It was Friday 17th September 1999. Laughter of villagers faded into the tranquillity of the night in remote Gongala village in Ampara District in Eastern Sri Lanka. HM Premasiri (29) went to bed late that night after a long pleasurable conversation with a large number of relatives and friends who had come to his place for a religious ceremony. Around two hours after midnight the serenity of the night was shattered by screams of men, women and children. About 75 Tamil Tigers and their accomplices, mostly women, brutally massacred 27 men, 17 women and 10 children to death. Tamil Tigers had plenty of guns but opted to make it as cannibalistic as they possibly could. Just one victim was shot with a revolver while the rest were killed with knives, axes and machetes. Most victims were hacked to death. Premasiri survived hiding under his bed. He could hear the hysteric laughter of Tamil Tiger female murderers and their civilian accomplices resembling what might be Satan’s laughter. For a moment he thought devils from hell have invaded the earth. When the morning came, the true horror of the attack became obvious. People found it difficult to attribute to humans. If anything came close, that was the horror female SS helpers including Irma Grese - known as the ‘Angel of Death’ - at Belsen and Auschwitz unleashed on unarmed civilians during WW2.
Despicable Tamil Elamists didn’t stop there. The political mouthpiece of the LTTE which is both the father and son of the LTTE, grabbed the opportunity to advance its ethnic-cleansing-for-Tamil-homeland agenda. Joseph Pararajasingham, an MP of the communalist TAMIL United Liberation Front (TULF), later the MP of communalist TAMIL National Alliance (TNA) justified the killing based on LTTE claims that an SLAF attack 2 days prior in Puthukudiyiruppu had killed 22 Tamil civilians. He was the only source that officially linked the Gongala civilian massacre to the SLAF attack, trying to whitewash the crime. In doing so Tamil Elamists (which includes both peaceful Tamil Elam supporters and the LTTE) sent out a powerful message - they want to ethnically cleanse the North East of every non-Tamil.
Those who heard, saw or read about subhuman acts of Tamil Tigers resolved to annihilate these uncivilised hordes from the face of the earth. While this was not the first barbaric attack of Tamil Tigers, it was certainly not the last.
V DAY 2009
After a period of illusion, Sri Lanka took on Tamil Tiger Terrorists in a well planned military manoeuvre in mid 2006 following another similar adventure by Tamil Tigers. After 33 months of intense fighting, Tamil Tigers were annihilated by gallant security forces. May 18th, 2009 became a memorable day not only for Sri Lankans but for all humans. It assumed universal significance because terrorism is the biggest threat to humans today and Sri Lankan security forces pioneered the method of wiping out terrorism.
LTTE terrorists were the most ruthless terror outfit ever to terrorise the world. The human bomb or the suicide bomb was effectively invented and reinvented by the LTTE. LTTE had more suicide bombers at its disposal than all the other terrorist groups combined. It became world’s only terror outfit to have an air force. LTTE had the largest arsenal of artillery among all terror groups in the world. If there is any terror outfit that killed national leaders of two countries, that is the LTTE. This is an achievement in terrorist terms, unmatched for over 17 years. To the horror of humanity, Sri Lankan security forces found submarines in the possession of Tamil Tigers which makes them the only terrorists to have them. Financially, LTTE was the second richest terror outfit annually collecting US$ 200 - 300 million. What’s more significant is all their funds came from developed countries.
Defeating such a colossal terror outfit is no mean task but Sri Lankan security forces achieved it with minimum civilian casualties. War on Terror that is raging around the world killed millions of people but still failed to rid terrorism. What’s more, War on Terror is fought by the richest and technologically most advanced nations. However, their lack of humanity is the main reason for continuing blunders. Sri Lankan security forces on the other hand put humanity first in all their military actions.
V DAY PLUS 1 YEAR
Although the war on terror was won, a bigger war looms ugly on the horizon. It must be fought with insight, clever propaganda, very long range reconnaissance/demolition operations, networking with friendly nations, and economic development. Establishing the rule of law, reducing corruption and safeguarding national and fundamental rights form the basis of it’s national aspect. Those who sacrificed life and limb must be looked after better than those who merely suffered from the war. However, these alone cannot save Sri Lanka as there is a more sinister campaign at work.
Blaming the LTTE alone for ethnic cleansing of Sinhalas and Muslims in the North and from some parts of the East is childish. Ethnic cleansing of non-Tamils was first conceived in the minds of communalist Ilankai TAMIL Arasu Kachchi leaders in 1949-1952. ITAK leader openly declared it on stages. Both LTTE and “moderate” communalist politicians, all of whom are supporters of Tamil Elam, call the ITAK leader “Thanthai” Chelva. His real name was Velupillai Chelvanayakam. The word “Thanthai” has the exact same meaning as “Fuhrer” in German. Only difference between the campaign to create a racially pure Tamil Elam and the campaign to create a racial pure Nazi Germany is that the former had a separation of the ideological leader and the actual executioner.
It is this racist separatism ideology that drove Tamil Tigers to commit extreme acts. Unfortunately they still continue their campaign. Have a look at TAMIL grievances, TAMIL aspirations, TAMIL homelands, TAMIL Congress, TAMIL United Liberation Front, TAMIL Arasu Kachchi, TAMIL Tigers, TAMILnet, etc. Honestly, aren’t these by definition racist? If in doubt, one should tap his/her conscience and ask this question. It doesn’t matter what supposedly created these, the fact is these are ultra racist demands and manifestations that must be avoided in all civilized societies.
Even after the end of the war, most Tamil voters in the North and the East voted for a racist political party that talks nothing but of racist demands. Is this not the plain truth?
We must show our racially deceived brothers and sisters, love, human dignity, compassion and guidance. We must help them not to go deeper into the dungeons of racism as demanded by communalist parties, but to overcome this vicious 63 year old racist bondage and 35 years of ethnic isolation.
Over 100,000 humans died in the war in all four quarters (security forces, LTTE, civilians and IPKF). Their lives must be celebrated in victory no matter what quarter they were in. Aren’t they all together, at last?
A solution is required to bring people of all races together. Communalist war wounds in war ravaged North and East can only be cured by multiculturalism, not by furthering mono-ethnic enclaves that created the war in the first place. Creating multiethnic settlements in the North and East should not be seen as something that will happen automatically. It must be deliberately initiated. This is the new battle. In order to have lasting peace, Sri Lanka must win this battle too.
935 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 801 – 935 of 935Sri Lanka's Marxist alliance raises concerns over proposed CEPA agreement between Sri Lanka and India
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 08, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Marxist Democratic National Alliance (DNA) raised concerns in parliament Tuesday over the signing of the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Sri Lanka and India.
DNA parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the clauses in the CEPA would make Sri Lanka yet another part of India. He said that many economic barriers between the two countries would be removed though the agreement resulting in Sri Lanka becoming a trade colony of India.
Dissanayake observed that while India has captured 17% of the local market and is now planning on expanding its market share through the agreement whilst destroying the local manufacturers.
Referring to the argument that the CEPA would enable local manufacturers to export their goods to the Indian market, he said that some local products are not manufactured to meet the needs of the Indian market.
He added that even the local services sector would be hampered through the clauses in the CEPA.
Dissanayake charged that the government was now considering CEPA after it acknowledged in 2006 that the agreement would have an adverse impact on the local economy. He referred to the former Consumer Affairs Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and said that he had agreed about the adverse impact the agreement could have and therefore decided not to sign it at the time.
PM, Rajapaksa discuss Tamil settlement issue
IANS
Jun 09, 2010
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday discussed with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa India's concerns on the plight of displaced Tamils and pressed for a political settlement of the decades-old ethnic issue in the island country.
The two leaders also discussed a host of bilateral and global issues, including an expansion of economic ties and increased cooperation in areas of development and counter-terrorism, said official sources.
Rajapaksa began his state visit to India with a ceremonial reception accorded to him at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential palace.
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna called on the visiting Sri Lankan leader and discussed issues relating to rehabilitation of nearly 300,000 war displaced Tamils and political resettlement plan for Tamil and Muslim minorities in the island country.
Rajapaksa arrived in India on a four-day visit Tuesday evening, his first trip to New Delhi since being re-elected Sri Lanka's president in January this year.
Over a year after the Sri Lankan troops militarily crushed the insurgency led by Tamil Tigers, around 80,000 displaced Tamils continue to live in relief camps.
Although the Sri Lankan government had promised to resettle all 300,000 war displaced within six months of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, the Sri Lankan government has now set August as the deadline for closure of relief camps housing the refugees.
YES, I AGREE with the CEB!
Sri Lanka's Energy Resources MUST BE USED to power Sri Lanka's enterprises FIRST at the LOWEST COST, and selling EXCESS power to other countries should be a MUCH LOWER PRIORITY!
But, CEB must get off its ARSE and DEVELOP WIND POWER FASTER!
Currently, the CEB is just sitting on many Wind Power Project Proposals it has filed to reserve the BEST WIND RESOURCE SITES for its own use and lock up much of the MAXIMUM 300MW of FLUCTUATING POWER that can be currently accommodated by SL's Grid.
The CEB does not have the CAPITAL TO DEVELOP THESE PROPOSED POWER PLANTS, but it wants to protect CEB jobs by just sitting on the sites, by hindering other proposals, for example by making it difficult to get the wind resource data.
Balla Thana Kanneth Na,
Kana Gonata Kannda Denneth Na!
My suggestion to the CEB, and to the BOI, is this:
Cooperate with Patriotic Sri Lankans who come to SL with Power Generation Proposals without discouraging them.
Enter into Collaborative Agreements to both preserve CEB jobs, and Help Sri Lanka meet its expanding electrical power needs and rapidly grow its economy.
Avoid becoming a Barrier to Rapid Development of Electrical Power Generation Capacity in Sri Lanka.
Become a Part of the SOLUTION, and not a Part of the PROBLEM.
If the CEB does the latter, INEVITABLY the CEB will CEASE TO EXIST as a Govt Institution, and Power Generation in SL may become ENTIRELY PRIVATIZED!
That would be a tragedy, because Electrical Power expertise is a NATIONAL ASSET that must be PRESERVED through PATRIOTIC NATIONAL INSITUTIONS such as the CEB.
...................
CEB officials against Indian wind power project
by Ifham Nizam
Senior CEB officials are against a wind power project, which an Indian company is determined to construct between Puttalam and Kankesanturai for the generation of 4,500 Mw. Their objection is on the grounds that the Indians are planning to export the power back to India.
The Island reliably learns the Indian company is lobbying their project with senior Sri Lankan government officials.
But CEB officials are totally against it. "We would not tolerate such projects," an official said. "Renewable energy is our key for future projects, with the depletion of fossil fuels. It is the paramount duty of each and every citizen to protect it."
CEB officials said that in keeping with the energy policies of Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka they would go all out to tap all renewable energy sources and connect it to the national grid.
An official said that CEB will take a lead role in the generation of power in the future.
TamizNut is whinging...again...
They have brainwashed themselves about the (mythical) "Tamiz?" homeland and have been trying to brainwash the world as well. The agenda of this article is just another pathetic attempt to tell the world that the LTTE are not terrorist criminals but freedom fighters fighting for a legitimate country.
"The Sri Lankan state is treating them like criminals."
My heart bleeds...NOT. Of course they are criminals. Any person who engages in terrorist or other violent activity against a democratically elected government is a CRIMINAL...Hellooo??
"Rajapaksa is not recognising these young Tamils as Prisoners of War." Boo...hooo...
And quite right too. "Prisoners of War" is a title given to persons who are apprehended by the opposition while being engaged in a conventional war. It is a title which has honour and integrity attached to it. Would Bush/ Blaire/ Obama/ Clinton/ Miliband/ et al consider Mr Bin Laden to be a prisoner of war if he is captured (and that is a very enormous IF)? Would they consider any of the captured Taliban to be prisoners of war? Of course not; they are terrorists and criminals, nothing more nothing less. Same rule applies for captured LTTE terrorists.
"But, he should at least be pressurised by the global community to declare those detained as political prisoners"
Say "pretty please…??"
Well Mr C. Mahendran, whoever your are and whatever circus you juggle for, Mr Rajapaksa will treat terrorists however HE pleases. It is the fault of the terrorist leader Piripakharan (and nut cases like you) which led these young people to believe a lie and waste their lives on a pie-in-the-sky home land which never existed neither will ever be. Live with it.
So there. . . .
It is sad indeed these children of Sri Lanka were led astray to the plight they are facing now. No option but to take every step to prevent terrorism rising its ugly head within the borders of pakka land forever.
If any LTTE terrorist sympethiser wants to feel any solace from it all, just think of it as these terrorists being locked up will enable future generations of tamils (and all Sri Lankans) to live peacefully and without fear in one beautiful country. It is for all peoples of our country, not a selected few. If you must have a home land go do it in Toilet Nadu, Toronto, Tooting or anywhere else, but not in our pakka land.
Re: CEPA
Pls note my previous comments about this topic is regarding general trade agreements. I cannot comment about CEPA w/o seeing it.
As I said before the opposition shud still go on in order to push the politicians not to make crazy decisions, but we shud always take them as opportunity since a completely closed economy cannot bring much future for us.
WW's view of CEPA.
Can our government make CEPA available in a website?
[DNA Leader General (Retired) Sarath Fonseka told Parliament yesterday that discipline of the Parliament and the country at large had declined so much so that even top government officials were talking of “hanging” people.]
Perfect round omlet => hot water bath => AC => Gilmart => Hanging...
Who cares? No body cares in SL.. Tamasha only for foreigners.. (BBC, AFP, C4, AI, HRW, Pille, Aston, Boil etc of course all peelaam citizens..)
____________________________________________
[The official celebrations of Victory Day, postponed due to inclement weather will be held on Friday (June 18) at Galle Face to mark the victory over the LTTE one year ago, the Director General of the Media Center for National Security Lakshman Hullugalle said.]
So there will be huge rain again on June 18..? Hikz
Chaps, do you remember a Peelam wanker called Peter Ratnadurai who used to post here (mostly in DW blog) boasting about terrorists and their devious plans? Well, it looks like our Kalllathoni Peter going through five stages of grief (denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) has ultimately reached the fifth stage of acceptance. The poor dejected fellow doing this writing is a far cry from Peter Kalllathonia of the past.
Article by Peter
Cheers!
@ CEPA
I don't believe 'agreements' between unequal parties - international, national, local or jungle.. India is just about to start a$$ raping SL and pls be ready..
KB
Thanks for the link.. Peter the smart tamizh seems drinking some thing different now..
Reminded me another guy.. Here is another link.. Sort of 'defence analysis' I enjoy..
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=6643
KB;
Re: Peter
Nop, the bugger still wants his battalions to re-organize in the best available fashion to harm SL. He's still intoxicated with hatred and anger and planning the age old revenge which was the sole driving force of their last operation.
And he cannot stand more organized and futuristic actions suggested by others. And the comfort that it delivers to some whom, Peter still expects to live inside bunkers hiding from air strikes.
And he is right. They are going in all directions, trying ultra complex maneuvers and changing themselves in the process. The new operations are so big that they might forget the real objectives in the middle. The options are so distant and diverse that they mind loose the way.
But he is not proposing any better option. The "trade-as-leverage" as he proposed may sound as simple as few bigmac only meals for some hunger-strikers, but its result is as long as the whole commerce encyclopedia is. It is another complex plan to attack us, and another plan in which they can nicely loose their way. That means that we did it to the perfection, in two main strikes, one at Nandi Kadal, and the other at Malaysia or Thailand. With the double blow, still the diaspora is aimless and plot short.
That is how I read Peter, the old cyber-colonal of pussycat regiment. He's calling for "attack" but does not know where to, and finds nobosy behind him.
Peter mathindu ada thaniyama wela madde.
Ninja, old boy, all these 'defence analysts' have vanished without a trace after getting their gonads handed over to them on a platter at Anadapuram and Naathikandhal. Only our poor Peter Kallathonia is fighting his lonely battle in cyberspace. But regardless thanks for the link. I had a good chuckle reading it while sipping a marvelous G&T.
Cheers!
Sujeewa, old boy, you are right, bugger might be a dejected looser, but hatred of everything Sri Lankan still remains. That bitter bile of utter defeat and humiliation is going to remain in this generation of Peelam wankers forever regardless of what we do or say. If you don't mind I like to offer a more vulgar version of your rhyme.
Peter Durai walle reela kaha patata guli guli.
Cheers!
More war crimes:
"Mexico's fury as U.S. border guard shoots dead boy, 14... for throwing stones at him
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1285302/Mexico-demands-investigation-U-S-border-agent-shoots-teenager-dead--throwing-stones-him.html#ixzz0qNHOOGKw
Sri Lanka Still Demands Justice
Opinion piece by Louise Arbour
If international criminal justice is ever to be effective, its enforcement cannot be selective. We recently marked the first anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, yet the international community — in stark contrast to its approach on other conflicts — still has done nothing to address accountability for war crimes committed in its final months.
The difference between the speedy dispatch last year by the United Nations Human Rights Council of a fact-finding mission to Gaza and the deafening silence of the world while thousands of civilians were becoming victims of illegal methods of warfare in Sri Lanka strikes at the heart the international justice project.
On April 3, 2009, the president of the Human Rights Council established the U.N. Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict with the mandate to investigate all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in the context of military operations there between December 2008 and January 2009.
At that very moment several hundred thousand people — civilians of all ages, many wounded, weakened and hungry — were crowded in the second "No Fire Zone" established by the Sri Lankan army in the Vanni, awaiting further shelling by government forces while the remaining cadres of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam among them ensured that they would not be allowed to cross over to the government side.
By the end of May 2009, it was all over. It is difficult to say precisely how many Tamil civilians were killed in these final five months of the 30-year war waged by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil Tigers. A proper investigation would likely set the figure in the tens of thousands.
On Sept. 29, 2009, Justice Richard Goldstone, head of the Gaza Fact Finding Mission, presented its report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva, calling for an end to impunity for violations of international law in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The U.N. mission reported Palestinian casualty figures at between 1,166 and 1,444.
