The Chief of Air Staff of the
Pakistan Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, and the Chief of Air
Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat,
called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees last evening.
Both heads of the Air Force are
visiting Sri Lanka to attend the 70th Anniversary Celebrations of the Sri Lanka
Air Force.
The Pakistani and Bangladeshi
delegations spoke to the Prime Minister about providing training for Air Force
officers as well as assisting each other with technical requirements that
arise.
Air Chief Marshal Khan said that
his visit to Sri Lanka shortly after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit
last week augments, strengthens and enhances the relationship” between the two
countries. We stand by shoulder-to-shoulder [with Sri Lanka],” he said.
Air Chief Marshal Serniabat of
Bangladesh spoke about the close ties between the two countries and the two Air
Forces. We stand with our friends,” he said.
The topic of cricket also came up
in the conversation with the Pakistan Air Chief Marshal. We’re very thankful
to Sri Lanka for reviving our cricket,” Air Chief Marshal Khan said, noting
that when the Sri Lankan team toured Pakistan in December 2019, it helped boost
confidence of other teams to play in Pakistan once again.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s 2019 tour of
Pakistan was the first international test match Pakistan hosted since the 2009
terrorist attack on the bus carrying the Sri Lankan team.
In other topics, the two Chiefs of
Air Staff also discussed the COVID-19 situation in their countries, economic
revival in the post-COVID era, regional cooperation and tourism
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said a proposal has been issued to construct three railway lines covering the suburbs of Colombo to reduce traffic congestion.
The proposed railway lines will be constructed as follows; Ragama to Kirulapone via Colombo Fort; Moratuwa to Kelaniya via Piliyandala and Narahenpita; Kottawa to Hunupitiya via Pannipitiya and Thalawathugoda.
Prime Minister Rajapaksa additionally mentioned that in implementing this project, priority should be given to fulfilling the needs of the people.
This railway project is to be implemented in several stages in the future.
Lord Naseby President of the UK all party British-Sri Lanka Parliamentary group has questioned the failure on the part of the UK to prosecute senior LTTE leader Adela Balasingham, wife of the outfit’s late theoretician Anton Balasingham. Lord Naseby said that Adele, who had been involved with the LTTE for several decades, was responsible for recruitment and deployment of child soldiers.
The following is the text of the statement issued by Lord Naseby in response to the UK statement at the Human Rights Council by Lord Tariq Ahmad on Feb 25:
I am astounded how the UK or any other Member of the Core Group can possibly welcome the High Commissioner’s so called ‘detailed and most comprehensive report on Sri Lanka’ when it is riddled with totally unsubstantiated allegations and statements completely ignoring the huge effort to restore infrastructure and rehouse displaced Tamils and Muslims, who lost their homes due to the Tamil Tigers.
Furthermore, I question how the UK Government knowingly and apparently consciously withheld vital evidence from the despatches of the UK military attaché Col. Gash. Evidence I obtained from a Freedom of Information request, resisted by the Foreign Office at every stage for over 2 years. These dispatches from an experienced and dedicated senior British officer in the field makes it clear that the Sri Lankan armed forces at every level acted and behaved appropriately, trying hard not to harm any Tamil civilians who were held by the Tamil Tigers as hostages in a human shield.
This conscious decision totally undermines the UK‘s standing as an objective Leader of the Core Group; made even worse by the impunity for not prosecuting the LTTE leader living in the UK, largely responsible for recruiting, training and deploying over 5,000 Child Soldiers – a real War Crime. It is time that the UK Government acknowledges and respects the recommendations of the Paranagama Commission, which involved several international expert advisers, including from the UK – Sir Desmond de Silva QC, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Rodney Dixon QC and Major General John Holmes. Sri Lanka and the UK should be honouring the recommendations of the Paranagama Commission, which provides real evidence over all the years of the conflict, rather than just focussing on uncorroborated claims during a few months in 2009, only when the war concluded.
Furthermore, the criticism of the way Covid has been handled with no burials for anyone based entirely on scientific advice at a time when there was no advice from WHO shows no understanding. Following the scientific advice from WHO and Sri Lanka’s scientists, burials are now permitted. The UN ignores the fact that only about 400 people on a population of 22m have sadly died in Sri Lanka, whereas no less than 120,000+ have died in the UK with a population of 66 million. By any yardstick Sri Lanka has been more successful at saving lives than any member of the Core Group.
It seems to me that the Core Group needs to have more faith in the reconciliation structures already on the ground such as the Office of Missing Persons and the Office of Reparations. If the UN Core Group really wants to help, then why cannot the UK, Canada and Germany release to Sri Lanka the names of all asylum seekers since the war so that they can be checked against the list of Missing Persons and be removed from the master list?
During the period of the Sirisena/Wickremesinghe government, draft legislation for a Truth & Reconciliation Commission was prepared and the current government should be given the time and space, whilst also handling the pandemic, to introduce its own TRC mechanism. Britain should stand in solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as a unique TRC is developed and is implemented. Reconciliation cannot be externally forced on to the people of Sri Lanka. It must come from within and I would also urge the diaspora communities living in the Core Group countries to also trust, engage with and contribute towards Sri Lanka’s reconciliation processes.
It is for Sri Lanka to decide how much help they seek from outside but for me I doubt the need or the efficacy of the UNHRC being able to help in an enhanced monitoring role as proposed.”
China will endorse a US $ 500 million loan and a currency swap arrangement of two billion Yuan (around US $ 600 million) within the next couple of weeks, informed sources said.
Sri Lankan ambassador to China Dr. Palitha Kohona held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui on Wednesday and discussed bilateral cooperation covering a wide range of areas. Sri Lanka has sought financial cooperation from China.
Mr. Luo oversees China’s relations in the Asian region. According to a sources, the US $ 500 million is to be approved by the Bank of China within the next two weeks. Besides, the currency swap facility will be approved by People’s Bank of China which is the central bank of that country.
China also asserted once again that it would stand by Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
Also, Dr, Kohona and the Vice Minister discussed the expedition of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries. The FTA negotiations were launched during the 2010/2015 government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa as the then president.
The previous Yahapalana government also made arrangements to proceed with the talks.(KELUM BANDARA)
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that the challenges that extend beyond the borders can be successfully faced through genuine international cooperation.
The President was speaking at the Presidential Colours Ceremony held at the Katunayake Air Force Base this morning.
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa presented colours to two squadrons of the Air Force in recognition of their outstanding service to the nation.
The President’s Media Division stated that the President presented colors to the No. 5 Fighter Squadron and the No. 6 Transport Helicopter Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force.
After the awarding ceremony, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa also inspected the Katunayake Base Air Force Base.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that a crisis has arisen in the country due to the lack of a proper method for administering the covid vaccine.
The Leader of the Opposition made this remark while participating in the 50th Mobile Service held in Bloemendhal, Colombo North.
Construction of the Lakdhanavi Liquified Natural Gas Power Plant in Kerawalapitiya, was flagged off this morning (March 05) by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
On completion, LNG Power Plant is set to become the first of its kind in the country.
Construction of the power plant will be completed in two phases with the first phase to be concluded in 21 months.
The national grid will get an additional 220 megawatts of power from the LNG Power Plant, and it is expected to provide cheaper power, with savings of up to Rs. 15 per unit.
According to Minister of Power Dullas Alahapperuma, this would calculate to annual savings of Rs. 12 billion.
Completion of the second phase will add further 130 megawatts to the national grid and increase the plant’s total capacity to 350 megawatts.
The total cost of the project is USD 150 million.
In the meantime, Premier Rajapaksa, speaking during the event, said the government plant to complete all stalled projects faster and better than expected and not halt them halfway due to narrow political objectives.
