The Army has taken over control at the Dambulla Economic centre - a day after police and farmers clashed during a protest agaisnt the law on compulsory use of plastic crates to transport vegetables. More than 300 army personnel have been deployed in the Dambulla Economic Centre, despite only a few lorries turning up with vegetables. Most shops remains closed as the usual number of lorries failed to turn up.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
42 Political Activists and HRDs Detained and Prevented from Participating in Peaceful Protest in Jaffna Town on Human Rights Day
On December 10th 2011, a group of 42 HRDs and political activists from the South of Sri Lanka were detained by police in the Northern town of Jaffna and prevented from attending a protest to mark international human rights day in Jaffna. Events to mark Human Rights Day including protests in other parts of Sri Lanka such as in Colombo, Kandy and Kurunegela were allowed to take place without disruption. However in Jaffna the police detained HRDs travelling to the protest and also attempted to disperse those gathered at the main protest venue in Jaffna town.
Condemn government’s policy of suppressing opponents
The Political Bureau of the JVP has issued a media statement regarding the two disappeared political activists Lalith Kumara and Kugan Murugan whose whereabouts are still not known. Here is the full text of the JVP statement:
Amnesty International: Fears for missing Sri Lankan activists
Sri Lankan political activists Lalith Kumara Weeraraju and Kugan Muruganandan have been missing since 9 December. They were arranging a press conference for the following day to publicize a protest. Lalith Kumara Weeraraju’s family received a phone call saying that he had been killed.
Sri Lanka asked to deal with crowded prisons; ICRC meets Hakeem to seek post-war role
Shamindra Ferdinando
With the rapid diminishing of its role in Sri Lanka, due to the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009, the ICRC is now seeking a larger role in revamping the country’s prisons. The Geneva-headquartered humanitarian agency wants an agreement with the government regarding its post-conflict role here.
With the rapid diminishing of its role in Sri Lanka, due to the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009, the ICRC is now seeking a larger role in revamping the country’s prisons. The Geneva-headquartered humanitarian agency wants an agreement with the government regarding its post-conflict role here.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Call to investigate Sri Lanka disappearances
A human rights group has called on Sri Lanka's government to investigate the disappearance of two activists in the northern city of Jaffna. Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganathan disappeared last week. They organised demonstrations on behalf of the families of missing people.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Democracies, dictatorships and the exercise of civic responsibilities
Jayantha Dhanapala
My first words must of course, be words of sincere thanks to Transparency International Sri Lanka for inviting me on this important annual occasion of the National Integrity Awards held, most appropriately, today on United Nations’ International Anti-Corruption Day.
My first words must of course, be words of sincere thanks to Transparency International Sri Lanka for inviting me on this important annual occasion of the National Integrity Awards held, most appropriately, today on United Nations’ International Anti-Corruption Day.
Lankan development dropout due to corruption : Presidential Advisor Ashoka de Silva
Former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka and Presidential Advisor Ashoka de Silva says that the country's development rate has dropped by 2 percent due to the increase in corruption. De Silva has said that corruption costs Rs. 100 billion to the country, which in turn affects the poverty levels.
TNA should demand transfer of power from military to elected provincial councils in North and East as pre-condition for participation in parliamentary select committee
Sumanasiri Liayanage
Although I took up this and related issues many a time before, the current impasse in talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has compelled me to address those issues once again as, in my view, the resolution of the national question would be key to Sri Lanka’s future.
Although I took up this and related issues many a time before, the current impasse in talks between the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has compelled me to address those issues once again as, in my view, the resolution of the national question would be key to Sri Lanka’s future.
Police, Army go on crate watch
Reports say that a large number of lorries transporting vegetables to Colombo has been taken to the Nawaloka ground with the intervention of police and Army. The lorries heading for Colombo when they were stopped by the police and the Army for not complying with latest regulations of the Trade Ministry.
A twenty-eight year old man from Chunnakan, Jaffna was killed in police custody and his body dumped in a river
Sri Skandaraja Sumanan, a twenty eight year old man was taken into custody by two persons in civilian dress who identified themselves as officers from the Police Intelligence Services. He was taken into custody at the junction of Punnaly Kattuwan, in front of a barber shop. He sat between the two officers on their motorcycle and was taken to the Jaffna Police Station.
HR groups fear for lives of two missing JVP dissidents
Norman Palihawadane
Human Rights and civil organizations fear for the lives of two missing members of the Movement for People’s Struggle. An organizer of the MPS, formed by JVP dissidents, and another individual are reportedly missing since Friday. Their whereabouts are unknown since leaving to make arrangements for a media conference to be held in Jaffna on Saturday, Convener of the MPS Chameera Koswatte said.
Human Rights and civil organizations fear for the lives of two missing members of the Movement for People’s Struggle. An organizer of the MPS, formed by JVP dissidents, and another individual are reportedly missing since Friday. Their whereabouts are unknown since leaving to make arrangements for a media conference to be held in Jaffna on Saturday, Convener of the MPS Chameera Koswatte said.
JVP presents 13-point plan for reconciliation
Shamindra Ferdinando
The JVP on Saturday (Dec. 10) said that those held for their alleged involvement with the LTTE should have been tried before Tamil speaking judges. Launching a special political campaign in the Northern Province, the JVP lambasted the UPFA government for keeping LTTEsuspects in the dark as to what was going on in courts.
