Sri Lanka Watch, News and Discussions

[RAM]

Sri Lanka buys vehicles, machinery from China



COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government has announced that it has purchased equipment worth Sri Lankan Rs.2,049 million for the Northern Province with loan from China at concessional rate.

“The government has purchased a huge amount of vehicles, machinery and other equipment from the People’s Republic of China to speed up the development programmes currently under way in the Northern Province under ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ 180-day development drive. The equipment was handed over to the state authorities by Chinese Ambassador Yang Xiu Ping,” an official announcement said here.

Probe into death threats


In another development, President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation into the recent death threats received by Frederica Jansz, Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader, and Munza Mushtaq, its News Editor.

The order followed representation to President Rajapaksa about the threat by Frederica Jansz, a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat said here.

The threatening letters were received by The Sunday Leader office after the newspaper reported on the Channel 4 video. Amnesty International earlier said the Sri Lankan authorities must act to ensure the safety of the two women editors. The threats, written in red ink, were delivered by post to the newspaper on October 22.

Lasantha Wickrematunge, founder and former Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, was murdered in January, three weeks after receiving a similar death threat, also written in red ink. No one has yet been prosecuted for the murder.

The most recent threats relate to The Sunday Leader’s coverage of a video broadcast on U.K. TV Channel 4 in August, which allegedly showed Sri Lankan soldiers executing Tamil prisoners.

The government stated that the video had been faked, but on October 18, The Sunday Leader printed an article on its front page highlighting a report that an analysis of the video concluded that the footage had not been tampered with or edited.

The Hindu : International : Sri Lanka buys vehicles, machinery from China

 

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Tamil Refugees in Sri Lanka to be Resettled by Jan 2010

Colombo: Tamil Refugees in Sri Lanka to be Resettled by Jan 2010, Sri Lankan government hopes to relocate the majority of Tamils displaced by war in January next year, a minister has said amid growing U.S. pressure and other Western nations to send to the Tamils.

“The government has always maintained that IDPs should be designed and delivered in a structured and well managed manner,” Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe.

“We hope to reach our goal of resettling a majority of IDPs on 31 January next year,” he said.

Tamil Today, tens of thousands displaced by war are languishing in refugee camps special and Washington, the EU and human rights groups have called for their early repatriation back home.

“Having overcome the threat of terrorism and achieve military dominance in a ruthless organization that has ruined the life of the nation for nearly three decades, we have a unique opportunity to forge a new Sri Lanka where the human dignity of all citizens is fully safeguarded” , who said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Rishad Bathiudeen said the total number of displaced persons in northern numbering 2.85 LAKH, nearly a Lakh people have been sent back home.

Bathiudeen said one of the main obstacles to the resettlement of IDPs in their hometowns or villages was time to clear landmines in those areas.

Sri Lanka news updated 24 hours day: The Lanka Academic
Tamil Refugees in Sri Lanka to be Resettled by Jan 2010

 

[RAM]

The longest bridge in Sri Lanka opened by President

news dated 1 week back- oct 2009

The longest bridge has been built across a lagoon in Kinniya. The Irakkandi Bridge was another dream of the Eastern polity. These two bridges were declared opened by President Mahinda Rajapakse a short while ago.

The new Kinniya Bridge was a long felt need of the people of the Eastern Province. It is the longest bridge to be built across a Lagoon. It links Horoi-Adi and Kinniya in Trincomalee. Construction work has been completed meeting the needs of the Eastern people. The work was carried out under the supervision of Senior Presidential Advisor and Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa and at the behest of the President.

The project cost 789 Million Rupees. It was built by China Oto Kaik Limited Construction Company, a Chinese firm and with financial assistance from the Saudi Development Fund. The Bridge which is 396 metres long has two lanes. The work was launched in 2004 when the President was serving as the Prime Minister. It will be of great relief to the people who earlier used to traverse across the Lagoon through a ferry service.

The Irakkandi Bridge which was devastated by the Tsunami has been rebuilt. Former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle launched the work last year. The Government accelerated the construction work to facilitate people of several areas in the East. The allocation made for the Irakkandi Bridge and two other Bridges is 1.8 Billion Rupees

www.lankaenews.com | The longest bridge in Sri Lanka opened by President

 

[mattster]

Sri Lanka denies Tamil Tiger chief executed after surrender

From correspondents in Colombo


THE Sri Lankan government rejected fresh accusations that Tamil Tiger separatist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was executed after surrendering to security forces.
Sri Lanka's military announced on May 18 the killing of Prabhakaran, who led a 37-year campaign for an independent homeland for minority Tamils in the majority Sinhalese country.
The Sri Lanka Guardian, a US-based website that describes itself as an independent news organisation, reported over the weekend that Prabhakaran had surrendered, but was tortured and killed by the army. It cited three sources, including a bodyguard who said he had escaped the final offensive and fled the country as well as officials from the Sri Lankan intelligence service and the defence ministry.
But in a statement, the defence ministry said there was a campaign to publish "concocted stories" in a bid to drag Sri Lanka's military before war crimes tribunals.
"A new version of the consequences that led to Prabhakaran's death has been concocted, involving the reputation of senior officers who gave leadership to the final battles against Tiger terrorists," the ministry said.
Both the Sri Lankan military and the Tiger rebels have previously said that Prabhakaran fought to the end.
His body was shown on national television a day later, with a deep cut to his skull. The cut has not been officially explained, but the army said he was killed in a gunbattle with government forces.
The latest claim came as a US State Department report said that both Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil rebels may have violated the laws of war this year during the culmination of their decades-old armed conflict.
Among the claims detailed in the report was the accusation that, in the final few days of fighting, senior Tamil Tiger leaders reached a surrender agreement with government forces but were then executed.
However, the report made no mention of any surrender by Prabhakaran.
Sri Lanka, which has rejected the US report as baseless, said a propaganda campaign had been launched with the "sinister motive of trying to take the security forces to a war crimes tribunal".
The United Nations has said that up to 7000 civilians perished in the first four months of this year while up to 100,000 people may have died during the entire conflict.

