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Tyranny of the majority since 1948

[ TamilCanadian ][ Feb 03 11:01 GMT ]

The current situation in Sri Lanka has an important contemporary-historical context. Prior to 1983, history already lay heavily on the Sri Lankan civil war. The war partly continued from an earlier conflict, the doomed effort by the British during 1948 to discontinue Sri Lanka as an imperial possession and delivering its independence on February 4th. The transfer of power to those representing Sinhalese — a majority group in Sri Lanka — created a volatile situation and sent the country on an irreversible ugly path. For Tamils, it marked the beginning of the end of freedom. [ full story | comments ]

Feature Image

Image Courtesy: TGTE
They were forced to sign a document stating that they agree to return to Sri Lanka. Upon their refusal, they were stripped naked and tortured. [ more ]

Sharing in Sri Lanka: Part I

CTV Calgary's Karen Owen went with a team from World Vision to Sri Lan...

Letter on Sri Lanka to Permanent Representatives of Human Rights Council Member and Observer States

We write to urge your delegation to work with other member and observe...

Tyranny of the majority since 1948

The current situation in Sri Lanka has an important contemporary-histo...

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Life term for Cambodia Khmer Rouge jailer Duch

[ BBC ][ Feb 03 18:04 GMT ]

Cambodia's UN-backed genocide court has rejected an appeal by Khmer Rouge jailer Duch and increased his sentence to life imprisonment. Duch, born Kaing Guek Eav, was jailed in 2010 for his role in running a notorious prison where thousands of inmates were killed. He had appealed on the grounds that he was a junior official following orders. [ full story | comments ]

Govt. attempting to borrow US$1 billion in international markets: Harsha

[ Daily Mirror ][ Feb 03 16:49 GMT ]

The Government is planning to borrow US$1 billion in the international markets besides attempting to borrow US$500 million via the Bank of Ceylon. After the IMF had ended the US$ 2.6 billion bailout package charged UNP National List MP Harsha de Silva charged today. “The verdict is out and for all practical purposes the IMF has abruptly ended the US$ 2.6 billion bailout package to Sri Lanka with US$ 800 million yet to be released given the failure of the government to keep to the agreed targets; particularly the net international reserve target. [ full story | comments ]

'US to pressure Sri Lanka on reconciliation process'

[ RNW ][ Feb 03 16:22 GMT ]

The United States is set to table a resolution against Sri Lanka at the next sitting of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva later this month. The Americans have voiced their concerns over human rights violations in Sri Lanka before, but so far had not taken the step of bringing it forward at the HRC. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has mentioned the option of a resolution in a letter to Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister G.L. Pieris, whom she will meet next month in Washington. Mr Fred Carver of the London-based Sri Lanka Campaign, is positive about America’s move to support a resolution against Sri Lanka at the HRC. [ full story | comments ]

Letter on Sri Lanka to Permanent Representatives of Human Rights Council Member and Observer States

[ HRW ][ Feb 03 13:40 GMT ]

We write to urge your delegation to work with other member and observer states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to bring the issue of accountability for wartime abuses in Sri Lanka onto the agenda of the Council during its March 2012 session. Almost three years after the end of the military conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the government has not kept its commitments to the people of Sri Lanka, the UN Secretary-General, and the Human Rights Council to undertake credible measures to provide justice and accountability for the widespread and serious wartime abuses. [ full story | comments ]

- Sri Lanka: UN Must Act at Next Human Rights Council Session - HRW
- Kevin Rudd must up the ante on Sri Lanka - HRW

British MP urges debate on LLRC report

[ Daily Mirror ][ Feb 03 11:03 GMT ]

British Labour Party Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy has called for a full debate in the British Parliament on the recommendations of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Speaking during a Westminster Hall debate on Human Rights, Ms. McCarthy said, “We have recently had the report published by the LLRC. I hope that, at some point over the next few weeks, we will find time for a full debate on that in the House, because there are many question marks over the report, in relation to the terms of reference of the commission and its recommendations.” [ full story | comments ]

Tamil migrant boat MV Ocean Lady sold at steep discount

[ Postmedia News ][ Feb 03 02:32 GMT ]

The rusty cargo ship that carried Tamil asylum seekers to B.C. shores in 2009 has finally been sold. On Wednesday, Federal Court approved the sale of the MV Ocean Lady to a buyer from Kitimat, B.C., for far less than its appraised value. "The ship was sold, as is, where is, for the price of $35,000," said Canada Border Services Agency spokeswoman Renee Ribout. Court documents say the 56-metre vessel was valued at about $500,000. It was seized in the waters off Vancouver Island in Oct. 2009 with 76 Tamil migrants aboard. [ full story | comments ]

