Sampanthan, Ranil, satisfy agenda of New Delhi, Washington

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 01 May 2012, 18:11 GMT] 
A photograph in which TNA leader Sampathan and UNP leader Ranil Wikremasinghe hold the Lion Flag of the genocidal state of Sri Lanka together, during the May Day rally in Jaffna, Tuesday, has caused much sensation in the island and outside. While the programme was at its height and the show of solidarity was entering into photographic sessions, all of a sudden Ranil produced the Lion Flag and wanted Sampathan to hold it, observers to the programme said. While the UNP has brought down around 10,000 Sinhalese from the south, on the TNA’s side, only less than a hundred, that too only the members of the civic bodies participated the procession and meeting, news sources in Jaffna said. 

The photo of Sampanthan and Ranil holding the Lion flag highlighted in the Colombo media [Photo courtesy: Daily Mirror]

The current situation is such that the Tamil leadership should concentrate on proving its credentials in the formation of a secular state in the North and East as an alternative to the Sinhala-Buddhist genocidal state, by uniting all the Tamil-speaking people, i.e., Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and by guaranteeing the safety of the Sinhala-Buddhists in the north and east as well. 

But instead of attending to the needs and opportunities provided by the times, sections of Tamil leadership falling prey to the agenda of New Delhi and Washington try to ‘rediscover’ unity of genocidal Sri Lanka through Colombo-centric ‘cosmopolitanism’, political observers in Jaffna said.

Orchestrated by the powers, similar hijacks in the name of Tamil political parties take place in the diaspora as well, commented diaspora political circles in the UK, citing current exercises by some elements in the UK known for their association with the intelligence services of the powers and Colombo’s diplomatic mission in London.

How long such orchestrations, hijacks and deviations could tread on the subjugated people and could supress the people’s uprising for liberation, wonder the vast majority of Eezham Tamils silently watching the unfolding dramas. 

The sequence of UNP, TNA leaders waving to the crowd and the appearance of the Lion flag [Photos: TamilNet]

Ministers use May Day to show their power to the President

Wednesday, 02 May 2012

Government ministers have decided to use the May Day celebrations to show their powers to the President, a senior official from the SLFP Headquarters said. The ministers who have come to such an agreement are the ones who have been sidelined by the President.

These ministers have decided to participate in the May Day rally with large crowds in order to boost their images. Therefore they have made arrangements to bring down a large crowd for the May Day.

While the ministers who are disgruntled with the President are working to get down a large crowd, some other ministers and electoral organizers have said it was difficult to bring crowds due to the difficulties faced by them as a result of the rising cost of living.

Coordinators of the government’s May Day celebrations, Minster Dullas Alahapperuma and MP Namal Rajapaksa used intimidation as a tactic to bring down crowds.

The unemployed graduates and state employees waiting to be made permanent in their jobs have been informed that it was compulsory for them to attend the May Day celebrations if they wanted to receive permanent employment in the state sector.

Breaking News: Ven. Phalagama Somartana Was Convicted

May 1, 2012

By Colombo Telegraph -

The Venerable Pahalagama Somaratana

Ven.Phalagama Somartana, 65, of Dulverton Road, Croydon was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court on today,Tuesday, 1, May, of four counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 between January 01, 1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 1 June.

He was found not guilty of the rape of a female under 16 between January 1,1977 and December 31,1978 at an address in Chiswick and not guilty of indecent assault on a female under 14 between January 01,1985 and December 31, 1986 at an address in Croydon.

In May 2010 Child Abuse Investigation Command officers began an investigation into historical allegations of indecent assault and rape. On Tuesday, 14 September 2010 a (then) 64-year-old monk was arrested on suspicion of an historical indecent assault and rape. He was questioned at Heathrow police station and later bailed pending further enquiries

He was charged on 12 September 2011 and further charged on 11 November 2011.

On Friday, 23 September Phalagama Somartana thero chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, of Dulverton Road, Croydon appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court charged with rape of female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick and indecent assault on a female under 16 between January 1, 1977 and December 31, 1978 at an address in Chiswick.

Pahalagama Somaratana Thero, has been charged with another eight counts of sexual abuse on Friday, 11 November, the London Metropolitan police told Colombo Telegraph. According to the metropolitan police these eight indecent assaults on a female under 14 took place between January 01,1985 and December 31,1986 at an address in Croydon.The 65-year-old Pahalagama Somaratana thero appeared on bail at Feltham Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 2 December and was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on December 20, 2011.

