Says Douglas is an opportunist

Dump Karuna as he is a 'spent force'

Karuna has spirited away SLR 50 crores to London

Complains state agencies not advertising

Recommends Basil for ministerial portfolio

Says Sri Lankan diplomats are uncooperative

Wantsremoval of the High Commissioner in London

Further to our expose titled Plot to get rid of Karuna was hatched at a presidential suite in Geneva and under the sub heading 'Asian Tribune editor spills the beans in letter to Presidential Advisor' in The Sunday Leader issue of November 11, we reproduce below the unedited minutes of the meeting sent to Presidential Advisor Sunimal Fernando on October 24 under confidential cover by Asian Tribune Editor K.T. Rajasingham.  Rajasingham has interspersed his minutes of the June meeting with subsequent comments which he gives in bold letters and in parenthesis.

Discussion held in Geneva, with HE Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka

A closed door meeting with HE Mahinda Rajapakse was held at the Presidential Suite No: 1727, Intercontinental Hotel, Geneva at 4 to 5 p.m on 15 June 2007. Hon. Douglas Devananda MP, Minister for Social Service and Social Welfare assisted HE President.

Greetings

HE President thanked Mr. K.T.Rajasingham, Editor and the editorial team of the Asian Tribune for the wonderful work of the Asian Tribune. HE requested the Editor to continue to serve the country in the same spirit.

HE assured his whole hearted support and assistance to Asian Tribune.

Promotion of national languages in education in schools - Request to launch a pilot project by the beginning of 2008.

Mr. Rajasingham in his submission said that the government should endeavour to take adequate measures to fully implement the language policy set out in the Constitution of the country. He urged HE the President to implement the country's national languages fully.

HE President said that he has already instructed Hon. D. E. W. Gunasekera , Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration to fully implement the national languages.

Mr.Rajasingham brought up the subject of teaching the national languages in the government schools.

HE said that it was one of  his pet projects since he entered  parliament in 1970.

Mr.Rajasingham suggested to start with a pilot project of teaching Tamil language in Sinhala schools and Sinhala language in Tamil schools.

Mr.Rajasingham suggestedto immediately begin implementing the project on an experimental basis in 100 selected schools. In this pilot project, to select randomly 50 Sinhala schools and 50 Tamil schools and start teaching from the kindergarten level. To begin launching this project in the beginning of 2008,

Government has to come up with writing the necessary syllabus for Kindergarten followed it up with writing and printing books in both languages for the higher grades in the coming years.

Mr.Rajasingham suggested, by 2009 government must come up to teach languages in 500 schools and by 2010 to add another 10000 schools and by 2011 all schools in the island must be geared to teach both languages and also Tamil should be made a compulsory subjects to Sinhala medium students and vice-versa Sinhala language must be made a compulsory language to Tamil medium students. 

LTTE TVs and legal notice to the Editor Asian Tribune

Mr.Rajasingham brought to the notice of HE the President that Sri Lanka Government lacks behind the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in the promotion of government propaganda. He pointed out that no sooner Tamil Television Network located in Paris, owned by the LTTE was closed down, immediately LTTE has started two more TV stations "Mathuram" and "Tharshanam." Recently the office of Tharshanam TV has been opened up in London by a British Labour Member of Parliament.

Mr. Rajasingham also pointed out to HE President that a Singapore lawyer who represents LTTE has sent in a legal notice against the Editor Asian Tribune for publishing a news item attributing the ownership of the recently launched two TVs to LTTE. A copy of the legal notice was handed over to HE President

Mr.Rajasingham pointed to HE that neither TV nor radio belongs to the Sri Lanka Government could not be viewed or heard outside Sri Lanka. He added that the Sri Lanka diaspora need to know what is happening in their country and it is highly unfortunate that government has not made any steps to rectify this glaring lapse. But on the other hand LTTE which understands the importance of propaganda has started immediately two TV stations in Europe no sooner TTN was close down.

HE thanked the Editor Asian Tribune for to have taken concerted campaign to cause the shutting down of the TTN TV as well as Tamil Eelam Television which was free to air.

Launch of a new satellite TV to promote the official stance of the government

Mr. Rajasingham also proposed to HE that he is willing to make use of the news feeds and other Sri Lanka materials that is being put out by the Rupavahini and ITN TVs in a new satellite TV transmission simultaneously sothat viewers in Asia, Europe, Africa and America would be able to see the official position of the government. This would enable the Sri Lankan diaspora and the international community to view and understand what is happening in the country which would help in a great way to end the misinformation campaigns unleashed by the LTTE and other vested groups in Sri Lanka as well from outside Sri Lanka.

