Professor Nishan Wijesinha

As an International Forensic Jurisprudence Professor, I had to wait until the time was correctly staged for me to expose the unseen hand that is causing stage dramas in Sri Lanka, which are brainwashing the people’s minds and making them fall into their subtle trappings.

The Western Superpowers Mainly, the USA, UK, Canada, Australia & New Zealand with their crafty and sharp political intelligence network, first crept into the minds of parents to abhor Sri Lankan Cultural based National education system and its local education and higher education publications; and clouded their attention to an internationally well manipulated commercialized system of education, through their political agents.

One could see through the success  of these trappings, when with escalating costs of living with no price controls on goods and services and scarcity of drinking water in almost every rural village, whereas in the political forum it is made up of pledging TABS to villages when scarcity runs out for TAPS.  

On the other hand the Sword of Damocles is Hanging on Sri Lanka’s Sovereignty.

At this junction it should also be pointed out that the aforementioned Western Superpowers together with the Tamil Diaspora through the currently governing political bodies have successfully destroyed local military intelligence, that prevailed during the war against the LTTE.

It was thus in their cunning agenda to see through that in no framework of time that the Sri Lanka’s military intelligence should ever come to know that Sri Lanka is blessed with the natural potency in its Northern Province within the Coastal Belt of Chundikkulam and Muthalaippalla Toduvay, the landmass passage which is shown in Fig.1 marked by a triangle, when once removed to a certain depth, that its cuts open to the sea; which enables Sri Lanka to have its first ever military and economy harvesting  Sri Lanka Sovereignty Amphibious Vehicle Strategic Fort”.

Fig.1

This is why they grabbed to their pockets the UNITED NATIONAL PARTY and gave them promise in the international forum, so that this military intelligence could completely be wiped-out from the vocabulary of Sri Lanka.

With this unveiling of secretive facts, I pray that the correct wisdom will prevail in Sri Lanka, in the forthcoming presidential elections.

Courtesy Business Today

South Asian countries like Pakistan (94), Bangladesh (88), Sri Lanka (66) and Nepal (73) have fared better than India in terms of high-levels of hunger

India has ranked 102nd among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI). In 2018, India had ranked 55 among 77 nations listed in the GHI. South Asian countries like Pakistan (94), Bangladesh (88) and Sri Lanka (66) have fared better than India, says a report prepared by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide.

India is among 45 countries that have serious levels of hunger. The report says several countries have higher hunger levels now than in 2010, and around 45 countries are set to fail to achieve low levels of hunger by 2030. The GHI report says hunger is the highest in South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara region. “South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara are the regions with the highest 2019 GHI scores, at 29.3 and 28.4 respectively, indicating serious levels of hunger,” says the report.

India’s ‘child wasting rate’ (low weight for height) is extremely high at 20.8 per cent — the highest wasting rate of any country, says the report. Child stunting rate in India, 37.9 per cent, is also categorised as “very high” in terms of its public health significance. In India, just 9.6 per cent of all children between 6 and 23 months of age are fed a minimum acceptable diet, it says.

The report says as of 2015-2016, around 90 per cent of Indian households used an improved drinking water source while 39 per cent of households had no sanitation facilities. Contradicting the government’s claim of making India open defecation free, the report says “open defecation is still practised” in the country. “In 2014, the prime minister instituted the “Clean India” campaign to end open defecation and ensure that all households had latrines. Even with new latrine construction, however, open defecation is still practised,” it adds.

This situation jeopardises the population’s health and consequently, children’s growth and development as their ability to absorb nutrients are compromised, it adds.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2 had announced that villages in India had become open defecation-free.

Lauding neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh, the report says they have made significant advances in child nutrition, and their experiences are instructive. The report says that a 2015 case study was conducted to look at how Bangladesh achieved decline in stunting from 58.5 per cent in 1997 to 40.2 per cent in 2011. “The study attributed the decrease primarily to rising household wealth associated with pro-poor economic growth and gains in parental education, as well as health, sanitation, and demographic factors reflecting decreased fertility rates,” it adds.

Nepal’s remarkable reduction in child stunting from 56.6 per cent in 2001 to 40.1 per cent in 2011 is also associated with increased household assets, increased maternal education, improved sanitation, and implementation and use of health and nutrition programs, including antenatal and neonatal care, says the report.

Edited by Manoj Sharma

Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday that the SLFP organisers who were said to have joined hands with the United National Party (UNP) were those who were sacked from the party.

Mr. Jayasekara said this in response to Minister Sajith Premadasa’s claim that more than 40 SLFPers had joined hands with his party.

He said forming an organisation to protect the SLFP and allying themselves to the UNP could not be called as protecting the SLFP.

SLFP must be protected by its members while being in the SLFP. True SLFPers would protect the SLFP and its integrity while moving forward in this journey. Despite the obstacles we might face, we will stand united for the victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and move forward while protecting the dignity of the SLFP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said a strong economic policy ensuring national security while safeguarding our cultural heritage is necessary.

The Ven.Thera said Mr. Rajapaksa had introduced environmentally friendly economic policies to create an economy based on our own agricultural lands and energy sources.

Meanwhile, MP Dullas Alahapperuma alleged government media of being biased and he requested the Elections Commission to investigate this issue. (Thisari Andria Walawege)

උපුටාගැණීම අද දෙරණ

රටට ආදරය කරන නායකයෙකු පත්කර ගැනීමට ජනතාව කල්පනාකාරීව කටයුතු කළ යුතු බව පූජ්‍ය ඇල්ලේ ගුණවංශ හිමියන් පවසයි. 

එහිදි අදහස් දැක්වු උන්වහන්සේ පැවසුවේ දේශපාලන නායකයින් සමඟ රහසිගත සාකච්ඡා නොපවත්වන ලෙස පූජ්‍ය ඇල්ලේ ගුණවංශ හිමි සියළු ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂකයින්ගෙන් ඉල්ලීමක් කරන බවයි.

යුතුකම සංවිධානය” අද (16)  කොළඹ කැදවා තිබූ මාධ්‍ය හමුවකටඑක්වෙමින් උන්වහන්සේ මෙම අදහස් පල කළේය.
 
උතුරේ දේශපාලන පක්ෂ 05ක් ජනාධිපති අපෙක්ෂකයන්ගේන කළ ඉල්ලීම් 10ක් සම්බන්ධයේද අදහස් දැක්වීය.

Courtesy Adaderana

The manifesto of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to be launched on the 25th of October.

Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila stated that this decision was taken during a discussion held at the official residence of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa last night (15).

Meanwhile, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pointed out that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty is currently under threat.

He stated this addressing a convention held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute yesterday. The event was held under the auspices of SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He also commented that the State resources the incumbent government sold to foreign countries must be reclaimed. We have a policy that ensures our country moves forward, putting the nation’s sovereignty at the forefront,” Gotabaya Rajapaksa added.

Speaking of the UNHRC resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka during the special press conference held in Colombo yesterday, Rajapaksa said We will always work with the United Nations. But I can’t recognize what they have signed with a different government. It’s not with my government.”

Courtesy Adaderana

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been requested to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate and inquire into serious acts of fraud, corruption, and abuse of power, state resources, and privileges on the 18th of October.

Along with the Prime Minister, Minister Daya Gamage, too, has been summoned to appear before the Commission.

This was in connection with an investigation into the alleged loss to the government during the paddy storage at the Mattala International Airport.

Considering the evidence collected on the case, the Commission has notified the Premier and Minister Gamage to appear before them either on behalf of their own rights or through legal representation.

Courtesy Adaderana

Several stone weapons used by prehistoric man have been found in the area nearby Panikkan Kulam in Mankulam, Mullaitivu, says Professor Paramu Pushparatnam.

Speaking to Ada Derana reporter, Prof. Pushparatnam stated that he had inspected the area after he was notified by the residents that artefacts belonging to the prehistoric times exist there.

According to the estimation of Prof. Pushparatnam, the stone weapons recovered from the area had been used over 10,000 years and he added that these artefacts would be directed for chronological dating.

Prof. Pushparatnam added that multiple fragments of rocks, which proves ancient settlements had existed in the area, were also observed in the proximity of Panikkan Kulam.

A formal inspection will be conducted in this regard and a detailed report will be submitted to the Director General of the Department of Archaeology on the discovery of ruins and stone weapons.

Paramu Pushparatnam is a professor of History at the Jaffna University and he had conducted many archaeological inspections in the northern areas of the country.

Courtesy Adaderana

The officers of the Election Commission today (16) commenced an investigation regarding a complaint with regard to over 2,000 confirmation letters set to be given to employees of the National Housing Development Authority.

The Organization to Protect the National Housing Development Authority, which filed the complaint, charged that the chairman had made the appointments violating the election laws.

It further stated that the Authority’s chairman and the upper management had utilized over Rs 400 million for election campaign purposes. The funds were to be allocated to construct sanitary facilities for low-income families as proposed by the Budget 2019.

The organization also charged that the ‘Sevana Funds’ established under the Authority to provide free housing for low-income families had been used to give out housing loans.

It also alleged that the appointment made to the Authority were done as a part of the UNP’s election campaign.

The Election Commission’s officers accordingly launched an investigation in this regard and as a result over 2,000 confirmation letters were confiscated at the Authority.

Courtesy Adaderana

The presidential candidate of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he would restructure the government’s tax framework and bring VAT to 8 percent when he comes to power.

He stated this during an event held yesterday (16) with the owners of tea factories.

Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax imposed on labourers and employees who earn middle-level salary scale must be removed, Rajapaksa stressed.

Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting held in Ratnapura Gotabaya said, under his administration, steps would be taken to stabilize national security by restoring the powers vested upon the intelligence services, which were removed by the incumbent government.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් තමන් වෙත ලද තොරතුරු රජයේ වගකිව යුතු පාර්ශ්වවලට ලබාදුන්නද ප්‍රහාරය වැළැක්වීමට කිසිදු පියවරක් නොගත් බවට හෙළිදරව් කළ මෙරට එංගලන්ත සභාවේ ගරු ග්‍රෙගරි ෆ්‍රැන්සිස් රදගුරුතුමන් කොටුව පොලිසිය අත්අඩංගුවට ගෙන තිබෙනවා.

එම රදගුරුතුමන් අදාළ හෙළිදරව්ව සිදුකළේ ඊයේ පැවති ප්‍රවෘත්ති සාකච්ඡාවකදී.

පාස්කු ප්‍රහාරය සම්බන්ධයෙන් තමන් වෙත ලද තොරතුරු පිළිබඳව ඊයේ කොළඹදී ප්‍රවෘත්ති සාකච්ඡාවක් පවත්වමින් ගරු ග්‍රෙගරි ෆ්‍රැන්සිස් රදගුරුතුමන් හෙළිදරව්වක් සිදුකළා.

