2010 Who is the real President of Sri-Lanka, Sarath or Mahinda ?

Mahatma Gandhi (Inde)

General Sarath Fonseka (Sri-Lanka)

Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar)

Nelson Mandela (Afrique du Sud)

 

 

An open letter to Election Commissioner: 'I challenge you, where and with whom, you were in night of Presidential election day?' -Veteran Lawyer Elmore
(Lanka-e-News 20.March.2010, 1.45AM)

Dear Dayananda,

A Free and Fair Election – An impossible dream ?
-------------------------------------------------
We, the People have a Sovereign right to exercise our franchise at free and fair elections. The very last time we could do so was in 1977. Giving vent to our disgust with the governance then prevailing, we gave J.R. Jayawardena, who claimed to be the long-awaited saviour of the Sri Lankan nation, a 5/6th majority. Free and fair elections were soon relegated to history. The election process rapidly degenerated to the level of the notorious Wayamba Provincial Council election in 1999.

In an attempt to stem this ominous trend, the OPA beginning in 1994, attempted to monitor elections. At the end of a discussion some of us had with you re monitoring the 1999 Presidential election, you claimed to have been at the receiving end of my lectures in SLIDA. I immediately assumed (rightly or wrongly?) that you had endorsed the need for exemplary conduct I consistently tried to instil into those who chose to listen to what I said.

In an attempt to reduce rigging at the Presidential election of 1999, you had affixed the now infamous “stickers” to Polling Cards. The potential abuse of such stickers was prevented by the accidental detection of this secret move of yours, by a VV.I.P. Consequent attempts made by a triumvirate of the most powerful personalities at that time, with the obvious connivance of a state agency, to sideline you and replicate the Wayamba election, were thwarted by justification of your bona fide and lawful, though admittedly futile and costly, act. However, you had not been vested with any power to control or even contain the violence and blatant violation of election laws that took place.

Disgusted with the mockery that passed off as “free and fair elections”, we the people, through our elected representatives in Parliament, adopted the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, drastically curtailing the extent of the Executive power of the Sovereign People which had been delegated to the President, and creating an Elections Commission of five members, endowed with extensive powers, for the sole purpose of restoring the conduct of free and fair elections.
The 17th Amendment, passed with only one abstention and no one against, became operative on 3rd October 2001, and provided the Elections Commission (EC) with sufficiently extensive powers, inter alia, to appoint other officers to the EC and delegate to them any power, duty or function of the EC, to notify the Inspector- General of Police of the facilities and the number of police officers required and then deploy them to secure the enforcement of all laws relating to the conduct of free and fair elections, to prohibit the misuse of any state property, and to enable the Competent Authority to take over the management of SLBC and SLRC in respect of all broadcasts which impinge on the election.

Regrettably, no Elections Commission was constituted and consequently, in terms of Section 27(2) of the said Act, you were vested with all the extensive powers, duties and functions of the Election Commission. Your failure to exercise most of these powers culminated in your validating the 2005 Presidential election where about 500,000 electors in the South and almost all the electors in the North were unlawfully disenfranchised.

Rather than invoking the extensive powers vested in you, so as to promote the conduct of a free and fair 2010 Presidential election, you only requested the IGP to continue to deploy the police officers himself, in the manner indicated by you. Belatedly, you issued directions for the immediate removal of cut-outs (and even provided the funds needed for same) and the cancellation of certain transfers. However, such directions were disregarded with impunity. You had chosen not to take cognisance of the fact that this IGP had been appointed by the President in violation of the Constitution, and had even been vested with the powers of the National Police Commission, also in violation of the Constitution, and certainly had to display greater allegiance to the President who appointed him, and to the Defence Secretary to whom he reports, rather than obey your commendable directives, confident that you would, deliberately or otherwise, not exercise the extensive powers vested in you to ensure compliance with your directives.

The “directives” reportedly issued by you to Ministry Secretaries and others re the abuse of state resources were largely disregarded, in violation of the Constitutional requirement that “every person under whose control such property is, for the time being, is required to comply with and give effect to such directions”. You did nothing further. You appointed a Competent Authority to control the broadcasts of SLBC and SLRC. The issuance of comprehensive Guidelines and even Directives failed to have any significant effect on the SLBC and SLRC. Without invoking any of the powers vested in you to “secure the enforcement of your directives”, you frequently appeared on TV, and attempted to exculpate yourself from your betrayal of the trust placed in you, by repeatedly complaining that your many directives, inter alia, to the IGP, to all Secretaries and the Media and those of your Competent Authority were not being heeded, and that you were helpless. You merely revoked the appointment of the Competent Authority without enabling him to take over the management of SLBC and SLRC, in respect of all political broadcasts or any other broadcast, which impinges on the election, under Arts 104 B(5)(c) and Act No. 3 of 2002.

To cap it all you announced that a “Sticker” would be placed on each ballot box to signify that it had been duly “checked”, “closed” and “sealed”. The necessary implication was that any ballot box which carried this “sticker” must necessarily be presumed to have been duly checked, closed and sealed by the Senior Presiding Officer in the presence of the Candidates and/or their duly nominated agents. You cannot plead that you did not realise that this procedure lent itself to mass-scale non-verifiable corruption. A news report of ballot boxes having been transported in a Navy Vehicle was immediately suppressed.

We the People, looked up to you to honour the trust placed in you by us, through our elected Representatives, and to hold a free and fair election. You signally failed to invoke the extensive powers set out in Articles 104C and 104E, to notify the IGP of the facilities and Police Officers required, appoint competent, non-partisan retired officers (of whom there are many) to direct the deployment of the facilities and Police Officers made available by the IGP, so as to ensure a “free and fair election”.

At about 2.30 p.m. on January 26th 2010, a public announcement was made on several TV Channels that casting a vote for General Sarath Fonseka was of no value because his name was not included in the list of Electors and that, even if elected, he could not lawfully hold the post of President. On this being brought to your notice, you issued a written statement that General Sarath Fonseka was indeed, lawfully entitled to be elected and function as President. Soon after this was broadcast on the TV, two or more VV.I.PP of the UPFA visited you at the Elections Secretariat and after some time you left the Secretariat in their Company. Thereafter you were seen in the Secretariat only minutes before you announced on 27th January, 2010, inter alia, that this was the worst election you have ever conducted, it was only when Indra de Silva was IGP that you were able to conduct a peaceful election, you had been told by powerful persons that your only function was to count the votes in the ballot boxes and announce the result, your election staff could not even ensure the safety of the ballot boxes, you will attend to the incidental functions relating to that election in the next few days in January and not thereafter even set foot in the Secretariat premises, and you wished to particularly thank the IGP Mahinda Balasuriya because he complied with all the requests made to him by you.

To the astonishment of the Public, you returned to the Elections Secretariat on 2nd February 2010, and retracted all the statements you made. You also declared that you were willing and able to conduct the General Election which will determine the future course of this country. Many, including me, have lost all faith in your commitment to conducting any free and fair election. You are, once again making attractive statements which, from your own recent experience, you no doubt know very well, will go unheeded. You have not even bothered to appoint a Competent Authority but have directed Party Secretaries to seek fairplay from the very Chairman who blatantly refused it. You have left it to the IGP to deal with any Police officers who failed to actively support the President. You have turned a blind eye to the flagrant abuse of State Resources. You are just going through the motions.

I challenge you to appear live on TV and truthfully divulge to the country where, and with whom, you and your wife were between 3.30 p.m. on 26th January 2010 and 4.45 p.m. on January 27th 2010, and also invoke all the Constitutional powers vested in you, not for the purpose of boosting your tarnished image, but for the purpose of conducting a free and fair election. If you do so, public confidence in your ability and willingness to conduct a free and fair election may well be restored, and it will not be necessary for me to tender an unqualified apology to you and your wife for having brought you to this state, and also to the Sri Lankan Nation for having prevented your removal from the election process in 1999 and thereby facilitating, what I believe, were fraudulent elections in Sri Lanka.

Please be aware of the maxim “Facts cannot lie, but men can”

With best wishes to you and your wife.

Yours sincerely,
Elmore M. Perera
B.Sc., LL.B, F.C.M.A., Dipl. PMD (U. Conn), TREND (U. Conn), CSSI,
Chartered Management Accountant, Chartered Surveyor,
Management and Training Consultant,
Attorney-at-Law, Commissioner for Oaths, E-mail: elm144@sltnet.lk
Notary Public and Company Secretary,

Former Addl. Director SLIDA and Surveyor General,
Past President, Organisation of Professional Organisations,
Vice President, Citizens’ Movement for Good Governance.

