LTTE defeat could lead to bombings in Canada, report says
Canadian security officials are concerned that last year's defeat, the LTTE could trigger attacks like the 1985 Air India bombings, says a new report, by Stewart Bell, in the National Post.
An International Crisis Group study quotes unnamed Canadian law enforcement officials saying that supporters of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam might resort to terrorism.
"While there are no signals yet that the rump LTTE is planning a terrorist act, it only takes a handful of committed cadre in the diaspora bent on violence to have a deadly impact," the report says.
"For example, Canadian law enforcement officials have been concerned that, if left unchecked, LTTE activities could result in an event similar to the terrorist bombing of an Air India jet in 1985, which was planned and funded by Sikh separatists in Canada."
Canadian Tamil Congress spokesman David Poopalapillai called that "pure speculation" and said that "we as Canadian Tamils and we as Canadian Tamil Congress are opposed to any form of violence, not only in Canada, anywhere, any part of the world." The report says the defeat of the rebels has left the diaspora feeling "powerless, betrayed by the West, demanding justice and, in some cases, wanting revenge."
An unnamed Canadian security official was quoted in the report saying that, "Because of what we learned from Canada's connection with Khalistan we're compelled to look at issues concerning the LTTE here differently.
"As much as it's a law and order issue in some regards, we also are compelled to treat the LTTE as a national security issue because we don't want another Air India disaster."
The comments are attributed to federal enforcement officials in Toronto and says that French, British and American officials had expressed similar concerns during interviews. The report says while the diaspora remains committed to an independent homeland, there is little appetite for a return to fighting in Sri Lanka itself, where Tamils are exhausted by war and focused on rebuilding their lives.
It says, "until it moves on from its separatist, pro-LTTE ideology, the diaspora is unlikely to play a useful role supporting a just and sustainable peace in Sri Lanka."
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Last modified on: 2/21/2010 8:44:08 AM President to invite all parties to resolve national issues
Last modified on: 2/21/2010 8:44:08 AM
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President to invite all parties to resolve national issues
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that soon after the April 8 general election, he would invite all political parties again for deliberations on resolving the national issues. "Soon after these parliamentary elections, I will call all leaders of political parties and start talking to them," President Rajapaksa told The Hindu in an exclusive interview.
The President reiterated his call to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Muslim parties to join the talks. He said that he had done his best to involve the leaders of the TNA and Muslim parties but "they were not interested in solving this problem as long as [Velupillai] Prabhakaran was there".
But now it was a wholly new ball game, he said. "Now they must understand that there is no option for them but to talk. I'm the President of the country...they must negotiate with me and have a dialogue with me. If they think they can't cope with me, new leaders will come up and I will have to deal with them."
President Rajapaksa reiterated his commitment made in the joint statement of May 23, 2009 between the Sri Lankan Government and the UN "to proceed with the implementation of the 13th Amendment, as well as to begin a broader dialogue with all parties, including the Tamil parties, in the new circumstances to further enhance this process and to bring about lasting peace and development in Sri Lanka."
"The 13th Amendment is in the Constitution," he said. "I don't have to say I'm implementing it, because it has been implemented in other areas. The 13th Amendment is implementable at the moment other than with regard to police powers. The land and everything is implementable. We had the presidential election [in the Northern Province] and we will have the Provincial Council election after this [the parliamentary election on April 8]. I thought I had to resettle the people [first]. Now there are less than 50,000 people in the IDP camps, and many of them don't want to go."
`President Rajapaksa was confident that the United People's Freedom Alliance, led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, will win the forthcoming parliamentary elections "very comfortably." Asked whether his realistic target was a two-thirds majority, he said: "I think we will be able to get that, or at least close to that."
Was he willing to enter into a constructive cohabitation with the leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, in the event of the United National Party doing well? "Oh, no problem but he won't do that! So the situation won't arise."
Asked about the circumstances and reasons leading to the arrest of the former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, President Rajapaksa said that much before the presidential election the intelligence agencies were reporting to him on how the General was working to divide the Army and engaging himself in activities prosecutable under military law.
The Army wanted to take him into custody for an inquiry into the serious allegations but "If at that time I had allowed that, they would have said that I was frightened of this man contesting."
After the election, the President said, the Army wanted to "Take action for what he had done." He said it was up to the Army, which could go ahead if it had the evidence.
The process was slowed down because Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was "Very cautious" and did not want any precipitate action against the former Army Commander. President Rajapaksa said that he did not want to get involved in the judicial process, and added that "If I get involved, Army discipline will go for a six."
Courtesy : Sunday Observer
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President to invite all parties to resolve national issues
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that soon after the April 8 general election, he would invite all political parties again for deliberations on resolving the national issues. "Soon after these parliamentary elections, I will call all leaders of political parties and start talking to them," President Rajapaksa told The Hindu in an exclusive interview.
The President reiterated his call to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Muslim parties to join the talks. He said that he had done his best to involve the leaders of the TNA and Muslim parties but "they were not interested in solving this problem as long as [Velupillai] Prabhakaran was there".
But now it was a wholly new ball game, he said. "Now they must understand that there is no option for them but to talk. I'm the President of the country...they must negotiate with me and have a dialogue with me. If they think they can't cope with me, new leaders will come up and I will have to deal with them."
President Rajapaksa reiterated his commitment made in the joint statement of May 23, 2009 between the Sri Lankan Government and the UN "to proceed with the implementation of the 13th Amendment, as well as to begin a broader dialogue with all parties, including the Tamil parties, in the new circumstances to further enhance this process and to bring about lasting peace and development in Sri Lanka."
"The 13th Amendment is in the Constitution," he said. "I don't have to say I'm implementing it, because it has been implemented in other areas. The 13th Amendment is implementable at the moment other than with regard to police powers. The land and everything is implementable. We had the presidential election [in the Northern Province] and we will have the Provincial Council election after this [the parliamentary election on April 8]. I thought I had to resettle the people [first]. Now there are less than 50,000 people in the IDP camps, and many of them don't want to go."
`President Rajapaksa was confident that the United People's Freedom Alliance, led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, will win the forthcoming parliamentary elections "very comfortably." Asked whether his realistic target was a two-thirds majority, he said: "I think we will be able to get that, or at least close to that."
Was he willing to enter into a constructive cohabitation with the leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, in the event of the United National Party doing well? "Oh, no problem but he won't do that! So the situation won't arise."
Asked about the circumstances and reasons leading to the arrest of the former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, President Rajapaksa said that much before the presidential election the intelligence agencies were reporting to him on how the General was working to divide the Army and engaging himself in activities prosecutable under military law.
The Army wanted to take him into custody for an inquiry into the serious allegations but "If at that time I had allowed that, they would have said that I was frightened of this man contesting."
After the election, the President said, the Army wanted to "Take action for what he had done." He said it was up to the Army, which could go ahead if it had the evidence.
The process was slowed down because Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was "Very cautious" and did not want any precipitate action against the former Army Commander. President Rajapaksa said that he did not want to get involved in the judicial process, and added that "If I get involved, Army discipline will go for a six."
Courtesy : Sunday Observer
Sri Lanka will be made Asia's pride
Sri Lanka will be made Asia's pride
It is not slums but the economic system that disfigures the City. President Rajapaksa made this reference launching the "Nagamu Purawara" programme today (21 Feb).
The President said that some claim that the City of Colombo has become horrible and unattractive due to houses with less facilities. The Government is not prepared to accept it. It is the prevailing economic system that disfigures the City. This system has to be completely changed. There are 1492 slum dwellings in the city. The President said the government has crafted a programme to upgrade and improve facilities.
The Government's target is to make Sri Lanka the Pride of Asia. To achieve this goal all towns had to be developed and made the most attractive places. This is the aim of the of the programme launched today. He noted that different communities lived in slums in unity sans their differences. The President said the programme should be considered another major humanitarian operation mooted by the Government.
The project which kicked off at 21 cebtres in the City, will replace the slums and dilapidated housing schemes to suitable dwelling places, provide sanitary and common bathing facilities and develop adequate waste and drainage facilities, access roads, power, and drinking water facilities. Initially, 354 housing complexes around Colombo sans basic facilities would receive attention in the provision of necessary amenities. Plans are also afoot to clean and maintain about 42 km of roadways around the area, to provide necessary repairs to flats and develop other common facilities under the project.
It is not slums but the economic system that disfigures the City. President Rajapaksa made this reference launching the "Nagamu Purawara" programme today (21 Feb).
The President said that some claim that the City of Colombo has become horrible and unattractive due to houses with less facilities. The Government is not prepared to accept it. It is the prevailing economic system that disfigures the City. This system has to be completely changed. There are 1492 slum dwellings in the city. The President said the government has crafted a programme to upgrade and improve facilities.
The Government's target is to make Sri Lanka the Pride of Asia. To achieve this goal all towns had to be developed and made the most attractive places. This is the aim of the of the programme launched today. He noted that different communities lived in slums in unity sans their differences. The President said the programme should be considered another major humanitarian operation mooted by the Government.
The project which kicked off at 21 cebtres in the City, will replace the slums and dilapidated housing schemes to suitable dwelling places, provide sanitary and common bathing facilities and develop adequate waste and drainage facilities, access roads, power, and drinking water facilities. Initially, 354 housing complexes around Colombo sans basic facilities would receive attention in the provision of necessary amenities. Plans are also afoot to clean and maintain about 42 km of roadways around the area, to provide necessary repairs to flats and develop other common facilities under the project.
