The A9 highway has been reopened passing on peace dividends to the complete nation, linking the North and South. 5 buses decorated according to the Hindu cu…
In Defense Of Arjuna Mahendran
By Sarath de Alwis –

Sarath De Alwis
“I am time, the destroyer of all I have come to consume the planet. That one particular is dear to me who runs not right after the pleasant or away from the painful, grieves not, lusts not, but lets things come and go as they happen.” The Gita
Funds markets need laws, guidelines and regulations. The integrity, competence and judgment of the Monetary Authority is what is at stake right now. Lee Kwan Yew in his memoirs describes how he set up the capital market in Singapore and dismissed critics who complained of overregulation. ‘In Hong Kong what is not expressly forbidden is permitted in Singapore what is not expressly not permitted is forbidden’.
To take up the assignment, Arjuna Mahendran gave up a lucrative profession in International Banking and his Singapore Citizenship. When he sought much more time, he was persuaded to take more than immediately and his nationality problem was resolved by quickly tracking the approach.
Had he waited till April to take more than, the bond fiasco would have been under the watch of an individual else or there would have been no fiasco at all.
The rocket science of bond trading is explained by a central banker in a paper presented in 2008. The Added Superintendent of Public Debt Department Central Bank of Sri Lanka Mr.C.P.J. Siriwardene explains the growth of the Bond Market place.
Treasury bonds are traded through competitive auctions carried out by the Central Bank on a standard basis. Primary dealers who have been involved in the government debt industry considering that 1992 have direct access to the major auctions. According to the present regulatory framework, principal dealers must subscribe the complete sale and single main dealer minimum investment level is set at 10 per cent of the volume of sale to stay away from any possibility of below subscription. The present auction method is on several price tag basis. Given that 2000, all auctions are performed electronically employing an on – line technique. Prior to each and every auction, the debt authority accesses the prospective investors by means of major dealers to make sure the availability of funds for the full subscriptions. Private placements of Treasury bonds also take place as a contingency to accommodate unexpected borrowings to keep away from market shocks by providing big volumes to the auctions and cancellation of planned bond auctions. Productive 21 bidders are informed on the identical day of the auction and the settlement is two days right after the auction (T+2 technique). Given that the establishment of the principal dealer method, the Central Bank continued its part as a debt manager to create the major dealer system. They incorporate streamlining of dealers (removing nonactive dealers, appointing new dealers, and so on.), introducing necessary regulatory framework for dealers and building up close connection among main dealers and the Central Bank.
Dr. Harsha De Silva the Deputy Minister of Preparing has announced that the committee of three lawyers will examine all issues and trace any irregularities up to 2012. His erudite posturing and justifying of three mediocre lawyers on a voyage of discovery tracing misdeeds up to 2012 amounts to bottom trawling for red herrings.
This writer did not know who Mr. Gamini Pitipana was till finding out that he was to be the chairman of the probe committee. These days Google does much much more than Dunn & Bradstreet. So the name was googled. What appeared was mind goggling. Royal College Class of ’72. Lawyer at Law. Apollo foods Private Ltd. In the absence of any further details from the usually expansive ,Dr.Harsha what should we make of the meagre details? That Mr.Pitipana is discovered in the law and could cook? Is that what is expected of an old Royalist buddy? Cook a report?
Let us get back to the planet of bond trading. A basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. To make it easier, if a yield moves from 5.5% to 5%, it has moved 50 basis points.
Naturally Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe thinks that the average quantum of gray matter which serves to process data in the brain of the typical Gamarala’ in Sri Lanka is far less than one basis point! But ‘Gamaralas’ are starting to run out of patience. Moving from bad governance to excellent governance the ‘Gamaralas are now experiencing a spell of ugly governance. Certainly really ugly governance at that.
It would be grossly unfair to accuse Governor Mahendran of withholding any data pertaining to his son in law. Sri Lanka is a small nation. The incestuous world of the money market place knew about the two Arjunas. Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to play Sri Krishna and persuaded the elder Arjuna to battle in the harsh world of greed.
Arjuna Mahendran is only a man. Energy is not of a man. Wright Mills the author of ‘Sociological Imagination’ the seminal study of twentieth century society identifies 5 problems we face right now in a cost-free marketplace economy alienation, moral insensibility, threat to the spirit of democracy, disregard to human freedom and most significantly the conflict in between bureaucratic rationality and human purpose.
