Symposium Theme: Cultural Knowledge for National Unity
A Symposium on Common
Heritage, convened by the Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, will be held at
the Auditorium of the Mahaweli Centre, 96. Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha,
Colombo 7, on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 9.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Symposium Theme: Cultural Knowledge for National Unity Programme
9.00 to 9.15 a.m. – Welcome and Introduction by RASSL President
Archt. Ashley de Vos
9.15 to 10.00 a.m. – Indigenous Medicine, Health &
well-being during the Pre-colonial Sri Lanka
Speaker: Dr. Swarna Kaluthota, Director,
10.00 to 11.00 a.m. Food Ethics and Conscious Eating
Speaker: Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero
11.15 to 12.15 p.m. Ancient Technological Innovations of Sri
Lanka
Speaker: Eng. Chandana Jaywardena
12.15 to 1.15p.m. Influence of Buddhist Values in the Evolution
of Sri Lankan Society
The election is over and the country’s
helm is now in the hands of a new skipper. Therefore isn’t it time to forget
the polling booths and look beyond them to see what else could be happening in
this ‘Land like no other’? By the way anyone looking at the above title might
think that I got it wrong: Shouldn’t it be ‘Action and reaction’? No. Believe
me. It’s no mistake!
Ours is a nation, where action and
inaction are engaged in a race and for almost seventy years on now, it has
always been a case of later being placed ahead with the former lagging behind,
panting, puffing and it has never been seen to be in possession of enough
stamina and strength to catch up. To make matters worse, the lead seems to be
increasing and not one bit decreasing.
Now here is just one case in point,
which no doubt is amongst probably many such others that speaks of our
inaction. My daily routine includes spending sometime on Facebook, which in
fact has now become more ritual than routine. And about a week before (22-11-19)
a post on it caught my attention.
It was about a pathetic state of
affairs (this may have been fixed by now) at our National Hospital in relation
to the dialysis units that became nonoperational due to the non-availability of
necessary air conditioning equipment. The new equipment was there, waiting for
installation. The post carried some photos too and the writer, who himself is a
dialysis patient planned to take serious action to bring this situation to the
attention and notice of all concerned.
It is unbelievable. A hospital of such
importance and immensity must be having a fairly long list of administrators
ranging from directors, their deputies down to the superintendents. Then there
are medical professionals of specialist and professorial standing all the way
down to the interns. Then there is the nursing staff and other medical
laboratory technicians, so on and so forth. Finally we have the minister of
health looking down from above, sitting in his luxurious ministerial abode.
Still those a/c equipment lay neglected
causing many a patient to suffer. And none seemed to care. How would one
explain such inaction, apathy and negligence? And who is to take the
responsibility and who in authority is asking that question, anyway?
It is a pity that the sincere most
feelings of concern, empathy and sympathy (not pretentious) towards a fellow
human, who is in need of care and help is fast becoming a thing of the past.
There was a time when the majority of our people in the society irrespective of
who and what they were always helped the needy and the sick as far as they
could. That mentality is not there anymore.
Instead a self-serving, self-centred
and selfish psychology has taken over the society at large. Nobody big or
small, or the teacher and the heeler or the vendor and the worker doesn’t give
two hoots about those who are under their care let alone any other member of
the society any more, if what’s on the menu or the plate is not attractive and
big enough.
The socio-economic changes in the
society that resulted following those policies of ‘Open Market Economy’ of late
JRJ precipitated this moral avalanche. And these polcies also introduced a new
philosophy of living to the masses: To ‘make money by hook or by crook’ at the
expense of honesty, decency and morality. And the politicians led the way by
example, showing the people how to cheat, lie and rob with ease and without
having any scruples.
And then some blame the sad
circumstances like the one mentioned above regarding the dialysis unit in the
National hospital on the bureaucratic red tape and inertia that our public
service is deeply afflicted with.
It’s a well-known fact though that the
‘Third World’ and its public sector in particular is notoriously replete with
bureaucratic inertia, with its public servants often venting out their
workplace grievances, even domestic at times, on the hapless public
and Sri Lanka is no exception.
Most of our own government
organisations are well over over-staffed and I am sure many of their employees
from top to bottom are quite happy sitting and doing nothing, passing the buck
around and to make their task easier there is lots of that bureaucratic red
tape too, bound around those musty-smelling files and folders sitting on their
tables for ages, waiting to be opened.
However when the sick and the ill, who
cannot afford private medical care have no option but rely on our government
hospitals to look after their health issues and expect to receive necessary
treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible, utilising the available
resources to the maximum, become the victims of neglect and negligence, it’s a
very sad state of affairs indeed, which in fact is both a social malady and a
tragedy of no small dimension.
No doubt we still have dedicated and
honest professionals and workers, who put their duty above and beyond
everything else. Sadly this creed is now becoming a minority.
I sincerely hope that the new president
will take prompt action to put a stop to this abysmal inaction and endless
procrastination that has become the work ethic of the majority of the employees
in our government institutions and organisations. Its colossally negative
impact on the development of the country and the improvement of the standard of
living of its people need no elaboration.
The Tamil Separatist Movement has charged
that Eelam War IV was an act of genocide by the Sri Lanka government. This was
yet another way of erasing the Eelam victory, by declaring that the Eelam war
was not a clean war, it was genocide initiated by the government. The Tamil Separatist
Movement started to call May 18th Genocide Day.
The idea of Genocide Day came from Tamil Separatists
living outside Sri Lanka. In 2015 Tamils in Switzerland called for a Genocide
Day on May 18 2015,to protest
the 6th anniversary of the victory over war. Tamils in UK also
joined in.
Genocide celebrations
started in earnest in 2017. Yahapalana government permitted such celebrations. Northern
Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran thanked the government for allowing
the people to remember the cadres killed in the conflict. Education Minister, Northern Province, had
ordered that flags be hung at half mast in schools and that the celebrations must
include the school children.
At least 40
events were held across the Northern Province in 2017. Thousands of people took
part in ceremonies at decorated tombs where LTTE cadres had been buried,
reported the media. People also
remembered their relatives not just in burial sites but in their residences and
kovils as well, the media said. There
were two events where the organizers had displayed the portraits of LTTE leader
Velupillai Prabhakaran.
In 2018, the
main celebration was at Mullavaikkal. A commemorative event was organized at
the Mullivaikkal memorial ground on May 18
to mark what the Tamil National Alliance called the 9th anniversary of
the Mullivaikkal Genocide Day, reported the media. It was
organized by civil society organizations and political parties and was attended
by TNA leader R Sampanthan and Northern Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran.
Sampanthan was heckled by some of the participants as he spoke. The suggestion that
May 18 be declared a Day of Genocide was made at this event.
Several
thousands of people attended the ceremony of remembrance held there at the monument erected in memory of the
civilians killed in the war, said Jehan Perera. Yahapalana government did not obstruct these
activities.
However, at this event, the TNA politicians
who attended the event were not permitted to speak. Instead university students
and nationalist members of civil society groups took the centre stage. The
Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council was physically stopped from
entering the podium. The only politician who addressed the gathering was
Northern Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran.
Today, we gather together to remember the 9th anniversary of
Mullivaikkal Genocide Day, he declared.” Every May 19 hereafter must be declared as
Tamil genocide day,
Chief Minister Wigneswaran said that the Tamil
community had been subjected to ‘institutional genocide’. Wigneswaran sought an
assurance from the international community (read as Western powers) as regards
a sustainable political settlement based on their sovereignty, their homelands
and their individuality.
Wigneswaran moved a six-point resolution. They
were: declaring every May 18 in the coming years as “Tamil Genocide
Day,” an international mechanism to be set up by the international
community to ensure justice for the people affected by the genocide, ensure a
sustainable political settlement based on Tamil sovereignty, homeland and individuality,
withdrawal of the armed forces from the Tamil areas of traditional habitation and
the necessary infrastructure to rehabilitate the people directly,
Wigneswaran had more to say. “Still
steadfast in their Mahawansa-oriented perception, the Sinhalese politicians
consider the Mullivaikal debacle as the end of a Tamil – Sinhala war. That is
why commemorative victory festivals are held in the South during this period,”
said Wigneswaran. “Calling
on the military to withdraw completely from the North-East, Wigneswaran said,”The Vanni area has become the
citadel for Sinhala colonization. Especially in this Mullaitivu District both
land and sea have been seized by force by the Armed Forces.
HERE ARE FURTHER
EXCERPTS FROM THE MULLIVAIKAL DECLARATION OF 2018.
We would like
to declare today as the Awakening Day of Tamil Nation against Genocide and we
declare year 2019 is a year to heighten the international support for political
justice and campaign against Genocide. (Mullivaikal Declaration, 2018.)
This year
marks the tenth year since the Mullivaikal massacre in May, 2009. The unitary
Sri Lanka state that is constructed on Sinhala-Buddhist ideology perpetrated
structural genocide against the Tamils phase by phase since its independence in
1948, and this still continues in the post-Mullivaikal setting. (Mullivaikal
Declaration, 2018)
The Tamils
were killed, tortured, raped, enforced disappeared, forcibly displaced
(enforced displacement) for the fact that they were Tamils. Sinhala-Buddhist
supremacists have for decades portrayed Tamils as settlers from outside and
they imagine Sri Lanka primarily as a Sinhala-Buddhist country. Since the
colonial powers departed from Sri Lanka, Sinhala-Buddhist supremacists have
been able to execute their genocidal hatred of the Tamils through the unitary
state, the highpoint of which was in Mullivaikal. (Mullivaikal Declaration,
2018)
The
post-Mullivaikal era has marked by Sinhala-Buddhisisation and militarization of
the North-East provinces. The traditional lands have been deprived for the
Tamils by the armed forces under the guise of Mahaweli development
projects, archeology and forest department works. The Sinhala state is using
collective psychological operations to thwart any resistance thus planting fear
psychosis among people. After the end of armed struggle arrests, threats and
surveillance continue to take place. The space for freedom of speech in the
North-East has been curtailed. The perpetrators of genocide and war crimes on
the other hand have been portrayed as heroes of the nation. (Mullivaikal
Declaration, 2018)
In as much as
it is the inalienable right of every nation to enjoy full political freedom
without which its spiritual, cultural and moral stature must degenerate, and in
as much as the Tamil People in Sri Lanka constitutes a nation distinct from
that of the Sinhalese by every fundamental test of nationhood, firstly that of
a separate historical past on this island at least as ancient and glorious as
that of the Sinhalese; secondly by the fact that there being a linguistic
entity entirely different from that of the Sinhalese, with an unsurpassed
classical heritage and a modern development of language which makes Tamil
adequate for all present day needs, and finally, by reason of their territorial
habitation of the north and east of this island, and because it is this very
existence that the Sri Lanka State wishes to destroy through the genocide and
structural genocide of the Tamils. (Mullivaikal Declaration, 2018)
We make the
following call:
To strengthen the call to refer Sri Lanka to the International
criminal court (ICC) for the crimes perpetrated by the Sri Lankan
state, especially genocide;
To demand for the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, the recognition of
the Tamil nation and its inalienable right to political autonomy on the basis
of our people’s distinct sovereignty and inalienable right to
self-determination;
To call for the North-East merger, the territorial habitation of
the Tamils because it is this very existence that the Sri Lanka State wishes to
destroy through the genocide and structural genocide of the Tamils;
To prevent the structural genocide unleashed on the collective
existence of Tamils;
To strengthen social structures in the North-East in order to take
the struggle for Tamil collective rights forward; (Mullivaikal Declaration,
2018 End of statement)
14 British MPs
sent messages of support to this Tamil Genocide Remembrance day. Here are some
of the messages.
