http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/07/31/fea03.asp

LTTE diaspora dramatics, a poser for Western states

Shenali Waduge

There’s always a tolerable level to anything and sooner than later the LTTE diaspora are going to find out that they may need to do far more than take to the streets in processions against Sri Lanka, bribe the local MPs while carrying out nefarious acts like credit card scams, gang wars, human smuggling, narcotics, terror financing etc.

United as one. File photo

Should we even flag these crimes to any of these Western governments? Well if these Western governments and their leaders are not bothered that their own citizens are victims of people demonstrating on behalf of a banned terrorist outfit - we simply say good luck and good riddance. Let these LTTE diaspora get up to all sorts of mischief and become a nuisance in these foreign climes.

Afterall, these very nations that embraced immigrants are now saying adios to multi-culturalism. So it is only a matter of time that LTTE diaspora will become an intolerable nuisance to these Western governments.

Western governments do not need us to remind them what the LTTE or the LTTE diaspora has been upto over the years. Of course we did cry foul that having banned the LTTE as a terrorist organization it seemed ludicrous to allow its international headquarters to openly function in London while LTTE’s ideological head and his wife openly advocated separatism. But if that is how the West fashions its agenda - so be it.

We could never expect miracles from governments that harboured terrorists and their stooges and chose only to issue sympathy statements for civilian killings by LTTE over three decades. From all this it is clear and suffices to conclude that the diaspora was simply a useful tool to inflict pressures upon the Sri Lankan government - naturally the diaspora made the most of the opportunities that came their way.

Western governments

The cries of ‘discrimination’, ‘ethnic bias’, ‘human rights violations’ were marketed to perfection both by the LTTE and the Western governments. For the LTTE, it provided them a cover to hide their brutality and for Western nations it was simply a convenient means to advance their own agendas.

So while the LTTE were using the diaspora, the diaspora were using the Western governments and Western governments were using the diaspora against the Sri Lankan state, it was the citizens of these Western nations that were being fooled into accepting a false and hyped up notion of wrongs being done to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

There are many like Dayan Anthony - recently refused refugee status and turned back to Sri Lanka. His story is that the agent taking money to transport him to the West insisted he play the discrimination card.

Often the impression that is given overseas by the diaspora is that Tamils asked to return will be killed. If this argument is true how is it that there are more Tamils living in Colombo amongst the Sinhalese than ever before? How is it that practically all the condominiums built from Wellawatte to Dehiwela numbering well over 250 all belong to Tamils and occupied only by mostly Tamils?

It is impossible for a Sinhalese to play the discrimination ticket on the basis that they are the majority. The only other way is to portray political discrimination, media discrimination etc which have all become key instruments in obtaining passports to foreign shores for some. There are also those that are nothing but anti-Sri Lankan, who are of course lavished with foreign currency and made to continue the campaign to voice such sentiments through organizations that have been set up exclusively for this purpose and staying in Sri Lanka for them is far more lucrative than living overseas where they would neither be creating headlines nor gaining too much limelight! In other words everything is simply a farce.

Suicide cadres

Returning to the question of the LTTE diaspora, we do not need to waste time any further in highlighting all the ills that these diaspora members are upto in foreign shores. Bribing local MPs certainly calls for investigation by these authorities. It is evident that these foreign MPs speak on behalf of terrorist groups, rally alongside diaspora calling for a separate state, attend terrorist events atop decorated stages where speakers glorify suicide cadres and speaking glowingly about its terrorist leader has nothing liberal or democratic about it and is everything to do with mutual benefits both for diaspora and these local MPs.

It is through these local bodies that most of the diaspora have come to tap into welfare systems and schemes. Most loans taken are never returned.

Using tax payers’ money hundreds of 'LTTE madrasas' have emerged all over Europe where local education authorities have pinpointed that learning imparted is not upto standards and not without query. Hundreds of foreign citizens have become victims of credit card scams all engineered by LTTE diaspora, even several kovils have been subject to investigation for terror financing. If embarrassing Sri Lanka’s Head of state is what makes them tick so be it because on an official visit if Western governments compromise the security of a foreign leader its outcome is nothing that should embarrass Sri Lanka but the country hosting Sri Lanka’s head. What Sri Lanka’s missions need to be concerned about is first and foremost to portray the correct picture about why we refuse to accept the argument of discrimination and to showcase the reasons why and to place the fact in order to allow Western citizens to derive their own conclusions.

LTTE diaspora

With the record that the LTTE diaspora has it does question their right to be pointing fingers at Sri Lanka’s armed forces in the light of none of them sending a cent to uplift the life or livelihood of a single Tamil and how many of them ever raised a voice to insist that LTTE do not turn Tamil children into killers by kidnapping them. There is enough evidence available with the UN to showcase how children were very much part of LTTE’s killing machine. It is not difficult for anyone to accept how the North and East have changed since the elimination of the LTTE.

None of these LTTE diaspora will ever understand how it feels for their own people to feel free and neither do they like to accept that the Tamil people in the North and East are grateful and happy that the armed forces are among them to protect them now that they have come to realize that the army is not their enemy. The LTTE diaspora and the TNA have a very dismal record in terms of helping Tamil people - for most part they are no action - talk only or rather action confined to demonstrations and placards disturbing foreign citizens!

There are millions of Chinese diaspora all over the world, similarly there are thousands of other diaspora carrying on with their lives - so what exactly is wrong with these LTTE diaspora? From what emerges there are enough differences amongst their own with different forums trying to become the leader of the Tamil people. Some of these power struggles are nothing we should worry over and simply watch the curtain raiser and watch the theatrics unfold - it would be nothing short of how the LTTE eliminated all other Tamil militant parties to become self-appointed as Tamil liberators.

Domiciled overseas any mischief LTTE diaspora gets into has now nothing to do with Sri Lanka - Let these foreign governments handle their new found headache.

Let us simply get on with putting Sri Lanka in order.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/07/30/sec01.asp

 

‘No IDPs by mid-August’

Vast development in North and East:

Yasaratne Gamage In Mannar

‘The resettlement of IDPs in the North will be accomplished 100 percent by mid-August this year. All welfare camps in the North will be shut down, Defence and Urban Development Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said.

Speaking after opening the Army reconstructed two storeyed orphanage ‘Blessed Virgin’s Children’s Home’ at Kaththankulam, Mannar on Saturday, he said: “The resettlement in the North was to be completed by the end of July, but heavily mined Pudukudiuruppu cost us some extra time.

“The rest of the IDPs in welfare camps will be resettled in two weeks.

“The government has succeeded in bringing normality and stability to the North within just three years after a 30 – year- conflict.” The children’s home destroyed twice by the LTTE in 2005 was reconstructed and refurbished by the Army with financial assistance from well-wishers and social workers in Malaysia.

The Defence Secretary explained how the government and the military took maximum effort to accommodate IDPs who fled to the then LTTE controlled areas, even with pressure from international organisations who gave a wrong impression of the well- organised and easy to live welfare camps, stating the government was permanently accommodating IDPs in camps.

“But within three years, the displaced are returning due to the government’s timely and wise administration,” the Defence Secretary said.

Defence Secretary Rajapaksa said vast development projects have been initiated in the North and East including the A9, rail track, electrification, construction and developments in the irrigation systems and most of all a peaceful environment to live.

He gave a brief description of the government’s efforts in resettlement and reintegration of the rehabilitated former cadres and how the process helped them to start new lives.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government genuinely wanted to provide a long lasting solution to the problems of the people in North and East. This has been proved on many occasions,” the Defence Secretary said.

A large number of expatriates have returned to the motherland after peace was established, he said.

“Sri Lanka today is a stable and secure country. All Sri Lankans irrespective of ethnicity, religion , caste , political affiliations should unite in harmony to bring a bright future to their children,” the Defence Secretary said.