courtesy
Sri Lanka news updated 24 hours day: The Lanka Academic
Sri Lanka denies Tamil Tiger chief executed after surrender | World Breaking News | News.com.au

This story must be a joke. Can you imagine a Prabakaran who has sent hundreds of suicide bombers to their death suddenly becoming a punked out ass by surrendering to Sri-Lankan army.

Even if this story were true - it just proves that Prabakaran was a punk.

 

[RAM]

US war crimes questions for SLanka general: report


COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka's top military commander, General Sarath Fonseka, is to be questioned by US authorities over allegations of war crimes during the island's fight against Tamil Tiger rebels, a report said Sunday.

The privately-run Sunday Times newspaper said Fonseka, who is visiting his daughters in Oklahoma, had been asked to present himself for an interview with the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

The move "prompted fears in Colombo that Washington is asserting its legal authority over the 'war crimes' report" released last month, the paper said referring to a State Department dossier on alleged war crimes.

The report outlined excesses by security forces and Tamil Tiger rebels during the final stages of fighting earlier this year. The report, submitted to the US Congress, refers to Fonseka having overstepped his brief.

There was no immediate comment from the Sri Lankan foreign ministry or the US embassy in Colombo, but the Sunday Times said the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington was providing legal assistance to Fonseka.

Fonseka is a US Green Card holder and travelled to the United States last week to visit his two daughters in Oklahoma.

The State Department report cited allegations in which Tamil rebels took boys and girls to join their guerrilla force and in which government forces broke a ceasefire as well as killed rebels who surrendered.

It also cited reports in which government troops or government-backed paramilitaries "abducted and in some instances then killed Tamil civilians, particularly children and young men."

The report covered the period from January -- when fighting intensified -- until the end of May, when Sri Lankan troops defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at the end of a decades-old separatist conflict.

Sri Lanka last week announced it was appointing a panel to investigate the allegations after initially dismissing the report as "unsubstantiated."

US war crimes questions for SLanka general: report - Yahoo! News

 

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S.Lanka seek to stop US quzzing general over war


COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka has called on US authorities to drop plans to interview the island's military commander over allegations of war crimes against ethnic Tamil rebels, an official said Sunday.

The Colombo government held "very high-level" talks to prevent General Sarath Fonseka, currently visiting Oklahoma, from being quizzed over his conduct during the conflict against the Tamil Tigers, the official said.

The privately-run Sunday Times newspaper here said Fonseka had been asked to present himself for an interview with the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday.

The move "prompted fears in Colombo that Washington is asserting its legal authority over the 'war crimes' report" released last month, the paper said referring to a State Department dossier on alleged war crimes.

The report outlined excesses by security forces and Tiger rebels during the final stages of fighting earlier this year. The report, submitted to the US Congress, refers to Fonseka's having overstepped his brief.

The Sunday Times said the Sri Lankan diplomatic mission there was already providing legal assistance to Fonseka.

Fonseka is a US Green Card holder and travelled to the US last week to visit his two daughters. He also addressed a group of Sri Lankans in Washington last week and took credit for leading the battle to crush the Tigers.

The US embassy in Colombo declined comment.

The State Department report cited allegations that Tamil rebels recruited children and that government forces broke a ceasefire as well as killed rebels who surrendered.

It also cited reports in which it was claimed government troops or government-backed paramilitaries "abducted and in some instances then killed Tamil civilians, particularly children and young men."

The report covered the period from January -- when fighting intensified -- until the end of May, when Sri Lankan troops defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at the end of a decades-old separatist conflict.

Sri Lanka last week announced it was appointing a panel to investigate the allegations after initially dismissing the report as "unsubstantiated."

The island's government managed to stave off a UN human rights council debate on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity thanks to the backing of veto-holders China and Russia.

The UN has said that up to 7,000 civilians perished during the last four months of fighting and accused both the military and the Tigers of not doing enough to protect civilians.

S.Lanka seek to stop US quzzing general over war - Yahoo! News

 

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No Chinese aboard Lankan navy boats- Navy spokesman

The Sri Lanka Navy has refuted Indian media reports which quoted Indian fishermen as claiming that Chinese nationals were patrolling the seas with the Sri Lankan Navy in the guise of Sri Lankan Navy personnel.

Navy Spokesperson Captain D.K.P Dassanayake, speaking to Daily Mirror, stressed that there were no Chinese nationals aboard Sri Lanka Navy ships and insisted that there was no need for any Chinese to be among the Sri Lankan Navy either.

Express Buzz quoted a boat crew of a mechanised boat at Rameswaram as claiming that many strangers can be seen among the Lankan forces.

Liden of Pamban, a boat owner, said that the fishermen saw several Chinese forces among the Lankan navy personnel and they were in clad in Lankan navy uniforms. “These men are more harsh in their treatment towards the captured Indian fishermen,” he added.

N J Bose, general secretary of the Tamilnadu Fishermen Federation, said that these Chinese men attacked Indian fishermen without any warning.