Une lettre ouverte au commissaire électoral: «Je vous mets au défi, où et avec qui vous étiez dans la nuit de jour de l'élection présidentielle? Avocat-Vétéran Elmore
(Lanka-e-News 20.March.2010, 1h45)




Chers Dayananda,

A Free and Fair Election - Un rêve impossible?
-------------------------------------------------
Nous, les gens ont le droit souverain d'exercer notre franchise au cours d'élections libres et équitables. La dernière fois nous pourrions le faire, c'était en 1977. Donner libre cours à notre dégoût de la gouvernance qui prévalaient alors, nous avons donné JR Jayawardena, qui prétendait être le tant attendu sauveur de la nation sri-lankaise, une majorité 5/6th. Des élections libres et équitables se sont vite reléguée à l'histoire. Le processus électoral a rapidement dégénéré au niveau de la fameuse Wayamba Conseil élection provinciale en 1999.

Pour tenter d'endiguer cette tendance inquiétante, le début OPA en 1994, ont essayé de surveiller les élections. À la fin d'une discussion, certains d'entre nous d'avoir avec vous de nouveau suivi l'élection présidentielle de 1999, vous affirmez avoir été à l'extrémité de réception de mes conférences dans SLIDA. J'ai immédiatement pris en charge (à tort ou à raison?) Que vous aviez approuvé la nécessité d'une conduite exemplaire, je constamment essayé d'insuffler à ceux qui ont choisi d'écouter ce que j'ai dit.

Dans une tentative visant à réduire le gréement à l'élection présidentielle de 1999, vous aviez apposé le désormais tristement célèbres "étiquettes" à Polling Cards. L'abus potentiel de telles étiquettes autocollantes en fut empêché par la détection accidentelle de ce mouvement secret de la vôtre, par un VV.IP Ayant tentatives faites par un triumvirat de personnalités les plus puissants de l'époque, avec la complicité évidente d'un organisme d'Etat, vous mettre à l'écart et de répliquer l'élection Wayamba, ont été contrecarrés par la justification de votre bonne foi et légitime, certes futile et coûteuse, agir. Toutefois, vous n'aviez pas été investi d'aucun pouvoir de contrôler ou même de contenir la violence et la violation flagrante des lois électorales qui ont eu lieu.

Dégoûté de la dérision qui fait passer pour des «élections libres et équitables», nous le peuple, par nos représentants élus au Parlement, a adopté le 17e amendement à la Constitution, une réduction drastique de l'étendue du pouvoir exécutif du peuple souverain qui avait été déléguée au Président, et de créer une Commission électorale de cinq membres, doté de pouvoirs étendus, dans le seul but de rétablir la tenue d'élections libres et équitables.
L'amendement 17, adopté avec une seule abstention et nul contre, est entré en vigueur le 3 Octobre 2001, et à condition que la Commission électorale (CE) avec suffisamment de pouvoirs étendus, entre autres, à désigner d'autres dirigeants à la CE et de leur déléguer tout pouvoir ou fonctions de la CE, de notifier à l'Inspecteur général de la police des installations et le nombre de policiers nécessaires, puis les déployer pour assurer l'exécution de toutes les lois relatives à la conduite d'élections libres et équitables, à interdire la détournement de biens d'Etat, et de permettre à l'Autorité compétente pour prendre en charge la gestion de la SLBC et SLRC à l'égard de toutes les émissions qui touchent à l'élection.

Malheureusement, aucun Commission électorale a été constituée et, par conséquent, en termes de l'alinéa 27 (2) de ladite loi, vous avez été investi de tous les larges pouvoirs, devoirs et fonctions de la Commission électorale. Votre incapacité à exercer la plupart de ces pouvoirs ont abouti à votre validation de l'élection présidentielle de 2005, où environ 500.000 électeurs dans le Sud et presque tous les électeurs dans le Nord ont été illégalement privés de leurs droits.

Plutôt que d'invoquer les pouvoirs étendus dont vous êtes investi, de façon à favoriser la conduite d'un référendum libre et équitable des élections présidentielles 2010, on a seulement demandé que l'IGP de continuer à déployer les agents de police lui-même, de la manière indiquée par vous. Tardivement, vous a donné des directives pour l'élimination immédiate des coupes (et même fourni les fonds nécessaires pour les mêmes) et l'annulation de certains transferts. Toutefois, ces instructions ont été ignorées en toute impunité. Vous aviez choisi de ne pas prendre connaissance du fait que cette IGP avait été nommé par le président, en violation de la Constitution, et a même été investi des pouvoirs de la Commission nationale de police, en violation de la Constitution, et certainement dû preuve de davantage d'allégeance au Président qui l'a nommé, et au Secrétaire de la Défense à qui il rend compte, plutôt que d'obéir à vos directives louables, convaincu que vous auriez, délibérément ou non, n'exercent pas les pouvoirs étendus dont vous êtes investi pour assurer le respect de vos directives .

Les «directives» aurait émis par vous au Ministère de secrétaires et d'autres re l'abus de ressources d'État ont été largement ignorées, en violation de l'obligation constitutionnelle que «toute personne sous le contrôle duquel ces biens sont, pour le moment, est tenu de se conformer à la et donner effet à ces instructions ". Vous n'avez rien de plus. Vous désigné d'autorité compétente pour contrôler les émissions de SLBC et SLRC. L'émission de directives et directives, même pas avoir d'effet significatif sur la SLBC et SLRC. Sans invoquer un quelconque des pouvoirs dévolus à vous d ' «assurer l'application de vos directives", vous fréquemment apparu à la télévision, et a tenté de se disculper de votre trahison de la confiance placée en vous, en se plaignant à plusieurs reprises que beaucoup de vos directives, notamment , à l'IGP, à tous les secrétaires et des médias et ceux de vos autorités n'étaient pas écoutés, et que vous étiez impuissant. Vous simplement révoqué la nomination de l'autorité compétente, sans lui permettre de prendre en charge la gestion de la SLBC et SLRC, à l'égard de toutes les émissions politiques ou toute autre émission, qui empiète sur l'élection, en vertu des articles 104 B (5) (c) et Loi n ° 3 de 2002.

Pour couronner le tout, vous avez annoncé une «vignette» serait placé sur chaque boîte de scrutin pour signifier qu'il avait été dûment "vérifié", "fermé" et "fermé". L'implication nécessaire était que toute boîte de scrutin qui a effectué cet autocollant "doit nécessairement être présumés avoir été dûment contrôlés, fermés et scellés par le président senior, en présence des candidats et / ou leurs mandataires dûment désigné. Vous ne pouvez pas invoquer le fait que vous ne se rendent pas compte que cette procédure se prêtait à la messe échelle non corruption vérifiables. Un rapport de nouvelles de boîtes de scrutin ayant été transportés dans un véhicule de la Marine a été immédiatement supprimés.

Nous le peuple, leva les yeux à vous pour honorer la confiance placée en vous par nous, par nos représentants élus, et de tenir une élection libre et équitable. Vous avez manifestement pas réussi à invoquer les pouvoirs étendus prévus aux articles 104 C et 104E, pour notifier l'IGP des installations et des agents de police requis, nommer compétente, non partisane officiers à la retraite (dont ils sont nombreux) pour diriger le déploiement des installations et des officiers de police mis à disposition par l'IGP, de manière à assurer une élection «libre et équitable".

A environ 2,30 pm le 26 Janvier 2010, une annonce publique a été effectuée sur plusieurs chaînes de télévision que les voix exprimées pour le général Sarath Fonseka a été d'aucune valeur parce que son nom ne figurait pas dans la liste des électeurs et que, même s'il est élu, il pourrait pas détenir légalement le poste de président. Sur cet être portées à votre connaissance, vous avez émis une déclaration écrite que le général Sarath Fonseka a été en effet, légalement autorisée à être élus et la fonction de président. Peu après cela, était diffusée sur la télévision, deux ou plusieurs VV.I.PP de l'UPFA-vous visité lors des élections du Secrétariat et après un certain temps vous avez quitté le Secrétariat en leur compagnie. Par la suite, on vous a vu au procès-verbal que vous avez annoncé Secrétariat avant le 27 Janvier 2010, entre autres, que c'était la pire élection, vous avez déjà effectuées, ce n'est que lorsque Indra de Silva a été IGP que vous étiez en mesure de procéder à une élection pacifique , vous aviez été informé par des personnes puissantes que votre seule fonction était de compter les votes dans les urnes et annoncer le résultat, votre personnel électoral ne pourrait pas assurer même la sécurité des urnes, vous pourrez assister aux fonctions des incidents relatifs à cette élection dans les prochains jours en Janvier et non pas par la suite bien mis les pieds dans les locaux du Secrétariat, et vous tient à remercier tout particulièrement les IGP Mahinda Balasuriya parce qu'il satisfait à toutes les demandes qui lui est faite par vous.