There was never any Goldstone report on Sri Lanka. Rather, on May 27, 2009, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution welcoming the conclusion of hostilities and "the liberation by the government of Sri Lanka of tens of thousands of its citizens ..."
Evidence uncovered since then suggests that the council seriously misapprehended the facts when it failed to call for an investigation of both sides. There is indeed evidence suggesting war crimes by the Tamil Tigers, and despite the best efforts of the government of Sri Lanka to keep the world at bay during the last months of the conflict, there is also a substantial body of credible evidence pointing to the commission of war crimes by government forces including attacks on humanitarian operations, attacks on hospitals and deliberate shelling of civilians enticed by the government to seek protection in the safety of "No Fire Zones."
More investigation will be necessary to expose and document the full scale of the violations of the laws of war and the possible individual criminal responsibility at the highest levels of civil and military command in the Sri Lankan armed forces as well as by the Tamil Tigers.
However, no fair, independent and credible investigation can be undertaken by the government of Sri Lanka, or by an organ created by the government.
The long history of impunity, the legitimate fear of reprisals on the part of prospective witnesses and the persistent denial at the highest levels of government of any wrongdoing suggest that only an arms-length international process would be credible.
An international investigation is required to ensure that Sri Lanka rebuilds itself on the solid foundation of the rule of law including the fundamental principle that no one is above the law. It is also necessary to ensure that the future rests on a truthful acknowledgment of the past and that all the people of Sri Lanka understand what was done, seemingly on their behalf, to their fellow citizens, many of whom were innocent civilians trapped between a terrorist movement and a government unwilling to extend to them the protection to which they were entitled by law. The nature and the magnitude of the crimes are such that there is no prospect of a real, durable peace without justice.
Such an investigation is also necessary to reaffirm the international community's commitment to the principle of accountability for serious violations of international humanitarian law. This is particularly pressing since the "Sri Lankan option" may otherwise become increasingly attractive to those governments that will find it expedient to disregard the law if they are convinced that they may do so with impunity.
(The writer; Former United Nations high commissioner for human rights and former prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda, Louise Arbour is president of the International Crisis Group, which recently released the report "War Crimes in Sri Lanka
KB;
[[Peter Durai walle reela kaha patata guli guli.]]
LOL :)
Indeed
Walle paharapu balalek wage.
I commented in that sangam blog. Couldn't save it to paste here.
Hooligan aka Jay;
What is so much about a "shit piece of Louise Arbour". Are we suppossed to read this or have you developed some attention seeking mental syndrome?
Shit happens, isn't it?
SEVEN agreements signed with India.
Nothing that enables India to DOMINATE SL Economy and STIFLE SL's Independence .. I hope!
.............
India discusses resettlement of displaced Tamils with Sri Lankan President, signs bilateral agreements
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 09, Colombo: Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday met the visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the plight of the displaced Tamils and a political solution to the decades-old ethnic issue in the country.
President Rajapaksa apprised the Indian Premier of the steps taken by his government to expedite the resettlement of the remaining 80,000 displaced Tamils in the camps and programs slated to restore their livelihoods and the war-battered region.
The President briefed the Indian PM on the outcome of the meeting he held with Sri Lanka's Tamil political leaders on the eve of his departure to India.
Prime Minister Singh has pressed on a political solution to the decades-old conflict and expediting the resettlement process.
The two leaders discussed a variety of other issues that are of interest to both countries including the expansion of trade ties and cooperation in counter-terrorism and development.
Following the meeting the India and Sri Lanka signed seven agreements aimed to enhance bilateral ties across a host of issues.
Sri Lanka President and his delegation arrived in India Tuesday for a four-day official visit. This is President's first visit to India after he won the re-election in January to a second term.
Sri Lanka to support India's candidature in UN Security Council
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 09, New Delhi: Sri Lanka has assured its support for the candidature of India as a Permanent Member of an expanded UN Security Council, as also for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012, the Indian government announced today.
India's Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao in a media statement said the visiting Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today and held high�level talks.
Sri Lankan President also met the Indian External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister. The Leader of Opposition and the Chairperson of the UPA are also calling on him.
"The talks between Prime Minister and President Rajapaksa were wide-ranging and encompassed a range of issues reflecting the multi-faceted nature of our relationship," Ms. Rao's statement said.
The two leaders shared their vision of the future of India-Sri Lanka relations and agreed that President Rajapaksa's visit provided an opportunity to lay the foundation for a forward-looking comprehensive agenda for bilateral engagement, she added.
Aside from the seven bilateral agreements and MoUs inked this morning, India offered assistance to construct 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.
India will extend a US$ 200 million line of credit to assist setting up of the NTPC-CEB Joint Venture of 500 MW Thermal Power Plant at Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka. The relevant agreement will be finalized in three months.
The Indian government also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for the inter-connection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids.
Among other things the two countries agreed upon were the resumption of the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticoran and between Thalaimannar and Rameswaram, restoration of the sacred Tiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar, Commemoration of 2600th Year of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha (Sumbuddhatva Jayanthi) through joint activities, and establish Indian Consulates General in Jaffna and Hambantota.
India will also be taking up several projects for the reconstruction of the North and the East, including rebuilding of railway infrastructure, rehabilitation of Kankasanthurai harbour and Palaly Airport, construction of a cultural centre in Jaffna and several vocational training centres, renovation of the Duraiappah stadium, rehabilitation of war widows, etc., the statement said.
What does Wimal Weerawansa KNOW about the CEPA that we DON'T?
The CEPA should be PUBLISHED beforehand, and DEBATED by the PEOPLE of Sri Lanka, before it is ACCEPTED!
Sri Lanka's Economic Security and Sovereignity is at STAKE, and its CITIZENS are ENTITLED to be CONSULTED!
...........
Sri Lanka Minister opposes CEPA
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 09, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Housing and Construction Wimal Weerawansa said to media today that he and his party National Freedom Front opposed the Comprehensive Economic Participation Agreement (CEPA) with India.
He said that his party had informed the decision clearly to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He also said that the President had also guaranteed them that the agreement would not be signed without amendments.
Minister Weerawansa pointed out that CEPA would be more disadvantageous than beneficial to Sri Lanka. He pointed out that Sri Lankans will lose their jobs to Indians when CEPA opens the service sector.
Wasantha Bandara the general secretary of the Patriotic National Movement, affiliated to NFF said yesterday that the economic imperialism comes not only from the USA but also from India.
"According to the information available to us, the CEPA proposed by India can engulf our whole economy. Even though so much of discussion had taken place in Sri Lanka on this agreement, to our surprise no one has seen it yet. Even the President has not yet seen it, as revealed to the media by him," Bandara said.
Opening remarks by Foreign Secretary at media briefing on the State Visit of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa
High Commission of India
June 09, 2010
The President of Sri Lanka H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently in India on a State Visit. He is accompanied by Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa and a high-level delegation, including three Cabinet Ministers.
2. This morning, he was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. External Affairs Minister and the Finance Minister called on him. The Leader of Opposition and the Chairperson of the UPA are also calling on him. A delegation of MPs from Tamil Nadu is also meeting him in the afternoon.
3. He had a meeting with Prime Minister followed by delegation-level talks. Seven Agreements and MOUs were signed.
4. The talks between Prime Minister and President Rajapaksa were wide-ranging and encompassed a range of issues reflecting the multi-faceted nature of our relationship. The two leaders shared their vision of the future of India-Sri Lanka relations and agreed that President Rajapaksa’s visit provided an opportunity to lay the foundation for a forward-looking comprehensive agenda for bilateral engagement. These shared understandings are reflected in a Joint Declaration which will be issued shortly.
5. Our Prime Minister emphasised that Sri Lanka’s emergence from decades of conflict offered a historic opportunity to spearhead an era of reconciliation where all communities can come together to realise a political settlement. Prime Minister also observed that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for this purpose. In particular, Prime Minister emphasised the need for urgent steps to resettle the remaining IDPs and urged Sri Lanka to undertake speedy rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka. Prime Minister also referred to the extensive assistance being provided by India for these efforts including Rs.500 crores as grant and about US$ 800 million as lines of credit for railway projects.
6. Both leaders announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka. This will be done with Indian assistance.
Opening remarks by Foreign Secretary at media briefing on the State Visit of H.E. the President of Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa
.......continued.........
7. India will also be taking up several projects for the reconstruction of the North and the East, including rebuilding of railway infrastructure, rehabilitation of Kankesanthurai harbour and Palaly Airport, construction of a cultural centre in Jaffna and several vocational training centres, renovation of the Duraiappah stadium, rehabilitation of war widows, etc.
8. In order to assist setting up of the NTPC-CEB Joint Venture of 500 MW Thermal Power Plant at Trincomalee in Eastern Sri Lanka, India will be extending a line of credit of US$ 200 million. The relevant agreements to set up the power plant will be concluded within three months.
9. We have also signed an agreement to conduct a feasibility study for the inter-connection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids.
10. Both countries have also decided to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticoran and between Thalaimannar and Rameswaram in keeping with the desire to restore traditional links between the two countries.
11. India would also establish Consulates General in Jaffna and Hambantota.
12. The two leaders noted the progress achieved under the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement and agreed that it would be timely to build on this achievement through a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation. They have directed officials to hold intensive consultations on such a framework.
13. We have also agreed to launch a CEOs Forum to involve the business community in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic partnership.
14. Another significant initiative announced by the two leaders was the India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative. Under this initiative, the Government of India will support the University of Colombo to establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies. We have announced a major expansion of our scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka. We will be assisting in English language education in Sri Lanka under the aegis of the newly-established Sri Lanka-India Centre for English Language Training at Kandy and its regional and provincial centres. We will also provide technical assistance for the Presidential initiative on Trilingual Society in Sri Lanka and collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province.
15. The two leaders have agreed that the 2600th Year of the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha (Sumbuddhatva Jayanthi) will be commemorated through joint activities.
16. We have also agreed to assist in the restoration of the sacred Tiruketheeswaram Temple at Mannar, Sri Lanka.
17. In order to explore way to strengthen the safety and security of our fishermen, the two sides agreed to resume the discussions under the Joint Working Group on Fishing and promote contacts between the fishermen’s association on both sides.
18. Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its support for the candidature of India as a Permanent Member of an expanded UN Security Council, as also for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-2012.
New Delhi
June 09, 2010
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
High Commission of India
June 09, 2010
1. At the invitation of the President of India, Smt. Prathiba Devisingh Patil, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, is paying a State Visit to India from 8th – 11th June 2010. The President is accompanied by Mrs. Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
2. The President of Sri Lanka was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapathi Bhavan on 9th June 2010. During the visit, the President of Sri Lanka was received by the President of India, who hosted a banquet in his honour.
3. Finance Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister Shri. S.M. Krishna, Leader of Opposition Smt. Sushma Swaraj and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance Smt. Sonia Gandhi called on President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa.
4. The President of Sri Lanka had a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on 9th June 2010, which was followed by delegation level talks.
5. The official discussions between the two sides were marked by friendship, mutual respect and understanding. The President of Sri Lanka and the Prime Minister of India agreed that the shared cultural and civilizational heritage of India and Sri Lanka and the extensive people-to-people interaction provided the foundation to build a vibrant and multi-faceted partnership. India-Sri Lanka relations have matured and diversified with the passage of time, encompassing all areas of contemporary relevance, including trade, services and investment, development cooperation, science and technology, culture and education.
6. In consonance with their vision of the future of the India-Sri Lanka relations, the two leaders agreed to further harness the enormous potential available for consolidating and strengthening the bilateral partnership by building on shared values and principles of democracy and pluralism, leveraging common strategic concerns and interests, enhancing connectivity between the two countries, increasing the integration of their economies, and reinforcing the institutional framework for cooperation.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 1....
7. The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, congratulated the President of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, on his recent electoral victories and conveyed that the recent elections, together with the cessation of hostilities in Sri Lanka in May 2009, provided a historic opportunity for the country's leaders to address all outstanding issues in a spirit of understanding and mutual accommodation and to work towards genuine national reconciliation. The Prime Minister emphasised that a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement. The President of Sri Lanka reiterated his determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities that would act as a catalyst to create the necessary conditions in which all the people of Sri Lanka could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace, justice and dignity, consistent with democracy, pluralism, equal opportunity and respect for human rights. Towards this end, the President expressed his resolve to continue to implement in particular the relevant provisions of the Constitution designed to strengthen national amity and reconciliation through empowerment. In this context, he shared his ideas on conducting a broader dialogue with all parties involved. The Prime Minister of India expressed India’s constructive support for efforts that build peace and reconciliation among all communities in Sri Lanka.
8. The President of Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for India's substantial and generous assistance including through a grant of Indian Rupees 500 crore for the humanitarian relief, rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He noted that the steps taken by India for humanitarian assistance, including supply of family packs of food and clothing, medicines, setting up of a field hospital and an artificial limb fitment camp and for the resettlement of IDPs, including provision of shelter material, cement bags and agricultural implements and deployment of de-mining teams, were important and timely.
9. The Prime Minister of India was apprised on the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to bring about a rapid and sustainable resettlement of the bulk of the IDPs. It was stated that the process of resettling the limited number still remaining in the transit facilities would be further expedited. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need for the resettlement of the remaining IDPs, along with speedy rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in the North and the East of Sri Lanka. They agreed to work closely towards this end. In this context, India’s assistance to rebuild infrastructure, including railway infrastructure, set up several Vocational Training Centres, repair and construct schools, houses, stadium and recreational facilities, supply much-needed inputs for agricultural regeneration and undertake several other projects was greatly appreciated.
10. Both leaders announced a major initiative to undertake a programme of construction of 50,000 houses for Internally Displaced Persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The President of Sri Lanka warmly welcomed the offer of Indian support for this programme.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 2....
11. With regard to the task of reconstruction in northern Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister of India reiterated India’s support for various infrastructure projects. In this regard, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the contract for the reconstruction of the Madu-Talaimannar railway line by IRCON. The contract for the Medawachchiya-Madu segment of the track will be signed shortly. It was also noted that the contract for the reconstruction of the Omanthai-Pallai segment of the railway track by IRCON has already been signed. The two leaders directed that the contracts for the construction of a new signalling and tele-communication network by IRCON, and for the reconstruction of the Pallai-KKS railway line, which will be undertaken by the Sri Lanka Railway in collaboration with IRCON, also be concluded at the earliest. The work on all these construction projects will commence latest by October 2010. It was also noted that the procurement of rolling stock from India would take place in a phased manner. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka directed that a Steering Committee be established to oversee and facilitate the timely and successful completion of the contracted work.
12. The President of Sri Lanka expressed his appreciation for the generous and concessionary credit facilities amounting to about US$ 800 million offered by India for the railway projects in Sri Lanka. The two leaders directed that the relevant agreements on the lines of credit for requisite amounts be concluded within two months, so that there is no delay in the commencement of the projects.
13. In addition, with a view to restoring physical and cultural infrastructure and promoting normalcy in northern Sri Lanka, it was also agreed that India would extend assistance for the rehabilitation of Palaly Airport and Kankesanthurai Harbour as also help in renovating the Duraiappah Stadium and constructing a Cultural Centre in Jaffna.
14. Both leaders welcomed the involvement of Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in addressing the issue of rehabilitation of war widows and witnessed the signing of the MoU on Setting Up of Women’s Trade Facilitation Centre and Community Learning Centre at Batticaloa.
15. Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress of work on the Colombo-Matara railway line being constructed with Indian assistance, and directed that the project be completed in a timely manner.
16. The two leaders witnessed the signing of the MoU on Small Development Project Scheme.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 3....
17. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka reiterated their mutual commitment to substantially enhance the range and depth of the India-Sri Lanka bilateral relationship including through greater economic integration, enhancing connectivity and other linkages and closer developmental cooperation.
18. In this context, both leaders agreed to revive the Joint Commission mechanism and hold the next meeting of the Joint Commission, co-chaired by the two Ministers of External Affairs, in the second half of 2010 in order to devise a fuller agenda of bilateral cooperation in various fields.
19. Both leaders agreed to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of relevance to their bilateral relationship, and enhance high-level military exchanges and training of military personnel as well as impart additional training in Indian institutions for the newly recruited police personnel. They agreed to institute an annual defence dialogue between the two governments.
20. Both leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also agreed to strengthen the security and legal framework of their bilateral relationship. To this end, the leaders witnessed the signing of the following Agreements:
i. Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters; and
ii. Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners.
21. Both leaders underlined their desire for closer economic integration to achieve the shared goals of alleviating poverty, creating wealth and bringing about progress and prosperity for the people of the two countries. In this context, they agreed to cooperate closely to nurture a favourable environment to forge closer economic and trade linkages.
22. Both leaders expressed satisfaction that bilateral trade, despite the downturn in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, was already beginning to show a healthy recovery.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 4....
23. Recognizing the considerable benefits from greater economic cooperation between the two countries, the two Leaders noted the progress achieved under the India – Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. They agreed that it would be timely to build on this achievement through a more comprehensive framework of economic cooperation, best suited to the two countries. In this context, they directed the concerned officials of the two countries to hold intensive consultations towards developing a framework for sustainable economic partnership between the two countries and addressing outstanding issues.
24. The two leaders also agreed to launch a CEOs Forum to involve the public and private sectors in a dialogue to generate ideas to deepen and broaden the bilateral economic relationship in all its aspects and to help chart the future course of business and trade interaction between the two countries.
25. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka agreed that there was great potential for the further and rapid expansion of bilateral agricultural cooperation and collaboration in livestock development between the two countries. They noted that the MoU for Scientific and Technical cooperation between the Indian Council of Agriculture Research and the Sri Lanka Council for Agriculture Research Policy had yielded sound results, including in human resource development. They agreed that collaborative research and development programmes in areas such as livestock, biotechnology, the design and manufacture of agricultural and farm machinery and equipment, hybrid seed development and post harvest processing of perishable products, fruits and vegetables would further contribute to agricultural cooperation. The concerned authorities of the two countries would also cooperate in the area of weather forecasting. Towards this end, the two leaders resolved that the two countries should finalize at the earliest possible an Agreement providing for comprehensive cooperation in Agriculture.