කෙසේ වෙතත්, එම ප්‍රවෘත්ති සාකච්ඡාව අවසානයේ ඊයේ පස්වරුවේ කොටුව පොලිසිය විසින් එම රදගුරුතුමන්ව අත්අඩංගුවට ගෙන තිබුණේ ගල්කිස්ස ප්‍රදේශයේ පාසලකට සිසුවෙකු ඇතුලත් කිරීමේ සිද්ධියක් මුල්කර ගනිමින්.

අත්අඩංගුවට ගැණුනු ගරු ග්‍රෙගරි ෆ්‍රැන්සිස් රදගුරුතුමන් අද දින කොටුව මහේස්ත්‍රාත්වරයා හමුවට ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමෙන් අනතුරුව රුපියල් ලක්ෂ 10 ක ශරීර ඇපයක් මත මුදාහැරීමට කටයුතු කළා.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

මෙවර ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂකයින්ට ඉදිරිපත් කිරීම සඳහා උතුරු නැගෙනහිර දෙමළ දේශපාලන පක්ෂ 5 ක් එක්ව කරුණු 13 කින් යුක්තව සකස් කළ යෝජනාවලියට එරෙහිව අදහස් දක්වමින් භික්ෂූන්වහන්සේ අද ප්‍රවෘත්ති සාකච්ඡා කිහිපයක් පැවැත්වුවා.

එහිදී උන්වහන්සේ අවධාරණය කර සිටියේ රට දෙකඩ කිරීමේ අරමුණින් මෙම යෝජනාවලිය ඉදිරිපත් කර ඇති බවයි.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂයේ ඇමතිවරයෙකු ඇතුළු කිහිපදෙනෙකු පසුගිය දිනක කොල්ලූපිටියේදි රැස්වි සිදුකල සාකච්ඡාවක් සම්බන්ධයෙන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂයේ මාධ්‍ය ප්‍රකාශක පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී වීරකුමාර දිසානායක අද විශේෂ හෙලිදරව්වක් සිදුකලා.

ඒ එම පක්ෂ මුලස්ථානයේ කැදවා තිබූ මාධ්‍ය හමුවකදීයි.

මෙහිදී මන්ත්‍රීවරයා කියා සිටියේ එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂයේ අමාත්‍යවරයෙකුගේ ප්‍රධානත්වයෙන් පසුගිය ඔක්තෝම්බර් 5 වනදා කොල්ලූපිටියේ විශේෂ ස්ථානයක අදාළ සාකච්ඡාව පැවති බවයි.

එහිදී ශ්‍රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂය ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය දීමට තීරණය කළහොත් ගත යුතු පියවර සම්බන්ධයෙන් තීන්දු දෙකකට එළඹ ඇතැයි ද වීර කුමාර දිසානායක මන්ත්‍රීවරයා සදහන් කළා.

එහිදී ඔහු වැඩිදුරටත් අනාවරණ කළේ ශ්‍රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂය සුරැකීමේ සංවිධානය නමැති කණ්ඩායම පාවිච්චි කරමින් අර්බුද මතු කිරීම ඉන් පළමු තීන්දුව බවයි.

එසේම, ශ්‍රී ලංකා නිදහස් පක්ෂය ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ සමග එකතු වුවහොත් මැතිවරණ ව්‍යාපාරය දෙකඩ කිරිම ඉන් දෙවන තීන්දුව බව ද වීරකුමාර දිසානායක මන්ත්‍රීවරයා මෙම මාධ්‍ය හමුවේදී අනාවරණ කළා.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂගේ ප්‍රතිපත්ති බාල මැතිවරණ පොරොන්දු නොවන බව පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී ඩලස් අලහප්පෙරුම පවසනවා.

කොළඹ අද පැවති මාධ්‍ය හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ඔහු මේ බව කියා සිටියා.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

මැණික් කර්මාන්තය සදහා කඩිනමින් බලපත්‍ර ලබාදීමේ වැඩපිළිවෙලක් ඉදිරියේදී ඇති කිරීමට කටයුතු කරන බව ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ පවසනවා.

පැල්මඩුල්ල ප්‍රදේශයේ අද පැවති ජනහමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ඔහු කියා සිටියේ මැණික් ඇතුළු කර්මාන්ත කිහිපයක් තුළ පවතින සියලූ ගැටලූ නිරාකරණය කරන බවයි.

මේ අතර, දෙමළ සමාජ ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදී පක්ෂයේ ජාතික සංවිධායක, උතුරු නැගෙනහිර පළාතේ් හිටපු ප්‍රධාන අමාත්‍ය වර්ධරාජා පෙරුමාල් ඇතුළු එම පක්ෂයේ නියෝජිතයන් පිරිසක් අද විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ හමුවී ජනාධිපති ධුර අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය ලබාදෙන බව ප්‍රකාශ කළා.

එසේම, දේශප්‍රේමී එක්සත් ජාතික පක්ෂයේ නියෝජිතයන් ද, ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය දක්වන බව දැනුම්දීමට අද විපක්ෂ නායකවරයා හමුවුණා.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

නව ප්‍රජාතන්ත්‍රවාදී පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක, අමාත්‍ය සජිත් ප්‍රේමදාස ප්‍රතිරූප මවා ගැනීමේ උත්සාහයක නිරතව සිටින බව ජාතික නිදහස් පෙරමුණේ නායක, පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී විමල් වීරවංශ පවසනවා.

කොළඹ අද පැවති මාධ්‍ය හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ඔහු මේ බව කියා සිටියා.

එම මාධ්‍ය හමුවට කලාකරුවන් පිරිසක්ද එක්ව සිටි අතර, එහිදී ඔවුන් ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂට සහය පළ කරන බව ප්‍රකාශ කළා

By Garvin Karunaratne

Seeing what is happening in Elpitiya my mind travels back decades to a youth that struck me most in my eighteen years’ service in the Administrative Service of my beloved country.

It was a youth from Elpitiya. In 1970 I was the Deputy Director in the Small Industries Department in charge of making allocations of foreign exchange to small industrialists to import an item that was required to make something useful for sale.  Mr Kariyawasam the Member of Parliament for Bentara Elpitiya met me with a youth. Mr Kariyawasam introduced the youth to me with a number of side mirrors of cars, which he had made. The side mirrors were good replicas.  They were very well done. An allocation of foreign exchange was sought to import mirrors to be fitted into the side mirrors that he had made. It was a reasonable request. I immediately summoned one of my Inspectors and told him to inspect the process of manufacture and submit a recommendation.

In a weeks’ time the inspector reported that this was a bogus case, a youth that did not have an industry. I sent for Mr Kariyawasam and gave him a piece of my mind. Mr Kariyawasam said that he stood by what the youth said and added that the youth was not a bluff case and requested me to look into the case further. I told Mr Kariyawasam that I will myself come to inspect the industry and gave him an appointment  to inform the youth. Later he phoned me to meet the youth at the Lorry Garage of the Cooperative Union at Elpitiya. On the appointed date I was at that place ten minutes earlier and neither the youth was there nor was there any place where side mirrors were made in the vicinity. I waited a while and the youth appeared with a bag slung on his neck. I told him to take me to the place where he had the smithy where he made the side mirrors. He opened his bag which was full of all sorts of metal pieces of different shapes along with some sheets of metal cut up to different sizes. Sir these are all my tools and all these are side mirrors I have made.”

Show me the machinery with which you make.”

Sir, you have to wait a while till one of the Coop Union lorries come back. I know some of the drivers who allow me to use their jacks. I have a number of iron rods with bolts which I fix and make a jig and use their lorry jacks to get different shapes of metal made.”

I looked at his bag and there were a few iron rods about two feet long and bolts. It was a mass of metal. I could not even imagine what he was speaking about and how he made anything.

Sir, please believe me. Please wait till a lorry comes. I am sure a lorry will return soon.”

The youth looked genuine and his tone was pleasant and I felt I should listen. I then understood what my inspector had reported that the youth had no industry. He had only a bag of tools and pieces of metal of different shapes. I waited and waited. He looked to be too genuine for me to tell him not to fool me.  In a while a lorry came in and the youth ran to the driver and got back to me.

Sir that driver is not going to give me the use of his jack. I will wait for the next driver.”

I waited a few minutes and luckily another lorry came in.

That is a good driver. I can get his jack.” He ran away and returned with the lorry jack. I yet could not fathom what he was going to do. He moved to a corner of the lorry garage pulled up his bag and got hold of the two feet rods which he fitted with bolts to make a jig. He tightened the nuts till the jig was very firm. Then he pulled out the pieces of metal and scouted around for some bricks which he fitted into the jig. Then he got the lorry jack which he placed at different angles and moved the jack lever till the piece of sheet metal was made into a shape. The then took the piece that was shaped up and fixed different pieces of metal and used the jack to shape it up further. It took a while but he did it again and again till the shapes were fully acceptable. Then he sat on the side shaped further with a file and cut off the ends. It took a while but he made a replica of a side mirror that was exact to what was imported. I gave him an allocation of foreign exchange and asked him to call over at my office to collect the allocation paper. If only that youth had access to a lathe and welding equipment he could have done wonders. Is it not sad that we do not yet make a bicycle in our country!

I called Mr Kariyawasam and thanked him.

I know not where the youth is now. Perhaps he happened to be one of the intelligent youths who lost their lives in the 1971 JVP uprising. That mistake of the JVP done to make Sri Lanka an appendage of the socialist block- -then it was North Korea that tried to get the JVP to wrest control of our island. That insurrection  took away the lives of many intelligent youths.

We have an intelligent cadre of youths and we have to enlist their support, help them to march on an import substitution venture to make everything we import. Later as Government Agent Matara, I was able to direct my staff to find the art of making crayons and also able to ensure that a cooperative industry was established.  It took three months of nocturnal experiments locked up in the Rahula College science lab from six till midnight for three long months to find he art of making crayons. Then it took three weeks for Sumanapala Dahanayake the member of parliament to establish it. He was the President of the Morawaka Coop Union. In a few months Coop Crayon was sold island wide. That was a feat done by the katcheri staff and Sumanapala’s   cooperative youths.

To my mid therein lies the path for the development of our industries. No foreigner or foreign country will come to our help. We have to do it ourselves. The above true achievements I can speak of tell me that it is a task that can be won.

