Thursday, January 31, 2013

Four Basic Points Must be Understood by Those Offering Democratic Resistance and Desiring Democratic Change

Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka
However bad things are in Sri Lanka today and however bad things may get, there is almost nothing that cannot be reversed in three years when elections come around. That election may however be the last chance at reversal of the negative aspects, preventing their cumulative growth from embryonic structure to stable system. Sri Lanka is not under a dictatorship today, though there may be a dictatorial project or latent tendency towards dictatorship.

UN HRC March Resolution: Govt outsource counter campaign, US & Lanka both confident of India Support, GL ask why us?

Govt. to hire PR team
The government is planning to spend whopping millions to hire reputed Public Relations agencies, to counter the charges levelled against Sri Lanka by the Western powers, at the upcoming sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. A team of professionals and several reputed overseas PR agencies, backed by Sri Lanka's missions abroad, will face the challenges posed by the resolution to be brought against Sri Lanka by the United States at the UNHRC sessions, Ceylon Today learns.

If 'Black January' were not to repeat, Editorial, Ceylon Today

Journalists and Civil Activists protest in Colombo against media suppression

Media practitioners will stage a protest at Lipton Circus today, to mark what has become an increasingly uncomfortable month for journalists in Sri Lanka. Black January, as the month has established itself since the brutal murder of Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickrematunga on 8 January 2009, has had a number of black days in the ensuing years, delivering body blows to media freedom and fearing free expression in the process. Disturbingly, the perpetrators of all these incidents, including Lasantha's murderers, still remain at large.

A smaller delegation to UNHRC – Amunugama

The Sri Lankan delegation to the UNHRC would be a smaller group compared to the number that went last year, said External Affairs Ministry Secretary, K. Amunugama.
He, however, added the government has not as yet decided on the composition of the delegation to Geneva to represent Sri Lanka at the UNHRC sessions in March.

U.S. to sponsor a procedural resolution (against Sri Lanka) at the March 2013 sessions of the UNHRC

U.S. to criticize Sri Lanka at U.N. rights council, - Reuters
The United States will deliver a sharp public rebuke to Sri Lanka at the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March for failing to pursue those responsible for abuses as government forces were crushing Tamil rebels in 2009, officials said on Monday.

Mahinda scores a century! 102 ministers in Sri Lanka now!

By Dharisha Bastians
Undeterred by mounting pressure on a bloated Cabinet, criticism over poor governance, rising costs and inefficiencies, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday figuratively scored a century making it a team of 102 Ministers following a fresh round of appointments.

Black January: Ceaseless media suppression in Sri Lanka, with total impunity

Sunanda Deshapriya

Image via RNW

The month of January is coming to and end. January marks a number of major attacks that have taken place on media freedom in Sri Lanka. For this reason, January is referred to as the ‘Black January’ of media suppression. This year too, journalists’ organisations in the country are commemorating Black January as an event to mark continued suppression of independent media and journalists in Sri Lanka.

Silent Acceptance of New Chief Justice by the Legal Community Shows the Govt has Succeeded for the Time Being

Sumanasiri Liyanage
There is an unusual and unexpected calmness in Hulftsdorp in the post-impeachment days in spite of the fact that all traditions and conventions were put aside in the appointment of the new Chief Justice in place of Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake. At the time of appointment as the CJ, Mr Mohan Pieris was a director of many private companies and the legal advisor to the Cabinet. Previously, of course with rare exceptions, it was either a most senior Supreme Court Judge or the Attorney General who was appointed by the President as the CJ.

Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe
U.S. Representative to the UN Human Rights Council

“The Human Rights Council: How relevant is it and what is the role of the United States?” - BY Ambassador Donahoe

(Delivered at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy,January 24, 2013)
Thank you Ambassador Tanner for this invitation and the lovely reception. I am so pleased to see friends and colleagues here who have become close partners at the Human Rights Council. I have heard a great deal about the Geneva Center for Security Policy, but this is the first time I have been able to participate in a GCSP event and I am delighted and honored to be here. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to reflect today on the U.S. role at the Human Rights Council.

Ruling party M P Thenuka Vidhanagamage who had a fierce argument in Parliament on the 24th with Lakshman Perera of Matale , the evil and illicit partner in the clandestine kasippu ( illicit brewer) business of the Medamulana backward Rajapakse's had attacked Thenuka brutally so much so that his limb had been broken , according to an urgent fearsome report reaching Lanka e news.

