By: Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

We have glimpses of the unimportant among the constitutional changes contemplated. However, what has been revealed is not what we need. [TC]

Addressing needs of stressed children

MULLAITIVU, 31 August 2010 (IRIN) - Few studies of children in Sri Lanka have examined the daily stress they continue to face since the tsunami and civil war, focusing instead on the direct impact of both, according to two studies in the latest Child Development journal. [TC]

We knew my father would be found guilty until proven innocent

by Apsara Fonseka

Almost two weeks ago, after six whole months of illegal detention and many court cases, my father’s first court martial case convicted him of doing politics while in uniform. [TC]

Outline of submission made to commission on lessons learnt and reconciliation-by Jayantha Dhanapala

I have been surprised and disappointed by the many distortions of my presentation appearing in the Sri Lanka media and the commentaries based on these erroneous and selective reporting. [TC]

Mannar - Tamil misery continues

By a special correspondent
Exclusive to BBC Sinhala service

The alert and watchful eyes of weary soldiers scanned every vehicle passing through the checkpoints. [TC]

Mahinda Rajapakse means to be President for life

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Tomorrow, perhaps the future” - WH Auden (Spain 1937)

The charade is finally over. President Rajapakse has informed Sri Lanka’s Micawberian Opposition that he intends to remove presidential term-limits and run for a third (and, the Grim Reaper permitting, a fourth and a fifth…) term. [TC]

20,000 Workers from India will Arrive Soon to build houses in northern Province

By Chris Kamalendran

A 20,000-strong Indian workforce will arrive in Sri Lanka to carry out mega housing projects in northern districts.

Garment factories exploiting Northern girls, union charges

By Chris Kamalendran

A garment sector trade union leader charged yesterday that some garment manufacturers were seeking cheap female labour from the one time battle areas of the north.“Factory workers were leaving due to poor wages, work and living conditions [TC]

TNA willing to work with government on resolving key issues: An Interview with TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran

By Arthur Wamanan

Q. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not been vocal in recent times. Has the party changed its stance on the solution for the ethnic issue after the end of the war?

Well, the TNA has a manifesto on which we contested the election. In that, we have specifically stated that we are looking for meaningful devolution of powers in terms of constitutional reforms.[TC]

If the UNP is to preserve itself and survive it has to change

by Dayan Jayatilleka

Was Opposition firebrand, lawyer, karateka and pop vocalist Dayasiri Jayasekara right when he warned several weeks back that the UNP stood in danger of electoral extinction, like the Old Left in general and the LSSP in particular? [TC]

Sri Lankans must thank for JVP and ex-Chief Jutice for saving us from PTOMS

by Dayan Jayatilleka

The Lessons Learnt process is turning into quite an exercise in public pedagogy and performance, though it could be better.[TC]

So called court martial of Sarath Fonseka is contrary to natural justice principles and Article 25 of ICCPR

By Ranil Wickremesinghe

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees to every citizen the right and the opportunity to be elected at periodic elections to ensure the free expression of the will of the electors (Article 25).[TC]

Fonseka's Perils of Playing Politics and its Implications

By Col R Hariharan

For General Sarath Fonseka who revamped a demoralised Sri Lanka army and led it to final victory in the nearly three-decade long campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009, its aftermath had not been peaceful.[TC]

Can India build a meaningful military relationship with China?

By Kalana Senaratne

Numerous reports suggest that Dr. Jayantha Dhanapala had some interesting things to say when he appeared before the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recently; about aspects relating to the interference of certain States in the internal affairs of other States; about the R2P concept; about the Sri Lankan Armed Forces carrying out a daunting humanitarian operation, saving 300,000 innocent civilians kept as a human shield by the LTTE and thereby preventing a certain ‘holocaust’ (The Daily News, 26 August 2010; The Ministry of Defence (defence.lk), 25 August 2010) [TC]

The Defence Secretary and Myself: KP speaks out - 4

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

QUESTION: Thank you for relating these details about these important events of the recent past. Your input provides fresh insight into these matters. But now I want to ask you about the present. [dbsj]

Spectacular Street Parade of a Sparkling Silver Cart

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“You are invited to the festival of this world and your life is blessed” ~ Rabindranath Tagore, (1861-1941), (Indian Poet, Playwright and Essaiyist.Won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1913)

The Silver Vel cart decorated with fresh flower garlands, lines of electrical bulbs in Yellow and traditional cloth hanging paraded through the main streets of Colombo. [HA]

UN official calls on donors to ‘stay the course’ to help displaced

by UN News Centre

The top United Nations humanitarian official in Sri Lanka is appealing to the international community to “stay the course” in helping displaced persons return to their former communities in the wake of last year’s end to the country’s protracted civil war. [TC]

Gordon Weiss: "Who wants to portray the boat people as a security threat?"

Tamils of a different stripe

by Gordon Weiss

The Tigers are history and Sri Lanka’s ethnic minority remains under the government’s thumb. Think about it – who wants to portray the boat people as a security threat? [TC]

Not a crime to seek asylum - Mennonite Central Committee, Canada

by Swati Parashar

Counter terror experts and security analysts are back in action and what do they fear this time? [TC]

Sri Lankan who crewed Tamil Tiger boat free to seek refugee status

By Lincoln Tan

A Sri Lankan citizen who was a crewman on a gun-running boat for the Tamil Tigers has been given the right by the Supreme Court to apply for refugee status in New Zealand. [TC]

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver
Statement by Archbishop J. Michael Miller

The arrival of 492 Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka has generated much discussion about Canada’s immigration policy and the appropriate means of dealing with the men, women and children who recently came by ship. [TC]

Allow Sri Lankans to seek the protection of Canada while overseas - B’nai Brith Canada

As public debate regarding the plight of the 492 Tamil refugee claimants intensifies, B’nai Brith Canada has warned against allowing racism to creep into public discourse on the issue and recommended three proactive solutions. [TC]

My trip to Jaffna: "That somewhere life was taking root again…"

Sri Lanka’s Andi Schubert finds hope amid ruins

I was traveling to the North with my uncle, to visit his home – a home he was rebuilding for the second time. [TC]

Tamil politics and Tiger strategy in perspective

by Dayan Jayatilleka

by Amarnath Amarasingam

In 2007, the Tamil Tigers approached Sabalingam Kumarasamy and asked him to work for them.

When he refused, the Tigers arrested him — he was released six days later only after agreeing to collaborate with them. To escape this enforced recruitment and fearing further trouble, he approached a smuggler who offered to take him to Canada. [TC]

Video: Reaction to the Tamil boat: Curious comparisons

by No One Is Illegal.org

Myth 1: They are illegals who are jumping the queue.

There is no ‘queue’ for refugee claimants. Refugees are forced from their homes in emergency situations due to human rights abuses committed during wars, military occupations, or persecution against a minority group. [TC]

Hambantota and the Delhi-Beijing-Colombo triangle

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

It is not that Sri Lanka’s foreign relations are not in need of repair, especially after five dismal years between Lakshman Kadirgamar and GL Pieris, but it is ironic in the extreme when the criticism comes from the UNP or its sympathisers. [TC]

'Sri Lanka has become my home' - Gill Westaway, Director, British Council

by Steve A. Morrell

Country Director, The British Council, Gill Westaway is an unavoidable adjunct to the British Council. [TC]

Sinhalese, Tamils, and Muslims remember Fr Jim Brown, who disappeared during the war

by Melani Manel Perera

Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims together to remember Fr Nihal Jim Brown, an ethnic Tamil Catholic priest, who disappeared on Aug. 20, 2006. [TC]

It is very hard to imagine a Tamil diaspora minus Toronto: "Thank you Canada, Thank you Brian Mulroney"

by K.T. Kumaran

Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand - William Butler Yeats, Irish Poet (1865 – 1939)

Tamils fleeing their homeland amidst continuing ethnic pogroms of the Sinhala State remember with certainty, the gracious manner in which Canada’s 18th Prime Minister Hon. Martin Brian Mulroney touched their lives, twenty years ago in August, 1986. [TC]

Two tales of Sri Lankans: 'Loss of humanitarian aspect and Canada's own historic benevolence towards the world's less-fortunate'

from the Opinion columns of The Ottawa Citizen

by Mohan Samarasinghe

A ship arrived in B.C. and tempers flared around dinner tables in suburban Ottawa.

Spurred by radio talk show hosts, many Canadians shed their benevolent skins and began bellowing that the 492 Tamil men, women and children who arrived on the smuggler-operated ship MV Sun Sea should be sent packing, back to sea. [TC]

How Prabhakaran met his death: KP speaks out - 3

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK)

Question: What happened finally to your plan of rescuing Prabhakaran and his family by helicopter? Why did the plan not take off?

Answer:

It’s a very sad story………

After Prabhakaran’s son Charles Anthony asked me to rescue his family members by air I devised a plan and made preliminary arrangements. I arranged for a ship to be kept waiting at a far –off port beyond the reach of the Sri Lanka navy. I also made arrangements to buy a second-hand helicopter from an Ukrainian contact. [dbsj]

Religion and Ethnicity among Sri Lankan Tamil Youth in Ontario

By: Amarnath Amarasingam

The Sri Lankan Tamil population in Canada has been increasing in size since the first refugees arrived in the early 1980s. [TC]

Saravanabava Enum: by Seyvita Sooriakumar

Karnatic Keerthanams by Seyvita Sooriakumar (13) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada: [TW]

On World Humanitarian Day (19August) Amnesty International recalls the many humanitarian workers who have fallen victim to human rights violations in Sri Lanka and the families of victims who have been frustrated in their pursuit of justice. [TC]

Sri Lanka is developing again. But not all can celebrate

from The Economist

Rebuilding, but at a cost

Aug 19th 2010 | Trincomalee

WEARING a crisp blue shirt, Kumaraswamy Nageswaran gestures dejectedly to a towering fence that keeps him from his village and his three acres of farmland on the Trincomalee coast. [TC]

Collective trauma in the Vanni

A qualitative inquiry into the mental health of the internally displaced due to the civil war in Sri Lanka

by Dr Daya Somasundaram
Department of Psychiatry, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka [TC]

New comers to Toronto: 'I think what we owe those people is fairness' - Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty

Comments made by the Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today, when asked by about Immigration in Toronto [TC]

Tamil Boat Refugees and Canada: How soon we forget

By John Moore, Special to the National Post

You're shivering in the sharp cold of a winter's night outside of the hottest club in town. [TC]

Majority of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in India reluctant to return home

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

by enna da

I'm a stain, or so they claim
because they are so White clean- exceptionally supreme
And I'm not allowed here because I'm dirty [TC]

An ex-Sri Lankan on migrants' flight

by Vasuhi (Balachandran) Collins

I was surprised to read that, according to the 2006 census, there are no Sri Lankan families living in the Victoria area and none who list Tamil as their mother tongue (Aug. 14). [TC]

UNHCR encouraged by Canada's handling of Tamil boat people case

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 17 August 2010, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. [TC]

None of the Passengers on MV"Sun Sea" are ex-LTTE combatants

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Contrary to reports, none of the Sri Lankan Tamils who paid $ 40,000 to $ 50,000 each for passage to Canada are ex-LTTE combatants involved in Eelam war IV. [TC]

'I’m less inclined to take Sri Lanka govt conclusions about who’s on the boat and why they’re there' - Bob Rae

Send Them Back an Old, and Awful, Refrain

by Bob Rae

Canadians have been caught up in the drama of the arrival of a small boat with 500 people aboard. They have travelled for several months on the Pacific Ocean, turned away in Thailand, Australia, and given the cold shoulder everywhere else until they reached the western shore of Vancouver Island, escorted by the Canadian navy.[TC]

The Battle to Define Again the Soul of Canada

by Bob Russell

Working at my desk early yesterday I watched the arrival of the ship of Sri Lankan refugees just as dawn broke. [TC]

Sinhala nationalist mind set seems incapable of comprehending what Tamils are articulating

Revisiting Jaffna

by Dushy Ranetunge

Jaffna remains one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful cities with the lagoons, the long roads across the sea connecting its many islands, stunning beaches, the calm lagoon like sea, many beautiful Hindu temples, the many excellent centres of education, the Portuguese fort and its gentle peoples who are to a great extent bilingual and perhaps the most hardworking and productive in Sri Lanka. [TC]

KP speaks out ~ 2 – An interview with the former LTTE chief

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

(continued from last week)

Question: So how did the return occur? How and why did you re-join the movement?What was your role during the last days of the war?