Garvin Karunaratne, Ph.D. Michigan State University

Former Government Agent, Matara    15 th October 2019

By : A.A.M.NIZAM – MATARA

The visionless, imbecile and ignoramus Sajith Premadasa who seems to be parroting statements instilled or taught by third parties without knowledge of the depth and gravity of such statements and their practicality, made a statement at the Galle Face rally that he will not associate or welcome anyone connected to frauds, corruption and malpractices.  He has repeated this statement in the meeting held at Wellawaya on Sunday 13^th October as well. 

In the first report of the Presidential Commission probing frauds, waste, corruption and malpractices by Government Ministers, MPs and officials since January 2015 have handed over its first report and in this report, it has cited Sajith himself and Ministers Rajitha Senaratne, Lakshman Kiriella and Akila Viraj as Ministers who have committed various offences.  Even His Eminence Cardinal Dr Malcolm Ranjith has told umpteen times that the masses should totally reject corrupt politicians.  Under these circumstances will Sajith Premadasa guarantee to the masses that he will totally reject at least the following politicians:

Ranil Wickremasinghe (Alleged architect of TreasuryBonnd Scam and commission agent for the sale of state properties and making the country liable to pay damages to China for suspending Port City, Lotus Tower and some other projects) )

Ravi Karunanayake (Alleged beneficiary of a residential flat and commission agent for power purchases)

Mangala Samaraweera (alleged money launderer for Tamil diaspora)

Pa.Cha.Ranawaka (accused in a court verdict on malpractices in a coal tender award etc,)

Malik Samarawickrema (alleged involvement in a railway coach project and promoter of the Singapore FT etc)

Lakshman Kiriella (alleged recipient of commissions from Kandy expressway project and misusing his Ministry funds to make monthly payments to over 75 persons)

Kabir Hashim (allegedly making the country liable to pay millions of Dollars as a breach of agreement in respect of aircraft orders)

P.Harrison (causing several Million Rs. Loss to Mattala airport by using it for storing paddy)

Rajitha Senaratne(alleged import of sub-standard drugs and malpractices related to Neville Fernando Hospital and becoming a shipowner during the last government.  A complaint in this connection with documentary evidence was made to Bribery Commission by the Matara district MP Niroshan Premaratne but no action was taken))

Sujeewa Senasinghe (an alleged receipt of Millions from Arjun Aloysius)

John Ameratunga (demolition of a walking track built at a cost of Rs. Several million to facilitate one of his friends to take lorries to his property )

Mano Ganneshan (allegations related to multiple frauds and malpractices)

 RaufHakeem (allegations related to multiple frauds and malpractices)

Rishad Bathiudeen (allegations related to multiple frauds and malpractices)

Palani Digambaram (alleged receipt of funds from India)

Ajith P.Perera(Acting as a footnote man of Arjun Aloysium}

Harsha de Silva (Acting as a footnote man of Arjun Aloysius)

These are I was able to remember while writing this article.

In addition to this what about the alleged frauds and malpractices attributed to Sajith Premadasa himself and some of which include:

Receipt of several luxury buses each valued @ Rs. 45 Million to be distributed to schools; Can the public know who was the donor of these buses and for what reason these donations have been and what the donor will get in return.

Allegedly keeping over 1,000 persons on his Ministry payroll without any employment;

Spending huge sums on advertisements to chicken pen houses projects at the times of foundation laying and at the times of opening;

Distribution of building materials and 15 bags of cement to each from the Hambantota district;

Distribution of money to incumbent priests of some temples as political bribes etc.

The Galle district MP Wijepala Hettiarachchi has sent letters to his supporters in Akmeemana saying they will be given Rs. 50,000 each Gamperaliya housing loans when they come to attend the UNP Balamandala meeting.

My article DOTA PHOBIA – Part IV C published by Lankaweb on12th October carried a harsh letter sent by the old hag Chandrika to the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Mr Dayasiri Jayasekera.  Mr Jayasekera has sent the following response to her in the form of a thundering slap and reminding her of her parents.  The General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Mr Dayasiri Jayasekera has informed the Ex-President Chandrika Bandaranaike, who is a patron of the party that as per the fundamentals adopted by the founder of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike cooperating with the United National Party is a non-compatible phenomenon.

Mr Dayasiri Jayasekera MP informed this making an entry on his Facebook page.  Mr Dayasiri Jayasejera has made this entry in response to the objection expressed by the Ex-President for Sri Lanka Freedom Party entering into an alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.   

The NP points out that the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party took this decision in concurrence with the policies of the party.   The Central Committee of the Party has taken this decision by safeguarding the policies related to forming the party and its values. Within the policy framework of the United National Party, it is not possible for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to support them.

MP Dayasiri Jayasekara points out that it was because of this situation that it necessitated facing many complicated problems during the past Yahapalana government. 

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has been formed by a group for whom the leadership is given by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  

Dayasiri Jayasejera points out to the Ex-President that the best alternative in this election is for the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to enter into an alliance with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna. 

The MP emphasizes that he has acted as the General Secretary of the Party acting in accordance with the party constitution in carrying out the decision taken by the Central Committee of the party.

Decisions for developing Sri Lanka should be taken devoid of personal policies. Wide decisions should be taken for the benefit of the country.  MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has also pointed out to the Ex-President that it was on such a decision that she took steps to form a government jointly with Janata Vimukthi Peramuna

Given below is a comment received from one Narendran,  a reader to the aforementioned previous article:

It is laughable to hear C-B -K who slept in the President chair inebriated with alcohol for so long without any achievement to show for it, trying to claim an SLFP mantle. She came to politics as the widow of the leader of another forgotten party. Her good looking film actor husband had become a friend of MG Ramachandran the South Indian Film star revered by LT*TE as a most respected patron. Through her own family connection, she joined the SLFP and came to the top but was proved to be totally ineffective. Her many acts of appeasing the LTTE did not work, nor did she have the vision to develop the country.

Latest reports indicate that Chandrika who left for London being unable to stomach the Elpitiya results has become restless and reported to be planning to return to Sri Lanka within the next few days and take her lapdogs calling themselves as the organization for the protection of SLFP  to join with Sajith in her stupid imagination that it would boost the sinking prospects of Sajith.  In order to please this old hag, her proxy in the UNP the biggest liar Sei Lanka has ever seen Goebbles Mangala Samaraweera has published a news report saying that138  SLFP electorate organisers are to be joined with Sajith.  An obtuse hallucination.  Since the February 10 political debacle at the local government polls, only a handful of persons have remained as SLFP  electoral organisers and they are now reported to be actively involved in campaigning for Gota.  For instance, Dayasiri, Nimal Siripala, Dilan Perera, Mutuhettuwegama, Amaraweera, Punchi Nilame to name a few.  The disillusioned Welgama has said that he has given up politics and started tea cultivation. It would have been better if he started a garage instead of as he once said that he has a wide knowledge about the motor vehicle. 

Meanwhile, the UNP Ministers, MPs and stalwarts seem to be severely suffering from the Elpitiya fiasco and are airing funny and tomfoolery statements.  The racist maniac former diehard JVPer and coal tender fraudster Pa.Cha.Ranawaka has said that 12% of the SLFP votes will only go to Sajith.  The UNP’s female thug MP Hirunika who once advocated that what Sambandan demands should be granted has said that after November 16th b both Mahinda and Gota will be hanged in the front and rear sides of the Medamulana residence.  This ungrateful MP has completely forgotten that she is in politics today because Mr Mahinda, sympathising for her father, exorbitantly helped her to enter politics and win her first bid in the Western Provincial Council election. Speaking at a meeting during the weekend she has sais that she feels sad about the UNPers as they remained as those in the opposition but when Sajith becomes President in the forthcoming election, they could rule the country until 2025.

The political chameleon Dentist Rajitha Senaratne and ship owner whose attempt to join SLPP  and continue his plundering in the next government as well as met with total rejection has said that the whole SLFP will be with them supporting Sajith within the next three days. When Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa came to the stage Gota’s Kadawata meeting last Sunday the audience has shouted Rajithath uge puthath keeyatawath pohottuwata ganna epa – Un dennaama hour. (Don’t take Rajitha and his son to pohottuwa at any cost – Both of them are rogues) for which Mr Mahinda has responded saying Ne, ne, gannema nehe (No, no, will never be taken).

 Another one who is very much upset is Rs. 90,00/month Litro Agent Dambara Amila Thero.  This maroon colour robed former JVP stalwart who has been provided with several advisor posts with high remuneration under this government in government Ministries institutions has scolded the Elpitiya voters in filth and threatened to terminate Mahinda and Gota when Sajith becomes PresidentThe architect of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna SLPP) and the former of Economic Development Mr. Basil Rajapaksa participating in the HIRU tV’s political programme, ‘Salakuna’ the powerful persons of the United National Party has expressed willingness to join the SLPP and negotiations with some of them are ongoing.  He has said that, however, all those who have shown an inclination will not be taken in.  Speaking further said that Gota will secure &.2 million votes and has given facts and figures relating to this calculation and has pointe3d out that the SLPP – SLFP union and many recent developments contributed in favour of Gota.  He has said that although the UNP claimed that they will get 6 million votes they are unable to substantiate their illusory predictions.

The popular legal luminary, President’s Counsel Mr Ali Sabry states that the N  o.1 racist in this country is Patali Champika Ranawaka.  Propagates racism in the country but also provides ideological reasons for its necessity and misleads the people. Mr. Sabri made these comments addressing a media conference in Colombo.  Speaking further Mr. Sabri said that during Mr. Mahinda’s rule only two mosques had been attacked but during this so-called Yahapalana government 102 mosques have been attacked. He also pointed out that the people of this country has got the opportunity to make this country an Ethiopia or a Singapore. And added that he has acquainted Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for the last 15 years and assured that Mr. Rajapaksa is not racist but a humanist. 

The former Mayor of Colombo Mr. A.J.M.Muzammil addressing this media conference that the so-called Muslim leaders have commercialised politics and they are betraying the Muslim community for their political well being, and this situation should be changed soon.

The media spokesman of the National Freedom Front Mr. Mohamed Muzammil addressing the Nikaweratiya meeting of Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that theUNP stalwarts will soon get Makandura Madushreleased on bail and make him express support to mislead the people that Gota is behind underground and the frug proffers.  He said that the UNP will do everything possible without any shame within the next thirty-odd days to incriminate Gota and reminded that the underground leaders and narcotic dealers are being patronized by UNP Ministers and MPs of the Colombo district and this truth is well known even to a toddler in the Colombo district.

