The Friday Forum, a group of intellectuals had issued a statement expressing concerns at the steps taken for accelerated development of the city of Colombo.They say the group was formed to consider current issues of public interest with a view to making a contribution to peace, democracy, good governance and social justice in Sri Lanka.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
BASL condemns army assault on judge
May 23, 2011,
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka yesterday condemned the assault on the District Judge of Matara by army personnel on Sunday (22).
The BASL called upon the IGP and the Commander of Army to bring those suspected of having participated in the assault before the Law.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka yesterday condemned the assault on the District Judge of Matara by army personnel on Sunday (22).
The BASL called upon the IGP and the Commander of Army to bring those suspected of having participated in the assault before the Law.
Military Conference to Whitewash War Crimes
Invited Countries Should Stay Home, Press for Accountability
May 23, 2011 This conference is nothing more than a public relations exercise to whitewash abuses. No professional, law-abiding military should take part in this farce.
-Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch
TNA appeals to Russia, China
24 May 2011 / By Kelum Bandara
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will request Russia and China to urge the Sri Lankan government to work out a long lasting political solution to the national question, parliamentarian and party media spokesman Suresh Premachandran said yesterday.
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will request Russia and China to urge the Sri Lankan government to work out a long lasting political solution to the national question, parliamentarian and party media spokesman Suresh Premachandran said yesterday.
FR petitions challenge leadership training
24 May 2011
By Susitha R. Fernando
Five separate fundamental rights applications were filed in the Supreme Court yesterday by the Ceylon Teachers Union and four students who secured university entrance this year challenging the leadership training at army camps for students entering the university.
By Susitha R. Fernando
Five separate fundamental rights applications were filed in the Supreme Court yesterday by the Ceylon Teachers Union and four students who secured university entrance this year challenging the leadership training at army camps for students entering the university.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Sir, Please Treat us Kindly
If the government does not want to resolve this issue through negotiations by blindly accepting the views of the Treasury Secretary, the university system and the country would definitely lose its best scientists, engineers and medical people who cannot be replaced easily. If the government adopts at least pragmatic perspective taking into consideration its own survival, it should perceive that listening to collective action is always beneficial to the country and its posterity.
by Sumanasiri Liyanage
by Sumanasiri Liyanage
Asian States Failed to Make the UN Human Rights Council Elections Meaningful
(20 May 2011, Geneva/Bangkok)
The United Nations General Assembly today elected 15 new member States to the Human Rights Council (Council), a 47-member intergovernmental body mandated to promote universal respect for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Seats to the Council are allotted by regional groupings, and today’s election saw the inclusion of 4 new Asian members to the Council, namely India (181 votes), Indonesia (184 votes), the Philippines (183 votes) and Kuwait (166 votes). Kuwait was the last-minute candidate State, replacing Syria which had deferred its bid for a seat amidst its deplorable human rights record as protesters in the country continue to face severe and violent repression.
The United Nations General Assembly today elected 15 new member States to the Human Rights Council (Council), a 47-member intergovernmental body mandated to promote universal respect for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Seats to the Council are allotted by regional groupings, and today’s election saw the inclusion of 4 new Asian members to the Council, namely India (181 votes), Indonesia (184 votes), the Philippines (183 votes) and Kuwait (166 votes). Kuwait was the last-minute candidate State, replacing Syria which had deferred its bid for a seat amidst its deplorable human rights record as protesters in the country continue to face severe and violent repression.
Colombo targets Nalloor for Sinhalicization of the country of Eezham Tamils
22 May 2011,
The occupying genocidal Army of Sri Lanka targets Nalloor, the former capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna, for focusing its agenda of Sinhalicisation of the country of Eezham Tamils in the island, news sources in Jaffna said. The occupying Army passed curfew-like orders this weekend prohibiting the movement of people in the locality of the Nalloor Kanthasaami Temple,
The occupying genocidal Army of Sri Lanka targets Nalloor, the former capital of the Kingdom of Jaffna, for focusing its agenda of Sinhalicisation of the country of Eezham Tamils in the island, news sources in Jaffna said. The occupying Army passed curfew-like orders this weekend prohibiting the movement of people in the locality of the Nalloor Kanthasaami Temple,
Hoole Saga takes Mask Off Douglas Devananda : Implications for the President and Nation Building
Every month before the meeting of the Council Douglas has what he calls a “pre-Council Meeting” in his office where he gives instructions on how to vote on every issue. The university is thus under Douglas’ complete control.