A l'étonnement du public, vous êtes revenu à l'élection du Secrétariat, le 2 Février 2010, et écarté toutes les déclarations que vous faites. Vous avez également déclaré que vous étiez disposé et apte à la conduite de l'élection générale qui déterminera l'évolution future de ce pays. Beaucoup, dont moi, ont perdu toute foi dans votre engagement à mener une élection libre et équitable. Vous êtes, une fois de plus attrayant de faire des déclarations qui, à partir de votre propre expérience récente, vous le savez sans doute très bien, resteront lettre morte. Vous n'avez même pas pris la peine de nommer une autorité compétente, mais ont réalisé Parti secrétaires de chercher fairplay du Président-là même qui a refusé de manière flagrante. Vous l'avez laissée à l'IGP pour faire face à tous les policiers qui n'ont pas réussi à soutenir activement le président. Vous avez fermé les yeux sur les abus flagrant de ressources d'État. Vous allez juste par les mouvements.

Je vous mets au défi d'apparaître en direct à la télévision et honnêtement les divulguer à des pays où, et avec qui, vous et votre épouse étaient entre 3,30 pm le 26 Janvier 2010 et 4,45 pm le 27 Janvier 2010, et également se prévaloir de tous les pouvoirs constitutionnels dont vous êtes investi , et non dans le but de dynamiser votre image ternie, mais dans le but de mener une élection libre et équitable. Si vous le faites, la confiance du public dans votre capacité et la volonté de mener une élection libre et équitable mai ainsi être rétablie, et il ne sera pas nécessaire pour moi d'offres toutes ses excuses à vous et à votre femme de vous avoir conduit à cet état, et aussi pour la nation sri-lankais pour avoir empêché de votre éloignement du processus électoral en 1999 et en facilitant ainsi, ce que je crois, avait des élections frauduleuses au Sri Lanka.

S'il vous plaît être conscient de la maxime «Les faits ne peuvent pas mentir, mais les hommes peuvent"

Avec mes meilleurs vœux à vous et votre épouse.

Yours sincerely,
Elmore M. Perera
B.Sc., LL.B., F.C.M.A., Dipl. PMD (U. Conn), tendance (U. Conn), CSSI,
Chartered Management Accountant, Chartered Surveyor,
Management and Training Consultant,
Attorney-at-Law, le commissaire à l'assermentation, E-mail: elm144@sltnet.lk
Notary Public and Company Secretary,

Ancien Addl. Directeur SLIDA et l'arpenteur général,
Président sortant, l'Organisation des organisations professionnelles,
Vice President, Mouvement des citoyens pour une bonne gouvernance.

 

What exactly did the Elections Commissioner say?
Lead News
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 21:14


Mr. Dayananda Dissanayaka

(Elections Commissioner Sri-Lanka )

Manifestation en Généve, contre Président et Elections Commissioner Sri-Lanka (le 19.03.2010 )

Mr. Dayananda Dissanayake, Elections Commissioner.


Sri Lanka’s most controversial and ugliest election ever, the 06th Presidential Election concluded this evening (27th) on a questionable note. The final result was announced by an obviously agitated Elections Commissioner. The Commissioner also chose the occasion to make a speech that analysts said was loaded with meaning and abhorrence of what had been a turbulent task of overseeing a violent election. It was evident, agreed many observers, that his speech was made under duress and contained several areas that gave rise to controversy about the election and its final result.
Some of the issues raised by him were as follows.
“Under the empowerment of the Elections Commissioner as indicated in the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, I issued specific guidelines to the state media that were duly ignored. I then installed a Competent Authority for the state media who was completely disregarded. I then met the heads of state media but to no avail. I realized that this was a hopeless cause and so I had the Competent Authority removed.”
“ I was able to note that during the election, many state institutions operated in a manner not befitting state organisations.”
“Some blamed me saying that my task was to ensure that the ballot boxes were safe and to ensure that the counting was done right. But under the circumstances I faced today, I could not even ensure the safety of even one ballot box. I did my duties during this time under great duress and mental agony.”
“ I hereby state that the situation has reached a dangerous level that is beyond me. I am also advanced in years and have served in this capacity for eight long years so I only ask that I be released from this thankless duty.”
“It is impossible for me to work in peace under the circumstances – I am constantly under stress and find that I may fall sick and have to face consequences of such an illness.”
“ Regional leaders harassed my team and I in several areas such as Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Matala Districts , they even bothered the counting centres. This is not a good trend. In fact, it reached an uncontrollable level of verbal abuse directed at Presiding Officers and Asst Elections Commissioners. “
“ I have been accused of favouring one party in the process of carrying out my duties. I regret that it is no longer possible for me to suffer such indignity and insult – I am not able to do so physically or psychologically.”
Observers were of the view that the points highlighted by the Elections Commissioner clearly indicated that he has had to announce an election result not in keeping with his conscience, under duress. All we can say is that truth is like a rubber ball in water - it emerges every time you try to suppress it.
Roshan Fernando

 


 

Arrest of General Fonseka against Sri Lankan and International law – Former CJ



The arrest of General Sarath Fonseka is against Sri Lankan and the international law, said former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva at the formal occasion associated with the inauguration of the internet petition aimed at bringing pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to release General Fonseka.
Following is the complete text of his speech.
“ I see this arrest as a political one, aimed at imprisoning the hero who saved our nation from the LTTE menace. His arrest has been made with the intention of breaking his spirit, his will to go against all odds to serve this country. It is with responsibility that I state Sarath Fonseka is a political prisoner. There are certain provisions in our law concerning the arrest of a person. Now all of those provisions have been thwarted. The international community views us as a land where law does not exist. But on the contrary, we have a system of justice that is still valid – our Supreme Court was established in 1802, considered the first in this region. I had the opportunity to hold the post of Chief Justice in those hallowed halls of justice. I clearly state that we have a strong system of justice, one that has been recognized by the international community. “
“ The law of the land stems from the Constitution. Section 13 of the Constitution clearly states the conditions under which a person could be arrested. The second sub section under Section 13 states that the person arrested must be produced in a court of law within the time limits stipulated by law. Legal time frame as per the Criminal Procedure Code would amount to 24 hours within which the arrested person must be produced in court. When general Fonseka was arrested, none of these formalities were observed. Witnesses to this are Mr Somawansa Amarasinghe and former MP Sunil Handunetti.”
“According to the law, an arrest must be made in accordance with the criminal legal frame. The arresting police officer must inform the person being arrested concerning the reasons for the arrest. General Fonseka was not arrested according to the criminal law but dragged down a staircase, in the middle of a political discussion, treated worse than a common criminal.”
“ Since the arrest of General Fonseka was not made under the accepted law of the land, I call this arrest a political one. The law I talk about is not limited to the Constitution. That’s why I agreed to the internet based petition against the arrest of General Fonseka. This is a sacred part of the international law. At the end of the Second World War in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was made with the intention of securing the rights of individuals. Section 09 of the Declaration states that an arrest must be made in accordance with the Constitution and the law of the land. Sri Lanka was one of the first signatories to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and thereby, we are bound by it.”
“In 1978, Sri Lankan took part in the Human Rights Convention which in its Section 09 states the same thing. That is the accepted international law and that’s why we are appealing to the international community to take note of this arrest. This arrest has violated not only the Constitutional rights in Sri Lanka but also the internationally accepted law.”
“ Friends, international law did not commence after 1948 but in 1215 with the Magna Carta declared by the British under which rights are ensured. The book of law states that when an arrest of a person or the denying of the rights of a person is done it must be within the law of the land. This is therefore not to be taken lightly. Once again, the arrest of General Fonseka violates both Sri Lankan and the international law.”
“ Some state that this arrest was done with the Army Act but the Army Act does not supersede the international or the constitutional law. We must understand that. The Army Act comes under the Constitution and the International law. The Army Act exists to ensure discipline in the Army. Many may have many opinions but I state with accountability, as the former Chief Justice, that Section 13 of the Constitution clearly states that a person must not be arrested outside the law. Section 15 states that these basic rights can be used within limitations to ensure discipline in the Army. There are 03 points very adequately highlighted here. One states that in order to ensure the proper discharge of duties and their accepted code of conduct that Army personnel can be brought within the limits of the law. Which means that an officer serving in the Army can be brought under the law to ensure that he properly discharges his duties and maintains the accepted code of conduct within the Army. However, this does not apply to General Fonseka since at the time of his arrest, he was no longer serving in the Army. Therefore, Section 15 has been completely twisted and misunderstood in this entire episode. According to the Constitution, three conditions must be fulfilled in order for someone to be prosecuted under the law as stated in Section 15 – the person must be a serving officer of the Army, it must be within the Army’s accepted code of conduct and it must concern a violation of discipline. For an example, an officer of the Army refusing to go to war can be arrested within these conditions which limit one’s fundamental rights assured by the Constitution.”
“ It is unfortunate that those engaged in the law have not examined the law closely. We presented a Fundamental Rights Application on behalf of General Fonseka to Court but that has not been postponed until April 26th, following the conclusion of the General Election. We do not question the authority of the Supreme Court to postpone a hearing. However, Section 126 of the Constitution clearly states that a case concerning a Fundamental Rights Violation must be argued within 02 months of presentation. There have been occasions when that has been violated. However, we strived to conclude this soon but when it is postponed beyond the 02 month frame stipulated, anyone will assume that there is no justice in this land, which is indeed a tragedy.”
“ For the first time in the history of this country, the leader of a key political alliance that include over 30 former MPs, has to operate an election campaign while being in prison. Mrs Anoma Fonseka therefore has to carry the weight of the campaign and we wish her all the best. But more importantly, we call on everyone to light a lamp of hope in our hearts. We must spread the love of humanity – we must hope that truth in our action will triumph. We wish that General Fonseka will truly experience the freedom that he ensured for all of us.”