Latest reports indicate that Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, who acted like a tyrant during the 52 days government has refused Sajith Premadasa’s meeting that the post of the speaker is a non-partisan post and he does not want to make a dent in the honour of that post.  Political analysts point out that Mr Jayasuriya completely desecrated the honour of that post by appointing minority party leader Sambandan as the Leader of the Opposition, appointing Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the JVP with only 6 seats in the parliament as the chief opposition. Denying the joint opposition with 54 members its legitimate due place and the right to participate in debates and restricting their speech times and failing to take appropriate actions against government MPs when they brought knives to the parliament lobby and attempted to assault opposition members.  They say that he only wants to refrain from associating a loser. They further state that he is holding a grudge with Sajith for snatching the nomination which he was planning to get.

Tushar Ranjan Mohanty Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management

Riots broke out in Ghotki town (Ghotki District) of Sindh on September 15, 2019, after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) tweeted a video of protesters breaking the infrastructure of the school and wrote, “Alarming reports of accusations of blasphemy in Ghotki and the outbreak of mob violence”. Videos of stick-wielding protesters were also shared on social media in which they were seen vandalising a Hindu temple. The protests erupted after a FIR (first information report) was filed against the Hindu principal of Sindh Public School on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Rajput, a student’s father, who claimed that the teacher had committed blasphemy. The principal, identified as Notan Lal, was booked and then arrested on charges of blasphemy on September 16. 

On May 27, 2019, a Hindu veterinary doctor, identified as Ramesh Kumar, was arrested in Phulhadiyon area of Mirpurkhas District of Sindh after a local cleric filed a Police complaint accusing him of committing blasphemy. Although the doctor was arrested, radical organisations and their supporters were not pacified and took to setting fire and damaging shops owned by Hindus in the area besides, burning tyres on the roads. The head cleric of the local mosque, Maulvi Ishaq Nohri, filed the complaint with Police alleging that Kumar had torn pages of a holy book and wrapped medicines in them.

On March 20, 2019, one student, identified as Khateeb Hussain, at Bahawalpur’s Government Sadiq Egerton College stabbed Associate Professor Khalid Hameed, the head of the English Department of the college, to death over what he vaguely described as the academic’s “anti-Islam” remarks. Khalid Hameed was seated inside his office at the college when he was allegedly accosted and attacked with a knife by the student. According to initial information noted by the Police at the scene of the crime, Khateeb Hussain, who was a 5th-semester Bachelor of Arts (BA) student of the English Department, had exchanged hot words with Professor Hameed at around 8:40am [PST] over the arranging of a ‘welcome party’ at the college. The event, which Hameed was overseeing, was to be held on March 21, 2019, to welcome new students to the college. Hussain was averse to the event being organised because he viewed the mingling of male and female pupils at the function as “un-Islamic”. Following an argument, Hussain stabbed the associate professor to death. The student equated the teacher’s words with blasphemy, Police said.

Targeting people by accusing them of blasphemy is a persistent phenomenon in the theocratic state of Pakistan. In its annual report released on April 15, 2019, HRCP stated that around 70 people had been lynched since 1990 on accusations of insulting Islam. “In many cases, blasphemy allegations end up in a mob lynching or targeted killing of the accused before they can be tried or heard in a court of law,” the report added.

Similarly, a November 1, 2018, media report, quoting the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), stated that at least 75 people had been killed in Pakistan since 1990, by angry mobs and individuals on the accusation of blasphemy. Out of the 75 people killed until January 31, 2018, 14 murders took place in Lahore, including the murder of retired judge of the Lahore High Court Arif Iqbal Bhatti. Bhatti was killed on October 17, 1997, by Ahmad Sher in Lahore (Lahore District), because he had given a verdict in 1995 to acquit two Christian men of blasphemy charges.

Among the most high-profile killings relating to blasphemy was that of the Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, came forward in the support of Aasia Bibi, the first woman to be accused of Blasphemy. On January 4, 2011, Salman Taseer, the Governor of the Punjab province, was killed by his own security guard, because Taseer had sought to an amendment of the blasphemy law to remove the mandatory death penalty on conviction. Subsequently, on March 2, 2011, unidentified assailants killed the Federal Minorities Affairs Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, another outspoken critic of the law.

Aasia Bibi, also known as Asia Noreen, a Christian woman from Ittan Wali village in the Sheikhupura District, was sentenced to death on November 7, 2010, for blasphemy, allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad during a row with neighbouring women in June 2009. Noreen denied that she had committed blasphemy and asserted that she had been accused by her neighbours to “settle an old score”. On November 7, 2010, Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, a judge at the district Court of Sheikhupura, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine equivalent to USD 1,100 was imposed. On October 31, 2018, Pakistan’s Supreme Court overturned the conviction, and Aasia Bibi was released from the New Jail for Women in Multan on November 7, 2018.

Fundamentalists and, in some cases, opportunists exploiting the law to settle personal scores, often file false cases of blasphemy. Indeed, it has been established that most such accusations have been fabricated. A study by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) released on November 4, 2015, on the implementation of the blasphemy law in Pakistan, under section 295-C, found that in 19 out of 25 cases, i.e. 76 percent, the appellate courts found that evidence and complaints had been fabricated based on personal or political vendettas”, and convictions by lower courts were overturned on appeal.

In its annual report released on April 15, 2019, HRCP noted, “The blasphemy laws have been grossly abused with many people lodging false complaints to settle their personal vendettas.” According to the report 40 people were currently on death row or serving a life sentence after being convicted on charges of blasphemy. However, the country is yet to execute anyone for blasphemy.

The decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to quash the conviction of a person who had spent almost 18 years in prison for blasphemy, once again highlighted how the law had been misused in the country to settle personal score. On September 25, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide substantial evidence against Wajih-ul-Hassan, who had been sentenced to death in 2002 for writing allegedly blasphemous letters. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch observed,

The abuse of the blasphemy law is built into its very character. Under existing laws, a person making a false accusation can only face proceedings under Section 182 of the PPC, which entails a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment, or a mere PKR 1,000 fine. However, the punishment for blasphemy under Sections 295-B and 295-C of PPC ranges from several years in prison to a death sentence.

With international attention focusing on the continuous excesses of the blasphemy law in Pakistan, a Senate Special Committee on Human Rights on March 6, 2018, had recommended that perpetrators of false accusations of blasphemy be given the same punishment as set for those convicted for blasphemy. “Anyone falsely accusing someone of blasphemy should be subjected to the same punishment as a person convicted of blasphemy,” the recommendation stated. The recommendation also stated that anyone looking to register a blasphemy case at a Police Station should have to bring two witnesses to support their accusation. However, committee member Senator Mufti Abdul Sattar, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, opposed the recommendations, terming them “an attempt to sabotage the blasphemy law.” Mainstream political parties are also unwilling to support the recommendation for fear of losing their extremist and conservative vote banks. Not surprisingly, then Prime Minister hopeful Imran Khan, during his 2018 General Election campaign supported the blasphemy law, declaring, at a gathering of Muslim leaders in Islamabad on July 21, 2018, We are standing with Article 295c and will defend it.”

The religious right and mainstream parties in Pakistan are in complete agreement with the Islamist terrorist organisations on this count. Significantly, pamphlets of the Punjab Chapter of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) were found from the place of assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. The pamphlets stated, “anyone who criticises the blasphemy law has no right to live”.

The blasphemy law in Pakistan is a critical weapon for both Islamist extremists and mainstream majoritarian parties and politicians, every one of whom has used Sunni fundamentalism and Islamism as a tool of political control. The marginalisation and victimisation of the minorities in Pakistan can only continue within such a political backdrop, and the abuse of the blasphemy law is unlikely to diminish unless overwhelming international pressure is brought to bear on the Pakistani state to shift course to a more humane and rational politics.

BRIGADIER RANJAN DE SILVA Courtesy The Island

What every voter should ask the UNP and Pohottuva presidential candidates is who is answerable and accountable for the Rs 11 trillion national debt.

In the UK the national service and public assets are now owned by several foreign companies and institutions. Will this happen to Sri Lanka after the Presidential election on 16th November 2019? This is what has happened to UK:-

Let’s start with Railways – At Romford station in the London borough of Havering, there is a choice of trains to London: you can travel on one run by the Dutch, or one run by the Chinese going to neighbouring Basildon, change at Upminster and buy a ticket from the Italian firm that operates C2C.

ScotRail is operated by Abellio, which is wholly owned by the Dutch national rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen. Abellio also owns 60% of Greater Anglia trains (the remaining 40% is owned by the Japanese company Mitsui. West Midlands trains 70% is owned by Abellio, the remaining 30% is shared between Mitsui and the Japanese company JR East.

Arriva Rail London is operated by Arriva, which is owned by the German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Arriva also operates Chiltern Railways and Cross Country, Grand Central and Northern.

The already mentioned C2C is owned by the Italian government’s Trenitalia.

Eurostar is operated by EIL which is owned by the French government’s SNCF (50%) Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ – Canada) (30%), Hermes Infrastructure (10%) which is majority-owned by a US investment fund and NMBS/SNCB (5 %) which is the state railway company of Belgium.

The Chinese corporation MTR owns TfL Rail and 30% of South Western Railway.

Transport for Wales is owned by Keolis, a Franco-Quebecois (France/Canada) private operator of public transport.

In fact,. European state railways now own more than a quarter of the UK’s passenger train system.

The Energy sector: London Electricity, SWEB, Seeboard and British Energy are owned by EDF Energy, a subsidiary of the French Government-owned energy company EDF (Electricite` de France) Group. Powergen is owned by the German group EON. Calortex – Independent Energy and Midlands Electricity are owned by Npower, a subsidiary of German energy company RWE Group.

ScottishPower is a subsidiary of Spanish company Iberdrola, which also owns Manweb, the energy company supplying Merseyside and North Wales.

Water – Anglia Water is owned by a consortium consisting of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Colonial First State Global Asset Management (owned by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia), IFM Investors (an Australian investment management firm) and 3i; the same consortium also owns Hartlepool Water.

Northumbrian Water is owned by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (Hong Kong). Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings also owns Essex and Suffolk Water.

Wessex Water is owned by YTL Corporation (Malaysia). Affinity Water is part owned by Morgan Stanley (USA). South East Water is owned by Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund /Utilities Trust of Australia. Sutton and East Surrey Water is owned by Sumitomo Corporation (Japan).

Communications – Level 3 Communications (USA) owns a national optical fibre network. 02 runs a GSM-900 network and is owned by Telefonica (Spain). EE runs a GSM-1800 network and is a joint venture of Orange (France) and Deutsche Telecom (Germany). IFM Investors (Australia), owns the telecommunications company Arqiva, in addition to owning Manchester airport, the MM6 tollway and part owning Anglian Water

Bus Transport: Arriva Buses is owned by the German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn. Bus and coach companies are also owned by ComfortDelGro (Singapore), RATP (France) and Transdev (France).