Meanwhile Captain Dassanayake further denied allegations made by the Indian reports that the Sri Lanka Navy, in the guise of eliminating rebel forces, mistreated Indian fisherman found in Sri Lankan waters.

“We deal with them in a very humanitarian way,” Captain Dassanayake said. “When they are sometimes washed ashore, we attend to them and send them back to India,” he added.

Sri Lanka Breaking News-Daily Mirror Online

 

[RAM]

Why Does the U.S. Want to Talk to Sri Lanka's Tiger Tamer?


To many Sri Lankans, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka is a bit of a hero. Now the equivalent of the U.S. military's Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Fonseka was the former army commander who helped strategize and lead the campaign that put a decisive end to the quarter-century-long separatist war of the Tamil Tigers. The intensity of the onslaught raised criticism around the world, including a 68-page State Department report to the U.S. Congress that took to task the conduct of both government forces and the Tigers. Now, what appears to be an attempt by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to interview Fonseka about the war has raised angry protests from the highest official ranks in Sri Lanka.


According to Fonseka and other Sri Lankan officials, the DHS contacted the general on Oct. 28 during his trip to the U.S. to visit his daughters, who live in Oklahoma. Fonseka, who holds a U.S. green card permanent-residency certificate, was asked to show up for an interview on Nov. 4. According to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Fonseka had been told by the DHS official that the objective of the interview was to "use him as a source against Defense Secretary Gottabaya Rajapaksa." Apart from being a co-author of the successful campaign against the Tigers, Gottabaya Rajapaksa is also the brother of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
(See pictures from Sri Lanka when the Tamil Tigers were still a force.)

Responding to previous international criticism, the Sri Lankan government declared that it would not subject any of its military commanders or civilian officials who led the war to any kind of international investigation or war-crimes tribunal. The apparent request from American officials led to a similar dismissal. In the U.S., the DHS's office of Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), which reportedly made the Fonseka request, refused to confirm or deny the allegation. ICE spokesman Brandon Alvarez-Montgomery said: "If there was an investigation, there's nothing we can provide. Especially in cases that are very sensitive under human-rights violations, until that person or group were fully investigated [we] would never comment."
(See an interview with Sri Lanka's President.)

Foreign Minister Bogollagama said he had made his government's concerns clear to the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Patricia Butenis. "The U.S. authorities should not exert procedures on [Fonseka]," Bogollagama said. "The interview should not take place." The Sri Lankan government believes that despite Fonseka's status as a green-card holder, the U.S. does not have any jurisdiction over him at this point because he entered the country on a Sri Lankan passport. "General Fonseka is a citizen of Sri Lanka and he holds a diplomatic passport from Sri Lanka," said Bogollagama. The minister said that Fonseka could not divulge privileged information he knew of the war and its conduct without approval from his superiors and the Sri Lankan government.

Defense Secretary Rajapaksa — who also happens to be a U.S. citizen — was interviewed for about an hour on arrival by immigration officials when he was in New York City as part of Sri Lanka's delegation to the U.N. General Assembly sessions in October. "It happened and I was there," said Bogollagama. "We took all the necessary actions that were required."
(See a story of what's next for Sri Lanka's Tamils.)

The report of the DHS interview request comes at a curious time in Sri Lankan politics. Fonseka has been the subject of speculation that he may run against President Rajapaksa in the next election. Some political observers claim that the Rajapaksa brothers are trying to sideline the general, an allegation that the Defense Secretary has denied. "This is nothing but a despicable plot being hatched at the expense of the entire country," Defense Secretary Rajapaksa told a weekend newspaper of the reports of a growing gulf between Fonseka and the government.

But on October 26, Fonseka seemed to have veered away from a hard-line stance he shared with the Rajapaksas. At a Buddhist temple in Washington, he spoke of the "need to resettle persons who are in camps and provide security to them." That appears to be a softening of his previous position that the peace-and-order climate in the areas reconquered by the military should not be undermined by speedy resettlement. Sri Lanka has an estimated 186,000 internally displaced people, refugees from the war with the Tigers. He warned that there might still be thousands of Tigers among them and that they needed to be weeded out. He said nothing about his alleged presidential ambitions, only that "the people who really know the victory are those who went to battle."

Why Does the U.S. Want to Talk with Sri Lanka's Fonseka? - TIME

 

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Tamil Tigers look to regroup in Canada: expert

The Tamil Tigers organization hopes to use Canada as a strategic base to continue the fight against the government of Sri Lanka, according to an authority on the alleged terrorist group.

"I cannot think of any other country that is more important for the Tamil Tigers as Canada, to regroup and continue their campaign against Sri Lanka," said Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, head of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research, a Singapore-based think-tank.

Gunaratna is advising the Canadian government as it investigates the 75 Tamil migrants currently in immigration custody in Vancouver. The men were found aboard a ship seized off the coast of British Columbia on Oct. 17.

Lawyers for the men have said they are not Tamil Tigers, but Gunaratna disagreed.

"There are many members of the Tamil Tigers on board that vessel," Gunaratna said in an interview from Singapore. The Tigers — banned in Canada as a terrorist organization — were defeated in May 2009 after a 23-year insurgency.

Alleged mastermind namedGunaratna also alleged that a Canadian — Ravi Shankar Kanagaraja — was the mastermind behind the ship's arrival.

Ravi Shankar Kanagaraja

"

Men on the ship seized off the coast of British Columbia wave to a helicopter Oct. 17. Government investigators are trying to determine if some of the men pose a risk to security

Ravi Shankar Kanagaraja
He arranged for this ship to come to Canada, and right now the Canadian authorities are hunting for him," Gunaratna said.

