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 Sunday, 06 March 2011 06:43 AM  

Vaiko, Nedumaran among 200 held while trying to march to Lankan mission

File photo : Vaiko with Prabhakaran

Lanka briefs HRC:Warns of LTTE ops in post-war era - Sri Lanka Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on Monday (28) told the Human Rights Council that the LTTE rump was active in several countries.  Making his presentation on the opening day of the current sessions, Samarasinghe said: "We note with deep concern that remnants of the defeated LTTE’s international network continues its criminal activities and its secessionist agenda. With the Group remaining a proscribed terrorist organisation in several countries, we are pleased to note that pro-LTTE groups, their associates and operatives are being held accountable for their unlawful activities by those Governments. I would hasten to strike a note of caution against being lulled into a sense of complacency as we have learnt that the unlawful activities of the groups continue to this day."  He said: "Recently, the authorities of a country arrested 10 individuals and searched 23 premises, in a coordinated operation. Those arrested are members of the LTTE and are accused, amongst other offences, of money laundering and membership of a criminal organization. In the course of the investigation it has been substantiated that the Tamil Diaspora had been forced to financially support this terrorist organization. The accused have compelled other members of the Tamil Diaspora, to borrow excessive amounts of money on their behalf.  "Also in another country, a member of the Tamil Coordinating Committee and 3 others have been indicted on terrorism related charges pertaining to the alleged purchase of equipment for the terrorist organisation.  "In yet another country, recently, funds of the World Tamil Movement have been frozen following links to this terrorist movement. In the past other countries have also taken action and we express the hope that the international community continues to remain vigilant in order to prevent this kind of activity, which could destabilise a sovereign nation." (Island : 28 February 2011).

SL deserves helping hand, says Aussie MP ... stresses need for a political solution - Member of the Australian Parliament for Bennelong, John Alexander, in his address to the Deputy Speaker on the Main Committee Motion on Sri Lanka, on Feb. 28, said turmoil and conflict in Sri Lanka must not be given oxygen and the country deserved international assistance (Island : 28 February 2011).

Well, well, well! So that’s what they were up to! - Sri Lanka’s enemies have been relatively quiet over the past year or so. Yes, there was all that kerfuffle just as the war ended and soon afterwards, but after the defeat of the meddlers at the UN Human Rights Commission in late 2009, things did quieten down. While the articles, the lectures and the condescending utterances from various members of the anti-Sri Lanka brigade disappeared from view, there remained only the impotent background static of the various Tamil diaspora groups. These people, having sung stirring praises for the LTTE during its campaign of terror, now made lamenting wails on the topic of their new-found hobby – democracy and human rights, and the alleged lack of this in Sri Lanka. Of course, during the Tamil terrorists’ reign of death over Sri Lanka – the group which the Tamil diaspora willingly and happily gave their money and children to – with suicide bombs exploding left, right and center, with democratically elected Sinhala politicians and peaceful Tamils being assassinated across the country, back during the glory days of Tamil “liberation,” human rights and freedom of speech was never mentioned by the diaspora or the NGOs or journalists. You see, for these bleeding-hearts, when Sinhalese, Muslims, and non-secessionist Tamils were being slaughtered in their tens of thousands, everything is hunky-dory. Being against terrorism, and mostly non-Tamil, these people who form the majority of the Sri Lankan population don’t have any human rights, because they aren’t humans. They are just the other, standing in the way of illegal, fascist Tamil domination over the island (LankaWeb : 28 February 2011).

Lanka briefs HRC:Warns of LTTE ops in post-war era - Sri Lanka Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on Monday (28) told the Human Rights Council that the LTTE rump was active in several countries. Making his presentation on the opening day of the current sessions, Samarasinghe said: "We note with deep concern that remnants of the defeated LTTE’s international network continues its criminal activities and its secessionist agenda. With the Group remaining a proscribed terrorist organisation in several countries, we are pleased to note that pro-LTTE groups, their associates and operatives are being held accountable for their unlawful activities by those Governments. I would hasten to strike a note of caution against being lulled into a sense of complacency as we have learnt that the unlawful activities of the groups continue to this day." He said: "Recently, the authorities of a country arrested 10 individuals and searched 23 premises, in a coordinated operation. Those arrested are members of the LTTE and are accused, amongst other offences, of money laundering and membership of a criminal organization. In the course of the investigation it has been substantiated that the Tamil Diaspora had been forced to financially support this terrorist organization. The accused have compelled other members of the Tamil Diaspora, to borrow excessive amounts of money on their behalf (Island ; 28 February 2011).

Ex-Jaffna Commander highlights threat on ‘media front’…lashes out at Colonel R. Hariharan - Retired Brigadier H. F. Rupesinghe says the media remains a key element in the LTTE arsenal though the group lost its conventional military capability in May 2009.  The LTTE rump and its supporters both here and abroad are working overtime to offset the debilitating battlefield defeat through a media onslaught, the former Jaffna Security Forces Commander says.  In an interview with The Island, the retired Artillery Officer said that in spite of the collapse of the LTTE on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon, those pursuing Velupillai’s macabre eelam project still engaged the government on the ‘media front.’  The unsubstantiated ‘war crime’ allegations targeting the country’s political and military leaders are obviously a part of an overall strategy aimed at avenging the elimination of the LTTE leadership and to advance the Eelam cause through the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) led by one-time LTTE legal advisor V. Rudrakumaran.  The government and intelligence services should take tangible measures to neutralize ongoing efforts to destabilize the country by negative propaganda carried out by INGOs, NGOs and some individuals with vested interests.  Responding to a query, an irate Rupesinghe lashed out at Colonel R. Hahiharan, formerly of the IPKF for taking up Sri Lanka bashing as military intelligence specialist on South Asian Affairs. Had anyone bothered to peruse the ex-IPKF, officer’s articles, particularly pieces titled "Sri Lanka’s Credibility Gap" and "Look back at the Indo-Lanka Accord" India’s ill-feeling towards Sri Lanka was apparent, Rupesinghe said (Island : 28 February 2011).

Vaiko, Nedumaran among 200 held while trying to march to Lankan mission - MDMK General Secretary Vaiko and Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran were among more than 200 pro-LTTE supporters arrested here today when they attempted to take out a march to the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in the city.  The leaders launched the agitation under the banner of Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Committee to condemn the alleged desecration of the body of slain LTTE Chief V Prabharakan's mother Parvathi Ammal by the Sri Lankan military after the funeral last week.  Mr Vaiko, Mr Nedumaran, CPI State Secretary D Pandian and scores of activists assembled near the Nageswara Rao Park in the city and attempted to take out a march to the Lankan Deputy High Commission demanding its closure to condemn the incident.  The activists, carrying portraits of Parvathi Ammal, shouted slogans denouncing the Sri Lankan military for allegedly desecrating her body and demanded immediate closure of the office of the Deputy High Commission here.  When they attempted to take out a march to press their demand, they were arrested by the police (Net Indian : 28 February 2011).

Tamil Nadu leaders arrested while trying to stage protest against Sri Lanka - The Tamil Nadu police in India have arrested MDMK leader Vaiko and CPI's Tamil Nadu secretary D. Pandian along with 400 party workers for trying to stage a protest in Chennai against Sri Lanka, the Indian media reported today (28).  The protest has reportedly been organized over the alleged disrespect caused to the mortal remains of slain LTTE chief Prabhakaran's mother, Parvathi Velupillai in Sri Lanka.  Those taken into custody also included Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P. Nedumaran.  The protesters have alleged that the Sri Lankan Army had "caused disrespect" to the remains of Parvathi, who died at a government hospital in Jaffna recently following a lengthy illness.  Her cremation site has been desecrated with dead dogs, hours after her body was cremated, relatives have said.  The protesters have reportedly demanded closure of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission and tried to march towards it but they were not granted permission for the protest, the Chennai police have said (Colombo page ; 28 February 2011).

In this exclusive, Lankaweb presents the final part of the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled: The bloody road from Vadukoddai to Nandkadal - Part III Understanding the whole from the parts and vice versa tends to dominate the study of history. It is this symbiotic relationship that weaves the panoramic view of history. Of course, the grand sweep of history has to be viewed in parts – parts such as periods, regions, themes, castes, clans, class, etc., which are necessary and valuable tools for the mapping of history. Periodization, regionalization or thematization is vital to bring order and perspective into the chaotic mass of history. But the problem arises when historiographers pick starting points that are convenient to their contemporaneous political agendas. The impact of picking arbitrary, or politicized starting points, can lead to gross distortions of the realities underpinning the present. Under certain tense and trying conditions the consequences of such ideological distortions can lead to prolonged and intractable political violence (LankaWeb : 28 February 2011).

Vaiko, workers taken into custody for trying to stage protest in Chennai - Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko and Communist Party of India's Tamil Nadu secretary D Pandian, besides 400 party workers, were taken into custody today for trying to stage a protest in Chennai against the alleged disrespect caused to the mortal remains of slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Prabakaran's mother, Parvathy Pillai, in Sri Lanka. The protesters alleged that the Lankan army had "caused disrespect" to the remains of Parvathy, who died at a private hospital in the island nation recently following illness. The protesters also demanded closure of the Sri Lankan deputy high commission in Chennai and tried to march towards it but they were not granted permission for the protest, the police said. Those taken into custody included Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran (DNA ; 28 March 2011).

Vaiko, workers taken into custody for trying to stage protest - Chennai, Feb 28 (PTI) MDMK leader Vaiko and CPI''s Tamil Nadu secretary D Pandian, besides 400 party workers, were taken into custody today for trying to stage a protest here against the alleged disrespect caused to the mortal remains of slain LTTE chief Prabakaran''s mother, Parvathy Pillai, in Sri Lanka. The protesters alleged that the Lankan army had "caused disrespect" to the remains of Parvathy, who died at a private hospital in the island nation recently following illness. The protesters also demanded closure of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission here and tried to march towards it but they were not granted permission for the protest, the police said. Those taken into custody included Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P Nedumaran (MSN News ; 28 February 2011).

In this exclusive, Lankaweb presents the final part of the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled: The bloody road from Vadukoddai to Nandkadal - Part III - Understanding the whole from the parts and vice versa tends to dominate the study of history. It is this symbiotic relationship that weaves the panoramic view of history. Of course, the grand sweep of history has to be viewed in parts – parts such as periods, regions, themes, castes, clans, class, etc., which are necessary and valuable tools for the mapping of history. Periodization, regionalization or thematization is vital to bring order and perspective into the chaotic mass of history. But the problem arises when historiographers pick starting points that are convenient to their contemporaneous political agendas. The impact of picking arbitrary, or politicized starting points, can lead to gross distortions of the realities underpinning the present. Under certain tense and trying conditions the consequences of such ideological distortions can lead to prolonged and intractable political violence. The Sri Lankan crisis is a notable example of political violence arising from ideological distortions. Extremist violence that reigned supreme in the northern and southern regions in the post-colonial period had its origins in ideologies constructed to breed and instigate violence against the state and/or ethnic communities. In the south a diluted and distorted version of Marxist extremism exploded with unprecedented violence. In the north violence erupted with ideologies of mono-ethnic extremism. Both ideologies were grabbed by the disaffected and disillusioned youth who were trapped inside a stagnant system that failed to provide upward social mobility. Both were peripheral movements that challenged the democratically elected centre as the demon that must be slain for their liberation. Both aimed at skipping the evolutionary processes of history with a view to leap straight from an inherited status quo into the future through violence endorsed by their political fathers as the way out (LankaWeb ; 28 February 2011).

Sri Lanka commends EU decision to re-list LTTE Tamil Tiger ban

Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission The Economic impact of the conflict - Dr. Anura Ekanayake, Chairman of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, in his submissions before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) on September 6, 2010 highlighted the economic impact of the thirty-year-old conflict. He pointed out that the lack of good governance, inadequate rule of law and insufficient devolution leads to inequitable economic development. The following are excerpts of Dr. Ekanayake’s submissions before the LLRC.  The primary perspective or point of view of the Ceylon Chamber in making this submission is to highlight the negative impact of the conflict on the economy, business, employment and poverty and then focus on what we feel are the necessary remedial measures to prevent any recurrence. So our submission has 3 parts or sections. One is about economic and social infrastructure development followed by measures required for post conflict reconstruction and reconciliation and then finally constitutional provisions to promote good governance and devolution.  Let me start with the economic impact. We note that the conflict resulted in a range of direct and indirect impacts on the economy of Sri Lanka. Now although it is generally understood that conflicts result in loss of economic output and opportunity, the scale and magnitude of such losses are hard to measure and therefore not well known, and this is an area I want to dwell on a little bit. It is particularly so when the economy has been growing in absolute terms at an apparently reasonable rate of growth year on year. We all know that the economy of Sri Lanka grew at an average rate of about 5% per annum over the period concerned and this may have led most people to believe that the cost of war were mostly localized to the war zone and that it had no impact on the entire economy. However, our position is that the cost of the war was economy wide and was of great magnitude (Island ; 27 February 2011).

In this exclusive, Lankaweb presents the second part of the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled:The bloody road from Vadukoddai to Nandkadal-Part II - Before I go any further, it must also be mentioned that this publication is not meant to fall into the usual category of academic theses written for doctoral awards supervised and approved by the professoriat ruling the departments of history, political science, and other social sciences. I am a journalist by profession and I write outside the academic loop which, of course, has its own advantages and disadvantages. As a journalist I kept to my schedule of writing the history of the passing day. Historians write analyses of days, months and years put together. Besides, as a journalist I write on the run about history in the making. In fact, some of the chapters reproduced in this book are commentaries written in response to issues that cropped up from day to day.With pressures of meeting daily deadlines I wasn’t focused emphatically in mulling over the cumulative effects of times gone by. It was my job to pick up the day’s scattered fragments and make some sense out of it. Like all political journalist I watched and recorded events determined by the past unfolding daily, in bits and pieces, as they moved in from all directions and converged eventually to take their place in history. In short, I was in the thick of moving history, with a ringside view of what was happening daily. My reporting was an attempt to tease out some meaning daily to the ever-changing colours and patterns appearing on the national kaleidoscope (LankaWeb : 27 February 2011).

Top IMF official praises govt for economic improvements, but Inflation, capital inflows: Worrisome trend in Sri Lanka - IMF FDI flow forecast revised to US$ 900mn this year - While emerging economies are urged to grow domestic demand in global rebalancing effort, Sri Lanka urged to grow exports. A top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while commending the progress made in the macroeconomic front warns Sri Lanka is facing serious challenges—rising inflation and the heightened inflow of foreign capital as developed economies, particularly the US, drive down interest rates as they print excessive amounts of money. Governors of central banks in the South East Asian region converged in Colombo for a two day meeting where IMF Deputy Managing Director Naoyuki Shinohara delivered the keynote address. President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the governors had criticised the US’ monetary policy stance, thus joining the global debate on excessive money printing by the US (see The Island Financial Review of February 26, 2011). Loose monetary policy in the US, and to a lesser extent the European Union and Japan, has driven down interest rates in these countries and investors are instead pumping in their capital in to emerging economies, which are grappling to deal with these inflows (Island : 27 February 2011).

Norway tightens financial control over SL projects - Norway is making an effort to tighten financial controls on Sri Lankan projects implemented through the government and NGOs.  A senior embassy spokesman says action to thwart mismanagement of funds and ensure better control of its development funds is high on their agenda .  According to the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the total Norwegian development cooperation with Sri Lanka amounted to approximately NOK 2.5 billion during the period 1997-2009. Of this amount, about NOK 100 million had been spent on the peace process, including the Sri Lankan government (Secretariat for Coordinating Peace Process) and the LTTE (Peace Secretariat).  Among the other recipients of Norwegian funds are the National Peace Council, the Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Sri Lanka Press Council.  In the first phase (1997 to 1999), Sri Lanka and Norway agreed that the latter should support a negotiated settlement to the conflict. It was followed by the second bid in the period from 1999 to 2002, when Sri Lanka and the LTTE invited Norway to play the role of facilitator. The third phase (2002-2006) saw the parties to the CFA agreeing to explore a federal solution, and in the fourth phase between 2006 and 2009, Norway made a series of abortive attempts to revive the peace process.  The Island raised several issues with the Norwegian embassy including the ongoing evaluation of the failed peace processes, spearheaded by successive Norwegian administrations.  The Island: The Norwegian Embassy recently invited proposals for a Consultancy Assignment on ‘Advisory Service on Financial Management and Audit Issues of Development Projects’. Is this a new initiative and if so, what prompted the new Ambassador to tighten financial controls?  Have you already picked an agency? We understand there have been many shortcomings in projects earlier funded by Norway and at least one key recipient of Norwegian financial assistance was investigated for misappropriation of funds (Island : 27 February 2011).

