Jan 24 - 30:
Sri Lanka Presidential Poll: A resounding but fractured verdict
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj
The electoral verdict, stunning and conclusive on the whole, has some cracks in parts. As the President of the whole country, Mahinda Rajapaksa must take the initiative and reach out to those sections of the people who have been alienated in terms of ethnicity, class, and the urban-rural divide. [dbsj]
Igbo and Thamizhar: Biafra in Nigeria and Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka
by a Concerned Tamil
Rudyard Kipling said that someone who knows only England doesn’t know England: in order to understand one place and situation, England, one must know other countries, other histories. With this attitude, I draw attention to the Biafran War.
Rajapaksa’s Victory & After: Answers to questions put by national and international media
by Col. R. hariharan
When Mrs Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister she reacted strongly to America’s planned foray into Sri Lanka. China has already made an entry into Sri Lanka. As Sri Lanka is in a 1987-like situation now, do you expect Rajapaksa to slowly marginalise Indian influence in the island to accommodate the Chinese? [TC]
Video: When does President Rajapakse's second term begin?
There have been a number of confusing media reports after the results of the Presidential Election were announced on 27 January 2010 as to when the second term of Mahinda Rakapakse begins. [TC]
Activist apprehended due to information given by LTTE sources
by D.B. S. Jeyaraj
Subramaniam Sivakumar alias Rajan a top LTTE activist abroad was "arrested" in a South-eastern country & brought to Sri Lanka today (Jan 28). [TC]
The "Swan" has been Shot along with Truth, Democracy and Conscience
by Chackravarthy
“It has to be stated with much reluctance that the co-operation received from some of the candidates and their supporters in ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election during the two months period of the election campaign was much less than desired. It became necessary to issue directives and guidelines to prevent misuse of State resources and the State media. [TC]
A principled approach Necessary for constitutional Reform
By Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha
One of the themes that the common opposition made much of during the election campaign was the need to implement the 17th amendment immediately. In fact many of those without a political agenda also see this as a panacea for all ills. [TC]
President Rajapakse suggests overwhelming mandate makes war crimes inquiry unnecessary
A VICTORIOUS Mahinda Rajapakse has vowed to put tensions with Western critics behind him and transform his war-ravaged nation into a development and tourism hub after his landslide win in Sri Lanka's first post-conflict presidential poll [TC]
Sri Lanka North-East settlements likened to Robert Mugabe policies
Damien Kingsbury, chair in the school of international and political studies at Deakin University of Australia sees parallels with Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe in the new enforced settlements in Sri Lanka North-Easy by Sri Lanka government. [TC]
"I should have been the president. I am the people's president."- Fonseka
Charging widespread irregularities took place in the counting process and 1.4 million of his votes were misappropriated, General Sarath Fonseka is quoted as saying , "I should have been the president. I am the people's president," in an AFP report. [TC]
What the president’s re-election means for his sorely divided country
from THE ECONOMIST
HAD Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s war-winning leader, lost his island-state’s presidential election on January 26th, it would have been described as a Churchillian defeat.
U.S. Government Statement on the Presidential Election in Sri Lanka
The United States congratulates Sri Lanka for the first nationwide election in decades and President Rajapaksa on his victory. [TC]
Opposition allegations of counting process needs more proof
by Steve Herman
The United States and India are congratulating Sri Lanka for carrying out a successful presidential election this week. [TC]
'This year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day is of special significance to Tamils'
International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan 27, 2010
The United States Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) joins the world humanitarian community in remembering and paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust at the hands of Nazi Germany, honoring survivors and supporting the recognition of this day internationally. [TW]
from the twitter pages of Lydia Polgreen in Colombo, The New York Times
Said he was not stung by Tamil votes against him, only wanted them to participate in elex as a start to reconciliation. [TC]
Abuse of power makes travesty of democracy in Sri Lanka elections
by Ralph Michael
Sri Lanka’s presidential election should have been cause for celebration — the first since the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels in May, and the first in peacetime in almost three decades. [TC]
Letter to Commissioner of Elections to urgently address concerns voiced by voters [TC]
from the twitter pages of Lydia Polgreen in Colombo, The New York Times
Fonseka rejects results. Looks like a standoff [TC]
Post-mortem on presidential elections 2010: Please have your say…..