The issues such the one that is discussed are commonplace.
“Wealth does not center in the particular person of the wealthy. Celebrity is not inherent in any character. To be celebrated, to be wealthy, and to have power demands access to main institutions.” What is nauseating with the governance style of the Prime Minister is that he reminds us of the commandant of Auschwitz who insisted “I never got complaints!”
Case Against Airplane Withdrawn


The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) nowadays informed Colombo Magistrate Nishantha Pieris that no offence had been committed in the incident where a little airplane was found in the shops belonging to CSN Television Channel at Narahenpitiya and that the case would be withdrawn.
Detectives said according to investigations the airplane was 1 built by Ray Wijewardene and not in flying situation and had been handed over to former President’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa by film director and producer Chandiran Ratnam.
The CCD sought a Court order to return the airplane to the late Ray Wijewardene’s household and that the case would be withdrawn.
Counsel Niroshan Siriwardena appearing for CSN Television Channel and Mr. Rajapaksa said the plane was kept in the shop to be utilized as a show item.
Complete Story
An Open Letter To Narendra Modi
By Rajeewa Jayaweera –

Rajeewa Jayaweera
Dear Mr Prime Minister,
I join my compatriots in extending a warm welcome to you to Sri Lanka. Almost 28 years have passed because Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (RG) visited this island. As you are effectively aware, his visit was shrouded with some very complicated and unpleasant issues for the duration of the periods quickly prior to, in the course of and after his go to. It is hoped your pay a visit to will be a prelude to a new connection based on friendship amongst equals and mutual respect.
The deterioration of relations amongst India and Sri Lanka commenced about 1980 when Indira Gandhi (IG) was elected Prime Minister for the second time. Sri Lankan President JR Jayewardene’s (JRJ) pro-western foreign policy antagonized India immensely, prompting IG to adopt a hostile attitude and embark on a mission to punish JRJ. A virtually purpose created issue was at hand in the separatist movement by some young males in Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. Relations deteriorated from 1980 when India below the direction of IG and assisted by its intelligence arm RAW and Tamil Nadu state government began destabilizing Sri Lanka by way of delivering a protected haven for separatist groups, instruction facilities, weapons instruction and funding for their activities and culminating with India repeatedly voting against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva from 2010 departing from its preceding policy of not voting on country specific issues. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s (MR) ‘Look East’ policy by forging closer economic and military ties with China who have extended unconditional support to Sri Lanka more than the years and the willingness by China and Pakistan to sell arms to GoSL when India was reluctant to give weapons need to be pointed out in this context.
To reset relations, it is needed for each countries to produce an atmosphere of mutual trust. Notwithstanding the initiatives by the Sirisena government, there exists a huge trust deficit in our relations. The perception of double requirements on India’s part prevails even in these days. Your meeting with a TNA delegation in Delhi and National Security Advisor Ajith Doval meeting with Tamil leaders in Sri Lanka does not go down properly in the light of cancellation of talks with Pakistan at Foreign Secretary Level on the grounds of Pakistan’s High Commissioner in Delhi having discussions with Hurriyat leaders stating “talk to them or talk to us”. Getting involved in the Tamil situation in Sri Lanka and at the very same time insisting on the exclusion of Pakistan in the Kashmir issue is a case in point. In response to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s (RW) comment in the course of an interview final week that India ought to show the exact same magnanimity to Italian sailors at the moment held in India that they request for South Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, Indian Foreign Minister Ms Swaraj had supposedly informed RW that “these are two various problems. Concerns of fishermen are a humanitarian concern. It is an concern of livelihood”. What Ms Swaraj and India want to comprehend is that it is a livelihood situation for our Northern fishermen as properly. Further, India’s ‘humanitarian’ problem is for Sri Lanka a ‘humiliating’ problem. In a manner of speaking, it is a repetition of the 1987 episode – only this time not our airspace by IAF transporters and fighter jets but our maritime boundaries by South Indian fishermen.