Read related stories here

Amnesty rally in New York demands justice for Trinco-5 victims

[TamilNet, Monday, 30 April 2012, 00:14 GMT]
More than seven hundred Amnesty International human rights activists, including many high school students from the New England area, held a rally in front of Sri Lanka UN Mission Friday, demanding justice for Ragihar Manoharan and four of his friends extra-judically executed by Sri Lanka military on the 2nd January 2006. The protesting students demanded Colombo to bring perpetrators of the crime to justice. Sri Lanka was one of the rights violators, besides China/Tibet, Indonesia and Burma, targeted by the "Get on the Bus for Human Rights (GOTB)" rally organized by the Boston Chapter of Amnesty International.

Amnesty rally held Friday in NY

The event included a morning session at the Cooper Union featuring a panel of speakers on each action.

The Sri Lanka action featured a videotaped message from Dr. Manoharan, Ragihar’s father, thanking AI USA for its lobbying efforts on behalf of the Trincomalee student victims.

This was followed by J.S. Tissainayagam, a freelance Journalist incarcerated in Sri Lanka for writing on human rights.

Mr. Tissainayagam spoke about the ‘Trinco Five’ killings, the failure of the Sri Lankan Government to investigate these killings and Ragihar’s father Dr. Manoharan’s campaign for justice. He also narrated his own story on how he was imprisoned by the Sri Lankan Government under the prevention of terrorism act in 2008, Amnesty International campaign for his freedom, GOTB actions featuring his case for three consecutive years and his eventual freedom in 2010 due to the mounting international pressure.

Afternoon session started with a rally in front of the Sri Lanka Mission to the UN. Many Tamils from the NY, NJ area also joined the AI activists in chanting ‘Justice for Ragihar’, ‘Justice for Trinco Five’, ‘Sri Lanka, the world is watching you” and ‘UN, Investigate war Crimes’. Representatives from GOTB also met with the Sri Lanka UN mission officials to emphasize the need for Justice for ‘Trinco Five’.

GOTB is an annual day of human rights education and activism organized by Amnesty International USA Group 133 of Somerville, MA and a team of volunteer community organizers.

Now in its seventeenth year, GOTB draws upwards of 1200 participants riding buses, commuter trains, and carpooling down to New York City each year. The Boston Tamil community members have been part of the GOTB event for the last several years promoting human rights not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.

Indonesia action featured release of Filep Karma, a prominent advocate for the rights of Indonesia's Papuan population, who is serving 15 years in prison for raising a flag. The Burma (Myanmar) action called for the release of Khun Kawrio, Ko Aye Aung, and All Prisoners of Conscience. The China action focused on the release of Dhondup Wangchen, a Tibetan documentary filmmaker who has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for “subversion”.

Tissainayagam is currently a Fellow at Harvard's Weatherhead Center for International Studies. Tissainayagam was Amnesty's Prisoner of Conscience, and was released after President Obama mentioned his name on the 2009 Press Freedom Day saying his case was " emblematic of the hundreds of journalists who face intimidation, censorship, and arbitrary arrest."
Related Articles:
14.04.11 SLA killed my son - Dr. Manoharan
07.03.08 TID detains Sunday Times columnist, video photographer

Vote for the Mayor of London and the 25 members of London Assembly of your choice

On Thursday 03rd May 2012, you have the opportunity to elect the Mayor of London and the 25 members of the London Assembly; the local government body for Greater London. Candidates belonging to various political parties are contesting at this election.

British Tamils Forum as a neutral organisation representing the Tamil people in the UK, recognises the diversity of political orientation amongst Tamils.

We also recognise that British Tamils have an extra dimension to our expectations from our local and national governments, in addition to the matters that are common to all. We therefore urge Tamil Londoners to exercise their democratic right and vote for the mayoral candidate of their choice, who they believe supports what is closest to their heart.

British Tamils’ votes will make a difference in who gets elected as the Mayor of London for the next four years. As one of the strongest and politically active communities in London, with over 250,000 residents, we should cast our votes to the candidate who promises to deliver best services to the Londoners as well as standing for the rights and the best interest of the Tamils, living in London.

Sri Lankan Monks Join Rampaging Mob

May 1, 2012

By Sudha Ramachandran -

Sudha Ramachandran

BANGALORE – Sri Lanka’s Muslim community is insecure and angry. A mosque in the central town of Dambulla was attacked with petrol bombs and vandalized around 10 days ago by a mob led by radical Buddhist monks. To add insult to injury, the government has bowed to the mob’s demand and ordered the mosque’s demolition and relocation.