Three year limit on the term of the Chief Justice: a grave danger to independence of judiciary

M.A.Sumanthiran MP
On 15th January 2013, by no less than violent means, Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was de facto removed from her post. This was done despite a ruling by the apex court of this country that the purported process by which she was sought to be removed was illegal and unconstitutional.
The purported removal of Chief Justice Bandaranayake resulted in various responses by governments, political groups, the legal fraternity and Human rights groups both here and abroad.

The manner in which the ruling political group flouted norms of democratic governance and political decency was unprecedented and unacceptables - Friday Forum

In several previous statements the Friday Forum expressed its deep concern about, and its opposition to, the manner in which Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was impeached. The entire episode deeply offends all sense of decency and fairplay; it has also earned the opprobrium of responsible international bodies.
Citizens no longer can rely on fundamental principles of democratic governance to protect their rights and liberties. The manner in which the ruling political group flouted norms of democratic governance and political decency was unprecedented and unacceptable.

Anti Muslim phobia, the new over-determination, to make Sinhalese too busy chasing spectral-foes to confront the real enemy: the Rajapaksas

Tisaranee Gunasekara
“This frenzy of stupidity….” Ernst Toller (Wotan Unchained)

Are we, the Sinhala people, so addicted to war, that we cannot do without one? Or are the Rajapaksas trying to manufacture a new threat and a new conflict as camouflage for their dynastic project?
A well organised and financed anti-Muslim campaign has burst into destructive life over the last several months.

Bodu Bala Sena once offered take up police duty to enforce the law and rid Buddhism of thieves, rapists and other criminals

While discussing a number of problems pertaining to Buddhist temples, priests and the practice of the Buddhist religion in the country overall, one of the main points of the conversation revolved around some of the ongoing disputes between some Muslim and Buddhist groups.
Referring to the various messages that have appeared in the media recently, President Rajapaksa requested the group not to engage in any activities that would be seen as promoting communal hatred.

Threat of fundamental cases of illegal detention being nullified

Legal experts point out there is the likelihood of most of the human rights and fundamental cases filed against the detention of persons due to the Criminal Procedure (Special Provision) act that was passed on the 22nd being nullified.The situation has arisen due to the act being passed as a retroactive bill. The new act has been passed so that it is effective from 31st March, 2009. As such, all fundamental cases filed against detention of 24 hours get nullified as the act has sanctions to detain those arrested for 48 hours point out legal experts.

Dr Mervyn Silva, Brothel houses in the guise of restaurants and Owned by Singappuru Sarath any illegal meat is avaiable here and liquor is sold even on poya days with the blessings of the Kelaniya Police

Silva Desecrates Sacred Kelaniya By Nirmala Kannangara-

The sacred city of Kelaniya has become a haven for drug peddlers, extortionists, prostitution, intimidators and murderers, says Prasanna Ranaweera, Chairman, Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha.

According to Ranaweera, the main causes for the desecration in the electorates is the notorious Silva.

How a honest Tamil officer was ill treated and discriminated by politicised police

I was ill-treated by Bribery Officials, says Kanagasabai By Nirmala Kannangara -

Following the arrest of Kanagasabai Ranjan, Director (Preventive), Prevention Division Directorate, Sri Lanka Customs on January 3 for an alleged bribery charge of accepting Rs.1 million to release five containers of full car units, he was given bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli on Thursday, January 24.

Govt. withdraws funds (Rs 560 million) from TNA councils

By Chris Kamalendran
The Government has withdrawn more than Rs 560 million allocated for development work to Northern Province local councils controlled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).The move comes in a year during which Northern Provincial Council elections will be held as pledged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

TNA MP’s Sec: I was forced to watch porn while being videoed; TID raid on Tamil National Alliance office in Kilinochchi

By Chris Kamalendran
A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament has called on the Inspector General of Police to conduct an impartial probe on a raid carried out on his office in Kilinochchi by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), where they claim to have recovered explosives, pornographic CDs and condoms.

Family of Prageeth Eknaligoda

By -LeN Editor
It was three years ago today , that is, on the 24th of January 2010 , at about 7.30 p.m. , Prageeth Ekneliyagoda my close trusted friend for over 25 long years bid goodbye to me promising to return the following day.
On that 24th day morning , he woke me up by phoning me ; he said, there was a white Van without a registration number parked at the bend near his house at Homagama, and on it , ‘Victory for Mahinda’ sticker was pasted in the place where the registration number ought to be, he added. That was when the Presidential elections were around the corner.

Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned bec Muslims are being radicalized and transformed into “exclusivity” - State media

Laws and religion - some concerns of Sinhala Buddhists by Shenali Waduge in Ceylon Daily News

Yes, the Sinhalese Buddhists are concerned. Do they have reason to be? Yet the concerns of Buddhists are never given an unbiased voice in the mainstream media and instead Sinhalese Buddhists are labeled as “racist”, “extremist” and even “militant”. Their version also needs to be heard.

