UKTamilNews.com

Why the Tamils want to flee

ELIZABETH JACKSON: For the past six months or so it’s been almost impossible for Western journalists to get into Sri Lanka. Yet there’s a lot of reasons why they want to go there. So many Tamils are fleeing the country and many are trying to gain asylum in Australia.

Eric Campbell from ABC TV’s Foreign Correspondent program got lucky; he’s just returned from Sri Lanka. He told Shane McLeod about his experience there.

SHANE MCLEOD: Eric Campbell, it’s obviously been a pretty tumultuous few weeks in Sri Lanka. Is it a difficult country to find things out – to film things?

ERIC CAMPBELL: It’s a very difficult country to find things out and film things. We spent several days applying for permission, driving to places we’d been promised we’d be able to film, only to be turned around at the last minute and sent back.
http://www.abc.net.au/correspondents/content/2010/s2812143.htm

US concerned on Sri Lanka arrest

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States on Monday voiced concern about Sri Lanka’s arrest of the defeated opposition presidential candidate, fearing it would worsen divisions as the island recovers from war. “We are following the situation closely and we have concerns that any action be in accord with Sri Lankan law,” State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told AFP.

“There is a tremendous need for the government of Sri Lanka to work to overcome the fissures that exist within its society,” he said. “It has to be very cautious that any actions it takes are designed to heal the split within Sri Lankan society, not to exacerbate it,” he said. Troops on Monday arrested Sarath Fonseka, a former army chief who lost presidential elections two weeks ago. State media said he would be charged with unspecified “military offenses.”………. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100208/pl_afp/srilankapoliticsarrestus_20100208194235

Ban appeals for post-election restraint in Sri Lanka as challenger arrested

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is reiterating his appeal to all parties in Sri Lanka and their supporters to show restraint and refrain from violence after the reported arrest of the defeated opposition presidential candidate. Responding to questions from journalists today, a spokesperson for Mr. Ban noted that “the peaceful conduct of the first post-conflict national election and its aftermath is of the highest importance for long term peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.”…………………. http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33711&Cr=sri+lanka&Cr1=

Amnesty blasts Sri Lanka for opposition leader arrest

LONDON – Amnesty International accused Sri Lanka’s government Monday of stepping up a “crackdown on political opposition” after the arrest of the defeated candidate in last month’s presidential vote. Former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who lost to President Mahinda Rajapakse in the January 26 election, was taken into custody by the military police Monday to be charged with unspecified “military offences”, his party said.  

Hours before the arrest, Fonseka told reporters he would face any international probe into alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan troops in the final stages of battling Tamil rebels last year. “Sarath Fonseka’s arrest continues the . . . government’s post-election crackdown on political opposition,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty Internationals Asia-Pacific director……………. http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Amnesty+blasts+Lanka+opposition+leader+arrest/2537801/story.html

Fonseka was to ‘testify on War Crimes’

Sri Lanka’s former military commander says that he is prepared to give evidence in an international court on war crime charges against Sri Lanka.

General Sarath Fonseka speaking to journalists in Colombo on Monday said, “I am not going to save anyone who has committed war crimes”. International human rights organisations as well as the US state department has alleged that the Sri Lankan government committed war crimes during the final phase of the war against Tamil Tigers. Several human rights organisations have called to try the Sri Lankan state in international courts on alleged abuses against civilians and surrendees…………  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/02/100208_fonseka_war_crimes.shtml

The story of Sri Lanka, Then and Now

• ‘There is still a lot of nervousness about the Tigers’

• ‘It’s a story of another slow-brewing political Tsunami that ended with LTTE’s defeat’

• ‘Most people have not understood the Tigers’

The military presence in the country is enormous, much greater than when I was there in 2006 and that was during wartime. When I went back in December and January that military presence had increased. All of these things are to my mind evidence of a country that does not feel certain of its own military victory.

Essentially many of the Tamils’ original grievances that led to the civil war in the first place have not been addressed. Problems such as greater representation in Parliament, more equitable allocation of and access to resources and education are still outstanding.

In the latter days of the presidential campaign that just took place, the current president, Rajapaksa, realising that his rival General Sarath Fonseka was closing in on him, began making noises about dealing with the rights of Tamils. But I would say that as long as these issues remain unaddressed there always exists the possibility for the Tigers to re-constitute themselves…………………..

Is there something about the Tigers that the world does not know or has not understood properly?

I think there is probably a great deal about the Tigers that the world doesn’t know. Part of this is due to the fact that the Tigers were a highly secretive organisation with a leader, who rarely addressed the outside world and even more rarely made public appearances or gave interviews. We also know very little about them in the US because the civil war has received very little coverage in the western press. The UK did a better job of covering it than we did here in the US because Sri Lanka was once a British colony………………….

Tell us more about your visit to Prabhakaran’s house. When was the last time he had lived in it? Would it become a pilgrimage place?

Prabhakaran’s house is located just a block or two from the water’s edge in a fishing village on the north coast of the Jaffna Peninsula near Point Pedro. He lived in that house when he was young. He belonged to the fishermen caste. His father was some sort of government inspector. Even though he was from a low caste he was educated. I’m not sure how long he lived in the house, but I know he spent his childhood there……………….

What stirred you most in your recent visit when you visited northern Sri Lanka?

I was stirred by so many things. I was also frustrated by a lot of things. It took me four months to get authorisation from the Ministry of Defence for my son and myself to travel north. Sri Lankans are free now to travel on the main road connecting north and south. For foreigners it is much more difficult. 

It was clear to us that the government was not eager to have foreigners or NGOs up there. Strangely, it was easier to go there in 2005 than it was this December. I was much cheered to see central Jaffna, particularly the market area. It was full of life in a way that it wasn’t previously. There was more for sale, and I saw people buying things that suggested that they were rebuilding…………. (continue reading…)

Sarath Fonseka arrested and dragged away “for alleged offences during his time in army.

Was he involved in the COVER UP of Killing of Krishanthy in Jaffna (Navatrkulli camp)?

Was he going to expose the Killing of 20,000 Tamil Civilians by the SL Army in the last few days of Battle?

Was he going to expose the Killing of LTTE members who surrendered with White Flag by the SL Army?

Sri Lanka’s former army chief and presidential candidate has been arrested on sedition charges. Opposition politician Rauff Hakeem says former army chief and defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka has been detained.

Fonseka and President Mahinda Rajapaksa were once strong allies who combined to defeat the Tamil Tiger rebels, ending the country’s 25-year civil war last May. But they later fell out, and Fonseka quit his post. They contested a bitter election last month for the presidency, won by the incumbent, Rajapaksa. Since the Jan. 26 election, security forces have attempted to round up Fonseka’s followers and also raided his office.Fonseka has vowed to contest parliamentary elections due by April.

General Sarath Fonseka assaulted and arrested by Military Police

Former Army Commander and Common Presidential Candidate General Sarath Fonseka was assaulted and dragged by his feet before being arrested by the Military Police a short while ago. General Fonseka was at a discussion with SLMC Leader Rauf Hakeem, DPF Leader Mano Ganeshan, JVP Leader Somwansa Amerasinghe and Sunil Handunnetti when the Military Police had barged in and pushed the General on the floor.

Military Spokesperson Major General Prasad Samarasinghe had reportedly said that General Fonseka was arrested for committing military offences….. http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_02_08_010.html

Should India Bat for Tamils in Sri Lanka?