Muslims say the mosque is about 60 years old. The monks insist it was built after 1982 when the government declared the area to be a “Buddhist sacred area”. They allege that the mosque is an “illegal structure”.

Located about 150 kilometers northeast of the capital Colombo, Dambulla is a Buddhist pilgrim town. Trouble erupted when a mob of around 2,000 Sinhalese, including monks led by the mahanayaka (chief priest) of the Rangiri Dambula chapter, Inamaluwe Sumangala Thero, stormed the mosque and damaged it, disrupting ongoing Friday prayers. Television footage has captured the mob chanting derogatory and racist slogans. Monks can be seen going on a rampage, with one monk even disrobing and exposing himself.
They have threatened to demolish the mosque if the government doesn’t relocate it.

Read More

 Wednesday, May 02, 2012

Haresh worked with Kenyan children in Kisumu, The CIS student is the only Sri Lankan chosen to carry the torch and 60,000 people vied for the honour of carrying the Olympic flame across London

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By Raisa Wickrematunge

The Story of Haresh, the Sri Lankan student who will be a torchbearer during the London Olympics.

Haresh worked with Kenyan children in Kisumu, The CIS student is the only Sri Lankan chosen to carry the torch and 60,000 people vied for the honour of carrying the Olympic flame across London

The opening ceremony of the Olympics is always a glittering tableau which hundreds of thousands of people tune in to watch. The idea is to showcase the culture of the host country; but the real highlight is the symbolic lighting of the Olympic torch. A single, burning flame travels a great distance across the country until it finally reaches the Olympic stadium. While all eyes are on the fire, which signals the start of the Games, few people stop to think of those who carried the flame along the way; there is so much focus on that final lap of the stadium.
This time, Sri Lankans the world over will be paying attention, for 22 year old medical student Haresh Selvaskandan who has been chosen to be one of the Olympic torch bearers on July 2. This is a huge achievement- to get some perspective; there were some 60,000 people who were nominated. Of these, only 8000 were chosen, and Haresh is one of them.  He is also one of just three students who were nominated from his university, the University of Leicester.
His fellow torchbearers include 20 year old third year Sociology undergraduate Lucy Watson, who will carry the torch through Waddesdon. Watson was chosen because of her work with the student-run playgroup Student Community Action Mobility Playgroup (SCAMP). She works with children who have physical and learning disabilities. Joanna Hancock has also been chosen to carry the torch through Hatfield, Hertfordshire. Graduating with a degree in History and Archaeology as well as a Management School Masters degree, she is now the marketing director at Zest Group caterers, and is preparing to run the Virgin London 2012 marathon in aid of the Prostrate Cancer Charity. Illustrious company indeed, but Haresh holds his own, especially in the eyes of proud father Rajaratnam Selvaskandan:
‘I am happy that he has been chosen, happy that he is the only Sri Lankan nominated to bear the torch in a foreign country,’ Rajaratnam said, adding that he planned to travel to the UK in July to support his son.

Poignant and Symbolic
But what has made Rajaratnam really ecstatic is the identity of the person who nominated his son as a torchbearer- fellow medical student and close friend Lahiru Satharasinghe, a Sinhalese.
Rajaratnam spoke of how this move was particularly poignant and symbolic, considering the friction that has often existed between Sinhalese and Tamils during and after the war.
‘She realized that he deserved to carry the torch… it makes you think,’ Rajaratnam said.
Haresh’ story too is one that makes you think. A student of Colombo International School, he was always intelligent. He graduated with four As and entered medical school in Leicester when he was just 17, Rajaratnam said.
Haresh had little doubt what he wanted to do in life, having decided that he wanted to be a doctor when he was just 12 years old.
There is a reason behind Haresh’s drive and attraction towards his ultimate career goal, it turns out. Haresh’s mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when the eldest son was just six years old. While she is otherwise stable, the disease has severely affected her mobility, confining her to a wheelchair. It was his mother’s plight which spurred young Haresh on to become a doctor, his father said.
Haresh continued to excel academically even while attending the University of Leicester. He received first class honours on his research project, and is well on his way to graduating medical school. He was even chosen by the Vice Chancellor of the University for a special one to one meeting with Queen Elizabeth, because of the outstanding results he received for his degree, Rajaratnam said.

