President Mahinda Rajapaksa is now facing continuous headaches in the form of the possible re-entry into politics by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge and a joint opposition struggle against the government. All these issues haunted Rajapaksa last week with indications of them continuing in the coming months. With the Rajapaksa government’s greatest fears showing signs of becoming reality, the decision making members in the government are now engaged in disaster mitigation work.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chandrika Kumaratunga and Somawansa Amarasinghe

Speculation was rife last week of Kumaratunga re-entering local politics through abroad alliance. The news that did the rounds was that UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera and Kumaratunga were engaged in a discussion overseas on the formation of a new political party. Kumaratunga has been briefed on the current political situation in the country and the issues faced within the governing party by SLFP seniors. Despite frequent claims of Kumaratunga’s second coming into politics, talk of her re-entry now sounds real given the growing dissention among the people against the government.

Rajapaksa knows very well that Kumaratunga still enjoys a comfortable support base within the SLFP, which is cause for much discomfort for him. A political party registered by Samaraweera several years back is to be used as the platform for Kumaratunga’s re-entry.

The news of the formation of a new political party headed by Kumaratunga and the likelihood of her becoming the next common candidate at the Presidential election has reportedly caused much joy among certain senior SLFPers. Amidst the continuous agitation campaigns against the government, the opposition political parties, especially the UNP, is mindful of the possibility of facing a Presidential election in 2014.

Therefore, talk of Kumaratunga’s re-entry to politics does not ring well for the Opposition and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who has been continuously predicting that the UNP could return to office in 2014. Wickremesinghe’s prediction was that the war victory enjoyed by the Rajapaksa government would wear off after a few years when people are confronted with the real problems ailing the country’s economy. True to his words, the country and people are now feeling the real pinch of the economic crisis and are disillusioned by the path taken by the Rajapaksa administration.

Therefore, Wickremesinghe’s chances of contesting at the next Presidential election could take a beating if Kumaratunga considers re-entering politics.

Some opposition politicians have opted to consider Kumaratunga as an option for the next Presidential election since she could muster the support of senior SLFPers and the majority of the SLFPers who are disgruntled with the Rajapaksa way of governance.
However, another aspect that needs to be considered is whether Kumaratunga could enjoy mass support of the UNP and JVP as well.
Wickremesinghe being the shrewd strategist is undoubtedly looking at the best option to secure power for the UNP. He could opt to ask for Kumaratunga’s support to get the backing of the SLFP and together with the UNP vote base work towards an electoral victory.
While the opposition is engaged in strategizing the best option to gain power by defeating Rajapaksa at the next Presidential election, the President is trying hard to keep track of Kumaratunga’s actions and ensuring control over his party men.

However, it is evident that any Presidential candidate who would contest against Rajapaksa must have the support of all opposition forces in order to emerge victorious.

Opposition alliance

Be that as it may, the Rajapaksa government through its actions has unwittingly brought together all opposition forces to fight against the government.

As stated by a UNP parliamentarian, the government created an excellent opportunity through the increase in electricity tariffs for political parties that felt they could never work together to fight for a common cause.
The opposition alliance has now come about through the trade union sector. The UNP’s Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) and the JVP’s National Trade Union Center (NTUC) are participating in a joint trade union alliance to fight for common causes that affect the country’s working masses.

The Rajapaksa government has always been deterred by any joint struggle and the massive protest march staged in Colombo on the 15th by trade unions, opposition political parties and the civil society was a wakeup call. The increase in the electricity tariffs has been deemed unfair due to the burdening of the people for the wrong policy decisions of the administration and the public that has been patient during the war and four years after have now had enough. The expressions of the people who participated in the march on the 15th were an indication that their patience was running out.

The Rajapaksa government possibly did not anticipate such a show of strength from the trade unions and the opposition political parties that were made weak by the Rajapaksas after assuming office in 2005. Adopting a policy of divide and rule, the first move of the Rajapaksa government was to destabilize the UNP and even the UPFA’s one time ally, the JVP by creating defections from the parties.
However, after years of internal battles and hard work, the UNP and JVP have once again got their ‘mojo’ back and are back with vigour.

The stark reality is that even the police and security forces personnel who are deployed to act against protests in this instance are also faced with the daunting task of facing high electricity tariffs. A police constable at the protest march said that they too are badly affected by the electricity tariff hike. The trade unions are to now hold a nationwide strike action on the 21st and the Rajapaksa government in usual fashion has stepped in to prevent people from participating in it. Orders have been issued to cancel leave of public servants and various religious observances have been directed to be held on the 21st.

Nevertheless, the trade unions with the backing of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) have said the government cannot take away the fundamental and human rights of the people by trying to suppress them. Both the JSS and the NTUC have said that the ongoing struggle should not be shaded with political colours and should be considered a struggle of the working people. The Coordinating Committee for a Joint Trade Union Alliance has warned the Rajapaksa government that the strike action on the 21st is only the first in a series of joint action to be carried out in future.

The state media as usual is carrying out massive campaigns accusing trade union leaders like the JVP’s Wasantha Samarasinghe and K. D. Lalkantha of a conspiracy against the government and creating a UNP-JVP alliance.

“All these are responses of a government that has nowhere to run,” Lalkantha said, adding that it doesn’t hold well for the Rajapaksa government to behave in such a manner since it gives out the impression that it could be toppled by a token strike by the trade unions.
The Rajapaksa government undoubtedly will have its cup brimming in the next few months with continuous agitations by joint alliances that show promise of expanding even further.

Northern polls

The Northern Provincial Council election meanwhile continues to be a topic of discussion among the local Tamil politicians as well as the Indians and the US.

The Northern election has become a sour point for the government with governing party ally, the JHU threatening to defect from the government if the election is held under the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

The JHU is planning legislative action seeking the abolition of the 13th Amendment and the provincial councils. Deputy Secretary of the JHU, Provincial Minister Udaya Gammanpila has been quoted in the media as saying that the party’s central committee had decided to move parliament within the next two weeks to abolish the 13th Amendment. “We shall move parliament within the next two weeks to abolish the thirteenth amendment,” Gammanpila has said.

