‘It’s been an extraordinary week’: Layton brought Canada together

The CN Tower is lit orange to commemorate the passing of Jack Layton.

Photos: Inside Jack Layton's funeral

Jack Layton's state funeral took place Saturday at Roy Thomson Hall.
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Tamil Canadians pay tribute to Jack Layton at city hall - PHOTOS

Photos from the event:

'Jack Layton was a breed apart'

Video: Honouring a leader with hope: 

'Jack Layton was a breed apart'

Remembering Jack

As the country prepares for Jack Layton's funeral, many Canadians have pauses to reflect on his contributions. Star National Affairs columnist Tim Harper, who was once a student of Layton's, offers his thoughts. Video by Randy Risling

Date: August 26, 2011 - 02:54 PM

Tags: Jack Layton , funeral , Tim Harper

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Honderich: The evolution of Jack

Published On Tue Aug 23 2011

Former mayor Mel Lastman says that adding Jack Layton to his executive team "was one of the smartest things I did.”

By John HonderichChair of the Board

For the 30 years I knew Jack Layton, perhaps his most beguiling trait was his unpredictable yet inexorable evolution.

This is a politician who never stopped evolving, never stopped pushing the boundaries, never rested on his laurels.

Precious few can say that. And, as a result, we were all witness to the metamorphosis of a radical, shoot-from-the-hip renegade councillor into the rarefied status of folkloric political icon.

Ours was not a traditional relationship. Jack as politician and I as journalist/editor interacted over three decades on a panoply of issues and causes.

We each had a role to play and respected that — be that a private chat, an editorial board meeting or public forum. Yet from this unique perch, I witnessed firsthand his dramatic transformation and tumultuous rise over three decades.       Full Story>>>

Posted by Thavam

Mass grave unearthed in Jaffna

27 August, 2011

Mass grave unearthed in Jaffna

Skulls, skeletons and bones belonging to eight human beings have been found in an island off Jaffna, officials say. The human remains were found near the office of the Assistant Government Agent (AGA) in Neduntivy in Delft island by a group of workers when they dug the earth to put up a foundation for a generator room. Acting Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) in Jaffna, Dr S Sivaruban, told BBC Tamil service that the skulls and skeletons were sent to the government analyst for forensic analysis.      Full Story>>> ======================================== Delhi protest proclaims Eezham Tamil Right to  Self-Determination Rajya Sabha MP Baishnab Charan Parida of Biju Janta Dal, the ruling political party of the State of Orissa, on Friday expressed his party's strong support to Tamil Right to Self-Determination at a rally organized by leftist youths of the Communist Party of India in front of the Indian Parliament. Meanwhile, R. Thirumalai, from Tamil Nadu, state secretary of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), declared that no one has  [TamilNet, Saturday, 27 August 2011, 18:00 GMT] the moral right to dictate the form of political solution, and that the victims of genocide, the Tamils in the island, should alone decide their political destiny by exercising the absolute right to Self-Determination without any pre-conditions.   Full story >> ======================================= UNICEF encourages small entrepreneurs in northern Sri Lanka ages small entrepreneurs in northern Sri Lanka © UNICEF Sri Lanka/2011/Fletcher Entrepreneur Amarashanthini and her three children before their new front door. By Mervyn Fletcher MULLAITIVU, Sri Lanka, 24 August 2011 – Amarashanthini proudly shows us the doors of her house – two solid wooden doors, with substantial locks. As a mother of three she now feels more confident about the security of her children. It is a remarkable story of resilience and forward thinking that has enabled Amarashanthini, 44, a widow, to re-build her conflict-damaged home and start up a small business.   Full Story>>> ============================================ Sri Lankan talks for a “political solution” reach dead-end 16 August, 201 editor Lanka soldier walking through debris during Eelam War IVA pre-requisite for success of negotiations is a willingness to be flexible. It is in short supply as the turn of events show…. Colombo has been creating irritants in the bilateral relations with Delhi by waving its China card and a Pakistan card occasionally. Yet, the Government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken the consistent stand that President Rajapakse should strive for a political solution. Its message to Jaffna has been to persist with dialogue with Colombo to resolve the problems in the country. The 10th round of talks between the government and the TNA ended in failure on August 4. After some stock taking, the Tamil party has gone public with the request that the government must ‘meaningfully define’ its response to three issues within two weeks as a condition for further discussions. The three issues relate to the much talked about devolution package for the Tamil dominated North and East of the island. One of the issues is power over the police. The other two primarily give a freehand in deciding local development priorities.                                       Full story

Jack Layton's message of hope

"Folks, it's amazing to pay tribute to him. But now it's time to get to work." Video by Randy Risling.