Sri Lanka commends EU decision to re-list LTTE ban - Sri Lanka today welcommed the European Union’s (EU) decision to re-list the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a banned terror outfit. The EU’s decision came after a comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups. Government sources said the EU’s decision show’s its commitment to eliminate international terrorism and that Sri Lanka would extend its fullest support in this endeavour.  The EU’s announcement was made through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 83/2011 of 31 January 2011, published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The EU terrorist listings made in terms of article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, proscribes organizations listed operating in EU member countries and freezes their assets.  The LTTE is re-listed among 26 Groups and Entities, on the determination that they “have been involved in terrorist acts within the eaning of Article 1(2) and (3) of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, that a decision has been taken with respect to them by a competent authority within the meaning of Article 1(4) of that Common Position, and that they should continue to be subject to the specific restrictive measures provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001.” (The Offician News Portal of the Government of Sri Lanka : 27 February 2011).

Sri Lanka, rising star of Asian economy - FOX NEWS  ; 'Success story for others to emulate' - The government yesterday welcomed the screening of Tamil movie Kavalan (The Bodyguard) in Sri Lanka in spite of its main actor, Ilayathalapathy Vijay, throwing his weight behind anti-Sri Lanka campaign over a simmering dispute over Tamil Nadu fishing fleet invading Sri Lanka’s northern waters.  Bandula Jayasekera, Director General of Presidential Media told The Sunday Island that the government wouldn’t give in to what he called "politics of hate.’’ He said that the government appreciated screening of Tamil movies here and in fact it was part of the reconciliation process.  Sri Lanka’s former Consul General in Toronto alleged that Vijay was obviously promoting his image in Tamil Nadu but that shouldn’t be at Sri Lanka’s expense.  Vijay said during a protest campaign held in Nagapattinam on Feb. 23 that Sri Lanka should be wiped off the world map if the Sri Lanka Navy continued to attack Tamil Nadu fishermen.  The actor accused the Indian government and Tamil Nadu administration of failing to protect TN fishermen. He went onto say that as he was raised on Tiger’s milk he would fight for the rights of Tamil people.  Jayasekera said that Vijay was bashing Sri Lanka as he too like many other Tamil Nadu politicians were of the opinion such rhetoric would help them at the forthcoming State Assembly elections.  He pointed out that Vijay, in Kavalan, had acted with Asin Thottumkal, the Kerala-born actress who earned the wrath of an influential section of the South Indian move industry by visiting Sri Lanka to shoot Anees Bazmee’s ‘Ready’ with Bollywood star Salman Khan.  The official said that Asin went to the extent of defending her decision to visit Sri Lanka, including the Northern Province in the company of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Had Vijay really believed in Sri Lanka bashing, he wouldn’t have accepted Asin as his co-star, Jayasekera said.  None of those now shedding crocodile tears for TN fishermen uttered a word when the LTTE massacred a group of TN fishermen off Kanyakumari in early 2007 and seized an Indian fishing trawler, Sri Krishna, same year, Jayasekera said (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry : 27 February 2011).

Wine from Kilinochchi grapes soon .......

Is Police power ‘undevolvable’? Devolving Police powers to provinces has been the bone of contention whenever attempts are made to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution - Ever since the 13th Amendment to the Constitution was introduced in 1988, there have been problems. The principal cause for the creation of the 13th Amendment was to set up provincial councils and devolve powers from the centre to these councils for better governance. However, to date, the 13th Amendment has not been fully implemented, despite promises by successive governments and evidently, the Provincial Council (PC) system today remains a ‘white elephant,’ with successive governments paying little or no attention to this fact. The UNP, as well as the SLFP, governments have equally given step-motherly treatment to the PC system and the provincial councils today function with inadequate powers, in contravention to the very purpose of its creation, nearly two decades ago. The central government, albeit has opted to retain most of the powers that should have been devolved under the 13th Amendment, has devolved only powers on a few subjects, fearing if all the powers were devolved then there could be certain elements fighting for a separate state. This fear of the successive governments was well justified until the existence of the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But living with this fear even after the defeat of the LTTE is something, the moderate Tamils, Muslims and even the Sinhalese are not able to understand. Despite successive governments showing willingness to devolve necessary powers identified in the 13th Amendment to the provinces, these governments, it appears, have not been prepared to delegate Police powers in particular, to the periphery. The bone of contention hence appears to be lying in this particular provision enshrined in the amendment to the Constitution which specifically talks of ‘police powers.’ (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

Are we serious about a solution based on Indo-Lanka Accord ?

Read more about the 13th Amendment to the Constitution)

Wine from Kilinochchi grapes soon - For the first time in Sri Lanka a plant will be built to process wine. In a bid to usher economic benefits to the North-East this plant will be built in Kilinochchi. CIC Agri business would set up this plant and would also grow grapes on 50 acres. CEO, National Agri culture development (CIC) Keerthi B. Kotagama told the Sunday Observer that they would invest over Rs. 300 million on this project. He said that the feasibility studies of this project have now being completed. We are also hoping to have a 200 outgrowers for this venture, he said. Hybrid grape seeds would be imported from Israel and would be distributed to outgrowers while the machinery would be from Europe. Sri Lanka imports over 90 percent of its grapes mainly from Australia and India and nearly 99 percent of wines. Today a imported kilogram of grapes is priced around Rs. 1,200 while a bottle of wine is over Rs. 2,000. He said that when this project is launched they could provide red and white wines and grapes less than 75 percent of the current prices. He said that wine is also considered a health drink and with the 2.5 million tourists expected to visit the country in the future there would be a good demand for these products. We also hope to export to the Maldives. Kotagama said that they would provide grape seeds and the technical know-how to their outgrowers and in turn would buy the grapes at a guaranteed price.  He said that the outgrowers concept would also be introduced to the milk processing unit that would be opened in April in Dambulla. The total investment on this project is Rs. 380 million.  The USAID program will also assist this project by setting up 4,000 outgrowers network. They have invested Rs. 400 million and have provided cattle and the technical know-how.  The 4,000 framers from Trincomale, Ampara and the Batticaloa areas would be incorporated in to four farmers' associations to collect milk more efficiently. We are expecting 5,000 litres per day from each Association.  He said that they would manufacture fresh milk, Yoghurt, butter and flavoured milk and their target market would be the North East. With the ending of the terrorism we see a demand. We have observed that the residents in the North East are more quality conscious. They look for high quality and hygienic products and we want to cater to this market, he said (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

LLRC final report on May 15 - The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) will be dissolved after the commission hands over its final report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 15. The commission, following the completion of its task of gathering evidence from the public regarding the war situation will lose its mandate after this date, LLRC media consultant Lakshman Wickramasinghe said. Wickramasinghe said the commission is making all attempts to complete the final report by May 15 and after this date; it is up to the relevant state authorities to do what is necessary. “Though the commission will not exist after officially handing over the final report to the head of state, the work of the commission will follow. The relevant institutions and authorities will have to take up the findings of the commission and do what is required according to the law,” he said. (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

TNA hoping for a package of solutions from Govt. at next meeting - The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it hoped the government would come up with a package to solve the ethnic question when they meet next month. The TNA and the government appointed committee are scheduled to meet on March 1. “We hope that the government appointed committee would come up with a suitable package for the ethnic question when we meet the next time,” TNA Parliamentarian, Suresh Premachandran told The Nation. He however said that there was a possibility for the next meeting to be postponed to another date. “We have not been told about this officially. But, we heard that the meeting could be postponed as the government members would be busy with election campaign activities,” he said. The TNA and the government agreed to discuss the ethnic question and the immediate needs of the Tamils, following a meeting between the alliance and President Mahinda Rajapaksa in June last year. A three member committee consisting former prime minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva and External Affairs Minister, Prof. G. L. Peiris were appointed by the President. The TNA delegation consists Mavai Senathirajah, M. A. Sumanthiran and Suresh Premachandran. Both parties have so far had two rounds of discussions on Januray 10 and February 3 (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

Wheels turn for development projects in North - The Northern provincial administration held a series of events last week to mark the implementation of programs, under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Uthuru Vasanthaya aimed at empowering farmers, fishermen, schoolchildren, sportsmen and youth who were deprived of their rightful opportunities for over two decades due to LTTE terrorism, Northern Province Governor Maj. Gen. G.A. Chandrasiri told the Sunday Observer.  The launch of the Management Scheme for Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDC) was held on Monday at the Weerasingham Hall, Jaffna with Minister Douglas Devananda and the Governor as chief guests. Provincial Chief Secretary A. Sivasamy, Secretary to the Governor S. Rangarajah, Jaffna GA, Emelda Sukumar and Jaffna Mayor Yogeswary Patkunarajah were guests of honour at the well-attended launch of the program. The program is aimed at the overall development of children below five. The key development domains are: cognitive language development, problem solving skills, motor development and socio-emotional interactions, Governor Chandrasiri said. ECDC centres had started functioning in all the five districts of the Northern province even before the official launch, he said.  Fifteen partly renovated houses and 20 fully renovated houses of 50 houses at Ariviyal Nagar in Kilinochchi were presented to the owners on Wednesday and the remaining houses are being renovated, the Governor said. The Excess funds that were available at the end of last year from the Tsunami Fund for the Northern Province were used to buy 100 boats, 100 out-board motors, heavy vehicles, lorries, light vehicles. tractors, water bowsers, tractor bowsers and other equipment for the benefit of farmers and fisherfolk. These will be distributed on March 11 among tsunami-affected farmers and fisherfolk in Mullaitivu, Point Pedro and Mulangavil with the participation of Hambantota District Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa as chief guest , Governor Chandrasiri said (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

Sampur power plant 99% through - Contrary to reports here and in India last week that the proposed 500MW joint venture coal power plant at Sampur in Trincomalee was being further delayed by the Lankan Attorney General’s Department raising some 70 queries after sitting on the final documents for months, AG has already cleared 99 percent of the issues and the agreement could be signed at any time, a top official of the CEB said yesterday. “The AG raising late queries is all history now”, the official declared. He said the AG has completely cleared the Power Purchase Agreement and the Joint Venture Agreement and only a single issue was holding up the Implementation Agreement. Over the one remaining issue a team from the Indian partner of this project the National Thermal Power Corporation had already been to Colombo recently and had discussed the matter with AG’s Department. While refusing to divulge any details about the outstanding issue on the Implementation Agreement, the top officer said it was a matter for the government of Sri Lanka to resolve and the decision would take only a matter of seconds. When President Rajapaksa visited Delhi in June last year, the Indian government even pledged a concessionary loan of US 200 million for the cash strapped CEB to build a jetty to land coal for the project and other connected infrastructure. With Cabinet approving an unsolicited proposal from Mitchell Consortium of Australia and Asset Holdings to build a US$700 million heavy industrial zone in Sampur this week, which includes a deep water jetty, CEB sources said there might not be a need to build a separate jetty for the joint venture coal power plant with NTPC Meanwhile the CEB has already demarcated and secured 1200 acres in Sampur coming primarily from state lands for the project and the access to the site are also virtually complete with the government already restoring the nearby A-15 highway along with other roads in the region. The project site is only few kilometers from the A-15. The recent floods have however damaged some of the recently restored road network (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

South Korea to develop N-E - The South Korean Government has pledged to support development activities in the North and the East. South Korea's Deputy Minister of Knowledge and Economy, Park Young June, assured Korean assistance when he met Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishard Bathiudeen on Wednesday. Minister Bathiudeen thanked the South Korean Deputy Minister for Korea's continued support for Sri Lanka. Minister Bathiudeen called upon Korea to assist North and East projects as well. He also called upon the Korean Deputy Minister June for a full fledged conference hall of international standards for the Northern region. 'Minister Bathiudeen asked Minister June to undertake development Sri Lanka in windpower generation, water supply and the construction sector. Minister June pledged full cooperation and said that he would submit proposals to the relevant official channels in South Korea. Minister Bathiudeen said "Sri Lanka's exports to South Korea which were US$ 22.9 million in 2005 have increased to US$ 30.1 million in 2010 recording a 31.4 percent growth while Sri Lanka's imports from South Korea which was US$ 210.3 million in 2005 has decreased to US$ 201.5 million in 2010 recording a 4.2 percent decline". Minister Bathiudeen stressed the need for further Korean support for Sri Lanka. Minister June expressed satisfaction of the progress of South Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) projects in Sri Lanka. The EDCF process was set up in 1987 by South Korea to help developing countries spur industrial growth and economic stability. "South Korea will increase its ODI assistance to Sri Lanka in future", Minister June said (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

Over 4,500 ex-combatants being rehabilitated, says Brig. Ranasinghe - The next batch of rehabilitated ex-combatants is likely to be released early next month, officials said. Rehabilitation Commissioner, Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe told The Nation that more than 4,500 ex-combatants were being rehabilitated and they would be released in several batches as in the past. “We have around 4,660 ex-combatants. They will be released in batches once the rehabilitation process is completed,” Brig. Ranasinghe said. He pointed out that there were no females or children left. “There are 34 females who are with us on court order. They do not come under the usual procedure,” he said. In addition, the Rehabilitation Ministry has also taken the initiative to assist the rehabilitated ex-combatants. Speaking on issues faced by ex-combatants in finding employment, Brig. Ranasinghe pointed out that it was a common problem faced by all the people. “The issue could be solved if some of the big textile companies moved to the Wanni. I think they have already planned in doing so in the future,” he added. Brig. Ranasinghe said that the Ministry had launched a loan scheme that provides Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 250,000 to those who need assistance once they have been sent back into society. He said that the loans could be paid back in 10 years with an interest rate of 4%. “That scheme has been going on for a while now. There are those who have been given training in various fields and not being able to get jobs. We have received some applications and we are willing to assist them through such loan schemes,” Brig. Ranasinghe added (The Nation ; 27 February 2011).

Plantation Minister meets UNCHR chief in Geneva - Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who is in Geneva to attend the UN Human Rights Council Sessions met UN Commissioner of Human Rights Navaneetham Pillai on Friday afternoon. A spokesperson for the Ministry said the Minister will personally meet the ambassadors of all HRC member states ahead of the sessions, scheduled from February 28 to March 25, to update them on the current post conflict situation in Sri Lanka. In an interview with the Sunday Observer earlier, the Minister said his main mission will be to counter LTTE propaganda which strives to push war crimes charges against the country. The Sri Lankan delegation comprises Attorney General Mohan Peiris and officials of the Human Rights Ministry. Sri Lankan Head of Mission in Geneva Kshenuka Seneviratne also accompanied the minister at the meeting with Pillai (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

17 illegal migrants to Australia caught near H’tota - A Navy patrol had intercepted a deep-sea trawler, carrying 17 would be illegal Lankan migrants to Australia near Hambantota last Sunday. The group comprising nine Tamils, six Sinhalese and two Muslims were handed over to the Galle Harbour Police on Monday evening (21). Inspector Meshan de Silva told The Nation that all 17 were being held for questioning under detention orders issued by the Ministry of Defence. After questioning, they will be produced before a Magistrate. It has been revealed that the 17 taken into custody are from Jaffna, Trincomalee, Puttalam and Chilaw. They had boarded the vessel fitted with 75 horse power engines in Trincomalee on February 14 in the guise of fishermen and six were carrying permits intended for such work (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

EU decision, an eye-opener - The European Union (EU) took a bold decision last week by including the LTTE again in its list of terrorist groups. The EU took this decision after a comprehensive review and the announcement was made through the Council Implementing Regulation on January 31 and published in the official journal of the EU. The LTTE has been re-listed among 26 Groups and Entities as it has been involved in terrorist acts within the meaning of Article 1(2) and (3) of the Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of December 27, 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism. The announcement published in the official journal of the EU states that "The Council has carried out a complete review of the list of persons, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 applies, as required by Article 2(3) of that Regulation. When doing so it took into account the observations submitted to the Council by those concerned". Sri Lanka is fast recovering having eradicated LTTE terrorism on May 18, 2009 and the EU's decision would indisputably shatter even the wildest dreams of Tiger sympathisers. At a time when Sri Lanka is bouncing back with a significant economic boom to regain its lost prestige due to three decades of LTTE terror, it is incumbent on the international community, especially those who strongly campaign against international terror, to extend their wholehearted support. Hence, the EU's decision amply demonstrates its sincere commitment to eliminate international terrorism. The LTTE has time and again attempted to pull wool over the eyes of the EU. Even LTTE front organisations had resorted to various stratagems to mislead the EU with distorted versions and wrong data. As a result, even the EU took certain decisions and issued statements which were unfavourable to Sri Lanka (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

