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                  Which of ThE two P’s?

Politician or policeman? H.M.G.B Kotakadeniya has time
till the 25th to make up his mind! Photo by Asoka Fernando

Key development projects put on hold

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

The Central Bank has stated that the implementation of several key development projects would have to be either postponed or implemented at a slower pace this year due to the growing financial crisis looming over the island.

Some of the ongoing mega projects are Hambantota Port Development Project, Coal Power Plant at Norochcholai, Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, Uma Oya Reservoir Project, modern oil refinery and the Katunayake Expressway.

The Central Bank in its 2008 Annual Report has said the financial flows to the government and the private sectors are likely to decline in 2009 and recover gradually thereafter.

The bank has said therefore it would be "prudent" to postpone the implementation of new projects till the recovery of global financial markets.

The Bank has further stated that although the government continues to receive financial flows from development partners out of funds already committed by them, it has become very challenging to raise loans from international markets at competitive rates of interest.

"As a result, implementation of some of the projects that require additional foreign financing and substantial domestic financing might have to be postponed or implemented at a slower pace, especially in 2009."However, in the medium-term with the expected recovery of the global economy, the government would be able to mobilise required external commercial financing to supplement the disbursement of committed funds by Sri Lanka's development partners.

By end 2008, the government had a cumulative financial commitment of around US$ 5.9 billion from the country's development partners in the pipeline as compared to US$ 4.7 billion at end 2007 and this amount is likely to increase further in the medium-term with the expected external funding for resettlement and rehabilitation of the liberated Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

"Several foreign funded projects were implemented in 2008 with the help of commercial financing which provided the required counterpart funds. However, the unfolding global crisis would deter the flow of such funds into the domestic financial markets affecting business expansion, the continuation of ongoing projects and also exerting pressure on the domestic money market," the Bank has said.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has stopped giving aid to Sri Lanka due to an internal conflict, ending a longstanding partnership which had given 30 to 40 million Euros each year to the island.

The BBC Sinhala Service has reported that the Netherlands government had informed the country's parliament that it had terminated aid to a number of countries including Sri Lanka.

The report has said aid to Sri Lanka and the African nation of Eritrea will be ended due to "the political situation." "We think it is very difficult to work in Sri Lanka because of the violence. So, we will end our partner-country relationship with Sri Lanka," Dutch Development Minister Bert Koenders has been quoted by the BBC.

The Central Bank in its 2008 Annual Report forecast the country's economic growth to slow sharply to 2.5% in 2009, from 6% last year and then recover to 5% in 2010.

Let them decide?

As London witnesses Tamil protests, a bloodbath on the beaches of northern Sri Lanka seems an increasingly real possibility. The Sri Lankan military has pushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam into an area so small that any shooting or shelling inevitably causes casualties among the 150,000 to 190,000 civilians trapped in the same zone.

There have been many hundreds of civilian deaths caused by firing from both sides, though exact numbers and who fired what and when are impossible to verify. It is clear that the LTTE is refusing to let people flee, though many are managing to escape somehow, and it is feared the combatants may be gearing up for a final confrontation.

As a full-scale, long-term ceasefire is unlikely to be agreed now, the only way to get the civilians out of harm's way is a temporary humanitarian lull, during which aid workers and relief supplies must be allowed into the conflict zone, and those who want to leave must be given the chance to do so.

Both sides have a duty to bring this about. The LTTE's leadership claims the civilians in the conflict zone do not want to leave because they accompanied the LTTE voluntarily in the first place and are afraid of government reprisals. Yet there are continuing reports that the group's fighters are shooting at fleeing civilians, limiting fishing and sabotaging boats that might be used to escape, and forcing people to fight against their will.

Civilians trapped by the fighting must be allowed a free choice of whether to leave or stay, as we have made clear to the LTTE. If the LTTE truly has the best interests of the Tamil people at heart, they should contribute to ending this unnecessary civilian suffering.

For its part, the Government of Sri Lanka must stick to its promise of not using heavy weapons while the fighting lasts, and hold off from any final attack in the conflict zone while the pause is negotiated. With so many people packed into such a small area, further military action not only risks more civilian deaths and injuries but also threatens to undermine the government's credibility with the international community and the national groups with whom it must soon seek reconciliation.