The Rajapaksa government has for some time been using the 13th Amendment as the carrot dangled before neighbouring India to silence it whenever concerns were raised about the delay in finding a lasting political solution to the ethnic issue.
Senior members of the Rajapaksa government have continuously pledged to the Indian government that the solution would be based on the 13th Amendment and that it was willing to even go beyond the 13th Amendment.

However, New Delhi after its dealings with the Rajapaksa government through the years is now wiser. Despite the undertaking by the Rajapaksa government at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva in March that the Northern Provincial Council election would be held in September this year, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has said that he has not been informed of any plan to hold elections in the North.

He has further stated that elections in the North could not be held as he pleased and there needs to be constitutional provision or an executive or judicial order to make arrangements for such an election. The key Tamil coalition party in the country, the TNA has been pushing for the Northern Provincial Council elections along with many others and is continuing to lobby for the election. The TNA recently met US Ambassador to Colombo Michele J. Sison for a discussion on the elections in the north.

According to the Jaffna based Uthayan newspaper, the Ambassador had also discussed the land acquisition issue in Jaffna and the current political situation in Sri Lanka. TNA leader R. Sampanthan and parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran had attended the discussion with the US envoy held in Colombo, the newspaper said.

The TNA delegation had informed the US envoy that the elections for the northern provincial council should be held with the presence of international monitors.

Meanwhile, the Indian media reported that concerned over reports of Sri Lankan government considering removal of land and police powers from the provinces prior to the elections in the Northern Province, India has asked not to take any step against their own commitments relating to the 13th Amendment.

The Press Trust of India has reported that Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had telephoned his Sri Lankan counterpart Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and also raised the issue of 26 Indian fishermen who are in detention in his country while seeking their early release.

According to official sources, the conversation had also focused on the elections that are to be held in the Northern Province with Khurshid expressing his concerns regarding media reports referring to some consideration being given to removal of land and police powers from the provinces prior to the polls.

“In this context, he urged the Sri Lankan Government not to take any step in the light of its own commitments relating to the 13th Amendment and their expressed intention to build upon it,” the sources said.

The 13th Amendment is a creation of the Indian government and any move by the Rajapaksa government therefore to abolish or repeal certain sections under the 13th Amendment would have to be with New Delhi’s consent.

Commonwealth concerns

The Rajapaksa government’s relations with the international community have been under test since the end of the war in 2009. However, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo this November would be another trying test for the Rajapaksa government’s foreign policy.

Members of the diplomatic corps in the country say that the Rajapaksa government needs to be cautious during the session since the international community could use the meeting as a platform to raise concerns over the Rajapaksa government’s failures in addressing human rights issues.

It is in this backdrop that Britain issued a warning that there would be consequences if the Sri Lankan government continues to ignore their international commitments in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the British parliament that Britain condemned alleged human rights abuses committed in Sri Lanka. He has said it in response to a question raised by British MP Simon Hughes as to why the British Prime Minister is attending the summit in Sri Lanka despite concerns raised over human rights abuses.

“We are all aware that the decision that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary will attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka is controversial, especially in the light of the despicable human rights violations during the recent civil war. But I assure my right hon. Friend that the Government condemns those violations, the way in which political trials, regular assaults on legal professionals and suppression of press freedom continue, and the fact that too many recommendations of the lessons learnt and reconciliation commission have not been implemented. If such violations continue, and if the Sri Lankan Government continues to ignore their international commitments in the lead up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, of course there will be consequences,” the Deputy Prime Minister has said.

He has said that while all understand the controversy and unease about the matter, by attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka, Britain will be using the opportunity to cast a spotlight on the unacceptable abuses in Sri Lanka.
“Of course there will be consequences if the conduct of the Sri Lankan authorities does not change. The Commonwealth matters to us all, and it is based on a number of values. Where I accept the hon. Lady’s implicit criticism is in relation to this point: all Commonwealth Governments should do more to not only talk about those values, but also ensure that they are properly monitored and enforced,” he has added.

Therefore, it would be wise for the Rajapaksa government to remind itself that dealing with the international community takes more than providing Rolls Royce and BMWs for the Commonwealth heads of state to travel about in Colombo.

By Gamini Weerakoon

The conventional belief was that the military at best should be confined to barracks or be on battlefields but after the much celebrated victory over terrorism the forces have not been demobilized as is usual in other countries or found civilian jobs but appear to move into civilian projects under the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

In Colombo they moved to take over a part of the Town Hall job of urban development. Parts of Colombo 7 have been ‘beautified’ with the assistance of civilian architects but the first few monsoons showers resulted in some of Colombo’s roads turn into rivers. In the suburbs too the Ministry has taken over urban development.

In the Jaffna peninsula there is a furor now on over the takeover of 7,000 acres of land by the military. With the Rajapaksa government doing its damnedest to prove to the outside world that it is doing its best for reconciliation of the Tamils, taking over 1,000 acres of privately owned land is not the most convincing thing to do. It is believed that the military wants to set up tourist hotels on their own, which is a function of the Tourist Board. Whether the intention is to develop a unique tourist complex, the first ever tourist hotel run by ladies and gentlemen in khaki, is anybody’s guess.

The militarization of civilian institutions and taking over of private property ostensibly for ‘security purposes’ should be watched with grave concern by civilians. Does not the parliament, which is said to be the supreme legislative body, have to approve this kind of militarization that is taking place?

There is a mythical belief – not only in this country but the world over – that militarization leads efficient and productive governance. Unfortunately contemporary history disproves this belief.

Take Pakistan, which has been ruled for more than half the time since Independence in 1947 by military rulers. It is a nuclear power with 180 million population but despite its tremendous resources and the billions of dollars which the United States poured in – it was America ’s only committed ally since the days of SEATO – the economy is in the doldrums and a greater part of the population abjectly poor while the millionaires are doing quite well. This nuclear power has to suffer daily power cuts! The military now has vested interests in industry and most probably will direct the course of action of the new government of Nawaz Sharif.

