by Col R Hariharan
General Sarath Fonseka, former Chief of Defence Staff, and the common opposition candidate who contested the presidential poll was arrested in Colombo last night. A summary of answers to questions put by various national and international print and electronic media on February 8 & 9 , 2010 is given in the following paragraphs.
Was General Fonseka’s arrest expected?
In a disturbing turn of events, retired four star General Sarath Fonseka was taken into custody by a contingent of military police on the night of Monday February 8th 2010.
General Fonseka a widely regarded as the most successful army commander in post-Independence Sri Lanka was roughly manhandled, assaulted and forcibly dragged away by military personnel who had saluted him with respect only a few months ago.
The ex-army chief who was the main challenger of President Mahinda Rajapakse in the recently concluded Presidential poll is currently detained at a chalet within the Naval headquarters precincts in Colombo. [click to read here in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com]
by B.Muralidhar Reddy
With the dissolution of the Sri Lankan Parliament expected on Tuesday and the general election scheduled for the first half of April, the arrest of the former Army Chief and consensus Opposition presidential candidate, General Sarath Fonseka, could be one of the main poll issues.
Continue reading "Arrest of General Sarath Fonseka Could be a major Elections Issue" »
by S. Sivathasan
In the context of a presidential election just concluded and a general election in the offing, there lies a great challenge before the Tamils. Throwing up a leadership enlightened in every respect and sensitive to what the Tamils look forward to, is the immediate imperative. Their political ideas are crystallising in a situation totally without precedent. The future will be distinctly different from the past. Will the leadership measure up to the challenges that have changed dramatically after the end of the war and consequent to the presidential election?
“The timing of the arrest is troubling given reports that Sarath Fonseka had announced earlier in the day that he was prepared to testify before an international court on war crimes charges against the Sri Lanka government,” Amnesty International said in a statement today.
Full text of the statement:
Arrest of Sri Lankan opposition leader escalates post-election repression
Source: Amnesty International (AI)
Date: 08 Feb 2010
Continue reading "'Timing of Sarath Fonseka arrest troubling'-Amnesty International" »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Ex-Army commander Gen.Sarath Fonseka was taken into custody by military personnel from his office around 9.00 pm on Monday February 8th.
A contingent of Military Police personnel surrounded Gen.Fonseka's office & took him into custody along with his media secy Dr.Senaka Silva.
Continue reading "Arrested Gen. Fonseka may face media barred court martial proceedings" »
Post Presidential Election Realities: A Statement by a group of Bishops
Regardless of how they voted, many Sri Lankans strongly disapproved of three trends during the campaigning. These were:
From The New York Times Multimedia: pictures by Lynsey Addario
Far from Colombo's shimmering seaside skyscrapers, the hollowed-out city of Jaffna seems stuck a generation behind the rest of the country.
Anatomy of an Election - 4
by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha
With regard to the UNP performance over the election, there were two schools of thought that seem at first sight distinct. The first is that it shows the enduring genius of Ranil Wickremesinghe, who managed to turn what would have been certain defeat for himself into a campaign to confirm his control of his party.
by Anura Gunasekara
The Sunday Observer of 31/1/10 carried the headline, "A Bold Reply to those who Betrayed the Country", extracted from a post-election statement attributed to President Rajapaksa, in a reference to those who opposed him at the recent election.
by Dayan Jayatilleka
The call from Cuba came this morning, Tamara excusing herself for the early hour to say she had very bad news and I thought Fidel was gone, but no, it was Miguel – my long link, as it were, to him, our father who art in Havana.
By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene
So the cynics were proved right all along in their assessments of Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake’s performance (to put it at the kindest level) as Sri Lanka’s elections chief.
Continue reading "Flip-flops of elections commissioner: From tragedy to farce" »
Eight media institutions. have written to President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the recent attacks on media personnel and related issues.
The letter states: “As someone who has repeatedly expressed commitment to upholding the values of a free media as an essential component of democratic society, we wish to bring to your attention the grave situation that has arisen with regard to media freedom in the country.
By Ranmali Fernando
Few days before the Presidential elections few foreign journalists who had come to cover the elections lamented that the opposition was working on an exit strategy.
by Ravinatha Aryasinha
1. No formal decision on “temporary suspension” of GSP+ has been taken by the European Council. They have time till later this month.
Continue reading "No formal decision by EU on temporary suspension of "GSP" yet" »
by Nihal Jayawickrama
Seven Judges of the Supreme Court are reported to have conveyed to the President their opinion that his first term of office will extend until 19 November 2010, on which day his second term will commence.
Continue reading "Why the Supreme Court is wrong about the President's first term of office" »
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
Click for more pictures from the opening event
"It is no longer a choice between violence and nonviolence...It's nonviolence or nonexistence." - Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968). American clergyman, Human Rights Activist, the leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement and Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Martin Luther King Jr Commemorative Exhibition is currently being held at the National Art Gallery in Colombo. Martin Luther King III is the eldest son and the oldest living child of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and American Human Rights Advocate and Community Activist Martin Luther King III was the Chief Guest at the Commemorative Exhibition. He was welcomed by the U.S Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Ms.Patricia Butenis.
Continue reading "In Pictures: U.S. Embassy MLK Exhibit, Colombo" »
Full text of speech by Martin Luther King III, at the opening event of U.S. Embassy MLK Exhibit, Colombo on Feb 6, 2010:
Realizing the Dream, Inc.
Sri Lanka: U.S. Embassy MLK Exhibit
by Martin Luther King III
When the U.S. Embassy invited me to come to Sri Lanka and inaugurate an exhibit commemorating the legacy of my father, I was both honored and humbled. In recent years I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to speak about my father around the world—about who he was, and about how his message of peace and nonviolence is meaningful for people everywhere – regardless of country, culture or faith.
By Dr. S. Narapalasingam
Many important political decisions in Sri Lanka have been influenced by parochial short-term considerations, ignoring the larger and long-term interests of the entire society. Besides moral, spiritual and egalitarian values have also been ignored.
Continue reading "Importance of striking a fair balance in national politics" »
by Rajan Philips
Sri Lankans know their cricket a lot more than their Constitution. Imagine a Test match, where the team batting first scores over 500 runs for the loss of six wickets and the captain declares the innings closed. The second team won’t just give up – they bat spiritedly, avoid the follow-on and score almost as many runs as the first team but get all out.
Continue reading "The squandering of a resounding victory" »
(EU Business) EU nations have decided to suspend Sri Lanka's preferential trade status because of the island's human rights record and will make the formal move later this month, officials said Friday.
Continue reading "EU to suspend Sri Lanka trading privileges over rights" »
Sri Lanka government should "promote justice and political reconciliation for all its citizens, and hold dialogue with all parties, including Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka, on new mechanisms for devolving power," writes The Voice of America, in an editorial published on Sri Lanka's Independence Day on Feb 4, 2010:
by Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu
The Presidential election has been concluded. The results have been announced and they are being contested, most probably in the courts as well. The south voted overwhelmingly one way, the north and east overwhelmingly another. President Rajapaksa is prsident again and his massive majority lies massively in the majority community.
by Mahinda Rajapaksa
January 26 was an historic day for Sri Lanka. It was the first presidential election for more than 25 years that was unaffected by the terrorism and intimidation of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, otherwise known as the Tamil Tigers.
by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
Anatomy of an Election - 3
Amongst the more astonishing features of the election was the association between the UNP and the JVP to promote the candidacy of General Fonseka. Or, rather, this was in itself not astonishing, for clearly both parties would have felt a need to clutch at any straw, even a blockbuster of the caliber of the General, to do better than they had done in other recent elections. This is understandable, given the need to become competitive, if they were to hold onto any substantial support for the future.
By WSWS Correspondents
Pro-government management, union officials and thugs have extended President Mahinda Rajapakse’s post-election campaign of intimidation and violence into workplaces. Employees have been physically attacked, prevented from entering workplaces and served with suspension notices.
Continue reading "Post-election witch-hunt extends into workplaces" »
By Meghnad Desai
Was Abraham Lincoln a war criminal? He took the US or at least its northern states to a war with the south, which resulted in the largest loss of lives in that nation’s history. The south was ruined and did not recover economically for at least 50 years.
By Shanaka Jayasekara
The resounding victory by President Mahinda Rajapaksa placed in perspective the feelings of many Sri Lankans, a sense of gratitude towards a President that had the courage to withstand international pressure and take the battle to the end. A feat that was by all considerations thought to be inconceivable.