26. The two leaders agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector. In this connection, they welcomed greater cooperation between the public and private sector entities and emphasised the need to cooperate further.
27. The two leaders were briefed on the progress in discussions between the National Thermal Power Corporation of India and the Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka on the establishment of a joint venture for building a 500 MW coal-fired power plant at Sampur (Trincomalee), incorporating environmentally friendly technologies, with the Government of Sri Lanka providing the requisite infrastructure support. The concerned parties have agreed to complete their discussions on the Joint Venture Agreement, the Power Purchase Agreement, the Agreement with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, the Implementation Agreement and other relevant arrangements within three months, so that the work on the project can commence without delay. The Sri Lankan side expressed its appreciation for the further concessionary line of credit of US$ 200 million afforded by the Government of India, to enable the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments under the Implementation Agreement, including with regard to the construction of a jetty at Sampur and of transmission lines from Sampur to Habarana as also the initial equity of the Ceylon Electricity Board (under the Joint Venture Agreement).
Ninja,
Arush the Doneky of Wales ended his analysis with the below quoted paragraph.
The SLA invaded Vanni with the intention of drawing the LTTE forces into a decisive battle, but LTTE adopted a strategy of retreat-in-depth, pulling back rather than engaging in offensive battle with mass army, and destroying any supply lines that will be a breaking point for the future counter assault.
Finally, we fully comprehended the meaning of retreat-in-depth in May 2009 when many hardcore terrorists retreaded to the depth of Nandikadal.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 5....
28. An agreement on conducting a feasibility study for the interconnection of the Indian and Sri Lankan electricity grids was also signed on this occasion. The two leaders expressed their confidence that the agreement would make a significant contribution to enhancing India-Sri Lanka cooperation in the energy sector.
29. Recognising the need to speedily restore the traditional links between the two countries, both leaders agreed to resume the ferry services between Colombo and Tuticorin and between Talaimannar and Rameswaram. They directed their respective officials to put in place the mechanisms to start these services at an early date.
30. The two leaders agreed on establishing the Consulates General of India in Jaffna and in Hambantota to reinforce consular cooperation and friendly links between the two countries. The Prime Minister of India welcomed in this regard Sri Lanka’s interest in establishing a further Post in India, in addition to those in Chennai and in Mumbai functioning under the High Commission in New Delhi.
31. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka expressed satisfaction that the Joint Statement on Fishing Arrangements of October 2008, which sought to put in place practical arrangements to deal with bonafide fishermen crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), had led to a decrease in incidents. Both sides agreed to explore ways to strengthen the safety and security of fishermen and, in this context, directed their respective officials to revive the meetings of the bilateral Joint Working Group on Fishing. It was also decided to enhance and promote contacts between the fishermen's associations on both sides.
32. The President of Sri Lanka proposed discussions on the matter of establishing a joint information mechanism on the possibility of oil and gas fields straddling the India Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary. The Prime Minister of India assured the President of Sri Lanka that this proposal would receive the Government of India’s attention and the matter could be discussed further between the two sides.
33. Recognising that the shared cultural and civilizational links provided the bedrock of bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed that the 2600th year of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord Buddha (Sambuddhatva Jayanthi) will be commemorated through joint activities. They noted with appreciation that an International Buddhist Conference will be organized in Kandy later this year with the support of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.
34. Both leaders also welcomed the proposal for the restoration of Tiruketheeswaram temple at Mannar to be undertaken with the assistance of the Archaeological Survey of India and the College of Architecture and Sculpture, Mamallapuram, with the involvement of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 6....
35. The Prime Minister of India and the President of Sri Lanka also witnessed the signature of the Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the period 2010-2013.
36. Recognising the immense potential that exists in the two countries to tap knowledge as a key driver of economic and social advancement, the two leaders agreed that both countries should enhance links in the educational sector as a core component of their bilateral engagement. In this context, the two leaders announced the launching of an “India-Sri Lanka Knowledge Initiative”.
37. Under this Initiative, the two leaders welcomed the proposal of the University of Colombo to establish a Centre for Contemporary Indian Studies with the support of the Government of India.
38. The two leaders further welcomed the recent inauguration in Kandy of the Sri Lanka-India Centre for English Language Training (SLICELT) as part of the President's Initiative on English and Information Technology. A distance learning network linking the English and Foreign Language University, Hyderabad and SLICELT will be established to enable training of master trainers and teachers in Sri Lanka and upgrading their skills. It was agreed to expand SLICELT further by establishing provincial and regional centres with Indian assistance.
Joint Declaration issued on the occasion of the State Visit of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India from 8-11 June 2010
.....continued 7....
39. The other elements of the Knowledge Initiative agreed upon by the two leaders include the following:
• India announced an expansion of its scholarship programmes in Sri Lanka, including increasing their numbers, introducing new scholarship schemes, addressing special needs of Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka and upcountry areas and ensuring wider outreach throughout the country.
• Both sides agreed to promote linkages between Indian and Sri Lankan universities and institutions of higher learning.
• India responded positively to the request of Sri Lanka to extend technical assistance to the Ten Year Presidential Initiative to steer Sri Lanka towards a Trilingual Society by 2020.
• Both sides agreed to collaborate in the establishment of a research institute on agriculture in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
40. Both leaders agreed to promote the use of space technology for a variety of societal services using Indian satellites. For this purpose, the Indian side will extend bandwidth to set up satellite-interactive terminals in Sri Lanka.
41. Welcoming the growing connectivity between the two countries, the two leaders called for greater cooperation in tourism and promotion of people-to-people contacts, especially between the youth of India and Sri Lanka.
42. The leaders reiterated the importance of continuing to work together in the regional and international fora given their increasing convergence of views on a range of issues.
43. Recalling the deliberations at the 16th SAARC Summit in Thimphu, the two leaders agreed to work towards the full realization of the vision of the Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration.
44. The two sides also agreed that current global challenges require the reinvigoration of multilateralism, including through the strengthening of the UN system. In this context, Sri Lanka reiterated its position that the UN Security Council reform process should facilitate India's legitimate claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and reaffirmed her support for the candidature of India as a permanent member of an expanded UN Security Council. Sri Lanka's support to India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2011-12 was also reiterated.
45. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction at the outcome of the State Visit by the President of Sri Lanka to India, which provided further testimony to the continuing excellent relations between the two countries. The President of Sri Lanka also invited the President of India and the Prime Minister of India to pay early visits to Sri Lanka. The invitations were accepted with appreciation.
New Delhi
9th June 2010
In the meantime, fifteen Tamil Nadu fishermen from Rameswaram were admitted to hospital after they were stripped off their clothes, tortured with ice on their heads and were forced to eat salt and raw fish by the Sri Lanka Navy on Tuesday off Kachchatheevu in Palk Strait, media reports in Tamil Nadu said.
Chaps, these Tamilnut buggers are always complaining about something or other. These thieving ToiletNadu fishermen intruding into our waters have been given a dream vacation in a tropical island paradise. They had a therapeutic ice massage and a scrumptious lunch of healthy organic food. Ungrateful bastards I say.
Cheers!
Indian Consulate In Hambanthota? A review of the Joint Declaration
Why does India open a consulate in Hambanthota? Instead, they should open it up in Galle where the capitol of Southern Province is. It sounds more like they are concerned about Chinese influence. However, India has missed the elephant at 10 feet here. China has won the hearts of patriotic Sri Lankans with our longstanding relationships and by building nations most significant structures like BMICH, Courts, Ports, Airports, and Performing Art Centers. China has won the hearts of patriots with unwavering support in our quest to save Sri Lanka from the terrorists. In summary, the biggest capitol China has in Sri Lanka is the hearts and minds.
Unfortunately for India, despite our ethnic, linguistic, and religious ties, she is nowhere close to winning hearts and minds of the majority. That is mainly because of their past misadventures and Eelamist scum in TN.
Therefore, opening a consulate in Hambanthota will not give India anything other than more suspicion of the majority.
If Indians are smart, they shall walk down the path of one of their/our greatest forefathers, Emperor Dharmashoka. He won Lanka wholesale for almost 2,500 years by sending a son and a daughter with a great philosophy called Buddhism. That is an impressive win of hearts and minds with a handful of envoys.
"Chamal approves Fonseka’s tour of Kenya
DNA parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday told The Island that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa had approved their request to allow DNA leader General Sarath Fonseka to attend a meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Union in Kenya scheduled for September.
The proposal to include MP Fonseka in a Sri Lankan delegation had received the approval of the Opposition, he said.
Two MPs from the government and two MPs from the Opposition would attend this meeting. UNP’s Earl Gunasekara would be the other opposition MP, Dissanayake said. (SI)
"
http://www.island.lk/2010/06/10/news3.html
This Government is mad.
Very interesting article from Kirthi Warnakulasuriya
Why on earth do we need an Indian consulate in Hambantota?
Seriously who's idea is this? According to SundayTimes it was apparently the Government that proposed this to "put to rest" Indian "fears".
This is madness.
How damn retarded are these people? Can they not see the vile manipulative nature of the world around them? There has been plenty of time to see it and learn it.
What a way to spit on China, and for god damn India out of all countries and people. We all know Indian mentality and attitudes; they at times can be just as disgusting as suddha except they treat us with little more respect than those pigment deficient apes and show some small realistic consideration to ground realities.
Now what basis is there for a consulate in Hambantota? India has none and this can be rejected with ease.
CEPA is dead for the time being.
that's very good.
looks like MR signed only beneficial agreements with india.
increased military co-operation in,
1. training
2. sharing info on border security
3. counter terrorism
are all good.
it doesn't challene STRATEGIC SECURITY issues that may be of importance to china.
the best outcome of the thing was indian help to build 50,000 houses for tamils.
thank you india.
we could not ask for more. this is simply fantastic.
ananda,
re: energy exports
energy exports are good. it will not be exported free of charge. such a HUGE MW of electricity will earn millions for SL. matching SL's electricity demand is another thing. that should be handled.
so i disagree with CEB engineers.
pol,
yes. govt don't have any co-ordination.
gonzeka is going to give interview after interview in kenya. he will possibly escape to europe too! and will meet all his henchos in kenya and plan the next move.
"Douglas Devananda, minister for traditional industries and small enterprises development -- is being accorded full state protocol. Ironically, he is a proclaimed offender in India and liable for arrest.
Devananda was declared a proclaimed offender and an absconding accused by a sessions court in Tamil Nadu in connection with a shootout-cum-murder in Chennai in 1986."
he killed LTTE MFs. that makes him a hero.
pol, SK, onenation and others,
still have doubts that its none other than gonzeka who is referred to as "senior SLA commander" in the TAG crap report?????
GR's wait and see approach is going to land us in trouble.
we need another gonzeka. a megalomaniac to handle gonzeka. right or wrong gonseka liquidated lasantha and a host of others. effectively he eliminated all threats within SL establisment to SL. GR is powerless in these things.
we need a powerful no-nonsense guy (even a maniac) to protect SL interests against hyenas using ANY dirty tactic that is necessary.
looks like GR without gonzeka is like vezapillai without karuna. we need another gonzeka to handle gonzeka.
let me bring up a controvercial yet important matter.
is GR the best suited defence secretary in post-war SL???
disadvantages of having GR as DS
1. the PERSONAL conflict between gonzeka and GR taking its toll on SL. both are no more than paid employees.
2. he has not shown any ability to take SL defence and SL interests in the NE to the next level.
navy ports, army camps here and there is not enough.
3. dissent has set in the army, STF, etc. STF is again taken over by MoD DIRECTLY to iron out all issues.
4. strong political links of the defence secretary with the president and 3 MPs make it difficult to manage MoD at a time when political clout is NOT required in defence.
5. MOST good work started by GR has stalled for no fault of his. but he has failed to keep them going.
e.g. api wenuwen api
6. nothing happens in the COLONIZATION front. MoD's contribution to this shold have been HUGE but now its zero.
7. wasantha karannagoda or mohan samarawickrema or MJ kamal gunaratna will be a better choice for DS than GR.
GR is unable to leave office bcos that takes away his diplomatic immunity. should SL care about his personal problems????
lets reward good ppl but not make them a national burden.
e.g. sanath jayasuriya
it is MG or G kamal gunaratna
Moshe whats your take on the Indian consulate in Hambantota, who's idea do you think this was? (I am leaning to this being MRs -see my earlier post) and how will it effect China/Chinas relations with us?
pol,
indian visa offices, consulates, etc. in colombo, jaffna, kandy and hambantota.
looks like RADAR stations to me!!
probably not but may be info gathering centres. essentially the presence of indian interests in all 4 corners of SL (except the east. i wonder why. or is it on it's way???? or trinco oil storage that is anyway leased to india has it covered!!!) means there is something BIG.
it was an indian idea to have them and GOSL oked it.
obviously china will not be happy with the way we are handling indians. GOSL will pay a heavy price for bullshitting with chinese interests. the least china will do is to get out of hambantota. india will be happy but SL will be in poverty forever.
I cannot believe the way MR is living up inside India.
The better ally is China.
This feels like such a sell out where we will gain nothing and LOOSE what we already have.
I am acutely aware of the need to not be "dependent" on one power i.e. China, but this sort of "on our knees" approach to India is ridiculous all at the expense of China who is A) the better ally B) not interfering in our affairs C) does not give a damn for Tamilia -in fact they too would support a more Sinhalised Lanka aka Colonisation and D) Do not dictate to us, they work with us. The future of Asia is with China and the rate things are going with SL on its knees to India is appalling. "Backing" India for the UNSC is another big mistake.
While I initially thought this was all for show –keeping Indians happy- it is clear MR is serious about being Indias boot polish boy.
PolS/Moshe;
Re: India/China
We've gotta accept that a cold war is in formation over SL. And SL is playing the role of a small European nation like Hungary or Germany now. A reason for extended support from all regional lords in our war could be to win us thru it. On that basis most of the happenings can be well understood.
Re: GR
In my view many other SL sec of def would have been far more lame than he is. But we still lack the part which SF played. Had the shit not gone in his head, it was him who talked about colonizing teh surroundings of SLA camps in N/E. It was the ONLY statement that any public figure ever made on project RECOL.
Yet I fear worst under an ordinary sec of def in that complex and critical role. Except for his anger with SF and his obvious revenge actions on him, I see the rest of his skills and connections as a plus even today. Obviously excluding his bullshit with media.
After PE2010 GR behaved exactly in the same manner how I predicted taht SF would behave had he won the election. It tells me that although these ex-SLDF ppl are heroes, them being great politicians is not realistic. Too bad to stereotype though.
pol,
but MR's behaviour in india is not so bad.
he didn't land the country in shitt. he agreed ONLY to what's beneficial to SL. and SL-china strategic interests.
we cannot bash him on his conduct in india. indian consulates around SL is a different issue that is despicable.
SK,
we should balance C-I. but it should be more towadrs C than I.
C > I
re: GR
but his PESONAL feud with SF is ruining SL. no country in the world will tolerate it officer screwing another person (and getting screwed) in public fora and using public funds.
he should either SETTLE it (not settle with gonz!!!) or get out. his inability to eliminate trouble shows his incompetency.
SLDFs are again falling into the ceremonial category!!!
""Backing" India for the UNSC is another big mistake."
yes, that is a BIG mistake.
after that they will block everything in the region.
WHEN (not IF) war starts again, india will take the matter to the UNSC and force us to stop it. india many times asked us to stop the war in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
given how toilet madu can influence 5% of indian policy, IF india goes to UNSC we will be routed.
given china's strong opposition to india creeping into UNSC, we should not have said so. recently pratiba patil granny flew to china to get support for the UNSC bid and she was drilled by the chinese!!
but under one circumstance india should be helped to get into UNSC. that is if SL too can be a UNSC permanant member!
lol!
i also came to know that some tamil elamists had petitioned monkey boon to make tamil a UN language. it was refused on the ground that only one has ever used tamil in the UN.
redicvapol, SK, onenation and others,
still have doubts that its none other than gonzeka who is referred to as "senior SLA commander" in the TAG crap report?????
Moshe,
It can very well be someone else... someone at even the level of a brigadier.. The term army commander can be used to describe a senior military official, not necessarily the overall commander. In such a big army there can be a few disgruntled officers who are looking for a good exit. TAG could have paid a huge sum to one or more of these guys to say anything.
GR
Changing GR is a hard task. He will be in that job for a very long time. There will always be someone better to do a job. As MR says over and over again, he needs someone he trusts. While MR has a greast chance to do so much, he is using his family members to do all that. Not all of them are capable. GR is very capable, but what is lacking is a system in place that will ensure only the best folks are appointed to these important positions in the future. Until we have a system that appoints smart and capable folks to these positions such as defense secretary, governer of central bank, head of the CPC etc... development will be a stop start process.
It is a pity that SF lost his head and the nation lost someone who could have carried out the colonisation work. There must be plenty of folks within the defense establishment as well as general society (JHU folks) who are willing to under take the task. It is the lack of political will or the MR regime is thinking that it is something that can be done a bit later....
Moshe;
re: GR and SF
[[but his PESONAL feud with SF is ruining SL. no country in the world will tolerate it officer screwing another person (and getting screwed) in public fora and using public funds]]
Indeed. It is not only defaming teh country, also taking the popularity away from current admin within the country. It is ugly.
[[he should either SETTLE it (not settle with gonz!!!) or get out. his inability to eliminate trouble shows his incompetency]]
He's proven he can't. In fact every trump he played against SF after 26th Jan, turned against him. MoD and Military is becoming jokers in public courts. Most charges cannot be proven. Obviously the arrest was stupid and risky. GR is paying its price. When you dream on unrealistic things and take stupid actions, it is hard to get out. I think MR will end the saga in favor of SF one day. Even for GR current ordeal is harder than such ending.
But "SETTLING" it will never happen. I saw it being discussed often, but such things do not happen in SL. SF is a parliamentarian. Only JRJ has tried such with parliamentarians in the past. SL has its set of ethics and code of conduct, be it right or wrong.
[[SLDFs are again falling into the ceremonial category!!!]]
One reason is the lack of SF and the weak role and unexpected responsibility on JJ. In fact JJ has no choice, and he's under pressure not to be another SF.
