Category: Foreign Affairs

By Laksiri Fernando –

It seems that the Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is openly taking inspiration from ‘terrorism.’ He at least defends his actions on the basis of terrorists. According to the lead story of ‘The Island’ newspaper yesterday (15 December 2014), reported by Shamindra Fernando, he has stated, “If terrorists can enter politics, why not forces personnel?”  

This is a dangerous trend. If the same logic is extended to human rights violations or war crimes, he can argue, ‘If terrorists can do such and such issues, why not forces personnel?” The citizens of Sri Lanka (such as myself) would like to know whether or not this is just an argument or whether this is the way he has been acting and intends to act.

He has employed the terrorist title for the LTTE (rightly so), and for the JVP (correct for the past), and claimed the same entitlements for the armed forces personnel. I do hope that the professional soldiers and their officers/commanders completely disengage and distance themselves from this sort of thinking and stick to their ‘code of discipline’ totally free from partisan politics.

It was like cat out of the bag. The occasion for this revelation, as reported by ‘The Island,’ was as follows.

“The Maithripa la Sirisena’s Camp yesterday told the media that Defence Secretary Rajapaksa was utilizing Urban Improvement Authority (UDA) in President Rajapaksa’s campaign. Addressing the media, Opposition spokesman attorney-at-law Shiral Lakthilaka alleged that the UDA was operating digital screens in Colombo 24 hours a day to promote President Rajapaksa. Lakthilaka stated that the Opposition had a list of serving military personnel campaigning for the incumbent president.”

Not Denied

Let me take the most significant matter 1st, with my emphasis in the above quote. Defence Secretary has not denied the accusation that “serving military personnel campaigning for the incumbent president.” What he has mentioned is the following.

“The vast majority of military would help the government simply because whatever the allegations, no one particular could deprive President Rajapaksa of giving political leadership to the effective war effort.”

Of course he has not admitted the accusation straight either. What he has clearly admitted is the use of “retired military personnel in President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s campaign,” according to the report. He has defended that ‘use,’ citing the example of Sarath Fonseka.

Even so he has gone some distance to prove that Fonseka entered politics whilst he was in workplace which clearly gives the indication that he most almost certainly using serving officers or the military for the election campaign. Two examples that he has given are the resignation letter of Fonseka as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to the President, and his consultation with the JVP in late 2009 when he was in the US, nevertheless holding the CDS position.

I was 1 (among other individuals) who criticised Sarath Fonseka’s entry into politics at that juncture as a wrong precedence and also as a major military danger. That was 1 explanation why I supported Mahinda Rajapaksa at that election. Even so, 1 wrong does not make one more wrong (in this case a larger a single) excusable. Similarly, I have also criticised the retired judges getting into into politics, whatever the causes. There is no doubt that those who supported or promoted Fonseka at that election was imprudent whatever the discrimination or harassment that he had undergone beneath Rajapaksas. It is not private hatred or judgements that must govern our positions, but great governance and democratic principles.

Present Dangers

It is on record that many retired military and police officers have entered active politics. If it is just one or two, that could be ignored. Even so, when there is a trend or a horde, then that is alarming. If folks enter into politics from sectors exactly where independence is needed, then these persons’ independence for the duration of the service become questionable.

I bear in mind an ASP’s name allegedly implicated in repression in Jaffna in early 1981 when I visited there on a reality finding mission. Then he became a DIG and later entered politics.

Politicization of the armed forces (or police) is one particular of the key dangers of any society. That cannot be excused by referring to terrorism or taking the example of terrorism. Civilized globe anticipate various norms and behaviour from security forces to that of terrorists. The argument that “If terrorists can enter politics, why not forces personnel?” is undoubtedly a strange and an abhorrent argument. All professional soldiers and the officers need to reject the equation of the armed forces to terrorists.

It is very clear that the Defence Secretary is using (some) forces personnel for his brother’s election campaign. He is also performing this as a ‘civil servant’ and as a Secretary of a Ministry. This is a extremely clear violation of election laws and ‘free and fair elections.’ One particular proof of this violation is his utterances themselves and the press interview that he has offered to ‘The Island.’ He has currently admitted the violation.