At this critical juncture independent aid workers must be allowed to bring in more aid, assess the situation and help civilians to decide their own fate. Indeed, unless better access for supplies and aid workers is urgently secured, the ravages of disease, untreated wounds and hunger will kill many more people. The government must also show flexibility by recognising that many of the civilians in the conflict zone have genuine fears about possible mistreatment, whether the government deems them well-founded or not. It must also make clear that the safety of all civilians will be guaranteed, and that all those laying down their arms will be treated in accordance with the rule of law.

A vital part of this is ensuring that treatment of internally displaced people is in line with international standards - including the need for transparent screening and registration processes, guaranteed freedom of movement, and commitments to ensure speedy return to their places of origin. If the UN can play a role in bringing this about and monitoring it with other international groups, it is fully ready to do so.

Beyond this we need an end to the conflict, and rapid political progress to tackle the underlying issues through the devolution of power and long-term accommodation and reconciliation. With thousands of lives in the balance and the clock ticking, the time for decisive action by the government, the LTTE and the international community is now, before it is too late.

- The Guardian, UK

Top brass running terror ops - AHRC

A statement issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) last week quoting a report issued by the five media organisations entitled, 'The Resurgence Of Terror And The Paramilitary Forces In Sri Lanka,' stated that covert operations are carried out by paramilitary groups that have the patronage of an ultra-powerful authority in carrying out terror operations.

The report referred mainly to attacks on many journalists, including assassinations. The report reveals that this terror group is able to pass barricades and checkpoints because of an efficient network that facilitates the transport of these attackers.The report refers to various attacks, these being: the January 6 attack on the Sirasa Media Network building which was set on fire, the assassination of The Sunday Leader Editor, Lasantha Wickrematunge on January 8, the attack on the Max TV station on February 23, the attack on Rivira Editor Upali Tennakoon on January 16, the abduction of Editor N. Vidyadaran on February 26 and the abduction of Prof. Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayaka on March 12.

All these attacks occurred this year. Further, earlier attacks took place last year on Guruparan, a journalist with Suryan FM, the attack on Keith Noyar, Deputy Editor of The Nation newspaper, the brutal attack and attempted abduction of journalist Namal Perera and the Media Secretary of the British High Commission, Mahendra Ratnaweera.

This report was presented to leaders from the Congress of Religions on the April 7. The religious leaders, who listened to the representation of the five media organisations undertook to bring the report to the notice of the President of Sri Lanka. Earlier the US State Department, in their annual report on human rights also mentioned that: "paramilitaries and others believed to be 'working with awareness of the government' carried out unlawful killings, torture and kidnappings of civilians with impunity."

Tusks donation creates uproar

By Risidra Mendis

A pair of tusks presented to President Mahinda Rajapakse by Environment Minister Champika Ranawaka has created an uproar among environmentalists. 

The presentation of the tusks to President Mahinda Rajapakse at Temple Trees two weeks ago though not illegal has been criticised by environmentalists and the public, who feel that the Minister should set an example to the public by not making such presentations.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader environmentalists said even though there are special provisions for the head of state, ministers and the wildlife director to present a pair of tusks with an authorised permit, the Minister should set an example to the public by not making announcements when presenting tusks to the President.

"The elephant population is rapidly decreasing in the country. According to recent surveys the elephant human conflict and killing these animals for their tusks are the main reasons for their dwindling population. A large number of elephants were killed during the recent past and their tusks used for decorative accessories in the country. At a time when animal welfare activists and environmentalists are fighting to save the dwindling elephant population in the country the Environment Minister is presenting a pair of tusks to the President," environmentalists said, requesting anonymity in view of the fact that the tusks had been donated to the President.

Refuting the accusations levelled against him Ranawaka told The Sunday Leader that there was nothing wrong in presenting a pair of tusks to the Head of State. 

"What is wrong in presenting a pair of tusks to the state? This pair of tusks was not presented to President Rajapakse at a personal level but to the state. The public cannot find any reasons to criticise the Environment Ministry. Our hard work has brought results with the Environment Ministry winning awards. There are many tusks piled up at the Wildlife Department. These tusks are gathering dust in storerooms at the Department. We are proud of our elephants and have to give them due recognition.

"There is nothing wrong in presenting a pair of tusks to the state. This pair of tusks will be given its due place at Temple Trees and not be gathering dust in a storeroom," Ranawaka insisted.