More ex-combatants to be released next month - The next batch of rehabilitated ex-combatants is likely to be released early next month, officials said. Rehabilitation Commissioner, Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe told The Nation that more than 4,500 ex-combatants were being rehabilitated and they would be released in several batches as in the past. “We have around 4,660 ex-combatants. They will be released in batches once the rehabilitation process is completed,” Brig. Ranasinghe said. He pointed out that there were no females or children left. “There are 34 females who are with us on court order. They do not come under the usual procedure,” he said. In addition, the Rehabilitation Ministry has also taken the initiative to assist the rehabilitated ex-combatants. Speaking on issues faced by ex-combatants in finding employment, Brig. Ranasinghe pointed out that it was a common problem faced by all the people. “The issue could be solved if some of the big textile companies moved to the Wanni. I think they have already planned in doing so in the future,” he added. Brig. Ranasinghe said that the Ministry had launched a loan scheme that provides Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 250,000 to those who need assistance once they have been sent back into society. He said that the loans could be paid back in 10 years with an interest rate of 4%. “That scheme has been going on for a while now. There are those who have been given training in various fields and not being able to get jobs. We have received some applications and we are willing to assist them through such loan schemes,” Brig. Ranasinghe added (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

'Lakpa' shoes in Jaffna soon - Manufacture of footwear has been launched in Vathiry Industrial village in Vadamarachchi Jaffna on the directive of Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Douglas Devananda.  Chandra Kannangara, the Managing Director of "Lakpa" organization, responding to the request made by Minister Devananda has provided with new machinery, raw materials and technology to Vathiry Industrial Village for production of footwear.  Chandra Kannangara, visited Jaffna on 15, February and met Minister Devananda and paid a visit to the Vathiry Industrial Village to look into the present situation of the factory.  The employees of the factory said that they were extremely happy and were confident that they could achieve a good success in time to come with the help of the raw materials and technology provided to them by the "Lakpa" organization.  Chandra Kannangara, the Managing Director of "Lakpa" Organization said that honouring the request made by the Minister, that he was looking forward to extend his assistance to the best of his capacity for serving the people of Jaffna. He also said that the monthly sale of footwear in the entire peninsula exceeded well over 300,000 pairs, and the Vathiry Market share should be in the region of 30,000 pairs.  Minister Devananda speaking at the occasion, conveyed his thanks to the Managing Director of "Lakpa" organization for extending its assistance to the Vathiry Footwear Factory (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

New IDP resettlement in Mullaitivu - Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from three Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Mullaitivu district will be resettled before March 10, Mullaitivu District Secretariat sources said. The proposed resettlement will take place in Kumulumunai East, Kumulumunai Central and Karunattukkeni where de-mining has been completed successfully. Moves are afoot to resettle 42,993 persons who were displaced from 27 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Mullaitivu district in their original settlements. The de-mining operation is being conducted in various places in the Mullaitivu District. Over 69,120 people have been resettled in their original homes in the Mullaitivu district. Over 42,930 people are staying with relatives, friends and at welfare centres. Moves have also been taken to resettle them. Accordingly 193 families in Kumulumunai East Grama Niladhari Division, 237 families in Kumulumunai central Grama Niladhari Division and 207 families in the Karunattukkeni Grama Niladhari division will be resettled before March 10. Dry rations will be allocated to the resettled families for nine months from the day of their resettlement. Twenty-four thousand families are receiving dry rations at present (Sunday Observer ; 27 February 2011).

Army camps to grow vegetables - A program to cultivate vegetables and essential food crops in unused lands in the Eastern and the Northern Province army camps was launched at Weditalativu Mannar yesterday (26) said Hadabima Authority Chairman Nandasena Herath. He said that the programme will be extended to Buwava camp in Vavuniya, Ambagaswava, Meegasweva and Dimbulagala camps in Polonnaruwa. The program intends to cultivating 1000 acres with essential food crops within a period of two months. Soldiers including 4900 strong civil security forces will be deployed to implement this program, he said. The Agriculture Ministry will provide technology seeds and the tools, he said. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Northern Province governor G.A. Chandrasiri Area Military Commandos' Parliamentarians' Provincial Council Ministers participated in the inauguration ceremony at Weditalativu (Sunday Observer : 27 February 2011).

TNA hopeful of reaching power-sharing deal - The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will hold talks on power sharing when its leaders meet the government delegation for a third round of talks on Tuesday.“We will focus on powers which could be devolved to the provinces and those retained by the Centre,” TNA National List MP and lawyer M.A. Sumanthiran said. “We will not be concentrating on the 13th Amendment or the current constitution, but hope to discuss something beyond the existing structure,” he said. Mr. Sumanthiran said the government delegation involved in the talks had been accommodative enabling the two sides to have frank discussions. “With the next two rounds of talks we hope to reach an understanding on power sharing,” he said.During a meeting with newspaper editors last Tuesday, President Mahinda Rajapaksa commenting on the ongoing talks between the government and the TNA said similar dialogues would also be conducted with other Tamil parties including the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP). “Whoever we hold discussions with, we will not give into what the Tigers (LTTE) had been demanding,” the President said. He said he was not willing to give a deadline as to when the talks with the TNA and other Tamil parties would be concluded. The government delegation is led by former Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake while the TNA delegation is headed by parliamentarian Mavai Senadhiraja (Sunday Times : 27 February 2011).

MP denied entry for not following procedure: Immigration Chief - The Indian lawmaker who was refused entry to the country on Wednesday this week was denied a visa simply because he did not follow protocol procedures, Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulalanda Perera said yesterday. He said Thol Thirumawalan - a member of the Lok Sabha - who had arrived with two others was turned away since he failed to convince the duty officer at the Immigration desk of his true intention in visiting the country. “Apart from that the MP had entered the country in a private capacity and not as an Indian politician. Therefore the Immigration Officer was well within his rights to deny an entry visa. If he had intended to visit the country in a VIP capacity then he should have first informed the Indian Embassy in Colombo which in turn would have got in touch with the External Affairs Ministry and then the Immigration and Emigration Department would have been informed. But this was not the case,” Mr. Perera said. According to reports from across the Palk Strait the MP that entered the country to attend the funeral of Parvathi Thiruvengadasalam, slain Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s mother who died on Sunday last week. However Mr. Perera said he was not aware of such an intention by the MP only to add that he was turned away since his answers failed to convince the Immigration authorities at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). The Indian MP was later arrested with some 800 supporters after they put to the torch the lion flag and an effigy of President Mahinda Rajapaksa outside the gates of the Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner’s office in Chennai. They were subsequently released (Sunday Times : 27 February 2011).

EU re-lists LTTE as terrorists EU action: Shot in the arm for govt. Poll violence on the rise AG’s meeting with Ki-moon hushed up Police actions in Upeksha’s case questioned - A fluid political situation prevails over the country, ever since the government announced its intention to hold elections for the local councils throughout the country a few weeks ago. The election, to a greater extent, will serve as a barometer to gauge the popularity of the government, which is largely responsible for crushing terrorism and restoring normalcy in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country. Hardly one year after the Presidential election and the General election, the government yet again is keen to go to the people, which according to many analysts, would rather be an acid test on the prevailing situation, than on what the government had achieved in the past. The current political situation is rather gloomy for the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) since the people are facing many a hardship owing to the skyrocketing cost of living and unemployment. Many people supportive of the government shrug this argument off as inconceivable and saying that the heat of the economic downturn is felt only in the urban areas and the rural peasant is very much sound socially and economically. However, this position is contentious and debatable (The Nation : 27 February 2011).

An Australian consortium to set up heavy industries in the eastern port of Trincomalee with an investment of 700 million US dollars

Accountability for Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Counter Insurgency : the Case of Sri Lanka - Ambassador Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York Text of a recent speech at Harvard University - At the outset I would like to state very clearly that what happened in Sri Lanka cannot be characterized as a simple case of countering an insurgency. There was a group, proscribed by most of the democratic world as a terrorist organization, which controlled territory, and uniquely, deployed naval and air assets. The violence, began not in 1983 as popularly perceived, but in the mid 1970s. Alfred Duraiyappa, the elected Major of Jaffna, was assassinated in 1975 by Prabhakaran himself. The proscription has been extended recently by the EU and the US. Terrorism, as we all know, is a crime condemned internationally and punishable under domestic law. Sri Lanka as a sovereign state, with the overwhelming endorsement of its population, used its security forces to counter and defeat this terrorist organization. And that also, after trying over and over again to negotiate an end to the conflict. It is also to be remembered that for a period of over 27 years this terrorist group, the LTTE, recruited over 5,700 children as armed combatants, according to the UNICEF, and in the view of some, close to three times that number. It also had the reputation for having invented the suicide vest and for having successfully deployed over 236 suicide bombing missions. It regularly blasted civilians going to work, children going to school, and massacred worshippers at temples and mosques.  It had a reputation for collecting funds using its agents scattered throughout the West, employing intimidation and threats to finance its activities.  It is also the organization that ethnically cleansed the Northern Province of Sri Lanka of all other ethnic groups and brutally eliminated almost all moderate Tamil leaders.  In the final stages of conflict, this organization herded, and I use this expression deliberately, approximately 300,000 civilians and used them as a human shield. It is under these circumstances that the Government of Sri Lanka employed its military to counter the vicious threat posed by the terrorist LTTE. The Government adopted a policy of zero civilian casualties. It is important to remember that most of the Tamils in Sri Lanka do not live in the North. These civilians were taken against their will and they escaped as soon as the Security Forces broke through. We have seen their escape on television screens. The allegation of thousands of civilian deaths cannot be substantiated. You just need to do the math (Island ; 26 February 2011).

Govt. welcomes screening here of Tamil film starring protest leader - The government yesterday welcomed the screening of Tamil movie Kavalan (The Bodyguard) in Sri Lanka in spite of its main actor, Ilayathalapathy Vijay, throwing his weight behind anti-Sri Lanka campaign over a simmering dispute over Tamil Nadu fishing fleet invading Sri Lanka’s northern waters.  Bandula Jayasekera, Director General of Presidential Media told The Sunday Island that the government wouldn’t give in to what he called "politics of hate.’’ He said that the government appreciated screening of Tamil movies here and in fact it was part of the reconciliation process.  Sri Lanka’s former Consul General in Toronto alleged that Vijay was obviously promoting his image in Tamil Nadu but that shouldn’t be at Sri Lanka’s expense.  Vijay said during a protest campaign held in Nagapattinam on Feb. 23 that Sri Lanka should be wiped off the world map if the Sri Lanka Navy continued to attack Tamil Nadu fishermen.  The actor accused the Indian government and Tamil Nadu administration of failing to protect TN fishermen. He went onto say that as he was raised on Tiger’s milk he would fight for the rights of Tamil people.  Jayasekera said that Vijay was bashing Sri Lanka as he too like many other Tamil Nadu politicians were of the opinion such rhetoric would help them at the forthcoming State Assembly elections.  He pointed out that Vijay, in Kavalan, had acted with Asin Thottumkal, the Kerala-born actress who earned the wrath of an influential section of the South Indian move industry by visiting Sri Lanka to shoot Anees Bazmee’s ‘Ready’ with Bollywood star Salman Khan.  The official said that Asin went to the extent of defending her decision to visit Sri Lanka, including the Northern Province in the company of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Had Vijay really believed in Sri Lanka bashing, he wouldn’t have accepted Asin as his co-star, Jayasekera said.  None of those now shedding crocodile tears for TN fishermen uttered a word when the LTTE massacred a group of TN fishermen off Kanyakumari in early 2007 and seized an Indian fishing trawler, Sri Krishna, same year, Jayasekera said (Island : 26 February 2011).

Galleon Probers Trailed Rajaratnam Through Tips, Tamils and Taps - The insider-trading trial of Galleon Group LLC co-founder Raj Rajaratnam next month is the culmination of U.S. investigations dating back 12 years that involved blind alleys, anonymous tips, wiretaps and a trip into the Tamil Tiger underworld before prosecutors got their man.  Rajaratnam, 53, stands accused by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara of leading an insider-trading conspiracy that earned his fund about $45 million. He has pleaded not guilty.  Testimony at a four-day hearing in October to consider the admissibility of wiretaps showed what evidence the U.S. is likely to rely on at trial, set for March 8, as well as much of the inside story of how investigators cracked the case.  The government began pursuing the Sri Lankan-born Rajaratnam as long ago as 1999. Federal prosecutors in California and New York, as well the Securities and Exchange Commission, would eventually carry out what became the largest insider-trading probe of hedge funds. To date, at least 26 people have been charged; 19 have pleaded guilty.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it considered placing an undercover agent inside the New York-based Galleon firm, before opting instead to tap his phones because it had no viable candidate. The case was woven from other threads, including a former Intel Corp. employee’s confessions; a 2006 regulatory probe of his brother Rengan, instant messages from Rajaratnam; and a March 2007 anonymous letter to the SEC.  "To Whom it May Concern: it is hedge funds like Galleon Group that create wealth for their shareholders and themselves at the expense of innocent investors," according to letter, which was read during the October hearing in New York. "‘Insider trading’ word in this fund should be changed to ‘insider partnership and prostitution.’" (Island : 26 February 2011).

Countering the Tamil Separatist Threat - The international terrorism expert, Dr. Rohan Gunaratna of the Singapore State University has said recently that the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka alone cannot counter the threat of Tamil separatism trying to raise its head abroad and suggested that a separate organization has to be formed to face the threat. What Dr. Gunaratna said has becomes perfectly relevant when the activities of some of the opposition parties’ foreign ministry officials and Tamil separatists here and abroad are doing.  Addressing a gathering of the newspaper editors and the electronic media heads the President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that it was his belief that the ammunition for the Tamil Diaspora was provided by our own Opposition and that whenever the Opposition members visited foreign countries they disseminated disinformation. In the light of WikiLeaks revelations of Colombo’s American Embassy classified cables to Washington State Department scrutinized and signed by then Ambassador Robert O. Blake reveals the double standards of the United States to halt Sri Lanka’s military offensive against the LTTE terrorist movement that has its tentacles all over the globe including America and the European Union. The objective of sending a diplomatic cable to Washington by Robert Blake and his political section implicating the LTTE-breakaway group TMVP (or Karuna Group) to abductions, rape, prostitutions and extra-judicial killings related by nebulous embassy contacts can be presumed as an effort to thwart the Sri Lanka’s offensive against the Tamil Tigers in removing the Karuna-Douglas Devananda-strategic forces that were helpful to the military to defeat the Tigers. In the mean time the US Ambassador in Oslo K. Whitney asserted the Norwegians’ indifference to terrorism in a confidential diplomatic cable sent to Washington on Feb. 13, 2009, amidst stepped-up efforts by a section of the international community to throw a lifeline to the sinking Tigers (Sinhale Hot News : 26 February 2011).

EP delegation commends Govt - The European Parliament (EP) delegation commended the government’s commitment towards development in the post war situation in the country. Jean Lambert who led the EP delegation said that they were impressed by the future plans which the government presented to them during their visit. She said that a significant improvement in infrastructure is taking place in the Northern Province. Lambert commended the improvement in social factors such as education, health, roads and water supply. She praised the government’s plan to recruit Tamil speaking police personnel. The European Parliamentary members were participating at a press conference at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel yesterday to conclude the talks in the framework of the sixth Inter Parliamentary Meeting. Responding to a question raised by a journalist she said that the Sri Lankan Government considers the GSP plus relief issue as a closed case and does not want to pursue it any longer. However she said that European Union is ready to assist Sri Lanka with business and enterprise investment, training and skills development and marketing. She also noted that the delegation did not experience any difficulty with regard to the accessibility to the North during their visit. The EP delegation had visited Menikfarm village and had interacted with the people. During their visit they also called on Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, Ministers, Opposition MPs and various parties and civil society representatives (Daily News : 26 February 2011).