I still think that it was MR-GR-SF combination that won the war, and GR-SF combination that transformed SLDF into a great force. At high level, logistics, and thinking it was GR, but at low level [in whatever manner] it was SF. Latter got away and shot his feet, and prior ended up in hate relationship with him. So SLDF is rotting, yes.
But the solution is to end the rotting wound in whichever way. In SL I seriously doubt that one way will happen. Most likely is a presidential pardon on SF. Prolonging makes matters worst.
If you worry about SF giving witness to warcrimes shit, you must know by now that current arrest won't help it either. They're supporting a foreign travel to a man under arrest, so anything else is freely at his hand now. So I'd rather say we pardon him and let him be an MP. And of course he'll speak shit, but has it changed now when he's under arrest? It will be multi folds if he's in jail. He'll be converted to a nelson mandela.
BTW, I have still NOT taken SF out of the list of important ppl. I still see a huge defect in current govt. I still do not call MR a patriot, but an opportunist. I still see that vaccum in politics and only thing wrong is that SF is not realising it. He prefers eating white shit more and more.
But on a diff day with India running all over MR's head, SF may be that one politician who leads the other side of the equation. That equation includes the quest for RECOL too.
SF as a president I say no. SF as a MP I think yes. Do not ever trust anyone, nor fully distrust either.
OneNation;
[[It can very well be someone else... someone at even the level of a brigadier.. The term army commander can be used to describe a senior military official, not necessarily the overall commander. In such a big army there can be a few disgruntled officers who are looking for a good exit. TAG could have paid a huge sum to one or more of these guys to say anything.]]
GR created some 17 odd ex-military generals such few months ago. And then after too. There can be so many of this type that even MoD is clueless who it is.
By means of cleaning SLDF from SF shit GR did GR shit on it.
Isn't this a worthy topic to discuss? Especially with a ThinkTank in operation...
I think we all agree with Dr MM. Discussion is how to do this...
--------------------
Sri Lanka should not depend on loans, says Mahathir
June 10, 2010 02:38 pm
Sri Lankashould not depend on foreign loans and instead concentrate on encouraging Foreign Direct Investments for the country’s development, former Malaysian Premier Dr. Mahathir Mohamed told Adaderana a short while ago.
Dr. Mahathir Mohamed is on a short visit to the island and attended 6th Annual Business Awards of the Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council held in Colombo yesterday along with the International Business Leaders’ Forum.
I'm counting
ekasiya hathalis ataayi
SK,
agree with your assessment.
"presidential pardon on SF"
NO WAY!!
it won't achieve anything. gonz is going to go all out against the entire govt then.
we know SF's mentality. i will NEVER EVER forgive or forget. he will take revenge.
there is only one way. the SF way. do it or get out, GR.
true, JJ cannot become a SF. he is also prevented from being one.
onenation,
re: "SLA commander"
you got a point. after all there are many.
Moshe;
If you go by SL politics, if MR/GR leave SF for a significent time and let him be [sure he'll use that time for more of white arse licking] he'll find worse enemies in opposition. And that will balance his hatred and vengeance at least.
I am 100% certain your suggestion will never ever be considered in SL context. Next best to that is to let the bugger go and get GR out of it. Let GR put his 100% for the nation.
Sooner or later a prez pardon for SF is in the cards.
Minister in Rajapakasa team is a proclaimed offender in India
By A. Subramani
Times of India
June 10, 2010
CHENNAI: Accompanying Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa on his India visit is a tall, well-built, bearded, bespectacled man. As with the other ministers in the delegation, this man -- Douglas Devananda, minister for traditional industries and small enterprises development -- is being accorded full state protocol. Ironically, he is a proclaimed offender in India and liable for arrest.
Devananda was declared a proclaimed offender and an absconding accused by a sessions court in Tamil Nadu in connection with a shootout-cum-murder in Chennai in 1986. In November 1986, Devananda, then a member of the separatist movement Eelam People's Revolutionary Front (EPRLF) in Sri Lanka, and nine others were charged with opening fire with automatic weapons at locals in Choolaimedu in Central Chennai, injuring five people. One person, Thirunavukkarasu, succumbed to his injuries later.
Members of the LTTE, EPRLF and other Lankan militant outfits used to freely move around and live in Chennai, then Madras, in the 1980s.
In the Choolaimedu shootout case, Devananda and others were charged with murder, attempt to murder, rioting and unlawful assembly. While Devananda alone attended courts and obtained bail, others absconded from the very beginning. In 1994, he too went underground, forcing the VI additional sessions court in Chennai to declare him a proclaimed offender.
Another case for kidnapping a boy for ransom was registered against Devananada by the Kilpauk police on March 2, 1989, and that, too, is pending. The third case was registered by the Kodambakkam police in 1990 for rioting and criminal intimidation of a person called Valavan by Devananda.
Devananda, who was made minister for traditional industries and small enterprises development by Rajapaksa, has a chequered history. He was formerly with the EPRLF, later in the People Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), then with the Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front (ENDLF) and now with the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP). As a bitter critic of the LTTE and its chief V Prabhakaran, he has escaped at least 10 attempts on his life, the latest being the one by a human bomb who exploded in his office on November 28, 2007.
As per Section 41(1)(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, any police officer may "without an order from a magistrate and without a warrant" arrest any person who has been proclaimed as an offender either under the CrPC or by an order of the state government, if found anywhere in India.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) prohibits Indians from extending facilities such as food, shelter, money, arms and conveyance to offenders and proclaimed offenders, and has specific provisions to punish people who harbour such people. While Section 52A defines what is harbouring, Section 216 prescribes imprisonment up to seven years or fine or both, for those who harbour offenders.
In fact, a practising advocate preferred a public interest writ petition in the Madras high court on Wednesday, seeking the arrest of Douglas Devananda in connection with the pending criminal cases against him. The petitioner, P Pugalenthi, has said that on coming to know that Douglas would be part of the presidential delegation from Sri Lanka, he had petitioned the Union ministries of home and external affairs, besides the director-general of police in Tamil Nadu, to arrest and prosecute Devananda. "I have not received any response from the authorities so far," he said.
Moshe Dayan said ...
[so i disagree with CEB engineers.]
Moshe,
Think again, PLEASE ...
Such a vast project (4600 MW?) that
1. Captures the entire wind resource of the North West coast will deny it to local enterprises
2. Is Operated by primarily employing Indian managers, engineers and technicians will deny the opportunity of gaining those knowledge, skills and salaries to Sri Lankans,
3. Is Owned by foreign entities that will largely repatriate the profits abroad denying wealth that should flow to Sri Lankans,
4. Pays a minimal long-term lease RENTAL FEE on the land and EXPORTING the electricity paying only an EXCISE TAX to SL so that there will be only the MOST MINIMAL RETURN to SL from this VALUABLE and LIMITED RESOURCE
5. Acquires SUBSTANTIAL CONTROL on environmental matters along a vast stretch of the country affecting the quality-of-life of SL's citizens,
6. DENIES THAT ELECTRICAL ENERGY to fuel Sri Lanka's OWN GROWTH at low cost while avoiding the unaffordable importation of oil and gas, and the adverse impact of fossil fuels on our environment,
7. Plants a line of foreign "bases" along Sri Lanka's most sensitive coast from a security point of view, perhaps with offshore wind turbines as well, that will require UNCONTROLLED UNINSPECTED seemingly legitimate movement of boats filled with a mix of Indian and Sri Lankans.
This is a looming SECURITY THREAT similar to that posed by Tamil fishermen in these waters. Most of these Indian workers are very likely to be TAMIL, as TN is in the forefront of exploiting Windpower in India.
INSTEAD of allowing a PRIVATE ENTERPRISE to take control of SL's North West coast in this way, Sri Lanka should put the CEB on behalf of SL in control, retaining AT LEAST 51% ownership.
Because SL's capital is limited and SL can invest only a limited amount of funds for the 51% interest, any investment by the Indians above and beyond the balance 49% share should be in the form of long-term LOANS to the enterprise. This will not control ownership through voting shares but will incur only a corporate DEBT. The return on the DEBT can be adjusted upwards to make it attractive to these investors.
Beyond that monetary gain to the Indians on invested capital and loans, all other decisions should be made in the best interest of Sri Lanka and the profitability of the enterprise, and it should be OPERATED by Sri Lankans.
For example, the turbines can be purchased from India only if they represent the best deal from with respect to technology, training and support, and comes with a low interest long term loan to finance the purchase.
Such a project represents a vast number of jobs that should be directed to benefit Sri Lankan Citizens. A vast array of indirect supplies and services will be needed, and those should be purchased from the local Sri Lankan businesses. Some land, used for dual purposes of farming by locals and wind generation by the enterprise, can be leased from locals .. those profits should also flow to Sri Lankans.
Security bases set up for operating such a far flung enterprise stretched out along the coast can also be dual purpose, and operated as coastal security monitoring bases as well as wind power operation bases. That would place the SLDF (SLN) in a natural partnership with the CEB, helping to finance the maintenance and operations of the SLDF.
In short, WE NEED TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFIT of this venture to Sri Lanka, and think OUT OF THE BOX about the IMPLICATIONS of it to not only to Sri Lanka's ECONOMY but also to its SECURITY as well.
We should not naively hand over this LIMITED valuable PERMANENT resource to foreigners with an OVERT profit agenda, and potentially adverse COVERT agendas.
diyasena and others,
daily mirror's dirty tactics
unfortunately my grid didn't come properly. i wanted it like the BCG matrix but for some reason lankaweb has not copied the table properly.
anyway the rest is worth reading.
ananda,
OK.
here are the facts.
"Sri Lanka has huge potential for generating power from wind. The main windy season is during the South-West monsoon, from May to September, and the secondary windy season from December to February.
The first is the north-western coastal region, from the Kalpitiya Peninsula up north to Mannar Island and the Jaffna Peninsula.
The second region is the central highlands in the interior of the country, largely in the Central Province but also in parts of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces.
The recent estimate of wind resource assessment in Mannar area is approximately 8000 to 10000 MW and in Kalpitiya and Puttalam area has an estimated potential of 500 to 1000 MW, which translates to an investment potential of $10-13 billion.
If the windy lagoons are included, the total available potential would be about 20,000 MW.
At present, the total installed power generation capacity is about 10,000 MW of which 58 per cent comes from thermal sources, 41 per cent from hydroelectric and the balance from other sources, including wind."
1. such a HUGE potential of RENEWABLE ENERGY.
2. SL NEVER used it. NO PLANS to use it at least now.
3. then what's wrong india using it??? we anyway waste it, don't we???? at least let ANYONE (except tamil elam and palestine!!) use it. that will give SOMETHING to SL and it is better than NOTHING we get now.
4. we should not be like the dog in the manger. use it or keep losing it.
e.g. BRATEX exports 99% of its produce. can SLs complain that they too need them. and need them BADLY. look at sigiriya!! (LOL!!) so, stop exporting and sell them at a subsidised price to locals????
doesn't make sense.
profit, produce belongs to the INVESTOR.
if we want it, INVEST IN IT!!
5. it is a fcuking CRIME not having invested in it for 60+ years.
as anagarika dharmapala said, SLs sell the cow and buy dirty low quality dry fish from tamil madu.
it is THIS that should change.
SL MUST at the very least now invest in wind power.
6. there won't be engineers, etc. coming by boat illegally. initially when under construction, we have to guard against cheap labourers coming in. not thereafter. violating immigration law is enough to bust the project.
7. it poses no security threat. in fact it will improve security in this VITAL region!! such collosal investments will have to be protected and that deters illegal immigrants.
8. CEB is in a mess partly due to totally INCOMPETENT, OVERPAID engineers. don;t take economics lessons from these mutts. they lose their bargaining power. that is why they are against it.
do you think these MFs who many times held the country to ransom over petty issues and kept everyone in the dark care about the country????????
i don't.
also it highlights the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHINA AND INDIA.
chinese investments benefit both SL and china whereas indian investments or robberies only benefit india.
SK,
i too am convinced 90% it will not happen.
but that is the ONLY WAY.
gonzeka will certainly take revenge not only from GR, but from MR, BR, NR, CR, their other family members, SS, PS, JJ, their family members, all patriotic SLs for deserting him at the elections and finally he will turn on himself and his own family!!
this is gonzeka. have no doubt.
we have to do it. it is like vezapillai. no other way. if we don't we are certainly going to suffer nonsense.
when we say it won't happen, we mean GR IS INCAPABLE OF IT. there are other capable ppl.
e.g. assuming work, rohan daluwatte said this problem has no military solution. then why the fcuk was he wasting time there???? get out and hnad over to a person who say, NO I CAN give this a solution.
GR is increasingly becoming ANOTHER burden to SL. like gonzeka. may be someone should get rid of them both, premadasa style!!
politically it will have ZERO impact.
Moshe thanks for for some great facts in your recent comments.
i think a presidential pardon amounts to JACKFRUIT for sf.
his confinement is not making his head any clearer. and he got approved to go to kenya by CR?
this guy can just arrange a flight from there and get out of this detention thing he is facing.. unless theres plans in the making to take care of this mess.
its sad. but this whole thing is getting a bit out of hand.. and GR losing his cool (true the hardtalk journalist could use a good slap) but still GR clearly lost it during the talk.. and thats what the interviewer wanted to see i bet.
we can chat and blog, but things have to happen. the rajapaksa juggernaut as some papers call it.. should not be rolling too fast that parts start to loosen and fly everywhere.
"Lee Kuan Yew’s latest’s comments on Sri Lanka are outrageous, racist and inaccurate by any standard. Recently he said, “Another example is Sri Lanka. It is not a happy, united country. Yes, they [the majority Sinhalese government] have beaten the Tamil Tigers this time, but the Sinhalese who are less capable are putting down a minority of Jaffna Tamils who are more capable. They were squeezing them out. That’s why the Tamils rebelled. But I do not see them ethnic cleansing all two million-plus Jaffna Tamils. The Jaffna Tamils have been in Sri Lanka as long as the Sinhalese.”
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2010/06/10/lee-kuan-yew-rewrites-sri-lankan-history/
Did this old retard actually say this? Guess his frustrations are really coming out. I know Moshe pointed this out earlier and we discussed it, but i was not aware of the depth of what he said.
And look who's talking about a "happy" "united" nation. The people in Singapore are self oppressed and have unfulfilled lives. There is an underlying resentment and disappointment in Singapore, while foreigners live it up, the people within are not a bunch of happy campers.
It is also comical for the author (of the Lankaweb article) to blame (i.e. excuse making) this old shits racism and attitudes on Tamilia "influencing" this degenerating fool and his degenerating State. Singapore is going to die off one day and the old bastards is scared shit less. His comments are more to make himself feel good.
This is something i pointed out and stated clearly the Government must do ASAP.
Yet Tamilia beat us to it and now we have to do damage control AS ALWAYS.
For goodness sake what is wrong? Why no pre-emptive action??
I saw this MONTHS ago and also pointed out how we must seize such avenues first where when done properly the dividends would be immense.
(Tamilia infiltrating South America)
http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2010/06/10/interview-with-ms-tamara-kunanayakam-ambassador-of-sri-lanka-to-cuba/
Furthermore our Ambassador should be launching these initiatives themselves, do they need Colombo to hold their hand (or is this lethargy and lack of activity of our Embassies MRs doing coupled with the deep incompetence of embassy staff world wide?).
In fairness our Cuban Ambassador has done really well speaking to Venezeula newspaper “Correo del Orinoco”.
pol,
the poor old man is in ill health. he is the man running singapore even today through his son ad a bunch of loyal henchos.
we miss navindran. had he been around he will have a 2 day fight with you over LKY. he used to copy and paste profiles of high ranking singaporean tamils in DW.
there is a reason for jaffna tamils to hold high govt posts in singapore. since 1920s they migrated from tamil madu to singapore. they were given clerical jobs. clerks's children became govt servants. chinese were not interested in low earning govt jobs. they preferred business. malays too were not much keen on govt jobs. so tamils kept it for themselves. but things have changed now.
these govt servants were very useful for LKY. he only needed clerks to head top govt jobs. he was the thinker all others GOT TO BE robots.
his "anger" against SL and thailand is based on economic realities. like india, norway, etc. he too USES the "ethnic problem" to interfere in/ridicule/disrupt SL.
with kra isthmus and hambantota, singapore's fate will be disastrous. i hope he won't live to see it!!!
singapore's rise and fall will invariably equal that of LKY.
Moshe i remember that mad fellow Navindran and his "model economy".
Didn't he also pretend to be on SLs side then suddenly launch into a diatribe against SL exposing his Tamilia nature within?
(This coinciding with SLs military victories).
Didn't Wijepala also keep telling people on DefenceNet not to "drive Navindran away with 'things' that may hurt Tamils". Basically him being a Tamilia and "jumping to the LTTE" was Sinhalese fault for ridiculing his "model economy" LOL.
pol,
i vaguely remember.
he sure said that. reminds me of something that happened to my dad when i was a kid.
once a man claiming to be a prisoner freed from jail came to us and asked for money to go to monaragala. dad didn't have what he asked for and he said so. then the stupid lowlife said, "this is the problem with the society. it never let a man improve. it always tries to send him to prison. now without trying to send me to prison give me the money"!!!
then dad showed him that he doesn't have the purse with him as we went out to buy a newspaper or something. bugger went away.
so it is the society's fault that he is again going to rob????
TE lowlife logic.
tamilnet obviously follows the same logic. it is govt's fault 2 civilians died in the north from LTTE landmines!!!!
turning excuses to root causes is what drives the TE project.
Moshe,
"Sri Lanka is one of the countries with the highest unit price for electricity in the region."
.. high cost is driven by fuel costs ..
"illegal tapping of electricity has increased 30 percent"
...why steal? Because electricity is essential to life .. and people can't afford to pay for it!
Who says Sri Lanka has cheap Electricity to Export to India?
Bunkum!
....................
Sri Lanka resumes raids to nab electricity thieves
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 11, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government is to resume raid to nab culprits of electricity theft, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told the media.
Addressing a media briefing Thursday, the Minister said illegal tapping of electricity has increased 30 percent.
The government with the advice of the Attorney General's Department plans to resume raids to catch the electricity thieves, the Minister informed.