For the opposition accusation that “Defence Secretary Rajapaksa was using Urban Development Authority (UDA) in President Rajapaksa’s campaign” and “operating digital screens in Colombo 24 hours a day to market President Rajapaksa,” he has admitted the use of the screens but has stated “those ads didn’t carry images of him or the President.”

The problem in Sri Lanka below the Executive Presidential Constitution is that not only the President is immune (with impunity) of any wrong performing, but his brothers also think and claim that they have immunity with impunity.

By Ruvan Weerasinghe –

So we come to however another time of electioneering where politicians run a circus to amuse the rest of us. And, to a huge extent we oblige, exchanging cartoons and videos through social media and even reading posters and cutouts smiling down on us from giant hoardings.

Nearly specifically 5 years ago, I had to lead a team from the University of Colombo College of Computing to help the Elections Commissioner in the final processing of results. As has been accomplished at all Presidential and Basic Elections considering that 1982, our group ensured that an error-free of charge processing was carried out in the course of that election as well. Nevertheless, most readers would bear in mind that specific election for the new term coined by an opposition politician, namely the pc jilmart, which was alleged to have taken spot to make the incumbent win. In hindsight, this was completely understandable owing to the heightened expectations of the opposition at the time. It was nevertheless distressing to our group, since it marked the very first occasion for aspersions getting cast not just on our competency (which of course is crucial to us), but more crucially also our independence. Although the independence of universities even given that then has eroded, the University of Colombo College of Computing has in all its dealings at least with the Elections been fiercely holding on to our reputation of neutrality. Those who are even indirectly involved in politicking are not welcome on the group assisting the Elections Commissioner.

How then can we clarify the ‘computer jilmart’ phenomenon, or the scenario that prompted it – an apparently inexplicable defeat of a well-known opposition candidate? Elsewhere I’ve written about the focus of the two campaigns – a single on these aspects considerably far more standard and reduce down on Maslow’s hierarchy of wants, and the other on problems considerably higher on that scale such as the freedom of speech, anti-corruption and the rule of law. Here I wish to focus on one thing significantly much more fundamental, and effortless to comprehend: the whole election method.

It is our extremely own honorary citizen Sir Arthur C. Clarke who famously stated that any sufficiently advanced technologies is indistinguishable from magic. It is also in the human psyche to attribute things that are inexplicable to a pretty surface level logic, to that identical ‘magic’. Offered these two, it is not rocket science that enabled the esteemed opposition politician to conclude that the election loss, which so defied the logic of what occurred on election day (fairly peaceful if my memory serves me), was due to the magic of technologies.

5 years on, most severe observers are clear that the election of 2010 was not won or lost on Election Day – just as this one particular wouldn’t be. Rather, it is to do with a program that is doomed to have a common outcome that hugely favours any incumbent. Even though at the outset, incumbents (initially Prime Ministers sans the executive powers of the President of the 1978 Constitution) have been not prone to blatant exploitation of a constitution that didn’t call for them to step down prior to elections, the powers of the executive presidential system tends to make the population have to depend solely on the magnanimity of an incumbent in order to enable the utopic cost-free and fair election to be held. This is hardly a hope that a hapless voter can hold on to specially at a Presidential Election. Its effects even so will also frequently spill over to Parliamentary Elections as we have witnessed in the past. What is even a lot more depressing nevertheless, is that nowadays, they even reach down to Provincial and Local Government levels.

The Treasury is reported to have already released a preliminary estimate that the coming Presidential Elections will cost the government some Rs ten.five billion – of which just Rs two.five billion is for the Elections Commission. This is with out taking into account the huge magnitude of the private funds that the country will commit on this election, in a context exactly where the ordinary voter is challenging pressed to eek out an existence amidst an escalating cost of living.

