Archive for July, 2009
July 31, 2009 at 2:17 pm · Categories: Advocacy, Colombo, Education | by Niranjan Dias Bandaranayake
At a recent discussion on; “Free schooling in Sri Lanka- A successful model then but a myth now?”, the subject of English language education in Sri Lanka came up for discussion once again. Most, if not all, of the participants and panelists agreed that there is a pressing need for English language standards to improve especially in the state schools and a lack of quality English language teachers was the main reason for the poor standard of English in the country at present.
People are well aware that English language education started to decline in this country with the introduction of the “Sinhala only” bill in 1956. So for the past 53 years English has not been an official language of …
July 28, 2009 at 3:50 pm · Categories: Colombo, Satire | by Banyan News Reporters
Banyan News Reporters was pleased to receive this patriotic open letter to the President of Sri Lanka from a group of concerned parents.
An open letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka
28 July 2009
Your Excellency / Your Majesty,
We are a group of parents who address this letter to you after much thought and discussion. We want to bring to your all-encompassing attention a matter of utmost public interest that concerns current and future generations.
First and foremost, we deeply appreciate your personal interest in all matters: nothing seems too small to escape your attention, and nothing appears too large for your intervention. We especially salute your unprecedented and historic efforts to reassert Sri …
July 26, 2009 at 4:34 pm · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Foreign Relations, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Aachcharya
[Editors note: This post which first came to me through Facebook was forwarded to Dayan for comment. His response follows. The emphasis at the end of the article is mine. It is hoped that Aacharya and Dayan will continue this debate along with others on this site, which is more open than Facebook to this type of exchange.]
The soon to come back home UN Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to Geneva, Dayan Jayatilleke has repeatedly wrote about the Chechen (Chechnya) model (yes he loves Russia) for conflict resolution in Sri Lanka:
In a recent interview with David Blacker Dayan noted:
I have long …
July 26, 2009 at 12:15 pm · Categories: Colombo, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Lionel Bopage
The recent interview the JVP leader, comrade Somawansa Amarsinghe, conducted with Sanjana Hattotuwa and published on Groundviews clearly demonstrates the limitations, fluctuations and the non-cohesive nature of the JVP’s policy position regarding the national question.
The ruling elite and the bourgeois-nationalist intelligentsia belonging to all the communities contributed to spreading and reinforcing ultra-nationalism and chauvinism among the people in Sri Lanka. This process implanted feelings of mutual distrust and hatred against the other and their culture. These forces have attempted to make people of one community believe that their socio-economic freedom could be won only when the other is conquered and their culture is extinguished.
During the period from 1972 to 1983, the JVP advocated the policies laid out in …
July 25, 2009 at 7:00 am · Categories: Colombo, IDPs and Refugees, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Rohini Hensman
The way forward in Sri Lanka involves demilitarisation, restoration of the rule of law, and democratisation. These are interlinked so closely that it is impossible to separate them, and on their fulfilment depends not only the political future of Sri Lanka, but also its economic survival.
The Fate of Internally Displaced People
Perhaps the most urgent issue is the fate of internally displaced people (IDPs), especially the Vanni civilians who were displaced in the last stages of the war. Reports of conditions in the camps where they have been interned vary; but the central issue is not the conditions under which they are being detained, but the very fact of their detention. Various spurious arguments justifying it have been put forward by …
July 25, 2009 at 3:25 am · Categories: Colombo, Foreign Relations, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Chaminda WEERAWARDHANA
I was tempted to write this article after a few days of reading different news reports about the ‘sacking’ of His Excellency Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva. Different explanations have been provided by different quarters about the ‘reasons’ that led to Colombo’s decision to recall its most gifted diplomat. This article does not attempt at analyzing such explanations, or at making any judgments. Concerning Dr. Jayatilleka’s writings on Sri Lanka’s ethnic relations, his personal views expressed on the electronic media since his appointment to Geneva, and his work as Permanent Representative, there are many points that this writer and many others may not agree with. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that …
July 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm · Categories: Colombo, Foreign Relations, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by David Blacker
Sri Lanka’s soon-to-be-ex-Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva took time off from his busy schedule of sipping martinis, getting up the American’s noses, and fighting on the Western Front, to have a little chat with us. This is his first interview since the Foreign Ministry announced that he has been recalled from Geneva, effective August 20th.