According to the Minister raids will be conducted from the first of July and regardless of the scale of the theft the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the letter.
Sri Lanka's electricity authority Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says its operational losses in 2010 would amount to 34 to 40 billion rupees.
In Sri Lanka unit price of electricity is less than its production cost although Sri Lanka is one of the countries with the highest unit price for electricity in the region.
Recently Minister Ranawaka pointed out that the unit cost of electricity is Rs. 17.52 which includes the cost of generation, transmission and distribution but charging only Rs. 13.11 from the customer.
To Make Changes To Constitution
DailyMirror.lk
June 10, 2010
Cabinet grants permission
Minor amendments to sections on Presidency, Parliament and Provincial Councils
The ministers yesterday approved a cabinet paper, which sought permission to amend sections of the Constitution that dealt with the Presidency, the Procedure and Powers of Parliament and the establishment of Provincial Councils, cabinet spokesman and acting Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
The cabinet paper on the constitutional amendments was presented by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne who chaired the cabinet meeting in the absence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on an official visit to India.
The cabinet paper did not specify what the exact constitutional amendments would be, but it only sought approval to carry out the necessary constitutional amendments, which
the cabinet paper explained was to maintain the continuity of the development in the administrative and constitutional process in the country.
Permission was sought to make “minor” changes to the following sections of the Constitution: VII (A); XI and XVIII (A).
Section VII (A) deals with the President of the Republic, his or her election and term of office. Section XI deals with the procedures and powers of parliament and Section XVIII (A) deals with the setting up of Provincial Councils.
Yo! Moshe,
Off peak incentives are offered to electricity consumers to induce them to shift their consumption to times when there is extra generation capacity.
That is CLEAR PROOF that the CEB has INSUFFICIENT GENERATION CAPACITY to meet the Peak Demand!
Who says we have SUFFICIENT GENERATION CAPACITY to export electrical power to India?
Who?
...............
CEB to unveil off-peak tariff
Shirley WIJESINGHE
A special off peak tariff will be offered to electricity consumers who consume electricity during the off peak hours, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.
Minister
Ranawaka
The Minister added that the cost on electricity for industrial, commercial and domestic electricity consumers will be reduced substantially if they adhere to the given guidelines. The Minister was addressing the media to explain how to overcome the challenges faced by the Ceylon Electricity Board. Under the new proposed off peak tariff if industrialists are able to shift the bulk of their operations to a night shift they will be able to cut their production losses, Minister Ranawaka said .
The “time of day” tariff offered to industrial and commercial consumers will be offered as well to the domestic consumers by introducing smart metres.
The Ministry has decided to implement this project initially as a pilot project under the direction of a committee to be appointed by the ministry shortly.
The consumer will be charged about Rs 15,000 for installing a smart meter. Domestic consumers are encouraged to operate daily electrical appliances during this period, he said.
The Ministry of Power and Energy introduces several other measures to face future challenges that may crop up in the power sector of the country in the aspects of Load Management , Pumped Storage, Encouraging usage of Eclectic Vehicles, Efficient Lighting too.
According to the Minister, the large scale electricity consumers such as Water Supply and Drainage Board and hotels depend on Central Air Condition system. They will be offered opportunities to shift their peak time loads to off peak hours through tariff incentives. Night time pumping and brine cooling/ ice making during off peak hours and consumption of pump water and cold brine /ice for air -conditioning purposes during peak time is expected to cut their electricity costs.
Electricity produced during off peak hours will be utilized to pump water from lower elevation reservoirs to upper elevation reservoirs , which can be drawn down later, generating peak time electricity.
The domestic electricity consumers are encouraged to change into efficient light sources to reduce peak demand.
Ranawaka said that a special transport tariff for charging electric vehicles during off peak hours will be offered to diversify the transport energy where presently based solely on petroleum.
OMG, MR just signed an agreement with India to extradite people charged with crimes!
Is Devananda going to be the first person to be EXTRADITED from SL to India?
..................
Devananda cannot claim amnesty
By A Subramani & Jayaraj Sivan,
Times Of India
Jun 11, 2010, 05.26am IST
CHENNAI: Sri Lankan cabinet minister for traditional industries and small enterprises Douglas Devananda cannot claim amnesty under the Indo-Sri Lankan Peace Accord of 1987, feel legal experts.
He figures in three criminal cases for offences such as murder, attempt to murder, rioting, criminal intimidation and kidnap. In 1994, a sessions court here had declared him as a proclaimed offender and an absconding accused.
Once criminal proceedings are initiated with the filing of a first information report (FIR), and chargesheet is filed as per Section 173(1) of Code of Criminal Procedure, then no bilateral or multilateral agreements among nations could waive the criminal liability of the person cited as an accused, said V Kannadasan, special public prosecutor for human rights courts.
There are only two ways to bring to an end a criminal case after the final report is filed. One, the accused must subject himself to trial and await the result. Two, the state government, through the public prosecutor, can file a petition under Section 321 of the CrPC before the competent court and withdraw from the
prosecution of any person at any point of trial before the judgment is delivered.
There again, it is the court which has to take a final call on accepting or rejecting the withdrawal plea. There is no third way, wherein a grave criminal case would simply lapse on account of bilateral treaties, Kannadasan added.
The shootout-cum-murder case registered by the Choolaimedu police against Douglas Devananda in 1986 was ripe for trial when he went underground, forcing the court to declare him a proclaimed offender in 1994.
Highly placed sources in the state police said that the investigating officer handling the Douglas case did not initiate the process to issue the look-out circular (LOC) against him. When a person is declared a proclaimed offender, the investigating officer (IO) has to initiate the process of issuing a look-out circular.
It has to be initiated by the IO, but issued by an official in the rank of superintendent of police or above. In Chennai, usually the city police commissioner does it since he is the unit head. Once done, it is intimated to the immigration department. How many ports of arrival/departure he intimates is his choice. But that procedure was not followed in this case, it is learnt.
Chennai city police commissioner T Rajendran told TOI that Chennai police had sent a fax message to the Delhi police commissioner with details of the cases pending against Douglas Devananda alias Anand alias Devananda. “He is a proclaimed offender, and we are expecting a reply from the Delhi police to pursue the case,” said Rajendran.
However, asked whether any look-out notice had been issued against Devananda, the commissioner said he did not want to comment on the issue.
Gonseka will jump ship for good if he is allowed to go to Nairobi!
................
Fonseka may attend Commonwealth meet in Nairobi
ExpressBuzz.com
June 11, 2010
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s detained ex-army chief and opposition MP Sarath Fonseka is likely to be allowed by authorities to visit Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya to attend the four-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting in September his party said on Thursday.
The name of Fonseka, who heads the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) has been cleared by a Parliamentary committee to represent the opposition along with the UNP MP Earl Gunasekara This would be the first foreign visit for Fonseka since he was elected an MP from Colombo district in the April 8 parliamentary polls.
Fonseka, who is being held at the naval headquarters here since his arrest in February, is facing two court martial.
A CAPSULE HISTORY of Electric Power Generation in Sri Lanka
.............
Electricity for all by 2012
By Shirajiv SIRIMANE and Nihal ABEYSINGHE
Sunday Observer
The Ceylon Electricity Board, is the livewire that connects the power sector in the country. It was founded in 1927 as the Department of Government Electrical Undertakings.
Hydro electric power came into use in 1951 with the commissioning of the Lakshapana project in the Central province. The demand for power increased from approximately 20 megawatts in 1951 to nearly 73 megawatts in 1963, about 90 percent of which was met from hydroelectricity sources.
The United States and British-owned oil companies in Sri Lanka were nationalised in 1963, and since then the importing, refining, and distributing of all petroleum products has been the responsibility of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
In the 1970s, the island began to rely increasingly on imported oil for the generation of electricity, but the new hydroelectric capacity generated by the Mahaweli project in the 1980s reduced the importance of oil.
In 1986 the total installed capacity was 1,010 megawatts, of which 74 percent was from hydropower.
In early 1988, it appeared that the Mahaweli project would solve Sri Lanka's electricity problem in the foreseeable future.
This integrated power generation and irrigation project started contributing to the National Grid in 1984 when the first two phases of the Victoria Dam were completed, adding 140 megawatts to the installed power capacity.
In April 1985, the final stage of the Victoria Dam increased the power generation capacity by 70 megawatts. A slightly greater capacity was expected in the late 1980s. Most of the power generation projects in Sri Lanka were planned, funded and executed with foreign technical expertise and assistance. However the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant is an exception as it is Sri Lanka's first 100 percent 'Made in Sri Lanka' major power plant project.
The project aims to construct a 270 MW Thermal Power Plant to boost the supply of electricity in order to meet the growing demand in the short term. The total investment for the project will be Rs. 34,267 Million.
The Construction of a 300 MW combined cycle power plant at a cost of Rs. 71,000 Million too is under way.
The first stage of the project which would add 200 megawatts to the national grid would be opened within a few weeks. It would be managed by Yugadanavi Company as an associate of the CEB. In addition to this, the other four major power projects are being implemented simultaneously and some of them are already operational. The controversial 150 MW Upper Kotmale hydro power project at a cost of Rs. 38,219 million is nearing completion. This project did not get off the ground for over two decades as there was no National leader to convince the environmentalists as well the residents of the area of the benefits accruing to them and re plan the project.
The Norochcholai Coal power project with a capacity of 1200 MW is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 51,550 million with Chinese funds. The second Coal Power Project planing for Trincomalee will be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 60,000 million to generate 500 MW electricity.
In addition, all transmission towers are being upgraded and modernized while a sum of Rs 17,700 million is being spent for rural electrification scheme to provide electricity for all in 2012.
Electricity for all by 2012
.......continued.....
The old Lakshapana and Ukuwela hydro power projects with the capacity of 215 MW have been reconstructed. Accordingly the power capacity which was 2400 GW in 2005 has been increased to 2690 GW in 2009. The number of electricity consumers has been increased to 4.33 million in 2009 from 3.90 million in 2005. The percentage of number of house-holders with power supply has increased to 84 % in 2009 from 76.7 percent in 2005. A total of 7600 electricity development projects have been implemented under various programs such as Gama Neguma, Maga Neguma Neganahira Udanaya and Rajarata Navodaya.
With the aim of providing electricity for all by 2012, the government has invested a total of Rs. 90,887 million in the power sector.
It may be interesting to note that the present focused development on the power sector has outstripped all previous power projects in value, man power and most importantly power generation capacity.
Work done in the power sector in the past 60 years have been overtaken by the development achieved in the past four years which clearly indicates the focus and commitment of the government to this sector. The total power generation since President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over was around 1000 megawatts and with the current power projects expected to be completed in the next two years, Sri Lanka would have over 2,600 mw of power which will sometimes enable it to export the surplus. This a dream even the father of Sri Lanka is power generation, G.W. Wimalasurendra would never have dreamt of such a situation which most of the other Asian countries would envy.
Re: A NATIONAL POLICY ON WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Moshe,
Regarding Wind power, you said
"here are the facts."
So you did a quick internet search and downloaded the National Renewable Energy Laboratory / US Aid study of Wind Resource Atlas of Sri Lanka and the Maldives by Elliot et al, and became an instant expert.
You are now quoting the results summarized in Figures 7-2 and 7-3 that gives the following wind electrical energy resource by Province:
If only Good-to-Excellent Sites are considered then Figure 7-2 gives:
Western (0-0.1 GW)
Eastern (0.1-0.5 GW)
Southern (0.5-1 GW)
North Central (0.1-0.5 GW)
North Western (1-2 GW)
Sabaragamuwa (2-4 GW)
Uva (2-4 GW)
Central (4-8 GW)
Northern (4-8 GW)
and a total resource for Sri Lanka of 20.74 GW.
If Moderate-to-Excellent Sites are considered, including Moderately Windy sites in addition to Good and Excellent Sites, then Figure 7-3 gives
Western (0-0.1 GW)
Eastern (0.1-2 GW)
Southern (2-4 GW)
North Western (2-4 GW)
North Central (4-8 GW)
Sabaragamuwa (4-8 GW)
Uva (8-12 GW)
Central (8-12 GW)
Northern (12-14 GW)
and a total resource for Sri Lanka of 51.13 GW.
This is the ONLY DATA that is freely available on the internet; CEB fiercely guards the latest data and claims that the NREL study is TOO OPTIMISTIC and largely incorrect!
Perhaps this is because wind energy enthusiasts were then trying to give the Wind Industry a boost when no one was listening. Incidentally, CEB is now in the process of relocating the wind turbines installed in the Hambantota area to windier sites elsewhere.
I don't know the truth about the accuracy of the NREL data .. although I myself have measured the wind speeds at several sites including Hambantota and the Elle gap in the highlands nearly 20 years ago, and they are consistent with the NREL study.
At that time, I was tried to get the CEB interested in developing Wind Power in Sri Lanka. They were not aware of wind power at that time, or that technology had improved to the point where it was competitive with gas fired plants in the US. The first question they asked me was .. is this some sort of a scam where you are trying to make money off Sri Lanka? There was no interest in my ideas then. Out of fairness, I must say that most National Lab Managers in the US were equally myopic and dismissed the claims of the nascent Wind Industry and the National Energy Laboratory, and people like me. The emphasis of both the technology managers and government leaders was on technologies other than Renewables. The situation in the US was soo bad that the US which did all of the R&D in modern wind technology, lost the lead in Wind Power to other countries such as Denmark, Spain, Germany, and now China and India! Today, General Electric is the only large Wind Turbine manufacturer in the US.
BTW, your statement that Sri Lanka's total generation capacity is now 10,000 MW is FLAT WRONG .. it will be about 5,000 MW two years from now when the plants currently being built are online. Around 1,000 MW of new capacity has come online since MR came to power three years ago, and about 1,500 MW is scheduled to be added in the next two years.
Be that as it may, your enumeration of the Wind Power resource in Sri Lanka is not relevant to what I was saying. Even TWO YEARS FROM NOW, when 2.5 GW of power will be in place, Sri Lanka's power generation capacity is INSUFFICIENT to meet the CURRENT NEEDS and will be TOTALLY UNABLE to support the rapidly growing economy and manufacturing industries that will emerge within the first post-war DECADE.
Re: A NATIONAL POLICY ON WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
.....continued 1....
I was saying that we must ..
1. Meet OUR OWN need for POWER FIRST,
2. MAINTAIN CONTROL so the benefits flow PRIMARILY to our OWN people, and not to foreign investors,
3. RETAIN and ENHANCE the SKILLS of OUR PEOPLE in this area CRITICAL to future ECONOMIC GROWTH,
4. RETAIN Control of our Coastline for SECURITY REASONS,
5. Make use of the facilities for to sustain both our engineers and the SLN by using them for monitoring and guarding the coastline, and
6. Undertake these projects to minimize the harm to the environment.
Your point #3 is irrelevant .. India can't have the power, because SL needs it even now to increase capacity and reduce fossil fuel costs.
Your point #4 is also irrelevant .. because this is not being a dog in the manger, but protecting our resources and our interests in meet our national needs which are URGENT and CURRENT.
Re: A NATIONAL POLICY ON WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
.....continued 2....
Your point #5 is correct, it is a crime, when Patriots like myself came and gave early warning, but as I said, ONLY a few Western Nations have heeded the call also. The US missed the boat, while little Denmark went hammer & tongs at it, Spain is now a leader and so is Germany. The US is still debating Renewable Energy despite all of Obama's rhetoric .. there is not enough money being pumped into it like in the Marshall Plan for Europe.
I disagree that foreign INVESTORS must profit to own our resources and convert us to landless renters in our own country. No, we must protect our resources until we have the money to do it right, otherwise like the American Indians we will sell our land for beads and blankets!
We must move heaven and earth to get the money and develop it ourselves, safeguarding our national interests. The only thing that can stop the economic enslavement of our people, is that we are SOVEREIGN in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's national budget is so small that it is pocket money for rich superpowers, even nations like Saudi Arabia. If our assets are alienated and we become landless renters in our own country, we can say goodbye to our survival as a people as well .. like the Hawaiians in Hawaii. Without ownership of the land there is no meaning to citizenship.
You said, "SL MUST at the very least now invest in wind power." YES!, but not by giving carte blanche to the robber barons of a foreign nation to build it, run it, own it, and export the energy as well! That is NO WAY to run a business or a nation!
In point #7 you said "it poses no security threat. in fact it will improve security in this VITAL region!!" I ABSOLUTELY disagree!
Who will guard it .. the company. Who will select and hire the staff .. the company. Who will decide where to erect the facilities, when and how to operate it, what supplies to buy, where to get them, when to bring them in, .. the company.
These turbines will be primarily along the North West coastline and even offshore. Many of the Indian staff will be Tamils from Tamil Nadu .. my god .. you have to pretty NAIVE to believe that all of the tricks they (India & LTTE) pulled with fishermen and even customs agents in Colombo to bring run weapons and other contraband into Sri Lanka IN THE RECENT PAST will not be resurrected!
This company will have a legally mandated right to engage in all these seemingly legitimate activities .. without opposition. They will have LOTS OF MONEY to CORRUPT & BUY any OFFICIAL to do anything .. as the LTTE did during MOST OF THE LAST 30 years .. even buying one PM's main advisor who approved everything!
If you .. who instinctively understands the need for Israel to inspect all goods entering the Gaza .. does not understand the SECURITY implications of a major Indian operation, perhaps staffed primarily by Indian and Sri Lankan Tamils, along the North West coastline of Sri Lanka with a presence on BOTH SIDES OF THE PALK STRAIT .. I don't know who will!
In summary, there is a significant wind energy resource in Sri Lanka, albeit not as large as most people think. However, Sri Lanka's Wind Power must be developed BY the People of Sri Lanka, under the CONTROL OF the People of Sri Lanka, FOR the BENEFIT the People of Sri Lanka .. not ANY OTHER WAY that sacrifices our NATIONAL INTERESTS.
ananda,
i was refering only to the north western region. agree with you that it can be 50 GW for the whole country.
but i can't agree that it should be wasted if we don't use it.
we have to either use it or allow someone else to make good use of it while paying taxes.
no argument on us investing in it. the problem is it is not happening.