'India is my relation, the others are friends', President Rajapaksa
'India is my relation, the others are friends', President Rajapaksa
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Asian group - India, China, Japan and others -helped the development activities of Sri Lnka and "they were very generous in offering us development assistance". In an interview with The Hindu, he said that although India was little worried about Sri Lanka's close relations with China, he has been very clear in his policy regarding the friendship with India. "India is our close neighbour. I always say, 'India is my relation. Others are my friends,' he said.
The President, speaking to the Editor N Ram of The Hindu said that the country needs development: infrastructure in the North-East and in the South." In the North and East, the conflict is over, we're one country.
Now I want to develop the country. For development, these are the countries that helped me and I am ready to accept other countries to come and help me develop the country. We can look after the humanitarian... We give free food, free health care, subsidised fertilizer, transport assistance. We can afford that. But I want development assistance.
I want roads, development of the power sector, hotels. And investment. I want to get Indian companies, the Tatas and others, to invest in Sri Lanka."
President Rajapaksa said he was not surprised by his resounding victory at the January 26 Presidential Election. " Because in the Provincial Councils, if you count the majority, it was 2.5 million. I knew that if you took 1 million out of that, I would have won with 1.5 million. And I knew what the pulse of the people in villages was. I knew from the start that my majority would be there."
"Rural Sri Lanka supported me in a big way. I feel that was because of the development in the villages. We had the village road development programme, the programme for the development of the whole village, the fertilizer subsidy, the 'Grow More Food' campaign. Incomes for rural households rose sharply.
From 1948 to 2005, the per capita income came up to $ 1000. During the period of my presidency, when the war was going on, it has gone up to $2200. With development, the lifestyle of the people had changed. They [the Fonseka camp] couldn't understand that," he said.
Answering a question on who should get the credit for defeating the terrorists, he said, "people, by the way they voted, showed they gave the credit to me. Who built the Taj Mahal? Who is remembered by people as the builder of the Taj Mahal? Not the mason or the chief engineer, right?"
President Rajapaksa, pointing out that the 13th Amendment was brought in a hurry, without studying the whole problem said the solution should be a practical one. "There is a need to understand the geography of the country, the historical background of the whole problem. Without studying that, you can't bring a solution that is suitable for your country. It must be a practical solution." He added that the 13th Amendment is in the Constitution and, "I don't have to say I'm implementing it because it is implemented in the other areas."
Following is the full interview;
'India is my relation, the others are friends' Mahinda Rajapaksa, a powerful and popular head of government and state, has the way cleared for him for the next six years and more. In a recent conversation with N. Ram lasting three-and-a-half hours at Temple Trees in Colombo, he covered, and answered questions on, a range of subjects. Excerpts from his on-the-record comments and responses:
Huge victory in presidential election
I was not surprised [by the margin of victory, nearly 18 percentage points]. Because in the Provincial Councils, if you count the majority, it was 2.5 million. I knew that if you took 1 million out of that, I would have won with 1.5 million. And I knew what the pulse of the people in villages was. Even in Colombo district, outside the municipal area, they gave me a good majority. I knew from the start that my majority would be there.
And I am not surprised about the North-East results. I was encouraged by that. I had the election, I knew that people must vote, they must be given a chance to elect their own President. Twenty-six per cent, I am satisfied with it. In every village, I got some votes, didn't I?
Factors behind the decisive win
One thing is that people wanted experience - a politician to lead their country. I have been in politics for 40 years. Suddenly a military man coming in, I don't think people trusted him. They were frightened by the way that he talked, shouting at people, blackguarding people. He [Sarath Fonseka] showed his inexperience on economic affairs,
On mis-targeting
Actually, he never said anything about me other than a few words in the final days. Other than 'I will take him and remand him.' 'I will kick him out' - that was Somavansa [Amarasinghe, the JVP leader] and he endorsed it. 'At 7 o'clock I will walk in there, take him into custody, put him into Bogambara [maximum security prison in Kandy] in a 2x2 cell.' He thought this was the Army! He was ill advised.
The whole campaign was against a family and it was all mud-throwing. Without politics, they were trying to personalise the campaign.
Rural Sri Lanka supported me in a big way. I feel that was because of the development in the villages. We had the village road development programme, the programme for the development of the whole village, the fertilizer subsidy, the 'Grow More Food' campaign.
Incomes for rural households rose sharply. From 1948 to 2005, the per capita income came up to $ 1000. During the period of my presidency, when the war was going on, it has gone up to $2200. With development, the lifestyle of the people had changed. They [the Fonseka camp] couldn't understand that.
If I had been in the Opposition, I would have addressed not anything else but the cost of living. Forget about everything else, just address that. When eventually they tried to address it, it was too late. We had the answers.
People in the villages didn't like the way they conducted the campaign: that they would try to take me into custody, kick me out, kill me. People don't like that. Villagers don't want that to happen. They [the Fonseka camp] miscalculated, failed to see the affection, the love people in the villages have for me.
In addition, suburban people voted heavily for me. Other than people in Colombo, and some people in Kandy and other cities, they voted for me. They wanted a peaceful life. They believed in democracy. I think our people are, in that way, very educated, very conscious about democracy. They didn't want a military man coming in.
Who got the credit for eliminating the LTTE?
People, by the way they voted, showed they gave the credit to me. Who built the Taj Mahal? Who is remembered by people as the builder of the Taj Mahal? Not the mason or the chief engineer, right?
On parliamentary election prospects
I think we will win the parliamentary elections very comfortably. The people will vote with us. Now they know the government is stable for seven years.
A two-thirds majority?
I think we will be able to get that, or at least close to that. Finally, Ranil Wickremasinghe's crowd is there to come back and join me, right [laughter]?
Cohabitation? Ranil as Prime Minister?
Oh, no problem but he won't do that [do well in the parliamentary election]! So the situation won't arise. You know that during the campaign, Ranil campaigned for me when he went to the Tamil areas.
He said, 'Poda, Mahinda Rajapaksa poda, Gotabaya poda, Basil poda [laughter].'
People were shocked. I was talking in Tamil; he wanted to show that he also knew Tamil. And the first word he said was 'Poda, Mahinda poda [laughter].' He meant, 'Don't vote for him, reject him.'
Role of opposition
The opposition must be able to contribute. They must criticise - constructive criticism but not mud-throwing all the time. Not opposing everything the government brings.
This is the unfortunate thing in Sri Lanka. They oppose everything, whatever the government does. It's petty politics. The criticism is always personalised. The opposition must contribute to whatever solution we are going to bring to this North-East issue. Because what we want is permanent peace.
13th Amendment plus
The 13th Amendment was brought in a hurry, without studying the whole problem. There is a need to understand the geography of the country, the historical background of the whole problem. Without studying that, you can't bring a solution that is suitable for your country. It must be a practical solution.
The 13th Amendment is implementable at the moment other than the police powers. It is in the Constitution. I don't have to say I'm implementing it because it is implemented in the other areas. The land, everything is implementable. We had the [presidential] election [in the Northern Province] and we are going to have the Provincial Council election after this [parliamentary elections of April 8]. I thought I had to resettle the people [first]. Now there are fewer than 50,000 in the IDP camps; and many of them don't want to go.
The development-peace link
The west doesn't understand this. It doesn't know what's going in here. They're making statements. They ask about humanitarian assistance. I say I don't want humanitarian assistance! We will look after our people, provide them food. I can get down food from India any time. I said we want development assistance [for the North].
Without peace, there is no development; without development, there is no peace.
Tamils in the national police
Do you know we have taken about 500 Tamils from the Eastern Province and they are already in service? Now we are taking them from the Northern Province. In Jaffna, 7500 Tamils came for 450 places. They have been selected. [The President's Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga add: 'The people selected have been security-screened and will be recruited [in the national police force] immediately after the election. This is an achievement, by any government.']
There was a campaign by the LTTE and the Muslim parties, Rauff Hakeem and some others, not to join the police forces and the Army. We had Tamil Army officers and even now we have Muslim [Army officers]. There was a campaign against joining. But now, after this [final victory over the LTTE], they have joined.
You should see their muscles! They have been trained well [laughs]. You don't have to train them again. The only thing is they must learn some police work. That's all, it's easy! We have good training institutes. We can train adequate numbers. They will be in these [Tamil] areas mostly and we want to get them down to the South also. You've got to mix them.
Tamil-Muslim majorityin Colombo
In Colombo, the majority is Tamil and Muslim. Twenty years ago, the Sinhalese were about 90 per cent; today, they're less than 30 [per cent]. The majority are Muslims and Tamils and there is no problem. The Mayor of Colombo is a Muslim [Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas].
Dialogue on devolution
Soon after these parliamentary elections, I will call all the leaders of the political parties and start talking to them. You know, I tried to get them down, the TNA [Tamil National Alliance], the Tamil parties, the Muslim parties. But they were not interested.
They were not interested in solving this problem as long as [Velupillai] Prabakaran was there. Now they must understand that there is no option for them but to talk. I'm the President of the country, I'm the leader of the country, they must come and negotiate with me, have a dialogue with me. If they think they can't cope with me, new leaders will come up and I will have to deal with them.
On western antipathy to him
They don't like me. They don't like my independent views. My preference is for my country. Why should I be loyal to any other country? I'm not a green card holder, am I?
Close ties with Asian countries
They [India, China, Japan] were the countries that helped me to develop this country. As neighbours of the Asian group, they were very generous in offering us development assistance.
This country needs development: infrastructure in the North-East and in the South. In the North and East, the conflict is over, we're one country. Now I want to develop the country. For development, these are the countries that helped me and I am ready to accept other countries to come and help me develop the country. We can look after the humanitarian... We give free food, free health care, subsidised fertilizer, transport assistance. We can afford that. But I want development assistance. I want roads, development of the power sector, hotels. And investment.
