Reporters Without Borders calls on the Sri Lankan authorities to stop blocking the Lanka News Web site at once. Sri Lanka Telecom, the country’s main Internet service provider, has been blocking the online newspaper’s access since 11 July 2009.
In an interview for Reporters Without Borders, Lanka News Web editor Chandima Withanaarachchi talks about its editorial policies and the probable reasons for the government’s persecution of the site. He also describes the press freedom situation and the difficulties for journalists in Sri Lanka.
STATEMENT BY HEADS OF MISSION OF GERMANY, UK, US, FRANCE, ITALY, SWITZERLAND,
THE NETHERLANDS, ROMANIA, NORWAY
AND THE EU DELEGATION
2010-07-09
We are deeply dismayed by the blockade of the UN-compound this week in Colombo and the role played in it by a Government minister.
Peaceful protest is part of any democracy, but blocking access to the United Nations – of which Sri Lanka itself is a member – as well as intimidating and harassing UN personnel is a breach of international norms and harmful to Sri Lanka's reputation in the world.
The Prime minister of Sri Lanka says that the government is not involved in the hunger strike launched by Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa.
"The government has nothing to do with this," said Prime Minister DM Jayaratne in an exclusive interview with BBC Sandesaya.
However, he accepted that the government had withdrawn police from the scene of the protest against the panel appointed by the UN secretary general to advise him on alleged war crimes.
The dressing up as a clown by Minister of Housing and Construction Wimal Weerawansa is totally absurd. The Left Liberation Front categorically states that the protest against the committee appointed to advice the the UN secretary general on war crimes committed in Sri Lanka is orchestrated by the Mahinda government itself. This is clearly demonstrated by the president's brother and defence secretary ordering the police to withdraw from the scene of protest.
Before Inner City Press could ask if the UN had yet spoke with any of the three Rajapaksa brothers who run the country, UN Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq specified the “high level” meeting: it was between the “chef de cabinet” of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Vijay Nambiar, and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative at the UN, Palitha Kohona. Video here, from Minute 9:37.
After building 8,182 low-cost houses in the last three years in Mumbai, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has been shortlisted by the Central government to undertake housing projects in the strife-torn Sri Lanka. The Central government has chosen five parties to build
50,000
houses in Sri Lanka of which MHADA will have to construct 10,000.
Gautam Chatterjee, vice-president and CEO, MHADA, called it a challenge.
A mammoth Billboard erected forcibly on roadside at the “Lake House” roundabout by Mrs. Manjulika Jayasuriya, the Chairperson of Seva Vanitha Army Branch and also the Spouse of present Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya was removed in the morning last Wednesday (30June) after several complaints received by Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).
A section of Army soldiers had erected the mega hoarding in the midnight last Friday (25June) on a paid and reserved advertising structure of a reputed private business firm unlawfully acting on an order received them by Army Commander’s wife.
NTUC BEGINS THE SALARY STRUGGLE
- DISTRIBUTION OF LEAFLETS AT COLOMBO
2010-07-07
The convener of National Trade Union Center comrade Samantha Koralearachchi expresses that a struggle for wage hike for all working people will be commenced by the union. Arrangements have been made to distribute one million leaflets for the awareness of the employees on this matter in all working places throughout the country and its incipient event will be conducted at 4 pm today in front of the fort railway station.
MFSL has learned that the Government of Sri Lanka has terminated the visas of two senior staff members of the Non Violence Peace Force (NP). Both of them, the country director Tiffany Easthom and senior staff member Ali Palh were first asked to leave by July 1. Following an appeal by NVBF asking for adequate time to hand over their duties, they were given an extension of seven days and will have to leave the country by July 8, 2010.
UK fraudster appointed as Minister Mervyn’s Public Relations officer
2010-07-07
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s closest political ally, deputy minister Mervyn Silva has appointed a serious fraudster charged in a UK Crown court as his Public Relations Officer (PRO).
Samantha Koralage (known as Sam), a former cricket captain of Richmond College, Galle, is facing a lengthy prison sentence if found guilty of swindling hundreds of thousands of US Dollars from unsuspecting Sri Lankan customers in a pyramid scheme.
It has been revealed that the protest which was held in front of UN office complex Colombo was conducted with an overall awareness of the government. This came to the notice after a journalist recorded a threat made to a police officer by the Defense Secretary over the phone.
the Defense Secretary reprimanded the police officers for intervening with the protest. Once the police officer replied as the orders were given by the Inspector General, Defence Secretary threatened to dismiss the IGP immediately.
That telephone conversation is as follows.
Wimal commences a thovil against UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
2010-07-07
NFF protestors who are currently engaged in a sathyagaraha outside the UN office in Colombo have reportedly organized a thovil (devil dancing) at the protest venue, it is learnt.
An organizer told us that the thovil has been organized to chase away the veil spirits that seem to have possessed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
At the outset of the protest today, Minister Wimal Weerawansa told the media that the Un Secretary General was a hermaphrodite.
