Colombo, June 1 (Daily Mirror) Claiming that he never meant to call billionaire businessman Elon Musk an economic hit-man, NPP Economic Council member Sunil Hadunnetti said today he expresses his regrets to Elon Musk.
Speaking during a Business Forum, Hadunnetti said his reference to economic hit-men was to James Packer and George Soros who were brought into the country during the previous Ranil Wickremesinghe government.
“I was misquoted on what I said about Elon Musk. I didn’t mean to call Elon Misk an economic hit-man. What I explained was that world renowned investors never come to Sri Lanka due to its instability, political interventions in the economy, lack of discipline and lawlessness. My reference to economic hit-men was not to Elon Musk but to James Packer and George Soros. We do not call them honest entrepreneurs but economic hit-men. I never meant to call Elon Musk an economic hit-man. I offer my regrets to Elon Musk as I never meant to call him an economic hit-man,” Hadunnetti said.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe underscored that according to the constitution, prioritizing Buddhism is imperative. He emphasized that the responsibility of upholding this principle is vested in the executive, legislature and judiciary.
Emphasizing the indisputability of this matter, the President further stated that if anyone seeks to alter this principle, they should endeavour to amend the constitution accordingly.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks today (01) during his participation in the inauguration ceremony of the Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre,” constructed in Kiriwatthuduwa, Homagama.
The President emphasized the need for acknowledgment that the executive, the constitution and the judiciary, as the three branches of government, should prioritize the Buddhist doctrine within the country. He emphasized that failure to support this principle constitutes a violation of the constitution, emphasizing the obligation of all Members of Parliament to protect it.
The President highlighted that the constitution of this country outlines people’s sovereignty, prioritization of Buddhism and preservation of territorial integrity as its core principles. He stressed the importance of consistently advancing while safeguarding these principles, emphasizing that any opposition to them constitutes a breach of the constitution.
Additionally, the President shared that he was entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the treatment of a ‘critically ill patient’. He noted that the patient, who was on the brink of death, is now showing gradual signs of recovery. The President conveyed his heartfelt appreciation in advance for the invaluable guidance and support provided by the Maha Sangha throughout this endeavour.
As per the suggestion of the late Chief Registrar of Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya, and the Chief incumbent of Sri Dhathumaluwa Viharaya Kohuwala, Venerable Mapalagama Siri Somissara Nayaka Thero, and upon the recommendation of current Chief incumbent of Sri Dhathumaluwa Viharaya Kohuwala Venerable Pitigala Sonuttara Nayaka Thero, the Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre” has been established to cater to the needs of monks locally and internationally.
The Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre” comprises a five-story building and a three-story building, facilitating simultaneous treatment for fifty monks. Its amenities include 20 rooms, a ward yard, an alms hall, medicine stores, emergency treatment units, office rooms and hostel for doctors, ensuring comprehensive care and accommodation for those in need.
Under the supervision of qualified medical professionals, facilities have been established to provide treatment for sick monks. Additionally, a conducive environment has been created to accommodate five hundred monks for meditation practice.
The construction of this Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre has been accomplished through the labour contributions of the Sri Lanka Army, supported by both local and international donors.
Venerable Bhikkuni Neunghaeng, the Chief of the Buddhist hospital in Ulsan, South Korea, and SinDaw, a Bhikkuni Kaushon from the Long Fong Monastery in Taiwan, have generously contributed to the medical equipment of this facility. Their contributions were made in response to an invitation extended by Venerable Katuwana Wijithawansa, Sri Lankaramadhipathi, Hethu, South Korea.
The President, after unveiling the plaque and inaugurating the Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre, proceeded to conduct an inspection tour of the facility.
During the ceremony, homage was paid to the current Chief incumbent of Sri Dhathumaluwa Viharaya Kohuwala Venerable Pitigala Sonuttara Nayaka Thero, for his national and religious service. Furthermore, acknowledgment was extended to him for his dedication to establishing the Gurudev Suva Arana Gilan Bhikshu Centre, catering to monks both domestically and internationally. This gesture served as an expression of gratitude from the Sri Lankan Ramayana Maha Nikaya. Following the conferral of the Sri Sannath Patra honorary title, the President presented the vijinipata to him.
The President also bestowed a commemorative gift upon Venerable Neunghaeng, the head of the Buddhist hospital in Ulsan, South Korea, who generously provided the essential medical equipment for this monk hospital centre. Additionally, a commemorative gift was presented to Mrs. Sandhya Kantilatha, who graciously donated the land for the construction of this Bhikshu Hospital.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe further stated:
This marks the establishment of the first dedicated hospital for monks in Sri Lanka. While our country’s hospitals have traditionally accommodated monk wards, this facility is distinctively reserved solely for the care of sick monks. The government extends its gratitude to all contributors, particularly the efforts led by Bhikkuni Neunghaeng of South Korea.
I wish to emphasize that we have sought on-going support from the Ministry of Health – Indigenous Medicine section to sustain this endeavour, and I assure you that such assistance will be forthcoming. The government is also committed to providing resources for the continued development and enhancement of this hospital.
Moreover, situated in a stunning natural setting, it is imperative that we prioritize the protection of this environment as we progress forward with this project.
An argument has emerged advocating for the separation of government and Buddhism. However, considering the legal framework, every citizen in our country has the right to practice the religion of their choice, or to hold no religious beliefs at all.
Moreover, our constitution mandates that any government should accord priority to Buddhism. This responsibility is not solely vested in the government but extends to the state as a whole. Therefore, the support of all three branches of the state—the executive led by the President, the Parliament led by the Speaker and the Judiciary led by the Chief Justice—is essential to uphold this principle.
Failure to provide this support goes against the Constitution. As Members of Parliament, we have all taken an oath to uphold the constitution and it is incumbent upon us to adhere to its principles. Despite the conflicts experienced in our country, such a request has never before been raised or discussed.
It is essential to recognize that the three branches of government, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary should prioritize the Buddhist doctrine within our nation. While debate may arise regarding the specifics of implementation, the fundamental principle remains indisputable. As a government, it is imperative that we adhere to it. If there is a desire to amend this principle, it must be done through constitutional amendments.
The constitution of our country underscores three fundamental principles: people’s sovereignty, prioritizing Buddhism and maintaining territorial integrity. It is imperative that we uphold these principles as the basis for our actions. Any opposition to these principles is deemed a violation of the constitution.
At present, our hospital is caring for numerous patients, and I have been entrusted with the responsibility of treating one particular patient. We are making gradual progress in treating this critically ill individual, engaging in on-going discussions to ensure the best possible outcome.
Healing a patient is not an instantaneous process; it requires time and dedication. It is estimated that it will take another three to four years to fully treat this patient. However, we are grateful for the opportunity to undertake this important work. I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the venerable Maha Sangha for their invaluable support in this endeavour.”
A report in The Island (May 20, 2024) states that the UN human rights office has criticised the Sri Lankan government’s failure to acknowledge and hold accountable the perpetrators of tens of thousands of enforced disappearances … Authors of the report also accuse the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam of engaging in abductions” which were described as tantamount” to enforced disappearances” (May 20, 2024). Continuing, the report adds that the UN. The High Commissioner for Human Rights had stated: Accountability must be addressed. We need to see institutional reform for reconciliation to succeed”.
In the meantime, the Secretary General of Amnesty International (AI) had called for Sri Lanka to be referred to the UN Security Council and subjected to international war crimes inquiry when she participated to pay tribute to those who perished at Mullivaikkal. While the call for Sri Lanka to be referred to the Security Council may have pleased those who came to pay tribute, the reality is that such a referral would inevitably be vetoed. However, the fact remains that AI along with the UN Human Rights is advocating a prosecutorial approach to Accountability.
For instance, the Nuremberg Trial was strictly prosecutorial. In contrast, the Marshall Aid Plan was Victim based. While the objective of the former was to seek justice for the victims by prosecuting the perpetrators of the crimes, it was the latter that enabled Germany to recover and join the community of nations as a powerful and respected member.
The question that divides scholars and others who pursue accountability is; which approach to adopt. Should it be prosecutorial or victim based? While some, such as the UN report cited above advocate a prosecutorial approach for the sake of justice, others such as the High Commissioner are non-committal as to which approach to adopt. Yet, others want some aspects of both approaches. Therefore, the first question to be addressed is which approach to adopt, taking into account the particularities of the Sri Lankan society and the background that led to the armed conflict.
ESTABLISHING the CONTEXT
At a fundamental level, the raison d’etre for the armed conflict was the deep sense of grievance felt by the Tamil community; a circumstance they believed could only be overcome by resorting to an armed conflict to establish a separate state for themselves. For those representing the State of Sri Lanka, their bounden duty was to protect and preserve the territorial integrity of their cherished unitary state in keeping with Article 3 of Protocol II that state: Nothing in the Protocol shall be invoked for the purpose of affecting the sovereignty of a State or the responsibility of the government by all legitimate means to maintain or re-establish law and order in the State or to defend the national unity and territorial integrity of the State”. The only means by which these vastly contending positions could be resolved was through an armed conflict; a fact recognized by the UN Human Rights Commission in paragraph 182 and 183 of their OISL report of 2015.