Answer: That’s another long story.

I was now out of the movement and leading a quiet life in Thailand with my family.I had no idea of returning to the movement though my wife felt that I would always go back if asked by Prabhakaran himself. [click here to read in full ~ dbsjeyaraj.com]

Apart from punishing the Rajapakses want to humilate Sarath Fonseka to the maximum

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

Some months ago, Defence Secretary and Presidential sibling Gotabhaya Rajapakse threatened to send the former Army Commander, Gen. Sarath Fonseka, to the gallows. [TC]

Rajapaksa onslaught on basic rights is a common threat to all our citizens

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

The Samurdhi officials have shown that there is still a way. By refusing to tolerate the barbaric injustice done to a colleague and by using their collective strength to resist the über-power of the power-wielders, they compelled the Rajapaksa regime to digress, however temporarily, from its habit of impunity. [TC]

If leadership change remains deadlocked the UNP will decay at its centre and disintegrate at its base

by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

He who says A, must say B”. Those who, with good reason, lament the prospect of a new constitution reflective of the dominant ideology and power relations, must also admit and criticise the factor that makes this possible. [TC]

Migrants will get support from Tamil community: advocate

The Tamil migrants who braved a cargo ship to make their way to Canada will be given all the support they need to start the next chapter of their lives, says an advocate who believes they will be successful in their transition. [CTV]

By: Siva Sivapragasam

When Mahatma Gandhi visited Sri Lanka, one of his requests was for the Tamils to start a Tamil Newspaper in Sri Lanka. [MJ]

By Amarnath Amarasingam

Kenneth Alex Randolf is a fifty-six year old former lawyer living in Seattle. When Barack Obama announced his presidential aspirations in 2008, Randolf got to work on a blog that soon attracted some attention, and was later featured on CNN. [WashingtonPost]

Amnesty says Sri Lanka emergency rule must end

The decades-long civil war in Sri Lanka ended more than a year ago, but emergency powers are still in place, sending the wrong message, Amnesty International says. [TC]

Prageeth's Disappearance 200 days ! Sathyagraha and seminar  on August 10th [TC]

Report of the visit of Members of Parliament of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to Santhapuram and Vavuniya on 29th July 2010

On 29th July 2010 Members of Parliament of the TNA, Suresh Premachandran, M A Sumanthiran and S Shritharan visited Santhapuram and met with the original inhabitants now living in a transit camp at Santhapuram [TC]

A post-war challenge for Sri Lanka: Dismantling the LTTE overseas and rebuilding a Sri Lankan identity

by Dr.Rohan Gunaratne

It is my distinct privilege to deliver the 13th Deshamanya Professor Nandadasa Kodagoda Oration this evening. Professor Kodagoda was an intellectual giant of our times. [TC]

U.N. Forms Review Panel for Israeli Raid on Flotilla [TC]

Govt goons flout road rules on Colombo - Kandy Raod

by Dushy Ranetunge

Three vehicles carrying goons of the regime were spotted speeding to Kandy with scant regard to the road rules last Thursday. [TC]

New dress code for Dalada Maligawa entry 

by Dushy Ranetunge

According to police officers controlling entry at the Maligawa in Kandy, a new dress code is in place from Thursday [TC]

Sri Lanka’s disturbing actions met by ‘deafening global silence’

By The Elders

The Sri Lankan government’s clampdown on domestic critics and its disdain for human rights deserves a far tougher response according to The Elders. [TC]

Peace and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka: A Tamil Perspective 

by Dravidan

A recent seminar that was hosted by the Eelam Tamil Association of Victoria, has created a media frenzy sprouted with various sections choosing to quote and misquote what was said. [TC]

The Nallur Hotel project controversy

By M.Sooriasegaram

The proposed Nallur Hotel in Jaffna by the Mercantile Bank of Sri Lanka has sparked off a public debate. [TC]

Police and Fire Brigade did not Respond Quickly  when  "Siyatha" TV/Radio station  was attacked by armed gang

By Damith Wickremasekara

The Police and the Fire Brigade did not respond on time when Siyatha TV was attacked, its owning company Voice of Asia Network Chairman Roshantha Kariyapperuma said yesterday. [TC]

Northern Muslims: Where do they go from here?

by Anushka Fernando

On our way to the first scheduled hearing of Northern Muslims who were expelled by the LTTE in 1990, we spotted a group of men working hard out in the open, under the midday sun, and we stopped to have a conversation with them. [TC]

US Government Support Creates 10,000 jobs in Northern Sri Lanka

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Colombo, the development office of the U.S. Embassy, has recently forged four new business alliances with Sri Lankan private companies, under USAID’s Public/Private Alliance (PPA) Program. These partnerships are expected to create 10,000 full-time jobs in northern Sri Lanka. [TC]

What is happening to the Ex-LTTE cadre surrendees? 

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The Conclusion of the long drawn out war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organization has been welcomed by all sections of Sri Lankan society in particular and the international community in general.

Even as war ravaged Sri Lankans breathe a collective sigh of relief and attempt to get on with their lives in a post-war scenario ,it is important to note that the armed conflict's end does not necessarily mean that the national question generally referred to as the "Tamil problem" has been satisfactorily resolved. [dbsj]

In Pictures: An Enchanting Annual Aadi Vel Festival in Colombo

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The 136th Annual Aadi Vel festival was held in Colombo with colour and glamour. Beautifully decorated wooden carved cart left the Colombo Sammaankodu Sri Kathirvelaayuthaswamy temple in Sea Street left in the morning on July 23rd 2010 and reached the Sammaankodu Sri Maanikka Vinayagar temple at night. [HA]

Displacing Northern Tamils to set up Sinhala military cantonments would increase resentment

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

Last week the villagers of Ragamwela in Ampara, engaged in a protest demonstration, accusing the police of occupying their lands. Ragamwela is strategically located close to several tourist hotspots; at midnight, July 17, an armed gang descended on the village, assaulting inhabitants and burning houses. [TC]

World court on Kosovo: Lessons for Sri Lanka

by Sam Jones

A Tamil refugee who went on a 23-day hunger strike in Parliament Square last year has received an apology and almost £80,000 in damages from the Daily Mail and the Sun over false allegations that he secretly sustained himself with hamburgers. [TC]

Proposals made by the All Party Representatives Committee to form the basis of a new constitution

by R. Yogarajan and Nizam Kariapper

His Excellency The President Mahinda Rajapaksa on 11th July, 2006 at the All Party Conference (APC) decided to appoint a committee of representatives of the parties at APC called the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) and mandated it to formulate a draft proposal for Constitutional reform. [TC]

Rights of Tamils on boat need to be respected

The Canadian Council for Refugees, Amnesty International Canada and the Canadian Tamil Congress today called on Canadians to be mindful of the need to honour international human rights obligations, in responding to the Tamils believed to be on board a boat approaching North America.[TC]

Deadly Symbols, Vibrant Electoral Politics and War Crimes in Sri Lanka

By Dr.A.R.M.Imtiyaz

Symbols are emotional and they play significant role in all aspect of human communities, including electoral politics. Symbols are deadly in nature because they can provoke deadly violence and war crimes. In Sri Lanka, Sinhala politician and elites often resort to symbols in order to win political power. [TC]

ACT NOW launches global day of action to boycott GAP Stores

As you may recall a key part of our strategy, to get Sri Lanka to the negotiating table to obtain a long lasting political settlement, a fair deal for the Tamils, involves a successful boycott campaign. [TC]

Protect Wilpattu Park and The Right of Movement of Expelled Northern Muslims

We, the undersigned organizations call on the Government to take immediate action to prevent the destruction of the Wilpattu National Park, while continuing to provide access through the road from Puttalama to Mannar via the park. [TC]

Citizens of this country must apply increasing pressure on the government and opposition

by Dr. A. C. Visvalingam

The Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance (CIMOGG) is gratified by the recent decision of the Government not to press on with unilateral constitutional changes. [TC]

UNP is not sinking due to disunity but because of its leader

By Athiyan Silva

Further evidence has emerged in recent weeks of the continuing political disintegration of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was militarily crushed in May 2009 by the Sri Lankan military. [TC]

In Pictures: Women Artists’ Colloquium Exhibition 2009/2010: “Omnipresence of the Prick”

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Women Artists’ Colloquium Exhibition 2009/2010: “Omnipresence of the Prick” was inaugurated at Theertha Red Dot Gallery in Pitakotte on July 24th 2010. [HA]

Black July 1983: Dedicate ourselves not to repeat the mistakes of the past

by National Peace Council

On July 23, 1983 an anti-Tamil pogrom took place in various parts of the country in which innocent Tamil persons, their homes and businesses were attacked and destroyed. [TC]

The resistance to Ban-Ki-moon by Wimal Weerawansa

by Steve Russell

The 11th annual Vinaayagar Chariot Festival at the Sri Varasiththi Vinaayagar Hindu Temple on Kennedy Road attracted thousands and transported me out of the GTA. [TS]

British Tamils conduct midnight vigil to commemorate Black July 83 and inaugurate London - Geneva Walk for Justice

British Tamils once again embarked on a rally through London on Friday, 23rd July 2010 calling for justice for victims of war crimes in Sri Lanka. In a symbolic yet solemn show of unity and hope, a “midnight vigil” was held from 9pm commencing from opposite Westminster Abbey to Downing Street. [TC]

Horror of a pogrom: Remembering “Black July” 1983

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj 

The tragic history of post – independence Sri Lanka records that the Tamils of Sri Lanka have been subjected to mass –scale mob violence in the years 1956, 1958, 1977, 1981 and 1983. The anti-Tamil violence of July 1983 was the most terrible and horrible of them all. It remains etched in memory even after 27 years. [dbsj]

Vigil” and Other Works:An exhibition of installations,drawings and paintings

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Vigil” and Other Works by Chandraguptha Thenuwara is currently being held at the Lionel Wendt Gallery in Colombo. It was inaugurated today for special invitees. The exhibition will remain open from July 24th 2010 to July 29th 2010 from 10am to 7pm except the Poya Day on Sunday-July 25th 2010.