Somebody once said democracy is the right to choose your dictator. For the minority Tamils in Sri Lanka, the Presidential election in late January presented such a baffling dilemma. Should they vote for the man who ordered a bloody war on their homeland or for the military general who actually led the troops into their fields? In the end, most Tamils stayed home on the poll day unable to fathom who was the lesser evil. 

India would also want to play a bigger role for its own strategic reasons. China is quite active in Sri Lanka through infrastructure projects and reconstruction aid. “If we don’t step up our presence, we will lose the race to China,” says Professor V. Suryanarayan, senior research fellow at the Center for Asia Studies.

The only ray of hope for the Tamils is the upcoming Parliamentary elections. Unlike the first-past-the-post system for the Presidency, Sri Lanka follows proportional representation for the Parliament. So, Tamils will get a certain number of seats and maybe a role in the government. The President will still remain all powerful, but may need Tamil support for any constitutional changes.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/current-affairs/should-india-bat-for-tamilssri-lanka_440526.html

UK Arms dealer to Sri Lanka jailed for nine years

An arms dealer from west London who traded military weapons for “totally war-like, destructive and death-dealing use” has been jailed for nine years. Gideon Sarig deliberately chose not to apply for the licence as he arranged for Uzis, pump-action shotguns, bombs and other weapons to be sent to countries including Sri Lanka and Israel. Both men were jailed for seven years each for trading 1,000 bombs from Ukraine to the Sri Lankan Army in 2005 and 3,900 rounds of 30mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition from Serbia and Montenegro to Sri Lanka between May 6 2006 and February 15 2005.  

Sarig used contacts arranged by his co-defendant Howard Freckleton to sell the militaryand paramilitary kit to Sri Lanka’s military during its “long, protracted and bloody civil war” with the Tamil Tigers, Southwark Crown Court in London heard……….. http://www.wscountytimes.co.uk/london/Arms-dealer-jailed-for-nine.6052537.jp

Sinhala, Muslim student intake to Jaffna University to increase

(Colombo Lankapuvath February 08) Steps have been taken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to increase the percentage of Sinhala and Muslim students to the University of Jaffna. Earlier the intake of students for the North and East universities were minimized due to the conflict that prevailed in the areas. However the overall intake of students will not increase but priority will be given to Sinhala and Muslim students this year.

According to the Chairman of the UGC Prof Gamini Samaranayake, the intake of students to universities will depend on the number of applications, vacancies and disciplines preferred by the applicants. He also said that the UGC expects about 1900 vacancies at the University of Jaffna.

TNA won’t heed Nimal’s call

Political sources told The Island yesterday that the government would not expect the TNA to subscribe to a unitary state at the expense of its project to promote self-rule in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Sources said there was no likelihood of the UPFA ever accepting the TNA in its fold unless it publicly denounced separatism. The National Freedom Front (NFF) and the Jathika Hela Urumaya, too, oppose the TNA being accommodated on the UPFA list. Sources speculated that some of the TNA MPs may contest districts in the North and East at the parliamentary elections on the UPFA ticket, even without a coming together of the UPFAand the TNA…….  http://www.island.lk/2010/02/08/news6.html

Independence Celebrated at Rehabilitation Centres

Two of the Rehabilitation Centres in Vavuniya for former LTTE combatants celebrated Independence Day in their own fashion on February 4th. At Poorthottam, where there are a couple of hundred of former child soldiers, there was a flag hoisting ceremony, which included the release of a dove, and speeches in both Tamil and Sinhala. (continue reading…)

why the Supreme Court is wrong

Seven Judges of the Supreme Court are reported to have conveyed to the President their opinion that his first term of office will extend until 19 November 2010, on which day his second term will commence. Acting on this opinion, the President will presumably not take his oath or make his affirmation, which the Constitution requires him to do within two weeks of the commencement of his second term. He is no doubt aware that under article 38 of the Constitution, failure to assume office within the prescribed period renders the office of President vacant…………   http://www.lankanewstoday.com/the-president%E2%80%99s-first-term

Time for national reconciliation, Obama tells Rajapaksa

Colombo, February 6 (AGENCIES): President Barak Obama has urged newly re-elected President Mahinda Rajapaksa to lead Sri Lanka towards national reconciliation in the post-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) era and heal the divisions created by conflict. The reconciliation, the US President added, should have the essential elements of respect for human rights and rule of law. In a congratulatory message to Rajapaksa on the 62nd anniversary of independence, Obama said for the first time on over a generation, Sri Lanka was not under the shadow of terrorism. …………..  http://www.morungexpress.com/international/42988.html

BRITISH ASIAN SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS!!!!

 Here’s a list of winners at this year’s British Asian Sports Awards, which took place on Saturday (6) at the Grosvenor Hotel in London’s Park Lane.

www.uktamilnews.com Congratulates all the Winners and those who were shortlisted for the awards.  

More Photos : http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144022&id=98576483052

WINNERS OF THE 2010 BRITISH ASIAN SPORTS AWARDS!!!

HSBC Young Sports Personality of the Year

Master  Viroshan Gnanapandithan

Viroshan is a young mature and respectful individual. He is dedicated to taekwondo and participates in regional, national and international championships. Viroshan has extracted the skills learnt through his various taekwondo achievements and uses these to excel in his academics. Currently studying for Mayes park primary school in year 6 but he has taken out his GCSE Math’s when he was 9 years old currently he is prefer c1 exam in math’s constantly challenging himself and is a role model to other children of his weight and age category and is now working towards selections for the children’s team, who will go on to represent the country at the 2011 European Taekwondo Championship.

Madhus Coach of the Year

Mr Sivakumar Renganathan  (continue reading…)

Child soldiers ‘to be released soon’

Head of the Child Protection Authority (CPA) Jagath Wellawatta told BBC Sandeshaya that the government is committed to hand over all former child soldiers to parents and relatives after a one-year rehabilitation programme. Forty percent of the detained former LTTE cadres are children under the age of 18 years, according to the United Nations. More than 11,000 LTTE combatants are currently in custody, according to official estimates………….  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/02/100207_child_soldiers.shtml

I will not allow any investigations on Sri Lanka war crimes – Defense Secretary

• WHY?

• Sri Lankan forces was involved in War Crime?

• Mahinda or Defence Secretary was Involved in War Crime? 

Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse told the BBC news recently that he will not allow any war crime investigations on Sri Lanka war crimes by UN Organization, any other International Organization or country.

He can say this clearly because during the war, there has been no evidence to incriminate the SL Forces. Those who are insisting on such investigations are doing so with ulterior motives. If they want they can inquire from me, and this is my final word on this, he noted.

The Tamil Tiger Organization is destroyed, and there will not emerge another Organization. Therefore there is no need of any special security detail for any Army Commander who has gone on retirement including retired General Fonseka the Presidential candidate. There are so many officers like him who fought against the LTTE. Hence, security detail for just a single individual is of no consequence, he pointed out. …………….  http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=9059

A Mail from Jaffna University student to world wide students

Hi all ,  As we all know Jaffna University students have been suppressed by Sri Lankan military over last 15 years , not to strike or even voice. They have been threatened and well watched with the aid of Tamil Traitors called EPDP ( the paramilitary group which kills its own Tamils for money ). Still Jaffna University students never forgotten to raise their voice for Tamil freedom within their strictly watched surveillance.

