & promoted via missionaries who were very active in Sri Lanka.

It would be worthwhile to see the actual missionary brains behind these homeland” movements though India is using the same to advance its empire building agenda.

The Justice Party was formed by Periyar E V Ramaswamy in 1925.

In August 1938 T P Vedachalam of the Justice Party founded Tamil National Liberation Association.

The Justice Party was renamed Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944. Dravidar Kazahagam was an offshoot of the Self Respect Movement.

Dravida Munnertra Kazhagam (DMK) was formed on 17 September 1949 by C N Annadurai.

T M Parthasarathy of DMK went on to say Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra should each SEPARATELY become independent countries and THEN the four should join to form a ‘Dravidian Federation”.

Then on 18 December 1949 S J V Chelvanayagam formed ITAK (Federal Party) calling for a Tamil State in Sri Lanka.

But, it was Periyar & Annadurai who called for Tamil Nadu independence in December 1938. Periyar declared the aim was the separation of Tamil Nadu from the rest of India.

Addressing a meeting in October 1938, Periyar declared

The best way to preserve the liberty of Tamils is to agitate for separation from the rest of India and the proposed All-India Federation”.

Tamil Nadu’s bid for self-determination has been a long process:-

British India” was formed putting together independent princely kingdoms and territories.

Tamils lost their sovereignty with the fall of the 3 major kingdoms of Chera, Chola and Pandya around 1311 by Sultans, Nayaks, Maharaashtrians & Nawabs followed thereafter by arrival of Europeans – all of Tamil Nadu was ruled by colonial Britain while Pondycherry was ruled by the French.

1947 – At independence, Muslims in northwest and northeast objected to the creation of one country and so Britain created 2 countries – Pakistan & India. Tamil Nadu objected to this though Britain ignored this.

1938 August – Formation of Tamil National Liberation Association (Tamil Desa Viduthalai Sangam) by T P Vedachalam of the Justice Party became the 1st Tamil Nadu independence movement.

1938 October – E V Ramaswamy (Self-Respect Movement & later leader of Justice Party which became DK in 1944) declared the best way to preserve the liberty of Tamils is to agitate for separation from the rest of India and the proposed All-India Federation”.

10 December 1939 C N Annadurai (founder of DMK) demanded independence – ‘Tamil Nadu for Tamils’

17 December 1939 Periyar of DK raised slogan Dravida Nadu for Dravidians” changing his earlier Tamil Nadu for Tamils’ but changed again to Tamil Nadu for Tamils’ in 1960s evidenced in the Viduthalai magazine. Periyar died in 1973.

27 December 1939 – Provincial Tamil Conference in Vellore discussed Tamil Nadu independence.

24 August 1940 – Justice Party State Conference in Thiruvarur passed a resolution that to protect Dravidian culture, arts and economy Dravidian homeland of Madras Province needed. Thus the Tamil Nadu Independence Movement transgressed into Dravida Nadu Independence Movement. (refer article on DMK & the Tamil Nadu Independence Movement”) From 1940 – 1962 calls for Dravida Nadu by DMK. The reason for this is said to be due to Telugu leaders A C Parthasarathy Naidu, Ragavaiah Naidu, K V Reddy Naidu all striving for Dravida Nadu independence.

The British delegation (Cripps Mission) that came in 1942 refused the request for a separate Tamil state upon Indian independence.

1944 – C N Annadurai at DK Conference in Trichi India is a continent and it should be divided into separate nations(countries).” There is no need for it to be under a single government”. India should be divided according to racial lines to prevent future bloodsheds”. Aryan dominance grows under a single Indian country. Other races are destroyed”. Dividing India into separate countries would allow for each to develop its economy according to its circumstances and prevent one region taking the wealth of another”.

14 October 1947 – Dravida Nadu Separation Conference held in Cuddalore, Tamil scholar V Kalyana Sundaram speaking about Aryan-Dravidian problem. Resolution calling for Dravida Nadu independence passed.

V Kalyana Sundaram unveiled a map of Dravida Nadu at Dravidar Kazhagam Conference in Erode.

8 November 1950 – Madras State DMK Students Conference passed resolution for the independence of Dravida Nadu.

12-16 December 1951 – DMK State Conference called for ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians’

DMK leaders demanded independent Dravida Nadu during 1952, 1957 and 1962 election campaigns.

13-16 July 1961 – DMK General Conference in Madurai called for ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians’

16-17 December 1961 – DMK Special Election Conference in Coimbatore ahead of February 1962 General Elections called for ‘Dravida Nadu for Dravidians’. DMK won 50 seats at the State Legislative Assembly & 7 seats in the Indian Parliament. DMK founder C N Annadurai was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1962 and in his May 1st maiden speech he reiterated demand for ‘Dravidians demand the right of self-determination….we want a separate country for Southern India’ His response to Indian President Dr. Radhakrishnan who said India was one country because Rama & Krishna are worshipped from Kanyakumari to Himalayas was Jesus is worshipped throughout Europe, yet there are many countries in Europe”.

11 August 1962 – What is noteworthy is that when a by-election was held in Thiruchengodu following the resignation of Dr. Subarayan of Congress Party, Congress leaders campaigned asking people not to vote for DMK as it was a separatist party but the DMK candidate won leading to DMK leaders claiming it was a victory for ‘independence’.