Far as well few efforts have gone into enumerating the several and often ingenious techniques in which a common incumbent utilizes their position of energy during election time to use the state machinery for unfair advantage. This is celebration owing the difficulty in acquiring correct details and partly owing to fear of over stepping the mark assigned to the media. Considerably of it is also in English rather than Sinhala or Tamil, which an incumbent can tolerate, with the sole exception of social media channels. The unfortunate reality is that social media information is often construed to only be partially true and far more typically exaggeration and not really precise.

Far more lately however, some of these hidden modes of operation have begun to be seen by the public, typically owing to over-enthusiastic politicians wanting to hit the radar of the incumbent himself. Although expenses of a helicopter ride for political motives can not be readily identified by the public, a rally of heavy-duty SUVs or higher-powered motorbikes is a much far more identifiable misuse of public property for political gain. People are also becoming far more conscious of the expenses of huge posters and cutouts than ahead of, because these have turn into commonplace now.

Nevertheless, behind these sorts goofs that some crass supporters make, come ever a lot more sophisticated and subtle methods of abuse that is below the public radar. Even right now, the news and data channels most widely accessible to the majority constitute of these nearly solely under an incumbent administration. Whether Tv, Radio or Newspaper, these project nearly solely a single view, with even the mildly critical views getting zero airtime/space. Even the most obvious of ‘gimmicks’ such as short-term price reductions certainly are profitable in communicating subliminal messages to an economically challenged populace. The shameless purchase of opposition MPs and coercion of own MPs with threats of disclosure are each largely beneath the table dealings that an incumbent is properly placed to exploit. ‘Progress review’ of ministries with the incumbent are yet another subtle subversion of the program, often exercised utilizing the reputable powers of Secretaries of Ministries. These are even better guised, since they are named by these CEOs of the respective Ministries, who have the energy to take action against those who do not comply. Owing to the level of executive powers vested in any incumbent, and their rising tendency to use all at their disposal, the bureaucracy is typically compelled to comply or jeopardize their careers. We require to salute the extremely couple of independent folks who created that ultimate sacrifice of relinquishing their public office or becoming demoted or transferred on account of valiantly attempting to remain neutral. Some of them, such as CJ43 are respected and could even be reinstated some day, although other individuals in much reduce positions, such as Government Servants or Police Officers, will never ever be really identified or recognized.

So, what hope is there for a non-incumbent to win an election? Really small, in the new dynamics of absolute energy and sophisticated concealment. If an opponent can only match an incumbent in terms of issues facing the country, he is almost doomed to drop – he has to far surpass the incumbent in order to come anywhere near his 50% objective. Almost any campaign that is fought fairly on troubles, is bound to be won by the incumbent owing to the motives above, as well as to the basic fear of the unknown of the masses. Enfranchised Sri Lankan society initially had pretty quick memories and kept electing alternate parties to energy till 1977. Since then even so, the pattern has changed drastically. It is not to do with longer memories that we have been abruptly bestowed with, but rather the physical exercise of the improved executive power by the incumbent, which renders it nearly self-destructive not to use such power during elections. If we place ourselves in the shoes of an incumbent, would we have what it takes to defy all our advisors and supporters and desist from using the powers that we legitimately enjoy under the constitution that we govern below? I like to recommend that the answer is yes, if we have a larger sense of accountability than the letter of the law. However, that kind of magnanimity would be rare not just in Sri Lanka, but also in much (if not all) of the building globe.

What does all this mean to us at this election? Please, please, don’t wait for the election day, and then get in touch with foul – spelt j-i-l-m-a-r-t in Sri Lanka now. The jilmart happens ahead of the election, as it has happened in increasingly far more sophisticated techniques ever because the executive presidency started in this country. It is embedded in the constitution, it powers the campaign of an incumbent, it is in the valiant and disproportionate efforts of opportunistic junior (and even much more disappointingly inept senior) politicians, it is in the thousands of squandered man-hours of disempowered public officials, it is surprisingly in the prospering organization neighborhood benefiting from direct and indirect cronyism (in the name of ‘stability’) and it is in the voices of the destitute who’s only hope is to hang on to meager handouts already received, in the hope for more in the future.