Some very interesting questions were raised by the reader Nalaka at comment #147 made in response to my article “The magic behind the Mahinda Rajapakse victory”.
I forwarded them to two experts at Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in Colombo for their opinion. Both Asanga Welikala and Rohan Edirisinghe were kind enough to respond and I thank them for that. Incidently both were called upon to testify before courts on this issue of the President’s second term . [ click here to read in full ~ in dbsjeyaraj.com]
by Adele Barker
On a sandy street on the northern shore of the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka, an innocuous building surrounded by mango and palmyra trees houses a rehabilitation center run by a Catholic priest, who in January 2005 just days after the tsunami began to counsel survivors.
by IRIN News
About a year ago, civil war raged around Vasanthi Kumari's house in northern Sri Lanka. "There was a loud sound and `Appa' [father] went out," Kumari, 21, told IRIN.
Continue reading "War displaced start to pick up the pieces" »
by K.Bhadrakumar
The Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory in the election held on Jan 26 becomes a defining moment for regional security. The speed with which western countries endorsed his victory has a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. It comes at the culmination of a barrage of condemnation of the Rajapaksa regime for the past several months. The acquiescence follows the unwarranted interference by the American embassy in Colombo during the peak of the election campaign expressing concern over a free and fair election.
by Ranmali Fernando
Opposition of soup makers and strange bed fellows thought they would win the presidential elections. They dreamt on. Sarath Fonseka who was a good army commander and thereafter went to betray the country thought he would win purely going by the crowds. He did not realize he was Sarah Palin of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan people were enjoying his Sarah Palin moments.
Continue reading "Sarath Fonseka is the Sarah Palin of Sri Lanka" »
By Dr.Harindra Vidanage
Cyber politics, internet politics and e-mobilization are all key terms in the lexicon that has evolved around the growing literature of the impact of communication and information revolution on day to day politics and the political process globally.
By Nalin Swaris
When the now Citizen Sarath Fonseka announced his insurrection against his former Commander in Chief and his immediate superior, patriotic Lankans experienced it as a deeply painful loss, in the first place for Fonseka himself and the country whose territorial integrity he so valiantly fought to restore.
Continue reading "Mahinda must order state TV channels to stop eulogizing him 24 X 7 as “king”" »
by Col. R. Hariharan
Elections always leave their footprints to indicate emerging political and social trends of nations. The just concluded presidential election in Sri Lanka is no exception to this.
Continue reading "Presidential Election has exposed limited reach of UNP and SLFP among Tamils" »
By Deepal Jayasekera
Since Mahinda Rajapakse won a second presidential term in Sri Lanka last week, India’s dilemma over how to pursue its interests in the island has only intensified.
Continue reading "India nervously watches post-election Sri Lanka" »
The Presidential Elections January 26th, 2010 :The Report of the Election Observations
By Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE)
3 Feb, 2010
1. The Introduction
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), as an Election Monitoring Organization recognized by the Election Commissioner, engaged in election monitoring work from 2nd December 2009 to 31 January 2010.
Continue reading "CaFFE Final Report on the Presidential Elections 2010" »
The computer expert who was involved in presenting the final results in the recently concluded presidential polls has categorically rejected the accusations that the count was rigged using the latest technology.
by Surangani Seneviratne
President Mahinda Rajapakse’s victory in the presidential elections on the 26th January 2010 is not only felt in Sri Lanka but through out the world.
by Kumar Abeysinghe
Ending over a month-long acrimonious political campaign, the ‘silent majority’ of the country gave their verdict through the ballot on January 26.
by Dushy Ranetunge
The Sri Lankan government has a serious credibility factor in the manner it conducts itself, especially in relation to defence matters, and recent incidents have not helped.
Continue reading "Motor bikes without number plates are ridden by Security Forces Too" »
by Chakravarthy
Julius Caesar, the great Roman emperor, when asked why he had divorced his wife Pompeia, said he considered his honour and position compromised, since she was indirectly associated with Publius Clodius' trial for sacrilege. He explained that his wife should not only be free from sin but from suspicion.
The official government news portal (www.news.lk) carried a news item, datelined January 18, that vice-chancellors of Sri Lankan universities pledged support to the President, with some of them asking the people of this land to vote him into a second term at the forthcoming elections. (This letter is being written on January 20.)
by Upul Joseph Fernando
Nobody knew the room number of Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel where Gen. Fonseka was staying on the day of the recent Presidential election in Sri Lanka (SL).
Continue reading "Waterside Traps For Prabha and Fonseka: Nandhikadal lagoon and Beira Lake" »
by Dayan Jayatilleka
Sri Lanka celebrates Independence Day this year with the State in a better state than it has been for three decades. The country is a single united territory; unquestionably a single political entity. The borders of the state are coextensive with our natural borders, the sea.
“Campaign against General Fonseka reflects continuing insecurity within the Rajapaksa camp”, writes Dean Nelson, South Asia Editor, of The Daily Telegraph:
Brigadier Duminda Keppetiwalana, aide to the former Sri Lankan army chief General Fonseka, was arrested over the murder last year of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga.
Continue reading "President Rajapaksa acting like a mad dog putting everyone in detention-Fonseka" »
By Sarath Kumara
Having won a second term in last week’s election, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse is widening a witch-hunt against political opponents, journalists and critics.
Continue reading "Sri Lankan government widens witch-hunt against opposition" »
By W.A. Sunil
One week after the Sri Lankan presidential election, political violence is continuing, mostly against opposition parties and their supporters. The attacks are part of a broader government crackdown against supporters of the defeated opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka, who faces unsubstantiated allegations that he attempted to mount a coup against President Mahinda Rajapakse.
Continue reading "A wave of post-election violence in Sri Lanka" »
A Statement from the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka)
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) condemns the actions of Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) thugs on the northern island of Kayts last Thursday, following the January 26 presidential election. Clearly shocked by the low voter turnout and lack of support for President Mahinda Rajapakse, an EPDP gang physically attacked dozens of people—young and old—berating them for not voting, or for voting for opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka or SEP candidate Wije Dias.
Continue reading "Sri Lankan SEP condemns EPDP thuggery on Kayts" »
Source: Human Rights Watch
The Sri Lankan government is currently detaining at least 11,000 people, including more than 550 children, in so-called "rehabilitation centers." These individuals, said to be associated with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), were among the almost 300,000 displaced persons confined in detention camps in the final months of the armed conflict with the LTTE.
Continue reading "Legal Limbo: The Uncertain Fate of Detained LTTE Suspects in Sri Lanka" »
End post election clampdown on dissent
Amnesty International today called on the government of Sri Lanka to immediately end its crackdown on journalists, political activists and human rights defenders after last week’s presidential election.
IDPs divided over election outcome
by IRIN News
As the results of Sri Lanka's first post-war presidential election poured in, the mood at Menik Farm, in the main government-run camp for the ethnic Tamil internally displaced (IDPs), in the northern town of Vavuniya, was sober.
Only 6,000 residents of the camp, home to some 118,000 IDPs, sought to register for the 27 January polls.
By Jehan Perera
The result of the Presidential election that was held last week has a potential of further dividing the country on both political and ethnic lines unless the spirit of magnanimity prevails.
Full Text of Press Release - National Peace Council
Post Election Challenge for Country
President Mahinda Rajapaksa won a second term at the Presidential Election of Janumary 26 with an unexpectedly big majority although this election result has been called into question by the main opposition candidate, General Sarath Fonseka.
Anatomy of an election – II
By Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
Perhaps the saddest aspect of the campaign for General Fonseka was the complete absence of principle evinced by the vast majority of thinking persons who ended up supporting him. I was for instance astonished to find quondam intellectuals such as Dr Saravanamuttu and Jehan Perera pontificating in a manner that suggested they thought General Fonseka a potentially productive President. With regard to the former I was particularly disappointed because he had initially expressed some surprise at the idea of such a common candidate, and claimed that it was all Ranil Wickremesinghe’s fault for being so weak.
Continue reading "The General was much more at home with the JVP than the UNP" »
Full Text of Press Release
The Tamil American Peace Initiative (TAPI), a group of Tamil Americans dedicated to peaceful change in Sri Lanka, called on Sri Lanka's newly reelected President Mahinda Rajapaksa to a forge a new path and create the conditions to repair the deep divide between the people of the island.