22 September 1962 – DMK celebrated ‘Dravida Nadu Independence Festival’ in Chennai with over 200,000 participating.

1963 – Bids for separate independent Dravida Nadu & Tamil Nadu had to be abandoned when Indian Centre passed 16th amendment prohibiting anyone to advocate separatism.

13 November 1963 – DMK abandoned independence for Dravida Nadu after Indian Centre threatened to ban it from contesting elections if it continued with the independence demand.

However, the 1967 election manifesto of DMK included the demand for increasing the devolution of powers of state governments. It won them a landslide victory no different to how TULF in SL won following the racist/separatist Vaddukoddai Resolution in 1976.

1994 – Poet Pavalareru carried sentiment of freedom for Tamil Nadu till his death in 1994.

However, Thamizaharasan formed the Tamil Nadu Liberation Army (TNLA) in the mid-1980s though he was killed by the Indian Army though the group remains active.

As Mr. Modi can see there is a very active self-determination movement in Tamil Nadu. Sri Lanka’s only openly began in 1976 with the Vaddukoddai Resolution.

It is also important for Mr. Modi to realize that when their innocent” demand to cede was rejected, they changed tactics to ask for devolution without interference by the Centre. This is what they are seeking via 13^thamendment which India is the architect of. It is also India asking for PC elections to be held, knowing that the separatist components are seeking autonomy of governance without interference of Colombo.

Exactly, what is India planning?

Whose side is India on?

By meeting only, a bunch of racist & opportunist Tamil politicians what is the message PM Modi is giving to the Tamils?

Take each of these Tamil leaders & the votes they have obtained. It is hardly anything to boast of. They are only in Parliament due to the proportional representation system.

More questions to answer

Where did the ethnic group Tamils” originate”?

Where did the Tamil culture” originate

Where did Tamil language” originate

Where these originated, is where the right to self-determination is allowed. That place is nowhere else but Tamil Nadu.

What about the aspirations of these 80million or more Tamils?

Will Mr. Modi fulfill their aspirations first, given the quest for separatism began in Tamil Nadu.

One & the same ethnic group cannot demand several mono-ethnic homelands in different continents/countries. If allowed, it will only create an ugly precedence.

Shenali D Waduge

e-Con e-News

blog: eesrilanka.wordpress.com

‘Before you study the economics, study the economists!’

e-Con e-News 30 March – 05 April 2025

The notorious King Leopold II of Belgium, as a young Duke of Brabant, rode the first English train in Ceylon from Veyangoda to Ambepussa and back to Colombo, drawn by an imported English locomotive engine in 1864. But more importantly, as English Queen Victoria’s first cousin, Leopold enabled the mass murder and enslavement of the Congo people to extract their palm oil for William Hesketh Lever, who created the Huileries du Congo Belge (HCB), a subsidiary of the soap-manufacturing Lever Brothers Co.

     Unilever, of course, is a major if not the principal lubricator of the media & the public relations (aka advertising & marketing) companies that sustain misinformation & disinformation in Sri Lanka. It is they who, unfortunately, provide the nation with our daily mental bubble gum & bile plus the deities & demons, who appear to switch places with every government that is elected with great hope and then overthrown with great distaste. Whatever great changes or chaos, or big talk and broken promises, it turns out that the old imperial plantation system bestowed by the likes of Unilever, and more recently the IMF, carries on regardless…

     It is Unilever (actually their former CEO, Paul Polman) who has called themselves, ‘The biggest NGO in the world’! And herein lies the reason behind such ‘charitable’ appellations, which claim they are better than nation-states. And it is such NGOs, or rather, the creation of such mammoth multinational corporations (MNCs) to avoid the taxes & exchange controls of nation-states, ably assisted accountants, that is the subject of one of this ee’s Focuses (Foci?), as ee continues looking into the creation & function of British American Tobacco (BAT), which controls the monopoly called the Ceylon Tobacco Co (CTC).

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‘There is more bloody nonsense talked on this subject than on any

other business topic… it has become the oh-so-fashionable subject…

there’s an avalanche of books & conferences on the subject, but little

common sense… we have to be better behaved than anyone else… we

are put upon in all sorts of outrageous ways… you can fall over

backwards to be a good citizen of the countries where you operate,

and then find yourself denounced as exploiters… something sinister

seems to have attached itself to the title ‘multinational corporation’; well,

whatever you call it governments have killed a hell of a lot more people

than companies… governments tend to make the world companies their scapegoats,

partly because they don’t realise the limitations of their own power.’

Richard P Dobson, Chairman British-American Tobacco (1970-76)

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Formed in London in 1902, BAT was set up to control the domestic ‘home’ markets of other countries, controlling trademarks & brands outside of England, Ireland, and the USA (excepting the socialist countries, of course). By the 1970s, BAT was operating 140 factories manufacturing tobacco products in 54 countries. The accusations of causing an epidemic of cancer, inflating state expenditures on health, was also the principal reason for their control over paper manufacture, printing & packaging but a policy of planned investment in industries not directly related to tobacco, food, pharma & life insurance etc.