Sri Lanka: UN Must Act at Next Human Rights Council Session

[ Human Rights Watch ][ Feb 02 19:59 GMT ]

“The Human Rights Council is uniquely positioned to ensure that the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of civilians in the last months of Sri Lanka’s conflict are properly investigated,” said Philippe Dam, acting Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “The failure of the council to respond to one of the worst episodes of human rights abuse since its creation would only undermine its relevance.” Human Rights Watch urged the HRC to adopt measures to implement the recommendations made to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon by his Panel of Experts, which found credible allegations of serious laws-of-war violations by government forces and the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. [ full story | comments ]

Canadian accused of bribing cabinet minister in India is a test case for Canada’s foreign anti-corruption law

[ Globe And Mail ][ Feb 02 13:47 GMT ]

The RCMP have implicated a Canadian tech executive in an alleged bribery and bid-rigging scheme that involves prominent public figures in India at a time when outrage over corruption has paralyzed its Parliament. The federal Justice Department is planning to prosecute businessman Nazir Karigar, an Indian-born Canadian citizen on charges that he violated the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act – a law that forbids the payment of bribes abroad. The case is scheduled to be heard at Ottawa’s Ontario Superior Court of Justice in September. [ full story | comments ]

Diversity and Inclusion: Going Beyond the ‘To Do’ List

[ TamilCanadian ][ Feb 02 13:45 GMT ]

One of the greatest pleasures of living in Toronto is the global character that comes with it. One can experience the world right here in Toronto and its surrounding municipalities without paying the expensive air fares. While the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is the most ethnically and racially diverse Region in Canada where visible minorities make up 40% of the population, such statistics are not reflected in the work and labour force. The underutilization of skills and expertise of new and visible minorities coming to Canada has and will continue to result in lost opportunities for this region and nation wide. [ full story | comments ]

Sri Lanka Togo refugees condemn 'miserable conditions'

[ BBC ][ Feb 01 19:12 GMT ]

About 200 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees have told the BBC that they are enduring miserable conditions in the West African state of Togo. They say they are living on meagre rations and face the prospect of imminent deportation home, where their lives are in danger. The refugees say they are being detained by the army in an open sports stadium in the capital Lome. The Togo authorities have declined to comment on their claims. [ full story | comments ]

An Open Letter to Ban Ki-moon

[ Huffington Post ][ Feb 03 17:59 GMT ]

Since I wrote, you have shared the report with the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a move we were very pleased to commend you for. But sadly the President has not brought it formally to the Council's attention, and it appears that very little has yet been done to implement the report's actual recommendations . Furthermore, we understand that not only the report itself, but also its individual authors, have come under sustained attack from people claiming that it is "not an official UN document." [ full story | comments ]

Human Rights Study Project Visits Sri Lanka

[ Virginia Law Weekly ][ Feb 03 16:26 GMT ]

The 10th Cowan Fellows Human Rights Study Project (HRSP) team traveled to Sri Lanka from January 1-17, 2012.“They brought us into the Ministry, and we met with a number of military officials before finally meeting the Chief of National Intelligence. They wanted to know what we were doing in the country, and after speaking with us told us that we could meet with anyone we wanted, but they wanted to make sure we met with the ‘right people.’ We were very aware of the potential consequences for the people we were interviewing with after that day, and much more careful with our actions and profile in the country.” [ full story | comments ]

Sharing in Sri Lanka: Part I

[ CTV ][ Feb 03 13:43 GMT ]

CTV Calgary's Karen Owen went with a team from World Vision to Sri Lanka to meet some of the people who have benefitted from its programs and even more who need our help. In part one of her series, Karen focuses on a mother and little girl whose home was destroyed by a wild elephant. Nayana and her young daughter, Sakunthala live in a small mud hut, in the middle of the jungle. The hut was recently rebuilt after being badly damaged by a wild elephant. [ full story | comments ]

Sri Lanka’s Multi Billion Rupee Commitment – Courtesy China

[ Sunday Leader ][ Feb 03 11:11 GMT ]

Sri Lanka has spent an astounding Rs. 391.7 billion on investment projects in the country in the last four years. This enormous amount of money has been spread over five projects, of which only two have been completed but are still to serve any real purpose. All of these projects have been undertaken by Chinese firms, and have been funded by loans obtained from the Chinese state-owned Export-Import bank. Many of these loans have been taken with interest rates for long term borrowing (20 years) varying from 3% to 6%, and short term loans at an interest of 2%. [ full story | comments ]

