SLMC betrayal: Muslims should return to mainstream parties

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem addressing an election campaign rally.

Latheef Farook

It was deliberate deception and calculated betrayal by the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress.�This is how most Muslims describe the SLMC’s decision to join the very party – in this instance the ruling United Peoples Front Alliance (UPFA) — which it severely criticised to win votes and deceive people during the recent Eastern Provincial Council elections.
The Muslims were suspicious of the SLMC when it criticised the government, while being part of it, in view of its past record of letting down the community.

UNP: Key LRRC recommendations not implemented

No independent commissions appointed

The government had not implemented the key recommendations of its very own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission(LLRC) yet and was fighting shy of facing the United Nations Human Rights Commission(UNHRC), the UNP said yesterday.

It was the Rajapaksa regime that had asked the UNHRC for time to implement the LLRC recommendations such as the re-establishment of independent public, police, elections, judicial service and bribery and corruption commissions, but over a year after the Commission had released its findings there had been no progress with regard to transparency and accountability, UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella said.

Fonny dances to Western tunes again

SO cortoon

Sarath Fonseka has again attempted to undermine the supreme sacrifices made by soldiers of the same Army he once commanded. Exploiting the special Presidential pardon that enabled him to leave prison with more than three years of his full five-and-a-half-year jail term left, Fonseka is now attempting to play the role of a traitor, political analysts said yesterday.

No More Diplomatic Appointments - Tamara Kunanayakam

Ambassador Tamara Manimehalai Kunanayakam, presently the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva had categorically stated that she is no more interested in holding any diplomatic position.  She said that she is not going to accept the position of Ambassador either to Cuba or Brazil and also not interested in continuing as the Head of the Permanent Mission in Geneva.

LLRC implementation: Now the Government tells NGOs, COME WITH US!

By Namini Wijedasa
The government will involve NGO critics in the drafting of its action plan on implementing the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, a key presidential adviser said last week.      Mohan Pieris, the former attorney general, revealed details of what he called the ‘preliminaries to the main action plan’ in an interview with LAKBIMAnEWS last week.

Guided democracy

''These far reaching reforms were not the result of any home-grown proposal. In fact, no group or political association in the country asked for it. Indeed, the largest of them, the Ceylon National Congress, opposed the extension of the franchise.''

What’s next for General Fonseka?

Mohamed Hisham
''Yet, he will have to manage the charisma, admiration and respect he commands across the country and importantly from every part of the society to maneuver through the rough political terrains in bringing together , the young and old, ambitious and reserved, Northern and Southern, rich and poor, friends and old-friends, young people and the intellects, Marxists and the capitalists, and the list goes on''

Ready to answer allegations about the war crimes - Sarath Fonseka

GV editors note: In the transcript below and the video of it available on the BBC online, the BBC correspondent in Sri Lanka Charles Haviland asks “Are the terms of your release unconditional – will you be allowed to go  back to politics?”

Sri Lanka: The Sarath Fonseka Riddle – Analysis

By Dr. Kumar David
Why did President Mahinda Rajapakse, this week, release on presidential pardon, his arch rival and supposed war hero General Sarath Fonseka (SF), imprisoned by a military tribunal in a process which most perceive as a kangaroo court, and on charges that carry little credence in the public mind?

SF to form a new party and to join a common opposition

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who was released on a special presidential pardon on Monday, is to form a new political party named, ‘Democratic Party’ led by him, MP Jayantha Ketagoda said. “We have already forwarded the application to the Elections Secretariat for registration and awaiting its approval,” said Mr. Ketagoda, who is the Chairman of the party.

Abduction of local body member –Black economy not white Van behind this time

A member of the Bulathsinghala  local body member was abducted on the 20th  evening . She had been involved in financial deals with a Coordinating Secretary of the President and been the center of a number of conflicts and disputes between them.

JHU wary of Western moves amidst SF’s release

In the wake of Gen. Sarath Fonseka’s release, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) warned that the government would have to carefully watch how Western powers reacted to the latest development. The JHU’s National Organizer, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe told The Island that the impact of the former army commander’s unexpected release on the political scene should be studied.

Out of jail, Sri Lankan ex-general says government must go

He was pardoned by the president and released from jail, but Sri Lankan former army chief Sarath Fonseka had nothing but scorn for the government on his first day of freedom and vowed to fight for its downfall.
The ex-general said it could take 5 to 10 years to change the political culture of the island nation but he was determined to join forces with opposition parties even if the terms of his release prevented him from standing for office.

Reloading General Sarath Fonseka for a post-paid Sinhala package

Kusal Perera
The V-Day celebrations were on, as this piece was written. A military victory being commemorated at the Galle face esplanade, celebrated as the 3rd anniversary of defeating the LTTE “terrorism”. President Rajapaksa bragged about what positives the military victory brought to this country.

SF release: Responding decisively to international pressure

by Jehan Perera
The news of the presidential pardon for former army commander Sarath Fonseka which could see him free from prison would be welcomed by most Sri Lankans, regardless of their political persuasions. At the time of his imprisonment it was scarcely possible to believe that the former army commander who had been hailed by the government as a hero for leading the army to victory over the LTTE, could be treated so soon as a villain.

SF free, battle on for civic rights

Former Army Commander and defeated presidential candidate Gen. Sarath Fonseka was released from prison yesterday evening amidst cheers from a large number of his supporters who thronged the streets near the Welikada Prison waving flags and shouting slogans.

SF no threat to MR - Wimal

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday said that General Sarath Fonseka would not be a major threat to President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the future. Fonseka’s popularity had reached the zenith when he contested the Presidential polls, he said.

Govt. should reveal list of ministers -JVP

The JVP demanded that the government reveal the list of ministers who influenced the President to arrest former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka.  Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake alleged that the President had claimed that it was due to the influence of certain ministers’ that Sarath Fonseka was brought before Court.

I am safe among people - SF

Former army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who walked out a free man yesterday, said he will be safe among people, and those who are well aware of the service he  rendered to the nation, will protect him.  
“I have immense confidence in people and I honestly feel they will not jeopardize me” a jubilant Sarath Fonseka said.

Sri Lanka Releases Ex-Army Chief From Prison

The former Sri Lankan army chief, Sarath Fonseka, who had spent nearly two years in prison after running a failed campaign for president, was freed on Monday. His release came as the Sri Lankan government has been increasingly criticized for trampling on civil liberties and human rights.