“Hela Sihila Hiru”Stages Provocative Anti-Muslim Demonstration with Placards and Effigy of “Allah” in North-Western town of Kuliyapitiya

Part of the demonstration ( photo: Divaina)

by DBS Jeyaraj
The recurring phenomenon of orchestrated demonstrations against “Halal”labelled foods, Muslim owned businesses and Muslim places of worship by organized groups of Buddhist Clergy and Laity took a different turn in Sri Lankas Northwestern Province of Wayamba on Thursday January 24th .
A protest demonstration was staged by a group of around 150 persons at Kuliyapitiya, a multi-ethnic,multi-religious town situated 82 Km away from Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo in broad daylight.It is home to the Wayamba University.

A large number of ballot papers of the 2010 presidential election with the vote marked to ‘Swan’, the election symbol of Gen. Sarath Fonseka, have been found near Kalagedihena MV adjoining Colombo – Kandy road.

No LTTE surrendee went missing - Gotabaya Rajapaksha

No LTTE cardre that surrendered to the Security Forces during the final stage of the humanitarian mission went missing, Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.
Commenting on allegations levelled by certain foreign elements that some of the LTTE fighters that surrendered to the Security Forces during the last phase of the humanitarian mission had gone missing, the Defence Secretary said all allegations are baseless and every since LTTEer who surrendered was rehabilitated and reintegrated to society.

The Army’ s report on the implementation of the LLRC recommendations, submitted to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has recommended the continuation of the Police Department under the Defence Ministry – a drastic departure from the very recommendations that the report wanted to be implemented.
Going a step further, the Army report states that International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles applicable to internal conflicts do not adequately address complexities of terrorism, and calls for new laws to regulate humanitarian agencies.

Political friends?

Sri Lanka's legal fraternity takes a stand for judicial independence
Lawyers in Sri Lanka have boycotted the inauguration of the government's newly-appointed chief justice.
Sri Lanka's legal fraternity takes a stand for judicial independence (Credit: ABC)
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been agitating for the reinstatement of sacked chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake, saying due process had not been followed.

Shirani Bandaranayake’s Ruling on Sacred Areas Act and not Divineguma Bill was the Cause of her Impeachment

Faced with this unexpected resistance, the government withdrew the Act in April 2012.
Three people were instrumental in impeding the Sacred Areas Act – CJ Bandaranayake, the Chief Minister of the NCP Berty Premalal Dissanayake and the Chief Minister of the EP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan.
14 months later all three are out of jobs.

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

Vanni, aftermaths of war - Is internal rules enough to protect civilians in war?

Sri Lanka's military on Thursday asked the government to introduce its own rules to deal with civil wars, saying existing international humanitarian laws cover only state actors and not terrorist organizations. The country's armed forces face numerous human rights allegations and possible war crimes for their conduct during a decades-long civil war with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels that ended in 2009.

The report was handed over to Mr. Rajapaksha (photo www.defence.lk)

Govt. should formulate its own rules
The Army proposed to the government that it formulate its own rules to deal with internal war situations as the
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles, applicable to internal war situations had not adequately addressed various complex issues, and the existing rules were seemingly applied to state actors only.
This was revealed in the report of the Army’s Board of Officers on the Implementation of the Recommendations made by the LLRC.

Lawyers, accountants, engineers, architects and various other professionals this week slammed the impeachment of Shirani Bandaranayake in a near unanimous vote saying she was unfairly judged.

Asked in a Business Times poll this week whether Ms Bandaranayake (who says she is legally still the chief justice) got a fair trial, more than 90 per cent of the respondents said NO.

Bodhu Bala Sena Wants Law Changed to Permit a Sinhalese Man to Marry Five Wives to Propagate the Sinhala Race

by Dharisha BastiansConcerns are being raised internationally about the growing intolerance of Muslims, led by a Sinhala chauvinist group calling themselves the Bodhu Bala Sena with a heavy contingent of saffron-robed monks at their helm. The group is agitating against what it calls Muslim infiltration of the Sri Lankan food and cosmetics industry, the alleged conversion of Sinhalese girls marrying Muslim youth and all manner of other atrocities being allegedly perpetrated on the majority community by conspiring fundamentalist Muslims.

