by: Neville Ladduwahetty

The high-powered Indian delegation consisting of the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the National Security Advisor have come and gone. There has been much speculation as to the purpose of the visit. Whatever the reason or reasons, their meeting with Minister Douglas Devananda was beneficial to Sri Lanka judging from media reports (The Sunday Island, June 22, 2008). According to these reports, the Minister had used the opportunity to explain to the delegation the limitations within which Sri Lanka's President was compelled to address its decades old national question.

by: Prof Rajiva Wijesinha

The Peace Secretariat regrets a recent article by Christian Post Reporter Ethan Cole which gave a distorted account of an attack on a church in Talahena Sri Lanka. In particular it was a pity that he did not note that the police acted promptly, arrested three persons on the day of the attack, and sought seven more who surrendered to Court. These were produced at the hearing of Court on July 22nd, while the police had identified one of the monks involved and the court directed that he and two others also be produced on the next court date.

Revolutionary virtue and violence in Fidel’s politics

President Rajapakse has emphasised that the morality of the war heroes engaged in humanitarian operations is a fitting example to the entire nation. He said only a humanitarian operation was underway to consolidate the freedom of living of all communities. The President was addressing the first North Central victorious mammoth public rally to consolidate the victory of the United People’s Freedom Alliance. It was held at the Anuradhapura Esplanade yesterday. The people of all electorates of the District reached the venue of the meeting in processions headed by their candidates. 

By Franklin R. Satyapalan

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday appealed to over 10,000 soldiers who had left the military for various personal reasons during the past four to five years to return to fight for their motherland."This is a very decisive juncture when the security forces have got the upper hand and need all the help they can get", he told the Sunday Island.

Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare, Douglas Devananda said that he had no faith in the unilateral ceasefire declared by the Tigers as they would conveniently use this period to strengthen themselves militarily in the manner they had done on previous occasions and that everyone was well aware of their tactics.

WITH SAARC LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES: 

SAARC countries will work hand-in-hand to eliminate terrorism, which is a critical challenge to all the countries in the region, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Palitha Kohona said. He said that an agreement on countering terrorism and a treaty on mutual assistance on criminal matters were being negotiated at the SAARC.

Addressing a rally in Anuradhapura in support of the United People's Freedom Alliance candidates contesting the North Western Provincial Council election yesterday (26), President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that no period in history since the time of King Parakramabahu the Great has seen a development drive as the present one launched by the Government.

by Dayan Jayatilleka

 This month, July, the 25th anniversary of July 83, has quite appropriately seen significant commentary in the press over the interrelated themes of the war, its character or its perceived character, and contending interpretations of Sri Lankan identity.

Statement by Dr. Rohan Perera P.C , Member International law Commission, (ILC) at the 60^th Session of ILC, Geneva – 18 July 2008

Mr. Chairman

I join the previous speakers in thanking the Special Rapporteur, Dr. Eduardo Valencia Ospina on his most informative and analytical report and his oral presentation on a topic, the current relevance of which requires no special emphasis.  The comprehensive memorandum prepared by the Secretariat is also extremely useful, in deepening our understanding of the range of issues involved, for which we are most grateful.

By: Nirmali Hettiarachchi

I had seen him often, standing or sitting .on his side of the gate. handsome and majestic, proud and aware of himself. Sometimes, if he were sitting when I passed him, he would stand up and look at me inquiringly. There would be no suspicion in his look - he knew I was one of his neighbors - only curiosity at what I might be doing. Sometimes I would walk past in the heat of the noon, laden with groceries in each hand, and he would keep looking. I wondered what he thought of me.

I certainly envied him his easy fife. I envied the care lavished on him, his beauty and his sense of total security. He did not sow, neither did he reap and yet his master provided him with all his worldly needs. In return all he had to do was be himself. He walked round his master's garden. Sometimes he barked to announce his presence. Mr Doreswamy's children played with him and petted him and cared for him. I had often heard him being called for a bath or for brushing.

Madagal army camp in the Northern coastal line of Jaffna was known for its peaceful surroundings and the beautiful sea lapping at the edges of the camp  perimeter. That July night in 1983 was like any other and the soldiers cheerful, as they always were in "Charlie" company, 1st battalion the Sri Lanka Light Infantry. A young lieutenant, twelve infantrymen and two soldier drivers were preparing to set out on a vehicle patrol. They would not have imagined for a moment that thirteen among them would never return.