July 24, 2016 · 11:36 am

Where Ratwatte and CBK Stood Strong: Coping with the Elephant Pass Debacle in April-May 2000

Michael Roberts, courtesy of Colombo Telegraph

 ANURUDDHA General Ratwatte in 1990s

  CBK 30 Dec 1999 BBC President Kumaratunga in BBC Interview at the end of 1999

Preamble:[1] When Generals Perera and Fonseka laid out contingency plans to evacuate the Jaffna Peninsula in April/May 2000 and appear to have been in panic, General Anuruddha Ratwatte, who was President Kumaratunga’s uncle and chief security advisor, stood sturdy and refused to countenance the planned evacuation of all troops from the Jaffna Peninsula.

Ratwatte had been among the chief architects of the disastrous military strategies in the period 1995-2000. But no one would dispute his fearlessness.[2] On this occasion in 2000 the bravado was backed with political sense: when President Chandrika Kumaratunga (CBK) caved in on the 18th May 2000 and accepted the request from the Overall Commander in Jaffna, General Janaka Perera, to sign the evacuation plans (via VVT and Point Pedro) drawn up with guidance from his immediate deputy, General Sarath Fonseka,[3] Ratwatte asserted that such a step would be the end of Sri Lanka.

3551970071_cd625b70f5 SLA RM 70s firing

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July 24, 2016 · 5:07 am

As Solid as Imposing. Senaratne’s History of the Armoured Corps

Michael Roberts, reviewing Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. Sixty Years of History, 1955-2015  by Dr. Jagath Senaratne

Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. Sixty Years of History, 1955-2015 prepared meticulously by Jagath Senaratne (Colombo, 2015) is a substantial volume of 346 pages which will dominate any book shelf in ways reminiscent of armoured vehicles on parade grounds. Insofar as military histories are unfamiliar terrain for aficianados in the Sri Lankan book world, it is hoped that this tome will be an eye-opener.

armoured car SL 22

The numerous images which adorn the book will certainly attract interest. Of particular significance are the graphic maps in colour that provide details of particular battlefield situations. These are supported by a number of striking and useful photographs. It is an alarming fact of the power-plays in the world order dominated by the self-appointed “international community” (read as “cabal”) marshalled by the West that serious studies of Eelam War IV have been assembled by so called “experts” (for instance, the UN Panel that is sometimes identified as the “Darusman Panel”) who are raw amateurs in battlefield experience – individuals whose office-room outlook was further clouded by total unfamiliarity with the Sri Lankan landscape.[1] Continue reading →

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July 24, 2016 · 2:32 am

Ethnic Tensions and Cruelties …. and the Month of July

Rajan Philips, in The Sunday Island, 24 July 2016, with the title “July and its Cruelties”

It was not Sri Lanka that I was thinking of last week when I alluded to the months of April and July vying for mention in a universal cruelty context. But news after that from the Jaffna University that a gang of Tamil university students and outside thugs beat up on the Sinhalese students on campus, came as a rude reminder of the cruelties that July has come to be associated with in Sri Lanka. July 1983 has become a huge blot of blood in our history. Eerily, it was to this day 33 years ago that a pre-meditated ambush of Sinhalese soldiers in Jaffna by the LTTE provided the pre-text for the unleashing of no-less pre-meditated retaliatory violence in Colombo that quickly went out of control to become a massive pogrom against all Tamils. It was a UNP government that orchestrated the retaliation then until it blew in its face at home and abroad. The same government sent the Opposition TULF packing to India, and handed over the destinies of Tamil politics to the dictates of the LTTE.

injured uni studentNorthern Province Governor Reginald Cooray visited H. A. T. Maduranga, an undergraduate wounded in last week’s attack now warded at the National Hospital (pic courtesy by Governor’s Office) Continue reading →

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July 23, 2016 · 4:48 pm

The 19th Amendment: Reflections One Year On

Asela Athukorala, whose preferred title is “Impact of the 19th Amendment One Year On” … http://aselaatukorala.blogspot.com/2016/07/impact-of-19th-amendment-one-year-on.html

This post is about the 19th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution which occurred a little over a year ago when it was passed on the 27th of April 2015. Before I mention the 19th Amendment, I will give some background to Sri Lankan Politics of the current decade that relates to it.