I have set new targets for tourism. I called the Tourism Board and said I was not satisfied with the present [rate of development]. I want to call the private sector. They're going to the Maldives and various other countries to invest their money. I am going to tell them to invest here. I want to get Indian companies, the Tatas and others, to invest in Sri Lanka.
On excellent ties with India
That's right. Because I'm very clear. When I say something, I stick to it. When I say 'yes,' yes. When I say 'no,' no. With India, I think I have been very clear in my policy. Consistent, never changed. They were a little worried about my connection with China. For development, China, Japan and all these [Asian] countries will come and invest.
That is a different question. India is our close neighbour. I always say, 'India is my relation. Others are my friends.'
On Sarath Fonseka's arrest
When I heard about all this earlier, when the intelligence agencies were reporting to me on all this, the Army would have taken him over [under military law]. They wanted to do that. But if at that time I had allowed that, they would have said that I was frightened of this man contesting.
I accepted his resignation as CDS [Chief of Defence Staff]. I could have declined to do that [under the special Act] and we could have charged him for what he had done, what the intelligence agencies were reporting on. But I didn't want to do that because the people would have said I blocked him from contesting.
I knew he was the best candidate I could get! It was very clear in the election. He couldn't get what Ranil Wickremasinghe got.
Even with the JVP, which supported me once and with all this alliance, he never got that vote. They had the biggest alliance against a contesting President. Ultimately, what happened? Then [after the election] the Army came and said,
'Sir, we have to take action for what he had done.' So I said, 'All right, it's up to you. See if you have the evidence to arrest him. If you have evidence, certainly do it. But please consult the Attorney-General.' Gotabaya [Rajapaksa] was very cautious. He said 'no,' otherwise they would have taken him [Fonseka] immediately [after the election results were announced]. Only after going through all the evidence was the Army given the green light to do what they wanted.
This is an enquiry [under military law] to see if there is a prima facie case against Fonseka. I don't want to get involved in the judicial process. One thing is that I am a lawyer myself, so I always respect the law. I never say anything against the courts, against the judges. [Except once when the last Chief Justice was trying to decide the price of petrol.
I said that was the executive's, not the judiciary's, job.] My view is, 'let the legal process go on.' I don't want to get involved in it. Discipline is an Army matter. If I get involved, Army discipline will go for a six. I don't want to do that. It is very important that democracy is restored.
Army law is very different from the general law. Now he has been taken by the Army. He is under the Army Commander. He is being given a luxury flat, the Navy Commander's chalet. If he had won, I would have been in Bogambara, in a 2x2 cell! He is allowed access to his lawyer, his wife is allowed to see him.
She called my wife, who was at a banquet in Moscow; she was told, 'ask for it and you will be allowed to see him' and she did. Doctors, everything possible is allowed. We don't want to harass him. In Buddhism, they say, 'for what you have done, there will be repercussions in this particular birth.' Good or bad, you don't have to wait till the next birth.
I always believe in God - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and God. There is somebody who looks after us. They say that when Vishnu looks after you, no one can do you any harm. That's why I went to Tirupati [and prayed]: 'Look after this country.'
If Fonseka had won
Had there been a different election result, there would have been a bloodbath. There would have been dead bodies everywhere. Burning houses and all that. Just before the election, even government servants were getting threatening letters saying 'on the 26th [of January] we will come for you.
Courtesy : Presidential Media Unit
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that the Asian group - India, China, Japan and others -helped the development activities of Sri Lnka and "they were very generous in offering us development assistance". In an interview with The Hindu, he said that although India was little worried about Sri Lanka's close relations with China, he has been very clear in his policy regarding the friendship with India. "India is our close neighbour. I always say, 'India is my relation. Others are my friends,' he said.
The President, speaking to the Editor N Ram of The Hindu said that the country needs development: infrastructure in the North-East and in the South." In the North and East, the conflict is over, we're one country.
Now I want to develop the country. For development, these are the countries that helped me and I am ready to accept other countries to come and help me develop the country. We can look after the humanitarian... We give free food, free health care, subsidised fertilizer, transport assistance. We can afford that. But I want development assistance.
I want roads, development of the power sector, hotels. And investment. I want to get Indian companies, the Tatas and others, to invest in Sri Lanka."
President Rajapaksa said he was not surprised by his resounding victory at the January 26 Presidential Election. " Because in the Provincial Councils, if you count the majority, it was 2.5 million. I knew that if you took 1 million out of that, I would have won with 1.5 million. And I knew what the pulse of the people in villages was. I knew from the start that my majority would be there."
"Rural Sri Lanka supported me in a big way. I feel that was because of the development in the villages. We had the village road development programme, the programme for the development of the whole village, the fertilizer subsidy, the 'Grow More Food' campaign. Incomes for rural households rose sharply.
From 1948 to 2005, the per capita income came up to $ 1000. During the period of my presidency, when the war was going on, it has gone up to $2200. With development, the lifestyle of the people had changed. They [the Fonseka camp] couldn't understand that," he said.
Answering a question on who should get the credit for defeating the terrorists, he said, "people, by the way they voted, showed they gave the credit to me. Who built the Taj Mahal? Who is remembered by people as the builder of the Taj Mahal? Not the mason or the chief engineer, right?"
President Rajapaksa, pointing out that the 13th Amendment was brought in a hurry, without studying the whole problem said the solution should be a practical one. "There is a need to understand the geography of the country, the historical background of the whole problem. Without studying that, you can't bring a solution that is suitable for your country. It must be a practical solution." He added that the 13th Amendment is in the Constitution and, "I don't have to say I'm implementing it because it is implemented in the other areas."
Following is the full interview;
'India is my relation, the others are friends' Mahinda Rajapaksa, a powerful and popular head of government and state, has the way cleared for him for the next six years and more. In a recent conversation with N. Ram lasting three-and-a-half hours at Temple Trees in Colombo, he covered, and answered questions on, a range of subjects. Excerpts from his on-the-record comments and responses:
Huge victory in presidential election
I was not surprised [by the margin of victory, nearly 18 percentage points]. Because in the Provincial Councils, if you count the majority, it was 2.5 million. I knew that if you took 1 million out of that, I would have won with 1.5 million. And I knew what the pulse of the people in villages was. Even in Colombo district, outside the municipal area, they gave me a good majority. I knew from the start that my majority would be there.
And I am not surprised about the North-East results. I was encouraged by that. I had the election, I knew that people must vote, they must be given a chance to elect their own President. Twenty-six per cent, I am satisfied with it. In every village, I got some votes, didn't I?
Factors behind the decisive win
One thing is that people wanted experience - a politician to lead their country. I have been in politics for 40 years. Suddenly a military man coming in, I don't think people trusted him. They were frightened by the way that he talked, shouting at people, blackguarding people. He [Sarath Fonseka] showed his inexperience on economic affairs,
On mis-targeting
Actually, he never said anything about me other than a few words in the final days. Other than 'I will take him and remand him.' 'I will kick him out' - that was Somavansa [Amarasinghe, the JVP leader] and he endorsed it. 'At 7 o'clock I will walk in there, take him into custody, put him into Bogambara [maximum security prison in Kandy] in a 2x2 cell.' He thought this was the Army! He was ill advised.
The whole campaign was against a family and it was all mud-throwing. Without politics, they were trying to personalise the campaign.
Rural Sri Lanka supported me in a big way. I feel that was because of the development in the villages. We had the village road development programme, the programme for the development of the whole village, the fertilizer subsidy, the 'Grow More Food' campaign.
Incomes for rural households rose sharply. From 1948 to 2005, the per capita income came up to $ 1000. During the period of my presidency, when the war was going on, it has gone up to $2200. With development, the lifestyle of the people had changed. They [the Fonseka camp] couldn't understand that.
If I had been in the Opposition, I would have addressed not anything else but the cost of living. Forget about everything else, just address that. When eventually they tried to address it, it was too late. We had the answers.
People in the villages didn't like the way they conducted the campaign: that they would try to take me into custody, kick me out, kill me. People don't like that. Villagers don't want that to happen. They [the Fonseka camp] miscalculated, failed to see the affection, the love people in the villages have for me.
In addition, suburban people voted heavily for me. Other than people in Colombo, and some people in Kandy and other cities, they voted for me. They wanted a peaceful life. They believed in democracy. I think our people are, in that way, very educated, very conscious about democracy. They didn't want a military man coming in.
Who got the credit for eliminating the LTTE?
People, by the way they voted, showed they gave the credit to me. Who built the Taj Mahal? Who is remembered by people as the builder of the Taj Mahal? Not the mason or the chief engineer, right?
On parliamentary election prospects
I think we will win the parliamentary elections very comfortably. The people will vote with us. Now they know the government is stable for seven years.
A two-thirds majority?
I think we will be able to get that, or at least close to that. Finally, Ranil Wickremasinghe's crowd is there to come back and join me, right [laughter]?
Cohabitation? Ranil as Prime Minister?
Oh, no problem but he won't do that [do well in the parliamentary election]! So the situation won't arise. You know that during the campaign, Ranil campaigned for me when he went to the Tamil areas.
He said, 'Poda, Mahinda Rajapaksa poda, Gotabaya poda, Basil poda [laughter].'
People were shocked. I was talking in Tamil; he wanted to show that he also knew Tamil. And the first word he said was 'Poda, Mahinda poda [laughter].' He meant, 'Don't vote for him, reject him.'
Role of opposition
The opposition must be able to contribute. They must criticise - constructive criticism but not mud-throwing all the time. Not opposing everything the government brings.