One of the lawyers for the men has accused Gunaratna of bias because of his past association with Sri Lanka's government."If they are going to make allegations that people are connected to the Tamil Tigers, they'd better have evidence and, from my point of view, Mr. Gunaratna is not credible," said Lorne Waldeman.

In Ottawa, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney suggested Tuesday he was heeding the advice of the government's expert for now.

"It's our view [the migrants] constitute a flight risk and we are not entirely satisfied about their backgrounds," Kenney said.

An immigration hearing Monday for one of the migrants was told that residue of two chemicals used in explosives was found on clothing owned by two of the men aboard the vessel.

Monday's hearing was also told that the identity of the ship was hidden on its voyage to Canada because it was known to have been used to ship arms for the Tamil Tigers.

Lawyers representing the men are seeking to have them accepted as refugees in Canada, and say the men lives would be in danger if they were forced to return to Sri Lanka

CBC News - British Columbia - Tamil Tigers look to regroup in Canada: expert

 

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Sri Lanka claims LTTE trained Maoist cadre'


Sri Lankan Government on Thursday for the first time admitted that the LTTE was training the Maoist cadre in India from the past two years. Lanka’s Central Intelligence agency had earlier submitted the report to government.

“We will provide details to the Indian Government to expose the nexus” Sri Lankan government reportedly said on Thursday.

Sri Lanka’s affirmation clearly indicates that Maoists are getting logistic support and training from LTTE. According to sources, Sri Lanka’s top intelligence wing has acquired some key information about the dangerous alliance between the Maoists and the Tamil Tigers.

The SL government has also given a high alert to the Indian government for some more major LTTE intrusions in India.

This disclosure by the Sri Lanksn government has come after a few day of the Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram’s assertion that Naxalites are acquiring arms from abroad is only the tip of the iceberg, as central intelligence agencies have found fresh evidence of joint training camps and meetings conducted by the Red guerrillas with Tamil Tigers in the forests of south and central India.

Indian government is still waiting for the detailed information about the LTTE- Maoist nexus with which Indian government will be able to take action to deal with the Naxal problems in India.

Sri Lanka claims LTTE trained Maoist cadre: Report

 

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US House pressures Sri Lanka on camps

Thu, Nov 05, 2009

WASHINGTON, US - The US House of Representatives urged Sri Lanka's government Wednesday to guarantee the safety and quick release of some 300,000 Tamils and other war-displaced people currently held in camps.

By an overwhelming 421-1 vote, lawmakers approved a non-binding resolution that calls on the authorities in Colombo to help the populations of widely condemned, tightly guarded camps return to their homes.

The measure urges Sri Lanka's government to turn over the operation of the camps to civilians, and allow day-to-day access to the camps for the Red Cross, non-governmental groups, and others who care for internally displaced people.


It also calls on the government to allow an independent assessment of charges of large numbers of deaths, rampant disease, poor sanitation and poor health care in the camps and a plan to remedy the issues.

The proposal also asks the government to establish 'reasonable conditions' to allow non-Sri-Lanka agencies access to the inhabitants and to ensure reconstruction of areas devastated by the country's internal strife.

And it urges the Tamil people 'to continue to be patient while the government reestablishes normalcy' and calls on the government to make headway on political reforms to address the Tamils' 'political concerns.'

Sri Lanka says it needs time to weed out suspected Tamil Tiger fighters from the camps to prevent a revival of the rebels' four-decade struggle for an independent Tamil homeland, one of Asia's longest and bloodiest conflicts.

The government has vowed to re-settle all people displaced during the decades of war by January, but international aid and human rights groups have questioned its commitment to the welfare of Tamil civilians.

Sri Lanka has also restricted access of aid agencies and journalists to the camps.

The Tamil Tigers were defeated in May with the annihilation of the rebel leadership.

US House pressures Sri Lanka on camps

 

[RAM]

Sri Lanka says LTTE gone but suicide bombers remain


The Tamil Tigers are finished as a military outfit but a small group of their feared suicide bombers still remain in Colombo, a top Sri Lankan official visiting India said.Rajiva Wijesinha also said that the number of Tamil refugees who were taken into camps following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers in May would fall from the original nearly 300,000 to 50,000 by January-end.

Wijesinha, secretary in the ministry of disaster management and human rights, spoke to IANS and at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies here about the current situation in Sri Lanka."Suicide bombers are still there in Colombo, we have to be careful," he said, referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). But he added: "We have had enough. We are not going to allow that to go on."

Wijesinha, however, made it clear that the chances of the LTTE reviving itself were unlikely "without significant foreign intervention. Most people have decided that this is not what they should be dabbling in"."But the (pro-LTTE Tamil) diaspora is very powerful. And some politicians in some countries have not been very helpful."

It was not clear if Wijesinha was referring to a section of political leaders from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu who continue to subscribe to the LTTE cause despite the group's decisive military defeat.Because of the dangers flowing from the LTTE's possible resurgence, he said the armed forces would be "in readiness" and the High Security Zones (HSZs) in the Tamil areas would be reduced "but they cannot be removed".

He described the LTTE, whose leadership was wiped out in May, as "a brilliant terrorist movement" whose campaign for separation in the north and east of Sri Lanka left some 90,000 people dead between 1983 and 2009.Wijesinha, who is also secretary general of the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP), said Colombo was committed to devolving power to the minorities but federalism was ruled out.

