by: DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

Watching the footage of the massive bomb explosion which killed 53 people at the Marriott in Islamabad, and sharing the concerns about the travails of our close friend Pakistan, pressured from without and threatened from within, I was reminded of how strong and "tough" the Sri Lankan state, polity and society are.As the 1980s turned into the ’90s, Sri Lanka had foreign peacekeepers on its soil, a separatist insurgency (LTTE), irredentist strivings (Perumal/NEPC), and a ferocious insurrection of the xenophobic ultra-left (JVP).Any one of these challenges could have wrecked a state and a polity, and yet we survived and prevailed, our democracy and market economy intact and sovereignty retrieved in the main, though we could not overcome the most serious of the separatist threats, the LTTE.

by: Dr. Tilak S. Fernando

REMEMBERED: On September 26 1959, Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was assassinated in cold blood, by a person clad in yellow robes. Bandaranaike had an enlightened philosophy, the full realisation of which suffered certain setbacks.

SWRD Bandaranaike was educated at Oxford, UK, according to his father's wish. Solomon Dias Bandaranaike was determined that his son graduated from one of the best seats of learning in the world and the result was, he was 'packed up' into a ship to England to study at the Oxford University.

As an undergraduate at Oxford University in the UK, he viewed the Asians at the English universities as a long-dragged and an urgent problem. In one of his writings to an Oxford magazine, for which he became famous, he considered it as a problem with many aspects. While Royal Commission dealt with this problem at the time and university professors, Anglo-Indians wrote articles about it in newspapers, many others with or without knowledge of the subject gave their opinion on the matter.

Item 3 on Review, Rationalization and Improvement of the mandate of the Secretary-General for Human Rights in Cambodia Speaking under the above item at the 9th Session of the Human Rights Council on 15 September 2008, Mr. O.L. Ameerajwad, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of  Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, stated the following : 

Mr President,  

Operative Paragraph 5(a) of the Human Rights Council founding resolution 60/251 mandates the Council to promote human rights education and learning as well as advisory services, and to provide technical assistance and capacity-building in consultation with and with the consent of Member States concerned.

In a right of Reply exercised by Sri Lanka following the panel discussion and interactive dialogue on missing persons, under item 3 on Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development at the 9^th Session of the Human Rights Council, on 22 September 2008, Mr. Yasantha Kodagoda, Deputy Solicitor-General, Attorney-General’s Department stated the following.

by: DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

A patriot would feel a thrilled quickening of the heart at the news that a spearhead of the Sri Lankan armed forces is nearing Kilinochchi. A traitor would not. A realist would know that there’s a long way to go before the war is won and many a pitfall to avoid. A fool would not.

I am in no position to venture an opinion as to whether our Wanni offensive has reached a point of irreversibility, and we have checkmated the LTTE. I do know however, that there are several things we have to watch out for.

The IPKF once dominated all the areas we are seeking to recapture from Tiger control, but that did not prevent the LTTE from prevailing. The difference between the Sri Lankan armed forces and the IPKF is, however, obvious. The IPKF was under the constraints sourced in the influence of Tamil Nadu. The Sri Lankan security forces operate under no such constraints. Even more basically, the IPKF had India to go back to, but the Sri Lankan forces have no country to retreat to.

The Author of this article is the present Sri Lankan Ambassador to Cuba. She is also the author of the book Quel développement? Quelle coopération internationale ? - La déclaration des Nations Unies sur le droit au développement : Pour un nouvel ordre international (2007) CETIM, Geneva, 2008

by: Tamara Kunanayakam 

Rapid and profound changes are taking place in Latin America and the Caribbean - economic, political and social changes accompanied by transformation to foreign and institutions with increasing importance attached to regional integration and South - South relations based on respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 Profoundly marked by five centuries of colonial rule, massacre, and pillage of natural wealth and resources, a new leadership has emerged acutely conscious of the continent’s widening inequalities and continuing poverty in the context of aggressive globalisation. Whilst macroeconomic indicators in the region have improved over the past twenty years, the benefits of economic growth have failed to reach the producers of that wealth. Social inequalities and skewed income distribution remain a problem. Poverty and exploitation persist throughout the continent.

Colombo: The Government of India has commended Sri Lankan Airlines for its handling of Indian VVIP flights during the recent South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Colombo. The gathering of Presidents and Prime Ministers of the SAARC nations involved hundreds of senior government officials from India, Pakistan, Nepal, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka, amidst tight security.

Beach bum? Culture vulture? Intrepid adventurer? On Sri Lanka’s south coast, you  can be all three.

by :Jeremy Lazell  

Statement made on behalf of Sri Lanka by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, at the debate on the Universal Periodic Review, at the 9^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. 

The Universal Periodic Review, Mr President, proved a fascinating exercise. It has been a learning experience for Sri Lanka as well as for many others and, as the decision to have this item on the agenda at this session indicates, this is a show that will go on. We hope that, well before the first act draws to a close, we would all have learned the lessons of faith, hope and charity without which this Council would be as an empty vessel, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. 

Sri Lanka, Mr President, was pleased at the recognition of many of our friends that, though we had problems, we had succeeded in maintaining fundamental social and economic rights for all our people. Our efforts in providing health and education at comparatively high levels even to those of our citizens temporarily under the control of terrorists were appreciated, and we intend to live up to the expectations we have created even as the struggle against terrorism enters a decisive phase.

Statement made on behalf of Sri Lanka by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, during the Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the High-Level Fact Finding Mission to Beit Hanoun.

