News
Wiggy says he never asked Sinhalese, Muslims not to come back to Jaffna
By Saman Indrajith
The Tamil People’s National Alliance or the Thamizh Makkal Tesiya Kootani (TMTK) MP C.V. Wingeswaran, on Friday, said that Sri Lankans irrespective of their racial differences were fortunate that Prime Minster Mahinda Rajapaksa had obtained a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Participating in the debate on vote on account, MP Wigneswaran said Prime Minister Rajapaksa had been given a golden opportunity to usher in a peaceful and prosperous country. “By granting what I call eksathism as opposed to ekiyaism this country could be transformed into a veritable heaven on earth despite its ten trillion international debt. A form of unionism which in fact is federalism is the panacea for our national question – unity in diversity.
“It would be stupid to run away from problems by saying such problems do not exist akin to the Ostrich which lowers its head in sand hoping to find a safe haven. Let us face the national question together. Let us not hand it over to the next generation. To win a war is easy. But to bring about Peace is extremely difficult. But it is peace that could usher in permanent victory. It is this realization that made King Asoka embrace Buddhism.”
“I hate none. But I love the truth. I have come to conclusions about our past after studying certain historical facts. If my conclusions are wrong others must point out the shortcomings in my conclusions instead of getting upset and abusing me. They can invite me to public debate. If need be, let a Commission be appointed consisting of top Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and international historians well versed in South East Asian history to report on our heritage and history. The historians must be internationally recognized.”
He said that he had been wrongly accused by a fellow MP of discriminating against Sinhalese and Muslims. “He said that I had forbidden Sinhalese and Muslims from entering the North when I was the Chief Minister. Truly, I must be a demon to have said so when my children have both married Sinhalese. I do not indulge in such vituperative, racial exercises.
“He asked if I had given blood to patients and went on to say only the military members give blood to blood banks in Jaffna. He asked if the Vellala community would accept blood from other castes. That MP should realise the people of the North had given blood to blood banks prior to the army coming to the North as well as afterwards. They are aware that all blood fall within four categories. They do not believe as some do that some are born with blue blood!
“As a representative of the Tamils I find nothing significant to comment about on this mid-term vote on account. No government has so far rendered any significant help to pull out our war affected people from their penury stricken indigent circumstances. They are also not interested in granting economic powers to the periphery to enable them to look after themselves. You would remember the Chief Minister’s Fund was refused to our Province during the time of both Governments. Hence I deem it necessary to stress on this occasion the urgent need to solve the political question of the Tamils first which is basic to the amelioration of the conditions of our affected People.”
“I like to ask a question – why did we fight for independence from the British? We were peaceful and prosperous. In fact Lee Kwan Yew swore that he would make Singapore another Ceylon. Such was the peace and prosperity of our Country under the British. But we still wanted Independence. Why? It was our desire to resurrect our identity by language; heritage and culture that made us want ourselves to be freed from the domination by the British.”
By Rathindra Kuruwita
If Udaya Gammanpila had access to documents on the Easter Sunday attacks that the current administration does not have, he should hand them over to the government without asking the government to release them, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Public Security Vijitha Herath said yesterday.
Responding to a query at the Cabinet press briefing, Herath said Gammanpila had been a Cabinet Minister of the government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa and that he should have pressed the former President to release documents pertaining to
the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday attacks.
“We feel there is a need to conduct a fresh investigation into the attack. We have announced the commencement of the probe. We will soon issue a report on this,” he said.
On Monday (14) Gammanpila called on the government to release two unpublished committee reports on the Easter Sunday attacks within one week.
Gammapila warned that should the government fail to release the reports, he would publish them online.
“None of these reports are incomplete, and none have gone missing,” he stated.
In June 2023, Wickremesinghe established a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the actions and responses of the intelligence and security services.
Retired Judge A.N.J. de Alwis was tasked with investigating the conduct of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), the Chief of National Intelligence (CNI), and other relevant authorities.
At the time of the Easter Sunday attacks, Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena led the SIS, while retired DIG Sisira Mendis served as the CNI, a role previously held by intelligence veteran General Kapila Hendawitharana.
In September, Wickremesinghe appointed a three-member committee to investigate allegations made by Britain’s Channel 4 regarding the alleged involvement of military intelligence in the Easter Sunday attacks. The President’s announcement followed a denial issued by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the government.
The Committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Syed Ishrat Imam, also included retired Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody, a former Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), and President’s Counsel Harsha Soza. Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Sarthanjali Maheswaran served as the Commission’s Secretary.
