Prof. Harendra calls for end to silence :4000 children abused in a year

Professor Harendra: "today’s abused child is tomorrow’s abuser,"

Professor Harendra de Silva, Professor of Pediatrics, yesterday called on every individual to be active and work together as one community to eradicate child abuse and not to be passive perpetrators being silent on the issue.

Addressing the first news briefing of the ‘Citizens for a Secure Sri Lanka’, an informal network to protect women and children from abuse (It was formed two months ago by a group of individuals working in different organizations), the professor categorically said that if an individual remained passive over abuse cases, he or she was similar to a perpetrator and they were called passive perpetrators.

CMB based Pakistani diplomat linked to espionage module

Pakistani (in black) and Indian (in brown) border guards

Amir Zubair Siddiqui, a diplomat attached to the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka, has been named in the First Information Report (FIR) on the suspected ISI-sponsored espionage module busted by the Tamil Nadu police in Thanjavur on Monday, police sources said on Thursday.

Mr. Siddiqui, whose designation is given as Counsellor (Visa) in the official website of the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka, is alleged to have instructed Thamim Ansari of Adiramapattinam in Thanjavur district to videograph sensitive defence installations in India through his agents Haji and Shaji residing in Colombo, the sources said.

Manmohan meets Rajapaksa, presses for fast-tracking Tamil solution

Rajapaksa also called on President Pranab Mukherjee.

India Thursday pressed Sri Lanka to speed up the process devolution of powers so that the Tamil citizens of the island nation can live in dignity and underlined the need to treat fishermen straying across maritime boundary humanely.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed a cluster of issues that impinge on bilateral relations, with the two sides deciding to intensify economic and cultural ties.

Manmohan Singh also hosted a private dinner for the Lankan leader at his 7, Race Course Road residence which was attended by a select list of invitees.

Deported Sri Lankans arrive home from UK amid torture fears

Deportees meet family members

A group of 25 Sri Lankans deported from the UK has arrived in Sri Lanka, amid warnings that Tamils among them may be tortured.
UK officials said on Wednesday that 60 failed asylum seekers and visa overstayers were being sent back.
But many won last-minute court injunctions preventing their return.
Human rights groups say that some Tamils who were sent back are in danger of being tortured because of their alleged links to separatist rebels.

Protesters led by Buddhist monks oppose UN human rights officials' visit to Sri Lanka

Hundreds of Sri Lankans protested Thursday against a visit by U.N. officials to discuss human rights issues during the country's civil war.

Monks led about 300 protesters from the Buddhist nationalist National Heritage Party during the demonstration opposite a local U.N. office. They complained Sri Lanka is being unfairly criticized for alleged abuses as the war was ending in 2009.

{photo: Supporters of Jathika Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka's pro-government political party, hold placards in a protest outside the United Nations office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. The United Nations had recently singled out 16 nations including Sri Lanka for cracking down on critics, saying most of those countries' governments are going unpunished for their acts of reprisal. (AP Photo/Chamila Karunarathne)}

Nightmares of Sri Lankan journalists in asylum in Europe

File photo by UNHRC

Frances Harrison
The war may be over in Sri Lanka, but it is still not safe for journalists there
I recently received a heartbreaking email saying a Sri Lankan journalist, his wife and nine year old child had spent the night with all their suitcases on a bench in a park in Paris. He’d been thrown out of the house where he was been staying, after losing his part time job washing dishes in a restaurant. It was difficult to organise emergency help because media organisations were shut over the weekend and his mobile phone was often switched off to preserve the credit.

Sri Lanka: only way forward is set up independent international mechanism to investigate crimes against humanity - HRW , Geneva

Juliette de Rivero Geneva Director of Human Rights Watch

Juliette De Rivero / Human Rights Watch, Geneva

At  its March 2012 session, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Sri Lanka calling on the government to implement the recommendations of its Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) on accountability and other issues. Instead of committing to working with the Council, the Sri Lankan government denounced the resolution as interference, while local human rights defenders advocating for the resolution were publicly threatened.

‘Divi Neguma’ Dept: Development catalyst, dependency creator or just a white elephant?

Basil R: on right gets the Divinaguma dept

Charitha Ratwatte
The Government has gazetted a Bill, on 27 July 2012, to set up a Divi Neguma Department, which will take over the existing Samurdhi Authority, the Southern Development Authority and the Udarata Development Authority (successor to the Kandyan Peasantry Commission).

The Bill will also set up a Divi Neguma Community Based Organisation, Divi Neguma Community Based Banks and Banking Societies.
It is significant that what is being established is a run-of-the-mill Government department which will have to comply with the full force of the Financial Regulations (FR), Administrative Regulations (AR) and the Establishment Code (Esta Code).

FUTA Strike and the Conspiracy Stories

Prof. Uyangoda:allegations are malicious, absurd and totally untrue

Jayadeva Uyangoda, Member, Arts Faculty Teachers’ Association (AFTA), University of Colombo

 Some politicians and media officials linked to the government have begun to describe the FUTA strike as  an attempt to overthrow the present government. Some have even come out with the fantastic idea that the F UTA is planning a ‘Suharto style’ conspiracy.  I understand that my name has been linked to this imagined conspiracy, either as a co-conspirator, or even as the leading conspirator.  I don’t think I deserve such an honour.