Sri Lanka welcomes the report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Beit Hanoun and the presentation of Archbishop Tutu. The Mission appreciated the need for thorough investigation before pronouncing on so worrying a situation, and we are sorry that Israel did not feel itself able to cooperate with the Mission. The terrible suffering of the Palestinian people over so many decades is an issue that has worried the world, and we believe Israel, set up through the United Nations, and legitimately concerned about terrorist threats to its existence, should make it clear through cooperation with the United Nations that it subscribes to international norms and law, in its efforts at self defence. Discussion with Israeli personnel was intended to redress the imbalances perceived by Israel, and such discussion should not be denied in a context in which, as even the European Union had indicated, disproportionality was feared.

Mike Watson travels to Sri Lanka to see tea plantations and learn more about the island's history 

Next time you pour yourself a cup of tea, drink a toast to Devastating Emily. That was the lurid nickname of a leaf virus that wiped out the coffee crop in Ceylon in the 1870s.

But a group of mainly Scottish pioneers weren't to be beaten. They were already growing tea – green gold. The plantations they established and the bankrupt coffee estates they bought are still producing some of the best of the world's crop.

Four thousand feet up in the centre of the country, now Sri Lanka, life has hardly changed since those days. The British connection is still strong and many plantations have British names – Blair Atholl, Brookfield, Kew and Kirkoswald. On the winding railway (designed by Brits) up to the best plantations there's even a station called Great Western.

Statement of Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, responding on behalf of Sri Lanka in the General Debate on ‘Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention’. 

Sri Lanka is deeply touched by the concern expressed by countries of the European Union for the human rights situation in some countries in Asia and Africa. We hope that, with advances in globalization, such concern will soon be universal. As others here have pointed out, the moral stature this Council should command requires consistency. Though we know this is not easy, we hope all of us will strive to achieve it in time.

Delivered by Prof Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General of the Peace Secretariat

by: Dayan Jayatilleka

Fascists launch a final surge before they lose wars. The Kamikaze pilots were a last card against the US fleet. The Nazis developed the Tiger tank, launched the V-1 and V-2 rockets and fought the Battle of the Bulge in the closing stages of the war, when they had already lost in the strategic sense. The battle of Iwo Jima is the classic model of a fanatical, suicidal, dug–in fighting force defending its home turf against a final onslaught. It was the toughest possible going but the US Marines won.

It is only to be expected that the Tigers would offer the stiffest possible resistance in their Ithiyabhoomi or ‘heartland’. In their best case scenario, they would turn Kilinochchi–Mullaitivu into a meat-grinder and then launch tactical counteroffensives which could develop into strategic ones, reversing their losses. In a more modest scenario, they would simply hold on until the combination of casualties, propaganda about IDPs, international and regional political developments (USA and India), and economic pressures would cumulate in Colombo agreeing to negotiations.

Adventure tourism a growing global phenomenon Lazy summer days at the beach getting a tan are pass as Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB) is marketing the country as an adventure destination with adventure seekers being identified as a potential growth market. "Adventurous holidays are a rapidly growing trend in global tourism and an increasing number of travellers are seeking out new adventures like Sri Lanka having done the usual African Safaris," said SLTPB Managing Director, Dileep Mudadeniya. "The adventure tag fits in very well to Sri Lanka given the number of fantastic adventure and wildlife activities we have on offer," he said.

Natasha Fernandopulle explores the sport of the fearless on Lankan shores, Pix by M. A. Pushpa KumaraThe feeling of flying over water where the only form of propulsion you have is the wind and where the only person in control is you is a sensation that most adventure lovers would love to feel. I bet you may wonder what this is all about. In fact, when I first went across to Buba in Mount Lavinia, I really didn't know what to expect. Kitesurfing; as in surfing with the help of a kite? This is what I thought and this is exactly what it was all about.

by: Jennifer Anandanayagam

Out of the mundaneness and monotonousness of everyday life, this young lady shone through with her innovative thinking that has led to stand acceptably as a profoundly unique venture all on her own. Fascination and intriguing emotion were part and parcel as the long road led us to the place where Sharmini Pereira, Director and Founder – Raking Leaves, was housed until her stay in Sri Lanka endured and when a smiling lady in black greeted us with sincerity, it was all the more pleasing to think of the conversation that was to follow. Having heard bits and pieces of the product of her novel thought – ‘Raking Leaves’, it was exciting having the chance to actually sit and listen to her – her story behind the far reaching move, her story behind her passion, her story behind herself.

The Government of Sri Lanka wishes to refute certain assertions made by Amnesty International (AI) on 04 September 2008, in a statement to the Human Rights Council, as to the supposed “severe problems of protection and assistance for displaced persons triggered by the intensification of hostilities”. The Government appreciates Amnesty’s recognition that the situation of the civilians caught up in the conflict is exacerbated by the unwillingness of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to allow these people to move to areas of relative safety and security. The denial of freedom of movement and the right to physical and human security is a serious violation of international humanitarian and human rights law and the Government calls upon AI and other concerned organizations to continue to pressurize the LTTE to comply with these fundamental norms.

by: Dayan Jayatilleka, PhD

Foreign policy derives from a country's efforts to best represent its national interests in the world, and to rec­oncile those national interests with existing yet chang­ing international realities. 

by: Dayan Jayatilleka

Just as it did at the moment of decolonization and independence, the visible post-war moment provides a rare historic opportunity for nation building and the construction of national identity. We missed the first chance, but must not miss the second. In his nationally televised dialogue with audiences in several areas on Tuesday August 19th, President Rajapaksa, speaking in Sinhala to largely Sinhala rural crowds, pledged to hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council within a year of its liberation just as he had held election to the Eastern Provincial Council. He added that he was considering elections to the local authorities in Jaffna very much earlier.