Aug 29 - Sep 4:
Constitutional changes in Sri Lanka: Cabaret Dance by Burqua-Clad!
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]
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]
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 Col R Hariharan
The recent India-China stand-off over the issue of a Chinese visa for Lt General BS Jaswal, a serving commander of Northern Command, has highlighted the tenuous nature of existing ties between the two countries. [TC]
Internal armed conflicts, humanitarian laws and the curious transformation of a former diplomat
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 Gladys Terichow
WINNIPEG, Man. – It is extremely regrettable that the Tamil refugee claimants who arrived in Canada in early August by boat arrived under such a cloud of suspicion, says a Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) spokesperson. [TC]
The ‘Boatophobia’ debate: Dehumanising asylum seekers and refugees
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]