Citing the example of Kosovo and Western power interests, he argued that "there is a danger of legitimisation of separatism" in a federal structure in a country like Sri Lanka.
He admitted that Sri Lanka came under intense international pressure over the hundreds of thousands of Tamils interned in camps after the LTTE's defeat.

"The pressure from the West was quite extensive," he said. "But countries like India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, Cuba and Brazil understood our security concerns."These countries also had questions about the refugees and their rehabilitation and a political map for the devolution process, but they did not pressure us."

Wijesinha said that from a high of nearly 300,000 in May 2009, the number of civilians in camps had now fallen to about 164,000 and this would go down further to 40,000-50,000 by January-end.Of this, about 10,000 would be surrendered LTTE cadres who needed to be taught skills to join the mainstream, he said.

Wijesinha attributed the slow repatriation of Tamils to three factors, including security considerations, the slow pace of de-mining in the north of the island and the lack of infrastructure in the war-hit zone."We are now moving with incremental swiftness," he said, referring to the pace of civilian movement from the camps. "We now have a feeling of success."

Sri Lanka says LTTE gone but suicide bombers remain- Hindustan Times

 

[RAM]

Trouble at the top in Sri Lanka?

Speculation continues to grow in Sri Lanka that there is a rift at the top of the country's establishment.It is said to pit the armed forces chief, Gen Sarath Fonseka, against two ultra-powerful brothers, the president and the defence secretary, Mahinda and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

One apparently contentious issue is who should take the credit for the government's all-out victory last May against the Tamil Tigers. The government says there is no spat. But, fuelled by remarks and events, the speculation continues. Since he was promoted from army chief to armed forces chief in July, there have been reports that Gen Sarath Fonseka was being sidelined. Some observers saw the newly created post of chief of staff as a ceremonial sinecure, although the government denies this. The speculation increased when the news emerged that he had been offered the job of secretary to the sports ministry, but had rejected it. It was not seen as a prestigious offer. Last month the military spokesman said allegations of differences between the government and the general were "not true" and that to report otherwise was "illegal".

Yet days earlier, the government broadcasters and websites had all ignored a speech Gen Fonseka gave to the army for its 60th anniversary, in which he stressed his own role in the military victory. Presidential candidate?There is no open quarrel. But each side's comments do seem telling. Gen Fonseka is being considered as an opposition presidential candidate In a speech two weeks ago, Gen Fonseka said that people in Colombo who "hold responsibilities" had forgotten the importance of the army in the war victory. But government ministers and deputies have been making pointed remarks of a different kind - for instance, that in Sri Lankan history it was kings, not soldiers, that won wars; or that military rule in Pakistan (a close friend of Sri Lanka) had left that country "in a total mess".

That is relevant because there are growing indications that the general may seek to enter politics as a presidential candidate against Mahinda Rajapaksa after quitting his military post. The election is due before April. This would be an intriguing prospect. Gen Fonseka is a strong Sinhalese nationalist, who in a Canadian newspaper interview last year was quoted as saying that "this country belongs to the [majority] Sinhalese" although minorities must also be treated "like our people".

Yet a Tamil politician in the newly formed opposition coalition, Mano Ganesan, has told the BBC that opposition parties may support Gen Fonseka as a candidate for a limited term as they cannot see any other way of ousting Mr Rajapaksa - also widely regarded as a Sinhalese nationalist. The opposition leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, says he has set out preconditions for the general to be acceptable as a candidate. These would include giving government portfolios to the Tamil National Alliance, a pro-Tamil Tiger parliamentary group. To many, such a possibility seems scarcely credible.There were reports that Gen Fonseka was to be quizzed in the US There was a further twist last week when the Sri Lankan government alleged that the US government had sought to use Gen Fonseka to testify against the defence secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, over war crimes allegations.

The Americans declined to comment but the government hurriedly called a news conference to say the general was not allowed to divulge privileged information to third parties. Asked by the BBC whether there was a split between the general and the defence secretary, Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, said "I don't think so" but did not elaborate.

President Rajapaksa has not commented directly on the possibility of having Gen Fonseka as an electoral rival. Speaking on state television this week, he said the general was "a military officer under my command - the most senior" and he had nothing further to say.

His brother Gotabhaya said in the same broadcast that the public must not engage in acts that would "divide the military".

'Suicidal move'

Some government supporters are getting anxious, with newspaper columnists urging the general not to stand and Buddhist religious organisations telling him not to "fall prey to national and international conspirators". An ultra-nationalist politician, Wimal Weerawansa, said the general should not "make any suicidal move that would tarnish his image". It has not been possible to speak to the general recently. It is unclear exactly what his own thinking is, although opposition politicians say his associates have been in contact with them. If he does stand, the opposition would be trying to meet the government on its own territory - contesting the election with the war victory as a central issue, rather than other everyday issues which do seem to be gaining in importance. It would be mainly a battle for the Sinhalese vote, with many members of minorities left with the option of casting some kind of protest vote or not voting at all.

The question is how well such a contest would go down with the voters - whether Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or any other.

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Trouble at the top in Sri Lanka?

 

[RPK]

BBC NEWS | South Asia | Sri Lanka military chief resigns

Sri Lanka's armed forces chief General Sarath Fonseka has resigned from his post just months after helping secure the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels.

Gen Fonseka is reportedly considering challenging President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an election to be held before April. He is due to make a speech shortly.

The resignation was swiftly accepted by the president, a political source told the BBC on condition of anonymity.

Speculation of a rift between the two men has been rife in recent months.