Bob Blackman
MP for Harrow East, Executive Officer of APPGT: “We honour those who lost
their lives in the Civil War this Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day and shall do so
every May 18th. Justice now for Tamils and for the Sri Lankan government
to be held accountable for their actions”.
Gareth Thomas
MP for Harrow West: “As the Member of Parliament for Harrow West, with the
largest Tamil community in the UK I have seen many cases of constituents
directly affected by the terrible events that occurred during the conflict. I
have spoken to countless Tamil constituents who lost relatives killed or
injured in the fighting. I have seen the scars of people tortured in police
cells, heard the stories of those who fled from communities where their friends
and neighbours had been raped or murdered in cold blood or who had land and
property stolen from them by the military. The demand for justice remains loud
and clear. The scale of human rights abuses will never be forgotten.
The demand for an international UN-led investigation remains as pressing
now as it did 9 years ago and I will always, always, be a champion for
action against those responsible for the abuses all of us know happened.”
Robert
Halfon, Member of Parliament for Harlow said: “On this very important day
of remembrance, we should give our thanks to every member of the Tamil
community who keep the flame of the Tamils alive. And we remember all
the tragic victims of the genocide of the Tamils. We remember all the awful
treatment of the Tamils by the Sri Lankan regime. The Tamils deserve their
autonomy. The Tamils deserve equality of opportunity. The Tamils deserve
equality. One must never forget.”
Labour Party
MP Joan Ryan, Vice Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT)
also sent a message. Ryan was former Chief Executive and Policy Advisor of UK
headquartered Global Tamil Forum (GTF). Having represented Enfield North from
1997, Ryan was rejected by the electorate at the 2010 parliamentary polls and
soon joined the GTF as its Chief Executive and Policy Advisor. Ryan gave up the
assignment in 2015 when she regained Enfield North. The Labour Party politician
had been also embroiled in parliamentary expenses scandal, as one of those
beneficiaries of highly controversial claims and was directed to repay.
Those leaving the commemorative event at
Mullivaikkal were offered cool drinks by the Army. Troops of the 68 Division,
deployed in the Mullivaikkal area, provided the cool drinks. Those returning to
the Jaffna peninsula, after having participated in the Mullivaikkal commemoration,
were also provided refreshments by 55.2 Brigade deployed in the Iyyakachchi
area, a former LTTE stronghold, north of Elephant Pass.
Objections to
the Vellamullivaikal commemoration was raised at pinkama held at Peliyagoda
Vidyalankara Pirivena for soldiers who had died in the war. It was presided
over by Ven, Valivitiyawe Kusaladhamma. There were protests in several other
places as well, such as Kegalle. The relatives of soldiers who had died,
demonstrated on Galle- Matara road. An effigy of Prabhakaran was set on fire at
Suriyawewa. Northern Provincial Council must be dissolved immediately,
others said. Sarath Weerasekera said we have not have a
government like this before which attacks the Eelam victory in this manner.
There were
celebration in 2019 too. Here is a first
person report on the celebrations at Mullavaikkal in 2019. Ruki Fernando wrote,
I then went to Mullivaikkal beach, where the war came to a bloody end. Locals
as well as many others from the North and East were present. Amongst those
present were those whose family members were killed, or disappeared after
surrendering to the Army. Community activists who had been campaigning to regain
military occupied civilian lands were also there. Tamil politicians were
present, but they didn’t play any significant part. Lamps were lit and
Mullivaikkaal Declaration” was read out, though many present had tears in
their eyes and seemed too overcome with emotion to listen and understand
Foreign Tamil media were visible, but mainstream English and Sinhalese media
were conspicuously absent.
Mullivaikkaal
Kanji (porridge)” was a striking feature of 18th May in the North, continued
Ruki Fernando. This plain and simple food was all the hundreds of thousands in
precarious situation in bunkers, tents and on the move could eat in the last
few months of the war. Ten years later, there are calls to have Mullivaikkaal
Kanji” for one meal on 18th May, to remember what happened. Kanji was served
along the Northern roads after the Mullivaikkaal memorial. My friend’s family
had only Kanji for lunch that day. Having Mullivaikkaal Kanji for one meal
across the country on May 18 could be one way Sri Lankans can unite,
commemorate and express solidarity with the war dead, their families and
survivors, suggested Ruki.
In 2019, to mark the tenth anniversary of the massacre that took place at the end of the
armed conflict in Mullivaikkal on May 18, 2009, over sixty Tamil Diaspora organizations
signed a declaration of solidarity to work towards justice for genocide, demilitarization
and Tamil self-determination.
The
joint statement said, On 18 May 2019, ten years since the Sri Lankan
state’s genocide against the Tamil nation reached its peak, we stand in
solidarity with our brethren in their quest for justice. We believe that an
international independent investigation is the only credible path to achieve
criminal accountability and justice for mass atrocity crimes committed against
the Tamil people, including for over 146,679 Tamil people unaccounted for
during the final stages of the war in the Vanni region.
Sri Lanka’s
continuing state oppression and persecution of the Tamil people and its
persisting military occupation of the Tamil homeland only further justifies the
Tamil nation struggle for self-determination. We declare today that we will stand in solidarity with the Tamil
victims and survivors and pledge to continue to strive for peace justice and
freedom for the Tamil nation, concluded the statement. ( Continued)
From 2010 to 2014, Sri Lanka held a celebration on May 18th to mark the
end of the Eelam war. The celebrations were marked by a military parade,
speeches and a moment of silence. This celebration was known as ‘Victory Day’ .One
way of erasing the Eelam victory, was to get rid of Victory Day and Victory Parade.
Our opponents criticize us for
celebrating Sri Lanka’s victory over terrorism, said Mahinda Rajapaksa. They
don’t want us to hold military parades, they say we are exploiting the war
victory for political gain and they demand that we stop recalling the war
victory.
In 2014, Canada, on behalf of the
international community, the TNA and the Tamil Diaspora, wanted Government of
Sri Lanka to replace its annual Victory Day Parade, with a day of remembrance
for all those who suffered as a result of the conflict. Victory Day perpetuates roles of victors and
vanquished within the country, said Canada.
The Rajapaksa administration rejected the Canadian demand and went ahead
with the Matara parade. It was Sri Lanka’s prerogative to engage in such
celebrations, the government said.
Canada boycotted the 2014 parade. Canadian
High Commissioner in Colombo, in a strongly worded statement, issued
exclusively to ‘The Island’, explained the Canadian decision to do so. Five
years after the end of the conflict, the time has arrived for Sri Lanka to move
past wartime discourse and to start working seriously towards reconciliation, the
Ambassador said. It is time to mend
relations between communities and to ensure that all Sri Lankans can live in
dignity and free from discrimination, based on ethnic, religious or linguistic identities.
Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission report recommends that a solemn day of remembrance
for all victims of the war would be more conducive to sustaining peace here. Such
a gesture would go a long way towards putting wartime posturing behind Sri
Lanka. “I will not be in Matara, but I will be thinking and remembering
all those who lost their loved ones over the 30-year conflict,” concluded the Canadian ambassador.
In
January 2015, Yahapalana
government cancelled the military parade held on victory day. For five years Sri Lanka didn’t have a
military parade, observed Shamindra Ferdinando in 2019. Yahapalana government
terminated the annual victory day parade, to the dismay of the vast majority of
Sri Lankans, he said. The
celebration was re-named Remembrance Day.
The west
openly welcomed the change to a day of remembrance. So did the Global Tamil
Forum. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake also supported the decision. These parades
were a source of great inconvenience for the
soldiers, he said. There are many who like to come and watch these
parades, but it is the soldiers who have to put in a great deal of effort to
make these parades a success, he said in 2018.
Moreover, it
costs millions of rupees to hold such pageants. With the rise in fuel prices
and the rising cost of living, how can we, being the armed forces who are paid
by the public, have such functions with public funds, he asked.
This is not
the time to blow our own trumpet and boast to the world that we are victorious,
he added. We feel that
this is not the right way. Instead we would rather conduct religious activities
that would bring merit to the souls of these war heroes,” he said. A series of
programmes have been organized at every military establishment throughout the
country.
Those who
supported the Eelam victory did not agree. The cancellation was meant to
appease those who couldn’t stomach Sri Lanka’s victory over the LTTE, they
said. There is now an attempt to make us forget the war. There cannot be any
other instance of a country depriving itself of its right to celebrate victory
over terrorism . Shame on
those politicians who suspended the Victory Day celebrations, they declared.
Former Navy Commander Sarath Weerasekera said that
in May 2016 they had complained of the cancellation of the annual Victory Day
parade by Yahapalana, while allowing the commemoration of LTTE cadres. No
country would allow commemoration of terrorists having deprived the military of
its right to celebrate victory, he said, this is an insult.
What is wrong
with Victory Day, the anti-Eelamists asked. Victory days are celebrated all
over the world to ensure that memories of a just struggle are not forgotten.
There are four victory days to celebrate
the World War II alone. On 8 May when
Germany surrendered, on Aug 15 the day Japan surrendered, on Sept 2 when the
documents were signed in USA. Russia has a separate victory day parade to honor
Russian soldiers who died in WWII. Military
hardware is displayed at this parade.
Is it wrong
to celebrate our victory, supporters of the Victory asked. Yes
it is, said the Eelamists. World War II is commemorated because it was a war
between sovereign states, but the Eelam is a ‘home and home quarrel’ and should
be forgotten as soon as it is over.
This issue
was debated in an opinion poll held by Sunday Times in 2014. One respondent said
that Victory celebrations with
military pomp are usually reserved for victory against invader or foreign aggressor. Sri Lanka’s conflict was in internal one, and those who
died were citizens of the country.
Though it may have been necessary to defeat them, it is not necessary to
have victory parades.
Another said
that Victory celebrations polarize the
community. There is no collective remembrance of loss. Instead there is a reinforcement of the separation. Victory parades
would hamper reconciliation as well..
Instead of a victory parade, there should be an
American style Memorial Day. America holds this, commentators said, to honor the Union soldiers
who died in the Civil war. This is incorrect. Memorial Day in the USA
remembers those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
By 2018 the country was getting restive about Yahapalana rule. Yahapalana was its way out. The angry supporters of the Victory parade had to be appeased if
Yahapalana was to win the next election. Therefore, Victory day was celebrated on 18.5.18. without
a military parade.
