Dangerous development in Sri Lanka to build 1-GW nuclear power plant .

Click Here-Sri Lanka to build 1-GW nuclear power plant by 2030 Reuters

Who is going to assist Sri Lanka to acquire Nuclear technology ?
This is an absolute dangerous development in Sri Lanka given the close close associations of the GOSL and the first family with unreliable and rogue regimes like Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, and Libya.
Pakistan and China who provided both legal and illegal weapons to Sri Lanka to finish off the LTTE Tigers have all the nuclear technology to build nuclear plants which can also produce nuclear weapons.
China has deep pockets to develop such secret projects without even international supervision.

The President has already snubbed the western powers last year as confessed by the Editorial in the Island, whose editor is well known to be close to the administration of the GOSL. There has been no retraction by the newspapers no denial by the GOSL or foreign ministry that the President avoided phone calls from the State Department, British Government, EU officials, Norway and snubbed India.

There are already elements of the Sinhala extremist in the Cabinet and government. Those who were members of the rebel group the JVP. One of their leaders of the 1971 insurrection and who was jailed was a cabinet minister, until last year, when he was injured in a bomb incident in deep South, near Hambantota. What type of elements of the radical Sinhalese would be in charge of the GOSL in 2030 when nuclear technology would be fully availbale among them? Already the radical JHU member is the minister of Power in the current cabinet.
These are absolutely dangerous trends the international community should take notice and nip it in the bud.
The International community shouldn't forget that GOSL has become a virtual puppet of China, Pakistan and Iran. What would be India's reaction to this dangerous development?

Sri Lanka to build 1-GW nuclear power plant by 2030

COLOMBO, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is to have its first nuclear power plant within the next 20 years to generate cheap electricity to draw large investments and boost its post-war economy, a top government official said on Monday.
"We have received government clearance to set up a nuclear power plant of 1,000 MW," M.M.C. Ferdinando, the secretary of the Ministry of Power and Energy told an investor forum in Colombo.
Ferdinando said the government would begin feasibility studies soon for nuclear power in addition to coal, and hoped to get safety approval from the World Atomic Energy Authority.
"You have to have the plant and safety measures for disposal before starting the plant by 2030."
Ferdinando did not elaborate on the cost or whether Sri Lanka would get help from Iran, which has been a staunch anti-western ally of the island nation and its main crude oil supplier.
Investors have long complained of expensive electricity and poor infrastructure, neglected during a 25-year war that ended in May last year, had deterred potential investors.
The $42-billion economy, which currently depends 60 percent on diesel power and 40 percent on hydro power, is in the process of building a 900-MW coal power plant with a loan of more than $1.3 billion from China and a 500 MW coal power plant with an Indian loan.
Sri Lanka plans to cut its diesel power dependence to 20 percent of total electricity generation by 2017 once both coal power plants have started full operation. (Reporting by Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

UNP 'undermining TNA'

UNP 'undermining TNA'

By P Sivaramakrishnan BBC Tamil service     War of words have broken out between the UNP and the TNA The largest Tamil party in parliament the Tamil National Alliance(TNA) has accused the main oppostion party in Sri Lanka, United National Party(UNP) of undermining its political inidividuality, the TNA General Secretary has told the BBC Tamil Service. War of words have broken out between the TNA and UNP over the nomination of the TNA MP Sumanthiran to the parliament council by the leader of the opposition. The nomination was immediately rejected by the TNA. UNP leader Ranil Wikramasinghe then went on record saying that he nominated the TNA MP knowing well they would reject it. "This is undermining the political individualtiy of the TNA" Selvam Adaikalanathan, one of the General Secertaries of the TNA told BBC Tamilosai. Cooperation for development Sumanthiran's nomination was done by the opposition leader without consulting either him or his party says the TNA General Secretary.  We respect Ranil as leader of the oppostion, however we don’t approve of any acitivities aimed at weakening us   Selvam Adaikalanathan, MP According the controversial 18 th amendment to the Sri Lankan consitituion which was passed by the parliamemt a few days ago, a five member parliament council which will recommend heads of organisations like Election Commission, Judicial Commission, Human Rights Commission, Police Commission, Public commission and others However the President can either accept or reject it . The five member Parliament council including the speaker, prime minister, leader of the oppostion and one member nominated by the PM and oppostion leader. "We voted against the 18 th amendment along with the JVP while the UNP boycotted the voting" points out Selvam Adaikalanathan. "That being the case nominating a MP from our party is undermining the our individuality," argues the TNA General Secretary. The TNA aslo wants "Ranil Wikramasinghe to stop such activities in future". "We respect Ranil as leader of the oppostion, however we don’t approve of any acitivities aimed at weakening us", Selvam Adaikalanathan further said. The TNA had made it clear to the President that it will cooperate with him in all aspects of welfare activities of the Tamil people says Adaikalanathan cautioning at the same time that, the TNA will continue to oppose the government on anti people policies. Selvam Adaikalanathan also points out that "till date the government has not placed any concrete proposals regarding political solution to the decades long ethnic conflict" in spite of the fact that the TNA has assured to discuss with the government on such proposals. He also told the Tamil Service that the local citizens of mannar district have urged the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) to have a sitting in mannar so that the locals there will also have a chance to voice their opinion. The LLRC after hearing the views of the residents in Killinochi for two days is going the Mullaitheevu for the people to testify before them. The years long civil war came to an end in May 2009 when the LTTE was militarily defeated and its leader Prabakarans body was found on the banks of the Nandikadal lagoon in the Mullaitheevu district.

President Rajapakse in Germany and UK stopovers before arriving in New York.

President Rajapakse in Germany and UK stopovers before arriving in New York.
President Rajapakse was in Germany today.
The President is visiting London right now.
From London, President is flying into Houston where he has another brother who lives there.
He is also scheduled to attend a ceremony in the local Buddhist temple prior to his scheduled arrival in New York on Saturday.

A large demonstration of Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are expected to greet the President in New York.
Two Police permits have already applied for and there could be 3 groups participating in street demonstrations in New York closed to the UN head office.