Does this imply that a alter of regime would solve this difficulty? Clearly not! Whilst successive Executive President’s have misused their powers to differing extents, it is clear that none have been in a position to be entirely magnanimous in desisting the use of their legally bestowed powers. This is why, the only way out of this cycle – or rather, this downward spiral, is to get rid of the inordinate powers vested in any future President. The present incumbent, far more than any other could have carried out it with the huge majority he had in Parliament. Most would argue that these powers had been required for wartime, even though some would dispute that too. Some would go onto argue that such powers are needed for fast financial improvement, even though most would dispute that. This argument nonetheless hinges on the emergence of a so-referred to as benevolent dictator which by now even the most optimistic Sri Lankan need to relegate to wishful pondering. There is almost certainly more sense in waiting for Godot. In such a context, it seems that there is no other choice in this post-war era in Sri Lanka, but to change the executive presidential method by whoever wins the election on January 8^th.

No matter whether the incumbent wins, or the challenger is productive, we as citizens of this nation, need to have to make it clear in no uncertain terms that we have had sufficient of this method, and demand that our voices be brought to bear on any future Sri Lankan government. The vote on the eight^th of January is not so considerably to do with which of the major contenders are more worthy of our allegiance, but rather whether Sri Lankan society has come of age, to send a clear signal to whoever who wins, that we do not trust any individual with the absolute energy that the presidential program endows them. It is in the end no matter whether voters can give a clear message to whoever becomes President that their vote is for ushering in a new type of democracy primarily based on the principles of meritocracy rather than of cronyism.

Ruvan Weerasinghe – Former Director, University of Colombo School of Computing.

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By Muhammed Fazl –

“Do not try to demolish a false set of beliefs except soon after developing a appropriate set of beliefs [in the populace] – Imam Hassan Al-Banna

Rapid to distance from, does the 4 letters ‘ISIS’ really spell danger for the Muslims or for them to be apologists and be all defensive just at the mere mention of it? Although I am yet to understand the now-fashionable practice of Muslims getting answerable to or compromising their faith and religious practices to suit misguided adherents of distinct faiths, instead of contributing towards an unjust society of immorality and lawlessness, I think it is time the followers of Islam stood their ground and for the rest of the globe to begin understanding that which was revealed over 14 centuries ago.

Unlike most philosophies and rituals-only beliefs in present times, Islam getting a full supply of guidance and teaching a comprehensive set of laws, small wonder that it has turn out to be the quickest increasing and the most well-known religion in the world. A single could mythicize the sheer quantity as a outcome of ‘conversion by the sword’, but would it be remotely feasible for a religion of peace to be spread by the sword?

History has taught us that non-Muslims living below Islamic rule have been constantly treated with respect. When Muslims ruled Spain for over 800 years, the non-Muslims living there flourished. When India was below Muslim rule for about a thousand years, had it been ruled by the sword, there wouldn’t be 85% non-Muslim population nowadays either. No Muslim army has ever invaded Indonesia (exactly where it now has the biggest Muslim population in the globe) or the Muslim majority Malaysia. Likewise, no Muslim army was ever sent to the East Coast of Africa either.

In reality, the religion of peace spread significantly faster for the duration of periods of peace than for the duration of times of wars.  An report which appeared in Reader’s Digest Yearbook of 1986 provides the statistics of the boost of the percentage of the significant religions which indicated the Muslim population escalating by 235% although Christianity improved by 47% throughout a ‘no Islamic conquest’ period between 1934 and 1984. Even although Islam continued to spread when Muslims have been not prevailing economically, socially or politically, it is an irrefutable reality that it was the force of truth, purpose and logic that was accountable for the rise as seen nowadays. Even though there is an indication of particular periods where Muslim rulers have been intolerant of other faiths and its adherents, it was indeed due to a deviation from Islamic principles rather than getting in conformity with the edicts of Holy Quran or the traditions of the Prophet of Islam.