National War
Heroes’ Day commemoration, headed by the President was held at National War
Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla, followed by a
mega Army-supported ‘Aaloka Pooja’ Pinkama, in the evening at Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya. The media showed
a heartrending photograph of mothers
weeping at this commemoration ceremony
and gazing at their sons’ names on the
name board.
There was a Ranaviru
samaruma at Parliament on 19.5.18.
Commemorative events were also held
at the Security Forces Headquarters, Division Headquarters, Forward
Maintenance Areas, Regimental Centers, Army Training Schools, Units, Field
Headquarters and military rehabilitation centers. There were religious
observances at all regimental formations.
There were
commemorations at Anuradhapura, at Nilwala Devalaya , Matara, in the Vanni,
and the Vavuniya Pradeshiya sabha. Corporal
Gamini Kularatne, Hasalaka hero,” was remembered near
his statue in Elephant Pass. His mother attended the event. In
addition, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, organized a commemorative
event on May 4th. Kurunegala military
memorial was opened on the 12 May. It has long panels on either side, with the
names of those who died.
In 2019 there was
a low key armed forces victory
celebration . The government celebrated the event, on the afternoon of May
19, 2019, at the War Heroes’ monument, at Battaramulla with the participation
of President Maitripala Sirisena, Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition
Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa. Commentators pointed out that it was Mahinda
Rajapaksa ‘s resolute political leadership ensured Sri Lanka’s victory over the
LTTE. Rajapaksa brought together a team that relentlessly conducted a nearly
three-year long combined forces offensive, until the LTTE collapsed on the
Vanni east front.
The government ignored all top
ex-Generals/Officers who spearheaded the successful war effort. Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the then Army Commander
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Navy Chief Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and SLAF
Chief Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatileke, were not invited to the Battaramulla event. A
furious Fonseka is believed to have turned down the invitation whereas
others didn’t receive invitations. Sri Lanka’s triumph over the LTTE would
never have been possible without their leadership. Their unparalleled
contribution made the victory possible, said Shamindra Ferdinando.
In the absence of a tri-services National
Victory Day parade, the armed forces marked the day with a series of events in
Colombo and the provinces. Had there
been a proper parade, each service would have had a headquarters element and
separate sections for Wanni, Eastern and Northern theatres. Instead, the seven
Army Commands, East, West Central,
Wanni, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Jaffna, marked the day with a march on main
roads on May 22, 2019. The Kilinochchi
Command marched from Karadiyapokku Bridge to War Heroes monument in
Kilinochchi. The Navy had its main commemorative event at its Welisara base
while the Air Force had none. The print
and electronic media didn’t even bother to report events organized by the Army
at Command level, observed Shamindra Ferdinando. ( Continued)
The National Movement for Web Journalists
protests the attempt to suppress the media and journalists after the new
government was elected who acted in opposition to the incumbent President
Gotabhaya Rajapakse during the presidential election which ended shortly.
With the victory of the new president on
November 17, 2019, many websites and journalists in Sri Lanka have been
subjected to direct and indirect repression. As a result journalists and web
site editors campaigning for the victory of Sajith Premadasa during the
election and who were against the previous government have been called to the
CID.
Dhanushka Sanjaya, who is a news announcer
for the “The Leader” internet news service was summoned to the CID
and questioned for eight hours. Meantime a police team of 14 police officers
has broken into the News Hub web office belonged to the former media minister
Patali Champika Ranawaka.
Today 28th the editor of the Voicetube.lk
website, Ms. Thushara Vitharana has been summoned to the CID and questioned for
about 6 hours. Reports confirm that many more web reporters will be called
to the CID in the future. Few days ago a Swiss embassy staff attached to
the visa section was abducted and questioned on her way home. These incidents
clearly show that state repression has started again.
As an organization that advocates
for the freedom of the press, the right to information and freedom of
expression, we would like to say that this media repression is not appropriate
for a society that protects democracy and human rights. We believe that any
civilized society should have the right to alternative voices and fair
criticism, and that it would create an independent society that would uphold
the rule of law.
Similarly, all citizens of Sri Lanka
should have the right to free speech and expression, as guaranteed by Article
14 (1) (a) of the fundamental rights chapter of the second republic
constitution of Sri Lanka 1978 and Article 19 of the Convention on Civil and
Political Rights. We believe that it is the responsibility of every ruler to
protect and balance the constitution which has assigned powers to the
executive, legislative and judiciary.
Therefore, we believe the new President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the new government
would stop this media suppression irrespective of party politics and respect
freedom of speech, fair criticism, democracy, good governance, rule of law
and media freedom.
COLOMBO • Sri Lanka’s new government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wants to undo the previous regime’s move to lease the southern port of Hambantota to a Chinese venture, citing national interest.
Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in 2017 changed the terms, saying it would be difficult to pay the loans taken to build the project.
He agreed to lease the port for 99 years to a venture led by China Merchants Port Holdings in return for US$1.1 billion (S$1.5 billion). That helped ease the Chinese part of the debt raised to build the port, Mr Wickremesinghe said in an interview last year.
“We would like them to give it back,” Mr Ajith Nivard Cabraal, a former central bank governor and an economic adviser to former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, said in an interview at his home in a Colombo suburb.
“The ideal situation would be to go back to the status quo. We pay back the loan in due course in the way that we had originally agreed without any disturbance at all.”
The port is emblematic of the controversy dogging Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative from Kenya to Myanmar, including accusations that the world’s second-largest economy is luring poor countries into debt traps.
In Sri Lanka, where the transaction to lease the port was opposed by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s party, Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa took Chinese loans during his 10-year rule as president to build the project in his home district.
“This is a sovereign agreement” and it is unlikely that it will be scrapped or altered in a big way, said Mr Smruti Pattanaik, a research fellow at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.
An attempt to rework the transaction will help the new Sri Lankan government, led by Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his brother Mahinda, showcase its drive to change contracts seen as hurting national security, a key campaign platform for Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former defence secretary.
“China-Sri Lanka cooperation, including the Hambantota port project, is built on the basis of equality and consultation,” China’s Foreign Ministry said in a faxed statement from its spokesman’s office.
“China looks forward to working with Sri Lanka to make Hambantota a new shipping hub in the Indian Ocean and developing the local economy.”
While an invitation has been extended, Government of India is yet to respond to the invite. Sources told India Today TV that both sides will first have to work out the dates.
ndia and Sri Lanka held the first bilateral meeting after the new government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa took over. India was fast to move-in to invite the Sri Lankan President to India, making this his first port of call since he was sworn in.
The two sides discussed all aspects of ties, specifically economic and security cooperation. The’fruitful’ talks concluded with press statements wherein President Rajapaksa invited Prime Minister to Colombo to become his first State guest.
During the press statement on Friday, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, “After my election as the President of Sri Lanka, the first official invitation was from His Excellency Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India. I am certainly very happy to be here because India is our closest neighbour, as well as our long-standing friend. I would avail this opportunity to invite Prime Modi to visit us as the first government to visit Sri Lanka since my election.”
While an invitation has been extended, Government of India is yet to respond to the invite. Sources told India Today TV that both sides will first have to work out the dates.
The two leaders met and had close to an hour-long one-on-one meeting where both, President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence in building “a strong relationship based on mutual respect and shared values”.
Two key announcements that came out of this visit were about India’s new Lines of Credit (LoC) to Sri Lanka — 1) A $400 million LoC for infrastructure and development and, 2) $50 million special LoC for security and counter-terrorism.
Explaining the counter-terror fund, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “On the occasion of Easter this year, terrorists in Sri Lanka launched brutal attacks on the diversity of mankind and the valuable heritage of symbiosis. I have discussed, in detail, with President Rajapaksa for mutual security and to further strengthen mutual cooperation against terrorism. I am happy to announce a special Line of Credit of $50 million to Sri Lanka to combat terrorism.”
Had in-depth conversations with President @GotabayaR on aspects relating to security. The menace of terror has plagued both India and Sri Lanka. Our nations will cooperate in counter terror training.
“Since our recent experience in April this year, we have had to rethink our national security strategies, and assistance from India in this regard would be most appreciated”, President Rajapaksa said.
The talks also focused on issues like fulfilling aspirations of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, how the country could benefit from certain economic sectors of India and address India’s concerns on the fishermen issue.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the fishermen issue would be addressed and also agreed to the demand of releasing boats of Indian fishermen.
“We discussed in length the fishermen’s issue and we will take steps to release the boats belonging to India in our custody”, he said.
India and Sri Lanka saw a major dip in ties in 2014 when Mahinda Rajapaksa allowed docking of Chinese submarines in Colombo’s harbour. Both sides reaffirmed that no destabilising factor would be entertained by wither administration in the Indian Ocean waters.
“We will continue to work with India to ensure that the Indian Ocean region remains as a zone of peace”, said President Rajapaksa.
Narendra Modi greets Sri Lanka’s new leader, Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Photo: AP
India, anxious to counter China’s influence in the region, on Friday offered hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Sri Lanka as the island’s new president made his maiden overseas trip in New Delhi.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India just 12 days after he became president is being intensely watched as New Delhi and Beijing compete to control the Indian Ocean and its strategic sea routes.
Sri Lanka has traditionally been allied to India but China invested and loaned billions of dollars to the island nation during the decade-long reign of Rajapaksa’s elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa.
After talks with the new leader, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his country would give US$400 million in credit to Sri Lanka to improve its economy and infrastructure.
He offered another US$50 million to boost Sri Lanka’s security and intelligence gathering – notably after the April 21 attacks by Muslim radicals that killed 258 people.
“A strong and prosperous Sri Lanka is not just in India’s interest but the entire Indian Ocean region,” Modi said as he welcomed Rajapaksa for the three-day visit.
“The security and development of our two countries are interlinked. Therefore it is only natural that we remain mindful of each other’s security and sensitivities,” he added.
Former Crime Branch OIC at the Narahenpita Police A. D. Sumith Chammika Perera yesterday alleged former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and several other officers coerced him to implicate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa in the Wasim Thajudeen investigation.
Speaking at a news briefing organised by the Sathya Gaweshakayo Organisation, Mr. Perera said he launched a probe over the Thajudeen incident after informing higher officials within a legal framework in 2012.
When I looked to find the last place where the deceased was at before he came and what he did, I received information that he was at F5 unit at the Anderson Flats where he and two others were consuming alcohol until around 11.45 pm. One was Thajudeen who was killed and two others,” he said.
He said he was transferred as Nelliady Police OIC in Jaffna in 2015 and during that time a CID Sergeant called him and said a statement was needed to be recorded.
I came to the CID at least 15 times from Jaffna and after three, four days, they told me that what they needed was the names of Namal and Gotabaya. They asked me to say that Namal and Gotabaya told me over the phone to brush the investigations under the carpet.