Last Feb 4th , the day Sri Lanka calls “Independence Day” but Tamils call it the day British gave Tamil freedom in the hands of Sinhala chauvinists , Jaffna University students have hoisted Black flag in a 60 feet water tank next to Medical faculty. The brave act of Jaffna University students have angered the Sri Lankan military forces and they have came in motor bikes to the university. Then they warned the university security officers to remove the flag or face murder. (continue reading…)

Sri Lankans In UK Rally Against Poll Outcome

A group from the Sri Lankan diaspora in the United Kingdom staged a demonstration outside the Sri Lankan High Commission office in Hyde Park Corner West London to protest against the results of the recently concluded presidential election.  A group called ‘Movement for Democracy in Sri Lanka’ organised this protest in line with the Independence Day celebrations which were held in Kandy.

The demonstration which attracted many Lankans commenced around 2 p.m (GMT) under close supervision of the British police where demonstrators demanded democracy be established in Sri Lanka. Though this demonstration attracted a reasonable crowd, the majority of the Sri Lankan diaspora in London were reluctant to attend the demonstration due to fear of retaliation to their families in Sri Lanka and themselves on arrival in Sri Lanka. (continue reading…)

‘27 Hindu Temples, to be distroyed in Jaffna’ ordered by the Sinhala Governor of Jaffna

Mr. Thiyagarajah Maheswaran who was a former Hindu Affairs minister and an ex-MP for Jaffna a supporter of Ranil, would have never allowed this.

Minister Douglas Devananda who is a supporter of President Mahinda Rajapakshe is silent on this issue, why does he NOT oppose this Racist action of the sinhala Governor of Jaffna?

All Ceylon Hindu Congress (ACHC) expressed deep concern over Sri Lanka’s planned widening of the Jaffna-Kankesanthurai high way from Jaffna town to KKS as the plan would lead to the destruction and desecration of twenty seven Saiva Temples and several historical cultural monuments along both sides of the highway, sources in Jaffna said. Officials of ACHC have protested the planned road upgrade to Northern Provincial Governor G.A. Chandrasiri.

A delegation comprising ACHC President V. Kailayapillai, General Secretary Kandiah Neelakandan, and Ms.V. Kailayapillai, Treasurer of the Thiruketheeswaram Temple Restoration Society, met the Governor G.A. Chandrasiri at the latter’s office in Colombo Friday and handed over a memorandum. Later ACHC issued a statement regarding the discussion the group had with Governor Chandrasiri…..……… http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=31152

Pillayan paddles his own boat

The Tamil Makkal Vidugal Pulikal, (TMVP), headed by Pillayan has decided to go it alone at the forthcoming parliamentary polls, general secretary A. Kailesvararajah told LAKBIMAnEWS. The TMVP Central Committee met yesterday at the party office in Batticaloa to decide the party’s position at the forthcoming general election. Kailesvararajah said that according to the decision taken at the meeting, the TMVP would contest alone under the symbol ‘boat’…………….. http://www.lakbimanews.lk/news/laknew3.htm

Government cajoles TNA to join before General election

The government yesterday expressed its desire to enter into negotiations with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and other parties to contest the forthcoming general election together. Chief Government whip Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva in parliament last week, asked the TNA to join the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest the general election.
However, when questioned as to whether the UPFA government agrees with the demands made by the TNA and plans to meet them, Jayaratne said that the UPFA government is ready to enter into negotiations with the TNA and to arrive at a decision……………….  http://www.lakbimanews.lk/news/laknew8.htm

Prabhakaran hounded for supporting Fonseka

Batticaloa Mayoress Sivageetha Prabhakaran appears to be paying the price for supporting defeated common opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka. The Sunday Leader has received information that goons of a controversial former rebel turned government minister with strong links to a paramilitary group in Batticaloa are continuously hounding the Mayoress harassing and threatening her over her decision to go against the President Rajapaksa led Government and support Fonseka……………..  http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/02/07/prabhakaran-hounded-for-supporting-fonseka/

Displaced Tamil students and the luxury of education

A crisis has arisen in the Vavuniya district with regard to schools that were closed during the war. About 5000 displaced students are finding it difficult to continue their studies in the North due to the tug-of-war between education department officials. Many students have been asked to change schools from time to time on directives given by various education officials.
Another problem that has arisen is whether Tamil students, left out from Tamil schools, will be accepted in a Sinhala school. “Our students are roaming around like gypsies to find a permanent school”, a parent alleged…………http://www.lakbimanews.lk/news/laknew5.htm 

People have been effectively disenfranchised

It was reported that the Common Left Platform, consisting of presidential candidates Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne, leader of the Left Front and independent candidate K. Sivajilingam, and supported by the Ceylon Communist Party (Maoist), the Socialist Party, the United Workers Party, The Lanka Sama Samaja Party (Alternative Group) and Rev. Fr. Yohan Devananda, expressed their deep concern regarding the recently held presidential election, which was concluded on January 26, 2010. While they were concerned over election and the final results, they also expressed their dissatisfaction over the results announced with respect to their own performances………. http://www.lakbimanews.lk/columns/col4.htm

Army purged; last it was done was in 62, over coup attempt

President Mahinda Rajapaksa last week sacked 14 senior military officers purging the military for the first time since 1962, which was the only other occasion in post independent history that the heads rolled in the military after a section of military was accused of plotting a military coup.
The Media Centre for National Security announcing the presidential decree stated that the military officers concerned were being sent on compulsory retirement for being a “threat to national security” and hatching a “political conspiracy.” ……………… http://www.lakbimanews.lk/columns/col7.htm

JOIN THE GLOBAL BOYCOTT!

The second Global Boycott weekend is to take place this coming Saturday/Sunday (6/7th February). Human rights group Act Now are running the campaign in the U.K. whilst others are running similar campaigns in the USA, Canada, India and elsewhere.

Act Now is calling upon all activists in London to join one of the following sites from
12 pm on Sunday:

Central London – M&S (Marble Arch) 458 Oxford St. London W1C 1AP (Sunday 7th)
East London – M&S 39 South Street, Romford, Essex, RM1 1NT (Sunday 7th)
South London – M&S 116 North End, Croydon, CR9 1SH (Sunday 7th)
West London – M&S 31 St. Ann’s Rd, Town Centre, Harrow HA1 1NB (Sunday 7th)

Outside London (all at 12 pm till 4 pm): (continue reading…)

Karuna Group recruiting kids in East again

• Karuna  askes commander Barrathi to Stop Recruiting Children?

• Some children from Ampara district, currently undergoing re-integration assistance and skills training, felt it was un-safe to return to Ampara upon completion of their training, as they feared re-recruitment and further abuse by Karuna Group.

Two months after the UN sent retired Major General Patrick Cammaert to Sri Lanka, his report on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka was presented to a sub-committee of the UN Security Council, in a closed meeting in the UN basement, the Inner City Press website reported.. (see full report http://www.innercitypress.com/sri1caac.pdf)

According to Inner City Press, the report notes among other things the re-recruitment of children by a “commander named Iniya Barrathi who was part of the TMVP breakaway faction under Karuna’s leadership.” Cammaert recommends that that government take action. Inner City Press said it had obtained a copy of the report and posted it on the website.