Date: August 26, 2011 - 12:38 PM

Tags: Jack Layton , funeral , City Hall , Rev. Brent Hawkes

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Video: Jack Layton's message of hope

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SPECIAL REPORT: The death and legacy of Jack Layton

CBC News

Politics

Jack Layton: 1950-20115:03

VIDEOVideo coverage of Jack Layton's life and legacy

The latest: Family, friends, dignitaries and fellow members of Parliament are paying their respects to NDP Leader Jack Layton as he lies in state in the foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa. The 61-year-old Official Opposition leader died peacefully at his Toronto homeearly Monday. Within hours of his death, Canadians and politicians of all political stripes were paying tribute to the passion and determination of the former city councillor who led the federal NDP to its historic electoral result of 103 seats and becoming the Official Opposition in the spring 2011 election. A state funeral will be held Saturday in downtown Toronto.

Layton's letter: In a letter dated two days before he died, Layton offered words of gratitude, compassion and inspiration for Canadians. The two-page missive began with thanks to the tens of thousands of people who had wished him well in recent weeks and ended with simple thoughts and hopes: "My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." READ THE LETTER FROM JACK LAYTON TO CANADIANS

TRIBUTESColleagues praise the late Jack Layton

Layton remembered: Politicians, regardless of party affiliation, were united in their admiration and tributes for Layton. They spoke of his courage, dogged determination and compassion for Canadians and for public life. Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Layton will be remembered for the force of his personality and his dedication to public service.  Full Story>>>


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Jack Layton’s open letter to all Canadians

Wednesday, August 24, 2011  Published On Mon Aug 22 2011

Dear Friends,

Tens of thousands of Canadians have written to me in recent weeks to wish me well. I want to thank each and every one of you for your thoughtful, inspiring and often beautiful notes, cards and gifts. Your spirit and love have lit up my home, my spirit, and my determination.      Full Story>>>

A conspiracy to trap former CJ Sarath N Silva

A conspiracy to trap former CJ Sarath N Silva(Lanka-e-News -26.Aug.2011, 11.45.P.M.) A group of judges who lost their posts during the period from 1999 to 2009 met the President yesterday night. They have complained to the President that during that period , that is during the tenure of office of Sarath N Silva ,former chief justice ,they were ousted from their posts unjustifiably. They have told the President that there are 42 such judges , some of whom committed suicide while some others fell ill , according to Presidential media sources. The Minister Janaka Bandara Tennekoon had at this juncture shown to the President a newspaper report on Sarath Silva which had appeared in the Ravaya newspaper. The Minister had then told the President that charges shall be filed against former chief justice.     Full story »
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US envoy to press Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes

US envoy to press Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes

Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he is satisfied an extension of the emergency rules isn't necessary. [Reuters]

Last Updated: 21 hours 54 minutes ago

The United States has dispatched a top envoy to Colombo for talks next week ahead of a crucial UN meeting to discuss alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka.US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake will be visiting Sri Lanka for a second time in four months to discuss alleged war crimes in the final stages of the conflict that crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.

"He will meet with government officials, civil society representatives, university students and political leaders while in Sri Lanka," the US State Department said in a 


statement.Full Story>>>
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Everyone's asking 'Where's Prageeth?' as Free Media Campaign Goes Viral

Aug-26-2011 03:01
Salem-News.com

"The response has been incredible. By noon (GMT) people had tweeted the campaign to over twenty four thousand of their followers..." - Fred Carver, Campaign Director of the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice

Prageeth Ekneligoda poster at a protest. Courtesy: jdslanka.org

(LONDON) - Hundreds of people took to twitter yesterday to ask the Government of Sri Lanka where Prageeth Ekneligoda is.

They were responding to a campaign launched by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice to help track down the journalist who has been missing for 19 months to the day. Prageeth was abducted on 24 January 2010 and has not been heard from since. He was an outspoken supporter of Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who ran for the opposition against the government in the 2010 elections.

Read Full Article

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Government failed Sri Lankan Tamils: Opposition

26 AUG, 2011
NEW DELHI: The government came under attack from its ally, the DMK, and the Opposition for not taking steps to ensure the rights of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. They also criticised the government for not demanding an international investigation into the massacre of Tamilis in the island state. 