Sri Lanka raise rates, slows lending

[ AFP ][ Feb 03 10:58 GMT ]

Sri Lanka's central bank on Friday raised its key interest rate for the first time in five years and asked commercial banks to reduce lending in the face of a worsening trade deficit.The Indian Ocean nation's trade deficit hit a record $8.83 billion in the first 11 months of last year, shrinking its foreign currency reserves. [ full story | comments ]

- Sri Lanka monetary tightening welcomed by IMF - LBO

Kevin Rudd must up the ante on Sri Lanka

[ Australian ][ Feb 02 20:00 GMT ]

AS nations such as Canada and Britain weigh in on accountability for war crimes in Sri Lanka, it's time for Australia to add its voice. After all, promoting human rights is a crucial part of foreign policy, as Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is keen to say. A month ago the Sri Lankan government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission issued its long-awaited report. The commission was established by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in May 2010 to deflect mounting international pressure on accountability for alleged war crimes in the final months of the conflict with the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. . [ full story | comments ]

Final decision on not presenting LLRC report not decided

[ Daily Mirror ][ Feb 02 13:50 GMT ]

The government today said it had not taken a final decision on not presenting the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report to UN Human Rights Commission in March this year. This is contrary to the statement made by External Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris at a press conference last week that the report would not be presented to UN Human Rights Commission. Acting Minister of Mass Media and Minister of Environment Anura Priyadharashana Yapa told the cabinet briefing that the government is yet to decide on the matter. [ full story | comments ]

TGTE Informed of Abused Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees Facing Deportation in Togo

[ TGTE ][ Feb 02 13:46 GMT ]

The Ministry of Refugees, IDPs, and POWs of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) was informed on November, 2011, of the arrest of 203 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers, and refugees in Lome, Togo. They were detained at the National Gendamari Police Station. According to the BBC, “they were hoping to get to Canada by boat from Ghana after traveling through India and Ethiopia.” According to the refugees, “6 children and four infants were amongst them.” UNHCR protecting officer, Stephanie Woldenberg, in Togo was notified of this by the TGTE Ministry. [ full story | comments ]

Sri Lanka aim to rise above money worries

[ The Age ][ Feb 02 13:45 GMT ]

New Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene is adamant his unpaid squad can put their money woes and off-field dramas behind them to turn around what's been a bleak patch of Test and one-day results. Since finishing runner-up to India at last year's World Cup, Sri Lanka's form has slumped, falling to series losses to England, Australia, Pakistan and most recently South Africa. The latest loss prompted the sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh just three months into a two-year contract - two days after skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan quit, allowing Jayawardene to reclaim the captaincy mantle. [ full story | comments ]

How a U.S. agency cleaned up Rwanda’s genocide-stained image

[ Globe And Mail ][ Feb 01 15:44 GMT ]

For a monthly fee of $50,000 plus expenses, the U.S. agency offered a tantalizing prospect to the Rwandan government: a burnished image, a sophisticated media campaign – and a chance at “drowning out” those pesky opposition voices on the Web. It was 2009, and the authoritarian regime in Rwanda was facing mounting criticism of its human-rights record. It was accused of censoring the media, suppressing freedom, shutting down newspapers and creating a climate of fear. So it turned to a public-relations agency, Racepoint Group, that had already polished the image of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. [ full story | comments ]

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இலங்கைக்கு எதிராக தீர்மானம் - புதுடில்லிக்கு விரைந்தார் எரிக் சொல்ஹய்ம்!

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அடம்பிடிப்பதை விட்டுவிட்டுஅரசுடன் இணைந்து செயற்படுங்கள்; அரசியல்வாதிகளுக்கு பிரதமர் அழைப்பு!

நல்லிணக்க ஆணைக்குழு குறித்து பிரித்தானிய நாடாளுமன்றில் விவாதிக்க எம்.பிகள் கோரிக்கை

ஜெனீவா மாநாட்டுக்கு முன்னர் அமெரிக்காவுக்கு விசேட தூதுக்குழுவை அனுப்ப ஜனாதிபதி ஆர்வம்

சீனாவின் பட்டுப்பாதை ஆராய்ச்சியும் இலங்கையும்

காணி, பொலிஸ் அதிகாரங்களை வழங்காவிட்டால்தான் இரத்த ஆறு ஓடும்: பிக்கு முன்னணிக்கு பிரபா எம்.பி. பதில்

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2012-02-16 - Puducherry- 605014, -