Four new COVID-related deaths have been confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today (March 05).
The new development has pushed the total lives claimed by the pandemic outbreak to 493.
1. A 39-year-old man from Atala area – He had been transferred to Kandy National Hospital after testing positive for the virus while at Kegalle District Hospital. He passed away today due to severe kidney damages and COVID pneumonia.
2. A 67-year-old man from Colombo 08 area – He was initially under medical care at a private hospital in Colombo and was moved to Homagama Base Hospital after testing positive for the virus. He succumbed to COVID pneumonia, acute diabetes and kidney disease today.
3. An 81-year-old man from Colombo 10 – He was transferred to Homagama Base Hospital after testing positive for the virus at the Colombo National Hospital. He had been suffering from COVID pneumonia, high blood pressure, acute diabetes and heart disease at the time of his death today.
4. An 84-year-old woman from Rajagiriya area – Upon testing positive for novel coronavirus, she was moved from Colombo National Hospital to Mulleriyawa Base Hospital where she died today. The cause of death was recorded as COVID- infection, acute kidney infection, high blood pressure and heart disease.
The Court of Appeal has directed the Attorney General to present submissions on probes into the import of a large consignment of swords following the Easter Sunday terror attacks, in consultation with the Inspector General of Police and the Defence Secretary.
The petition filed by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith seeking an impartial investigation on the alleged incident was taken up before Appeals Court judges Arjuna Obeysekara and Mayadunne Correa today (March 05).
Senior State Counsel Avanthi Perera who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General, said she also represents the IGP and Defence Secretary who were named as the respondents of the petition.
Accepting a request made by the Senior State Counsel, the judge bench permitted the respondents to present submissions on the progress of the investigations on March 31.
Legal counsel representing the Cardinal, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena meanwhile informed the court that the Presidential Secretariat recently handed over the report of the PCoI, which investigated the terror attacks, to his client.
Investigations have revealed that the swords were brought into the country by an individual named Mohamed Saththar on the orders of Mohamed Insaaf – the suicide bomber at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, the President’s Counsel said adding that nearly 600 swords of the consignment have been located.
He further pointed out that the swords which are yet to be located pose a threat to both national and public security.
French President Emmanuel Macron has formally admitted that his country’s forces tortured and murdered” Algerian freedom fighter Ali Boumendjel in 1957 during the nation’s war for independence in a meeting with his grandchildren.
Macron made the confession in the name of France” as he met with Boumendjel’s grandchildren on Tuesday, providing an honest and official explanation for his death over 60 years ago, which, until now, had been classed as a suicide.
A formal statement from France’s Elysee Palace confirmed that Boumendjel was placed incommunicado, tortured and then killed on 23 March 1957, after being detained during the battle of Algiers.
Boumendjel’s family have not issued a statement after Macron’s statement but, last month, his niece Fadela Boumendjel-Chitour decried France’s behavior as a devastating” lie.
The admission of guilt comes after Macron agreed to establish a truth commission” to investigate abuses that occurred in countries that were once controlled by France, including Algeria, in order to end the culture of denial” that has clouded the country’s colonial past.
While he has done more than previous presidents, Macron has caused anger in some communities for refusing to issue an official apology over what took place in Algeria on the orders of French forces and officials, declaring that there will be no repentance nor apologies.”
Macron has, instead, pledged to work to present symbolic acts” that are aimed at promoting reconciliation after the eight-year war between 1954-1962 strained relations between France and Algeria, with each side accused of committing significant atrocities.
To: UNHRC member nations at the 46th
Sessions in Geneva, to be shared with your representatives at the meeting.
From: Concerned
citizens of the small and nonaligned nation of Sri Lanka dispersed around the
world. (Author’s identity is withheld for personal safety.)
Date: March 2, 2021
We
seek support for the nonaligned, independent nation of Sri Lanka, and desire
for consensus through a vote to preserve the sovereignty and independence of
Sri Lanka that ended terrorism 12 years ago in 2009 after 30 years of suffering
for all its people. Also, to join in maintaining
support for other small nations that number around thirty-five, that can be
subject to persecution in place of assistance needed. With hard won peace, they
are making progress although the UNHRC resolutions do not wish to recognize progress
and choose a path of retribution instead.
Ignoring
progress based on assumptions and unproven allegations, from unverified
sources, the charter of assistance and support to small countries has become
one of vengeance that can be influenced by hostile elements and hidden plans to
target, destabilize, and occupy countries.
It is not necessary for UNHRC to rake up hatred while undermining the UN
Charter when people are living freely within the country. Sri Lanka is not
benefitted politically or militarily by targeting civilians. It has proven evidence of saving civilians
mostly from the Tamil minority.
The
weapon used here is Human Rights” applied and interpreted as deemed necessary
for the agenda of the divided UNHRC. Countries can solve their problems without
interference or domination from bodies that do not have a mandate to do so. The countries could be assisted with
resources and with fair and equitable judgement instead.
The
demands and proposed actions of the UNHRC and its Commissioner Michelle
Bachelet are moving in a direction to violate the Human rights of all people of
Sri Lanka including the Tamil People who consider themselves Sri Lankans living
peacefully in the country. It will
further exacerbate the suffering of people that is not a solution to their
allegations.
The
USA is among 32 countries that proscribed the terror outfit called Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) that invented the suicide bomb, used forced
conscription of men women and children as young as ten years old, to make them
into human bombs. Even domesticated animals in families were not spared. Declared
the deadliest terror outfit by none other than the FBI in the USA. This invention by Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers
continue to kill in suicide bombings around the world including US and NATO
troops. Link to information from the FBI explaining their operation appears
below: https://www.google.com/search?q=FBI+reference+to+LTTE&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS940US940&oq=FBI+reference+to+LTTE&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i160l2.7179j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Protecting
such offenders in subtle ways are not justified in the charter of any
international organization with scant attention to the human rights violations by
terrorists. The UNHRC is hounding Sri
Lanka with threats of punishment when it is not a danger to the region. The remedial action proposed will deal
further blows to civilian life in the island nation violating their human
rights by self-guided protectors doing more harm than good.
When
bigger countries with large armies have not been successful even with invasion
or occupation, they are not held accountable for missing persons. In such cases missing persons become
collateral damage except in the case of Sri Lanka. The proof of the security forces saving a
large population of Tamil civilians captured in the safe zone from certain
massacre by the LTTE that crept in with heavy artillery is ignored. Anti Sri
Lankan nations are aware of their forces that have been destroyed with the same
suicide bombs invented by the terror outfit in Sri Lanka.
To impose sanctions proposed for Sri Lanka is to contravene the mandate
of the UNHRC when Sri Lanka is not a security threat to any other country or
the region. The UNHRC uses alleged” violations and imaginary deterioration” leveled
against a government which was elected with an overwhelming two third majority
and rejection of Ethnic Tamil parties by the voting civilians in the northern
region. Supposition criteria cannot be arbitrarily
applied to damage and violate the sovereignty of any nation by those who are
supposed to protect and help. Instead, they act at the whim of anti Sri Lankan
elements outside the country.
The UNHRC appears to defend the word of the terror support proxies preferred
over Tamil survivors of LTTE terrorism who are thankful and enjoying peace? The civilians in Tamil areas suffered the
most. They were saved from the terror they suffered under the LTTE. This is
proven by the figure of 60% of the Tamil people living in the southern end of
the country inhabited by the majority Sinhala people. It is the terror proxy groups that are
looking for ways to keep the unrest going for their financial gain through
instilling fear used in extortion and criminal activities.
Sanctions will cripple the economy stopping exports, and will
result in lack of medical supplies, food and other basic human needs for the
people who have suffered long years of brutality from those who you have
befriended and duped western nations and international bodies to guide actions
and resolutions.