He added that in ancient times when objects of symbolic value were found they were presented to the king. "Tusks have been presented to the Dalada Maligawa and temples. We will continue to present tusks to religious places in the future as well," Ranawaka said.

Commenting on the issue regarding the tusks Environment Lawyer Jagath Gunewardene said  special provisions under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) allows for the donation of tusks with a permit.

He added another dimension to the moral and ethical dilemma of this issue asserting, "The pubic are worried about dead elephants being given from one state institution to another, but not about the large scale wanton destruction of animals such as sea horses and jelly fish which we are left alone to fight."

Trading accusations while civilians suffer

Both sides blame each other for a shell attack on the Public Health Centre at Pokkanai last Wednesday April 8.  The military however maintain they have suspended offensive operations having surrounded the safe zone, in an attempt to rescue thousands of civilians.

Military Spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, "We have surrounded the safe zone, but we have not infiltrated the area."

Nanayakkara said that announcements had been made to try and clear the safe zone and that 301 civilians had managed to leave following these announcements.

Brig. Nanayakkara said, "We are not firing into the safety zone. We are not carrying out any offensive operations in the area."

Clarification

In our article last week “Taking commercial aviation to the next level” we inadvertently referred to Mr. Lal Liyanarachchi as Director General of Civil Aviation when in fact he is Chairman.

Intl media calls for free access to the north for local media

Reporters Without Borders has reminded the Sri Lankan government of its international undertakings as the media continue to be prevented from moving about freely in the north of the country, especially in the area where tens of thousands of Tamils are surrounded by the army.

The organisation has stated that the death of at least two journalists in the so-called “no-fire” area tends to support allegations that the Sri Lankan security forces are responsible for war crimes against civilians.

It also shows the government is violating UN Security Council resolution 1738 (adopted in December 2006) about protecting journalists in war zones.

“With a major humanitarian crisis and war crimes clearly taking place, the government must heed the international community’s calls for a ceasefire and for better access for humanitarian workers and journalists,” Reporters Without Borders has said.

“It is a disgrace that this war is being waged without independent journalists present. And by preventing thousands of innocent civilians from moving freely, the Tamil Tiger rebels bear a large share of the responsibility for these crimes.”

The press freedom organisation has added: “By limiting media coverage to guided tours with the purpose of confirming military victories, the armed forces are preventing the press from doing its job and are disregarding the public’s right to be informed in an independent manner.”

Reporters Without Borders has also condemned the propaganda orchestrated by both the government and the LTTE about the fate of the civilians who have been trapped by the military offensive against the rebels. The organisation has called on the Sri Lankan and international media to join in its condemnation of the obstacles put in the way of the news media in war zones by using its campaign ad: “Whenever blood flows, reporters’ ink should flow too”

Reporters are unable to travel freely in the northern Wanni district, especially the coastal area where nearly 100,000 civilians and rebel combatants have been surrounded by the army. More than 2,000 are already believed to have died in air strikes or as result of appalling sanitary conditions.

At least two journalists have been killed in the area. Punniyamurthy Sathyamurthy, the correspondent of several Tamil media based in Canada, was killed in a shelling on February 12 and a reporter for pro-LTTE Tamilnet was killed in a bombardment by government forces in early March.  Sasi Mathan, who was in charge of distribution of the Tamil nationalist daily Eezhanaatham, was killed in March in the Aananthapuram area.

SLTB strike spreads to Moratuwa

By Risidra Mendis

Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) employees have vowed to continue with their on going bus strike if the President and the Transport Minister fail to address their issues.

The bus strike that started in the south a few days ago has now spread to Moratuwa as well.

The Sunday Leader learns that the bus strike is now effective in the depots of Hambantota, Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Colombo, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale and Badulla.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader Secretary, All Ceylon Transport Union, Sepala Liyanage said their demands to the government are not unreasonable.

"If government servants can be paid Rs 4500, why can't the government pay SLTB employees the same amount? The government promised us Rs. 5000 but are now paying Rs. 2000 to the employees. The government has also failed to pay up the arrears of Rs. 34,000. We have requested the government to pay us Rs. 10,000 out of the Rs. 34,000 before the Sinhala and Hindu New Year," Liyanage said. 

Liyanage added that this was a reasonable request especially since SLTB employees are in need of cash for the New Year. "We have written to President Mahinda Rajapakse and Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma but are yet to receive a response from them," Liyanage said. Alahapperuma was not available for comment.