30 per cent distrust the Police, 47 per cent keep mum fearing reprisals - Results of sociological survey in Kahawatte

State social services in the area dysfunctional with official neglect
As killings and abductions continue in the Kahawatte area of the Ratnapura district, a sociological survey conducted in the area has prompted the transfer of 31 policemen and officers out of the area on Monday, with more to follow
The survey revealed that 30% of the Kahawatte area residents distrust the police, while 47% more opted to remain silent for fear of criminals interfering with their lives, as they are in cahoots with the police officers.

The Structure of Government, Cooperation of Government Machinery and the Role of NGOs – 1 by Rajiva Wijesinha

I plan in the three hours of this workshop to cover a lot of ground, which I hope will lead to much discussion, and to some understanding of the principles of government, and actual practice in Sri Lanka. This will require being direct, but the criticisms I make will I hope provoke thought, and encourage efforts at reforms that are essential.

Of all countries that have a long democratic tradition, Sri Lanka has perhaps the most dysfunctional structure of government.

On the three-year anniversary of the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins partners and affiliates in reminding the Government of Sri Lanka that it continues to be seriously remiss in meeting its commitments on national reconciliation and fixing accountability for human rights abuses during the island nation’s quarter-century long civil war and its immediate aftermath.

Sri Lanka: judges around the world condemn impeachment of Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake | CIJL-ICJ

The Centre for the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (CIJL)

Today, senior judges and eminent jurists from around the world joined together, calling on the Government of Sri Lanka to reinstate the legal Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayake.
Sri Lanka-Impeachment Chief Justice-ICJ open letter-2012 (full text in pdf)

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris been sworn in on 15 January

The Bar Association has made clear it does not
support the appointment of Mr Peiris (right)

Sri Lanka's main lawyers association has boycotted the inauguration of the new chief justice in protest at the impeachment of his predecessor.

Mohan Peiris was sworn in last week, but the official ceremony took place on Wednesday.

Mr Peiris replaced Shirani Bandaranayake, who was removed after being impeached over allegations of financial and official misconduct.

She denies the charges and her lawyers say she did not have a fair trial.

Bishop of Colombo

Climate of fear and helplessness- Bishop of Colombo
'The numerous warnings that the Church, other religious organizations and civil society bodies repeatedly issued have been ignored and there is currently a climate of fear and helplessness, where people remain silent rather than speak out against rampant injustice. intimidation, violence and falsehoods ' says The Rt. Revd Dhiloraj Canagasabey.

Prageeth Ekneligoda

By Ruki Fernando

I had never met Prageeth Ekneligoda.
But after he disappeared, on 24th Jan. 2010, I read some of his articles.

I found them to be thought provoking and cover many issues related to freedom of expression, human rights in general, democracy etc. But what struck me most was some of his cartoons. I was first shown the cartoons at his house, by his wife Sandya, just a few days after he had disappeared.

Initial investigations say these skeletal belong to 1988 -90

The JVP yesterday called for a high level probe into the Matale mass grave, from which 79 human skulls and the skeletal remains of 78 persons, believed to have been killed during the second JVP uprising in the late 1980s, were unearthed.
JVP Propaganda Secretary and MP Vijitha Herath told The Island yesterday that according to his information there were many more mass graves containing remains of JVP activists and other youth in several parts of the country.

Sri Lanka: Is Delhi Dumb?

I do hope foreign readers will not take it as scare mongering when I say a truly alarming situation may be taking shape
Paper No. 5371, Guest Column: Dr Kumar David
Dumb is used to describe a person who is bereft of brains, and of course its literal meaning is to be deprived of the faculty of verbal articulation.

The Friday Forum is gravely concerned about the security and well being of persons who have taken positions regarding the impeachment contrary to that of the government, and continue to do so. These comprise judges and other state officials, lawyers, various civil society groups and individuals.
The right to hold and to peaceably express different opinions, and to act lawfully in furtherance of them, is basic to a free society and must be respected not only by all organs of state but also by every member of the community.

Bodu Bala Sena protest

Muslim businessmen and corporate leaders expressed concern and disappointment over being targeted by the radical group ‘Bodu Bala Sena’, warning that it would have an adverse impact on the economy as the country struggles to mobilise both domestic and foreign investment while business chambers decried growing ultra-nationalistic sentiments in the country, putting the very foundations of the economy at risk.

Sandhya Eknaligoda, wife of disappeared journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, today stated that there is a connection between the disappearance of her husband and newly appointed Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.

Thousands of youth were abducted and killed by security forces in 1988 - 90

By Saman Indrajith
Human skeletal remains excavated from a mass grave near the Matale Hospital have been preliminary dated to 1987-89 period, when over 60,000 insurgents perished in extra judicial killings by the then government sponsored death squads during the second JVP uprising.