This is the unfortunate thing in Sri Lanka. They oppose everything, whatever the government does. It's petty politics. The criticism is always personalised. The opposition must contribute to whatever solution we are going to bring to this North-East issue. Because what we want is permanent peace.
13th Amendment plus
The 13th Amendment was brought in a hurry, without studying the whole problem. There is a need to understand the geography of the country, the historical background of the whole problem. Without studying that, you can't bring a solution that is suitable for your country. It must be a practical solution.
The 13th Amendment is implementable at the moment other than the police powers. It is in the Constitution. I don't have to say I'm implementing it because it is implemented in the other areas. The land, everything is implementable. We had the [presidential] election [in the Northern Province] and we are going to have the Provincial Council election after this [parliamentary elections of April 8]. I thought I had to resettle the people [first]. Now there are fewer than 50,000 in the IDP camps; and many of them don't want to go.
The development-peace link
The west doesn't understand this. It doesn't know what's going in here. They're making statements. They ask about humanitarian assistance. I say I don't want humanitarian assistance! We will look after our people, provide them food. I can get down food from India any time. I said we want development assistance [for the North].
Without peace, there is no development; without development, there is no peace.
Tamils in the national police
Do you know we have taken about 500 Tamils from the Eastern Province and they are already in service? Now we are taking them from the Northern Province. In Jaffna, 7500 Tamils came for 450 places. They have been selected. [The President's Secretary, Lalith Weeratunga add: 'The people selected have been security-screened and will be recruited [in the national police force] immediately after the election. This is an achievement, by any government.']
There was a campaign by the LTTE and the Muslim parties, Rauff Hakeem and some others, not to join the police forces and the Army. We had Tamil Army officers and even now we have Muslim [Army officers]. There was a campaign against joining. But now, after this [final victory over the LTTE], they have joined.
You should see their muscles! They have been trained well [laughs]. You don't have to train them again. The only thing is they must learn some police work. That's all, it's easy! We have good training institutes. We can train adequate numbers. They will be in these [Tamil] areas mostly and we want to get them down to the South also. You've got to mix them.
Tamil-Muslim majorityin Colombo
In Colombo, the majority is Tamil and Muslim. Twenty years ago, the Sinhalese were about 90 per cent; today, they're less than 30 [per cent]. The majority are Muslims and Tamils and there is no problem. The Mayor of Colombo is a Muslim [Uvais Mohamed Imitiyas].
Dialogue on devolution
Soon after these parliamentary elections, I will call all the leaders of the political parties and start talking to them. You know, I tried to get them down, the TNA [Tamil National Alliance], the Tamil parties, the Muslim parties. But they were not interested.
They were not interested in solving this problem as long as [Velupillai] Prabakaran was there. Now they must understand that there is no option for them but to talk. I'm the President of the country, I'm the leader of the country, they must come and negotiate with me, have a dialogue with me. If they think they can't cope with me, new leaders will come up and I will have to deal with them.
On western antipathy to him
They don't like me. They don't like my independent views. My preference is for my country. Why should I be loyal to any other country? I'm not a green card holder, am I?
Close ties with Asian countries
They [India, China, Japan] were the countries that helped me to develop this country. As neighbours of the Asian group, they were very generous in offering us development assistance.
This country needs development: infrastructure in the North-East and in the South. In the North and East, the conflict is over, we're one country. Now I want to develop the country. For development, these are the countries that helped me and I am ready to accept other countries to come and help me develop the country. We can look after the humanitarian... We give free food, free health care, subsidised fertilizer, transport assistance. We can afford that. But I want development assistance. I want roads, development of the power sector, hotels. And investment.
I have set new targets for tourism. I called the Tourism Board and said I was not satisfied with the present [rate of development]. I want to call the private sector. They're going to the Maldives and various other countries to invest their money. I am going to tell them to invest here. I want to get Indian companies, the Tatas and others, to invest in Sri Lanka.
On excellent ties with India
That's right. Because I'm very clear. When I say something, I stick to it. When I say 'yes,' yes. When I say 'no,' no. With India, I think I have been very clear in my policy. Consistent, never changed. They were a little worried about my connection with China. For development, China, Japan and all these [Asian] countries will come and invest.
That is a different question. India is our close neighbour. I always say, 'India is my relation. Others are my friends.'
On Sarath Fonseka's arrest
When I heard about all this earlier, when the intelligence agencies were reporting to me on all this, the Army would have taken him over [under military law]. They wanted to do that. But if at that time I had allowed that, they would have said that I was frightened of this man contesting.
I accepted his resignation as CDS [Chief of Defence Staff]. I could have declined to do that [under the special Act] and we could have charged him for what he had done, what the intelligence agencies were reporting on. But I didn't want to do that because the people would have said I blocked him from contesting.
I knew he was the best candidate I could get! It was very clear in the election. He couldn't get what Ranil Wickremasinghe got.
Even with the JVP, which supported me once and with all this alliance, he never got that vote. They had the biggest alliance against a contesting President. Ultimately, what happened? Then [after the election] the Army came and said,
'Sir, we have to take action for what he had done.' So I said, 'All right, it's up to you. See if you have the evidence to arrest him. If you have evidence, certainly do it. But please consult the Attorney-General.' Gotabaya [Rajapaksa] was very cautious. He said 'no,' otherwise they would have taken him [Fonseka] immediately [after the election results were announced]. Only after going through all the evidence was the Army given the green light to do what they wanted.
This is an enquiry [under military law] to see if there is a prima facie case against Fonseka. I don't want to get involved in the judicial process. One thing is that I am a lawyer myself, so I always respect the law. I never say anything against the courts, against the judges. [Except once when the last Chief Justice was trying to decide the price of petrol.
I said that was the executive's, not the judiciary's, job.] My view is, 'let the legal process go on.' I don't want to get involved in it. Discipline is an Army matter. If I get involved, Army discipline will go for a six. I don't want to do that. It is very important that democracy is restored.
Army law is very different from the general law. Now he has been taken by the Army. He is under the Army Commander. He is being given a luxury flat, the Navy Commander's chalet. If he had won, I would have been in Bogambara, in a 2x2 cell! He is allowed access to his lawyer, his wife is allowed to see him.
She called my wife, who was at a banquet in Moscow; she was told, 'ask for it and you will be allowed to see him' and she did. Doctors, everything possible is allowed. We don't want to harass him. In Buddhism, they say, 'for what you have done, there will be repercussions in this particular birth.' Good or bad, you don't have to wait till the next birth.
I always believe in God - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, and God. There is somebody who looks after us. They say that when Vishnu looks after you, no one can do you any harm. That's why I went to Tirupati [and prayed]: 'Look after this country.'
If Fonseka had won
Had there been a different election result, there would have been a bloodbath. There would have been dead bodies everywhere. Burning houses and all that. Just before the election, even government servants were getting threatening letters saying 'on the 26th [of January] we will come for you.
Courtesy : Presidential Media Unit
Last modified on: 2/22/2010 4:46:46 PM Three-wheelers distributed among 100 war heroes
Last modified on: 2/22/2010 4:46:46 PM
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Three-wheelers distributed among 100 war heroes
100 three-wheelers were distributed this morning (Feb 22), among war heroes under the patronage of H.E President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sri Lankan Army Headquarters ground in Colombo.
The Ministry of Defence under the supervision of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Rana Viru Seva Authority in a combined effort organized the welfare project for the deserving soldiers who sacrificed their limbs while rescuing mother Lanka's sovereignty from the clutches of separatism.
Similarly, 200 soldiers were provided with three-wheelers in aid to uplift their living standards in 2009. So far the project has managed to donate 500 three-wheelers among the soldiers who were disabled during the war against terror, said a Rana Viru Seva official speaking with our correspondent.
Speaking at the event the Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Mrs. Padma Wattawa stated that the project was initiated according to the proposals made by the President and Secretary of Defence, to uplift the living conditions of the valiant troops.
She further stated that the Ranaviru Seva Authority has launched 9 projects so far to uplift the living conditions of the disabled soldiers. She clarified that the main purpose of donating three-wheelers to the disabled soldiers was to ensure that the difficulties they encounter in traveling would be minimized. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards His Excellency the President and the Secretary of Defence for their guidance for the success of this event.
Presidential Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, along with Commanders of the three forces, IGP and many officers of the three forces were present at the occasion.
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Three-wheelers distributed among 100 war heroes
100 three-wheelers were distributed this morning (Feb 22), among war heroes under the patronage of H.E President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Sri Lankan Army Headquarters ground in Colombo.
The Ministry of Defence under the supervision of Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Rana Viru Seva Authority in a combined effort organized the welfare project for the deserving soldiers who sacrificed their limbs while rescuing mother Lanka's sovereignty from the clutches of separatism.
Similarly, 200 soldiers were provided with three-wheelers in aid to uplift their living standards in 2009. So far the project has managed to donate 500 three-wheelers among the soldiers who were disabled during the war against terror, said a Rana Viru Seva official speaking with our correspondent.
Speaking at the event the Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Mrs. Padma Wattawa stated that the project was initiated according to the proposals made by the President and Secretary of Defence, to uplift the living conditions of the valiant troops.
She further stated that the Ranaviru Seva Authority has launched 9 projects so far to uplift the living conditions of the disabled soldiers. She clarified that the main purpose of donating three-wheelers to the disabled soldiers was to ensure that the difficulties they encounter in traveling would be minimized. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards His Excellency the President and the Secretary of Defence for their guidance for the success of this event.
Presidential Secretary Mr. Lalith Weerathunga, along with Commanders of the three forces, IGP and many officers of the three forces were present at the occasion.