Although I am amused by these conspiracy stories, which are nothing but political mud-slinging against the FUTA, I am also concerned about them, because they are propagated in some sections of the government media, with sinister objectives.

Sri Lankan Army still has vast presence in North & East

Nirupama Subramanian

More than three years after winning the war against the LTTE, the Sri Lankan Army retains an overwhelming presence in the North and East of the island, deploying 16 out of its 19 divisions in the Tamil-dominated regions.

Information available with The Hindu indicates that besides three divisions in Jaffna, there are three each in Killinochchi and Mullaithivu, while five divisions are stationed in Vavuniya. Another two divisions are deployed in the East. Three divisions are headquartered in southern Sri Lanka.

The information, from an internal Sri Lankan military document showing the deployment in a series of maps for a PowerPoint presentation, is for the month of June 2012, but there have been no significant changes since then.

A former Indian Army officer, Colonel (retd.) R. Hariharan, who was with the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, and with whom The Hindu shared the information for an assessment, said the manner in which the troops were spread out in the entire North and East was suggestive more of an Army in ‘operational readiness’ than in post-conflict repose.

Post Conflict Sri Lanka: Rebuilding of Society and Roadblocks to Ethnic Reconciliation

Col R Hariharan
Post Conflict Sri Lanka: Rebuilding of the Society, / Edited by VR Raghavan
Sri Lanka army ended 25 years of Tamil separatist insurgency on May 19, 2009 when it defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But the victory in what the government called the Humanitarian War (an oxymoron as no war is humanitarian) came at a colossal cost.

Three lakhs of people became destitute in the war torn Northern Province. Infrastructure and public services totally destroyed during the war are yet to be fully restored. The trauma of war is very much there in Northern Province putting strains on Sri Lankan society. And the political process to bring back the Tamils to national mainstream is not making much headway.

A TNA-led Administration in North is Necessary to Show Govt It Cannot Get Away with Everything Everywhere

Kath Noble
Mahinda Rajapaksa must really love elections. Since he came to power, at least some part of the country has gone to the polls almost every year, sometimes more than once.

We had local and provincial council elections in both 2008 and 2009, parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010, more local elections in 2011 and now more provincial council elections in 2012. No prizes for guessing that in 2013 somebody somewhere in Sri Lanka will be voting.

I hope that it will be the turn of the Northern Province.

Malaka Silva episode: Complaint withdrawn under duress-SF .

Fonseka: Military is very unhappy

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka charged that it was clear that the Army major who had complained that he had been assaulted by Malaka Silva withdrew his complaint under duress.

“This is another classic example of the situation prevailing in this country. The whole country, including the Army, know that this major was assaulted by these thugs. Now if it has come to a stage where the major has given an affidavit. It must have been done under duress. During the earlier stages of this incident it was known that when Malaka Silva wanted to return the pistol to him, he refused to take it. So now you can see what is happening in this country” he said.

Whither governance and rule of law? - Editorial Daily Mirror

The ‘Malaka Silva’ affair has been ‘the’ incident during the last few days with media taking great pains not to miss a wee bit of the drama unfolded—which even Malaka’s father, Minister Mervyn Silva said that led to the sale of unsalable newspapers in the country.

But did anybody express his or her surprise at how the events unfolded? How the police had to good-naturedly wait for the surrender of Malaka instead of going after the suspect as in the case of the village rowdy, Kalu Malli?

‘Victorious’ government and the defeated masses…

 Vigitha Herath 

Abortion is legally banned in Sri Lanka. Despite the ban, it is common knowledge that these illegal activities prevail in the country, under cover.
While some say that killing a child about to be born is a crime, others may argue that abortion is a woman’s right. Most of these abortions take place without the intervention of the government.

However, there is a process of abortion that the government carries out with its direct intervention. This is widely implemented in the sector of provincial councils.

Sri Lanka’s death toll sadly surpasses the death toll in Syria, and yet there is no discussion of a Commission of Inquiry

LTTE leaders arrested but disappeared 

Tasha Manoranjan/Pasumai Thaayagam / 21 session HRC

Thank you Madam President.  
Pasumai Thaayagam welcomes this Council’s attention to the tragic situation unfolding in Syria. We support the Council’s Commission of Inquiry for Syria, and urge the Council to extend the Commission’s mandate in order to ensure that accountability – a necessary precursor to lasting peace – is achieved.

Sampanthan Tells President That TNA Would Have Come First In East if Elections Had Been Free and Fair

Voting for Eastern PC

(Text of a press communique issued by the Tamil National Alliance)
 Following on an invitation from Mr Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the President to the TNA leader Mr. R Sampanthan on the night of 1th September 2012, for a meeting at the Presidents House on 18th morning, a meeting took place between the President and Mr. Sampanthan as arranged. Ministers Maithripala Sirisena and Prof G L Peiris were also present at the meeting.