Airports: Heathrow, Glasgow and Southampton airports are owned by the Spanish Ferrovial (25%), Qatar Holdings (20%), and Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (12.62%).(Canada). Gatwick airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (USA). The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Canada) owns 48.25% of Birmingham airport. Manchester airport is owned by IFM investors (Australia)

Tollways – The MM6 toll –way is owned by IFM (Australia)

(Source: Internet)

No fewer than fifteen (15) countries Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Qatar, Singapore, Spain and US – are taking away from UK the profits from these public assets which should accrue to the benefit of UK’s citizens. The reasons for this are another story too long to tell here. Suffice it to say, this is the genesis of Brexit – its nuts and bolts. Brexiters are fighting to take them back. Its touch and go. Hope it’s not too late for Britishers. Hope it’s not too late for Sri Lankans.

BRIGADIER RANJAN DE SILVA

rpcdesilva@gmail.com

By Shamindra Ferdinando Courtesy The Island

SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday assured his commitment to work with the UN while rejecting the Geneva Resolution co-sponsored by the yahapalana government in Oct 2015.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka always worked with the UN.

The wartime Defence Secretary said so in response to a query at his first media briefing since receiving nominations on August 11, at Shangri-la, one of the hotels targeted by two National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) suicide bombers on April 21, 2019.

The media queried as to how he would proceed as regards the Geneva commitments, in case he was elected at the Nov 16, 2019 presidential poll.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was flanked by former President and leader of the SLPP Mahinda Rajapaksa, former External Affairs Minister and SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman, MP, former MP A.L.M. Athaulla, SLFP General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera, MP, MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena, MP, NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP and EPDP leader Douglas Devananda MP.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa pointed out that they had rejected the Geneva Resolution publicly.

The 2015 Resolution was based on 2011 Darusman report that blamed the Sri Lankan military for killing 40,000 civilians. The UN also recommended far reaching security sector reforms in accordance with the unsubstantiated allegations. Recently, the UN announced the termination of Sri Lanka peacekeeping mission under UN command in Southern Lebanon as a punishment for appointing celebrated war hero Lt. Gen Shavendra Silva, opposed by the self-styled international community.

Prof. Peiris pointed out that the incumbent government itself declared that the Geneva Resolution was contrary to the Constitution. Prof. Peiris underscored the fact that the government couldn’t implement what was not in line with the Constitution. The former External Affairs Minister was referring to Foreign Minister Tilak Marapana, PC’s statement at the March 2018 sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Responding to another query, the former frontline combat officer pointed out the recent revelations made by two senior Attorney General’s Department officials pertaining to high profile politically motivated investigations initiated following the last presidential poll. Gotabaya Rajapaksa explained as to how decisions regarding investigations were taken at Temple Trees. According to him, decisions taken at Temple Trees had been harmful to those who risked their lives for the country. Rajapaksa found fault with the procedures adopted by the current dispensation in respect of military personnel now in remand custody on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa reiterated his commitment to release those in remand custody on bogus charges once he was elected.

The famed Gajaba Regiment veteran said that once elected he would resume the procedures/process adopted by the Rajapaksa administration in respect of accountability issues.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa asserted that accountability process could move forward without foreign involvement.

Responding to another query, he emphasized that those living in the Northern and Eastern provinces had far more important issues than what he called unsubstantiated old allegations.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa explained the measures taken by the Rajapaksa administration to rehabilitate 13,000 surrendered LTTE cadres following the successful conclusion of the war in May 2009. Gotabaya Rajapaksa responded to a spate of questions on accountability issues, including disappearances and those missing after surrendering to the Army on the Vanni east front during the final phase of the offensive.

Recollecting his time with the infantry in the Jaffna peninsula two decades ago, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that there were instances bodies of fallen officers and men couldn’t be recovered.

Asked whether the SLPP had discussed polls arrangement with the four-party Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said that they were yet to hold talks with that party. Kurunegala District MP Rajapaksa said that they were ready to hold discussions with any party.

Pointing out that explanations were sought in respect of accountability issues pertaining to only the Eelam War IV, The Island asked the coalition backing Gotabaya Rajapaksa as to why origins of terrorism were not properly examined, including the Indian destabilization project and the assassination of Lankan lawmakers at the behest of India.

Thousands perished in Indian Army operations in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The LTTE retaliated in May 1991 by assassinating one-time Indian PM Rajiv Gandhi

Former President Rajapaksa agreed that the conflicts in the North-East and the South should be examined. Lawmaker Rajapaksa also made reference to counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the then UNP government in the 80s.

Asked by The Island whether a situation similar to that of 2015 when the then Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne was replaced in the wake of Maithripala Sirisena winning the presidential poll was likely in the aftermath of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory, former President Rajapaksa said that they would wait for the Nov 16 poll outcome.

Courtesy Mail on Line

Sri Lankan presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapakse (left) with his brother, former president Mahinda Rajapakse during a press conference in Colombo

Sri Lanka’s front-running presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapakse vowed Tuesday that if elected he will scrap Colombo’s pledge to investigate war crimes committed during his brother Mahinda’s decade in power.

Gotabhaya was defence secretary during his brother’s rule, when troops were accused of killing up to 40,000 Tamil civilians while crushing the Tamil Tigers.

A later government co-sponsored a US-led resolution to appoint an independent panel to look into the actions of both sides in the final stages of Sri Lanka’s bloody separatist conflict, although it was never formed.

But on Tuesday the 70-year-old Gotabhaya said he would not honour the commitments made to the UN Human Rights Council, saying people needed to “move on”

In response to questions by AFP about Sri Lanka’s wartime human rights record, he said: “Why are you talking all the time on the past. Ask (about) the future.

“I am trying to become the president of the future Sri Lanka. So if you concentrate on the future, it is better.”

He said even the Tamils were more interested in jobs, education and infrastructure than raking over the past.

The Rajapakses insist no civilians were killed by government forces in the latter stages of the war, and accuse the rebels of using tens of thousands of civilians as human shields.

At least 100,000 people were killed in the conflict between 1972 and 2009.

Mahinda Rajapakse’s administration was on the verge of international sanctions because of its refusal to investigate the alleged war crimes when he was defeated at the January 2015 elections.

Gotabhaya Rajapakse was addressing the press Tuesday for the first time since launching his bid to become president in an election scheduled for November 16.

The presidential poll has attracted a record 35 candidates, with nearly 16 million people eligible to vote.

Courtesy The Hindustan Times

Rajapaksa is accused by opponents of being behind men in mysterious vehicles whisking away rebel suspects, journalists and activists. Many people taken away in the so-called white van abductions” were never seen again.

A former Sri Lankan defense chief who is a front-runner in next month’s presidential election said Tuesday that if he wins, he won’t recognize an agreement the government made with the UN human rights council to investigate alleged war crimes during the nation’s civil war.

If Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the November 16 election and follows through with his comments, it would be a severe setback to Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation process.

We will always work with the United Nations, but I can’t recognize what they have signed” with past Sri Lankan governments, Rajapaksa said at a news conference.

We have already rejected that, as a party we have rejected that agreement and in public we have rejected that. … On this issue, our policies and the present government policies are far apart,” he said.

Rajapaksa was the top defense official during the last few years of the long civil war, which ended in 2009, serving under his brother, then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Under their watch, Sri Lankan forces were accused of targeting hospitals and killing civilians and rebels who surrendered to the military at the end of the war, which saw the military defeat Tamil rebels who were fighting for an independent state for minority ethnic Tamils.

Rajapaksa is accused by opponents of being behind men in mysterious vehicles whisking away rebel suspects, journalists and activists. Many people taken away in the so-called white van abductions” were never seen again.

Rajapaksa said Tuesday, however, that Sri Lankans should look to the future rather than think about the past.

We have to move forward, we have to forget about hanging on to old allegations and all that. We have a lot of things that we can do to the betterment of the people of that area,” he said, referring to the island nation’s north and east, where Tamils live in the majority.

He said those listed as missing are only war combatants who went missing in action.

Even in the military, we know that there are more than 4,000 officers and soldiers missing … because when you go to war, when they are in the battlefield, there are certain instances even we could not recover our own bodies,” he said.

Rajapaksa reiterated that immediately on being elected, he would release members of the armed forces held for allegations of abductions and forced disappearances.

He said the soldiers and sailors accused of killing, abducting and attacking journalists have been framed for political reasons.

The daughter of a slain journalist has filed a case against Rajapaksa in a U.S. court linking him to her father’s killing in 2009.

Rajapaksa says he has renounced his US citizenship to contest the presidential election.

In 2015, current President Maithripala Sirisena’s government agreed with the UN rights body to probe human rights in Sri Lanka as well as possible war crimes allegations.

Abraham Sumanthiran, a lawmaker from the Tamil National Alliance, the main political party representing minority Tamils, said Rajapaksa’s stand can’t be accepted. It is an undertaking given by the government of Sri Lanka. Whichever party, it is bound by the undertaking,” he said.

He will have to necessarily implement all of the provisions in that resolution. We will continue to advocate for that,” Sumanthiran said.

According to conservative UN estimates, some 100,000 people were killed in the 26-year civil war. But a later U.N. report said that some 40,000 civilians may have been killed in the final months of the fighting alone.

By Mirudhula Thambiah Courtesy Ceylon Today

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was summoned to appear before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating corruption of the current administration, on 18 October to be questioned on the decision to store paddy at the Mattala Airport in 2015.

Summons was sent following a revelation by former Head of the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB), Bandara Dissanayake that Wickremesinghe personally instructed him to store paddy at the airport.

Dissanayake told the PCoI that a series of meetings were held with officials of the airport in 2015 to explore the possibility of storing paddy during the next harvesting season as there wasn’t sufficient space at the PMB’s stores. 

However, airport officials rejected the request saying that the buildings around the runaway contained valuable equipment including air conditioning equipment.

Dissanayake also said, “Minister Daya Gamage called me frequently. He told me that they gave an election promise to store paddy at the Mattala Airport and that the Cabinet of Ministers had approved a decision to store 

4,000 metric tons there. Wickremesinghe too called me. Senior Advisor to Wickremesinghe, Charitha Ratwatte also played a role in this initiative.”

The witness also added that he rented the Mattala premises for six months due to their insistence. However, Airport officials were not aware of the decision to store paddy until they went and took over the keys to the buildings.

“We paid rent for three months only,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manager of the Mattala Airport, Nalin Upul Kalansuriya  said that around 23 aircraft had landed at the Airport after its opening until its closure.

Minister Gamage was also asked to appear before the PCoI in October and Ratwatte was ordered to appear on 16 October.