We need to DO UNTO AS BEING DONE UNTO to protect Douglas Devananda.
Let us RETURN the FAVOR to TN by asking for the EXTRADITION of VAIKO, on violation of Sri Lankan immigration/emigration laws and terrorism charges. After all, he was in the Vanni without SL Govt permission, giving motivational speeches to the LTTE terrorist cadre!
If that does not make them back off, we can move onto Ramadoss, Thirumavalavan and Nedumaran .. to select a choice few of these racist cut-throats!
..............
Indian Court to hear petition for Sri Lankan minister's arrest
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 11, Colombo: An Indian court today ruled to hear a petition asking the Central government of India to take measures to facilitate the arrest of a visiting Sri Lankan minister, Press Trust of India reported.
The Madras High Court today posted to June 14 a petition seeking direction to the Centre to take immediate steps for the arrest of Sri Lanka's Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) Douglas Devananda on charges stemming from a 1986 murder case.
When the petition came up for hearing, Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice T S Sivagnanam postponed the petition for further hearing on June 14, PTI reported.
The petition by P Pugalenthi, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Peoples Rights Forum says the VIth Additional Sessions Judge in June 1994 had issued a proclamation warrant against Douglas Devananda, treating him as an 'absconding accused' in the case relating to the killing of a city resident in 1986.
Devananda who is accompanying the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on a state visit to India said yesterday that he is not aware of him being declared as a proclaimed offender but ready to face any legal proceedings if brought against him.
Central government officials said the Minister is not on any 'Watch List' of those barred from entering the country. He was received as a part of the state delegation and he is being treats' as such, they said.
IS THIS GOOD for SL?
SL needs MR at the helm now, but this change could benefit all who follow MR to the Presidency .. and they may not be as capable or patriotic as MR.
How will SL get rid of such incompetent unpatriotic Presidents in the future?
Will we have to change the Constitution AGAIN?
................
Sri Lanka moves to allow president to run again
Hindustan Times
June 12, 2010
The Sri Lankan government has approved lifting the two-term limit for presidents in a move that would allow incumbent Mahinda Rajapakse to run for office again, an official said Friday.
Rajapakse, 64, came to power in 2005 and has increased his firm grip on power since defeating the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year after nearly four decades of bloody ethnic conflict.
The president's family hold key positions on the island, with three brothers taking the roles of defence secretary, Speaker of parliament and economic development minister. His son was also elected to parliament in April.
The cabinet endorsed the statute change on Wednesday, a spokesman for the government information department said.
"These proposals are to be brought before parliament as an urgent bill," he said, adding that the Supreme Court would be asked to decide on their constitutionality.
Rajapakse's second term ends in November 2016 and the existing laws prevent him from running for office again.
His United People's Freedom Alliance won 144 seats in the 225-member parliament at April elections, but has the support of opposition defectors to secure the two-thirds majority needed to approve the proposed amendments.
Rajapaksa wriggles from India's grasp
By Sudha Ramachandran
Asia Times
June 12, 2010
BANGALORE - India and Sri Lanka signed an array of agreements across areas including security, power, railways, rehabilitation and cultural exchanges during Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa's visit this week.
The Indian government rolled out the red carpet for the Sri Lankan leader in Delhi. This was even as the visit was marked by black-flag demonstrations in Tamil Nadu and other southern Indian states, where anger against the Rajapaksa government's conduct during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the high civilian casualties - especially in the final phases of the war - last year is still high.
Rajapaksa's visit saw the two sides agree to institute an annual defense dialogue and increase high-level military exchanges. A
Click here to find out more!
Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners were signed. These are expected to strengthen the security and legal framework of the bilateral relationship. Training of Sri Lankan military and police personnel in India is also to be increased.
Cooperation in the energy sector is poised to expand. A memorandum of understanding on connecting the electricity grids of the two countries is expected to provide power-hungry Sri Lanka with around 1,000 megawatts of electricity.
India has taken forward its ongoing restoration of railway infrastructure in the war-ravaged north by agreeing to construct a rail link between Talaimannar and Madhu in the Northern province. The two countries have also agreed to resume the ferry services that had been suspended in the wake of the outbreak of the Tamil secessionist insurgency.
India's already substantial role in the reconstruction of Sri Lanka's war-ravaged north and east is poised to increase. In July last year it extended US$100 million for rehabilitation of internally displaced persons and lines of credit worth $800 million for railway and other reconstruction projects. India pledged to construct 50,000 houses for the displaced families. It will also renovate a harbor and airport. Projects for the rehabilitation of widows and vocational training for youth are also on the anvil.
The slew of bilateral agreements signed during the visit notwithstanding, there is "some disappointment in India with the Sri Lankan government's reluctance to find a political solution to the ethnic conflict and its dragging its feet on signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India," an official in India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told Asia Times Online.
Economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka has grown remarkably in recent years. A free-trade agreement (FTA) has been in operation for a decade and trade has expanded. Proponents of CEPA in both countries were hoping that it would be signed during the presidential visit.
CEPA will cover services and investment. Its signing has been put off repeatedly since 2008. Last month protesters took to streets once again, calling on the president to refrain from signing CEPA.
"Opposition to CEPA in Sri Lanka is on nationalist, rather than economic grounds," said Sumanasiri Liyanage, who teaches political economy at Peradeniya University in Kandy. "There are some industrialists and businessmen who fear that they will lose their share in the Sri Lankan market if CEPA-led imports from India come to Sri Lanka. There is concern that Indian imports will flood the domestic market and that will be costly to domestic producers.''
Rajapaksa wriggles from India's grasp
.......continued 1.........
Similar concerns preceding the signing of the FTA have been belied by the fact that FTA has led to an increase in trade volume and benefited both countries, he said.
Drawing attention to opposition from political parties like the Sinhala nationalist Janata Vimukti Peramuna and the Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, Liyanage pointed out that "their positions on CEPA stem from their old perception of India as an imperialist power".
Some in Sri Lanka's media refer to CEPA as an 'Indian economic pact being pushed down Lankan throats'', according to the MEA official. ''It is not. It benefits both countries,'' the official said. The reason for the delays in signing is ''the Rajapaksa government sees gains from CEPA but wants to be seen to have engaged in hard bargaining over it."
As for a political solution to the ethnic conflict, with the LTTE defeated and Rajapaksa having consolidated his position considerably over the past year, India was hoping that he would act to find a political settlement to the conflict. "But that has not happened yet, despite India's urging," the official said.
Not everyone is convinced that India is pushing the Lankans hard enough on the matter.
"India doesn't seem really interested in a political solution to the ethnic conflict," said Soosaipillai Keethaponcalan, senior lecturer at Colombo University's department of political science. Although it calls on Colombo from time to time to pursue a political solution this seems aimed more at placating Tamil political parties in India and at pressuring Sri Lanka to concede its demand on other issues, rather than to find a just solution to the problem, he said.
In Delhi, Rajapaksa spoke of his "determination to evolve a political settlement acceptable to all communities" and India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stressed the need for "a meaningful devolution package for the Tamil-dominated North and East provinces."
These are words the two governments have articulated repeatedly.
India's solution to the conflict is the "13th Amendment and beyond". The 13th amendment to the constitution provides for devolution to Northeastern province. This is a package it brokered over two decades ago. India is now calling on Colombo to go beyond the 13th amendment. It is regarded by India and sections in Sri Lanka as the best possible solution.
Critics of this solution say it is a non-starter. Northeastern province doesn't exist as a unit any more, the east having been severed from the North by a judicial ruling a couple of years ago. The Sri Lankan government is unlikely to merge the provinces again. By talking of 13th amendment and beyond, India then is "talking about a political solution in the abstract", Keethapocalan argued.
Indian officials dismiss allegations that India is not pressing the Sri Lankan government hard enough on finding a political solution. They blame Rajapaksa's government for not having the political will to pursue a political settlement.
Rajapaksa wriggles from India's grasp
.......continued 2....
Post-LTTE, Rajapaksa and many Sinhalese are unwilling to heed counsel from abroad. Their response to international criticism of Sri Lanka's human rights abuses has been extremely prickly. They are unwilling to take suggestions emanating from outside on how to resolve the ethnic conflict. In part, this stems from the triumphalism and arrogance evident in post-LTTE Sri Lanka. Moreover, many in Sri Lanka believe that with the defeat of the LTTE the conflict is over. There is nothing left to resolve.
Importantly for India, while its profile in Sri Lanka in projects and rehabilitation is growing, its influence over the government is on the wane. China's growing presence in the island could have something to do with that. With Chinese help on offer, the Lankan government seems to be in a position to pick and choose. And India's help, which comes with conditions, seems less attractive in the circumstances.
Sudha Ramachandran is an independent journalist/researcher based in Bangalore.
If India "Invites" Tamil Leaders to "Solve" the "Ethnic Issue" in SL, INDIA is INTERFERING in the INTERNAL AFFAIRS of our SOVEREIGN nation, and we are back to the BAD OLD DAYS of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi.
INDIA should BUTT OUT of Sri Lanka's INTERNAL POLITICS, just as SL keeps out of INDIA's INTERNAL POLITICS.
Does India want SL to INTERFERE in India's internal political matters and provide assistance to various groups just as Pakistan does?
God Forbid!
..............
India to engage Lankan Tamil parties on ethic solution: Report
India Times
June 11, 2010
COLOMBO: India plans to directly invite Sri Lankan ethnic parties, including the pro-LTTE TNA, for parleys to resolve the Tamil issue in the country, a media report has claimed, prompting the main opposition party to seek a clarification from the Mahinda Rajapaksa government.
News website Asian Tribune.com has claimed that India will be directly inviting Sri Lankan Tamil political parties to New Delhi for one-on-one talks.
"There is a talk that India will invite minority and minor parties for discussions on the Tamil issue. We are hopeful of such meetings but so far no parties have got any invitation in this regard," a leader of a Muslim party told PTI on condition of anonymity.
"It is also reported that top officials in New Delhi are now preparing to draft reform proposals based on the findings from these discussions. They will thereafter present them to Colombo," the Asian Tribune said.
Reports from Delhi said that the main reason for the direct invitations is the continuous delay on the side of Colombo to produce solutions for Tamil grievances despite the end of war for more than a year, it is learnt, it said.
"The invites for discussions will be directly extended to all ethnic minority parties in Colombo. They will made after the official visit of Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse to New Delhi concludes," the website said.
All Lanka minority ethnic parties will be invited, reports said. The first political party to be invited is the Tamil National Alliance, followed by other ethnic-minority parties," it said.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party has sought clarification on whether India was inviting the country's minority parties for direct talks to resolve the Tamil issue, even while demanding major political parties also be included in this exercise.
Raising the issue in Parliament, senior UNP leader Ravi Karunanayake demanded that major Sri Lankan political parties should also be included in the overall deliberations as they too represented the minorities.
Karunanayake said, he as a Parliamentarian from the Colombo district, also represented the interests of Tamils and Muslims (who also speak Tamil) besides other minorities.
"Any move to exclude the major political parties and to discuss the issue with only minority parties is fraught with danger and could give rise to the earlier situation years ago when arms were also given to the minority parties while holding parleys," Karunanayake told the House.
"That situation can recur", Karunanayake said, while asking the government to ensure that in the event of India undertaking such an exercise should also hold discussions on the issue with major political parties of Sri Lanka.
"Even political parties representing the Plantation Tamils in the country will be included, it is reported," the website said.
Vice Premier of Chinese State Council arrives in Sri Lanka
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 11, Colombo: A current Vice Premier and a prominent leader of government of China, Zhang Dejiang arrived in Sri Lanka Thursday night on a three-day official visit from the 10th to 12th June 2010.
Vice Premier Dejiang is here on an invitation extended to him by the Sri Lankan Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne. The two countries are seeking to enhance bilateral economic ties.
During his visit Vice Premier Dejiang, is expected to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister D.M Jayaratne, and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.
President Rajapaksa meanwhile is scheduled to arrive in the country on Friday after a successful tour in India.
China has offered financial assistance of US$ 200 million to build the second airport in Hambanthota of the deep South. Among the other major development projects underway with Chinese assistance are the Colombo-Katunayake expressway project, Norochcholai power plant, Hambantota port development project, tank farm project at Hambantota, and the road infrastructure project.
Since 2006, the Chinese government has provided Sri Lanka with US $ 3.06 billion financial assistance, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ranjith Siyambalapitiya recently revealed. However, out of that only US $ 35.77 million were grants.
Power play between China and India puts Sri Lanka on strategic map
JASON BURKE
Sydney Morning Herald
June 12, 2010
NEW DELHI: India and Sri Lanka have signed a series of aid, economic and diplomatic deals, the latest move in an increasingly intense struggle between New Delhi and Beijing for influence over the island nation.
The signing took place on the first day of a visit to the Indian capital by the Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The deals range from loans for big infrastructure projects, including the building of railways, to agreements to share electricity and boost cultural exchanges.
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Dubbed ''the new Great Game'', in reference to the strategic rivalry between Russia and Britain in Central Asia during the 19th century, the battle between China and India for primacy in the Indian Ocean is set to be one of the big themes of the coming decades, analysts say.
Sri Lanka's geographic position is its main draw.
''China wants to be the pre-eminent power in Asia, and whether Asia ends up multipolar or unipolar will be determined by what happens in the Indian Ocean, '' said Brahma Chellaney, professor of strategic studies at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi.
Most Indian assistance is focused on the north of Sri Lanka, dominated by ethnic Tamils and devastated by years of civil war between the government and Tamil separatists.
New Delhi also announced the opening of consulates in the Tamil-dominated city of Jaffna and, significantly, in the southern town of Hambantota, where Chinese contractors are building a vast deep-water port in a project largely financed by Beijing's lending arm, the Export-Import Bank.
Indian strategists believe the port is a key link in a chain of such projects from Burma to Pakistan, the so-called string of pearls, which seeks to extend China's maritime influence.
Beijing has already embarked on a road-building program north of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, and is helping build a power station. A $US190 million ($225 million) loan to build an international airport in the south has also been agreed. In March, Sri Lanka said China was supplying more than half its construction and development loans.
India's plans in Sri Lanka are complicated by its own sizeable Tamil population, many of whom blame Mr Rajapaksa for high levels of Tamil civilian casualties in the final days of the civil war last year.
Interesting development to watch for in wind energy generation.
What goes around comes around:
Tigers attack Indian rail-track
Media freedom & war crimes at work. Hope Moon sets up a panel on this.
------------
Pentagon hunts WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in bid to gag website
American officials are searching for Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks in an attempt to pressure him not to publish thousands of confidential and potentially hugely embarrassing diplomatic cables that offer unfiltered assessments of Middle East governments and leaders.
The Daily Beast, a US news reporting and opinion website, reported that Pentagon investigators are trying to track down Julian Assange – an Australian citizen who moves frequently between countries – after the arrest of a US soldier last week who is alleged to have given the whistleblower website a classified video of American troops killing civilians in Baghdad.
The soldier, Bradley Manning, also claimed to have given WikiLeaks 260,000 pages of confidential diplomatic cables and intelligence assessments.
The US authorities fear their release could “do serious damage to national security”, said the Daily Beast, which is published by Tina Brown, former editor of Vanity Fair and New Yorker magazines.
Manning, 22, was arrested in Iraq last month after he was turned over to US authorities by a former hacker, Adrian Lamo, to whom he boasted of leaking the video and documents.
As an intelligence specialist in the US army, Manning had access to assessments from the battlefields in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as frank diplomatic insights into Middle East governments.
In one of his messages to Lamo, obtained by Wired magazine, Manning said: “Hillary Clinton and several thousand diplomats around the world are going to have a heart attack when they wake up one morning and find an entire repository of classified foreign policy is available.”
Although it is likely that WikiLeaks has broken US laws in de-encrypting the video from Baghdadand publishing secret documents, the tone of an American official who spoke to the Daily Beast sounded more desperate than threatening. “We’d like to know where he is; we’d like his cooperation in this,” the official said.
It is, in any case, not clear what legal measures US officials could use to stop publication of the cables. Assange has created an elaborate web of protection – with servers in several countries, notably Sweden, which has strong laws protecting whistle blowers.
WikiLeaks’ response to the news that the Americans are trying to track down Assange came on Twitter. “Any signs of unacceptable behaviour by the Pentagon or its agents towards this press will be viewed dimly,” it said.
After Manning was arrested, WikiLeaks said in a Twitter message that allegations “we have been sent 260,000 classified US embassy cables are, as far as we can tell, incorrect”.
Before his arrest, Manning told Lamo he was in part motivated to leak the video and documents by being ordered to look the other way in the face of injustice.
Messages from Manning, obtained by Wired, say he found that 15 Iraqis arrested by Iraqi police for printing “anti-Iraq” literature had merely put together an assessment of government corruption.
“I immediately took that information and ran to the [US army] officer to explain what was going on. He didn’t want to hear any of it. He told me to shut up and explain how we could assist the [Iraqi police] in finding MORE detainees,” Manning wrote.
“Everything started slipping after that. I saw things differently. I had always questioned the [way] things worked, and investigated to find the truth.
“But that was a point where I was … actively involved in something I was completely against.”
The Pentagon has declined to comment on the grounds that what is in the documents is classified. – (The Guardian, UK)
http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=8513
There might be something on SL also leaked, so more power to Wikileaks LOL.
tata,
I know the feeling. At the same time, I don't want people in any other land to get terrorized in the way Sri Lanka went through. I am always for taking the Sri Lankan option against any group of terrorists.
tata,
Thanks for the link on the proposed Piezoelectric Wind Generator.
"The team's prototype is made of a grid of foam pieces, each one containing a piezoelectric transducer. When the wind blows, the foam pieces vibrate and put stress on the piezoelectric device. Electrons are generated and travel down wires to a battery."
I had looked at piezoelectric materials and vibratory panels as a way of tapping both wind energy and ocean wave energy a long time ago (at least 15 years).
It simply won't work. Piezo-electric materials deliver high voltages and very low currents. That is, they have a very high internal impedance that won't allow the mechanical work input to be converted with a reasonable efficiency to electrical power output.
