srilanka1998
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- 26. Juli 2005
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Mahinda Rajapase Wallowing In Political Quagmire Like His Predecessors
[ TCWA ] [ 03:19 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
For talks to succeed there should be goodwill and mutual respect for each other. What we are now witnessing is cynicism and antagonism on the part of the government. Given the pervasive negativism and ill will displayed by Mahinda Rajapakse's government only the very optimist will entertain the slightest hope of the talks in Geneva succeeding. The Thamil people are very pessimistic that Geneva talks will solve any of their pressing problems. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera's political rhetoric gives no such hope. And President Mahinda Rajapakse lacks the political acumen and sophistication to offer any realistic solution to resolve the ethnic conflict. Mahinda Rajapakse and his Foreign Minister like the quack doctors have only "kulisai" to cure cancer!
Violence not LTTE’s natural choice
[ Malaysiakini ] [ 11:22 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
In fact, the LTTE was the product of the Sinhala Buddhist state chauvinism. If only the Sinhala state had accommodated the moderate demands of the Tamil political parties organised within the fold of the Tamil United National Liberation Front, there would not be an LTTE today. It was the failure of the Sinhala state to accommodate the genuine grievances of Tamils that led to the armed struggle waged by the LTTE from the early 1980s and onwards. For it to move away from violence, the Sri Lankan state must offer something substantial to the Tamils. If not, the only solution to me is a separate independent state for Tamils on the basis that the northeast is their homeland, that they constitute a nation, and that they have the right to self-determination, a principle that has been universally accepted and endorsed.
More quarantine centres for refugees
[ Chennai OnLine ] [ 11:34 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
More temporary quarantine centres would be set up at Mandapam camp in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu in order to meet the increasing influx of refugees from Sri Lanka, an official said here yesterday. The existing quarantine facility, where refugees are interrogated and checked for their antecedents and health, could accommodate only 100 people and has only four toilets. Temporary rooms would be set up with adequate facilities for refugees, Rajagopal, Special Deputy Collector (in-charge of Mandapam camp), said. A semi-permanent block with about 20 houses was being converted into quarantine centre to accommodate 120 people.
Opposition politicians defect to Sri Lanka's governing party
[ AP ] [ 11:51 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
Eighteen local opposition politicians joined Sri Lanka's ruling coalition on Wednesday, saying they wanted to strengthen the president's hand to negotiate peace with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. The politicians, who are members of regional councils, defected from the main opposition United National Party to join the United Peoples' Freedom Alliance, led by President Mahinda Rajapakse. "We all must place the country before self. We must leave all our petty differences to a side and join together to bring peace and development to the country," Rajapakse said after a formal acceptance ceremony for the politicians. "We want to strengthen the hand of the president so that he can bring peace to the country," the group's spokesman, Gunaratne Banda said. He did not elaborate.
Conference of Major Religious Superiors meets with Tamilselvan
[ LTTE Peace Secretariat ] [ 11:54 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Sri Lanka (CMRS) led by its President Bro.Michael De Waas visited Kilinochchi today 8 Feb 2006 and had a meeting with Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Wing in the Peace Secretariat. The appeal of the Conference was 'That both the Government and LTTE begin the dialogue at the earliest to resolve our problems'. Welcoming the Conference members, Mr.Tamilselvan expressed appreciation of the initiative taken by the Superiors to bring peace back to the people. He briefed the Superiors on the current political situation with special reference to the state of fear and panic in military occupied parts of the Tamil homeland. Tracing the background to the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), Mr.Tamilselvan said that the intended overall objective of the CFA was to bring about normalcy in the life of a people who have suffered immensely during the two decades of war and tsunami.
Disappearances continues in the NorthEast
08 February 2006
Two youths from Sarasalai were disappeared on 26th January. They disappeared while they were going on a motorbike. The disappeared youths were identified as Tharmaligam Santhirapos and Sivakaran.
Another civilian disappeared at Nunavil, Chavakachcheri on 26th January. Selvaratnam Uthayaraj disappeared at Nunavil.
Four fishermen arrested in the sea
08 February 2006
Four fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy at Punkudutivu Sea when they went for fishing. These four fishermen went fishing on 6th February did not return home yet. They are reported to be in police custody now.
The fishermen are Perumal Santhirapos(24), Immanuvel Anotony Jude(27), Pakianathan Niranjan(28), and Kopalasamy Rajkumar(23).
