Department of Elections, Sri Lanka
SLelections.gov.lkCOMPLETE FINAL RESULTS
Sri Lanka Time, 7.30AM, Sunday, 24.07.2011
Ampara DISTRICT
Karaitivu Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 4,284 52.71% 4
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 2,364 29.08% 1
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,134 13.95% --
Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal 152 1.87% --
Independent Group 2 143 1.76% --
United National Party 50 0.62% --
Independent Group 1 1 0.01% --
Thirukkovil Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 6,865 72.87% 07
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,249 13.26% 01
United National Party 810 8.60% 01
Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal 497 5.28% --
Anuradhapura DISTRICT
Nuwaragam Palatha Central Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 24,473 79.39% 12
United National Party 5,713 18.53% 02
People's Liberation Front 640 2.08% --
Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 13,947 77.85% 08
United National Party 3,344 18.67% 01
People's Liberation Front 410 2.29% --
Patriotic National Front 214 1.19% --
Galnewa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 16,350 79.17% 8
United National Party 3,061 14.82% 1
Independent Group 705 3.41% --
People's Liberation Front 536 2.60% --
Colombo DISTRICT
Kaduwela Municipal Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 59,987 66.8% 20
United National Party 24,897 27.72% 7
People's Liberation Front 3,709 4.13% 1
Jana Setha Peramuna 1,142 1.27% --
Independent Group 68 0.08% --
Kesbewa Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 38,112 53.74% 10
United National Party 29,652 41.81% 6
People's Liberation Front 2,926 4.13% 1
Independent Group 183 0.26% --
Jana Setha Peramuna 23 0.03% --
Patriotic National Front 23 0.03% --
Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 62,332 78.55% 19
People's Liberation Front 10,135 12.77% 3
Independent Group 2 4,127 5.20% 1
Independent Group 5 1,343 1.69% --
Independent Group 3 1,064 1.34% --
Jana Setha Peramuna 211 0.27% --
Independent Group 1 100 0.13% --
Independent Group 4 41 0.05% --
Galle DISTRICT
Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 19,954 58.54% 10
United National Party 10,427 30.59% 4
Independent Group 2,539 7.45% 1
People's Liberation Front 1,100 3.23% --
Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputhra Pakshaya 56 0.16% --
Ruhunu Janatha Party 10 0.03% --
Baddegama Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 19,954 58.54% 10
United National Party 10,427 30.59% 4
Independent Group 2,539 7.45% 1
People's Liberation Front 1,100 3.23% --
Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Bhoomiputhra Pakshaya 56 0.16% --
Ruhunu Janatha Party 10 0.03% --
Akmeemana Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 22,743 70.80% 10
United National Party 7,814 24.32% 3
People's Liberation Front 1,567 4.88% 1
Gampaha DISTRICT
Minuwangoda Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 3,162 63.8% 08
United National Party 1,523 31.52% 03
People's Liberation Front 95 1.97% --
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 48 0.99% --
Independent Group 02 0.04% --
United Democratic Front 02 0.04% --
Attanagalle Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 54,363 72.34% 17
United National Party 18,124 24.12% 05
People's Liberation Front 2,493 3.32% 1
Jana Setha Peramuna 107 0.14% --
United Democratic Front 62 0.08% --
Jaffna DISTRICT
Valvetithurai Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 2,416 76.36% 07
United People's Freedom Alliance 653 20.64% 02
United National Party 93 2.94% --
Independent Group 02 0.06% --
Point Pedro Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 3,263 72.62% 7
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,107 24.64% 2
United National Party 115 2.56% --
Independent Group 7 0.16% --
People's Liberation Front 1 0.02% --
Chavakachcheri Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 4,307 76.84% 9
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,232 21.98% 2
United Socialist Party 38 0.68% --
United National Party 28 0.5% --
Karainagar Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 1,781 40.74% 3
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,667 38.13% 1
United National Party 921 21.07% 1
People's Liberation Front 3 0.07% --
Kayts Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 2,833 77.45% 4
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 805 22.01% 1
United National Party 20 0.55% --
Delft Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,609 84.33% 08
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 216 11.32% 01
United National Party 83 4.35% --
Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 3,973 63.74% 8
Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 2,221 35.63% 3
United National Party 39 0.63% --
Valikamam West Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 12,117 77.78% 11
United People's Freedom Alliance 3,041 19.52% 3
United National Party 420 2.70% --
Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 12,065 70.71% 15
United People's Freedom Alliance 4,919 28.83% 6
United National Party 78 0.46% --
Valikamam South West Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 11,954 72.02% 12
United People's Freedom Alliance 4,428 26.68% 4
United National Party 216 1.30% --
Valikamam South Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 12,895 74.29% 13
United People's Freedom Alliance 4,027 23.20% 3
United National Party 435 2.51% --
Valikamam East Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 16,763 71.22% 16
United People's Freedom Alliance 6,635 28.19% 5
United National Party 113 0.48% --
People's Liberation Front 27 0.11% --
Vadamaradchi South West Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 12,454 81.46% 15
United People's Freedom Alliance 2,522 16.50% 3
United National Party 290 1.90% --
Independent Group 22 0.14% --
Point Pedro Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 3,263 72.62% 7
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,107 24.64% 2
United National Party 115 2.56% --
Independent Group 7 0.16% --
People's Liberation Front 1 0.02% --
Chavakachcheri Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 12,565 75.07% 12
United People's Freedom Alliance 3,161 18.89% 2
United National Party 667 3.98% 1
Independent Group 1 246 1.47% --
Independent Group 2 97 0.58% --
People's Liberation Front 2 0.01% --
Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 10,207 81.33% 10
United People's Freedom Alliance 2,238 17.83% 2
United National Party 105 0.84% --
Kaluthara DISTRICT
Agalawatta Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 14,122 72.38% 09
United National Party 5,038 25.82% 02
People's Liberation Front 332 1.7% --
Independent Group 8 0.04% --
United Democratic Front 7 0.04% --
Patriotic National Front 3 0.02% --
Kandy DISTRICT
Harispattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 19,967 53.89% 11
United National Party 13,892 37.5% 06
Independent Group 3 1,553 4.19% 01
People's Liberation Front 822 2.22% 01
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 644 1.74% --
United Socialist Party 135 0.36% --
Independent Group 2 22 0.06% --
Independent Group 1 15 0.04% --
Akurana Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 12,763 43.74% 7
United National Party 10,026 34.36% 4
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 6,175 21.16% 3
People's Liberation Front 169 0.58% --
Independent Group 3 16 0.05% --
Independent Group 1 11 0.04% --
Independent Group 2 8 0.03% --
Independent Group 5 6 0.02% --
Independent Group 4 5 0.02% --
Yatinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 27,921 65.92% 15
United National Party 12,347 29.15% 06
