Monthly Archives: November 2011

Civil society outraged over moves to censor all websites carrying news on Sri Lanka

Arbitrary Blocking and Registration of Websites: The Continuing Violation of Freedom of Expression on the Internet
9th November 2011, Colombo, Sri Lanka: We the undersigned civil society organisations and individuals express grave concern over the press release issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information on 5th November 2011, which requires all ‘websites […]

By Staff Correspondent | Published on November 10, 2011 at 2:54 am

Shavendra not entitled to immunity in War Crimes suit say lawyers in formal response

Attorneys Argue Sri Lankan General Silva Not Entitled to Immunity from War Crimes Lawsuit, as Ten International Human Rights Groups Urge UN to Suspend Silva’s Diplomatic Credentials
WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 9, 2011 – Attorneys yesterday filed a formal response to Sri Lankan Major General
Shavendra Silva’s motion to dismiss the war crimes lawsuit against him in the […]

By Staff Correspondent | Published on November 9, 2011 at 7:46 pm

CHILD ABUSE: 5000 children trafficked in Sri Lanka

‘Life’s aspirations come in the guise of children’ – Rabindranath Tagore (Fireflies)
This column dedicated to the notion of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia today turns its spotlight on another malpractice ‘The Horror of Child Abuse’ affecting the aspirations of Sri Lankan society to be free of child abuse.
Who is a child
According to the definition of […]

By Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe | Published on November 7, 2011 at 10:39 pm

Ranil’s political descent

One cannot deny the fact that Ranil Wickremasinghe had the background to be a leader. His father, Esmond Wickremasinghe was one of the most eminent sons of the country, a close Advisor to many Prime Ministers. His paternal grand father was a brilliant civil servant; his maternal grand father was none other than the media […]

By Vishwamithura | Published on November 7, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Military in Sri Lanka encroaching on civilian control of government

Cricket stadiums handed over to the military
Three of Sri Lanka’s international cricket stadiums , including the newly built stadiums in Pallekele and
Hambantota, have been handed over to the military indefinitely because Sri Lanka Cricket is unable to afford the maintenance costs. The navy will look after Pallekelle stadium, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo by […]

By Dr. Jehan Perera | Published on November 7, 2011 at 9:50 am

The Drug Menace in Sri Lanka

‘A sound mind in a sound body, is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.’ – John Locke-Thoughts Concerning Education
This column dedicated to the notion of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia turns its spotlight to day on The Drug Menace and its ill effects on Sri Lankan Society. in […]

By Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe | Published on November 7, 2011 at 5:53 am

A case for reviving the death penalty in Sri Lanka?

‘He that spares the bad, injures the good’ – Thomas Fuller–Gnomologia
‘Are you going to hang him anyhow-and try him afterwards.’– Mark Twain-Innocents at Home
The two foregoing statements by Thomas Fuller and Mark Twain depict two sides of the argument on the relevance of capital punishment.
The recent murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra Presidential Advisor on Trade Union Affaires […]

By Lakshman Indranath Keerthisinghe | Published on November 7, 2011 at 5:41 am

One law for the Rajapakses another for the rest of us

“The prince who neglects or violates his trust is more a brigand than the robber-chief” – Byron (The Two Foscari)
The long-awaited LLRC report is, finally, ready. But can it promote accountability or assure justice in a country where contempt for law is a hallmark of governance?
Rajapakse readiness to protect loyal criminals
Until last month, those who felt […]

By Tisaranee Gunasekara | Published on November 7, 2011 at 3:22 am

Govt Press Release: Websites carrying news on Sri Lanka should register with the Media Ministry

2011- Nov. 05: The Ministry of Mass Media and Information has been receiving many complaints from various individuals who
have been subjected to defamation and character assassination by certain reports published in several websites. These websites in question are continuing to publish defamatory and damaging reports aiming at selected individuals. Some of the reports directly violate the […]

By Staff Correspondent | Published on November 7, 2011 at 2:46 am

Sri Lanka targets dissident websites

AFP:Sri Lanka yesterday warned websites to register with the authorities after the United States expressed deep concern over Colombo’s blocking of a popular Internet-based dissident publication.
The Ministry of Mass Media and Information said many reports posted on dissident websites amounted to character assassination of President Mahinda Rajapakse, his ministers and top officials.
“This ministry believes that […]

By Staff Correspondent | Published on November 6, 2011 at 9:07 pm