Mannar Bishop Rt Rev Dr Rayappu Joseph, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Security Forces Vanni Commander Major General Sumedha Perera, Mannar Government Agent Sarath Ravindra, Malaysian representatives , clergy and security personnel were present.

The Blessed Virgin’s Children’s Home was built at a cost of Rs 5.9 million saving Rs 1.1 million against the estimated cost for exclusive purchase of furniture for the project.

The orphanage will house more than 50 girls (six to 20 years) from parentless, single parented , orphaned or those who are in extremely difficult financial conditions in the Vanni. Currently, 20 girls from the Vanni are receiving care and education in the children’s home. The destroyed orphanage was built with financial assistance from the Federation of Malyasian Sri Lankan Organisation, Sri Lanka Workers’ Welfare Society, Sri Lanka Musical Extravaganza and the Global Organisation for People of Indian origin based in Malayasia. The reconstruction project was carried out with the 54 division , specially the 25 Sinha regiment manpower which enabled the project to be completed in a short time at low cost.

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Untold_story_20120728_02

Untold story...

A Sri Lankan youth named Dayan Antony who returned to Sri Lanka last morning from Australia after he was refused asylum and deported to Sri Lanka, told the media in Colombo that he was not a member of LTTE, but had pretended to be in order to get to Australia.

"I am not a member of the LTTE; but the agent who sent me to Australia on a forged visa told me to pretend that I was one and to tell everyone so," he said at a media briefing arranged by the Government Information Department, hours before his released from the custody of the Sri Lanka Police

Soon after his arrival in Sri Lanka the police had detained him for few hours and recorded his statement and then released him late last evening.

"Before I landed here in Colombo, I thought I would be sent to the Boossa detention camp after questioning, but that has not happened. The police treated me well and I am going to be a free man again, as they are going to release me," he said.

Police said they had released Dayan Anthony after recording his statement last evening.

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Australian_Gullibility_20120728_01

Australian Gullibility: forgeries, lies and manipulation in the netherworld of in-migration

Australian Gullibility: forgeries, lies and manipulation in the netherworld of in-migration

On the long haul back by plane from London to Adelaide from the 22 to 26th July I was sketching a list of articles on migration from Lanka since the 1950s with a focus on the tendency of reporters to look only at (a) Tamil migrants and (b) the recent influx of boat people - with almost total neglect of

• the deep past dating from the 1950s if not the 1940s;
• the considerable flow of Sinhalese, Muslims and other non-Tamil ethnic minorities from Sri Lanka over the last twenty or more years - by legal means as well as some foul;
• the considerable impact of snowballing chain migration in cumulative force from way back;
• the illegal entry of asylum seekers to Western countries by air and land routes; and
• the existence of forgery networks sponsoring the latter process.

Well, lo and behold! The Dayan Anthony sob story sensationally portrayed by the Sydney Morning Herald with such dripping pathos [an item I posted earlier today] has revealed that forgeries were part of the process -confirming my gut feeling arising from a reasonably definite tale relayed to me by M. Sathiyamoorthy of the ORI regarding a middle class SL Catholic Tamil family, refugees from a middle class background who owned a flat in the same apartment building in Chennai where his apartment was, who suddenly decamped [without informing Sathiyamoorthy despite the assistance he had continuously given them] and went abroad by air with the aid of the eldest son, a priest. His understanding was that forged papers were deployed. This, and some comments from the indomitable Muttukrishna Sarvananthan in Colombo and Point Pedro, had alerted me to the likelihood of forgeries being an important aspect of the out-migration pathways.

I insert here an email received from a functionary at the Ministry of Defence in Sri Lanka, a man I do not know personally, but one who is [unlike some Lankan officials] prompt and methodical in his work methods. I have not corrected his spelling mistakes-the only one of import being his spelling of "Kayts" as Kytes.

I may add some Comments at the end and keep inserting more info as the days pass by.

Email from SURESH NASEER of Ministry of Defence, GoSL, to Michael Roberts, 26 July 2012

Dear Sir,

Today I'd an opportunity to interview Dayan Anthony first deportee from Australia . Already being H/o to over to his parents today. The significance of this event is that the some Australian reports /publications (attached) highlighted the following;

The deportee is a victim of Sri Lankan war and has been in Mullawaikkal during 2009 and subsequently move to Australia. The same report highlights that he has been subjected to torture by CID as he was found guilty of associating with LTTE and selling clothes to LTTE from Negombo. Furthermore the report talks about the white van and how he managed to escape from the white van abduction. Hence the reports portray a complete different picture about Sri Lanka and blame Australian authorities fro putting this mans life in a very dangerous situation , indicating that he will be harassed, tortured and imprisoned. The report also indicate an arrest warrant issued against the suspect.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/more-may-follow-as-tamil-deported-20120725-22r28.html

I checked and found that all these allegations are baseless and not true. The said person was borne in Kytes and moved to Negombo in 1989. He has never experienced any wrong doings as alleged by the above media reports. He has gone to Malaysia seeking a job but has returned and then he has sought the assistance of an agency to go to France in 2009. Having failed that , the agent Siva (well known human smuggling operative) has taken him to Australia by using a fake passport. His sister is living in Australia. The agent has told him to tell the immigration authorities that he was in Wanni and was subjected to torture by CID and also has a case against him. He was wanted by Police. He was never in Wanni as claimed by the report. As per the statement made by him, he was asked to tell all these things as Australians have a soft corner for illegal immigrants.

He also has been told that Australia will consider the asylum application only if it from North and East but not from any other part of the country. Today he is a freeman and he has never experienced any sort of harassment from the airport and he was taken in to CID in order to identify him and to check the allegations made against him by the media. At the CID he has been treated well and now released him back to his parents. He wants to start a new life. He blames the Australia authorities as he was handcuffed and brought to Sri Lanka which resulted in swollen wrists. All these were stated to the media personnel voluntarily prior to joining his parents. It is unfortunate that some segments of the media together with pro LTTE elements in Australia along with some human right activists deliberately engage in a campaign to bring discredit to GoSL on this issue behind the human right banner. will send you a photograph within half an hour.

An Australian journalist also spoke to him today.