     CTC was in the news this week, if not in name, at least in spirit, with the headline ‘Container declared as office furniture turns out to be Rs435bn worth of cigarettes.’ Cigarette companies have been known to smuggle cigarettes to avoid taxes, helping the formation of gangster networks known for their smuggling of other substances. While an Island editorial declared, ‘Political parties are the ground zero of corruption’, ee believes it is their multinational sponsors who are the real zeroes… Meanwhile, a seeming spokesman for the Ceylon Tobacco Co parading as ‘interested reader’ of ee (see Comments) insists that the company abides by the laws & regulations. So be sure they do, after helping to frame those ineffective legalities!

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• If England is criticizing Sri Lanka’s ‘human rights’, why don’t England’s principal representatives in Sri Lanka tell us and their rulers in London what they really think of us? ee is referring of course to the great English multinational banks & corporations, with budgets larger than Sri Lanka & most countries – such as Standard Chartered Bank, Hongkong & Shanghai Bank, Unilever, Ceylon Tobacco Co.  England is so concerned about truth & reconciliation it seems, here as in South Africa & Canada, for instance. Isn’t it time then, that Unilever tell the truth about its operations in Sri Lanka? Isn’t it time Unilever reconcile with the people of this country, from whom it has sucked out great profits? There’s an ’inescapable need to deal with the past’, says USAID’s National Peace Council spokesman, one Perera. If this is case, then these corporations such as Unilever surely must stand in front of the line, for it is in the enslaving plantations that we find Sri Lanka & Unilever’s history & truth, and not just here. After all, it became a literary industry & internet meme to blame Belgium’s King Leopold for the horrors that beset Africa’s great Congo, a horror that continues to this day, just across the ocean from us, as a US and Europe-backed Uganda & Rwanda invade the Congo. As well as the UAE & their US sponsors who are funding the war on Sudan. All just across the water from us, ready to set the world aflame. 

     Setting the world aflame to maintain & reassert their imperialist supremacy is also the principal reason behind the ‘tariffs’ announced by US President Don Trump, despite his clamorous claims that it is an attempt to reverse the de-industrialization of his country. And yet, ‘Within the IMF, the term ‘industrial policy’ is met with outright hostility’, according to the economists Bram & Howard Nicholas (see ee Economists, Following IMF policy recommendations will lead to yet another debt crisis).

     What is the role such multinational banks and corporations play in our exports that the USA claims is causing them such industrial pain? They certainly cause us pain and prevent local industry! And why doesn’t the so-called Asia Internet Coalition – AIC (representing the USA’s Meta, Google, X, Booking.com, Amazon, etc) pay taxes in Sri Lanka? Tell us, dear Donald, tell us! Is that why your tariffs included only the export of goods and not services. And we hear that your IMF prevented Sri Lanka’s Internal Revenue Department and the  Fiscal Policy Department from insisting on a digital service tax for all these companies. They told the government that it simply cannot be allowed to happen. Instead,  the government now has to impose a digital service VAT to be paid by the consumer. Imagine that! The IMF blocked a tax!

     ee Focus also continues with US Vice President JD Vance’s speech, where he calls for preventing the industrialization of countries such as ours. Vance is also known as a ‘Trump tweeter’, whose position is so far insecure (though a earlobe away from the presidency), who has to continually repeat Trump’s name to keep in his good books. Known as an ‘anti-China hawk’ beholden to his sponsors such as PayPal’s Peter Thiel who funded his political career, portraying this Yale graduate as a p’or lil white boy, the settler Vance’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is heightened by his marriage to a non-resident Indian (NRI)immigrant who apparently did not come cheap…

     Meanwhile, ee Focus also offers an intriguing excerpt of Manuka Wijesinghe’s more detailed implication of the US ambassador ‘extraordinaire’ Bernhard Gufler in the murder of PM SWRD Bandaranaike in 1959… ee already recalled Gufler’s involvement in ‘Exposing the Real Assassins of SWRD Bandaranaike, 12 October 2019. Wijesinghe, however, also places the murder in the context of the role played by Indonesia’s Muslim head of state, President Sukarno (also later deposed midst the US, Dutch & English stage-managed genocide of 1965) who had insisted that the Buddha’s ‘ahimsa’ should be the binding that held the Non-Aligned Movement founded in Bandung in 1955, together.

     ee Focus starts by reproducing the economist WA Wijewardena’s recall of the ‘Marxist’ Philip Gunawardena’s ‘Visionary Economic Policies in 1930s’ which offer a benchmark for what politicians can accomplish when truly truly truly dedicated to their country’s upliftment….

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Contents:

Truthifying & Reconciling in Sri Lanka Implicates England’s Unilever, CTC & CIC

By Special Contributor

Sri Lanka stands on the brink of transformation. A newly elected government has vowed to root out corruption, favouritism, and wasteful governance. These commitments have kindled hope for a more just and accountable state. Yet, while political will is necessary, it alone cannot secure the nation’s renewal. For real and lasting change, the unwavering commitment of the civil service is indispensable.

A New Political Mandate, a Familiar Challenge

The political winds have shifted. From high-level appointments to legal actions against past misconduct, a more principled approach to governance appears to be taking root. Encouragingly, this reformist zeal is being channelled through the proper legal frameworks, avoiding the trap of political retribution.

But the machinery of government does not rest solely in Parliament. True reform lives or dies in the offices of ministry secretaries, regional administrators, and the countless public officials who carry the weight of the state’s day-to-day functioning. Without their full engagement, even the most ambitious national plans will struggle to reach the people they aim to serve.