The government's routine assurance that it would pursue the matter with Sri Lanka failed to satisfy the members and DMK MPs, along with members of the AIADMK and Left parties, walked out of Parliament in protest. 
more »
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US welcomes Sri Lanka's move to scrap emergency law

(AFP) – 13 hours ago  

WASHINGTON — The United States on Thursday hailed as positive the move by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse to scrap emergency laws imposed 28 years ago to deal with the armed Tamil separatist movement.

"We do welcome the news that ... Rajapakse has proposed to the parliament that the emergency laws be withdrawn, and we do see this as a positive step for the Sri Lankan people," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Rajapakse's move means the laws which give security forces sweeping powers of arrest and detention will lapse at the end of August, but similarly tough powers remain available to authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.     Full Story>>>
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Fifa 'failed to probe' Sri Lanka football corruption

By Saroj Pathirana BBC Sinhala service

Anti-graft campaigners in Sri Lanka have accused the world football governing body, Fifa, of not carrying out a proper investigation on allegations of serious corruption in Sri Lanka football.

Ravaya journalist Tiran Kumara Bangamaarachchi and sports columnist Vijitha Fernando say the world body has failed to take any action though they have been reporting serious corruption in the game for years.

Full Story>>>

US envoy says Tamils divided on war crimes: Wikileaks

Times Online   THURSDAY, 25 AUGUST 2011

n a comment dated 15.01.2010, US ambassador Patricia Butenis noted the Tamils in Sri Lanka and overseas are divided on the issue of accountabiliy and war crimes, according to just leaked Wikileaks cables.
She said while the Tamils in Sri Lanka saw accountability as unrealistic and counterproductive, the Diaspora saw it as a priotity.
Here is the comment by Ambassador Butenis:
Accountability is clearly an issue of importance for the ultimate political and moral health of Sri Lankan society. There is an obvious split, however, between the Tamil diaspora and Tamils in Sri Lanka on how and when to address the issue. While we understand the former would like to see the issue as an immediate top-priority issue, most Tamils in Sri Lanka appear to think it is both unrealistic and counter-productive to push the issue too aggressively now. While Tamil leaders are very vocal and committed to national reconciliation and creating a political system more equitable to all ethnic communities, they believe themselves vulnerable to political or even physical attack if they raise the issue of accountability publicly, and common Tamils appear focused on more immediate economic and social concerns. A few have suggested to us that while they cannot address the issue, they would like to see the international community push it. Such an approach, however, would seem to play into the super-heated campaign rhetoric of Rajapaksa and his allies that there is an international conspiracy against Sri Lanka and its 'war heroes.' BUTENIS
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Blake to travel to Sri Lanka

PTI | 09:08 PM,Aug 25,2011Washington, Aug 25 (PTI) A top Obama administration official will travel to Sri Lanka next week, days after the US warned Colombo that an international inquiry could be launched against it if it did not take adequate steps for a credible probe into charges of humanitarian crimes during the LTTE war.Robert Blake, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, will visit Sri Lanka from August 29-31, an official announcement said here today.”He will meet with government officials, civil society representatives, university students and political leaders while in Sri Lanka,” the State Department said. The announcement follows State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland’s remarks earlier this month that the US would like the Sri Lankan government “to establish the kind of accountable system that its people can have confidence in.” “If that does not happen and does not happen expeditiously, then we reserve the right to discuss international mechanisms,” Nuland had said.A UN panel had also called for setting up of an “independent international mechanism” into what it called “credible” allegations that Sri Lankan military committed war crimes in its final decisive offensive against LTTE rebels in 2009.Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has dismissed the charges as “unsubstantiated”.

Indian parliamentary team may visit SL

THURSDAY, 25 AUGUST 2011
New Delhi : A team of parliament members from India may soon visit Sri Lanka to see the condition of Tamil-speaking people there, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed the Rajya Sabha Thursday.

"During a recent meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister in Chennai, the Sri Lankan high commissioner to New Delhi has conveyed the Sri Lankan president's invitation," Krishna informed the house of elders. "He has also invited a parliamentary team."

The minister was responding to a suggestion by Bharatiya Janata Party leader S.S. Ahluwalia that a parliamentary delegation be sent to Sri Lanka. The three-hour-long discussion on the issue saw members expressing concern over the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka                      Read more... 
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India to press for probe into human rights violation against Tamils in Sri Lanka

Thursday Aug 25 2011 
 New Delhi | Agency PTI.

India will seek withdrawal of emergency regulations and probe into human rights violations against Tamils in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said on Thursday.

Winding up a short duration discussion on the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils, Krishna said in the Rajya Sabha, India would pursue with Sri Lanka for a lasting political settlement that provides for harmonious co-existence of all communities.

Full Story>>>