There are 15 exhibits including installations, drawings and paintings displayed. He holds an annual exhibition in July to commemorate the Black July [HA]

How Mrs. Bandaranaike became Prime Minister in 1960

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj 

Fifty years ago on 21 July 1960, Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike was sworn in as Prime Minister of Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was known then). The 44-year-old widow of Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike made history on that day as the world’s first woman Prime Minister. [dbsj]

Devolution will strengthen and uphold democracy and national unity

In Sri Lanka majoritarianism is divisive

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

The object of this article is to explore viable means of uniting the ethnically divided Sri Lankan society and promoting democracy, real peace and development, neglected earlier and later damaged severely by the protracted internal conflict that is rooted in the inapt political system. [TC]

From President Ltd to Executive PM unlimited

by Rajan Philips

Constitutional impatience is the name of the game. Three weeks ago the move was to rescind Article 31 (2) to allow the incumbent president to go beyond two terms in office. That plan seems to have gone astray just like other best-laid plans of mice and men. [TC]

Tamil anxiety over Army camps changing demography in N-E

By Ranga Jayasuriya

Bitterness over High Security Zones continues to poison post war reconciliation. Especially, since Keheliya Rambukwella, the Defence Affairs Spokesman rhetorically responded to a media question that High Security Zones were going to stay, faint hope among the displaced Tamils for the magnanimity of the victor evaporated into thin air. [TC]

The Tiger Vanquished: LTTE's Story y M.R. Narayan Swamy

Reviewed by Dayan Jayatilleka

There are books that are a ‘must read‘, and others that are a ‘cracking good read’. MR Narayan Swamy’s latest book on Sri Lanka, The Tiger Vanquished: LTTE’s Story (Sage Publications, 2010), is both.

Rajapaksa must not be allowed to "bury" the APRC final report

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

Twenty Seven years ago, “Black July” burst upon Sri Lanka with the sudden ferocity of a flash flood. The omens of this bloody deluge was evident in the ‘language of contempt’ and the ‘dismissive atitude’ vis-à-vis Tamils which was de règale in Sinhala polity and society. [TC]

Executive President Old Wine in Executive Prime Minister New Bottle

By Namini Wijedasa

When the president invited the opposition leader for talks on constitutional change, there was cheer that the debate on this vital national issue was finally broadening. [TC]

The UNP needs to wake up and take the fight to this regime

by Karu Jayasuriya

As the UNP faces one of the worst crises of its glorious 60 year history, it bears heavily on our spirits as responsible representatives, to appeal to party colleagues for caution, decorum and a united approach in the face of our trouble. [TC]

Will the USA endorse a second term for Ban-Ki-moon as UN Secy-Gen?

By James Traub

In May 2006, Ban Ki-moon made his public debut as a candidate for U.N. secretary-general at a Q-and-A session at the Council on Foreign Relations. [TC]

Running with the UN rabbits and hunting with govt hounds

By Kusal Perera

On 11 July 2010, the Sinhala edition of Sunday “Lakbima” reported that minister of Heritage and Cultural Affairs, Ms. Pavithra Wanniarachchi appointed the Public Performance Board (PPB), better known as the "Censor Board" and advised them to be “honest and independent”. [TC]

International Court of Justice rules in favour of Kosovo independence

VUK JEREMIC, Serbia's foreign minister, looked ashen. He knew what was coming. Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia did not violate general international law, said Hisashi Owada, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, in a non-binding advisory opinion. [TC]

Kosovo's independence From Serbia and Implications for Separatist Movements

By Peter Beaumont

Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in February 2008 did not violate international law, said the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday in a groundbreaking ruling that could have far-reaching implications for separatist movements around the world, as well as for Belgrade's stalled EU membership talks. [TC]

Independence of Tamil Studies and Politics of Tamil Conferences

By Noboru Karashima

The World Classical Tamil Conference that was held in Coimbatore last month attracted lakhs of people, according to reports. [TC]

Donald Perera, who served as Sri Lankan chief of staff during offensive that ended in Tamil rebels' surrender after more than 30 years, is enjoying a change of pace in Israel. In interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, he recalls seeing body of rebel leader Prabhakaran, says IDF needs public's support to successfully eradicate terror. 'Citizens must realize struggle will exact a heavy price,' he adds [TC]

Mrs. Bandaranaike: The world’s first woman Prime Minister

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Today July 21st is the 50th anniversary of Mrs. Sirima Bandaranaike becoming Prime Minister of Sri Lanka then known as Ceylon. Needless to say she made history then as the world's first woman prime minister and put the Island nation on the global map. [DBSJ]

'Reconciliation is a long-term process, could take more than a generation to be achieved' 

By Irin News

Mirak Raheem from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), an independent think-tank in Colombo, believes that with rebuilding under way, now is the time to find a solution to years of ethnic tension.

“We can really focus on the plural nature of the Sri Lankan State and build on that. I think in this present moment we have the space to decide and define what Sri Lanka should really be,” he said.[TC]

Lessons of Srebrenica: How the 15th Anniversary of Srebenica Can Guide Sri Lanka

by Dayan Jayatilleka

Much of the contemporary political comment in Sri Lanka is on the tale of two constitutions, the country’s basic law and that of the main democratic opposition party, the UNP. [TC]

Getting lost in The Hague: UN, Sri Lanka and an ICJ-Advisory Opinion

By Kalana Senaratne

Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe (Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Windsor) in an article titled “Sri Lanka can seek advisory opinion from International Court of Justice about legality of UN panel (www.transcurrents.com), makes a serious suggestion to the Government; i.e. to obtain an Advisory Opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, to determine “whether it was within the power of the Secretary-General to appoint an Advisory Panel mandated as he has when appointing it.” [TC]

How Sri Lanka can get opinion on UN Panel from International Court of Justice

By Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe

With reference to my Article my colleagues have asked me to explain how an Advisory opinion could be sought from the International Court of Justice (I.C.J.) when its jurisdiction to issue such opinions excludes requests made by States and includes, roughly, only fourteen U.N. bodies. [TC]

Code of Conduct for Cabinet Ministers Necessary govt credibility hits rock bottom due to Weerawansa

by Srinath Fernando

It would be opportune to reflect on the nature and duties of a Cabinet Government in the wake of recent controversial remarks made by a Cabinet Minister followed by a fast unto death which eventually became the farce of the century. [TC]

Prevent the armed forces from occupying prime property premises in Colombo city

An Open Letter to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

by P.Elmo J de Silva

The war is now over and the people of Sri Lanka are grateful to you for your contribution towards the country’s victory. [TC]

Instead of seeking National reconciliation Rajapaksa regime is sytematically dismantling Tamil Nationhood

by Surendra

H.E. President Mahinda Rajapakse has pledged to develop Sri Lanka as the new miracle of Asia. Since this project concerns our collective destiny as a country, we should subject this project to a surgical analysis. Is this a wishful dream? [TC]

Tamils in North feel betrayed by Both the State and the LTTE

by CCP (M) Field Mission Report

There is a universal sense of relief that the war is over. By all accounts it was brutal, unrelenting and intense. However, the post war environment contains many old and new issues that deny any sense of liberation or victory for the people. [TC]

Yogarajan and Kariapper release APRC Report independently without govt approval

By Zacky Jabbar

The SLMC and UNP MP R. Yogarajan yesterday released what they termed the final report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) report, which outlines the basis of power sharing, role of the Senate, Community Council, distribution of powers between the Center and Province and safeguards against secession [TC]

Murali should have been made captain of Sri Lankan cricket team

by Durand Appuhamy

No matter what exacting standards the Selectors set for the captaincy of a Test side, Murali would have passed them all summa cum laude. Therefore he merited to be made the captain a long time ago. [TC]

Weerawansa creates medical  history: Fasting unto death while being on a saline drip 

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

by Col R Hariharan

Though Sri Lanka finished the Eelam War in triumph a year back, its battle with the international community does not appear to be over. [TC]

UPFA and UNP move towards consensus politics 

By Sumanasiri Liyanage

According to reports in the newspapers, the United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and the United National Party (UNP) have decided to work together on defining the basic principles of constitutional changes. [TC]

Tamil Representatives may be blamed for irreversible Tamil tragedy

by Dr.Dayan Jayatilleka

My first book had an awful title (Sri Lanka: The Travails Of A Democracy) conferred by the publisher in Delhi, but the subtitle was mine, and it was Unfinished War, Protracted Crisis. [TC]

Rajapaksa plan was to defeat Tigers without giving any political concessions to the Tamils

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

The prime target of Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s delusive fast was neither the UN nor its Secretary General, but the Lankan public. [TC]

Ban Ki-Moon, Navi Pillai and John Holmes brief UN Security Council on "Accountability" in Sri Lanka

by S. V. Kirubaharan in France

During the peak days of the war, every time the UN Security Council wanted to raise concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka, the government sought the help of Russia and China and managed to prevent any discussion. [TC]

My decision to stage a fast unto death was not a sudden initiative

by Wimal Weerawansa

by Namini Wijedasa

It is more than one year since the war ended but the government from the end of June 2010 has introduced new restrictions on movement to the Wanni by staff of UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. [TC]

Mahinda and Ranil engage in engagement of convenience

by Namini Wijedasa

Nothing pulls at the Sri Lankan heartstrings more than two political enemies briefly compartmentalising their mutual loathing to beam hypocritically at each other with the objective, however fleeting, of convincing a gullible public that, this is it: “We are chums now”. [TC]

Royal College at 175: Has it outlived its usefulness to the Nation?

by Panduka Karunanayake

When I left Royal, we were looking forward to its 150-year anniversary celebrations. We were rather envious of our juniors, because they were to have the privilege of directly participating in the celebrations while we were to miss it by a hair’s breadth, considering the kind of timeline involved. [TC]

Actress Asin combats Tamil filmdom over Sri Lanka

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The South Indian state of Tamil Nadu has a robust Film industry. From it’s nascent stages ,film- making in the state has been inclusive in nature. Artistes and technicians from various parts of India have worked and continue to work in Tamil films. Many non –Tamils employed in the film sector have chosen to live in Chennai. [dbsj]