LTTE moves to regroup: West on the alert - Last month (January), Canada seized all properties and bank assets of World Tamil Movement worth millions of dollars raised through illegal means including extortions, debit/credit card scams and human, narcotics and arms trafficking. Canada’s World Tamil Movement was registered as a non-profit organization claiming to be engaged in Humanitarian work, but they funded and provided weapons to the LTTE.  The Canadian action was timely considering the fact that, Tamil Tigers regrouping in the West at taxpayers’ expense following the crushing military defeat of the LTTE in 2009. Those trying to regroup include TTE proxies (CTC, TGTE, etc) who are again pushing for a racist, mono-ethnic, separatist objective that killed tens of thousands during the past 30 years. They ruined education of Tamil youth and used children as young as 12 as cannon fodder in a meaningless war.  Do we remember how these ‘humanitarian’ Tamil Tigers were allowed to roam in Toronto and how they used women and children to hijack Canada’s busiest Gardiner highway in Toronto – the same way they used them to fight legitimate government forces in Sri Lanka in the hope of realizing that psychopath Prabhakaran’s dream of a ‘Tamil homeland.’ The 492 “Innocent Tamil Freedom Fighters” who illegally came to Canada aboard MV Sun Sea has already cost hard-working Canadian Tax payers over $25 million, excluding health, childcare and education benefits provided to them. Yet most Canadians are easily fooled to believe these illegitimates were subjected to torture and persecution in Sri Lanka, being ignorant of reality in that island on the other side of the globe. More than 80 percent of 497 illegal Tamil refugee-seekers, none of them with any usable work skills for Canada, have been released from custody. The cost of their skills training and social benefits package to taxpayers is beyond “human” comprehension.  David Poopalapillai of Canadian Tamil Congress claimed his office was broken into by Sri Lankan government Agents trying to gather “sensitive” information on the 492 illegal Tamil asylum seekers came to Canada aboard MV Sun Sea. He went on to say the stolen computers included “birth certificates, names and contact information” of the illegal refugee claimants. This was a confession! (Asian Tribune : 26 February 2011).

LTTE moves to regroup: West on the alert

TAMIL DIASPORA’S PIPE DREAM - By Dr. Raju Selva - I am, being one of them at early stages of LTTE, have written many letters to the print media and the cyberspace against the actions of the Tamil Diaspora (TD). When LTTE was at its peak, I begged the Tamil Diaspora to stop supporting and funding LTTE as LTTE will never achieve what TD wants. I have made it clear that it’s not the Tamils living in Sri Lanka who want an Eelam but it’s the TD who wants Eelam whilst living in luxury in affluent countries; giving their children best of education whilst their brethren in the North and East were conscripted by LTTE as child soldiers, some of them are even 10 yrs old. After 30 years of a useless war l au nched by egoistic tyrant Prabhakaran (Tamil Diaspora supported him wholeheartedly) where the ordinary Tamils were sandwiched between the LTTE and the Government forces, the Tamils in the North achieved nothing until May 19 2009. They suffered for 30 years under Prabhakaran’s Tyranny. At last, thanks for the right leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa albeit they are Sinhalese Buddhists, the Tamils do not need to live in fear any more as before May 19, 2009. The Tamil parents in the North & East need not fear any more that their young kids will be conscripted to take up guns instead of school books; Tamil parents need not fear that their d au ghters will be abducted and use them for war activities and perhaps even as sex slaves. Anyone goes to the North and the East now will observe the happy smiling faces of Tamil men, women and children. The Tamil children carry books now instead of carrying guns for LTTE. The Government is providing education facilities and encouraging all Tamil children to pursue in studies to become better and peaceful citizens of one nation i.e Sri Lanka . There is tremendous infrastructure development going on with building of bridges, roads, public buildings, hospitals, schools etc. There is increased economic activities in the North and East to give a better life for the ordinary Tamils. The Tamils living in the North and East have a life now and a bright future to look forward to. Of course, the Tamils who were living in other part of the country have had no problems of the education of their children, peaceful life and gainful employment living along with the Sinhalese, Muslims and other ethnic groups (Sinhale Hot News : 25 February 2011).

The bloody retreat from Vadukoddai to Nandikadal - Part II - In this exclusive, DAILY MIRROR presents the second part of the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled: The ideological industry in academia and NGOs in the post-Vadukoddai period – the biggest growth industry among public intellectuals -- was to legitimize this myth. It reached its peak under the fascist force of Prabhakaranism. But with the elimination of the Tamil Tigers from the political equation this theory has sunk to the bottom of Nandikadal Lagoon. The Sri Lankan crisis has been the graveyard in which the fashionable and futile theories, analysis and solutions, imported mainly from the West, lie buried forever and a day, as relics of mercenary intellectuals who sided with those who hired them, or advanced their careers in academia of NGOs, and not as monuments to the will of the people or to restore peace or the fundamental needs of the long-suffering people. In fact, they nurtured their theories like the way the beggars nurture their wounds: if the wounds heal their income and perks go down. The Sri Lankan crisis is a notable example of political violence arising from ideological distortions. Extremist violence that reigned supreme in the northern and southern regions in the post-colonial period had its origins in ideologies constructed to breed and instigate violence against the state and/or ethnic communities. In the south a diluted and distorted version of Marxist extremism exploded with unprecedented violence. In the north violence erupted with ideologies of mono-ethnic extremism. Both ideologies were grabbed by the disaffected and disillusioned youth who were trapped inside a system that failed to provide upward social mobility. Both were peripheral movements that challenged the democratically elected centre as the demon that must be slain for their liberation. Both aimed at skipping the evolutionary processes of history with a view to leap straight from an inherited status quo they rejected into the future through violence endorsed by their political fathers as the way out. Both relied exclusively and excessively on violence. Both groups sank in the rivers of blood they generated. Both ideologies misled the youth with promises they could never achieve. Both were misled by ideologues who exploited the frustrations of the time to justify violence as the only means to a stereological end. Both were born out of ideological distortions, perversions and fictions (Daily Mirror ; 25 December 2011).

Army Commander at cyber warfare conference: Monitoring of IT security systems pivotal - Text of the speech by Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya on ‘Strategic Dimensions of Cyber Warfare’ at cyber warfare workshop on Tuesday First part of this article was published yesterday - If we talk about the Sri Lankan context during the civil war, main targets were the three forces, even though civilians and economic institutions were also bombed and attacked. If Sri Lanka is going to be attacked through cyberspace who would be the targets? It would not only be the Armed Forces or State leaders, it would be you all as well. There are anti-Sri Lankan Forces and pro-LTTE activists around the world. The number of pro-LTTE websites launching false propaganda are thousands in numbers and even at this moment there may be hundreds of thousands of people reading them and looking at this country with an awful eye. At this moment I guarantee that no one can launch any physical attack on Sri Lanka. Though they do not have any room in the physical space, they have plenty of room to launch attacks on the cyberspace (Daily News : 25 February 2011).

Lanka briefs Ban on post-conflict situ - The United Nations today said that Sri Lanka briefed the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon on the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, and for an exchange of views on different aspects of them.  UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told media in New York that the high-level delegation from the Government of Sri Lanka, which included the Attorney-General and the Foreign Secretary, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary-General yesterday.  “This provided an opportunity for the delegation to update the Secretary General on ongoing post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, and for an exchange of views on different aspects of those efforts,” he said.  Commenting on the UN Expert Panel on Sri Lanka, he reiterated that “it is not essential for the Panel to visit Sri Lanka. There are other ways for the Panel to gather the material that it needs to do the job on accountability that it has been asked to do by the Secretary-General, to advise him. And on the timing, the Panel will let us know when they are ready to let you know.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his chief of staff Vijay Nambiar met Wednesday Attorney General Mohan Peiris, Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, former General Shavendra Silva in New York (Daily Mirror : 25 February 2011).

Kokavil heroes remembered - The War Heroes Monument at Kokavil was ceremonially declared open by Maj Gen D.R.A.B.Jayatillake on Sunday (20) evening amidst a large gathering of security forces personnel, families of armed forces personnel who laid down their lives and those who lost their limbs fighting the terrorist outfit, families of the LTTE and residents of the area. Family members of the war heroes were presented with mementos. The monument was built in remembrance of Lt Saliya Aladeniya and 55 soldiers who laid down their lives fighting the LTTE in 1990, when the latter attacked the camp. The brave soldiers didn’t leave the camp and fought the enemy. Lt Aladeniya fought bravely killing at least 40 Tiger cadres before he was killed by an enemy bullet (Island : 25 February 2011).

Jaffna I knew and the Jaffna I saw - People from the South have been frolicking Jaffna since the A9 Road was opened for public traffic. They go and put up with all inconveniences as if to watch a spectacle. Among the places of interest in Jaffna the library is one and now in order to put up with these intrusions the Library authorities are charging Rs 10 per person to enter the premises. Having had the occasion to visit Jaffna on an official matter I wondered for a moment, why these people from South visit Jaffna with such enthusiasm after all. Plainly there is nothing much that is so special to see there and even the Jaffna library, though renovated, is a very ordinary building. Then again, I could be wrong because, it may be that the present day Jaffna is without the attractions that brought people there in those halcyon days but yet there is something special that Jaffna could now offer to the public; and that is the ravages of war (Daily News : 25 February 2011).

Tamil man indicted for Sri Lankan murders - Norwegian police have arrested and indicted an employed Tamil on suspicion of killing of three people for the Tamil Tigers.  The man, arrested last January, stands accused of killing three persons on behalf of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during a conflict in Sri Lanka. The first victim was a police officer killed in 2004. The other two were members of a rival Tamil group, murdered in May 2006. According to Per Zimmer, police lawyer at Kripos (Norwegian Criminal Police), the Tamil man is thought to have connections with the LTTE, and it is believed the organization contracted him. “We are investigating the matter on the basis he has had a role in the LTTE, and that he has carried out killings on its behalf,” Mr Zimmer tells Aftenposten, refusing to reveal the individual’s rank on the grounds it forms part of the police inquiry. The 34-year-old has been preliminarily indicted under Section 233 of the Norwegian Penal Code section, which states murders committed abroad can also be tried when the alleged offender lives in Norway. He has been working as a cleaner in Norway since 2007 since his application for asylum was rejected. As Sri Lankan authorities have not asked for the man’s extradition until now, the trial will be held in Norway. “We are obliged to pursue serious crimes committed abroad, thus preventing Norway from becoming a safe haven with amnesty for criminals. There are many Tamils who have been granted residence here, and we find it natural to look at this group as well”, says Per Zimmer. The accused alleges he is not guilty, claiming the Tamil Tigers put him under duress by threatening to kill his family (The Foreigner in Norway : 25 February 2011).

Lanka briefs Ban on post-conflict situ - The United Nations today said that Sri Lanka briefed the UN Secretary General Ban-Ki-moon on the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, and for an exchange of views on different aspects of them.  UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told media in New York that the high-level delegation from the Government of Sri Lanka, which included the Attorney-General and the Foreign Secretary, paid a courtesy call on the Secretary-General yesterday.  “This provided an opportunity for the delegation to update the Secretary General on ongoing post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, and for an exchange of views on different aspects of those efforts,” he said.  Commenting on the UN Expert Panel on Sri Lanka, he reiterated that “it is not essential for the Panel to visit Sri Lanka. There are other ways for the Panel to gather the material that it needs to do the job on accountability that it has been asked to do by the Secretary-General, to advise him. And on the timing, the Panel will let us know when they are ready to let you know.” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his chief of staff Vijay Nambiar met Wednesday Attorney General Mohan Peiris, Foreign Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, former General Shavendra Silva in New York (Daily Mirror : 25 February 2011).

TMVP clueless on KP - The Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) headed by Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan has raised doubts over the presence of Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) in Sri Lanka as they have not seen or spoken to the former LTTE Chief Arms Procurer. TMVP Spokesperson Azath Maulana told News Now.lk that despite reports that KP was now handling some government projects in the north and east, the Chief Minister or his party had never seen KP or heard from him. “We do not know where he is. We have never seen him. We have only read about him in the media. We do not even know whether he is in Sri Lanka. The Chief Minister has never even heard of his projects,” Maulana stressed. The government recently revealed in parliament that an organization called the North East Rehabilitation and Development Organization (NERDO) with KP as the Secretary had been registered on July 9, 2010. The organization has been established for the provision of relief to the displaced persons while upgrading facilities for better physical, mental and living conditions for them. Also, it intends to upgrade education facilities of children (NewsNow.lk : 25 February 2011).

EP delegation’s Sri Lankan visit not linked to war crimes probe – Jean Lambert -  GSP Plus Facility restoration – Areas of concern remain - The visiting European Parliamentary delegation said yesterday that there was no link between their five-day fact finding mission to Sri Lanka and Wednesday’s meeting in the US, between UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a Sri Lankan delegation on alleged war crimes.  Leader of the European Parliametary Delegation for Relations with South Asia Jean Lambert, addressing a news conference in Colombo, at the end of their visit, said that they had met with a cross section of people including senior Ministers, Opposition MPs, various political parties and civil society members.  They had also flown to Vavuniya and Jaffna to observe the post-conflict situation, co-funded EU projects as well as the crucial efforts of INGOs and NGOs, to ensure a return to normalcy in what remains a delicate environment, Lambert said.Asked if there was any link to the timing of their visit with Wednesday’s UN-Sri Lanka consultations, Lambert said "my one word answer is no."  "The Sri Lankan government accepted our visit and that’s why we are here. There was a wide exchange of views on many issues including the current attempts to engage political reforms that would promote national reconciliation," she said. "We also participated in an interaction with the EU- Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Association, which was most encouraging and can be commended."  There was also no connection between the EU extending the ban on the LTTE and their visit to Sri Lanka. The EU parliament does not play a role in such matters, Lambert said (Island : 25 February 2011).

EU re-lists LTTE after review of listed terror groups

Lanka Web presents the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled: - The bloody road from Vadukoddai to Nandikadal - Part 1 - The post-Prabhakaran period, settling down to a new era far removed from the blinding smoke of gun fire and exploding bombs, opens up new perspectives to view the past that was dominated by dogmatic ideologies, theories and formulas constructed for the analysis of the convulsive events that shook the nation to its foundations ever since the Jaffna Vellahla elite declared war on the rest of the nation on May 14, 1976 in the Vadukoddai Resolution – the most explosive force in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka. Eliminating the Vadukoddai violence has eased the inhibiting ethnic passions and the obfuscating heat of divisive politics and created a more dispassionate ambience to revisit and review (1) the primary sources of violence, (2) the inter-acting north-south forces that exacerbated ethnic tensions and (3) the meandering course of violence that ended in the Nandikadal Lagoon. The punditry of ideologues, particularly in the pro-separatist lobbies and NGOs, went down with Velupillai Prabhakaran in Nandikadal Lagoon on May 18th 2009 – the day the Vadukoddai War ended. The motivational power of the Vadukoddai ideology that led to the 33-year-old Vadukoddai War (give or take a few days) too has lost its force as it sank in the Nandikadal Lagoon and those who are still tied to the northern separatists and their “aspirations” are floundering in an ideological vacuum because the old theories no longer fit into the new realities. The Tamil separatists lost not only their most formidable leader in Nandikadal Lagoon but also the motivating power of the Vadukoddai ideology which formed the basis for academics, public intellectuals and Jaffna Tamil politicians to justify, sustain and prolong Vadukoddai violence (LankaWeb : 24 February 2011).

Sri Lanka mulls US$700mn Australian investment - The government is to set up a special zone for heavy industries in Trincomalee to provide access to a deep-water port for investors keen to enter the island after the end of its 30-year ethnic war, a spokesman said. "There's so much of enthusiasm by businessmen and foreign investors, particularly in the region, to invest in the counter after 30 years of war," media minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a news conference. "They found that this country that can be commercial hub. One of major components needed is access to a port and the government has decided to set up a zone particularly for heavy industries which need port access." The statement said Mitchell Consortium, a multinational consortium from Australia with partners from Brazil and Sri Lanka, has made an unsolicited proposal for a zone with heavy industries. These include a coking coal or metallurgical coal and an iron ore palletizing plant for steel making, and a sugar refinery. The zone for heavy industries is to be set up on 97 square kilometres of land in the Sampur area of Trincomalee, near the entrance to the bay, part of which has already been earmarked for an Indo-Lanka joint venture coal power plant. The statement said the Cabinet of ministers gave approval for the consortium to conduct feasibility studies for the project, the first phase of which will be 700 million dollars. Rambukwella said environmental safeguards will be given high priority in the project (LBO ; 24 February 2011).