Earlier, former Chairman of the SriLankan Airlines, Ajith Dias said that he was asked to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department unit attached to the PCoI after it was revealed that in 2015, he sent a letter to 

Ratwatte on a SriLankan Airlines letterhead, stating that they were willing to allow the PMB to use the Airport to store paddy as requested by the Government.

Police officers attached to the PCoI visited Mattala Airport and inspected the premises. They found that storing of paddy inside the buildings had caused damage estimated to be around Rs 5 million.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  අරුණ පුවත්

ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපතිධුර අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතා සහභාගි වූ විශේෂ මාධ්‍ය හමුවක් අද කොළඹ ෂැංග්‍රිලා හෝටලයේදී පැවැත් විය.

මෙම විශේෂ මාධ්‍ය හමුව සදහා විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා සහභාගි වි සිටියේය.

එම මාධ්‍ය හමුවේදී මාධ්‍යවේදීන් විසින් නැගූ ප්‍රශ්නවලට ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතා සහ මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ මහතා විසින් පිළිතුරු ලබා දුන්නේය.

මෙම අවස්ථාව සදහා පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී කිහිපදෙනෙක් ද සහභාගි වි සිටියේය.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

මෙරටට අහිමිවූ සංස්කෘතිය, අභිමානය නැවත ගෙන ඒම තම වගකීම බව ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ මහතා පවසනවා.

ඔහු මේ අදහස් පළකළේ අද කොළඹ පැවති උත්සයකට එක්වෙමින්.

KAMALIKA  PIERIS

By 2016, Yahapalana had accepted the fact that it was going to face strike after strike till the end of its period of rule. A set of bright yellow police barricades were placed in permanent readiness on the pavement near the Kollupitiya junction.

 The police had ordered 5,000 tear gas canisters and 2,000 high tech protective helmets in August 2018, for policemen deployed to disperse protests. They spoke about it too.”There is a rumour about a shortage of tear gas and that we might be compelled to use rubber bullets to disperse protestors,” a senior police officer said, “that is false. We have sufficient stocks of tear gas and we have also ordered 5,000 more gas canisters, he said.

The police said that they had ordered 2,000 high tech protective helmets for policemen who will be deployed to disperse protests. According to him, police would also import 2,000 rubber batons to replace the wooden ones currently being used.

The media periodically reviewed the ‘strike situation’ and made comments. A string of strikes affected the public sector this week, with some of them still continuing while several others mulling over trade union action and protest campaigns said the media  In May 2019. The key demand of many of the striking unions centers on salary anomalies.

The media then listed the various strikes. All Island Health Services Union representing attendants, drivers, and minor staff would launch a strike. The union demanded the implementation of the existing circular and the immediate payment of arrears.

Unions representing state sector principals and teachers are also threatening to launch a strike at the end of this month. Ceylon Teacher Services Union General Secretary said that 30 unions had agreed to join the strike and launch a protest in Colombo if their demands were not met. Their main grievance is also about salary anomalies. They also demand that the Government reduced the workload on teachers and principals, that the government allocate at least 6 percent of the GDP to education, initiate pension schemes for Pirivena and semi-government school teachers. 

All Island Service Executive Officers’ Joint Committee is also considering trade union action over salary anomalies. The members of this union included architects, engineers, and draftsmen. Also joining the stream of protesters are disabled soldiers. They are continuing their Satyagraha campaign outside the fort railway station, calling on the state to pay them salaries even after their retirement. They said they would not call off their Satyagraha campaign until the government addresses their grievances, concluded the media.

There was a similar review in September, 2019.it was observed that Yahapalana is ending its term of office with a bang with multiple strikes, just prior to the announcement of Presidential election.  Unions were active towards election season, because that was mostly, the only time that politicians actually listen to us,”  trade unions said.

A wave of strikes continued to cause chaos throughout the country while Government and Trade Unions were trading accusations, said the media. All TU actions took place to force the government to take steps to rectify salary anomalies affecting their respective services. Demands related to salary anomalies have become the foremost issue for striking Unions. The strikes left a number of sectors paralyzed.

With more TUs gearing up for strikes of their own, the coming weeks are shaping up to be difficult ones for the public at large, said the media. Train commuters were left in the lurch on a  Friday due to a signal failure between Colombo Fort and Maradana.

Doctors, university staff, Dehiwela zoo staff,  All Island Transport      Services,  wanted salary increases. Mahaweli  Engineers Union, for the first time, sent sick notes and demonstrated outside the Mahaweli authority, on the matter of allowances. Disabled soldiers asking for a lifetime salary as the new leg says only severely disabled will get this.

There were islandwide strikes by employees of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). Employees of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA) and Sri Lanka Railways conducted limited work and work-to-rule campaigns while warning they would resort to strike action in the coming days. State universities and higher education institutes continued to be paralyzed, by an indefinite strike launched by non-academic staff members. Teachers’ and principals’ unions are also due to launch a 2-day ‘Sick-Note’ campaign on September 26 and 27 said the media.

This rash of strikes came to an abrupt end by the first week of October. They did so because of the government-held out promises. Two major state sector trade unions, the Ceylon Teachers Services Union and the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA) have decided to call off their strike temporarily from today, said the media on 30 September 2019. Government authorities have promised to look into their salary anomalies and promotions. However, the main reason the strikes ended was the anticipation of regime change through the forthcoming Presidential election.

DEMONSTRATIONS.

 Angry demonstrations have been taking place ever since   Yahapalana took power. On 5.3.19 Derana television news showed the following demonstrations:

 1. National Association of Grama Niladharis held a big demonstration near Parliament complex. They blocked the Parliament complex and police had to close the road and put up barriers. The demonstrators confronted the MPs as they went past and hooted them on their way.

2. Demonstration at Fort railway station on behalf of the Ranaviru who had been taken into prison seven was under a death sentence. Demonstrators held photographs and appealed for their release. The camera showed wives and children crying.

3. There was a strong demonstration in Kandy. Kandy road was blocked by demonstrators at Deiyannawela. They were against the one-way rule imposed on the road. They hooted the Governor as he passed.

4.  33 groups comprising the Polonnaruwa United Farmer Association blocked Polonnaruwa Batticaloa’s main road at Welikande. They also blocked the railway line by lying on it and the train had to stop. The train was held up for some time.

This essay concludes with a select list of strikes that took place until the end of September 2019.

STRIKES November /December 2016  

Doctors were contemplating trade union action in November  2016  since their children were still not given good schools when transfers were made.   This matter should have been solved internally not made public they said. Tires in their cars had been deflated at the Ministry. Doctors at Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matara had suspended work for four hours as a protest. Teachers had also been deprived of the long-standing policy of allowing them to secure admission to schools in the areas they served, doctors added.

Western Province doctors had staged a lunch hour protest on 28th November, demanding that the government solve several issues of the Budget 2017. Three associations, GMOA, Government Dental Surgeons Association, and Government Ayurveda Medical Officers Association went on a token strike on 30.11.16.  In Uva and North Western Province they stopped their channel practice as well.

They were striking for many reasons. They wanted their disturbance, availability and transport allowance as well as other allowances to be increased. They did not want their private practice (PP) subject to tax. They were also striking over the budget proposals, which they said the government was not interested in discussing with them. They also objected to abolishing pensions scheme for new recruits to the government sector, taxing public servants,  exposing job market to foreigners and the current health policy.  They objected to the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) donation to the  Health Ministry and wanted the tax on CTC to increase.

The government said at a discussion thereafter that they would give the disturbance, availability and transport allowance. Other allowances will be increased. They will abandon the CTC donation and increase the tax on CTC.  Doctors PP will not be subject to tax.

STRIKES November  2017

The Joint Council of Health Professionals (JCHP)  consisting of 16 health sector trade unions, which included the Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers (SRAMO), Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA), Professions Supplementary to Medicine (PSM) and Paramedic trade unions warned that that trade unions in the health sector would resort to a token strike to pressure the government to rectify salary anomalies caused by the new salary structure introduced to the Railway Department. “We are not against salaries being increased for railway workers, but the government should increase the salaries of the health services employees accordingly to prevent anomalies, they said. Approximately 50,000 health sector employees would strike, affecting OPD services, clinics, ward services, and laboratory testing services in government hospitals.

STRIKES  July 2018

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) threatened to strike In July 2018    citing a series of demands the government had failed to meet. The chief demand of theirs, an increase in the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance had been delayed for over a month now. The DAT allowance is calculated based on a formula and is increased from time to time. Both the Salaries and Cadres Commission and the Health Ministry recommended an increase but the Treasury had not yet made an official announcement,”  they said. 

The GMOA shares the view of the Executive Service Officers’ Union that the increase in salaries of judicial employees through cabinet papers is unfair.  Unlike the judges, judicial employees come under the National Wage policy. It is a violation of the National Wage Policy”. GMOA also insists that a National Allowance Policy” be set up, similar to the wage policy.

Health Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said the government has provided doctors with sufficient increases, including the requested DAT allowance, and there was no need to protest.The Treasury approved the increase in the DAT allowance but the money hasn’t still been paid,” Minister Senaratne said. The Justice Department was a closed department”. A comparison of the salaries was stupid. We will soon be making the Health and Education departments ‘closed’ as well.

STRIKES March 2019

Government Technical Officers (Civil/Electrical/Mechanical) Association told the media, in March 2019  that prior to resorting to trade union action it would stage a countrywide peaceful demonstration demanding that the government meet their justifiable demands. However, there was a limit to their patience.  The government technical officers were overworked as vacancies were not filled. This has resulted in a single technical officer having to oversee 25 to 30 projects. Hiring pensioners was not a solution to the problem. The Association wanted the salary anomalies of the technical officers rectified and a service minute introduced. The first of the series of peaceful demonstrations would be held in Kandy shortly.

STRIKES July 2019

Railway unions launched an indefinite strike at midnight against Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary L.G. Jayampathy’s refusal to interdict trade union leader Chandrasena Bandara on recommendations made by the General Manager Railways.GMR Fernando had recommended disciplinary action against Bandara, who had been allegedly found drunk while on duty. Subsequently, Fernando handed over his letter of resignation to Jayampathy, saying that he couldn’t serve unless the errant worker was appropriately dealt with. Railway unions yesterday called off their strike when Transport Minister Arjuna Ranatunga had agreed to take disciplinary action against an errant UNP trade union leader and also reinstate General Manager Railways Dilantha, Fernando.

STRIKES September 2019  (1)

Railway employees engaged in a work to rule, warning that they would strike if their demands were not met. Thereafter Railway unions launched a strike demanding that the authorities rectify salary anomalies in the railway service. Salaries of the public sector have been  increased, but the anomalies in the railway have not yet been resolved. We have earlier appealed to the authorities to do so, but our grievances were not addressed, they said.