The long military dictatorship under Suharto in Indonesia, the military dictatorships in Vietnam before the take over by the Viet Cong and the dictatorship of Kim Il Sung and his successors have reduced North Korea to one of the poorest countries in the world where the people are conditioned to be robots. The only country that had a phoenix like rise was South Korea under the dictator Park Chung hee – father of the incumbent president Park Geun hye. He was shot dead by his Intelligence Chief and that led to a democratic South Korea emerging and which is still prospering.

We have seen school maters being promoted to the ranks of Colonels in the volunteer force, under grads being introduced to sort of training in police and army camps and now lands being taken over by the military with the intention of establishing tourist hotels. Does Sri Lankan need any kind of militarization?

By Gamini Weerakoon

Nawaz Sharif, the stocky 63-year-old businessman, performed the impossible last week by being elected for the third time a prime minister in a country where the political terrain is considered the roughest and most precarious in the entire world.

He has withstood allegations of corruption amounting to billions of dollars and rupees, gone through long periods of unpopularity, being thrown out of power and imprisoned with the threat of execution hanging over him and then flown out to Saudi Arabia to live as an exile but in a palace. With fluctuation of his political fortunes, he returned to lead his party, Pakistan Muslim League (N), to victory at the National Assembly elections last week. Although he does not have a clear majority in parliament, political commentators agree that he could secure that majority with the co-operation of independent candidates.

Such vicissitudes of political fortunes are quite common in Pakistan when considering the fate of some other leaders such as: the hanging of Prime Minister Zulficar Ali Bhutto; assassination of Zia-ul-Haq in a mid air explosion; assassination of Benazir Bhutto and booting out elected leaders by the army such as Benazir Bhutto (twice), Nawaz Sharif himself (twice) and Pervez Musharraf resigning from presidency following a threat of impeachment by opposition parties.

Zardari’s PPP- a lame duck

The ruling party the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was a lame duck with the crumbling economy and widespread terrorism — an estimated 45,000 Pakistanis being killed by terrorism and the blatant bombing of villages in the North West Frontier by American Drone planes, despite widespread protests by Pakistanis.

The caretaker leader of the PPP, Asif Zadari who was elected president following the assassination of his wife Benazir, could not participate in the election campaign while holding office as president and the designated leader of the party, his son, young Bhilal Bhutto, a student in Britain kept away from the campaign. Commentators attributed his absence to a possible assassination attempt on him by the Taleban.

The leaderless PPP which had in the National State Assembly fared disastrously dropping from the 95 seats held to 31 by Tuesday and could even be the third ranking party in the House with Imran Khan’s party Tehreek-e-Insaf–PTI) coming second.

Imran Khan

The debonair former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan with his call for a ‘New Pakistan’ and an end to rampant corruption among politicians struck a tremendous chord of response among the people and was even tipped to be a front runner following the massive crowds he attracted to his election rallies.

Khan had been trying to break ground in Pakistan politics, virtually on his own, and made very little headway in his earlier attempts having failed to win even a single seat in the last National Assembly.

Dubbed by his critics as the ‘cricketing ‘Don Juan,’ he attracted the attention of young Pakistanis both at home and abroad. Imran declared that 80 per cent of Pakistani politicians were corrupt and that “he was not sure about the other 20 percent”.
When the results came in as the injured Khan lay in bed with fractured spine it became apparent that he had failed to reach a greater part of the electorate even though he had stirred up the youth in urban centres and abroad.

A segment of the urban middle class too backed him, commentators noted. Strangely, it was in the remote north western region that he scored heavily and is likely to lead a provincial administration in the region known as the Pakhtunkhwa situated between Pakistan and Afghanistan, populated by warrior like people the Pashtuns.

Imran came out well by strongly opposing the aerial bombing of the region by unmanned Drone planes, which resulted in heavy and indiscriminate civilian casualties.

The Americans found out Drones to be the best way to attack terrorist leaders of the Talebane rather than pursuing them on foot in this rugged terrain.It has been noted that Khan cannot speak a word of Pashtun but had communicated with these people. The people understand the language of the killer Drones, a Pakistani commentator has noted.

Challenges

Nawaz Sharif faces tremendous challenges as the president and is waving the olive branch at his former enemies and new rivals. He has invited Imran Khan ‘to play a cricket match’ and make up. Latest reports say that Khan has agreed to co-operate with Sharif in combating terrorism.

But a closer alliance will not go well with the image of Mr. Clean, Khan has built up.

Sharif will have to work out new deals the forces with whom he locked horns when in power that led to his downfall.
It was the army under the command of Pervez Musharraf that threw him out of power in a military coup. Musharraf after living in voluntary exile in London came back to contest the elections.

But the judiciary which opposed him and forced his resignation had ruled that he is ineligible to contest the election having thrown out the constitution when he seized power.

Musharraf is now said to be living under house arrest in Islamabad. The army may not back their former commander, but attempts to jail and humiliate him will not be to its liking.

The Taleban which is wreaking havoc in the country is Sharif’s other serious challenge.

The main expectations of those who voted for him will be the resurrection of the economy, which he has vowed to do. Sharif has many accomplishments as former president. The highway built from Lahore and Islamabad is one. He has now proposed a ‘bullet train’ to run across the country from Peshawar to Karachi.

Pakistanis will remember him for leading the country to the status of a nuclear power when under his leadership Pakistan exploded five Nuclear Tests bombs to India’s three. The most pressing problem however is more mundane: elimination of long power cuts which the country has to suffer each day.

Nevertheless it will be of assistance to a large segment of people of all communities.

A Tamil Officer functioning in any capacity will have occasions to refer to an NIC issued in Sinhala.

Similarly, a Sinhalese Officer will have occasions to refer to an NIC issued in Tamil and many persons checking NICs will not be able to read them if they are issued only in one language.

As such I wish to suggest that in both instances in addition to the language of the NIC, the full name should be provided in English as well.

Though there are people who cannot read a document in Tamil or Sinhalese, with assistance, even a Police Officer will be able to read the name in English.

Once the name and identity are established to the satisfaction of the person checking NICs, other information could be provided if necessary.