Tks

Suresh

Further comments by Michael Roberts as ongoing sequence

1. All this does not mean that Sri Lankan Tamils as well as those defined as "Indian Tamils" in the census did not suffer from discrimination in the past.
2. Nor that the violent conflict was not a major impetus to migration to India and elsewhere, especially during the years following the pogrom of July 1983. Thus in brief ethnic tensions and violence was a major promoter of out-migration.
3. This violence was not merely Sinhalese upon Tamil but Tamil upon Tamil arising from the fratricide between different Tamil militant groups in the 1980s and 1990s with the LTTE alone said to have killed some 7000 fellow Tamils between 1983 and 2006/07.
4. While several concrete instances from reliable sources in Australia (for e. g. Arun Ambalavanar of Sydney and Ranjan Abeysekara prison visitor at Baxter) indicate that men in the north fled as boat people or took legal paths in order to escape conscription.
5. It is likely that some (or many?) Tamils in Lanka today FEEL that they are disadvantaged and that there is discrimination. The degree to which this is valid is a contentious arena, but to the extent that this opinion is held reporters must necessarily present the case.
6. Where Australian reporters have consistently failed is in the absence of any sustained effort to tap the desires and moves of Sinhala, Muslim, Malay, Colombo Chetty and Burgher young men and women living in the south and to compare the degree of underemployment and unemployment ina typical southern locality with that of say Trincomalee or Kilinochchi.
7. Another racket within Sri Lanka, onvolving Sinhalese as well, is for asylum seeking individuals to lodge falsified complaints at the local Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka indicating noticeable victimization at the hands of the security forces. These included letters purporting to come from some security force campasking them to report at such and such at such and such date. Maddumabandara and Ekanayake of Vavuniya were arrested on 28th February 2012 in possession of the wherewithal for such purposes and it appears they charged Rs 10,000 for such letters. See http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=police_investigates_on_bogus_asylum_seekers_20120625_05 Also refer to the recent news item in a govt voice-piece newspaper entitled "TNA candidate revealed as kingpin in human smuggling racket"-http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=TNA_candidate_revealed_as_kingpin_in_human_smuggling_racket_20120726_02
8. Readers should also consult the report presented last Sunday 22 July by a team of Sinhalese reporters from the Sunday Times who gained empirical material from Udappu [on the northwestern shores] and elsewhere - http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120722/news/risking-blue-waters-for-greener-pastures-6714.html.
9. Also note that the Australian has continued the same lines of contention re David Anthony -with its wider connotations - in the Friday paper giving it considerable prominence and adding a striking photograph. The title s of two articles alongside each other are: (a) "UN Plea ignored as refugee sent home" and (b) "Don't let the influx hit those in need."
10. Note this item filed by Chaminda Perera in the Daily News, 27 July: Lankan asylum seeker describes harrowing experience in Aussie detention centre "A Sri Lankan asylum seeker who was deported by the Australian authorities yesterday requested Sri Lankans not to leave for Australia through illegal means. He said that a human smuggler has brought him to Australia promising him asylum status through a forged passport and ended up in a detention camp in Melbourne. Dayan Anthony of Negombo who left for Australia in April 2010, said he faced harassment in detention camps. "I was hand cuffed and beaten by the Australian authorities", he said. He showed the media how he was harassed by them while in detention. Anthony who left for Down Under through an agent said that Sri Lankans in detention camps in Australia will have to face the same situation in that country. Various people related to LTTE diaspora in Australia are spreading false information on Sri Lanka. They convinced the asylum seekers that Sri Lankan authorities are harassing the Tamil people who are returning to Sri Lanka. Anthony said said that he was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department when he arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday and later they released him. "Sri Lanka has become the safest place on the earth after the LTTE was wiped out from the country. 'I did not face any type of harassment at the hands of Sri Lankan authorities after I returned to the country", he said. "Certain segments in Australia who pay allegiance to the LTTE sympathizers say Sri Lankan asylum seekers deported by foreign countries are sent directly to Boosa dentention camp and they are harassed inhumanly by the Sri Lankan military. Anthony said he himself realized how friendly the Sri Lankan officials are. He said that he is completely a free person after 27 months in detention." ALSO SEE a video of his interview at http://dailymirror.lk/video/20634-untold-story.html.

http://www.dailymirror.lk/news/20670-20-tigers-to-be-sued-for-war-crimes.html

20 Tigers to be sued for war crimes

Saturday, 28 July 2012 09:15

Some 20 hardcore LTTE cadres who are alleged to have committed war crimes will be prosecuted within the next six months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations, thus bringing to a closure the uncertainty over the fate of the detainees.

He said the remaining group was believed to have participated in LTTE military activities because they had no other option but to carry out the dictates of the LTTE under severe threat.

“These LTTE cadres have told investigators that if they did not consent to be recruited as combatants, their entire families would have been killed. They are unwilling participants in the war. Therefore, we have decided to treat them leniently and mercifully whatever the gravity of their offences,” Mr. Gamlath said. “This category which has the largest number of excombatants will be referred for rehabilitation after court proceedings. We expect to be in a position to close the files within six months and end this long simmering matter once and for all.”

He said the investigations were not easy or simple because many LTTE cadres maintained links with the LTTE network and refused to grab the opportunity offered by the government to be rehabilitated.

The government is keen to complete the prosecution and rehabilitation process as soon as possible because the international community especially India is concerned about it. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sambanthan has held several rounds of talks with the government on this matter and is also keen to have the prosecution process expedited.(SAJ)

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/07/29/fea03.asp

National Action Plan on LLRC Recommendations :

Roadmap to reconciliation

Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga

The National Action plan with a specific time frame to implement the LLRC recommendations was approved by the Cabinet last week. Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga attending a joint press briefing at the External Affairs Ministry together with Prof. G. L. Peiris on Thursday said a Task Force was also appointed by the Cabinet to oversee, facilitate and implement the recommendations.

It is headed by Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga as the top civil servant in the country and comprises representatives from all stakeholder ministries and State institutions. The Plan lists out implementation of recommendations according to Activity, Key Responsible Agency, Key Performance Indicator and a set time frame.

The Action plan has rearranged the 285 LLRC recommendations and their sub recommendations under five themes; International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, Land Return and Resettlement,Restitution/Compensatory Relief and Reconciliation.

Some of the recommendations were already in the implementation stage, while others will begin before the end of this year. Some others requiring larger allocations of funding will be implemented in 2013 with special allocations from the upcoming Budget.

The action plan has set a time frame of 12 months to complete the ongoing disciplinary process of the military to ascertaincircumstances of death and injury to civilians in the final battles with LTTE terrorists.

LLRC Commissioners at a session

Demining in progress

Follow up action, where relevant and to prosecute those responsible, has been allocated 24 months with a further 24 months to file cases in the Courts.

The key responsible agencies cited are the Defence and Justice Ministries and the Attorney General’s Department. These institutions have also been entrusted to cover fullinvestigations into allegations of disappearances after surrender or arrest, leading to prosecution and punishment of wrongdoers.A professional survey covering affected families to ascertain at first hand the scale and circumstances of deathand injury to civilians, as well as damage to property during theperiod of the conflict, recommended by the LLRC is already under way by the Census and Statistics Department. It is overseen by the Presidential Secretariat. The Defence Ministry and the Presidential Secretariat will re-assess the Army inquiry to examine the authenticity of allegations on Channel 4 within six months.

With regard to the recommendation 9.48 of the LLRC calling forimmediate steps to investigate abductions, involuntary disappearances and arbitrary detention allegations and to bring perpetrators to justice by direct law enforcing authorities.The Ministry of Defence, Police Department, Legal Aid Commission, CBOs and Ministry of Justice have been entrusted with work to identify impediments as well as to build capacity within the Police Department for an effective surveillance mechanism and to establish community policing among other tasks. This work has been given a time frame of two and a half years.

Within the first six months the institutions have been directed to identify the impediments and take remedial action.

The recommendation 9.51 of the LLRC, that calls upon to appoint a Special Commissioner of Investigation to investigate alleged disappearances and provide material to the Attorney General to initiate criminal proceedings as appropriate, the action plan directs to invoke present procedures as available in the Code of Criminal Procedure and sensitize the public of the available mechanisms within a time period of three months. The key responsible institutions are the Police and the Attorney General's Department, Ministry of Justice and ICTA.

In response to the recommendation to devise a centralized system at national level to collect data on missing persons, the action plan has proposed an integrated data base of missing persons compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence within a time frame of six months.

With regard to the implementation of the 'Registration of Deaths Act' at administrative level, it is informed that the recommendation has already begun implementation while there will be progress reviews. It will be given wide publicity targeting people in conflict-affected areas, via the Government's 1919 hot-line. To the call for an independent Advisory committee to monitor and examine the arrest and detention of persons under Public Security Ordinance or the PTA, the earlier recommendations given under the IHL issues will be applied. For persons held for long periods without charges, the LLRC proposed a special mechanism to examine their cases on a case by case basis, the action plan has proposed to identify established procedures within the existing system to address the issue and a 'dedicated unit' within the AG's Department for 'decision making' with regard to such cases.

The key performance indicator (KPI) of this measure is the 'reduction in the number of such detainees'. The Attorney General's Department has been instructed to complete the work in two years.

LLRC Recommendation 9.59 is to be further examined and if law reform, was required to criminalize enforced or involuntary disappearances, found to be necessary, the draft legislation is to be presented in Parliament within 24 months. The Ministry of Justice, AG's Department and Police Department has been made key responsible agencies.

To create awareness on human rights among the masses, the police and armed forces, activities identified in the National Human Rights Action Plan will be implemented. A module developed by the National Institute of Education will also be included in the secondary school curriculum on inclusion. The agencies responsible will be the NHRC, Education Ministry, Armed Forces and the IGP.