The President congratulated Mr. Sampanthan on coming a good second at the Eastern Provincial Council Elections and Mr. Sampanthan stated that if the Elections had been free and fair the TNA would have come first.

Condemn and respond to harassment and intimidation against human rights defenders In Sri Lanka - LRWC

Vani Selvarajah/Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
Thank you Mr. President.
Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada welcomes the Secretary General’s report detailing cases
of reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations. We welcome the importance and
much needed attention given to this serious issue.
We would like to particularly thank Madam President and Madam High Commissioner
for repeatedly raising concerns about reprisals, and the Secretary General for reminding
states of their responsibility to protect those who risk their lives to defend human rights.

SEC: Dhammika Perera Appointment Fails To Inspire Transparency Hopes

Dhammika Perera

By Faraz Shauketaly

The appointment of Dhammika Perera as the Deputy Director General (DDG) at the Securities and Exchange Commission has failed to halt the flow of negativity associated with Sri Lanka’s stock market regulator. Many veteran investors question the suitability of the new DDG and say that his record in the past does not augur well for the workload of current investigations to be completed. According to our sources – Dhammika Perera has constantly called for cases to be compounded as opposed to a prosecution, especially when it came to investigations of high profile investors, traders and  politicians.

Sri Lanka kidney disease blamed on farm chemicals

 Rhitu Chatterjee 

Thousands of people in the Asian island nation of Sri Lanka have been struck by a mysterious and deadly form of kidney disease. A new study points to a likely cause - pesticides and fertilisers.

Tucked away in Sri Lanka's North Central Province is the village of Halmillawetiya. A pebbled path connects small houses of brick and mud set among coconut palms and other tropical trees.
Sampath Kumarasinghe, aged 21, lives here with his widowed mother and extended family.
I find him resting on a wooden bench in the front yard. His mother, P Dingirimenike, sits close by, talking and cutting areca nuts, which people chew like tobacco. The sounds of a radio waft from the house.

Suspected spy working through Colombo for Pakistan arrested in Tamil Nadu

(photo  news24x7) Thameen Ansari in the court

Chennai: A suspected spy, passing sensitive defence information to Pakistan's intelligence agency through its High Commission in Colombo, was arrested in Tamil Nadu on Monday.

"Thameen Ansari, 33 of Tanjavur district is a frequent visitor to Sri Lanka on the pretext of exporting vegetabls there. He was handled by two Sri Lankans. He was asked to pass on pictures of Indian naval installations, nuclear submarine at Vizag and ports like Karaikal. After watching him for a long time, police apprehended him," Inspector General of Police (Intelligence/Internal Security) Abhash Kumar told IANS.

Court releases Srilankamirror journalists

Mirror journalists: unlawful arrest

Colombo additional magistrate Prasanna Alwis today (Sept. 18) ordered the release of srilankamirror and srilankaxnews journalists, until such time notice is issued on them to appear before the court again.
The court was taking up a petition filed against the two news websites, accusing them of publishing articles defamatory of the president and inconveniencing the government.
 

Govt leaders incite hatred against HRDs - IMADR

Nimalka: Stop hate campaigns against HRDs

Nimalka Fernando/THE  INTERNATIONAL  MOVEMENT  AGAINST  ALL  FORMS  OF  DISCRIMINATION  AND  RACISM
Thank you Madame President,
We take note of the response of the government of Sri Lanka to the council resolution A/HRC/19/2. Nevertheless, we regret that political leaders of the ruling coalition continue to incite hatred and antagonism against HRDs using phrases such as “the plot of the international community”, “agents of the UN working against the motherland”. Furthermore Sri Lanka has failed to institute investigation related to (a) the threats expressed by the Deputy Minister against HRDs and his claim that a journalist fled the country after being assaulted by his people (b) state control media which carried out a hate campaign against the HRDs during the 19th session as reported in the UNSG Report A/HRC/21/18.

Smiling Mahinda:Is Sri Lanka then well on the way to becoming a southern Teesta?

Neena Gopal
The visit by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse to Sanchi this coming week when he inaugurates an international Buddhist university and holds talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi has already set off angry protests in Tamil Nadu. But the question is — is this going to be the only test faced by the increasingly straitened Indo-Sri Lanka ties?
Clearly, while the recent unfortunate attack on ethnic Lankan Tamil pilgrims to the Velankani shrine was a misfire of sorts, with protesters not realising that the Sri Lankans they had attacked were not Sinhalas but Tamil Christians, more orchestrated attacks can be expected this week in the run-up to the visit, upping the embarrassment quotient.

UN Faults 16 Gov'ts ( including Sri Lanka) for Reprisals Against Critics

Pillay:''lack of accountability in relation
to the majority of reported cases of reprisals''

By JOHN HEILPRIN
The United Nations has singled out 16 nations for cracking down on critics, saying most of those countries' governments are going unpunished for their acts of reprisal.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay told a special session of the Human Rights Council that the 16 nations detailed in a new report "have been far from sufficient" in preventing members of their own governments from resorting to intimidation and attacks on various activists.

"Reprisals and intimidation against individuals continue to be reported," she told the 47-nation council. "People may be threatened or harassed by government officials, including through public statements by high-level authorities.