The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says the general has been in talks with Sri Lanka's opposition coalition about the possibility of his running for president against Mr Rajapaksa.

Opposition politicians say that resigning from his post as army chief would clear the way for him to stand as a presidential candidate.

But in an interview with BBC Sinhala, Gen Fonseka would not be drawn on reports he might enter the presidential race.

"I am retiring. That's all I can say at the moment," he said.

Two months after leading the army to victory in the civil war, Gen Fonseka was promoted from army chief to armed forces chief, a new post widely viewed as ceremonial.

He was widely reported to be unhappy at this.

 

[Pintu]

AFP: Unease at Sri Lanka general's presidential ambitions

Unease at Sri Lanka general's presidential ambitions

By Amal Jayasinghe (AFP) – 12 hours ago

COLOMBO — Hailed as a hero for ending decades of civil war, Sri Lanka's most decorated general now looks set to challenge for the presidency -- a move that some analysts view with deep foreboding.

General Sarath Fonseka led the Sri Lankan army's May victory over the separatist Tamil Tigers, achieved in a brutal showdown that eliminated the remnants of the rebel army and its leadership.

But after apparently being sidelined into a largely ceremonial role because of what he says were fears he would lead a coup, Fonseka resigned and now looks sure to challenge his former political masters at the ballot box.

"He is certainly entering politics. It is an irreversible process for him now," Sumanasiri Liyanage, a political science professor at the University of Peradeniya, told AFP.

Some observers saw the prospect of a Fonseka challenge as being behind President Mahinda Rajapakse's weekend decision to delay the announcement of dates for elections next year.

Hoping to capitalise on the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, Rajapakse had been widely expected to provide a timetable for snap polls on Sunday, but said he needed more time to consult with party leaders.

In May, Fonseka's troops wiped out the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who had been fighting for nearly 37 years for a Tamil homeland in the north of the island.

Allegations of human rights abuses abounded, with the United Nations saying more than 7,000 civilians could have died in the final stages of the fighting.

And since the victory, Colombo has been criticised for not moving swiftly enough to resettle Tamils uprooted by the war.

Fonseka has added his voice to that criticism, telling Rajapakse that the government had failed to win the peace after the army won the war.

"There is no clear policy to win the hearts and minds of the Tamil people, which will surely ruin the victory attained," he said.

Fonseka is thought to have clashed with the president and his brother, who is defence minister, in a wrangle over who should take credit for the victory over the rebels.

In July, he was moved from his role as head of the army to chief of defence staff -- a more ceremonial position that has no command responsibility.

He announced his resignation last week in a bitter letter that read like an election manifesto, criticising the government on a host of policy fronts.

Huge posters of Fonseka that had been put up throughout Sri Lanka were ordered down as he accused his political bosses of corruption, violating human rights, stifling media freedom and suppressing political dissent.

Analysts say Fonseka would pose a formidable challenge at the ballot box, especially if he could unite opposition parties behind his candidacy.

"Boosting the image of the military has boomeranged on the government," said Terrance Purasinghe, political science lecturer at Sri Jayewardenepura University.

"People now have a feeling that a military leader will ensure a cleaner government, but I feel Fonseka's entry into politics would be a danger to democracy," Purasinghe said.

Liyanage agreed, saying a Fonseka presidency could take Sri Lanka down the road of Pakistan or Myanmar where military dictators have ruled for long periods.

During his time as army chief, Fonseka was regarded as ruthlessly efficient, and a US State Department report on possible war crimes in Sri Lanka accused Fonseka of having "overlooked rules of war."

His 40-year military career would set the tone for any political role he could assume, said Liyanage.

"In the short term, his entry into politics is good for democracy because he is helping to rally the opposition and we need a strong opposition for democracy to thrive, but in the long run it will be a danger," Liyanage said.

Human rights activist and lawyer Nimalka Fernando said Fonseka's split with the government had strengthened the hand of those clamouring for improved human rights, at least in the short term.

"It is an irony of ironies that Fonseka is talking about human rights when he was our target of attack in the past," Fernando said.

Victor Ivan, political commentator for the weekly "Ravaya" newspaper, said the country's fractured opposition saw in Fonseka a candidate they could unite behind.

"But there is no guarantee that they will be able to have any hold on him if he wins," he warned.

 

[ppgj]

Paper no. 3507 17-Nov-2009

Sri Lanka: Gen. Fonseka Devalues Himself
By B. Raman

The Khalistani terrorism in India and the terrorism of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka are two unique instances in the history of terrorism where the State prevailed over the terrorists without conceding their demands.

2. The threat faced by Sri Lanka was more complex and difficult to handle than the threat faced by India. Sri Lanka was confronted with a ruthless mix of a full-blown insurgency seeking territorial control and terrorism seeking to intimidate the civil society. The Khalistani terrorism was a purely terrorist movement with no mix of an insurgency.

3. The situation, which Sri Lanka faced, was similar to that faced by the US and other NATO forces and the Afghan National Army in Afghanistan. They have not yet been able to find an effective answer to the complex mix of insurgent and terrorist tactics used by the Neo Taliban.

4. It goes to the credit of the counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism machinery of Sri Lanka that after having struggled against the LTTE for nearly 23 years till 2006, they were able to fashion an appropriate mix of tactics to prevail over the LTTE.

5. This mix had a number of components. The political component, which was handled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa himself, focussed on giving the security forces and the intelligence agencies the resources and capacities needed by them to prevail over the LTTE and at the same time, ensuring that the counter-terrorist and counter-insurgency operations of the security forces did not drive more Tamils into the arms of the LTTE.