Major General Shaveendra De Silva is already arrived in New York to make arrangements and to replace the
disgraced former journalist Bandula Jayasekera who was unceremoniously replaced suspected for sexual misconduct.

John Amaratunge the former Minister of Interior from the UNP is crossing over to GOSL.
He will be joining the President in NYK next week.


Upeshka Swarnamali (Paba) the UNP MP from the Gampaha District who recently crossed over to the
GOSL side, is also rumored to be in New York with the President's delegation.
What type of service she would offer the delegation is still under speculation.
She is just a very young model, TV and movie actress.

Politics in Sri Lanka is reaching a scandalous level.
Skeptics say it has not yet reached the bottom. There is more to come, they claim.

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to resign? LNW Editor’s note

Click Here-WHAT'S HOT IN SRI LANKA

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to resign? LNW Editor’s note
2010-09-14
LankaNewsWeb has been contacted by many colleagues, well wishers and critics regarding our news item titled Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris to resign?
We clearly knew that Prof. G.L. Peiris, formerly a distinguished professor of law whose students include current Supreme Court judges, according to his own admission, would never resign from his lucrative cabinet post.Our intention was to force the former distinguished academic turned pathetic promoter of dictatorship to respond to the news.
We simply wanted to show that the formerly respected academic whose Oxford contemporaries include current world leaders, is no different to other third class mafia politicians in Sri Lanka.
LankaNewsWeb had no intention to mislead our readers or tarnish our reputation as an alternative news source.
We understood very well his dilemma that he would never be able to deny our news as he would have to admit that the respected academic has now turned to another power – greedy man without a proper conscious.
By quoting him that “nowhere in the world has a country changed the constitution for one man’s benefit,” our only intention was to show how a world respected academic who once promoted democracy and even federalism could be no different to Mervyn Silva.
And by using the quote: “I am still respected as an academic and I can easily join any leading university in the world. I am not an apologist on behalf of dictators,” we wanted our readers to judge themselves how the dirty politics could even destroy a man of Prof. Peiris’ caliber, not to mention similar examples like Prof. Tissa Vitharana.

Conversation with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, on global development opportunities and challenges

On Thursday, September 16, 2010,
David Lane, President and CEO of ONE, will hold a conversation with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, on global development opportunities and challenges on the eve of the Millennium Development Goals summit. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Public Affairs. The event will be streamed live on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog, at 10:15 a.m. (EDT). You will have the opportunity to participate through the submission of questions, some of which will be selected for response during the live broadcast. Submit your questions now, here on DipNote.
This is the sixth in the new Conversations with America video series recently launched by the Bureau of Public Affairs, in which the State Department's senior leadership hold monthly conversations live, online, with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. Discussion topics include foreign policy and global issues, and provide a candid view of how leaders from civil society engage the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.
Twitter Facebook BlogTalkRadio Office of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs

Biography of Dr. Rajiv Shah

Administrator

Dr. Rajiv Shah was sworn in as the 16th Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on December 31, 2009. USAID, a U.S. Government agency, has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for almost 50 years.
Previously, Dr. Shah served as Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics and as Chief Scientist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he was responsible for safe, sustainable, competitive U.S. food and fiber system, as well as strong communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis, and education. At USDA, he launched the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a new scientific institute that elevated the status and funding of agricultural research to be more in line with other major scientific groups. He also produced innovative initiatives in bioenergy, climate, global food security, childhood obesity, and food safety.
Prior to joining the Obama Administration, Shah served as director of Agricultural Development in the Global Development Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In his seven years with the Gates Foundation, Shah served as the Foundation's director of Strategic Opportunities and as deputy director of policy and finance for the Global Health Program. In these roles, he helped develop and launch the foundation's Global Development Program, and helped create both the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, and the International Finance Facility for Immunization-an effort that raised more than $5 billion for child immunization.

Prior to joining the Gates Foundation in 2001, Shah was the health care policy advisor on the Gore 2000 presidential campaign and a member of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's transition committee on health. He is the co-founder of Health Systems Analytics and Project IMPACT for South Asian Americans. In addition, he has served as a policy aide in the British Parliament and worked at the World Health Organization.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Shah earned his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and his Master of Science in health economics at the Wharton School of Business. He has attended the London School of Economics, is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and has published articles on health policy and global development. Shah previously served on the boards of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the Seattle Public Library, and the Seattle Community College District. In 2007, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
Dr. Shah is married with two children. He lives in Washington, D.C.



Forward to friends!

The Ministry of External Affairs therefore regrets that the US State Department comment has not been able to do justice

Observations by Sri Lanka on the US State Department Press Release

The attention of the Ministry of External Affairs has been drawn to the Press Release issued by the US Department of State under the caption “The September Passage of Sri Lanka’s 18th Amendment”.
The Ministry wishes to observe in this regard, that the passage of the Amendment is an entirely internal matter that moreover took place in full accord with the provisions of the Constitution and in total compliance with a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, with an overwhelming majority of 161 Members of Parliament of a total of 225, voting in favour.

It would be pertinent also to note in this regard that the Amendment was presented after careful consideration. A situation had arisen of attempts covering successive administrations and spanning a period of several years, to operationalize under the provisions of the 17th Amendment several key institutions of governance, having palpably failed. There were additionally well founded apprehensions that the provisions of the 17th Amendment whatever the intent behind their introduction, could lead to the practical situation of depriving the executive arm of government of the authority and disciplinary control, essential to meet the constitutional obligation of managing the machinery of state.

The 18th Amendment resolves this situation, by introducing the necessary constitutional clarity. It revives the functioning of the Commissions sought to be covered by the 17th Amendment through a Parliamentary Council which importantly provides by the inclusion of Members of Parliament, for the salutary principle of accountability to the people.

The removal of term limits by the 18th Amendment will serve to prevent any potential for the political authority of the Head of State and Government being eroded during the course of a second term, due to an arbitrarily imposed time limitation of service to the nation. In fact the 18th Amendment re-establishes the will of the people as the sole factor, which should correctly determine the continuity of tenure.
The Government and people of Sri Lanka value their longstanding relationship with the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs therefore regrets that the US State Department comment has not been able to do justice to the true intent and circumstances behind the enactment of the 18th Amendment.