 

Arrestation du général Fonseka contre le Sri-lankais et le droit international -

L'ancien juge en chef


L'arrestation du général Sarath Fonseka est contre le Sri-lankais et le droit international, a déclaré l'ancien juge en chef N Sarath Silva à l'occasion de forme liées à l'inauguration de la pétition sur Internet visant à faire pression sur le gouvernement sri-lankais de libérer le général Fonseka.
Voici le texte intégral de son discours.
«Je vois cette arrestation comme une question politique, qui vise à emprisonner le héros qui a sauvé notre nation de la menace des LTTE. Son arrestation a été faite avec l'intention de briser son esprit, sa volonté d'aller contre toute la chance de servir ce pays. C'est avec une responsabilité que je Etat Sarath Fonseka est un prisonnier politique. Il existe certaines dispositions dans notre droit au sujet de l'arrestation d'une personne. Maintenant, toutes ces dispositions ont été contrariés. La communauté internationale nous considère comme une terre où le droit n'existe pas. Mais au contraire, nous avons un système de justice qui est encore valable - notre Cour suprême a été créé en 1802, considéré comme le premier dans cette région. J'ai eu l'occasion d'occuper le poste de juge en chef dans ces lieux sacrés de la justice. J'ai clairement affirmer que nous avons un système fort de la justice, qui a été reconnue par la communauté internationale. "
«La loi du pays découle de la Constitution. L'article 13 de la Constitution stipule clairement les conditions dans lesquelles une personne peut être arrêtée. La section deuxième sous vertu de l'article 13 stipule que la personne arrêtée doit être traduite devant un tribunal de droit dans les délais prescrits par la loi. Cadre légal temps, conformément au Code de procédure pénale s'élèverait à 24 heures dans lequel la personne arrêtée doit être traduite en justice. Lorsque le général Fonseka, a été arrêté, aucune de ces formalités ont été observées. Ce sont des témoins de M. Somawansa Amarasinghe et ancien député Sunil Handunetti.
"Conformément à la loi, une arrestation doit être faite en conformité avec le cadre juridique en matière pénale. Le policier doit informer la personne arrêtée concernant les raisons de l'arrestation. Général Fonseka n'a pas été arrêté conformément à la loi pénale, mais traîne dans un escalier, au milieu d'une discussion politique, traité pire qu'un criminel de droit commun. "
«Depuis l'arrestation du général Fonseka n'a pas été faite en vertu de la loi acceptée de la terre, j'appelle cette arrestation politique. La loi dont je parle que de ne se limite pas à la Constitution. C'est pourquoi j'ai accepté de l'Internet Based pétition contre l'arrestation du général Fonseka. Ceci est une partie sacrée du droit international. À la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale en 1948, la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme a été fait avec l'intention de garantir les droits des individus. L'article 09 de la Déclaration stipule que toute arrestation doit être faite conformément à la Constitution et la loi de la terre. Sri Lanka a été l'un des premiers signataires de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme et, par conséquent, nous sommes liés par lui. "
«En 1978, le Sri Lanka ont pris part à la CEDH qui, dans sa section 09 stipule la même chose. C'est la loi internationale a accepté et c'est pourquoi nous faisons appel à la communauté internationale à prendre acte de cette arrestation. Cette arrestation a non seulement violé les droits constitutionnels au Sri Lanka, mais aussi le droit internationalement accepté. "
«Amis, le droit international ne doit pas débuter après 1948, mais en 1215 avec la Magna Carta déclarées par les Britanniques dans lesquelles les droits sont garantis. Le livre de la loi stipule que lors d'une arrestation d'une personne ou le refus des droits d'une personne se fait elle doit être dans la loi de la terre. Ce n'est donc pas à prendre à la légère. Une fois encore, l'arrestation du général Fonseka viole à la fois le Sri-lankais et le droit international ".
«Certains affirment que cette arrestation a été faite avec la loi sur l'armée mais la loi sur l'armée ne remplace pas l'international ou le droit constitutionnel. Nous devons comprendre cela. La loi sur l'armée relève de la Constitution et le droit international. La loi sur l'armée est là pour assurer la discipline dans l'armée. Beaucoup de mai ont des opinions beaucoup, mais je constate avec une responsabilité, comme l'ancien juge en chef, que l'article 13 de la Constitution stipule clairement que nul ne doit être arrêté en dehors de la loi. L'article 15 précise que ces droits fondamentaux peut être utilisé dans des limites pour assurer la discipline dans l'armée. Il existe 03 points très bien mis en évidence ici. On prévoit que, afin d'assurer le bon accomplissement des tâches et leur code de conduite accepté que le personnel de l'Armée de terre peut être amenée dans les limites de la loi. Ce qui signifie que l'agent en service dans l'Armée peut être intentée en vertu de la loi pour faire en sorte qu'il s'acquitte de ses devoirs correctement et maintient le code de conduite reconnues au sein de l'Armée de terre. Toutefois, cela ne s'applique pas au général Fonseka car au moment de son arrestation, il n'était plus en service dans l'armée. Par conséquent, l'article 15 a été complètement tordue et incompris dans tout cet épisode. Selon la Constitution, trois conditions doivent être remplies pour que quelqu'un soit poursuivi en vertu du droit énoncé à l'article 15 - la personne doit être un agent au service de l'armée, elle doit être acceptée dans le code de l'Armée de conduite et il faut concernent une violation de la discipline. Pour un exemple, un officier de l'armée refusant de faire la guerre ne peut être arrêté dans ces conditions qui limitent ses droits fondamentaux assurée par la Constitution ".
"Il est regrettable que ceux qui sont engagés dans la loi n'ont pas examiné la loi de près. Nous avons présenté une demande droits fondamentaux au nom du général Fonseka devant les tribunaux mais qui n'a pas été reportée jusqu'au 26 avril, après la conclusion de l'élection générale. Nous ne remet pas en question l'autorité de la Cour suprême de reporter une audience. Toutefois, l'article 126 de la Constitution stipule clairement que une affaire concernant une violation des droits fondamentaux doit être soutenu dans les 02 mois de la présentation. Il ya eu des occasions où ce qui a été violé. Toutefois, nous nous sommes efforcés de conclure le présent bientôt mais quand elle est reportée au-delà du cadre de 02 mois stipulé, n'importe qui suppose qu'il ya pas de justice dans ce pays, qui est effectivement une tragédie. "
"Pour la première fois dans l'histoire de ce pays, le chef d'une alliance politique clés qui comprennent plus de 30 anciens députés, doit opérer une campagne électorale tout en étant en prison. Mme Anoma Fonseka a donc pour porter le poids de la campagne et nous lui souhaitons tout le meilleur. Mais plus important encore, nous appelons tout le monde à la lumière d'une lampe de l'espérance dans nos cœurs. Nous devons répandre l'amour de l'humanité - il faut espérer que la vérité dans notre action triomphera. Nous souhaitons que le général Fonseka sera véritablement l'expérience de la liberté dont il a assuré pour nous tous. "

 

Media Update‏
De : donotreply@sarathfonseka.com
Envoyé : lun. 22/03/10 00:28
À : francoeurope-srilanka@hotmail.fr

 

When one man's rights are denied, the rights of all are endangered


This is a special update regarding journalist Ruwan Weerakoon, currently arrested by the CID for refusing to give evidence against General Sarath Fonseka.
As you are all aware the Sri Lankan government is recklessly attempting to fabricate allegations against the General in a fast failing bid to keep him detained.
The newest victim of this government's violence is Ruwan Weerakoon.
The two MPs providing the evidence from the government against SF have alleged that Ruwan was used by the General to contact them about entering politics.
An allegation that Ruwan has vehemently denied throughout.
Here's a timeline of his questioning and detention.
March 11
Ruwan was questioned by the CID on this matter at which point he had told the CID that this was false, and he would not support the false claims of the two MPs.
March 15
Ruwan is admitted to the hospital.
The CID comes to the hospital to say that he will not be harmed if he provides a statement supporting the government.
Ruwan refuses - maintaining that the allegations are false.
The CID arrest Ruwan and keeps him in custody at the hospital at 9.15pm.
March 16
At 11pm Ruwan is served a detention order given by the Defense Minister.
This is illegal as he was not produced before a judicial officer.
4 TID (Terrorism Investigation department) officers stand outside his room, with another in civil uniform staying in the room with a pistol.
Ruwan is now charged with conspiring against the government.
Even amidst this physiological torture, Ruwan has so far refused to corraborate the stories of the MPs and has even given an affidavit accordingly. However, we fear there will be a limit to how much pressure he will be able to take.
His fundamental rights as a citizen has been denied and once again we see the government illegally arrest and detain people with no regard for the nation's legal system or due process. Their simple aim is to capture as many people as they can until someone somewhere gives into this torture.
We are grateful for citizens like Ruwan Weerakoon, who in the face of great danger still stand firm for the truth, honesty and integrity.
This government is using the Emergency Situation and the Terrorism Prevention Act, to arrest, detain, torture and justify any kind of abuse on anyone not willing to support its witch hunt to convict the General.
A Fundamental Rights case has been filed for this injustice, and we await the results.
We will keep you posted as more information come up.