I received no such directive from anyone. I was summoned to CID two days later. What they did was wasting peoples’ time. During the last two days, an ASP named Weerasekara, another one named Tissera, Shani and Director CID Nagahamulla threatened me to pronounce the names,” Mr. Perera said.
He said he was arrested for not doing what he was asked to and said had he done what he had been asked, he would have to leave the country as Nishantha did.
After I was released, I wrote to the IGP, Human Rights Commission, President’s Secretariat, PM’s Office but there was no response. The IGP said he was unable to reinstate me because I didn’t do what they had asked me to do,” he said adding he would take legal action against the injustice caused to him.
When asked why he couldn’t come up with the information before, he said he was afraid to do so.
Meanwhile, Sathya Gaweshakayo Convenor Attorney-at-Law Premanath Dolawatta said Mr. Perera was named a suspect, and therefore, he could not reveal this information earlier. Now he is released from the case,” he said.
Daya Gamage worked at the American Embassy in Colombo, as the Sole Foreign Service National and a Political Specialist. He retired in 1994 and has been living in Las Vegas since retirement. After two years of concentration, he has been able to share his knowledge, understanding and his intimate professional association with the US Department of State in the form of a book – Tamil Tigers Debt to America’. Being aware of how America’s foreign policy worked- sometimes in a strange manner, he has come out with an unbiased text full of data in his book nowhere else is contained. Daya Gamage has authorised the writer to ‘to quote anything from his book’ so that the readers will get a clear picture of America’s Foreign Policy, Sri Lanka’s National Issues and the LTTE struggle in depth. Gamage handles the United States Bureau of the Online daily newspaper Asian Tribune constantly making the readers knowledgeable of the U.S. foreign policy towards Third World Nations works. His book is available at Amazon.
On 6 May 2009, exactly twelve days before the complete annihilation of the LTTE with its top leadership, in a special media gathering at the State Department in Washington, the USG (United States Government) quite accidentally disclosed its long-held notion, which was developed and nurtured within the portals of the US Embassy in Colombo in the 1980s and 1990s. This was very familiar to Daya Gamage.
Mike Owens, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the State for South and Central Asian Affairs, who had previously served as the Political/Labour Officer at the US Embassy in Colombo, at this 6 May, 2009, special media briefing disclosed what Washington contemplates ‘what to do’ with the Tiger Leadership. Daya Gamage gives, in detail his quote and the interpretation to Washington’s outlook in a subsequent chapter (in his book ‘ Tamil Tigers’ Debt to America).
Development
The idea that the birth of the LTTE was the result of the grievances of the Tamil community governed the USG policy throughout and led the United States to do the following:
‘Make the LTTE a legitimate voice of the Tamil grievances by officially encouraging the GoSL to accept it as an ‘equal’ partner at the negotiating table.
‘While encouraging measures to drastically control the LTTE’s military capability and its fundraising ability and to block its arms procurement avenues, maintain it as a pressure group of the Tamil voice, so as to force the GoSL hand to grant Tamil demands that had been highlighted earlier by the Ilankai Thamil Arusu Katchi (Lanka Tamil State Party or Federal Party), which was the first Tamil political party to adopt a resolution at its inaugural session in 1951, highlighting a demand for self-determination of the Tamil People), the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), which adopted the separatist resolution in 1976 and even introduced it in the Massachusetts State Assembly in 1979 and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA – a creation of the LTTE). The marginalisation of established democratic Tamil political parties as a result of the militarily powerful LTTE reducing them as its appendices made the United States encourage the GoSL to make the LTTE an equal partner at the negotiating table.’
‘Move the top hierarchy of the already crippled LTTE out of Sri Lanka to invigorate the debate on Tamil rights/grievances. The Officials of the State Department were already in a dialogue with several Tamil expatriate organisations based in the United States for many months or years.’
‘Using the post-LTTE developments, force the GoSL to adopt a policy of accountability and transparency regarding the incidents that occurred from April through 18 18 May 2009, which are described as violations of International Humanitarian Laws (IHL), crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide to forcibly push the political agenda professed by the FP, TULF, and LTTE on Tamil grievances, especially bringing pressure on the GSL to implement more than what was in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution that talks of Devolution of Administrative and Political power to the periphery, main objective of allowing the Tamils in the North and East of Sri Lanka to run their own lives with minimal interference from Colombo, with land and Police powers, while maintaining the unitary character of the Constitution’.
Drawing attention to Notion 3 above, Mike Owens was very clear at the special media briefing on 6 May 2009. He was the first US official to reveal that the US Government wished to organise the surrender of the entire LTTE corps of fighters, inclusive of its leaders, as one facet of a rescue operation that would ensure the safety of the civilians in the battle zone. Daya Gamage agrees with the salient pronouncements made by Mike Owens on behalf of the American administration for everyone to come to their conclusions.
Media Statement
“We are trying quietly behind the scene to find a way to bring an end to the fighting. It’s very difficult to see exactly how that is going to happen, but we think there are a couple of elements that need to be involved, and we need to find a way for the LTTE to surrender their arms possibly to a third party in the context of a pause in the fighting, to surrender their arms in exchange for some sort of limited amnesty to at least some members of the LTTE and the beginning of political process.
“Now that is a pretty vague outline, it’s going to have a lot of negotiations with parties involved to bring that to fruition in a coherent way, but that is something underway behind the scenes to try and find a way to reach that point.
“I just want to emphasize this is what we would like to see happen, but we do not have any illusions that this is easy to engineer. It’s something that we have been working very hard and quietly behind the scenes because we see that the only potential to bring this to an end is to have a package in which we have a pause, and the civilians were allowed to leave. And now it is very clear that many civilians do want to leave in spite of the fact the LTTE has said earlier they do not want to leave”.
“So, what we would like to see is a package, in which there is a pause, and then during that pause, not only the civilians leave but we also make some arrangements between the Government and the LTTE that would involve trading off surrender of arms for a limited amnesty. The Government of Sri Lanka has previously offered a limited amnesty. This would be for the lower level LTTE cadre, not the leadership.
“I think one of the big questions is what to do about the leadership, and that’s certainly not easy to answer. This is a very complex and very difficult sort of thing to orchestrate. There are many problems, and we are running out of time. We really, literally, have a matter of a couple of days maybe in which we can try to get this finalised. So, we are working on it, but I don’t want to raise expectations that we are close to a comprehensive agreement.”
US Embassy Cables
A segment of the US Embassy in Sri Lanka’s classified cable to Washington sent by Ambassador Robert Blake (disclosed by WikiLeaks) gives a glimpse of the endeavour by the United States to arrange surrender of the LTTE cadre.
The following is the text of the classified cable:
” Ambassador contacted senior GSL officials throughout the day, including Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Bogollagama, to urge acceptance of a mediated surrender of the remaining Tigers and maximum restraint on the part of the military to avoid further civilian casualties, particularly after the reports from the Bishop of Mannar of continued high number of civilians in the safe zone. Rajapaksa refused to accept mediated surrender because the fighting was all but over, but said troops had been instructed to accept anyone who wishes to surrender.”
tilakfernando@gmail.com
Courtesy: Daya Gamage – ‘Tamil Tigers’ Debt to America’. To be continued – Intense Pressure of a different kind.
All ministerial secretaries have been directed to call on current Chairpersons and the Boards of Directors of State institutions to tender their resignations.
Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara has addressed a letter to all ministerial secretaries to request the relevant resignations in consultation with their respective ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office said today (29).
The ministerial secretaries were further instructed to take interim measures for the daily conduct of affairs of these organizations until new appointments are made for these top positions.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (28) appointed a six-member committee to recommend qualified professionals for the topmost positions in State enterprises, government-owned companies and statutory agencies.
In keeping with the pledge in his election manifesto to create profitable state enterprises, President Rajapaksa appointed this committee to evaluate nominations and recommend the appointment of competent personnel to the boards of Public Sector institutes.
Mr. Sumith Abeysinghe, former Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers and senior State official with extensive experience in the public sector, will chair this committee.
Former Chairman of John Keells Holdings Plc. Susantha Ratnayake, former Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Hela Clothing Chairman Dian Gomes, Neurosurgeon Dr. Prasanna Gunasena and Senior Lecturer Jagath Wellawatte have been appointed as committee members.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has commenced investigations into the incident regarding the local staffer of the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka, says Police Spokesperson SSP Ruwan Gunasekara.
The CID will work together with the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and CCTV Division in this regard, he said further.
The Police Spokesman stressed that the CID has denied allegations claiming its involvement in the said incident.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said Swiss Embassy is yet to cooperate in the ongoing investigations over the alleged incident on its local staffer being kidnapped and threatened.
He stated this responding to the questions directed by media persons today (29) at the Ministry of City Planning Water Supply and Housing Facilities.
The Prime Minister said despite the staffer in question not recording her statement with the Police yet, investigations would continue on the matter.
The Swiss Embassy has been requested to render its support to identify the persons responsible for the incident, PM Rajapaksa said.
New Delhi, November 29 (newsin.asia): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the visiting Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that India would extend a fresh credit line of US$ 400 million for infrastructural and other development projects and an additional US$ 50 million to fight terrorism.
Modi also said that India trusts that the Rajapaksa government will take steps to address the aspirations of the Tamils and implement the 13 th Amendment of the Lankan constitution which devolves power to the provinces.
In his reply President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said: India has always assisted Sri Lanka to enhance our capabilities in intelligence and counterterrorism. We look forward to continuous support in this regard.”
Referring to the Easter Sunday terror attacks which claimed the lives of over 250 persons in April, President Rajapaksa said, Sri Lanka had to rethink its national security strategies. Assistance from India in this regard would be most appreciated and PM Modi’s assurances on the matter are encouraging, the President said further.
He said Sri Lanka’s cooperation with India is multifaceted, with priority given to security-related matters.
We will continue to work closely with India to ensure that Indian Ocean remains a zone of peace. We also discussed how Sri Lanka and India could work together in economically-important matters. As India emerges to be among world’s growing economies, I discussed with the Prime Minister how Sri Lanka could benefit out of certain economic sectors where India is strongly positioned.”
President Rajapaksa appreciated the Indian Prime Minister for his positive responses to the many of the initiatives he had proposed to enhance Sri Lanka’s economy.
He also expressed his gratitude for PM Modi for offering USD 400 million credit of line to improve Sri Lanka’s infrastructure and economy.
Prime Minister and I also discussed how India could assist us in trade between the two countries,” President Rajapaksa added.
Referring to the Indian fishermen’s issue, the Lankan President said that all Indian boats in the custody of Sri Lanka will be released.
He then extended an invitation to PM Modi to visit Sri Lanka as the first head of State to arrive in Sri Lanka since his election as the President of Sri Lanka.
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Modi said: I am pleased to welcome President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his delegation to India. I heartily congratulate the President for his decisive victory in the election. I congratulate the people of Sri Lanka for the smooth election process. The strength and maturity of democracy in Sri Lanka is a matter of great pride and joy.”