Wimal Weerawansa gears for a fast on to death following Presidential advice
2010-07-07
NFF Leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa today said that he would continue with the sathyagraha launched outside the UN office in Colombo regardless of whether he would be sacked from his ministerial portfolio or the government, until UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon withdrew the panel of experts on Sri Lanka. He said that he was ready to convert the sathyagraha into a fast unto if required.
Economists visiting Sri shocked by Wimal’s actions – Dr. P.B. Jayasundera
2010-07-07
Finance Minister and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera has informed Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa that economists representing international organizations who have arrived in the country to explore the possibilities of granting aid to the country, have been shocked a petrified by NFF Leader and Wimal Weerawansa’s protest outside the UN launched on the 6th, sources from the Finance Ministry said.
Jayasundera had said that the foreign nationals were petrified by Weerawansa’s move to surround the UN office in Colombo and take its staff hostage and that such actions would have a negative impact on the country.
A group of Tamil parties supportive of the government has formed a joint alliance of Tamil parties against the TNA on the 2nd.
An EPDP member who attended the discussion said that the current plight of the Tamil people and the steps top be taken for their benefits were discussed at length during the meeting. They parties had also agreed to formulate a special programme for the purpose.
NFF-PNM protest has changed the UN’s key intentions – PNM Secretary
2010-07-07
Patriotic National Movement (PNM) Secretary Wasantha Bandara said that the protest campaign launched by the NFF and the PNM against the panel of exeprts appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has changed the main intentions of the international organization.
Bandara made the statement after a discussion with officials at the UN Colombo office during the protest on the 6th. He also said that police officers who received various payments from foreign forces had attacked the patriotic forces that stood for the rights of the people in Sri Lanka.
We have no issue if Mahinda Rajapaksa continues as an Executive Prime Minister – Vasudeva Nananyakkara
2010-07-07
Democratic Left Front Leader parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that the Leftist parties were not opposed to Mahinda Rajapaksa functioning as the head of state, but that he should do so after creating an Executive Prime Ministerial post that is responsible to parliament.
However, he noted that the five Leftist party members in parliament are opposed to the decision to extend the term of office of the Executive President without abolishing the post.
Nanyakkara added that the President would once again discuss with the Leftist parties about the proposed constitutional amendment on extending the number of terms of office of an Executive President.
Men and women make decisions in our party – JHU Secretary
2010-07-07
JHU Secretary, Minister Champika Ranawaka said that decisions related to the party and its leadership are taken by the central committee that consists of men and women.
The minister had made the statement in response to a question posed by UNP parliamentarians Lakshman Seneviratne and Dayasiri Jayasekera as to how the party managed to replace its leader Ven. Ellawela Medhanandha Thero with ease.
The minister had further observed that it was important to have men and women involved in the decision making process in order to make political gain and not genderless people.
Clarification from the Lanka News Web Chief Executive on the allegations leveled by the state media
2010-07-07
Although I have no intention of responding to allegations leveled against me by the state media during the past weeks, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to clarify the details to the stunned readers of our website.
A senior UNP parliamentarian told Lanka News Web that the UNP convention scheduled to be held during the second week of August to pass the necessary amendments to the party constitution may be postponed till December.
UNP MPs ask Ranil not to enter into a conflict with Sirasa
2010-07-06
Several UNP MPs including Ravi Karunanayake, Karu Jayasuriya and Dayasiri Jayasekera have yesterday (5) requested Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to not enter into an unwanted conflict with either the Sirasa media network or its head Killie Maharajah.
No truth in news items published that the President had wished the former President
2010-07-06
The former President’s Office states that the news item published in several newspaper that the President had made telephone call to former President Chandrika Kumaratunge on June 29th, to wish her for her birthday and that he had then had a pleasant conversation with her, were false.
The Office stated that the incumbent President and the former President had not been engaged in any discussions for a long time.
We have no connection with the JHU – Social Democratic Party
2010-07-06
Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Sujeewa Senarath in an e-mail sent to us said the party had no affiliations to the JHU.
The secretary had sent the e-mail saying that the contents of the article carried in the Lanka News Web on the JHU’s National Organizer’s brother registering a new political party called the Social Democratic Party on July 3rd were incorrect.
Sri Lanka is on the verge of being labeled as an international fugitive – parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera
2010-07-05
The Rajapakse administration has shown an uncanny ability to create world records in the last few years; prior to the General Election, Sri Lanka had the dubious honour of having the world’s largest number of Ministers and now we have created yet another world record by having the world’s smallest cabinet of two ministers. As some say, the new cabinet consists of 2 Ministers and 39 door mats for the family, especially for the young Mr. Rajapakse to wipe his feet on while receiving on job training at the expense of the senior and experienced politicians holding the rest of the name board Ministries.
The Rajapakse triad consisting of the President as Minister of several key Ministries along with his super Minister brother and his super secretary brother control over 63% of the annual budget. According to the report presented to Parliament, out of the total expenditure of Rs.1.9 T, Rs.1.2 T comes under the direct purview of the Rajapakse triad.