UPFA aims two-thirds
UPFA aims two-thirds
Constitutional amendments before next Parliament :
Shirley Wijesinghe
* Govt at peak of its popularity
* UPFA candidates to take oaths on Feb 27
The UPFA has fielded the strongest team of candidates covering all social strata aiming to obtain a two thirds majority mandate at the upcoming general election, Education Minister and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said.
Addressing the media at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday, the Minister said the next legislature should be stronger and it should have the capacity to make constitutional amendments.
Priority has been given to youth representation including professionals, educationists, sports and film personalities, media personalities and women representation in nomination lists, he added.
Analyzing the results of all previous elections preceding the General Election, Premajayantha said there was no doubt that the Government would score a resounding victory as it was at the pinnacle of popularity with the highest ever majority recorded at the recent Presidential Election.
He said the people’s expectation of a ‘ believable change’ under a government led by Sarath Fonseka was dashed when it was exposed that the candidate himself was unable to cast his vote.
He said the UNP and the so-called alliance forged by Fonseka and the JVP have no policy or plan to develop the country. They are driven purely by jealousy towards the UPFA, Premajayantha said.
The Minister said UPFA candidates will take an oath before the sacred Sri Mahabodhi on February 27 before launching its campaign. National Freedom Front Chairman Wimal Weerawansa said that the JVP has formed an alliance with Sarath Fonseka but not with a political party.
He said this was a step towards changing the present leadership of the party.
Weerawansa said the JVP had come forward to contest the General Election without their symbol and also their party.
It is clear that this is the JVP’s final step to their grave, he said
Constitutional amendments before next Parliament :
Shirley Wijesinghe
* Govt at peak of its popularity
* UPFA candidates to take oaths on Feb 27
The UPFA has fielded the strongest team of candidates covering all social strata aiming to obtain a two thirds majority mandate at the upcoming general election, Education Minister and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said.
Addressing the media at the Mahaweli Centre yesterday, the Minister said the next legislature should be stronger and it should have the capacity to make constitutional amendments.
Priority has been given to youth representation including professionals, educationists, sports and film personalities, media personalities and women representation in nomination lists, he added.
Analyzing the results of all previous elections preceding the General Election, Premajayantha said there was no doubt that the Government would score a resounding victory as it was at the pinnacle of popularity with the highest ever majority recorded at the recent Presidential Election.
He said the people’s expectation of a ‘ believable change’ under a government led by Sarath Fonseka was dashed when it was exposed that the candidate himself was unable to cast his vote.
He said the UNP and the so-called alliance forged by Fonseka and the JVP have no policy or plan to develop the country. They are driven purely by jealousy towards the UPFA, Premajayantha said.
The Minister said UPFA candidates will take an oath before the sacred Sri Mahabodhi on February 27 before launching its campaign. National Freedom Front Chairman Wimal Weerawansa said that the JVP has formed an alliance with Sarath Fonseka but not with a political party.
He said this was a step towards changing the present leadership of the party.
Weerawansa said the JVP had come forward to contest the General Election without their symbol and also their party.
It is clear that this is the JVP’s final step to their grave, he said
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Recovery of Rs 75 million :
Recovery of Rs 75 million :
Asoka Tilakaratne granted bail
*Passport impounded
*Asked to appear before CID weekly
Sarath MALALASEKERA
Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Setunga yesterday granted bail in a Rs.20 million bond with four sureties to Asoka Tilakaratne, mother of Danuna Tilakaratne, son-in-law of General Sarath Fonseka, when she was produced before court by the Criminal Investigation Department.
The CID produced Asoka Tilakaratne yesterday after recording her statement in connection with the recovery of Rs.75 million consisting of several foreign currencies found in a vault belonging to Asoka Tilakaratne at a private bank in Colombo.
The Judge directed her to appear at the CID office every Sunday at 12 noon. The Judge also ordered her to surrender her passport to court.
On an application by the CID, the Judge directed the Manager of the private bank to assist the CID in their ongoing investigations by providing required information.
Inspector Mohan Masimbula who appeared for the CID filing a report in court objected to the suspect being released on bail and said that if she was released on bail she would interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
The CID is conducting investigations into the money recovered vaults under the Exchange Control Act and whether this money had been used for any Terrorist activity.
Answering the Judge, Inspector Masimbula said the money recovered from the four vaults, amounting to Rs.75 million including US Dollars 527,000, Sterling Pounds 100 and cash Rs.15 million, is being kept in the same vault at the bank.
The CID said that they are investigating in connection with several forged documents relevant to the money found in four vaults. According to the investigations the money recovered from the four vaults is the balance of the money used for the election campaign for General Sarath Fonseka.
Senior Attorney-at-Law Asela Rekawa counsel for Asoka Tilakaratne moving for bail submitted that his client is a diabetic patient and she needs special care for her sickness.
Defence Counsel said his client had assisted the investigations and had given all the necessary information to the CID team who is conducting investigations.
Attorneys Asela Rekawa with Athula Ranagala, Ravi Mathugama, Uditha Abeyratne, Ranjith Dhanayake, Prasanna Weerasekera, Ajith Perera, Tharanga Silva and Sandun Gamage appeared for Asoka Tilakaratne
Asoka Tilakaratne granted bail
*Passport impounded
*Asked to appear before CID weekly
Sarath MALALASEKERA
Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate and Additional District Judge Harsha Setunga yesterday granted bail in a Rs.20 million bond with four sureties to Asoka Tilakaratne, mother of Danuna Tilakaratne, son-in-law of General Sarath Fonseka, when she was produced before court by the Criminal Investigation Department.
The CID produced Asoka Tilakaratne yesterday after recording her statement in connection with the recovery of Rs.75 million consisting of several foreign currencies found in a vault belonging to Asoka Tilakaratne at a private bank in Colombo.
The Judge directed her to appear at the CID office every Sunday at 12 noon. The Judge also ordered her to surrender her passport to court.
On an application by the CID, the Judge directed the Manager of the private bank to assist the CID in their ongoing investigations by providing required information.
Inspector Mohan Masimbula who appeared for the CID filing a report in court objected to the suspect being released on bail and said that if she was released on bail she would interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
The CID is conducting investigations into the money recovered vaults under the Exchange Control Act and whether this money had been used for any Terrorist activity.
Answering the Judge, Inspector Masimbula said the money recovered from the four vaults, amounting to Rs.75 million including US Dollars 527,000, Sterling Pounds 100 and cash Rs.15 million, is being kept in the same vault at the bank.
The CID said that they are investigating in connection with several forged documents relevant to the money found in four vaults. According to the investigations the money recovered from the four vaults is the balance of the money used for the election campaign for General Sarath Fonseka.
Senior Attorney-at-Law Asela Rekawa counsel for Asoka Tilakaratne moving for bail submitted that his client is a diabetic patient and she needs special care for her sickness.
Defence Counsel said his client had assisted the investigations and had given all the necessary information to the CID team who is conducting investigations.
Attorneys Asela Rekawa with Athula Ranagala, Ravi Mathugama, Uditha Abeyratne, Ranjith Dhanayake, Prasanna Weerasekera, Ajith Perera, Tharanga Silva and Sandun Gamage appeared for Asoka Tilakaratne
Last modified on: 2/17/2010 2:28:36 PM Commonwealth happy about the conduct of Presidential polls
Last modified on: 2/17/2010 2:28:36 PM
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Commonwealth happy about the conduct of Presidential polls
Commonwealth election monitors have said that the Presidential election was a well administered poll. Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma yesterday released the Final Report of the Commonwealth team which observed the recently concluded Presidential poll.
The Secretary General was encouraged by the report's finding that the administrative arrangements for voting and counting were well conducted. He said the Commissioner of Elections and his staff across the country expended great effort to put in place procedures to ensure that Sri Lankans were able to cast their ballots.
The Commonwealth Secretary General also expressed the hope that Sri Lanka will move towards political and social reconciliation in the aftermath of the first post-conflict polls and in the lead-up to the forthcoming Parliamentary elections.
Before being made public, the report was distributed among the President of Sri Lanka, leaders of all political parties, the Commissioner of Elections and all Commonwealth Governments.
Courtesy: Government information Department
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Commonwealth happy about the conduct of Presidential polls
Commonwealth election monitors have said that the Presidential election was a well administered poll. Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma yesterday released the Final Report of the Commonwealth team which observed the recently concluded Presidential poll.
The Secretary General was encouraged by the report's finding that the administrative arrangements for voting and counting were well conducted. He said the Commissioner of Elections and his staff across the country expended great effort to put in place procedures to ensure that Sri Lankans were able to cast their ballots.
The Commonwealth Secretary General also expressed the hope that Sri Lanka will move towards political and social reconciliation in the aftermath of the first post-conflict polls and in the lead-up to the forthcoming Parliamentary elections.
Before being made public, the report was distributed among the President of Sri Lanka, leaders of all political parties, the Commissioner of Elections and all Commonwealth Governments.
Courtesy: Government information Department
UPFA nominations on February 25, 26
UPFA nominations on February 25, 26
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
The UPFA has already completed its nomination lists in several districts. Nominations will be handed over on February 25 and 26, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
Minister Lakshman Yapa
Some political parties are still struggling to select a symbol. The Opposition is poised for a bigger defeat than the one they experienced at the Presidential Election. Therefore they have to correct their political agenda, he said
According to Minister Yapa Abeywardena, the Government requires two thirds majority in Parliament to effect the required changes in the existing structure of governing and expects the people will vote for the Government to win 150 seats in Parliament.
"The JVP leader and the Opposition accused the Government of practicing a computer gilmaat and went to town with it but it is nowhere stated in the Election Petition. They have not included their main charge in it," the Minister said.