It is an honor for us that President Rajapaksa chose India for his first foreign visit and gave us a chance to welcome him in India within two weeks of assuming office. It symbolizes the strength and dynamism of friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka. It is also a sign of how much importance both countries attach to these relations. We look forward to working closely with President Rajapaksa for the progress of both countries and peace, prosperity and security in our entire common region.
The mandate that you have received expresses the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people for an organized, strong and prosperous Sri Lanka. In this regard, India’s good wishes and cooperation are always with Sri Lanka. A stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in India’s interest but also in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean Region,” Modi said.
In line with my Government’s Neighborhood First” policy and SAGAR doctrine, we prioritize our relations with Sri Lanka. The security and development of our two countries are inseparable. Therefore, it is natural that we should be aware of each other’s safety and sensibilities.”
Today the President and myself had a very good and fruitful discussion on bilateral relations and international affairs of mutual interest. We have decided that together we will strengthen the multi-faceted partnership and cooperation between the two countries. I have assured the President of India’s commitment to a development partnership with Sri Lanka. As always, this cooperation will be in accordance with the priorities of the people of Sri Lanka. A new $ 400 million line of credit will give a boost to infrastructure and development in Sri Lanka.”
I am confident that the Sri Lankan economy will benefit as well as this Line of Credit will also accelerate the Project Cooperation of mutual benefit between the two countries.”
We are delighted that under the Indian Housing Project, 46,000 houses have been constructed for the internally displaced in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. There is good progress in the construction of 14,000 houses for Tamils of Indian origin in the Up-Country region. I am also pleased that we have agreed to use the previously announced $ 100 million credit line for solar projects in Sri Lanka early.”
There was a good discussion between President and me on 20 community development projects and other people-centric projects issued by India in Sri Lanka on the basis of grants in education and infrastructure.”
India has always opposed terrorism in all its forms and also expected action from the international community against other forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism. On the occasion of Easter this year, terrorists in Sri Lanka launched brutal attacks on the diversity of mankind and the valuable heritage of symbiosis. I went to Sri Lanka immediately after the elections in India to express India’s unwavering support in the Sri Lankan fight against terrorist and extremist forces. I have discussed in detail with the President Rajapaksa for mutual security and to further strengthen mutual cooperation against terrorism. Sri Lankan police officers in major Indian institutions are already receiving the benefit of counter terrorist training. I am happy to announce a special Line of Credit of 50 million dollars to Sri Lanka to combat terrorism.”
Issues affecting the livelihood of fishermen were also discussed. We agreed that we will continue with a constructive and humane approach in this matter.
Reconciliation
On the need for ethnic reconciliation, Modi said: We also openly exchanged views on reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa told me about his inclusive political outlook on ethnic harmony. I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will carry forward the process of reconciliation, to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice, peace and respect. It also includes the implementation of the 13th amendment. India will become a trusted partner for development throughout Sri Lanka including North and East.”
I once again welcome President Rajapaksa to India. His visit will strengthen our mutual relations. And our cooperation will promote development in both countries and prosperity, peace and stability in the region,” Modi reiterated.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Economic Affairs Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking to our news team said the government will make fresh engagements with the International Monetary Fund to implement a growth-oriented economic programme.
Commenting on the possible impact of tax reductions on state coffers, he said the government would target a growth rate of more than six per cent in 2020
There’s
never a dull moment in Sri Lanka. A crucial election is over. An outcome not
liked or expected by those that manipulated regime change in 2015. It was expected
that the country would witness attacks on multiple fronts aiming at embarrassing
the new leader & new government internationally & destabilizing the
country. So when the news of a ‘temporary kidnapping’ of a local staffer from
the very country that has given safe haven to a controversial police officer
who has fled Sri Lanka with his family, we all want the government to get to
the bottom of it & find the culprits & expose the truth behind this
kidnapping.
We
are no investigators but let us view the news of this incident by statements of
international press and foreign ministry officials.
Who has been kidnapped:
A
local employee (female) probably Tamil working at the Swiss embassy Colombo
When:
Monday
25th November 2019 in broad daylight
From where:
Close
to the Swiss embassy – detained against her will on the street” (Swiss Foreign Ministry
spokesman)
Swiss
ambassador to meet PM Mahinda Rajapakse regarding abduction.
‘employee stationed in the Swiss
embassy reportedly abducted in a white van’ and ‘released
after around two hours’
The Swiss embassy is located in Gregory’s Road behind the D S
Senanayake school and virtually opposite the school’s boarding. There is a
regular flow of traffic with school white vans parked along the road. How did
such an abduction in a ‘white van’ take place?
Given that she was returned around two hours – and with heavy
traffic it is impossible that she would have been taken far.
(where was she held / how was she released – was she
brought back to where she was taken how & by whom)
‘The abductee
was questioned about Nishantha Silva who worked in the CID’
According
to NZZ Swiss news media
The ‘attack’ was connected to the high-ranking Sri Lankan police
inspector who fled to Switzerland‘due
to death threats’ because he had been investigating
corruption and rights violations in connection with the entourage of
newly-elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa”
(but the Swiss Foreign Ministry official said
she was only ‘threatened’ how did ‘threatened’ became ‘attacked’.
If he received death threats shouldn’t he
have informed his immediate boss in CID and lodged a police complaint – why should
he go to a foreign embassy?)
The said high-ranking
officer had left Sri Lanka on Sunday (24th November 2019) requesting
‘asylum in Switzerland’.
How can anyone seek asylum and fly off
to a foreign country so suddenly?
How did he get air ticket (given that
he took the flight on a Sunday he would have had to arrange the ticket latest
Saturday – which travel agency issued the ticket)/passport/visa (Swiss claims
he needs 14 days to process visa)/approvals so quickly and what makes Swiss
authority accept his version of the story? Does that mean anyone can claim
death threats and Swiss will give prompt visa & help them settle down in
Switzerland?
Wow…good to know!
No wonder the State Secretariat for
Migration is not responding to questions!
According
to Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain
Eltschinger
Wednesday 27 November 2019 (two days
after the incident)
Swiss
foreign Ministry in a written statement to swissinfo.ch claims the ‘woman
was threatened’in order to force her to disclose ‘embassy-related information’
Swiss
Foreign Ministry did not say what the perpetrators were looking for
Swiss
Foreign Ministry did not mention name of Nishantha Silva or his asylum to
Switzerland.
(what is this ‘embassy-related information’ they
wanted & why did they abduct her ‘temporarily kidnapped’, how did they know
what she was handling in the embassy or that it was she who was handling
Nishantha Silva’s asylum case)
Swiss
had summoned Sri Lanka’s envoy to Swiss.
Switzerland
had informed Sri Lankan authorities & demanded immediate investigation
Employee
of the Swiss embassy in Sri Lanka ‘detained
and threatened’ in Colombo
detained against her will on the
street and threatened at length”
Switzerland
summoned Sri Lanka’s envoy & demanded in inquiry.
Swiss
embassy did not make any statement on police officers asylum case
Why? The embassy claimed their employee was ‘temporarily kidnapped’ to get ‘embassy-related
information’
According
to New York Times (Wed 27 Nov 2019)
Swiss embassy employee is abducted and
asked about asylum applications and investigators are banned from leaving just
days after Gotabaya Rajapakse is elected”
Swiss
embassy statement on abduction says its employee was only questioned about ‘embassy-related information’ – the NYT
says Swiss employee was questioned about ‘asylum
applications’. Who is telling the truth?
From
where did NYT hear that investigators were banned from leaving the country?
NYT
goes on to say ‘officials and
journalists who investigated the Rajapaksas for human rights abuses &
corruption began trying to flee the country’
Really – how many is NYT referring too? Then the entire FCID and
other corruption bodies with their staff investigating the Rajapakses would have
also fled – did they all get asylum too?
NYT
says the abductee was ‘forced to hand
over sensitive embassy information’
How did she do that – did she have a file on her while going to
work?
NYT
says the ‘men forced her to unlock her
cellphone data, which contained information about Sri Lankans who have recently
sought asylum in Switzerland and the names of Sri Lankans who aided them as
they fled the country because they feared for their safety after Gotabaya
Rajapakse won’.
Are embassy staff allowed to put asylum information on to their
mobile phones?
Are embassy staff also having names of Sri Lankans aiding asylum
seekers to flee country also on mobile phones. What if they lose the phone?
NYT
says that the President had imposed a blanket travel ban on 704 members of the
Sri Lankan police unit who had been investigating the Rajapakses
How does NYT knows that this particular police unit has 704
police staff?
NYT
says that ‘diplomatic officials’
speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns said the men who
held the embassy employee threatened to kill her if she told anyone’
Diplomatic officials enjoy diplomatic immunity so why fear
security concerns?
Now that this employee has disclosed her ‘abduction’ what is the
fate NYT is implying?
NYT
reveals that the police investigator had fled
to Switzerland with his family on Sunday”
How did an entire family obtain air tickets / visa etc to travel
on a Sunday unless it was all pre-planned & pre-booked?
According
to ColomboPage Nishantha Silva & family left Sri Lanka on a Swiss Air flight without the
permission of the Police Department”
Swiss
Foreign Ministry spokesman Pierre-Alain Eltschinger tells NYT that ‘local employee of the embassy was detained
against her will on the street and threatened at length by unidentified men in
order to force her to disclose embassy-related information’.
NYT contradicts itself because the Swiss Foreign Ministry
official never mentioned that the employee was forced to unlock her phone data
containing information about Sri Lankans seeking asylum in Switzerland or names
of those helping them flee – so why is NYT creating false stories?
How does anyone ‘detain’ a person on the street where lots of
people and traffic can be seen?
NYT
also cites Prageeth Ekneligoda’s wife who ‘fears for her safety’ and it is a
surprise that Swiss authorities have not helped her & her sons to seek
asylum in Switzerland. Perhaps everyone claiming to fear living under a
Rajapakse government should also be given asylum in Western developed countries
of their choice!
Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed of incident on Tuesday 26th
November 2019
If the incident took place during broad
day light on Monday 25th November, why was it not reported
immediately to the Foreign Ministry (or has the adaderana.lk news reported
erred in the date given?)
Police have commenced immediate Investigations
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany (Karunasena Hettiarachch) is
concurrently accredited to Switzerland to
meet Swiss authorities to provide update
(if K Hettiarachchi is the envoy representing
both Germany & Swiss and according to this news he is ‘to meet’ Swiss
authorities, how is that swissinfo.ch says Swiss had already summoned Sri Lanka’s
envoy to Swiss on 27th November 2019?)
So what was the purpose behind this temporary kidnapping?
Who serves to benefit by it? Leave aside who serves to benefit
by it – we know who doesn’t … and that is the government in power. So was this
staged? That is for the government to conclude the investigation and expose the
culprits as early as possible. The public is watching with anticipation.