David Blacker: First off, there seem too be two opinions on your sacking. One, that you were too pushy about the 13th Amendment. Two, that you pissed off the Israelis. Which is it?
Dayan Jayatilleka: It could be either, both or neither. The editorials in The Island and the Daily Mirror on July 20th, indicate that it could have a personal aspect. Lets unpack …
July 24, 2009 at 7:00 am · Categories: Colombo, Foreign Relations, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Savitri Hensman
‘About 2000 years ago the Sinhala people started facing the dreadful enemy invasions and threats from diverse communities living in the Indian subcontinent,’ according to extremist politician Cyril Mathew and his associates in a book published thirty years ago, Diabolical Conspiracy. The fact that Sinhalese too originated from the Indian subcontinent, and that rival kingdoms in South Asia often cooperated as well as occasionally clashing, was conveniently bypassed. Their account went on to describe all manner of threats faced by Sinhalese Buddhists in their encounters with others: ‘By subjecting the innocent and defenceless Sinhala people to extremely cruel tortures and harassments such as beheading, bloodbaths, killing on the spike and setting whole villages on fire, the foreign invaders mercilessly suppressed …
July 23, 2009 at 10:06 am · Categories: Human Rights, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War, Vavuniya | by Martin White
In his ”responses and clarifications’’ to his article, Is the War Really Over?, Lionel Bopage defends himself against a critic’s charge that he doesn’t ”get it” that the war is really over now that the LTTE has been defeated.Bopage clarifies:
“I began my article with the statement that the conventional war between the GoSL and the LTTE has ended. There is no mention of a war continuing in the island. My point was, the political causes that led to the national problem and the war still remain.’’
I have to say, as much as I respect Mr. Bopage – whose heart is most definitely in a much kinder space than the majority of his critics – this defense both disappoints and …
July 22, 2009 at 3:00 pm · Categories: Colombo, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Lionel Bopage
[Editors note: This is Lionel Bopage's second detailed response to the points brought up in his article Sri Lanka: Is the war really over? The first response and resulting comments can be read here.]
I doubt that a solution to Sri Lanka’s national question can be discussed in detail on a forum such as Groundviews without using up too much valuable space. However, if I may, I’d like to respond to the latest comments made about my original posting of Sri Lanka: Is the war really over?
I believe that the Sri Lanka diaspora cannot and should not prescribe a solution to the national question. Yet, the diaspora could make a positive contribution to assist the people of …
July 22, 2009 at 2:43 am · Categories: Disaster Management, Foreign Relations, Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Nikini Jayatunga
“Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.”
(Rudyard Kipling, Barrack-room ballads, 1892)
Through a fortuitous twist of fate at the end of May I had the opportunity to be a witness to an event of considerable global importance; the Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka. The outcome of this meeting has sparked substantial controversy, and has been extensively covered in both local and international press, which I have been following with great interest.
Please permit me at the outset to elaborate upon my personal situation as this may help to explain my position on this subject.
I am a dual citizen of both Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, a child of …
July 21, 2009 at 11:08 am · Categories: Colombo, Foreign Relations, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Castedeus
Sri Lanka’s decisive military victory over the LTTE owed much to a robust foreign policy as it did to a strong military and political leadership with the resolve to defeat the enemy. The results are evident. At the Security Council, it was the steadfast position of permanent member China that the sovereignty of a member-state cannot be imposed upon through a resolution against it. Even a resolution blocking an IMF loan to Sri Lanka was denied. At a regional level, it was India , who took the position that the LTTE could be militarily defeated, provided a political solution that recognized Tamil self-determination within a united Sri Lanka followed. On foreign aid, it was once again China and India . …
July 20, 2009 at 2:43 pm · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Suren Raghavan
Was/is he an ethnonational liberation fighter, an egocentric megalomaniac or an unschooled political protagonist? Depending on the perspectives they would prefer to take, concerned future historians will struggle to pigeon hole Veluppilai Pirapaharan. Whatever the analysis, anarchist ideology, neo-Marxist categorization or a Minority Nation Rights discourse, he is sure to be mentioned in a very special place in post independent political history of Sri Lanka. Sokoloff (2000) argues history as an intended social signature of the contemporary elites. Then, the ownership of placing Praba in modern politics of Sri Lanka does not rest with the remaining Thamil separatists or their Diaspora imaginations in any significant manner. Because the double faced dichotomies of the international politics has decided that it is …
July 19, 2009 at 8:14 pm · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by MCM Iqbal
(The writer was one of the secretaries of the first Provincial Council of the Western Province)
1. Introduction
In the aftermath of the defeat of the LTTE in Sri Lanka, many expected the government to put forward the promised political solution to the problems of the Tamils which led to the war. Those who expected this were disappointed when the President said at a recent interview with the ‘Hindu’ newspaper that the solution would be …
July 19, 2009 at 11:59 am · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Foreign Relations, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Mahesan Niranjan
I arrive on holiday at the Colombo airport with my family. It is I, your potato farmer. In my last post I told you about my trial, you might remember. Mine is a complex family: “Look my darling, your children and my children are playing with our children”.