How Sri Lanka tried to cover evidence of their ‘War Crimes‘ 

• Sri Lanka is the last country to be allowed to attempt to ­pervert the regulator’s domestic complaints procedure for its own needs

• The Sri Lankan government opened up a second front in the UK, filing a series of complaints with Ofcom

• UN committee which concluded that the tape did appear authentic, and dismissed Sri Lanka’s analysis.

Ofcom was placed at the centre of an international row over Sri Lanka’s human rights record, for decisions which could have had a major bearing on the country’s attempts to defend its reputation. Before Sri Lanka’s complaints were dropped, we were prepared to put these arguments in front of a court. We felt a clear ruling that denied countries access to Ofcom’s complaints procedures would be beneficial not just to political debate in the UK, but would also help the regulator to avoid being drawn into major international crises.

In the absence of a legal ruling, only parliament can change the basis on which complaints can be brought. Ofcom needs to ensure that Sri Lanka is the last country to be allowed to attempt to ­pervert the regulator’s domestic complaints procedure for its own needs……….. http://antonyloewenstein.com/

Didn’t say anything wrong, ready to meet Bal Thackeray – Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently the target of Shiv Sena over his remarks against the exclusion of Pakistani players in the IPL, arrived at the Mumbai airport amidst tight security on Saturday afternoon. Speaking to the media outside the airport, the actor said, “Whatever I will say will be misinterpreted and turned around. I have only said what an Indian would say. I am what I am because of Mumbai. I think there is a misunderstanding. And if (Bal) Thackeray calls me, I will go to meet him at Matoshree.”……….  http://www.zeenews.com/news602025.html

China , Sri Lanka ‘good partners’: Hu Jintao

Chinese President Hu Jintao has said Beijing and Colombo are “good partners” and hoped that in coming years bilateral relations would scale new heights. In a message on Sri Lanka’s  62nd Independence Day, Hu, who has pledged USD 350 million as post war financial aid to develop Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, said he hoped the country would achieve new progress “on the road of national building”. China has bagged the largest chunk of post-war development projects in Sri Lanka’s North and South with ongoing and concluded projects estimated at more than USD 6.1 billion, according to a media report…………… http://www.zeenews.com/news602029.html

SLA constructs Maximum HSZ in Jaffna

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna has begun constructing an earthen dam in an area encompassing Kaangeasanthu’rai and Keerimalai in Valikaamam North as part of the new Maximum High Security Zone (MHSZ) Wednesday, sources in Jaffna said. 20 Village Officer (VO) divisions of the 27 VO divisions occupied as SLA High Security Zone (HSZ) in Valikaamam North are to be turned into the new MHSZ, the sources added.

Basil Rajapakse, the brother and Senior Advisor of President Mahinda Rajapakse, prior to the presidential election, had promised the residents evicted by SLA in Valikaamam North that they will be permitted to resettle in their houses, Minister Douglas Devananda too had made similar promises………..   http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_02_05_003.html

Tamil Journalists express concern on post election violence

North Sri Lanka Journalists Association (NSLJA) expresses is grave concern on increasing violence against media and opposition political activists in the election post period. We earnestly hope that normalcy will return to whole country and rule of law will prevail which is a necessary pre condition for long awaited peace and reconciliation.

North of Sri Lanka has witnessed peoples rights being violated for a long time, our media and journalists faced unprecedented repression during the last few years. We express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the south of Sri Lanka, who are undergoing the same situation…………….. http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_02_05_004.html

11,000 suspected Tamil rebels in a legal limbo for months,  Nobody knows who is in these camps.

“The government has been keeping 11,000 people in a legal limbo for months,” HRW Asia director Brad Adams was quoted as saying. “It’s time to identify who presents a genuine security threat and to release the rest.” The HRW claim was backed by Sri Lankan Tamil Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran, who said even agencies like the International Committee of the Red Cross were not allowed to visit these centres.

“Nobody knows who is in these camps. When we met President Mahinda Rajapaksa last September, he agreed to our request to release the names of those in these centres. But nothing has happened so far,” the parliamentarian, whose party represents the interests of Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority community, told IPS………… http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_02_05_005.html

”The state of war is now over” Said President Mahinda on Independence day but Russia wants more Tamils to be Killed in Sri Lanka so gives $300 million ‘ARMS loan’ and awards him with an Honorary Doctorate.

• Russia will give $300 million arms loan to Sri Lanka
• Rajapaksa is arriving in Moscow tomorrow, to sign the agreement according to Kremlin.
• President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Russian
• Moscow had backed Colombo in its Killing of  Tamil Civilians in spite of massive international criticism.
• President Dmitry Medvedev is scheduled to hold talks with Mahinda on Monday

Russia will give Sri Lanka a $300 million loan to buy arms and dual use equipment from it, an agreement regarding which will be inked during the upcoming visit of president Mahinda Rajapaksa, a top official said today. Rajapaksa is arriving in Moscow tomorrow, according to Kremlin. “Such agreement is being prepared for signing,” deputy finance minister Dmitry Pankin said. President Dmitry Medvedev is scheduled to hold talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart on Monday.

The re-elected Sri Lanka President, Mahinda Rajapaksa is leaving on an official trip to Russia. The fact that Mr. Rajapaksa has chosen Moscow as the first destination of his foreign travel after securing a resounding second endorsement from the people of the island nation has not gone unnoticed here in the political and diplomatic circles.

The west in general and the United States in particular have been critical of some of the initiatives of Mr. Rajapaksa on the foreign policy front. For instance his travels to countries like Iran and Libya were perceived as a sign of defiance.  Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa is to be awarded today at 6 pm with an Honorary Doctorate by the Peoples’ Friendship University of the Russian Federation, especially considering his outstanding contribution towards fostering world peace and his success against terrorism.

Sri Lanka still not at peace on independence day :  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8499076.stm

First Tamil (Bishop)  gets glimpse of Tamils’ final battlefield

• Bishop appealed to Tamils not to spend lavishly during church festivals but help displaced people instead.
• The government still prohibits civilians, UN agencies, NGOs and the media from visiting the area.
• Bishop is the first Tamil to be allowed to visit the war zone after fighting ended last May
• “Devastation is everywhere” and threatens our people’s future

JAFFNA, Sri Lanka (UCAN) – Tamil Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam has visited the civil war’s final battlefield for the first time since the fighting ended, and said rebuilding lives and churches in the area was an “unbearable burden” on the people there.

The bishop is the first to be allowed to visit the war zone after fighting ended last May. The government still prohibits civilians, UN agencies, NGOs and the media from visiting the area. Thousands of people were killed, injured or disabled in the final battle near Mathalan and some 300,000 were forced to flee the area………….. http://www.ucanews.com/2010/02/05/bishop-gets-first-glimpse-of-final-battlefield

“The Truth” of the Armored Coup against the Government!

 Lanka News Web today exclusively reports the “Inside Story” of the so called “Military Coup against the Government”, which is in the front lines of state newspapers these days. The true story is being slowly but steadily revealed through various informants within the military establishment itself..