From the media articles on the incident we can conclude that
what was officially disclosed by the Swiss Foreign Ministry spokesman is way
different to what has been written. The Swiss spokesman did not mention about
any Nishantha Silva or asylum incident, as been reason for the temporary
kidnapping, nor did he say anything about her phone been unlocked and sensitive
data being taken. So much of what has been written on the incident has been
nothing but salt and pepper added to weave a different version to the story.
Let us wait with anticipation until Sri Lanka’s government comes to the bottom of this ‘temporary kidnapping’ & discloses the culprits whoever they may be.
Reliable
intelligence sources indicate that India was blindsided when details of the MCC
work plan for Sri Lanka leaked out into the public domain.
Until then
Alaina Teplitz glibly lied to the public that the MCC money was simply a ‘Grant’
to Sri Lanka, that Sri Lanka did not have to pay back a Cent and that the
Compact would not affect Sri Lanka’s bank balance.
But, what
Teplitz did not say, amongst many other things, was that although Sri Lanka did
not have to pay back a ‘Cent’, Sri Lanka had, in lieu of monetary payments, to
accommodate the US by making available special land Corridors which the US was
insisting on, to repeal local land laws and make new land laws to
make all Sri Lankan land available for outright purchase by the US, to replace
Sri Lankan Laws with US laws in all land areas owned by the US, to make the MCC
the supreme body (over the Government of Sri Lanka) in making land policy, doing
land research and disbursing Sri Lankan funds, in contravention of the Sri Lanka
Constitution.
And, Teplitz
also did not say that a large sum of the 480 Million USD pledged had already
been spent, paid to US contractors for work that Sri Lanka is required to do
before the Compact is signed.
Unfortunately
for Teplitz, MCC’s Steve Dobrilovic unwittingly leaked out, into the public
domain, the gist of the MCC Compact, in the form of a work plan made by the
MCC.
The MCC work
plan included the map of Sri Lanka in 2050 and the focus of America’s interest:
The Economic Corridor from TCO to CBO, the electrified railway line between
these two locations, intervention in Colombo’s transport problem, a specially
outlined niche (with access to the Bay of Bengal) in the East of the Island
where Zaharan cadres are located, an International Airport in Polonnaruwa and a
clear pictorial statement that the Ministry of Lands is subordinate to the MCC;
also subordinate to the MCC is Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance which
Constitutionally is tasked to manage and control Sri Lanka’s funds.
Confronted with
these documents, the MCC Country Director Edelman went red in the face and was
nonplussed; she mumbled that Steve had mistakenly given the wrong
map.
The writing on
the wall is very clear. The Americans are attempting to take over Sri Lanka in
line with their pivot to Asia policy and Sri Lanka is key to that policy.
Sri Lanka will
be their hub. It would serve as their military, terrorist and narcotic hub which
would destabilise the littoral states and shipping in the Bay of
Bengal.
There are
several indicators to substantiate this construct.
In 2017 the US
military, lingually erased the Indian Ocean and renamed it the Indo-Pacific
Ocean.
In the same
year the Pacific Command of the US Army was renamed the Indo-Pacific Command and
its responsibility was extended beyond the Pacific to the Indian
Ocean.
Japan is the
anchor of US Military strategy in the East. To accommodate the new strategic
vision of the US, Abe passed legislation in the National Diet that removed the
restriction on Japanese military expansion and enabled the Japanese to move
their military into the Indian Ocean.
Japan is
playing a key role in the MCC plans. To justify Japanese presence in Colombo,
Karunanayake on instructions from Washington, gridlocked Colombo traffic from 24
KPH to 06 KPH.
With the
Japanese monorail to give respite to the traffic congestion, artificially
created, the Japanese have justified their access to Colombo and to key
intersections in the road highway network.
The electrified
railway from TCO to CBO (given in the MCC Map) is being constructed by the
Japanese, giving them access to the TCO Harbour as well as to the CBO Harbour.
Furthermore,
the Japanese are attempting to ensure that India walks in lockstep with them,
selling India much needed submarines.
There are more
indicators that go to make the drawing on the wall, clearer. The Indo-Pacific
Command, with their funds, built seven barracks in areas that included Nintavur,
Soodaikkudah, Adalachenai and Sainthamaruthu; the barracks could accommodate a
Division of US troops in the designated caliphate in the East of the Island. The
cost of the barracks was one Million USD apiece and were all built, by their
Pakistan contractor, Maqbool Engineering Consultants, under high security
conditions.
These barracks
are located in the caliphate area of the MCC Map, as are Hizbullah’s Shariya
‘University’ and the Zaharan terrorist stronghold. The US boots on ground would
have eyeball supervision of these caliphate terrorists, the TCO harbour and the
TCO Oil Tanks.
It is
significant that the Caliphate area interfaces the Bay of Bengal and provides
maritime access to the Eastern Seaboard of India, to the littoral States in the
Bay and to International shipping traffic.
There is
credible intelligence that the US Embassy in Colombo was predominantly involved
in the Easter Bomb attacks. Teplitz suggested that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s ISIS
terror group may have been involved.
Trump, President of the US, says emphatically that Obama is the founder of the ISIS and Hillary Clinton its co-founder. He has reconfirmed this many times.
In US political
circles, Teplitz is regarded as a Hillary-Clintonphile.
With the Pivot
to Asia, the US has transferred 60 percent of its Naval Assets into the
Indo-Pacific Ocean and pivoting along with the US into Colombo are
America’s Military Allies that include Japan, Singapore and Australia; Sri Lanka
has signed, in secret, Treaties with these countries.
In recent times
the Bay of Bengal has got increasingly militarised, with the US conducting
trilateral and multilateral military exercises. Never before have Foreign
military forces got in such close geographical proximity to India.
Showing the
Chinese bogey and preying on India’s concerns with China, the US military has
inveigled itself to come within touching distance of India, a geo-political
non-event in years gone by. It is our considered view that the US poses a direct
military threat to India.
Indeed, the US
will be in an enviable position if it were allowed to pivot to Colombo. It then
has the option of prioritizing the Enemy it would engage, China, Iran or India.
And this option will remain always because they would never de-pivot from Sri
Lanka.
When the US map
of Sri Lanka (2050) came out into the public domain and when the Easter bombings
took place our sources indicate that Delhi was concerned. Upto that time any
fears India may have harboured, had been allayed by granting certain concessions
like Sampur, Colombo Port etc.
But with the
turn of events, India was concerned. To placate them, the Americans took it upon
themselves to virtually give Palaly Airport to India and to make it an
International Airport. Yet not entirely satisfied, the Americans were compelled
to make further concessions to the Indians, in Kashmir.
All these
concessions however have not diminished, in any way, the dangers posed to India
by the US Pivoting to Colombo.
One of the
intrinsic fault lines of India’s Defence is that Indian Naval Assets have to
move South of Sri Lanka to meet any threats posed to its Eastern or Western
Coastline. Between the Eastern and Western Coastline of India would now be
juxtaposed, the Americans and the Chinese (and of course the US military allies
like Japan).
Whether US
aligns itself with India to engage China or whether US aligns itself with China
to balkanize India would be US’s prerogative
A very
simplistic but possible scenario that the US could always script is to hold
India by its nose in the East; when Indian naval units have moved East (from the
West) in support, the US could then rub India’s butt in the West and prevent or
impede movement of Naval units sailing West in support.
Unwittingly,
India has allowed itself to be surrounded and possibly choked by a potential
Enemy, the US, which believes that India needs to be balkanized.
Sri Lanka has a
good grasp of geopolitical reality. China, like India, has been a good friend
and Sri Lanka sincerely believes that the two friendships are not mutually
exclusive.
Sri Lanka, like
India, is a Founding member of the Non-Alignment movement and committed to
Non-Alignment based on the principles adopted in Bandung. That has been our
strength and our defence too.
Here,
Aryasinhe, the controversial Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, needs to be
rapped on his knuckles. Sri Lanka is not a Neutral Country; it is a Non-Aligned
country. It is his duty to brief his hierarchy, on the nuances of the two terms.
It is not a case of semantics.
In 1971, Sri
Lanka initiated a resolution at the 26th United Nations General
Assembly that the Indian Ocean be declared a Zone of Peace. The
resolution was adopted and the Indian Ocean was designated a Peace Zone by the
UN.
In this paper
we reject outright the MCC Compact. it is unconstitutional and destructive to
the Nation State of Sri Lanka
We propose that
we reaffirm our faith in the Indian Ocean being a Zone of Peace.
We further
propose that Sri Lanka be designated as the hub of the Non-Alignment
Movement.
And in
conclusion, we propose that Sri Lanka make a financial offer to the US, based on
the very same terms and conditions as the MCC has proposed to Sri Lanka. Our
focus of interest is a Corridor of 500 miles running from Jacksonville to New
Orleans.
Outlining
the proposal in broad terms, Sri Lanka
shall be investing 800 Million USD in the project involving Land, transportation
and Food. Pivoting to Jacksonville with Sri Lanka, we hope, will be our friends,
India, China, Iran and Cuba. The US would give us access to all their Land
registries and records and make all State Lands available for purchase by Sri
Lanka. The US would need to change their Constitution and Sri Lanka shall be in
control of the US ‘land Ministry’ and the US Finance Ministry (their
equivalent). Sri Lankan Laws shall apply in all areas owned by Sri Lanka. Some
of these conditions must be done by the US prior to Sri Lanka releasing the
funds.
And the US does
not have to pay us back a Cent. It is an outright gift and will not affect their
Bank balance.
I read articles published in national
newspapers in this subject and many reporters or writers did not consider
essential points on this matter and some professionals overseas have primary
views that current professionals in Sri Lanka have no required knowledge,
skills, experience to perform their work.
It is the not correct view. Many people have genuine intension to
contribute for nation building thrust because many professionals studied from
kinder to university degrees at free of charge and working for such advantages
useful to nation building effort.
It is a quite good idea using Sri
Lanka’s born professionals for nation-building with limits. Sri Lanka has legal provisions to use
expatriates for employment with certain limits.
Many expatriates’ professionals work in private firms and there are
limits to use them too. If Sri Lanka has
a shortage of professionals to successfully operate investment business,
immigration and exchange regulation allowed to use expatriates, addition overseas
volunteers also can engage in work and the USA, Australia, Canada, Japanese,
Chinese and Indian volunteers work in Sri Lanka.
Some professionals who migrated to
Western Countries are not satisfied with the work they are engaged in and no
job satisfaction to them in Western countries.
These professionals engaged in lower grade work based on two main
points. One is they are paid in dollars,
which is a higher amount of payment when converted to Sri Lanka’s rupees and
the other is when the whole family migrated, they have a good opportunity to
educate children and employ them in good occupations. In Sri Lanka these
opportunities are limited. Besides, there are other facilities such as free
medical and excellent pension facilities.
Sri Lanka cannot afford these facilities within the next twenty
years. These are major constraints to
attract Sri Lankan originated professionals back to the country for
nation-building.