Pargraph 182 states: Article 3 common to the four Geneva Conventions relating to conflicts not of an international character is applicable to the situation in Sri Lanka, with all parties to the conflict bound to respect the guarantees pertaining to the treatment of civilians ….”
Paragraph 183 states: In addition, the government and armed groups that are parties to the conflict are bound alike by the relevant rules of customary international law applicable in non-international armed conflict”.
Therefore, if both the Sri Lankan State and the LTTE are bound alike” by the relevant rules of customary international law applicable in non-international armed conflict”, why is all the attention to address accountability ONLY fixated on the Sri Lankan State and none on the LTTE. Since most of those who perished in Mullivaikkal were victims of the policy adopted by the LTTE to take civilians hostage, and continue to endanger the security of hundreds of thousands taken hostage by continuing to engage in hostilities, should NOT the LTTE also be held accountable? This being the case, would the evidence gathering that is currently being undertaken by the UNHRC in order to exercise Universal Jurisdiction, also apply to policies such as hostage taking and shooting escapees?
PROSECUTORIAL APPROACH
Judging from the attention given ONLY to the government of Sri Lanka by the UNHRC and by entities such as AI, the outcome of any judicial processes would be skewed, which means NO justice, despite the fact that the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE are bound alike” by relevant rules of customary international law as in common Article 3 and Protocol II; a fact confirmed below.
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE, Judgment of 27 June 1986, (NICARAGUA v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA), MERITS Judgment – para. 215 to 292
The conflict between the contras’ forces and those of the Government of Nicaragua is an armed conflict which is not of an international character”. The acts of the contras towards the Nicaraguan Government are therefore governed by the law applicable to conflicts of that character; whereas the actions of the United States in and against Nicaragua fall under the legal rules relating to international conflicts. Because the minimum rules applicable to international and to non-international conflicts are identical, there is no need to address the question whether those actions must be looked at in the context of the rules which operate for the one or for the other category of conflict. The relevant principles are to be looked for in the provisions of Article 3 of each of the four Conventions of August 12, 1949, the text of which, identical in each Convention, expressly refers to conflict not having an international character” (ICJ Judgment, Nicaragua v. U.S para 215 – 292)
In the Military and Paramilitary Activities in and against Nicaragua, the International Court of Justice observed that the acts of the Contras, fighting against the Nicaraguan Government, were governed by the law applicable to armed conflict not of an international character i.e. Common Article 3. Similarly, in the Tublada case, the Inter-American Commission considered”: Common Article 3’s mandatory provisions expressly bind and apply equally to both parties in internal conflicts, i.e. government and dissident forces. Moreover, the obligation to apply Common Article 3 is absolute for both parties and independent of the obligation of the other. Therefore, both the MTP attackers [the armed opposition group fighting in the conflict under consideration] and the Argentina armed forces had the same duties under humanitarian law” (Zegveld, Accountability of Armed Opposition Groups in International Law, p.21, ICJ Judgment Nicaragua v. US para 119 and Case No. 11/137).
Judging from the ICJ opinions cited above, it is certain that not only violations by the Sri Lanka Government but also violations perpetrated by the LTTE should be reviewed in the course of a Judicial Trial, since they are bound alike”. Therefore, although violations by the Government forces and LTTE would be judged by Common Article 3, the fact remains that the leadership of the LTTE who ordered the taking of 300,000 plus civilians, hostage is not among the living or has disappeared, and cannot be subjected to a trial despite the fact that the act of taking civilians hostage amount to a war crime and a crime against humanity. Thus, the exercise of gathering evidence against Government perpetrators pales in significance compared with endangering the security of 300,000 plus civilians that were taken hostage. Despite this, a prosecutorial process would mean a skewed outcome of any trial because of the strong possibility that violations perpetrated by the Sri Lankan Government would dominate the trial.
Thus, while a few of those associated with the LTTE would have to face prosecution, the majority cannot be located or identified since they have acquired new identities and are domiciled in foreign countries. Also, others who were in positions to exercise command responsibility, but are no longer among the living cannot be prosecuted for the crimes committed, e.g. taking 300,000 civilians hostage and killing those who attempted to escape.
Under circumstances where it would be next to impossible to identify and prosecute former members of the LTTE because they are dispersed primarily in the West with fresh identities, a prosecutorial approach would lead to an asymmetric outcome resulting in the polarization of the two communities to a degree that could give cause for instability and even resumption of hostilities since the numbers associated with successive Governments who could be identified and prosecuted would significantly be more.
Furthermore, while it would be possible to identify those associated with the Government responsible for command, it is NOT possible to identify the leaders of the LTTE who were responsible because they are no longer among the living.
The net effect of such an asymmetric outcome following a prosecutorial process would permanently damage the efforts advocated and undertaken to bring about reconciliation.by successive Governments. For the UNHRC to include the provision in several of its Resolutions that a credible justice process should include independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions….”, is because their perception is based on the premise that prosecuting the guilty would foster reconciliation.
While such a premise may be applicable to normal law and order situations, it is NOT applicable to Sri Lanka’s armed conflict that spanned three decades involving two communities if the prosecutorial process causes disproportionate outcomes as referred to above. Furthermore, if the outcome is such that more from the Sinhala majority community is prosecuted than from the minority Tamil community for whatever reason, the consequences would be to seriously setback the reconciliation processes; an outcome that defeats what the UNHRC hopes to achieve.
VICTIM BASED APPROACH
The real possibility of such serious outcomes, requires that the scope of the investigation is limited to such a degree that legal prosecution is not possible in the context of Sri Lanka. However, the scope of the investigation could be such that it is possible to establish the body of evidence associated with a particular incident There is strong evidence that the security forces targeted temporary hospitals despite being aware of their location. However, there is also counter evidence that the LTTE directed artillery fire from such locations and moved their ordinance soon after, thus tempting the security forces to target these make-shift hospitals. The investigation would then be limited to what each party to the conflict did in a given situation and not go beyond as to who was culpable to warrant prosecution under the relevant laws. Investigations would thus be a record of actions taken by respective parties to the conflict without delving further to establish which party was responsible for which violation of which laws, Human Rights or Humanitarian.
While this concept takes root, the leadership of both communities should jointly develop mechanisms to address the needs of victims and take joint responsibility for their implementation, instead of depending solely on the elected Government for Reconciliation to be effective and unity restored.
CONCLUSION
In light of the hard reality associated with prosecutorial processes cited above, and the ruling by the International Court of Justice in the case. Nicaragua v. U.S the acts of the Contras fighting against the Nicaraguan Government were governed by the law applicable to armed conflict not of an international character i.e. Common Article 3…”. Therefore, the approach should be to limit investigations, not with the intent of prosecution because it would be skewed for reasons cited above. but with the intent of recording the events that occurred during the armed conflict, and which party to the armed conflict could be identified with the respective violations with a view to use this body of evidence to institute reforms to prevent recurrence.
It is indeed a matter of serious concern that successive Sri Lankan Governments have failed to acknowledge that the Sri Lankan Security Forces and the LTTE are bound alike by the laws applicable to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka. This has seriously dented addressing issues of accountability in a balanced manner.
At the end of such investigations the present leadership of the parties to the conflict should acknowledge the serious omissions and commissions committed by both parties and move on by declaring the broadest possible amnesty to all who were associated with the conflict as stated in Section 5 of Article 6 of the Additional protocol II of 1977.
Article 6 Section 5 States: At the end of hostilities, the authorities in power shall endeavor to grant the broadest possible amnesty to persons who have participated in the armed conflict, or those deprived of their liberty for reasons related to the armed conflict, whether they are interned or detained”.
Since such amnesties and pardons have been instituted starting with the release of child soldiers and nearly 11,000 plus former LTTE combatants and more recently the release of prisoners, the practice has been in operation from time to time. This process would have gained momentum if not for the clamour for prosecutorial processes locally and resolutions of UNHRC that are tantamount to External intervention. The need therefore, is to regularize this practice and bring closure to an issue whose time has come.
Colombo, May 31 (Daily Mirror)- President Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to open doors to economic hitmen like billionaire Elon Musk, George Soros and James Packer by introducing the Economic Transformation Bill, NPP Economic Council member Sunil Hadunnetti said.
Addressing a meeting with the business community in Badulla recently, he said President Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed that Elon Musk is coming to Sri Lanka to provide WIFI.
“Ranil said in 2015 that free WIFI will be made available to all. He has now dropped the word ‘free’ and says WIFI will be given in 2024. Elon Musk will never give free WIFI,” he said.
He said Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed earlier that James Packer is coming to invest in Sri Lanka. But he never came with any investments.
Hadunnetti said a publicity stunt is being operated through a separate company by using government funds to show that foreign investors are coming to the country.
“There are businessmen in the world who visit countries on request of the Presidents in those countries. But,they do not always bring in investment,” he said.
LankaPropertyWeb (LPW), Sri Lanka’s leading real estate portal, is pleased to announce the release of its 2024 Western Province Land Price Index (LPI). The index reveals a significant 7.8% increase in land prices compared to the previous year. Highlights include a 13% surge in Gampaha District, an 8% rise in Kalutara District, and a rebound of 2.3% in land prices in Colombo 1-15. Mr. Daham Gunaratna, LPW’s Managing Director, provides insights into the market trends driving the surge. Additionally, LPW’s methodology and services are outlined.
