• Peiris' politicking at the UN

    Oct 01

    Addressing the UN General Assembly, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister, GL Peiris explained what Sri Lanka had been doing over the past three years... 

    See here for full address, extract produced below. Emphasis TG's.

    "Three years ago, our Government ended the terrorist challenge largely through its own efforts. Sri Lanka is firmly committed to redressing the grievances of all parties affected by the internal conflict.

    Sri Lanka exemplifies the challenges faced by a society emerging from the shadow of a sustained conflict which spanned three decades, and entering upon an era of peace and stability. The gradual diminution of these challenges and the brevity of the period which has elapsed since the end of the conflict, leave no room for doubt as to the degree of success achieved by the Government of Sri Lanka in respect of a wide range of issues relating to development and reconciliation. It is only about three years since the conflict ended.
     
    Prioritisation was a central feature of the government's plan of action. The progress on the ground during the last three years with regard to the resettlement of internally displaced persons, (all internally displaced persons have been resettled), the re-integration into society of thousands of ex-combatants after exposure to programmes of livelihood skills training which equipped them to earn their living with dignity and independence, the rapid completion of the demining process, and the unprecedented focus on infrastructure development leading to very visible invigoration of the economy of the Island as a whole, and the Northern Province in particular, is quite apparent.

    The experience of Sri Lanka demonstrates that, given the quality of dynamic leadership and unwavering commitment which His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa provided, an effective political and military strategy and strong rapport with all sections of the public, it is possible to prevail against the most ruthless forces of terror. No one has greater commitment to reconciliation in an all-inclusive spirit than the government.

  • Sri Lanka looks to further regulate ICT technology to prevent ‘abuse’
    Speaking at the 12th Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa called for strategists and regulators in telecommunications and ICT to “think of ways to prevent this great technology being used to sow hatred.”
  • Military to cultivate land in Northern province

    Upto 1000 acres of land in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar districts has been earmarked for a 're-cultivation' programme 'with the help of the security personnel in 30 army camps' reports Colombo Page.

  • Indian housing project stutters into its 'second phase'

    India's envisioned housing project of 50,000 houses for Tamils in the North-East, will be entering it's second phase on Tuesday, reports the Indian news site, Daily News & Analysis.

  • Northern unemployment more than 7 times national average
    Despite the end of the war three years ago and alleged ‘peace’ and ‘major infrastructure’ work in the North-East, unemployment is still rife in the former conflict zone reports IRIN.

    Accord to the report, experts estimate unemployment in the North to be at around 30%, whereas the national rate is 4%.
  • Gotabaya opens Buddhist Vihara in Kilinochchi - MoD
    Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has opened a Buddhist Vihara at a ceremony conducted earlier this week in the Northern city of Kilinochchi, the former administrative capital the LTTE.

    Rajapaksa went on to praise the Sri Lankan armed forces for their support in constructing the Buddhist Vihara. According to the Ministry of Defence,
    “Secretary Defence thanked the Maha Sanga for safeguarding Buddhism and Buddhists and the immense support given by the Maha Sangha to the tri forces personnel and government leaders.”
    The Defence Secretary was also quoted as saying,      
    "These types of religious activities show the rise of the Buddhist people".
    Whilst also in Kilinochchi, Rajapaksa declared open a renovated Hindu Kovil, greeted by schoolchildren singing the national anthem, decreed to be sung only in Sinhalese almost 2 years ago.


    Rajapaksa at Hindu kovil in Kilinochchi, raising the Sri Lankan flag at the entrance.

    Rajapaksa also unveiled a plaque at the entrance of the kovil, above which flies the Sri Lankan flag. It is written entirely in English.
    The plaque at the vihara however, was written in Sinhala only.

    See both plaques below.
  • Sri Lanka wants to increase defence budget again

    After 2012 had the highest ever allocation for the Defence and Urban Development Ministry, Sri Lanka has once again planned to increase the amount of money allocated to the defence budget.

    Last week, the cabinet approved the 2013 Appropriation Bill, estimating government expenditure at Rs 2.52 trillion (£12 billion).

  • SL military intimidate journalists trying to see IDPs

    A Sunday Leader journalist, Nirmala Kannangara, and photographer were stopped from entering the Suriyapuram camp in Nanthikadal by army officers last week.

    The journalist and photographer were also threatened to not write anything detrimental about the army officers.

  • Tamil Nadu fishermen attacked by SL Navy

    Tamil Nadu fishermen were attacked by Sri Lankan Navy personnel, reports NDTV.

    The fishermen who were fishing around the Katchtheevu area on Sunday, were pelted with stones and had their fishing nets broken by the Navy crew.

    See related articles:

    Madras High Court urges protection of fishermen (25 Sep 2012)

    Another attack on Tamil Nadu fishermen by Lankan Navy (07 Sep 2012)

    Tamil Nadu fishermen fear reprisal attacks from SL Navy (06 Sep 2012) and our TG Comment here.

    8 more fishermen attacked by SL Navy (19 Aug 2012)

  • Sri Lankan Airlines turns away from Europe
    The state-run Sri Lankan Airlines have announced that they will turn their focus away from European destinations, and instead look towards routes in Asia and the Middle East, as the airline continued to make losses for a fourth straight year.

    Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe reportedly stated that the returns from European flights were currently less than satisfactory, with Chief executive Kapila Chandrasena commenting,
  • Dambulla residents told to vacate

    The residents of Dambulla - a land claimed to be of sacred value to the sinhala Buddhists - have received written notice, asking them to vacate by the end of next month, reports Colombo Page.

  • Buddhist school to open in Jaffna
    The first “Dhamma School” in Jaffna will  be opened later this week to help “rekindle Buddhism in the North”, reported Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence.

    The school is to be opened up by the Tamil Buddhist Association.

    According to Ven Meegahajandure Siri Wimala Thera of the Jaffna Naga Vihara,
  • Attorney General neglecting inquiries into assault on Uthayan editor

    The Attorney General’s Department has issued no correspondence regarding investigations into an assault on Uthayan’s editor, reported the newspaper. The editor, G Kuganathan was left severely injured when he was attacked in July 2011.

  • The benevolence of militarising Jaffna

    Jaffna’s Military Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe has declared that the Army is in Jaffna to protect citizens and not to seize their lands or money.

    Hathurusinghe claims that since the end of the war in 2009, the army has improved its rapport with the people of Jaffna by providing security as well as various developmental services.

  • Military stops journalist from visiting IDPs

    An Uthayan journalist who attempted to visit the Tamil families 'resettled' into the Suriyapuram forests on Friday, was stopped by the Sri Lankan army soldiers, reported the newspaper.

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