The remedy is not to pose further suffering for all people in the
country whether it is Sri Lanka or any other small powerless country.
With
the case of Sri Lanka, Human Rights is a weapon, when the weapons of terrorism
and the human suffering on two sides of a conflict are ignored on one
side. UNHRC can preserve its hard line
on one side using Human Rights to gain their goal and overextend their powers.
Peace is persecuted.
Destabilizing free sovereign nations that have preserved democracy
as Sri Lanka has done with universal franchise since 1931 and an overwhelming
acceptance through a landslide victory for the present administration, UNHRC
charter provides for intervention only if a country does not protect its
people. In the case of Sri Lanka, the
people are not divided by ethnicity for persecution as alleged” human rights
are quoted by the UNHRC using the term that defines ambiguity of their sources
of information.
At the end of the war, 200,000 Tamil civilians held by the
terrorists as human shields were freed.
Out of 5,700 Tamil child soldiers reported by UNICEF, 600 were
rehabilitated at government expense and returned to families and into schooling. With freedom and protection in their
mainstream life, they told their story.
Over 300,000 Tamil civilians were returned to their homes in areas
heavily mined by the terrorists. In the conflict civilian deaths account for
around 60,000 in LTTE bombings, shootings, and murders. They warrant no
attention from the UNHRC. Out of 11,700
combatants, 7,000 who surrendered were returned to mainstream life. Those that perished are not attributed to the
LTTE by the UNHRC for convenience. Most were
forced participants abducted and brainwashed into killing machines. They were, however, Sri Lankan civilians
converted to terror but today, they live among fellow Sri Lankans enjoying
freedom.
The UNHRC appears to defend the word of the terror supporters preferred
over Tamil survivors of LTTE terrorism who are thankful and enjoying peace? The civilians in Tamil areas suffered the most
and they are now saved from the terror they suffered under the LTTE. It is
proven by the figure of 60% of the Tamil people living in the southern end of
the country which is territory that is inhabited by the majority Sinhala
people. It is the diaspora groups that
are looking for ways to keep the unrest going for their financial gain through
instilling fear used in extortion and criminal activities.
The reward of peace, safety and protection has restored the free
education, free healthcare, freedom to own businesses and property and live
anywhere in the country for all people. Sri Lanka’s ground situation must be considered
before the UNHRC makes assumptions to bring resolutions, sanctions, and other
forms of punishment to all. The price included men and women in uniform losing
29,000in their ranks for saving the country and people.
UNHRC operates without visits to the country and with ignoring
authentic and independent sources who provided accurate information. Their
sources are pro terror proxies, hearsay and unverified information far removed
from the country they left for economic migration in western countries now
manipulating the truth into misinformation.
However, they return to Sri Lanka to visit unchecked while defining Sri
Lanka as a Land of Genocide. Plane loads
of them return for holidays and have second homes in Sri Lanka.
In this so-called land of genocide, dual citizenship is offered to
those who relinquished Sri Lankan citizenship for foreign citizenship. The group claiming Genocide, go back obtaining
dual citizenship. They invest in large scale prime businesses purchasing
property in areas where the so called enemy” lives in the southern part of the
country.
As for protecting people, the mechanism of the Responsibility to
Protect” must be as before, being one of internal determination, that is
successfully carried out despite the persecution attempts by the UNHRC. This responsibility should not become any
part of UNHRC purview.
The terror movement was financed by various criminal
activities. Read this report for
details on funding operations for LTTE terrorism:
Sanctions to punish Sri Lanka is not a solution for the minorities,
as it contradicts the claims made by UNHRC. As a body that is part of the UN,
to bring threats to Sri Lanka to destroy the country is preposterous. The
obvious sources of information should be the surviving civilians who want the
protection of the military remaining among them. Not the assumption of the diaspora and their
imaginary outcomes.
The UNHRC should not be empowered to initiate any actions toward
destroying a beautiful and peaceful multiethnic, multi religious and
multicultural country. It is not a
wonder that the people of Sri Lanka look at international organizations with
distasteful suspicion.
For people on the ground within the country sustained peace lives
on and they are protected with security to avert any further threats. Memories of times of terror live on. Sri
Lanka doesn’t need the destructive hand of any unverified, biased authority.
The UNHRC nations against Sri Lanka must understand that the Sri
Lankan Government past and present have no political or military advantage to
destroy lives of civilians of any ethnic group.
They preserved peace for all people. They exercise their civic rights to
elect leaders in a democracy that is not favorable to the UNHRC.
Let Sri Lanka continue to progress, preserve
their sovereignty and democracy for sustaining peace. Sri Lanka strengthened
can render assistance joining in the global effort of counter terrorism
strategies that benefits peace. Aggression against Sri Lanka is not the
solution. It will result in a reversal and return to conflict that was left
behind.
The pursuit of peace happens when all forms of
aggression are exhausted.”
― Stewart
Stafford.
I have in several of my
Papers detailed as to Why the 13 th Amendment should be abolished. I have
detailed my experiences in my eighteen years’ service in the Administrative
Service implementing development programmes islandwide. To state briefly if I
were to work in either the agricultural marketing sector, the agrarian
extension sector or the small industries sector I will not be able to achieve
any target purely because the subjects are devolved(not decentralized) and the
implementation of any policy determined by the Minister working at the Centre,
on policies laid down by the Houses of Parliament will depend on the
whims and fancies of the Provincial Ministers. Officers in the provinces takes
orders from him.
The full effect of the 13
th Amendment even without devolving land and police powers has not yet been
felt because the Provincial Ministers have not asserted their full rights.
I am most thankful to Cecil
Dharmasena of the Department of Agriculture, for his insightful article that
appeared in The Island of 22/4/2013. Let me quote a few of his words, which
fully support my above statement:
Referring to agricultural
extension today he states:
The lack of an organized and
coordinated extension and advisory system today as we had in the past(prior to
the Provincial Administration System) where the Department of Agriculture
through its comprehensive islandwide extension Division provided an efficient
service appears to be the biggest drawback in agriculture at present.”
The situation today he says
is that all types of agencies of the Provincial Councils and private sector
offer confusing services”.
He details what happened to
the Department of Agriculture after the implementation of the 13 th Amendment.
The Department was broken up, the research division broken into independent
institutes, the extension service given to the Provincial Councils and the seed
farms sold to the private sector.
Harking back to my days
”…” up to 1973, the Department of Agriculture had a full control over the
technical side of Agriculture. At the divisional level there was an
Agricultural Instructor, an officer who had two years’s study at the
Agricultural School. Under him were several Overseers- Krushi Vyapti
Sevakas at the village level. They had an year’s training in agriculture. This
was an effective service. In addition, after the Paddy Lands Act was enforced
in came the Agrarian Services Department with cultivation committees at the
grass roots level. This Department had Divisional Officers at the Divisional
level and Overseers at the village level. The Overseers had an years’ training
in agriculture. The Cultivation Committees took over grass roots level
planning. Today the Paddy Lands Act is no more and the cultivation committees
do not exist.
Another important change
that took place is that the Overseers of the Agriculture Department- the
Krushi Vyapti Sevakas were all promoted as Grama Sevakas( now Grama Niladharis)
during the time of President Premadasa. No official trained in agriculture took
their place. After a few years’ lapse when the Agricultural Instructor at
the Divisional Level did not have a single Overseer Assistant, during the days
of President Kumaranatunge , O Level qualified youths were appointed as Niyamakas.
This was the extension
system that was bequeathed to the Provincial Councils. Cecil Dharmasena has
stated that the efficiency of the extension system depended entirely in the
hands of the Provincial Minister of Agriculture.