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 1,310 3.09% 01
People's Liberation Front 747 1.76% --
Independent Group 30 0.07% --
Kegalle DISTRICT
Kegalle Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 5,845 68.92% 8
United National Party 2,378 28.04% 3
People's Liberation Front 249 2.94% --
Independent Group 9 0.11% --
Jana Setha Peramuna 0 0% --
Warakapola Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 38,302 71.19% 16
United National Party 13,182 24.50% 5
People's Liberation Front 1,393 2.59% 1
Independent Group 925 1.72% --
Ruwanwella Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 20,734 71.11% 11
United National Party 7,728 26.50% 4
People's Liberation Front 680 2.33% --
Independent Group 17 0.06% --
Kilinochchi DISTRICT
Pachchilaipalli Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Tamil United Liberation Front 1,650 55.89% 6
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,184 40.11% 3
United National Party 114 3.86% --
People's Liberation Front 4 0.14% --
Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 18,609 74.80% 15
United People's Freedom Alliance 6,097 24.51% 4
United National Party 133 0.53% --
People's Liberation Front 39 0.16% --
Poonakary Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Tamil United Liberation Front 3,827 49.90% 6
United People's Freedom Alliance 3,689 48.10% 4
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 154 2.01% --
Kurunegala DISTRICT
Giribawa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 11,099 71.75% 7
United National Party 3,745 24.21% 2
People's Liberation Front 620 4.01% --
Independent Group 4 0.03% --
Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 34,077 59.85% 14
United National Party 18,816 33.05% 7
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 1,678 2.95% 1
Independent Group 2 1,219 2.14% --
People's Liberation Front 1,103 1.94% --
Ekasath Lanka Maha Sabha 16 0.03% --
Independent Group 3 16 0.03% --
Independent Group 1 10 0.02% --
Polgahawela Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 29,238 69.20% 15
United National Party 11,165 26.42% 5
People's Liberation Front 1,797 4.25% 1
Independent Group 1 25 0.06% --
Eksath Lanka Maha Sabha 17 0.04% --
Independent Group 2 11 0.03% --
Mawathagama Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 19,100 64.13% 9
United National Party 9,535 32.01% 4
People's Liberation Front 488 1.64% --
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 383 1.29% --
Independent Group 1 179 0.60% --
The Liberal Party 68 0.23% --
Independent Group 2 16 0.05% --
Eksath Lanka Maha Sabha 10 0.03% --
Jana Setha Peramuna 6 0.02% --
Matale DISTRICT
Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 5,792 40.94% 5
Independent Group 4,616 32.62% 2
United National Party 3,741 26.44% 2
Ukuwela Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Aliance 16,390 56.56% 9
United National Party 9,928 34.26% 4
Independent Group 4 1,712 5.91% 1
People's Liberation Front 515 1.78% --
Independent Group 2 306 1.06% --
Independent Group 1 109 0.38% --
Independent Group 3 19 0.07% --
Matara DISTRICT
Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 19,566 73.41% 09
United National Party 5,018 18.83% 02
People's Liberation Front 1,407 5.28% 01
Independent Group 2 635 2.29% --
Independent Group 1 17 0.06% --
The Liberal Party 09 0.03% --
Moneragala DISTRICT
Siyambalanduwa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 16,193 71.78% 9
United National Party 5,970 26.46% 2
People's Liberation Front 378 1.68% --
Independent Group 19 0.08% --
Moneragala Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 16,932 80.92% 08
United National Party 3,115 14.89% 1
Up-Country People's Front 483 2.31% --
People's Liberation Front 348 1.66% --
United Socialist Party 40 0.19% --
Independent Group 6 0.03% --
Mullaitivu DISTRICT
Thunukkai Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 2,198 71.69% 07
Puravesi Peramuna 847 27.63% 02
United National Party 21 0.68% --
Nuwara Eliya DISTRICT
Talawakele - Lindula Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 1,988 64.73% 07
United National Party 1,002 32.63% 02
Democratic People's Front 75 2.44% --
People's Liberation Front 06 0.2% --
Polonnaruwa DISTRICT
Elehera Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 17,869 81.70% 8
United National Party 2,950 13.49% 1
People's Liberation Front 494 2.26% --
Independent Group 2 369 1.69% --
Patriotic National Front 176 0.80% --
Independent Group 1 13 0.06% --
Hingurakgoda Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 23,481 77.36% 14
United National Party 5,553 18.30% 3
People's Liberation Front 1,318 4.34% 1
Welikanda Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 12,961 88.22% 8
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 1,356 9.23% 1
People's Liberation Front 375 2.55% --
Puttalam DISTRICT
Chilaw Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 7,298 68.59% 8
United National Party 3,265 30.69% 3
People's Liberation Front 72 0.68% --
Independent Group 5 0.05% --
Navagattegama Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 6,567 78.99% 8
United National Party 1,237 14.88% 1
Independent Group 388 4.67% --
People's Liberation Front 122 1.47% --
Chilaw Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 23,607 68.37% 12
United National Party 10,532 30.50% 5
People's Liberation Front 390 1.13% --
Wennappuwa Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 35,083 67.77% 16
United National Party 15,936 30.79% 6
People's Liberation Front 700 1.35% --
Independent Group 5 14 0.03% --
Independent Group 1 13 0.03% --
Independent Group 3 11 0.02% --
Independent Group 2 4 0.01% --
Independent Group 4 4 0.01% --
Ratnapura DISTRICT
Embilipitiya Urban Council
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 9,497 58.01% 5
United National Party 6,274 38,32% 2
People's Liberation Front 577 3.52% --
Independent Group 1 10 0.06% --
Patriotic National Front 5 0.03% --
Independent Group 3 4 0.03% --
Independent Group 2 4 0.03% --
Ratnapura Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 23,399 68.91% 16
United National Party 9,827 28.94% 6
Nawa Sama Samaja Party 420 1.24% --
People's Liberation Front 299 0.88% --
Independent Group 12 0.04% --
Balangoda Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 20,304 69.78% 14
United National Party 8,457 29.07% 5
People's Liberation Front 335 1.15% --
Weligepola Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 20,593 88.14% 8
Independent Group 1 2,027 8.68% 1
People's Liberation Front 690 2.95% --
Independent Group 2 55 0.24% --
Trincomalee DISTRICT
Seruvila Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 4,471 67.83% 7
United National Party 728 11.05% 1
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 649 9.85% 1
Independent Group 623 9.45% --
People's Liberation Front 120 1.82% --
Kantale Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 14,270 65.21% 08
United National Party 5,820 26.60% 03
People's Liberation Front 796 3.64% --
Independent Group 2 693 3.17% --
Independent Group 1 303 1.38% --
Trincomalee Town & Gravets Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 8,986 47.96% 5
United People's Freedom Alliance 6,353 33.91% 3
United National Party 2,869 15.31% 1
The Liberal Party 347 1.85% --
People's Liberation Front 169 0.90% --
Independent Group 11 0.06% --
Kuchchaweli Pradeshiya Sabha
PARTY NAME VOTES OBTAINED PERCENTAGE SEATS
United People's Freedom Alliance 8,451 64.70% 6
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi 2,961 22.67% 2
United National Party 1,639 12.55% 1
People's Liberation Front 8 0.06% --
Independent Group 2 0.02% --
23 comments:
Nationwide, the Local Government Elections results,, so far, presage a SWEEP by the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA).