The Role of the Civil Service: Between Skepticism and Responsibility

Many civil servants continue to perform their duties with quiet excellence. However, the wider institutional response has been mixed. There is hesitancy in some quarters—a wait-and-see approach shaped by decades of political churn and unfulfilled promises. Understandably, career officials have become cautious, having seen reforms launched with fanfare only to fizzle out with the next electoral cycle.

Furthermore, civil servants rightly value institutional integrity and are wary of excessive political interference. Their concerns are not without merit. But there is a difference between skepticism and disengagement. The moment calls for vigilance and action.

Time for Active, Principled Leadership

Now more than ever, Sri Lanka needs its civil servants to be more than implementers—they must be reformers in their own right. Here’s how they can help steer the country toward lasting progress:

• Lead with transparency. Make openness the default in all administrative processes.
• Cut red tape that feeds corruption. Where outdated procedures hinder efficiency, advocate for change.
• Uphold meritocracy. Ensure appointments and promotions are based solely on qualifications and performance.
• Stand up to undue influence. Record and report inappropriate requests to sidestep rules or bend procedures.
• Foster inter-agency cooperation. Government services improve when departments work together, not in isolation.

A Collective Endeavour

National renewal is not a solo act—it is a collective mission. Politicians can set the tone, but civil servants must carry the tune. Your institutional experience, policy knowledge, and operational insight are vital for embedding reforms that outlive any administration.

To the many public officers already working quietly and persistently for a better future: your contribution matters deeply. You are the unseen scaffolding of our national rebuilding effort.

To others still unsure of their place in this moment: reflect not only on your responsibilities, but on the legacy you will leave. Will you have helped shape a fairer, more effective public service? Or will you have watched passively as yet another opportunity for reform passed us by?

A Defining Moment

The road ahead will be uneven. Setbacks are inevitable. But this moment—this fragile but powerful window for renewal—is too precious to waste on doubt or detachment.

Sri Lanka deserves a public service that reflects the best of its people: principled, committed, and courageous. The decision rests not in speeches or manifestos, but in the daily actions of those who serve.

The question remains: when this chapter is written, what role will you have played?

Pathfinder Foundation

H. E. Akio Isomata, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, visited the Pathfinder Foundation headquarters at River Point in Peliyagoda at the invitation of Mr. Milinda Moragoda, the Founder of the Pathfinder Foundation. After receiving a briefing on the relationship the Foundation has developed with Japan over the two decades.

Mr Moragoda briefed the Ambassador on the special relationship between Japan and Sri Lanka since Sri Lanka’s independence in 1944, the high esteem with which Sri Lankans regard Japan and its people, and the vital role Japan has played in Sri Lankan development projectsover the last several decades.  Mr Moragoda expressed that Japan will demonstrate its continued interest in the developments in the Indian Ocean by participating in the conference at a high level.
 
The Ambassador was also briefed on Japan’s role in the Foundation’s work that led to the ‘Trincomalee Consultations’ held in 2017 and 2019 and the Pathfinder Indian Ocean Security Conference since 209. He highlighted that the next round of the Indian Ocean Security Conference, held every two years, isscheduled for Spring 2026.  Considering Japan’s interest in the Indo-Pacific since 2007, initiated by the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe,
 
Ambassador Isomata was assisted by Mr. Shinichi Murata, the First Secretary and Head of the Political Section of the Embassy. The Pathfinder team comprised Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairperson of the Foundation; A. A. Jawad, Director; and Gayathri Nanayakkara, Manager (Programmes).

As part of the visit the Ambassador and his delegation together with senior members from the Pathfinder Foundation boarded the Foundation’s river boat ‘Mahanaga’ and sailed to the Kelaniya Rajamaha viharaya.

pic 1- from left to A. A. Jawad, Director PF, Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Foundation; Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Founder PF, H. E. Akio Isomata, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Mr. Shinichi Murata, the First Secretary and Head of the Political Section at the discussion

pic 2- from Left to A. A. Jawad, Director PF, Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman of the Foundation; Mr. Milinda Moragoda, Founder PF, H. E. Akio Isomata, the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka and Mr. Shinichi Murata, the First Secretary and Head of the Political Section at the discussion

Ibrahim Khalil Ahasan, a Dhaka, Bangladesh-based independent  journalist,

A positive news update has been revealed regarding the repatriation of Rohingya. In the first phase, the authorities of the country have identified 180,000 Rohingyas from the list of 800,000 Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Bangladesh for return to Myanmar. At the same time, Myanmar has assured Bangladesh of their repatriation. The final verification and selection of another 70,000 Rohingyas is underway. It is worth noting that Bangladesh handed over this list to Myanmar in six phases between 2018 and 2020. On the sidelines of the sixth BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok on April 04, Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister informed the High Representative of the Chief Advisor to Bangladesh, Dr. Khalilur Rahman.

In fact, bilateral and multilateral negotiations and negotiations have been attempted several times to resolve the Rohingya crisis. But so far, no real progress has been seen regarding the repatriation of Rohingyas. This is the first time that the Myanmar authorities have provided a list of returnees. This time, it is hoped that the desired progress must be made in this regard. Myanmar authorities have also said that the verification of 550,000 Rohingyas on the original list will be completed quickly.