Within six months the Ministry of Defence is to make available easy access to the database of detainees to the next of kin as per the recommendation 9.63 in the LLRC.

Under core recommendations the Action plan proposes to examine and report on the feasibility and practicality of issuing a certificate when a detained person is released to prevent re-arrest of the same person on the same charges unless new evidence surfaces. To look into the laws delays, a program is to be formulated to divert suspects from the criminal process to voluntary rehabilitation and enable indictments to be filed in an additional number of courts to clear the backlog. The Ministry of Justice, the AG's Department and the police department are the key agencies responsible.

The call is to screen detainees and give attention to young, injured, disabled and needing counselling, etc, the remainder of the detainees are to be reviewed by the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation with the aim of compiling a report by three months.

In respect of the recommendation against the illegal armed groups (9.73) the action plan has stated that the Government had eliminated such groups that existed during the conflict but action will be continued to ensure there will not be a re-emergence. An addition crime statistics within the area will be examined to identify critical issues and measures by the MOD and Police Department will be taken to improve law enforcement. With regard to young detainees (9.78, 9.82) the Government has alreadyaddressed this concern fully with many following academic activities and reunification of their families.

The recommendations 9.79, 9.81 is no more applicable since the Government has identified, rehabilitated and re-integrated all child combatants into society.

The recommendation with regard to women, children, elderly and other vulnerable groups affected by the conflict, calling for the setting up of an inter agency Task Force, the Government has addressed the issue under the National Human Rights Action Plan.

Recommendation 9.104 to grant legal ownership of land to resettled IDPs, a circular in this regard is being implemented and awareness will be created to educate them on available land for resettlement.

The Ministry of Lands will be responsible for the implementation of this directive.

In relation to recommendation 9.108 concerning Lankan refugees in India and their return, a policy on repatriation will be formulated jointly by the Ministries of Lands, External Affairs, Resettlement and Defence. Subsequent bi-lateral discussions to discuss the policy and implement decisions will be initiated and completed within 24 months.

On the issue of Muslim IDPs from the North (9.113), Presidential Task Force for the North and the East, will be required to formulate a policy of the Muslim IDPs and issue necessary directions for implementation within nine months.

The recommendation that covers harassment on Media personnel and institutions the action plan has proposed the following in response to, give priority to the investigation, prosecution and disposal in such cases, investigate past incidents of such illegal action, ensure freedom of movement in the North and the East and ensure right to information, the Ministry of Mass Media and Information has been directed to take effective measures to ensure media freedom, strengthen grievance mechanisms including court action and complaints to the National Police Commission in cases of police inaction.

Apart from the Ministry of MMI, the Police Department and the Press Council has been made key responsible Agencies. Action will be initiated to remove impediments to free movement by these agencies while introducing a code of conduct to promote responsible journalism among media personnel.

In view of the right to information, legislation, the Cabinet of Ministers are to be consulted by the Ministry of MMI for a suitable time frame to draft legislation.

To the Recommendation 9.119 that called on removing undue restrictions for visitors from overseas to visit their friends and relatives in recently resettled areas, MOD and the Department of Police and the respective Government Agents have been instructed to identify if there were any such restrictions and take action to remove them within a period of six months.

The Task Force has directed the AG's Department to examine recommendations of past Commissions including the inquiry into the death of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006 and 17 aid workers of the ACF in August 2006 and ensure follow up on recommendations and ensure that there are implemented. (LLRC Recommendation 9.120).

---

Key highlights from IHL and Human Rights recommendations of LLRC and National Action Plan response

LLRC Recommendation:

*Ascertain more fully the circumstances under which specific instances of death or injury to civilians could have occurred, and if such investigations disclose wrongful conduct, prosecute and punish the wrongdoers. Also launch a full investigation into allegations of disappearances after surrender/arrest and where such investigations produce evidence of any unlawful act on the part of individual members of the Army, prosecute and punish the wrongdoers.

National Action Plan recommendation:

Complete ongoing disciplinary process being conducted in terms of Armed Forces statutes. (Time frame 12 months)

Upon conclusion, take follow up action to prosecute, where relevant. (time frame 24 months)

Use the existing system as provided for in the Criminal Procedure Code to originate a complaint and give such mechanism sufficient publicity. (time frame 24 months)

***********************

*LLRC recommendation:

Conduct a professionally designed household survey covering all affected families in all parts of the island to ascertain firsthand the scale and circumstances of death and injury to civilians, as well as damage to property during the period of the conflict.

National Action Plan: Survey ongoing

***********************

*LLRC:

Initiate an independent investigation into the Channel 4 Video to establish the truth or otherwise of the allegations arising from the video footage.

*National Action Plan:

Assess current processes being pursued to examine the authenticity of the allegations in Channel 4 namely, the inquiry currently conducted by the Army. Based on such results take follow up action as appropriate. (time frame 6 months)

***********************

*LLRC: Direct law enforcement authorities to take immediate steps to ensure that allegations [of abductions, enforced or involuntary disappearances, and arbitrary detention] are properly investigated into, and perpetrators brought to justice.

*National Action Plan: Identify impediments, if any, to the effective enforcement of the law. That the offences are visited with serious sanctions, Strengthen investigation skills of Police, Strengthen access to justice, Enhance the capacity of the Police to put in place a more effective surveillance mechanism of the locality in cooperation with the local community and establish community policing. (total time frame 30 months)

***********************

*LLRC: Appoint a Special Commissioner of Investigation to investigate alleged disappearances and provide material to the Attorney General to initiate criminal proceedings as appropriate. Provide the Office of the Commissioner with experienced investigators to collect and process information.

*National Action Plan: Invoke the present procedures as available in the Code of Criminal Procedures with priority given to such complaints.

***********************

*LLRC: Create a special mechanism to examine cases of persons being held in detention (for long periods without charges] on a case by case basis and recommend a course of action in regard to disposal of each case.

*National Action Plan: Identify and establish procedures in the existing system to address the issue. Complete decision making regarding detainees through a dedicated Unit in the Attorney General’s Dept. mandated to examine detention cases. (time frame 24 months)

*LLRC: Frame domestic legislation to specifically criminalize enforced or involuntary disappearances.

*National Action Plan: Examine the need for legislation and formulate and present law to Parliament, if law reform is found to be necessary with emphasis on the need to impose heavy terms of imprisonment as a deterrent. (time frame 24 months)

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*LLRC: Create a centralized comprehensive database containing a list of detainees, which should be made available to the next of kin with names, place as detention as well as record of transfers.

*National Action Plan: The present database to be enhanced with easy access to information being available to Next of Kin. (time frame six months)

***********************

*LLRC: Conduct proper investigations in respect to allegations against the illegal armed groups. Institute criminal proceedings against offenders.

*National Action Plan: During the time of the conflict, illegal armed groups were known to operate in the theatre of conflict. Steps have been taken to completely eliminate this activity. These measures will be continued to be implemented to ensure that these groups do not re-emerge.

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*LLRC: Investigate any such instances where there is prima facie evidence of conscription of children as combatants and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

National Action Plan: Investigations completed.

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*LLRC: Take all steps to prevent harassment and attacks on media personnel and institutions. Give priority to the investigation, prosecution and disposal of such cases. Properly investigate past incidents of such illegal action.

*National Action Plan: Take appropriate action to ensure media freedom.

Pursuit of grievance mechanisms - Complaints to Police, FR Applications to SC, Complaints to Press Council (with a wider jurisdiction and enhanced powers), Complete investigations into current cases and promote responsible journalism and consider a code of conduct for journalists. (timeframe 12 months)

***********************

*LLRC: Ensure people, community leaders, and religious leaders have the freedom to organize peaceful events and meetings without restrictions.

National Action Plan: Monitor monthly at GA’s conference, whether there are constraints to enjoying this freedom.