By: Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
The results of the recent presidential elections are being analyzed and interpreted in clinical detail by many commentators from their respective vantage points, experiences and predilections.
by Veerasingham Anandasangaree
Statement issued by Mr. V, Anandasangaree, President of TULF on the claim of the TNA on the presidential poll:
I humbly appeal to the TNA Members of Parliament in general and to M/s. S.Senathirajah, R.M.Imam, Selvam Adaikalanathan, Vinotharalingam and Suresh Premachandran of the Federal Party, TELO and the EPRLF of the alliance, not to mislead the innocent Tamil speaking people who easily get swayed by sentiments
Continue reading "TNA parliamentarians must not mislead innocent Tamil speaking people" »
Editorial by Toronto Star, Feb 1, 2010:
Sri Lanka digs out
In the past 12 months, Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa scored both a decisive military victory and an electoral triumph. But he has yet to truly win the peace.
Continue reading "'President Rajapaksa has it in his power to reap a peace dividend'-Toronto Star" »
by Dushy Ranetunge
It's been hilarious reading the “pariah” thoughts of Sinhalese “intellectuals” over the past few weeks in a Sri Lankan newspaper, especially as the term was derogatorily used previously as “Para” demala.
by Prof. S.D. Muni
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s electoral gamble has paid off handsomely. By cutting short his first term by two years, he has ensured a six-year second term for himself, a victory with 57.8 per cent votes cast
by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha
Iwas deeply saddened to read today an article by Nihal Jayawickrama, former Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, in which he declares that, disregarding time-specific provisions ‘as being limited in application to that first election held in 1982, the remaining provisions lead inexorably to only one conclusion, namely, that the first term of an incumbent President who seeks re-election after completing four years in office ends at the conclusion of that poll and the declaration of the result. That is also the moment in time when his second term commences’.
Continue reading "Constitution provision very clear about when presidents second term begins" »
Post election media clamp down in Sri Lanka – Update 03
MFSL note 31 January 2010
* Journalist Eknaligoda missing for a week
31 January 2010 marks one week of disappearance of www.lankaenews.com journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, a father of two children. He went mission on 24 January 2010.On 29th Minister Susil Premjayanth told media that the government has reliable information that this was not a abduction but a staged act.
by The Centre for Policy Alternatives
A series of recent events connected to the presidential election last week give rise to extremely serious concerns about the state of democracy in Sri Lanka today. The campaign period, the election and its aftermath were marred by unprecedented disregard for the Constitution and the law, resulting in not only violence and large-scale abuse of public resources, but also in setting a number of disquieting precedents with regard to the respect for constitutional authority and democratic values.
Continue reading "Protecting Democracy Post-Election: An end to political violence and revenge" »
Stuart Cosgrove, a Scottish journalist, broadcaster and television executive voted in a "Tamil referendum', held across the United Kingdom this weekend. He writes that he was able to vote in the 'Tamil referandum' for being a 'qualifying spouse', as he is 'married to a native Tamil speaker from Jaffna.'
As a journalist Cosgrove served on the NME (Media Editor) and The Face during the 1980s, before joining Channel 4 in April 1994, serving for eight years as Controller of Arts and Entertainment and currently as Head of Programmes (Nations and Regions). In Scotland, Cosgrove is probably best known as the co-host of BBC Radio Scotland's popular comedy football phone-in Off The Ball which he presents twice a week with Tam Cowan, and as the co-host of BBC Scotland's Saturday football results show Sportscene Results.
In The Times UK of Jan 31st, Stuart Cosgrove writes about his experiences of voting in the Scottish referendum of 1997 and now in the 'Tamil referendum':
Full text of the article:
Continue reading "A Scottish journalist's experience of voting in Scottish and Tamil referendums" »
Permanent People’s Tribunal
Tribunal on Sri Lanka
14-16 January 2010
HOSTED BY
The Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin
The School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
National College of Art and Design, Dublin
ORGANIZED BY
Irish Forum for Peace in Sri Lanka
c/o Churchtown Meeting House
82 Churchtown Road
Dublin 14, Ireland
irishpeaceforum@gmail.com
CONDUCTED BY
Permanent People’s Tribunal
Fondazione Lelio Basso Sezione Internazionale
Via della Dogana Vecchia
5 - 00186 Roma Italia
pptribunal@internazionaleleliobasso.it
Continue reading "Full Text: Verdict of the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal on Sri Lanka" »
by Dayan Jayatilleke
The (geographic) periphery proved to be (politically) peripheral, while the road to power lay through the paddy fields and the provinces of the Sinhala heartland. Mahinda Rajapakse gave the lie to the notion that the minorities, especially the Tamil minority, held the key to the outcome of the election.
by Nihal Jayawickrama
When does the President’s second term commence? Divergent views are now being expressed on this constitutional issue. It is reported that the consultative jurisdiction of the Supreme Court may be invoked on this matter.
Continue reading "When does second term of re-elected President Rajapakse begin?" »
by Milinda Moragoda
I must study politics and war so that my sons may study mathematics and commerce… in order to give their children the right to study painting, poetry and music… -John Adams (2nd President of the United States)
The reelection of President Rajapaksa with a historic mandate accounting for nearly 58% of the total votes cast presents a unique moment for Sri Lanka to capture the many opportunities for economic development which we have missed since Independence.
Continue reading "Need of the hour is a national discussion without rancour" »
by Dushy Ranetunge
It was indeed a stunning victory, as it surprised everyone, including many of those who are in power who displayed great anxiety and frustration in their campaign, expecting a close result.
By Ranga Jayasuriya
President Mahinda Rajapaksa belied the projections of many an observer, including this correspondent who guessed that the election would be a close call. Rajapaksa romped home with a massive margin of 1.8 million votes in an election which many including the opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe described as relatively peaceful on the election day.
By R.M.B. Senanayake
I have had first-hand experience as a Presiding Officer, Counting Officer (Assistant Registering Officer) and as Returning Officer in past elections in Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Matara, etc. The procedure then was for the counting centers to be set apart for each electorate.
Continue reading "Election Results Procedure Change Leads to Suspicion" »
An Interview with Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema
SLFP (M) Wing Leader and Co-media Spokesperson for General Sarath Fonseka, Mangala Samaraweera charged that software/paper rigging finally changed an approximately 1.5 million vote victory for General Sarath Fonseka into a 1.8 million majority for President Rajapaksa. He said this “is perhaps the first successfully carried out software/paper rigging in the world.”
by Dr.Muttukrishna Sarvananthan Ph.D.
On the morning after the election result was announced I woke up to a stale old day. The winning margin of the election was too big to believe. The hope for believable change has turned into an unbelievable status quo. If it is the destiny of Sri Lanka, I humbly accept that. Now that the Sri Lankan people have chosen the President of the country for the next six years or eight years (depending on the interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court), it is time to strategise a robust post-war economy.
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“Here on the slopes of hills, facing the dusk and the cannon of time Close to the gardens of broken shadows, We do what prisoners do, And what the jobless do: We cultivate hope”. – Mahmoud Darwish (Under Siege)
So begins the Rajapaksa era, heralded by a massive vote of confidence by the Sinhala majority, a resounding vote of no-confidence by the Tamil and Muslim minorities and armed soldiers surrounding the hotel in which the main contender was temporarily residing.
By Gus Mathews
The Eleam war has turned full circle as the political machinations of the race for the Sri Lankan Presidency has demonstrated. General (Retired) Sarath Fonseka the ‘hammer of the Tamil tigers’ became the de-facto saviour of the aspirations that the Tamil Diaspora, the remnants of the Tamil tigers, and their proxy the TNA ever wanted in the Presidential election.
Continue reading "What Now for the TNA, the Tamil Diaspora and their Supporters?" »
The following letter appears in the Letter to the Editor of The New York Times, Jan 31, 2010:
To the Editor: Regarding "The 31 Places to Go in 2010" (Jan. 10): I am surprised you included Sri Lanka as one of the 31 places to visit.