Kasi Silva
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Electricity Tariffs, Corruption And The People - A Supplementary Response

The letter titled “ Electricity Tariffs, Corruption and the People “ from J.P.de Silva of Rajagiriya, (The Island – 08.5.13 ) properly continues the many objections raised by the public and political parties and by almost the entire country, against the recent tariff hike. It is fit in this context to draw attention to the suggestions and more this writer made in an Open Letter to the PUC (“Sunday Leader” of 31.3.13 titled “ Electricity Tariff Revision – How a Tariff Hike can be easily avoided”).

These suggestions and the many others forwarded to the Chairman, PUC, Mr Jayatissa de Costa, PC, at his specific invitation were of course not heeded one jot and summarily dismissed. In fact in my letter I surmised that the Chairman’s invitation for representations may be feint, in these words :”Its bona fides, that is, whether it’s a feint, hogwash or otherwise, will be seen in due course, depending on whether your Commission will take serious note of representations made, and react accordingly”. In the event the Chairman inviting submissions before deciding the issue of a tariff hike, etc. proved to be an empty, seemingly dishonest gesture, as I believe not one of suggestions made by the public were implemented, in part or wholly. In fact, I also surmised that “a possible price increase appears to have been already decided on, though calling for representations, perhaps as a feint”.

The gravamen of the suggestions made in my “Sunday Leader” letter, apart from the others such as weeding out corruption in the CEB, reducing administrative costs, excess staff, waste, etc. was that the PUC must, as a possible means to avoid a tariff hike, demand that the Treasury, subsidise /meet the CEO’s expenditure/ costs deficit. The Treasury meeting such deficit seems possible and practicable, as the PUC had strongly recommended that the Treasury advises the Government to lay off at least for the moment, wasteful and lower priority expenditures, especially those on certain unnecessary or currently postponable infrastructure projects.

I asserted that the Chairman of the PUC had a duty to demand of the Treasury, that if it could allocate such huge funds for comparatively unnecessary and postponable expenditure, it should allocate funds for the CEB to meet its deficit.

The funds that could be released by the Treasury, if it can persuade the Govt, as it must, to postpone/ abandon its immediately unnecessary and grandiose projects and other wasteful expenditure on travel, perks and privileges to its Ministers, MPs and others. Otherwise it will be a huge burden for the public to carry, a public that is currently overburdened with the cost of living.
Mr J P de Silva’s letter is self-explanatory. Others too must continue this agitation.

Colombo 5

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Road Widening For Bus Route 120

Surveyors are seen surveying the road from about Kohuwela junction towards Boralesgamuwa for the purpose of widening the road.
Even during the busiest hours of the day vehicles are not delayed due to traffic congestion. As such this road needs no widening and about ten to fifteen years ago the road was widened.

The road widening is the need of politicians and their supporter contractors and the beneficiaries are the vehicle owners who drive down this road from Ratmalana, Piliyandala, Kesbawa and other distant locations and the victims are the residents on either side of the road. If the President was to drive down this road at leisure, he will notice that most of the small houses and small scale businesses located on either side of the road will be demolished and their income sources lost.

With the electricity hike the small income earner is already furious with the government and for the unnecessary road widening their anger with the government will be a burning issue and will last longer. At a time the government should win the sympathy and goodwill of the voter instead of widening this road for the benefit of a politician and his contractors, the money so allocated could be utilized to construct a few bridges in remote villages, and thus win back some of the lost prestige due to the electricity hike.

Development through construction has not benefitted the vast majority of low income groups and villagers. The writer is not affected with the road widening as he is living about hundred and fifty yards away from the road. However this not the time to arouse the anger of the people.

Amor Patriae

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Favoured Treatment For High Profiles

It is almost the rule that high profile individuals receive favoured treatment in our prisons, hospitals and courts of law despite assertions to the contrary by the responsible authorities.

Granting of bail, discharge of cases for ‘lack of evidence’, trivializing or exaggerating injuries depending on the personage, favoured treatment in obtaining long leave, paying ward status, special privileges in prisons, etc., are such a common ­occurrence that even opposition politicians are reluctant to complain as they too may stand to benefit at a future date from such treatment.

The consequences of this discriminatory treatment could be most distressing to the public, damaging to the professionals and to the aggrieved parties when medical professionals seem to be swayed by the influential, whether socially or politically.

It was for this reason that concerned professionals made representations to the Ministry of Health and to the SLMC that when dealing with high profile individuals who need to be medically examined, it is more prudent for a medical board of at least three specialists to make recommendations instead of an individual specialist.

This is especially so, if the other party requests that a medical board should sit in judgment of the client for justice and fair play.
Such is the extent of politicization, influence peddling and corruption in high society that even the respected medical profession is now fast losing its image of honesty and integrity.

Hence the necessity to minimize, if one cannot obviate, chances of abuse of privilege and prerogative.
I sincerely hope that Honourable Minister of Health or Secretary, Dr Nihal Jayatilake would initiate a dialogue with the medical professional organisations to assure the public that where medical specialists are concerned they are guaranteed justice and fair play.
Over to the Ministry of Health, please.
R. Vidyasekera,
Dehiwela

Dear Aunty Pat,
My boyfriend has other female girlfriends. It’s just this one girl whom I feel he’s too close to. Am I being paranoid, or should I voice my fears? Do you think he will get annoyed with me and this will push him away? I have other guy friends too, but my boyfriend is top on my list and I always am with him. I’m a bit worried but I feel a bit silly and scared asking him if he feels anything for this girl. Maybe it will put him off? What do you think I should do, aunty?
Kay.

Dear Kay,
If you don’t feel comfortable with this relationship, maybe you should discreetly check if they had a past history together as a couple. If this is the case, you could say you got to know this and you’re not happy that he’s such great chums with her. You can’t tell him to sever connections altogether, that will really make him think you’re trying to control him. There is no point in your being suspicious in secret. It’s better to tell him you’re not so happy about this connection. Of course, you both obviously have to have other friends of the opposite sex, and you should tell him this. But you have to be his best girlfriend. You shouldn’t have to feel threatened in any way. So even if it leads to an argument, you should have it out with him and then take it from there.

Aunty Pat.