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*LLRC: Implement recommendations of past commissions of inquiry, particularly those relating to further investigation and prosecution of offenders involved in the death of – a) 5 students in Trincomalee in January 2006 and b) 17 aid workers of the ACF in August 2006

*National Action Plan: Examine recommendations of Committees and ensure follow up on recommendations are implemented (time frame: ongoing)

Next week: Focus on Land Return and Resettlement and Compensatory Relief.

 

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/07/29/main_Editorial.asp

UPFA makes headway in the East

Sri Lanka's success story in combatting terrorism is worthy of emulation, especially by those countries which are hit by terrorism. Britain and the United States are taking no chances when it comes to security following the 9/11 attack by Al Qaeda. London is under a well-knit security blanket, fearing unexpected terror attacks during the 2012 Olympic Games now in progress.

There was a time when Sri Lanka too could not host any international sports events due to LTTE terror. When Sri Lanka won the 1996 cricket World Cup, countries such as Australia and the West Indies cited security concerns and refused to honour their qualifying round matches being played in Colombo.

Following a suicide attack which killed the then Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral Clancy Fernando near the Galle Face Green in 2001, the New Zealand cricket team, putting up in a nearby five-star hotel, packed their baggage and left, abandoning their Test series after the first match.

Nevertheless, such frightful experiences are now a thing of the past, thanks to the Security Forces crushing the LTTE militarily and liberating the country from the scourge of terrorism. It is indelibly etched in our memory how it all began in Mavil Aru when LTTE terrorists closed an anicut, thus depriving civilians of their basic need of water. It was at this point of time the Government decided to prod the Security Forces into action, thereby vanquishing the terrorists and opening the Mavil Aru anicut.

The 14-day humanitarian operation to liberate Mavil Aru from hardcore terrorists ended on August 8, 2006, providing water to over 15,000 Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim villagers of Kallar, Seru Nuwara, Seruvila, Dehiwattha and Neelapola.

This also helped farmers in the area to irrigate thousands of acres of paddy cultivation which were abandoned due to the closure of the Mavil Aru anicut.

This was the turning point in the East and the world's largest human rescue mission which rescued over half a million people from the jaws of LTTE terror.

Since then, the Security Forces made tremendous headway to destroy Tiger power in Sampur, Thoppigala and Vakarai. Within a few months, the Security Forces liberated the entire Eastern Province and ushered in an environment for people of different ethnicities to live in peace and harmony.

The Government not only liberated the Eastern Province and its people who had been subjected to untold privations, but also restored their democratic rights. Provincial Council elections were held soon after the resettlement was completed. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, a former LTTE child soldier, gave up arms and entered the democratic process, and succeeded in becoming the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province.

The economy of the Eastern Province is characterised by its rural setting and close proximity to the sun-kissed beaches. However, the three districts, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara had comparatively unfavourable links with the country's main economic hub Colombo at that time.

After the East was liberated and while the Security Forces were engaged in liberating the North, the Government launched its development drive in the East.

The Eastern Reawakening program gave a new look to the province and the Government developed infrastructure facilities in double quick time. A large volume of funds had been pumped for development activities in the East. Massive bridges were built at strategic points to strengthen its road network and connect villages in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara districts.

A new lease of life opened for the people in the East and the province now shows a rapid economic growth of 22 percent, compared to around eight percent in the entire country.

Four years after the last election, the Government dissolved the Eastern Provincial Council to feel the pulse of the people.

The Eastern Province economy has shown steady progress with its fishing industry and agriculture having recorded remarkable growth. As a result, more cash is now flowing into the province to strengthen their purchasing power. This has been a godsend for people who had been subjected to untold misery under the LTTE's ruthless terror just five years ago.

The immense sacrifices of the Security Forces in liberating the East have brought about fruitful results as the three communities are now living in peaceful coexistence.

There is no doubt whatsoever that the people in the East would demonstrate their profound gratitude to the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. There is no gainsaying the fact that it was the President's political sagacity that transformed the lives of people in the East. A large number of them had been forcibly held as a human shield when LTTE terrorism was at its peak.

Those hapless civilians would perhaps never have dreamt that LTTE terrorism could have been annihilated so swiftly to offer them a new lease of life. Hence, most people in the East would gladly rally round the UPFA at the forthcoming Eastern Provincial Council elections.

Does the TNA, which is also contesting the elections, have any moral right to seek votes of the people in the East, especially Tamils? The TNA turned a blind eye to LTTE terror and did not utter a word in favour of the Tamils who had been at the receiving end under LTTE mayhem.The TNA acted as a mere LTTE proxy and danced the fandango round terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The TNA leadership led by R. Sampanthan was remote-controlled by Prabhakaran from the Vanni jungles. Was there a single Tamil leader who spoke in favour of the people in the East, until the province was liberated by the Security Forces under President Rajapaksa's illustrious political leadership?

Hence, the people in the East would definitely endorse the President's political vision and the UPFA. Tamils in the East would undoubtedly reject the TNA in toto as it did precious little for them when it mattered most.

Have the TNA leaders been sincere even to their own community? If they had any feeling for the community they represent, the TNA should have vehemently opposed LTTE terror and alleviated the sufferings of the Tamils under Prabhakaran. Sampanthan and his cohorts were only interested in their political survival.

Although the Security Forces eradicated terrorism, the TNA is still claiming to be the sole representatives of Tamils - the LTTE too did likewise when they held the area forcibly.

The Provincial Council elections would no doubt mark a new political culture and increase the UPFA penetration in the East. People in the East would teach the TNA an unforgettable lesson for the sins they had committed in liaison with Prabhakaran.

http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/2683-nobody-should-mourn-the-defeat-of-the-ltte

 

  "Nobody should mourn the defeat of the LTTE"- John Rankin

Published on Friday, 27 July 2012 13:19

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Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) held its 173rd Annual General Meeting recently at Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

Addressing the gathering, The Chief Guest John Rankin, British High Commissioner said that nobody should grieve about the defeat of LTTE.

“The physical peace that has come to this country is to be welcomed. Nobody should mourn the defeat of the LTTE”

He also added, potential British investors scouting for investment opportunities in post war Sri Lanka look for clear and efficient approval processors, greater flexibility in promoting the private sector, and reduced bureaucracy in setting up businesses.

“In 2011, UK exports to Sri Lanka increased by 20% in terms of value to £155 million while the Sri Lanka exports to the UK were £804 million, an increase of 14% compared to 2010. We remain Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner in Europe and by the overall volume, the second largest trading partner in the world"

Friday, July 27 , 2012 - 5.55 GMT

Earnings from tourism increases

Earnings from tourism during the first five months of 2012 grew by 24.9 per cent to US dollars 397 million, the Central Bank said in its External Sector Performance review for the month of May 2012. Earnings from tourism in May 2012 grew at a healthy rate of 20.6 per cent to US dollars 57 million. Tourist arrivals in May 2012 increased by 17.5 per cent to 57,506, raising tourist arrivals during the first five months of 2012 to 387,622, the data released by the Central Bank showed. Sri Lanka launched an ambitious five-year plan under the guidance of the Economic Development Minister to boost tourism in the country. Under the plan Sri Lanka expects to raise the number of arrivals to 2.5 million and to earn annual revenue of US$ 2.75 billion by 2016.

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201207/20120726australia_deports_tamil_asylum_seeker_for_links_with_ltte.htm Thursday, July 26 , 2012 - 5.45 GMT

Australia deports Tamil asylum seeker for links with LTTE

Australian immigration officials have deported to Sri Lanka a Tamil asylum seeker, after failing to win refugee protection, Australian media reported. The man, accused of links with LTTE was taken from a Melbourne detention centre to Tullamarine airport yesterday and put on a flight to Bangkok bound for Colombo. He is believed to be the first Tamil asylum seeker to be deported out of Australia since the latest spate of arrivals began in 2008. The asylum seeker– Dayan Anthony - had failed in his bid for refugee status and was refused a visa by the Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, after appealing on mental health grounds. According to the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ he arrived in Australia in 2010, having fled Jaffna.