The Security Council for a considerable period of time has been assessing the situation in a defeat at the Presidential Elections. The modus operandi to keep power within Rajapakses has been discussed at all these meetings and the final meeting of the Security Council had taken place in the evening on 24th January 2010 just two days prior to the election…………  http://www.lankanewsweb.com/news/EN_2010_02_05_010.html

Gotabhaya opens door for UN investigations of Sri Lanka war crimes – Prof. Boyle

Referring to Gotabhaya Rajapaks’se interview to the BBC Tuesday where Mr Rajapakse said that he would not allow any war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka, Professor Francis Boyle, an expert in International Law and a professor of Law at the University of Illinois College of Law said, “Defense Secretary Rajapaksa has now publicly and definitively ruled out any investigation of war crimes by the Government of Sri Lanka. And he is a government official acting within the scope of his official duties so that his statement binds the State of Sri Lanka under international law. Hence the basic requirement of international law mandating “complementarity” has been satisfied. ………..   http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=31144

President to deliver promises made 62 years ago when he could NOT deliver any during his past four years

Addressing a media conference at the UNP media unit today ( 5th) , UNP M.P. Dayasiri Jayasekera said , the President on his  independence day speech harked back to the day SL received its independence on 4th Feb. 1948 , and promised loudly that he would stand by the promises made  on that day . As talk is cheap so are the President’s promises

Dayasiri  pointed out  The whole country and the whole world know that this President has created a record for making the most unfulfilled promises via his Mahinda Chinthana when he came to power four years ago . Hence , by his  promising to stand by the spirit and purpose of independence achieved 62 years ago he has created another record by introducing  the best joke ever  in the universal book of jokes , he stated…………….  http://www.unp.lk/portal/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3860&Itemid=1

EU to suspend Sri Lanka trading privileges over rights

(BRUSSELS) – EU nations have decided to suspend Sri Lanka’s preferential trade status because of the island’s human rights record and will make the formal move later this month, officials said Friday.

“European ambassadors have taken the decision. The EU Commission’s investigation showed Sri Lanka has not demonstrated that it has taken the steps that would allow it to retain or regain the GSP+ status,” a European diplomat said.

The European Union’s Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GPS+) scheme gives 16 poor nations preferential access to the trading bloc in return for following strict commitments on a wide variety of social and rights issues.

However the suspension would not come into effect until six months later………..  http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/srilanka-trade.2k4

SLA demolishes Tamil  Tigers ’ Heroes’ Resting Homes in Jaffna

The people in the peninsula are not allowed to visit the HRHs and now the news of SLA demolishing reaching them has enraged them. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) occupying Jaffna peninsula is actively engaged in demolishing the Heroes’ Resting Homes (HRH) of fallen Liberation Tigers in Uduppidi, Kodikaamam, Koappaay and Vealanai in the islets of Jaffna, sources in Jaffna said.

Foreign media persons now visiting Jaffna peninsula in large numbers who show a keen interest in visiting the HRHs are shocked to witness the systematic demolishment of war heroes’ memorial monuments which are given due respect all over the world……………… www.lankasri.com

Kilinochchi to Murikandi

No human beings, ghost buildings, stray cattle

A video footage taken a few days back, while travelling between Kilinochchi and Murikandi, shows the real situation in the heartland of Vanni in Tamil Eelam. The tract bustling with contended people two years back is virtually a no-man zone with ghost buildings and stray cattle today.

The landscape is physical evidence to the genocide committed on a nation. The parties responsible for one of the worst crimes against humanity in the 21st century such as this, refuse to accept it, but hide it, coerce the victims not to talk about it and in various nuanced ways want to finish the genocide to its end, is the feeling of Eezham Tamils, both in the island and in the diaspora…..http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=31137

THE GLOBAL BOYCOTT campaign

The second Global Boycott* weekend will take place this Saturday/Sunday (6/7th February). Act Now teams will continue their pickets of M&S (they have not yet agreed to a meeting with us as we requested so we need to keep up the pressure).

The ‘Economic War’ is a key cornerstone of our strategy to force Sri Lanka back to the negotiating table. Part of that war is a Boycott of Sri Lankan products. Soon we hope to introduce some new techniques but in the meantime we must continue with the ‘Awareness’ phase of the campaign. (continue reading…)

The Sinhala polity help Rajapaksa inherit his own sins

[Editorial, Eelam Nation]

If, by not voting, the Tamil people helped Mahinda Rajapaksa to be president of Sri Lanka  in 2005 then in 2010 the Sinhala polity made Rajapaksa president  in gratitude for sealing the fate of the Tamils as a permanently oppressed nation notwithstanding the tactics and methods used to do so. The majority of the Tamils who voted for Fonseka did so not because they loved him but because they hated Rajapaksa, a vote of no confidence on Rajapaksa. The “insurgent” turned democrat the sanctimonious minister Devananda made sure that not more than 17 percent of the Tamil speaking people in the north went to the polls. The work of the Elections Commissioner was obstructed at every turn with his advice disregarded, his office virtually taken over  and  eventually threatened to make a public statement under duress that everything was above board and hunky-dory. This case of a public servant is similar to the case of the five Tamil doctors now in custody for acting professionally for treating their patients in the hospitals that were bombed during the height of the war.  No climate change is envisaged except to be bleaker for Sri Lanka and increasingly darker for the Tamil speaking peoples with a disproportionate increase in the level of impunity. (continue reading…)

Sinhala nation justifies the human rights abuses by electing Mahinda for second term

By Satheesan Kumaaran 

When the Tamil nation was at the height of facing military onslaught by Sri Lanka on the final phase of Eelam War – IV, the world community at least shed a crocodile tear. But the neighbouring Sinhala nation celebrated the deaths of thousands of Tamils with fireworks and worshipped the Gautama Buddha preaching victory for Sinhala soldiers who trespassed into once-flourishing Tamil kingdoms who became voiceless after they fell into the hands of the European powers in the 1500s A.D. Yet, the Eelam Tamils are facing untold sufferings with their plights kept secret inside Sri Lanka. 

However, when the Tamil Tigers were seriously committed to the ceasefire agreement brokered by the Norwegian government and even when the Tamil Tiger fighters captured the areas controlled by the Sri Lankan armed forces in Trincomalee, they were asked by the international community to return to their barracks, as it was in violation of the ceasefire agreement. (continue reading…)

‘Terror’ arrest: police warned

”These are ordinary, hard-working, decent Australian citizens who would never, ever see themselves as anti-social.”

AUSTRALIAN Federal Police officers were warned by a judge they could face criminal charges over their arrest of a Tamil man at gunpoint on terrorism charges. Sydney accountant Arumugam Rajeevan, 43, was on his way to lobby a NSW senator in July 2007 when police removed him from his car at gunpoint, demanding he lie face down outside the senator’s office with his hands cuffed behind his back. 

Justice Coghlan said ”it’s plain that after the tsunami all sorts of organisations dealt with the LTTE and provided them goods and so on. Is Dr Whitehall guilty of an offence by the way? Technically he might be. I suspect he knows not of this offence, but … we manage to turn a blind eye.”………………..  http://www.theage.com.au/national/terror-arrest-police-warned-20100204-ng6s.html

Murderers dressed in white and pretending to be good Buddhists, carrying armful of flowers and circling Bo trees

This Government consists of killers and murderers dressed in white and pretending to be good Buddhists, carrying armful of flowers and circling Bo trees in piety but in reality, they hunt the innocent and kill them while the real rogues, the real killers roam the streets free. This is a dictatorship like that of Idi Amin. People are taken in without any charges and are killed.” Said Secretary of the JVP, Tilvin Silva……………….   http://www.lankatruth.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4638:the-govt-consists-of-white-clad-bo-tree-circling-killers–tilvin-silva&catid=34:lead-news&Itemid=50

UN, USA, Canada should intervene to solve Lanka problem: Dr S Ramadoss

Dharmapuri: The UN and countries like USA and Canada should intervene effectively to solve the Sri Lankan problem after holding talks with the island nation’s government, as the Centre and Tamil Nadu had never initiated steps to favour Tamils there, PMK founder leader Dr S Ramadoss said here today. 