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Dear Aunty,
My best friend and I have been in school together from playgroup upwards. We have always been close, even though we went to 2 different countries to University. Now we’re both back here and both of us are working. But we call each other daily and meet very often. We always visit each other’s houses. About six months ago, she started dating a guy and after that it seems that she has no time for me. Even if I call her, she’s either with him at home of just about to go somewhere with him. I’m very hurt as I feel she doesn’t want to be friends any more. We meet quite seldom and even our telephone conversations are short. Do you think I should ask her why she’s treating me like this? Or will she think I’m jealous that she has a boyfriend and I don’t? I’m miserable but I can’t talk about this to anyone because I think I will sound so childish. Can you advise me? I don’t want to lose my friendship with her.

Miss Miserable.

Dear Miss Miserable,

Yours is not an uncommon scenario. When a relationship starts with a member of the opposite sex, sometimes people forget about the other people in their lives and neglect them. It’s not that they mean to do it, but they are so wrapped in a new relationship they are oblivious to the rest of the world. You could mention to her that you miss the times together and ask if she could set some time aside for you. I’m sure she hasn’t realized you feel this way and will respond positively. In the meantime, I’m sure you have other friends too, move around with them without brooding about your pal. It’s understandable she will want to spend time with her boyfriend, but tell her you also want to be in her life as well. I’m sure she will then realize her mistake and make amends. But don’t wait around only for her, do things with others as well and you will find that you will be occupied and happy.
Aunty Pat.

Most astrologers believe that leaving the country for a short time would help overcome the bad period one is experiencing due to the ill-positioned planets. Whenever a bad period is reaching its peak, most astrologers advice their clients to undertake overseas trips.

What with the country still suffering from the shock treatment received by way of an electricity tariff increase, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was scheduled to travel to Uganda on Saturday to participate in the Commonwealth Local Government conference.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ranil Wickremesinghe, Somawansa Amarasinghe and Rauf Hakeem

The current situation in the country, meanwhile, has become a simmering pot with clashes brewing within the govenrment and opposition political parties along with some governing party allies also joining forces to carry out an intense struggle against the govenrment.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa government’s move to increase the electricity tariffs hit a raw nerve with the people resulting in continuous protest campaigns.

Realizing the growing dissention among the people against the govenrment, President Rajapaksa on May Day announced that he would reduce electricity tariffs and provide relief to the people.

After remaining silent for a few days, opposition politicians and even the people realized that Rajapaksa’s pledge to provide relief to electricity consumers was in no way a form of relief.

“The government has arbitrarily increased the electricity tariffs to cover their sins and has now marginally reduced it. That cannot be called relief. If the government wants to provide relief, it needs to withdraw the electricity tariff hike,” a senior trade unionist said.

Hundreds of trade unions along with the support of opposition political parties including the UNP and JVP have agreed to support the May 21st island-wide strike action called by a joint trade union alliance.

The Rajapaksa government is now looking at the warning signs a combined struggle could have on the administration’s powers.
To add fuel to the fire, governing party allies, the leftist parties in the govenrment have also expressed their support to the trade union action against the government on the electricity tariffs.

A key collation partner of the govenrment, the JHU is also displeased with the government’s current actions.

Former Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka is angry that the govenrment was trying to blame him for the current crisis.
The Rajapaksa government is now fast realizing that it is losing its allure with the people who are now beginning to call its bluff. The war victory cannot be used to satisfy the hungry masses four years later.

Be that as it may, the strength shown by the UNP and the JVP at their respective May Day rallies with the large crowds that thronged to the events gave a clear indication of the people moving slowly towards the opposition parties.

President Rajapaksa was not at all pleased to see the crowd turn out figures compiled by the intelligence units.
The JVP has shown a massive increase in numbers while the UNP that held three May Day rallies – Colombo, Kurunegala and Badulla – has recorded the highest crowd turn out.

Even the UNP Youth Front rally in Badulla organized by UNP MPs Ruwan Wijewardena and Harin Fernando also saw thousands flocking to see their young leaders.

All these developments have shown one thing – the writing is now on the wall for the Rajapaksa government.

Back foot

The Rajapaksa govenrment has been pushed on the back foot by the opposition political parties as well as a few governing party allies.

The arrest of Muslim Tamil National Alliance Leader and former Deputy Mayor of Colombo, Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) created an uproar in the country along with the agitations against the electricity tariff hike.

Salley’s arrest drew criticism to the Rajapaksa government locally and internationally, especially due to the enforcement of a draconian piece of law, the PTA to arrest and detain him.

The statement that he was arrested for a statement that could incite religious disharmony angered even the Muslim members in the governing party.

Had the authorities questioned the hate speeches made by certain members of the Bodhu Bala Sena, a statement that Salley’s arrest was due to a comment made by him on religious lines, could have been somewhat justified.

However, eight days after he was taken into custody, the govenrment took a step back and Salley was released on a Presidential pardon.
According to information received, Salley had entered into some mutual understanding with the President that is yet unknown.
However, Salley’s arrest and detention also created a space for him to return to the UNP.

iven that SLMC Leader, Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem is fast losing his appeal among the Eastern Province population, Salley seemed the likely candidate of the opposition to take over the Eastern Muslim constituency.

Nevertheless, Salley’s sudden release after being granted approval to detain him for 90 days, has now caste doubts on the future political course he would take up owning to the likely ‘conditions’ that could be connected with his release.

Hakeem put to the test

Salley’s arrest and detention also resulted in a heated exchange of words between Minister Hakeem and a senior official of the country’s defence establishment.

The official was angered by the critical comments made by Hakeem to the media about Salley’s arrest.

When the official had telephoned Hakeem, the latter had charged that he was unaware of Salley’s arrest despite holding the justice portfolio.

Following a heated exchange of words, both parties had disconnected the telephone line.

However, a few hours later, a CID officer had met Hakeem and explained to him the reasons behind Salley’ arrest.

Hakeem is also facing the daunting task of holding his political party, the SLMC together.

Senior members of the SLMC are disgruntled with Hakeem’s performance as a party leader holding a Cabinet portfolio.
Given the pressure from the party’s grass root level members on the SLMC’s stances on key issues, especially on issues like the Eastern Provincial Council and the hate campaign against the Muslims.