RG on SLAF’s pivotal role in Eelam War IV SLAF Chief steps down after illustrious career - Outgoing Air Chief Marshal W.D.R.M.J. Goonetileke says the military victory over the LTTE was a team effort, in which the SLAF played a pivotal role. The soft spoken Goonetileke said the SLAF could be proud of its achievements during the eelam war, particularly the last phase (Aug. 2006-May 2009). In an interview with The Island, at the ‘Air House’ on Wednesday (Feb. 23), the SLAF veteran said that he would shortly relinquish command and take over as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), a post he held in an acting capacity after former Army Chief Gen. Sarath Fonseka quit the post to challenge President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Goonetileke succeeded Air Marshal Donald Perera on June 11, 2006 as the 12th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force. The eldest son of the 5th Commander of the SLAF Air Chief Marshal Harry Goonetileke, Roshan knew the challenging task ahead of him. The Old Peterite joined two Anandians, the then Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannogoda and Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who had survived an LTTE attempt on his life two months before to spearhead eelam war IV in line with war veteran Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s strategy. Lt. Gen. Fonseka returned after recovery only in early August 2006, after the military overwhelmed the LTTE at Mavilaru in July. In spite of Karannagoda and Fonseka clashing head-on even at the National Security Council (NSC), the combined services sustained the offensive until the LTTE collapsed on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon on May 19, 2009. The government offensive lasted two years and ten months. It would be pertinent to discuss the role played by the SLAF under Gonnetileke’s leadership ahead of the forthcoming change in command. The media shy SLAF chief is the last of the war-time service commanders to retire in the post war era, with the affable Karannagoda being the first to go. Goonetileke will hand over command to Air Vice Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema, presently the Chief of Staff. Abeywickrema, who had been the one-time Commanding Officer of the No 5 Jet Squadron and Director Operations will be the 13th SLAF Chief. The change of command will take place on Monday (Feb. 28). (Island : 24 February 2011).

The bloody retreat from Vadukoddai to Nandikadal - I - The post-Prabhakaran period, shining in the light of a new era, far removed from the clouding smoke of gun fire and exploding bombs, opens up new perspectives to view the past that was dominated by dogmatic ideologies, theories and formulas constructed for the analyses of the convulsive events that shook the nation to its foundations ever since the Jaffna elite declared war on the rest of the nation on May 14, 1976 in the Vadukoddai Resolution – the most explosive and over-determining force in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka. Eliminating the Vadukoddai violence has eased the inhibiting ethnic passions and the oppressive and the obfuscating heat of divisive and partisan politics and created a more dispassionate ambience to revisit and review the primary sources of violence, the inter-acting north-south forces that exacerbated ethnic tensions and the meandering course of violence that ended in the Nandikadal Lagoon. The punditry of ideologues, particularly in the pro-separatist lobbies and NGOs, went down with Velupillai Prabhakaran in Nandikadal Lagoon on May 18th 2009 – the day the Vadukoddai War ended. The motivational power of the Vadukoddai ideology that led to the 33-year-old Vadukoddai War too has lost its force as it sank in the Nandikadal Lagoon and those who are still tied to the northern separatists and their “aspirations” are floundering in an ideological vacuum because the old theories no longer fit into the new realities. The Tamil separatists lost not only their most formidable leader in Nandikadal Lagoon but also the motivating power of the Vadukoddai ideology which formed the basis for academics, public intellectuals and Jaffna Tamil politicians to justify, sustain and prolong Vadukoddai violence (Daily Mirror : 24 February 2011).

Lanka Web presents the introduction to H. L. D. Mahindapala’s book titled: - The bloody road from Vadukoddai to Nandikadal. Part 1 The post-Prabhakaran period, settling down to a new era far removed from the blinding smoke of gun fire and exploding bombs, opens up new perspectives to view the past that was dominated by dogmatic ideologies, theories and formulas constructed for the analysis of the convulsive events that shook the nation to its foundations ever since the Jaffna Vellahla elite declared war on the rest of the nation on May 14, 1976 in the Vadukoddai Resolution – the most explosive force in the post-independence history of Sri Lanka. Eliminating the Vadukoddai violence has eased the inhibiting ethnic passions and the obfuscating heat of divisive politics and created a more dispassionate ambience to revisit and review (1) the primary sources of violence, (2) the inter-acting north-south forces that exacerbated ethnic tensions and (3) the meandering course of violence that ended in the Nandikadal Lagoon. The punditry of ideologues, particularly in the pro-separatist lobbies and NGOs, went down with Velupillai Prabhakaran in Nandikadal Lagoon on May 18th 2009 – the day the Vadukoddai War ended. The motivational power of the Vadukoddai ideology that led to the 33-year-old Vadukoddai War (give or take a few days) too has lost its force as it sank in the Nandikadal Lagoon and those who are still tied to the northern separatists and their “aspirations” are floundering in an ideological vacuum because the old theories no longer fit into the new realities. The Tamil separatists lost not only their most formidable leader in Nandikadal Lagoon but also the motivating power of the Vadukoddai ideology which formed the basis for academics, public intellectuals and Jaffna Tamil politicians to justify, sustain and prolong Vadukoddai violence (LankaWeb : 24 February 2011).

Asylum seeker admits to crimes - Norwegian law enforcement officials have arrested a Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seeker after the man admitted to killing three people in Sri Lanka on behalf of the LTTE. The man's lawyer said his client admitted to the murders in an interview during the asylum process and said that he committed the crimes after the LTTE had threatened to harm his family if he didn't comply, AP reported. Prosecutor Per Zimmer defended the arrest Monday, saying it was important Norway did not become a haven for people who committed serious crimes abroad. Zimmer said the murders occurred in 2004 and 2006, adding the police are studying whether the murders should be treated as war crimes, the report added. priu.gov.lk (Daily News : 24 February 2011).

EU re-lists LTTE; Comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups: The European Union (EU) has re-listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) following a comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups. The announcement was made through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 83/2011 of January 31, 2011, published in the Official Journal of the European Union.  The EU terrorist listings made in terms of article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of December 27, 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, proscribes organizations listed operating in EU member countries and freezes their assets. By way of notices published in the Official Journal of the European Union in July 2010, “the Council informed the persons, groups and entities listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) No 610/2010 that it had decided to keep them on the list. The Council also informed the persons, groups and entities concerned that it was possible to request a statement of the Council’s reasons for putting them on the list where one had not already been communicated to them. In the case of five groups, an amended statement of reasons was made available in November 2010”. The LTTE is re-listed among 26 Groups and Entities, on the determination that they “have been involved in terrorist acts within the meaning of Article 1(2) and (3) of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, that a decision has been taken with respect to them by a competent authority within the meaning of Article 1(4) of that Common Position, and that they should continue to be subject to the specific restrictive measures provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001.” The announcement published in the Official Journal of the European Union states that “the Council has carried out a complete review of the list of persons, groups and entities to which Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 applies, as required by Article 2(3) of that Regulation. When doing so it took account of observations submitted to the Council by those concerned” (Daily News : 24 February 2011).

A Sri Lankan Problem for India - India, has a Sri Lankan problem which is two dimensional, one aspect of the problem having a technical solution and the other requiring a political one. The first part of the problem was mitigated for the moment last week with the release of over one hundred Indian fishermen that had been arrested and remanded by the relevant authorities for poaching in Sri Lankan waters. Now the attraction of Sri Lankan waters for fishing is understandable. For the past several decades through the period of the war, deep-sea fishing in Northern waters was prohibited by the military and consequently our Northern waters teem with fish making poaching a very attractive proposition for Indian fishermen. However, this aspect of India’s Sri Lankan problem can be resolved through technical solutions, including a better coast guard programme, joint patrolling with the Indians and other protective measures of maritime boundaries and fisheries resources. The mechanism to arrive at such solutions is the Indo-Lankan Joint Committee that was established way back in 2006, but has never got off the ground, an error that is being rectified now. The other dimension of the problem that India has regarding Sri Lanka is more complex and stems from the political problem. Since the war with the LTTE is over, political issues are again at the forefront and Indias problems are as follows (Daily Mirror : 24 February 2011).

EU re-lists LTTE after review of listed terror groups - The European Union (EU) has re-listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) following a comprehensive review of listed terrorist groups. The announcement was made through Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 83/2011 of 31 January 2011, published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The EU terrorist listings, made in terms of article 2(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, proscribes organizations listed operating in EU member countries and freezes their assets, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry said.  By way of notices published in the Official Journal of the European Union in July 2010, "the Council informed the persons, groups and entities listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 610/2010 that it had decided to keep them on the list. The Council also informed the persons, groups and entities concerned that it was possible to request a statement of the Council’s reasons for putting them on the list where one had not already been communicated to them. In the case of five groups, an amended statement of reasons was made available in November 2010".  The LTTE is re-listed among 26 Groups and Entities, on the determination that they "have been involved in terrorist acts within the meaning of Article 1(2) and (3) of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP of 27 December 2001 on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism, that a decision has been taken with respect to them by a competent authority within the meaning of Article 1(4) of that Common Position, and that they should continue to be subject to the specific restrictive measures provided for in Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001." (Island : 23 February 2011).

UK coalition govt MP visits Jaffna, keen to boost ties with Lanka - The UK coalition government’s Minister for South Asia, Alistair Burt, met a resettled community at Viththakapuram, in Tellipalai, Jaffna, in a recent visit to Sri Lanka. He said he was keen to further develop economic, cultural and political ties with the post-conflict economy - ..... The UK coalition government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for South Asia, Alistair Burt, concluding a recent visit to Sri Lanka, which included a trip to the once war-torn district of Jaffna, said he was keen to further develop ties with Sri Lanka in the spheres of economics, culture and politics. "I welcome the fact that Sri Lanka no longer suffers from terrorism. In visiting the North I have been able to see the progress that has been made in starting to rebuild war-damaged infrastructure and to return people to their homes. In Jaffna, I visited minefields being cleared by a British demining agency, the HALO Trust, and got a sense of the scale of the remaining work to be done. I also talked to resettled communities about their efforts to recover from the war and rebuild their lives," Burt said in a statement issued yesterday (23). (Island : 23 February 2011).

Monument at the Kokavil Army Detachment - The Sri Lanka Army on Sunday unveiled a monument at the Kokavil Army Detachment in memory of the 54 army personnel and two civilians, who were killed when the LTTE overran their camp in July, 1990. Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Major General D.R.A.B.Jayatillake unveiled the monument built at the site where Army Captain A.U.Aladeniya and his men fought to the last man as LTTE cadres laid siege to their camp and paid the supreme sacrifice. The Kokavil communication tower which was destroyed by the terrorists has been re-built and will be declared opened in March (TimesOnline ; 23 February 2011).

Indian MP deported by Sri Lanka gets arrested in Chennai - An Indian state legislator who was deported from Sri Lanka today was arrested by the police for trying to protest against his deportathief Thol Thirumavalavan and around 300 of his party members when they tried to stage a protest upon his rion in front of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission.  The police have arrested Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) ceturn, Indian media reported.  Earlier today Sri Lankan immigration officials refused entry to Thirumavalavan and two of his party members and sent them back when they attempted to enter the country to participate in the funeral of the slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran's mother Parvathi Velupillai.  Parvathi Velupillai, 81, passed away in a government hospital on Sunday after a lengthy illness. Her funeral was to take place this afternoon in Jaffna of Northern Sri Lanka.  Indian media said in Puducherry, around 250 VCK workers were held when they staged a 'road roko' to protest Thirumavalavan's deportation. The demonstrators have been taken into protective custody by the police.  Sri Lankan officials said the Indian nationals were deported in suspicion of their motive for arriving in the island (Colombo page : 23 February 2011).

Prabha’s ghost haunts Tamil Nadu elections - The Hindu’ newspaper of India recently reported that the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has sent alert messages to Indian security officials that the LTTE cadres in Tamil Nadu are conspiring to carry out attacks targeting VVIPs during the Indian assembly election season, that is ,at the forthcoming Tamil Nadu State elections it is likely that the LTTE cadres are targeting Indian Prime Minister (PM) Manmohan Singh . In December 2010 too, ‘The Hindu’ newspaper stated that the LTTE cadres who are hidden in Tamil Nadu are making efforts to assassinate Manmohan Singh, the Indian P M. ‘The Hindu’ also reported in February 2011 that the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi is another assassination target of the LTTE. Yet , the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, Letika Saran has denied LTTE presence in Tamil Nadu. He has dismissed as baseless the charges that the Tamil Tiger cadres can during Tamil Nadu State elections attack top political leaders. The Tamil Nadu opposition party however claims , as the popularity of Karuananidhi and his Congress Alliance are on the wane, they are using the media to publish reports in order to earn the sympathy of the Tamil Nadu voters while at the same time levelling accusations that Karunanidhi and his Congress Alliance helped Sri Lanka (SL) Govt. to destroy the Tamil Tigers . In May 2009 , Karunanidhi won in Tamil Nadu at the Indian General elections by supporting the Tamil Tigers. It was Karunanidhi who launched protest demonstrations in Tamil Nadu against the SL Govt. Although he and his Congress Alliance did nothing to halt the war in SL, they nevertheless painted a different picture by portraying themselves to the Tamil Nadu people as having done their utmost towards stopping the war in SL (Daily Mirror : 23 February 2011).

Rehab of ex-LTTE cadres: Sri Lanka an example to world - President - Sri Lanka has set an example to the rest of the world with the speed with which the rehabilitation and reintegration process of ex-LTTE combatants took place, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the progress review meeting of the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms held at Temple Trees on Tuesday (22). He added that many ex-LTTE cadres have been reintegrated into civilian life and they are using the vocational training received at rehabilitation centres to uplift their livelihoods.  The type of vocational training given to ex-LTTE cadres was also discussed at the meeting. Out of the nearly 11,700 ex-LTTE combatants who initially began the rehabilitation process, nearly 5800 have already been reintegrated into society.  Currently 24 rehabilitation centres operate in the North and East. Within the first four months they are assessed on their mental status, knowledge and abilities and grouped accordingly. The rehabilitation process comprise the psychological and creative assistance, education, vocational training, spiritual, religious and cultural empowerment, sports and socialization.  Further, the use of prison inmates in community service was also discussed.  This is important for the economic progress of the country rather than filling prisons with inmates, President said.  Those convicted of less serious crimes could be deployed to perform unpaid public service under the supervision of probation officers, President Rajapaksa said.  President pointed out the importance of separating juveniles under 16 years from adult inmates. He also pointed out that the government has given special attention to rehabilitating prisoners and working towards addressing the problems faced by prison authorities.  President instructed the authorities to upgrade prisons (Island : 23 February 2011).

Jaffna Bishop commends Security Forces - Jaffna Bishop Rt.Rev Dr Thomas Savundaranayagam recently commended the Security Forces for their proactive involvement to curb organized crime and for bringing those responsible to book. The Bishop further emphasized that intensified 24 hour security and night patrolling with the help of the Army and Police had paved the way for the prevailing peaceful situation in the Peninsula. "Once again law and order has been restored and unlawful acts have lessened" the Bishop said. The Bishop further assured the close co-operation of Jaffna community to ensure the people's security (Daily News : 23 February 2011).

Extreme Care Should be Taken by Reconciliation Groups When Handling the Tamil Diaspora - By Dilrook Kannangara - A number of good hearted Samaritans have started reconciliation groups across the world in a move to engage the Tamil Diaspora. It is a good move. Few friendly meetings with good food and good fun took place already. At the end of these cordial meetings, participants resolve to further advance their informal groups. The idea is to engage not isolate the Tamil Diaspora. An unconditional friendship making has entirely nothing wrong. It is a must in expatriate Sri Lankan communities. However, hiding behind these good spirited moves is a sinister plan of sections of the Tamil Diaspora to abuse the unsuspecting good Samaritans to get their racist demands (Sinhale Hot News : 23 February 2011).

KP’s NERDO registered - An organization called the North East Rehabilitation and Development Organization (NERDO) with KP as the Secretary had been registered on July 9, 2010, the Government revealed in Parliament today.  In response to a question by UNP MP Dunesh Gankanda, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardane tabled this answer in the House.  According to the answer, Thavaratnam Sinnaiya has been cited as the President of the NERDO. The other staff members of the organization are Valenten U.L. Jayawalan, V.U.Jayawadanan, Nanthakumar Punaleraja, Sanmugapalan Thileepan and Kandhaswami Sentl Kumara. The organization has been established for the provision of relief to the displaced persons while upgrading facilities for better physical, mental and living conditions for them. Also, it intends to upgrade education facilities of children. The office is situated at Kathresu road, Werawapuliyankulam, Vavuniya (Daily Mirror : 23 February 2011).

No meeting with Ban Ki-moon - The Government today rejected reports that External Affairs Ministry Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe and Attorney General Mohan Peiris were in New York to meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Deputy Minister of External Affairs Neomal Perera told the Daily Mirror that the External Affairs Ministry Secretary was overseas on a private visit and that, to his knowledge, there was no meeting scheduled between the Attorney General and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The Minister further rejected claims that the government had hindered the UN Secretary Generals’ Expert Panel from contacting the local Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). “We are in constant contact with the UN Secretary General’s office and they have not requested to meet with the LLRC. If they so wish they can contact them through us or even directly”, he said. A representative of the LLRC told the Daily Mirror that any contact between the panel and the LLRC would generally have to be through the External Affairs Ministry. “The Commission has not been contacted, normally however it is understood that any contact would have to be made through the External Affairs Ministry; the Secretary Generals office or the UN office in Colombo would have to contact them- but no such contact has been made,” the representative said. Reports claimed today that besides disallowing the UN Panel to visit Sri Lanka the government had rejected the Secretary Generals offers for those from the Panel to contact members of the LLRC through video conferencing or written questions (Daily Mirror : 23 February 2011).