Briefing: Sri Lanka’s Muslim IDPs 25 years on

Still searching for home nearly 25 years laterPhoto: Amantha Perera/IRIN

(IRIN) - Almost three years after the Sri Lankan government looked into resettling up to 100,000 Muslims displaced from the country’s north during the 1983-2009 civil war, thousands of Muslim families still find themselves in limbo, without the means to return to their former homes.

GoSL to Navi Pillay: your “Palpably Biased”Statement Could Hurt Engagement Between Sri Lanka and the UN System

''At the outset, I wish to reject categorically the contents of this statement, as it lacks any semblance of objectivity, steeped as it is in bias, marred by erroneous facts and further compounded by the inappropriate tenor of its language, all of which are indicative of unequal and invidious treatment of Sri Lanka.''

(Text of Letter Sent to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms.Navaneetham Pillay by Sri Lanka’s Acting Secretary of External Affairs Ministry Ms.Kshenuka Senewiratne)

Are we witness to a new and ugly chapter?

Hana Ibrahim

The final chapter of the opening act of the impeachment motion saga was written, signed and acted out last week. And it seems work on a new and uglier act has already begun.

The final chapter saw the government juggernaut bulldozing its way to the pre-ordained conclusion. That the actions contravened the rulings and opinions of both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal were of little consequence, as Parliament voted as was to be expected, and the President followed suit without missing a single beat. And so Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, was sacked and a new Chief Justice appointed, all in a matter of less than 72 hours.

India must change its Colombo policy, pleads Sri Lankan MP

By M.R. Narayan Swamy
(IANS) A prominent Sri Lankan MP wants India to change its Sri Lanka policy, warning that its hands off attitude was encouraging Colombo from meeting the legitimate political aspirations of the island's Tamil minority.
Suresh Premachandran also said in a telephonic interview that the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not sincere in having a dialogue with the elected leaders of the Tamil community.

Female lawyer supporting ex-CJ strangled

A female lawyer who has supported the impeached chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake has been strangled by a stranger on the road, Lawyers Collective member Sunil Watagala said.

She had gone to Kirulapone police station to lodge a complaint regarding an assault of a person and his mobile phone being dashed to the ground, at court premises.

The military men installed four loudspeakers close to the houses of the petitioners and played loud music and Buddhist prayers (Bana) from 5 to 8 p.m., some times till 2 a.m.in the morning

Ashraf Nagar: The Courageous Struggle of People against the Forcible Land Acquisition in Amparai District - A Statement by Women’s Action Network

Ashraf Nagar’s inhabitants can trace back their history to 1952 when it consisted of the following small villages -Aalim Nagar, Vilankadu, Kasangkeni, Muthiriyadiwattai, Pallak Kadu, Sinna Pallakkadu, Kattu Vattai, Ali Mudakadu and Aalim Chennai. Ashraf Nagar’s name was changed in the year 2006 to Oluvil first division and even though it consisted of Muslims, Sinhalese and Tamils the majority of inhabitants were Muslims. Around 156 Muslim families are said to have lived there around this period. By 1972 this number had increased to 272 families and to accommodate the growing need, a Jumma Mosque was established in Aalim Chennai.

M.A.Sumanthiran MP

by M.A.Sumanthiran M.P.

“To bereave a man of life, or by violence to confiscate his estate, without accusation or trial, would be so gross and notorious an act of despotism, as must at once convey the alarm of tyranny throughout the whole kingdom; but confinement of the person, by secretly hurrying him to jail, where his sufferings are unknown or forgotten, is a less public, a less striking, and therefore a more dangerous engine of arbitrary government”…..… Sir William Blackstone
On Tuesday, 22nd January 2013, Parliament will take up for debate the ‘Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions)’ Bill. This legislation which will, among other things, enable the police to detain a person who has been arrested without a warrant for 48 hours before producing her/him before a magistrate has resulted in serious widespread concern amongst political groups, human rights group and the legal community.

Govt Show of Force at Hulftsdorp Puts Justice to the Sword

On the Spot Report By Namini Wijedasa and Wasantha Ramanayake
The corridors of the Superior Courts building were oddly uncongested on Tuesday, the first day of work for the New Year.

Barbarians at the barricades: This was the pitiful scene that
greeted the legal fraternity and media personnel in the vicinity
of the Supreme Court in Hulftsdorp, the pinnacle of justice.
Pix by Indika Handuwala

There should have been throngs of jovial lawyers, slapping one another on their backs, and asking how the holidays had been. But attendance was markedly low. Attorneys drifted through the passageways looking apprehensive. Some assembled in small clusters, discussed current affairs in muted tones.