The Tiger Nominated Agents (TNA or ITAK) party are holding onto most of their seats in the North, although they are losing a considerable number to UPFA candidates.
The sweep by UPFA candidates of the Deft LG in the POPULOUS sJaffna district is exceptional .. will it continue in the rest of Jaffna LGs?
If it does, the TNA will have lost its grip on the MAJORITY of the Tamil people of the North!
In the Mullaitivu District, a small new party called the Puravesi Peramuna has won 2 seats.
Clearly this is Tamil dominated party, but their choice of a non-commmunal Sinhala party name sets a NEW precedent for the Tamil community.
May that trend towards non-communal party names in the Tamil Community PROSPER & GROW ... for it augurs a good future free of communal discord for Sri Lanka.
ONE NATION of ONE PEOPLE sharing ONE DESTINY is our vision for Sri Lanka!
Jayawewa!
STF unearths weapons
By Supun Dias
DailyMirror.lk
July 23, 2011<a href
The Special Task Force (STF) unearthed a large number of weapons including 56 magazines used for T56 assault rifles and 17 hand grenades during a search operation in the Iranapalai area in Kilinochchi.
Three 81mm mortar shells, six 60 mm mortar shells, 26 rounds of ammunition used for 12.7 mm machine guns, nine T56 pistol grips, eleven mills hand grenades, two LTTE uniforms, two Argus hand grenades and seven T56 gas tubes were recovered during the search operation. The search operation was conducted by a team attached to the Kilinochchi STF camp after receiving information from STF intelligence.
Shameless Traitor Ranil Wickramasinghe Exposed!
............
Cheerleading for the TNA
Editorial
Island.lk
July 23, 2011, 7.13pm
By the time this column is read, the results of the LG elections would be out for the most part. But even before the election was held, the leader of the opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe had given a clear indication of the result expected. Last Thursday, he made a special statement in parliament not on the elections in the south but on the north. In his statement, the leader of the opposition made the following assertions.
a) The polls in the north will have an impact on the whole country and finding a political solution to the national problem will depend on what happens at the local authority elections in the north.
b) The success or failure of the ongoing political processes depends on the manner in which the election is conducted.
c) In 2009, immediately after the war ended and normalcy had not yet been restored, elections to some local bodies in the north were held under conditions which were far from satisfactory. Armed groups roamed openly and the police did not entertain complaints made by opposition. The administration became a part of the campaign.
d) The present election is being held under conditions of normalcy. However, election laws are observed in the breach. There are complaints of intimidation, violence and the misuse of government machinery.
e) Government officials have become a part of the election campaign in the north and tractors, water pumps, agricultural equipment, sewing machines and fishing nets are being distributed in serious breach of the law.
f) The army has got involved in the election campaign and are harassing opposition political candidates and supporters. Security forces personnel were removing posters of opposition party candidates and pasting posters of UPFA candidates. The incident where a dog was killed and its head stuck on the gate of an opposition candidate could not have been done by a Hindu because the God Vairavar used a vehicle drawn by a dog.
While the leader of the opposition expressed much concern over the conduct of the elections in the north, he did not seem as concerned about the elections in the south. Of the 64 local government institutions that went to the polls yesterday, only 23 were in the Tamil majority areas of the north and east. The UNP had absolutely no chance of winning any of those LG institutions. In fact, their horizons in the north and the east would be limited to perhaps winning just one seat each in certain LG institutions, and that too was uncertain.
Cheerleading for the TNA
.....continued 1.....
It would be a major step forward if the UNP manages to get ten representatives elected in the 23 Tamil majority LG institutions (broken down as follows: 16 in the Jaffna district, three in Kilinochchi, two in Ampara and two in Trincomalee.) Even though the UNP has only a slim chance of getting even a look into the Tamil LG institutions in the north and east, the other 41 institutions however are within the UNP’s ambit. But the UNP leader’s concentration on the north with not a word said about the 41 institutions in the south, the indication was that he was not expecting to win a single institution in the south.
And that is very probably the result that has come in this morning. There were two or three UNP controlled LG institutions among the 64 that went to the polls yesterday, but it is unlikely that the UNP would be able to retain any of them. The Homagama PS will go to the UPFA, the Kuchchaveli PS to the ITAK and the Minuwangoda UC which the UNP does have a chance of retaining, will also most probably have fallen to the UPFA. The last time elections were held for the Minuwangoda UC was in 2006 when the gap between the UNP and the government was much narrower. In subsequent years, the gap widened into a chasm and it will be a very great achievement if they manage to retain control of the Minuwangoda UC.
This was an election held in a limited number of LG institutions and the UNP could, if they really wanted to, have concentrated their forces in a few institutions that they had a chance of winning. For example, the Ukuwela PS and the Wilgamuwa PS in the Matale district would have been prime areas for a concentration of UNP forces. The UNP had a slim chance of winning in the Ukuwela PS. The Wilgamuwa PS would have been impossible for them to win in normal circumstances, but with the rejection of the UPFA list and the reduction of the governing party to supporting an independent list, there would have been no harm in the UNP giving it a go. But by not minding their own business and insisting on minding the TNA’s business the UNP probably dropped the catch in Ukuwela and Wilgamuwa as well. While it is true that the leader of the opposition should speak up in parliament for other opposition parties as well, in the real world, no opposition leader would do that to the exclusion of the interests of his own party.
TNA’s proxies in the south
What becomes clear from RW’s special statement in parliament last Thursday is that he expects the TNA to be the standard bearer of the opposition. As the main opposition party has proved to be incapable of making any headway against the government, and the TNA has a good chance of winning at least 20 of the 23 Tamil LG institutions in the north and east, RW probably thought it is the TNA that has to be given pride of place at this round of elections. There was also the general expectation that with the release of the Chanel 4 video and the UN Secretary General’s expert panel report, the Tamil voter had become overwhelmingly pro TNA and anti-UPFA. So the expectation was of a landslide for the TNA, to a much greater extent than at the previous elections held in the Tamil areas of the north and east since the end of the war.
Cheerleading for the TNA
.....continued 2.....
After the end of the war, elections were held for the Jaffna MC and the Vavuniya UC, and the people of the north and east voted at the presidential and parliamentary elections and at all these elections, a sharp reduction in the vote of the TNA became manifest. They had 22 MPs in the last parliament but only 12 in the present one. Now with the Channel 4 video and the UNSG’s expert panel report, there is the expectation that the TNA will bounce back to the predominant position they held when the LTTE ruled the roost. RW was obviously trying to help in this process by making that special statement in parliament. Last week, we pointed out that even the JVP’s main interest was not in the south, but in the north and they too were cheering for the TNA. Both the UNP and the JVP have become so marginalized in the southern polity that politics to them has become a spectator sport where they have been reduced to cheering the TNA from the sidelines.