Continue reading "What NYTimes.com did not include in '31 places to visit'" »
by K Venkataramanan
No country's role is more discussed and less understood in Sri Lanka than India's. With the island nation electing Mahinda Rajapaksa as president for a second six-year term, there is bound to be much debate in Colombo on what the result means for India, and whether India "won" or "lost" in the process. Perennial political legend has it that India has specific preferences about who rules in Sri Lanka and that its choice reflects its geo-strategic interests of the moment. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
BY Peter Symonds
In the wake of Tuesday’s presidential election in Sri Lanka, Colombo has become a hotbed of rumour and intrigue as the two factions of the ruling elite backing the winner, Mahinda Rajapakse, and the loser, General Sarath Fonseka, manoeuvre and position themselves for open political warfare. Far from putting an end to the campaign brawling, the election has set the stage for deepening instability.
Continue reading "Behind Sri Lanka’s political infighting: US-China rivalry" »
By Sarath Kumara
After winning Tuesday’s election, President Mahinda Rajapakse has begun his second term with a widening crackdown on his political opponents. Despite winning by a substantial margin, Rajapakse’s position remains weak amid continuing sharp divisions in ruling circles and widespread popular frustration and resentment over declining living standards.
Continue reading "Sri Lankan government cracks down on opposition" »
Anatomy of an Election - 1
By Prof. RAJIVA WIJESINHA
I must confess to feeling some relief on Wednesday morning. Perhaps as a result of living in Colombo, and imbibing its pernicious predilections, I had worried about the result of the Presidential election. True, rational thought suggested one need not feel anxious. This was reinforced even by the details of a poll, commissioned I was told by international interventionists, on behalf of General Fonseka. This claimed he would win by a tiny margin but acknowledged that he would lose almost all districts in the south of the country, save for Colombo and its ilk. Given the unrealistic margins it predicted in those areas one should have felt confident.
Continue reading "Chandrika Kumaratunga was the final nail in Sarath Fonseka's coffin" »
by Shanie
"Courage!" he said, and pointed toward the land,
"This mounting wave will roll us shoreward soon",
In the afternoon they came into a land,
In which it seemed always afternoon.
Is there confusion in the little isle?
Let what is broken so remain.
The Gods are hard to reconcile;
‘Tis hard to settle order once again,
There is confusion worse than death,
Trouble on trouble, pain on pain,
Long labour unto aged breath,
Sore task to hearts worn out with many wars
And eyes grown dim with gazing on the pilot-stars.
Continue reading " Disgraceful treatment of Fonseka and his security personnel after election" »
By ROGENE FISHER (The Lede ~ New York Times Blog)
Sri Lanka’s quarter-century-long civil war may have ended, but there is no peace between the two rivals in Tuesday’s presidential contest. Police raided opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka’s campaign headquarters on Friday, seizing computer equipment and arresting 15 members of his staff.
Sri Lankan police Special Task Force commandos blocked a road outside the office retired Gen. Sarath Fonseka during a raid of his office in Colombo. Rafiq Maqbool/Associated Press
Continue reading "Sri Lankan Police Raid Defeated Opposition Candidate’s Office" »
Jan 30, 2010: The Sri Lankan government should immediately end its post-election harassment of media outlets and ensure protection of journalists from attack, Human Rights Watch said today.
Continue reading "End Harassment, Attacks on Journalists-HRW" »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Presidential Stakes 2010 came to an official end when Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake announced the winner in Sri Lanka's sixth Presidential election.
Incumbent Executive President Mahinda Rajapakse registered a stunning victory by polling 6,015,934 votes(57.88%).Former Army commander retired General Sarath Fonseka, his chief challenger got 4,173,185 or 40.15% of the votes.
The other twenty candidates including three who had withdrawn unofficially fared badly. None of them polled a six digit figure and all of them lost their deposits.
While President Rajapakse's winning margin of 1. 842,749 (17.73 %) is indeed impressive the remarkable result has been tarnished somewhat due to charges of intimidatory violence, flagrant abuse and misuse of Government machinery particularly the state-owned media and alleged vote rigging. [click here to read in full~dbsjeyaraj.com]
by Col R. Hariharan
This article is a summary of answers to questions put by various national and international print and electronic media on January 27, 2010.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won a second term as President of Sri Lanka with a handsome margin. Did you expect this victory? Would you take it as peoples’ recognition of his leadership role in the victory against the Tamil Tigers?
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha
One of the themes that the common opposition made much of during the election campaign was the need to implement the 17th amendment immediately. In fact many of those without a political agenda also see this as a panacea for all ills.
Continue reading "A principled approach Necessary for constitutional Reform" »
by A Concerned Tamil
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time. - (T. S. Eliot)
Rudyard Kipling said that someone who knows only England doesn’t know England: in order to understand one place and situation, England, one must know other countries, other histories. With this attitude, I draw attention to the Biafran War. The Nigerian Civil War (also known as the Nigerian-Biafran War) began in 1967 when the Igbo of the South-Eastern provinces broke away and proclaimed the Republic of Biafra. It ended three years later (1970) in defeat.
Continue reading "Igbo and Thamizhar: Biafra in Nigeria and Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka" »
There have been a number of confusing media reports after the results of the Presidential Election were announced on 27 January 2010 as to when the second term of Mahinda Rakapakse begins.
Rohan Edrisinha, Head of the Legal and Constitutional Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) addresses this issue and other key concerns in a short video here:
Continue reading "Video: When does President Rajapakse's second term begin?" »
by Chackravarthy
“It has to be stated with much reluctance that the co-operation received from some of the candidates and their supporters in ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election during the two months period of the election campaign was much less than desired. It became necessary to issue directives and guidelines to prevent misuse of State resources and the State media.
A Competent Authority had to be appointed to ensure observation of the guidelines by the media. The lack of positive response shown to the directives and guidelines is regretted. This attitude was the subject of much criticism and amusement of both the civil society and rival parties,” - Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake.
A Competent Authority had to be appointed to ensure observation of the guidelines by the media. The lack of positive response shown to the directives and guidelines is regretted. This attitude was the subject of much criticism and amusement of both the civil society and rival parties,” Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake.
Continue reading "The "Swan" has been Shot along with Truth, Democracy and Conscience" »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Subramaniam Sivakumar alias Rajan a top LTTE activist abroad was "arrested" in a South-eastern country & brought to Sri Lanka today (Jan 28).
Continue reading "Activist apprehended due to information given by LTTE sources" »
The electoral verdict, stunning and conclusive on the whole, has some cracks in parts. As the President of the whole country, Mahinda Rajapaksa must take the initiative and reach out to those sections of the people who have been alienated in terms of ethnicity, class, and the urban-rural divide. [click to read in full ~ in dbsjeyaraj.com ]
Sri Lanka is considering taking action against defeated presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, the defence secretary has told the BBC.
Continue reading "Sri Lanka may 'take action' over opposition candidate" »
Damien Kingsbury, chair in the school of international and political studies at Deakin University of Australia sees parallels with policies of Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe in the new enforced settlements being carried out in the North-Easy by Sri Lanka government.
Wrting in an OPED column in The Age of Jan 29, 2010, the academic says:
"Despite economic growth of 6 per cent last year, Sri Lanka has an external debt that has surpassed its annual economic output, and inflation is running at close to 25 per cent. Nor do the nation's poor look like benefiting from proposed economic policies, although the re-allocation of Tamil lands to landless Sinhalese - a policy similar to that of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe's - will help reinforce the President's support base."
Full text of the OPED, "Has Sri Lanka stumbled on path to democracy?" as follows:
Continue reading "Sri Lanka North-East settlements likened to Robert Mugabe policies" »
from THE ECONOMIST:
Victory for the Tiger-slayer
HAD Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s war-winning leader, lost his island-state’s presidential election on January 26th, it would have been described as a Churchillian defeat.
Continue reading "What the president’s re-election means for his sorely divided country" »
Charging widespread irregularities took place in the counting process and 1.4 million of his votes were misappropriated, General Sarath Fonseka is quoted as saying , "I should have been the president. I am the people's president," in an AFP report.
Additionally a report on the United National Party website (UNP.lk) says the common opposition candidate is to "launch street protests in the coming weeks" against the “election fraud”.
Full report on the UNP.lk website as follows:
Continue reading ""I should have been the president. I am the people's president."- Fonseka" »
U.S. Embassy Colombo Press Release, Colombo, January 28, 2010:
The United States congratulates Sri Lanka for the first nationwide election in decades and President Rajapaksa on his victory. We look forward to continuing the partnership between our two countries and working with the Government and the people to support a peaceful and prosperous Sri Lanka.