A senior SLMC official said that a majority of the party membership were displeased that the government is ignoring the party.

“The President gave certain assurances to the party when the Eastern Provincial Council was formed, but they have not been honored. Any issue raised by the SLMC has been ignored by the govenrment,” he said.

The party’s parliamentarians, provincial councilors and electoral organizers met on the 8th afternoon to discuss these issues and the SLMC’s future.

The build up to the meeting resulted in speculation that the SLMC was going to defect from the government.

However, Hakeem clarified his point in parliament saying the party would not defect from the govenrment despite disagreements.
Hakeem’s statement was a disappointment to his Muslim brethren since they saw a man trying to cling to power at the cost of his integrity and an entire community.

The SLMC seniors were displeased when they met on the 8th and had taken Hakeem to task.

They have expressed their displeasure to the manner in which the SLMC was being treated by the government and demanded some form of firm action.

However, Hakeem had pleaded for two weeks to discuss all issues connected to the party with the President.

Following the meeting, SLMC General Secretary Hassan Ali has said the SLMC leadership will first meet with the Chief Minister of the Eastern Province to gather information on Muslim related issues in the area.

He has added that once the information is collected the SLMC leadership would seek a meeting with the President to discuss solutions to the issues.

The question that remains is whether Hakeem would resort to firm action or allow the growing internal dissention to split the party.

UN on Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka was once again focused at the UN when UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson had reportedly said the report on Sri Lanka on the UN actions during the final stages of the war was taken seriously.

“I was asked by the Secretary-General, to head a group to look, go through the recommendations of the report, and above all, look forward to the future so that we avoid such situations as we did in Sri Lanka, and as we have in several other tragic situations. This group was established in January, and they have worked very diligently. It is co-chaired by Andrew Gilmour of the Political Unit, and Paul Akiwumi, my Chief of Staff. And we have a very good secretariat headed by Michael Keating, who is a very respected colleague, who was the Deputy SRSG [Special Representative of the Secretary-General] in Afghanistan,” the UN had quoted him as saying.
He had said that he found most important was to bring in all the agencies, departments, programmes, funds, who indirectly or directly are involved in the situation or the role of the United Nations in Sri Lanka.

“So, we have had a working group with representatives of all groups working very intensely on taking these recommendations seriously. We also have invited experts from the outside for hearings. Today, I had a hearing with a group of very respectable colleagues of mine and many others – Jan Egeland, Staffan De Mistura, Michael Van Den Schulenberg – I can’t give you the whole list, but we had a video conference of one-and a half hours today, where we got their reactions to the report. So, it is a big process right now. And I suppose I will, within a month or so, receive the report and then it is up to me to assess these recommendations and go to the Secretary-General and discuss what measures should be taken. I hope this whole process will be finished by the middle of June at the latest, I would hope. We take it very seriously,” he had added.

The Brits and CHOGM

Speaking of being taken seriously, the decision that the Queen, the head of the Commonwealth, would not be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo this year was likened to a wedding without the bride.
The Rajapaksa government after rejoicing over the news that Premier David Cameron would be attending the CHOGM were disappointed that the Queen would not be attending the event.

What the Rajapaksa government needs to understand is that Cameron’s decision to attend the CHOGM was not made out of choice.
As the head of the Commonwealth, the Brits cannot avoid the responsibility of attending its event.

The two options that were before the Commonwealth was to pull CHOGM out of Colombo or that Cameron would have to attend the meeting if it were to be held in Colombo.

Once the decision to hold the summit in Colombo was confirmed, Cameron had no option but to agree to attend the event.
Nevertheless, it seems that the Queen’s decision to refrain from attending the CHOGM summit has helped the British save face with the large Tamil Diaspora in the UK.

However, responding to an e-mail query by The Sunday Leader, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Chris Nonis said the foundation of the UK-Sri Lanka relationship transcends our Commonwealth links alone.

“It is built on a broad spectrum of areas of common interest including trade, tourism, education, friendship, and strong historical links. Despite all the pressure from well-funded lobby groups with collateral agendas, who have been carrying out an aggressive and vitriolic campaign against Sri Lanka, and portraying a negative and anachronistic narrative, the fact that the British Government will be coming at Prime Ministerial level clearly demonstrates how strong our relations are, and we look forward to a very successful CHOGM 2013 in Sri Lanka,” he said.

When inquired about Cameron’s decision to attend CHOGM, Dr Nonis said, “During my interactions with Prime Minister David Cameron, I never got the impression that he didn’t intend to come, therefore it don’t feel it was ever a question of him having to change his mind, and I do feel it was an extremely commendable and sensible decision on his part.”

“The British Government has been assailed by various forces and lobbyists to boycott the CHOGM, but having weighed the pros and cons, the Government has decided to attend just as other Heads of Government intend to do.

“As I mentioned in my recent BBC Radio 4 Interview, the imperative is for the international community to visit Sri Lanka and make an objective and impartial analysis of the reality of contemporary Sri Lanka and CHOGM 2013 will provide just that opportunity for all 54 Countries,” the High Commissioner added.

As for the Queen’s decision not to attend the CHOGM, he observed “Whilst we appreciate Her Majesty the Queen’s tremendous dedication to duty and passion for the Commonwealth, and her stewardship throughout the years, I do not feel there would be any negative impact. Indeed HRH Prince Charles, is the Heir to the throne and the future King of England, and has a strong interest in Commonwealth issues, as was evidenced by his attendance at the CHOGM 2007 in Kampala, Uganda, and his visits to over 30 Commonwealth countries, including Sri Lanka, over the years.”