Sri Lanka – indomitable life sprouts in the North

By: Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

It was indeed heartening to see life in all its facets asserting itself along the A9 road in the Vanni and in the Jaffna peninsula, during my very recent visit. The tragedy, utter misery, gloom, hopelessness and signs of devastation along the A9 in the Vanni, I saw in December,2009, has begun to give way to recovery, rebuilding, smiles and hope. [TC]

Govt must ensure there is no discriminatory targeting of Tamils

by National Peace Council of Sri Lanka

The re-commencement of the practices of registering Tamils with the police and of conducting search operations that target them have been widely reported in the Tamil media in particular and have created a renewed sense of insecurity and injustice amongst the larger Tamil population that is detrimental to national reconciliation. [TC]

Will they unilaterally hang my father even if the courts say "No"?

by Apsara Fonseka

Yesterday, July 15 my father was supposed to be at Parliament at 9.30am for a Health Ministry advisory Committee meeting. [TC]

Sri Lankan government uses emergency laws to charge former presidential candidate

By Sarath Kumara

President Mahinda Rajapakse’s Sri Lankan government has invoked its draconian emergency regulations to lay serious criminal charges against the defeated president candidate, ex-Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka [TC]

Sirimavo Bandaranaike: 50th anniversary of wolds first woman Prime Minister

by Gopalakrishna Gandhi

This month it will be 50 years since the world beheld its first woman prime minister. I was about 14 and knew but little of Ceylon when I read the banner story ‘Bandaranaike shot’. [TC]

Sri Lankan Govt slanders Tamil Refugees because they don't want them to reach Australia

by Gordon Weiss

SRI Lankan government warnings that half the Tamils seeking asylum in Australia have links to terrorists are dangerous, mendacious and self-serving. [TC]

‘Sri Lanka gov fears Tamil asylum seekers might become witnesses in a war crimes tribunal’ – former UN Spokesman 

Tamil terrorist claims exaggerated

Rehabilitation Minister DEW Gunasekera on complaints of abuse: 'Write letters to me instead of BBC in London' 

By Swaminathan Natarajan
BBC Tamil service

Former Tamil Tiger rebels detained in Sri Lanka say they have been ill-treated in government camps with no basic facilities. [TC]

There is no firm peace without justice - Samantha Power

"It is hard to read these words without thinking about the Sri Lankan government's ongoing attempts to avoid accountability for war crimes committed in spring 2009 -- crimes, keep in mind, that killed at least as many people as were massacred in Srebrenica in 1995" [TC]

Sri Lanka: Impressions of an Indian tourist from Chennai

by Ravi Gee

I was in Srilanka a fortnight ago for the first time. I travelled to Southern towns Kandy, Bentota and Colombo by road. [TC]

'The three outsiders will need to take a view on what really happened in the closing stages of the war' - The Economist 

NEITHER Sri Lanka’s government, nor the United Nations seems ready to back down over an increasingly bitter dispute. [TC]

President and Opp. Leader should take minorities into confidence on electoral reforms - Mano Ganesan [TC]

Newsweek: In defense of M.I.A [TC]

MIA's new album: 'There's something for everyone' - New Zealand Herald [TC]

Track in M.I.A.'s new album: 'kind of lullaby one would sing to a baby android' - Wall Street Journal [TC]

M.I.A.'s New Record is Full of Greatness

by Gabe Meline

In case you missed it, a month ago on May 30, which is about 20 years in internet time, M.I.A. was profiled in the New York Times Sunday magazine with a critical eye to her knotty politics. [TC]

Album review: M.I.A.'s /\/\ /\ Y /\ album [TC]

India will back Tamil consensus calling for implementation of existing constitutional provisions

By Dr Dayan Jayatilleka

There are new trends in Tamil politics and a quickening of activity in Tamil political society. The Tamil Political Parties Forum is one manifestation while the visit of the TNA to India is another. [TC]

Sri Lanka can seek advisory opinion from International Court of Justice about legality of UN panel

by Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe

I have been back at home to witness and read the media coverage regarding the appointment of an International panel by the Secretary General of the UN to advise himself on matters pertaining to the ending of a 30 year internecine armed conflict in a member State- Sri Lanka. [TC]

Sri Lanka has grounds to challenge Ban-Ki-moon over legitimacy of UN panel

by Neville Laduuwahetty

The UN Secretary General (SG) has maintained that: [TC]

Ex-LTTE cadres get on the -job training at different factories of Tri-Star Garments

by Hiranthi Fernando

In the large air-conditioned production hall of the Tri Star garment factory, 100 girls from the Poonthotam and Pompemadu rehabilitation camps are getting on-the-job training on the assembly line, manufacturing baby wear. [TC]

The 2010 budget was partially appropriated before being presented to parliament

by Eran Wickramaratne

Article 148 of the Constitution gives Parliament full control over public finance. Since President Wijetunga retained the finance portfolio the authority of the Parliament over finance has been usurped, and created a conflict between the powers of the legislature and the Executive. [TC]

Crisis in the Maldives and its implications for the Sri Lankan 17th Constitutional Amendment

By Prof.G.L. Pieris

The Maldivian crisis is important for us from several points of view. It throws the spot light on the whole question of constitutional checks and balances, and how far those checks and balances should go [TC]

Murali: Six great milestones in cricket career

by Imran Coomaraswamy

Earlier this year, a 60-strong panel of experts took part in a poll to select Cricinfo’s Cricketer of the 2000s. Ricky Ponting’s list of accomplishments as leader of the dominant Test and ODI team of the era justifiably earned him the top spot. [TC]

Murali: A Legend of Cricket Retires 

by S.Skandakumar

When that great bard, William Shakespeare wrote the lines, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players”, he could not have envisaged an off spinning genius from Sri Lanka entering that arena almost four and a half centuries later [TC]

Muttiah Muralitharan: Cricketing hero and national icon

By Prasad Gunewardene

This tribute is paid to man who readily accepted and embraced the national bosom to be loved by all communities in his country. I have never met nor associated this young man. [TC]

India knows Rajapaksa is Mary's little lamb with war crimes and the hostility of the West

By Gomin Dayasri

India is Indira, has changed to Sonia is India. Ironically Italian, intelligently Indian, she held the key to India’s Gate at an opportune moment for the fate of Sri Lanka. [TC]

Will G.L. Peiris or Palitha Kohona be made the scapegoats for amateurish politics of Weerawansa?

Now that Wimal Weerawansa in his inimitable way has managed to get the President of Sri Lanka to kneel down before him and offer water as many predicted, one wonders as to who would end up being the scapegoat of the government failure to get a better statement from the UN on Friday night - Prof. G.L. Peiris or Palitha Kohona [TC]

Big Power Sanctions versus Middle Power Diplomacy for Iran

By Rajan Philips

On May 17 in Tehran, the foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey, and Brazil announced that they had reached a deal on exchanging uranium fuel for use in the Tehran Research Reactor. [TC]

Sri Lanka protests against UN echo anti-justice campaign-HRW [TC]

Full-fldged death-unto-fast. Sorry, farce-unto-death. Sorry, fast –unto –death

By Namini Wijedasa

It’s safe to assume that nobody expects Wimal Weerawansa to die. Maybe wither, shrivel and droop a little, but not to really, really, really die. [TC]

Weerawansas actions may be legal but they endanger Sri Lankas international legitimacy

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Sri Lanka is a sovereign state which belongs to the international system. It must safeguard its sovereignty as well as its membership of that system. Sri Lanka’s enemies have a main objective – a separate state – and two subsidiary objectives which are a prelude to the main objective. [TC]

‘Private’ versus ‘free’ education in Sri Lanka: What can we learn from Lessons from Save Middlesex Philosophy Campaign?

By Vangeesa Sumenasekara

One of the central weaknesses of the recent debate or discussion in Sri Lanka around the strange term "private" universities apropos its possible consequences to the men and women living within the national boundaries of Sri Lanka , is its lack of focus on this global picture. [TC]

Police Registering Tamil civilians in Colombo is discriminatory: Mano Ganesan calls for president’s intervention [TC]

Colombo protest against UN ends in failure

By Damith Wickremasekara

National Freedom Front supporters, led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa, marched to the UN office in Colombo on Tuesday, launching a protest campaign which eventually set off a chain of reactions during the week. [TC]

Wimal: The Biggest Con Artist Of Our Time

By Frederica Jansz

If ever there was an award winning con artist in the making first prize must indeed go to Wimal Weerawansa. [TC]

Wimal Weerawansa: Making a hero out of a cardboard hero

by Namini Wijedasa

Never in recent times have relations between the UN secretariat and Colombo been this acrimonious or so unashamedly mishandled over an issue that could have been easily resolved through diplomatic channels. [TC]

Gotabhaya admits ordering Police to leave during siege on UN compound

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says Sri Lanka remains committed to the UN ideals and strongly believes in working with the international community in a post-LTTE era, contrary to the perception among a section of the global community. [TC]

Ban-Ki-moon issue: However irritating Sri Lankans must not act in anger

by Arjuna Hulugalle

The question in most people’s minds is whether Mr Ban Ki Moon’s action of appointing a Panel for Sri Lanka is legally ultra vires and high handed. The perception of the general public is that his action was illegal as it did not have the sanction of the UN Security Council. [TC]

Ex-LTTE Chief "KP": The Tiger who changed his stripes

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj

The tiger, they say , does not change its stripes. The leopard too wont change its spots. This inability or refusal to change is certainly true of the four –legged felines.

There are some – perpetually paranoid- who would say this is applicable to the near extinct two –legged tiger in Sri Lanka too. “Once a tiger always a tiger”. In fact there is a proverbial saying in Tamil “Puli Pasithalum Pullai Thinnaathu”(even when hungry the tiger will not eat grass). [dbsj]

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

We are living through a transformative time, a time when the hitherto inconceivable become the norm. [TC]

Broaden focus to causes of conflict, Secretary-General urges Security Council, in debate on civilian protection

In Joint Briefing, Humanitarian Chief, High Commissioner For Human Rights Stress Importance of Accountability, Need to End Impunity [TC]

UN chief Ban Ki-moon recalls Sri Lanka envoy

The UN's secretary-general has recalled his top envoy to Sri Lanka and is closing an office in Colombo because of angry protests over a war crimes panel. [TC]

Sri Lanka minister begins 'fast' outside UN office

A Sri Lankan minister says he has begun a hunger strike outside the UN's Colombo offices demanding that it stop its probe into alleged war crimes. [TC]

The Most powerful man in Sri Lanka is brother Gotabhaya not President Mahinda

By Ashok K Mehta

After winning a war that no Sri Lankan President dared even try to, and emerging triumphant from every election he has fought since 2005 President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is directly responsible for altogether 78 institutions, and Minister for the country’s Defence, Finance, Planning, Ports and Aviation and Highways, would unarguably be the most powerful man in Sri Lanka today. Not correct [TC]

A pragmatic Tamil consensus would put moral pressure on the state

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke

The UN Human Rights Council has a new president, the ambassador of Thailand. A serious minded and senior diplomat, he is a fine choice indeed.