Indo-Lanka road and rail link:
In the wake of Foreign Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Vijitha Herath’s declaration that decision on controversial Indian projects would be taken up after the parliamentary election on Nov 14, Environment Secretary Prabath Chandrakeerthi, in an interview with Mint has said the discussions are in the final stages for a $5 billion road-and-rail link between India and Sri Lanka with India set to bear the cost of the strategic project.
This is the first big bilateral infrastructure project announced by Sri Lanka since the recent election of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake amidst efforts by New Delhi to counter Chinese influence, according to Mint.
India is Sri Lanka’s largest trade partner and one of the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) contributors. Indian investment in Sri Lanka amounted to about $142 million in 2021.
“Last month, I participated in one meeting with India in New Delhi, and we are going to establish the highway and railway line connectivity between Rameswaram in India and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka,” B. K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi told Mint. “This is being planned as businessmen in both countries have to pay more and with the road and rail connectivity, both parties can get help because it will help in trade with European and other countries. Indian businessmen can also get some benefits from Sri Lanka as well,” Chandrakeerthi said.
“Last month I participated in one meeting with India in New Delhi, and we are going to establish the highway and railway line connectivity between Rameswaram in India and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka,” B. K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi told Mint. “This is being planned as businessmen in both countries have to pay more and with the road and rail connectivity, both parties can get help because it will help in trade with European and other countries. Indian businessmen can also get some benefits from Sri Lanka as well,” Chandrakeerthi added.
The Sri Lankan government proposed a land bridge between Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu of India and Talaimannar, a village in Mannar Island of Sri Lanka in 2002 and signed an agreement on it.
As per the agreement, road and rail bridge links were to be developed, offering economic benefits to both sides of the Palk Strait. However, after the agreement was signed, the Tamil Nadu government opposed the construction of the land bridge.
As per the agreement, road and rail bridge links were to be developed, offering economic benefits to both sides of the Palk Strait. However, after the agreement was signed, the Tamil Nadu government opposed the construction of the land bridge.
The talks resumed in 2015 when India asked the Asian Development Bank to carry out pre-feasibility study for financing a road and rail link between India’s Rameswaram and Sri Lanka’s Talaimannar. But it has been decided to build the rail and road link up to Trincomalee, the official informed.
There is no land connection between Sri Lanka and India through road or railway. The closest Indian town to Sri Lanka, Dhanushkodi, had a railway station but this was washed out in a cyclone in 1964. A short boat ride till 1966 connected the railway stations at Talaimannar in Sri Lanka and Dhanushkodi in India.
“The cost of the project is still not finalized. We have to have more discussion about that, but I think it is estimated to be nearly $5 billion,” the Lankan official said, and added: “It will entirely be borne by the Indian government. We have to get some approval for environmental clearance.”
He said the project may involve bridges and underwater tunnels to allow unhindered movement of ships.
Queries sent to the spokespeople and secretaries of Indian road transport and highways, ports, shipping and waterways, railways, external affairs and environment ministries remained unanswered at the time of going to press.
National Democratic Front (NDF) leader entrepreneur Rushan Malinda said that he would be focusing on the difficulties experienced by the farmers, including the human-elephant conflict in the Digamadulla district.
Having handed over nominations for the NDF’s Digamadulla team, Malinda, a pilot by profession, emphasized the pivotal importance of addressing farmers’ woes in all parts of the country. Addressing the media at the National Library and Documentation Services Board recently, Malinda said that NDF contesting under the car symbol handed over nominations in all 22 electoral districts. Acknowledging the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) taking command of 225-member parliament at the Nov 14 parliamentary election, the NDF leader said that his party intended to perform the responsibilities of the Opposition. NDF’s Propaganda Secretary Prof. Chamila Liyanage who contests Kalutara district said that the Opposition had a great obligation as one of the fiercest critics of previous governments now served as the President.
Former Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, contested the last presidential election on the NDF ticket. The parliamentarian did so after his failure to secure SLFP nomination
Now, Herath dares Udaya to release Easter carnage committee reports
Ministry Secretary makes contradictory statement
NDF to focus on farmers’ problems
-
Foreign News4 days agoOne of Ireland’s ‘most wanted’ facing extradition from Dubai
-
Features3 days agoBrands … and brand names
-
Business3 days agoJohn Keells Unveils its 687 room luxury hotel, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka
-
News6 days agoSri Lankan worker becomes millionaire doing cleaning jobs in Australia
-
News4 days agoNominations close, NPP and SJB reveal National List nominees
-
Editorial1 day agoGenie at large
-
News3 days ago‘Cold case’ investigations into past crimes begin says police
-
News3 days agoLaunch of Journal and Distribution of Awards