Rohingya repatriation is a long process. The first step of the Bangladesh government was to bring this issue to the international arena. After that, other processes including repatriation will come in stages. Dhaka must definitely discuss with Naypyidaw on the list of Rohingyas eligible for repatriation that has been confirmed. Myanmar has acknowledged the issue by declaring 180,000 Rohingyas eligible for repatriation. This is a big step. Getting this recognition is also a big achievement.

Bangladesh must continue to take strong action so that this does not remain limited to promises. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Myanmar to ensure the safe and sustainable return of the Rohingyas. He made this call recently. For this, it is an appreciated step by the UN Secretary-General. It is hoped that the UN Secretary-General can play a strong role in ensuring the repatriation of the Rohingyas.

This is an important and positive development on the Rohingya issue. However, no conclusion should be reached right now. Undoubtedly, this is a positive development. However, it will not be easy to reach a conclusive development through this. Because the current situation in the Rohingya homeland and Rakhine is different now. The time is a bit complicated. It is known that Rakhine is currently under the control of the Arakan Army. The Myanmar junta government has almost no control there. As a result, a new complication may arise in the repatriation of the Rohingyas. Steps must also be taken to remove this complication.

Strategic steps are needed now for the Rohingya repatriation.  First and foremost, Bangladesh has to continue to make the Rohingya problem a significant national issue at home and a relevant one abroad. Second, Bangladesh needs to balance, plan, and prioritize its strategic ties with the Arakan and Myanmar armies. Third, Bangladesh needs to strengthen its relations with China, ASEAN nations, especially Malaysia and Indonesia, and the OIC. Follow up talks should start quickly on Rohingya repatriation.

During his recent visit to China, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus expected the country to play a more active role in the repatriation of the Rohingya. The country’s President Xi Jinping also assured to talk to the Myanmar government on the issue. Just a few days later, the decision of the Myanmar junta government to do so was a good diplomatic initiative from external stakeholders.  The more pressure China puts on Myanmar, the more flexible the country will be with the Rohingya. If the interim government can move forward with the repatriation process, the responsibility will also fall on the next government.

Whether this repatriation will be completed smoothly or not! We also have to think about that. Currently, the fighting between the Arakan Army and the junta forces has intensified. Many states in Myanmar have already been taken over by the Arakan Army. In this situation, there is a risk that (Rohingya) repatriation will be carried out in a proper manner or not. Rakhine is now mainly under the control of the Arakan Army. The junta government has no control there. As a result, the involvement of others in addition to the junta’s activities is essential. Since an official recognition of one hundred and eighty thousand Rohingya has been received, this recognition will serve as documentary evidence for repatriation, whether today or tomorrow. However, if the junta forces do not regain control in Rakhine, they may remain mere documents. And even if the junta forces or the central government ever regain control, the Rakhine will continue to dominate the local administration. In that case, efforts must be made to reach an understanding or compromise with them through negotiations.

Due to the delay in repatriation, extortion and criminal activities are increasing in the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. If their repatriation to Myanmar cannot be ensured quickly, the situation may become more complicated. Currently, more than 1.25 million registered Rohingyas are living in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. It is not possible for us to carry this burden year after year. The amount of aid provided to the Rohingya by donor agencies and countries is decreasing and there is a fear that it will decrease further in the future. The decrease in international aid has also raised concerns among the Rohingya. It is hoped that their repatriation will be ensured before the situation in the Rohingya camps gets out of control. For this, Bangladesh will have to take strong diplomatic action.

Dasatha News

පූට්ටු නොවුන හින්දා තමයි මේ ඔක්කොම අගමැති,ජනාධිපති කරන්නේ මේ කරන්නේ මේ රටේ රෙද්ද කඩන එක විමල්ගෙන් සැර කනේ පහරක් ආණ්ඩුවට

මෝදි එක්ක ගහපු ඩීල් නිසා මේවා වුණොත් අනුර මොකද කරන්නේ…! | පාඨලීගෙන් උත්තර නැති ප්‍රශ්නයක් | මාර කතා ටිකක් කියන්නේ…!

Voice Tube of People

මෙන්න ලංකාවෙන් ගියපු මෝදී – තමිල්නාඩුවට ගිහින් කරපු දේ…වැඩේ පටන්ගනීද ?

Madyawediya

අද මෝදිත් එක්ක සංදර්ශන දාගෙන ඉන්නවා එදා මු ති#සනෙක් වගේ පාරට බැහැලා කරපු සාපයට කවුද වග කියන්නේ..? රතු කට්ට පන්න මනුස්සයෙක් ජනපතිව සැරටම අමතයි

By Justice for Animals and Nature 

People in power listen only to power – bigger power. Not to their conscience. Not to their own people who elected them to power and who are now helpless. 

Once upon a time in the pre colonial era the Sinhalese (who were all Buddhists) were called the Aryavansa (noble race) by the people of neighbouring countries because of their kindness and non violence ( Ahimsa and Karuna) towards poor defenceless animals.

Sinhalese Kings then had a moral authority second to none in the world. The Sinhalese were a proud people embodying the best of noble qualities. Today the creed of non – violence in Sri Lanka has gone to the dogs with none so poor to stop violence against non humans. Remember it was India’s Arahant Mahinda, son of the Great Emperor Asoka, who preached to the Sinhalese King Devanampiyatissa who was then hunting deer at Mihintale, in the following words:

”O great King, the birds of the air and the beasts have an equal a right to live and move about in any part of the land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all living beings; thou art only the guardian of it.”