Chandrika +MSIn 2010, Sri Lanka’s then President Mahinda Rajapaksa passed the 18th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution which made the President far too powerful and leading Sri Lanka towards dictatorship. The biggest problems of the 18th Amendment were its removal of the two-term limit for Presidents allowing him/her to contest indefinitely and bringing independent commissions under the President. Sri Lanka’s current Government led by President Maithripala Sirisena introduced and passed the 19th Amendment. Its changes include restoring the two-term limit & the power of independent commissions as well as further reducing presidential powers & increasing the power of the Prime Minister. Continue reading →

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July 23, 2016 · 4:33 pm

Close Encounters of the African Kind

AFRICA 11 Holy Moses!!! Continue reading →

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July 22, 2016 · 5:06 am

US Game Plan in Sri Lanka: Chinese Chequers?

LASANDALasanda Kurukulasuriya,  courtesy of the Daily Mirror, 22 July 2016, where the title is “Biswal Malinowski playing Chinese Chequers?”

After yet another visit by the two US Assistant Secretaries of State, Nisha Biswal and Tom Malinowski one cannot help noticing the proximity of the visit to that of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi just four days before. The most notable aspect of the US officials’ trip has been a change in tone (rather than substance) of their public remarks. While there has not been any turnaround from the professed concerns with human rights, reconciliation and accountability, there is noticeably less talk about the need to confront ‘painful facts,’ ‘difficult choices to be made,’ ‘challenges ahead’ and so on. The preoccupations that brought previous US emissaries (themselves included) – relating to Sri Lanka’s strategic location, the focus on Trincomalee etc, remain.

BISWAL plusIf the Geneva stick is not being waved this time around it is probably because it would have been impolitic to do so. During Chinese envoy Wang’s visit Sri Lanka reiterated its participation in China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, “as it is in line with the Government’s initiatives to make Sri Lanka the hub of the Indian Ocean trade …” (Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s statement of 08.07.16).    Continue reading →

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July 22, 2016 · 4:24 am

Reforming Islamic Doctrines: Radical Action Needed

Ibn Wirriq

Until most Western leaders and all Islamic leaders realize that the short term solutions against radical Islam to destroy ISIL, are just that. they will not be pursuing any real long term permanent solutions. Thus the lethal violence will continue from Islamic radicals and their tacit supporters in so many nations. Is this aspect of lethal violence just part of Islam’s general drive to subjugate the whole World to Islamic domination, in association with the imposition of sharia law and halal certification of everything that is eaten? These answers must be well considered and resolved.

AA--TAJ=foundtheworld.com the classic beauty of the Tajmahal [pic by foundtheworld.com] beside the murderous inspirations driving the jihadistsZEALOTRY ISIS advance - lake house Continue reading →

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July 20, 2016 · 6:45 pm

Kennington Oval 1975: Where Jeff Thomson outgunned Tamil Demonstrators

Early in the World Cup match between Australia and Sri Lanka at Kennington Oval on 11th June 1975, a ‘troop’ of Sri Lankan Tamil men stormed on to the field to demonstrate their hostility to the political situation in Sri Lanka. This act is said to have been organised by Left-oriented activists associated with the EROS. Violene was not intended and this was apparently self-evident to all the cricketing men on the field. As Anura Tennakoon (captain) told me, they were not perturbed. for the most part, the Australian bowling was not all that bothersome either — BUT there was a speed merchant called Jeff thomson whose slinging paceeventually hospitalised tow well-set batsmen. K.O.victory

17-Tamil protest Oval, 11 June 1975

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July 20, 2016 · 5:16 pm

Serious Flaws in the Legal Foundations of the Office of Missing Persons

Manohara de Silva and C. A. Chandraprema in Q and A, Island 19 July 2016, where the title is 
manoharaManohara de Silva C A CHANDRAPREMACA Chandraprema

In this interview, President’s Counsel Manohara De Silva speaks to C. A. Chandraprema about the provisions of the innocuous sounding Office of Missing Persons Bill which is now before Parliament. Many people in Sri Lanka are not likely to stand up and take notice when something is described as an Office of Missing Persons. Sri Lanka has had such mechanisms in the past and another such body would not be anything new. But Manohara De Silva warns that the mechanism envisaged in the present Office of Missing Persons Bill has serious political implications for this country. Continue reading →

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July 20, 2016 · 7:51 am

Wow! Knock-Men-Down Images!

LIZ TAYLOR Liz Taylor in her Prime  Continue reading →

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