“The UN and Western world, particularly USA and Canada should initiate steps to solve this issue after talks with the Sri Lankan government,” he told reporters here. He alleged that neither the Centre nor Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi had initiated any steps in favour of Eelam Tamils. Ramadoss later staged a demonstration before the Collectorate here, demanding that action be taken to arrest the acute drought in several districts and avoid a situation like that in1970 when there was acute famine………………..  http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_un-usa-canada-should-intervene-to-solve-lanka-problem-dr-s-ramadoss_1343255

‘Tamil youths must be tried or released’

• Sri Lankan government has routinely violated the fundamental rights of detained Tamil people.

• Parents ‘unable to obtain information’

• Tamil youths were detained just because of the are Tamils

COLOMBO (UCAN) — Northern Sri Lankan bishops, whose dioceses were hard hit by the civil war, are appealing for detained Tamil youths to be either tried in a court of law or released. About 11,000 youths have been in detention for the past seven months in different rehabilitation camps in the north of the country. Another 10,000 are in prisons in Colombo and other parts, charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The government maintains that these youths took to arms or did political work for the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the civil war. “They are children of ordinary families longing for a reunion with their loved ones,” Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam of Jaffna told UCA News. The Church as well as parents of the detained Tamil youths are “seeking justice for them,” Bishop Savundaranayagam added…………..  http://www.ucanews.com/2010/02/04/%e2%80%98tamil-youths-must-be-tried-or-released%e2%80%99

President Rajapaksa must expand his diplomatic circle beyond Iran, Libya, Mynamar and Palestine to G8 and G20 countries

The resounding victory by President Mahinda Rajapaksa placed in perspective the feelings of many Sri Lankans, a sense of gratitude towards a President that had the courage to withstand international pressure and take the battle to the end. A feat that was by all considerations thought to be inconceivable. As a war-time President he braved international pressure and provided political determination as never seen before to completely annihilate the LTTE. The three forces since independence had maintained their individual roles but had no formal coordinating structure and a poor record of joint operations capability……………….  http://transcurrents.com/tc/2010/02/president_rajapaksa_must_expan.html

End Indefinite Detention of Tamil Tiger Suspects

(New York) - The Sri Lankan government should end its indefinite arbitrary detention of more than 11,000 people held in so-called rehabilitation centers and release those not being prosecuted, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

The 30-page report, “Legal Limbo: The Uncertain Fate of Detained LTTE Suspects in Sri Lanka,” is based on interviews with the detainees’ relatives, humanitarian workers, and human rights advocates, among others. The Sri Lankan government has routinely violated the fundamental rights of the detainees, Human Rights Watch found. The government contends that the 11,000 detainees are former fighters or supporters of the defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

“The government has been keeping 11,000 people in a legal limbo for months,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “It’s time to identify who presents a genuine security threat and to release the rest.”…….           http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/01/29/sri-lanka-end-indefinite-detention-tamil-tiger-suspects

NO POLITICAL SOLUTION FOR TAMILS

Now President Mahinda Rajapaksa says ”he will wait until the next parliament election to deal with Tamil problem”.

Sri Lanka’s Tamils left to wonder what comes next

Minority’s fear of domination by the Sinhalese,

The conflict will be forced underground from where it could potentially spark renewed violence.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Riding high on his battlefield victory against the Tamil Tiger rebels and his landslide re-election, Sri Lanka’s president appears under little pressure to tackle the deep ethnic tensions that fueled a generation of conflict here.

Any effort to empower the marginalized Tamil-speaking minority could only anger Sinhalese nationalists, and many observers fear that an opportunity to bring a real peace to this country will be squandered. With general elections coming later this year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has indicated he will wait until the next parliament is in place to deal with Tamil demands for greater rights and self-rule in areas where they form a majority. Analysts warn that without addressing the minority’s fear of domination by the Sinhalese, the conflict will be forced underground from where it could potentially spark renewed violence…………………..   http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1455790.html

Sri Lanka leader says Tamils ”there will be NO self-rule”

KANDY, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s president called Thursday for minority ethnic Tamils to work with the government to settle their differences but indicated there will be no self-rule, as the country celebrated its first Independence Day since the end of a 25-year civil war.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was re-elected last month by a wide margin, largely because of support from the country’s Sihanalese majority, said Tamil leaders should not “misguide” people or harbor political ambitions based on ethnicity. “Let’s solve our problems ourselves through discussions,” he said in the Tamil language………………..   http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1462057.html

Sri Lanka’s Opposition Stages Massive Demonstration In Colombo Over Disputed Elections

Sri Lanka’s opposition parties staged a massive demonstration in the capital city of Colombo on Wednesday, protesting against the recent presidential election which they allege was “rigged” to ensure victory for incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Thousands of opposition supporters participated in Wednesday’s demonstration, shouting slogans against President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government. They alleged that that the government carried out “computer rigging” during the elections, which they insist that opposition candidate Gen Sarath Fonseka would have won otherwise……………….  http://rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=1200086

Gov’t Defends Detention of Suspected Tamil Rebels

Sri Lanka is rejecting claims that some 11,000 people who surrendered as suspected Tamil rebels just before the decades-long bloody conflict ended in May 2009 are being held incommunicado or risk being tortured. “These allegations are untrue. The surrendered persons have access to relatives and family and we are working with UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in their rehabilitation and reintegration programme,” said Major General Daya Ratnayake, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, which is in charge of all rebel suspects undergoing rehabilitation. ……………….  http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=50203

War displaced start to pick up the pieces

PULIYANKULAM, 3 February 2010 (IRIN) - About a year ago, civil war raged around Vasanthi Kumari’s house in northern Sri Lanka. “There was a loud sound and `Appa’ [father] went out,” Kumari, 21, told IRIN. “That was the last time we saw him alive.” Because of the danger, she said, the family could not even bury him properly. “We just dug a hole and put him there.”  She, her parents and her brother lived in Puliyankulam, a village on the A9 highway, which was at the frontline in the last weeks of the more than two-decade long conflict. ………….. http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=87975

Sri Lanka software industry eyes UK market

Sri Lanka’s software industry has launched a campaign to draw information technology and business process outsourcing work mainly from small and medium firms in the United Kingdom and Europe, an industry body said. The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) said in a statement it was aiming at providing niche services. The island’s BPO sector focuses on financial and accounting services, investment research, engineering services and UK-based legal services………..  http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=776613244

New Delhi wants close ties with Colombo to counter the growing influence of rival China

Since Mahinda Rajapakse won a second presidential term in Sri Lanka last week, India’s dilemma over how to pursue its interests in the island has only intensified. New Delhi wants close ties with Colombo to counter the growing influence of rival China and open up opportunities for Indian businesses. At the same time, it is concerned that political unrest in Sri Lanka, particularly communal tensions involving the Tamil minority, will reverberate inside India, especially in the southern state of Tamil Nadu…………  http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/feb2010/indi-f03.shtml

