Latest Post
Sri Lanka lawyers' body and civil society protest demanding resignation of Chief Justice
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Wednesday, January 28, 2015 | 12:30 AM
January 28 2015, Colombo: Lawyers and representatives of trade unions and civil society in Sri Lanka Wednesday commenced a protest campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Justice Mohan Peiris.
Carrying placards and shouting slogans protesters gathered opposite the Supreme Court complex premises in Hulftsdorp this morning at 8.30 a.m. They say the protest will continue until the Chief Justice hands over his resignation from the post.
Chief Justice Peiris has been asked to resign from the post following allegations of his alleged involvement in a coup plot with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and several powerful members of the former government on the night of the Presidential election on January 8.
Meanwhile, local media report that the former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, who was unjustly impeached by the previous government, will be reinstated as the top judge this evening.
According to Attorney-at-Law J.C. Weliamuna, the current government which analyses the manner in which Dr. Bandaranayake was impeached had come to the conclusion that the proper procedures had not been followed during the impeachment and as a result the new government does not recognize Mohan Peiris as the Chief Justice.
100 day activities for the Land rights
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Sunday, January 25, 2015 | 9:34 PM
We have conducted PARL[People Alliance for Right to Land ] meeting on 19thJanuary. As we discussed we will focus on the following three promises given under the 100 day program within next three months and will try to utilize them.
- Relief will be provided to all those illegally displaced for various reasons from their homes and lands
- Steps will be taken to provide land ownership and proper housing to plantation workers instead of their current confinement in line rooms
- The value will be calculated of the housing and land of which residents of Colombo have been deprived, and that will be deducted from the housing loans they are now paying
1. Relief will be provided to all those illegally displaced for various reasons from their homes and lands
PARL will focus on Paanama, Mullikulam, Sampur, Kalpitiya and Valikamam North (more broadly on Northern HSZ).
Decided to Preparing a document with the details of the current situation of above 5 cases.
2. Plantation land rights (Steps will be taken to provide land ownership and proper housing to plantation workers instead of their current confinement in line rooms)
PARL will push for its agreed position of providing land and housing rights for plantation workers.
3. Colombo urban land issues: PARL will organize a consultation/planning meeting with all the affected communities and other organizations who are involved in the issue in March.
Five year struggle to find husband, father, cartoonist and journalist-prageeth Eknaligoda
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Friday, January 23, 2015 | 1:20 AM
Prageeth Eknaligoda is a cartoonist, political analyst and
journalist. He was reported missing on January 24, 2010 - two days before the
presidential polls in Sri Lanka.
Several Right groups and his family claims that Sri Lanka
government is directly responsible for the disappearance of Ekneligoda but nothing happen .So civil society groups and family members organize the exhibition in front of the Colombo fort in 23 of January 2015.They ask the justice from new government .
We have new hope to go our own land
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Thursday, January 22, 2015 | 3:18 AM
Last presidential election Most of the North people voted Maiththipala sirisena to expecting a change.It was happened and He won .Then now people of north asked their own land .This was discussed during the Citizen from of Jaffna in 19 of January 2015.Then they decided to start their campaign with new strategies
 |
| Chairmen of THILIPPELAI local government |
Good Governance in Sri lanka
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Monday, January 19, 2015 | 11:03 PM
Another important independent commissions for real good 4
However, Independently to create a democratic society There should have been two other important areas. The mass media and Education. Already, "the media" instead of "independent public service communities Media "has started a dialogue on the need. But education There is not enough discussion in order to politicizing.
Independent Commissions need to analyze the importance of the LTTE document President of the youth can only published in 1990 Commission report. President Ranasinghe after the second uprising in South Premadasa appointed an independent commission Commissions need It has been emphasized.
13 independent commissions established by the Commission Report That should have been recommended. According to the recommendation of the independent mass media, "the media commission 'should be established. Independent Commission for Education Council should establish three.
The independence of the Independent National entire education sector Council for Education Policy Commission (the current National Education Commission),Independent University Grants Commission and the Independent Education Service Commission should be established.
Any reason or above Commission, the 17 th Not included in the constitution. It is less serious loss. Because Independent public services for citizens to create a democratic community The independent media and education remain a paramount need Because.
How a democratic constitution, but And good governance and to create a society without a majority of citizens In the last election that the dream can be true never close The focus here should be remembered that the Casie Chetty said.
Therefore, to be submitted within 100 days, 19 th Independence of the mass media and education, the following amendment Commission is essential to include 4.