Continue reading "U.S. Government Statement on the Presidential Election in Sri Lanka" »
by Mr. KD Knight, Chair of the Commonwealth Expert Team
A generally well-administered election day but shortcomings in the pre-election period and incidences of inter-party violence taint election
A VICTORIOUS Mahinda Rajapakse has vowed to put tensions with Western critics behind him and transform his war-ravaged nation into a development and tourism hub after his landslide win in Sri Lanka's first post-conflict presidential poll.
Sri Lanka Congratulated for Successful Presidential Election
by Steve Herman
The United States and India are congratulating Sri Lanka for carrying out a successful presidential election this week. But there are also calls from the international community for the South Asian island nation to investigate the opposition's claim of vote-rigging and other election violations.
Continue reading "Opposition allegations of counting process needs more proof" »
Full text of press release by the Human Rights Watch
President’s New Term Time for Accountability
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and key international actors should take steps to bring accountability for Sri Lanka's grave human rights violations so that the thousands of victims will not continue to be denied justice during President Mahinda Rajapaksa's second term, Human Rights Watch said today.
Full Text of Press Release by The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC):
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan 27, 2010
The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) joins the world humanitarian community in remembering and paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust at the hands of Nazi Germany, honoring survivors and supporting the recognition of this day internationally.
by Ralph Michael
Sri Lanka’s presidential election should have been cause for celebration — the first since the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels in May, and the first in peacetime in almost three decades.
Instead, it has descended into such a travesty that South Asia’s oldest democracy — which gained universal suffrage in 1931 and elected the world’s first woman Prime Minister in 1960 — is barely worthy of the title any more.
Continue reading "Abuse of power makes travesty of democracy in Sri Lanka elections" »
From Colombo, the twitter pages of Lydia Polgreen ~ NYTimes.com
Hm, local press being ushered in but foreign kept out, what gives.
Finally managed to get in. Rajapaksa answered questions for a good chunk of time, took call from Indian PM, came back for more.
Continue reading "President Rajapaksa rebuffs question about Fonseka" »
President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been declared the winner of Sri Lanka's presidential poll, but the outcome was immediately rejected by his challenger.
Continue reading "Fonseka rejects Sri Lanka election win for Rajapaksa" »
from the twitter pages of Lydia Polgreen in Colombo, The New York Times
Fonseka rejects results. Looks like a standoff
Continue reading "Strange skies over Colombo. What do they portend?" »
The Following is full text of letter sent to Mr. Dayananda Dissanayake, Elections Commissioner by Centre for Monitoring Election Violence CMEV:
27th January 2010
BY HAND, FAX & REGISTERED POST
Mr. Dayananda Dissanayake
Elections Commissioner
Department of Elections
Sarana Mawatha,
Rajagiriya
Dear Mr. Dissanayake,
I wish to bring to your urgent attention the concerns voiced by voters and shared by CMEV with regard to the counting process of votes in the 26 January 2010 Presidential Election and the announcement of the results.
by B. Muralidhar Reddy
The incumbent Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa, seeking a second endorsement two years ahead of his first tenure, registered a landslide victory against his chief opponent and the opposition consensus nominee retired General Sarath Fonseka. According to sources in the Election Commission, counting of votes is almost complete and an official announcement could be expected soon.
Continue reading "Rajapaksa registers landslide win in Sri Lanka presidential poll" »
Hello Friends
The Presidential Elections held on January 26th 2010 has concluded. Though the results are not yet officially released at the time this is being written “unofficially” it does seem very clear who has won.
This crucial election at a historic juncture invoked and evoked a great deal of interest and controversy. A great many people were concerned observers of the political scene these past few months.
This interest will not wane in the next few days as events rapidly unfold in Sri Lanka. There is much excitement in the air. [ click here to read in full, have your say and/or read comments by other readers ]
By Ranga Sirilal and C. Bryson Hull
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's top opposition candidate said troops had surrounded his hotel on Wednesday, after polling in Sri Lanka's first post-war presidential election ended with the revelation that he was not a registered voter.
Continue reading "Sri Lanka presidential challenger says fears arrest" »
Montage of Election related Media Reports
By Chakravarthy
Sarath Fonseka or family NOT registered voters in Sri Lanka. Legal experts question his eligibility to run for election.
Fonseka dispels rumors over his vote, Tuesday, 26 January 2010 15:35
Common opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka speaking to Daily Mirror Online a short while ago said that he was fully qualified to contest the Presidential Elections although he could not cast his vote at the elections today.
Continue reading "2010 Presidential Poll: Oh! God! What a Free and Fair election? Part II" »
A report by The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV):
Interview with Asanga Welikala, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives over the confusion arising from key presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka not having a vote, and the confusion significantly fueled by State media that he is ineligible to be elected as President as a consequence:
Continue reading "Mp3 Audio: Interview with Asanga Welikala over Sarath Fonseka not having a vote" »
Briefing on abysmal turnout in the Northern Province and the govt. failure to address voter rights, by The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV):
26 January 2010: CMEV was informed that approximately 24,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) presently living in government run camps and with host families were also registered on the 2008 electoral register.
Presidential Election 2010: Election Day Media Communiqué No. 4, by The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence CMEV:
CMEV has received the following reports from the field:
Eastern Province
Batticaloa District: Kalkudah Electroate: SLMC supporter Mr. Mohamad Ismail was attacked by a group of UPFA supporters at around 10:55 am about 20m away from the Oddamavadi Central College Polling Station (Polling Centre 69). CMEV spoke to Mr Ismail, who informed CMEV that he had been hit by members of the group, resulting in injuries to his face, left leg and right hand. He was admitted to the Mancholai hospital and is currently receiving treatment. No Police report had been lodged as at 10:55 am.
Continue reading "Provincial-wide update on Election Day violence and law breaking" »
Presidential Election 2010: Election Day Media Communiqué No. 3, by The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV):
CMEV received reports of multiple explosions in Nallur, Uduppidy, Manipay, Vaddukottai, Chavakachcheri and Tellipallai. CMEV’s mobile teams were dispatched to a number of locations where the attacks had reportedly taken place. CMEV teams verified damages at the following locations.
Tweet bundle from the twitter pages of The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Lydia Polgreen of New York Times in Colombo:
From Lydia Polgreen: Click for updates: http://twitter.com/lpolgreen
Govt spokesman: postal votes and other early indications point to a return of the incumbent. Results 4 – 5 AM.
Govt. spokesman says govt. will challenge Fonseka’s candidacy in court over voter registration.
Continue reading "Low turn out in North-East, Govt. to challenge Fonseka candidacy in court" »
BY Sergei De Silva -Ranasinghe
For many, the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which brought to a close over two decades of civil war that claimed tens of thousands of lives, marked a welcome end to the darkest and bloodiest era in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history.
January 26th 2010 is upon us!
It’s the Day of decision for Sri Lanka as it faces yet another election to either re-elect or elect the most powerful person in the Country.
My thoughts and prayers with all Sri Lankans as they cast their votes in what is perhaps the most crucial, controversial and colourful presidential poll the Country has seen.
I took some time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life to ponder over this election.
We’ve had many flaws in conducting elections in the past. The present one has already demonstrated its deficiencies. The poll is certainly flawed.
Despite these flaws Sri Lanka can be proud of keeping the light of democracy alive. [click here to read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com]
President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered questions put to him by Rajpal Abeynayake on Tuesday’s elections and a host of related issues, at President’s House in Kandy this week. We publish below the transcripts from that exchange.
(A few questions included were from representatives of other English newspapers.)
Continue reading "I tell Tamils, there is no problem - I too speak Tamil - Mahinda Rajapakse" »
by Nalin Swaris
"It's not the NGOs driving the government’s agenda; it's the US government driving the NGO agenda." - As Julie Mertus
Various interest groups and individuals have become united for one purpose – not so much to make Sarath Fonseka win but to oust Mahinda Rajapakse. Is the scenario being prepared in Sri Lanka for what has come to be known as “a colour revolution”.
First, let us consider the meaning of the term.
Continue reading "Colour Revolution Strategy and Sri Lankan Presidential Election 2010" »
Al Jazeera's Wayne Hay has gained rare access to refugee camps in the north, to take a look at the challenges still faced by the Tamils living there. [January 25, 2010]
Continue reading "Video: Lives of many of the Tamils in Sri Lanka's north remain difficult" »
Montage of Election related Media Reports
By Chakravarthy
**The Colombo Magistrates court today refused to grant a search warrant requested by the Criminal Investigations Department to search UNP leader Ranil Wickremesighe’s office and the Biyagama press of Wijeya Newspapers, publishers of Daily Mirror. 25/01/2010
Continue reading "2010 Presidential Poll: Oh! What a Free and Fair election?" »
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga pledged her support to Gen.Sarath Fonseka after a discussion with him at her residence in Horagolla.
National organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Tiran Alles says Basil Rajapaksa personally handed over, at his office, Rs. 180 million to the then LTTE financial controller Emil Kanthan to ensure that the people of the north refrained from voting at the 2005 presidential election.
Continue reading "Mahinda gave Rs. 180 million to the LTTE through Basil, charges Tiran Alles" »
by A.J.M. Muzammil
The outcome of the Presidential election on the 26th of January is going to be very significant. Whatever the outcome, there will be huge implications on the people of Sri Lanka. Both main candidates will certainly have differing styles of governing.
Continue reading "I look forward to a tomorrow that brings about change, a believable change" »
by Gnana Moonesinghe
All human beings have this burden in life to constantly figure out what’s true, what’s authentic, what’s meaningful, what’s dross, what’s a hallucination, what’s a figment, what’s madness. We all need to figure out what is valuable constantly. As a writer, all I am doing is posing the question in a way that people can see very clearly." - Maxine Hong Kingston
A little more than a week remains for the presidential elections. By then no more brickbats will be left to be aimed by the candidates or at the candidates.
Continue reading "January 26, 2010 : A Decisive Moment In Sri Lanka’s Destiny" »
Setting them as oppositions (as contradictory desires that drive the support for the two different candidates) is not entirely convincing
Response to “Liberalism Poses Severe Challenge to Sinhala Nationalism at 2010 Presidential Election” by Kathika study circle
By Buddika Bandara and Prabha Manuratne
It is indeed refreshing to see a political mediation that transcends the immediate political wish to support the “victorious camp,” and insist on discussing the crucial political implications of what SF and MR represent as presidential candidates.
Continue reading "Nationalism and liberalism have coexisted and are not always mutually exclusive" »
General Puts Up a Fight in Sri Lanka’s Election
by Lydia Polgreen
When President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced late last year that he would move the presidential election up by two years and seek a fresh mandate from Sri Lanka’s war-weary electorate, he seemed like a shoo-in.
Continue reading "Sri Lanka President’s New Challenge: Fending Off Insurgent Voters" »
| Those in the North East who cast a vote on January 26th, are likely to do so based on the reality of living in the 'temporary' physical space of a refugee camp -- rather than the possibility of a 'permanent' political space for all disenfranchised minorities. While the latter remains an admirable, if optimistic, goal -- it can only be achieved through a vigorous political debate rooted in the underlying historical issues of land, dignity, and language. Rather than one driven by the geopolitics, ego, and rhetoric of the moment. |
The Space Between Politics and Reality: A Minority View of the Sri Lankan Elections
by Nimmi Gowrinathan
On May 19, 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka announced that it had defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), ending one of the longest civil wars in South Asia.
Continue reading "The voter in the North-East, election politics and promises" »
Final Report by the People’s Tribunal on Sri Lanka
Press Release, 24 Jan. 10
The following is preview of the report completed by the Permanent Peoples' Tribunal following their investigation into alleged human rights abuses and war crimes in Sri Lanka.
The findings fall into four broad categories:
Imag(in)ing 'Home' at The Museum of Anthropology (Vancouver):
| This installation tries to unpack the complexities and liminality of the Tamil Community by weaving together 300 individual stories about the idea of "home." |
Shanaathanan Thamotharampillai, a Tamil artist from Sri Lanka who is currently completing his PhD in art history at Jawaharlal Nerhu University, New Delhi.
Continue reading "Exhibit: Unpacking the complexities and liminality of the Tamil Community" »
| A journey north along the severely bombed A9 road reveals hundreds of families forced to take refuge on the roadside, finding shelter in the remains of someone else's home. |
Excerpts from report by Wayne Hay of AlJazeera:
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
"Lakbima News" editor Rajpal Abeynayake asks President Rajapakse a serious question "What is the message you give Tamil speaking people"?.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaks at a final political rally for his presidential campaign in Piliyandala January 23, 2010-Reuters pic.
Continue reading "Mahinda's insolent message to Tamil speaking people" »
By Chakravarthy
I need not tell the readers that this debatable question that was born after 19th May 2009 has been the centre point of the present presidential election in Sri Lanka.
Continue reading "Who won the war ; the military leadership or the political leadership?" »
Here is the full text of petition filed in courts by Sarath Kongahage against Sarath Fonseka’s presidential candidacy:
By Charles. P. Sarvan
Over and over, one reads of the patriotic soldiers who laid down their lives fighting the Tigers. This mantra is repeated and repetition, as we know, transforms a statement into fact. Over time, it becomes truth, is no longer examined but handed down as axiomatic. This is not to deny that the army displayed courage. This is not to deny that many lost their lives on the battlefield, succumbed to their wounds or live on handicapped in body and / or mind. However, while acknowledging, admiring and applauding courage and patriotic sacrifice, one must remember that often the truth is more complex and less palatable.
By Col. R.Hariharan
Both President Rajapaksa and General Fonseka appear to be following the strategy of ‘indirect approach’ in their “electoral war.” Sir Basil Liddell Hart, one of the great military thinkers of 20th century propounded this key military concept as early as 1929. In his famous work The Decisive Wars of History he explained the indirect approach as seeking “a strategic situation so advantageous that if it does not of itself produce the decision, its continuation by battle is guaranteed to do so".
by Socrates
Was it glorious history in the making or the enactment of a comedy, tragedy or farce during the 40-day period between nominations day and elections day with just one day to go for the poll? We would know it all by Wednesday if the exasperated Elections Commissioner, Dayananda Dissanayake goes ahead with the election where a great majority of election laws and regulations have been blatantly violated, particularly by the ruling party. Those who have seen many major election campaigns assess this as the most hysterical of campaigns where quite a lot of heat, sound and fury including some killings resulted but very little sense has been generated.
Continue reading "Fonseka may be unknown devil or angel but he represents change" »
Special Media Release on Transfer of HQI Vavuniya Police Station by Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), 23 Jan, 2010:
CMEV learnt that the HQI of the Vavuniya Police Station, Saman Sigera, has been transferred to the welfare division of the Police Head Quarters with immediate effect from 23rd January 2010.
CMEV contacted Saman Sigera on 23rd January at around 05.30 pm who said that he received a fax from the Police Head Quarters, Colombo today at around 11.30 pm instructing him to report to the Welfare Division of the Police Head Quarters with immediate effect. He further stated that no reason has been mentioned for his transfer in the fax.
Continue reading "Transfer of Vavuniya Police official days before the election raises suspicion" »
by Bala Tampoe, General Secretary C.M.U.
President Mahinda Rajapakse is seeking re-election for a second six-year term as Executive President. He has cut short his present term of office in order to do so, without having abolished the Executive Presidency, as he had pledged to do, before the end of his first term.
By Dayan Jayatilleka
“And then I knew what to do.
I made a model of you,
A man in black with a Meinkampf look
And a love of the rack and the screw.
And I said I do, I do.” - “Daddy” by Sylvia Plath
If you can’t take my word for it, take that of Eric Hobsbawm, regarded not only as Britain’s greatest living historian but as ‘one of the outstanding historians of our age’ (Independent on Sunday). The Guardian says “Hobsbawm is one of the leading authors of the concepts and language in which all of us now discuss our situation”.
Prof. A. R. M. Imtiyaz
It is likely that who ever wins the ethnic problem will not be solved.
The voters in the island of Sri Lanka will meet the sixth presidential elections on January 26. Though the island of Sri Lanka is a home to two nations and some minorities, its elections are often carefully directed to absorb the attention of the Sinhalese. This is mainly due to competitive nature of Sri Lanka’s electoral system and the size of the Sinhalese population.
Continue reading "Presidential Elections, The Sinhala Mindset And The Future Of Sri Lanka" »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Last year when speculation was rife about former Army commander Sarath Fonseka announcing his candidacy for the Presidential elections this columnist was among those who warned of adverse consequences befalling the Country as a result of this unprecedented move.