Lorsque les droits d'un homme sont niés, les droits de tous sont en danger


Il s'agit d'une mise à jour spéciales concernant journaliste Ruwan Weerakoon, actuellement arrêté par la CID pour avoir refusé de témoigner contre le général Sarath Fonseka.
Comme vous le savez tous, le gouvernement sri lankais tente imprudemment de fabriquer des allégations contre le général dans une soumission rapide à défaut de le garder en détention.
La dernière victime de violence de ce gouvernement est Ruwan Weerakoon.
Les deux députés qui fournit la preuve du gouvernement contre la SF ont allégué que Ruwan a été utilisé par le général de les contacter au sujet de son entrée en politique.
Une allégation selon laquelle Ruwan a nié avec véhémence les cours.
Voici une chronologie de son interrogatoire et de détention.
11 mars
Ruwan a été interrogé par la police judiciaire sur cette question à laquelle il avait dit à la CID que cela était faux, et il n'aurait pas l'appui des allégations fausses de ces deux députés.
15 mars
Ruwan est admis à l'hôpital.
Le CID vient à l'hôpital pour dire qu'il ne seront pas lésés pour autant qu'il fournisse une déclaration soutenant le gouvernement.
Ruwan refuse - en soutenant que les allégations sont fausses.
L'arrestation CID Ruwan et le maintient en garde à vue à l'hôpital à 9.15pm.
16 mars
At 11pm Ruwan est servi un ordre de détention donnée par le ministre de la Défense.
Cela est illégal car il n'a pas été produit devant un officier de justice.
4 TID (Terrorism département d'enquête) Les agents de rester en dehors de sa chambre, avec un autre en tenue civile séjournant dans la chambre avec un pistolet.
Ruwan est maintenant accusé d'avoir comploté contre le gouvernement.
Même au milieu de cette torture psychologique, Ruwan a jusqu'à présent refusé de corraborate les histoires des députés et a même donné un affidavit en conséquence. Toutefois, nous craignons, il y aura une limite à la pression qu'il sera en mesure de prendre.
Ses droits fondamentaux en tant que citoyen a été rejetée et une nouvelle fois nous voyons le gouvernement d'arrestation illégale et détenir des gens sans égard pour le système juridique du pays ou d'une procédure régulière. Leur simple but est de capturer le plus de gens que possible jusqu'à ce que quelqu'un donne quelque part dans cette torture.
Nous sommes reconnaissants au citoyen, comme Ruwan Weerakoon, qui, dans le visage de grand danger Stand Still ferme pour la vérité, l'honnêteté et l'intégrité.
Ce gouvernement se sert de la situation d'urgence et la prévention du terrorisme de loi, d'arrêter, emprisonner, torturer et de justifier tout type de violence sur quiconque n'est pas disposé à appuyer sa chasse aux sorcières pour condamner le général.
Un cas de droits fondamentaux a été déposée pour cette injustice, et nous attendons les résultats.
Nous vous tiendrons au courant que des informations plus monter.


Sarath Fonseka Media Unit
3/1 Rajakeeya Mawatha, Colombo 7
sarathfonsekamedia@gmail.com

 

Sri Lankans in Australia urge UN to intervene in protecting Human & Civil rights of Sri Lankans citizens


(Lanka-e-News, March 17, 2010, 7.55PM) We publish hereunder a letter addressed to the United Nations quoting Article 25 and Article 9 of the covenant urging its intervention as the guardian of civil and human rights in connection with the arrest and detention of General Sarath Fonseka allegedly violating the laws of the country and in breach of the covenant.

The Honourable Ban Ki Moon,
Secretary-General
United Nations
March 14 2010

Dear Sir,

Although a signatory to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the government of Sri Lanka is in breach of Article 25 and Article 9. Therefore we respectfully ask that you remind the President of the said government of its civil rights obligations under international law.

Article 25 of the ICCPR gives every citizen the right to vote in "genuine periodic elections" which shall guarantee "the free expression of the will of the electors." Sri Lanka has recently been subjected to a series of elections which were neither "genuine" nor "free".


The ruling party and the incumbent president used full power of the state to guarantee electoral success. Armed gangs were used to intimidate supporters of the opposition candidate who challenged the incumbent president, General (Rtd.) Sarath Fonseka. The resources of state authorities were widely employed to help the sitting President's campaign; the state media which is run by the tax payers' money of Sri Lanka carried constant advertisements which were like programmes for him. Live coverage was given to meetings at which the President participated while the General's meetings were not given any publicity at all or virtually none. Likewise the state media was used to make false statements defaming Fonseka's personal character. It was repeatedly alleged that he was not eligible to be elected president and that therefore a vote cast for him would be wasted. Such statements were broadcast without a break until the close of polling at 4 pm. The counting agents of candidates other than the President were threatened and chased away from many counting centres. Transport facilities were not provided to residents of IDP camps in the North with the result that only 5,000 out of 100,000 eligible and registered voters cast their votes. Planned bomb explosions in the war a_ected the northern peninsula on the day before the presidential election, preventing people casting their votes (the number who turned up was as low as below 15%}. The Elections' Commissioner admitted that he could not ensure the safety of even one ballot box and that "the situation has reached a dangerous level that is beyond me."
This manner in which the election was held denied the human rights of the Sri Lankan people. Soon afterwards, the main opposition candidate Sarath Fonseka was arrested under the Army Act even though he had already ceased to be a serving o_cer, Military law has denied him the normal rights of an accused citizen; he has not yet been charged although one month of detention has passed.

Article 9 of the ICCPR states:

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.

2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.

By its illegal detention of Sarath Fonseka without charge, the government of Sri Lanka has breached this article of the Covenant in every respect. That is the considered opinion of Retired Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva, who said, after thoroughly examining the evidence, " In conclusion I wish to state that from whatever perspective one may look at the matter – the Constitution; the Universal Declaration; the ICCPR; the Code of Criminal Procedure Act; the Army Act or the CDS Act; the purported arrest and continued detention of General Sarath Fonseka who is now a candidate nominated for the Parliamentary Elections is entirely contrary to law and justice. "

The people of Sri Lanka hope that the UN is the guardian of Article 25 and Article 9 of the Covenant. They are precious civil rights which we are unwilling to lose.

Yours sincerely
Jagath Bandara
National Convener,
Campaign for Democracy in Sri Lanka - Australia

 

Sarath Fonseka Media Briefing‏
De :donotreply@sarathfonseka.com
Envoyé :mer. 03/03/10 23:01
À : francoeurope-srilanka@hotmail.fr

Day 22 and no charge:
It has been 22 days since the illegal arrest of General Fonseka and the government is yet to come up with an official charge. However, surprisingly, they have come up with a verdict - according to the military spokesman the General is to get 5 years in prison.
Even though the government is able to get false statements and false witnesses, they are yet to make a law of the land false - they have no charge so they keep on searching for anything they can even broadly use in this case.


Danuna Tillakaratne, is not hiding from law officials - if there is an actual law in this nation he would not have to take this position.
We want to clarify the charge against, Danuna Tillekaratne, it is NOT about arms deals, it is an allegation of a false signature, a charge, if proven correct is only worth a fine of Rs. 20,000. However, now the military has been told to get involved in the search - they are looking for him so that they can take a statement against SF from him. We all know what methods they will use for this. Once such a statement is taken under pressure and torture, the government can then silence him for good. It is a known fact that several people have "committed suicide" in custody once such statements were taken.
Now you can make your own minds about this matter.


Mr. Tillekaratne's mother and father and the many honest people working in our campaign and connected to us are being harassed by the CID daily- they are called to the CID offices at all odd hours and held there without any reason.
All these tactics are to elicit any kind of false statement to frame General Fonseka.
The gentlemanly army, navy and police forces are now no more. The forces you were so proud of have been corrupted by money and silenced by death threats, the honest people are being arrested, humiliated, fired, demoted and their livelihoods sabotaged.
This is not what our forces gave their lives for - they did not die in the thousands so that one family could rape this nation and turn it into a military state. Instill fear in everyone who dares to comment on anything and threaten anyone who dares to protest.
Any speech given by Mrs. Fonseka is being recorded by the government so as to falsely accuse her as well.
No other political election has seen grown men running after the children of their opponents to jail them and cause them harm - but this government has done that and continues to do that.