Ministry of External Affairs

Colombo

13th September 2010

Repeal Katchatheevu pact: D. Raja

Click Here-The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : Repeal Katchatheevu pact: D. Raja

Repeal Katchatheevu pact: D. Raja
Staff Reporter
“No other way to ensure safety of Indian fishermen”
TIRUCHI: India must repeal the Katchatheevu accord with Sri Lanka to protect Indian fishermen, especially those from Tamil Nadu, and prevent atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan Navy, said CPI national secretary D. Raja here on Friday.
There was no other way of ensuring the safety of Indian fishermen, he said at a press conference.
The Centre's stand that Katchatheevu had been ceded to Sri Lanka was unacceptable.
Other neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, did not trouble Indian fishermen as Sri Lanka did by confiscating fishing nets and boats and subjecting them to torture, Mr. Raja told a press conference.
The Centre's counsel that Indian fishermen must desist from exercising their traditional right to fish in the waters around Katchatheevu, and that the islet can be used only for resting and drying fishing nets was not convincing.
Mr. Raja held the Centre and the DMK government equally responsible for the problems faced by Indian fishermen at the hands of Sri Lanka.
The Indian Army and Navy were not taking any action to protect the fishermen.
Mr. Raja wanted the Centre to take a quick decision on sending a delegation of all-party leaders to Jammu and Kashmir to infuse confidence in the minds of the people of the State who, he said, felt alienated from the national democratic mainstream.
The Centre had to integrate its caste-wise census with the current enumeration exercise.
A standalone caste-wise census, as proposed, would entail additional expenditure of nearly Rs.3,000 crore.
It must serve the purpose of evolving policies for people's development based not just on reservation, but also region-wise socioeconomic conditions.
Demonstrations in district headquarters
The CPI, he announced, would stage demonstrations in all district headquarters on September 13 seeking quality houses for patta-holders and inclusion of non-patta holders too in the Kalaignar Housing Scheme.
“If the scheme provides for houses that resemble cages for birds, it will serve no purpose.”
Each house under the scheme had to be constructed on five-cent plots in rural areas and three-cent sites in urban regions.
end:

Here is an article written and published on many websites in July 2008, which is still valid with relevant changes after teh post war with LTTE.

‘India Pundits argue that the Nuclear Plant is very safe, and nuclear missiles would not be stored there in the near future. That is utter nonsense. Even the UNP never aggressively opposed the SSCP or KKNP provided GOI agreed to the UNP favorite "Hanuman Bridege proposal touted by Milinda and Ranil. However they all balk at the idea of creating a nuclear free zone. The argument fails to hold water because if the nuclear plant is so safe then India can build the nuclear plant in Goa, Cochin, Ennore, Chennai Vizak and even Nagappatnam instead of in Tamil Eelam's backyard which is just a hop step and away.’

______________
by Donald Jayantha Gnanakone

(These are the personal views of the writer)

(July 21, Washington, Sri Lanka Guardian) India and Sri lanka negotiated the maritime borders which was part of the agreement where the Island of Kachaitheeivu was also discussed and resolved. It is nonsense for the honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, to make inappropriate statements, after 35 years and even in a immature manner, claim that Kachaitheevu was "gifted" to Sri Lanka.
In international law, and maritime boundary claims this could possibly be even time barred after 35 years, and India will definitely loose any claim if it opts for any international arbitration. They will never go to arbitration, war, or use RAW military force against a tiny and weak neighbor.
This is typical of Tamil Nadu politicians who may or may have been set up by the Federal or Central government and ministers to make such a provocative statement, basically fishing in trouble waters. Given the 30 year civil war and possible conflict resolution between the Tamils and the GOSL, India is somewhat in a State of panic.
This Island now technically belongs to the Tamils in the Island called Sri Lanka, geographically located South of India's maritime borders. I know CM Karunanidhi well from the 1983 -1987 politics, 1 million signature and other issues and have the highest respect for him. At the same time his political expediencies in a national and state elections year, and my loyalty to the Tamil issues and people places on different stages and moving in different directions. Tamils of Tamil Eelam still need the support, whether it is spiritually, culturally, materially or politically as one would like to put it, would be there always, but not at the price of compromising any principles or the rights of the future generation. There is no such thing as a "greater Eelam theory" as some Indian pundits fear, and some journalist try to create the increased "paranoia" or phobia among the Delhi Wallahs. This is more due to lack of communications and understanding.

The Island of Kachai Theevu, is very close to the boundaries of the Sethu Samudram Canal Project which has been stalled due to the Hindus protesting about the "Hanuman Temples" and Rama's temples/bridge being sacred and desecrated. The project was the biggest boast of the DMK government and shipping minister Baalu, which was environmentally a disaster to the Northern Tamil Province, and Tamil Eelam, and creates a source of imminent danger of monumental proportions. That is due to the largest Nuclear plant in India, which is situated 25-30 miles from Kachai Theevu and Jaffna.
The KKNP is also not only about a nuclear fuel, plant, and energy, but a nuclear accident, nuclear disaster. Indian submarine base, and weapons of mass destruction stored within 25 miles from heavily populated Tamil area, in Tamil Eelam in the 21st century. Although it will be situated safely within two secured land masses, if there is a war between India and Pakistan, or China this whole region becomes a high risk zone, because of India's HSZ located in and around the Tamil homelands homes from Universities, hospitals, and commercial districts from KKS to Jaffna. The peninsula will be the target of the wayward missile or what they say in Singhalese - Ahaka Yanne Missile.

Colombo or Delhi does not care a damn of potential civilian casualties because it is not their citizens, and it is not their people.