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201207/20120726post_conflict_probe_on_ltte_activity.htm Thursday, July 26 , 2012 - 5.45 GMT

Post-conflict probe on LTTE activity: Top Swiss team due in Colombo soon

The Swiss authorities are flying in legal officers of the Federal State Prosecutor’s office, the Swiss Federal criminal police, translators and defense counsels into Sri Lanka to investigate LTTE activities. They will question 26 witnesses. The following is the translation of an article published in Neue Zurcher Zeitung, a leading Swiss newspaper, captioned ‘Expedition Colombo of the Federal Prosecutors’ The report by Andreas Schmid was carried in the July 20 issue. The Federal Prosecutors office is not sparing any effort in the case lodged against the Swiss branch of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Up to now 120 witnesses and informants have been questioned in Switzerland with regard to the suspected criminal activities of the Tamil Tigers. The case is connected with illegally procured monies being willfully diverted. In 130 instances, between 70,000 and 100,000 Swiss Francs had been used for the Tamil Tigers in their battles in Sri Lanka. Interrogation of 30 persons is still pending. The 15 member delegation will be in Sri Lanka from 3rd to the 12th of September 2012 . According to a Swiss government official, statements of each witness will be recorded by a Police Officer. Two statements will be recorded simultaneously by the prosecutors and the defense to save money and time. The defense will be allowed to take an extra person in order to facilitate the recording of their evidence so that it will be comprehensive and complete. This initiative will cost the Federal prosecutor a six figure sum. The government official did not divulge the exact amount because the matter was sub judice. One of the defense Counsel, Marcel Bosonnet was critical about the mission. He maintained that 14 of the 26 witnesses expected to give evidence were at the moment in detention. In fact, he stated 25 of them were at one time or the other under arrest. He maintains that UN and NGO reports indicate that they would have been tortured. Evidence extracted under torture is not valid under the UN conventions. Therefore, getting evidence in Sri Lanka will not lead to the truth. The defense cannot call for any witnesses as they will be identified in Sri Lanka as sympathizers of the Tigers and their lives will be in danger. This was taken into account by the Prosecutors office, emphasized Balmer, a spokesman of the Federal Prosecutor’s Office. This was the reason why the Prosecuting Attorney, a lady lawyer, insisted that the defense should also be present at the interrogation. The comprehensive right of the defense will enable the defense to come to their own conclusions, in situ, regarding the position of the witnesses. The witnesses will be asked during the questioning whether they were tortured. Initially, Bosonnet considered not to fly to Sri Lanka. As half a dozen other lawyers of the defense are travelling, he has realized that his influence is dependent on his participation as: "If one is not present, one can not ask questions," said Bosonnet. Still he is not convinced about the strategy of the prosecutors. He stated that it is not quite clear as to why the 26 witnesses are so important for this case and also wanted to know from whom information for the case was obtained. "This could only have come from Sri Lankan officials" maintained Bosonnet. Balmer explained that questioning will lead to verifying the impounded evidence in Switzerland. Following up on what was gathered by the Federal criminal police, further evidence was found in Sri Lanka by Federal investigators. Apart from Switzerland, others such as the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands are conducting cases against members of the Tamil Tigers. The authorities in the Netherlands, have deviated from standard practice and are planning in Autumn to question the Chief Financial Officer of the LTTE, who is under arrest. Legal circles maintain that never has such a costly venture been undertaken abroad by the Federal Prosecutors Office. Jeannette Balmer did not make a comparison with other instances but stated "The Federal Prosecutor's Office does focus on cases abroad. Travelling is an inevitable part of the expenses". Since the Spring of 2009, the Prosecutors office have lodged cases against many Tamils in Switzerland. Over a dozen leaders of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been accused of laundering money, belonging to criminal organizations for threats and extortion. Among others is the former chief of the Tamil Tigers in Switzerland, the Finance Chief and his Secretary. They have been apprehended and have been under investigation. The proceedings commenced in 2009, but they were set aside till 2011, when, subsequent, to several raids in different cantons following up on criminal acts eight persons were put under arrest. Since April last year they are all free but the legal process continues. "The end of the cases is expected in 2013" said Jeannette Balmer, the spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s office. The investigations are in keeping with the rogatory agreement of the two countries signed in 2010, where a formal request from a court to a foreign court for some type of judicial assistance is entertained. The most common remedies sought by the rogatory procedure are the assistance for the legal process and the facilitation to record evidence. The questioning will be conducted under the practices of Swiss Justice and the Swiss Ministry of Justice will support the investigations stated Balmer. Courtesy: The Island

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/07/28/fea03.asp

The Tooth Relic: symbol of royal authority

Prof. W. I. Siriweera

In ancient East Indian Buddhist states, claimants to the throne made all attempts to take possession of the Tooth Relic during times of internal wars, in order to legitimize their authority and rule. According to the Dathuvamsa it was such an internal war which contributed to the dispatch of the left eye-tooth of the Buddha or the Tooth Relic by King Guhasiva of Kalinga through Prince Dantha and Princess Hemamala to Sri Lanka during the reign of Srimeghavanna (301-328). Sri Lanka was selected as a safe haven because this island was the sanctuary of Buddhism during this era.

Srimeghavanna deposited the Tooth Relic in a building called Dhammacakka and it was the first Temple of the Tooth in the island. The Mahavamsa records that several kings such as Dhatusena (455-473) and Aggabodhi I (571-604) deposited the relic in golden reliquaries and made improvements to the Temple of the Tooth which stood in the royal courtyard.

Relic temple

Sri Dalada Maligawa

The Chinese monk, Fa-Hsien who studied scriptures at Anuradhapura for two years between 411-413 A.D describes the Tooth Relic festival conducted during his time. Ten days prior to the festival a man seated on a grandly caparisoned elephant went round beating a large drum and announced that the roads of the procession should be cleaned and improved. Ten days after, the Tooth Relic was brought to the Abhayagiri monastery in a procession.

According to the seventh century Chinese traveller Hieun-Tsang, Danta dhatughara or the Tooth Relic chamber at Anuradhapura was an exquisite building of very great religious importance. It was not attached to a monastery but was near the King’s palace.

After the capital was shifted to Polonnaruva, its first Sinhala King Vijayabahu I (1070-1110) constructed the building called Atadage and deposited the Tooth Relic in this building.

The Mahavamsa states that Vijayabahu I celebrated throughout his reign a great festival of the relic. When Parakramabahu I established himself as king at Polonnaruva in 1153 A.D he had to wage a war against princess Sugala of Rohana to obtain the Tooth Relic because the possession of the Tooth Relic was considered absolutely necessary for the legitimation of royal authority. Once the relic was secured he constructed a new building to house the relic.

Literary works

In some of his inscriptions Nissankamalla (1187-1196) also claims to have built a Tooth Relic temple at Polonnaruwa. The Mahavamsa corroborates this claim when it states that, immediately after his accession, Nissankamalla built a splendid relic temple. According to the Pujavaliya it was built in 60 days but no further details are given by this text. This has been identified as now ruined edifice Hatadage.

When Magha occupied Polonnaruwa in 1215 A.D and persecuted Buddhists and destroyed Buddhist establishments, the bhikkhus took the Tooth Relic to Kotmale in the Central hills and hid it for protection. Vijayabahu III (1232-1236) brought it to his new capital Dambadeniya, but due to the threats posed by invaders, built a temple at Beligala to keep the Tooth Relic in safe custody. It was Parakramabahu II (1236-1270) who brought the relic to Dambadeniya and housed it in a temple near the palace. He also conducted festivals and processions in honour of the Tooth Relic repeatedly.