Authorities had failed to implement a Cabinet Paper approved in May 2018 that rectified their salary anomaly issue. We have given the Government plenty of time to act. There is no reason for them to delay implementing an approved Cabinet Paper. We will continue our strike until the Government agrees to implement it.

The strike of Trade unions representing Railway employees including Railway Engine drivers, guards and station masters caused severe inconvenience to commuters. Tens of thousands of railway commuters, mainly office workers were left stranded due to lack of trains. Some had simply stayed home.  A handful of office trains were operating. Only 6 office trains operated on the  Thursday 19th, though that number doubled to 12 on Friday 20th.

  Images of commuters hanging on precariously, to parts of the trains and even traveling on carriage roofs, quickly went viral on social media.  There were heated arguments between commuters and railway staff at several train stations, including the Fort Railway Station, as commuters were faced with closed ticket counters. However, unions announced on the 2ist that they were suspending the work-to-rule action as discussions aimed at resolving their issues had commenced with authorities.

STRIKES September 2019  (2)

Trade Unions representing teachers and principals engaged in a 2-day ‘Sick Note’ campaign on  26 and 27 September, effectively shutting down most Government schools on the island. Activities at many schools islandwide were hampered by this sudden trade union action. Student and teacher turnout was low in many government schools countrywide. Many parents had not sent their children to school. The teachers had made five demands. The rectification of their salary anomalies. Allocate 6% of the GDP to education, stop promoting teachers illegally under the guise of political revenge and provide teachers in Pirivena and semi-government schools with a government pension.

STRIKES September 2019  (3)

Senior members of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLASA) numbering nearly 2400  had a 2-day ‘Sick-Note’ campaign that severely hampered work at key Government institutions such as the Department of Registration of Persons, Department of Immigration & Emigration and the Department of Motor Traffic. SLAS officers have decided to take two days sick leave and have advised the general public not to seek services at ministries and other departments as they would be greatly inconvenienced, they said. As part of their limited work action this week, the officers attended only to the duties entrusted to them under their appointment letters. Accordingly, officials were not present at functions attended by people’s representatives, did not sit on Interview Boards or take part in special development projects of the Government.

They were staying away owing to trade union action over unresolved salary anomalies and unwarranted political interference. The SLASA is protesting over a salary anomaly created by the increase in wages given to officers of the Attorney General’s Department in 2018. Minister of Public Administration presented a Cabinet Paper this week, recommending an Interim Allowance (IA) be paid to employees of 17 Government Services until a permanent solution could be found for the issue. Cabinet did not approve the proposal as Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera wanted a week to give his observations on it. The Minister has already given his observations about this issue on 3 other occasions, hence, we fail to see why he needs another week, said the Association.

The Association said that there were serious discrepancies where interns were paid better than directors and members of the board of management, Furthermore due to political pressures, retired pensioned SLAS officers were being recruited to the service when there were ample professionals who were awaiting promotions.

Association also referred to an incident where Ministers Vajira Abeywardena and Daya Gamage had faulted SLAS officers without referring to the individual or the incident. We condemn this as it affects the work of all SLAS officers  SLAS officers have been discouraged by the remarks, to the point that SLAS officers presently abstain from attending events or taking part in discussions headed by Minister Gamage.

The Association said at a media briefing that their issues could no longer be resolved through amicable discussions since the Ministry and other officials have not offered a reasonable solution. The Association has had discussions with the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet sub-committee, the Minister and Ministry Secretary and have written to these officials as well but to no avail. In light of increasing political interference, the Executive committees together with the district committees have decided to pursue strike action. We regret the inconvenience and hence we are advising the public to refrain from seeking government services, they said. Sri Lanka administrative Association  (SLASA) later called off their strike as the government said it would solve salary anomalies.

STRIKES September 2019  (4)

16, 000 non-academic staff members belonging to 27 Unions went on strike at 15 State Universities and 15 State-run Higher Education Institutions. The strike is intended to get the government to rectify the salary anomaly issue affecting non-academic staff members since 2016 when the Government increased public sector wages by Rs 10,000.

Non-academic staffers are paid on a different scale compared with civil servants, which deprives them of pensions, insurance, transfers, and other welfare benefits.Following the 2016 budget, non-academics were placed on a different grading which deprived them of many benefits. We are not asking for an increment, we are merely asking to be considered on par with other civil servants,”

State Universities were shut. Everyone in the University sector, barring Lecturers, are on strike. All exams scheduled during this period have been postponed indefinitely. No lectures are being held, while research work has also been severely affected. Universities have also had to put off admitting new students

University Non-academic Staff Trade Unions said their members would flood the streets of Colombo” on October 3, for a massive show of strength, as a warning to the Government. Our members from all State Universities, from Jaffna to Ruhuna, will converge on Colombo that day for this protest,” they said. The Inter-University Students’ Federation, Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee and the Medical Faculty Students’ Parents Association also have expressed support for our TU action.

This strike went on for 30 days. Then they decided to suspend their action until November 2nd following successful negotiations with the Government. University Trade Union Alliance (UTUA)  said they will suspend their action in expectation of proposals to be put forward by the National Salaries Commission in November. An agreement was signed yesterday between the Higher Education Ministry, the University Grants Commission and the University Trade Union Alliance. We have been told that the NSC will revert with their suggestions on November 2nd. If we find those suggestions to be unsatisfactory we will resume strike action without notice.

STRIKES September 2019  (5)

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA)  launched a token island-wide  24 hours strike on 18th September, deeply inconveniencing patients at Government hospitals. The trade union action was launched due to several unresolved issues, including salary anomalies, which authorities had failed to address despite repeated appeals, the GMOA said The GMOA also accused Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne of arbitrarily canceling the transfer list of doctors serving in the once war-torn Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country.

Medical Officers had been excluded from the Cabinet Paper regarding an  Interim Allowance. The decision to increase salaries in the Attorney General’s Department has also created a salary anomaly for doctors. GMOA said they would attend to all emergency services today despite their strike action. They would attend services at the National Hospital, Cancer Hospital, Army Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Renal Special Unit, and routine services.

 STRIKES September 2019  (6)

The strike launched by SLTB Trade unions affected about 60 of its 106 depots, said All Ceylon Transport Workers’ Union. The strike was launched to demand that the Rs 2,500 salary hike given to Government employees in the 2019 Budget, be granted to SLTB workers as well, and to amend the salaries of SLTB staff. The salaries of drivers, conductors, and technicians have been increased, but there has been no amendment to salaries of other staff.

STRIKES September 2019  (7)

The All Island Service Executive Officers’ Joint Committee is expected to launch an indefinite strike from today citing unresolved salary issues, reported the media on 18 September. They too had raised the issue created by the 2018 increase in salaries in the Legal field. They put forward 3 demands during discussions held with Minister. That no existing allowances be cut, that a flat rate should be given for the allowance, rather than going by various grades and that an interim allowance is paid until a solution is found for the salary anomaly. Since the Minister agreed to these demands, we have decided to postpone our TU action but, if the Cabinet Paper on granting an IA to 18 Government Services is not approved by Cabinet, we will go for TU action,” they said. ( Concluded)

Dr.Sripali Vaiamon  Canada

But it also tried to establish SINHALESE were descendants of a lion and a woman.

How far we can believe that! Let that be there but let us address everyone living in Sri Lanka AS SRILANKAN, after the election of the new President

What a fascinating apology.  Rev. Mahanama of the Deegasanda Senapthi Pirivena at Anuradhapura who conglomerated this massive historical piece of literature, realized when he planned a vast historical literary piece but confronted with the obstacles to gather the scrupulous material perfectly, meticulously and 100% correctly although the complete manifestation was absent in his matured brain! Very often it has become a guesswork

But he was adamant his meticulous dream must make a reality.

So he decided to write with a golden apology. So that the very fundamental conglomeration would be a masterpiece.It could have been a day like TODAY! WHERE PEOPLE LIKE SINHALESE BORN TO A GRANDPARENT, SUPPADEVI AND A LION! Or  Gauthama the Buddha who never adhered NEKATH as he described in his  ATTHO ATTHGASSA NAKKATHTHANG KING KARISTHI THRAKA. Or Gauthama Buddha flew approximately 8000 feet high to the peak of the mount SAMANOLA as a god called SAMAN cordially invited him to implant his left footprint on the peak.

This piece of literature has been compiled for the serene joy and emotion of the pious.” Not to establish any truth or evidence as such. Because there are some events look historical but not authentic as there is no evidence or facts. For devotees with piety, those may sound as real. Particularly when a Buddhist monk has done the composition of a story they have more faith. They grasp as real stories. They will never reject but on the contrary praise, all situations are genuine and wholeheartedly believe. If an elderly person says the idea of a lion having coitus with a woman they open their mouths and believe it as an adventurous truth. If the woman bears children, as a result, they never disbelieve. This is exactly what had happened in Suppadevi and the lion’s story in which the origination of the Sinhala race etched. But according to science reproduction of normal human children by animal sperm and human egg or vice -versa is beyond reality. However, let us touch a bit of the story as elaborated in Mahavansa. The compiler Rev. Mahanama of the Deegasanda Senapathi Pirivana at Anuradhapura built up the Vijaya story with the help of a few Jathaka stories, such as Nalapana, Walahassa, Janaka, Padakusala Manawa, and Devadhamma. King of Vanga got married to a queen of Kalinga where they had a beautiful daughter, Suppadevi. Royal soothsayers prophesied she will one day elope with a lion and live in the jungle. Royal parents thoroughly guarded right around the palace to prevent this adverse mishap. But somehow or other she escaped and joint a caravan that was heading towards Laata Desha in the Indus valley region at the western end of India.  When they reached Laata Desh or present Gujarath (Birthplace of Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi) where there was a small town called Sinhapur or Sihor. The name has been earned as it was the only area in India Asiatic lions were living in the adjacent hilly forest. When the caravan reached that region a lion has pounced upon and those who were in the caravan have run amok accept Suppadevi. Mahavansa described the lion wagged its tail and came over to her perhaps like a tamed animal. She who was aware of the soothsayers’ prediction stroked its lovely fur and got friendly. Lion makes her get on to her back and she did and then slowly walked into a jungle cave. They live there and begot a boy and a girl, who was named as Sinhabahu and Sinhaseevali. They were living in that cave minus ventilation or light and it has a stone door the only lion could open. They were inside the cave the whole day until the boy reached 16. -Just imagine the situation! When the boy asked the mother why they are living in a dungeon-like this she had recollected the whole story and said that they are royal people. He wanted to leave the cave and escape. So he did. When they arrived at the Royal Palace narrated the story and king were fully convinced and allowed them to stay. When the lion found they are missing came to the town and ravaged the whole area. King agreed to offer a 1000 gold to whoever kills the animal. Vijaya agreed and with one arrow he killed the grandpa. Now without lengthening the story lets go to the end. When the old king died Sinhabahu became the king.  Sinhabahu and Sinhaseevali lived as wife and husband. They had so many children and the eldest was Vijaya who was a boisterous character. He had so many followers, around 700 who were violent in disposition and involved in various nefarious activities. Kings’ subjects complained many a time. Ultimately they were banished by the shaven half side of their heads in a ship. Their ship landed near present-day Puttalam in Sri Lanka. They named it Thambapanni. When they landed Vijaya knelt down and pressed his both hands on a sandy beach. It was on the day that Buddha was demised. According to Mahavansa year was 543 BC. They had met a woman of Yakka tribe, Kuveni, who reveals that there is a kingdom called Sirisawastu and a king name Mahakalasena. However, According to Mahavansa origination of Sinhalese started from Vijaya. That means the history of Sinhalese according to Mahavansa is from the descendants of a human and an animal, the lion.