Army Chief warns of cyber war - No room for physical war against Sri Lanka - Defence against cyber war, duty of all - Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya yesterday warned that though there is no room to wage war to physically devastate the nation, there is yet ample room to launch a cyber war through cyberspace against Sri Lanka that could cause the same destruction.  He made this observation delivering the keynote speech on Strategic Dimensions of Cyber Warfare at the Cyber Warfare Workshop at the Galadari Hotel. The Army Commander said that the number of enemies looking forward to wage war against Sri Lanka through cyberspace is much more than the LTTE. He added that we might never be able to know them all and what their targets are. He said that we knew LTTE as our enemy since they have been our enemy for almost 30 years. Army Commander Jayasuriya explaining of danger of a possible cyber attack stated that the CIA once showed a piece of code in the computer which can even make an explosion even in a gas pipeline in a faraway land without a missile or a bomb. Lieutenant General Jayasuriya said that not only Armed Forces or state leaders, but all Sri Lankans will be the targets if Sri Lanka is attacked through cyberspace. He added that it is not compulsory to attack the Government and its Armed Forces to damage or destroy a nation. The Army Chief said that an irreparable damage could be caused to a nation if the servers that includes the financial information of institutions such as banks which are connected to cyberspace were attacked. “The main responsibility of countering the civil war is the responsibility of the Armed Forces,” the Army Commander said. “However countering a possible cyber war which would definitely become a true threat to this country very soon is not the responsibility of Armed Forces alone. It is the responsibility of yours as well.” Army Commander Jayasuriya said that in combating cyber attacks, all of us, service providers, banking sector, manufacturing sector, government sector together with the Armed Forces must become soldiers and warriors before being victims (Daily News : 23 February 2011).

President meets the Press : What LTTE sought through war will never be given - Second round of govt.- TNA powwow on March 1 - The government would never grant what the LTTE had tried to achieve through its terrorist war, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday when he met newspaper editors at Temple Trees. The President said the next round of talks between the government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had been scheduled for March 01 and its focus would be on legal and constitutional matters. The first round had been on economic and humanitarian issues such as housing, he said (Island : 22 February 2011).

A note on the history-phobia of devolutionists - 't takes centuries of life to make a little history; it takes centuries of history to make a little tradition.’ – Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan The term ‘power sharing’ (like its typically recommended, on-the-ground articulation, ‘devolution’) has been used for a long time in the Sri Lankan political discourse, especially in the context of resolving what are called ‘minority grievances’. Now ‘devolution’ can be argued for outside of ethnic politics as well -- for example in discussions of development, better distribution of wealth, greater degrees of participation in the decision-making processes etc. On the other hand, there is nothing to state that the objectives relevant to these other arguments can only be obtained through devolution. Better structures of governance and decentralization of administrative functions can do the same job. As for ‘development’, the current thinking on relevant economics actually rebels against ‘devolution’. Indeed, in the Sri Lankan context, the devolution argument, when played to its logical conclusion, can result in exacerbating regional disparities. While many devolutionists have alluded to economic and governance factors (selectively and erroneously), these have been little more than an addendum to the principal argumentative thrust, i.e. resolution of issues pertaining to the ‘ethnic’, in particular the grievances/aspirations of the Tamil community. This in turn is predicated on two claims/assumptions: the notion of a ‘traditional homeland’ and demographic realities pertaining to ‘ethnic concentrations’. The former necessitates a reference to and substantiation in terms of historical evidence. The latter, often framed in terms of a description of Sri Lanka as a ‘multi-ethnic’ and ‘multi-religious’ country, necessitates a discussion of relevant numbers and demographic data. On both counts, the advocates of devolution appear to fumble and tongue-tied. Let’s begin with the numbers. First of all, in today’s world of massive demographic shifts within and without countries and continents, there are no pure mono-ethnic nations. The only mono-religious state would be the Vatican (Daily Mirror : 22 February 2011).

Thamilselvan's statue re-erected in France - A statue of former LTTE Political Wing leader Selvakumar Paramamoorthi Thamilchelvan, removed from La Courneuve, France, late last year following protests by Sri Lanka has been re-erected. An official investigating LTTE activity both here and abroad told The Sunday Island that the statue had placed at the exact location, where Tamil Diaspora activists put it up on Nov. 1, 2010 to coincide with the third year death anniversary of the LTTE's one-time overall commander in Jaffna. The SLAF successfully targeted Thamilchelvan's hideout at Kilinochchi on Nov. 1, 2007 about a week after a devastating LTTE commando raid on Anuradhapura SLAF base. He was 40-years at the time of his death which had a devastating impact on the LTTE. The official said Diaspora activists had quietly persuaded French authorities to move back the statue amidst a stepped-up campaign in several parts of the world to 'sanitize' the LTTE.  External Affairs Ministry sources said that a decision by the LTTE rump to challenge the EU ban on the group in the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg was part an overall strategy.  The action is backed by what Diaspora activists called democratically elected body of Eelam Tamils in Switzerland, the Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils (SCET).  Sources said that the Diaspora was now making an attempt to take advantage of the loss of LTTE's conventional military capability to strengthen its case for recognition as a political force. The bottom line was that the Diaspora would push for de-proscription of the LTTE on the basis that it no longer retained a military capability (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry : 22 February 2011).

The Great War Crimes Game - 6 - By Rajiva Wijesinha - Ultimately, I suspect, the farrago about alleged Sri Lankan War Crimes will continue to reverberate or will fade away depending on whether the American government decides to encourage it or not. Unfortunately it is difficult to predict what will happen, precisely because American foreign policy is not just confusing, but also very confused. There are obviously realists in significant positions in Washington, but there are also vague idealists, who are susceptible to all sorts of pressures. Some of them indeed come from commercial advocacy backgrounds and, since they may well have to go back to them, will need to maintain and indeed strengthen their credentials amongst organizations committed to strident activism.  1 The influence of such figures loomed largest just as the Obama administration took over. Since Sri Lanka was comparatively insignificant, it became a field perhaps for wearing consciences on a sleeve, which was not possible in areas more crucial to American interests such as Afghanistand and Iraq and the Middle East in general. Those who had been vocal about abuses earlier had to be more restrained when they found themselves involved in the administration, but such constraints did not apply to Sri Lanka2. Sadly this coincided with the period of greatest hostility on the part of the Labour government, and we can see that the Miliband approach was of some interest to the Americans, though recorded with no evidence of support or otherwise.  In this context, while I can understand worries about the Americans trying to get hold of Prabhakaran for themselves had he surrendered, we need to distinguish between their assertion that he needed to surrender, which it will be remembered was not Miliband’s view, despite repeated questioning by the BBC. I think we need in this regard to register the greater determination of the Americans, and the Norwegians, that the game was up for terrorism, even though the British seemed to suggest that Prabhakaran could survive to fight another day. Similarly, as I have noted previously, we should register the swift positive response of the Americans to our liberation of the Eastern Province: while the Europeans were still hedging their bets, and refusing to accept our right and our need to develop the place, the Americans contributed almost as helpfully as our Asian friends (Island : 22 February 2011).

Sri Lanka Army Commander says Cyber War still continues - Sri Lanka's Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya today said although the physical war waged for 30 years has come to an end, the warfare has not come to an end by eliminating terrorists from this country as the 'cyber war', the war on information highway, is still continuing.  Delivering the keynote address at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo on "Strategic Dimensions of Cyber Warfare", at the 'Cyber Warfare Workshop - 2011,' the Army Commander said the Cyber Warfare is an emerging threat to the entire world.  The workshop was organized by the department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Moratuwa and the Information Technology and Communications Engineering Sectional Committee of the Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka.  Describing various cyber-attacks around the world, the Army Commander said during the humanitarian operation the Army web site also encountered a web defacement attack.  "Even at present there are continuous efforts been made to hack into our network which we have successfully defended up to now," he said.  Lieutenant General Jayasuriya warned of anti-Sri Lankan forces and pro-LTTE activists around the world.  The number of pro-LTTE websites launching false propaganda is thousands in numbers he said adding that "..and even at this moment there may be hundreds of thousands of people reading them and looking at this country with an awful eye." The Army Chief assured that no one can launch any physical attack on Sri Lanka but warned that they can attack in cyber space.  "Though they do not have any room in the physical space, they have plenty of room to launch attacks on the cyberspace," he said.  He alerted the audience to the possibility of attacks on the computers with vital information such as financial networks of the country and emphasized the need to properly maintain updated security systems and to continuously monitor those systems externally and internally to ensure that there are no loopholes or vulnerabilities.  The Commander pointed out that countering the physical war with the terrorists was the responsibility of the armed forces but to counter the cyber war every sector is responsible.  "In combating this, all of us, service providers, banking sector, manufacturing sector, government sector together with armed forces must become soldiers and warriors before been victims of it," the Army Chief said (Colombo page ; 22 February 2011).

Thirumavalavan denied entry into Sri Lanka - Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol. Thirumavalavan and two of his associates were sent back from the Colombo airport on arrival from Chennai early on Tuesday. They had come here to attend the funeral of Parvathy Ammal, mother of slain LTTE leader Prabhakaran. Speaking over phone, Mr. Thirumavalavan said that soon after he landed, he and the two others were escorted to the office of the Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) at the airport. He was told that he would not be allowed entry. Mr. Thirumavalavan asked if there was any criminal case against him in Sri Lanka and also informed the CIO that he was a Member of Parliament. “I asked them what the reason to send me back was. But there was no satisfactory reply,” he said. The CIO maintained that he had instructions from the Controller-General of Immigration in this regard and that he was in no position to entertain any requests from the MP. Mr. Thirumavalavan said that he requested to speak to the Controller-General, but this could not be arranged at that hour. He said that in the register maintained at the CIO's office, his name figured in a no-entry list and had some comments which read: ‘Do not allow to enter; send back to India.' (Hindu : 22 February 2011).

The Jehan-Paikiasothy Awards Tango – stripes, tails and all! - Your hero need not be mine and mine need not be yours. We all have our personal definitions of heroism which are often coloured by the peculiarities of ideology and preferred political outcomes. However, even conceding this natural relativism in the matter of cheering, there is legitimacy in making observations on certain choices that people have. Suffice to say that a Mafia boss would be hero to his minions, just as a terrorist supreme would be god king to brainwashed and/or ignorant followers. Now the National Peace Council (synonymous with ‘Jehan Perera’ by the implications of his confession to me in Celigny, Switzerland on February 24, 2006) has found some cash and has decided to dish out some honours, a ‘peace award’ no less, and has picked Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu as maiden recipient. The relativism pertaining to ascertaining heroic quality alluded to above would not persuade anyone to think that this is against the run of play. It is the title that begs comment. Jehan has called it ‘Citizens Peace Award’ (Lakbima News).

HSZs shrink upon LLRC recommendations : 256 houses returned to owners - The government has taken action to release lands in the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the country in keeping with the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) being implemented by the Inter Agency Committee (IAC).  256 houses surrounding the Palaly HSZ have already been returned to civilians and another 2392 houses have been identified for civilian occupation in more than 2500 hectares of the land that was set apart for HSZs. These lands will be returned to their original owners.  The Government Department of Information said there is no policy of forced settlement on the part of the government.  ‘The government is of the firm policy that any citizen of Sri Lanka is equally free to purchase land or own land anywhere in the country. There is no policy of expansion of High Security Zones (HSZs), as alleged by some. On the contrary, the policy is to shrink such Zones, as rapidly and as significantly as possible’.  A Land Kachcheri system is being considered by the GoSL to resolve land issues, and it is awaiting the final recommendations of the LLRC. It is an established mechanism of state land allocation where the Government Agent of the District after due and fair inquiry plays a central role in assigning ownership and tenurial rights.  The State wherever it occupies lands of those who have been identified as owners, pays rents for occupation of such lands, the release added.  The IAC chaired by the Attorney General has taken the initiative to implement practical measures to strengthen the reconciliation process. The LLRC had made recommendations with regard to the detention of suspects, land issues, law and order, administrative and language issues, and the socio-economic and livelihood issues pursuant to its Warrant dated May 15, 2010 (Island : 21 February 2011).

Accommodating Tamil Diaspora - by Ira de Silva, London, Canada - It is reported that the High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka wants Sri Lanka to "accommodate" the Canadian Tamil Diaspora. He is said to have emphasized ‘the importance of giving the Canada-based Tamil Diaspora an opportunity to be a part of the re-building and reconciliation process". That is indeed good news ONLY if Mr. Levy has confirmation from the Canada based Tamil Diaspora that they want to be a part of the rebuilding process. If he has got their commitment, he should publicise it both in Canada and Sri Lanka as otherwise his views are merely wishful thinking. Mr. Levy must be aware that it was the major portion of the Canadian Tamil Diaspora that for decades funded the LTTE to terrorise Sri Lanka. Since May 2009, the Canadian Tamil Congress of the Tamil diaspora, which is the main group in Canada, has made many statements that they will continue to work towards the division of Sri Lanka. They are a major part of the so-called Eelam Government in Exile and dedicated to work against the Government and people of Sri Lanka until they divide the country. Just recently they have even started issuing Eelam identity cards. Given these actions, I wonder what part of the Tamil Diaspora Mr. Levy is referring to and wanting the Government of Sri Lanka to give an "opportunity" to when it appears that the only "opportunity" the Canadian Tamil Congress wants is a way to get their Eelam. There has been no mention of help in reconciliation or rebuilding in Sri Lanka even though this same diaspora contributed in a large way towards the destruction and deaths caused by the LTTE in Sri Lanka by their steadfast support of the LTTE, their well known financial support of almost two million dollars a month for terrorism in Sri Lanka, the most well known contribution being to finance the bombing of the Central Bank in Colombo. As for the Tamil National Alliance in Sri Lanka, which was the mouthpiece of the LTTE, they too have shown no effort to get the Tamil Diaspora in Canada and elsewhere to help in reconciliation and rebuilding. The LTTE millions collected prior to May 2009 are still overseas, more money is being collected and the LTTE supporters overseas are continuing their efforts to use their money and numbers to buy politicians to condemn Sri Lanka and achieve their goal of Tamil Eelam. If the Tamil Diaspora has any concern for those who have been affected by the war they financed, the least they can do is help re-build what they destroyed. In Canada they are "influencing" all the major political parties! Has Mr. Levy made this statement because while the LTTE supporters are trying to "influence" the politicians, the Canadian politicians of the current Government have "influenced" them to change their attitude towards Sri Lanka from hostile to "accommodating"? (Island : 21 February 2011).

Prabhakaran’s mother dies

The Great War Crimes Game - v - by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha - We can understand why some sections of the diaspora are so intent on persecuting us with regard to war crimes. While dealing firmly with their allegations, we should forgive them and see how they can be convinced that the situation has changed since the times when they left Sri Lanka in understandable bitterness. We can also understand why some sections of the political opposition, including their fellow travelers in the politically motivated advocacy sector, push the same agenda. Their rationales, and the benefits they obtain through this agenda, should be checked on and placed before the public, to ensure the transparency and accountability they honour in the breach. But most worrying, and most difficult to understand, is the agenda of those in foreign countries who go on and on about atrocities in a manner that echoes and lends strength to the efforts of the Sri Lankans with political aims. Often they work in tandem with Sri Lankans, as we found with Rolf Timans, who was supposed to advise the European Union on Human Rights, and who knew nothing about Sri Lanka except what he was fed by Sri Lankans inimical to the government (whom the EU regularly funded). They even make clear their political views sometimes, as when Lord Mandelson laid into a Sri Lankan Minister who had left the UNP to join the government, complaining that the Sri Lankan people had rejected a great statesman in the form of Ranil Wickremesinghe. And the EU certainly continued to play into the hands of the Sri Lankan opposition, when they made the reactivation of the 17th Amendment a condition for renewing the GSP+ Trade Concession, when it patently had nothing to do with the principles considered relevant in such matters (Island : 20 February 2011).