It is in the interest of each Sri Lanka and India to reset our relations to a pre-1977 level when issues amongst the two countries had been settled amicably with mutual respect. The Sirisena government has taken some initiatives to address one of India’s primary concerns i.e. the Colombo Port City Project which has been temporarily suspended. Even if the suspension is lifted, re-negotiation of the clause giving portion ownership to the Chinese to a 99 year lease is in the cards. On the other hand, India is however to demonstrate with any tangible efforts, its desire to reset relations except by graciously getting Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera initially and then President Maithripala Sirisena in Delhi. The problem of South Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters has received practically no interest from India.
Leaving politicians and the bureaucrats aside, it is relevant to take into account the emotions, sentiments, dignity and self-respect of the majority of the citizens in this country. While not condoning the act, one of Sri Lanka’s sons displayed his feelings with the butt finish of his rifle in 1987 for the duration of the guard of honour accorded to RG when he visited Colombo to sign the Indo – Sri Lanka accord. That accord to us Sri Lankans was a contemporary day surrender of our independence. Creating homes, rail roads etc. contribute towards enhancing relations only marginally. Such action is akin to providing a discomfort killer for a physique pain. It does not contribute towards treating the root cause. The reality is that the majority in this country nevertheless really feel strongly of the manner in which India violated this nation with impunity. At least some really feel India continue to do so covertly.
The Sirisena government has decided to accord you the honour of addressing our Parliament, an honour India did not see fit to accord to President Sirisena throughout his current check out to India. You will be the fourth Indian Prime Minister to do so after Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962, Indira Gandhi in 1973 and Moraji Desai in 1979. The Indian historian and author AG Noorani in a current essay in India’s Frontline magazine wrote “India’s relations with Sri Lanka will heal only if there is a sincere realisation of previous blunders and of the grave harm that India inflicted on a hapless neighbour too modest to retaliate”. This would be an ideal chance for you to set the record right. It would call for but 3 sentences of admission of errors of the previous, regret over them and an assurance of non-repetition. It can be appropriately worded preserving India’s dignity. Such an act would help millions in this nation to lastly bury the ugly previous and move on and also a great beginning for India to genuinely and constructively engage in resetting its relations with Sri Lanka and its folks.
Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka’s Number 1 Video News Provider. Web site: www.newsfirst.lk Email: get in touch [email protected] Phone: +94114792700.
By Siritunga Jayasuriya –

Siritunga Jayasuriya
The coming state check out of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka, and the red carpet welcome accorded to him, such as the ceremonial speech to the Sri Lanka’s parliament, is certainly a undesirable omen for all the democratic minded, left and progressive forces of this nation.
As International Socialists the United Socialist Party (CWI – Sri Lanka) stands for the best of co-operation, understanding and solidarity with the neighbouring nations peoples, specially with India with whom the Folks of Sri Lanka share a widespread heritage, history and a frequent struggle for the emancipation of our oppressed peoples. USP stands and follows the rich tradition of the BLPI which had a reverberating effect on the anti-Imperialist struggle in both countries in the course of the People’s Freedom Struggle against the British Imperialism in the sub-continent.
The USP has always stood steadfast and has separated itself from the forces of jingoism and appropriate-wing Nationalism from all the quarters, like the so called “Marxist” JVP and its later day variants. But as a political force which unflinchingly stands for Socialism and its victory in the complete world the USP has stood by the struggles of the men and women in both lands. Be it the recent anti-nuclear struggle in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, anti-capitalist globalisation struggle against POSCO business in Odisha or the heroinic struggle of Human rights defender Irom Sharmila Chanu of Manipur against the draconian Armed Forces Unique Powers Act (AFSPA) which terrorises the peoples of North East and Kashmir occupied by India.
The whole history of USP in Sri Lanka is marked by its uncompromising stand on its assistance to the Proper of Self-Determination of the Tamils of North and the East, which includes and up to separation. But several a occasions the USP has stood alone in the whole country to patiently explain our stand point each to Tamils as well as Sinhala masses. During the infamous IPKF period, when the correct wing reaction amongst the Sinhala population was represented by Deshapremi movement, which opposed the India’s intervention from a Sinhala communalist reactionary stand point.
We in the USP warned that “the army of India is no liberator of the Tamils, they will turn their guns very quickly against the oppressed Tamils, India is here since of its sub-Imperialist ambitions and they will not tolerate a radical government in the North of Srilanka on their southern borders which could influence the Tamil Nadu masses”, but our voice was isolated and even vehemently opposed not just by the Sinhala radicals but regrettably even the Tamil parties did not recognize our independent Socialist stand point.