He also explained to HE it might cost a lot to make use of the Hotbird satellite platform, nearly Eurodollar 22,000 per month per continent as the footprints of this satellite is only seen clearly within a particular continent.

HE said it is prudent to begin the transmission of the TV in the beginning to a continent and gradually expand the transmission to other continents. HE said that he will extend all the assistance and support.

In response to Mr. Rajasingham, HE announced that he gives hereby the necessary permission to Mr. Rajasingham to transmit the programmes from the Rupavahini and ITN TVs. HE also said that necessary instructions would be given to those in the two TV stations to assist Mr. Rajasingham in his new media programme.

Mr.Rajasingham brought to the notice of HE about the hardship he experienced as he has so far not obtained any sponsorship from any government organisations such as Air Lanka (SriLanka Airlines) Tourist Board, Tea Promotion Board, Bank of Ceylon, People's Bank etc., etc. He pointed out that so far any of those government corporations has not come forward to advertise in the Asian Tribune.

HE assured that it will be looked into soon.

Launching of EuroAsian Satellite Radio

Mr. Rajasingham informed to HE of his intention of launching the EuroAsian satellite radio.

He explained that it would be a satellite radio which would be a new media outlet of the World Institute of Asian Studies.

World Institute of Asian Studies is a non-profit organisation registered with the Tax Authority of Sweden which at present publishes the Asian Tribune.

Euro-Asia Radio (EAR) will be the new live voice of the World Institute of Asian Studies (WIAS) broadcasting to Asia, Australasia, America, Africa and Europe simultaneously.

EuroAsian Radio would be geared for a 24-hour broadcasting arrangement. There will be a daily 12 hour English language broadcast with hourly news, sports, weather and background news, views, reviews, comments, discussions, interviews etc. The balance 12 hours will be allotted to hourly programme in the major Asian languages. 

Accordingly, there will be a one hour Tamil language and one hour Sinhala language transmission. There will be special websites for Tamil as well as for Sinhala language services with 24 hour accessibility of the one hour service that went already on the air for the day.

EuroAsian Radio will be accessible through satellite receivers and internet initially. As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, we are planning to have it broadcast through FM radio throughout the island to effectively make our programme reach to the Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslim audiences effectively.

Seasoned reporters will be covering the Asian and the European region for EuroAsian Radio.

Mr. Rajasingham requested HE to grant FM radio licences to cover the entire island the EuroAsian Radio and also transmitting tower facilities.

HE assured all necessary assistance and support would be given for the successful launch of the EuroAsian Radio.

Minister for Overseas Sri Lankans

As the next subject Mr.Rajasingham dwelt on the issue of Sri Lankans living in many countries in the West and in the Middle East.

He pointed out that no sooner Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims began to migrate to the West as well as to the Middle-eastern Arab countries in search of greener pastures, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam prowled on the opportunity to set up offices and other organisations in those countries to exploit those diaspora for their benefits.

In each of the Western countries where Tamils sought asylum and got themselves accepted in the beginning as refugees and later they emerged as citizens of those countries, LTTE set up Tamil Coordinating Committees to be in regular touch with diasporas to exploit them by collecting funds and also to continue to remote control them in staging political protest rallies, and use them as block vote banks under their control to influence the elected representatives in Canada, United Kingdom, France , Denmark, Australia and Norway to name a few countries.

As far as the Sri Lanka's embassies in the West are concerned they are only involved with the country to country diplomatic affairs, in some countries where trade representatives are available with the promotion of trade and also with the consular services.

Also as all our embassies are expected to send a weekly report and those involved with the preparation of such reports in our embassies interacts with a handful of diasporas in the respective countries to prepare such weekly or monthly reports.

But there is no machinery available to interact politically and otherwise with these diasporas and churn them into diaspora organisations in our favour to promote the interests and welfare of Sri Lanka. Instead these diaspora are with regular intervals remote controlled to stage anti protest rallies against the Sri Lanka governments in various capital cities of the world.

Mr. Rajasingham pointed out that to rectify age old lapse HE has to come forward to nominate a Minister in charge of Overseas Sri Lankans.

Mr. Rajasingham suggested that Hon. Douglas Devananda very well fit in to take up such a portfolio in addition to his present. Mr. Rajasingham suggested that a seasoned diplomat Mr. Benard Goonatilake could easily function as Chief Consultant and Advisor to the Minister, with a Tamil gentlemen as Secretary and also it is important to have additional Secretaries (1 Sinhala and 1 Muslim official).