In the backdrop of several misleading and inconsistent reporting that has taken place in some sections of the local media over the US GSP review on Sri Lanka, the TUC considers it is necessary and essential to clarify to the Sri Lankan public the truth behind this process. We believe such clarification can allay any unfounded fears and misconceptions.
The US GSP is a preferential tariff regime granting a sizeable reduction of tariff to certain products exported from Sri Lanka to the United States. It is a preferential treatment or a privilege granted to certain countries on the condition that good labour standards, if not consistency with conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is observed both in law and practice.
Sri Lanka will temporarily lose its preferential access to the EU market starting from August 15th 2010. The decision to withdraw the preferential tariff system GSP+ from the country had been taken by the Council of Ministers in February 2010. Based on dialogue with the Sri Lankan authorities on shortcomings in its implementation of three UN human rights conventions, the EU in June offered to delay the entry into force of the Council decision by a further six months. In exchange, it asked for tangible and sustainable progress on a number of outstanding issues. In the absence of a reply from the authorities in Colombo by 1 July, the Commission is not in a position to table a proposal with a view to delaying the Council Decision.
Relieving pressure on overcrowded national prisons by employing convicts as laborers at Chinese-run projects in the developing world is a novel strategy China has adopted — an approach that is certain to create new backlashes against Chinese businesses overseas, besides highlighting the country's egregious human-rights record.
In addition to being the world's biggest executioner, China has one of the largest prison populations in the world. The 2009 "World Prison Population List" compiled by the International Center for Prison Studies at King's College, London, put the total number of inmates in Chinese jails at 1.57 million.
Electoral organizers call on Karu to intervene to save the party
2010-07-05
Sources from Sirikotha say that a large number of UNP electoral organizers have requested party deputy leader Karu Jayasruiya to intervene and save the party from splitting.
Electoral organizers have made the request during a meeting of organizers at Sirikotha on Saturday (3) morning.
The meeting was held under the patronage of Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Jayasuriya and MP Dayasiri Jayasekera were also present at the meeting.
Platform for Freedom launches poster campaign against the budget
2010-07-05
The Platform for Freedom Organization has last night launched a poster campaign against the slashing of relief measures to the masses through the budget.
The poster states, “For a bright future - Prices of gas, bread, milk powder increased. Prices of Pajeros have been slashed by Rs. 60 lakhs. Spent Rs. 150 lakhs on IIFA. This is how we plan to make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia. – Platform for Freedom”
Sajith informs UNP leader of decision to contest for party leadership
2010-07-05
UNP Hambantota District parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa had yesterday (4) informed Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would contest for the post of party leader, sources from the Opposition Leader’s Office in Cambridge Place said.
The UNP Leader had told Sajith that he would not pose any barriers to his decision. However, Wickremesinghe had said that he would contest for the party leadership on behalf of the party and was ready to quit if the party decides to vote him out.
Mangala’s “Our National Front” to be handed over to Chandrika
2010-07-05
The party, Our National Front (Ape Jathika Peramuna), headed by parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera is to be handed over to former President Chandrika Kumaratunge, it is reliably learnt.
It is learnt that once Mangala officially joins the UNP, one of Chandrika’s confidantes would be made the leader of the party.
Chandrika is believed to appoint the party’s current deputy leader, Upulangani Malagamuwa as the new leader.
Will support the extension of term of office if President Mahinda will become Prime Minister Mahinda – Minister DEW Gunasekera
2010-07-05
Secretary of the Communist Party, Minister DEW Gunasekera has said the party would support the extension of the term of office if President Mahinda Rajapaksa is willing to create an Executive Prime Ministerial post that would be responsible to the legislature.
He has pointed out that the current constitution needs to be replaced by a new constitution in order to convert the executive powers to a legislative one.
The Minister made the statement while addressing the gathering at the event held to mark the Communist Party’s 67th anniversary at the party headquarters.
Bandula Jayasekera recalled to Sri Lanka following tiff with Palitha Kohona
2010-07-05
The Eternal Affairs Minister has recalled deputy permanent representative of Sri Lanka at the UN, Bandula Jayaskera due to rift between him and Sri Lanka’s permanent representative to the UN, Palitha Kohona.
Jayasekera had been recalled following a Presidential directive and the External Affairs Ministry has granted him a short period of time to return to Sri Lanka.
The British clothing retailer, Next, has stopped sourcing its garments from Sri Lanka because of the uncertainty of the continuance of the GSP+ duty concession from the European Union, The Sunday Leader reported this week. The company has moved production to Bangladesh, an industry source told the paper. Meanwhile, exports to the EU fell 13% in the first quarter of 2010, a decline the Sri Lankan garment industry attributes to falling demand due to the economic conditions there. Garments are Sri Lanka’s largest foreign exchange earner.
A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission
Indian worker killed by A CID Chief Inspector for refusing to work 16 hours a day
2010-07-05
Thenarasu Selvarage was an Indian worker who was brought to Sri Lanka to work as a cook at an Indian restaurant. His body was found in the sea at Palliyamagalpudu Mundalama. Inquiries into the case revealed that a Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Division