Attached to this email is an in-depth PR article along with accompanying pictures. We kindly request the publication of this press release in your esteemed newspapers and/or on your websites to reach a broader audience and inform readers about the latest trends in the real estate market. Including links in the article will enhance its quality and relevance, driving more traffic to your website upon publication.
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An official tweet was released on 28 May 2024 by the outgoing US envoy highlighting a meeting held with members of Sri Lanka’s election commission on the importance of voting in free & fair elections”. Expectedly there is no response from Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister who we presume is in charge of all the diplomats & diplomatic protocols that all in the diplomatic community must abide by as per Geneva Diplomatic Protocols. Is the Foreign Minister tasked to protect the interests of Sri Lanka or the interest of other countries?
Needless to say, this meeting automatically takes our memories back to the time Britain’s High Commissioner David Gladstone was unceremoniously declared persona non grata for interfering in local elections & packed off back to the UK.
The reason – 10 May 1991 Local Government Elections
The incident – lodging a complaint at the Police Station about SLFP supporters being denied entering polling booth by UNP thugs at the Dickwella polling centre.
Gladstone was given 10 days to leave Sri Lanka.
Ironically, Gladstone’s next appointment ended up Ukraine!
Ironically days later 21 May 1991 Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated.
Increasingly, we see diplomats not only visiting everywhere & anywhere they please without informing Sri Lanka’s foreign office & having a member of the foreign office accompany them as was a practice in the past, envoys are crossing the line of diplomacy. Their interference” has become a common occurrence. It may come to a point where people in positions begin to function according to the dictates of the diplomats than the politicians.
While, we can fault the diplomats and highlight their lack of diplomacy, the bigger fault lies in our own people who fail to see how such meetings can compromise their own position and the Independent role expected of them.
There is little point brandishing a signboard INDEPENDENT” if they do not function as an independent body. There is little point bragging about being independent” if they do not act independent.
If judges do not attend or mix & mingle with ordinary citizens in view of any conflict of interest, can they wine & dine with diplomats & hold regular meetings with them. Do their funding & training programs warrant loosening of that distance that should be kept?
Exactly how independent” are elections in the US for the US envoy to be concerned about free & fair elections in Sri Lanka?
Elections were held for women in 1931 when US disenfranchised black people from voting. American blacks got to vote only in 1965 (black Americans have been voting only for 59 years!).
While 20,000 Sri Lankan prisoners do not get voting rights because of a lethargy in arranging voting for them, the US by law denies 5.1million felons voting rights.
Our concern regarding the meeting with the election commission follows a timeline of US meddling in elections of other countries.
US interference in foreign elections
2015 Presidential Elections – Sri Lanka
Regime change in 2015 was jointly planned by the Indian intelligence & US to oust Mahinda Rajapakse’s govt. It was this operation that presented a common candidate & a pro-US alliance that became the common opposition. Maithripala Sirisena was selected as the common candidate & won enabling a string of pro-US/Indian decisions thereafter.
India appears to be copying everything US is doing as interference in UK’s 2019 election by India was highlighted by Times of India with BJP supporters campaigning for the Conservative Party via whatsapp messages across the country.
2002 Parliamentary Elections – Bolivia
US is said to have financed eradication of cocoa farms & warned voters not to vote for Evo Morales. USAID created a political party reform project” with motive to create pro-US political parties camouflaged as pro-democracy”.
1996 Presidential Election – Russia
US assistance for Boris Yeltsin’s election campaign is no secret. US had sent a team of campaign experts & were given an unlimited budget. US used their influence in IMF to grant Russia a $10.2billion loan to keep the Russian pro-US govt afloat. Though Yeltsin’s inner circle misused the funds, IMF turned a blind eye. Many view the election as being rigged to Yeltsins advantage.
1996 Parliamentary Elections – Mongolia
NED (National Endowment for Democracy) is accused of helping unite several political parties, intellectuals, businessmen, students & other activists into a Democratic Union Coalition” & given training in grassroot campaigning & membership recruiting. NED had also helped distribute 350,000 copies of a manifesto calling for private property rights, free press & foreign investment. The NED enemy was Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party.
1992 Parliamentary Elections – Albania
USAID, NDI, IRI provided anti-socialist political groups – funding, training & media support & US embassy publicly supported Albania’s Democratic Party. According to Los Angeles Times, US also provided advisors & vehicles for their campaign & threatened to withhold aidif Socialist Party of Albania won the elections.
1990 Parliamentary Elections – Czechoslovakia
New York Times reveals NED $400,000 funding for pro-US political parties to buy computers, fax machines copiers for their campaign.
1986 Parliamentary Elections – Costa Rica
IRI (International Republican Institute) supported the Social Christian Unity Party giving grants of $75,000, $100,000 & $145,000 for elections in 1986, 1987 & 1988 through the Association for the Defense of Liberty & Democracy in Costa Rica.
1984 Presidential Elections – El Salvador
Washington Post reveals US diplomatic pressure, media support & covert funding to the campaign of Jose Duarte.
1984 Parliamentary Elections – Grenada
Investigative journalist Bob Woodward says CIA spent $675,000 on education & campaigns after the Grenada invasion in 1983 & used opinion polls to swing voters towarsd a pro-US candidate.
1984, 1989 Parliamentary Elections – Panama
As per Manuel Noriega’s trial, CIA & drug cartels funded the election campaign of Nicolas Vallarino.
CIA is also accused of covertly campaigning to oust General Noriega from office. Radio & tv transmitters were given to opposition groups while US slapped sanctions on Panama after US failed coup in 1988.
1984 & 1990 Parliamentary Elections – Nicaragua
US is accused of funding & bribing anti-Sandinista opposition leaders to boycott the 1984 elections.
Funds also flowed to anti-Sandinista opposition groups to oust him from power in 1990.
1983 Parliamentary Elections – Italy
Journalist Bob Woodward says CIA requested Saudi to spend $2m to assist a secret operation to prevent victory of the Italian Communist Party in 1983 elections.
1982 Parliamentary Elections – Mauritius
CIA is said to have given financial support to Ramgoolam’s election campaign to defeat Anerood Jugnath thinking he would close Muauritian ports to US Navy as well as challenge Diego Garcia.
1980 Presidential Election – Iran
US is accused of covertly supporting campaign of Ahmad Madani who later fled to US.
Japanese elections in 1952, 1855, 1958, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1969, 1972 & 1980
CIA is accused of interfering in Japan’s 1st elections, withholding details of the new US-Japan security treaty from public, funding the Liberal Party, later Liberal Democratic Party, CIA is accused of offering payments to Japan Socialist Party members to weaken potential anti-US campaigns, sending US advisors as US-based businessmen”.
1955, 1958, 1987 Parliamentary Elections – Laos
US State Dept documents reveal US funded the Royal Lao Army, the Govt & provided food aid to villages to discourage them supporting communism.
Former CIA agent & US diplomat James Liley says we pumped a relatively large amount of money to politicians who would listen to our advice” – CIA-friendly politicians won 54 out of 57 seats.
1971 Presidential Election – Vietnam
US is accused of running a number of covert operations to get Nguven Thieu elected.
1970 Presidential Elections – Chile
As per Church Committee, CIA supported the kidnapping of the Chilean Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Rene Schneider to prevent him confirming Allende as President. Kidnapping attempt failed & Schneider was shot & died 3 days later. US took pains to undermine Allendes presidency which paved way for his overthrow by coup.
1966 Parliamentary Elections – Bolivia
CIA had covertly funded groups that supported Gen. Barrientos for elections. Thereafter Che Guevara was killed in 1967.
1966 Parliamentary Elections – Costa Rica
US supported Costa Rica’s National Liberation Party
1966 Parliamentary Elections – Dominican Republic
US State Dept Office of Historian documents reveal US support for Joaquin Balaguer – assistance cover advice, media, information.
1964 Parliamentary Elections – Bolivia
CIA had covertly financed media, political groups, trade unions, student groups, youth groupsto ensure a pro-US government came to power. $1.150000 had been allocated over 3 years for this operation. US is said to have covertly funded Gen. Barrientos in the military coup of 1964.
1964 Presidential Elections – Chile
US govt is said to have given $2.6m to candidate Montalva who opposed Salvador Allende & to character assassinate Allende. The Church Committee in 1975 exposed US involvement in Chile’s elections.
1964 Parliamentary Elections – Somalia
US is accused of covertly influencing elections & ensure officials were pro-West.
1962 Parliamentary Elections – Brazil
Time Weiner’s book Legacy of Ashes speaks of a plan by US President JFK & US envoy in Brazil Lincoln Gordon to spend $8m to swing the election & prepare for a military coup against President Goulart. The funding went to Brazilians who opposed Goulart. Goulart was deposed in 1964 by military coup which ruled Brazil till 1985.
1962 Parliamentary Elections – Peru
US State Dept historians office reveals CIA funded the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance in 1962 & even supported the labor movement against President Alvarado.