No conventional energy conversion method is as efficient in converting energy between mechanical and electrical forms as ELECTRO-MAGNETIC machines .. such as EM motors and generators (typically 80 - 98% efficient).
Also, wind turbines that exploit aerodynamic lift forces are usually much more efficient than those that rely on drag forces (e.g. Savonius vertical axis machines) in CAPTURING mechanical power from the wind.
The maximum efficiency of both lift and drag-bladed turbines is given by the Betz Limit .. about 59.3%. The very best lift machines achieve a mechanical wind energy-to-rotational shaft energy conversion efficiency of about 50%. Then, the rotational energy can be converted to electrical energy at 80 to 98 % or so.
Lift turbines rotate at high speeds, with the velocities of the tips of the blades moving 5 to 10 times as fast as the wind velocity in the far field. In Drag machines, on the other hand, the blade "tips" can never rotate faster than the wind velocity.
More of the energy of the wind blowing at varying speeds can be captured by modern turbines that adapt to the wind speed and rotate at variable speed, in contrast to the old fixed rotational speed machines whose speed was set by the grid frequency (50 or 60 Hz), the number of magnetic poles in the alternator, and the gear ratio of the gear box. The turbine rotational speed can be decoupled from the grid frequency by solid state power conversion electronics that typically rectify the variable frequency power produced by a variable speed turbine to DC (i.e., to zero frequency), and then invert the DC power to standard grid frequency (and voltage). These solid state inverters are not penalty free, and are typically only 85 to 95% efficient. Therefore, the overall conversion efficiency from the wind to the grid is the product of the turbine efficiency, the generator efficiency, and the inverter efficiency.
The most limiting of these is the turbine efficiency. Variable speed lift-bladed wind turbines try to get as close as possible to the Betz Limit. Optimizing the Turbine Rotational Energy/Wind Energy Ratio by running the turbine at the optimum speed in the Turbine Power Vs Rotational Speed curve made possible by variable speed operation more than offsets the efficiency costs associated with the down stream inverter electronics.
Also, in the past, gear boxes were needed to match the turbine propeller speed to a fixed speed alternator which was directly tied to the grid frequency. These gear boxes were highly stressed and operated under severe dynamic loads that are far more demanding than the operating conditions of propellers in helicopters. They were the most failure prone and expensive component of an old style turbine.
Today the trend towards multipole slow rotational speed alternators that allow direct connection of the propeller and the alternator, and variable speed operation that decouples the alternator from the grid frequency, reduces the forces imposed on the drive train. Partly for this reason, the reliability of variable speed turbines today is far greater than those of the fixed speed turbines built two to three decades ago.
Leaders Fiddle while India Burns .. Just as SL's Leaders did for 30 years!
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No Army deployment in anti-Naxal ops: Government
June 11, 2010
NEW DELHI: With Defence Ministry averse to sparing army to fight Naxals, the Union Home Ministry will "fend for themselves" and take a fresh look at its strategy to fight Left-wing extremism including reorienting the available paramilitary forces.
This was seen as a fall out of last evening's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which failed to arrive at a consensus over deployment of Army for fighting Naxals.
The Defence Ministry wanted complete clarity on the issue of Unified Command and the Army was understood to have placed a suggestion that it should be chaired by the senior-most army officer of the area of operation, a move rejected by the Home Ministry.
A senior Government official said the Home Ministry will have to "fend for themselves" in countering the menace and may even go in for recruitment of ex-servicemen, especially those who were deployed in Sri Lanka during IPKF, for de-mining the areas, as LTTE had trained Maoists in planting of mines.
"There will be no deployment of Army. The focus now is on strengthening the state police forces. The CCS will meet again shortly focusing on the revamped anti-Naxal strategy," the official said.
The "signals" in this regard were very clear from Defence Minister A K Antony at the CCS meeting.
"The signals were very much clear...the armed forces would not be spared for the anti-Naxal operations as they are already tied up with their own responsibilities," he said.
"But we have to put our acts together soon or in the next five years, Maoists will become a bigger menace...threat," he added.
If the armed forces are not deployed, then there would be no need to declare the Maoist-affected districts as "disturbed areas", a demand made by the Army, he said.
The next CCS meeting will now discuss suggestions made by Ministers relating to increasing the funding for modernisation of police forces. Besides, it would discuss a proposal that the Planning Commission and affected state government jointly work on development of the extremism-hit areas.
A supplementary note in this regard is likely to be sent to the CCS after the Ministers and officials mull over them, he pointed out.
There was also a suggestion in the CCS that a meeting of Chief Ministers of Maoist-hit states be called to elicit their suggestions on the operations and development works, and what their governments could do in this regard, the official said.
SL's POSITION has still not gotten through to Indian Leaders:
NO POLITICAL AUTONOMY ON COMMUNAL BASES!
BUTT OUT of this ... India!
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Congress, DMK 'on same page' on Lankan Tamils
Santwana Bhattacharya
June 10, 2010
NEW DELHI: With emotions running high in Tamil Nadu over the fate of thousands of displaced Tamils by the civil war in Sri Lanka, the Congress on Wednesday said that proper political autonomy should be granted to the aggrieved displaced population.
"Our Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) has already raised the issue with the visiting Sri Lankan President. We hope the rehabilitation process as well as granting of political autonomy to the Lankan Tamils will not be delayed further,'' Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan said.
The Congress, she said, was not only fully supportive of the ally DMK's view on this issue, "it is our view as well. The internally displaced population should be resettled, allowed to return to their homes, villages and towns."
In a recent letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi also noted "those families who have been rehabilitated and settled elsewhere need to be provided with economic development and justicebased reconciliation to work towards a permanent political solution.''
Nearly, 80,000 Lankan Tamils were still languishing in camps waiting for the resettlement process to reach them some day. The Indian government, which provided an aid package for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the IDPs, was in a position to exert some pressure on its Lankan counterpart to complete the process.
The Congress MPs from TN, including Mani Shankar Aiyar, were part of delegation that met the Sri Lankan President on Wednesday. The Congress pointed out that the Lankan President has assured the delegation that his government was committed to the implement the 13th Amendment under the 1987 IndoSri Lanka accord.
If MR Implements the 13th Amendment and Devolves Regional Power on Ethnic Bases, there will be HELL TO PAY in the future!
I PRAY that this WILL NOT BE DONE!
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Will resolve ethnic issue: Rajapaksa to TN MPs
June 09, 2010
NEW DELHI: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today told a delegation of MPs from Tamil Nadu that he was committed to implementing the amendment on devolution of powers to resolve the Tamil issue and assured that 54,000 displaced civilians will be resettled in three months.
The visiting President also told the delegation of DMK and Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu to "trust him" and asserted that he was committed to resolving the decades-long ethnic question politically.
A total of 14 MPs from DMK and Congress, including DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, former Union Minister Manishankar Aiyar and E M Sudarsana Natchiappan, called on Rajapaksa here and demanded that steps be taken to integrate Tamil minorities into the mainstream.
"He (Rajapaksa) told us 'Trust Me. I am committed to implement the 13th Amendment in northern Sri Lanka.' He said he is fully committed to resolving the Tamil question through a political solution," Aiyar told PTI.
The meeting was "cordial" and "constructive" and the visiting President was receptive to the suggestions and ideas given by the members of the delegation, Aiyar, also a former diplomat, said.
This is perhaps the first time a delegation from Tamil Nadu had met a visiting Sri Lankan President.
"He assured us that steps will be taken to resettle those remaining in the camps very soon. The delegation leader T R Baalu put the number at 80,000 but Rajapaksa said there were only 54,000 people currently in camps," he said.
Out of the 54,000 people, 26,000 have their own shelters and only 28,000 are without shelters and they will be resettled as early as possible, Aiyar quoted Rajapaksa as saying.
Rajapaksa said the resettlement process which was held up due to the Presidential and Parliamentary polls would begin as early as possible, he said.
"The President said people there won't accept built houses and the best way is to engage people. He said the government will give the raw materials to the people and make them participate in the process," the Rajya Sabha MP said.
On suggestions made by Natchiappan, the President said the country has already started getting Indian investments in all sectors and also cooperating in many fields.
On the contentious issue of Indian fishermen being held in Sri Lanka, the President said there was a mechanism to make sure that these people do not get entangled in any legal problems. Kanimozhi sought protection for fishermen being arrested by Lankan navy.
"We requested the President to take steps to resettle the 80,000 people who are still lodged in camps in northern Sri Lanka. He said there were only 54,000 people in camps and they will resettled in three months before the monsoon season begins," Baalu told reporters after the meeting.
Will resolve ethnic issue: Rajapaksa to TN MPs
.......continued ..........
Baalu said the delegation impressed upon Rajapaksa to implement the Rajiv Gandhi-Jayawardane Accord in "letter and spirit" to which the President replied in the affirmative.
He said the delegation was not "fully satisfied" with the meeting as Rajapaksa failed to give any concrete assurances.
DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan, who was also part of the delegation, told PTI that Rajapaksa told the team that his government was committed to implementing the 13th Amendment and that it was considering a political solution to resolve the long-pending Tamil question.
"He listened to us, but did not give any concrete assurances," he said.
In a memorandum submitted to Rajapaksa, the delegation said they have come to know that Sri Lanka has not yet utilised the Rs 500 crore financial assistance which has been given to it by India to carry out developmental works in the war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka.
"We urge the Sri Lankan Government to spend the money given by India to be used for developmental works in the north," they said in the memorandum.
The MPs also demanded that Sri Lanka implement the Indo-Sri Lanka accord as well as the 13th Amendment which calls for devolution of powers in Tamil-dominated northern region.
india wanted us to sign 21 agreements. but we only signed 7. 33%.
china wanted us to sign 6 agreements are we are going ahead with all 6.
අන්තරේ කැඳවුම්කරු ඇතුළු සිසු පිරිසකට
යාපනේ සරසවි සිසුහු පහර දී පළවා හරිති-දිවයින
බොහොම හොඳයි
Chaps, I was attending a jolly old SL baila party last night. One of the young chaps added this twist to the age old drinking song that sent everybody into hysterical laughter. Thought you guys might enjoy this.
Manamohan Singh
Sonia Ghandhige Puka Kissing
Ape Rajapaksa King
Velupulleta Puke Ariya Ithing
Arapiya Arapiya Lucia Dora
Malukade Malukade Jora Mama
Soosthiya Soosthiya Pathukara
Gannata Arapiya Lucia Dora
Cheers!
a good read on RECONCILIATION by rajiva wijesinghe
Sri Lankans have to become ACCUSTOMED to High Defence Expenditures to MAINTAIN BATTLE READY National Defence Forces.
The END of the EELAM WAR DOES NOT mean Sri Lanka has no enemies and SHOULD NOT RESULT in dismantling the SLDF!
It was PRECISELY that kind of NAIVE thinking that left the nation DEFENCELESS with a force geared only to CEREMONIAL duties, and open to exploitation by its enemies .. both external and internal.
DEFENCE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY cannot be switched on when needed .. but has to be carefully nurtured and maintained on a CONTINUOUS basis.
This is the LESSON TO BE LEARNED from the PAIN & SUFFERING of Sri Lanka over the last 30 YEARS. We were UNPREPARED and UNWILLING TO BEAR THE COST of a STRONG DEFENCE FORCE .. and WE PAID A HIGH PRICE for that UNREADINESS! Let us not FALL IN THE SAME HOLE DURING THE DAY that we FELL INTO DURING THe NIGHT!
In the words of an ANCIENT Roman .. If You Desire PEACE, prepare for WAR .. meaning that in a dangerous world the lack of military strength to defend one's own country only INVITES AGGRESSION by its enemies.
A STRONG DETERRENCE is the KEY to DEFENCE! A DEFENCE FORCE that DOES NOT HAVE TO FIGHT because its enemies FEAR TO CONFRONT IT is the BEST & CHEAPEST Defence.
A STRONG DEFENCE is ultimately MUCH CHEAPER than the PRICE that will otherwise be paid in LIVES, in TREASURE, in LOST OPPORTUNITIES, in LOST INDEPENDENCE, and perhaps a DIVIDED BALKANIZED COUNTRY.
Let us NOT SAY the INCREASE IN Defence BUDGET is for REHABILITATION.
Let us SAY that we INTEND to FURTHER STRENGTHEN the SLDF to give PAUSE to its FUTURE ENEMIES. Let us EDUCATE our PEOPLE of the NEED TO DO THAT, and get them WEANED OFF the OLD FOOLISH ATTITUDE that a STRONG SLDF is needed only when there is an ONGOING WAR.
If we SOW the SEEDS of MILITARY WEAKNESS in the BLOWING WIND, we will INEVITABLY REAP the WINDS OF WAR!
The ONLY DISEASE WITHOUT ANY CURE is STUPIDITY!
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Sri Lanka says increased defence expenditure in the budget is for post war rehabilitation
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Jun 13, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has attributed the increase in the budgetary allocation to the defence sector to the maintenance of institutions affiliated to the defence establishment and the post-war rehabilitation work in the country.
The Appropriation Bill presented to the parliament last Tuesday (8) indicated that the highest budgetary allocation for the year 2010 is to the defence sector.
The opposition parties last week questioned the government for the reason to increase defence allocations in the 2010 budget.
The amount allocated to the defence sector for 2010 stands at Rs. 201 billion, which is an increase of Rs. 24 billion from the 2009 budgetary allocations to the sector. The government allocated Rs. 177 billion for the defence sector in 2009.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena has been quoted in the local media saying that the increase in the defence allocations for 2010 is due to the maintenance of the armed forces, the police and other institutions affiliated to the defence establishment.
He has said that the defence establishment has additional expenditure after the war as it needs to set up new police stations and other posts in the North and East.
They also need to pay the salaries of the cadre attached to defence. There is also a lot of post-war rehabilitation work to be carried out, he has said.
However, the Minister has ruled out that the possibility of the funds being used for any procurement.
Devananda condemns diaspora stand
Nation.lk
June 13, 2010
Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Minister, Douglas Devananda, who accompanied President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India, in an hard hitting interview with the IANS has said that the Tamil diaspora’s refusal to give up the Tamil Eelam dream is only hurting his community.
“Expatriate Tamils in Western countries who continued to be loyal to the goal of forming an independent state were no way serving the Tamil masses in Sri Lanka,” Minister Devananda said.
“The fact is there is going to be no Tamil Eelam, now or ever. It remained a dream even when LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was alive. Today it is like dreaming about a dream,” he elaborated.
“Can these Tamils achieve what Prabhakaran failed to?,” he asked. “They cannot. But their actions create suspicions in the minds of a section of the government in Sri Lanka. It makes life more difficult for the Tamils.”
Ever since the Sri Lankan military crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and wiped out its leadership in May last year, pro-LTTE Tamils in the West have kept alive hopes of forming an independent Tamil Eelam state.
The need of the hour, Devananda said, was to speed up the process of reconstruction of the island’s war-battered northeast and the rehabilitation of the thousands who suffered during the quarter century of conflict.
President Rajapaksa succeeded in conveying this to the Indian leadership during the June 8-11 visit to India, said Devananda who took part in the delegation level discussions.
“True, there are shortcomings in the process of rehabilitation in what we have achieved since the LTTE’s demise,” he said.
“This is because of the existence of a large number of landmines plus other factors. We told the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh that we needed more aid to help people start lives afresh,” he said referring mainly to the Tamils who were the worst victims of the LTTE’s separatist war and the military offensive.
Meanwhile, The Hindu in its editorial yesterday stressed the importance of a political will on the Sinhala side to find a just and enduring solution and the responsibility on the part of Tamil parties to make up their minds quickly on what kind of devolution, development and future they want for their people within a united Sri Lanka.
“They must overcome their differences and liberate themselves from the separatist mindset of the Prabakaran era which prevented even so-called moderates from making any workable proposals in talks with successive Sri Lankan governments,” The Hindu editorial said.
National Freedom Front seeks constitutional safeguards
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Island.lk
June 13, 2010
Although key constitutional changes, which envisaged additional executive powers proposed by the National Freedom Front (NFF) are acceptable to the SLFP, some of its suggestions are likely to cause disagreement among a section of the ruling coalition.
One of the main contentious issues is likely to be a call to amend the Constitution to enable moving of fundamental rights applications in the Supreme Court against the private sector. According to a copy of the NFF proposal obtained by The Sunday Island, 17 and 126 clauses of the Constitution should be revised to pave way for private sector employees to move the SC against their employers.
According to former JVP heavyweight NFF leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, private sector employees should also be given an opportunity to exercise a privilege hitherto available only to the public sector employees. Minister Weerawansa expressed confidence that the government would be receptive to their proposal,though other sources asserted this could cause an unnecessary complication.
Another point of contention are the proposed constitutional safeguards to prevent privatization of water, mineral resources and all other natural resources. Minister Weerawansa said that nothing could be as important as a cohesive strategy to protect the public sector in the wake of armed forces’ triumph over the LTTE.
To the credit President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he has not privatized any state enterprises during his first term, he noted.
Weerawansa is also seeking early implementation of the Right to Information Act aka Freedom of Information Act discussed during the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s tenure as the Prime Minister in 2002-April 2004.
An aide to former Justice and Law Reforms Minister Milinda Moragoda told The Sunday Island that in the run-up to the April 8 parliamentary election, Moragoda had finalised a draft of the proposal, though he had not been able to hand it over to presidential secretary Lalith Weeratunga. According to him, the proposed Act based on the Indian model had been prepared by the Attorney General’s department in consultation with a group of senior journalists.
Responding to a query by The Sunday Island, the source said the public had a right to know about any transaction involving taxpayers’ money. But another source said that the move could be considered subject to national security considerations, particularly in relation to acquisition of arms, ammunition equipment and services.
Minister Weerawansa said the Constitution should be amended to allow any party to challenge a Provincial Council Charter in the Supreme Court. He pointed out the absurdity in allowing any aggravated party to contest a Parliamentary Act in the Supreme Court, though there was no provision for the same in relation to the PC system.
Meanwhile, the Patriotic National Movement (PNM), which operated together with the NFF has called for the abolition of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. To support their effort, the PNM had set up National Revival Commission under the leadership of former Supreme Court Judge Raja Wanasundera to gather public views in this regard.