Haresh’s Passion
But it was his son’s charity work in Kenya that eventually earned Haresh a nomination to carry the torch.
Haresh is very involved with Medsin, a charity focusing on sustainable health-related projects in local communities. As Vice- Chancellor of the charity, he collected funds for the Kenyan Orphan Project in Leicester. Together with 20 other students, he then traveled to Kisumu, a port city in Western Kenya, working with underprivileged children there and even helping with the construction of a school in the area.
He had commented that one of the best parts of the project was being able to meet and live with such vibrant people, which enabled him to better understand their special needs, an excerpt of Lahiru Sathirisinghe’s submission on the Lloyds website says.
Even while in Sri Lanka, he volunteered at Red Cross and did his own part to help the less fortunate, his father said. Rajaratnam too has done his share of philanthropic work, having helped to rebuild the Mahajana College in Tellipalai, Jaffna, which had been damaged and relocated several times, in memory of his mother, who taught for 28 years at the same college.
Given his academic achievements and his focus on charitable work at such a young age, it is unsurprising that the judging panel selected Haresh to be a torchbearer- indeed many of the people nominated have been chosen for their acts of charity and even for contributing to areas like art and culture or education.
When asked to describe his son, Rajaratnam said he was ‘a loving child who loves human beings,’ adding that he was ‘passionate and committed.’  His friend Lahiru spoke of him in equally glowing terms, ‘Haresh is filled with passion. Passion for medicine, caring for patients and passion for raising awareness and acting on Global Health issues. I am confident that this passion for helping others will continue throughout his life,’ her application on his behalf said.
In the meantime, Haresh is completing his fourth year in medical school, and is expecting to graduate next year. He is likely to return to Sri Lanka to work in the future, his father said.  So what happens next? Rehearsals, apparently, Rajaratnam says, with each torchbearer expected to rehearse the route they will be taking on the day. A total of 8000 miles will be covered in the run up to the final lap of the Olympic stadium, it is estimated, much of which will be televised.

How The Games Began
The Olympic Games originated in Olympia, Greece, around 776 century BC. The main sports were combat, chariot and racing events. During the games, participating states put aside their differences. There was no infighting, and no bloodshed, until the Games were finished. From the very beginning, the Games were symbolic of opposing states coming together to celebrate strength and perseverance. Perhaps this is why people continue to be drawn to the Olympics, and it is certainly why athletes strive to get that ever elusive gold.  We all cheered on Susanthika Jayasinghe as she received her bronze (and later, silver) medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. This time, however, Sri Lanka has cause to celebrate even before the natio     Read More »

ExpressBuzz

‘90,000 war widows in North, East Lanka’Express News Service 02 May 2012

COLOMBO: There are up to 90,000 war widows in the Tamil-speaking Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka, according to the latest report of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Human Rights and Democracy.

The report for 2011 released by Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday noted that disappearances and abductions continued in 2011 with a sharp rise in the number of disappearances towards the end of the year.

In December, two political activists travelling in the North had disappeared. There was almost no progress in resolving past cases of disappearances, including that of cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda who went missing in 2010.

The report recalled that the Sri Lankan government’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) had complained about the lack of investigations and had pointed out that in some cases, the police had refused to register any complaints.

The British report pointed out that little or nothing had been done to reduce the military presence in the Northern Province even though the LLRC had said that extensive military presence was often making the place “unsafe” for women.

An International Crisis Group (ICG) report had also expressed concern over women’s security in the North and East.

Painting a grim picture of women’s empowerment in Sri Lanka, the British report said that the country had slipped from the 16th to 31st rank in the Global Gender Index of the World Economic Forum.

Rights Activists Endangered

As regards the safety of human rights activists, the Foreign Office report said the environment for rights defenders in Lanka was difficult throughout 2011.

On December 10, 2011 a group of 42 rights activists from South Sri Lanka were prevented from participating in a Human Rights Day rally in Jaffna.

On December 9, 2011 two Tamil rights activists, Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandan, had dis- appeared while visiting Jaffna.

Demining: US official in Sri Lanka

YAHOO! NEWS

Colombo, May 2 (IANS) A US official has ended a week-long visit during which he meet NGOs in Sri Lanka's north and discussed the progress in de-mining activities.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Plans, Programmes andOperations Walter D. Givhan was in Sri Lanka from April 26 to May 2.

Givhan held meetings in Colombo and visited Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, two of the northern districts that were the war theatre until the Sri Lankan military crushed the Tamil Tigers in May 2009.

In the north, he met NGOs to discuss the progress of de-mining in the region.

Givhan met Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Army commander General Jagath Jayasuriya and Navy Commander Vice Admiral D.W.A.S. Dissanayake to discuss the military bilateral ties and support for de-mining.

The US has provided $34.5 million to aid Sri Lanka's de-mining activities since 1993.