1960 Congo
Following the victory of Patrice Lumumba, he was assassinated in a US-led covert operation in January 1961.
1959 Parliamentary Elections – Nepal
CIA is accused of covertly assisting Koirala & Nepali Congress to win 1959 elections.
1958 Parliamentary Elections – Guatemala
CIA is accused of covertly aiding campaign of Jose Salazar to the tune of $97,000 to oust govt of Miguel Fuentes.
1955 Presidential Election- Brazil
US began educating” Brazilians against communism” & gave grants to parties that agreed to be pro-US
1955 Parliamentary Elections – Indonesia
CIA is accused of covertly giving $1m to Muslim political parties to cut support for Sukarno.
1953 Parliamentary Elections – Philippines
US & CIA are accused of influencing the 1953 elections with candidates competing for US support. CIA agent Edward Lansdale is credited with running the campaign of Ramon Magsaysay to election victory.
1952 Parliamentary Elections – Iran
US declassified documents in 2017 reveal US strategy to undermine Mohammad Mossadegh with CIA spending lots of money to get their 18 favorite candidates elected.
1948 Parliamentary Elections – Italy
The US in alliance with the Roman Catholic Church is accused of funneling millions of dollars to the Christian Democracy Party & other parties to support the Popular Democratic Front to win.
Its upto the Sri Lankans to ask themselves whether US is also rolling out the same campaigns in Sri Lanka?
How far has USAID, NED, NRI, IRI penetrated Sri Lankan society to influence their thinking & involved in grassroot campaigning?
Was IMF used in 2022?
Are US advisors, vehicles, equipment, social media training, media training being used?
What are the campaigns that have been launched so far? How is US influencing surveys & opinion polls?
Are their US advisors” posing as US investors/businessmen?
Who are the politicians listening to US advice” & are favorites” of the US/India
Who are the politicians, political parties, student groups, youth movements, media, intellectuals, activists, trade unions, businessmen taking advice” from US/India?
Who are tasked & paid to character assassinate? Who else are getting covertly paid?
The US didn’t need to kidnap the army general as in Chile, but a US-trained one was imported & made army commander after regime change in 2015!
In looking at the timeline of US interference in numerous countries, their judiciary has remained somewhat out of any conflict of interest. However, can we say the same about Sri Lanka? The BASL scandal, the manner USAID is funding the legal system’s administration & digitalization” provides a clue to the answer.
In such a scenario, what can we deduce from the US envoys meeting with the supposed to be independent” election commission. Do commissions wish to be independent so they can be not answerable or questioned for such actions that can easily undermine the sovereignty of the nation as can be seen by the examples highlighted from open source material.
Four Sri Lankans were arrested on Monday 20 May 2024 at the Ahmadabad Airport in India for smuggling of gold and drugs.
According to Daily Mirror of 23 May 2024 Sri Lanka’s state intelligence has asked for further information from India’s state intelligence to verify the background of these alleged suspects, as well as to probe if they are actually linked to the ISIS network.
Thus so far there was no report of their involvement in any organization promoting violence. One should not forget the government in power in India is extremely hostile to Muslims.They demonize and unleash violence against Muslims.On the other hand it is ridiculous to state that they went to India to commit crime for mere Rs 100.000/ each.
However within 24 hours Mr Rohana Gunaratne, the self claimed terrorist expert who is blind to the on going RSS-BJP atrocities on Indian Muslims and the US-European backed Israeli genocide roasting and toasting Palestinians , had given a fatwa describing Sri Lankans caught in India as ISIS agents.
This was done even before the Indian authorities started their inquiries .Perhaps Mr Gunaratne has his own information channel to Indian intelligence? The question is how could Mr Gunaraten accuse these four people, perhaps professional smugglers, of being ISIS members even before Indian authorities started their investigations?
His statement warned Sri Lanka of ISIS threat . It was published on 22 May in the Ceylon Today under the title *Message to the Sri Lankan government and Muslim leaders:* “Do not live in denial, acknowledge the truth, and address radicalization”.
Such provocative statements demonising Islam and Muslims has been Mr Gunaratne’s speciality for reasons better known to him. In his statement on 23 May 2024 this is what Mr Rohan Gnaratne stated;
I have painstakingly stressed that the scourge of the Islamic State (ISIS) has not gone away from Sri Lanka even though Zahran and his infrastructure was disrupted. The ideology that is producing Zahran’s are intact. Zahran was only the symptom of a larger problem of radicalization in the country.
Whether we like it or not, the radicalisation is a regional challenge that will grow. The extremist organizations have established a presence in Sri Lanka. Based on interviews with detainees that staged a catastrophic attack, I have shared the details of the network in my book Sri Lanka’s Easter Attack: Lessons for the International Community”. conclded Mr Rohan
Many alleged that IS is a direct product of Israel, sometimes weaponizing the acronym to call it the Israeli secret intelligence service.” An X account called Suppressed Voice,” which routinely amplifies Hamas propaganda and glorifies terrorism as a form of resistance,” posted these conspiratorial sentiments alongside the false claim that Mossad is also an IS-affiliate.
Islamic State said that Abu Bakr al–Baghdadi was actually a Jewish agent of the Mossad seeking to sow destruction and anarchy in Syria and other regions,
Isn’t it time that Mr Rohan Gunratne speak about the barbarity unleashed by Israel with the complete support of US and Europe, indiscriminately killing innocent Palestinians. This not only include children but even babies taken out of the womb of murdered women. Latest being headless children. So far they have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians although the estimated figure is around 100,000 as those buried under the rubble of bombed and destroyed buildings were not counted.
The Zionist Jews and their US European partners have caused immeasurable sufferings to Palestinians who were deprived of water, food,medicine .electricity and shelter.
Zionists were committing these barbarities to justify their- US-European-Israeli wars invading Muslim countries and killing innocent Muslims worldwide.
This began with the collapse of former Soviet Union in december 1988.So far number of Muslims countries were destroyed and millions of Muslims were slaughtered. Did any Muslim country any where in the world, invade a non Muslim country leave alone massacring their people in the way US-Europe and Israel had done and still doing?
Isn’t it time that Mr Gunaratne write about US-European Israeli war crimes in Bosnia,Afghanistan,Iraq,Syria,Libya and now in Gaza rather than demonizing Islam and Muslims and help justify US-European Israeli war mongers destroy Muslim countries and kill Muslims world wide.
Sri Lanka is passing through a very difficult period due to racist politics which divided the communities and contributed to the current economic crisis. Under the circumstance the need of the hour is for all to get together to pull the country out of this man made disaster and not divide communities.
Of the three communities in Sri Lanka Muslims were the most peaceful.They never resorted to violence to restore their rights.Even in the case of Easter Sunday massacre only few Muslim individuals were accused but the community as a whole ,even after five years, proved nothing to do with it.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that none of the candidates aspiring to run in the presidential election have announced their intention to abolish the executive powers associated with the position.
The President highlighted the dual nature of the executive presidential system, noting its advantages and disadvantages. He emphasized that the executive power vested in the presidency played a pivotal role in the economic development of Sri Lanka and the resolution of the 30-year war.
President Wickremesinghe made these remarks while participating in the What’s dialogue on legal reforms with young legal professionals at a workshop held yesterday (28) at the Presidential Secretariat.
President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of enacting laws that render the President accountable to Parliament. He noted the decentralization of certain executive powers to Provincial Councils and Parliamentary Oversight Committees, highlighting forthcoming divisions in this regard.<
Moreover, President Wickremesinghe affirmed the inevitability of future Presidential elections, stating that financial provisions for this purpose have already been allocated.
The President further stated,
Sri Lanka boasts multiple governance systems. One resembles the English model, epitomized by the cabinet, while the other adopts the executive presidential system, where the President wields executive authority. The legislature holds legislative powers. Notably, the President and the legislature may hail from different political parties. Examining the Swiss parliamentary setup, parliament appoints seven individuals to the federal committee, granting executive authority to the Federal Council.
In adherence to a customary practice, the two primary parties receive two seats each, while the remaining parties are allocated one seat each. Subsequently, these councillors convene to discuss the distribution of responsibilities among institutions, collectively exercising executive authority. Additionally, the Prime Minister holds the authority to appoint and dismiss ministers within the cabinet. Annually, one of the seven councillors ascends to the Chairmanship.
Alternatively, the Donoughmore system, once employed in Sri Lanka, involved dividing the executive structure into seven components. Among these, one served as the speaker, while another was elected as the chairman, simultaneously assuming the role of minister. Further, a minister was designated as the Leader of the House. The governor appointed three additional secretaries, resulting in a council of ministers comprised of ten individuals. Among these, the chief secretary chaired the council, where decisions were deliberated and finalized.
Following the previous systems, the French model emerged, where the executive president is elected via popular vote and members of Parliament are chosen by the electorate. This approach is predominantly adopted in Sri Lanka, possessing both advantages and disadvantages. During President J. R. Jayawardena’s tenure as Executive President, significant strides were made for the country, marked by the implementation of major projects such as Mahaveli, Samanala wewa, and Lunugamvehera. Additionally, Kotte was elevated to the status of a capital city, and two trading zones were established. Notably, these developmental endeavours were executed amidst an eleven-year-long war.