Middle East: Hamas 'ready to talk to Israel'
[ BBC ] [ 11:57 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
The political leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas has said the group is willing to take a serious step towards peace if Israel does the same. Khaled Meshaal told the BBC that Hamas would not renounce violence, saying resisting an occupation was legal. But he said a long-term truce would be possible if Israel accepted conditions including a return to its 1967 borders. Israel's acting PM said if he won next month's poll, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem. Israel's acting PM said if he won next month's poll, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem. However, Ehud Olmert said Israel would be prepared to give up parts of the West Bank where most Palestinians were living. His interview on Israel television was his first since taking power a month ago following Ariel Sharon's massive stroke.
Tobacco Bill, a Pipe of Peace in Sri Lanka
[ IPS ] [ 12:44 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
A Buddhist monk, who tabled a bill in the Sri Lankan parliament to control the sale of tobacco and alcohol, says he is gratified at the wide support he has received in a country known for the deep divisions among its ethnic and religious communities. Omalphe Sobitha, parliamentarian representing the pro-Sinhalese Buddhist National Heritage Party (JHU), believes that his private member's bill might even help his party shed its ''extremist image''. ''We have been labelled extremist, but, now JHU is not extremist or Sinhala chauvinist, but acting on the behalf of all ethnic and religious groups. The Christians, Muslims and Hindus are all supporting our bill,'' he told IPS in an interview. ''We brought this (bill) to save our people, not to condemn anyone.''
LTTE to discuss only CFA at Geneva
[ Hindustan Times ] [ 12:48 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
The LTTE has made it abundantly clear that it will resist attempts by the Sri Lankan government to discuss issues other than the implementation of the existing Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) at the forthcoming talks in Geneva. The outfit's authoritative organ Viduthalai Puligal has warned in its latest issue (January 2006) that if the Mahinda Rajapaksa government does not implement the existing CFA in letter and spirit, it will resume its fight for an independent Tamil Eelam. "At Geneva, the LTTE is prepared to discuss only the full and speedy implementation of CFA. The Tamil National Leader (Prabhakaran) has emphasised this to the peace envoy and Norwegian minister Erik Solheim," the periodical said.
Sri Lanka seeks changes to truce with Tigers
Wed Feb 8, 1:50 AM ET
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka will seek to amend the ceasefire agreement with Tamil Tiger rebels during negotiations in Geneva later this month despite opposition from the guerrillas, official sources said.
President Mahinda Rajapakse told his negotiators to ensure that promises in his election manifesto titled "Mahinda Chinthana", or Mahinda philosophy, are followed in dealing with the rebels.
"Everyone should take action in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana which was put forward before the people," state television quoted the president as saying on Wednesday while addressing a two-day workshop for his negotiators.
Tamil Tiger rebels Tuesday ruled out discussing a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict during talks in Geneva later this month and said only their faltering truce should be on the agenda.
But a politician at Rajapakse's meeting in Colombo Tuesday said the president was keen for the truce deal to be revisited in a bid to strengthen it and halt violence.
Rajapakse came to power in November promising a new approach to the island's Norwegian-brokered peace process which has remained deadlocked since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) pulled out of face-to-face talks in April 2003.
The impasse was lifted when the Tigers and Colombo agreed to meet in Geneva for two days starting February 22 to discuss implementing their troubled truce, which went into effect on February 23, 2002.
"The ceasefire agreement will be amended so as to ensure that acts of terrorism would not be permitted in any way," according to Rajapakse's election manifesto.
"The ceasefire monitoring mechanism would also be reviewed and new steps taken."
The Tigers have said that they will only attend the Geneva talks to discuss the ceasefire and not a political settlement to decades of ethnic bloodshed that has claimed over 60,000 lives.
"The only way to avoid war and create a peaceful environment in the Tamil homeland is to implement the ceasefire agreement in full," the LTTE said.
"The key to peace talks in the present context is the full implementation of the ceasefire."
The rebels have accused the government of supporting a breakaway rebel faction to carry out attacks against the mainstream guerrillas.
At least 153 people were killed in a new wave of fighting after Rajapakse came to power and many of the killings have been blamed on the Tigers who in turn accuse "paramilitary units" of stirring up trouble.
Four previous peace attempts have ended in failure and led to more bloodshed.