The way you vote, the way you act and the way you protest is all that we have now.
Even if it is a small step to stop this inhumane, immoral and illegal regime - take it!
Today it'll be our children, our husbands and our wives and tomorrow it will be yours.
Do not think that a regime who can accuse and put youth in jail, break into temples and ransack places of worship has anything holding them back.

Jour 22 et aucun frais:


Il a été de 22 jours depuis l'arrestation illégale du général Fonseka et le gouvernement est encore à venir avec une charge officielle. Cependant, curieusement, ils ont mis au point un verdict - selon le porte-parole militaire du général est pour obtenir 5 ans de prison.
Même si le gouvernement est capable d'obtenir de fausses déclarations et faux témoignages, ils sont encore de faire une loi de la terre de faux - ils n'ont pas de charge afin qu'ils continuent à chercher tout ce qu'ils peuvent même utiliser amplement dans ce cas.


Dainiuna Tillakaratne, se cache non pas de fonctionnaires de loi - si il ya une loi effective dans ce pays, il n'aurait pas à prendre cette position.
Nous voulons clarifier l'accusation portée contre, Dainiuna Tillekaratne, ce n'est pas de ventes d'armes, il s'agit d'une allégation d'une fausse signature, une charge, si elles sont prouvées correctes ne vaut une amende de Rs. 20.000. Cependant, maintenant que l'armée a été dit à s'impliquer dans la recherche - ils sont à sa recherche afin qu'ils puissent adopter une déclaration contre le SF de lui. Nous savons tous quelles sont les méthodes qu'ils utiliseront pour cela. Une fois une telle déclaration est prise sous la pression et la torture, le gouvernement peut alors le faire taire pour de bon. C'est un fait connu que plusieurs personnes ont "suicidé" en garde à vue une fois de telles déclarations ont été prises.
Maintenant vous pouvez faire votre propre opinion sur cette question.


La mère de M. Tillekaratne et le père et les nombreuses personnes honnêtes qui travaillent dans notre campagne et connectés avec nous sont harcelés par la police judiciaire quotidienne, ils sont appelés à la CID bureaux à toutes les heures impaires et maintenu sans aucune raison.
Toutes ces tactiques sont de susciter toute sorte de fausse déclaration à la zone Général Fonseka.
L'armée de gentilhomme, la marine et les forces de police ne sont plus maintenant. Les forces que vous étiez si fière d'avoir été corrompu par l'argent et réduit au silence par les menaces de mort, les honnêtes gens sont arrêtés, humiliés, licenciés, rétrogradés et leurs moyens de subsistance saboté.


Ce n'est pas ce que nos forces ont donné leur vie pour - ils ne meurent pas dans les milliers de telle sorte que seule famille pouvaient violer cette nation et de la transformer en un Etat militaire. De susciter la crainte chez tous ceux qui ose faire des commentaires sur tout et menacent ceux qui osent protester.
Tout discours prononcé par Mme Fonseka est enregistrée par le gouvernement de manière à accuser à tort elle aussi.
Aucune élection politique autre a vu des hommes cultivés à courir après les enfants de leurs opposants en prison, eux et leur causer du tort - mais ce gouvernement a fait et continue de le faire.
La façon de voter, la façon d'agir et la façon dont vous protestation est tout ce que nous avons maintenant.


Même si c'est un petit pas pour arrêter cette inhumaines, immorales et le régime illégal - Take it!
Aujourd'hui, ça va être nos enfants, nos maris et nos épouses et demain ce sera la vôtre.
Ne pense pas qu'un régime qui ne peut accuser et de mettre les jeunes en prison, font irruption dans les temples et les lieux de culte saccager a quelque chose leur réticence.


 

Military Court judges withdrew because they cannot proceed further on the false charges against Fonseka –Anura Kumara


(Lanka-e-News 18.March.2010 8.10AM) The Democratic National Front at announced this afternoon (17) ,this is the first time in Sri Lanka’s history , the judges of the military Court voluntarily withdrew from a case .It is because they cannot proceed any further on these false charges filed against Gen .Fonseka .

Addressing a Press conference to enlighten the media , JVP M P Anura Kumara Dissanayake said , as the five indictments based on the arms procurement for the Army when Gen. Fonseka was the army Commander are trumped up , the panel of judges appointed by the Army Commander on the orders of the President have withdrawn by declaring that they cannot hear this case because they are already hearing the other case in another military court.

These Army officers were aware of their appointments on the 10th . They were also aware that they are going to be the judges for the two Courts well ahead. But ,they pretended to have suddenly awoken to this fact today , because they realized that they cannot proceed any further on these spurious charges. These three judges are junior to Gen. Fonseka by 10 years, he added.

This bogus military Court President , Major general Weeratunge is married to the Army Commander’s sister . Both of them had joined the Army together. The other member of the panel of judges is A L R Wijetunge who was demoted when Gen. Fonseka was Army Commander for misconduct. Hence, he is not suitable to be a judge as he bears a grudge against Gen .Fonseka . Major General D R B A Jayatileke was removed from the Army tender Board of which he was a member because he tried to pass a tender to a higher bidder wrongfully . Our Lawyers pointed out that these judges are not suitable to be in the panel therefore.. All these measures of the Govt. only go to shows its illegal determination to have Fonseka detained in order to preclude him from taking part in the election activities, Anura Kumara noted.

The allegations of political involvement of Gen. Fonseka were based on the mere hearsay and on some wayside utterances of Lakshman Seneviratne M P , and Minister Johnston Fernando. In their statements they say that they spoke to Gen. Fonseka via Ruwan Weerakoon , a media personnel. The latter had clearly in an affidavit stated what truly transpired. Now , it has come to light that he is held in detention by the TID , and while he is hospitalized in Nawaloka Hospital , attempts are being made to alter his affidavit .
Ruwan in his affidavit declares that one day when he met Johnston Fernando at a cricket club canteen, the Minister has asked for his phone for a while on the excuse that the Minister’s is not working. In like manner , Ruwan had also sworn that he never met Lakshman Seneviratne together with a CDMA phone.. This whole drama should bring home to the people what a cruel melodrama interested parties who wished to implicate Gen. Fonseka had enacted .

 

Can same panel of judges hear in both courts ? Judges panel ask from President -the second military Court postpones without fixing a date for next hearing


(Lanka-e-News, March 17, 2010, 5.00PM) As the same panel of judges are to hear the cases against General Sarath Fonseka in the two Military Courts, the judges who assembled today (17) at the second military Court decided to invite the attention of the President Rajapakse who appointed the judges to address this issue.

When hearing was about to begin at the auditorium of the Naval Headquarters this morning, the President of the Court, Major General H L Weeratunge has first read the letter sent by President Rajapakse in connection with the appointment of the panel of judges. As there is an issue as to whether the same panel of judges of the first Court can hear the case in the second Court too, Major general Weeratunge has referred the matter to the President who appointed the judges.
As a result the second Court adjourned without fixing a date for the next hearing.

The second military Court convened today to hear the case filed against General based on four charges leveled against him for violating the Army rules and procedures in the procurement of arms..

The panel of judges headed by Major General Weeratunge comprised Major Generals A L R Wijetunge and D R A Jayathileke.
PC Aresecularatne along with Nalin Ladduhetty, Eraj De Silva, Sudath Caldera, Vasantha Batagoda, Nuwan Bopage and Nilanthi Peiris of Paul Ratnayake Co. of Lawyers appeared for Gen. Fonseka.

Because of the Military Court President’s announcement and the postponement of the case without a date, the Lawyers appearing for the General did not get an opportunity to make their representations.

 

HR violation at its worst !! :Gen. Fonseka denied even his meal –made to starve
(Lanka-e-News 23.March.2010 1.30AM)

The security officers at the Navy Headquarters where Gen . Fonseka is detained have refused to allow his lunch to be taken to him today (22).

Owing to this General Foneka had to starve without his meal for the whole day .

It is his wife Anoma Fonseka who takes the meals to him during the day and the night . Because she had gone to Moneragala today , she had sent the lunch to Gen. Fonseka through a close relative under the exigent circumstances .. The security officers have refused the relative to take the lunch to the General. The relative had then requested the officers to please take it to him , which too they have ruthlessly declined .

The Supreme Court gave a ruling to allow the General’s relatives to see him at the Navy Headquarters where he is presently detained. Anoma Fonseka had given a list of the names of the relatives through the Lawyers to the Attorney General 9 days ago. But , the Attorney general has still not taken any action to grant permission.
The State authorities say that they have allowed Gen. Fonseka all facilities . The President also says , the Bungalow of a former Navy Commander has been given to the General for his stay. Yet , that place is fully covered, with even the windows being completely closed blocking ventilation , Anoma Fonseka pointed out.