A lone security guard stood outside Court 502 (usually the domain of the Chief Justice) watching a drama unfold in the street below. Hundreds of policemen, armed guards and plainclothes agents had been deployed around Hulftsdorp. Every gate to the Superior Courts complex was barricaded. There were two water cannon, one of them parked near the headquarters of the Sri Lanka Bar Association.

Growing protest over re-demarcation in East, TMVP organises a shut-down campaign

The Public Administration Ministry has called for an urgent meeting with parliamentarians from the Eastern Province to resolve a fresh crisis over government plans to re-demarcate boundaries of Divisional Secretaries.
Public Administration Minister John Seneviratne said that, following complaints from political parties in the East, he had called for a meeting on Thursday to look into their grievances.

Hakeem slams hate campaign against Muslims, Buddhist monks protest against Muslim owned clothing outlet

Hakeem slams hate campaign against Muslims
Leader of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem has slammed the hate campaign being carried out by some Buddhist monks against Muslims and also expressed dismay over the inability of the police to contain a protest staged by monks in Maharagama yesterday.

LLRC action plan: Timeframes are unrealistic - Verit¬é Research.

Evaluating the National Plan of Action to implement LLRC recommendations
By Vositha Wijenayake
“Twenty eight per cent of the LLRC recommendations are omitted by the National Plan for Action to Implement the Recommendations of the LLRC,” says Sri Lanka: LLRC Implementation Monitor, a recently published statistical and analytical review by Verit¬é Research.

Kanagasabai Ranjan, The affidavit submitted by Hiran
Duminda Subasinghe, DG’s minute requesting a full report on the
investigation and The BOI agreement to import vehicle body parts

By Nirmala Kannangara

Controversy surrounds the arrest, under dubious circumstances, of Kanagasabai Ranjan, Director (Preventive), Prevention Division Directorate, Sri Lanka Customs on bribery charges. The Joint Customs Trade Union Alliance (JCTUA) claims that it is an attempt to get rid of an honest official who has always enhanced custom revenue in billions of rupees.
Kanagasabai was to be appointed Additional Director General of Customs on January 11, 2013 but was deprived of the promotion on January 3 – just one week before his promotion. He was arrested on Thursday, January 3, 2013 for an alleged bribery charge for accepting Rs.1 million to release containers of cars as full units.

Weep My Beloved Country Weep; Vile Thugs are Supreme

I, watching the scene on TV sobbed, my tears shed both with deep sadness at how she had been treated and because her elegant manner inspired a sense of triumph

Lawlessness is unleashed; rabble rousers abound and decency has fled, or is kept hidden?

We were invited to lunch at a friend’s home in Battaramulla on Black Friday as January 13th is named for it was the day that Parliament accepted the decision of the Select Committee that Her Ladyship the Chief Justice was found guilty and impeached in indecent haste. (I don’t know on what grounds, what her ‘crimes’ were and the choice of committee members on the government side left us gasping – you can name the reason for the shock: approval or disgust).

Loss Of GSP Plus Takes Its Toll

■Factories shifting to Bangladesh – TU
The loss of the GSP Plus facility that was granted by the EU to Sri Lanka is continuing to result in the closure of factories in the country resulting in thousands of employees jobless.
It is learnt that two such factories had closed down on January 2nd since they are shifting their businesses to Bangladesh, which is a reception of the GSP Plus facility.

Catherine Ashton :It is vital that Sri Lanka ensures that its international obligations

Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the EU on the impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice
The EU has followed with considerable concern the recent impeachment process against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Pro Govt mob roaming streets (photo by the author)

Dinouk Colombage
Sri Lanka’s descent towards an oppressive State is far from complete; however, recent actions carried out by the government have shown that this is progressing rapidly towards such a regime.
Media censorship, impeachment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and intimidation and assault of protesters by government supporters are all signs of regime that is not willing to accept any form of opposition.

SL military deployed ex-LTTE member, EPDP-journalist to frame Sritharan MP

(TamilNet) A former LTTE member, known as Premraj Vasanthan, allegedly recruited by the SL military intelligence for covert operations in the post-Mu’l’livaaykkal times, had visited the office of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Mr Sivagnanam Sritharan after a long time last Friday and was wandering around inside the office. On the following day, the SL “Terrorist” Investigation Department (TID) operatives raided the office of the TNA parliamentarian in Ki’linochchi, with Mr Vasanthan in their ‘custody’. The intelligence operative “located” explosives, while the SL military “discovered” pornography material and the EPDP journalist planted condoms in an apparent move to discredit and frame Mr Sritharan, who has been gaining public support from the people of Vanni.