[ TCWA ] [ 03:19 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
For talks to succeed there should be goodwill and mutual respect for each other. What we are now witnessing is cynicism and antagonism on the part of the government. Given the pervasive negativism and ill will displayed by Mahinda Rajapakse's government only the very optimist will entertain the slightest hope of the talks in Geneva succeeding. The Thamil people are very pessimistic that Geneva talks will solve any of their pressing problems. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera's political rhetoric gives no such hope. And President Mahinda Rajapakse lacks the political acumen and sophistication to offer any realistic solution to resolve the ethnic conflict. Mahinda Rajapakse and his Foreign Minister like the quack doctors have only "kulisai" to cure cancer!
Violence not LTTE’s natural choice
[ Malaysiakini ] [ 11:22 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
In fact, the LTTE was the product of the Sinhala Buddhist state chauvinism. If only the Sinhala state had accommodated the moderate demands of the Tamil political parties organised within the fold of the Tamil United National Liberation Front, there would not be an LTTE today. It was the failure of the Sinhala state to accommodate the genuine grievances of Tamils that led to the armed struggle waged by the LTTE from the early 1980s and onwards. For it to move away from violence, the Sri Lankan state must offer something substantial to the Tamils. If not, the only solution to me is a separate independent state for Tamils on the basis that the northeast is their homeland, that they constitute a nation, and that they have the right to self-determination, a principle that has been universally accepted and endorsed.
More quarantine centres for refugees
[ Chennai OnLine ] [ 11:34 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
More temporary quarantine centres would be set up at Mandapam camp in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu in order to meet the increasing influx of refugees from Sri Lanka, an official said here yesterday. The existing quarantine facility, where refugees are interrogated and checked for their antecedents and health, could accommodate only 100 people and has only four toilets. Temporary rooms would be set up with adequate facilities for refugees, Rajagopal, Special Deputy Collector (in-charge of Mandapam camp), said. A semi-permanent block with about 20 houses was being converted into quarantine centre to accommodate 120 people.
Opposition politicians defect to Sri Lanka's governing party
[ AP ] [ 11:51 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
Eighteen local opposition politicians joined Sri Lanka's ruling coalition on Wednesday, saying they wanted to strengthen the president's hand to negotiate peace with separatist Tamil Tiger rebels. The politicians, who are members of regional councils, defected from the main opposition United National Party to join the United Peoples' Freedom Alliance, led by President Mahinda Rajapakse. "We all must place the country before self. We must leave all our petty differences to a side and join together to bring peace and development to the country," Rajapakse said after a formal acceptance ceremony for the politicians. "We want to strengthen the hand of the president so that he can bring peace to the country," the group's spokesman, Gunaratne Banda said. He did not elaborate.
Conference of Major Religious Superiors meets with Tamilselvan
[ LTTE Peace Secretariat ] [ 11:54 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Sri Lanka (CMRS) led by its President Bro.Michael De Waas visited Kilinochchi today 8 Feb 2006 and had a meeting with Mr.S.P.Tamilselvan, Head of the Political Wing in the Peace Secretariat. The appeal of the Conference was 'That both the Government and LTTE begin the dialogue at the earliest to resolve our problems'. Welcoming the Conference members, Mr.Tamilselvan expressed appreciation of the initiative taken by the Superiors to bring peace back to the people. He briefed the Superiors on the current political situation with special reference to the state of fear and panic in military occupied parts of the Tamil homeland. Tracing the background to the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA), Mr.Tamilselvan said that the intended overall objective of the CFA was to bring about normalcy in the life of a people who have suffered immensely during the two decades of war and tsunami.
Disappearances continues in the NorthEast
08 February 2006
Two youths from Sarasalai were disappeared on 26th January. They disappeared while they were going on a motorbike. The disappeared youths were identified as Tharmaligam Santhirapos and Sivakaran.
Another civilian disappeared at Nunavil, Chavakachcheri on 26th January. Selvaratnam Uthayaraj disappeared at Nunavil.
Four fishermen arrested in the sea
08 February 2006
Four fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy at Punkudutivu Sea when they went for fishing. These four fishermen went fishing on 6th February did not return home yet. They are reported to be in police custody now.
The fishermen are Perumal Santhirapos(24), Immanuvel Anotony Jude(27), Pakianathan Niranjan(28), and Kopalasamy Rajkumar(23).