PNM President Dr. Gunadasa Amaraseka said that abolition of the Amendment was a necessity the country could no longer afford to ignore. According to him, in the wake of Sri Lanka’s victory over LTTE terrorism achieved at a tremendous price, the country should now explore ways of gradually reducing the dependence on international lending agencies.
TNA Kotiyange' Pulli Makanna Puluwanda?
Apita Hama Gahanna Weida?
...........
TNA’s decision will lead to national consensus
by P. Krishnaswamy and Manjula FERNANDO
Political parties including the opposition UNP, constituent parties of the UPFA and North-East Tamil political parties, have welcomed the recent decision of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), led by R. Sampanthan to work in coordination with the Government on issues relating to the post-conflict resettlement and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and also on resolving the Tamil issue that was the cause for three decades of conflict.
The historically significant decision of the TNA that marks a milestone in communal amity and national unity has also been hailed by the Catholic Bishop of Mannar, the Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph who since the inception of the LTTE conflict had provided shelter to a large number of war-affected and displaced civilians at the Madhu Church and its environs. Bishop Rayappu Joseph said that he had repeatedly stressed the need to give up certain ideas and take recourse to the process of negotiations to resolve the national problem.
He said that the international community, NGOs and INGOs should now be allowed to join the post-conflict resettlement and rehabilitation process.
Leader of the LSSP, veteran leftist and Minister of Technology and Research Tissa Vitharana commended “this type of readiness to constructively support the Government’s effort to assist the Tamils who have been displaced and suffered immensely in the battle”.
He said that the people whom the TNA represents will benefit from their changed attitude which will invariably help to seek assistance from the international community and other international agencies for the post-conflict rehabilitation process.
SLFP stalwart and Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the TNA which always found fault with the Government’s genuine initiatives has now changed its stance and decided to actively participate in the post-conflict reconstruction process which is a welcome move. This is a realistic approach that will benefit the people of the North and the East, he said.
The veteran Leftist leader and parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that the TNA “will now come around and trust our initiatives”.
Veteran Tamil politician and leader of the People’s Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE), Tharmalingam Sitharthan who entered the democratic mainstream said that he welcomes the decision of the TNA although belated.
Had the TNA heeded the request of many Tamil leaders and adopted a similar approach years ago, the vast destruction of lives, properties and the untold sufferings of innocent people could have been prevented.
General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) M.T. Hassan Ali said that his party too would adopt a similar approach when it comes to the question of resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced Muslims.
Leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V. Anandasangaree and Deputy Leader of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) Murugesu Chandrakumar MP said that they welcome the TNA’s decision although belated.
Winning a War begins with Winning Over Your Own Mind!
l'Audace! l'Audace! Toujours l'Audace!
Audacity! Audacity! Always Audacity!
Gen. George S. Patton
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Winning the Eelam War
by Kamalika Pieris
June 13, 2010
The first three Presidents of Sri Lanka made no effort to win the war, though victory was possible. J.R. Jayewardene was forced by India to halt the Vadamarachchi operation (1987) which would have permanently ended the LTTE offensive. Premadasa handed over arms, ammunition, cement and cash to the LTTE. The LTTE used the ammunition and arms to kill 600 policemen in 1990. In Kumaratunga’s time, the army was almost wiped out at Mullaitivu (1996). A weeping soldier said the men had nothing to resist the LTTE with except a pistol and few grenades. Four years later, soldiers died of dehydration at Elephant Pass.
These Presidents helped to strengthen the LTTE and weaken the army. LTTE was able to bring in large shipments of arms, ammunition and equipment since coastal defence was neglected. Unsatisfactory military equipment caused chaos in the battlefield. Sia Marchetti and Pucara planes bought in 1993 were soon grounded. By 2005, around 26,000 soldiers had died.
The person primarily responsible for Sri Lanka‘s victory over the LTTE in May 2009 is Mahinda Rajapaksa, the current President of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Rajapaksa did not get on an elephant and go to war, but he was the force behind the war. He withstood enormous international pressure and pursued the war with determination. He monitored its progress and took necessary decisions.
He managed international relations skillfully. He strengthened diplomatic ties and persuaded several countries to sell arms to Sri Lanka. Israel replaced two UAVs shot down by LTTE without any charge. When India refused to sell arms, Sri Lanka turned to China. A bilateral body was set up to maintain continuous dialogue with India and keep it supportive. India was kept briefed at all times Sri Lanka could have won the war three weeks before May 19th. But this would have affected the election prospects of India’s Congress Party in Tamilnadu. Rajapaksa therefore held back the troops. Once Tamilnadu went to polls, he ordered the army to finish the job before the next government was installed in New Delhi.
The next person responsible for the victory was Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, brother to the President. Lalith Weeratunga said that he had never seen such a tech-savvy, resolute, no-nonsense Defence Secretary as Gotabhaya. Gotabhaya had been a career officer in the Sri Lanka army. He had received training in India, Pakistan and USA and had won two awards for bravery in action. He had been a commander at Vadamarachhi and Operation Thrividabalaya.
Winning the Eelam War
......continued 1...
Gotabhaya was the mastermind behind the war. As early as 2006 he had submitted a long list of expensive war equipment he wanted purchased because he wished to be well prepared. He said "I knew that if we had a committed team, right planning, required numbers and the weaponry we could achieve our goal. I was not ready to give in to anything or anybody." He sued a newspaper that made defamatory allegations regarding the purchase of MiG 27s and refused a settlement out of court.
He had unreserved access to the President and was the link between the President and the armed forces. He was a good tactician and personally handled intelligence. Weeratunge observed that Gotabhaya cared about the lower ranks of the armed forces. He said most Defense Secretaries did not know the plight of the soldiers and did not bother about things like houses for them but Gotabhaya did. He knew their problems and looked into them.
Gotabhaya selected the Service commanders including Fonseka and ensured that the three armed forces worked closely together. He was in close contact with the ground commanders at all stages of the battle. He sorted out their logistical problems and at times directly intervened to facilitate coordination between the different forces. Details were looked into and requests processed quickly. His leadership style included supporting as well as directing.
For the first time, the government followed a carefully planned strategy against the LTTE.War operations, from 1976 to 2002 were studied to find what had gone wrong. .They found nothing wrong with the armed forces and concluded that they could win. The armed forces were increased to 450,000 with 300,00 for the army. A dozen new fighting formations were created "LTTE thought that we didn’t have sufficient troops to hold the east and we lulled everyone into believing this," said Gotabhaya. "When Mavil Aru was blocked, we were ready"
The government somehow managed to purchase the necessary military supplies despite cash flow problems and the need to keep the economy afloat. It set up a company, Lanka Logistics and Technologies for arms purchases. The directors were Secretary to Treasury, Secretary for Defense, Chief of Defense Staff, the three Service Commanders and the IGP. Local agents of foreign arms dealers were excluded. The company dealt directly with foreign governments. Purchasing procedures were trimmed and purchase approvals speeded up. This had needed some heavy handed measures by Gotabhaya. Arms purchases were based on recommendations of the military with Gotabhaya making the final decision. Fighter aircraft were purchased. Also, different bombs for different targets.. Earlier there was only one type of bomb for all targets. Sri Lanka could have saved a lot of money if it had set up this organization decades earlier.
Defying accepted military strategy the army attacked the enemy at their strongest points, not the weakest. This took LTTE by surprise. . The army fought on several fronts simultaneously. Nearly all assaults were made in heavily mined areas. The momentum was never allowed to slacken. Instead of the large formations used in the past, the army was trained to fight in small teams of four and eight. These teams were trained to go forward on their own. They succeeded in advancing eight to 12 kilometers per day.
Initially they did not go for territory but went for the LTTE itself, killing and injuring as many as possible. LTTE were harried in all directions and eventually lost their most experienced fighters and also their morale. The army then started taking territory. In ten months, it reached Pooneryn in the north west and neared Mullaitivu on the east.
Winning the Eelam War
......continued 2....
Modern wars are not won solely on the ground. Navy and air support are essential. LTTE had eight merchant ships that were bringing in ammunition. They were floating warehouses carrying an arsenal which would have sustained the war for years. These ships were destroyed in 2006 and 2007. This task, which took years to plan, was executed to perfection by the aging Sri Lanka fleet. LTTE could not land a single shipment of arms thereafter and started retreating on all fronts.
The air force took on several LTTE targets from the air. They destroyed strategic locations and artillery positions. They went at bunkers, camps, munitions dumps and fuel dumps. Some dumps had two or three hundred thousand liters of fuel. They attacked Sea Tiger bases, hit concealed vessels and boat building yards. They forced the LTTE to shift their daytime training to night. LTTE leaders also had to go underground. Planes provided air support for the ground attacks, clearing the way for advancing troops. At Puthukudirippu the helicopter squadron flew many sorties, day and night. "It was like 31st night".
The Air Force never gave in. When LTTE attacked Anuradhapura air base in Oct 2007, they went after Tamil Selvam and killed him. This stunned the LTTE and damaged its morale. The LTTE acquired air capability, with light fixed wing aircraft. This was the first ever air threat to a conventional air force by a terrorist organization. Air force countered it with an air defense network, put together within the record time of one year. It usually took five to eight years to set up such a network.
After every LTTE attack in Colombo the facilitators and supporters who provided intelligence, finance and housing for the attack team were arrested. The government set up checkpoints and roadblocks, raided lodges, conducted cordon and search operations. These measures were unpopular at the start, but they helped break the rich LTTE support network in Colombo and elsewhere. Collaboration between the military, police, and intelligence service led to the strangling of the LTTE in the south, reducing their ability to operate effectively specially in Colombo.
Sri Lanka took two years and ten months to eliminate the LTTE from its illegal occupation of territory in the north and east. LTTE positions were taken in 2007 and 2008, first in the east and then in the Vanni. Paranthan, Oddusuddan, Elephant Pass, the administrative centre, Kilinochchi and the naval headquarters, Mullaitivu fell in succession in 2009. The LTTE leaders were not allowed to get away. They were cornered and killed. There was a naval blockade at Mullaitivu and planes at China Bay to prevent them escaping. On May 18 Army Commander Fonseka had told President that the end could not be achieved within the day. This was contradicted by the field commanders and victory was declared on May 19 2009.
Panchayat-style Jana Sabhas for village development
SundayTimes.lk
June 13, 2010
* Intellectuals, religious leaders in new grassroots-level councils
The Government will establish Jana Sabhas countrywide to function as grassroots level organisations to carry out development activity. These bodies, modelled on the lines of the Panchayat system in India, will replace the existing Pradeshiya Sabhas, the Sunday Times learns.
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa told the Sunday Times that as a preliminary step towards establishing Jana Sabhas, a position would be created as Jana Sabha Secretaries.
“The system will have similarities with the Panchayat system in India, but will be adopted in a manner that it suits the needs of Sri Lanka,” he said.
The minister said members to the Jana Sabha would be elected on the basis of 70 percent according to the old first-past-the-post and 30 percent under the Proportional Representation system. Mr. Weerawansa said intellectuals and religious leaders also would be on these sabhas.
“The new Jana Sabhas will decide on development activities in the area and obtain funds from the local government and the provincial council ministry,” he said. Under this process, there would be a more efficient system and development according to the needs of the villages, the minister said.
Jana Sabha representatives will serve in the proposed Senate, the second chamber, which the Government intends to set up soon. Constitutional amendments for the setting up of the Senate will be the last in three different sets of constitutional changes proposed by the Government.
Last Wednesday, the Cabinet approved a recommendation by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, calling upon the Legal Draftsman’s Department to formulate the first set of draft amendments. They include changes to the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, a deletion of the Constitutional provision restricting a president to only two terms and provisions to enable the President to be present in Parliament every three months.
higher defence expenditure without colonization is UNACCEPTABLE.
it is also not sustainable.
it gives no DIRECT cost savings, increases in production or other economic benefits.
large farming and fishing colonies must be constructed adjacent to SLDF installations. these should provide bulk of food requirement of SLDFs. and community facilities.
e.g. temples, libraries, small hospitals, etc.
these new villages will be the HUMAN FACE of SLDFs.
it can also relieve landlessness which is ACUTE among SLDF families.
unless this is done, the HUGE defence expenditure will sink SL with no CORRESPONDANT, PROPORTIONATE benefit.
it also leades to more militarisation of the society which is not required after the war.
i wish china will reign in taiwan sooner than later.
taiwan is the ONLY anti-china nation in the region and will become a major link of anti-chinese network.
we will see an anti-china alliance led by US, UK, india, taiwan, austraia soon.
something got to be done b4 that.
Hand of Tamil groups suspected
Gokul Vannan
June 14, 2010
CHENNAI: Suspicions over the involvement of some Tamil chauvinist groups in the blasting of a railway track close to the Perani railway station near Villupuram has intensified with two persons charged with a bomb blast in the same Perani station in 1996 having gone missing after appearing in a court a couple of day earlier.
Officials of the Q branch are looking into the blast case as pamphlets signed by ‘leader Prabakaran’s younger brothers’ were found near an electric post from which the miscreants had drawn power for the detonator to ignite the explosive. All senior Q branch sleuths are camping in Villupuram and have already started interrogating several suspects.
A major accident was averted after the Rockfort Express from Kumbakkonam stopped ahead of the spot where a portion of the track was found missing following an alert by the guard of the Salem-Chennai Egmore Express that he felt as jerk when his train passed Perani station.
The two men who are now missing are Radio Venkateshan and Maran. “On the day of the incident and the day before that locals had spotted both them along with a few others near the station,” a senior police officer said. They had appeared in the Villupuram court a few days ago in connection with the hearing of the 1996 bomb blast case.
Police officers suspect that the Salem-Egmore Express could have been the target as its guard had reported that the train was swerving after the track blast.
They said Tamil chauvinists groups had done the same in the past — leaving a message at the crime spot. Such groups have been active in Villupuram and Cuddalore and have even indulged in arson.
Among those detained for inquiry are a local TV reporter. A Q branch team headed by IG Shankar Jiwal and SP M Ashok Kumar is overseeing the investigations.
UAV to monitor Tamil meet venue
June 13, 2010
COIMBATORE: A 2.5kilogram glider type battery and remote operated unmanned aerial vehicle will be deployed to monitor CODISSIA, the venue for World Classical Tamil Conference.
Speaking to reporters, after conducting a test trial of the glider type vehicle at CODISSIA, ADGP (Law and Order) Radhakrishnan said the glider has a battery back up for 90 minutes and can be operated through commands from a computer. Designed by a firm in Bangalore, the UAV can survey an area of the radius of 15 kilometres. This is the first time that such a facility is being used for security purposes, Radhakrishnan claimed.
The glider will be deployed from June 19 and will be in operation till June 28.
guys,
there is a new post in sri lanka defence forum as we approach 1,000 comments for this post.
join the conversation there.
Was away for a while. BTW did you see this fantastic news?
These MFs were planning to revive the tiger in the university.
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අන්තරේ කැඳවුම්කරු ඇතුළු සිසු පිරිසකට
යාපනේ සරසවි සිසුහු පහර දී පළවා හරිති
යාපනේ සරසවි සිසුන්ට දේශපාලනය අවශ්ය නෑ - මවිපිය පිරිසක්
සිරිමෙවන් කස්තුරිආරච්චි
යාපනය විශ්වවිද්යාලයේ සිසුන් සිය දේශපාලන කටයුතු වලට සම්බන්ධ කර ගැනීමට ගිය අන්තර් විශ්වවිද්යාලයීය මහා ශිෂ්ය සංගමයේ කැඳවුම්කරු ඇතුළු දකුණේ සරසවි සිසුන් පිරිසකට යාපනය සරසවියේ සිසුන් විසින් ගල්මුල් වලින් පහර දී පන්නා දමා ඇත.
අන්තර් විශ්වවිද්යාලයීය ශිෂ්ය බල මණ්ඩලයේ කැඳවුම්කරු උදුල ප්රේමරත්න ඇතුළු දකුණේ සරසවි සිසුන් 70 ක පමණ පිරිසකට පෙරේදා (12 වැනිදා) සවස මෙම ප්රහාරය එල්ල වී ඇත. අන්තර් විශ්වවිද්යාලයීය මහා ශිෂ්ය සංගමයේ නියෝජිත සරසවි සිසුන් අතර භික්ෂූන් වහන්සේලා 06 නමක් සහ සරසවි සිසුවියන් කීපදෙනකු සිට ඇත.
මෙම පිරිස යාපනය සරසවි සිසුන් වෙත ගොස් ඔවුන් තම සංගමයට බඳවා ගැනීමට උත්සාහ දරමින් සිටියදී ඊට විරෝධය පෑ යාපනයේ සරසවි සිසුන් පිරිසක් මෙසේ ගල්මුල් වලින් පහර දී දකුණේ සරසවි සිසුන් පිරිස පළවා හැර ඇත.
ඉන් අනතුරුව ඊයේ (13 දා) උදේ දකුණේ සරසවි සිසුන් වෙත ගිය යාපනය සරසවි සිසුන්ගේ දෙමවුපියන් සහ ශිෂ්යයන් පිරිසක් යාපනයේ සරසවියේ කටයුතු සඳහා දේශපාලන ශිෂ්ය සංගම්වල සහයෝගයක් හෝ මැදිහත්වීමක් අවශ්ය නැති බව පවසා වහාම යාපනයෙන් පිටවී යන ලෙසට තර්ජනය කර ඇත.
තමන්ට රජය සහ හමුදාව සහාය ලබාදෙන බැවින් ඒ කෙරෙහි පූර්ණ විශ්වාසය තබා ඇති බවත්, වසර ගණනාවක් එල්. ටී. ටී. ඊ. ත්රස්තවාදයෙන් පීඩාවට පත්වී අඩපණව තිබූ අධ්යාපන කටයුතු දැන් සාර්ථකව සිදුකරගෙන යන අවස්ථාවේදී පටු දේශපාලනය ඊට රිංගවා තම දරුවන්ගේ අධ්යාපනය නැවත අඩාල කිරීමට ඉඩ නොතබන බවත් දෙමවුපියෝ වැඩිදුරටත් පවසා ඇත.
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