44 persons arrested in Jaffna and detained at Booza camp in the South

Tamil Detainees in Boosa camp ( file photo)

44 persons out of 47 persons arrested previously at Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts have been detained at Booza detention camp. This information was notified by Human Rights Jaffna Regional Coordinator T.Kanagaraj.
Due to the unforeseen incidents occurred at Jaffna campus on last November 27th; four Jaffna university students including many were continuously arrested by terrorism prevention police.

Navi Pillay: will she cross the road on Sri Lanka? (Photo: from a exhibition by the Geneva lake)

OHCHR PRESS BRIEFING NOTE/Jan 18, 2013
2) Sri Lanka
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is deeply concerned that the impeachment and removal of Sri Lanka’s Chief Justice has further eroded the rule of law in the country and could also set back efforts for accountability and reconciliation.

And then they came for the judges

HIS foes accuse Mahinda Rajapaksa of many sins during his seven years as Sri Lanka’s president. They blame him for the savagery that cost so many civilian lives as his army defeated the rebel Tamil Tigers in 2009. They bridle at how he has carved up the government among his brothers, like a thriving family-run conglomerate.

Press statement by Hon. Mangala Samaraweera

All right thinking people of Sri Lanka unequivocally and unreservedly condemn the purported appointment by President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Mr. Mohan Peiris as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. This utterly irresponsible act of the President is in defiance of the judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. It is the position of all those in Sri Lanka who believe in democracy and the rule of law that Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake is, and continues to be, the lawful Chief Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) expresses grave concern at what appears to be the politically motivated impeachment of the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Madam Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
‘It is a matter of grave concern when a country – and particularly a member of the Commonwealth – claims to respect the rule of law, the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary and legal profession on the one hand, but appears to violate these on the other,’ say LSSA Co-Chairpersons Krish Govender and Jan Stemmett.

Weliamuna a leading pro democracy lawyer under death threats

Lawyers get threatening letter
Death threats for Weliamuna- UNP
Weliamuna senior Lawyer targeted for murder : MaRa plot leaks out

Impeachment of the Sri Lankan Chief Justice by Crisis Group

The impeachment of the Sri Lankan Chief Justice, Shirani Bandaranayake is possibly a watershed moment in Sri Lankan law and politics. President Rajapaksa’s 13 January decision to ratify the impeachment decided two days earlier by a parliament controlled by his ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance is the latest step in the gradual but systematic dismantling of the rule of law.

Fr. Tissa Balasuriya at 80 : At intersection of society and religion by Ajith Samaranayaka

In the memory of Fr. Tissa Balasuriya who passed away on 16th January 2013.

''He has led most of his adult life in a state of quiet rebellion against the shibboleths of his inheritance, both as a Catholic priest as well as a socially-conscious citizen,..'' Ajith Samaranayaka

Fr. Tissa Balasuriya is 80 years old today and if that suggests the image of an elder statesman, that is not quite in keeping with the central motif which has dominated most of his life.

A Hacker with twitter handle "@ThisIsGame0ver" has hacked into the official website of Sri Lanka's Media Center for National Security.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) was established for the specific purpose of disseminating all national security and defence-related information and data to the Media and the public from one co-coordinated centre.

President Mahinda Rajapakse is not merely impervious to foreign criticism — he thrives off it

AFP /His sacking of Sri Lanka’s chief justice may have prompted new international condemnation, but analysts say President Mahinda Rajapakse is not merely impervious to foreign criticism — he thrives off it.
Already cold-shouldered by the West after the bloody end to an ethnic conflict, Rajapakse drew further flak this weekend by sealing the impeachment of Shirani Bandaranayake and then installing a government adviser in her place as the country’s most senior judge.

SRI LANKA: Unleashing a period of terror again

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission
With the law, the legal institutions and the courts diminishing in value secret agencies are surfacing quite openly once again. The presence of the military and the police the night before Mohan Peiris was sworn in as chief justice and also during the day itself and the ferocious manner in which the Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, was escorted out of her official residence are images that were designed to terrorise the lawyers and citizens who were anxious and bewildered by what is taking place.

Muttukrishna Sarvananthan
The immediate post-civil war years of 2010 and 2011 in Sri Lanka were trumpeted as record-breaking eight percent or greater annual real growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for two consecutive years including the highest ever economic growth rate of 8.3% recorded in 2011. However, the GDP growth rate in 2012 is unlikely to exceed six percent and the prospect for 2013 is even less. Besides, post-civil war economic growth rates all over the world are always in double-digit and therefore there is nothing to gloat about in the high single-digit growth rate in Sri Lanka in 2010 and 2011.