Neither Victors Nor Vanquished – Savage

Bernard Savage

Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka Bernard Savage says that additional efforts need to be made to get an effective reconciliation process for the country. “The country by its nature is a multi ethnic culture and it’s important that all have a voice in building the future of the country,” he said, adding that the end result of negotiation is always that neither party thinks that the other party had won. Speaking of Sri Lanka’s relations with the international community, Savage said that dialogue is the way forward and that the EU would continue to engage with Sri Lanka. “The best way is to continue engagement and discussion. It doesn’t mean that either side would fully agree to the other. But I don’t see a reason for resentment or anger,” he observed.
Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What are your parting impressions of Sri Lanka?
A: Of course things have changed considerably since I arrived. When I arrived the conflict had started to enter its final stage and thankfully that tragic is over. All you saw was displacements and hardships resulting from the consequences of conflict and a great deal of what has been done. I’d like to also emphasize the EU humanitarian and development assistance contributed to that successful phase and continues to contribute through the reconstruction of the areas affected by the conflict, both in the north and east. So, on a general view of the past four years, the end of the conflict, the return of the communities to the areas, the rebuilding of the areas affected by the conflict have certainly been the positive developments.

 

Q: During your tenure in the country could you say that the country has moved towards lasting peace and reconciliation following the end of the war?
A: I think the bases are there. I think additional efforts need to be made. It is important that all communities can feel that the equal contribution in uniting Sri Lanka. The country by its nature is a multi ethnic culture and it’s important that all have a voice in building the future of the country. That is certainly a future we wish to see, a peaceful, prosperous Sri Lanka. Which all of the citizens feel that they share equal rights and obligations as citizens and that all can prosper by the economic developments of the country. There are a few elements that still need to be addressed clearly. All the citizens need to be aware and I can only hope that in the years to come the conflict recedes from the memory that we will see structures in Sri Lanka, which will allow all communities to have an equal role in the country’s development.

Q: How best do you think the government could work towards achieving an effective reconciliation process?
A: Any reconciliation process is that both parties have to feel that the deal reached is acceptable. Any reconciliation process basically needs to move forward. Basic tenet is that all communities should have a chance at reconciliation. They must feel that all parties have compromised and all would recognize and commit to an architecture where they can move forward. So the end result of negotiation is always that neither party thinks that the other party had won. There is a phrase that is used in Europe at the end of the Second World War on building a new continent that was neither victors nor vanquished. That is the formula that is being used in Africa. I think it can be captioned in one phrase that would be really apprehensive to move forward, neither victors nor vanquished.

Q: The government has spoken of a large number of development programmes. Do you believe that the country has seen development in real terms (ie: social, political and economic development)?
A: I think it’s difficult for any country from the richest to achieve real development. Sri Lanka is a middle-income country riding to become an upper middle-income country. Following the end of the war everything has transformed as a result of economic development. There’s a clear desire of infrastructure and framework. We wish the country all the success. As partners of Sri Lanka we want to see prosperous development and that would be the interest of everybody. The government is quite determined to achieve the goal of moving on from its lower middle-income country to an upper middle-income country. And of course ultimately reaching the level of prosperity that needs to be achieved and I don’t see a reason why it can’t be done.

Q: How do you view Sri Lanka’s relations with the international community? How could diplomatic relations be further strengthened?
A: Well of course it has been no secret to anybody that relations can be strange. Different countries take different approaches. As far as relations with the European Union are concerned it is a long-term relationship. We have a really good history in Sri Lanka both with the heads of states and the European Union as a corporation for 35 years. The EU has stood by Sri Lanka in the face of conflict, in the face of natural disaster and we continue to contribute toward the country’s development. Obviously we have had our differences on certain aspects and my view is that discussions are healthy. Dialogue is the way forward. We will continue to engage with Sri Lanka. The best way is to continue engagement and discussion. It doesn’t mean that either side would fully agree to the other. But I don’t see a reason for resentment or anger. Therefore we will encourage continuous discussion because a breakdown in relations would be a real failure.

Q: Would you say that during your tenure as the head of the EU delegation in Sri Lanka, you managed to get the message of the EU across to the Sri Lankan government?
A: That’s a difficult question. Probably the question should be referred to the Sri Lankan government. My only feeling is that the answer is probably, sometimes!

By Gamini Weerakoon

We were wondering on a windy May morning in our hansiputuwa in our Isstoppuwa about the name of our country: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

J. R. Jayewardene, Chandrika Kumaratunga
, K. Pathmanathan and Karuna

Is it democratic? We wondered. Some loyalists of the ruling party would of course agree. Could there be a government more democratic than this? So far we’ve seen the army commander and the chief justice being sacked. No one is sacrosanct, they will say. All are equal and any one can be sacked but only a few who may be ‘difficult’ and won’t play ball will get into difficulties.

Those in the opposition will certainly disagree. That’s what we are protesting about, day in and day out, they will say. There is no democracy. They are not listening to the Opposition, trade unions and civil society. It’s a regime of the two-thirds majority. But then the two thirds are the people’s representatives even though some who were elected opposing election mandates to the government on another party ticket now make up the two thirds majority. That’s our democracy.

Socialist? Oh, no. That wily fox JRJ, brought in this concept of being ‘socialist’ after throwing out all the socialism built on for decades by the Bandaranaikes, Samasamajists and Communists, lock, stock and barrel.

And are we a republic – a country where the peoples’ representatives govern the country – not a Royal family? There are republics and republics coming way back in history from Plato’s Republic, the, French Republic, Fascist Republics and Banana Republics originating from South America and spreading to our own South Asian region.

A name for the Island

Being in a philosophical mood we tried to think of a name for this resplendent isle.

What’s most characteristic of our people? Yes, we were great talkers. But who remembers what we said yesterday? Then came the Eureka moment. Yes, we were amnesiacs, the greatest amnesiacs in the world. Who remembers what we promised the night before – never mind what you promised during the last election campaign. So how about the name Sri Lanka: Island of Amnesia.

Now don’t call us an ungrateful traitors having been a beneficiary of free education insulting this country. No, Sir we are as patriotic as you are and much more. Besides we were not beneficiaries of a free education.

JRJ’s Constitution

We got our facts in hand. When we say we are amnesiacs, do we remember what were promised by all sundry who got on a political platform and thundered: I will abolish the pernicious system of Executive Presidency foisted upon us by J. R. Jayewardene? When Chandrika called J. R. Jayewardene’s 1978 Constitution a Bahubootha constitution didn’t her ministers and her prime minister guffaw?