With the shifting of the capital to Yapahuwa, a Temple of the Tooth was built there but after eleven years, during an era of invasions, the relic was forcibly taken over by the Aryacakravarti of Jaffna and handed it over to the South Indian Pandyan King. Later on Parakramabahu III (1287-1293) went to the Pandyan kingdom befriended its ruler and brought the Tooth Relic to Yapahuwa.

When the capital was shifted to Kurunegala in 1293, Gampola in 1341 and Kotte in 1396 successive kings housed the Tooth Relic in exquisitely constructed temples located near the palace.

A substantial number of literary works datable to the reign of Parakramabahu VI (1412-1467) of Kotte refer to the splendour of the Temple of the Tooth and festivities associated with the Tooth Relic during his reign. According to them, the Temple of the Tooth was a three-storied building in the form of a conical crown built of stone with finely carved granite pillars. It had a golden tiara (rankota) and inside the temple was decorated with paintings.

It was the centre of ritual in the city of Kotte. The Tooth Relic was kept in the innermost casket of four golden caskets of decreasing size. Rituals were performed at the Temple of the Tooth thrice a day to the tune of drums and other music. The Gira Sandesaya refers to fine music played at the Temple of the Tooth which could be heard even outside the ramparts.

Subsequently during Don Juan Dharmapala’s nominal rule in Kotte the Tooth Relic was taken out of the city and was hidden by the bhikkhus in Delgamuwa temple in the Ratnapura District.

The first king of Kandy, Vimaladharmasuriya brought the Tooth Relic from Delgamuwa to Kandy and housed it in a two-storied temple near the palace. Later he improved the Temple of the Tooth and made it a three-storied complex. Until the present, this complex had been improved and renovated by successive rulers both in the pre-independence and post-independence eras.

As seen earlier, from the time of Srimeghavanna there had been processions (Perahara) conducted in honour of the Tooth Relic intermittently.

The Asela festival procession as it is conducted today combining the processions of the four devalas had its origins in the reign of Kirti Sri Rajasinghe. It was the chief priest (sangharaja) Velivita Saranankara who advised Kirti Sri Rajasinghe to conduct a gigantic and elaborate procession in honour of the Tooth Relic.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/07/28/fea02.asp

Implementing the LLRC recommendations

The government has unveiled its road map for carrying out those recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) hitherto unimplemented. The Cabinet approved the ‘National Plan of Action to implement the recommendations of the LLRC’ (NAP) on Wednesday and it was made public at a press conference on Thursday.

The LLRC was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa more than two years ago, in accordance with the Commissions of Inquiry Act, to look back at the conflict Sri Lanka suffered and to look ahead and see what needed to be done to ensure an era of healing and peace building in the country.

External Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris

Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga

In November 2011 it submitted its report, wherein it made recommendations regarding the correction of crimes and human rights violations, the resettlement of displaced people and the redressal of the grievances of the various ethnic groups which make up the population.

The Cabinet appointed a committee headed by the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga to oversee the implementation of these recommendations. The committee categorised the 285 recommendations in the report into broad groups, pertaining to National Policy, the final phase of the conflict, human rights and national security concerns, and resettlement, development and reconciliation - to be implemented on long, medium and short term basis.

Short-term recommendations

It found that many of the recommendations have already been implemented, while some are in the process of implementation. According to Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, the Cabinet spokesman, the government has already executed 60 percent of the short-term recommendations.

In confirmation, External Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris said that 98 percent of the work pertaining to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) 90 percent of that connected to the re-integration into society of ex-combatants and almost all demining activity had been completed, while all the High Security Zones except for Palaly had been removed.

The NAP provides a time-table for put into action the various uncompleted LLRC guidelines, in the areas of international humanitarian issues arising from the final phase of the conflict, Human Rights, Land Return and Resettlement, Restitution/ Compensatory Relief and Reconciliation.

The scheme of implementation of each recommendation is broken down by Activity (the tasks to be carried out), Key Responsible Agency (the government establishments tasked with execution), Key Performance Indicator (the variable to be used as the index of success of each task) and Time-frame.

The time-scales for carrying out the activities relevant to each recommendation vary from six months to three years; in the case of the tasks being sequential, the period for implementing the corresponding directive can be as long as five years.

Committee chairman Weeratunga told the press that there would be follow-up discussions with the agencies involved and vigorous monitoring of progress. He added that the LLRC report, which was in English will be published next week, translated into Sinhala and Tamil.

The NAP deals with a raft of issues, from Human Rights violations to problems of land settlement. However, international media attention has been drawn mainly to the planned tasks relevant to the international humanitarian issues arising from the final phase of the conflict.

The LLRC found that, while there was no military policy of deliberately targeting civilians, there had been ‘considerable civilian casualties’ and it urged the government to investigate incidents which might point to ‘wrongful conduct’.

The NAP attempts to deal with this suggestion are being criticised by the foreign media, by non-governmental organisations and by the Opposition.

An LLRC sitting. File photo

Much of this criticism was related to the cumulative five-year time-frames of some sequential tasks. For example, Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran was dismissive, calling it a plan prepared for ‘foreign consumption’ and the time-frame an attempt to drag on the issue so that international attention would be lost.

British Channel 4

However, Minister Rambukwella said that the NAP showed that ‘the government has dispelled all doubts about its sincerity in trying to implement the recommendations’, while committee chairman Weeratunga said it showed that the government was keen to move the process forward.

Of special significance in this context is the six months’ time-table given to the army to complete ‘follow up action’ over allegations contained in the British Channel 4 television documentary that members of security forces had killed surrendering cadres of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, which shows that the government is willing to go the extra mile.

Certainly, the announcement of the NAP will be a severe blow to critics of the government, particularly to those of the hegemonic ideology of the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora.

Even before the USA tabled its resolution at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), calling on the Sri Lanka government to implement these proposals, these critics had been harping on the government’s alleged intention of ignoring the LLRC report.

Now it appears that the wind has been taken from their sails. Tired, lack-lustre separatist politicians must now restrict their criticism to jaded comments about the whole process being a sham.

The cynical Diasporic hacks will have to adapt to using ‘time-frame’ as an obscenity in conjunction with ‘cover-up’. The rest of the world and, it is hoped, the international Sri Lankan Tamil community, will await full evidence of the implementation or otherwise of the NAP before making a judgement

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=TNA_candidate_revealed_as_kingpin_in_human_smuggling_racket_20120726_02

TNA candidate revealed as kingpin in human smuggling racket

Three persons, including a candidate for the upcoming Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province, were arrested by the CID in connection with a mega human smuggling racket where more than Rs 25 million had been swindled from unsuspecting people who sought asylum in other countries, Police Media Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said yesterday.

The main suspects, who were arrested, had been directly involved in smuggling 82 persons in two vessels (Namo Maria and Sinhale ) on July 11 and another 53 persons on July 20 to Christmas Islands.

Investigations revealed the suspects had charged between Rs 200,000 to Rs 1,200,000 from each person.

SP Rohana said the main suspect in the human smuggling racket was a member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and a candidate for the local council elections in the East scheduled for September.

He is also the former chairman of Kadawath Sathara Pradeshiya Sabha and resigned to compete in the upcoming election.

"There were reports of attempts by people to go overseas by boat illegally over the past few days. We had reported how the Diaspora may also be involved in human smuggling and that has now been confirmed with the arrest of the suspect," the Police spokesman said.

He said those who are arrested in connection with human smuggling are not granted bail and will be produced in court under the Immigration and Emigration Act No 45.

From January 1 this year up to date, 620 persons were arrested while attempting to leave the country illegally while 40 of those arrested were human smuggling racket operators. The Police request the public to be vigilant of these masked politicians who pose as saviors of innocent people but cheat the public behind the scene.

Courtesy : Daily News

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Rehabilitated_ex_LTTEers_for_National_Sports_Squads_20120726_03

Rehabilitated ex-LTTEers for National Sports Squads

A number of talented, rehabilitated ex-LTTEers have been identified as potential candidates for National Sports Squads in several disciplines, following a special programme to identify their skills in sports.