Societal Collapse

Ranked 9th amongst the prime ten countries in the globe for the highest cases of rape, ranked 4th highest for circumstances of suicides, ranked as the 4th largest boozing nation in the globe and the intended casino paradise and that which comes along the side business of prostitution, would this be the trend in retailer for the future generation of this country?

Falsely portrayed as secular to the unsuspecting, successive governments have all played the Sinhala Buddhist card all along to stay in energy, often resulting in devastating consequences specifically for the minorities. Getting learned a tiny late to be secure than sorry, current communal/racist attacks seems to have taught minority communities not to be reliant on the Sinhalese dominated security forces for protection. Deep-rooted racist mentalities of the legislators in the parliament appears to be of no consolation either for the minorities, either due to absence of equal opportunities or due to failures on the component of the state to re-distribute wealth equally.

While the Mahanayakes of the 4 Chapters appears to be dozing off in their luxurious enclaves when the country situation is in tatters, the Catholic high priests seems to be excited only with the arrival of the Pope although paying scant regard to the ploy of President Rajapaksa (MR) who shortened the campaign period of the opposition parties and for employing the Pope’s pay a visit to as an excuse. The ‘pedophiles-shielding’ pseudo men of faith they are, they ought to have postponed the go to being aware of quite effectively the harm that could befall the country if MR is permitted yet another term.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) or the Hindu clergy seems to be carrying out no favors to the nation either with their activities restricted to matters concerning only their community and or the Northern Peninsula. The opportunists they are, leadership of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) and the ‘Muslim’ members of parliament representing the Rajapaksa government are performing no much better either and it seems they are interested only in private monetary gains and plump positions, hence playing in to the hands of MR by dividing the Muslim neighborhood and their voter base.

In a nation exactly where its own adherent spend lip service to its teachings or donate only loose alter to their places of worship for its upkeep, I question the wisdom behind governments providing a ‘foremost’ position to Buddhism. Not too long ago Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa claimed to have donated 30 million of public cash for producing cosmetic adjustments to a temple belonging to a politically allied monk. That is well and fine. But as a Muslim, my point of contention right here is, WHY Should Muslims contribute towards extravagant tamashas associated with a different religion? If sustaining areas of worship is the responsibility of the state, I think funds ought to be allocated proportionately taking in to account the population percentage of all communities. Believing tax collected by the state should be spent accordingly, would it also be wise to spend corporate and individual taxes understanding nicely that it would be utilized to fund a lavish life style of a corrupt couple of? In this situation and with prevalent marginalization of minorities, would the lower-end segment of the minority communities get their fair share of state advantages as nicely?

When politicians are getting traded often among political parties for selfish gains and or with minimum educational qualifications or integrity, would it also be sensible for the self-respecting type or the victimized to seek fairness or justice from the current system when one’s rights are infringed upon? Corrupt to the core, public money being swindled, the judiciary made insignificant and lawlessness reigning, does it not arise the require for the nation to adopt an option supply of governance?

Serendipity In Serendib

Stressing after once again my belief that Democracy in Sri Lanka has been a failure, and where popularity reigns more than competence and exactly where might is correct, it has turn out to be imperative for rules to be changed because ‘demography’ also appears to have changed. Getting been inspired by the wonderful thinker Seyyed Qutb who after mentioned “It is impossible for life to not have an effect on faith, or for faith to have a separate existence away from life”, I think all Muslims (Moor, Malays, Bohras, Memons) living in Sri Lanka should come below one particular Imam (Caliph to be precise) towards fulfilling their purpose of creation and for establishing social justice inside the community if not in the nation.

Likewise, I think the Buddhist, Hindu and the Christian communities too must come beneath one particular priest or leader, guiding their faithful and making a sense of unity at least inside their communities. Ought to there be a conflict among communities of diverse faiths, there need to be an atmosphere where respected and discovered leaders of respective communities coming with each other and resolving matters in a peaceful and an amicable manner. It is said that all religions teaches us very good items in life and the reality that there is constantly a resolution for every man-produced complication. So why not appoint 1 respected spiritual/religious leader to represent each religious neighborhood?