Similarly, President Premadasa initiated the establishment of around two hundred garment factories. The presence of the executive presidency was pivotal in Sri Lanka’s victory in the war, thwarting foreign hopes of inducing crisis and government collapse. The ability to apply executive power, exemplified by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, facilitated the deployment of the military and eventual triumph in the conflict.
During the tenure of the good governance government, there was a notable disconnect between the Executive President and the rest of the government. The presence of executive powers was crucial in maintaining stability during the “Aragalaya;. This was evident when there was no clear successor for the premiership. On a particular occasion, when the President departed for Trincomalee, some individuals urged me to resign from my position as Prime Minister.
However, I asserted that I could only resign if there was a parliamentary majority, and even then, the resignation letter would need to be submitted to the President. Resigning under external pressure or due to personal reasons, such as threats to my residence, would risk the ascension of someone outside the democratic process to power.
In the future, we will hold the presidential election. None of the candidates vying for the position have announced plans to abolish its executive authority. It’s imperative that we develop a program geared towards reinforcing the parliament’s role and capabilities.
Currently, some executive powers have been delegated to the Provincial Council, while others have been assigned to various commissions. Furthermore, parliamentary oversight committees are operational. As more bills are introduced and debated in parliament, there will be a gradual shift of presidential powers to the Parliament, the legislative body.
Enacting laws that render the President accountable to Parliament is imperative. The government’s agenda for the next four years should be outlined through the newly introduced Economic Transformation Act. Progress on implemented programs each year ought to be reported to Parliament annually. Mr. Karu Jayasuriya’s proposed Jana Sabha system appears highly feasible. Additionally, it’s worth noting the practicality of the forthcoming gender equality law.
The queries posed here and the responses provided by President Ranil Wickremesinghe are delineated below.
Q:In your experience, what factors contribute to the failure of national action plans?
A:The core issue lies in the absence of comprehensive policies among many governments. This deficiency has persisted for seventy-seven years. Until 2015, the prevalence of war overshadowed policymaking efforts, resulting in the lack of adequate preparation. Consequently, our economic structure remained stagnant, leading to significant challenges in recent years.
The impact of the war on the economy was profound. Economic collapse ensued in 2001, followed by the devastating tsunami. Despite the war’s end, there was a conspicuous absence of post-war strategies.
Upon assuming office as Prime Minister in 2015, I prioritized rectifying this situation. Efforts were made to achieve budgetary surplus and limit dependence on imports. However, our economy remains reliant on imports.
There was a notable absence of agricultural policies in place. Despite our historical success in exporting commodities like cinnamon, tea, rubber, and coconut since the Anuradhapura era, there was a failure to formulate a comprehensive agricultural policy post-1948. Although initiatives like the Mahaweli and Gal-oya land development projects were launched, a cohesive agricultural strategy was lacking. As a result, it’s clear that modernizing agriculture and fostering an export-oriented economy are imperative for our nation’s development.
Until 1977, our focus was on attracting investments and establishing free trade zones. However, after that period, our interest in these endeavours waned. Consequently, countries that were once behind us surged ahead. Thailand, which was once on par with us, progressed significantly. Similarly, nations like Malaysia, Vietnam, and Bangladesh surpassed us. Hence, it’s imperative that our political attention shifts towards policy studies to rectify this.
Additionally, reforms are essential in the education sector to provide our youth with opportunities to attain degrees locally, reducing their reliance on expensive foreign education.
Furthermore, it’s crucial that we embrace modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to propel us forward. Drawing from my extensive 75 years of life experience, I emphasize the importance of this to the younger generation, who belong to Generation Z. It’s imperative that you excel in this rapidly evolving landscape and consider your future prospects. Our goal must be to construct a developed nation capable of competing on a global scale.
Q:I truly admire your focus on climate change and your compassion towards animals. I would like to know your opinion on the proposed animal welfare bill and if you can expect it to be passed or enacted anytime soon.
A:The discussion on the Animal Welfare Act is currently underway in the Oversight Committee. However, it’s uncertain whether it will be adopted in this session due to the numerous bills slated for passage by August. Consequently, its consideration may be deferred to next year. We have prioritized the enactment of several new laws aimed at safeguarding women, followed by amendments to the Penal Code and the introduction of the Economic Transformation Act.
Additionally, the introduction of the Proceeds of Crime Act is likely. The Anti-Corruption Act has already been passed, along with the presentation of the Proceeds of the Crime Bill. The remaining legislative agenda is expected to be addressed after the presidential election, indicating a heightened workload for the legislature.
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Oversight Committee is examining the Animal Welfare Act, primarily due to concerns regarding crop destruction by peacocks, wild boars and deer. Consequently, efforts are directed towards finding a balanced approach to address this issue.
The event was attended by Member of Parliament Premanath .C. Dolawatta PC, former Parliamentary Secretary General Dr. Priyani Wijesinghe, Presidential Director of Youth Affairs and Sustainable Development Mr. Randula Abeyweera and others.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a workshop at the Presidential Secretariat said that none of the presidential candidates have expressed intentions to abolish the executive powers associated with the position. He elaborated on the dual nature of the executive presidential system, highlighting both its advantages and disadvantages. The President emphasized the crucial role played by executive powers in Sri Lanka’s economic development and the resolution of the 30-year war.
Furthermore, President Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of enacting legislation that renders the President accountable to Parliament. He discussed the decentralization of certain executive powers to Provincial Councils and Parliamentary Oversight Committees, signaling forthcoming divisions in this regard. Additionally, he affirmed the inevitability of future Presidential elections, noting that financial provisions for this purpose have already been allocated.
During the dialogue, the President addressed inquiries regarding the factors contributing to the failure of national action plans. He attributed this failure to the absence of comprehensive policies among successive governments, spanning seventy-seven years. President Wickremesinghe highlighted the impact of the war on the economy and the lack of post-war strategies. Despite efforts to rectify the situation after assuming office in 2015, challenges persist, particularly in modernizing agriculture, fostering an export-oriented economy, and embracing technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Drawing from his extensive life experience, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of the younger generation excelling in this rapidly evolving landscape to construct a developed nation capable of competing globally.
Radical Islam is an enduring global challenge that presents a national and international security threat. Instigation by hate preachers, inadequate government, societal attention, and religious and reciprocal radicalization have allowed this threat to manifest into terrorist violence. Extremist ideologies have infiltrated religious, educational, and digital spaces, and thus, terrorism’s shadow continues to shroud the safety and stability of countries and communities worldwide today.
On 21 April 2019, the world’s most dangerous threat movement, the Islamic State, mounted one of its deadliest attacks in Sri Lanka. The surge of fear, suspicion, and prejudice following what is now known as ‘Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre’ fragmented the country, imbuing hatred and anger against the Muslim community. Years later, the radicalization pipeline remains intact, and the threat persists. With the global expansion of the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, will the world witness attacks of a similar or greater scale in the future?
Equal parts treatise and reference material, Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday Massacre: Lessons for the International Community answers this question by tracing the genesis, threat trajectory, and aftermath of the bombings and the personalities behind them. With unprecedented access to accounts from Islamic State detainees, affected families, intelligence specialists, and investigators, the book reflects on lessons learned and provides insight into how such attacks are organized and what measures can be taken to prevent or respond to these threats effectively.
Kurundi is the first ancient Buddhist temple to be conserved in Mullaitivu. Mullaitivu is the one district that links the Northern Province to the Eastern Province. The bogus Tamil ethnic group declared that the north-east of Sri Lanka is their Eelam. Buddhist worship in Mullaitivu will hamper the rise of this Eelam. Therefore Tamil Separatist Movement intends to prevent Kurundi vihara from blossoming forth and functioning as a well patronized temple.
Kurundi needs a strong lobby to resist this. Fortunately, an informal Buddhist lobby has emerged around Kurundi. This is led by Bauddhaloka Foundation. The Department of Archaeology told Ven. Santhabodhi that they would do the work if he could find the money. The Bauddhaloka Foundation offered to put up the money.
Jagath Sumathipala, founder of Bauddhaloka Foundation signed an agreement with the Department of Archaeology to fund the excavation and conservation of Kurundi stupa. Funds were readily provided as and when needed and the stupa was completed. We are told that the funds for doing the pilimage are ready and waiting at Bauddhaloka Foundation.
Kurundi also has financial support from abroad, from Sri Lankan Buddhists in Dubai and from SPUR in Australia and others. Groups and individuals have also helped with other matters, like monk’s living quarters and the supply of dry goods. Santhabodhi was given a vehicle for his use. But financial support alone is not sufficient, Kurundi needs a strong political lobby.
Since the Kurundi project was initiated by a courageous young bhikkhu working alone, the first support should be from the Maha Sangha. The Sangha has shown interest in the work at Kurundi. At one talk show, which was endlessly going round and round the topic of Kurundi, bhikkhus cut in, tell us about the court decisions in the Kurundi matter, they said. What are the obstacles we are facing in north east?
Leading bhikkhus from the three Nikayas have supported Santhabodhi, but they have done so separately. Bhikkhus have appeared in court with Santhabodhi to give him moral support. They have visited the stupa and conducted pinkama. But they have done all this individually. This is not sufficient. They must appear in a body, en masse.