The JVP on Saturday (Dec. 10) said that those held for their alleged involvement with the LTTE should have been tried before Tamil speaking judges. Launching a special political campaign in the Northern Province, the JVP lambasted the UPFA government for keeping LTTEsuspects in the dark as to what was going on in courts.
Sri Lanka Supreme Court to hear petition against the blocking of websites next year
Sri Lanka Supreme Court yesterday announced that the petition filed by the Free Media Movement (FMM) against the blocking of five news websites would be taken up for hearing next year.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
President Rajapaksa makes convicted criminal Iniya Barathy a ‘Deshamanya’
Tisaranee Gunasekara
It was an explosive revelation by any yardstick. The former Questioned Documents Examiner of the Elections Department had determined that the 62 ballot papers found abandoned near the Ratnapura technical college (and marked for common oppositional candidate Sarath Fonseka) were authentic and not photocopies.
It was an explosive revelation by any yardstick. The former Questioned Documents Examiner of the Elections Department had determined that the 62 ballot papers found abandoned near the Ratnapura technical college (and marked for common oppositional candidate Sarath Fonseka) were authentic and not photocopies.
Supreme Court determines land is a devolved subject coming under provincial councils
Namini Wijedasa
The government last week withdrew an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Ordinance that if passed would have given the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs vast powers over any private property in the country.
The government last week withdrew an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Ordinance that if passed would have given the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs vast powers over any private property in the country.
Abducted JVP organiser in Jaffna feared killed
[TamilNet]
Lalith Veeraraj, the Jaffna district organiser of the Movement for People’s Struggle, a JVP dissident group and his friend Kugan Murugananthan, who were reported missing in Achchuveali on Friday are feared killed, according to the MPS faction of the JVP which staged a press conference in Jaffna on Saturday.
Lalith Veeraraj, the Jaffna district organiser of the Movement for People’s Struggle, a JVP dissident group and his friend Kugan Murugananthan, who were reported missing in Achchuveali on Friday are feared killed, according to the MPS faction of the JVP which staged a press conference in Jaffna on Saturday.
HR activists abducted in North Police abort demo by missing persons’ next-of-kin
Chris Kamalendran
Two activists from the Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS) were abducted from a suburb in Jaffna on Friday evening, a day ahead of International Human Rights Day yesterday. The Movement’s Jaffna District organiser, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Murugappan Kugan were grabbed at Avarankal Road in Jaffna, while riding his motorcycle home, MPS spokesman, Udul Premaratne said.
Two activists from the Movement for People’s Struggle (MPS) were abducted from a suburb in Jaffna on Friday evening, a day ahead of International Human Rights Day yesterday. The Movement’s Jaffna District organiser, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Murugappan Kugan were grabbed at Avarankal Road in Jaffna, while riding his motorcycle home, MPS spokesman, Udul Premaratne said.
Eknaligoda case: Focus on ex-AG
Chris Kamalendran
The Human Right Commission of Sri Lanka said yesterday it had not yet taken a decision on whether to summon former Attorney General Mohan Peiris to come before it in connection with a complaint made by missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s wife.
The Human Right Commission of Sri Lanka said yesterday it had not yet taken a decision on whether to summon former Attorney General Mohan Peiris to come before it in connection with a complaint made by missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda’s wife.
We are backtracking on democratic change – Vasu
Chandani Kirinde
On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) led by Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the veteran left politician, who is also the Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, spoke to the Sunday Times on his growing concern about democracy and increasing militarisation of society under the present administration, in which his party is a constituent partner.
On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the Democratic Left Front (DLF) led by Vasudeva Nanayakkara, the veteran left politician, who is also the Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, spoke to the Sunday Times on his growing concern about democracy and increasing militarisation of society under the present administration, in which his party is a constituent partner.
Relatives in quandary over missing men
Loku Seeya’s body found dumped in sea in Akkaraipattu; Karate Dhamikka’, ‘Galaboda’ , ‘Kota Lakshman’ ‘Feroze’ ‘Haja’ ‘Navy Ruwan’ and Christopher Fernando still unaccounted for
Leon Berenger
Mystery surrounds the abduction of some nine people over the past two months, with anxious relatives waiting for them to return home and police saying that the hunt is on for those listed missing.
Leon Berenger
Mystery surrounds the abduction of some nine people over the past two months, with anxious relatives waiting for them to return home and police saying that the hunt is on for those listed missing.
Judges to get guidelines on sentencing
Chandani Kirinde
The Sentencing Policy Bill which will give the judiciary guidelines on penalties is one of a string of new laws the government will introduce next year. According to Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, the new law will ensure uniformity in the sentences passed on those found guilty.
The Sentencing Policy Bill which will give the judiciary guidelines on penalties is one of a string of new laws the government will introduce next year. According to Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, the new law will ensure uniformity in the sentences passed on those found guilty.
Full LLRC report to be tabled: Basil
The final report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission will be tabled in Parliament in its entirety. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told reporters that the move was to obviate any misunderstanding or misrepresentation which might otherwise occur.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
JVP dissident from Jaffna missing since yesterday
(Srilankamirror )- Jaffna organizer of the Movement for People’s Struggle formed by the JVP dissidents and another member are missing since last evening. The JVP dissidents formed a new movement called the Movement for People’s Struggle and a press conference was held in Jaffna yesterday. The movement was to be launched today.
Bell Pottinger and Sri Lanka: A trail of spin doctoring and whitewashing
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