The Opposition Leader said the Presidential Election was peaceful till 4 pm on January 26 and thereafter he started to tell something else.
It shows that this was done to create another hot topic for the Parliamentary Election. Various organisations are willing to say anything for money, Minister Abeywardena said.
The Minister pointed out that for the first time in the Sri Lankan election history, the European Union (EU) issued a very positive report on the Presidential election and it clearly stated that the election was held in a very peaceful environment. The UN also stated the same thing. Earlier various foreign countries stated various things about the elections held in Sri Lanka.
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
The UPFA has already completed its nomination lists in several districts. Nominations will be handed over on February 25 and 26, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said.
Minister Lakshman Yapa
Some political parties are still struggling to select a symbol. The Opposition is poised for a bigger defeat than the one they experienced at the Presidential Election. Therefore they have to correct their political agenda, he said
According to Minister Yapa Abeywardena, the Government requires two thirds majority in Parliament to effect the required changes in the existing structure of governing and expects the people will vote for the Government to win 150 seats in Parliament.
"The JVP leader and the Opposition accused the Government of practicing a computer gilmaat and went to town with it but it is nowhere stated in the Election Petition. They have not included their main charge in it," the Minister said.
The Opposition Leader said the Presidential Election was peaceful till 4 pm on January 26 and thereafter he started to tell something else.
It shows that this was done to create another hot topic for the Parliamentary Election. Various organisations are willing to say anything for money, Minister Abeywardena said.
The Minister pointed out that for the first time in the Sri Lankan election history, the European Union (EU) issued a very positive report on the Presidential election and it clearly stated that the election was held in a very peaceful environment. The UN also stated the same thing. Earlier various foreign countries stated various things about the elections held in Sri Lanka.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Fonseka's arrest
Fonseka's arrest
Gen. (retd) Sarath Fonseka's arrest came as no surprise, though he may have been confident that the government would fight shy of taking him in. His confidence may have prompted him to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a few hours before the military police descended on him, to arrest him. It is a supreme irony that on the eve of the recently concluded presidential election Fonseka threatened that, in the event of his victory, he would haul up some serving military officers including those who led the war in the Vanni and killed Prabhakaran, before a military court for allegedly having engaged in politics. He also vowed to throw his political rivals behind bars first thing after victory!
Charges against Fonseka are now known to the public. Among them are questionable arms deals, an attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government and assassinate the incumbent president and causing rifts in the army during his tenure as both the army commander and Chief of Defence Staff. Military Spokesman Maj. Gen. Prasad Samarasinghe told a TV channel yesterday that military laws applied even to the ex-servicemen within six months of their leaving the army.
The Opposition has condemned Fonseka's arrest and accused the government of a witch hunt. True, the unfolding drama is not without the trappings of a witch hunt and one may have reservations about the course of action that the government has embarked upon to deal with its erstwhile friend. But, the blame for Fonseka's plight must be apportioned to the Opposition, which tried to use that warrior as a cat's paw to pull political chestnuts from the fire.
Gen. Fonseka need not have suffered this kind of humiliation. He could have remained CDS for several more years and retired gracefully without being dragged into the cesspit of politics. We, in our small way, tried to dissuade him from falling for the wiles of bankrupt politicians, but to no avail. They who are crying blue murder about a witch hunt against Fonseka, remind us of a scene from Macbeth, where three witches meet the eponym upon a heath near Forres and greet him: "All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!"
In Fonseka's case, the JVP, the UNP and the SLFP (M) or their leaders, desperate to cover up their political impotence and nudity, played the three witches and polluted Fonseka's mind after the army's spectacular victory in the Vanni. Fonseka took their 'prophesy' seriously and tried to be king only to find himself in deep trouble.
These crafty politicos also likened Gen. Fonseka to General Dwight Eisenhower, who went on to become US President. Fonseka with a massive ego to nurse fell for their tricks hook, line and sinker. Eisenhower was never in an indecent hurry to stand for presidency, unlike Fonseka.
Little did Fonseka realise that it was Gen. Douglas MacArthur's political fate, and not Eisenhower's, that awaited him. President Truman's famous words about the ambitions of Eisenhower and MacArthur come to mind; 'the nation's two greatest heroes seem to suffer from either 'Potomac fever' [desire to share State power in Washington by being appointed or elected to positions of government] or 'brass infection'.
Our generals seem to suffer from Diyawanna (or Beira?) fever besides 'brass infection'!
As for Gen. Fonseka's arrest, it is hoped that the government and the army will operate within the confines of the law without succumbing to prejudices, political or otherwise. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
Courtesy : The Island
Gen. (retd) Sarath Fonseka's arrest came as no surprise, though he may have been confident that the government would fight shy of taking him in. His confidence may have prompted him to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a few hours before the military police descended on him, to arrest him. It is a supreme irony that on the eve of the recently concluded presidential election Fonseka threatened that, in the event of his victory, he would haul up some serving military officers including those who led the war in the Vanni and killed Prabhakaran, before a military court for allegedly having engaged in politics. He also vowed to throw his political rivals behind bars first thing after victory!
Charges against Fonseka are now known to the public. Among them are questionable arms deals, an attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government and assassinate the incumbent president and causing rifts in the army during his tenure as both the army commander and Chief of Defence Staff. Military Spokesman Maj. Gen. Prasad Samarasinghe told a TV channel yesterday that military laws applied even to the ex-servicemen within six months of their leaving the army.
The Opposition has condemned Fonseka's arrest and accused the government of a witch hunt. True, the unfolding drama is not without the trappings of a witch hunt and one may have reservations about the course of action that the government has embarked upon to deal with its erstwhile friend. But, the blame for Fonseka's plight must be apportioned to the Opposition, which tried to use that warrior as a cat's paw to pull political chestnuts from the fire.
Gen. Fonseka need not have suffered this kind of humiliation. He could have remained CDS for several more years and retired gracefully without being dragged into the cesspit of politics. We, in our small way, tried to dissuade him from falling for the wiles of bankrupt politicians, but to no avail. They who are crying blue murder about a witch hunt against Fonseka, remind us of a scene from Macbeth, where three witches meet the eponym upon a heath near Forres and greet him: "All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!"
In Fonseka's case, the JVP, the UNP and the SLFP (M) or their leaders, desperate to cover up their political impotence and nudity, played the three witches and polluted Fonseka's mind after the army's spectacular victory in the Vanni. Fonseka took their 'prophesy' seriously and tried to be king only to find himself in deep trouble.
These crafty politicos also likened Gen. Fonseka to General Dwight Eisenhower, who went on to become US President. Fonseka with a massive ego to nurse fell for their tricks hook, line and sinker. Eisenhower was never in an indecent hurry to stand for presidency, unlike Fonseka.
Little did Fonseka realise that it was Gen. Douglas MacArthur's political fate, and not Eisenhower's, that awaited him. President Truman's famous words about the ambitions of Eisenhower and MacArthur come to mind; 'the nation's two greatest heroes seem to suffer from either 'Potomac fever' [desire to share State power in Washington by being appointed or elected to positions of government] or 'brass infection'.
Our generals seem to suffer from Diyawanna (or Beira?) fever besides 'brass infection'!
As for Gen. Fonseka's arrest, it is hoped that the government and the army will operate within the confines of the law without succumbing to prejudices, political or otherwise. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.
Courtesy : The Island
No tears for Fonseka
No tears for Fonseka
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Retired General Sarath Fonseka is one of those tragic Shakesperean heroes who is doomed to dig his own grave through a fatal flaw in his character. In short, he was virtually asking for what he got last night. He was challenging the government to arrest him if they have any charges against him and when the Military Police went to arrest him he resisted. He had to be dragged out initially though he walked the last steps to the van in which he was taken to quarters at Sri Lankan Navy.
The irony is that Fonseka who was challenging the government to arrest him was reluctant to walk out like a gentlemen and an officer to face his accusers. This is typical of Fonseka. He should have honoured his own words and, knowing the law, cooperated with the Military Police as there was no point in resisting arrest. He may have been putting up a show for Soma-hansa Amerasinghe, Rauf Hakeen, Mano Ganesan and a couple of retired officers but what good would that do to him?
The resistance he put up at his flat/office was unworthy of a man who holds the rank of a General. That is the behaviour of a kudu karaya. It is as if he was admitting guilt even before he is taken to trial. Besides, there was no bravery in resisting officers who are trained to carry out orders and he should know that because he was one of them. Fonseka is sinking deeper and deeper into his own mire.
The charges read to him include
1. Engaging in political activity targeting and undermining the state which he was sworn to serve whilst in uniform
2. Conspiring against his Commander-in-Chief whilst holding the highest rank in the Army
3. Creating a private army of more than 1,500 deserters whilst holding the office of the Army Commander in pursuit of his self-serving politics, and
4. Engaging in corrupt practices in procuring arms for the forces.
In this short list he has been let off lightly. Perhaps, there are more to come. But the most criminal charge that should be levelled against him is that of betraying his own comrades and expressing his willingness to name them in an international court, assuming that they had committed war crimes.
It is incredible that an Army Commander who earned his glory and spurs on the bravery and sacrifices of his forces should turn around now to blackmail his own rank file with threats of exposing them in an international court for carrying out his own orders. He talks now as if he was not a part and parcel of the Army that committed war crimes, according to him.
It is his state of mental balance that is in question here. How can an army commit war crimes without the knowledge of the Army Commander? If his rank and file committed war crimes without his knowledge then he was not fit to be the Army Commander. Besides, if he knows anything about the law of war crimes he should know that the ultimate responsibility lies with him. More so, because he claimed credit for all the successes in the battle field.