It is quite remarkable that the UNP has not learnt anything from the mistakes of the past. Any gains that the TNA makes in the north will not translate into a victory for either the UNP or the JVP in the south. Quite the opposite may be true in fact. At the presidential elections of 2010, Sarath Fonseka’s defeat was clinched by the TNA’s open support for him. While claiming on the one hand that it was he, and he alone who was responsible for the defeat of the LTTE, Fonseka had as his principle political backers, he who said that he was not fit to command even the Salvation army, he who said that Thoppigala was just a patch of jungle, he who said that the army was claiming to go to Alimankada but in reality only going only up to Pamankada and he who said that any bovine can wage war! R.Sambandan’s presence in the line up completed the bizarre ensemble that had gathered behind Fonseka. The latter was new to politics and did not realize what an odd sight he presented to the public, with such a crew as his principal supporters.
The UNP leader’s claim that the army was engaged in political activities on behalf of the government is obviously an exaggeration. The present government knows better than anyone else that once this contagion of political partisanship is brought into the army, the entire system will be placed in jeopardy. At any election, there will be a few untoward incidents, that is as true of the north as well as the south, of Sri Lanka as well as India, of Tamil Nadu as well as Jaffna. As for handing out goodies during election time, that is something that every government including the UNP government of 1977-94 has done and is one of the givens that one has to take for granted in South Asian politics.
This headlong attempt to embarrass the government wherever it can, regardless of the cost to the country is not going to do the UNP any good. The more they act as a mouthpiece of the TNA in public, the more ground they will lose in the south. There have been incidents in the north no doubt, but none of them are of a magnitude to alter the result of the election. And the incidents are not one sided either. The incidents seem to be evenly matched. The TNA, being once associated with the world’s deadliest terrorist organization, too has been using thuggery. At the time of going to press, the most serious incident reported by the elections monitoring outfit CAFFE in the north was the burning down of a tution class building of a TNA supporter in Kilinochchi. But in the meantime TNA supporters also invaded a farm in Kilinochchi, threatened the manager with death if he goes to vote, damaged his vehicle and farm property and left. Another group of TNA goons had threatened another person in his house in a similar manner the idea being to prevent these people from voting.
Cheerleading for the TNA
.....continued 3.....
There will be a few incidents like this at every election. But it will be nonsensical to say that they will materially alter the results of an election. For the result of an election to be altered, one has to have elections like the ones held during the Chandrika Kumaratunga era – the Wayamba election of 1999, the presidential election of 1999, the parliamentary elections of 2000 and even 2001 being examples of this. But such elections are no longer held and a few isolated incidents are not going to change the result of an election. There has been a lot of hype about the north mainly because opposition political parties that don’t have a leg to stand on in the south have been trying to score vicarious victories in the north.
Attention deficient opposition
The present columnist has on previous occasions drawn attention to the UNP’s tendency to thrash about in an anti-government frenzy even when there isn’t the slightest hope of a regime change. Unlike any other opposition that the present writer can remember, over the past four decades the present opposition has a tendency run behind an issue with their tails high in the air, only to see the issue fizzling out after a short period of time. Then the public sees them running again with their tails high in the air behind yet another issue only to give that up as well after a while. RW now attends UNP gatherings with a bottle of contaminated petrol he has borrowed from Tissa Attanayake. For how long will he have that bottle in his hand? Just weeks ago, he was talking mainly about ‘pathola’ and coconuts.
There could be two reasons for this behaviour. One reason of course is that the UNP leader himself is under pressure to resign and he hangs on to his position by shouting from the rooftops about every minor issue to give the impression that the government is going to fall at any moment. He needs to keep hopes up to retain his own position. Another reason could be the proliferation of TV stations and the creation of a situation where things have to be said for the cameras on a daily basis and it is not possible to maintain ‘radio silence’ now as opposition parties in the past could do. So perhaps when we switch on the TV nowadays, we see opposition politicians running with their tails in the air behind one issue and two days later we see the same persons running behind a completely different issue.
In the past, when opposition parties latched on to an issue, it had substance and was long lasting and the government could not get over it easily. We saw this pattern between 1970-77 and again during the last phase of the UNP between 1990 and 1994. But today, we see the opposition thrashing about, grabbing at straws which they soon lose only to grab at more straws. The latest straw they have grabbed at is this cheerleading for the TNA. Ironically, while not having any abiding, long lasting issues to corner the government with, the opposition is giving the government a long lasting and abiding issue to keep itself cornered by the government. Mistrust of the TNA runs deep in the south and by cheerleading for the TNA the UNP is not doing anything to enhance their standing in the south. Thus the UNP which does not have votes in the north are ensuring that they lose ground in the south as well. Losing at both ends seems to be the forte of the UNP.
Cheerleading for the TNA
......continued 4....
The Friday before last, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe met his kitchen cabinet - Karu Jayasuriya, Tissa Attanayake, Joseph Michael Perera, Ravi Karunanayake and Dayasiiri Jayasekera to discuss the implementation of a propaganda campaign against the government with the telling title ‘Satakaye Sapaya’. The most significant thing about this meeting was the inclusion of Dayasiri Jayasekera in RW’s inner circle. Jayasekera was until recently, regarded a reformist. It was decided at this meeting to take up several issues the foremost of which would be the hedging deal. A decision was made to hold a march from Panduwasnuwara in the Kurunegala district to the Munneswaram Kovil in Chilaw on August 6 to protest against the hedging deal.
On Monday, the Elections Commissioner met secretaries of political parties with Maithripala Sirisena, Tissa Attanayake, Tilvin Silva and other party secretaries were present. One of the issues taken up by the opposition parties was that the government was using intimidation to win the elections in the north. The Elections Commissioner assured the party secretaries that he would take steps to declare null and void the results of polling booths where incidents of intimidation are reported. He had also said that he will be taking steps to deploy the police instead of the army in the north on election day.
The situation in the Kaduwela electorate had also been discussed and it was pointed out by Tilvin Silva that the HQIs of the three police stations in the electorate were not doing what they should be doing in terms of the elections law. The DIG who was representing the IGP at that meeting said that steps have been taken to place these three police stations under three SSPs on the day of the election.
On Wednesday, when the UNP parliamentary group met, RW explained to Rosy Senanayake that they had not been planning to present a no confidence motion against Susil Premajayantha over the contaminated patrol issue because the government would defeat it with their two thirds majority. Instead the UNP’s strategy was to request the setting up of a parliamentary select committee on the matter. This once again, is an example of the UNP’s unnecessary thrashing about, and counterproductive collusion with the TNA. They want a parliamentary select committee on Sri Lanka cricket, another one for the hedging deal, and yet another for the contaminated patrol, but none for the ethnic issue because the TNA wants it that way. The TNA and its precursors have been a problem for every government since 1956, the UNP not excepted. Since they hope to govern this country one day, it is in the interests of the UNP as well to find a final solution to the TNA problem and instead of encouraging TNA intransigence, they should be impressing upon them the need to end this never ending issue.