My own experience with the
agricultural extension system under the Provincial Council administration is
detailed in my book: How the IMF Ruined Sri Lanka.& Alternate Programs of
Success”.(Godages):
The entire agriculture
department has to get a bone shake which I hope can get done. In about 1997,
running my small family farm I had the occasion to visit the extension centers
at Kadawata and Delgoda. The officers there did not know the exact amount of
fertilizer that I should use and when. At my insistence they raked their files
and provided me with details. The circular advised the use of ammonium
sulphate and urea at the basal stage and no mention was made of the
top dressing. ¦ About a year later I dropped into one of these Centers and to
my amazement I found that even then the top dressing had not been
incorporated into the advice. . In our inefficiency we are wasting fertilizer.”. This fully supports Cecil Dharmasena’s statement that the
extension system is in shambles. My comments pertain to the late Nineties while
Dharmasena speaks of the extension service of today.
Sri Lanka is a small
country which is smaller than a State in India and there is no necessity to
devolve any subject in administration. Under the 13 th Amendment we have
devolved many subjects and accordingly the extension sections of the Department
of Agriculture and the Department oif Agrarian Services has been handed over to
the Provincial Councils.
In my days in the Agrarian
Services, I was once in charge of fertilizer distribution and we sent out the
first circular on fertilizer use for the entire island and this was immediately
enforced through the cultivation committees. Not so any more. The futility of
devolution is easily realized when one realizes that the Kegalla and Ratnapura
Districts which come under the Sabaragamuwa Province is only some 25 miles away
from the City of Colombo. It is inimical for Provinces situated in close
proximity to have an extension service that is not coordinated. In my days if a
circular left the main department signed by the Commissioner or his Deputy it
had to be effective. Not so now because one will have to contact the Provincial
Ministers and cajole them. In my days as a Senior Assistant Commissioner any
communication from me was acted on in the entire island on the next day. Not so
now my paper will sit on the Provincial Minister’s desk and mind you there
are a number of them.
It is also well known and
not disputed by anyone that the 13 th Amendment was drafted by India and
imposed on our country under duress by Rajiv Gandhi, the Prime Minister of
India. Though President Jayawardena shivered in his boots and gave in and
forced his Members of Parliament to vote for it. The fact remains that
President Jayawardena held all his members of parliament incarcerated in a Five
Star Hotel and they were all marched to parliament to vote. What Democracy!
This fact is proved because the Finance Minister Ronnie de Mel shouted and
stated that he was not among the incarcerated. Though the Supreme
Court of Sri Lanka, also under duress (judges quarters were stoned),gave
legitimacy to it, the 13 th Amendment remains a foreign appendage onto our
Constitution.
I am certain that if any
Provincial Council asserts itself, the working of all Government Departments
will totally cease from the Centre and the implementation of the policies laid
down by Acts of Parliament can no longer be a reality.
This will
be the situation once a TNA which is pro Tamil Nadu and also following the LTTE
agenda of separation is elected. The Government will be faced with a
crisis of severe dimension, a situation that will eventually lead to the
formation of a separate State.
All this is not surmise. As
an experienced administrator with four decades’ experience, I can sense what
will happen.
The abolition of the
13 th Amendment is the only option if we are to remain a sovereign country.
The International
Community, India and the LTTE Diaspora whom we are trying to please by
retaining the 13 th Amendment and implementing it are having their act cut and
dry. Their one aim is to enable a separate State in the North and the East of
Sri Lanka and it is hoped that our leaders will realize this fact before it is
too late.
It is
upto our leaders to decide for our sovereignty.
The city of Kalutara unlike other
urbanised cities is redolent of the ancient Buddhist Sinhala culture. It is
because of the most sacred Kalutara Bodhi encircled with the gold fence
seemingly holding the sky with its massive branches and standing majestically in
the upper terrace of the temple premises. Even the gentle breeze blowing
through the branches of the Bo” tree heals the hearts of people.
History
The Kalutara Bo” tree is proven to be
one of those 32 saplings of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi which was planted on the
advice of Arahat Mahinda Thera during the reign of king Devanampiya Tissa. Back
in 1052 AD, a pandyan prince by the name of Wickrama Pandyan, said to have been
the viceroy of Kalutara had planted a Bo” tree at the Pahala Maluwa of the
Kalutara Temple.
Influence
of the Portuguese
The tragedy struck this Buddhist country
after the invasion of the Portuguese. The lamp of the wisdom lit with the
Buddhist teachings and the Sinhala culture blew out. The virtues instilled into
the people’s hearts began to vanish. Not the morality but the immorality began
to engulf the city.
Considering the geographical
location of the city, the Portuguese used the Bodhi premises for their military
purposes.
Railway
bridge
Bridging the Southern border and the
Western border together, the British Government decided to construct the
Kalutara railway bridge. The only obstruction they had was the Bo” tree. As a
result, they proposed to uproot the Bo tree” and continue the construction of
the bridge.
But later due to the protests led by a
layman named Sandanayaka, the British Government decided to construct the
bridge without harming even a leaf of the Bo tree. The history of the Kalutara
bridge dates back to 1990s. What is more picturesque is that in the morning,
anyone can catch the glimpse of Sri Pada” veiled with the morning mist.
Another striking scenery is the Buddhist
devotees attired in the immaculate white meditating in the lotus position
around the Stupa. It is common to see even the foreigners meditating in the
temple like the Buddhist devotees.
Sir
Cyril De Zoysa
The relationship between the Kalutara
Bodhi and Sir Cyril De Zoysa is inseparable. Born in Galle, Sir Cyril De Zoysa
dedicated himself to protect the dispensation of Buddhism. After having
received his primary education at S Thomas’ College and Richmond College, Sir
Cyril entered the law college.
Winding back the clock of his childhood,
it is said that his father had to travel in a hired-buggy cart because he could
not afford the expense of buying a new buggy cart. But later with the little
money Sir Cyril earned, he purchased a brand-new buggy cart for his father.
This is only a glimpse of his childhood.
No one might have thought that the day
on which the Kalutara Bodhi flourishes would dawn. But miraculously Sir Cyril
De Zoysa had to come to Kalutara and saw the Kalutara Bodhi which had been
isolated and degraded for a long time. Later, he set up a committee to protect
the sacred place. From that day, everyone pays homage to this most sacred
Bodhi.
Righteous
life
According to the Buddhist teaching, The
one who behaves in Dhamma is protected by Dhamma.” It is clear that Sir Cyril
De Zoysa is one of those who had believed in the Dhamma until his demise. Never
in his life had he neglected to observe the Buddhist rituals.
He started his day at 6.00 O’ clock by
paying homage to the Kalutara Bodhi. The last words he said will prove the
Buddhist life he lived.
Now I am free. The state of your wealth
does not really matter. These are all illusions. I was born without any wealth.
I will die just as I was born – without any wealth. As I reach the end of my
days, Buddhism is my sole consolation, my happiness and my strength.”
The
glory of Kalutara
The city of Kalutara enriched with the
natural beauty and blessed with the sacred Bodhi Tree has overflown with the
aroma of the burning joss-sticks and the Buddhist sermons.
At night, the temple illuminated with a
myriad of twinkling lights scatters the light of wisdom throughout the city,
planting the seeds of generosity, discipline and love in the hearts of people.
The moon beams brighten the reflection of the illuminated lights on the still
water of the Kalu Ganga” as if in a surreal world. All we hope is May the
glory of the Kalutara Bodhi shine forth blissfully forever.”
Sri Lanka has reported 05 more coronavirus-related deaths, the Director-General of Health Services confirmed today (March 04).
As per the Department of Government Information, one male patient and four female patients are among the victims.