“But Douglas through his ambitions to control the university has injected a new brand of communalism based on caste and religion despite his pretence of Marxism. It has always been part of his makeup,” says Hoole,
Sajith frowns on further militarisation of society ( militay training for unistudents)
May 22, 2011
Co-Deputy leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa accuses the government of further militarising the society despite the conclusion of the war in May two years ago.
The Hambantota District MP who is also the Deputy Opposition Leader urged the government to abandon a plan to provide a three-week training to some 10,000 university entrants. In a media statement, MP Premadasa expressed serious concern over the Defence Ministry being involved in the project.
Co-Deputy leader of the UNP Sajith Premadasa accuses the government of further militarising the society despite the conclusion of the war in May two years ago.
The Hambantota District MP who is also the Deputy Opposition Leader urged the government to abandon a plan to provide a three-week training to some 10,000 university entrants. In a media statement, MP Premadasa expressed serious concern over the Defence Ministry being involved in the project.
Don’t send’em for training - JVP
23 May 2011
By Yohan Perera
The JVP yesterday requested the parents of students who had been selected to the universities not to send their children for leadership training in military camps which is scheduled to begin today.
JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news conference yesterday that they wanted the parents not to send their children for the proposed training programme. “Take a firm decision as there is no provision in the law for the higher education authorities to take action against your children if they fail to attend the training sessions,” Mr. Dissanayake told journalists yesterday.
By Yohan Perera
The JVP yesterday requested the parents of students who had been selected to the universities not to send their children for leadership training in military camps which is scheduled to begin today.
JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news conference yesterday that they wanted the parents not to send their children for the proposed training programme. “Take a firm decision as there is no provision in the law for the higher education authorities to take action against your children if they fail to attend the training sessions,” Mr. Dissanayake told journalists yesterday.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
‘Sinhalisation’ continues, not only in Jaffna, but also in Colombo
The masses, climbed into an array of vehicles, some parents had kids sitting in the boot of cars as they toured the country viewing the many Vesak spectacles and queuing up outside the generous dansala’s.
Removing the Emperor’s Clothes
But let us not get side-tracked by the apparent stupidity of the Ministry of Higher Education. This is not about leadership training; this is part of the regime’s plan to control dissent. Rather than producing young people with inquiring, critical minds; young people who are passionate and who are willing to fight for causes they believe in, this regime wants a generation of mindless robots who will obediently follow orders.
Sri Lanka won this battle with the help of countries like India, US and Britain - Professor Rohan Gunaratna
- The government should try to establish a mainstream Tamil political leadership in the North and East.
- Norway has played a sincere and genuine role in bringing about peace during the CFA period
- Sri Lanka should invite the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Ms. Jayalalithaa to Sri Lanka and explain the reality.
University students get marching orders for leadership programme
With the “Leadership and Positive Attitude Development” programme scheduled to start tomorrow at various Army camps, Nadia Fazlulhaq speaks to concerned parents of new entrants to universities, students’ unions and officials involved in the programme
The disputed leadership programme organized by the Higher Education Ministry in collaboration with the Defence Ministry has officials defending it as a programme aimed at making universities violence-free while parents of university entrants and students union leaders have voiced concern.
Govt Militarising uni students: UNP
22 May 2011
The United National Party (UNP) today condemned the government’s decision to go a ‘leadership’ training programme for university new entrants inside military camps.“There is no legal provision to conduct such programme and it has not been discussed in parliament as well”, the UNP said in a statement.
The United National Party (UNP) today condemned the government’s decision to go a ‘leadership’ training programme for university new entrants inside military camps.“There is no legal provision to conduct such programme and it has not been discussed in parliament as well”, the UNP said in a statement.
Case dropped against author Sarah Malanie Perera
By ANIQA HAIDER / May 22, 2011
A BAHRAIN-based author who was stranded in Sri Lanka for nearly 14 months after being accused of blasphemy has had the case against her dropped.
Sarah Malanie Perera was detained via emergency laws in Colombo in March last year for alleged "anti-state" activities and links to Islamic militants.