The SethuSamudram Canal Project which was falsely, and fraudulently touted with deliberate misrepresentation and misleading facts by DMK, and Delhi that it was saving distance, time and fuel for ship owners have now been proven that it was all FALSE. In fact it will cost more for ship owners to transit the canal, and there was no time saving, as publicly and privately articulated by me in 2004, in addition to the great damage to the environment, bio diversity, fishing, and other maritime interest. One of the few who finally understood the problem and issues was Sri Lanka's late foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar whom I knew, but did not discuss it personally due to the existing animosity of the Tamil issues. However, I had a close emissary whom he was familiar with and trusted enough to convince him to take appropriate minimal measures despite his President's objections, or lack of comprehension. She does not even comprehend on that subject of SSCP or KKNP even now, if any journalist try to interview her 4 years later.

The Sethusamudram was all about building, and storing nuclear weapons (WMD) as well as the future home for the India Submarine base in Ramanatha Puram district in the 21st Century.

India Pundits argue that the Nuclear Plant is very safe, and nuclear missiles would not be stored there in the near future. That is utter nonsense. Even the UNP never aggressively opposed the SSCP or KKNP provided GOI agreed to the UNP favorite "Hanuman Bridege proposal touted by Milinda and Ranil. However they all balk at the idea of creating a nuclear free zone. The argument fails to hold water because if the nuclear plant is so safe then India can build the nuclear plant in Goa, Cochin, Ennore, Chennai Vizak and even Nagappatnam instead of in Tamil Eelam's backyard which is just a hop step and away.

Now it is too late because India with the help of the Russians, have nearly completed the first stage in record speed. As for nuclear weapon politics, India and Pakistan, as well as Israel can have the nuclear bombs, but USA would go to war and risk young american lives, and the oil economy to a price level of 300 dollars a barrel, by threatening to go to war with Iran. Well, my children (18 and 20) are not going to war, to Iraq or Iran for the sake of Israel or oil politics is what I told a senior government official from the DOJ (Department of Justice) last year.

That is why most of USA, Canada, EU, there are not many nuclear plants because of the fear of Chernobyl or 3 Mile Island syndrome. Murphy's law would apply at the most unexpected moment. US refuses to build a nuclear fuel plant in 35 years despite the price of barrel of oil has gone from 2 dollars to $147 dollars today. Where is the logic in the Western world or more specifically Northern America, where the people are being slowly strangled to a fast economic death or suicide. Yes, folks the rate of death is faster than the deadly "Cyanide Capsule" Tamil freedom fighters wear around their brave chest and neck. No other liberation leaders or fighters have the moral courage to wear that and use it, as the 13 Tamil leaders committed suicide in the custody of the Indian IPKF, Rajiv Gandhi and Dixit were busy handing over to the racist Singhala minister of Defense and President, Lalith Athulathmudali and Jayawardene, in October 1987, which commenced the Indo Tamil war. Col. Hariharan was the intelligence chief of the IPKF in Jaffna I believe at that time. (subject to verification by the IPKF).

KoodanKulam is so backward most of the Tamil folks have no idea what the nuclear plant is, although they all might be aware of Union Carbide and Bhopal disaster. The victims of Bhopal are still suffering and still waiting for the compensation which remains unpaid by the Americans, a(Multi National Union Carbide) and there was collusion between them and the State and Federal officials. Exxon Valdez settlement of billions of dollars in Alaska






never has materialized for 20 years and how will Bhopal victims be compensated in a fair and just manner. Only the Washington attorneys made hudreds of millions of dollars during the 20 years. The victims of Katerina are still waiting for their homes to be rebuilt in Louisianna despite the fact that American Red Cross collected billions of dollars and they also used hundreds of millions of dollars collected for the tsunami victims. Most of the people who got cheated by the ARC were Tamils of teh North East. This is how the rich and powerful dispense with and disburse humanitarian aid in the modern world.






Bring into the equation of mineral sands which has suddenly become a important factor for India or the potential buyers (USA and japan) who do not want to talk about. New deposits all ended up in and around Kachai Theevu, after teh Tsunami, as well as Mullai Theevu, and Pulmoodai area North of Trincomalle Port. No scientific tests has been conducted deliberately.

Last but not the least comes the Oil deposits South of Kachai Theevu as well as in and around the Isand in the Gulf of Mannar where teh Singhalese are now calling in the Mannar basin deliberately confusing the Tamils of Tamil Eelam and the IC. Their Mannar basin
GOSL claims covers entire GOM, (Gulf Of Mannar), and Puttlam and Chilaw which is rather strange, and non sensical. The Singhalese should be able to keep the Oil if and when they find in Puttlam and Chilaw districts, Tamils keep the Tamil oil, Gas, and mineral sands in the Gulf on Mananr, and India keep their in the Cauvery basin, and the SethuSamudram region. Thanks to Pirabhakaran and the LTTE 20 years ago, the powerful Indian military might also doesn't frighten the Tamils any more. IPKF experience is a good lesson for India as well as the Tamils and any other super power on a David and Goliath scale.
So Kachai Theevu is not anymore a "Fishy issue", a "Fishy problem", or Fishing rights issue anymore as it was 35 years ago.

It has to do with the 200 mile economi zone or more likely the 3 mile or 10 mile maritime boundaries of two countries, India and Tamil Eelam, or Sri Lanka. That is why India prefers to deal with Sri Lanka, promising military aid and comemrcial aid to sustain and contain the Tamil liberation struggle and do not and will use all their power to prevent a separate soverign state emerging within 10 miles of their maritime border in the palk Straits or Palk bay.

Who is CM Karunanidhi, Shipping Minsiter Baalu, Finance Minsiter Chidambaram, (MP for Sivasakthi in the Ramanathapuram District), or Delhi kidding?

( Donald Jayantha Gnanakone is a founder of the Tamils For Justice)


- Sri Lanka Guardian



Who is D Raja?

D Raja, Indian telecom minister is attacked by the opposition in Indian parliament today. D Raja is allegedly involved in telecom scam. CBI is probing the scam.

Government of India has lost revenue of Rs. 600 B due to his decission according to the opposition parties.
Opposition parties demanded that the Prime Minister should come out with statement regarding the 3G scam in telecommunication.
Ministers of UPA government are continually alleged and charged with corruption. Shashi Tharoor, has been forced to resign following IPL controversy few days back.
Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson remained silent in this matter.