The Politics of the UN and ‘Post-War’ Sri Lanka: A Brief Critique

By Kalana Senaratne

The recent appointment of a Panel of Experts by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) is a disturbing development, even though it was bound to happen. [TC]

As Sri Lanka Burns UN Ban in Effigy, Some NAM Members Abandon It, UN In Disarray, Kohona Dressed Down 

By Matthew Russell Lee

In the wake of the government sponsored or allowed hostage taking of UN staff in Colombo, Inner City Press on Tuesday asked the Permanent Representative to the UN of a major South Asian country if he still supported Sri Lanka's requested Non Aligned Movement statement opposing the UN's war crimes panel. [TC]

UN Under Siege in Sri Lanka: Why Accountability for War Crimes Matters

by Mark Leon Goldberg
UN Dispatch

There is a stunning anti-UN protest underway in Columbo, Sri Lanka. Nationalist protesters led by a government official have blockaded scores of UN employees inside a UN compound. Outside, protestors have burned Ban Ki Moon in effigy. [TC]

Protesters Demand End to UN Probe into Sri Lankan War Crimes

by Anjana Pasricha
Voice of America

Protesters in Sri Lanka led by a Cabinet minister have surrounded the United Nations office to demand the world body end a probe into allegations of human rights abuses during the country's civil war. [TC]

Pride, Prejudice & Power at the ICC: John Howard Castled

by Michael Roberts

John Howard ct. Africa b. Asia for nought………………………

…… reads the scorecard in the command rooms of the ICC this week. What we have seen is the force of power, prejudice and pride marshalled by nationalist sentiment. [TC]

Mahinda's new cabinet comprises two ministers and thirty nine "doormats" for the "family" to wipe their feet on 

By Mangala Samaraweera

The Rajapakse administration has shown an uncanny ability to create world records in the last few years; prior to the General Election, Sri Lanka had the dubious honour of having the world’s largest number of Ministers and now we have created yet another world record by having the world’s smallest cabinet of two ministers. [TC]

Sinhalese must not overestimate themselves and underestimate the Tamils and the spirit of the Tamil community

by Dayan Jayatilleka

The LTTE was a separatist army, which was out-thought, out-fought, defeated and almost destroyed by a better armed force, the Sri Lankan military. [TC]

Pathmanathan alias "KP" wont be the govt Chief Ministerial candidiate for Northern Provincial Council

by Shamindra Ferdinando

There is absolutely no basis for Opposition accusations that one-time LTTE heavyweight Kumaran Padmanathan alias "KP’ will contest forthcoming elections for the Northern Province as the UPFA’s chief ministerial candidate, a senior government official says. [TC]

Panel on Sri Lanka is a move by Ban Ki moon and not the UN itself

An Interview with Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

By Manjula Fernando [TC]

Under Rajapakse rule preposterous develpoments are transformed into banal realties

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

There is hysteria in the air. The regime and its allies are flailing at the UN and the EU, to the tune of wild drumbeats of national sovereignty and shrill accusations of unwarranted and unjust interference. [TC]

US Govt petitioned about deteriorating workers rights in Sri Lanka

by Namini Wijedasa

A powerful international federation of trade unions has in a petition to be considered by the US government delivered a scathing account of labour practices in Sri Lanka, alleging that worker rights in the country have deteriorated in recent years. [TC]

Govt is Using KP's Data base on the LTTE to Crush the international tiger network-Defence Secretary  Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

by Shanika Sriyananda

Whilst refuting claims that the government is grooming the detained LTTE leader Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias Kumaran (KP) to be the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, the Government said it was exploring his ‘data base’ on the LTTE to crush its international network. [TC]

Sri Lankan budget imposes IMF austerity demands

By Saman Gunadasa and K. Ratnayake

Sri Lankan deputy finance minister Sarath Amunugama presented a delayed interim budget for 2010 on Tuesday (Jun 29), outlining plans for austerity measures to meet the demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). [TC]

Mystery killings in Colombo unsolved

by Charles Haviland

In a horrific turn of events in Sri Lanka's biggest city, Colombo, between seven and ten hawkers, homeless people or beggars have been murdered in the space of a few weeks. [TC]

If the Tamil people are fated to have KP as Northern Chief Minister there is nothing we (EPDP) can do about it

An Interview with Douglas Devananda [TC]

From majoritarian to authoritarian rule under the guise of necessity 

Current moves undermine fostering of Democracy in Sri Lanka

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

The Government of Sri Lanka has been successful in brushing off the alleged accusations of war crimes during the final stage of the war and violations of the basic rights of the survivors after it ended May last year with the crushing defeat of the Tamil militants (LTTE), who fought for a separate independent Tamil State (Eelam). [TC]

Instability in spite of Power, Insanity in the wake of Victory

by Rajan Philips

No previous Sri Lankan government has been as powerful as the present one. It has an elected Executive assured of tenure for another seven years. It just won a majority in the legislature that is incredible under proportionate representation. [TC]

Sri Lankan state has not yet grasped in full the new Tamil diaspora configuration

By Dr. Harinda Vidanage

The UN panel of experts, the EU condition GSP plus concessions drew a plethora of responses in Sri Lanka from politicians, policy makers, media personalities, eminent public figures. [TC]

Blood of humans and existence of God [i]

by Dr. A.R.M. Imtiyaz

When the Zionists kill
Our brothers, sisters and elders
We oppose and drum up demonstrations
Because they jump down our Muslim blood! [TC]

Video: Fault Lines - Arundhati Roy

AlJazeera Video:

Fault Lines presenter Avi Lewis sits down for a one-on-one interview with author and activist, Arundhati Roy: [TC]

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

6 Member Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentary delegation led by Trincomalee district MP R.Sambandan will leave for India on July 4th [TC]

Govt Must Stop Setting up New Army camps in Wanni and building houses for Army families

By Veerasingham Aanandasangaree

I am frankly of the opinion that the opening of an Army Camp at Mullaithevu as a fore-runner and the decision of the Government to build permanent houses for the Army are ill-timed, counterproductive and will very soon prove disastrous. [TC]

Weerawansa's Outburst: Will Govt allow people to take up arms against the UN staff working in Colombo?

by Karu Jayasuriya

We are astounded by the irresponsible and deplorable call by MP Wimal Weerawansa, a Minister in the present government urging the Sri Lankan public to take up violence and commit acts of aggression against the United Nations offices and their staff in Colombo. [TC]

In Sinhala society today exists a mirror image of what LTTE and its Diaspora supporters could not see before May 2009

BY Dushy Ranetunge in London

The pressures that the Sri Lankan state is under at present is its own creation in failing to strategically position Sri Lanka in a rapidly transformed post LTTE landscape. It is remarkably similar to the predicament of the LTTE, which was also its own creation. [TC]

10 measures at work already in the Sri Lankan economy to withstand GSP + withdrawal

By The Economic Research Unit – Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Current reports indicate that the Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) facility granted by the European Union (EU) would not be available for Sri Lanka after 15 August 2010, and based on such reports, there has been considerable speculation. [TC]

China backs Sri Lanka's opposition to UN rights panel [TC]

Authoritarian Regimes Vs. NGOs: Learning bitter lessons from contemporary persecutions

By J.C. Weliamuna

The constant struggle between authoritarian regimes and NGOs reminds us of the historic struggle for freedom - the world over against oppression. Determined groups defeated feudal leaders to authoritarian dictators in the past. Probably the difference today is contextual. [TC]

Breaking the backbone of Civil Society in Sri Lanka-Time to challenge the anti NGO propaganda

By J. C. Weliamuna

History of civil society is as old as civilization itself, which is an indication that it is no easy task to “eradicate or eliminate” NGOs, however much one wants it to happen [TC]

Bollywood star Salman Khan films in Sri Lanka after awards row

Khan told reporters on Wednesday that he was delighted to film in Sri Lanka because the country is close to India and its landscape is suitable for Indian productions. [TC]

No reason for Sri Lanka anger at UN war panel -Ban [TC]

As Sri Lanka Threatens UN Staff, Ban's UN Makes Excuses, Calls It Gandhian 

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, June 30 -- As Sri Lanka's minister of housing called for UN staff to be held hostage until any war crimes inquiry is stopped, the UN in New York made excuses for the threat. [TC]

Govt must assure the public of the independent status of the Attorney General

By The Friday Forum

The Friday Forum is an informal gathering of public spirited persons wishing to contribute to the future development of Sri Lanka within a framework of democracy, social justice and pluralism. [TC]

India Loses to China in Africa-to-Kazakhstan-to-Venezuela Oil

by Dayan Jayatilleka

Sri Lanka’s once shattered and broken territory – the boundary of the state — has been fused, but the nation remains fissured. How is it to be unified? [TC]

North - Eastern people of Sri Lanka will go against South Indian Film Industry very soon

by Vidya Abhayagunawardena

The ongoing debate on Sri Lanka in the Indian film world in general and the South Indian Film Industry (SIFI) in particular is intriguing and thought provoking. [TC]

A new war: SL backed KP vs India backed TNA

Colombo props up "KP" led ex-LTTE outfit to defeat New Delhi backed TNA in Northern polls

by Upul Joseph Fernando

Though some are waiting in expectation for the release of  KP alias Kumar Pathmanathan, it was a long time  since he had been  released. The fact that he was freed came to light officially when he recently toured the North East along with the leaders of the Tamil Diaspora. [TC]

Fonseka 'ready to talk' with UN panel 

BBC Sandeshaya

The detained former military commander in Sri Lanka says he is prepared to meet the special panel appointed to advice the UN chief on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka. [TC]

Sri Lanka denies deal with 'rump Tamil Tigers'

By Charles Haviland, BBC News, Colombo

Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has denied reports that the government is forming an "alliance" with the "rump" of the Tamil Tigers. [TC]

UN sets up limited inquiry into human rights in Sri Lanka 

By K. Ratnayake

The Sri Lankan government has reacted angrily to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s June 22 appointment of an expert panel to advise him on human rights violations in the final stage of the island’s civil war. [TC]

India's hands are tainted with the blood of innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka

By V Suryanarayan

During President Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi, the problems and prospects of India-Sri Lanka relations came under close scrutiny. The joint statement spelt out the directions in which bilateral relations are likely to proceed ahead. [TC]

Sri Lankan military encroaches into civilian economy after end of war [TC]

The antiquity of Thamizh: An Epigraphic perspective

Tamil-Brahmi inscripted 200 BCE Pottery Found in Tissamaharama by German Archaeologists
By Iravatham Mahadevan [TC]

.....and I say ‘Cheese’

By Ranjan Abayasekara [TC]