We often have quarrels about our respective ancestry, me very proud of my heritage, thinking it far superior to hers, she thinking exactly the same about hers: its uniqueness, cultural values and religious beliefs. She thinks my belief system is foreign, and often smacks my kids. I too deliver equally unfair blows at hers. An effective trigger for our family quarrels is the cake we serve at tea. She …
July 18, 2009 at 8:30 am · Categories: Colombo, Foreign Relations | by Nalaka Gunawardene
When Apollo 11 astronauts landed on the Moon 40 years ago this month, they were more than just Americans taking that historic first step on to another celestial body.
They did plant the American flag there, acknowledging the nation whose tax payers had financed the massive operation. To allay any fears that one nation was claiming the Moon — which was explicitly ruled out by the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 — they also left a plaque which read: “Here men from the Planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.” It was signed by the three astronauts –- Neil Armstrong, …
July 15, 2009 at 5:21 pm · Categories: Colombo, Constitutional Reform, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by RMB Senanayake
Dr Dayan Jayatilleke has forcefully stated the diplomatic case for implementing the 13th Amendment which is already part of the law, in reply to Mr Malinda Seneviratne. The President has told the Indian Government that he would implement the 13th Amendment fully. But there are many voices among the Sinhala nationalists against the implementation of this Law. The Tamil politicians have always wanted more powers than the 13th Amendment provides for. But it would be prudent for the Tamil MPs to go along with the President and extend their co-operation to implement this Law without rocking the boat. The JHU and the JVP have always opposed the 13th Amendment. They represent the …
July 15, 2009 at 12:18 pm · Categories: Colombo, Human Security, Media and Communications, Peace and Conflict, Post-War | by Duckie
Those posts written with a heavy heart have a tendency to backfire on one, and I suspect that this would have quite negative consequences on my personal relations, when read by those who are supposed to read it.
The Journalism Awards for Excellence organized by the Editors’ Guild of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lanka Press Institute was held in all its might and glory last night, as it should be. This is the Sri Lankan media equivalent of the Chillies, the Grammys, or the Oscars.
But one stark shortfall stood out in its own naked might and glory: the complete lack of mention of one of their own who fell earlier this year. Merely six months after, one would find …
July 14, 2009 at 6:22 am · Categories: Human Security, IDPs and Refugees, Peace and Conflict, Poetry, Politics and Governance, Post-War, Vavuniya | by Thiru Sambandar
The government wishes
all Tamils good rest,
sweet sleep and recovery
at Manik Farm. We have
cleared the brush and
carpenters are busy
making coffins. Parasites
will be snuffed out,
no ifs or buts. Between
asylum writs, and bribes
paid to guards to keep
family together, and
diarrhoea, we will
make the camp fit
our Tamil village
concept, nothing too
overpopulated, but
with banking facilities
to store Thalis and
other gold, just right
for the new Tamil
and his diminished
circumstances
nothwithstanding
in ancestral
Sinhala lands.
July 13, 2009 at 10:51 pm · Categories: Colombo, Media and Communications, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War | by Groundviews
[Editors note: The original page of this story and the entire Lankanenewsweb.com site are blocked in Sri Lanka for publishing a report on the President's son. We are therefore re-posting this story on Groundviews to flag enduring concerns over media freedom and the safety of independent journalists in post-war Sri Lanka and also the Sri Lankan Government's continuing censorship of information on the web. See the Groundviews Special Edition on Lasantha Wickrematunge for the public outrage and comments over his murder earlier this year. No culprits have been brought to book to date.]
“Lasantha from the Leader paper went overboard. I took care of him. Poddala agitated and his leg was broken. Now a fellow in my …
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