The new deaths bring the number of COVID-19 related deaths witnessed in Sri Lanka to 489 in total.
01. The deceased is a 53-year-old female resident from Ussapitiya. She was transferred from Mawanella Hospital to Base Hospital Kegalle where she was diagnosed as infected with the Covid-19 virus. Consequently, she was transferred to General Hospital Kandy where she died on 22.02.2021. The cause of death is mentioned as Covid-19 pneumonia.
02. The deceased is a 78-year-old female from Giriulla. She was diagnosed as infected with the Covid-19 virus while undergoing treatments at a private hospital in Colombo. Then she was transferred to Kothlawala Defense Hospital where she died on 04.03.2021. The cause of death is mentioned as Covid-19 pneumonia and multiple organs dysfunction.
03. The deceased is a 72-year-old male resident from Kolonnawa. He died on 02.03.2021 while undergoing treatments at a private hospital in Colombo, The cause of death is mentioned as heart disease, Covid-19 pneumonia, and acute kidney damage.
04. The deceased is a 62-year-old female from Mattakkuliya, She was diagnosed as infected with the Covid-19 virus while undergoing treatments at General Hospital Colombo and transferred to Base Hospital Homagama where she died on 01.03.2021. The cause of death is mentioned as Covid-19 infection and respiratory system failure.
05. The diseased is a 70-year-old female from Boralesgamuwa. She was diagnosed as infected with Covid-19 while undergoing treatments at Apeksha Hospital Maharagama and transferred to Base Hospital Mulleriyawa where she died on 03.03.2021. The cause of death is mentioned as blood poisoning shock, Covid-19 pneumonia, acute kidney damages, and cancer.
Charges against former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka over the hit-and-run case in 2016 have been read out at the Colombo High Court today (March 04).
The matter was called before Colombo High Court Judge Namal Walalle, Ada Derana correspondent said.
Accordingly, the indictment filed by the Attorney General was read out in the open court during the legal proceeding.
Preliminary objections against the indictment are schedule to be taken up on the 27th of April.
The case was filed over the alleged hit-and-run incident which took place on February 28, 2016, in which the vehicle the former Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister was travelling in collided against a motorcycle in Rajagiriya, causing life-threatening injuries to its rider, Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena.
We are told there is a War against Terror. Sri Lanka should know, we suffered various forms of terror, the LTTE being the most heinous. That terror lasted 3 decades. We wasted decades following Western/UN templates of ceasefires, negotiations, peace talks. Lives were lost and people lived in fear. All communities fell victims. In 2006, LTTE went overboard with the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut committing a war crime denying water. LTTE challenged the Sri Lanka military and the military took the challenge. The East was liberated of LTTE in 2008 and thereafter with the capture of LTTE’s capital Kilinochchi on 2 January 2009, the Eelam quest was annihilated and the country fell under one flag. By 8 March 2009 LTTE had lost all the towns held forcibly and by 12 March, the troops took over Pudukudurippu hospital which had been occupied by LTTE. All civilians were rescued by 17 May and LTTE was cornered and refused to surrender choosing its fate. LTTE were terrorists and we are baffled why the UNHRC is not commending Sri Lanka for the manner it conducted a military offensive plus a humanitarian rescue operation. The timeline below together with video footage will make you also to wonder what agenda UNHRC is actually working to. Please share among all UNHRC Member states for them to realize the lies that the Office of the UNHRC is cooking up and the bogus allegations being made going so far as to even claim the GoSL starved Tamil civilians.
Tamil civilians flee LTTE
30 – January 2009 – Tamil civilians demonstrate against LTTE
5 – February 2009 – Mannar civilians rally against LTTE
6 February 2009 – civilians escape LTTE held territory
12 February 2009 – More civilians flee LTTE
13 February 2009 – Injured civilians taken to Trincomalee
13 February 2009 – Sri Lanka Navy evacuates sick and wounded from Mullaitivu
16 February 2009 – Vanni civilians tell of heinous crimes committed by LTTE (with English subtitles)
17 February 2009 – SL Navy rescues 440 Tamil civilians from LTTE
18 February 2009 – More civilians escape LTTE
25 February 2009 – 386 Tamil civilians flee LTTE and seek refuge with Sri Lanka Armed Forces
1 March 2009 – LTTE attempt to abduct children
16 March 2009 – More civilians seek shelter with Sri Lanka troops
17 March 2009 – Large exodus of civilians flee LTTE
17 March 2009 – LTTE kill a fleeing child
18 March 2009 – Tamil civilians revolt against LTTE
19 March 2009 – LTTE continue to attack fleeing ciivlians
22 March 2009 – Tamil civilians describe hardships they were subject to under LTTE
25 March 2009 – 1386 Tamil civilians escape LTTE
3 April 2009 – Tamils go against LTTE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q07OHlWs8ow
8 April 2009 – LTTE exerting pressure on civilians
9 April 2009 – Tamil civilians attack LTTE
12 April 2009 – Sri Lanka Army doing utmost to grant security to fleeing Tamil civilians
18 April 2009 – escaping civilians a challenge to Prabakaran (no hostages/human shields)
19 April 2009 – over 70,000 Tamil civilians come to the Army
19 April 2009 – LTTE plan to stop fleeing civilians revealed
20 April 2009 – More civilians continue to flee LTTE and enter government controlled areas
20 April 2009 – large exodus of civilians flee LTTE
21 April 2009 – Army enters vacated areas of NFZ and saves over 31,000 civilians
22 April 2009 – during the past 3 days over 60,000 Tamil civilians brought to safety by Sri Lanka Armed Forces
22 April 2009 – More civilians flee LTTE
22 April 2009 – Over 100,000 Tamil civilians flee LTTE
23 April 2009 – LTTE attempt to take cover among civilians
28 April 2009 – Sri Lanka troops continue humanitarian rescue operation
2 May 2009 – LTTE activities inside he safe zone
3 May 2009 – LTTE video footage shows LTTE activities inside safe zone
7 May 2009 – Humanitarian rescue operation continues
13 May 2009 – Civilians who escape curse LTTE
15 May 2009 – 3000 civilians flee LTTE
17 May 2009 – all Tamil civilians rescued – Only LTTE & Sri Lanka Armed Forces in 1sq.km
President of Sri Lanka
2 January 2009 – LTTE is asked to surrender
30 January 2009 – President Mahinda Rajapakse demands LTTE to release civilians
12 February 2009 – a New safe zone declared by GoSL
26 February 2009 – With troops reaching Pudukudurippu on 25 February, the GoSL again asks LTTE to lay down arms and surrender
19 March 2009 – LTTE attack troops from the Safe Zone declared for Tamil civilians (what has UNHRC to say about this)
25 March 2009 – LTTE fire at Sri Lanka Army helicopters from within the safe zone (another clear example of LTTE violating IHL rules of war)
27 March 2009 – Sri Lanka’s President gives another warning to LTTE
19 April 2009 – President Mahinda asks international community to tell LTTE to release civilians
20 April 2009 – President Mahinda gives last warning to LTTE to surrender
UN & UNSG statements & Foreign Government appeals
31 January 2009 – UNSG Ban Ki Moon commends Sri Lanka’s President call to release civilians
5 February 2009 – Gordon Weiss UN Spokesman accepts Sri Lanka did not possess cluster weapons
16 February 2009 – India tells LTTE to lay down arms and surrender
17 February 2009 – UN tells LTTE to stop recruitment of civilians (how many did LTTE recruit & how many died engaged in hostilities- none of them can be classified as civilian)
17 February 2009 – UNICEF asks LTTE to stop child recruitment (as if LTTE cares too hoots)
18 February 2009 – India says it holds LTTE responsible for fate of Tamil civilians
19 February 2009 – UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes calls on LTTE to free civilians
20 February 2009 – UN representative monitors displaced civilians – civilians who have taken shelter in Social Welfare Camps in Vavuniya have told UN Deputy Secretary General John Holmes that they are satisfied with the relief (so what rubbish is UNHRC head talking about)