HC Levy wants Sri Lanka to accommodate Tamil Diaspora - By Asoka Weerasinghe, Canada - His Excellency Bruce Levy High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka Canadian High Commission Gregory Road Colombo 7, SRI LANKA; Dear Bruce Levy: Having just returned from a short holiday in Cuba, it was with great trepidation that I read your comment of concern that, “HC Levy wants Sri Lanka to accommodate Canadian Tamil Diaspora”. Accommodate what may I ask? Surely you are not requesting the Sri Lankan government to give them one-third of the real estate of the north and east of the island bordered by 60 percent of the coast line that 30,000 of the Tamils took to the streets of Ottawa and Toronto carrying head-high a sea of red Tamil Tiger flags on March, April and May of 2009 asking the Canadian government to speak for them and not to let the Sri Lankan armed forces wipe out the Tamil Tigers who were fighting for that very separate Tamil racist state, Eelam. Come on Bruce! You know that it will never happen, especially when Canada, the country you represent wouldn’t want to hand over the Canadian Province of Quebec to the separatist Quebecois, little alone to the October 1970’s FLQ. I believe that you mis-spoke these words because you were wearing the Diplomat’s hat, but I know you are too much of an intelligent public servant to get involved in Sri Lankan affairs supporting the post-1983 Tamil Diaspora knowing why 90% of them are living in Canada. They all fell on their knees with palms together saying that they were persecuted by the Sri Lankan government and wanting Canada to consider them as Convention Refugees, but only to get on the first flight out of Toronto’s Pearson Airport to Colombo’s International Airport after they were issued a Canadian passport. They were all economic refugees searching for greener pastures. Correct? You are aware of this scam as much as I do (LankaWeb : 20 February 2011).

Prabhakaran’s mother dies - The ailing mother of slain LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhkaran died yesterday morning at a hospital in Jaffna.  Parvathi Ammal (81), had been at the Velvettiturai hospital for several months and was being looked after by Tamil MP Sivajilingham since the death of her husband in January last year.  "She was very sick and died early this morning in hospital," the MP said.  As her condition began to deteriorate last year, she flew back to Sri Lanka from Malaysia and was admitted to the Jaffna hospital.  Prabakaran’s mother had also sought permission to obtain treatment in India last year. A legal issue later broke out following her request as the LTTE was a banned outfit in India and her son was the leader of the outfit.  The Madras High Court had later given two weeks’ time to Parvathi Ammal to give a representation to the state government if she wanted to undergo medical treatment in Tamil Nadu, following which she had sent an e-mail to the government seeking permission.  The state government had written to the Union Home Secretary to consider allowing Parvathi Ammal to be treated, provided certain conditions were met.  However, Ammal had later refused to travel to India and obtain treatment owing to the conditions which were imposed by India (Island ; 20 February 2011).

Special care for children's homes in North - Governor - The Government has introduced several measures for the proper care of nearly 5,000 children in orphanages in the Northern province and to provide them a better future, Northern province Governor Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri told the Sunday Observer .  He held two rounds of discussions in the presence of all authorities concerned, including Divisional Secretaries and Probation Officers. He said that all orphanages/children's homes would be registered and district level committees will be appointed to monitor the children's welfare in the homes.  After defeating LTTE terrorism in May 2009, the Security Forces found children in various illegal children's homes run by the LTTE, including the Chencholai home, which the LTTE abandoned and there was no one to take care of the children, he said. People fled to Chettikulam in the final days of the war against terrorism and the LTTE retreated leaving the children. Thereafter, government authorities took steps to hand over the children to homes run by Catholic and Hindu organisations and other childcare homes, he said (Sunday Observer : 20 February 2011).

Jaffna fishermen make fervent appeal: Ensure livelihood of Northern fishermen - In the backdrop of the government releasing 130 South Indian fishermen on Friday, the chairperson of the Jaffna Fishermen’s Federation S. Thavaratnam and his deputy A. Emiliyampillai have highlighted the plight of the Northern fisherfolk and called upon the governments of both countries to ensure their livelihood.  Thavaratnam told the Sunday Observer that the Jaffna fisherfolk had suffered immensely due to terrorism which dragged on for three decades in the Peninsula and the country at large.  “The hardships we had faced in the North had driven us to the brink of famine and death.  “With the end of the dark era two years ago, the restrictions that prevailed in the seas around the Jaffna peninsula have now been relaxed and the fisherfolk are gradually stabilising themselves with their fishing activities in the Northern seas.  Therefore, at this juncture the encroachment of any foreign fishing craft into Sri Lanka’s territorial waters should not be tolerated as it would affect the livelihood of thousands of fishermen in the Jaffna peninsula,” Thavaratnam said.  Commenting on Indian fishermen encroaching into Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, he said, that they were not against the South Indian fishermen and added that when Indian fishermen encroach on our seas with their powerful fishing trawlers, all our resources in the seas including the shells were netted on a vast scale.  ”Therefore, our fishermen are adversely affected and nothing is left for them to fish in the Northern waters, he said.  He said the South Indian fishing vessels could be seen from a distance of 10-20 kilometres from the shores in Jaffna. “The South Indian vessels come in hundreds and net sea food worth around Indian Rs. 600,000 in our waters (Sunday Observer : 20 February 2011).

PRESS RELEASE -  Government to shrink HSZ and implement measures for national reconciliation - The government has taken progressive action to release lands in the High Security Zones (HSZ) in the country. 256 houses surrounding the Palaly HSZ have already been returned to civilians. and another 2392 houses have been identified for civilian occupation in more than 2500 hectares of the land that were set apart for HSZ. These lands will be returned to their original owners on an initiative taken by the special committee under the chairmanship of High Court of Jaffna.  The Government of Sri Lanka categorically states that there is no policy of forced settlement on the part of the government. Further the government is of the firm policy that any citizen of Sri Lanka is equally free to purchase land or own land anywhere in the country.  These actions have been taken by the Inter- Agency Advisory Committee (IAAC) appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement the recommendations of the Lesson Learnt Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The LLRC had made interim recommendations highlighting the issues which deserved the agent attention to provide relief and to give impetus to the process of reconciliation.  Now the IAAC chaired by the Attorney General has taken the initiative to implement practical measures to strengthen the related process that are already underway. The LLRC had made the recommendations to be taken with regard to detention of suspects, Land issues, law and order, administrative and language issues and the socio-economic and livelihood issues pursuant to its Warrant dated May 15, 2010.  With regard to the matters pertaining to detention A four-member special committee, chaired by a Deputy Solicitor-General was appointed from the Attorney-General's Department to study the cases of LTTE suspects in detention and expedite legal action where necessary. The objective of the Committee is to expedite releases for rehabilitation, or expedite investigations where adequate evidence of hardcore involvement in the LTTE is available. The Committee began its work by visiting the Boossa Detention Centre and interviewing 182 detainees on 19th January 2011. A further 80 detainees from Boossa were interviewed in Colombo on 22nd January 2011. The team of officers also visited the Omanthai camp on 31st January 2011 (The Official News Portal of the Government of Sri Lanka : 19 February 2011).

Rudrakumaran launches fund raiser through "registration’’

Rudrakumaran launches fund raiser through "registration’’ - In a bid to consolidate his position, V. Rudrakumaran, who has emerged as the leader of the Tamil Diaspora recently launched a two-pronged strategy to bolster strength of his so-called Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) and also to raise funds. The US-based one-time LTTE legal advisor has offered to register Sri Lankan Tamils living overseas with TGTE for $ 15 each. The TGTE plans to issue a special Identity Card for Tamils. Rudrakumaran calls himself Prime Minister of the TGTE. Sri Lankan intelligence sources told The Sunday Island that this would help Rudrakumaran’s efforts to outshine those challenging his leadership. Sources asserted that the ongoing project would strengthen the Rudrakumaran faction both politically and financially. They said that anyone obtaining TGTE membership could end up a regular contributor to the Eelam project. But they were confident that overseas Tamils would, for good reason, be cautious about providing their personal details that are being sought. The External Affairs Ministry in Colombo believes that the latest Eelam project could lead to further divisions among Diaspora factions. Sources said that foreign governments should take action to abort Rudrakumaran’s plans. Most of the Diaspora Tamils had secured citizenship of the respective countries where they live, they said, and those who still didn’t have citizenship were mostly illegals. The LTTE launched a project to issue a special ID card in the late 90s with a view to identify those who could contribute financially to strengthen its war coffers, primarily to buy arms and ammunition. After the success of the pilot project launch in Switzerland, the LTTE gradually expand the operation to other countries. Sources said that the LTTE had used the ID system to control the Diaspora and there had been many instances of the available information being used for credit card frauds, money laundering and blackmailing etc. Some of the data gathered had even been used to produce fake Sri Lankan National ID cards in order to hide the identity of LTTE operatives, particularly those assigned suicide missions and clandestine operations. Recently Switzerland targeted Diaspora involved in illegal money collecting operations. ``It’s a pity overseas Tamils are still harassed by Eelam activists despite the defeat of terrorism in May 2009,’’ one source said (Island : 19 February 2011).

Thamilselvan’s statue re-erected in France -  A statue of former LTTE Political Wing leader Selvakumar Paramamoorthi Thamilchelvan, removed from La Courneuve, France, late last year following protests by Sri Lanka has been re-erected. An official investigating LTTE activity both here and abroad told The Sunday Island that the statue had placed at the exact location, where Tamil Diaspora activists put it up on Nov. 1, 2010 to coincide with the third year death anniversary of the LTTE’s one-time overall commander in Jaffna. The SLAF successfully targeted Thamilchelvan’s hideout at Kilinochchi on Nov. 1, 2007 about a week after a devastating LTTE commando raid on Anuradhapura SLAF base. He was 40-years at the time of his death which had a devastating impact on the LTTE. The official said Diaspora activists had quietly persuaded French authorities to move back the statue amidst a stepped-up campaign in several parts of the world to ‘sanitize’ the LTTE. External Affairs Ministry sources said that a decision by the LTTE rump to challenge the EU ban on the group in the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg was part an overall strategy. The action is backed by what Diaspora activists called democratically elected body of Eelam Tamils in Switzerland, the Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils (SCET). Sources said that the Diaspora was now making an attempt to take advantage of the loss of LTTE’s conventional military capability to strengthen its case for recognition as a political force. The bottom line was that the Diaspora would push for de-proscription of the LTTE on the basis that it no longer retained a military capability. The LTTE fighting cadre collapsed on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon on May 19, 2009. Sources said that with re-erection of Thamilchelvam’s statue in France, the Diaspora could adopt similar tactics in other countries, home to large Sri Lankan Tamil communities. Thamilchelvan had been among those trained in India in 1984 and is widely believed to one of the senior commanders responsible for child recruitment and forcing every family to contribute at least one person to the LTTE fighting cadre. Sources said that an organization called Franco-Tamil association of La Courneuve had been responsible for placing the bust of S.P.Tamilselvan, sculpted by a local artist, opposite the Art gallery ‘Le Sens de l’Art’ in La Courneuve, within the district of Seine-Saint Denis. Some elected members of the Municipal Council of La Courneuve had participated at the event in last November when the statue was first unveiled (Island : 19 February 2011).

US$ 280 million needed for Sri Lanka's Northern recovery - UN - Recovery programs slated for the war-affected Northern Sri Lanka need US$ 280 million, a joint action plan lunched by the United Nations along with the Sri Lankan government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) states. Describing the UN's humanitarian efforts in Sri Lanka at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) press conference on Friday at Geneva, the outgoing UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne said there is a huge amount of work need to be done in rebuilding houses, schools, government buildings and other infrastructure in the devastated region. The "Joint Plan for Assistance for the Northern Province (JPA)" lunched on February 01, outlines the key needs for the next 12 months, and identifies priority activities and strategies to be undertaken during 2011, according to the UN official. The JPA provides a framework for meeting immediate needs while linking interventions to the early - and medium-term recovery efforts including the priorities of building shelters and homes, supporting agriculture, food security and livelihood recovery. The JPA has planned recovery programs for 2011 at a cost of US$ 280 million. Buhne said that there are about 18,000 war-displaced currently remaining in the welfare centers while another 5,000 ex-combatants are in government detention centers. The displaced in welfare centers are mostly from the Mullaitivu district where the demining is still in progress and the official said he expects all of them to be resettled by mid-year. The UN official said there are only few hardcore ex-LTTE combatants waiting for leaga proceedings and most of the 5,000 detainees are undergoing government-run rehabilitation programs. When asked Buhne said the UN or Red Cross does not have access to the detainees while they are in the detention centers but UN provides assistance for them to reintegrate into the society once they are released. The UN coordinator commended the steps taken by the government to reconstruct the Northern Province and said there needs to be a "very deliberate" program to foster reconciliation and pointed out the need for large community programs (Colombo Page : 19 February 2011).

Timidity takes US nowhere, well done Ambassador - ..... By our delaying a consensus political solution to our problem we are giving space to the hostile Tamil Diaspora to harm us. The Tamil Diaspora have not given up on their efforts to harm this country after the defeat of the LTTE; if at all they have intensified their efforts. I do hope that the government’s intelligence arm abroad is not staffed with friends but with professionals. There is nothing more important than good intelligence to deal with the threats and challenges facing our country. The government must keep itself aware of the LTTE’s overseas operations. It does not seem that the lobbyists retained at great expense have had the desired impact. If they had, we should by now had a strong pro-Lanka lobby in the UK in particular, for the countries of the EU take the cue from the UK when it comes to issues relating to Sri Lanka. The eight or ten left loonies who are dependent of Tamil votes in their marginal constituencies in the UK have been having a field day and have been able to hold five meetings of the House of Commons to malign Sri Lanka. Surely the House of Commons has 256 members, most of whom are not hostile to our country with which Britain has had relations for over 150 years. As for the European Parliament, though it is an elected body, it is different to other Parliaments in that it was no legislative power of its own. It is more a consultative body and quite unwieldy as it has 627 members representing the 27 countries of the EU. Its decision making is consequently quite chaotic. The Parliament represents all shades of political opinion in Europe. The Conservative right and the Socialists are the two main political groups, the Greens and the Communists are peripheral and are parties in search of a cause to ‘champion’. The power centers of the EU are the European Commission which is the executive arm and the Council of Ministers of the European Union..... (Island : 19 February 2011).

Developing a roadmap for reconstruction and development activities in Jaffna - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) together with the Jaffna District Secretariat will organise a workshop titled, "Development in Jaffna" on Saturday 19 February 2011 in Jaffna, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to share visions and propose necessary actions for the development of the district. Since March 2010, JICA has been supporting the implementation of a programme to plan the rapid development and reconstruction of the Jaffna district. Under this programme, pilot projects in various sectors are being implemented in the district and taking into consideration lessons learnt from these projects, a roadmap (a detailed plan) to promote post-conflict rehabilitation in the district is under preparation. At the workshop, JICA will present findings from studies and also lessons learnt from pilot projects with regard to socio-economic activities in Jaffna. Stakeholders, from the Government of Sri Lanka, private sector, donor community, civil society and non governmental organizations, will discuss visions and actions for further rehabilitation and development of agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing industries as well as communities in the district. The final recommendations will be incorporated into the roadmap which is to be finalized in August this year. JICA's assistance to the conflict-affected communities in the Northern Province also includes sustainable improvement of livelihoods, restoration of social and economic infrastructure and the enhancement of community capacities (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry : 19 February 2011).

LTTE Tamil Tiger Terrorists a threat to not only to Tamil Nadu, but also to several states of India

Canadian High Commissioner wants Sri Lanka to Accomodate Canadian Tamil Diaspora – February 18,2010 - by Ira de Silva London, Canada - The Editor The Island Colombo, Sri Lanka; Dear Sir: The news reported is that the High Commissioner for Canada in Sri Lanka wants Sri Lanka to “accommodate” the Canadian Tamil Diaspora. It further states that he “emphasized the importance of giving the Canada-based Tamil Diaspora an opportunity to be a part of the re-building and reconciliation process”. That is indeed good news ONLY if Mr. Levy has confirmation from the Canada based Tamil Diaspora that they want to be a part of the rebuilding process. If he has got their commitment, he should publicise it both in Canada and Sri Lanka as otherwise his views are merely wishful thinking. Mr. Levy must be aware that it was the major portion of the Canadian Tamil Diaspora that for decades funded the LTTE to terrorise Sri Lanka. Since May 2009, the Canadian Tamil Congress of the Tamil diaspora, which is the main group in Canada, has made many statements that they will continue to work towards the division of Sri Lanka. They are a major part of the so-called Eelam Government in Exile and dedicated to work against the Government and people of Sri Lanka until they divide the country. Just recently they have even started issuing Eelam identity cards. Given these actions, I wonder what part of the Tamil Diaspora Mr. Levy is referring to and wanting the Government of Sri Lanka to give an “opportunity” to when it appears that the only “opportunity” the Canadian Tamil Congress wants is a way to get their Eelam (Island : 19 February 2011).