Norway’s baptism of fire
The events in Oslo, Norway after the bomb blast that rocked the nerve centre of that country and the shootings elsewhere which left scores of people dead will be watched with great interest by many Sri Lankans here and abroad. Whatever caused the blast in central Oslo appears to have packed a bigger punch than the Central Bank bomb in Colombo, given the fact that it had affected a much larger and wide open area. The Central Bank bomb in Sri Lanka was in contrast on a narrow street thus enhancing the effect of the blast. There was a time when Sri Lanka was at the receiving end of very similar terrorist attacks and at that time Norway was trying to negotiate peace in Sri Lanka. But there are many Sri Lankans who feel that they were promoting terrorism in Sri Lanka by always taking the side of the LTTE.
Cheerleading for the TNA
......continued 5....
This was noticed even by observers from outside. Phillip Alston, the then UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings visited Sri Lanka at the end of November 2005, and he was scathing in his criticism of the way Norway was handling the LTTE’s deliberate and provocative ceasefire violations at that time. In Alston’s view, there was a conflict of interest in the dual role that Norway played in Sri Lanka, being on the one hand, the mediator in the peace process and also the leader of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) which monitored the ceasefire agreement. He thought the Norwegians were ignoring or glossing over the ceasefire violations of the LTTE because of their fear of jeopardizing the wider peace process. Alston wanted a tougher, more proactive ceasefire monitoring mechanism to put a halt to the LTTE’s outrages.
What was seen as a conflict of interest, naivety or plain incompetence on the part of the Norwegians, by Alston however would be seen differently by most Sri Lankans. People here know that Norway was actively defending and promoting the interests of the LTTE while the LTTE was doing to this country what someone has just done to Norway. Even when the EU was contemplating banning the LTTE in 2006, Norway opposed it. Fortunately for this country, Norway was not a member of the EU; otherwise the unanimity needed for the ban could never have been achieved. It was with help from the Americans that the then foreign minister of Sri Lanka, Mangala Samaraweera, had been able to lobby for unanimity within the EU on this matter.
The difference in approach was that the Americans had first hand experience of terrorism and the Norwegians did not. The Norwegians had seen death and destruction only happening to others and other people’s fear and suffering is not quite as educative as your own. While saying this, we of course have to condemn this wanton killing of ordinary Norwegians who have no idea where Sri Lanka is located and are completely unaware of what their government was doing in this small island nation. As in most developed countries, ordinary Norwegians are largely indifferent to politics. The Norwegian government must at this time of stress abide by the principles they have been promoting overseas and they should firstly refrain from banning whatever organization has perpetrated these bombings and shootings. They should immediately start negotiating with these obviously disgruntled elements with a view to arriving at a political solution to the problem - whatever it is.
Sri Lanka's ruling alliance wins at local government polls
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 24, Colombo: Sri Lanka's ruling party United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) secured a comfortable victory at the election held Saturday for 65 Local Government bodies.
With the 45 local bodies won by the ruling UPFA in Saturday election, the government has the control of 250 local bodies out of the total 335 in the country.
In the Northern Province out of the 20 local bodies the ruling UPFA won only the Kayts, Velanai and Delft Pradeshiya Sabhas in Jaffna district and the Illankai Thamil Arusu Katchchi (ITAK), a constituent party of Tamil national Alliance (TNA) won the rest.
The other Tamil party, TULF has won two bodies, Pachchilaippalli PS and Poonakari PS in the Kilinochchi district.
The main opposition United National Party (UNP), Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the government ally Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) failed to secure victory in any local bodies.
LG Polls 2011 - UPFA wins again
Island.lk
July 24, 2011, 11:26 am
The SLFP-led UPFA secured a comfortable victory at Saturday’s LG polls by securing 45 local bodies, while the TNA and TULF shared the remaining 20 local authorities in the electoral districts of Jaffna (16), Kilinochchi (3) and Mullaitivu (1).
The main Opposition UNP, the JVP and the SLMC, which contested some LG authorities on its own failed to win at least a single body. UPFA constituent SLMC also placed some of its candidates on the UPFA lists in line with an understanding reached with the SLFP.
UPFA General Secretary Susil Premjayantha told The Island that the Opposition never posed a real threat in spite of making bombastic statements in the run-up to the second phase of the LG polls 2011.
In the first phase held on March 17, 2011, the UPFA obtained 205 out of 234 LG bodies. The TNA secured 12, UNP 9, SLMC 4, National Congress 2, Upcountry People’s Front 1 and Independent Group 1.
Minister Premjayantha said that the people had reiterated their faith in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s policies, though a section of the Opposition depicted a bleak picture on the economic front. The minister pointed out that the TNA (18) and TULF (2) had shared the 20 LG bodies in the Northern Provinces, though some bankrupt politicians and various other interested parties alleged the Army would intervene on behalf of the ruling coalition.
Police headquarters spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody told The Island that there hadn’t been a single serious incident in the Northern Province or other districts.
NGOs funded by foreign governments to destabilize and undermine Sri Lanka EXPOSED!
...............
Govt. asks critics to look at themselves in the mirror
By Shamindra Ferdinando
July 23, 2011
The government alleges Sri Lanka is being targeted over alleged ‘accountability issues’ by those under heavy flak themselves for ‘war crimes’ in their so-called global fight against terrorism.
Authoritative government sources alleged that a section of the international community seemed to be taking pleasure in Sri Lanka bashing on the basis of ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ produced for global telecast by UK’s Channel 4 News at the behest of the LTTE.
The government was responding to US House Foreign Affairs Committee decision to ban aid to Sri Lanka unless the government showed ‘accountability’ over final phase of military operations directed at the LTTE.
The announcement was made as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded a visit to India in the backdrop of US and its allies pushing Sri Lanka on the diplomatic front.
Referring to recent statement issued by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) sources said unlike the unsubstantiated 50-minute documentary ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’, the US administration had been accused of authorizing war crimes in post-9/11 Al Qaeda attacks.
The HRW said it believed there was sufficient basis for the US government to order a "broad criminal investigation" into alleged crimes committed in connection with the torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the CIA secret detention and torture programme.
Such an investigation, the HRW said would necessarily focus on alleged criminal conduct by former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and CIA Director George Tenet.
UN Human Rights Commission has called for an explanation over the execution of an unarmed Osama bin Laden during a raid in Pakistan by US personel.
Sources said that the US, while denying assistance to the government of Sri Lanka had assured its commitment to humanitarian aid, de-mining activities and ongoing projects to promote democracy and good governance.
Sources alleged that both during and after the war, the US and several other countries and organizations continued to promote democracy and good governance, which basically meant providing financial support for those issuing statements critical of the government and armed forces.
The government said that those embassies which recommend funds for local NGOs should investigate how the money was spent. Sources emphasized the importance of investigating foreign cash flow as the US was now probing Pakistan for financing an US-based organization allegedly engaged in a programme to influence decision makers.
