Sunila has given to the world, now it's time to give to her!

We are writing to ask you to join a solidarity effort for our dear friend Sunila Abeysekera, a leading women’s human rights defender, who is in a life struggle with cancer.

US State Dept Expresses Concerns Over Religious Freedom in Sri Lanka

Anti minority Violence by  Buddhist monks is on the increase

''Buddhist monks were under the protection of the ruling coalition government. Some monks, particularly outside the capital of Colombo, operated with impunity in trying to eliminate Christian and Muslim places of worship. At least 50 incidents of violence against Christians were recorded by Christian groups during the year.. ''

Warranted Sudharman roams freely with Gota .

Sudharman Radaliyagoda in white shirt with police top brass after arrest warrant issued

Deputy General Manager of the state owned ITN station, Sudharman Radaliyagoda who is under a police warrant to be arrested for the past one year and 10 months was yesterday seen walking freely with Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

JMO in charge of Matale mass grave also to be transferred

Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Ajith Jayasena of Matale District Hospital who was in charge of the scientific examination of the skeletons found in Matale mass grave has been transferred to Kurunegala General Hospital with immediate effect.

He is to commence his duties at Kurunegala Hospital starting from today (20).

Sri Lanka: No Progress 4 Years On; Since War’s End an Erosion of Rights, Absence of Accountability - HRW

In Colombo Military might was on display (photo: www.defence.lk)

Four years after Sri Lanka’s horrific civil war ended, many Sri Lankans await justice for the victims of abuses, news of the ‘disappeared,’ and respect for their basic rights. Instead, the Rajapaksa government has rejected investigations, clamped down harder on the media, and persisted in wartime abuses such as torture.

--Brad Adams, Asia director

Reconciliation, Rights & Freedom: Four years after the end of war in Sri Lanka

Jaffna: Tamils coming out form a Hindu Kovil ( Photo IB Times)

Ruki Fernando 
It is now 4 years after the end of the war. The way we Sri Lankans will remember the end of the war is likely to demonstrate once again how divided we are, as North and South, as Sinhalese and Tamils.Some Tamil friends in the North told me that they will try to have some events to remember the large numbers who were killed and disappeared, despite the past threats and intimidations.

Govt Minister tell India that ''We will manage our own business. You manage yours''

The differences of opinion over the 13th Amendment to the Constitution among the constituent parties of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have come to the surface with Parliamentary Group Leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) threatening to take to the streets, if the government goes ahead with the Northern Provincial Council elections scheduled for September this year.

Russia to donate eight helicopters to SL .

Russia announced that it has taken steps to provide eight large helicopters to Sri Lanka as a total donation; the Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Office said quoting visiting Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independence States-Russia Konstantin Kosachev.

Varsity student leaders remain under State threat: IUSF Convener

Threats to university students continue, said the Inter-University Students Federation (IUSF) Convener, Sanjeewa Bandara. According to the student leader, more students and their parents have been threatened by ‘security personnel’ demanding they stop all union activities within the universities.

CHOGM: the position of UK explained

With the official announcement that Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague will attend the CHOGM in Colombo, the British Government has hurriedly put together its official position. In the absence of Premier Cameron, who was away in the United States, his deputy Nick Clegg fielded questions in the House of Commons.

Sri Lanka retreats into the dark ages

As lights are dimmed over Sri Lanka following prohibitively crushing electricity hikes, the enveloping darkness is menacingly symbolic of the crisis which our society is facing.

This is even as the politically privileged siphon off massive amounts of money for useless extravaganzas, including an airport in the deep South to which overseas airlines are reportedly suspending operations, not long after a grand ceremonial opening. Wastage on luxury cars and other expenses associated with the upcoming Commonwealth summit is all part of the same excruciatingly painful pattern.

SL Police arrests TNPF politicians on Mu'l'livaaykkaal Remembrance Day in Mannaar

Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) politician and former parliamentarian Selvaraja Kajendran and Visvalingam Manivannan of the TNPF and thirteen other TNPF activists were arrested by the Sri Lankan Police at Mannaar Saturday afternoon while they were attending a Mu'l'livaaykkaal Remembrance Day function.

Sri Lanka Tamils defy ban on rebel memorial

AFP/Ishara S.Kodikara - Sri Lankan soldiers hold a Victory Day parade in Colombo, on May 18, 2013.  

Sri Lanka's main opposition Tamil party Saturday defied a military ban and staged a commemoration of their war dead as the government celebrated the fourth anniversary of defeating Tamil Tiger rebels.