- Independent Media Commission
- Independent National Education Commission
- Independent University Grants Commission
- Independent Educational Services Commission (the largest in the education sector, the public sector appointments, transfers, promotions and disciplinary control of the)
---------------------------
by ටී.එම්.ප්රේමවර්ධන (2015-01-17 20:43:08)
by ටී.එම්.ප්රේමවර්ධන (2015-01-17 20:43:08)
.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Handing over a petition to government officials and politicians
Written By Freedam to the nation resettlement of IDPs on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 | 6:07 AM
A petition highlighting the issues of the fisheries sector, issues of women headed families and the basic issues which should be solved immediately in the 15 villages of two divisional secretariats was handed over the Assistance District Secretary, Fisheries Minister of Northern Province and the president of Urban Council in Mannar on 24 September 2014. The representatives of “ Walarpirai” committee of women headed families related to National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, citizen forum in Musali and Northern Province Fisher People Unity participated to the campaign.
More than 100 participants consisting of fisherman and women coming from above sectors participated to the event. Campaigners marched to the town of Mannar from the district office of National Fisheries Solidarity Movement displaying the banners to hand over the petition.
The Assistance District Secretary agreed to be concerned this petition to the District Secretary and she concerned to convene a meeting on fisheries issues. The Assistance District Secretary will direct those issues to the women officer in the divisional secretariat office to further process.
Accepting the petition, the Fisheries Minister of Northern Province explained what they have planned to implement in future. He promised to solve the unemployment issues of the women headed families especially in Pallimunai and Thottaweli as well as he requested from National Fisheries Solidarity Movement to develop a plan on that purpose. The Fisheries Minister hopes to function through the district committees which were established by him to solve the issues of fisheries sector in district level.
The president and the vice president of the Urban Council requested to be concerned the issues of the divisional secretariat domain for the Urban Council. They hope to convene a discussion inviting to the representatives in regional level soon. A. Antony Jesudasan, coordinator of North and East in NAFSO Lavina Hasanthi, women coordinator of NAFSO, Banadic croos, District Coordinator in Mannar, J.M. Priyantha, Field officer in Mannar and G.V.M.V.Florancy, Field officer in Mannar participated to the occasion.
Some unidentified group always resorted behind the people and the activators when the people were marching to the town and handing over the petition. They took photos and videos of the participants even some participants had questioned by them. The representatives informed to the police about this incident.
Pope Francis celebrated a Mass at which he canonised the nation's first saint.
Huge crowds turned out in the Sri Lankan capital as Pope Francis celebrated a Mass at which he canonised the nation's first saint.
The Pope canonised 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz at the sea-front service in Colombo.
It is the first papal visit since the end of the war in 2009 that saw the army and rebels accused of atrocities.
On Tuesday, the Pontiff called for the "pursuit of truth" to promote "justice, healing and unity" after years of war.
He arrived early for the Mass on Wednesday, informally greeting worshippers.
Hundreds of thousands showed up for the service at Galle Face Green, with many lining up from Tuesday to secure a place.
In keeping with his message of unity for Sri Lanka, Pope Francis urged its citizens to follow the example of Joseph Vaz and learn to overcome religious differences.
Saint Joseph embodied a challenge to "testify to the gospel message of reconciliation to which he dedicated his life" and showed "the importance of transcending religious divisions in the service of peace", he said.
He added: "Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. Each individual must be free alone or in association with others to seek the truth and to openly express his or her religious conviction."
The Pope canonised 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz at the sea-front service in Colombo.
It is the first papal visit since the end of the war in 2009 that saw the army and rebels accused of atrocities.
On Tuesday, the Pontiff called for the "pursuit of truth" to promote "justice, healing and unity" after years of war.
He arrived early for the Mass on Wednesday, informally greeting worshippers.
Hundreds of thousands showed up for the service at Galle Face Green, with many lining up from Tuesday to secure a place.
In keeping with his message of unity for Sri Lanka, Pope Francis urged its citizens to follow the example of Joseph Vaz and learn to overcome religious differences.
Saint Joseph embodied a challenge to "testify to the gospel message of reconciliation to which he dedicated his life" and showed "the importance of transcending religious divisions in the service of peace", he said.
He added: "Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. Each individual must be free alone or in association with others to seek the truth and to openly express his or her religious conviction."
Pope Francis urges the 'pursuit of truth' in Sri Lanka Jump media playerMedia player help
Pope Francis has called for the "pursuit of truth" in Sri Lanka as he visits a country still grappling with the legacy of a long civil war.
Crowds and ceremonial dancers welcomed the Pope as he arrived in Colombo.
It is the first papal visit since the end of the war in 2009 that saw the army and Tamil rebels accused of atrocities.