Representing the Islamic faith and neighborhood in Sri Lanka, I think Muslims ought to be taught, guided and ruled by (exactly where it is feasible) Islamic teachings and laws. Whilst there is no need to have for no alarm bells to ring in the minds of the non-Muslim population, the Islamic technique should be aggressively pursued as the ideal alternative in producing a society with excellent moral values, truthful organization practices and an impartial justice program among other folks. To set the ball rolling, I sincerely hope the following will get the attention of religious leaders in the Muslim community,

1. Family disputes, marital discord etc. to be taken to a local Muslim Qazi (judge) and for it to be resolved based on the teachings of Islam, either voluntarily or when reported by a 3^rd party.

two. Vigilante squads to be set up to monitor clothing attire and crackdown on indecent and revealing clothes worn in public by Muslims.

3. If Halal certifications cannot be enforced publicly, all meals merchandise manufactures/importers should give assurances to a Muslim Halal regulatory physique (in private at least) of adhering to Halal requirements and give access to confirm the approach when necessary.

four. Irrespective of what college they attend, private or otherwise, Muslim, Buddhist or Christian, making positive that each and every Muslim girl who attains the age of puberty is permitted to put on clothing in conformance to the teachings of Islam.

5. Monetary disputes to be settled first in the presence of a Muslim Qazi, hence safeguarding the respect of all parties concerned. The present Roman Dutch law method usually takes years for any type of justice to be meted out and it will also be a burden if each and every dispute is to be addressed in the present day over-crowded courts of law.

6. Apart from the regular corporate/personal taxes paid to the government, all Zakath money (obligatory annual charity tax of two.five% of all earnings/assets) to be pooled in to 1 fund and distributed to a list of deserving poor recipients. Even though each and every donor can nominate names of recipients, the Zakath Committee need to have the final say in the redistribution of wealth.

7. Law enforcement units or civil defense forces within the community to be created in every single town in partnership with the state law-enforcement authorities. Even though this might minimize the burden on the country’s Police Department, in the event of clashes, the Muslim neighborhood will be in a much better position to keep peace and since they are typically the ‘lamb to the slaughter’.

8. To establish enforcement teams to assure that each youngster receives education up to a secondary level and that no kid from no neighborhood is employed in any sector if they are below the age of 16.

9. Religious education ought to be made compulsory for all Muslim children, be it at a secular college or afterwards in a seminary/mosque/institute.

10. Establish a monitoring committee to avert fanaticism or violent radicalism taking roots in the minds of the Muslim youths.

Even though the list is also long to be written here, it must be pointed out that terrorists and criminals are developed and by no means born. Although it is no secret that particular violent Sinhalese Buddhist movements like the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) have aligned themselves with the regime of President Rajapaksa and is fuelling an inevitable human disaster, as a counter measure, the rise of a violent Islamic movement and in the lines of the ISIS of Babylonia cannot be discounted in the occasion President Rajapaksa is allowed an additional term. On the other hand, the ‘unknown angels’ they are, Mr. Maithripala Sirisena and Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe seems to have impeccable credentials and honesty in their respective political careers and I think minorities, specially the Muslims and Tamils should reject the ‘known devil (MR) for great.

January 08, 2015, just perhaps the day that determines the nation heralding a prosperous and a just society or the day the nation reverts to an anarchist and a lawless 1. Either case, the get in touch with for the establishment of  a borderless Islamic State for the Muslims seems to be louder than ever now, and believing it would be in the best interests of detractors, specially the pseudo ‘Muslim’ politicians to stay out of the way when establishing divine laws of God, the following verse just happened to cross my thoughts,

“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are becoming fought, simply because they were wronged. And certainly, Allah is competent to give them victory” – 22:39 Al-Quran.

*The writer is an independent social/political activist and can be contacted on [email protected] and through FB (Fazl Muhammed Nizar)