That this profound Declaration was made in Sri Lanka 2, 300 years  ago adds to the moral authority and stature that the Sinhala Buddhists commanded at that time.

Now all that has disappeared. Roles have been reversed. Just as much as the Indian Arahant Mahinda saved the Deer and all other animals from man’s inhumanity it has dawned on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Mody to save the stray dogs and elephants and all other animals in Sri Lanka from animal cruelty and even mass culling.

That is the plea of the People of Sri Lanka to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Mody. 

Justice for Animals and Nature 

Ministry of Defence  – Media Centre

A specialized medical and disaster relief team, composed of 26 members from Sri Lanka’s tri-services led by Brigadier Punya Karunathilake, departed for Myanmar on a special flight today, (Apr 5), to assist the people affected by the recent earthquake.

These disaster relief operations are being conducted under the supervision of the Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), following instructions from His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. It is worth noting that the tri-service commanders swiftly tasked these special relief teams in a very short time frame.

Myanmar, a Buddhist nation that played a key role in the re-establishment of Theravada Buddhism in Sri Lanka, is receiving not only disaster and humanitarian aid but also supplies, including medical assistance. These supplies were donated and gathered by the people of Sri Lanka across the island, under the guidance of the Venerable Maha Sangha, led by the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist chapters and are being sent to the Myanmar government.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary to the Ministry, played a pivotal role in coordinating the diplomatic arrangements for the mission. Sri Lanka’s national carrier, Sri Lankan Airlines, also contributed to this humanitarian effort.

These operations demonstrate Sri Lanka’s commitment, along with the Ministry of Defence and the tri-forces, to strengthening regional cooperation and offering vital support to the friendly nations in times of crisis.

Voice for Democracy in Sri Lanka

Democritus Cultural Centre: 583 High Street, Northcote After years of economic collapse accelerated by a corrupt, incompetent, and authoritarian political elite and the brutal suppression of protests and Aragalaya (Struggle) for a more democratic and economically just society, the possibility of change finally arrived in 2024 when Sri Lankans elected the Dissanayake government on a promise of a radical social democratic program. What will be the road to economic recovery? Can the government break the cycle of corruption and authoritarian rule of the past? How will it approach the national question and the treatment of minority communities? Join us to hear and discuss the possibilities and potential pitfalls for Sri Lanka under the new government. Speakers include • Lionel Bopage, a veteran activist on the struggle for a more inclusive economically just nation. • Janaka Biyanwila, activist and author of Debt Crisis and Popular Social Protest in Sri Lanka: Citizenship, Development and Democracy Within Global North-South Dynamics.” • Manoranjan Selliah, an exiled journalist, and activist for the rights of the Tamil community. • Michael Cooke, who has served as an election monitor and written extensive articles on Sri Lanka. Discussion and Q and A will be moderated by Emeritus Professor Joseph Camilleri who has extensive experience spanning decades on Conflict Resolution.

වෛද්‍ය ගාමිනී විතාණ

මෑතකදී කොළඹ මහාධිකරණය ලබාදුන් තීන්දුවකින් 2015 දී දෙමටගොඩ වනාතමුල්ල ප්‍රදේශයේදී හෙට්ටිආරච්චිගේ දුමින්ද නමැති පුද්ගලයකු වෙඩි තබා මරා දැමීම පිලිබඳව නඩුවකින් එම්.කේ සරත් බණ්ඩාර හෙවත්  SF සරත් යන අන්වර්තයෙන් හැදින්වෙන පුද්ගලයකු වරදකරු කොට මරණීය දණ්ඩනය ලබා දෙන ලදි. මෙම සරත් බණ්ඩාර තමන්ගේ සේවා කාලය තුලදී කොටින්ට එරෙහි සටනේදී විශිෂ්ඨ දායකත්වයක් ලබාදී ඇති වචනයේ පරිසමාප්තියෙන් නියම  සොල්දාදුවෙකු වන අතර සෙසු නිලයින් අතර ලබාගත හැකි ඉහලම නිලය වන බලලත් නිලධාරි 1 ශ්‍රේණියට උසස්වීම ලැබූවෙක්. විශේෂ බළකායේ කුඩා කණ්ඩායම් මෙහෙයුම් වල යෙදී බොහෝ සාර්ථකත්වයන් ලැබූ අයෙකි. පසුගිය වසර කීපය පුරා මෙවැනි සොල්දාදුවෝ දිවි නසාගත් හෝ පාතාලය විසින් බිලි ගනු ලැබීය.  යුද ආතතියට ගොදුරු වූ මෙවැනි සොල්දාදුවන්ට නිසි මනෝ ප්‍රතිකාරයක් හෝ පුනරුත්තාපනයක් නොලැබීමද මේ සඳහා  එක් හේතුවකි.  