When they contested presidency, after Chandrika didn’t they too vow to abolish the Executive Presidential system? But now what has happened? True they have amended JRJ’s constitution – made it even worse. The objections to t JRJ’s constitution was that it gave too much of power to the executive president. The Amendments made to the same constitution (Amendment 18) by President Rajapaksa was that it gave absolute power to the executive president! Absolute Amnesia enables rulers to get absolute powers.

Beneficiaries

There are numerous other beneficial examples of absolute amnesia. There is KP – K. Pathmanathan, the international armaments procurer for the LTTE who was an equal or even a bigger threat to the security, sovereignty and integrity of the country than Velupillai Prabhakaran. He was captured in Kuala Lumpur in a James Bond type of operation and flown to Sri Lanka. KP who succeeded Prabhakaran holds the most treasured secrets of the LTTE such as international monetary transaction of the terrorist outfit. Whether the man has spilled the treasured secrets of the LTTE’s skullduggery and massive ill gotten gains is not known but the results are not evident. After all the dirty work done against Sri Lanka, the man is living in clover!

So is minister Karuna, the LTTE commander of the Western Province. He should at least be able to spell out one secret: The massacre of over 600 policemen who surrendered to the LTTE on the orders of the then President Ranasinghe Premadasa. The loved ones of these constables have not forgotten them. They do not suffer from amnesia. At least a decent burial could be given to the loyal brave and disciplined policemen who sacrificed their lives in vain.

Compared to the crimes committed by these criminals what has Azath Sally done? Singing at a children’s’ party?

It is not total amnesia that our leaders are suffering from – its selective amnesia. They may forget the crimes of KP and Karuna but not the faults of UNPers before them. The stock answer for any crime or stupidity committed by those in power is: What did you do in your time? The nation is in the throes of the Mother of all Crises – the power crisis. But when questions are raised on the crisis, the reflex reaction has been: What did you do in your time? Yes, the UNP made many faults and that is why four successive SLFP governments were elected by the people. It may also be the result of amnesia of the people. Let the doctors speak out but our guess is that amnesia is developing into a dangerous form of megalomania.

So our name for our beloved country is: Sri Lanka: Island of Amnesia/Dementia/Megalomania. Make your pick.

The two year Syrian conflict which is estimated to have cost 70,000 lives so far, displaced tens of thousands of Syrians internally and sent thousands across its borders to neighbouring countries as refugees, threatened to engulf the Middle East into a regional conflict last week with Israel, Iran and the Hezbollah that represents Lebanese Shiite interests coming in.

American Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreed in Moscow on Wednesday to hold a conference on Syria at the end of this month hoping that the Assad regime and Syrian rebels would agree to channel the conflict into diplomatic lines. But this proposal appears to be the wishful thinking of the outside powers, however powerful they may be.

Dithering Obama

The Israeli war planes bombing sites in Syria near its capital Damascus caused grave concern to Russia as well, Russia from the days of the Soviet Union having a near half century old tie with the ruling Assad family of Syria. The Israeli bombing also resulted in an uproar in Iran, Syria’s only ally in the Middle East which accused Israel of gross internal interference in Syrian affairs.

In the United States, President Barack Obama was feeling the heat with him being accused of ‘dithering’ and not re-asserting American leadership in the Middle East as a superpower. An American commentator last week accused him of being placed in a ‘geopolitical box, credibility at stake and with frustratingly few good options’.

Obama’s strategy has so far been not to ‘put American boots on foreign soil’ – save in Afghanistan where he had no option because his predecessor George W Bush had already invaded the country when Obama became president. Even in the intervention in Libya, he ‘led from the front’ getting NATO force to carry out the aerial attacks. In Syria he has made a show of non involvement, and is still not supplying arms to the rebel forces but Syria and Iran are alleging that there is a covert supply of arms as well as of military training given by the CIA.

The American president has been drawing much flak from Republicans such as Senator McCain who said that Obama’s warning to Iran about a ‘red line being drawn on use of chemical weapons’ being ‘written in invisible ink’.

Al Nusra

America’s reluctance to help the Syrian rebels against Bashar al Assad – no great friend of theirs – is the involvement of Jihadist, Jabhat-al-Nusra turning out to be the most aggressive and successful organisation of the Syrian rebel forces. It is linked to the Al Qaeda. USA and Britain are reluctant to supply lethal weapons to the rebels because of their fear of the arms going into the hands of the Al-Nusra. It is widely believed that the Al-Nusra is linked to the al Qaeda in Iraq, an allegation denied by the Syrian Al-Nusra leadership. The Al-Nusra has within its ranks trained Jihadist fighters from many theatres of Jihadist conflicts and has been very effective against the Assad forces being responsible for 57 of the 69 attacks carried out. The leader of the Free Syrian Forces (FSA) has appealed to America to remove Al-Nusra from the American list of Foreign Terrorist organisations but to no avail. Some American analysts have predicted that in the event of Assad’s fall, he will be replaced not by any forces in the FSA but the al Nusra who make no bones about the regime they want to set up — an Islamic state under Shariah law.

Change of US policy

On the other hand American’s are under pressure as John Kerry was at Rome with a meeting of Syrian rebels in Rome last week. The rebel forces are asking for a shift in the passive policy of the US and its Western allies. The Syrian Opposition forces are frustrated with the slow and tardy response and have asked for anti- tank weapons and anti- aircraft weapons systems to fight government forces that are mowing them down from the air and on land. The Assad forces are being resisted by the FSA at great cost to rebel forces and civilians.

Perhaps hamstrung by the fear of supplies of armaments falling into hands of the Al-Nusra; President Obama is pushing for a diplomatic settlement — an end to violence, the creation of a transitional government which would include the rebel groups and members of Assad’s government.

Russia and China too have been pushing hard for a diplomatic solution and the American push appears to have pleased them. Reports from Moscow noted that the Russians reacted to John Kerry much warmer than to his predecessor, the tough talking Hillary Clinton.
Can mediation of the big powers bring about peace among the two warring camps who want their leaders out? Bashar al Assad will never give up power nor will rebel forces that have made tremendous sacrifices want him.