Daya Master been appointed as the News Director of Dan TV in Jaffna.

Click Here-WHAT'S HOT IN SRI LANKA
LTTE media spokesperson Daya Master, who surrendered to the security forces during the war, has been appointed as the News Director of Dan TV in Jaffna.The headquarters of Dan TV is situated in France and the channel is relayed from Jaffna.The charges against Daya Master have been handed over to the Attorney General and the Defence Ministry has released him on bail.

Daya Master, the LTTE’s Media Spokesman and Principal Liaison Officer, is in the money – so to speak. Ever since he surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army – he walked out along with scores of bona fide civilians fleeing the war zone – Daya Master’s fortunes have been on the up and up.The Sunday Leader can reveal that the former English tuition master turned LTTE media-supremo, has made millions after his ‘arrest.’ In Point Pedro, about 34 km out of Central Jaffna, Daya Master is in the final stages of building his new house. The cost? An estimated Rs. 5 million – not much by Colombo standards, but an awful lot in Point Pedro. Daya Master was quick to point out that the legal ownership of the house now being rebuilt is in fact vested in his sister’s name.Serious questions are being asked not only in Sri Lanka but internationally, as to exactly what happened to the funds that were in the coffers of the LTTE at the end of the war. The return of ‘KP’ — Prabhakaran’s successor — to Sri Lanka only fanned the flames of speculation with charges abounding that ‘KP’ had struck a deal with the government. In various interviews, ‘KP’ has maintained that no such deal was struck and he has no knowledge of the LTTE arsenal of funds and assets.Velayutham Thayanidhi – Daya Master’s real name – told us that he lives quietly in Point Pedro, in a house that is owned by his wife. Mrs Thayanidhi is a school teacher, working locally – teaching at the Vada Hindu College – where the local gossip maintains that Mrs. Thayanidhi, who is a graduate teacher, is angling to be appointed the popular schools’ principal; using her husbands’ close links to the Rajapaksa regime as her qualification.While ‘KP’ told us that he “feels” for and indeed was moved to tears, when he saw for himself the plight of innocent civilians housed at Menik Farm, Daya Master appears to have forged a whole new life with all the comforts to boot. His unfortunate brethren, still languishing in the heat, misery and squalor of temporary homes within the IDP camps, all but forgotten.Politics they say makes for strange bedfellows. In the hay days of the LTTE, when they virtually ruled the northern peninsula of Sri Lanka and when they perpetrated absolute terror on the lives of all Sri Lankans, one of the prime targets was MP Douglas Devananda. No less than four attempts were made to assassinate him, including sending a suicide bomber to his office in Colpetty.Today, in the new Sri Lanka of a post-war era and a liberated northern peninsula – albeit under heavy armed forces occupation – Daya Master has, ironically found employment with DAN TV, a Tamil language satellite based TV channel, for long and popularly associated with Devananda’s EPDP.


Daya Master works out of the TV channels’ regional studio in Jaffna, as a news compiler. DAN TV has its origins in Paris, France and was the first channel to broadcast focused on the Tamil speaking viewer. It claims to be available to viewers not only by satellite direct-to-home (DTH) transmission, but also terrestrially in Jaffna and Vavuniya.Daya Master underwent surgery for a heart ailment in Colombo and in his post-war retirement, obtains regular treatment at the Point Pedro Hospital.

He claims to rarely visit Colombo, citing a lack of time. He told The Sunday Leader that “life is good now” and that he is very happy; his mother, he said also lives nearby, completing the cosy family life for him.Medical treatment for his heart condition is available at the Point Pedro Hospital he told us, meaning there was no need to travel to Colombo regularly. As in all wars, the civilians who played no direct role in the conflict other than to stand-by and be used and abused by both factions, are all but forgotten and indeed ignored by their LTTE masters. To a large extent, also ignored by their political masters in Colombo, who recognise that unlike ‘KP’, Daya Master and other prominent LTTE members, civilians have no real benefit to give the South.Their needs therefore come in a poor last in terms of facilities and benefits. Reliable sources told us that Daya Master is one of the most prominent and emerging power brokers in Jaffna and predicted that with the emergence of ‘KP’, Daya Master too will be a serious force to be reckoned with in the immediate term.

Great photographs by a very good photographer

http://humanityashore.com/
Many Photographs.
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
“It takes a whole village to raise a child”~Anonymous
Kokkuvil is a small village in Jaffna Peninsula.It is situated 3 miles away from Jaffna town. It has many Hindu temples and thick traditional values are still being followed here.
My recent visits bring back many unforgettable pleasant memories such as Kokkuvilites recognising me first, inviting me for meals, cooking and bringing meals, and taking me to enjoy the festivals.

http://humanityashore.com/images/10Kokkuvil7.JPG

Lanka turns red- Sri Lanka is among countries facing a serious outbreak of dengue

Click Here-Lanka turns red
An assessment by the Indian Union health ministry, with help from data compiled by the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, has found that Sri Lanka is among countries facing a serious outbreak of dengue, the Times of India reported today.


Being called by the WHO as the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease in the world, experts say that an estimated 50 million dengue infections are occurring annually and 2.5 billion people live in dengue-endemic countries.
According to the latest global figures, in the southeast Asia region (SEAR), till July 10, Indonesia recorded 80,065 cases of dengue, Thailand 57,948 (till August 20), Sri Lanka 28,955 and Myanmar 12,000.
In comparison, India recorded around 6,885 cases till August 10, Maldives 550, Bangladesh 76, Bhutan 16, Nepal 2 and Timor Leste 473.
While the SEAR recorded a total of 1.67 lakh cases of dengue fever till July, the virus killed 339 people in the region during the same period. Bhutan recorded the highest case fatality rate of 2.28 followed by Sri Lanka 0.99, Indonesia 0.89, Myanmar 0.75 and India 0.62.
Times of India today quoted India’s Union health secretary K Sujatha Rao as saying, "Dengue is in all parts of the world now. Figures show Delhi has recorded just over 1,652 cases, which is small when seen in comparison to the population of the state. It's not like countries issuing travel advisories themselves aren't reporting dengue cases."
"This is just a game. There should have been a travel advisory against visiting US when the country was seeing a major outbreak of H1N1 swine flu a few months back. Nothing happened then. Delhi is completely safe. The numbers in India are small compared to countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka," Rao added.
end.