(At Present Mr. Rajasingham is of the view that Hon. Douglas Devananda has never come forward to promote the government other than promoting his EPDP politics. Therefore Mr. Rajasingham suggest that best person to take up the portfolio as Minister in Charge of Overseas Sri Lankans is none other than Mr. Basil Rajapakse.)

Officials from the Ministry with a crash course in foreign diplomacy may be appointed as counselors with independent charge in all our missions abroad.

These officials attached to our missions would function according to instructions of the Ministry of Overseas Sri Lankans.

This Ministry in addition to attracting the Sri Lankan diasporas with their propaganda campaign to work favourably with the Government of Sri Lanka, will also along with the banks in Sri Lanka would promote non-resident bank accounts urging the diasporas to credit their savings in those accounts. The Ministry could plan and organise with overseas Sri Lankans to invest liberally in Sri Lanka's infrastructure developments and make them as stake holders in the development of Sri Lanka.

Also make the overseas Sri Lankans to come forward to start industrial projects in Sri Lanka and the government may come up with a special economic free trade zone in Sri Lanka for such projects.

HE agreed with Mr. Rajasingham that such a portfolio is good to embrace the Tamils, Muslims and the Sinhalese in the West and in Australasian countries.

Also HE told that there are nearly 800,000 Sri Lankans as workers in the Middle East and they are being looked after by the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion And Welfare.

Situation in the east

Mr. Rajasingham explained the situation in the east since 4th May after the fratricidal warfare unleashed by the former LTTE's renegade commander V.Muralitharan nom de guerre Colonel Karuna and the split with his second in Command Pillayan.

Mr. Rajasingham explained that it was he who contacted Ms.Radhika Coomaraswamy, UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict and assured on behalf of Karuna that his group will not recruit any further underage children, in a conference telephone call. In that conference telephone call Karuna assured to me and to Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy that he will not recruit underage children and said he will allow his bases be inspected by the UNICEF representatives to ascertain that there are no underage child recruits with him. Mr. Rajasingham added in turn he too gave a personal undertaking on behalf of Karuna.

Similarly Mr. Rajasingham told HE that in a conference call he had with Ms Joe Becker, Advocacy Director Children's Rights Division Human Rights Watch Karuna gave an assurance that he will not recruit underage children and in turn I too gave such an assurance on behalf of Karuna.

Subsequently on 4 May when Karuna attacked his own cadres and ordered to kill those who are suspected as Mr. Pillayan's supporters, Mr. Rajasingham said that he came to know that Karuna has ordered Thileepan and Jeventhiran to have their own teams. Amongst them they have 190 underage recruits. Even to Inniyabarathy he has instructed to recruit underage children.

Mr. Rajasingham said that Asian Tribune supported Karuna because he came forward to enter the mainstream politics and because he assured him especially that he will not be involved in fratricidal warfare, abductions, collecting ransoms, killings and above all that he will cease the recruitment of the underage children to his armed forces as cannon fodder.

Mr. Rajasingham explained though he is a man from Jaffna and despite Karuna's regional parochial political approaches and he calling with contempt and hate Jaffna man as Yarlapani a colloquial slur discrediting the Jaffna people, he supported him because he wanted to make use of him as a stick to hit at Prabakaran and LTTE.

Mr. Rajasingham explained to HE that he vehemently opposed Velupillai Prabakaran for unleashing violence, fratricidal killings, recruitment of underage children, and for threatening and intimidating people though Prabakaran is from the same area - Vadamaradchy. Mr. Rajasingham said that he is from the village of Puloly, Point Pedro and Prabakaran's father who started life as a clerical servant is from Point Pedro well known to him and later married in Valvetiturai which is the birth place of Prabakaran.

Late Anton Silvester Balasingham was his contemporary and was from Karaveddy located three miles away in the South of Puloly, Soosai the Sea Tiger Special Commander is from Polikandy which is 1.5 miles North of Puloly, Late Mahaththya is from Thalayadi in the Point Pedro East, Late Colonel Kittu is from Velvetiturai, V. Balakumar who worked under him as the Puloly Rural Bank Credit Manager when I was the President of the Puloly Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd somewhere in the year 1975 is from Thunnalai nearly 2.5 miles located in the South East of Puloly and Baby Subramaniam alias Ilankkumaran is from Velvetiturai.