Govt. asks critics to look at themselves in the mirror
......continued......
According to state banking sources, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, National Peace Council and Transparency International Sri Lanka during 2008 to 2010 had received a staggering amount of money.
They said the CPA has received Rs. 272.31 million during the three-year period. The NPC and TI have received Rs. 171.23 million and 174.79 million, respectively.
The funding sources included Meyers Norris Penny Ltd RM (Canada), Canadian International Development Agency, Berghof Foundation (Germany), Facilitating Local Initiatives for Conflict Transformation (Germany), Stichting Cordaid (The Netherlands), Norwegian Embassy, Commission Des Communautes (Norway), ICT for Peace Foundation (Switzerland), Dep. F. Auswaert, Angelegenheiten (Switzerland), Swedish Embassy, Swedish International Development Agency, Goldman Sachs Grant (UK), Minority Rights GRP Ltd BCA (UK), European Commission, Transparency International Division (UK), Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (UK), European Union, Diakonia (US), Forum of Federations/Forum Des (US), International Media Support (US), the Ford Foundation (US), Fredskorpset Bergen (US), National Endowment for Democracy (US), Partnership for Transparency Fund (US) and Academy for Educational Development (US).
Of Rs. 618.33 million received by the CPA, NPC and TI during the three-year period, Rs. 111.48 million had been donated by various other sources.
ITAK sent armed goons around to threaten voters ... it is about time they are disciplined!
...................
Sri Lanka election monitoring group wants the result of Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha cancelled
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
July 24, Colombo: Intellectuals for Human Rights of Sri Lanka, an election monitoring group, requests from the Elections Commissioner to nullify the result of the election to the Karachchi Pradeshiya Sabha of Kilinochchi district.
Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi won the election with 15 seats defeating the closest contender ruling United People's Freedom Alliance that captured 4 seats.
Intellectuals for Human Rights, issuing a communique', said it had reports that armed groups broke into houses in the night before the election day and robbed ballot papers and identity cards. Voters were also threatened and influenced to vote to a certain party, the monitors said.
The situation denied the opportunity of holding a fair and free election and it was a plunder of the voting rights of people who had been denied the right to vote for more than three decades, said the communique'.
More than anything Norway needs to re-examine its HOLIER THAN THOU stance towards separatist/ terrorist movement in the developing world.
Norway AIDED & ABETTED the MURDER & MAYHEM by LTTE terrorists in Sri Lanka funding, training, arming and giving diplomatic "humanitarian" cover to the LTTE.
Norway ENABLED the LTTE in its murderous rampage that killed over 150,000 citizens of Sri Lanka.
Norway needs to support the forces of LAW & ORDER, not insurgents who kill and maim.
Norway needs to recognize the FOLLY of its INTERNATIONAl POLICIES and AGENDAS.
HEAL THYSELF by REFORMING THYSELF FIRST, Norway!
...............
Norway mourns victims of anti-Islam "Crusader"
Reuters
By Victoria Klesty and Gwladys Fouche
SUNDVOLLEN, Norway (Reuters) - Norway mourned on Sunday 93 people killed in a shooting spree and car bombing by a Norwegian who saw his attacks as "atrocious, but necessary" to defeat liberal immigration policies and the spread of Islam.
In his first comment via a lawyer since his arrest, Anders Behring Breivik, 32, said he wanted to explain himself at a court hearing on Monday about extending his custody.
"He has said that he believed the actions were atrocious, but that in his head they were necessary," Geir Lippestad said.
The lawyer said Breivik had admitted to Friday's shootings at a Labour party youth camp and the bombing that killed seven people in Oslo's government district a few hours earlier.
However, "he feels that what he has done does not deserve punishment," Lippestad told NRK public television.
"What he has said is that he wants a change in society and in his understanding, in his head, there must be a revolution."
Oslo's acting police chief Sveinung Sponheim confirmed to reporters that Breivik would be able to speak to the court. It was not clear whether the hearing would be closed or in public.
"He has admitted to the facts of both the bombing and the shooting, although he's not admitting criminal guilt," Sponheim said, adding that Breivik had said he acted alone.
Police were checking this because some witness statements from the island spoke of more than one gunman, Sponheim said.
NATIONAL TRAGEDY
The violence, Norway's worst since World War Two, has profoundly shocked the usually peaceful nation of 4.8 million.
King Harald and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg were among mourners at a service in Oslo cathedral, where the premier spoke emotionally about the victims, some of whom he knew.
"This represents a national tragedy," he declared.
Tearful people placed flowers and candles outside the cathedral. Soldiers with guns and wearing bullet-proof vests blocked streets leading to the government district.
Police said Breivik surrendered when they arrived on the small island of Utoeya in a lake northwest of Oslo after he had shot dead at least 85 people, mostly young people attending a summer camp of the youth wing of Norway's ruling Labour Party.
About 650 people were on the island when Breivik, wearing a police uniform, opened fire. Police said it took them an hour from when they were first alerted to stop the massacre, the worst by a single gunman in modern times.
An inadequate boat and a decision to await a special armed unit from Oslo, 45 km (28 miles) away, delayed the response.
"When so many people and equipment were put into it, the boat started to take on water, so that the motor stopped," said Erik Berga, police operations chief in Buskerud County.
A person wounded in the shooting died in hospital, raising the death toll to 93, Norway's NRK television said. Police say some people remain missing. Ninety-seven people were wounded.
Norway mourns victims of anti-Islam "Crusader"
....continued 1....
ANTI-ISLAM MANIFESTO
Breivik posted a 1,500-page anti-Islamic manifesto, written in English, on Friday, describing his violent philosophy and how he planned his onslaught and made explosives.
The killings would draw attention to the manifesto entitled "2083-A European Declaration of Independence," Breivik wrote.
"Once you decide to strike, it is better to kill too many than not enough, or you risk reducing the desired ideological impact of the strike," he added.
The manifesto posted by Breivik, a self-styled founder member of a modern Knights Templar organization, hints at a wider conspiracy of self-appointed crusaders and shows a mind influenced by the fantasy imagery of online gaming.
"The order is to serve as an armed Indigenous Rights Organization and as a Crusader Movement (anti-Jihad movement)," he writes in the document, chunks of which are cut and pasted from other far-right, anti-Islam documents on the Internet.
Breivik says he is not against immigrants who integrate and reserves a lot of his fury for a liberal European political establishment he views as promoting Europe's destruction.
He hints at a wider conspiracy in the document, saying that the Knights Templar, a medieval order of crusading warrior monks, had been reconstituted in London in 2002.
Breivik attacks the "Islamic colonisation and Islamisation of Western Europe" and the "rise of cultural Marxism/multiculturalism."
A video posted on YouTube called "Knights Templar 2083" showed pictures of Breivik, including one of him in a scuba diving outfit pointing an automatic weapon.
Parliament, in recess until October, is to be recalled for a memorial service. Party leaders will discuss how the attacks would affect campaigning for local elections in September.