Sarath Fonseka posters in Jaffna-pic: indi.ca
Chief among these was the very strong possibility of an escalation in the continuous process of the military being politicised and society being militarised in the Country. I perceived the Fonseka phenomenon as the logical outcome this. [ click to read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com]
Statement by Centre for Policy Alternatives:
It has been brought to our notice that the website titled SF Balakaya hosted at the URL http://www.sfbalakaya.com currently features a blatantly false story involving Social Indicator (SI), the survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA).
by Rajan Philips
As Sri Lankans are anxiously getting ready to cast their votes in Tuesday’s presidential election that is turning more violent than ever before, the voters in Massachusetts have peacefully sent a shockwave through the American political establishment. It is countdown time in Colombo for Mahinda Rajapakse and Sarath Fonseka.
[Sen. Scott Brown, in Boston Jan 20 ~ Gen Sararth Fonseka, on Jan 11, Colombo-pic: Reuters]
Joint Civil Society Statement on Election Violence
With the race for the presidency getting increasingly close and uncertain, there has been a considerable increase in tension throughout the country.
Continue reading "Total break-down of law and order feared as election day approaches" »
We write this letter on behalf of the Friday Forum, which is an informal gathering of concerned citizens who have voluntarily come together to deliberate and make representations on vital issues of national concern. The Forum includes a considerable number of elder citizens who have served the country with distinction in various capacities.
Continue reading "An Appeal to the Two Key Candidates Contesting the Presidential Elections" »
By Kshama Ranawana
Deeply divided Sri Lankan citizens go to the polls on Jan. 26 to vote in a president in its first major post-war electoral exercise.
Continue reading "Once Considered Walk Over this Election Could Well be Nemesis of Rajapakse" »
By Samanmalee Unanthenna
University of Colombo / University of Heidelberg
When rumours started circulating some months ago of the possibility of Sarath Fonseka being a Presidential candidate, I was horrified. As the rumours at the time linked him to the JVP, I immediately contacted a couple of my JVP friends and berated them soundly for what I believed at that time to be a disastrous decision.
by Atticus
It is said that large sections of the country —-people from different communities, religions, classes, regions, occupations and gender —-are supporting the General at the Presidential elections. Why is this so? Is it that the public mood, at least among the affluent, the educated bourgeoisie and urban workers, is for change in the way the country is run?
Continue reading "Electing the general as president would be a decidedly a risky adventure" »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Three days from today(23rd) the nation will be going to the polls to elect the most powerful person in the Country
Ukku Banda Wijekoon
Twenty-Three potential candidates handed in their nominations on December 17th 2009but with the Commissioner of Elections rejecting one there were only twenty-two in the fray.
Of these two dropped out from the race with one-a Buddhist priest-transferring his support to Mahinda Rajapakse and the other-a Muslim parliamentarian-extending his solidarity to Sarath Fonseka.
Of the twenty contestants for the Presidential stakes,Sixteen are contesting from big, huge, medium, small, tiny and miniscule parties. Four are Independents. [click here to read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com]
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 21, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 22, 2010:
Western Province
Bomb Attack in Colombo
At approximately 4.50am this morning, an explosive device was thrown at the home of the Secretary and National Organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Mr. Tiran Alles, located at Galpoththa Road, Nawala, resulting in severe damage to his vehicle and house. Mr. Alles and his family were unharmed.
Full text of media release:
As Sri Lankan Muslims civil society groups we are deeply concerned by the lack of urgency and recognition of the Northern Muslims’ right to return. Despite the end of the war in May 2009 and on-going efforts to resettle Internally Displaced Persons, the expelled Northern Muslim community is still waiting for the announcement of a program that will facilitate their dignified return to their places of origin, free of further trauma.
by Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV)
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) conducted a field visit to the Jaffna, Killinochchi and Vavuniya districts from 17-19th January 2010 to monitor the situation prior to the 26th January Presidential election. CMEV met with residents of the area including those who had recently returned, internally displaced person (IDPs), civil society groups, agencies and government officials.
by Reporters Sans Frontières (Reporters Without Borders)
Flouting a 15 January supreme court ruling, state-owned TV stations Rupavahini and ITN continue to openly favour President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign to win another term in the presidential election to be held on 26 January with a total of 21 candidates taking part.
Continue reading "State media turned into presidential propaganda outlets" »
by Elisa Mala
The seaside enclave of Tompkinsville sits on the north side of Staten Island, but, with a significant population of Sri Lankan immigrants, the neighborhood could easily be half a world away. To sample that nation’s cuisine or just enjoy the area’s grand shoreline vistas, take the subway to South Ferry, hop on the ferry and, at St. George, take the Staten Island Railway one stop. Or opt for the scenic path: a casual 10-minute stroll along Bay Street.
Continue reading "In Pictures: Taste of Sri Lanka New York City" »
by Peter Bouckaert
Despite verbal acrobatics reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984, Sri Lankan officials have been unable to dismiss a shocking mobile phone video from last January purportedly showing Sri Lankan soldiers summarily executing naked and bound captives.
Sri Lanka's presidential election: Between a rock and a hard man
From the print edition of THE ECONOMIST
THE presidential election in Sri Lanka on January 26th should have been a cakewalk for the incumbent. Last May, when his government defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, bringing an end to a bloody 26-year insurgency, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s popularity among the island’s Sinhalese majority knew no bounds.
Sri Lanka's Tamil diaspora-Next year in Jaffna
From the print edition of THE ECONOMIST
IN THE dingy back office of a Sri Lankan grocery shop in Harrow, north-west London, sales assistants pore over a Tamil newspaper, while a customer says he is going home to follow events on the internet. Having watched from afar as the Sri Lankan army crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009, British Tamils are again transfixed by a campaign on the island—this time for an election. On January 26th the president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, will seek to capitalise on his military victory at a presidential poll called nearly two years earlier than it need have been.
Continue reading "Tamil émigrés follow the election campaign with jaundiced eyes" »
By Jolly Somasundram
"Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." - W B Yeats" - The Second Coming."
| A daughter is not given in marriage on assurances of future good behaviour by the bridegroom, but, only after a critical scan of what he has done in the past. Promises, undertakings and manifestos are not worth a bucket of warm spit: they are not justiciable, just bedazzling lover's promises, to be abandoned once the objective is gained. |
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 20, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 20, 2010:
Eastern Province
Hurt and Arson in Ampara
According to NC supporter Mr. Saleem Raniz, at 3.30am this morning, he was assaulted and his motorbike (GQ 9978) was set on fire, by SLMC supporters Attalachchenai Provincial Councilor Mr. Mazoor Sinnalebbei (who arrived in a dark blue vehicle), Mr. A.L. Makkeen, Mr. R. Nawaz and Mr. Nauzath, at Noor Mosque Road, Attalachchenai.
Continue reading "Poll violence in several towns; Fonseka campaigners assaulted in Kilinochchi" »
Statement by The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is deeply concerned by the developments this week that suggest the remainder of the election campaign and the presidential election itself would not be conducted according to the legal procedures and limitations established by the Constitution and the law.
Continue reading "Grave concerns for a free and fair presidential election and the rule of law" »
A response to Gunadheera
By S.Udhaya
Mr Somapala Gunadheera raised an interesting issue in his piece titled Exclusivity of the Sri Lankan Tamil Psyche dated January 19, as to why the Tamils were "mellow, forgiving, tolerant" in their treatment of the two 'Cup' claimers. I must credit Mr Gunadheera for having asked such a fascinating question.
Continue reading "Rajapakse and Fonseka were treated as respected guests by Tamils in Jaffna" »
By Somapala Gunadheera
Two news items appearing in the Island of Monday, January 11, 2010 took me by surprise. One read, "Members of pro-Eelam organizations hurled slippers at the convoy of Sri Lankan Parliament speaker W J M Lokubandara and tried to attack him when he was visiting the Vaitheeswaran Temple (in India) on Saturday. The police prevented them from nearing the Sri Lankan". And the other entitled, "President takes Jaffna by storm" said, "Thronging crowds were waiting to welcome the president with garlands"
By Dr.A.C.Visvalingam
In the interests of voters, the media gave valuable exposure to the 14 questions that the Citizens Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG) was in the process of addressing by direct mail to the 22 Presidential candidates. The letters themselves were sent out on December 26, 2009, followed two days later by a Sinhala translation (except in the case of the sole Tamil candidate).