In his own words he has absolved all responsibility of any alleged crimes attributed to the Defence Secretary - his main target in his accusations -- when he declared that Defence Secretary was sitting in his air-conditioned room fiddling with his ties while he, as Army Commander, supervised and directed every move from Mavil
Aru to Vellamullivaikal. If the Defence Secretary was fiddling with his ties in the comfort of his air-conditioned room, without poking his fingers in the battlefield, how on earth could he have committed war crimes? If what Fonseka says is true - and we have to, for the sake argument, provisionally accept his word on claiming total responsibility for victory - then he is responsible not only for victory but also for the war crimes, which he says, that were committed on the way to the victory for which he claims sole responsibility. In claiming total responsibility for the victory, without the input of the Commander-in-Chief or the Defence Secretary he cannot point a finger at them, or for that matter any other authority or officer, for any alleged war crimes.
Sri Lankan soldiers who followed him loyally must be dying a thousand deaths now when they heard over the Sinhala Service of the BBC yesterday that "he (Fonseka) is prepared to give evidence in an international court on war crime charges against Sri Lanka."
"General Sarath Fonseka speaking to journalists in Colombo on Monday said, "I am not going to save anyone who has committed war crimes".
"I am definitely going to reveal what I know, what I was told and what I heard. Any one who has committed war crimes should definitely be brought into courts," Gen. Fonseka said.
"Those who reveal the truth are not traitors" he added, said the BBC report. .
These statements do not enhance his image as a hero of the nation which he claimed for himself to gain political mileage. In fact, with each statement he makes he goes down in the estimation of the public that hero-worshipped him. What he says is no doubt music to the NGOs, anti-Sri Lankan governments in the West and the defeated coalition of no-hopers who were gathered around him at the time of his arrest.
It is not surprising that Ranil Wickremesinghe was not there last night to hand him tissues for his tears. The move of the government to arrest Fonseka is a boon to Wickremesinghe though he will shed copious tears. Government has done what he could not do: removed Fonseka from the political scene which, Wickremesinghe hopes, would resolve his main problem of emerging as the sole rallying point for the opposition coalition now in total disarray.
The government move to try Fonseka in a military court is justified and valid. He is not tried for his politics as a presidential candidate but for engaging covertly and even overtly at times to undermine the authority of the democratically elected state whilst holding the highest office in the Army. As everyone knows, he was making overseas call from America to Tilvin Silva to get his advice on how to go ahead with his moves to put the Rajapakses in the dock with accusations of war crimes. .
It is the JVP that gave him this dead rope. The Soma-hansas who were just tall enough to lick the boots of the general, were leading him down the path of self-destruction. Their manipulations and promises of greatness to come fed the hate and ego of Fonseka who was trying to bring down the Rajapakses who gave him everything. Even now his statements are soaked in his bitter bile. That is not the stuff of democratic and humane politics.
As long as he is immersed in hate he will never redeem himself. It is difficult to shed tears for a man who hates so much and has no compunction in letting down his own forces for the sake of his petty self-interest.
H. L. D. Mahindapala
Retired General Sarath Fonseka is one of those tragic Shakesperean heroes who is doomed to dig his own grave through a fatal flaw in his character. In short, he was virtually asking for what he got last night. He was challenging the government to arrest him if they have any charges against him and when the Military Police went to arrest him he resisted. He had to be dragged out initially though he walked the last steps to the van in which he was taken to quarters at Sri Lankan Navy.
The irony is that Fonseka who was challenging the government to arrest him was reluctant to walk out like a gentlemen and an officer to face his accusers. This is typical of Fonseka. He should have honoured his own words and, knowing the law, cooperated with the Military Police as there was no point in resisting arrest. He may have been putting up a show for Soma-hansa Amerasinghe, Rauf Hakeen, Mano Ganesan and a couple of retired officers but what good would that do to him?
The resistance he put up at his flat/office was unworthy of a man who holds the rank of a General. That is the behaviour of a kudu karaya. It is as if he was admitting guilt even before he is taken to trial. Besides, there was no bravery in resisting officers who are trained to carry out orders and he should know that because he was one of them. Fonseka is sinking deeper and deeper into his own mire.
The charges read to him include
1. Engaging in political activity targeting and undermining the state which he was sworn to serve whilst in uniform
2. Conspiring against his Commander-in-Chief whilst holding the highest rank in the Army
3. Creating a private army of more than 1,500 deserters whilst holding the office of the Army Commander in pursuit of his self-serving politics, and
4. Engaging in corrupt practices in procuring arms for the forces.
In this short list he has been let off lightly. Perhaps, there are more to come. But the most criminal charge that should be levelled against him is that of betraying his own comrades and expressing his willingness to name them in an international court, assuming that they had committed war crimes.
It is incredible that an Army Commander who earned his glory and spurs on the bravery and sacrifices of his forces should turn around now to blackmail his own rank file with threats of exposing them in an international court for carrying out his own orders. He talks now as if he was not a part and parcel of the Army that committed war crimes, according to him.
It is his state of mental balance that is in question here. How can an army commit war crimes without the knowledge of the Army Commander? If his rank and file committed war crimes without his knowledge then he was not fit to be the Army Commander. Besides, if he knows anything about the law of war crimes he should know that the ultimate responsibility lies with him. More so, because he claimed credit for all the successes in the battle field.
In his own words he has absolved all responsibility of any alleged crimes attributed to the Defence Secretary - his main target in his accusations -- when he declared that Defence Secretary was sitting in his air-conditioned room fiddling with his ties while he, as Army Commander, supervised and directed every move from Mavil
Aru to Vellamullivaikal. If the Defence Secretary was fiddling with his ties in the comfort of his air-conditioned room, without poking his fingers in the battlefield, how on earth could he have committed war crimes? If what Fonseka says is true - and we have to, for the sake argument, provisionally accept his word on claiming total responsibility for victory - then he is responsible not only for victory but also for the war crimes, which he says, that were committed on the way to the victory for which he claims sole responsibility. In claiming total responsibility for the victory, without the input of the Commander-in-Chief or the Defence Secretary he cannot point a finger at them, or for that matter any other authority or officer, for any alleged war crimes.
Sri Lankan soldiers who followed him loyally must be dying a thousand deaths now when they heard over the Sinhala Service of the BBC yesterday that "he (Fonseka) is prepared to give evidence in an international court on war crime charges against Sri Lanka."
"General Sarath Fonseka speaking to journalists in Colombo on Monday said, "I am not going to save anyone who has committed war crimes".
"I am definitely going to reveal what I know, what I was told and what I heard. Any one who has committed war crimes should definitely be brought into courts," Gen. Fonseka said.
"Those who reveal the truth are not traitors" he added, said the BBC report. .
These statements do not enhance his image as a hero of the nation which he claimed for himself to gain political mileage. In fact, with each statement he makes he goes down in the estimation of the public that hero-worshipped him. What he says is no doubt music to the NGOs, anti-Sri Lankan governments in the West and the defeated coalition of no-hopers who were gathered around him at the time of his arrest.
It is not surprising that Ranil Wickremesinghe was not there last night to hand him tissues for his tears. The move of the government to arrest Fonseka is a boon to Wickremesinghe though he will shed copious tears. Government has done what he could not do: removed Fonseka from the political scene which, Wickremesinghe hopes, would resolve his main problem of emerging as the sole rallying point for the opposition coalition now in total disarray.
The government move to try Fonseka in a military court is justified and valid. He is not tried for his politics as a presidential candidate but for engaging covertly and even overtly at times to undermine the authority of the democratically elected state whilst holding the highest office in the Army. As everyone knows, he was making overseas call from America to Tilvin Silva to get his advice on how to go ahead with his moves to put the Rajapakses in the dock with accusations of war crimes. .
It is the JVP that gave him this dead rope. The Soma-hansas who were just tall enough to lick the boots of the general, were leading him down the path of self-destruction. Their manipulations and promises of greatness to come fed the hate and ego of Fonseka who was trying to bring down the Rajapakses who gave him everything. Even now his statements are soaked in his bitter bile. That is not the stuff of democratic and humane politics.
As long as he is immersed in hate he will never redeem himself. It is difficult to shed tears for a man who hates so much and has no compunction in letting down his own forces for the sake of his petty self-interest.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Last modified on: 2/8/2010 10:55:56 PM General Fonseka arrested in connection with military offences
Last modified on: 2/8/2010 10:55:56 PM
General Fonseka arrested in connection with military offences
Former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military Police a short while ago (08 Feb), Director General of MCNS Luxman Hulugalla said.
General Fonseka has been arrested at his Colombo office in connection with condemnation acts and other military offences committed by him, Mr Hulugalla further said.
General Fonseka arrested in connection with military offences
Former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the Military Police a short while ago (08 Feb), Director General of MCNS Luxman Hulugalla said.
General Fonseka has been arrested at his Colombo office in connection with condemnation acts and other military offences committed by him, Mr Hulugalla further said.
Sri Lanka President participates in 50th anniversary celebration of People's Friendship University
Sri Lanka President participates in 50th anniversary celebration of People's Friendship UniversityMon, Feb 8, 2010, 08:55 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Feb 08, Moscow: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated in the 50th anniversary celebration and the cultural show of People's Friendship University in Moscow held at the University auditorium on Sunday (07).
Rector of the University, Professor Vladimir M. Filippov and the students warmly welcomed the President and his entourage.
President Rajapaksa and the First Lady participated in the opening of an exhibition on the President "Rajatha Dekma" at the University premises.
Prof. Filippov honored the President with a memento to mark the occasion.
Ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha. Prof. G.L Peiris. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Secretary to President Lalith Weerathunge, Sri Lanka Ambassador Udayanga Weerathunge, Coordinating Secretary for foreign affairs to the President Sajin Vas Gunawardana, MP Wimal Weerawansa, and Director General of Colombo National Hospital Dr. Hector Weerasinghe were also present on the occasion
Feb 08, Moscow: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated in the 50th anniversary celebration and the cultural show of People's Friendship University in Moscow held at the University auditorium on Sunday (07).
Rector of the University, Professor Vladimir M. Filippov and the students warmly welcomed the President and his entourage.
President Rajapaksa and the First Lady participated in the opening of an exhibition on the President "Rajatha Dekma" at the University premises.
Prof. Filippov honored the President with a memento to mark the occasion.
Ministers Rohitha Bogollagama, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, Susil Premajayantha. Prof. G.L Peiris. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Secretary to President Lalith Weerathunge, Sri Lanka Ambassador Udayanga Weerathunge, Coordinating Secretary for foreign affairs to the President Sajin Vas Gunawardana, MP Wimal Weerawansa, and Director General of Colombo National Hospital Dr. Hector Weerasinghe were also present on the occasion
Friday, February 5, 2010
President Obama vows to continue long lasting relations with SL
President Obama vows to continue long lasting relations with SL
By Chaminda PERERA Feb 5, 2010
The President of the United States of America Barack Obama said the US stands ready to continue their long-lasting bilateral partnership to help build a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
The US President in a message of congratulation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the occasion of country's Independence Day said for the first time in over a generation, Sri Lanka is not under the shadow of terrorism.
Full text of the message by the US President:
Dear Mr. President I extend my very best wishes to you on behalf of the American people as Sri Lanka celebrates its National Independence on February 4.
The ties of friendship between our two peoples date back to 1789, when merchant ships from New England first sailed into Sri Lanka's harbors.
The United States celebrates this long friendship with the Sri Lankan people and sends its hopes for peace and prosperity throughout Sri Lanka in the coming year.
The recent end of the war creates a historic opportunity for Sri Lanka to heal the divisions of conflict, and build a society that offers equality and opportunity for all. For the first time on over a generation, Sri Lanka is not under the shadow of terrorism. I urge you to seize this opportunity to provide the leadership that will allow all Sri Lankans to come together and meet their aspirations to live in a country that is rooted in tolerance, respect for human rights,accountability, the rule of law, and freedom of the press- all elements essential for national reconciliation.
The United States stands ready to continue our long-lasting bilateral partnership to help build a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
Barack Obama President of the United States of America
By Chaminda PERERA Feb 5, 2010
The President of the United States of America Barack Obama said the US stands ready to continue their long-lasting bilateral partnership to help build a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
The US President in a message of congratulation to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the occasion of country's Independence Day said for the first time in over a generation, Sri Lanka is not under the shadow of terrorism.
Full text of the message by the US President:
Dear Mr. President I extend my very best wishes to you on behalf of the American people as Sri Lanka celebrates its National Independence on February 4.
The ties of friendship between our two peoples date back to 1789, when merchant ships from New England first sailed into Sri Lanka's harbors.
The United States celebrates this long friendship with the Sri Lankan people and sends its hopes for peace and prosperity throughout Sri Lanka in the coming year.
The recent end of the war creates a historic opportunity for Sri Lanka to heal the divisions of conflict, and build a society that offers equality and opportunity for all. For the first time on over a generation, Sri Lanka is not under the shadow of terrorism. I urge you to seize this opportunity to provide the leadership that will allow all Sri Lankans to come together and meet their aspirations to live in a country that is rooted in tolerance, respect for human rights,accountability, the rule of law, and freedom of the press- all elements essential for national reconciliation.
The United States stands ready to continue our long-lasting bilateral partnership to help build a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
Barack Obama President of the United States of America
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sri Lanka ranks among the top ten fastest economies
Sri Lanka ranks among the top ten fastest economies
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of United States has ranked Sri Lanka among the top ten fastest economies in the World.
According to the EIU, Sri Lanka possesses the eighth fastest economic growth, securing 6.3% GDP growth rate, which is only second to China in the Asian region.
The improvement in 2010 is that the world will emerge from recession and post crisis economic landscape will become clearer. This will pave the way to achieve a higher growth of about seven to nine percent in the medium term, said the Ministry of Finance and Planning, quoting the EIU.
According to the economic analysts there are positive signs towards economic prosperity, it is estimated that the oil prices will average at about US $ 74-80 per barrel for the period of 2010-2012. Sri Lanka stock market is ranked second-best in the world. With these positive signs coupled with political stability and higher capital and financial inflows will leap forward the sphere of economic prosperity.
However, there are challenges of maintaining price stability and rehabilitation of the lagged North and Eastern provinces simultaneously with the economic development.
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of United States has ranked Sri Lanka among the top ten fastest economies in the World.
According to the EIU, Sri Lanka possesses the eighth fastest economic growth, securing 6.3% GDP growth rate, which is only second to China in the Asian region.
The improvement in 2010 is that the world will emerge from recession and post crisis economic landscape will become clearer. This will pave the way to achieve a higher growth of about seven to nine percent in the medium term, said the Ministry of Finance and Planning, quoting the EIU.
According to the economic analysts there are positive signs towards economic prosperity, it is estimated that the oil prices will average at about US $ 74-80 per barrel for the period of 2010-2012. Sri Lanka stock market is ranked second-best in the world. With these positive signs coupled with political stability and higher capital and financial inflows will leap forward the sphere of economic prosperity.
However, there are challenges of maintaining price stability and rehabilitation of the lagged North and Eastern provinces simultaneously with the economic development.
First Independence after defeating terrorism
First Independence after defeating terrorism
Indrani Thoradeniya and Lakshmi de Silva
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will preside at the 62nd Independence Day celebrations tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. at the precincts of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
Main Buddhist religious rites on Independence Day will be held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Hindu religious rites at Sri Selva Vinayagar Kovil, Katukele, Kandy, Roman Catholic rites at St. Anthony’s Cathedral, Kandy, Islamic rites at Meera Makkan Mosque, Kandy and Christian rites at St. Paul’s Church, Kandy. The official ceremony will be held under the patronage of chief prelates of Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara and Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry officials.
The Independence Day State function will start with the hoisting of the national flag by President Rajapaksa at 8.50 a.m. followed by the national anthem. The function will begin at 9.07 a.m. under the President’s patronage with the participation of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Diplomatic Corps, Chief of Defence Staff, and Commanders of the Armed Forces and the IGP.
Two minutes silence will be observed at 9.07 a.m. to honour patriots who had laid down their lives to protect and preserve freedom and the territorial integrity of the country. This will be followed by a 21 gun salute to President Rajapaksa.
The Independence Day address to the nation will be delivered by the President at 9.15 a.m. followed by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police march past at 9.45 a.m.
Military parades and cultural pageants with 2,000 security forces personnel and 1,200 artistes from cultural bodies and Dalada procession unit will be among the highlights. There will also be items by 4,000 schoolchildren which include nearly 1,000 specially trained members from cultural bands.
Two thousand special guests will also participate and the area around Mahamaluwa has been declared as high security zone.
The public can enter the area on production of the identity card. All night pirith chanting and religious observances were held at the Independence Hall, Independence Square, Colombo. The pirith chanting ceremony was headed by Chief Incumbent, Gangarama Viharaya, Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera with the participation of Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake and senior officials. This will be followed by an alms giving at Gangarama Viharaya today.
Floral tribute to the first Minister D. S. Senanayake’s statue at Independence Square is also among the day’s events
Indrani Thoradeniya and Lakshmi de Silva
President Mahinda Rajapaksa will preside at the 62nd Independence Day celebrations tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. at the precincts of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy.
Main Buddhist religious rites on Independence Day will be held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy, Hindu religious rites at Sri Selva Vinayagar Kovil, Katukele, Kandy, Roman Catholic rites at St. Anthony’s Cathedral, Kandy, Islamic rites at Meera Makkan Mosque, Kandy and Christian rites at St. Paul’s Church, Kandy. The official ceremony will be held under the patronage of chief prelates of Malwatte and Asgiri Chapters, Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara and Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry officials.
The Independence Day State function will start with the hoisting of the national flag by President Rajapaksa at 8.50 a.m. followed by the national anthem. The function will begin at 9.07 a.m. under the President’s patronage with the participation of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Speaker, Chief Justice and Judges, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Diplomatic Corps, Chief of Defence Staff, and Commanders of the Armed Forces and the IGP.
Two minutes silence will be observed at 9.07 a.m. to honour patriots who had laid down their lives to protect and preserve freedom and the territorial integrity of the country. This will be followed by a 21 gun salute to President Rajapaksa.
The Independence Day address to the nation will be delivered by the President at 9.15 a.m. followed by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police march past at 9.45 a.m.
Military parades and cultural pageants with 2,000 security forces personnel and 1,200 artistes from cultural bodies and Dalada procession unit will be among the highlights. There will also be items by 4,000 schoolchildren which include nearly 1,000 specially trained members from cultural bands.
Two thousand special guests will also participate and the area around Mahamaluwa has been declared as high security zone.
The public can enter the area on production of the identity card. All night pirith chanting and religious observances were held at the Independence Hall, Independence Square, Colombo. The pirith chanting ceremony was headed by Chief Incumbent, Gangarama Viharaya, Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thera with the participation of Religious Affairs Minister Pandu Bandaranayake and senior officials. This will be followed by an alms giving at Gangarama Viharaya today.
Floral tribute to the first Minister D. S. Senanayake’s statue at Independence Square is also among the day’s events
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