The first lay Buddhist association to support Santhabodhi was the All Ceylon Buddhist Association (ACBC). The ACBC was cautious. They first interviewed Ven. Santabodhi, were satisfied with what he said, and only then decided to support him. They provided quiet support for Kurundi. They sent a lawyer, Samith Kalhara to fight the Kurundi case in Magistrate Court, Mullaitivu on behalf of Kurundi.
Federation of Organisations for Protecting National Heritage led by Ven. Medagoda Abeyatissa announced on 29. Oct 2022, that it will file legal action in Supreme Court, against the Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, Vidura Wickramanayake and the Director General of Archaeology for violation of laws pertaining to preservation of historical sites.
The Federation will file action for violating the Archaeological Sites of National Importance Act 16 of 1990 with regard to historical Kurundi Temple. No one is allowed to carry out construction at sites which have been identified as archaeologically important as per the Act. A Hindu temple is being constructed at the site currently in violation of the law, Medagoda said.
Former Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jagath Dias and two other retired officers, Brigadier Athula Hemachandra de Silva and Lt. Col. Anil Sumeda Amarasekera petitioned the Court of Appeal on July 19 2023 , against the government’s decision to release state land around the historical Kurundi temple.
They said that the DG, Archaeology tendered his resignation after being humiliated by President Wickremesinghe in the presence of a delegation of TNA MPs at a meeting held in the Presidential Secretariat on June 08, 2023.Subsequent to that meeting, a directive has been issued to alienate land, surrounding the Kurundi temple, to cultivators, who were cultivating the surrounding lands, and to remove the existing boundary stones placed by the Task Force for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province and to replace the stones after the identifying the archaeological sites.
The petitioners have sought to prevent the government from removing the boundary stones already planted by the Presidential Task Force for Archaeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province.
Declaring that over 300 acres has been now identified to be of archaeological value that needs excavation and gazetting under the provisions of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940, the petitioners alleged that a survey of the area was stopped by the second respondent Buddha asana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake last September Subsequently the then Director General of Archaeology, Prof. Anura Manatunga who is the third respondent, resumed the survey and was proceeding according to a plan when President Ranil Wickremesinghe intervened.
The petitioners have submitted a letter, dated January 11, 2023, sent by the Secretary to the President to the Director General of the Archaeological Department, directing that he obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers before declaring any site to be an archaeological site or monument. The petitioners pointed out that the power to declare an archaeological site and/or monument is a power granted to the DG, Archaeology under section 33 of the Antiquities Ordinance No. 09 of 1940. Therefore, the directive issued by the Secretary to the President is an unlawful encroachment of the powers conferred by an Act of Parliament to the Director General of Archaeology.
Thereafter media reported that the writ petition ( No 367/23) submitted to the Court of Appeal challenging the order given by the President on June 08 to remove the boundary stones of the archaeological sites identified by the Presidential Task Force for the Management of Archaeological Heritage in the Kurundi Temple Archeological Site and in the Eastern Province, was scheduled to be heard on July 20 2023.
Somaratne Vidanapathirana Buddha Sasana, Secretary of the Ministry of Religion and Culture, Vidura Wickramanayake Minister of Buddha Sasana ,Religious and Cultural Affairs, Anura Manatunga former Director General of Archeology, Pradeepa Serasinghe current Acting Director General of Archeology, Land Commissioner General, and Attorney General have been named as respondents. President’s Counsel Manohara de Silva is representing the petitioner. ( Continued)
Tamil objections to Buddhist temples in the north-east are not confined to Kurundi. Tamil Separatist Movement is attacking all the Buddhist temples in key locations in the northeast. Therefore a strong Buddhist lobby is urgently needed, to fight on behalf of the Buddhist temples which are under threat all over the north and east.
There should be two lobbies for the Buddhistization” of the north and east, one by the Maha Sangha and the other by the lay Buddhists. These two lobbies must deal firmly and strongly with the many anti-Buddhist activities in the north and east. They are a) objecting to conservaton of ancient Buddhist temples in north and east, b) opposition to building of new Buddhist temples in the north and east, c) opposition to the presence of the Sangha in those temples, d), vandalizing Buddhist statues and Buddhist ruins and d) building kovils on the sites of ancient Buddhist temples.
There is evidence of an informal lobby. Surveyor General Ariyaratne Dissanayake told Daily News in February 2022 that a total of 484 requests have been received for surveying of archeological sites in the Eastern Province. Surveying of 64 of them have been completed and plans are being prepared for 22 sites. Derana news of19.2.22 announced that requests for measuring religious places in north have been received and 48 are being looked into.
There is also silent resistance. Kurundi team informed us that Forest officers were working very eagerly and with much dedication to stop the illegal occupation of Nagacholai forest reserve.
The Department of Archaeology had two encounters with President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The first was in Colombo with the Director of Archaeology. The second was at Anuradhapura where President met the Archaeology Department officials based in Anuradhapura.
Derana news of 23.7.23 showed a clip of the second meeting. President Ranil Wickremesinghe clearly wanted archaeological attention transferred to Mahavihara in Anuradhapura. The most important archaeology project should now be Mahavihara, he said. He compared Mahavihara to Taxila and Nalanda and added that we did not know our past.
Archaeology Department officials were asked, has the Department done any excavation on Mahavihara. What have you found. Officers stated firmly and unapologetically that they have only marked out the ruins visible above ground. President wanted to know how many archaeology officers were at work in Anuradhapura and how many have been assigned to Mahavihara . Answer after checking was 4 officers and 18 workers.
The attitude of the Archaeology Department officers at this meeting was visibly different to the trusting attitude shown by D/Archaeology, Manatunga at the historic Colombo meeting with TNA watching. The Anuradhapura officers were confident and firm and answered only after openly checking facts on their laptops. They knew that this sudden emphasis on Mahavihara was an artificial one. Jetavana and Abhayagiri were already done. Jetavana was part of Mahavihara.
The Buddhist lobby does not confine itself to silent resistance alone. Whenever they belatedly realize what is taking place, they try to stop it. The first thing they do is ‘go to court’, they institute legal proceedings.
.A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, in May 2023, seeking an order directing the authorities to take immediate action to secure and protect the Vadunagala Pabbatha Viharaya Archaeological site in Vavuniya District. The petitioners Ven. Galgamuwe Santhabodhi Brig. (Rtd) Athula De Silva, journalist Shenali D. Waduge, businesswoman Jihan Hameed, Nilhan Paul Fernando and Upali Jayasinghe Bandara filed this petition through their lawyer Dharshana Weraduwage.
Vaddamana Parvatha (Pabbatha) Viharaya Vedikinnarimalai Archaeological site is located in the Nainayamadu Forest in the district of Vavuniya. The petitioners stated that Vaddamana Pabbatha Viharaya, a Buddhist monastic complex, dates back to the early Anuradhapura era. According to the inscriptions these caves were gifted (Saangika) to the Maha Sangha.
The petitioners stated that this ancient Buddhist monastery has a long history. In 2010 this place was rediscovered and re-identified by the Department of Archaeology and was suggested to be gazetted as an archaeological protected monument. The petitioners alleged that in 2018, acts of vandalism occurred in this place, where the floor of one of the caves with Brahmi inscriptions was filled with soil brought from outside and levelled. The bricks from the brick stupa were removed and an image of a God has been inserted.
The Petitioners further stated that the actions or inactions of the respondents, including IGP Chandana Wickramaratne, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles, Senior DIG Vijitha Gunaratne, DIG Ampawila, SSP Chamika Wickremasinghe and others are wilful, negligent and unreasonable and have vehemently violated the fundamental rights of the Buddhist Citizenry duly guaranteed under Article 10, Article 12.1 and Article 14 (1) (e) of Sri Lanka’s Constitution. The petitioners alleged that in 2018, acts of vandalism occurred in this place, where the floor of one of the caves with Brahmi inscriptions was filled with soil brought from outside and leveled.[1]
At present Buddhists have nowhere to direct their observations and grievances to. They have collected a bunch of observations and do not know what to do with them. They need direction. There must be a formal Buddhist lobby with an address , an office and somebody to write down the facts.
The Sangha has provided two such places, at Pepiliyana and Kelaniya. They have the capacity to provide more centers if they wish. Among the many lay Buddhist organizations, obviously, it is the All Ceylon Buddhist Association which should come forward to lead the Buddhist lobby.
ACBC is not new to this. It is already supporting Kurundi. Well before that ACBC made a complaint when a branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi was cut down in 1970 under the pretext of providing telephone lines to the residence of Mr. Thangadorai, Federal party MP for Muttur.
ACBC is aware of the new role they have to play. They have adjusted their image accordingly. ACBC announced in May 2024 that views put forward by the ACBC have been discussed and developed in international discussions at various times in the world.
ACBC has seen the need for high visibility .The 2024 Vesak programme of the ACBC was officially released at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. Members of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress and a group of donors participated in this event and posed for a photograph.
Chandra Nimal Wakishta, the President of the Buddhist Congress, said it was a privilege to officially announce our Vesak festival programme for the first time in the presence of the country’s leadership. Bauddhaloka Vesak Zone, organized by the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress under the theme Protect Our Identity”, will have the fullest support of the three armed forces, police and Civil Security Force, added ACBC.