"We will have an election, we will have a political debate," said Stoltenberg, premier and Labour Party leader.
"But I believe everyone understands that we have to discuss the form of the debate...to avoid a conflict between the political debate and the need to show dignity and compassion."
Erna Solberg, head of the main opposition Conservative Party, said: "We have to agree the rules of the game."
Norway mourns victims of anti-Islam "Crusader"
....continued 2....
IMMIGRATION
Norway has long been open to immigration, which has been criticised by the populist Progress Party, to which Breivik once belonged. Labour, whose youth camp he attacked, backs multi-culturalism to accommodate different ethnic communities.
"Norway will keep going. But there will be a Norway before and after the dramatic attacks on Friday," Stoltenberg said.
"But I am quite sure that you will also recognize Norway afterwards -- it will be an open Norway, a democratic Norway and a Norway where we take care of each other."
The attacks have prompted soul-searching in Norway.
At Oslo cathedral, Britt Aanes, a priest aged 42 said the fact that Breivik was Norwegian had affected people deeply.
"In one way, I think it was good that it was not a Muslim terrorist group behind this," she said. It pointed up the complexity of immigration and inter-religious issues for Norwegians, "a small and privileged people," she said.
"We must open our eyes and not simply think that we can keep all this wealth to ourselves."
Some analysts questioned whether Norway, focused on al Qaeda-type militancy, had overlooked domestic threats.
"While the main terrorist threat to democratic societies around the world still comes from Islamist extremists, the horrific events in Norway are a reminder that white far-right extremism is also a major and possibly growing threat," said James Brandon, research head at London's Quilliam think-tank.
Home-grown anti-government figures have struck elsewhere, notably in the United States, where Timothy McVeigh killed 168 people with a truck bomb in Oklahoma City in 1995.
Grief was still raw for survivors and relatives clustered at a hotel in Sundvollen near Utoeya island. They huddled together, many with bloodshot eyes, at terrace tables.
Inside, a board gave contact details for priests and imams. Pinned to the board was a poem that begins: "Today, today it's not the same. Our shining lights snuffed in out in shame."
Govt. asks critics to look at themselves in the mirror
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Island.lk
July 23, 2011
The government alleges Sri Lanka is being targeted over alleged ‘accountability issues’ by those under heavy flak themselves for ‘war crimes’ in their so-called global fight against terrorism.
Authoritative government sources alleged that a section of the international community seemed to be taking pleasure in Sri Lanka bashing on the basis of ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ produced for global telecast by UK’s Channel 4 News at the behest of the LTTE.
The government was responding to US House Foreign Affairs Committee decision to ban aid to Sri Lanka unless the government showed ‘accountability’ over final phase of military operations directed at the LTTE.
The announcement was made as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded a visit to India in the backdrop of US and its allies pushing Sri Lanka on the diplomatic front.
Referring to recent statement issued by the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) sources said unlike the unsubstantiated 50-minute documentary ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’, the US administration had been accused of authorizing war crimes in post-9/11 Al Qaeda attacks.
The HRW said it believed there was sufficient basis for the US government to order a "broad criminal investigation" into alleged crimes committed in connection with the torture and ill-treatment of detainees, the CIA secret detention and torture programme.
Such an investigation, the HRW said would necessarily focus on alleged criminal conduct by former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and CIA Director George Tenet.
UN Human Rights Commission has called for an explanation over the execution of an unarmed Osama bin Laden during a raid in Pakistan by US personel.
Sources said that the US, while denying assistance to the government of Sri Lanka had assured its commitment to humanitarian aid, de-mining activities and ongoing projects to promote democracy and good governance.
Sources alleged that both during and after the war, the US and several other countries and organizations continued to promote democracy and good governance, which basically meant providing financial support for those issuing statements critical of the government and armed forces.
The government said that those embassies which recommend funds for local NGOs should investigate how the money was spent. Sources emphasized the importance of investigating foreign cash flow as the US was now probing Pakistan for financing an US-based organization allegedly engaged in a programme to influence decision makers.
According to state banking sources, the Centre for Policy Alternatives, National Peace Council and Transparency International Sri Lanka during 2008 to 2010 had received a staggering amount of money.
They said the CPA has received Rs. 272.31 million during the three-year period. The NPC and TI have received Rs. 171.23 million and 174.79 million, respectively.
Govt. asks critics to look at themselves in the mirror
.......continued......
The funding sources included Meyers Norris Penny Ltd RM (Canada), Canadian International Development Agency, Berghof Foundation (Germany), Facilitating Local Initiatives for Conflict Transformation (Germany), Stichting Cordaid (The Netherlands), Norwegian Embassy, Commission Des Communautes (Norway), ICT for Peace Foundation (Switzerland), Dep. F. Auswaert, Angelegenheiten (Switzerland), Swedish Embassy, Swedish International Development Agency, Goldman Sachs Grant (UK), Minority Rights GRP Ltd BCA (UK), European Commission, Transparency International Division (UK), Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (UK), European Union, Diakonia (US), Forum of Federations/Forum Des (US), International Media Support (US), the Ford Foundation (US), Fredskorpset Bergen (US), National Endowment for Democracy (US), Partnership for Transparency Fund (US) and Academy for Educational Development (US).
Of Rs. 618.33 million received by the CPA, NPC and TI during the three-year period, Rs. 111.48 million had been donated by various other sources.
Leaders of countries (eg. British Prime Minister David Cameron, Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Nicolas Sarkozy) that accuse Sri Lanka of human rights violations, and go on war-path to force democracy on other nations, want to dial-back multiculturalism now.
What is GOOD for the GOOSE is NOT GOOD for the GANDER?
We ALWAYS KNEW they were UNABASHED HYPOCRITES!
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Analysis: Norway massacre exposes incendiary immigration issue
By Mohammed Abbas
July 24, 2011
OSLO (Reuters) - Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik said he killed 93 people to spark a "revolution" against the multiculturalism he believed was sapping Europe's heritage, and experts say a frank debate about immigration may be the best way to prevent similar explosions of violence.
In some Nordic countries, and elsewhere in Europe, political parties have fed on rising public concern over immigration as economic conditions worsen and a drip-feed of Islamist attacks stokes fear and suspicion of new arrivals.
But experts argue overly aggressive political rhetoric and scare tactics have inflamed passions rather than address the many complex, underlying problems.
Conflicting messages and political squeamishness in tackling immigration and multiculturalism have frustrated the public and given space for hardline ideologues, they say.
"If the twin attacks in Norway fail to trigger an honest discussion of the issue, exposing often scare-mongering arguments used by the extreme right, this may marginalize the radical groups and worsen the situation, which in turn could bring more similar attacks in the future," said Lilit Gevorgyan, Europe analyst at the IHS Global Insight think-tank.
"This is not just an issue in Norway. Across Scandinavia and also in Western and Eastern Europe, you have a lot of people who are very frustrated by the lack of open debate," she added.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, Germany's Angela Merkel and France's Nicolas Sarkozy have all declared in recent months that multiculturalism has failed, in speeches that were otherwise careful to highlight the contribution of immigrants.