Karunanidhi announces road map for promotion of Thamizh as Classical Conference concludes

laments over lack of political solution for Sri Lankan Tamils

by T.Ramakrishnan, K.V.Prasad

The first World Classical Tamil Conference here came to an end on Sunday with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announcing a plan of action for Tamil promotion and development. [TC]

The "Glass House gang of four" behind the Moon move to appoint A UN Panel on Sri Lanka

By Ranmali Fernando

Ban Ki Moon has appointed his panel to invesitgate the last stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka or the end of terrorism as many Sri Lankans would put it. [TC]

'Why should I worry about others? If India and neighbours are good with me, that is enough for me' - President Mahinda Rajapakse

President Mahinda Rajapakse speaks to K Venkataraman of The Times of India [TC]

Tamil diaspora must contribute towards rehabilitating ex-LTTE combatants appeals TDD

By Franklin R.Satyapalan

Members of Tamil Diaspora for Dialogue (TDD ) yesterday, made a fervent appeal to members of the Tamil community especially those members of the Tamil Diaspora to contribute whatever they could towards rehabilitating the remaining 8083 ex-combatants in government custody so that they could enter civil society without delay. [TC]

Sri Lankan govt reaches agreement with LTTE faction led by Pathmanathan alias "KP"

By Shamindra Ferdinando

One year after the conclusion of war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government and the LTTE rump have reached an agreement, thereby giving the SLFP-led ruling coalition an unprecedented political advantage. [TC]

Benefits could accrue if Sri Lanka responds positively to EU demands instead of rejecting them

by National Peace Council

The Sri Lankan government has said it is rejecting the 15 conditions set out by the European Union in relation to extending the benefits of the GSP Plus tariff concession since such demands constitute a violation of our national sovereignty. [TC]

Jaffna, where women weep

by Melani Manel Perera

The civil war has widowed tens of thousands of women in Jaffna, their husbands, civilian victims of the conflict. The women have to cope with an unhelpful government and social prejudice in Tamil society. [TC]

Tamil Classical Conference and self-serving politics of "Kalainjer" Karunanidhi

by M.S.S. Pandian

The World Classical Tamil Conference, which is being held in Coimbatore by the DMK government at the cost of Rs. 400 crore, is born in anti-intellectualism and draws sustenance from the self-serving politics of M. Karunanidhi, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. [TC]

The vanquished and the victors in the spoils of war

by Pearl Thevanayagam

The recently concluded war with all its human miseries such as loss of lives, widowhood, displaced and maimed civilians, orphans, destruction of properties and denigration of agricultural lands and the disruption to normal life throughout the island was not all that bad as far as a significant part of the populace was concerned [TC]

Pathmanathan alias "KP": Rajapakse regimes "very bestest, bestest friend"

by Namini Wijedasa

We’ve said this before but what the heck let’s churn it up again: Sri Lanka is a nation of such appalling paradoxes that it puts all paradoxes everywhere in the world to dire shame. [TC]

With Friends like India do we need enemies…?

By Gamini Weerakoon

Even going back to the legendary times of Lanka’s Ravana abducting Sita from India, Sri Lanka had to be friends with the many kingdoms on the sub-continent, for the sake of peace and self preservation. [TC]

Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood": Righting wrongs, restoring justice, re-learning politics 

By Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

I hope everyone saw Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, with Russell Crowe in the title role. The BBC History channel backed it up with a two hour programme, piecing together the legend from historical fact and circumstance. [TC]

Complying with EU conditions will actually enhance citizens sovereignty

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

I do not think that there is a thinking person among us who will deny that international criminal justice targeting egregious human rights violators across national boundaries, is more often arbitrary if not capricious. [TC]

National constitution should be a social contract between the people and the state

by Dr. Nihal Jayawickrama

In the past four decades, whenever a political party or alliance secured a substantial majority of seats in parliament, that group of politicians has claimed the right to foist a new constitution on the people of this country. [TC]

Need for harmonization of Sinhala - Tamil relationship in post - war Sri Lanka

by Gnana Moonesinghe

When reflecting on warring Sri Lanka or post conflict Sri Lanka, the predominant thought that comes to mind is the need for harmonization of Sinhala Tamil relationship. What is it that is necessary to achieve this goal that has eluded this country for over six decades, a sad epitaph for our political leaders? [TC]

Constitutional changes must not be done in secrecy or in haste

An Interview with Ruana Rajepakse by Namini Wijedasa [TC]

Stephen Sackur checkmated Defence Secretary on several occasions during “Hard Talk” BBC interview

By S.V.Kirubaharan, France

The recent BBC series of hard talk programmes on Sri Lanka presented by Stephen Sackur was well-received globally. This telecasting has shown the good, bad and ugly sides of Sri Lanka [TC]

Video & mp3: Tradition vs modernity dilemma in Tamil literature

by B.Kolappan

When music director A.R. Rahman wanted a preamble for the song Theendaay Meitheendaay in the film Yen Suvasakaatrey, lyricist Vairamuthu did not think twice about the choice. [TC]

Muthuswamy  Master: Illustrious Tamil Music Composer of Sinhala Cinema

22nd Death Anniversary ~ June 27th 1988

By Firoze Sameer

Ramaya Asari Muthusamy was born on January 5, 1926 in the village of Nagerkovil bordering Kerala in South India. He was the only son of the versatile South Indian musician called Ramaya Baagawadher. [TC]

Audio & Transcript: Radio Australia Interview with Marzuki Darusman, UN Panel Chief on Sri Lanka [TC]

Sri Lanka says UN panel 'will not be allowed' to enter

The Sri Lankan foreign minister has said that a UN panel on human rights will not be allowed into the country. [TC]

The 15 EU conditions: 'Erode authority of the Govt. of Sri Lanka' - Ministry of External Affairs

Here are the 15 conditions spelt out by the European Commission for renewal of GSP+ and followed by response from the Ministry of External Affairs, Sri Lanka: [TC]

Five Day World Classical Tamil Conference begins in Coimbatore today

by Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu

Many readers may have seen if not read about Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s interview with Stephen Sackur of the BBC HardTalk programme in which he calls Sarath Fonseka a liar and threatens to hang him for his position on a war crimes investigation.[TC]

Sri Lankans must unitedly use the weapon of "boycott" against international interference in our internal affairs

By S. L. Gunasekara

On the 18th May 2009, Sri Lanka awoke from the nightmare of separatist terrorism which had plagued it ever since the 22nd of May 1972.[TC]

New British Prime Minister hopes magnanimity would follow victory in Sri Lanka

by Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha

It was depressing, on my first morning in England this time round, to attend a debate at the House of Commons on Sri Lanka in which the usual suspects revived their attacks on Sri Lanka and its government.[TC]

UN Panel on Sri Lanka: 'Public report for one death, secret for tens of thousands of deaths?'

Indonesia's former Attorney General Murzuki Darusman, a member of the panel of Advisers on Sri Lanka announced by Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon also served on UN panel inquiring the death of Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan and that panel's report was released to the public.

However, in Sri Lanka case though, UN did not say today if the panel's report will be made public, nor if any of the three members will take questions from the Press, according to the Inner City Press (ICP). [TC]

Ban panel 'roadmap' for international investigation in Sri Lanka: HRW [TC]

Champika Ranawaka’s apology is a positive step towards reconciliation

by Mano Ganesan

JHU general secretary and Minister Champika Ranawaka’s apology to Tamils on burning down of the Jaffna library is a positive step in the long journey for reconciliation between Tamils and Sinhalese. We welcome this testimonial declaration in the right spirit. [TC]

Champika Ranawaka apologizes in Jaffna for 1981 arson attack on Jaffna library

By N. Parameswaran

The Jathika Hela Urumaya yesterday apologized to the Jaffna citizens for what it called an ‘unpardonable and disgraceful’ attack on the Jaffna library carried out by ‘violent elements within the UNP’.[TC]

Radio Australia Audio & Transcript: UN panel on Sri Lanka civil war almost finalised [TC]

UN Sri Lanka Panel To Include Steven Ratner and Yasmin Sooka of South Africa, Reconciliation or Accountability?

On Sri Lanka war crimes, sources tell Inner City Press that the three names including not only former Indonesian attorney general Darusman but also American lawyer Steven Ratner, and South Africa's Yasmin Sooka, who served on that country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who was proposed by Ban advisor Nicholas Haysom, also of South Africa. [TC]

Sri Lanka furious as UN's Ban names war crimes panel [TC]

Kandiah Kandasamy lived and died for the finest cause in the world

by Shanie

Today, twenty two years ago, Kandiah Kanthasamy, lawyer and human rights activist, was abducted in Jaffna by one of many armed groups that roamed the streets of Jaffna then [TC]

No hostage to the past: An encounter with Mervyn de Silva

Mervyn de Silva: 11th Death Anniversary ~ June 22, 2010

By Asanga Welikala

The eleventh anniversary of the death of Mervyn de Silva, the great Sri Lankan journalist and editor, falls on 22nd June. [TC]

Hardtalk 4: Is Sri Lanka really entering a new era?

Presented by Stephen Sackur:

"HARDtalk has come to Sri Lanka, a year after government forces finally defeated the Tamil Tigers, to end Asia's longest running war. But now the talk is of reconciliation and rebuilding;[TC]

Video: Protest against Burma Military Junta, near Burma Embassy in Colombo [TC]

‘Sri Lankan Model’ of Terrorism vs Terrorism  is no model to Follow

by T.V.S. George

If it takes a thief to catch a thief, can we say it requires terrorism to defeat terrorism? That is the theory Mahenda Rajapakse put into practice in Sri Lanka.[TC]

Contribution of Sri Lankan Tamil priest Thaninayakam towards classical language status of Thamizh

By Rev. Fr. Thamil Nesan

The World Classical Tamil Conference is scheduled to be held from 23rd to 27th of June, 2010, at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu fulfiling the wishes and aspirations of Tamil scholars, not only from Tamil Nadu but also from all over the world. [TC]

The difference in "economics" between Ranasinghe Premadasa and Mahinda Rajapakse

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

Until a few months ago, Greece was a lavish spender with defence expenditure topping its bloated budget. Using its cold war with neighbouring Turkey as justification, Greece spent more of its GDP on defence than any other European nation. [TC]

Foreign policy shift by Sri Lanka in post - war situation

By Sumanasiri Liyanage

Leon Trotsky, a leader of the Russian Revolution, once said that when a specific music is played, the issue is not which key is important, but when a particular key should played. [TC]

Jayalalithaa urges implementation of an 18 point plan to alleviate Tamils' plight

AIADMK General Secretary Jayalalithaa on Saturday June 19th listed an 18 point request to help Tamils in Sri Lanka. [TC]

Magistrates of Chavakachcheri and Vavuniya transferred out of North suddenly

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Two magistrates from the Chavakachcheri and Vavuniya Magistrates’ Courts have been transferred with immediate effect to different areas for no specific reason. [TC]

US ambassador at large for war crimes Stephen Rapp says Sri Lanka panel doesn't meet standards

By Matthew Russell Lee

Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa administration insists that its panel on "Lessons Learned" is a sufficient response to reports of tens of thousands of civilians killed in the final stage of the conflict last year.[TC]

Veteran LTTE Leader Pathmanathan alias "KP" meets Gotabhaya and GL  Peiris along With Tamil diaspora group

by Ananth Palakidnar

A group of nine Tamil intellectuals including former prominent militant sympathisers who had been operating internationally for the militant outfit along with Pathmanathan (Kumaran), the former head of the LTTE’s activities abroad said they would assist in the post conflict rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the country. [TC]

The hijacking of a military victory by one political family to consolidate its own power

By Kishali Pinto Jayawardene

The day after the military victory over the LTTE last May, the street down which I live was fluttering with national flags hoisted atop each and every conceivable point. [TC]

UNP must renew itself as a party and take on the dictatorial Rajapakse regime

By Ranil Wickremesinghe

Politics is a dynamic process, so political parties cannot afford to be stagnant. Whether we win or lose, parties need to renew themselves periodically because the needs and desires of the electorate keep changing. [TC]

Ex-LTTE cadres unite in wedlock at mass marriage ceremony

By Sarasi Paranamanna

Attending a mass marriage ceremony is quite an unforgettable experience, because, being part of a marriage ceremony always gives a joyous feeling, and when it is on a mass scale, the celebration is amplified. [TC]

Freed Sri Lankan journalist Tissainayagam arrives in U.S.