Lanka committed to national reconciliation: Rajapaksa

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa today said national reconciliation involving Tamils and other communities was a priority for his government after nearly three decades of ethnic war that led to liberation of the country from the clutches of “separatist terror”.”As we move into the new era of peace in our country, we are ready to face the challenges of the future. It is necessary that we give equal priority to the tasks of national reconciliation and the building of trust among all sections of our people,” Rajapaksa, who was recently reelected to the top post, said on the eve of the country’s Independence Day…………. http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_lanka-committed-to-national-reconciliation-rajapaksa_1342952

Election increases polarization in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Sri Lanka — The win by incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka’s presidential election last week has the potential to further divide the country along both political and ethnic lines unless a spirit of magnanimity prevails. One of the important challenges for Rajapaksa will be to address the alienation of the ethnic minorities and provide a political solution for their problems and grievances by way of devolution of power…………  http://www.upiasia.com/Society_Culture/2010/02/03/election_increases_polarization_in_sri_lanka/5929/

‘No Political Solution to Tamils’ but India gives $2.7 million worth material to next of skins of Tamils Killed by the government with the help of India. 

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha said, “We are with the Sri Lankan Government  as the closest friend and neighbour to help assist the conflict-displaced return to their normal lives(?).” ( But NO Political Solution to Tamils? )

This is what the Tamils will get from Sri Lankan Government with the help of India.

India on Wednesday handed over a consignment of galvanised corrugated sheets worth US$ 2.7 million to the government of Sri Lanka as part of its commitment to help Colombo in providing relief and re-settlement of the nearly three lakh war-displaced in the north and re-construction of the infrastructure badly damaged in the 26 year long military conflict which ended in May 2009…………..  http://beta.thehindu.com/news/international/article99880.ece

Sri Lanka’s Election Strife Worsens Post-War Woes

Karu wants Malwatte, Asgiriya prelates to intervene

Heavy underworld drama at the President’s Office

“The Election Commissioner was in sorry state having left behind his wife at the Temple Trees and he was also unable to make use of his phone fearing it will be tapped by the state Intelligence Service. His wife remained in the Temple Trees last night (2/2) and the EC was put under considerable pressure to accept the Presidents terms.”

It is now confirmed, the Election Commissioner (EC) Dayananda Dissanayake and his wife were held in captivity at the President’s office Temple Trees to agree to the President’s demand to cover up the heavily debated election fraud that produced the favourable results for President Mahinda Rajapakse.

According to very reliable information from a source close to the President, the Election Commissioner Dayanada Dissanayake and his wife had gone to meet the President on his invitation on Monday (1/2) evening. At the lengthy meeting, Dayananda was asked to withdraw his resignation and to make a public statement that the election was conducted in a free and fair manner without any fraud as claimed by the opposition………….  http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2010/02/heavy-underworld-drama-at-presidents.html

India plays with Buddhist emissary while monks colonize Tamil land

New Buddhist temples built by armed forces and militant monks mushroom in Tamil land occupied by Colombo, news reports from Eezham said, citing new constructions along A9 highway. Meanwhile, an extremist Buddhist monk with armed support has arrived at Thalai Mannaar Pier area, the nearest point opposite to the Indian coast, to buy 1000 acres of land and to start a Sinhala-Buddhist colony there, news sources from Mannaar said. While nearby Mullaiththeevu and Trincomalee of the Tamil north and east are never linked for ages, A3 highway in the western coast is going to be extended according to Colombo reports, linking Puththa’lam and Mannaar through Vilpattu forest to facilitate inroads of Sinhala colonies. In the meantime, India is learnt to have gifted to Sri Lanka a replica of Asoka’s rock edict speaking of his Buddhist emissary to the island. ……………. http://tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=31131

Work for lasting peace now: Solheim tells President

Norwegian Minister Erik Solheim, who was the controversial peace facilitator in Sri Lanka, yesterday congratulated President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his re-election and said the January 26 election results gave President Rajapaksa a historic opportunity to work towards lasting peace in the war-torn country.

“Norway and Sri Lanka enjoy close and longstanding bilateral relations. We intend to continue our cooperation with the government and peop1e of Sri Lanka with a view to promoting lasting peace and development,” Mr Solheim said……………… http://www.infolanka.com/news/IL/990.htm

AFTER ELECTION : Mannar fishing restrictions ‘re-imposed’

The Sri Lankan authorities have re-imposed fishing restrictions in Mannar district after the recently concluded presidential elections, fishing community organisations say.

Thousands of fishermen in Thalaimannar, Pudukuduiruppu, Pesalai and Erukkulampitti are affected by the restrictions, they say. “We are now given passes by Sri Lanka navy personnel at 5am and asked to come back before 6pm,” a fisherman who wished to remain anonymous told the BBC. He said that the government has re-imposed the measure, which was relaxed during the presidential elections……………..  http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2010/02/100202_mannar_fishing.shtml

DO THE POST ELECTION VIOLENCE ACTIVITIES DEPICT THE BRIGT FUTURE OF MR

Releasing a media notice the president of National Trade Union Centre comrade Lal Kantha states that violence is being released on the opposition party members,   by utilizing state media, resources and several thug gangs as the government previously acted, even though 6 days has passed from the date of presidential election……….   http://unions.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=116:do-the-post-election-violence-activities-depict-the-brigt-future-of-mr&catid=34:lead-news&Itemid=50

Sri Lanka purges military amid coup fears

Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapakse has sacked a dozen senior military officers as part of a crackdown after last week’s presidential election.

The senior commanders who have been forced into compulsory retirement are accused of breaching military discipline and siding with opposition candidate and former army chief General Sarath Fonseka. The move is one of the biggest shake-ups of Sri Lanka’s top brass in decades. The government says General Fonseka and his former military comrades were plotting to assassinate Mr Rajapakse and stage a coup………..  http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/02/2807477.htm?section=world

Sri Lanka settles scores with critics

FEARED post-election reprisals appear to have begun in Sri Lanka, with at least nine military commanders sacked and media organisations raided for allegedly supporting presidential challenger Sarath Fonseka.

Former army chief General Fonseka said 13 army personnel who were his supporters, including three majors general, two brigadiers and four colonels, had been “compulsorily retired” in the wake of President Mahinda Rajapakse’s unexpectedly large election win last Tuesday. But National Security director-general Lakshman Hulugalle said nine men had been dismissed for being “involved in party politics”, adding the officers had been removed to maintain the discipline and impartiality of the armed forces……………..  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/sri-lanka-settles-scores-with-critics/story-e6frg6so-1225826075617?from=public_rss

11,000 Tamil suspects’ rights violated: Rights group

A report by New-York based Human Rights Watch said the government should identify which detainees with suspected rebel links present a genuine threat and release the rest. Sri Lanka’s human rights minister said he had not seen the report, and would respond to it later.

The suspects were detained during and after the Sri Lankan military’s final offensive against the Tamil rebels, which ended with the rebel group’s defeat in May and brought to a close decades of civil war. “The government has denied detainees the right to be informed of specific reasons for their arrest, to challenge the lawfulness of the detention before an independent judicial authority, and to have access to legal counsel and family members,” the group said………..     http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=124619

Amnesty urges Sri Lanka to end post-poll ‘clampdown’

COLOMBO: Rights monitor Amnesty International urged Sri Lanka on Tuesday to end what it described as a post-presidential election “clampdown” on the media, political opponents and human rights activists.