President Rajapakse should appoint MP Mervyn Silva in charge of the Dengue prevention?

Why the world must stop Sri Lanka’s decline- Sonali Samarasinghe

Click Here- transCurrents: Why the world must stop Sri Lanka’s decline
Why the world must stop Sri Lanka’s decline
Increasing the presidential term hastens a dictatorship
By Sonali Samarasinghe
NEW YORK, NY. — On Wednesday, Sri Lanka’s Parliament overwhelmingly passed an urgent bill removing term limits for the president. The constitutional amendment also gave the president unlimited power over judicial, police and other public service appointments and removed constitutional safeguards over the electoral process.
The amendments abolished the Constitutional Council established to ensure the independence of appointments, transfers and removal of persons to the Judiciary and to the police, bribery, finance, elections and human rights commissions. The independent oversight body has been replaced by a toothless Parliamentary Council whose observations the President must seek but need not act upon in making these key appointments.
Sri Lanka is a country rapidly in decline. After the conclusion of its 27-year-long civil war in May last year, President Mahinda Rajapakse was handed a second term in office by a grateful and war-weary electorate. It might have been the turning of a new page. It wasn’t. Instead the country has hurtled towards a dictatorship that has now been constitutionalised, and it seems that the incumbent president has missed the message.
Riding on a wave of popularity and a rare two-thirds majority in parliament – which he obtained with the help of a weak opposition and wily political maneuvering — Rajapakse has now acted swiftly to constitutionalize and consolidate his power. Hence, this week's urgent bill.
Indeed Rajapakse, who as president enjoys immunity from prosecution, has been nothing if not timely and opportune in his politics. In 2005, he came in on a platform of war promising to eradicate Tamil Tiger terrorism. By May 2009 he had done that. Despite clamping down on human rights and achieving only modest economic growth, Rajapakse’s re-election victory in January 2010 — an election held almost two years ahead of schedule and just eight months after his military victory — was not surprising.
Thousands of civilians died in the military offensive. Video evidence emerged of soldiers summarily executing detainees, amid strenuous denials of such action by the government. Sri Lanka’s former army commander, Gen. Sarath Fonseka — the man who led Sri Lanka’s army to victory — went on record saying orders were given to shoot Tiger leaders attempting to surrender, a statement he later retracted.
Fonseka challenged Rajapakse in the January election, alleging blatant nepotism in Rajapakse's first term and citing the fact that after assuming office in 2005 the president appointed three of his brothers to high office. Sri Lanka is now governed by the Rajapakse brothers and their offspring who hold powerful cabinet positions. Other Rajapakse relatives also control large numbers of important offices, including diplomatic missions and state owned businesses.
Just six days after Rajapakse's re-election, Fonseka was arrested and court martialled, presumably for fear he would turn whistle-blower.
The government’s justification of the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of the north and east during the last stages of the military offensive and the resulting civilian death toll was that it was necessary to end the war. However, this May the International Crisis Group called for a U.N. investigation into the final bloody months of the war, stating in a report it had “reasonable grounds to believe that the Sri Lankan Security Forces committed war crimes.”
Sri Lanka has fiercely resisted any inquiry led by foreign authorities, stating that it would conduct its own investigations under a "Reconciliation and Lessons Learned" commission. Many have no faith in such homegrown inquiries that have been more about the reinforcement of the government viewpoint, denial, botching evidence and creating confusion rather than genuine investigation. Sri Lanka has yet to seriously investigate the murder of 15 journalists since Rajapakse’s government took office.
Meanwhile, Rajapakse’s supporters maintain that the removal of the two-term limit this week will shore up a number of choices as candidates in a presidential poll. Yet the repeal of provisions ensuring an independent elections commission will only serve to undermine free and fair elections and make the incumbent president more powerful. With the elections commission no longer having power to issue directions preventing political parties from exploiting state resources to run their campaigns, the incumbent president will have unfettered access to public property to the exclusion of all other candidates. The new amendments also place a duty on both the public and private media to comply with directions issued by the elections commission — a commission over which the incumbent president has absolute control.
Under the new amendments, Rajapakse must attend parliament every three months, a provision his supporters argue will increase accountability. In fact, such a move will only serve to increase presidential power, manipulation and interference in the parliamentary process and remove any semblance of the independence of parliament and the separation of powers.
Certainly for a country that has seen some of the bloodiest years of its 27-year civil war under the present regime, the culture of impunity, the fear propaganda, the persecution intimidation, murder and muzzling of the press is nothing new.
Why must the world take action now? ~ Courtesy: The Global Pot

New batch of Lankan scholars head for London School of Economics

New batch of Lankan scholars head for London School of Economics
2010-09-02 15:51:04  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_School_of_Economics
British High Commissioner Dr Peter Hayes recently hosted the annual pre-departure event organised by the Sri Lankan ranch of the London School of Economics (LSE) Alumni Association.
The event is a chance for Lankan scholars about to enter LSE to hear from alumni about their experiences of living and studying in the UK.
The London School of Economics, a leading academic institution has produced more than 15 Nobel Prize winners and 34 world leaders, including former US President John F Kennedy.
"Each year a significant number of Sri Lankans make the immense achievement of being accepted on to a course of study at the LSE. For me this really shows the value that Sri Lanka places on education. Sri Lankan scholars study hard to win their places and they and their family make a substantial financial commitment to support their studies in the UK,” Dr. Hayes said.
“I am confident that for all these students this investment proves worthwhile. An LSE degree or masters programme is recognised and respected across the world. It will open doors in the worlds of business, government and academia and gives alumni a real head start in life."
end:

Sajith Premadasa is said to be a graduate of London School of Economics.
He would have graduated in 1997 or 1998, since he was a freshman in a University in Maryland when his father President Premadasa was assassinated on May 1, 1993 by a suicide bomber. Sajith took a leave of absence for 18 months from his studies in the US.
He was given nomination by the UNP to contest the elections in 2000, under the leadership of Ranil Wickramasinghe.
In 2009, he contested the leadership of the UNP and still is.
Ravi Karunanayake who has been a MP since 1994, is also aspiring for the leadership of the UNP.
He is a  close relative of the late Lalith Athulathmudali, the controversial former minister of Shipping and National Security.

