Sampanthan as Leader of the Opposition: Politics runs full circle, but on a different centre by Rajan Philips The new parliament and the new government are sending mixed signals. Some are good, others are disconcerting. But overall Sri Lankans should feel reasonably satisfied for things could have been far worse. For sober perspective, reflect for a moment on the colossal human tragedy of refugees fleeing from the Middle East and Africa looking for safe haven in an officially uninviting Europe. For comparative context, consider the good fortune of Sri Lanka’s…
Read MoreDay: 7 September 2015
Learning The New Three Rs
By Gamini Weerakoon Reconciliation Guru Con Hathaway, specially flown down from London was on the podium lecturing on 3Rs for Reconciliation of the UNP and SLFP at a seminar conducted by the National Government. Reconciliation does not come about naturally because you wish it. You should have read Tony Blair’s talk on 7 Points of Reconciliation in Colombo last week. Likewise it’s not easy for you of two parties who have been at each others throats for decades to kiss and make up, said Con the Guru to his audience.…
Read MoreNational Government; A Golden Opportunity To Resolve The National Question
Investigate enforced disappearances, activists urge Sri Lanka Activists in Sri Lanka are urging the government to ratify a key international convention on enforced disappearances and to investigate thousands of unsolved cases that have haunted the island nation through decades of conflict. Catholic Church officials say the issue is especially vital in Sri Lanka. Father Nandana Manathunga said Sri Lanka has the second-highest number of disappearances in the world. Yet the country has not ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances…………….. READ MORE National Government;…
Read MoreFive member TNA delegation to head to Geneva
Five member TNA delegation to head to Geneva A delegation from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is expected to leave for Geneva this month to hold discussions with UN Human Rights officials and the international community to gather their support for an international war crimes probe, reports said today. The visit will take place ahead of the release of the report on Sri Lanka by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights during the 30th session of the UNHRC in Geneva. The report is expected to be critical…
Read MoreProtest against U.S. support to Sri Lanka in war probe
Protest against U.S. support to Sri Lanka in war probe As a mark of protest against the U.S. supporting Sri Lanka in war crime probe, a group of members from Ilaiya Thalaimurai Koottamaippu, an outfit comprising youngsters, threw rotten chicken waste into a KFC outlet in Ashok Nagar on Saturday afternoon. The group also attempted to stage a protest outside the U.S. Consulate here. According to police, the group had earlier submitted a petition to the Consulate last month and gave 100 hours time for the U.S. government to change…
Read More‘Viber, not India, helped in unseating Rajapaksa’
President Sirisena reveals secrets behind January polls President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday (6) revealed that he was alerted by his security not to attend the last election rally held in Maradana prior the presidential polls in January. The observation was made at the 69th anniversary of the United National Party (UNP) held at the UNP headquarters in Sirikotha. This was the first time in the history, that the leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) attended a UNP anniversary celebration………… READ MORE ‘Viber, not India, helped in unseating Rajapaksa’…
Read MoreHe committed suicide -Karuna, He was killed by the Army – Fonseka
He committed suicide -Karuna Earlier last week Karuna Amman alias Vinayagamoorthy Muralithran, a one-time, trusted bodyguard of LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran and LTTE Eastern Commander turned politician, in an interview with India’s Puthiya Thalaimurai TV, stirred a hornets nest, when he claimed Prabhakran was not killed by the Sri Lankan military as claimed but shot himself with his pistol, His claims were however rejected outright by former Army Commander, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who claimed Karuna Amman who was a virtual prisoner in his own home for his safety till…
Read MoreFormat for domestic probe
by Manjula Fernando President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the Ministers of External Affairs and Justice, and the Tri-forces commanders last week to discuss an acceptable format for the proposed domestic mechanism to address accountability issues. A senior official of the Ministry of External Affairs, describing last week’s discussion as an ‘initiation’ said the high level officials will, through a series of discussions, reach an agreement as to the best mechanism or the mechanisms to be adopted to handle the outstanding issues of accountability, which has…
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