The second constraint seems whether
these professionals are ready to work for local salary or wages. Sri Lanka cannot make special salary
provisions or treatments expatriate Sri Lankans over locally living
professionals and if such thing happens there would be a clash between local
professionals and overseas professionals.
There is no problem with volunteer service and Sri Lanka’s government
needs to negotiate with the government in Western countries to use professional
while gaining benefits. There is no
doubt that many Western governments shall not allow for this option as they
allowed visas or granted citizenship for the benefits of the countries.
Training Sri Lanka’s employees in various professions by overseas professionals would be advantaged to the country as such an effort would be supported to develop workplace values, modern professional skills, promoting environmental education and key skills such as communication and customer service. If a volunteer program is planned more points need to be considered and it is essential to identify professional areas. Professional living in overseas should not be a burden to Sri Lanka. However, overseas professionals could widely express broader views on Sri Lanka’s programs and it would be more beneficial to the country .
Dinesh Guanwardana has the key on his shoulder when he was appointed in recognition of his ability, honesty and unquestionable patriotism , to the key position of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. He will have a lot in his plate as he has to undo the damage caused to the independence and sovereignty of the country due to the bend over backwards foreign policies of the previous government.
I would earnestly request the Minister to consider taking urgent action to tackle the following issues.
1 The selection and urgent appointment of Sri Lanka’s foreign representatives based on the seniority and the capability of the officers in service and where appropriate to consider selection of outstanding creative appointees outside the service. The nepotism and planting of friends and relations to be the country’s representatives never be even entertained, To appoint senior and tested foreign policy experts as advisors to the Ministry will be very useful to implement an effective policy.
2. It is of importance to concentrate on key areas of foreign policy to protect our interests, to counter adverse publicity and misinformation peddled of the separatist fronts and their partner FNGOs . Further, a change in the culture to should be a priority to make it a 24/7 function to enhance the image of the country among the foreigners as well as the foreign organizations and to utilize the economic opportunities available for the country’s advantage.
3 To take suitable and urgent action to counter the adverse situation confronting the country and its armed forces due to the co-sponsoring of the UNHCR resolution slavishly by the Yahaplanaya government’s foreign minister.
4. To consider moving a resolution with the help of other sympathetic nations based on Lord Nasby’s observations , the Rebuttal presented to the UNHCR by the Sri Lankan Global Forum and other reports to rectify the damage caused to the country’s image by the dubious programs based on Darusman report including the resolution approved.
5. To discuss and clarify to the USA that MCC and related agreements contravene the non-aligned foreign policy which will be followed by Sri Lanka and re-negotiate the conditions and stipulations which are intrusive.
6 To adhere to the non-aligned foreign policy by developing a dynamic relationship with all countries sharing our value systems bearing in mind the critical role assigned to Sri Lanka as a country located strategically in the Indian ocean.
7 To utilize the patriotic Sri Lankan organizations based in foreign countries to help countering misinformation, creating economic, technical, educational, social services and professional service to assist economic development and widen the opportunities for Sri Lankan people
We need to do all we can to preserve our hard-won Peace from
the disruption of miscreants who have sunk so low there is no place lower to
go. It is not about party politics. It is about the country – SRI LANKA
When I wrote this piece of music for Peace, in my mind I
believed our Peace had come to stay. WHY
CAN’T PEOPLE GIVE UP HATE?
However, from time to time it became necessary to revive and
stir up short memories and the value of Peace.
After an enthusiastic election with an unprecedented record
voter turnout of over 80% beating records of bigger democracies, tactics
started again.
Barely a day after a new President sworn in, the BBC got
active providing a platform for hate mongers to talk Genocide” without knowing
what it really means. What
Genocide? If it was Genocide, we would
not have seen a single Tamil good or bad survive. Diaspora in their safe heavens are talking
for those who don’t need their representation.
If there was Genocide they are going back and forth to Sri Lanka and
enjoying freedom far from Genocidal treatment.
The ground situation is that “we the people live in harmony
accepting all people the same”. The
fear psychosis is planted by a few to ruin the lives of many.
These folks may want to see real Genocide because they don’t
know the meaning. Well, the Genocide
that took place a few weeks ago when Turks hunted down Kurdish people and
stopped cars pulling Kurds out of cars and shooting them execution style. Men women and Children had no escape. That is real Genocide. Not the fake one where the use of the word
has became a convenience for some. It is
a joke how they pop out with the Genocide
These captains of Genocide fame have dual citizenship with
Sri Lanka, they go back freely, purchase prime property in the best parts of the country and no one is
hunting them down!!!! Why now? They
call out the Genocide very conveniently.
But fail to look at their own failings. We have had enough of you lot! This song is not for Utopia but we want to
embrace all ethnicities and faiths with respect and live together as humans.
I am extremely fortunate to address you from
the sacred precincts of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura, which
enshrines the Sacred Relics of the Buddha,” said President Gotabaya in his maiden
speech as President. I have received
the opportunity of addressing the nation before the statue of great Warrior
King Dutugemunu due to the historic mandate given to me by the majority of
citizens,” he said.
It is unlikely that any Sinhala king of the
Anuradhapura period would have gone to Ruvanvelisaya to be crowned or address
the public. However, the decision to conduct the swearing in of President-elect
Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Anuradhapura, beside the Ruvanvelisaya was a brilliant
political move. It was a confident move, not a defensive one. The message was
clear. The present state will emphasis the Sinhala Buddhist culture of Sri
Lanka, its historicity and its unity.
The choice of Anuradhapura for the swearing
will come in for comment. This is to be expected. Ruvanvelisaya, the location
selected for the swearing in, will escape criticism. There will be mighty rumpus
if this venerated temple is laughed at. But the reference to Dutugemunu will be
pounced upon. Dutugemunu will be charged, among other things, with being a
racist, making Sri Lanka into a Sinhala Buddhist state, killing Tamils and so
on.
Jehan Perera has already observed ‘The
Mahavamsa records as one of its central themes, the protection of Buddhism and
the Sinhalese race from Tamil invasions originating from South India. This
memory would be re-invoked by the oath taking of President Rajapaksa at the
Ruvanvelisaya in Anuradhapura, which is the sacred Buddhist temple built by the
hero king of the Sinhalese, Dutugemunu, nearly two thousand years ago,
following his defeat of the Tamil king, Elara’.
Here are some brief observations on
Dutugemunu. Firstly, Dutugemunu was not Dushta Gamini” (wicked). No king who
elevated the monarchy to a high level as Dutugemunu did would have been given
such a name. He was Durstha Gamani”. Durstha means ‘strong.’
Secondly, the Sinhala monarchy did not start
with Dutugemunu (161-137BC). The Sinhala
monarchy had developed much earlier. The evidence comes from India. Indian emperor Dharmasoka had sent coronation
robes to Sinhala king Devanampiyatissa (250-210 BC). The monarchy in Sri Lanka
would have been well established by then for King Dharmasoka to make such a
gesture. Dharmasoka would not have sent coronation robes to a kinglet or
kingling.
Thirdly, Dutugemunu was not the first to unify
the Sinhala state. Dutugemunu’s gesture of curling up in bed is not the gesture
of someone who plans to newly unite a country. Lastly, Dutugemunu was not the
first to think of chasing Elara out. The idea of ousting Elara came from his
father King Kavantissa. Elara was probably not the first south Indian to invade
Sri Lanka either.
Two days after taking up his appointment,
President Gotabaya went to worship at the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy. His
focus was the Dalada Maligawa, but the visit to Kandy meant that he was going from
the first capital of the Sinhala kingdom, Anuradhapura, to the last capital,
Kandy. President Gotabaya would have gone there anyway, but the historical
implication was not lost on the organizers.
At the Dalada Maligawa President Gotabaya was
greeted by the Diyawadana Nilame in full costume, and both were taken into the
temple by a bare bodied
escort carrying spears. President
Gotabaya was later joined by a group of about ten or so Nilames,
also dressed up. After becoming Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the Dalada
Maligawa and the same process was repeated. There is sure to be contemptuous laughter in
Colombo over all this pageantry. But, as I will show in later essays, Pohottu
got it right.
President
Gotabaya has made it clear that his administration will emphasis Buddhism. The Buddhist philosophy is infused into my
thoughts and conduct. Buddhist philosophy calls for a righteous rule that
respects law and order, justice and fairplay. It will be an administration that
will be an oasis for all communities and religious groups. I will be dedicated
to protect and nurture the Buddha Sasana during my tenure”, he said in his first speech as President.
This is a tremendous gain for the
‘Sinhala-Buddhist’ segment. I did not think I would see this in my lifetime. Sinhala Buddhists” maintained a fighting
spirit throughout British rule. After Independence, they set up the Buddhist Commission
in 1954, celebrated Buddha Jayanti in 1956 and supported the 1956 MEP
election. But they were still recovering
from several decades of repression and showed it. The Christian segment continued to be
dominant. The media mocked the political Sangha.
Sixty years later comes this unexpected
ascendency. This is due to the shocks the complacent Sangha received under
Yahapalana rule. They could not believe it. Bhikkhus were taken into remand,
the monasteries were charged with sexual misconduct, the Triple Gem was
altered to ‘Double Gem’. The Sangha were furious. They realized that this was
part of a well planned political strategy and that it was necessary to get
Yahapalana out. They supported the candidacy of Gotabaya Rajapaksa with great
enthusiasm. 10,000 or so
bhikkhus went canvassing for Gotabaya Rajapaksa, reported
the media.
President Gotabaya made it a point to visit
Buddhist temples after his victory. He was recognizing the role played by the
Maha Sangha in his election victory, but he was also showing that his was a
Buddhist administration.
From Dalada Maligawa he went to Malwatte and Asgiriya vihara (Siam Nikaya). He
then commenced a round of temple visits. This is still continuing. He visited Vidya
Sagara Pirivena, Menikhinne(Ramannya nikaya). He visited Ven. Kotugoda Dhammavansa at Galkissa
Dharmapala aramaya (Amarapura nikaya).
Everywhere he
went, teams of monks met him and gave lengthy speeches rejoicing in his victory
and advising him on what to do next. Ven. Kotapitiye
Rahula said that the Sangha were ready to work with President Gotabaya. President Gotabaya was mobbed by delighted
supporters at the entrance to all these temples, including the Dalada Maligawa.
There was a strong Buddhist flavor in the
ceremonies when Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his team took office. This was
deliberate. Groups of bhikkhus were
present at every turn. The emphasis was on Buddhist ritual, on pansil and
pirit. In Anuradhapura after the oath taking, there was Seth pirith. There was
pirith again when President Gotabaya took over at the Presidents Secretariat,
the next day.
It was the same when Mahinda Rajapaksa took up
office as Prime Minister. On that
occasion there were 3 long rows of bhikkhus, a slow extended pirit, which the assembly had
to listen to while standing, a long speech by Ven. Medagoda Abeyatissa and
blessings from Hindu, Muslim and Christian priests.
Buddhist Ministers of the interim cabinet formed on 22.11.19
also had pansil and pirit chanted by groups of bhikkhus before they took
office. They all signed
in to the accompaniment of pirit.