A BAHRAIN-based author who was stranded in Sri Lanka for nearly 14 months after being accused of blasphemy has had the case against her dropped.
Sarah Malanie Perera was detained via emergency laws in Colombo in March last year for alleged "anti-state" activities and links to Islamic militants.
5 proposals from JVP to government to establish democracy & prevent imperialist intervention
Withdrawing of emergency regulations, revoking ‘Prevention of terrorism Act’, releasing Gen. Sarath Fonseka, releasing Tamil political prisoners and establishing media freedom are the five proposals of the JVP.
Sri Lanka defends Buddhism – against London restaurant
TamilNet, 22 May 2011,
Sri Lanka’s Sinhala nationalist constitution - introduced in 1972 in contemptuous dismissal of the protests of the Tamils and their elected leaders - makes it “the duty of the state to protect and foster” Buddhism. This is a responsibility Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Britain apparently takes very seriously: according to a London newspaper, the mission has “whipped up” a campaign against a local Nepalese restaurant, the ‘Greedy Buddha’, whose owner is being bombarded with abusive and aggressive emails and letters, some of which threaten violence.
Sri Lanka’s Sinhala nationalist constitution - introduced in 1972 in contemptuous dismissal of the protests of the Tamils and their elected leaders - makes it “the duty of the state to protect and foster” Buddhism. This is a responsibility Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Britain apparently takes very seriously: according to a London newspaper, the mission has “whipped up” a campaign against a local Nepalese restaurant, the ‘Greedy Buddha’, whose owner is being bombarded with abusive and aggressive emails and letters, some of which threaten violence.
G.L.Peiris visit a flop: India browbeats Lanka
Sunday Times
- Minister agrees to develop on 13th Amendment with Tamil parties, will include police and land powers
- New Delhi non-committal on international probe on alleged war crimes; sellout on fishing crisis
Uni students in police training before Army stint
By Gayan Kumara Weerasingha
Around 1500 university students have already been absorbed into the Police Training College (PTC) with the intention of providing them with leadership skills, Police department sources said.
A Police department source added that these students have been absorbed into PTCs situated at Pathgama, Mahiyangana, Elpitiya, Kundasale and Nikaweratiya.
Around 1500 university students have already been absorbed into the Police Training College (PTC) with the intention of providing them with leadership skills, Police department sources said.
A Police department source added that these students have been absorbed into PTCs situated at Pathgama, Mahiyangana, Elpitiya, Kundasale and Nikaweratiya.
JVP, PNM in islandwide protests against Indian interference
By Chris Kamalendran
Two separate fronts are set to launch protest campaigns against Indian pressure on the Sri Lanka government to amend the Constitution, probe human rights abuses and finalise Indian commercial projects in the country.
Two separate fronts are set to launch protest campaigns against Indian pressure on the Sri Lanka government to amend the Constitution, probe human rights abuses and finalise Indian commercial projects in the country.
Lanka launches pre-emptive strike at UNHRC
By Chandani Kirinde
Sri Lanka is to carry out a pre-emptive campaign ahead of the UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva next week to ward-off any moves to trigger a debate on allegations of human rights violations during the last stages of the fighting against the LTTE.
Sri Lanka is to carry out a pre-emptive campaign ahead of the UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva next week to ward-off any moves to trigger a debate on allegations of human rights violations during the last stages of the fighting against the LTTE.
Buildings belonging to Sabaragamuwa university taken over for military training camp
2011-05-22
A building complex in Buttala belonging to the Sabaragamuwa university has been taken by the Higher Education Ministry to commence a military school, it is learnt.
Residents in Buttala have raised objections to the move with the Higher Education Ministry saying that the buildings should not be used for a military establishment.
A building complex in Buttala belonging to the Sabaragamuwa university has been taken by the Higher Education Ministry to commence a military school, it is learnt.
Residents in Buttala have raised objections to the move with the Higher Education Ministry saying that the buildings should not be used for a military establishment.
Undestanding Gotabaya Rajapaksha
Out of the three brothers of Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya is the most arrogant and brainless one, due to his inability to cope up with and handle the most important Ministry in the country due to his in-experience to administer it and his lack of education and the heavy work load under his authority has created many problems for him to handle this Ministry.
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