විශේසඥ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය නීල් ප්‍රනාන්දු මහතා ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද හමුදාවේ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය අංශයට සේවය ලබා දුන් කාලයේ ක්‍රමානුකූලව යුද ආතතියට ලක් වූ සොල්දාදුවන්ට නිසි මනෝ ප්‍රතිකාර ලබා දෙනු ලැබීය. එතුමා ඉවත් වීමත් සමග ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද හමුදාවේ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය ඒකකය බිඳ වැටුනු බව සත්‍යකි. වර්තමානයේ යුද හමුදාවේ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය ඒකකය නාමිකව පවතින් අතර නිසි අත්දැකීම් දැණුමක් හෝ දැක්මක් නොමැති නිලධාරීන් විසින් මෙම ඒකකය හසුරවනු ලබයි. මේ නිසා යුද හමුදා ස්ක්‍රිය සේවයේ මෙන්ම විශ්‍රාම ගිය සොල්දාදුවෝ නිසි මනෝ ප්‍රතිකාර හෝ මනෝ පුනරුත්ථාපනයක් නොමැතිව වල්මත් වී සමාජය පුරා සැරි සරති. මෙහි දුර්විපාක අත් විඳින්නේ මුලු මහත් සමාජයයි. මේ තත්වය තුරන් කිරීම සාමූහික ජනතා වගකීමකි. මේ නිසා මනෝ ප්‍රතිකාරයන් , යුද ආතතිය , යුද මනෝ විද්‍යාව පිලිබඳ හසල දැණුමක් තිබෙන විශේසඥ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය නීල් ප්‍රනාන්දු මහතාට ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද හමුදාවේ මනෝ වෛද්‍ය ඒකකය නිසි ලෙස පුහුණු කිරීමට භාර දෙන ලෙස ඉල්ලා සිටිමු.

වෛද්‍ය ගාමිනී විතාණ

Lost in Context

1000 years ago, an empire of technocrats emerged on the island of Ceylon. They transformed Sri Lanka’s environment and human geography, and then faded away into the jungle.

 Courtesy The Week News Desk 

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha said the MoUs will not conflict with both Sri Lanka’s and India’s local laws and national policies.

Members of the Frontline Socialist Party shout anti Indian slogans during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sri Lankan state visit in Colombo | AP

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi signs an ambitious defence cooperation pact with Sri Lanka, Colombo has clarified that all activities undertaken under the proposed MoU will follow the domestic laws of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha told reporters that “any cooperation activities undertaken under the proposed MoU will be in accordance with international best practices and will not conflict with the domestic laws and national policies of either Sri Lanka or India”.

This came as fringe parties, including the Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) which is a breakaway group of the ruling Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JJVP), took out a protest march, shouting anti-Indian slogans.  

FLSP Chief Secretary Kumar Gunaratnam, who once served in the politburo of JVP, questioned India’s intentions in Sri Lanka, stating PM Modi’s visit could create grave issues in the country. “The cabinet spokesman has said Mr Modi will visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and will make a donation to Mannar Hospital. What does the Indian Prime Minister Modi expect through these activities? Probably he wants control of Sri Lankan ports and oil tank farms in Trincomalee. India has engaged in such an exercise for some time,” Gunaratnam was quoted by Daily Mirror on Saturday.

He said India, the US and China are embroiled in a tussle to dominate the Indian Ocean region and Sri Lanka would be unnecessarily involved in geopolitics if it goes ahead with the proposed defence pact. Gunaratnam also called the pact a historic mistake.

However, Thuyacontha sought to allay fears, stating that the agreements were “meticulously scrutinised and reviewed”.

“Relevant negotiations were conducted in terms of circular instructions issued by the Secretary to the President in January this year concerning interactions with foreign governments. The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was duly obtained prior to signature,” he added.

He said both parties vowed to respect the national and military laws in the countries and the relevant principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, which include the sovereign equality of States, territorial integrity and inviolability, and non-intervention in the internal affairs of the parties.

Interestingly, the defence pact comes nearly four decades after the Indian Peace Keeping Force intervened in the island nation, a move that had political implications for both countries.

Also read

• Amid China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, India signs historic defence pact with island nation. What does it entail?
• India-Sri Lanka to sign 8 MoUs during PM Modi’s visit to Colombo
• How PM Modi’s 2-day visit to Sri Lanka is set to boost energy, economic ties between the countries

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Courtesy Adaderana

A team of Sri Lankan tri-forces personnel, including medical staff, departed for Myanmar on a special flight on Saturday to provide relief assistance to earthquake victims, the Defence Ministry said.

Tri-Forces’ medical and disaster relief teams, along with humanitarian aid collected under the guidance of the Chief Prelates of the three Buddhist Chapters left the island for Myanmar a short while ago,” the Ministry of Defence announced. 

Sri Lanka will deploy three military teams comprising rescue, relief and medical assistance in earthquake-hit Myanmar in addition to USD one million in donations. 

Accordingly, the first team left on Saturday in a special aircraft loaded with relief supplies to quake victims in Myanmar, the ministry said.

The three military teams comprising rescue, relief and medical assistance would be deployed in addition to the state’s donation of one million dollars, the ministry said. 

Additionally, the three Buddhist sect leaders have organised relief assistance in view of the close religious ties between the two countries. Close cultural and religious ties between Myanmar and Sri Lanka underlie this concerted humanitarian effort.

The Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) said it was collecting 15 million rupees separately to be donated to Myanmar as earthquake relief. Myanmar and Sri Lanka are historically linked in the practice of Theravada Buddhism.

The earthquake, occurring on March 28, has left over 3,100 dead, nearly 5,000 injured, and more than 370 people still missing.