President Gotabaya inaugural speech was
cleverly crafted to include three of
the four elements of Sinhala Buddhist civilization”, namely, Buddhism, Sinhala
language and Sinhala unitary state. (The fourth element, Sinhala nationality
was not mentioned). These three elements are today bandied about as ‘religion’,
‘language’ and ‘ancient history.’
We
must protect the Sinhala culture and heritage that has a history of thousands
of years, President Gotabaya said in his inaugural speech. State patronage will
be given to protect our age-old moral values, traditions and rituals and
oneness. Sara dharma, Ape kama, Sirit
virit must be protected and will receive state patronage, he said. He added
that he had studied at Ananda College and spoke of Ananda’s
Buddhist ethos.
The inaugural speech was in Sinhala with a bit
in English. As far as I can recall, there was no Tamil translation of the
proceedings and no national anthem. The expected criticism came in. President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa is accepted by the millions who ensured him of the
outstanding victory as the long awaited saviour of Sinhala Buddhists in Sri
Lanka,” said one critic in a confused sentence. We are now in the Glorious Rise of Sinhala
Buddhism”. Another spoke of the Achievement of Sinhala Buddhist glory in the
recent Presidential election.” We are
clearly moving in a direction where [we will see] Sinhala Buddhist dominance,
and its continuing impactful influence in Sri Lankan society and politics, he
added.
President Gotabaya is the first President of
Sri Lanka to have been educated at Ananda College. I was educated at Ananda College, Colombo,
one of the leading Buddhist schools in Sri Lanka,” he said, in his very first
speech as President of Sri Lanka. It
has taken Ananda College exactly one hundred years to reach this point.
Ananda College( est. 1886) had been administered by several illustrious
principals (Kuntz, Buultjens),had produced several distinguished old boys,
(D.J. Wimalasurendra) and had some academic achievements
to show, when in 1918, P de S
Kularatne took over as principal of
Ananda. He made Ananda into the leading school that it is today.
Kularatne
made Ananda College a highly nationalistic and patriotic school. He emphasized Sinhala
culture in the curriculum. When the Dutugemunu block of classrooms was completed in 1919 Kularatne added a
pedestal with a model of a lion with a sword in hand. This indicates, said his biographer, that from the beginning Kularatne had a political
objective in mind. That was a courageous thing to do since Sri Lanka was under
British rule at the time, the biographer observed.(Kamalika Pieris, Kularatne of Ananda”, 2015)
In the 1970s, Ananda looked back and noted
that Kularatne had consciously moulded persons who could participate actively
in the nationalist revival and independence movement of British Ceylon, which
was taking place at the time.
Also, Kularatne introduced cadetting to Ananda
College. Anandians excelled in the sport and many joined the armed forces,
after independence. Anandians pointed out, with pride, that In 1986, there were
more officers from Ananda in the Sri Lanka army than any other school. The
leading officers of Eelam War IV, including Gotabaya Rajapaksa, all came from
Ananda. This was commented on.
Ananda College is sure to invite President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the school, to felicitate and celebrate. When he goes there, I hope that he will make
some mention of P de S Kularatne, who started it all.
I end this essay with a snippet of
historical information that may interest readers. It is not well known that the Sinhala
monarchy had devised a mechanism of ‘brother kings’. When Vasabha died in 111 AD,
the island was ruled in three principalities by his three sons. Since the division was among the legitimate
heirs, the unity of the state was not shaken. I had found a second set of brother kings, also
ruling in Anuradhapura, but unfortunately, I cannot locate the reference at
this moment.
There was a third instance. Under
Dharma Parakrama bahu IX (1489-1513),the
Kotte kingdom was ruled by him and his four brothers. The brothers were united
and ruled from their independent centres of administration at Madampe,
Manikkadavara, Raigama and Udugampola.
The interim government of 2019 has three Rajapaksa
brothers in three important positions. Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President, Mahinda
Rajapaksa as Prime Minister and Chamal Rajapaksa, a former Speaker, as Cabinet
Minister. The presence of three and four
members of the same family dominating politics is seen as weakness when it
should be seen as a rarity.
Rajapaksa brothers entered Parliament, through
general elections where they won seats through direct election. They won in highly
independent, volatile, electorates. These electorates were not pocket boroughs
of the Rajapaksas. They won, because, despite heavy criticism, the Rajapaksa
brothers always delivered successfully on the tasks assigned to them. Sri Lanka
is no longer a monarchy and these three are not kings. But I thought the
information on ‘brother kings’ may be of interest. (continued)
Government co-media spokesperson Dr. Bandula Gunawardena stated that certain changes have been made to taxes during the first Cabinet meeting today. Changes as below
Reduce VAT from current 15% to 8% w.e.f 01 Dec 2019 – VAT on Financial services will remain at 15%
2% NBT removed w.e.f 01 Dec 2019– including for Financial Services businesses
Telecommunications Levy reduced by 25% (current voice levy of 15% to likely to be reduced to 11.25%)
Foreign Currency earnings exempted from income tax
Construction Industry to be placed on 14% income tax instead of 28%
IT & enabling services to be made tax free from all taxes
Tax free threshold for turnover for Vat to be raised from Rs.1mn per month to Rs.25mn per month
Farm income from agriculture, fishing & livestock to be made income tax free
Capital gains tax on stocks, debit tax on financial institutions and debt service tax to be removed
Tourism business will be treated as export for zero rate provided that 60% turnover is sourced from local supplies.
Withholding Tax on interest income to be removed for those with monthly interest income less than Rs 250,000.
PAYE tax free threshold to be increased to Rs.250,000 from current Rs.125,000 per month for all public & private sector employees w.e.f 1 Jan 2020
AS per news reports all the other proposals, except for VAT, NBT reduction and changes to PAYE tax threshold will be implanted with immediate effect
The proposals are positive for sectors across the board with reduced taxes likely to drive the overall economic activity and the broader consumer sentiment.
Whilst the proposals are yet to be gazetted, we expect the stock market to react positively from 28 Nov 2019
While we expect above proposals to result in an increase in the budget deficit (especially for 2020E), increase in consumption given the anticipated increase in disposable income, would partially offset the negative impact on the fiscal deficit.
The Swiss embassy in Colombo has declined to give Sri Lanka, conducting an investigation into an alleged abduction of one of its employees, access to the person concerned.
Authoritative sources told The Island yesterday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been denied an opportunity to record the alleged victim’s statement. Responding to another query, sources said that the investigations had been hampered by the failure on the part of the detectives to question the alleged victim.
Susil Premjayantha, who assumed duties as the junior foreign minister at the Foreign Ministry yesterday morning declined to comment on the alleged incident as he wasn’t aware of it. The lawmaker said so when the media raised the alleged abduction of the Swiss embassy employee.
Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena on Wednesday, Nov 27, told the first-post Cabinet media briefing that he wasn’t aware of the alleged incident.
Government sources said that for want of cooperation on their part, the CID had been compelled first to verify the Swiss government accusation. First of all authorities had to establish the identity of the local female employee who complained to the embassy of unidentified persons seeking information from her as regards Sri Lankans seeking refuge in Switzerland.
The New York Times quoted officials in Colombo as having said that the men forced her to unlock her cellphone data, which contained information about Sri Lankans who have recently sought asylum in Switzerland, and the names of Sri Lankans who aided them as they fled the country because they feared for their safety after Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the presidency at the election this month.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday morning expressed hope that the Switzerland embassy would fully cooperate with the government.
Authoritative sources said that the Swiss refusal to reveal the identity of the alleged victim meant that she had been also advised against lodging a complaint with the police.
Sources questioned the allegations that unknown persons obtained cellphone data regarding Sri Lankan asylum seekers and those who assisted them. “We have never heard of diplomatic missions allowing local employees access to confidential information,” a senior official said.
Switzerland demanded an investigation into alleged abduction soon after Chief Inspector Nishantha Candappa de Silva, who handled a spate of high profile investigations during the previous administration, sought refuge in Switzerland.
Silva accompanied by his wife and three children left the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the last weekend.
Sources said that Sri Lanka hadn’t so far raised the issue of the police officer being given refuge in Switzerland. Sources suggested that Swiss accusations in respect of alleged threats to an employee had pre-empted Sri Lanka raising the issue regarding the policeman receiving refugee status.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and for the guarantee of the security of the Swiss representation in Colombo and for the full restoration of its employees. The statement added, “this message was conveyed by the Swiss ambassador to Sri Lanka to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena together with a diplomatic demarche.”
The Foreign Ministry, in a second statement that dealt with the alleged incident, stated: “In order to enable the relevant authorities to conduct the investigation smoothly and according to established procedure, the fullest cooperation of the Embassy of Switzerland has been requested.”
The Swiss mission brought Monday’s incident to the notice of the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Nov 27.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany who is concurrently accredited to Switzerland, Karunasena Hettiarachchi would soon meet Swiss authorities to obtain an update on the investigation.
The Foreign Ministry reassured unequivocally its commitment as a State Party to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961) to facilitate the smooth functioning of diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.
Sources pointed out that the alleged victim instead of complaining to the police on the day of the incident sought intervention of the diplomatic mission. The police were yet to receive access to the alleged victim, sources said, Thursday afternoon.
Swiss embassy alleged the abduction of local staffer in the wake of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, MP, urging the Foreign Ministry to take the Chief Inspector’s case with the Colombo mission.
Well informed sources told The Island that a Navy officer who provided a statement implicating Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne in a high profile case, too, reached Switzerland ahead of CI Nishantha de Silva.
Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday the government should intervene to investigate the incidents of Dr. Shafi Shahabdeen and the controversy involving Shariya University of former governor M.A.L.M. Hisbullah without any political involvement.
The Thera told a news conference that he expected the government would carry out its responsibility in dealing with these issues.
It is regrettable in the way the previous government and the CID behaved in the matter regarding Dr. Shahabdeen. The government should conduct a proper investigation into this matter,” the Thera said.
He said a special committee should be appointed to look into the controversy involving the Shariya University of Hisbullah and added that the judiciary should be allowed to take up these matters without political intervention.
We do not hope to stage protests or convene media conferences to remind the government of these matters. We hope it would carry out its responsibility,” he said.
The Thera said the country needed one law including one education policy and one marriage law.
Ven. Rathana Thera said he expected that the government would not implement detrimental pacts such as MCC, SOFA and ACSA proposed by the previous government.
The UNP should do a self-criticism on the above agreements. Everyone should protest against any agreement detrimental to the country without any political differences,” he said.
Speaking on the presidential election, the Thera said the Sinhala people had proved that they could unite and establish a government without the support of the minority communities.
The government received less than 5 per cent votes from the minority communities including Tamils and Muslims. Buddhist monks supported President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s victory without political differences,” he said.
Ven. Rathana Thera said the hunger strike launched by him after the Easter Sunday attack against extremists became a decisive factor in the presidential election.