The country's new president has promised an end to repression of religious minorities.
Speaking on the tarmac of Colombo's international airport, where he was met by the new leader, Maithripala Sirisena, the Pope said that peace could be found by "cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace".
He said that the "pursuit of truth" was important, "not for the sake of opening old wounds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity".
Pope Francis donned a saffron robe at a multi-faith meeting, a Tamil sign of honour
At the scene: Yogita Limaye, BBC News
All along the 20km (12 miles) highway leading up to the airport crowds gathered on both sides of the road to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis.
Some opened up umbrellas, a few elderly brought portable seats along as they waited under the hot Colombo sun.
Lalith and Therese Fernando, a couple from Chilau that is nearly 100km (60 miles) from here, took a train at 05:00 this morning to be here. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Lalith told me.
He was greeted on arrival by the new Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena
He later told a meeting of religious leaders "what is needed now is healing and unity, not further division and conflict".
A motorcade drove Pope Francis into the centre of Colombo, past crowds and troupes of decorated elephants.
Tired by the hot sun and late, he had to cancel a planned meeting with Sri Lankan bishops.
But he later met President Sirisena at his official residence and attended the multi-faith meeting.
On Wednesday he is celebrating a mass in Colombo where he will canonise Sri Lanka's first saint, the 17th Century missionary Joseph Vaz. One million people are expected to attend. Later he will speak at prayers in Madhu in the north - a region which saw some of the fiercest fighting of the war.
Pope Francis is in Asia on a six-day tour. He will next travel to the Philippines.
It is the second Asia tour for Pope Francis in less than six months
The Pope is hoping to win new followers with his visit. He will also travel to the Philippines
The Pope was accompanied on the trip by a large group of reporters
Sri Lanka's brutal 26-year long civil war ended in 2009 when the army defeated separatist minority Tamil rebels. The United Nations said both sides committed atrocities against civilians.
The government consistently denied allegations that it was responsible for the deaths of many thousands of civilians in the final phase of that war. Last year the UN approved an inquiry into alleged war crimes.
Just over 7% of Sri Lanka's population are Christian, mostly Catholic - but they include both Sinhalese and Tamils. About 70% of Sri Lankans are Buddhist, with 13% Hindus and 10% Muslims.
During the last papal visit 20 years ago, Pope John Paul II was boycotted by Buddhist leaders. But on this visit, the Pope is expected to hold a multi-faith prayer meeting which should include moderate Buddhist representatives.
The BBC's religious affairs correspondent Caroline Wyatt says Buddhist fundamentalism has grown as a force in Sri Lanka since the last papal visit, with some waging a violent campaign against Muslims on the island.
Pope Francis wants to encourage the local church to seek partners in peace, so that all religions can stand united against any further violence or intimidation by religious extremists, our correspondent says.
Even the elephants were dressed up for the Pope's visit
The visit has been eagerly awaited by Sri Lankan Catholics
It is a time of significant change in Sri Lanka, where Maithripala Sirisena took office as president on Friday.
He ended the decade-long rule of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, a period which critics said had been marred by increasing corruption and authoritarianism.
There have been signs of reform under the new leader, with Mr Sirisena inviting exiled journalists back to Sri Lanka and unblocking censored websites.
But it is not yet clear if his approach to addressing the legacy of the war will differ from his predecessor, who is seen as a hero by many Sri Lankans for ending the conflict.
Suddenly, Pope Francis is in front of me, looking at me, and I introduce myself in faltering Italian.
He is a commanding presence, and utterly unfazed by being filmed by so many cameras surrounding him. It must be something you get used to as pontiff.
What does he expect from this trip, I ask him. He bends down closer to offer an ear as he tries to decipher my appalling accent, and gives a big smile - "we'll see", he says, raising an eyebrow, and then "onwards!"
He gives my arm a warm pat as he goes on to the next row, never hurrying, but spending just long enough to make as many people on the plane feel they have had their time close-up with the Pope.
The Pope's trip, which comes five months after a tour of South Korea, is being seen as an attempt to win new followers in Asia and to shore up support for the region's millions of Catholics.
In the Philippines, organisers are expecting one of the biggest crowds ever for a papal visit when Pope Francis conducts an open-air mass in the capital Manila.
Church officials say his visit to the archipelago nation will focus on "mercy and compassion" following a deadly 2013 typhoon, reports the AFP news agency.
A gust of wind blew the Pope's mantle as he delivered the speech in Sri Lanka
Crowds lined the streets of the capital, Colombo, to greet the Pope
Pope Francis' visit comes just after the decade-long rule of Mahinda Rajapaksa came to an end