A spokesman for the DNA said , the Govt. is resorting to these kinds of obstructions and ruthless activities in order to hamper the election campaign of Anoma Fonseka and her husband.

Violation des ressources humaines à ses pires! : Gen Fonseka refusée, même ses repas fait d'affamer


(Lanka-e-News 23.March.2010 1h30) Les agents de sécurité au siège de la Marine, où Gen. Fonseka est détenus ont refusé de permettre à son déjeuner à prendre pour lui aujourd'hui (22).

Grâce à cette Foneka général a dû mourir de faim sans son repas pour toute la journée.

C'est sa femme Anoma Fonseka qui prend le repas avec lui pendant la journée et la nuit. Parce qu'elle était allé à Moneragala aujourd'hui, elle avait envoyé le déjeuner au général Fonseka par un proche parent en vertu de la situation d'urgence .. Les officiers de sécurité ont refusé le parent à prendre le déjeuner au général. Le parent avait alors demandé les policiers à prendre s'il vous plaît à lui, ce qui aussi, ils ont brutalement baissé.

La Cour suprême a rendu un arrêt pour permettre aux parents du général de le voir au siège de la Marine, où il est actuellement détenu. Anoma Fonseka avait donné une liste des noms des parents par les avocats pour le Procureur général il ya 9 jours. Mais, le procureur général n'a toujours pas pris de mesures pour accorder la permission.
Les autorités des États-dire qu'elles ont laissé le général Fonseka toutes les installations. Le président dit aussi, le bungalow d'un ancien commandant de la Marine a été donné à l'Assemblée générale pour son séjour. Pourtant, ce lieu est entièrement couvert, avec même les fenêtres étant complètement fermé bloquant la ventilation, Anoma Fonseka souligné.

Un porte-parole de l'ADN dit, la Govt. a recours à ce genre d'obstacles et impitoyables dans des activités afin d'entraver la campagne électorale de Anoma Fonseka et son mari.

 

Doctor ordered air conditioner for Gen. Fonseka because bomb shrapnels were embedded in his lungs and body -Anoma Fonseka


(Lanka-e-News 22.March.2010 3.30A.M) Anoma Fonseka speaking to the media today (21) said , Gen. Fonseka is the only prisoner whose lungs were injured and with bomb shrapnels still embedded in his body due to the war . These Ministers who say that Gen . Fonseka is the only prisoner who is asking for an air conditioner ought to know this fact, she pointed out.

My husband in the process of fighting the war for the sake of the country got his lungs and bowels damaged , and bomb shrapnels are still embedded in his body . Hence , it is a matter for deep regret that the Ministers are classifying him among the other prisoners.

Even though the Courts have issued a directive that relatives can see Gen. Fonseka , because of the orders purportedly from the top , only I am able to see him.

Recently, one Minister had said , that it is my husband who is the first prisoner who had asked for an air conditioner and hot water . It is very clear from this what venom and vengeance this Minister is harboring against a war Hero who almost lost his life to save the country from terrorism. It is the Doctor who ordered an air conditioner for his room. Hot water ,we did not request . My husband as everyone knows is a patriot who nearly laid down his life for the country – he was a victim of a LTTE suicide bomber . He nearly died in that attack. The Minister and the Govt. may have forgotten these facts. After all they are unconscionably enjoying the fruits of my husband’s labor while incarcerating him. The Doctor ordered the air conditioner because of his lung condition as a pure atmospheric air is imperative for his state of health . What is there now is only a fan. Even a fifth grade child knows that ventilation is important for breathing fresh air . Even a window is not kept opened. What a child knows about health and hygiene , this Minister is abysmally ignorant .

Fonseka sustained these injuries not because he indulged in violence for some selfish gain like these Ministers , but because of the war he fought for the sake of the country. Hence, these Ministers forgetting all these incidents is most reprehensible she noted.
When a journalist questioned about the announcements made by Ministers that pro LTTE British channel 4 and Gen. Fonseka maintained relations. Anoma Fonseka replied that as far as her husband was concerned , when he was in the Army he viewed the LTTE and Prabhakaran as the only enemies of his. As regards the letter allegedly sent by him to channel 4, she said she is unaware of such a thing. Her husband is not pro LTTE, and it is those who are accusing him are pro LTTE , aren’t they ?she asked. If he is pro LTTE why should he destroy the LTTE ? she would like to ask from the Ministers who accuse him , she further stated.

Doctor ordered climatiseur pour le général Fonseka parce shrapnells bombe ont été intégrés dans ses poumons et le body-Anoma Fonseka


(Lanka-e-News 22.March.2010 3:30) Anoma Fonseka parler aux médias aujourd'hui (21) a dit, le général Fonseka est le seul prisonnier dont les poumons ont été blessés et avec shrapnells bombe encore encastrés dans son corps en raison de la guerre . Ces ministres qui disent que le gén. Fonseka est le seul prisonnier qui demande un climatiseur devez savoir que ce fait, elle fait remarquer.

Mon mari dans le processus de lutte contre la guerre pour le bien du pays a obtenu son poumons et les intestins endommagé et shrapnells bombe sont encore encastrés dans son corps. Par conséquent, il appartient à un profond regret que les ministres lui classer parmi les autres prisonniers.

Même si les tribunaux ont émis une directive que les parents peuvent voir le général Fonseka, en raison de l'ordre soi-disant par le haut, seulement je suis capable de le voir.

Récemment, un ministre avait dit, que c'est mon mari qui est le premier prisonnier qui avait demandé un conditionneur d'air et d'eau chaude. Il est très clair à partir de ce venin et de la vengeance ce que ce ministre est abriter contre un héros de guerre qui a presque perdu sa vie pour sauver le pays du terrorisme. C'est le médecin qui a ordonné un climatiseur pour sa chambre. L'eau chaude, nous n'avons pas de demande. Mon mari comme chacun le sait est un patriote qui a failli a donné sa vie pour le pays - il a été victime d'un attentat-suicide des LTTE. Il a failli mourir dans cette attaque. Le ministre et le Govt. mai avoir oublié ces faits. Après tout, ils jouissent déraisonnablement les fruits du travail de mon mari, tout en l'incarcération. Le docteur a ordonné le conditionneur d'air à cause de son affection pulmonaire comme un air atmosphérique pur est impératif pour son état de santé. Qu'y at-il n'est plus que d'un ventilateur. Même un enfant de cinquième année sait que la ventilation est importante pour respirer l'air frais. Même une fenêtre n'est pas maintenue en position ouverte. Qu'est-ce qu'un enfant sait sur la santé et l'hygiène, ce ministre est dramatiquement ignorante.

Fonseka subi ces blessures n'est pas parce qu'il se livrait à la violence pour un certain gain égoïste comme ces ministres, mais à cause de la guerre, il a lutté pour le bien du pays. Ainsi, ces ministres sans oublier tous ces incidents est plus répréhensible elle noté.
Quand un journaliste interroge sur les annonces faites par les ministres que Pro chaîne britannique LTTE 4 et le général Fonseka entretient des relations. Anoma Fonseka a répondu que, pour autant que son mari était préoccupé, quand il était dans l'armée qu'il considérait les LTTE et Prabhakaran comme les seuls ennemis de la sienne. Quant à la lettre prétendument envoyé par lui à Channel 4, elle dit qu'elle n'est au courant d'une telle chose. Son mari est LTTE pas pro, et ce sont ceux qui l'accusent sont des LTTE pro, n'est-ce pas?-Elle demandé. S'il est LTTE pro pourquoi devrait-il détruire les LTTE? elle aimerait demander à des ministres qui l'accusent, elle a en outre déclaré.


 

Poltical goons attack 'Sirasa' News unit again


(Lanka-e-News 23.March.2010 1.30AM) Sirasa Media chain which has its news unit at the Maharaja Organization Building at Braybrooke place came under attack last afternoon (22) at around 4.10 p.m .by a group linked to a Govt. politico. Because of the stones hurled at it, immense damage has been caused to the windows and the building .

This attack has been a well organized one , with the goons and hooligans arriving in two buses. Six members of the staff have sustained injuries in the attack.

The Police who appeared on the scene have taken several of these thugs into custody. A number of vehicles parked near the Maharaja Building were also damaged .

In the past too Sirasa media personnel and the Institution were attacked by gangs and goons of the Govt. Ministers.

News division Manager Suranga Senanayake told Lanka e news , when these gangs attacked the Building , they were repulsed by retaliatory attacks using their own stones and missiles in self defense.

Of the two buses in which these goons arrived , one bus bearing No. NA 6897 is one plying in the Kelaniya – Kiribathgoda bus route .

Senanayake went on to explain further …

As usual we were in the ready for the publication of the night news . Then at about 3.30 p.m. we heard a huge sound downstairs. When we went and saw , there was a large crowd at the gate trying to force themselves in. At the same time they began attacking with stones and missiles. As we also had to act in self defense , we started retaliating using their own stones hurled at us. The Police as usual was late , they came an hour later. When the police arrived the gang had withdrawn in the face of our return attack. . Because there was a large crowd of hooligans , identification of them was difficult.