Middle East: Hamas 'ready to talk to Israel'
[ BBC ] [ 11:57 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
The political leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas has said the group is willing to take a serious step towards peace if Israel does the same. Khaled Meshaal told the BBC that Hamas would not renounce violence, saying resisting an occupation was legal. But he said a long-term truce would be possible if Israel accepted conditions including a return to its 1967 borders. Israel's acting PM said if he won next month's poll, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem. Israel's acting PM said if he won next month's poll, Israel would retain West Bank settlement blocs and Jerusalem. However, Ehud Olmert said Israel would be prepared to give up parts of the West Bank where most Palestinians were living. His interview on Israel television was his first since taking power a month ago following Ariel Sharon's massive stroke.
Tobacco Bill, a Pipe of Peace in Sri Lanka
[ IPS ] [ 12:44 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
A Buddhist monk, who tabled a bill in the Sri Lankan parliament to control the sale of tobacco and alcohol, says he is gratified at the wide support he has received in a country known for the deep divisions among its ethnic and religious communities. Omalphe Sobitha, parliamentarian representing the pro-Sinhalese Buddhist National Heritage Party (JHU), believes that his private member's bill might even help his party shed its ''extremist image''. ''We have been labelled extremist, but, now JHU is not extremist or Sinhala chauvinist, but acting on the behalf of all ethnic and religious groups. The Christians, Muslims and Hindus are all supporting our bill,'' he told IPS in an interview. ''We brought this (bill) to save our people, not to condemn anyone.''
LTTE to discuss only CFA at Geneva
[ Hindustan Times ] [ 12:48 GMT, Feb. 8, 2006 ]
The LTTE has made it abundantly clear that it will resist attempts by the Sri Lankan government to discuss issues other than the implementation of the existing Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) at the forthcoming talks in Geneva. The outfit's authoritative organ Viduthalai Puligal has warned in its latest issue (January 2006) that if the Mahinda Rajapaksa government does not implement the existing CFA in letter and spirit, it will resume its fight for an independent Tamil Eelam. "At Geneva, the LTTE is prepared to discuss only the full and speedy implementation of CFA. The Tamil National Leader (Prabhakaran) has emphasised this to the peace envoy and Norwegian minister Erik Solheim," the periodical said.
Sri Lanka seeks changes to truce with Tigers
Wed Feb 8, 1:50 AM ET
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka will seek to amend the ceasefire agreement with Tamil Tiger rebels during negotiations in Geneva later this month despite opposition from the guerrillas, official sources said.
President Mahinda Rajapakse told his negotiators to ensure that promises in his election manifesto titled "Mahinda Chinthana", or Mahinda philosophy, are followed in dealing with the rebels.
"Everyone should take action in accordance with the Mahinda Chinthana which was put forward before the people," state television quoted the president as saying on Wednesday while addressing a two-day workshop for his negotiators.
Tamil Tiger rebels Tuesday ruled out discussing a political solution to Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict during talks in Geneva later this month and said only their faltering truce should be on the agenda.
But a politician at Rajapakse's meeting in Colombo Tuesday said the president was keen for the truce deal to be revisited in a bid to strengthen it and halt violence.
Rajapakse came to power in November promising a new approach to the island's Norwegian-brokered peace process which has remained deadlocked since the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) pulled out of face-to-face talks in April 2003.
The impasse was lifted when the Tigers and Colombo agreed to meet in Geneva for two days starting February 22 to discuss implementing their troubled truce, which went into effect on February 23, 2002.
"The ceasefire agreement will be amended so as to ensure that acts of terrorism would not be permitted in any way," according to Rajapakse's election manifesto.
"The ceasefire monitoring mechanism would also be reviewed and new steps taken."
The Tigers have said that they will only attend the Geneva talks to discuss the ceasefire and not a political settlement to decades of ethnic bloodshed that has claimed over 60,000 lives.
"The only way to avoid war and create a peaceful environment in the Tamil homeland is to implement the ceasefire agreement in full," the LTTE said.
"The key to peace talks in the present context is the full implementation of the ceasefire."
The rebels have accused the government of supporting a breakaway rebel faction to carry out attacks against the mainstream guerrillas.
At least 153 people were killed in a new wave of fighting after Rajapakse came to power and many of the killings have been blamed on the Tigers who in turn accuse "paramilitary units" of stirring up trouble.
Four previous peace attempts have ended in failure and led to more bloodshed.