Mr. Rajasingham said, "Though I knew each and everyone in the top hierarchy of the LTTE I opposed and worked against the LTTE. Prabakaran hates me and wanted to get rid of me physically because I am the only one from the village who opposes him and give him lot of unpleasant movements despite numerous attempts to woo me and appealed to me at least not to oppose him."

Mr. Rajasingham added, "Unfortunately I supported Karuna thinking that though he started his career as a terrorist, he could be rehabilitated and make him to respect human rights, freedom and right of expression and bring him into the democratic mainstream of politics. Though he speaks vociferously that he wants to enter the mainstream of politics, he follow his erstwhile leader and he is now bent on ethnic cleansing in a sense driving the Jaffna Tamils who are living in Batticaloa for three four generations over there in the east. I was told that he is the one responsible for the abduction and killing (yes he has killed him according to unconfirmed reports) of Vice Chancellor Prof.Ravindranath of the Eastern University.

"In my opinion

"He is a LIABLITY to Your Excellency's Government.

"He is a spent force.

"We have already made use of his narration about the LTTE's atrocities, plans and targets. It is now nearly three years has elapsed since he came out of the LTTE and he has no more real stories to narrate and he will be of no use to anyone.

"Though he was a regional commander of the LTTE for Batti-Amparai districts his knowledge of the Wanni and Jaffna terrains are limited."

He is also a child recruit at his tender age of 14 years and today he is 30 years old (in fact 29), as an ordinary cadre he has roamed in Jaffna and Wanni. He knows better than Karuna.

Anyway both of them would be of no use if the security forces higher-ups think that they can make use of them in a battle against LTTE in the north.

The better option is to cause another split and have some one in the LTTE from the Jaffna district to work with our security forces in the North.

The dissident Pillayan is planning to arrest Karuna, but they are hesitating that the higher-ups in the Defense Ministry would not entertain such a step. I suggest let the government get rid of Karuna, a liability and work with Pillayan and his men who are more popular in the east than Karuna.

In case if there is going to be an election in the east and if Karuna's faction is pitted against the LTTE's proxy party TNA or any independent groups led by leading personalities, Karuna group will not even be in a position to retain their deposits. But they can use their lethal weapons and through threat and intimidation rig the election and stuff the ballot boxes.

(Now Mr. Rajasingham understand that, with the help of Sri Lanka's intelligence service Karuna has managed to reach UK to join his wife and three children. We also learnt that he managed to spirit away from Sri Lanka nearly SL Rs. 50 crores to London. (One crore is 10 million) These were the monies he collected through abduction and from the money given by the government for the support of his cadres)

HE said that he will take up the matter with his defence people and do the needful.

Also Mr. Rajasingham informed HE that Karuna has extended threats through his side-kick Inniyabarathy that he will make arrangements to kill him. He added Karuna has sworn that he will give contract to some one to kill him and his family.

Ministry for Non-Traditional Energy

Mr. Rajasingham brought to the kind attention of His Excellency, the need to have an organisation to tap the non-traditional energy sources available in the country.

He suggested having a Ministry for Non-traditional energy.

The country could build windmills in the south and in other parts of the country to generate electricity badly needed for the country.

Also Mr. Rajasingham suggested that solar panel electricity project is very much neglected in Sri Lanka and a ministry for non-traditional energy would be of immense service to the country in getting alternate means of energy and fuel.

Also the ministry could look into whether sources are available to have a substitute to the badly needed fuel. Mr. Rajasingham said that many governments are involved in the search for non-traditional energy. He said Sri Lanka under HE's able leadership should not lack (sic) behind other countries in the region in exploiting the available natural resources into profitable alternate energy and fuel.

Prevailing ethnic problem

By appointing All Party Conference, All Party Representative Committee, Experts Committee and by preparing and handing over the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's devolution proposal, the government has unreservedly acquiesced that there exist a problem that needs to be addressed.

Veteran Tamil politician V. Anandasangaree, as well as Hon. Douglas Devananda MP - the Tamil face in the government under Your Excellency's leadership, has time and again emphasised the need for a regional devolution in line with the Indian model. Unfortunately ruling SLFP has come up with the district level proposal which has been already rejected sometime in 1983 after being introduced by former President J.R. Jayawardhana.

It was during the District Council elections in Jaffna, the Jaffna library was burnt down to ashes. Subsequently Late S.Nadarajah waselected as the head of the Jaffna District Council while Rajah Visuvanathan, father of V. Rudrakumar, the LTTE lawyer based in New York was the Mayor of Jaffna. Once Mr. Nadarajah became the head of the Jaffna District Council he experienced lot of difficulties and found the District Council system was of any use and he resigned and that was the end of it.