Army helps family of Tiger cadre - Last Tuesday, the Sri Lanka Army came to the assistance of a family of an LTTE cadre now in custody. The army built a house and handed it over to the destitute family. The recent floods had caused irreparable damage to the house the Tiger cadre’s family lived in Omanthai. The soldiers moved in quickly to help the suffering wife and the five children of the LTTE cadre.   The army had decided to help 150 distressed families in Omanthai by building houses for them (Island : 19 February 2011).

Support war crimes inquiry-British MPs - A group of 41 British MPs- members or Supporters of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils- in a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron urged to support an independent, international war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka  These MPs drawn from the three major parties at Westminster said that “This is a major issue of concern for British parliamentarians, and follows credible evidence provided by the US State Department, the European Commission and International Crisis Group, as well as the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, that war crimes could have taken place in Sri Lanka.”  The MPs believe it is important for the future prospects of peace and reconciliation on the island that these allegations are investigated in a robust and impartial fashion (Daily Mirror : 18 February 2011)..

Insider trading trial: Rajaratnam trial in March Grant McCool - The defence team for accused Galleon hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam is ready to “rock” for next month’s criminal trial on insider trading charges. In court on Wednesday for the final pretrial hearing, Rajaratnam briefly stood for the formality of responding to a second superseding indictment returned by a grand jury on January 20.  “Yes, Your Honour,” and “Not Guilty, Your Honour,” Rajaratnam said in response to questions from US District Judge Richard Holwell, who will preside over the six- to eight-week long trial starting on March 8.  Onetime billionaire Rajaratnam is charged with conspiracy to commit securities fraud which together carry a prison sentence of up to 25 years.  He was arrested and charged in October 2009 and he is the central figure in what US prosecutors describe as the biggest probe of insider trading at hedge funds on record. Out of about two dozen people criminally charged in the case, in which investigators made unprecedented use of secret recordings of phone conversations in a white-collar crime probe, 19 have pleaded guilty instead of going to trial.  “We’ll rock on March 8,” Rajaratnam’s main lawyer, Washington defence attorney John Dowd, said after the hearing in US District Court in New York. “It was helpful to tee things up for the judge on the tapes.”  Last November, Rajaratnam lost a bid to suppress the government’s wiretap evidence.  The court heard on Wednesday that the government could introduce as many as 173 tape recordings to the jury.  Prosecutors declined to comment after the hearing (Daily News : 18 February 2011).

Tamil media asked not to undermine reconciliation process - Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister, Dallas Alahapperuma, on behalf of Sri Lanka Government, on Tuesday (15), appealed to the Tamil media not to engage in a campaign to destabilize the country.  It is widely believed that the government fear, a section of the Tamil media will make a sustained attempt to undermine the ongoing post-war reconciliation efforts.  The SLFP is concerned that the Local Government polls campaign could be exploited by those bent on keeping the separatist sentiments alive.  Addressing the media at the Mahaweli auditorium, the UPFA National List MP requested the Tamil media to desist from backing politicians who were promoting ethnic disharmony.  Alahapperuma said that no one should pursue political strategies at the expense of stability achieved through military means.  Sources said that the government was concerned about the possibility of the LG polls campaign being a hindrance to current talks between the government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), one-time mouthpiece of the LTTE. The TNA went to the extent of declaring the LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamil speaking people (Asian Tribune : 18 February 2011).

HC Levy wants SL to accommodate Canadian Tamil Diaspora - SL welcomes suggestion, calls for Canada et al to pressure LTTE rump - Canadian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Bruce Levy, during a meeting with Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem on Wednesday (16), emphasized the importance of giving the Canada-based Tamil Diaspora an opportunity to be a part of the re-building and reconciliation process. A spokesperson for the Canadian High Commission told The Island that Levy and Hakeem had discussed long-term political reconciliation and ongoing deliberations between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which once endorsed the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people.  The spokesperson said that recent reports of intimidation of local media, too, had come up for discussion with HC Levy stressing the need for prompt and thorough investigations.  The HC statement said that Levy had also discussed the situation in flood affected areas and forthcoming local government polls.  Levy recently toured some of the worst flood affected areas.  Responding to HC Levy’s concerns, a senior government official told The Island that the Tamil Diaspora not only based in Canada but the world over was free to join the reconciliation process. The official said that the LTTE rump and the Diaspora were still trying to promote separatist sentiments in spite of destruction of the LTTE’s conventional military capability.  Sources said that the international community should pressure the Diaspora to be realistic and come to an understanding with the government (Island ; 17 February 2011).

Galleon Probers Trailed Rajaratnam Through Tips, Tamils and Taps - The insider-trading trial of Galleon Group LLC co-founder Raj Rajaratnam next month is the culmination of U.S. investigations dating back 12 years that involved blind alleys, anonymous tips, wiretaps and a trip into the Tamil Tiger underworld before prosecutors got their man.  Rajaratnam, 53, stands accused by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara of leading an insider-trading conspiracy that earned his fund about $45 million. He has pleaded not guilty.  Testimony at a four-day hearing in October to consider the admissibility of wiretaps showed what evidence the U.S. is likely to rely on at trial, set for March 8, as well as much of the inside story of how investigators cracked the case.  The government began pursuing the Sri Lankan-born Rajaratnam as long ago as 1999. Federal prosecutors in California and New York, as well the Securities and Exchange Commission, would eventually carry out what became the largest insider-trading probe of hedge funds. To date, at least 26 people have been charged; 19 have pleaded guilty.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it considered placing an undercover agent inside the New York-based Galleon firm, before opting instead to tap his phones because it had no viable candidate. The case was woven from other threads, including a former Intel Corp. employee’s confessions; a 2006 regulatory probe of his brother Rengan, instant messages from Rajaratnam; and a March 2007 anonymous letter to the SEC.  “To Whom it May Concern: it is hedge funds like Galleon Group that create wealth for their shareholders and themselves at the expense of innocent investors,” according to letter, which was read during the October hearing in New York. “‘Insider trading’ word in this fund should be changed to ‘insider partnership and prostitution.’” (Bloomberg : 17 February 2011).

LTTE ban to be challenged in European Court Wednesday, 16 February 2011 - The proscription of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the European Union will be challenged in the Court of Justice of the European Communities in Luxembourg, said Amsterdam based lawyer Victor Koppe while giving an exclusive interview to TamilNet, Tuesday. Unlike the previous legal instances, now there is direct community involvement EelamTamils in the legal field are actively involved in making this case, and the move is backed by a democratically elected body of Eelam Tamils in Switzerland, the Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils (SCET), said Arulnithila Deivendran, the spokesperson for the SCET. The attitude of governments to negate the sovereignty of Eezham Tamils by deliberately confusing it with the LTTE, has prompted the legal action, she further said. Victor Koppe represents an Amsterdam-based law firm with wide range of expertise in International Law and European Law. Koppe, having experience in presenting cases in the tribunals on Cambodia and Sierra Leone, recently took up some cases of Eezham Tamils in the Netherlands, prosecuted for alleged involvement with the LTTE.  The EU declared the LTTE a terrorist organisation in 2006, following the earlier proscriptions of the USA and Canada. The ban criminalises any activity that could be connected to the LTTE. But, there are some good arguments why the LTTE cannot be considered a terrorist organisation and why the ban in the EU is legally flawed, Victor Koppe told TamilNet. The arguments have never been heard in a European Court of Law, he further said.  The LTTE is an organisation fighting for the fundamental rights of the Tamils, which is acceptable to the charter of the UN and the international treaties, is the position taken by Koppe.  The EU has recently extended the ban for another six months and the ban has to be challenged within a stipulated period of two months.  The ban was imposed by the EU in 2006 despite advanced opinion against it expressed by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) of the Nordic countries constituted to monitor the Cease Fire Agreement between the LTTE and the Government of Sri Lanka.  The countries that constituted the SLMM, except Norway and Iceland, were Member States of the EU.  Following the ban, LTTE leader Velupillai Pirapaharan requested replacement of the SLMM officials coming from the EU Member States monitoring the CFA (Island ; 17 February 2011).

Sri Lankan war probe call renewed by pro-LTTE British Lawmakers - Asian Tribune time and again has shown subtle and clandestine efforts of pro-LTTE sections of the Tamil diaspora and Tiger-sympathetic Western countries, calling for so-called ‘independent’ war crime investigations on Sri Lanka.  Although an overwhelming majority of Tamils in Sri Lanka do not favor a war crimes probe as it would seriously hamper and even derail ongoing reconstruction, resettlement, reconciliation and development activities in the North and East, the vocal majority of Tamil diaspora think otherwise.  In it’s latest bid, a political arm of LTTE in United Kingdom, All Party Parliamentary Group for the Tamils (ALPGT), which is still run by Tiger operatives issued a statement calling for an “independent, international inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s 25 year civil conflict”, with the help of several longstanding pro-LTTE Members of Parliament.  The Asian Tribune has exclusively exposed the scandal-ridden backgrounds of the scandalous MPs. (see http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6303  and http://www.asiantribune.com/node/6321 ). 41 British MPs drawn from the three major parties (i.e Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats) at Westminster, have written to the British Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to add Britain’s support to calls for an independent, international inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s 25 year civil conflict. The MPs are all Members or Supporters of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (Asian Tribune ; 17 February 2011).

‘Indian Consulate in Jaffna interfered in judicial process’ - Consular General denies allegation - The Indian Counsel General in Jaffna V. Mahalingam had interfered in the judicial process following the seizure of 112 Indian fishermen along with 18 trawlers in the general area north of Point Pedro on Tuesday night, sources told TheIsland. The Indian Counsel General had raised the issue with the Point Pedro Magistrate Mrs. Sirinidhi Nandasekeran and sought an early release of the fishermen and their boats, sources said adding that in spite of Indian pressure, the Magistrate on Wednesday (16) had remanded the fishermen to judicial custody for 14 days. Responding to a query by The Island, yesterday Mahalingam denied the allegation. He said India would take up the fishermen’s issue with the Sri Lankan government. India set up a Consulate in Jaffna on Nov. 27, 2010. Sources said that some of the fishermen in custody had told the Point Pedro Magistrate that Tamil Nadu authorities had told them to go ahead with fishing in Sri Lankan waters (Island ; 17 February 2011).

LTTE a threat to several States - India - The Indian Central Government has stressed that there is an LTTE threat not only to Tamil Nadu but also to several other States.  The Government expressed this view yesterday, despite a claim by Tamil Nadu Deputy Police General, Letika Saran that there is no presence of operatives of the banned LTTE in the State. Reports emanating from India said that New Delhi will leave no room for the LTTE to regroup on Indian soil and has upheld that there was certainly a LTTE threat posed on the security of the country. Letika Saran had told reporters in Tiruchi yesterday though there was no LTTE elements in Tamil Nadu the Police will give adequate protection to leaders in the State at the upcoming election.  Meanwhile, the High Court in Chennai has upheld that the controversial politician Vaiko who had challenged the ban imposed on LTTE for 2 years by a special tribunal headed by Justice Vikramjit Sen of the New Delhi High Court is not an aggrieved party to challenge the Tribunal order of the New Delhi High Court to ban the LTTE for 2 years.  Tamil Nadu Chief Justice M.Y Eqbal and Justice T.S Sivagnanam who heard the case of Vaiko has stressed that Vaiko has no right to stand or seek an intervention on behalf of the LTTE (Sri Lanka Defence Ministry : 17 February 2011).

Over 5,000 DMK members, including MPs Kanimozhi, TKS Elango-van, AKS Vijayan and Helen Davidson arrested

File photo : Vaiko with late LTTE Tamil Tiger leader, Prabhakaran

5,000 DMK men in TN arrested - Over 5000 DMK members, including MPs Kanimozhi, TKS Elango-van, AKS Vijayan and Helen Davidson, courted arrest on Wednesday after holding demonstrations in protest against the detention of over 100 fishermen of Nagapattinam and their 18 trawlers in north Sri Lanka. While the protestors alleged that the TN fishermen were taken by the Sri Lankan navy, reports from the island said they were apprehended by Tamil fishermen in Jaffna. All the arrested protestors were released in the evening. That the TN fishermen and their trawlers were apprehended at sea by their Lankan counterparts and not the island navy was acknowledged even by pro-LTTE website TamilNet which justified the seizure. The TN fishermen used bottom-trawlers which “destroyed the livelihood of Eezham fishermen… in spite of repeated complaints by the local fishermen over a long period of time,” said TamilNet, adding that the TN fishermen would not dare to venture into the Eezham waters when the Sea Tigers, the navy wing of the LTTE, was operating (Deccan Herald : 17 February 2011)..

LLRC wraps up public hearings - The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) will end public sittings following its field visits scheduled for February 18 and 19. The February 18 meeting will take place in Matara while the February 19 meeting will take place in Galle. These two meetings were open to the public and the public were allowed to give both oral and written evidence, LLRC media consultant Lakshman Wickramasinghe said. The Commission requires time to anylize evidence gathered from the public during the past several months before handing over its final report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said. According to Wickremasinghe, the Commission will hold pocket meetings or summon relevant parties as and when needed for more clarification when preparing the final report. “Otherwise, we will not have anymore public hearing,” he said. The Commission will hand over its final report to the President in May. The Commission had to cancel its field visits to Ampara due to bad weather. The LLRC held its first sittings on August 11, 2010. In November 2010, the President extended its mandate till May 15, 2011 (Daily News ; 17 February 2011).

Vaiko urge PM to ensure IAF did not participate in SLAF anniv - MDMK leader Vaiko today urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure that Indian Air Force (IAF) did not participate in the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) anniversary celebrations, saying it will fuel Tamils'' anger against the Centre. The move "would be unjustifiable, fatal wrong decision which would, ultimately fuel the sentiments of Tamils toward anger and opposition against the Government of India," Vaiko said in his letter to the Prime Minister. He said a section of media had reported that India would be represented in the celebrations in the first week of March by IAF''s Vice-Chief N A K Browne and that Sukhoi fighters and Indian parajumpers will participate in the celebrations. Vaiko said the air power was used against innocent Tamil civilians by the military (in its war against the LTTE) and recalled his earlier objections to India''s aid and help to Lankan Air force including New Delhi''s supply of radars and repairing the Palaly air base, but the government had paid no heed. Hundreds of persons including girls and children had been killed in different air strikes on places including Chencholai and Navoli, Vaiko said. "Strong disgust and resentment is growing in the minds of younger generation of Tamils in the state against the Indian government for its betrayal against Tamils in Sri Lanka," he said. "Under these circumstances, the latest proposal to send Sukhoi fighter jets to participate in the festivities of SLAF would be unjustifiable, fatal wrong decision which would, ultimately fuel the sad sentiments of Tamils toward anger and opposition against the Government of India," he said. He requested the Prime Minister not to send IAF for the SLAF anniversary celebrations (MSN News : 16 February 2011).

“India plotting against Sri Lanka” Says Sri Lanka Leader - Sri Lanka news paper Virakesari reported that Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera, President of the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) of Sri Lanka has accused India for plotting against Sri Lanka with the connivance of Tamil National Alliance. He has expressed his fears in the wake of meeting to be held in Geneva next month on Human rights. Mr Gunadasa has forecast that after the meeting International assistance to Sri Lanka may be stopped. Mr Gunadasa has asked the Sri Lanka representatives to be sent to Geneva to participate in the conference to face this situation, one should not behave in a way to betray the country.  Mr Gunadasa accused Western countries trying to divide Sri Lanka; the Tamil National alliance and India are in the background of such activities with the purpose of threatening Sri Lanka in the next session on Human Rights to be held in March next year. He has accused India of moving in a deliberate manner in that direction.  Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera is known to issue such statements even against the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).terming as ” Pro LTTE.He also feared local and foreign conspiracies regarding arrival of the United Nations Expert Panel to Sri Lanka (True Drive : 16 February 2011).

Indian police deny presence of LTTE in Tamil Nadu - TIRUCHI: There is no presence of operatives of the banned LTTE in Tamil Nadu, Times of India quoted Director General of Police Letika Saran as saying in a Feb. 16 Tiruchi date-lined news report. Saran told reporters in Tiruchi that the police have confirmed that there were no LTTE elements in Tamil Nadu in the wake of an alert on the threat to political leaders in the state. However, she said that adequate protection would be given to political leaders in the state during the ensuing assembly elections. Letika Saran said she had sought a report from SPs about the law and order situation in their districts, problems anticipated during elections and their requirements to tackle the problems (Island : 16 February 2011).

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