But critics say such statements at best do little to offer solutions to tackle the economic and societal pressures that stem from increasing immigration and globalization, and do even less to harness the benefits of a multi-ethnic society.
At worst, they say such comments risk victimizing often vulnerable immigrant communities and souring race relations.
"What has clearly emerged from recent speeches and ensuing public national debates on multiculturalism is a sense of confusion, malaise and often contradictory messages," said Sara Silvestri, lecturer in religion and international politics at London's City University, in an article dated June 8.
"So we look for easy answers presented as simple choices e.g., moderate vs. radical Islam, multiculturalism vs. assimilation ... Yet such simplistic naming and categorizing further divides people and provokes animosities," she added.
FUEL ON THE FIRE
A number of Scandinavian political parties have tackled immigration head on, but the inflammatory tone used by some politicians may have fueled Breivik's anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic hatred.
Many far-right European groups have shifted away from overtly racist rhetoric and have instead focused their argument on stressing what they see as the incompatibility of Islam and European values.
In a 1,500-page violent manifesto published by Breivik, the 32-year-old expressed his admiration for Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders, and the tome included reported anti-Islamic comments Wilders made to the Dutch parliament. However, Wilders at the weekend denounced Breivik's actions.
Analysis: Norway massacre exposes incendiary immigration issue
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Anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic parties have gained traction in Nordic and Scandinavian countries in recent years, tapping public anxiety over the relatively recent phenomenon of mass migration, particularly of Muslims, to their region.
The anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats were last year elected to the Swedish parliament for the first time, despite the party having roots in neo-Nazi movements of the 1980s and 1990s. The party has criticized Muslims and Islam as being un-Swedish.
Swedish anti-fascism magazine Expo, where the late best-selling novelist Steig Larsson was highly active, says while there may be no direct link between violence and comments by politicians, the rhetoric creates a fertile environment for ethnically motivated attacks.
"It is very aggressive ideology that the Swedish Democrats are pushing toward Muslims ... it has become a more and more accepted way to speak about Muslims this way," said Expo reporter Johannes Jakobsson.
"Of course if you are in the Swedish parliament and point fingers at Muslims and say these people are dangerous, of course this is going to influence people to become more hostile toward them," he added.
"ATROCIOUS, BUT NECESSARY"
Harald Stanghelle, political editor of Norway's Aftenposten conservative newspaper, said it was unfair to accuse Norway's anti-immigrant Progress Party of inflaming the passions of individuals such as Breivik, who was once a member.
Stanghelle says Breivik left the party because it did not go far enough in representing his views, highlighting a dilemma for those who say parties that drive away those with fringe views on immigration risk creating militant underground groups.
"It's totally wrong to hold the Progress Party responsible for extremists like this. A few smaller, anti-immigration groups, anti-multicultural groups, have broken from the party because they believe it is too polite, too mainstream," Stanghelle said.
Stanghelle was careful to paint Breivik as a lone extremist with little link to the wider discourse on immigration in Norway. After years on the fringes, Breivik's views are now likely to echo loudest at his first court hearing on Monday.
Breivik has described his bombing of an Oslo government building and his shooting spree at a youth camp run by Norway's Labor Party as "atrocious" but "necessary" in his crusade against liberal immigration policies and the spread of Islam.
"He now wants to meet in court for the first time, and wants an open court meeting, and why? Most criminals fight for a closed court meeting, but he sees himself as a crusader," Stanghelle said.
Ananda-USA Says at LankaWeb.com
July 24th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
Bravo, Charles!
Tongue in Cheek at its best!
Your explanation of who is a “freedom fighter” and who is a “terrorist” to a Western mind is crystalline in its clarity:
Those who cause terror in their own non-Western countries are “ freedom fighters”, while those who cause terror inside Western countries are “terrorists”.
I hail this novel discovery as “The Western Theory of Relative Terrorism”.
As required by Einstein’s celebrated Theory of Relativity, it is indeed relative to the observer!
I think you hit the proverbial nail on its veritable head!
Emboldened by the recent Local Government Election success, the unpunished and unrepentant Tiger Nominated Agents of the TNA now take the first post-war step to WINNING the through ARTIFICE in PEACE, the Eelam state they FAILED TO WIN in WAR by demanding Police & Land Powers that are not devolved to ANY PROVINCIAL COUNCIL in Sri Lanka!
The GOSL now REAPS the penalty of not prosecuting these TRAITORS for their TREASONOUS ACTIVITIES during 30 years of terrorism, and attempting "Reconciliation" with them.
What the GOSL does not realize is that these RACISTS can NEVER be APPEASED as long as Sri Lanka remain separated from Tamil Nadu by only a narrow channel. They MUST BE held ACCOUNTABLE for ALL THEIR CRIMES.
Ethnic Integration with the goal of demographically homogenizing of the nation MUST BE PURSUED WITHOUT DELAY ... or the Sri Lankan people will never have any stability and peace in their lives!
.................
TNA insists on police, land powers
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
DailyMirror.lk
July 26, 2011
The Tamil National Alliance(TNA) which swept the board in Saturday’s local council elections in the North said yesterday it would be impossible to reach a political solution and bring about lasting peace, justice and democracy in the North without the devolution of police and land powers.
Jaffna district parliamentarian and TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandra told Daily Mirror the TNA which won 18 of the 23 local councils in the Northern and Eastern Provinces was in a stronger position to negotiate with the government at the ongoing talks following the overwhelming mandate it received from the Tamil-speaking people.
“It’s unfortunate that the government has failed to understand fully and correctly the real problems facing the Tamil community and their aspirations. I wonder whether the government even realises the impact of the TNA’s electoral victory,” Mr. Premachandra said.
With regard to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s stance that police and land powers are non-negotiable, Mr. Premachandra said these two subjects were extremely necessary for lasting peace, justice, democracy and northern development.
“If the government continues to be adamant on police and land powers I do not see the need to continue the current dialogue,” Mr. Premchandra said. “The TNA is ready to accept a dignified solution to the ethnic problem within a united Sri Lanka. We need a serious dialogue with the government and the sad part of this is that the government has not understood this properly. I do not know how we could convince the government.”
With regard to allegations of war crimes during the last stages of the war, Mr. Premchandra said the government must heed the requests of the United Nations, Amnesty International, the Human Rights Watch and the international community by setting up a credible local mechanism to investigate these allegations.
“If this is not done, no one can prevent Sri Lanka being called a ‘Pariah State’ in the eyes of the international community and organizations,” Mr. Premachandra said.
He emphasised the futility of appointing a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to work out proposals to resolve the national question apart from it being a time-wasting exercise.
“Arriving at an acceptable solution will be impossible with Sinhalese extremists like the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) in parliament,” he said.
Another heart warming song from LA
One Land for All-Sri Lanka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5iWxbhD5KU&feature=related
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