Accordingly five ex-LTTE combatants (shooting), two (Cricket) and one person for Karate have been identified as suitable for further training following tests, the Sports Ministry said.

The tests were conducted at Sri Lanka Navy Range, Welisara sports complex and Khettarama stadium.

Accordingly rehabilitated ex-LTTE cadres who are talented in sports are slated to be absorbed to the national pool through this special selection programme jointly initiated by the Sports Ministry and Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms Ministry.

According to the the Sports Ministry, 131 ex-LTTE cadres who are undergoing rehabilitation programme will be trained for 12 selected sporting events such as shooting, volleyball, soccer, badminton, swimming, athletics, weight lifting, karate, kabadi, cricket, chess and carom under this programme.

Authorities say that it is their intention to provide opportunities for sports activities in North and East and identify talented people who suffered for 30 years and give them opportunities. They say that such an attempt would help to achieve international victories to the country as a whole.

Related News >>

Rehabilitation Beneficiary Youth to receive International Sports Training

Courtesy : Daily News

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=factual_analysis_of_disappearances_and_abductions_20120720_05

ON THE SPOT LIGHT :

A Factual analysis of Disappearances and Abductions

Since the end of war Sri Lanka has continuously been in the lime light of the world. Recently GROUNDVIEWS website published a report on disappearances/abductions in Sri Lanka. The general public has the right to know the truth. To verify the truth it is imperative to delve deep into the matter before jumping into hasty conclusions.

To put the record straight and clarify the many contentious issues associated with it, it is pertinent to look close into this issue. When a person or persons go missing, the law enforcement authorities are made aware of it by those near and dear to him or her. With the information thus received authorities will begin investigations.

According to investigations thus conducted many interesting facts have been unearthed. As reported by the above source 56 persons have disappeared within the period of October 2011 and March 2012.

Of the 56 purportedly disappeared only 18 have been reported as actually missing. Law enforcement authorities have carried out extensive investigations into these disappearances and come up with starling information about these individuals and their dealings. Interestingly most of these figures are underworld characters involved in organized crime, drug trade, extortion, kidnapping and such anti social activities. Fifteen of these 18 individuals are suspected to posses criminal backgrounds.

False allegations

Investigations have revealed that of the 56 reportedly missing cases 17 are false allegations. S Roshan, a student was allegedly reported as missing from February 2012 and authorities have found no evidence of any person missing on the said period or location. The same goes for the case of the reported disappearance of three 'Veddah' youth from Dehiattakandiya in March 2012. Four un-named ex-LTTE cadres were reported as missing between February and March 2012. And upon investigations it was found to be fallacious. No any incidents have been reported to the Police or any other authorities so far.

Under custody

Six persons have been arrested by Police and Excise Department for various offences. Sanjeewa Alwis alias Thalawathugoda Suda was arrested by police with two of his associates in December 2011 for illegal possession of a weapon and involvement in armed robbery and organized crime. They had been produces to courts and investigations are continuing.

One person reported as missing has committed suicide due to personal reasons. Ten persons reported as missing have later been found. Authorities have taken into custody some individuals involved in the abduction of Korala Arachchige Santha who was subsequently found. Legal proceedings have been mooted against these perpetrators. Law and order authorities are continuing their investigations.

Criminal elements

Janaka Priyantha Fernando alias Maalu Priyantha went missing on March 2012. Maalu Priyantha is a suspected underworld gang leader and also murder suspect. He has a case is pending at the Colombo high court. Ruwan Chandimal Depp alias Navy Ruwan, a known criminal and drug dealer was reported missing on December 2011. He had legal cases pending for the illegal possession of fire arms and drug related offences in Awissawella and Kaduwela courts. Their disappearance is believed to be the result of gangland war. The same fate might have befallen his friend and accomplice Dhammika, also a gangster and drug dealer. He also has a case pending at the Warakapola courts. Authorities are continuing investigations into both cases. Amaratunga Arachchige Don Ajith Kumara and Velautham Chandrapala Methiyas alias Mervin went missing in February 2012. Ajith Kumara is suspected to be a leader of an underworld gang and Methiyas, a drug dealer is wanted by the Excise Department for several drug related cases. Authorities suspect rival gangs might have had a hand in their disappearance. Dhammika Pradeep alias karate Dhammika another infamous criminal who is accuses of murder, attempted murder, organized crime and drug pushing went missing in October 2011. He also has legal proceedings in Kaduwela and Wellampitiya courts.

The law and order authorities are continuing their investigations on reported incidents with professionalism and transparency. R A Dinesh Buddhika went missing on January 2012 in Grandpass, Colombo. His dead body was later found in Totalanga in Colombo. Buddhika is a notorious criminal and member of an organized crime gang. Dinesh Indika Chandrasiri Silva went missing on December 2011 from Minuwangoda. Later his body was found at Kotadeniyawa. As a result of swift investigations by the Authorities a suspect has already been to under police custody. So far 05 bodies of those who were reported as missing have been recovered.

Produced below is a summary of findings from investigations conducted by the authorities

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It becomes more obvious if one is to study the various reports originating from these sources that most reports on disappearances made are vague and upon investigations by relevant authorities, found to be baseless and false. The more reflective quarters of the citizenry can therefore comprehend the motives behind these reports.

In reality there are only a few genuine cases which warrant extensive investigations

To view pdf>>

Sri Lanka as a nation which has come out of a three decade long terrorist conflict has shown remarkable progress in maintaining law and order. During the conflict as the LTTE massacred thousands of innocent civilians including children and women in cold blood. The fate of many hundreds who went missing is yet to be known. It is astounding to see that these organizations which go on a witch hunt accusing the government over the disappearance of criminals and gangsters failed to see the atrocities committed by the LTTE.

Is it sheer ignorance in reporting or do these organizations operate with ulterior motives to achieve their hidden agendas.

The quarters which forward these unsubstantiated allegations accuse the state of being responsible for the disappearances of these individuals. The credibility of these reports is highly questionable. They do not check the veracity of their sources before pointing the finger at the state exhibits their unprofessionalism. Reports of this nature made with ulterior motives to mislead the international community and thereby bring disgrace to Sri Lanka.

Reconstructed Jaffna Fort to boost tourism

The reconstruction of Jaffna Dutch Fort is nearing completion. The colonial-era fort has been restored to its former glory by the government to become a major tourist attraction in Jaffna.

The government has spent Rs 104.5 million for the work concerned. The Netherlands has granted Rs 55 million for this purpose, said Economic Development Ministry sources.

The X-shaped Dutch Church, which was destroyed by the LTTE during the war is currently being restored under the Jaffna Fort Restoration Project of the government.

The Presidential House within the fort's four acre extent is also under renovation as part of project's final phase, sources said.

National Heritage Ministry's Archaeological Department Museums and Maintenance Deputy Director W A J R Madagammana said yesterday they have reconstructed four sides of the five sided Jaffna Fort consisting of high ramparts, bastions and a moat. "We sought the help of the Army Bomb Disposal Squad to clear the moat as hidden caches of ammunition and mortars were found inside it. They had been hidden inside the moat by LTTE terrorists," explained Madagammana.

"We have finished construction work on the fort's main entrance," he said. " There is a couple of huge water tanks that we will construct under the project," he said.

"Many tourists flock to Jaffna Fort even now to witness the ancient splendor of the Dutch Port,"he said and added ," the Fort is now a tourist center."

The Fort was first built as a small garrison in Jaffna by the Portuguese after they invaded the north in 1618. The Dutch captured in in 1658 and expanded it further.

The British took it over in 1795. The Fort's ramparts were severely damaged by the LTTE during the war. With the government defeating LTTE in 2009, the Jaffna Fort sparkled a boom in tourism.

Courtesy : Daily News