The Committee to Protect Journalist welcomes the arrival in the United States of Sri Lankan journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, who arrived at Washington’s Dulles International Airport on Saturday morning. [TC]

National Reconciliation begins when the pause after war drives a nation to Its senses

by Rt.Rev.Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo

It is now a year since the civil war has ended in our beloved Sri Lanka and sadly national reconciliation continues to elude us. In these circumstances the CR de Silva Commission on "lessons learnt and reconciliation" is timely and welcome. [TC]

A Royal Visit From Trincomalee to Colombo

By Sharlene de Chickera

The day was June 2nd 2010. Our mission was to receive 86 school boys from Trincomalee District and host them at Royal College, for a day! [TC]

Tim Martin of "Act Now" seeks justice for Sri Lankan Tamils

Tim Martin, one of the directors of human rights group Act Now was invited to Oxford on Wednesday, June 9th to give a lecture at the Oxford Union, once described as the "world's most prestigious debating society". [TC]

No International War Crimes Investigation against Sri Lanka for now

By Namini Wijedasa

The Tamil diaspora is likely to be livid. International human rights groups like Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group and Amnesty International will not be happy. And this certainly was not what Navi Pillai, the UN high commissioner for human rights, had hoped for. [TC]

A video look at US Gulf coast oil disaster as Sri Lanka announces offshore drilling in Mannar basin

Sri Lanka's Petroleum minister Susil Premajayantha recently announced that offshore drilling in the Mannar basin will commence from late January 2011 to May 2011. [TC]

Fidel's legacy and left scholarship [TC]

By Veerasingham Anandasangaree

Please permit me to bring to your notice the pathetic plight of the re-settled Internally Displaced Persons. [TC]

Grieving and mourning seem to be criminalized in the newly "liberated" North

By Ruki

Today, 18th June 2010, has been declared a public holiday by the government. Many Sri Lankans, especially Sinhalese from the South are expected to respond enthusiastically to the government’s elaborate plans to celebrating the war victory over the LTTE. For several days, citizens in Colombo had to put up with closed roads in preparation. [TC]

'Our armed forces battled carrying gun in one hand and the Declaration of Human Rights the other': President Rajapakse [TC]

BBC HARDtalk III - Sri Lanka's child soldiers [TC]

President Rajapaksa's New Delhi visit: 'Much ado about few things'

By Col R Hariharan

From Indian point of view the much hyped visit of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa to New Delhi from June 8 to 11 can be summed up in one sentence as much ado about few things, with apologies to Shakespeare. [TC]

Charges of Financial irregularities in SL media rock IFJ world congress In Spain

Accusations about the Asia office of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) turning a blind eye to financial irregularities in Sri Lanka’s media organizations led to several key figures being ousted from office at this year’s IFJ world congress. [TC]

Tamil diaspora Organizatins  Desperately Attempting to  keep Concept of Tamil Eelam Alive

By Asutosha Acharya

Amid media reports indicating that Tamil organizations made up of diaspora in different countries are still making desperate attempts to keep alive the concept of "Tamil Eelam", [TC]

British House of Commons debate on Tamil civilian plight in Sri Lanka [TC]

Hard Talk Part 2 -Democracy Sri Lankan style

In the second of Hardtalk's exclusive series of programmes in Sri Lanka, Stephen Sackur talks to journalists who live with the threat of intimidation and murder. He talks to the opposition presidential candidate, former General Sarath Fonseka, who is now in detention facing court martial. [TC]

'BBC meets its match in Sri Lankan Defence Secretary'- The Manila Times [TC]

NYT Editorial: The Truth About ‘Bloody Sunday’ [TC]

India faces flak in Sri Lanka; seen as a bully

Hardtalk on the road in Sri Lanka:

In May 2009, after almost 30 years of civil war, Sri Lanka's government announced its defeat of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But with the government refusing to talk of autonomy for the Tamil people, is the current peace sustainable? [TC]

Samantha Power: "Make hope and history rhyme"

Samantha Power, special assistant to the president on multilateral affairs and human rights, and David Pressman, National Security Council director for war crimes and atrocities, will hold four days of meetings in Sri Lanka. [TC]

World Tamil Classical Conference in Tamil Nadu Will Boost Chief Minister Karunanidhi's Image

By Pushpa Iyengar

The man considers himself—and there are many in the state who will agree—to be a Tamil icon. [TC]

A new (cultural) campaign against Tamils in Vanni

by Melani Manel Perera

The provinces of northern Sri Lanka “are undergoing a different kind of attack, not military, but cultural and religious this time.[TC]

Post -war reflections for Tamils

by Old "Yaarlppaanathhan"

What is the objective of any one’s writing or what every one wants to achieve? [TC]

Sinhala leadership must be based on co-optation, consensus and pre-eminence and not on domination, coersion or monopolistic ownership

by Dayan Jayatilleka

Sri Lanka has peace but is not yet at peace with itself. The critics who say that peace has not yet arrived in Sri Lanka are wrong. For anyone who has lived through thirty years of war, the absence of war deaths, of organised armed violence against the state and society is peace. [TC]

Nobody can fiddle with our constitution behind closed doors without asking us first

"Freedom when?" was what many in the "wedding ceremony" asked according to BBC Sandeshaya and tweets remarked the military marriage of militants "hugely oversteps ethical boundaries". [TC]

LTTE: Remnants and sympathisers

By B.Raman

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist-cum-insurgent organisation is dead. So is most of its leadership at the senior levels, including Prabakaran, its head. [TC]

Sri Lanka’s 207 Centimetres Tall Tamil Netball Champion

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

Meet the tallest female netball player in Asia - Tharjini Sivalingam.

She stands at 6ft 10in (that’s 207 centimetres) and she is also a Tamil.

Her sport, netball, is like basketball but you can’t run with the ball or bounce it. [TC]

MIA: 'I'm here for the people'

"From day one, what I've been saying is that I'm here for the people, talking about the citizens, not the Tigers. I don't know the Tigers, I don't know what they do, I don't give a shit. It's about the Tamil people, because I only know it from that experience." - M.I.A. [TC]

Sri Lanka becoming battlefield for proxy cold war between China and India

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

The Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) became a test of strength between the Rajapakse administration and Tamil Nadu Tamils, and, at the end of the day, Colombo was the loser. [TC]

For India, Sri Lanka is not indispensable, but for Sri Lanka, India is indispensable

The visit by Sri Lanka's President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has reaffirmed the country's close ties with India and provided both sides the opportunity to signal a readiness to take the bilateral relationship to a new level [TC]

Only 2 Billion for resettlement but 201 Billion For defence: Indicator of the future Tamils can expect under Rajapakse regime

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

It defies reason. The year the war was at its most intense and critical, Sri Lanka’s defence allocation was Rs. 177 billion; but in the first year of peace Sri Lanka’s defence allocation increased by a massive Rs.24 billion to Rs. 201 billion. [TC]

BBC's Hard Talk interview with Gotabhaya was propagandistic rather than journalistic

by Jim McDonald 

Well, it’s now been 37 days since the announcement of the pardon, and the government still hasn’t issued it! [TC]

The New Nations of 21st Century will not be born through Liberation struggles but Resolutions Endorsed by the Global Community

By Mangala Samaraweera

One year ago, with the defeat of the LTTE, a new window of opportunity opened for our long suffering country to move forward along with the rest of the world, as a modern democratic and prosperous nation, united in its ethnic and cultural diversity. [TC]

Tamils must work hard and seriously to win the support of India

By S. V. Kirubaharan, France

The President of the US, Abraham Lincoln once said, “you can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” [TC]

Football World Cup 2010 can be used to combat Racism and Discrimination Globally

by Navi Pillay

The Football World Cup kicks off on June 11. This is an opportune occasion to reflect on the fact that sport is meant to foster social cohesion, bring different cultures together in a celebration of healthy competition, and to overcome the diffidence and even contempt that all too often divide countries and communities in the political and social arenas. [TC]

Suicide Bombers of Sri Lanka

by Dr.Daya Somasundaram

The phenomena of suicide bombers in Sri Lanka share some similarities with but also have some marked differences with what is seen in other parts of world today. [TC]

India -Sri Lanka Joint Declaration on President Rajapaksa Visit to New Delhi [TC]

Current situation in the Vanni: Report by the Tamil National Alliance

Our visit and our interaction with the internally Displaced Returnees enabled us to gather information in regard to several immediate concerns of the Returnees. We identify such concerns as the following: [TC]

'India knows criticizing Sri Lanka gov too harshly may risk losing more strategic space to China' [TC]

Why do we say we are proud to be Sri Lankan?

International community seriously misapprehended the facts when it failed to call for an investigation of both sides

by Louise Arbour

If international criminal justice is ever to be effective, its enforcement cannot be selective. We recently marked the first anniversary of the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, yet the international community — in stark contrast to its approach on other conflicts — still has done nothing to address accountability for war crimes committed in its final months. [TC]

Learning old lessons from a new ‘Lessons Learnt’ Commission?