23 February 2009 – Japan slams LTTE
24 February 2009- UN & EU tell LTTE to surrender
28 February 2009 – UN ambassadors tell LTTE to surrender
5 March 2009 – World accepts LTTE’s forcible recruitment (30 years too late)
13 March 2009 – EU MPs condemn LTTE violence
16 March 2009 – UN accuses LTTE of recruiting their members (oh the innocent UN)
19 March 2009 – The United Nations accepts that statistics of the UN Human Rights Commissioner which led to a controversy had not been verified (seems to be a regular malady)
21 March 2009 – Australia condemns LTTE’s terror tactics
23 March 2009 – Majority of UN Members do not wish to extend a life line to LTTE
26 March 2009 – Rahul Gandhi says no support for LTTE (well LTTE did kill his father)
27 March 2009 – UN tells LTTE to disarm or perish (after perishing UN is mourning)
4 April 2009 – UN Special Representative for internally displaced persons, Walter Kalin lauded the welfare facilities including food (they make no complaints in SL but then go back & write lies years later – these UN officials must be investigated)
4 April 2009 – UN issues ultimatum to LTTE to free civilians (oh yeah – LTTE listens)
5 April 2009 – Co-Chairs order LTTE to free civilians
15 April 2009 – The Hindu newspaper says LTTE had no right to enter safe zone meant for civilians
16 April 2009 – UK and France call for LTTE to surrender
18 April 2009 – UNHRC calls on LTTE to release Tamil civilians
23 April 2009 – UNSC demands LTTE to surrender
29 April 2009 – UK and French envoys PRAISE facilities provided for civilians
12 May 2009 – UN spokesman Gordon Weiss summoned to explain civilian bloodbath” (the guy would say anything for publicity)
15 May 2009 – NO UNHRC special session on Sri Lanka (what took place thereafter was nothing but a witch hunt)
Food sent to civilians (forcibly taken by LTTE for combatants & their families)
3 February 2009- Needs of civilians taken to account
12 February 2009 – Airforce airlifts dry rations for civilians
19 March 2009 – All requirements of civilians are met says Essential Services Commissioner S.B. Divaratne
4 April 2009 – More essentials sent by GoSL to the war fronts – most confiscated by LTTE for their families
22 April 2009 – Cooked meals for civilians who fled LTTE (UNHRC head seated in Geneva accuses Sri Lanka of starving civilians)
23 April 2009 – More food air lifted to North
These are only a timeline of video footage, statistics and facts can also prove how admirably Sri Lanka conducted the military-humanitarian rescue operation.
When the capital of the LTTE falls, it also signaled the end of the LTTE. That significant victory was delivered by Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias on 2ndJanuary 2009.With the fall of LTTE’s capital and stronghold, it virtually meant the end of the military offensive and the beginning of the humanitarian rescue operation. This is poignant for the UN, UNHRC and the foreign diplomats. It is also noteworthy that timed with the capture of Kilinochchi was the declaration by the President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapakse to the LTTE to surrender and lay down arms. This offer was refused by the LTTE declaring it would fight till the last man. It was thus LTTE’s choice to be annihilated by the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. With the capture of Kilinochchi the GoSL and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces in particular the leadership of Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias had achieved a Dutugemunu moment in history! The country was brought under one flag on 2 January 2009. It was the first time after a lapse of 3 decades that the country came under one flag. It brought to naught all of the claims of separatism, separate territories and self-determination & homeland bids. https://youtu.be/CuRg_vW1q8A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuRg_vW1q8A– Proud moment for all Sri Lankans when 57 Division led by Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias hoisted the national flag in LTTE’s claimed capital after capturing Kilinochchi from LTTE on 2 January 2009.
The President of Sri Lanka issued a victorious message What our heroic troops have achieved is not only the capture of the great fortress of the LTTE, but a major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIS8_K9VxCU– no prouder moment for our war heroes celebrating the capture of Kilinochchi – LTTE’s defacto capital on 2 January 2009. With that capture, the Tamil Eelam quest fell on its face militarily.
The LTTE reaction was a suicide bombing on the same day in front of the air force headquarters killing 3 and wounding over 30 persons.
The capture of Kilinochchi is momentous for the Sri Lanka Army having lost it to LTTE in 1990, recaptured in it 1996 and lost it again in 1998.
Kilinochchi was LTTE’s administrative hub after the 2002 Norway mediated infamous ceasefire agreement. LTTE had its own police force, Peace Secretariat, Bank, Courts all located in Kilinochchi.
Noteworthy aspect of the victorious capture was that LTTE had all of its bigwigs defending Kilinochchi – Prabakaran’s son Charles Anthony, Imran Pandiyan brigades commanded by Theepan, Bhanu & Lawrence.
Also noteworthy is Prabakaran’s response when the government declared in October 2008 that it would capture Kilinochchi – Prabakaran declared capturing Kilinochchi was ‘just daydream of President Mahinda Rajapakse’.Prabakaran was proved wrong on 2 January 2009!
LTTE began withdrawing its combatants from Kilinochchi when Paranthan fell on 31 December 2008. It was just a matter of days that Kilinochchi came under the lion flag with virtually little resistance. Mullaitivu the other LTTE bastian fell on 25 January 2009.
It was no doubt a symbolic victory marked by fire crackers islandwide. LTTE was banned with the capture of Kilinochchi on 7 January 2009 for ‘using civilians as human shields in uncleared areas and endangering their lives, despite requests by the government to release them”. This ban and the reason for the ban was not given due international attention.
Thus, with the capture of LTTE’s defacto capital Kilinochchi on 2 January 2009 the symbolic defeat of the LTTE was written on the wall. The capture of Mullaitivu sealed LTTE fate further.
What needs to be highlighted is that with the significant capture of Kilinochchi, LTTE’s quest for separatism was thrown into shambles and it signaled the defeat of the LTTE.
With the end of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, LTTE was on the run and the Sri Lanka Armed Forces had completed the military offensive and commenced the humanitarian rescue operation.
The diplomatic community and the UN system must seriously take note of this milestone and demarcation of military cum humanitarian rescue carried out by the Sri Lanka Armed forces.
That the GoSL and the Armed Forces appealed to the LTTE to release civilians from being kept as hostages and human shields is known by all.
That the UNSG & even diplomats also appealed to LTTE to release civilians from being kept as hostages and human shields is also known by all.
That LTTE didn’t care too hoots about their appeals is also a known fact.
As per rules of war, LTTE has erred in using civilians as hostages and human shields.
As per rules of war, LTTE is faulted for firing among civilians and keeping military equipment among civilians. The armed forces as per rules of war have every right to return fire as LTTE should not be firing from among civilians. Therefore, the question is why the UN and diplomutts ignore this all important fact?
This important aspect is discussed in Palitha Senanayake’s new book.
The most important milestone is that on 2 January 2009, when Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias and his 57 Division captured Kilinochchi the capital of the LTTE, the military offensive against LTTE came to a finale.
The military offensive was thereafter replaced by the humanitarian rescue operation which was given prominence and from the timeline of dates and manner of the rescue conducted, Sri Lanka admirably carried out the world’s largest humanitarian rescue operation of close to 300,000 Tamils.
Let Sri Lanka be judged by its achievements and victories not based on the disappointments & anger of those who angrily watched LTTE fall to defeat.