Therefore people are not in favour of anything in the name of "District Councils" which immediately reminds them of the unforgettable horror they experienced after 1981, even though Your Excellency promises to give earth and the moon to them.

Mr. Rajasingham suggested for the inclusion of a uniform provincial based devolution arrangements for the entire island.

He suggested that though provincial councils in the south were not up to the expectation, the new devolution proposals have to be based on provincial basis with adequate devolution provided.

People should be in a position to take care of their needs within the provincial administrative structure.

Mr. Rajasingham emphasised that whatever said and done any proposal that is put forward has to meet the aspirations of the Tamils and the consent and concurrence of the Sinhala and Muslims.

Indo-Lanka relationship and the ethnic issues

Mr. Rajasingham discussed about the need for a friendly and harmonious relationship with India.

He pointed out that Sri Lanka has to find out what India is expecting from Sri Lanka. He reminded so far India has remained vague and up to date India has point blankly never said what it expects from Sri Lanka.

Therefore Mr. Rajasingham said that we must try our best to find out what India expects from Sri Lanka.

In response to Mr.Rajasingham taking up the issue about India, HE said that he has told Hon. Douglas Devananda MP to visit New Delhi this time on his way back to Colombo and discuss certain aspects what has been raised. It is agreed that a special delegation has to meet HE Dr. Manmohan Singh, HE Pranab Mukherjee, HE Sonia Gandhi and Mr. M.K.Narayan and discuss the issues with them and clearly find out what India actually wanted or expecting Sri Lanka to do regarding the ethnic issue.

(It was unfortunate that Hon. Douglas Devananda has failed to show interest in this project. Therefore I am of the opinion that he should not be entrusted with the arrangement of this meeting with the Indian leaders.)

Mr. Rajasingham suggested that he is prepared to go along with a Sinhalese and a Muslim person.

Mr. Rajasingham suggested to include Mr. H. L.D.Mahindpala also in the delegation who will be able to convey the Sinhalese aspirations to the Indian leaders.

HE agreed with the suggestions and he has conveyed to Hon. Douglas Devananda to make the necessary arrangements. It has been decided to keep this decision highly confidential.

Furthermore it has been decided to prepare a report after the meeting with the above mention leaders and present it to HE who will in turn take up with the Indian leaders regarding the matters mentioned in the report.

Sri Lanka's diplomatic representation in Europe

Mr. Rajasingham pointed out to HE that Sri Lanka Embassy in the United Kingdom is not at all cooperating with the Asian Tribune. He pointed out the diplomats there are more reserved type and very uncooperative. He added that the lady High Commissioner has so far never come on the telephone lines whenever Asian Tribune very badly needed clarifications. Also Max Keegel the first Secretary always avoided responding to telephone. Whenever Asian Tribune catch him on the telephone, he has the habit of telling that he is busy at that point of time and tells that he will call back, but he has never responded back. Rajasingham told HE that the London High Commission has to be completely revamped right from the lady High Commissioner, when she was the Deputy High Commissioner  was the stewardess of former President.

Regarding Sri Lanka Embassy in France, Mr. Rajasingham said again the lady ambassador is very hesitant to divulge information. (Now she is to leave before the end of this year.)

Asian Tribune used to contact her and tell her to contact some of the satellite companies and other agencies involved in the satellite TV transmissions of the LTTE. It was always the case that she never wanted to tell us details of those letters she received from those parties for us to proceed further. She will always say, "Sorry Mr. Rajasingham, these are government communications and we cannot divulge them. If the diplomatic mission fails to come forward and cooperate with us then how it is possible for us to fight the anti-government elements in Europe?

Also Mr. Rajasingham pointed out that Sri Lanka's Embassy in Oslo, Norway is not at all coming forward to talk with the other Tamil groups in Norway. Earlier Mr. Jawad was the ambassador and it was alleged that he was very close with the LTTE in Oslo and with Erik Solheim and others.

Now we learnt that even the new Ambassador is same and behaves in a typical manner.

Now we learnt that HE has appointed and decided to post one Mr. Rangan who works in the Maharaja's Sakthi TV as first secretary to the mission.

Mr. Rajasingham said that HE has the discretion to appoint anyone of his choice. He further added our only objection is that Mr. Rangan is suspected to be a strong supporter of the LTTE.

Mr. Rajasingham suggested instead of posting Mr. Rangan to Norway, it is highly appreciable if he is posted to any Sri Lankan Mission in Arab countries or else to any South Asian countries other than Europe.