There is also a new organization which is going to act as a lobby. An Act to Incorporate the Sri Shakyasinghe Foundation for perpetuating of Sri Sambuddha Sasana was announced in May 2024, by Udaya Gammanpila. Its objectives include propagation of Buddhism, development of Buddhist education, protection of Buddhist heritage, prevent religious conflicts and create a society based on Buddhist philosophy. Critics observed that the name of the association does not carry the word Buddhist. The title did not sound like a Buddhist organization either.
Lawyers for Buddhist Rights” will be providing an app which provides a streamlined platform for reporting anti Buddhist incidents. This is announced in a You Tube presentation, posted on April 1st, 2024 titled, Empowering Buddhists: New App Aims to Safeguard Rights in Sri Lanka”. Using these app users can swiftly document and report violations. May this app serve as a powerful tool in protecting Buddhist rights and promoting understanding , said Palitha Ariyaratne
The Eugene T. Davidson, Public Service Award, named after a founder and former president of American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has been awarded to Dr. Sunil J. Wimalawansa, MBBS, MD, PhD, MBA, DSc, who is a Professor of medicine and the former chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School & Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital; and professor of physiology and integrative biology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, graduate school of biomedical sciences
AACE is the largest clinical endocrinologist association, representing around 8,000 endocrinologists worldwide. Most members are certified in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, specializing in treating patients with a wide range of endocrine and metabolic disorders. The award ceremony will take place during the 33rd Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, in May 2024. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding clinical excellence, education, research, public health, medical ethics, technological innovations, medical advancements, community involvement, and individual accomplishments.
Dr. Sunil Wimalwansa is a renowned educator, author, researcher, innovator, executive board member, administrator, and philanthropist. Dr. Wimalwansa obtained a diploma in medical administration from Johns Hopkins University School of Business in 2000 and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University Business School in 2006. He has made significant contributions to academia and research in the field of Endocrinology with over 300 peer-reviewed articles, numerous book chapters, and authored books spanning various disciplines.
In 1994, Dr. Wimalwansa pioneered the first live remote medical consultation clinics” (first real telemedicine clinic) between Galveston, TX, and U.S.-Mexico border towns, covering over 250 miles. His exceptional contributions have earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Dr. Boy Frame Award for Clinical Excellence in Metabolic Bone Diseases (1993), the Glen Foundation Award from the American Endocrine Society, and an innovation award from the Asian Chamber of Commerce (2000). Recognizing his humanitarian endeavors, he received the Dr. Oscar Gluck International Humanitarian of the Year Award (2007) from the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sri Lanka Foundation, Los Angeles in honor of his remarkable contributions to science, humanity, and society.
Developing endocrinology in Sri Lanka began in 1973, with the pioneering efforts of Dr. Wimalawansa, including organizing the first international radioimmunoassay course in Asia, establishing the first nuclear medicine unit for Sri Lanka, and developing the first few hormone assays at the Faculty of Medicine, Peradeniya, under the leadership of Professors Wikrananayake and Piyasena. In 1979, Dr. Wimalawansa became the first physician formally released from the University of Sri Lanka and the Department of Health for foreign postgraduate training in Clinical Endocrinology. He completed two Endocrine Fellowships, one in general endocrinology and another in sub-specialty training. Upon his return the first clinical endocrinology unit in Peradeniya was established to complement the nuclear medicine unit established in the mid-1970s.
Dr. Wimalwansa is the first trained Clinical Endocrinologist from Sri Lanka; previously served as a squadron leader in the Air Force. In addition to delivering lectures, he has significantly contributed to global endocrinology education by offering free courses worldwide. Dr. Wimalwansa’s commitment to serving society is evident through his founding of nonprofit organizations, including the International Foundation for Chronic Disabilities, the International Foundation for Revitalization, etc.. Furthermore, he has played an integral roles as a member or consultant for various national and international scientific committees, Dr. Wimalawansa’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge is evident through his regularly reviewing manuscripts for granting organizations and national and international scientific journals. Additionally, he actively serves on editorial boards and remains deeply engaged in scientific research and publications. Dr. Wimalawansa has trained a large number of young Endocrinologists in Sri Lanka and overseas.
A judge has now ordered him to be extradited to France, where he was convicted of people-smuggling and sentenced to five years in prison.
Sathasivam Sivagankan, a refugee from Sri Lanka, who was granted asylum in the UK, managed a people-smuggling ring while employed at a chicken shop.
The 58-year-old organised illegal Channel crossings from his rented home, reported The Sun quoting the court documents.
A judge has now ordered him to be extradited to France, where he was convicted of people smuggling and sentenced to five years in prison.
The father of two had received indefinite leave to remain in Britain after fleeing the war in Sri Lanka in 2003 with his wife and sons.
Sivagankan worked part-time at Morley’s chicken shop in Brixton and was a key figure in a gang that smuggled Sri Lankans into several European countries over two years, the newspaper reported.
Sivagankan was first arrested in London in March 2022 on behalf of French authorities and a judge initially ordered his extradition in November 2022 based on accusations from France, The Sun reported.
Sivagankan contested the extradition, citing his wife’s housebound condition requiring him as her caregiver. However, a judge dismissed his claims at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Court documents described him as an organiser within a European-wide criminal group operating in many countries.”
In January 2023, Sivagankan was sentenced in his absence by a court in France
Although the High Court dismissed the initial extradition warrant in October 2023, a new one was issued the following month based on his conviction.
According to the newspaper, following Friday’s decision, Sivagankan is on £10,000 bail, under a curfew, and must wear a tag while he awaits extradition.
Sri Lanka Police recently announced a cash award of Rs. 2 million for any credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect.
The four Sri Lankan nationals after being arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for their alleged links to the Islamic State (IS), during a press conference, in Ahmedabad.File Photo
Sri Lankan security forces suspect that a 46-year-old man acted as a handler of the four Sri Lankan nationals who were arrested at Ahmedabad airport in India last week for suspected links with the banned Islamic State (ISIS) outfit, a media report said on Monday.
Sri Lanka Police revealed that the wanted suspect, identified as Osmand Gerrard – a resident of Dematagoda, often changes his appearances, and these are some of his appearances that detectives suspect he may be using now, Newsfirst news portal reported.
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Sri Lanka Police recently announced a cash award of Rs. 2 million for any credible information on the whereabouts of the wanted suspect.
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on May 19 arrested four Sri Lankans with links to the ISIS at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel airport in Ahmedabad. The ATS also seized three pistols and cartridges abandoned at a location in Ahmedabad based on geo-coordinates and seized a mobile phone from their possession.
The four men had taken an Indigo flight out of Colombo to Chennai on May 19.
Among the arrested individuals, Mohammed Nusrat is a businessman involved in importing telecommunication devices and electrical equipment from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Dubai, the news portal said.
Nusrat operated within Colombo, where he sold these imported goods.
Mohammad Nafran, 27, who was also arrested, has been identified as the son of the first wife of Niyas Naufer aka ‘Potta Naufer’ the notorious underworld criminal who was sentenced to death for the killing of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya.
The other two Sri Lankans are 35-year-old Mohammad Faris from Maligawatte, Colombo and 43-year-old Mohammad Rashdeen from Colombo 13.
Mohammad Faris had worked as a ‘Nattami’ or cart puller in Pettah, and was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division on March 11, 2023, and November 1 of the same year.
On May 21, his close associate Hameed Amir was arrested by the Terrorist Investigations Division. Mohammad Faris had left for Chennai, India on May 19.
The other suspect is Mohammad Rashdeen, a three-wheeler driver. Security forces suspect that he is linked to trafficking crystal meth, or ICE.
On September 16, 2022, Rashdeen was arrested by the Foreshore Police and was later released on bail.
Last week, the Sri Lankan authorities launched a high-powered operation to investigate the four Sri Lankans arrested in Gujarat.
The individuals were apprehended during a recent raid on a house by Department of Immigration and Emigration officials in the upscale residential area of Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo.
In Short
7 Indian men, 1 women detained in Sri Lanka for abusing tourist visa
Detained Indians used to run IT business in Colombo
India is Sri Lanka’s largest inbound tourism market
Sri Lankan immigration authorities have detained eight Indian nationals, including one woman, for abusing their tourist visas by operating an IT business in the island nation, officials here said on Tuesday.
The individuals were apprehended during a recent raid on a house by Department of Immigration and Emigration officials in the upscale residential area of Cinnamon Gardens here, where they were found operating an IT business.
The detained individuals were all in possession of tourist visas, with one person having overstayed their visa. Employment is strictly prohibited under tourist visas. The eight individuals, including one woman, detained would be deported once the necessary paperwork is completed, the officials said.
The incident follows a similar case in mid-March, when authorities detained 21 Indians in Negombo, a West Coast resort town, for abusing visit visas.
India is Sri Lanka’s largest inbound tourism market. Currently, Sri Lanka offers a free visa regime for tourists from India, China, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.