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The Presidential Elections held on January 26th 2010 has concluded. Though the results are not yet officially released at the time this is being written “unofficially” it does seem very clear who has won. [dbsj]
Sri Lanka presidential challenger says fears arrest
By Ranga Sirilal and C. Bryson Hull
COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's top opposition candidate said troops had surrounded his hotel on Wednesday, after polling in Sri Lanka's first post-war presidential election ended with the revelation that he was not a registered voteR [TC]
Mp3 Audio: Interview with Asanga Welikala over Sarath Fonseka not having a vote
Interview with Asanga Welikala, Senior Researcher at the Centre for Policy Alternatives over the confusion arising from key presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka not having a vote, and the confusion significantly fueled by State media that he is ineligible to be elected as President as a consequence: [TC]
Government authorities fail to address voter rights of IDPs and other Northern residents
26 January 2010: CMEV was informed that approximately 24,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) presently living in government run camps and with host families were also registered on the 2008 electoral register. [TC]
Low turn out in North-East, Fonseka not registered to vote
Tweet bundle from the twitter pages of The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Lydia Polgreen of New York Times in Colombo: [TC]
Disturbances in Jaffna and identity, transport issues at Manik Farm deter turnout
CMEV received reports of multiple explosions in Nallur, Uduppidy, Manipay, Vaddukottai, Chavakachcheri and Tellipallai. [TC]
Provincial-wide update on Election Day violence and law breaking
Batticaloa District: Kalkudah Electroate: SLMC supporter Mr. Mohamad Ismail was attacked by a group of UPFA supporters at around 10:55 am about 20m away from the Oddamavadi Central College Polling Station (Polling Centre 69). [TC]
2010 Presidential Poll: Oh! God! What a Free and Fair election? Part II
Common opposition candidate General Sarath Fonseka speaking to Daily Mirror Online a short while ago said that he was fully qualified to contest the Presidential Elections although he could not cast his vote at the elections today. [TC]
Different elections, different locations: Countdown in Colombo and a new Boston Tea Party by Rajan Philips As Sri Lankans are anxiously getting ready to cast their votes in Tuesday’s presidential election that is turning more violent than ever before, the voters in Massachusetts have peacefully sent a shockwave through the American political establishment. It is countdown time in Colombo for Mahinda Rajapakse and Sarath Fonseka. [TC] |
Video: Lives of many of the Tamils in Sri Lanka's north remain difficult [TC]
Three poems for Sri Lanka on presidential elections day
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
January 26th 2010 is upon us!
It’s the Day of decision for Sri Lanka as it faces yet another election to either re-elect or elect the most powerful person in the Country. [DBSJ]
I tell Tamils, there is no problem - I too speak Tamil - Mahinda Rajapakse
President Mahinda Rajapaksa answered questions put to him by Rajpal Abeynayake on Tuesday’s elections and a host of related issues, at President’s House in Kandy this week. We publish below the transcripts from that exchange. [TC]
2010 Presidential Poll: Oh! What a Free and Fair election?
By Chakravarthy
**The Colombo Magistrates court today refused to grant a search warrant requested by the Criminal Investigations Department to search UNP leader Ranil Wickremesighe’s office and the Biyagama press of Wijeya Newspapers, publishers of Daily Mirror [TC]
Mahinda gave Rs. 180 million to the LTTE through Basil, charges Tiran Alles
National organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Tiran Alles says Basil Rajapaksa personally handed over, at his office, Rs. 180 million to the then LTTE financial controller Emil Kanthan to ensure that the people of the north refrained from voting at the 2005 presidential election. [TC]
The voter in the North-East, election politics and promises
by Nimmi Gowrinathan
On May 19, 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka announced that it had defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), ending one of the longest civil wars in South Asia. [TC]
Fonseka factor and the creeping politicization of military in Sri Lanka
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Last year when speculation was rife about former Army commander Sarath Fonseka announcing his candidacy for the Presidential elections this columnist was among those who warned of adverse consequences befalling the Country as a result of this unprecedented move. [dbsj]
Mahinda's insolent message to Tamil speaking people
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
"Lakbima News" editor Rajpal Abeynayake asks President Rajapakse a serious question "What is the message you give Tamil speaking people"?. [TC]
Exhibit: Unpacking the complexities and liminality of the Tamil Community
Shanaathanan Thamotharampillai, a Tamil artist from Sri Lanka who is currently completing his PhD in art history at Jawaharlal Nerhu University, New Delhi. [TC]
100,000 Tamils still limbo in camps, families forced to take refuge on the roadside
Excerpts from report by Wayne Hay of AlJazeera
A journey north along the severely bombed A9 road reveals hundreds of families forced to take refuge on the roadside, finding shelter in the remains of someone else's home. [TC]
Presidential Elections, The Sinhala Mindset And The Future Of Sri Lanka
Prof. A. R. M. Imtiyaz
It is likely that who ever wins the ethnic problem will not be solved. [TC]
“Gramarajya”: The Utopian vision of Ukku Banda Wijekoon
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Three days from today(23rd) the nation will be going to the polls to elect the most powerful person in the Country.
Twenty-Three potential candidates handed in their nominations on December 17th 2009but with the Commissioner of Elections rejecting one there were only twenty-two in the fray. [dbsj]
Once Considered Walk Over this Election Could Well be Nemesis of Rajapakse
By Kshama Ranawana
Deeply divided Sri Lankan citizens go to the polls on Jan. 26 to vote in a president in its first major post-war electoral exercise. [TC]
Why I am voting for Sarath Fonseka
By Samanmalee Unanthenna
When rumours started circulating some months ago of the possibility of Sarath Fonseka being a Presidential candidate, I was horrified. [TC]
Electing the general as president would be a decidedly a risky adventure
by Atticus
It is said that large sections of the country —-people from different communities, religions, classes, regions, occupations and gender —-are supporting the General at the Presidential elections. [TC]
Pre dawn attack causes severe damage to house and vehicle of Secretary, SLFP Mahajana Wing
At approximately 4.50am this morning, an explosive device was thrown at the home of the Secretary and National Organizer of the SLFP Mahajana Wing Mr. Tiran Alles, located at Galpoththa Road, Nawala, resulting in severe damage to his vehicle and house. [TC]
35 Muslim Organizations Appeal to Make 2010 The Year of Return of Expelled Northern Muslims
As Sri Lankan Muslims civil society groups we are deeply concerned by the lack of urgency and recognition of the Northern Muslims’ right to return. [TC]