Pressure on government critics has been mounting since President Mahinda Rajapakse was re-elected on January 26, defeating his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, the London-based human rights group said. “Victory against the Tamil Tigers followed by a historic election should have ended political repression in Sri Lanka, but instead we have seen a serious clampdown on freedom of expression,” said Madhu Malhotra, Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director……………. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C02%5C03%5Cstory_3-2-2010_pg20_1

Aide to Sri Lanka’s General Fonseka arrested over journalist murder

Brigadier Duminda Keppetiwalana, aide to the former Sri Lankan army chief General Fonseka, was arrested over the murder last year of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga. General Fonseka, who was last week defeated in the Sri Lankan presidential election by the incumbent Mahinda Rajapaksa, said the arrest of Brigadier Keppetiwalana was part of a wider attempt to isolate him and tarnish his reputation………………  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/srilanka/7138654/Aide-to-Sri-Lankas-General-Fonseka-arrested-over-journalist-murder.html

C4 News’ Ben De Pear on the story behind the Tamil executions video

For Channel 4 News, last month’s verdict from the UN was the last chapter in an ongoing saga that has seen the Sri Lankan government attempt to destroy the reputation of Channel Four journalism across the globe. Of course, in some ways, the UN’s conclusion the Tamil executions tape was genuine is just the beginning of what surely must be a new investigation into Sri Lanka. But for now, this is the story of the tape, and the shocking repercussions of reporting uncomfortable truths from secretive war zones…………….. http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=6&storycode=44985&c=1

Rights of Tamil suspects violated

Sri Lanka should end the indefinite detention of some of the 11,000 people held in its custody for suspected links with the Tamil Tiger rebels, a leading rights group said Tuesday.

A report by New-York based Human Rights Watch said the government should identify which detainees with suspected rebel links present a genuine threat and release the rest. Sri Lanka’s human rights minister said he had not seen the report, and would respond to it later. The suspects were detained during and after the Sri Lankan military’s final offensive against the Tamil rebels, which ended with the rebel group’s defeat in May and brought to a close decades of civil war………… http://www.muscatinejournal.com/news/world/asia/article_dd88a4c9-c3e2-51a7-b660-045645b67e01.html

Sri Lanka experts silent, Wijesinha oblivious to forensic evidence

Sri Lanka’s video experts appear unable or unwilling to rebut the body of evidence presented at the Dublin tribunal, UN Rapporteur on Extra-judicial Executions Philip Alston’s report, and findings from other independent forensic analysts that all ruled as flawed the analyses by these experts of the video broadcast on Channel 4 showing Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers summarily executing Tamil prisoners, stripped naked and hands tied behind their backs. Rajiva Wijesinha, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, continues to advance his efforts to exculpate Colombo and the perpertrators from charges of war crimes by arguing that the video is fake, a spokesperson for US-based pressure group Tamils Against Genocide (TAG) said. ………..  http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=13&artid=31128

‘Tamils must not be left behind after election’

COLOMBO (UCAN) — The northeast Tamil heartland must not be left out of post-election development, one of Sri Lanka’s top Buddhist monks says. “Special interest should be taken for the reconstruction of tanks and the reservoirs in the war-torn areas of the north and east. The people in all parts of the country should be equally treated,” the Venerable Buddharakkitha Thera, told the media.

Sri Lankan Bishops’ Conference president Bishop Vianney Fernando also appealed to re-elected President Mahinda Rajapaksa to make peace, especially “resolving the issues relating to the Tamil minority.”………..  http://www.ucanews.com/2010/02/01/%e2%80%98tamils-must-not-be-forgotten-after-election%e2%80%99

Sivajilingam and Wickramabahu to form alliance

M.K. Sivajilingam and Left Front Leader Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne, presidential candidates at the election last week are to form an alliance for the upcoming general election.  Speaking to the Daily Mirror yesterday Sivajilingam said that Dr. Karunaratne and he were to form an alliance islandwide for the upcoming election.

However ,both candidates had stressed earlier at a joint press conference the need for obtaining a stay order from the Supreme Court to prevent the government from dissolving parliament till investigations into the alleged manipulation of the results were completed………….  http://www.caffe.lk/Sivajilingam_and_Wickramabahu_to_form_alliance-5-1748.html

Sri Lankan Government NOT answerable to UN for 80,000 Tamil IDPs remaining in Concentration camps – Minister

About Eighty thousand Internally displaced persons from Vanni region still remain in camps located in Vavuniyaa despite Sri Lanka government’s assurances to the United Nations that all IDPs will be resettled by January 31. Richard Badiudeen, Minister of Resettlement and disaster relief services, told Colombo media Monday that no such assurance has been given to any organization including UN. (continue reading…)

Mixed response from London Sri Lankans on Rajapaksa result

There has been a mixed response from London’s Sri Lankan diaspora to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s re-election at the presidential elections. Mr Rajapaksa secured a sweeping victory over his main rival Gen Sarath Fonseka, who has rejected the result. While Mr Rajapaksa’s jubilant supporters celebrated the news, the response from the opposition and minority Tamil community has been somewhat lukewarm.Sashie Peiris, who campaigned for Left Front presidential candidate Vickramabahu Karunaratne, agrees. “The fact that President Rajapaksa has manipulated the result for his advance is clearly evident in the Jaffna district result. How can a virtually unknown Sinhala candidate, for example, receive more than 3,000 votes in Jaffna?” he asks…………  http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/london/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8490000/8490797.stm

Ignoring two decades  

In a September 2009 meeting on minority concerns with President Rajapakse, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), for the first time, publicly raised the concerns of the northern Muslims with a head of state. Even though a handful of Tamil politicians and few diaspora members have been sympathetic to the issue, the Tamil polity as a whole has long kept a deliberate silence on the 1990 Muslim expulsion. Now, the TNA’s effort to directly address these issues is being perceived as an attempt to get due rights for the country’s two largest minorities in the context of the 2010 presidential elections – a campaign in which neither presidential candidate has shown any signficant commitment towards settling minority grievances through a power-sharing process. Despite this laudable political move, most Tamil leaders and intellectuals have yet to demonstrate their solidarity for the cause of the expelled northern Muslims. …………….   http://www.himalmag.com/Ignoring-two-decades_nw4184.html

University of Jaffna’s potential as a centre of debate

Today, as never before, the longstanding potential for the University of Jaffna to function as a centre of discussion, debate and nonaligned camaraderie must be recognised and nurtured for the sake of pluralism and human rights. Today, as never before, the longstanding potential for the University of Jaffna to function as a centre of discussion, debate and nonaligned camaraderie must be recognised and nurtured for the sake of pluralism and human rights. Few celebrated the birth of the University of Jaffna in 1974, when it came into existence as a campus affiliated to the University of Sri Lanka…………..  http://www.himalmag.com/Stifled-hotbed_nw4179.html

Fear and anxiety in battered Tamil city

Beneath the surface in Jaffna – the cultural capital of Sri Lanka’s Tamils – there is underlying concern and anxiety following last week’s presidential election. President Mahinda Rajapaksa won the election by a huge margin. But he got fewer votes than his rival, retired General Sarath Fonseka, in Tamil-dominated northern and eastern regions, particularly in Jaffna……………

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8491120.stm