Tamil diaspora should be encouraged to invest here- John Keels Chairman Ratnayake

Tamil diaspora should be encouraged to invest here
Susantha Chaminda Ratnayake ia Sri Lankan businessman. At age 47, he became the youngest-ever Chairman of Sri Lanka's foremost conglomerate, John Keells Holdings, when he succeeded Vivendra Lintotawela on January 1, 2006.
Ratnayake studied at Trinity College, Kandy, until he finished his O levels and finished his secondary education at Royal College, Colombo. At the age of 19 he joined Mackinnons Travel as a trainee executive working under the mentorship of Tyrell Mutthiah, who died young. Susantha moved up fast within the John Keells group, and was appointed a Director of the main group along with Ajith Gunawardne.

Tamil diaspora should be encouraged to invest here John Keells Group Chairman Susantha Ratnayake yesterday said a concerted effort should be taken by the public and private sector to encourage the Tamil diaspora to make investments in the country particularly in the North and the East.
He was of the view that the Government should introduce an incentive scheme for diaspora members who are willing to invest.
Ratnayake was giving evidence before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission chaired by C R De Silva PC at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute yesterday.
He said the lack of private sector investment puzzled him though 18 months have elapsed since the eradication of terrorism.
He said the private sector should be urged to make more investments across the country with particular emphasis on leisure and tourism industry. He said the members of all communities should have equal rights and privileges. Ratnayake welcomed the Government's initiative in developing the infrastructure facilities in Northern and Eastern regions.
"The Eastern province has achieved substantial progress in terms of infrastructure development".
He said the tourism industry is rapidly developing and the country requires 1.5 US$ billion investment in the leisure industry to cater to 2.5 million tourists in 2015.
Ratnayake said the country should also focus on Foreign Direct Investment sector.
He elaborated the John Keells company's efforts in promoting the English language among students in rural areas. He said the John Keells Foundation has funded a scholarship scheme to promote English language skills as its Corporate Social Responsibility drive.
Meanwhile, Lessons Learnt Commission Chairman C R De Silva PC said the English language will help upward mobility for the younger generation and understand fellow communities. He was of the opinion that English as a link language should be promoted. The Commission Chairman said he was impressed by the program launched by the John Keells Company to promote English among students in rural areas.
He asked Ratnayake whether such a program can be implemented across the country through the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.
Ratnayake said he would take this matter up with chamber.
Courtesy - Daily news
John Keels sponsors "Virudana Gee Sara" musical concert

John Keels Holdings as the main sponsor of the "Virudana Gee Sara" musical concert handed over the sponsorship cheque to Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence today, (07 Sep).
Representing the John Keels Holdings Mr. Jinendra Gunarathna handed over the cheque to Mrs. Indu Rathnayake deputy chairperson of the SVU and additional secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
The SVU has organized the "Virudana Gee Sara" musical concert to raise funds for ongoing welfare programmes initiated for the benefit of war heroes.
Director General of Media Center for National Security Mr. Lakshman Hulugalla and several officials from the SVU participated at the event.

US halts training 3000 Lankan youth in outsourcing - Hindustan Times

US halts training 3000 Lankan youth in outsourcing - Hindustan Times

Canada sending former spy chief to Sri Lanka to prevent human smugglingFri, Sep 10, 2010, 11:26 am SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Sept 10, Ottawa: The Canadian government is sending a former head of an intelligence agency to Sri Lanka and other Asian countries as a special envoy on human smuggling to prevent illegal immigrants entering into the country, the Canadian Press reported Thursday.
According to the report, Canada's Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has said that the former Canadian Security Intelligence Service director Ward Elcock will visit Sri Lanka, Thailand and other countries to improve co-operation and information sharing.
Minister Kenney addressing the media has said that the government cannot eliminate the human smuggling but can reduce the frequency of those by cooperating with other countries.
"There's nothing that we can do to eliminate the possibility of human smuggling. There are some things we can probably do to decrease its frequency or its likelihood. One of those things is better co-operation with countries in the region," the Minister was quoted.
The Minister has said that Elcock's visit to Asian countries including Sri Lanka is part of that effort.
The Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea, modified to carry human cargo, reached Vancouver In August with 492 Tamil asylum seekers on board.
Intelligence reports say another ship is being prepared in Thailand to take another load of migrants to Canada.
Canadian authorities have begun the process of confirming the identities of the migrants on board MV Sun Sea and evaluating their asylum claims. Identities of only 40 migrants have reportedly been verified so far. However, no one has been released yet from custody. One of the 492 immigrants is being held on suspicion of having links to the Tamil Tiger terrorist group LTTE.
Earlier this week, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has launched a public awareness campaign to fight human trafficking.
According to the Immigration and Refugee Board most of the refugee claimants in Canada are from Sri Lanka's Tamil community and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees have the highest acceptance rate.
Sri Lankan authorities say the Tamil migrants are economic refugees who are taking advantage of Canada's relaxed immigration laws.
US$ 10mn BPO training programme suspended