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
It's an open secret that Former UNP national list MP Sarath Kongahage was put up to contest presidential elections by the Rajapakse regime.
Both candidates are SARATH. Their names are similiar. The idea is to confuse voters & cut into potential Fonseka votes.
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
LTTE leader Prabhakaran's mother Mrs. Parvathy Veluppillai is currently warded at the Oorani hospital in her hometown of Valvettithurai.
Mrs. Veluppillai whose hand is paralysed after suffering a stroke is being looked after by relative & medical doctor Mayilerumperumaal.
by Nalin Swaris
Even you Brutus? Most famous last words in history, due to its inclusion in William Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘Julius Caesar’. Before turning to Shakespeare, a few historical facts about Gaius Julius Caesar (100 BCE- 44 BCE). Julius’ surname became the title of emperors after him. Julius undoubtedly was Rome’s greatest General – a military genius and ambitious politician. In 44 BCE, because of his brilliant victories in war and his great political influence, Caesar became Consul for a fifth time, with Mark Antony as his devoted supporter, Caesar got himself declared ‘dictator for life’.
Continue reading "Fonseka has put aside the General's "Thoppiya" to assail a political Thoppigala" »
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Govt continues "games"with Sarath Fonseka's son in law Danuna Tillekeratne by getting Police to postpone inquiry after summoning him for one.
Danuna was ordered by Police to present himself before CID on Jan 20th for inquiry into alleged arms deals but then told no inquiry today.
Continue reading "Government plot to harass Sarath Fonseka relatives continue" »
by ‘kathika’ study circle
The 2010 Presidential election is a critical juncture in Sri Lankan history. The people have realised this as well, as is seen by the sheer density of discourse that has taken place over the past days and weeks.
NEGOMBO (UCAN) - Not one person has been held accountable for the murders of 13 clergy and lay rights workers who struggled for justice during more than 25 years of civil war.
by Prof. Michael Robers
Gerald H. Peiris: Twilight of the Tigers. Peace Efforts and Power Struggles in Sri Lanka, Delhi, Oxford University Press & Colombo, Vijitha Yapa Publications, PB 297 pages.
Continue reading "Twilight of the Tigers: Peace process also promoted the decline of the Tigers" »
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 16, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 20, 2010:
As of 19th January 2010, CMEV has confirmed a cumulative total of 658 incidents of election related violence of which 295 incidents have been categorized as Major. Of these, 5 incidents are Murders, 5 are Attempted Murders, 78 are Assault, 81 are Threat and Intimidation, 30 are Grievous Hurts, 35 are Hurts, 36 are cases of Misuse of State Resources and 12 are Robberies and 13 are Arsons. The total number of incidents involving the use of firearms is 95. In addition, 363 incidents have been categorized as Minor.
by Prof.Lalith Samarakoon
I am writing this letter give my sincere endorsement to General Sarath Fonseka to be the next President of Sri Lanka.
by Nalin Swaris
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". Whoever said it, Shakespeare or Congreve, its a ‘general’ statement that is unfair to women. General Fonseka feels scorned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. His fury has made all hell boil over and what hell mates have been spewed to support his revolt against the President. All ye that enter tremble.
Continue reading "Hell hath no fury as General Fonseka scorned" »
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Rajapakse regime gets ready to do anti-opposition propaganda by "fixing" Sarath Fonseka & his son-in-law on charges of alleged corruption
Sarath Fonseka's son in law, Danuna Tillekaratne has been ordered by Police to present himself before the CID on Jan 21st for an inquiry
By Chackravarthy
This is the confusion in the minds of Swan supporters in the city, suburbs and towns, considering the track record of the betel vendor. Use and abuse -respectively, of government machinery, law and order and flouting election laws are rather unprecedented, unlimited under his power.
by Vasantha Rajah
Some Sri Lankan leftists naively argue that a Fonseka-victory will lead to a fascist dictatorship. They even dogmatically draw historical parallels from world history to justify their claim and defend their sectarian politics. A sober analysis of Sri Lanka's concrete context, however, tells a different story. Let me explain:
Continue reading "If Mahinda manages to retain power his mafia regime will reach new heights" »
by Amnesty International
A mnesty International calls on all candidates standing in Sri Lanka's Presidential elections on January 26th to end widespread human rights violations and the culture of impunity that continues to plague the country.
by Karu Jayasuriya
We wish to make this special appeal to all patriotic public servants of our country as we reach this crucial juncture in our country’s destination. We are well aware of the calibre and integrity of our public service. Unfortunately due to the actions of a few politically motivated, corrupt officers the whole public service and the Police Department in particular have been brought in to disrepute. The current election campaign has also strained the public service to its limits with enormous pressure being exerted upon civil servants to support the incumbent in his desperate efforts to remain in power.
Continue reading "An appeal to Members of the Public Service including Police and Armed Services" »
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 16, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 18, 2010:
North Western Province
Grenade Attack and Murder in Kurunegala
CMEV has learned that at approximately 7.30pm this evening, Mr. D.M. Suranga Indrajith (27), the diver of Minister of Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Mr. Jayaratna Herath, was killed during a grenade attack on the UPFA party office located in Vanduragala, in the vicinity of the home of Minister Herath.
Continue reading "Grenade attack in Kurunegala leaves minister's driver dead" »
by Kalana Senaratne
The Presidential election of 2010 has brought out some of the most glaring delusions and dilemmas which shape the political stance of the Opposition, and which confront the voter, in particular.
Continue reading ""War Crimes" could be the only Weapon left to Ranil to Bring Fonseka Down" »
Boycott Sri Lanka Releases Second Video in Series "No Blood for Panties"; innovative marketing strategy proves popular, effective:
Full Text of Press Release by boycottsrilanka.com:
On the heels of its successful release of the first episode of No Blood For Panties series, Boycott Sri Lanka released its second episode today. No Blood For Panties is part of a campaign to encourage Americans to boycott products made in Sri Lanka to end Sri Lanka's violent discrimination against its Tamil population.
Continue reading ""No Blood for Panties," Boycott Sri Lanka Releases Second Video" »
"There is really no fundamental choice between General Fonseka and Rajapakse because both were instrumental in launching this military offensive against the Tamil community," says Tasha Manoranjan in a report by Shaun Tandon of AFP datelined from Washington on Jan 17, 2010. She added: "I think the day after the election there will no longer be any concern for the Tamil people."
Full report as follows:
Sri Lanka's upcoming election is raising hopes in the United States for better relations after a chilly spell if the island turns the page on a bloody war that brought international opprobrium.
The January 26 election comes months after troops killed the top leadership of the Tamil Tigers, ending their ruthless decades-long separatist campaign but also triggering accusations of human rights abuses.
Produced by YATV, Colombo on Jan 14, 2010:
A 7.10 minute telecast featuring A9, IDPs seeking shelter along the road and interviews with few Jaffna residents at the market.
The second video features interview with Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu of Centre of Policy Alternatives on Upcoming Election, minority votes and political settlement:
Continue reading "YATV Video: Jaffna via the A9, election and minority votes" »
The following is full text of media Communiqué No 15, issued by Centre from Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) on Jan 18, 2010:
North Western Province
Murder in Kurunegala
According to Mr. Manjula Bandara (son of Member of Parliament and UNP Organizer for Wariyapola Ms. Amara Piyaseeli), between 12.30am and 1.00am this morning, Mr. Dhammika Herath (also known as Manju) was beaten to death by supporters of Minister of Rural Industries & Self-Employment Promotion S.B. Navinne. Mr. Herath was pronounced dead on arrival at the Wariyapola Hospital, and the body has been sent to the Kurunegala Consultant JMO Dr. H.M.K. Senanayake for the postmortem.
Continue reading "UNP activist beaten to death by supporters of government minister in Kurunegala" »
by R.M.M
Mahinda Rajapakse maybe corrupt but a lot of the hearsay foolish talk here in Colombo is just that.
Three wheeler drivers and even attendants at Apollo claiming Gotabaya bought Apollo when all that happened was that he was made Director once the courts took over Apollo after deeming the Hostile take over bid by Harry J as illegal and gave it back to the government insurance corp.
An Appeal by a Collective of Tamil Professionals
The vote is a valuable right and we call upon Tamils, Muslims and all minorities to exercise it without doubt or hesitation on the 26th of January. We also warn the people to be alert against impersonation and rigging in localities prone to such practices.
Continue reading "Experiences make regime change the critical question for the minorities" »