Times have passed , but the history is repeating itself with a blatantly right variance, now the not only the Sinhala bourgeois and the petty-bourgeois but even the Tamil National Alliance is discovering typical cause in welcoming the utterly anti-minority, anti-muslim and one who stands firmly on the slogan of Hindu Rashtra, which is absolutely nothing but an aspiration of Indian Imperialism, which was hitherto latent.
If for some purpose the Tamil leadership of the North thinks that they have identified a saviour in Modi and would resolve the Tamil Nationality question for them, they are grossly mistaken. USP would like to warn the the misguided TNA and other forces, that Modi, the BJP or its consider tank doesn’t even contemplate Tamils in India as nationality, they categorically state that it is a Language only. Therefore to expect the Modi magic wand to intervene here is absolutely nothing tom foolery. Modi & BJP unmistakably stand for the supremacy of Indian nation, which is according to them is Hindu Nation.
For those amongst the Sinhala proper, who consider that Modi is their function model and therefore they can do enterprise with him are also fully mistaken, Modi apart from being the pivotal head of Hindutva nationalist forces, is also also the brutal face of Corporate interests of India. For the BBS varieties who eulogise Modi and RSS, they have to realise that Buddhism according to the RSS is offshoot of Hinduism and not extremely distinct, and therefore they would play down the fact that historically Buddhism was rebellion against the Bramhinical upper caste supremacy of Hindutva forces.
It is in the peoples interests of Sri Lanka, that we find a frequent platform to fight against the tyrants of the region including Modi and our own ilk. It in this endeavour that we need to be with the progressive and struggling forces in Tamil Nadu and the rest of India, who are putting up a valiant fight against the Hindu Proper represented by Modi, BJP & RSS.
It is pity that thouse sections who introduce themselves as lefts are maintaining mum on this go to. It has been stated in numerous corners that defeated Mahinda Rajapaksa has been using facist kind methods to suppress the opposition. In that context Modi has shown much more functions of that nature.
USP unequivocally opposes the check out of Modi to Sri Lanka we get in touch with upon the oppressed masses Tamils, Muslims and Sinhala folks to voice their protest against the government of the day for providing such a welcome to an undeserving communal bigot who has the blood of the folks on his hands.
*Siritunga Jayasuriya – Basic Secretary of the United Socialist Party (Sri Lankan section of the Committee for a Workers’ International-[CWI])
Judge Not, Lest You Be Judged

What CBK knows but ignores in her favour is that 1 of the most ignominious defeats of the Sri Lankan forces happened throughout her leadership. While the Norwegians were purportedly attempting to work out a peace accord, in April 2000 the LTTE launched parallel attacks on the most fortified Sri Lankan Army camps in Elephant Pass and Ayakachchi and overran those overnight, killing over one particular hundred SL army guys. So much for CBK‘s claim for winning the war.
The Police are investigating into a van laden with explosives. The Crime Monitoring Division in Dematagoda is probing the incident. Expressing views to ITN, …
Video Rating: five / five
CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd – the Chinese business handling the constructions of the project has expressed their agreement to completely corporate with the government of Sri Lanka whilst announcing they have suspended the operations as per the instructions of the government.
Issuing an official statement concerning the suspension of the Port City project operate, CHEC has noted that they have received an official communique from the Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Aviation, that has informed the business of the Cabinet selection produced to suspend the ongoing perform of the project.
The firm has also noted that as instructed in the Ministry communique, they would also take immediate methods to submit valid permits and approval troubles by the relevant government authorities with regard to the project.
“We will be taking all necessary methods to give these requested documents as instructed by the Ministry of Ports, Buying and Aviation to abide by the notification received without prejudice to the legal rights of the organization beneath the agreements entered into with the government of Sri Lanka on September 16, 2014,” they have stated.
In addition, the organization has mentioned that they would fully cooperate with the GoSL and continue to adhere to the procedures and situations stipulated in the mentioned agreement such as the commitments contained in the authorized environmental impact assessment study.
The business has also noted that it would continue to comply with the law and adhere to the needed guidelines issued by the government for a mega development project of this nature.
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