US lawmaker scuttles opportunities for Lankan youth in the North
September 10, 2010, 12:00 pm
by Devan Daniel
A US$ 10 million programme, funded by United Sates Agency for International Development (USAID), to provide BPO training to 3,000 conflict affected youth in the North has been scuttled by an American lawmaker. But the agency said the programme had been suspended until it could be established that the new jobs created here would not take away jobs in the US due to outsourcing.
Congressman Tim Bishop earlier called on USAID to suspend the US$ 10 million BPO training programme saying it was outrageous.
"This is simply outrageous; this is perhaps the dumbest and most counter-productive use of taxpayer money that I have encountered in the eight years I have been in office. Whether its $10 million or one nickel, I will fight against any taxpayer funds being used to subsidise outsourcing," Bishop is quoted in a posting on his official website.
On Thursday (9) Bishop’s website said USAID had decided to suspend the training programme until a proper evaluation could be done on its impact on US jobs.
"USAID has suspended a job skills development project in Sri Lanka while we conduct a review to ensure the project will not take any jobs away from Americans," said a letter from USAID quoted by Bishop.
In July 30 USAID announced that it was teaming up with leading BPO and IT/English language training companies to establish professional IT and English skills development training centres in each of the five districts in the Northern Province. Courses in Business Process Outsourcing, Enterprise Java, and English Language Skills was to be offered at no charge to over 3,000 under- and unemployed students who will then participate in on-the-job training schemes with private firms.
"Everybody knows that outsourcing takes jobs away from American workers," Bishop said. "I am glad that USAID has finally seen the light. We need to be looking out for American jobs and American taxpayers and that means not one nickel of taxpayer money should support job-killing outsourcing."
Bishop condemned the programme claiming it was teaching foreign workers how to better take jobs from American workers.
The US is still recovering from the worst recession after the Great Depression of the ‘30s. According to AP newswire services, unemployment in the US rose to 9.6 percent last month from 9.5 percent the previous month.

Sri Lanka's constitutional amendment: Eighteenth time unlucky | The Economist

Click Here-Sri Lanka's constitutional amendment: Eighteenth time unlucky The Economist
Sri Lanka's constitutional amendment


Eighteenth time unlucky

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s new powers are unnecessary and dangerous

Sep 9th 2010
NATIONAL constitutions come in two main types. Some are prescriptive, enshrining freedoms, curtailing the powers of the state and generally hampering would-be dictators. Others, however, tend to the descriptive, and are often revised to catch up with changes that have already happened. Into this class can be put Sri Lanka’s 1978 constitution, this week amended for the 18th time, with unseemly haste.
The Sri Lanka described in the revised charter is not a pretty place. It is one where the forms of parliamentary democracy are preserved but the substance has become subordinated to almost untrammelled presidential power. With the opposition divided, his rival in the presidential election in January in detention and his popularity still high, President Mahinda Rajapaksa already seems monarch of all he surveys.
The amendment changes the constitution in two main ways. The first is to remove the bar on the president’s serving more than two six-year terms. First elected president in 2005, and then re-elected with a thumping majority in January, Mr Rajapaksa has in fact not even started his second term. But he seems to be settling in for the long haul.
As government spokesmen have pointed out, however, Sri Lanka’s voters will at least have the chance to turf him out in six years’ time. That is why it is the second change that is more pernicious. It is (such is the way of descriptive constitutions) to overturn the 17th amendment. This was an admittedly muddled attempt to curb the powers of the “executive presidency”, partly through a “constitutional council”. After the latest change, the constitution will both grant the president immunity and also give him final authority over all appointments to the civil service, the judiciary and the police. He is also commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Almost the only formal constraint on him—electoral considerations aside—is an obligation to show up in parliament once a quarter.
Sri Lanka, goes the argument of Mr Rajapaksa’s cheerleaders, needs a strong executive to seize the chances of peaceful development offered by last year’s victory in the 26-year civil war with the Tamil Tigers. But confusingly they also point to that victory—grasped with a ruthlessness that shocked many of Sri Lanka’s foreign friends—as evidence of the virtues of a powerful presidency. Indeed, whatever problems Sri Lanka’s political system suffers from, the weakness of the presidency, which is already directly responsible for over 90 institutions, is not one of them. Quite the contrary: Mr Rajapaksa himself, before he tasted its benefits first-hand, used to campaign for the abolition of the executive presidency.
His new vision of further strengthening the president’s powers has been greeted with an outcry from Sri Lanka’s liberals, but few mass protests. The public must feel bewildered by it all. The change was pushed through as an “urgent” parliamentary bill in under two weeks from the draft’s first appearance, thanks to Mr Rajapaksa’s recent acquisition of the requisite two-thirds majority. Such important changes should have been put to a referendum. Mr Rajapaksa might well have won one. But a campaign would at least have thrown the issues open to public debate and scrutiny.
Because he can
The only urgent compulsions facing Mr Rajapaksa and his brothers (two have senior jobs in his government and a third is the parliament’s speaker) are those of parliamentary arithmetic and personal popularity. Still basking in the glow of military and electoral triumphs, the president has done in haste what he knows he can get away with. That he has preferred to put the consolidation of his family’s power ahead of a sorely needed national reconciliation with an aggrieved Tamil minority is a decision Sri Lanka will repent at leisure.
Leaders

Cross over MP Lakshman Seneviratne took a helicopter ride to his electorate!

Flying High
UNP parliamentarian Lakshman Seneviratne who defected to the government yesterday traveled to his constituency, Mahiyangana, today (9) to meet with his supporters.
Interestingly, on his first visit to Mahiyangana after the cross over, Seneviratne took a helicopter ride.
When The Sunday Leader contacted him, he said he would be “flying” back to Colombo by afternoon.
Taken for a ride?
UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne who crossed over to the government benches during the vote on the 18th Amendment was in his electorate in Mahiyanganaya yesterday to speak to his supporters. MP Seneviratne arrived in Mahiyanganaya in a helicopter much to the amusement of many of his supporters who were gathered at the venue. (Pic by Bandula Bandaranayake) -Daily Mirror.

Rosy Says Many MP’s Bought Over With Promises Of Wealth
By Gazala Anwer
The opposition UNP’s Rosy Senanayake says that many of the opposition MP’s were bought over to side with government with promises of wealth.
Speaking a short while ago at the United National Party Headquarters Sirikotha, Senanayake said that she too had been indirectly bribed with offers of a Ministry and money, but said that she had declined.