By Kalana Senaratne

One year after the war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has established another commission; known as the ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission’. [TC]

More Colombo families targetted for eviction

The continuing saga of mass graves in Sri Lanka

by M.C.M. Iqbal

The recent discovery of mass graves at Ganeshapuram in Kilinochchi and at Nachchikuda in the Mannar Districts has been very much in the news during the past weeks. [TC]

India expecting dividends from Sri Lanka for its support during war

by Col R Hariharan

When Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa visits New Delhi from June 8 to June 11 he will be stronger than ever before. [TC]

Sri Lanka threatens to execute General Sarath Fonseka

The threat, issued by Sri Lanka's powerful defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is the latest sign of a bitter and intensifying feud within the Sri Lankan political establishment, little more than a year after the end of the Tamil war. [TC]

How and why film maker Chandran Rutnam was arrested, jailed and released

By Halik Azeez

Renowned film director and producer Chandran Rutnam was recently arrested and imprisoned by the Mirihana Police on charges of possessing explosives.[TC]

A Sinhala supremacist victory cannot lead to a Sri Lankan peace but to a Pax Sinhala

By Tisaranee Gunasekara

The Rajapakse brothers may look enviously at Israel’s brutal raid on an international flotilla bringing symbolic aid to the blockaded Gaza. [TC]

Sinhala Film Industry Given shabby treatment by organizers of  Bollywood IIFA ceremony

by D.B. Nihalsingha

By Gomin Daysri

By Chandani Kirinde

One year ago, General Sarath Fonseka was the country's Army Commander and was being feted as the leading hero of the war victory against the LTTE. [TC]

The new constitution should target national unity as one of its primary objectives

The term “Intermestic” was first used by Henry Kissinger to explain international issues having domestic economic implications like for instance the middle-eastern situation abroad impacting on the price of gas in the US. The term coined by Kissinger took the “inter” from International and “mestic” from Domestic. [dbsj]

Sinhalese in South celebrate and Tamils in North mourn for the same occasion

by Shanie

Years of conflict and living amidst suffering and death has traumatised a whole people. Particularly the 300,000 or so who survived the final months of the war in Vanni have seen much and undergone much. [TC]

By V.V. Ganeshananthan

This week’s New York Times Magazine left lots of readers thinking that controversial recording artist M.I.A. doesn’t always know what she’s talking about when it comes to politics. That happens to be true. What fewer people realize: neither does profile writer Lynn Hirschberg [TC]

Sri Lanka looks forward to constructive engagement with the United Nations

by Mohan Pieris

My delegation notes the High Commissioner’s interest on Sri Lanka as contained in her statement. Having seized the opportunity for peace and reconciliation with the end of the terrorist conflict, we in Sri Lanka have now begun to reap its dividends through the meaningful implementation of the necessary measures to ensure they are enjoyed by every citizen of the country. [TC]

World Classical Tamil Conference – a perspective

by Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi - Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Our sagacious leader, Arignar Anna [C.N. Annadurai], conducted the Second World Tamil Conference in Chennai in 1968, during his tenure as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, on a very grand scale with the participation of lakhs of Tamils from all over the country and abroad. [TC]

WSWS reporters visit the devastated Sri Lankan town of Kilinochchi

One year after the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Sri Lankan government claims that life is returning to normal in the war-ravaged Vanni region. [TC]

Establishing an energy hub in Trincomalee

by Melani Manel Perera

By Dayan Jayatilleka

What is the  Agenda of India on Sri Lanka Now?

by Kuldip Nayar

I wish I knew what India’s policy on Sri Lanka is. It now favours reconciliation between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority. Not long ago, it stood for devolving power to provinces in a federal structure [TC]

The torch carrying young ambassadors of the TGTE

“Where would we be without a press that’s uncovered injustice, corruption, inhumanity—or a press that’s on the cutting edge of reform, civil rights, desegregation and of all the smaller but vital issues that affect us every single day?” declared Journalist Christiane Amanpour, in her Commencement Address to Harvard Class of 2010 on May 27th 2010. [TC]

Mahinda Rajapakse is a Sinhalese Extremist Says Lee Kwan Yew

by A Special Correspondent

In a new book entitled ‘Citizen Singapore: How To Build A Nation - Conversations with Lee Kwan Yew’ by Prof Tom Plate, published by Marshall Cavendish, a subsidiary of Times Publishing Ltd, Singapore’s Minister Mentor Lee Kwan Yew has expressed his opinion on Sri Lanka after the war. [TC]

From Mannar to Beruwela: The dangers of offshore drilling for oil

by Tisaranee Gunasekara

The unprecedented – but perhaps not unpredictable – floods in Colombo and Gamapaha districts demonstrated both the danger and the unsustainability of the ‘Build Baby, Build’ approach to development.[TC]

When we abandon justice to secure peace we get neither

by Kofi A. Annan

The establishment of the International Criminal Court followed the gravest of crimes committed in Rwanda and the former Republic of Yugoslavia.[TC]

India is indebted to Sri Lanka for destroying the LTTE and not the other way about

by S.L. Gunasekara

by Rajan Philips

Pre-monsoon rains in May wreaked havoc in as many as five Provinces. The Western Province was the worst, with all three Districts, Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara recording significantly high rainfall over long durations. [TC]

Sinhala symbols, war, peace and ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka

By Kalana Senaratne

The war which came to a conclusion on or around 19 May 2009 was a necessary one, for terrorism had to be defeated. It was evident that the LTTE did not know any other way of resolving disputes. Negotiations had failed.[TC]

The politics of transnational Tamil Eelam Government

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj

A significant event in Tamil transnational politics occurred a fortnight ago in historic Philadelphia city in the US state of Pennsylvania. About 70 -75 persons gathered on Monday May 17th for a three-day conclave. The venue was the National Convention Center situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall at 525 Arch Street. [dbsj]

After defeat I wanted to quit but the party wanted me to stay – Ranil

An Incisive Interview with Ranil Wickremasinghe

By C.A.Chandrprema [TC]

Rediscovering the youth link in Sri Lanka’s post-war reconciliation process

Source: US State Department [TC]

'Trust' is the only process we now depend on after defeating 'terrorism'- President Rajapaksa

Following is the full text of interview by Al Jazeera with President Mahinda Rajapaksa aired on 27 May. [TC]

HRW: Letter to Secretary Clinton on the Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) [TC]

By Dr. S. Narapalasingam

A year has passed since the Sri Lanka military eliminated the LTTE (18 May 2009) in the Eelam war IV that was started confidently by the Tamil Tigers. [TC]

GL Cancels Washington Press Club address abruptly

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Lankan External affairs minister Prof.GL Peiris scheduled to address the National press club in Washington [TC]

Tamil American Peace Initiative Responds to SL Foreign Minister’s US Visit [TC]

Children building bridges of friendship across the ethnic divide

Pro-LTTE diaspora pursue Eelam agenda without any thought about Tamils living in Sri Lanka

By Dr. Rajasingham Narendran

It is one year since the LTTE was militarily defeated at Nanthikadal, 300,000 victims of this war ended up as 'Internally Displaced Persons' in camps and several thousands, both combatants and non-combatants, died. [TC]

Ganeshwary Santhanam, “I’m blessed to be alive”

by Lynn Hirschberg

On the Grammy Awards in 2009, Maya Arulpragasam, also known as M.I.A., performed her biggest hit, “Paper Planes,” a rap song that infuses rebellious, defiant lyrics with the sounds of her native Sri Lanka, a riff lifted from the Clash, the bang-bang of a gun and the ka-ching of a cash register. [TC]

Talk Economics SL: "10 yrs since the Indo-SL Free Trade Agreement" [TC]

Siri Kotha is the last Nandhikkadal: war will be "over" only after the UNP is liberated

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

One year after the victory, the last battles of the war remain to be fought and won. One is the diplomatic and opinion battle against those who seek to persecute Sri Lanka for its ‘unauthorised’ victory.[TC]

Any solution has to be withing the framework of a unitary state - G.L. Peiris [TC]

Aspiring to bring Tamil population, including Tamil expatriates as an integral part of a united Sri Lankan people, Minister G.L. Peiris says

"'Change' and 'hope' are popular words in the modern political lexicon, but I cannot think of two words that better exemplify what is now occurring in our country,” External Affairs Minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris wrote on a Huffington Post blog post to mark his first visit after 'defeating terrorism' and as Sri Lanka’s Minister of External Affairs to Washington DC today. [TC]

'The sooner Canadian Tamils accept reality about "Independent homeland" is the better for Sri Lanka and Canada'

Quoting the International Crisis Report on the Tamil Diaspora to say that the “Dream of many Canadian Tamils for a truly independent homeland is dead,” The Globe And Mail in an editorial on Tuesday May 25th writes that "The sooner they accept this reality, the better for Sri Lanka, and for Canada." [TC]

Is the U.N. complicit in Sri Lankan war crimes? - Louise Arbour

Louise Arbour, the head of the International Crisis Group, called for an internal review of the U.N.'s conduct during Sri Lanka's bloody 2009 civil war, telling Turtle Bay that the organization's abandonment of national staff in a conflict zone and its failure to speak up more forcefully about abuses made it "close to complicit" in government atrocities. [TC]

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) is a little too late

Distress at a Distance

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Tender Sprout” was located in the coastal area of Mullaitivu, North East of Sri Lanka. [WP]

2010 British Elections: The changing face of Shakespeare’s England

By Rajan Philips

Shakespeare’s England is no longer uninfected, nor is it the envy of less happier lands. But it could still be the envy of less democratic lands. The five days it took for a new government to emerge from the hung parliament elected by a not so happy breed of voters, is not a sign of democratic shortcoming or political instability. [TC]

President approves TNA visit to Menik Farm IDP camp but Defence Secretary disallows It

12 Members of Parliament of the Tamil National Alliance undertook a trip to the Vanni to visit the several camps in which civilians were being kept, to visit the detention camps in which the young Tamil people were detained and also visit the several areas in the Vanni where resettlement and rehabilitation are said to have commenced. [TC]

Duvaliers of Haiti and Rajapakses of Sri Lanka: "Baby Doc" Namal may scceed "Papa Doc" Mahinda

Tamil population of North and East is far pragmatic than TNA leadership

by Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Lanka stands indicted for waging that unavoidable and the necessary war of self defence; a war we did not start. [TC]

Mahinda who pledged to abolish Executive Presidency in 2005 now wants to remove limits on presidential terms in office

By Namini Wijedasa

When the UPFA campaigned for a two-thirds majority in parliament to change the constitution, it was widely anticipated that any amendments the party proposed would serve to strengthen democracy [TC]

"Sports for Peace"Project Brings Differently-Abled Children FRom Vavuniya to Matara

by Natasha Fernandopulle

It is a warm Friday morning, April 30 when we reach the Rohana Special School in Matara just in time for their Avurudu festival. [TC]

Listen to what Tamils themselves have to say about their life and experience

A Reply to a Sinhalese friend

by Charles Sarvan

You write to say that Sri Lanka is now free of danger, the Tamils are at peace and contented, and I should come on holiday.[TC]

Requirements for reconciliation to face future challenges

Full text of media release by National Peace Council

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed an eight member Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to report in six months on the lessons to be learnt from the events in the period, Feb 2002 to May 2009, their attendant concerns and to recommend measures to ensure that there will be no recurrence of such a situation. [TC]