So Vijaya was our progenitor.

The late Dr.Ananda W.P.Guruge and historian John M. Senaviratna referring to the union of Suppadevi and lion deliberated in their expressions that it was an outlaw or robber chief, named Sinha (lion) who with his men fell upon the caravan to plunder. It was quite possible as there were plunderers in the lonely roads in the bygone era. In that case why so strongly they had etched the term Sinhala for their descendants and depicted with a lion in the national flag?

Our President along with the Prime Minister pledged to develop the country with National and Religious reconciliation. We have to help in every possible way.

  Even if we believe what Dr.Guruge depicted is it justifiable to name the race as Sinhala? Historically it is from the Mahavansa depiction the Sinhala race was originated. Even the list of kings started with Vijaya and not with Mahakalasena, although it was discussed between Kuveni and Vijaya. Professor Ellawala who involved in research of Mahavansa categorically said that the early part of Mahavansa is far beyond reality. In that case how to justify the ongoing story! A scholar like  Prof.J.B.Dissanayake could furnish an acceptable answer or at least an ecstatic

 Prior to this picture of history in the Mahavansa, the terms Sinhala and Lanka existed in early literature. Archaeologist, Siran Deraniyagala revealed through his excavation that there was a fairly a large civilization at Anuradhapura 3 to 400 years prior to the advent of Vijaya. Before that there were four major tribes called Deva, Naga, Yakka and Raksa in the country who were speaking a dialect called Illu or Hela. Professor J.B.Dissanayake and erudite scholar Arisen Ahubudu named the combination of the four with Hela as Sivu Hela, which became Sihala. (P.196-PREHISTORIC LANKA TO END OF TERRORISM. By Dr.Sripali Vaiamon.Published in Canada.in 1912) Much prior to that, terms Sinhala and Lanka appeared in Mahabaratha very prominently. In the bk .1 Ch.177.bk.2 chs.33 and 51 and bk.7 ch.20. In the bk.2, there is a description where a Sinhala deputation from Lanka has gone to the consecration ceremony of king Udistara with gifts such as pearls, conches, sea beryls, elephant tusks, etc.. It has further described what the Chieftain had dressed for the occasion.( 2-27-48 Mahabaratha) The compilation of the Epic according to Internet has started in 900 BC. Monier Monier Williams who compiled the first Sanskrit English Dictionary believed it as 1200 BC. Epics are concerned Mahabaratha is the second in antiquity in the world whereas Epic of Gilgamesh supposed to be the first. Other than this, term Sinhala occurred in several ancient Sanskrit texts such as Bhagawatha, Markandya Purana, Brahath Sanghitha and Jaina canonical works. Archaeologists revealed there were people in our country from a very early period. The very first human bone was discovered in 123,000 in Pathirajawela, down South, Second has found in 80,000. During that era, there were lions in Sri Lanka. Fossil remains found in the Sabaragomuwa region have proved this. In this context Could it be possible to have had a story connected to the genealogy of our existence? Full skeleton of a woman had been unearthed from an excavation pit at Phahiangala, BulathSinhala, in Kalutara District which was determined as 37,000 years. One at Batadombalena, Kuruvita 28,000 years. As such the origination of Sinhala language and the race yet to be traced with meticulous excavations and also with possible scrutinization of old Sanskrit literature available at several university archaic libraries in India as the term Sinhala is Sanskrit..Dr. Senarath Paranavithana in the footnote of Seegri Gee described that the term Hela is a presence in Kurutu Gee and the term Sinhala is Sanskrit,in Pali it is Seehala and in Prakrit, Sainhala.

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    The significant embalm of SRI PADA was the devotional idea borrowed from Afganisthan which was earlier known as Bacteria where there was Buddhism prior to Sri Lanka. They who built the first Buddhist statue at Gandhara and carved massive Buddha statues at Bamian range. They who carved Sri Pada with innumerable symbols. The idea of footprints of Buddha was first borrowed from Afganistan perhaps by Sanchi thereafter Sri Lanka and carved on the peak of Salmonella. Subsequently in several other countries borrowed this concept. The researcher, Dr.Waldermer Sailor attempted the past 25 years to study in-depth the meaning of the symbols but was not successful. He who had revealed the idea was borrowed by several countries including Sri Lanka. Buddha never came over here to implant it. Others who copied did not bother to adopt the same pattern but was implied to have a footprint to symbolize that of their great preceptor, the Lord Buddha. The length of the foot on Samanola is 5 feet seven inches and the breadth is 2 feet seven inches. Dr.Senarath Paranavithana says prior to the 11th century there was no footprint on Samanola or anywhere close by. That suggests it may have been constructed just after the 11th century. Buddhism had been disappeared from Afganistan by the 11^th century. So far no records have been discovered to trace who was responsible for the carving and in what period.

With regard to the descriptions of Lord Buddha’s three visits no records available anywhere. Great Buddhist leaders like, Sir Baron Jayathilaka, Dr.G.P.Mallasekara denied any record relevant to this in the Tri Pitaka.  None of those who took part in the Three Sangayanas were aware of Buddha’s trips to Lanka. Perhaps certain descriptions in Mahavansa may be exaggerations and not real. The compiler borrowed the idea from the early epic, Deepavansa.  But of course with the elaborations in the Epic Mahavansa where the compiler had imposed in great piety to say Buddha physically came over and implanted his left footprint cannot be accepted as it is not available in the Tri Pitaka. This could be easily checked as the  Tri Pitaka is now available with us. Although there are other interpretations to say the print is that of Adam, Shiva or St.Thomas. It is immaterial to Buddhists they are glued to believe that was their religious leader, Gauthama the Buddha as depicted at the end of every chapter in Mahavansa.  

Present Prime Minister’s Dad Hon. Pierre Trudeau in 1971 introduced MULTICULTURALISM TO CANADA, THEREAFTER ALL THE CITIZENS IN CANADA BECAME CANADIANS. Let us make all the Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burgers, javas and Vaddas living in Sri Lanka generally as SRI LANKANS besides their ethnic names.

sripaliv@gmail.com   

MEDIA UNIT CaFFE Organization 

Leader of the Janasetha Peramuna, Venerable Battaramulle Seelarathana Thero informed Campaign for Free and Fair Election (CaFFE) that posts shared on social media on his election manifesto are false. 

This seems to be a deliberate ploy to embarrass his party by an organized group, the Thera told CaFFE. “The thera added that these social media posts have become extremely popular and now its almost impossible for the party to inform the people of their real policies,” CaFFE Acting Executive Director, Manas Makeen said.

CaFFE insists that such deliberate misinformation campaigns are extremely dangerous and that immediate steps should be taken to address these concerns. Meanwhile CaFFE Director, Surangika Ariyawansha said that they have received information that a number ofsystematic misinformation and fake news campaigns have been unleashed to deceive voters. She says that systematic misinformation and fake news poses a serious problem for free and fair elections. “We plan to provide information we have to the National ElectionCommission (NEC) so that they can take immediate steps,” she said.

CaFFE has received 161 complaints and most of them are incidents of election law violations and misuse of state property

MEDIA UNIT
CaFFE Organization 

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක සජිත් ප්‍රේමදාස ලබාදෙන පොරොන්දු ඉටු කළ නොහැකි බව ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ පවසනවා.

පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී රෝහිත අබේගුණවර්ධන මේ බව කියා සිටියේ එම පක්ෂ මූලස්ථානයේ අද පැවති මාධ්‍ය හමුවකට එක්වෙමින්

එසේම ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණ ප්‍රමුඛ ඒකාබද්ධ විපක්ෂයේ කොළඹ දිස්ත්‍රික් මැතිවරණ කටයුතු සම්බන්ධයෙන් වන ප්‍රගති සමාලෝචන රැස්වීමක් අද කොළඹ පිහිටි විපක්ෂ නායක කාර්යාලයේදී පැවැත්වුණා.

මේ අතර, ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක – අමාත්‍ය සජිත් ප්‍රේමදාස ජනාධිපති වුවහොත් අග්‍රාමාත්‍ය ධුරය රනිල් වික්‍රමසිංහට ලබාදෙන බවට ගිවිසුමකින් අත්සන් තබා ඇතැයි පාර්ලිමේන්තු මන්ත්‍රී එස්.බී. දිසානායක මහනුවර අද පැවති ජන හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් කියා සිටියා.

උපුටා ගැන්ම  හිරු පුවත්

තම රජයක් තුළ කෘෂිකර්මාන්තයට ප්‍රමුඛත්වය ලබාදී කටයුතු කරන බව ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන පෙරමුණේ ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ පවසනවා. ඔහු මේ බව කියා සිටියේ ගල්ගමුව ප්‍රදේශයේ අද පැවැති ජන හමුවකට එක්වෙමින්.

එම අවස්ථාවට එක්වෙමින් අදහස් දැක්වූ විපක්ෂ නායක මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ සඳහන් කළේ වත්මන් ආණ්ඩුව යටතේ ජනතාවට කිසිදු සහනයක් නොලැබුණු බවයි.

මේ අතර, කොළඹ ඊයේ පැවැති ශ්‍රී ලංකා පොදුජන වෘත්තීය දේශකවරුන්ගේ සංගමයේ හමුවකට එක්වෙමින් ජනාධිපති අපේක්ෂක ගෝඨාභය රාජපක්ෂ කියා සිටියේ වසර 30කට පෙර යුද්ධය අවසන් කිරීමට නොහැකි වූයේ එම කාලයේ රට පාලනය කළ නායකයින් නිසි වෙලාවට තීන්දු, තීරණ නොගැනීම හේතුවෙන් බවයි.