India asks Sri Lanka not to take any step regarding provincial powers

PTI
''Salman Khurshid telephoned his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris and also raised the issue of 26 Indian fishermen who are in detention.Salman Khurshid telephoned his Sri Lankan counterpart G L Peiris and also raised the issue of 26 Indian fishermen who are in detention.''

Muslim Organizations in Sri Lanka Join Hands to Form an ICC “Shoora”( Interim Consultative Council )

Latheef Farook
For the first time almost all Muslim religious, social and cultural and other organizations and groups, buried their differences, and met in one platform under one roof at Wellawatta Miami Reception Hall on Thursday 2 May 2013 to announce the formation of an Interim Consultative(Shoora) Council-ICC.

Ethnic triumphalism and instead focused on commemorating all victims marks the 4th anniversary of the end of the war:

Media Release/WAR VICTORY CELEBRATIONS WILL NOT HELP TO WIN OVER ALL WHO ARE THE SRI LANKAN PEOPLE

May 19 will mark the 4th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s three decade long civil war, but with absence of a joint commemoration to remember all who lost their lives in it as recommended by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).  

In Sri Lanka, a new divide brings back old fears

AP AGAINST HATE: Disquiet has increased as a Buddhist group fanning anti-Muslim sentiments is allowed to get away lightly.

A series of incidents has created anxiety among the country’s minority Muslims that they are being targeted by a resurgent Buddhist nationalism

More than a month after Fashion Bug, a popular clothes store in the Sri Lankan capital, was vandalised, business is back to normal. Shoppers cram into the Muslim-owned store as the Buddhist holiday season for Vesak (in India, Buddha Purnima) begins this month-end.

Freedom of assembly in post-war Sri Lanka

 Vikalpa photo

Riki Fernando
The war in Sri Lanka ended on 18^th May 2009. During three decades of war, civil liberties were severely curtailed, often in an arbitrary manner, without possibilities of challenging them or seeking remedies through independent bodies. The Ministry of Defense, the military and police reigned supreme. Even judicial discretion was curtailed, with the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) compelling Judges to obey wishes of the Ministry of Defense and the police through the Attorney General’s department when it came to remanding people, bail etc.

Disunity – the bane of Tamil politics

Maneckshaw  The Tamil political parties have never demonstrated sufficient unity in the pursuit of a constructive solution to the Tamil question. Alliances were often formed, bringing together Tamil political parties with divergent ideologies under one umbrella. But their political conduct has not resulted in the achievement of their political goals.

Govt. willing to probe Channel 4 allegations

The Ministry of External Affairs said yesterday the Sri Lankan Government is willing to probe war crime allegations made by Channel 4 in the Sri Lanka's Killing Fields video, provided the UK-based television broadcaster hands over the original video documentary to check whether the footage is genuine or ‘doctored.’

FUTA condemns all acts of intimidation and aggression against the academic community including students

The Federation of Peradeniya University Teachers’ Associations (FPUTA), comprising eight sister unions, was profoundly disturbed by the report that the President of the Peradeniya Student Union (PSU), Mr. Janaka Nilanga Madushan, was threatened with his life by a group claiming to be of the CID yesterday, May 14th, 2013, at 6:30pm.

Azath Salley 'affidavit' illegal - Vickramabahu Karunarathne

Azath Salley was arrested under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and he has been now released due to the campaign for his release by national and international democratic forces.
The unlawful arrest and detention of Azath was thus defeated though he has been a vocal critic of the extremist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) and the anti–Muslim activities of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), and had been actively involved in efforts to initiate legal action against both groups.

Tamil Eelam Freedom Charter to be Declared on May 18th - the 4th Anniversary of Mass Killing of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

• Several renowned international personalities and dignitaries are attending this event to give their support.

• As Tamils envision the future and look forward to the fruition of Tamil Eelam, the Freedom Charter containing the Freedom Demands of Tamils worldwide, would be a cornerstone of Tamil's Freedom.

Sri Lanka hype runs out as economy struggles

 (AFP)
 After crushing Tamil rebels four years ago Sri Lanka expected to become South Asia’s tiger economy, but exuberance has given way to mediocre growth and fears of more trouble ahead.
The country was almost broke when troops defeated separatist Tamil Tigers in May 2009, but Colombo predicted that ending 37 years of bloodshed alone would jump-start the economy and make Sri Lanka the ‘Singapore of South Asia’.

SRI LANKA: A radical abdication of the court's authority – a blow to the separation of powers

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris stopped further inquiries into a Fundamental Rights application yesterday, stating that the courts do not have the technical competence to go into the issues raised in the case. This decision was made in a case filed against the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation. The BBC Sinhala service reported that the Chief Justice further went on to state that the lawyers should not file cases relating to all problems within Sri Lanka.