At
the UNHRC meeting the true friends of Sri Lanka emerged to speak and defend the
country battered mercilessly for defeating the world most brutal terrorist
organization i.e., Tamil Tiger terrorists in 2009, who held 20 million Sri
Lankans to ransom for well over 25 years.
The leading the Sri Lanka bashing were the UK. Germany. Canada,
Switzerland, Netherlands. Belgium and the USA, all of them having a chequered
history in violating human rights at different times. India, our friendly
neighbour while thankfully taking a fair distance from the punitive stance of
others opted to emphasize on the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils and their
‘aspirations’ insisting on the FULL implementation of the 13 A” India should be
requested to point out whether any Tamil person in Sri Lanka is deprived from
enjoying a basic right because he or she is being purely a Tamil. On the 13th A which was thrust on
Sri Lanka along with the so-called Indo-Sri Lanka agreement, most Sri Lankans
are of the view that it was a faulty restructuring effort of Sri Lanka’s
government by India and the Police and Land powers under the 13 A are a direct
threat to the sovereign Sri Lanka. Further, the Provincial government system
has not benefited Sri Lanka in any measurable manner and had been an exercise
in colossal wastage of hard-earned funds of the central government. As regards
aspirations, we are amazed how we can consider ONLY the aspirations of Tamils
as all other ethnic groups and the individuals too have aspirations and it will
be impossible to walk that talk. We need further training in the recognition of
aspirations of different groups from India and we pray for further comments from the HR specialists in India how
they have reconciled the aspirations of other than Hindu religious groups,
Sheiks, Kashmiris and other minority groups on Northern most India.
But,
many nations at UNHCR rejected the proposition of the Sri Lanka bashers who
directly and indirectly were supportive of the LTTE armed insurrection and the
separatism threatening the unitary Sri Lanka. They also rejected the ‘the
preventive prescription’ of the secretary General Bachelot. The nations who
supported Sri Lanka stood for the principle of non- interference in the internal
affairs of a democratic country. Any weaknesses in Sri Lankan affairs should be
allowed to be rectified domestically in keeping with the constitutional
provisions of the country rather than to be dictated and decided upon by the
holier than thou sloganeers. Most of the nations who attempt to foist their
plan on Sri Lanka are from the Western bloc who killed and maimed millions of
persons living in the colonized countries and subsequently destroyed other
nations as pawns of the world power games. Their adherence ‘to the human
rights are completely at variance with their practices on the ground.
Now,
Sri Lanka should re-examine their directions and resolve to work with the
friendly nations who supported her to extricate from the trap laid out by the countries
who desire an unstable Sri Lanka. The Government and the people should resolve
to reduce our dependence on Sri Lanka bashers and re-design our imports to suit
the geo-political reality and to avoid any plot to impose sanctions by the
wounded nations. Time has arrived to consider the nation’s priorities by
curtailing the luxuries even for a given period. We should try to get our
requirements from the friendly nations and try to improve our trading
relationship with our friends.
This the ONLY way to extend our hand to REBUILD a new world order is to be less dependent on the predatory countries who always insist on their pound of flesh from the developing nations. While we thank the President, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Government for having rejected the co-sponsorship of resolution 30/1 at UNHRC, we urge the Government to plan to reshape our trade and foreign relations to play our role as an independent member of the international community.
Aspirations
might be used to describing the ambitions which are too broader and at present,
they may look limiting wishes, latter, they would go like crying of kids to
bring the moon. Aspirations of any nation will go to a broader area, from the
point of view of Tamils of Sri Lanka who wish to have a separate country in Sri
Lanka, also could include to aspirations. It may be defined as two countries
one nation as assumed or planned by Norway. The term that uses in the study of
the principles of economics describing wants that could not satisfy in the
lifetime of a person may similar and they are broad expectations.
Indian
interpretation of Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka like needs as explained in the
study of economics. Needs are defined as basic needs such as food, clothes,
water, air, etc. Aspirations of people
could be further defined as desires of human metempsychosis, it is so broader
and expands indefinitely until a person attains Nirvana. Why this issue is
going on like a beggar’s wound and is it a technique that the Indian
intelligence service uses to control Sri Lanka?
When considering the Indian point of view of the Tamil aspirations of
Sri Lanka seems that Tamil aspirations might amplify like desires of human
metempsychosis as indicate in Buddhism and Hinduism. However, India has limited
the definition of Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka as legitimate aspirations that
are in the interest of Sri Lanka as well as India. The needs of a person in the
study of economics and show the broadness of the term to mislead all
communities in Sri Lanka.
The
Indian definition of legitimate aspirations of Tamils has further described
that it could be achieved through the process of reconciliation and the full
implementation of the 13th amendment to the constitution. The Indian
definition of aspiration has limited Tamils in Sri Lanka to a restricted area,
and this should be logically considered by the government and people of Sri
Lanka. It is not a valid reason to formate a new conflict between India and Sri
Lanka. As it happened in history, India and Sri Lanka must work like friends
and cooperative nations.
When
deeply analyzes two points India considers it is fulfilling, the legitimate
aspirations of Tamils of Sri Lanka. It seems they are too vague and they are
involved in vicious politics that Sri Lanka relegates to obscurities as well as
Tamils are taking to a mental world. Many Sri Lankans who aligned Sinhala
extremism have difficulties understanding the issue and Indian views on the
Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka are clearly understanding and supporting the
practical implementation of policies for Tamil aspirations.
India
is fully aware of the attitude of the majority of Sri Lankans regarding the
Tamil aspirations, and while the human rights session was going on in Geneva
why this issue has emerged for a long time may be an obvious secret to the
world. China has nicely expressed its views regarding the UNHRC report and it
would have dismayed participating other countries. The UNHRC also had
difficulties explaining the truth to the world because it involves disguised
politics between India, Sri Lanka, China, and Western countries. The nature of
politics in India is to use various issues from time to time keeping Sri Lanka
under the control, and this issue might go further a century as long as India
wants to do it.
Sinhala,
Tamil, Muslim, and many others in Sri Lanka have international ethnic
classification as Indians, and these people have deviated base on the language
used or religion believed and practiced, but there is no biological or
anthropological difference between them. The language used by Sinhala people
defines as an Indo-European language and the Tamil language consider as a
Dravidian language. The origin of two languages may associate with adventures
in history and since the era before Christ, it had not been a critical issue
for people to live together. If one
language uses them all are included in one nation. If India respects universal
human values it must not allow continuing aberrations on baseless factors and
the responsibility of India is to reject such differences against human values
and express its opinion to treat all as one ethnic group.
The
Indian strategy within India is treating all different communities in the
country as one nation, and why such a firm policy could not be equal to Sri
Lanka. The secret of the Indian policy
is dividing and controlling the country. India might need to expand the policy
for surrounding nations as the complexity in Indian politics may need such
actions. India has a policymaking mechanism that is beyond party politics and
that is why it can see although the government change neither foreign policy
nor attitudes towards neighboring countries are changed.
Sri
Lanka is in the process of drafting a constitution that could incorporate the
legitimate Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka, and how this aspect should be worded
in the new constitution might need to know by people of the country. The wide
spectrum of politics in Sri Lanka seems hungry to look at the draft of the
constitution because it would be a drop of water in the desert for the
opposition to survive. As people are fully aware of politics played for the
constitution drafted by the yahapalana regime after 2015 this time also may be
political manuring to oppose for the new constitution. Such problems might be supported by the
Indian intelligence service and the government of Sri Lanka must egghead to
Buddhist monks, political parties, intellectuals, and others who are vulnerable
to getting caught in foreign influence, financial incentives, and NGOs.