Proceeding to Scotland from London after a gap of a few years I came across many new wind turbines again and again. They all churn out electricity from the wind power, mind you the wind power is far less than in our hills at Nuwara Eliya and Madugoda. I have had narrow scrapes clinging on to trees and creepers on my irrigation inspections in hilly areas. .
Yet we build wind turbines on the coast, perhaps- the only reason I can think is to prove that wind turbines do not work. Why Mannar when the wind howls and tears apart roofs all over the hills. Tell me one roof blown off by the wind in Hambantota or Mannar.
I have since leaving the Administrative Service travelled far and wide and every country I go to has wind turbines on its mountains and hills and it is a rare sight to see a wind turbine on the coast. If ever I see one on the coast it is ramshackle old. The new wind turbines are in the hills.
I have written again and again in The Island and also in Lanka Web and I have had good support specially from Noor Nizam, but never from the authorities who yet think that the sea breeze is all the wind power we can find.
I yet can remember the first time I drove my son’s Nisan Zee on the Altamont Pass when over a two mile span I saw some thousand wind turbines producing electricity for the US grid. I can yet remember stopping my Nissan and gazing at the wind mills for some fifteen minutes or more thinking of the solace I found for our country. I have written again and again- all in vain. Let us copy Altamont Pass and build wind turbines at Ramboda,at Madugoda and see an end to the dollars that we pour out annually to buy oil that we use to find out power. Building wind power towers is simple and not costly. However it is easy to import oil that to don boots and get going. In Spain there are many thousands making wind turbines and they even sell electricity to France.
This essay provides some information on three Buddhist centers in the north east, Tiriyaya, Kantarodai and Jaffna. Like Kurundi, Tiriyaya also had links with Anuradhapura kingdom. It is the closest temple to Kurundi. Tiriyaya is 82 Km from Mullaitivu, 2 hours drive by car.
Tiriyaya vihara has asked for more land. Department of Archaeology explained why Tiriyaya needed more land. Tiriyaya is on a hillock and the whole hill has to be protected, not only the top. So it was necessary to declare over 600 acres of land at Tiriyaya as a protected site. Land was also needed for a pilgrims rest, a modern temple and other infrastructure connected with a sacred area. Task Force on Archaeological Affairs appointed by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in May 2020 had recommended the release of land to Tiriyaya Vihara.
In April 2023, TNA MP R. Shanakiyan and ITAK MP M. A. Sumanthiran met with residents of Thiriyai, Trincomalee, to discuss their concerns about the land that has been taken by the Girihandu Seya Viharaya, Tiriyaya.
The chief monk of the temple claims that in 2010, approximately 3,600 acres of land surrounding the temple were legally demarcated for its use. However, under the previous Yahapalanaya government, the area was reduced to just 257 acres, the residents said.
Recently, the chief monk has been lobbying government officials to restore the demarcation to the original 3,600 acres. According to residents of Thiriyai, the Divisional Secretariat of Kuchchaveli received a letter from the Presidential Secretariat to allocate 3,600 acres as requested by the chief monk.
Residents fear that their farmlands will fall within the 3,600 acres, and they will lose not only their livelihoods but also their homes. The chief monk has a history of occupying lands belonging to Tamil farmers near the Paravi Paanchaan tank and cultivating paddy on them, complained Tamil Guardian.
As the controversy continues, arrangements have been made to hold a pinkama at the Girihandu Seya in Tiriyaya on June 28 2023 with the participation of the security forces and the sanction of the Presidential Secretariat, reported Sunday Times.
Historian DGB de Silva has written on Kantarodai. One cannot escape observing, even with a simple look at pictures, the similarity of the cluster of small stupas at Kantarodai [8 1/2 to 12 ft. in diameter] with a larger stupa [24 ft. diameter] in the centre with those on the three terraces at Borobudur surrounding the larger central stupa, each of which contained an image of the Buddha.
The stupas discovered at Kantarodai may not represent the total number in the original complex. The number has not been precisely recorded and the site is more extensive than the three acres recovered. It is probable that they formed a Mandala of 62 stupas if not of 72 or 81. The evidence is that even after the discovery some have disappeared. Dr. Paul E. Peiris’ effort with an outlay of Rs. 100/= is creditable and Dr. C. Godakumbura’s contribution to declare three acres as archaeological reserve and carry out some excavations are noteworthy but the history of the complex still awaits scientific interpretation, said historian DGB de Silva.
While I undertook writing of the present paper I realized how difficult it is to obtain precise information on Kantarodai remains from Archaeological Survey records, concluded DGB de Silva.
Jaffna was a part of the Sinhala Buddhist civilization of ancient Sri Lanka. Jaffna was Sinhala. The place names are translations from the Sinhala name. Many valuable Sinhalese coins have been discovered in the Jaffna District.
Jaffna was Buddhist. In 1902 or so, Buddhist images were unearthed at Kottiyawatta near Chunnakam. A stone image of the Buddha about 8 feet in height was unearthed near Vishnu temple in Vallipuram, in 1903, together with ruins of buildings, pottery and coins. The statue was gifted to Thailand in 1906 by the British governor Henry Blake. It is now in Bangkok.
At Makayappiddi, in the courtyard of the Meenachchi Amman Temple, Dr. Pieris discovered a remarkably fine image of the Buddha. At Kantherodai, Dr. Pieris came across a large fragment of the torso of what must have been at one time a gigantic stone statue, being used at a well for washing clothes. In 2011, Denham noted that Images of the Buddha have been uncovered in Mannar district.
Jaffna has continued to be Buddhist. Kokila Sandesaya, (15 century) which describes several places on the route to Jaffna in detail, mentions the huge Natha Devale [Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva worship] at present day Chavakachcheri.[1]
In the early part of the last century when Sir Paul E. Pieris examined some of the ruins of the former Buddhist places of worship they were still being progressively obliterated but they were identifiable from what remained as well as from some of the place names. As he observed, several cart-loads of bricks were removed from Putur Kovil Adi [Buddha temple] in the village of Puloli near Point Pedro for a building in the adjoining land. Many images had been destroyed beyond recognition, said DGB de Silva.
The name of the Jaffna peninsula is Nagadipa, not Jaffna or Yalpanam. Ptolemy called the Jaffna peninsula ‘Nagadiboy’. Vallipuram manuscript (2 AD) of Vasabha called it Nakadiva. A coin dated to 2 AD found at Ututturai in Tenmarachchi division of Jaffna peninsula confirms that the north was called Nagabumi, said P.Pushparatnam of the University of Jaffna.[2]
The current name Yalpanam appears to have no history. Instead it is attributed to a legend where a blind musician living in India was gifted the Jaffna peninsula by the Indian king, in appreciation of the musician’s skill in playing a string instrument known as ‘Yarl’. The blind musician came to Jaffna, colonized the peninsula with members of his tribe and gave it the name Yalpanam. Jaffna town has a sculpture of this Yarl at a roundabout in a street in Jaffna town.
Jaffna must be given back its original name ‘Nagadipa’ and Jaffna must replace the island Nainativu in the list of ‘solosmastana’. Jaffna must now become part of the annual pilgrim route for Buddhists .Facilities must be provided for Buddhists to worship in Jaffna as part of the ‘solosmastana ‘pilgrimage. Buddhists should have asked for this long ago. (Continued)
[1] DGB de Silva. Kantarodai Buddhist Remains- A Sri Lankan Borobudur Lost For Ever, Island, 14 August 2002
[2] P.Pushparatnam. Festschrift for Prof. S Pathmanathan. Godage p 384
State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon chaired a special media briefing at the Disaster Management Center in Colombo to educate the media on measures put in place to face any bad weather related emergencies, today (May 27).
State Minister Tennakoon stated that a total of 55406 people living in 212 divisional secretariat divisions in 20 districts have been affected by rain and strong winds during the last few days. Seven people are reported to have died due to strong winds caused tree falls. Citing the Metrological Department he said that according to their weather forecasts, the Southwest monsoon will continue till September.
He noted that the Disaster Management Center (DMC), line state agencies including the District and Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladhari and Development Officers, and especially tri forces, Police and Civil Security Department personnel are on standby to assist and provide relief to affected communities.
In addition, on instructions of the President, a discussion was held chaired by the Senior Adviser on National Security to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff Mr. Sagala Ratnayake to implement a special program to remove high-risk trees in Colombo.
Accordingly, actions will be taken to remove dangerous trees and branches with the assistance of the Armed Forces, Civil Security Department and the Colombo Municipal Council. Instructions have been given to choose replacements for the trees proposed to be removed, with suitable varieties of trees that wouldn’t cause hindrance to the roadway and people, he said. Further, arrangements have been made to provide necessary equipment to the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) to carry out scientific tests on the roots of fallen trees at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo.
Minister Tennakoon further stated that several potentially dangerous places posing a threat of falling rocks have been identified in the lower Kadugannava area in Kegalle and personnel will be deployed under the supervision of the NBRO to remove dangerous rocks from there with minimal inconvenience to people.
He also mentioned that action is being taken to inform the Ministry of Education, local government bodies, District and Divisional Secretariats about the special national program “Surakimu” to be implemented to ensure the safety of school children.
The Minister also made a special request from the media to disseminate only factually correct information provided by the DMC to the general public.