Courtesy Adaderana

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that the agreement reached to build a multi-product pipeline and to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub will benefit the people of Sri Lanka.

While addressing a joint press statement alongside Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, PM Modi said that the grid inter-connectivity agreement between India and Sri Lanka will create opportunities for Sri Lanka to export electricity.

PM Modi said, The Sampur Solar Power Plant will help Sri Lanka achieve energy security. The agreement reached to build a multi-product pipeline and to develop Trincomalee as an energy hub will benefit all Sri Lankans. The Grid Inter-Connectivity Agreement between the two countries will create opportunities for Sri Lanka to export electricity.”

I am pleased that today a 5,000 Solar Rooftop System will be inaugurated for religious places in Sri Lanka. India will also provide support for the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity project,” he added.

The governments of India, Sri Lanka and the UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the development of Trincomalee as an energy hub.

He announced a support package of approximately 2.4 billion Lankan Rupees for the social and economic development of the Eastern provinces. He further said, Today, we also inaugurated Sri Lanka’s largest warehouse for the welfare of farmers.”

PM Modi said, Tomorrow, we will inaugurate the ‘Maho-Omanthai’ railway line, and lay the foundation stone for the signalling system on the ‘Maho-Anuradhapura’ section. Work for the modernisation of the Kankesanthurai Port will begin soon.”

Stressing that India and Sri Lanka have shared security interests, he said, We believe that we have shared security interests. The security of both countries is interconnected and interdependent. I am grateful to President Disanayaka for his sensitivity towards India’s interests. We welcome the important agreements made in the area of Defence Cooperation. We have also agreed to work together on the Colombo Security Conclave and Security Cooperation in the Indian Ocean.”

He also announced that India would send the holy relics of Lord Buddha from Gujarat’s Aravali region to Sri Lanka for an exposition. He announced that India will provide support in the construction of the sacred city in the Anuradhapura Mahabodhi temple complex and the Sita Eliya temple in Nuwara Eliya.

Highlighting spiritual ties between two nations, he said, There is centuries old spiritual ties between India and Sri Lanka. I am extremely happy to announce that the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha found in 1960, in the Aravali region of my home state – Gujarat, are being sent to Sri Lanka for an exposition.

India will assist in the renovation of the Thirukoneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. India will also provide support in the construction of the sacred city in the Anuradhapura Mahabodhi temple complex, and the Sita Eliya Temple in Nuwara Eliya,” he added.

PM Narendra Modi said that he and Dissanayake discussed issues related to fishermen’s livelihood. He stated that they also discussed the reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

He said, We also discussed issues related to fishermen’s livelihood. We agreed that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter. We also emphasised on immediate release of the fishermen and their boats.”

We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Disanayaka appraised me of his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will meet the aspirations of the Tamil people and fulfil its commitment towards fully implementing the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and conducting Provincial Council Elections,” he added.

He said that Sri Lanka holds a special place in India’s Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision Mahasagar. He noted that two nations have made significant progress in our cooperation in the past four months since Dissanayake’s visit to India last year.

PM Modi said, President Disanayaka chose India for his first foreign visit after becoming President, and I have had the privilege of becoming his first foreign guest. This is a symbol of the depth of our special relations.”

He noted that it is his fourth visit to Sri Lanka as Prime Minister, and his last visit in 2019 came at a very sensitive time.In his remarks, he also quoted Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar.

I applaud the courage and patience of the Sri Lankan people, and today, I am happy to see Sri Lanka back on the path of progress. India is proud to have fulfilled its duties as a true friendly neighbour. Whether it was the terrorist attack of 2019, the COVID pandemic, or the recent economic crisis, we have stood firmly with the people of Sri Lanka during every difficulty,” he said.

I am reminded of the words of the great Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar. He said: Seyar Kariya Yaavul Natt Pinn Aadu Pul Vinnaikkariya Yaavul Kaapu. Which means, in the face of challenges and enemies, there is no stronger assurance than a true friend and the shield of his friendship,” he added.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and Dissanayake held a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks in Colombo. PM Modi calls his talks with Dissanayake productive and extensive.”

Held extensive and productive talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo. A few months ago, President Dissanayake chose India as the place for his first overseas visit after becoming President. Now, I have the honour of being the first foreign leader he is hosting in his Presidency. This indicates his personal commitment to India-Sri Lanka ties and the unbreakable bond that exists between our nations,” PM Modi posted on X.

PM Modi is on a State visit to Sri Lanka from April 4 to 6 at the invitation of Sri Lankan President Disanayaka. His arrival in Colombo on Friday marked his first visit to Sri Lanka since 2019.

PM Modi was accorded a historic ceremonial welcome at Independence Square in Colombo on Saturday. It is the first time that Sri Lanka has honoured a visiting leader in this manner.

Prime Minister Modi reached Colombo after concluding his visit to Thailand, where he attended the BIMSTEC Summit and held bilateral talks with several world leaders, including Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. (ANI)

–Agencies

Courtesy Hiru News

The Colombo High Court has served indictments on Yoshitha Rajapaksa and Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe in connection with a money laundering case.

The court granted bail to both accused on two sureties each, set at Rs. 500,000.

Courtesy Hiru News

The Court of Appeal has ordered the relevant returning officers to accept around 37 nominations for the Local Government Elections that were previously rejected.