The
term, people of Sri Lanka include all citizens of the country. The Indian
aspect of the legitimate aspirations of Tamils of Sri Lanka means the Tamil
citizens of Sri Lanka and clearly, it excludes the Tamil diaspora who are not
citizens of the country. When interpreting Tamils India has used Tamil speaking
people and it confuses sometimes because all Tamil speaking people are not
ethnically Tamils and Muslims, Colombo Chetties and some Sinhala people too
speak Tamil and they are not Tamils. Many Tamil-speaking people live outside
Sri Lanka, and the government of Sri Lanka could not entertain the aspirations
of all Tamils in the world.
During
the war period with LTTE, Tamils without differentiating whether they were
citizens of Sri Lanka or not supported the Indian point of view, and the most
significant of the Indian assessment is that the Tamil aspirations should be
limited to a framework of equality, justice, peace, and territorial integrity
of Sri Lanka. In this way, India seems to attempted to wash hands preventing
Indian points of view from India and apply such views to Tamil people living in
Sri Lanka and excludes Tamils living in India.
This likes India holding the tail of a tiger and now it has difficulty
releasing the tail as it has a risk that the tiger might create problems for India.
The other vital point when India describing the abiding aspirations of Tamils
of Sri Lanka has mentioned equality, justice, peace, and territorial integrity
and it further shows that India has ignored the term unity. Does India has
animosity to the unity of ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka? If the term
unity has been ignored in the Indian process it could assume that India doesn’t
akin to the unity of Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim people in Sri Lanka. Territorial integrity refers to the unity of
the territory but it doesn’t refer to the people of the country. The Indian
politics after independence in 1947, give the impression that India attempts to
play politics with countries wherever Indian people are in, an example was Fiji
when Rabuka took over power in the late 1980s, Mr.Rajive Gandi displayed his
interest in playing politics with Fiji.
The
LTTE, Prabhakaran, and colleagues worked against Sri Lanka’s unity and
territorial integrity as he needed to establish a separate Tamil state with armed
forces and struggle. His behavior appeared he wanted to re-establish the Vijaya
Nagar empire that will create severe risk India creating new Issues. The
intention of the LTTE movement had been under the control of India and the behavior
of Prabhakaran was differentiated by the killing of the Indian Prime Minister
and it was the main cause to ending the life of the LTTE leader. Politics could
be played in any country but killing politics is not tolerated by a democratic
society.
India
is always careful to express views and supports to Tamils of Sri Lanka thinking
there is a large Tamil community in India with ethnic relation to Tamils in Sri
Lanka, and many Tamils in Sri Lanka are of opinion that except upcountry
Tamils, who are descendants of Indians brought to Sri Lanka for plantation
industry, are a part of the Sri Lankan community since before the era of King
Elara. If it thinks in that line there is no question of respecting the rights
of the Tamils. Whether Sri Lanka Sinhala, Muslim, or other communities do agree
or not the government of Sri Lanka cannot discriminate against Tamils of Sri
Lanka. They are a part of the Sri Lankan community like a caste within the
Sinhala community and it shouldn’t be a reason to discriminate against them,
the new constitution needs to clearly express that Tamil, Sinhala, Muslims, and
other citizens of Sri Lanka are equal and all have equal rights and
responsibilities. If this idea is
properly worded and express in the new constitution the equity and justice give
equally to Sri Lankans and many clauses of the 13th amendment would
be immaterial as there are no ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, only one ethnic group
in the country it is Sri Lankans.
When
considering the Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka nobody cannot ignore the
Indo-Lanka accord signed on 29 July 1987.
This accord was prepared with an intention to enact the 13th
amendment to the constitution passed on 14 November 1987. The complicated aspect of both was the idea
of merging the North and Eastern provinces into one administrative unit. This
idea was complicated and many Muslim and Sinhala people are living in the area
and the rights of these people were ignored in the idea of merging two
provinces and it was a violation of the rights of these Non-Tamils. The merger should be a permanent action was
the interpretation of the accord, which gave the power to the president of Sri
Lanka to postpone the referendum to merge the North and Eastern provinces.
The
Indo-Lanka accord signed in 1987 has become a complicated matter after more
than 30 years and it appears the accord should be canceled or amended according
to the current environment. The political history of the world indicates that
accords, agreements were among many countries, which were either canceled or
ignored in the modern era. So, Indo-Lanka Accord was not an agreement God-given
forever and it might change.
Sri
Lanka had accords with India in history. In 1782 Sri Lanka signed an agreement to
appoint a Malayali Prince as Rajahdi Rajasinghe to the kingship in Sri Lanka,
but it was canceled and India did not protest or worked against the cancelation
either. This means the Indo-Lanka accord signed on 29 July 1987 could cancel or
renegotiate under the new condition. However, if the new constitution converts
people of Sri Lanka as Sri Lankans like in India disregarding ethnic and
religious, differences the validity of the accord may end without any
negotiation.
Mr.J.R.
Jayewardene described the Indo-Lanka accord as a way of living under the shadow
of India without surrendering to India.
It was a highly complicated statement and when the 1983 July riots
happened some international observers have analyzed and highlighted that Mrs.
Indira Gandhi had the intention to annex Sri Lanka, but the major barrier to
Indira was no a loyal group in Sri Lanka to manage the country on account of
India. Mr.Varadarajah Perumal and his group may have trained for the purpose
and it was not successful as the majority of Tamils had animosity with him than
for a Sinhala leader. Later this situation changed and promoted the 13th
Amendment to the constitution and after the enactment of a new constitution the
problem may solve or complicate further and the current president should aware
of this situation.
As
India has mentioned, what is the process of reconciliation? this is a Byzantine
approach that has no proper definition. Norway attempted to define the
reconciliation with a bias toward Tamils and India indirectly opposed to the
approach of Norway some time ago. It was
a Noble Prize-related process was the feeling of common people than a genuine
reconciliation between ethnic and religious communities of Sri Lanka. Some time ago I explained a genuine
reconciliation should be without strings and the approach of Lord Buddha when
he reconciled Chuloda and Mahodara would be the best approach. Sri Lanka’s government has taken many steps
in support of the reconciliation process. Nevertheless, India attempts to use
the issue like a beggar’s wound and didn’t like western countries coming to the
seen it may be a president to ethnic problems in India.
Sri
Lanka’s relationship with China has impacted the Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka
and indirectly India requests from Sri Lanka to limit Chines role in the
country and abate the support from China to Sri Lanka. India cannot support Sri
Lanka in the magnitude that China is supporting. India has a massive population who don’t
enjoy at least the level of Sri Lankans’ economic enjoyment. Attempting to
treat the equality of Sri Lankans in the same way, economic poverty of Indians
is unreasonable.
It
seems an Indian hegemony-related issue too associated with the Indian approach
rather than the problem that goes with international relations.
According
to the UN convention relating the human rights, any country may have
relationships with other countries, and it doesn’t limit the ability of
relationships. The attempt of India to
limit the relationship with China might contrary to the UN convention.
When
deeply analyze the Tamil aspirations of Sri Lanka they have limits and subject
to Indian controls. Whether Tamils living in Sri Lanka without differences have
understood the situation is a complicated issue and many Tamils now open
express views against the Indian approach.
Why India sticks to the attitudes of the past is a question and
educating people on this matter might help to change Indian attitudes.
Sri
Lanka hopes India supports Sri Lanka in UNHRC and associate with Sri Lanka to
convert Tamil aspirations to a demand for asking to bring the moon. On the
political front, there is working together by India and Sri Lanka, however,
intelligence service works deeply looking at odds and do people in India and
Sri Lanka need to stick to odd points, no Sri Lanka had a closed relationship
with India since history and Sri Lanka also related to Indo-China languages and
Culture, in this way India and China both are friends of Sri Lanka, diversity
and unity is the secret of maintaining the relationship with both.