6. The diplomatic component, which was handled by Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, ensured the diplomatic isolation of the LTTE. In fact, it was the success of the Sri Lankan diplomacy in getting the LTTE declared as a terrorist organisation by the European Union countries and in persuading the US, the EU countries and the Governments in South-East Asia to act energetically against the flow of money and weapons to the LTTE, which laid the foundation for the ultimate success of the Army on the ground.

7. If Sri Lankan diplomacy had not acted as energetically as it did in getting the sources of weapons supply to the LTTE choked off, the LTTE might not have collapsed as completely as it did.

8. It also goes to the credit of Rajapaksa and his Foreign Office that they realised the importance of India in any effective strategy to defeat the LTTE. China and Pakistan might have supplied arms and ammunition to the SL security forces, but what really helped the security forces was the assistance rendered by the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and intelligence to their SL counterparts in ensuring that the LTTE was not able to smuggle in fresh stocks of weapons from abroad. Another contribution made by the Government of India was in the handling of any political fall-out in Tamil Nadu to prevent any backlash against the Sri Lankan operations in Indian territory.

9. It is the political and diplomatic handling of the counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaign by Rajapaksa and his political aides such as his Foreign Minister and professional aides such as his brother Gothbaya Rajapaksa, who as the Defence Secretary was the Chief Co-ordinator, that paved the way for the ultimate success of the armed forces.

10. The Armed Forces fought bravely. The credit for working out a ground strategy, which will prevail against the LTTE, should go to Gen. Sarath Fonseka, the chief of the Army, who subsequently became the Chief of the Defence Staff after the victory over the LTTE. The victory of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces over the LTTE was even more remarkable than that of the Indian security forces over the Khalistani terrorists, who were as ruthless as the LTTE.

11. We were not able to neutralise the command and control and leadership of the Khalistani terrorists as completely as the Sri Lankan Armed Forces under the leadership of Fonseka were able to do in respect of the LTTE. In any history of counter-terrorism, the way the entire Sri Lankan counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency machinery under Rajapaksa fought against the LTTE and prevailed over it would form an important chapter.

12. In his newly-assumed post of the Chief of the Defence Staff, Fonseka would have been able to do a retrospective analysis of the entire evolution of the LTTE and the way different SL Governments had handled the threat in order to draw lessons for the future. Such an exercise would have been of immense benefit to his own country as well as to India and others who face similar problems.

13. Instead of doing so, he has allowed his pique over perceived slights by the Government to get the better of him and has resigned from his post as the CDS after making a series of allegations against the Government. A perusal of his letter to Rajapaksa does not speak well of his intellectual maturity as an individual. He was a brilliant professional, but professionalism alone does not make a good leader.

14. Media reports say that he has developed political ambitions of contesting the next Presidential elections against Rajapaksa. He has every right to do so as a Sri Lankan citizen. Unfortunately, his letter to Rajapaksa does not bring out any latent political acumen in him. They only bring out his huge ego and his pique. The message which comes out of the letter is: "I am the super hero of the success against the LTTE. My role in the triumph has not been sufficiently recognised."

15. As one reads his letter, one's mind goes back to our triumph against Khalistani terrorism. The success was achieved when K.P.S.Gill was the Director-General of Police of Punjab. He has never projected himself as the super hero of the success. He is always the first to admit that the success of the Punjab Police under his leadership would not have been possible without the political leadership and guidance of Narasimha Rao as the Prime Minister and Beant Singh as the Chief Minister of Punjab, without the team work put in by the police, the armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the Foreign Office and without the co-operation of foreign intelligence agencies which gave a lot of valuable intelligence.

16. Punjab is the most important of our successes against terrorism and insurgency, but not the only one. We have had other successes in Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram and Kashmir. The professionals--- whether from the Armed Forces, the police or the intelligence agencies--- who were instrumental in making those successes possible, did not go around projecting themselves as super heroes. They recognised the role of others and maintained their sense of balance.

17. By failing to maintain his sense of balance and by allowing his pique to get the better of him, Fonseka has only devalued himself. The political forces in Sri Lanka which are exploiting his pique as a stick to beat Rajapaksa with are playing an unwise game. They may end up by diluting the professionalism of the SL Army.

(The writer is Additional Secretary (retd), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India, New Delhi, and, presently, Director, Institute for Topical Studies, Chennai. E-mail: [email protected])

Sri Lanka: Gen. Fonseka Devalues Himself

 

[RAM]

Sri Lanka signs agreement with SSTL for space capability

The Director General of the Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Priyantha Kariyapperuma and Professor Sir Martin Sweeting of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited ( SSTL ), signed a landmark agreement today. This agreement starts a Sri Lankan national space capability by providing an SSTL Earth Observation satellite and commencing the definition and design of Sri Lanka's first communications satellite.

Peter Hayes, the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka recognised the value of the agreement, saying "This project is exciting for the development of telecommunications in Sri Lanka and will strengthen the ties between the two countries."

The programme, including a training and development programme and collaborative activities between the University of Surrey and leading Sri Lankan academic institutes, will promote academic, industrial and socio-economic development. The project has been approved by the Sri Lankan government under the personal direction of His Excellency, President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, who also chairs the Space Centre of the University of Surrey, said "Sri Lanka has already demonstrated a keen interest in space based technology, supported through numerous programmes within the country's universities and other academic organisations such as the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies. Our close partnership will allow Sri Lanka to fully embrace the benefits of space technology through training and education while stimulating industrial development. The economic benefits resulting from space based communications including TV, broadband services and earth observation applications are substantial and will positively contribute to the country's development as a "high-tech" trading nation".