Parliament will enact new legislation next Tuesday to enable the police detain a person who has been arrested without a warrant for 48 hours before producing him or her before a magistrate instead of the normal 24 hours, officials said yesterday.

The Code of Criminal Procedure (Special Provisions) that provides for such a move was presented to Parliament on October 11 last year. It is now listed in the parliament order book to be taken up for debate and approval on Tuesday.

Court complex barricaded; CJ Bandaranayake prevented speaking to media :Status Report of the Lawyers Collective

The Chief Justice was told by Police Officers that she cannot speak to the media as she is no longer the Chief Justice ( Reuters photo)

On 14th January, around 7 pm the Secretary to the President and DIG Anura Senanyaka required the Registrar of the Supreme Court to pack all belongings of the Chief Justice (Dr. Bandarayaka) and send the same to her residence.

A lawyer attempts to remove a police barrier as police officers try prevent his group from accessing
the supreme courts in Colombo January 15, 2013. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's President Mahindra Rajapaksa appointed a close ally as chief justice on Tuesday, two days after he controversially sacked the country's top judge for impeachment in the face of opposition from the Supreme Court.

Sri Lankan leader replaces chief justice with ally

(AP) Sri Lanka's president on Tuesday swore in a trusted aide to replace the chief justice he fired, a move that could lead to a judicial crisis if lawyers and judges who say the move was illegal refuse to cooperate with the new head judge.

One more instance of President Rajapaksa placing his own interest over that of the country and its institutions.

A damaging impeachment - editorial, The Hindu

Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions are in ferment once again. The impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and her quick replacement with former Attorney General Mohan Peiris come as an unsavoury climax to an unedifying standoff between the judiciary on the one hand and the legislature and executive on the other. The episode is one more instance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa placing his own and his regime’s interest over that of the country and its institutions.

Appointment of Mohan Peiris as new Chief Justice Undermines Rule of Law and Accountability in Sri Lanka - ICJ

New CJ took oath on 15 Jan 2013

International Commission of Jurists
The appointment of former Attorney General Mohan Peiris as Sri Lanka’s new Chief Justice raises serious concerns about the future of the Rule of Law and accountability in the country, the International Commission of Jurists(ICJ) said today.

Complaint to Bribery Commission against new CJ

It is reported that a complaint has been made to the Bribery Commission against the new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.
The ‘Voice of Anti-Corruption (VAC)’ made the complaint today (15th) evening stating Mr. Mohan Peiris was directly involved in a financial fraud and asking the Bribery Commission to investigate.

Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, issued the following statement on her leaving office today’.

‘I am the 43rd Chief Justice of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. As the Chief Justice, I have an obligation and an unwavering duty towards the judges, lawyers and the citizens at large of my country.

‘I stand here before you today having been unjustly persecuted, vilified and condemned. The treatment meted out to me in the past few weeks, was an ordeal no citizen let alone the Chief Justice of the Republic should be subjected to. The 32 years of continuous service at the University of Colombo and the Supreme Court, during my 54 year lifespan, I have rendered in varying capacities towards my motherland, is rewarded unfortunately, in this unjust manner.

Media were prevented entering the complex premisses

Former Presidential adviser Mr. Mohan Peiris has been appointed as the new Chief Justice by the vary same President today after politically motivated controversial impeachment against the present Chief Justice. The Supreme Court complex was ringed by hundreds of police and military personal to prevent any action by pro democracy groups. At he same time present Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake has been almost kept in house arrest by 200 odd police force who surrounded her official residence. Police prohibited media to enter her residence on the ground that she does not have right to use the premises. She was prevented holding a press conference by the political police.

Sri Lanka today looked liked a country under police rule.( courtesy:Vikalpa.org)

Reiterating its concern on the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the United States yesterday said any action that undermines an independent judiciary would impact on Sri Lanka’s ability to attract foreign investment.’
Addressing the media, during the State Department’s daily news Briefing in Washington, spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, “Well, we are deeply concerned about the impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. The impeachment proceedings against her were conducted, as you know, in defiance of the Supreme Court order. And from our perspective, this impeachment raises serious questions about the separation of powers in Sri Lanka, which is a fundamental tenet of a healthy democracy.

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The Structure of Government, Cooperation of Government Machinery and the Role of NGOs – 1 by Rajiva Wijesinha

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And then they came for the judges

Impeachment of the Sri Lankan Chief Justice by Crisis Group

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