India destabilising Lanka again

SUNDAY TIMES 5/29/2011

The military parade to commemorate the second anniversary of our own 'V Day' was impressive, but coming as it did in the backdrop of protests by workers, university dons and a host of external compulsions, the Government is being accused of 'milking the issue' and falling back on the defeat of terrorism in May 2009 to give impetus to its political longevity. There was also an element of hollowness to it when, at Hulftsdorp Hill, not far away from the parade, the General who led the ground forces to that momentous victory was making a dock statement in his defence in a trial instituted by those taking the salute at Galle Face. Having concluded his statement he was escorted back to jail where he has been for the past year and more. That itself is also a damper on what is expected to be a glitzy conference scheduled to begin next week on the manner in which one of the world's deadliest terrorist organisations was defeated. Something is not right when you have to stage Hamlet without the Prince of Denmark.

Lanka wins diplomatic battle at UNHRC

UNSG’s report won’t be taken up at sessions beginning tomorrow

SUNDAY TIMES 5/29/2011

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka will not come up for discussion when the UN's Human Rights Council meets in Geneva tomorrow (May 30), diplomatic sources told the Sunday Times. Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who was vested with the added subject of Human Rights earlier this year is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the UNHRC's sessions. He and the rest of the Sri Lankan contingent which includes Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and Attorney General Mohan Peiris have been in Geneva for a week lobbying representatives from other countries, especially those from the 47 member-states in the UNHRC to ward off any moves to raise the UNSG's adverse report on Sri Lanka during the sessions. The report calls for an international mechanism to investigate allegations of violations of human rights and humanitarian law during the last stages of the government's military offensive against the LTTE. The UNHRC is one of the inter-government agencies that could trigger such an investigation if its 47 member-states vote in favour of a resolution calling for such an investigation.

India flexes Muscle

Letter of appeal by the Maha Nayake Thero of the Malwatte Chapter

Though western nations began to talk of possible war crimes in Sri Lanka immediately after the war ended, India was strangely silent. India did not even voice concerns over human rights abuses or the lack of democracy within Sri Lanka. The silence was broken recently and the Indian government began to speak of human rights violations within Sri Lanka. Many were the theories behind the sudden awakening of India but the most likely reason was that the western nations had prodded India to take a stance. Yet, others felt that it was the recent victory of Jayalalitha in Tamil Nadu, which brought about this change.

Tamil Nadu Parallels And Lessons For Sri Lanka

There are many tempting parallels that could be drawn between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Tamil Nadu colossus Muthuvel Karunanidhi who dominated the politics of the South Indian State for over 40 years but bit the Tamil Nadu dust in the end.
Karunanidhi had a yearning for his national hero – the greatest of all Chola kings, Raja Raja who subjugated all South Indian kingdoms around the Chola kingdom and Lanka as well.
Mahinda Rajapaksa is well known as a devout admirer of the legendary Sinhala king Dutugemunu who defeated the Tamil king Elara.

Military Discipline Or The Joy Of Conviction

Beautiful ‘attapatam’ lanterns were swaying over streets, in homes and on trees all over. Scents of jasmine, frangipani and lotuses pervaded the thick monsoon air. Devotees in white crowded into temples.
Sri Lanka’s Dhamma warriors (Dhamma Vijaya) led by JHU’s Champika Ranawaka had taken the vows of dasa sil days before and their photographs were splashed in newspapers and appeared on TV at prime time capturing their devotion. President Mahinda Rajapaksa clad in pure white sil robes was seen on TV at Temple Trees amidst the faithful. Buddhist fervour gripped the nation for the celebration of the 2600th anniversary of the attainment of enlightenment of the Buddha.