Under the Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ), SSTL will provide an Earth observation capability and start work on a geostationary communications satellite. By partnering with SSTL for Earth observation, Sri Lanka will become an important member of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation ( DMC ) with the ability to participate in international disaster relief support activities coordinated by the United Nations through the International Charter. SSTL will also advise on the establishment of the Sri Lanka Space Agency ( SLASA ), building on SSTL's experience of supporting the formation of five previous national agencies.

The Director General of the Sri Lankan Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Priyantha Kariyapperuma welcomed the agreement, saying "Universities here in Sri Lanka have developed a programme of strong engineering research. Given that the UK is the most preferred destination for academic professionals working in technological fields to further their development, I am delighted that the opportunities created through this programme will serve to bring the two nations closer together."



Surrey Satellite Technology Limited ( SSTL ) is the world's leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The company design, manufacture and operate high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with spacecraft, with 300 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.Since 1981 SSTL has launched 34 satellites as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers, changing the economics of space.

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency

 

[RAM]

Sri Lanka approves $891 mln China loan for coal power



COLOMBO, Nov 19 - Sri Lanka has approved $891 million loan from China's Export-Import bank to fund a coal power plant, an official said on Thursday, as the island nation focuses on infrastructure after the end of 25 years of war.China along with India are now increasingly competing to win lucrative and strategic investments in Sri Lanka since the fighting stopped in May. Both India and China provided military assistance, including ammunition in the final phase of the war, while they also helped President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government to face Western-led criticism of rights abuses.

Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, the cabinet spokesman said the government approved China's offer of the 20-year loan with a 2 percent interest rate and five-year grace period to build the second phases coal-fired power plant in northwestern province.Sri Lanka and China signed an over $350 million worth deals to build a highway and an oil bunkering facility in August.

Sri Lanka approves $891 mln China loan for coal power - Yahoo! Malaysia News

 

[RAM]

Sri Lanka Top General Signals Bid For Presidency

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's top general, who quit amid speculation he could run for president, pledged on Friday to fight for democracy and human rights after the end of a 25-year separatist war, suggesting he would soon announce his candidacy.General Sarath Fonseka, widely credited for the army's role in defeating the Tamil Tiger rebels in May, urged the army to rebuff any bid to politicise it.

"Don't allow anybody to tarnish the reputation of the army and politicise the military," Fonseka said in a letter addressed to soldiers and their families and made public on Friday."We should keep in mind that we are the real owners of the war victory even though certain people try to insult us."


Fonseka, expected to announce his candidacy this week, pledged to uphold democracy and human rights, areas in which the opposition and Western nations say the administration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has done too little.

"Despite any hurdle that may come my way, I assure you that I will stand by to protect democracy, human rights, media freedom, social equality and ethnic harmony, which are fading away from the motherland, and to protect the nation's integrity for a better future for you," he said in the letter.
Fonseka stepped down last week from the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He accused Rajapaksa of unjustly sidelining him over unfounded fears that a coup was being planned.

The army chief and Rajapaksa's government have since said it was the country's top politicians who helped secure victory over the Tigers, discounting Fonseka's role in ending the conflict that killed more than 80,000.
Political analysts say the 39-year army veteran, who oversaw a 34-month offensive to defeat the rebels, could split Rajapaksa's voter base and capture the votes of Sri Lankans happy that the conflict is over.The main opposition United National Party and the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna have, despite widely differing ideologies, suggested they will jointly back Fonseka as a candidate able to overcome Rajapaksa's post-war popularity.On Sunday, the president dodged an expected announcement of dates for early presidential and parliamentary elections due by April without giving a reason.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/11/20/world/international-uk-srilanka-military.html

 

[RAM]

Sri Lanka Tamil refugee camps 'to be opened next month'

Sri Lanka's government says people held in special camps since the end of the conflict with Tamil Tiger rebels will be free to leave next month.The camps were set up in the north for Tamils fleeing the final stages of the civil war - which ended in May - and still house more than 130,000 people.

An aide to the president also confirmed a pledge to close the facilities. Sri Lanka has drawn strong international criticism for holding people in the camps against their will. On Thursday UN humanitarian chief John Holmes urged Sri Lanka to allow them to leave, following a visit to the camp.
The latest government announcement was made by the special adviser to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his brother Basil, at the largest camp, Menik Farm. Addressing a group of displaced people, he said that from 1 December the camps would no longer be closed sites, and people would be free to visit friends and family. He also reiterated the government's pledge to resettle those displaced by the end of January.

About 300,000 Tamils fled the war zone during the government's final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) earlier this year. Those displaced - many of whom had been held as human shields by the rebels - were forced into hastily built camps.

The government insisted that incarceration was necessary while the refugees were being screened for possible links with the rebels. It has also said that more than 1.5m mines must be cleared and basic infrastructure needs to be in place to allow people to return home.

The barbed-wire enclosures are run by the military, and many of those displaced had complained about poor food and sanitary conditions. But the UN, diplomats and charities have criticised the screening process, saying it is not transparent.

Opposition parliamentarians in Sri Lanka have also protested about not being allowed access to the camps. The BBC's Charles Haviland in Colombo says the government had been sensitive to the criticism, and within the past month has markedly stepped up the pace of releases. In May the Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tigers, who had been fighting since the mid-1970s to carve out a separate nation in the Sinhalese-majority island.

BBC News - Sri Lanka Tamil refugee camps 'to be opened next month'