Casseurs Poltical Attack 'Sirasa «unité Nouvelles de nouveau

(Lanka-e-News 23.March.2010 1:30) Sirasa Media chaîne qui a son unité de nouvelles en ce Building Organisation Maharaja à la Place Braybrooke ont été attaqués dernier après-midi (22) à environ 4.10 heures. Par un groupe lié à une Govt . politico. Parce que des pierres lancées contre lui, d'immenses dégâts ont été causés aux fenêtres et le bâtiment.

Cette attaque a été bien organisé un, avec les casseurs et les hooligans qui arrivent dans deux autobus. Six membres du personnel ont subi des blessures dans l'attaque.

La police qui est apparu sur la scène ont pris plusieurs de ces voyous en garde à vue. Un certain nombre de véhicules stationnés près du bâtiment de Maharaja ont également été endommagés.

Dans le passé, trop Sirasa personnel des médias et de l'institution ont été attaqués par des bandes de casseurs et du Gouvernement. Ministres.

Nouvelles Division Manager Suranga Senanayake dit Lanka nouvelles e, quand ces gangs ont attaqué le bâtiment, ils furent repoussés par les attaques de rétorsion en utilisant leurs propres pierres et les missiles pour se défendre.

Des deux bus dans lequel ces casseurs sont arrivés, un bus palier n o NA 6897 est l'un naviguant dans la Kelaniya - Kiribathgoda ligne de bus.

Senanayake a poursuivi en expliquant plus loin ...

Comme d'habitude nous étions dans le prêt à la publication des nouvelles hier. Puis, à environ 3.30 heures, nous avons entendu un grand bruit en bas. Quand nous sommes allés et ont vu, il y avait une grande foule à la porte d'essayer de se forcer po Dans le même temps, ils ont commencé à attaquer avec des pierres et des missiles. Comme nous avons également eu à agir en légitime défense, nous avons commencé à riposter en utilisant leurs propres pierres lancées contre nous. La police était en retard comme d'habitude, ils sont venus une heure plus tard. Lorsque les policiers sont arrivés le gang avait retiré dans le visage de notre attaque retour. . Parce qu'il y avait une grande foule de hooligans, l'identification d'entre eux a été difficile.

 

16 Sri Lankans who staged protests against Ban Ki Moon invited by Kohona for a sumptuous party


(Lanka-e-News 22.March.2010 3.30A.M) SL legal representative to the UN Organization Dr. Palitha Kohona had hosted the 16 Sri Lankans who staged demonstrations against UN Gen. Secretary Ban Ki Moon on the 12th of March in New York, to a sumptuous party at his residence.

On 13th March ,Lanka e news reported that a food parcel and 100 US dollars was distributed to each member of this group of Sri Lankans who participated in this demonstration which was held at the United States was organized by the SL Embassy in America . Later, these 16 Sri Lankans were hosted to a party at Dr. Kohona’s residence. A photograph of one member of this group was forwarded to Lanka e news.

16 Sri-Lankais qui avaient organisé des protestations contre Ban Ki Moon, invité par Kohona pour une fête somptueuse


(Lanka-e-Nouvelles 22.March.2010 3:30) SL représentant légal à l'Organisation des Nations Unies Dr. Palitha Kohona a accueilli les 16 Sri-Lankais qui ont organisé des manifestations contre le Secrétaire général de l'ONU Ban Ki Moon le 12 Mars à New York , à une fête somptueuse à sa résidence.

Le 13 Mars, Lanka nouvelles e signalé qu'un colis de nourriture et 100 dollars US a été distribué à chaque membre de ce groupe de Sri-Lankais qui ont participé à cette manifestation qui a eu lieu au États-Unis a été organisé par l'Ambassade de SL en Amérique. Plus tard, ces 16 Sri-Lankais ont été accueillis à un parti, au domicile de M. Kohona. Une photographie d'un membre de ce groupe a été transmise à Lanka nouvelles e.


 

The cruel irony – KP the LTTE terrorist leader in joy ; General who saved the country from terrorists in sorrow -DNA


(Lanka-e-News 22.March.2010 3.30A.M) Nava Sihala Urumaya leader Sarath Manamendra addressing a Democratic National Alliance (DNA) media briefing today (21) said , the Govt. has got frightened of the massive support the people are extending to the DNA having understood the injustice this Govt. has meted out to General Fonseka.

This Govt. is protecting and pampering the LTTE terrorist leaders, but has jailed the war Hero and former Army Commander who ushered in peace to this country by destroying terrorism, he added.

The people are now ready to undo the injustice and unjust treatment this Govt. has meted out to Gen. Fonseka. The Govt. has got frightened of us and is attacking us at every turn owing to this . We are getting a silent vote from every household at this election , he asserted.

Where is K P the brutal LTTE leader ? There is no case against him and he is in the lap of luxury. But , the Govt.has illegally detained Gen. Fonseka and filed action. Those who ought to be out and free today are jailed. It is in order to obstruct and hamper our election campaign that the Govt. is sending the CID to trail behind The DNA Leaders , he observed.

 

 

 

 

 

Expert panel for Sri Lanka will not infringe on sovereignty – Ban


Mr.Ban Kimoon


(Lanka-e-News, March 17, 2010, 4.55PM) The panel of experts being set up by the United Nations as part of an accountability process following the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka will not infringe on the country’s sovereignty, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said (16) yesterday.

Mr. Ban told journalists that the establishment of the panel is in line with a joint statement he issued with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his visit to the country last May after Government forces defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

“This joint statement contained a commitment related to ensuring an accountability process for addressing violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws,” he said in response to questions from reporters at his monthly press conference at UN Headquarters in New York.
“The panel I am establishing will advise me on the standards, benchmarks and parameters, based on international experience, that must guide any accountability process such as the one mentioned in the joint statement. Now this panel will report to me directly and not to another body.”

Mr. Ban said a recent letter on the subject he received from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) indicated “there is a misunderstanding on the nature and purpose” of the experts’ panel.
“I am convinced that it is well within my power as Secretary-General of the United Nations to ask such a body to furnish me with their advice of this nature. This does not in any way infringe on the sovereignty of Sri Lanka.”

Last week the UN chief voiced concern about the lack of progress on political reconciliation, the treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the setting up of an accountability process since he reached the joint statement with Mr. Rajapaksa.

Earlier this month Mr. Ban had what he described as “a frank and honest exchange of views” by telephone with Mr. Rajapaksa, who was re-elected President in an election in late January. Since the ballot was held the runner-up candidate, General Sarath Fonseka, has been arrested and faces trial.

B. Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, is slated to soon head to Sri Lanka for talks with senior officials in the Government. (UN News Centre)

 

The International threats mounting against SL are grave –G L Peiris


(Lanka-e-News, March 18, 2010, 7.50PM) Minister Prof. G L Peiris at (18) today’s Cabinet meeting said, the threats mounting among the International community against Sri Lanka are grave as signaled by the recent developments. The latest measures taken by the UN Gen. Secretary to appoint a three member expert panel to seek advice in regard to SL is the most grave and portentous , he pointed out.

If the war victory is to be consolidated , these international threats must be defeated and for this the Govt. should be made to secure a 2/3 majority. The decision to appoint such a Committee in regard to SL is an infringement of the UN Organization laws and traditions, Dr. Peiris added.

The reasons cited for the charges against SL are human rights violations. The UN is following a special policy in regard to a small country like SL whereas powerful countries where there are such violations a different policy is being pursued, he noted.
An independent Organization affiliated to the International crisis group has issued an important report last week. It points out that the path followed by pro LTTE Tamil Diaspora are diametrically opposed to that pursued by the Tamil political parties in SL.. The Tamil Diaspora has still not abandoned its Eelam goal, and are pursuing that with determination. They are not only employing political parties, but even voluntary Organizations towards this end, Dr. Peiris noted.
Hopes can be entertained in regard to the GSP+ concessions following the discussions held in Brussels from 15th to the 18th. The SL delegation has told the European Union (EU) that the emergency and other laws which were operative during the war period will be withdrawn step by step, while the issues of child soldiers and the IDPs too are engaging the Govt.’s attention as priorities. At these discussions, the Govt. has after considering the EU‘s proposals and what they expect of us is taking remedial measures, Dr. Peiris explained.

The Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that under his Govt., the Bank loans taken by the Rajapakse Govt. will not be paid back. These are meant to criticize the Govt., but actually they undermine and affect the country’s economy adversely. It is a matter for regret that the Opposition leader is making statements which run counter to the prevailing Democratic traditions, Dr. Peiris lamented.

 

The military Court trying General Fonseka has no legal validity – former Chief Justice


(Lanka-e-News, March 15, 2010, 5.40PM) Former Chief Justice Sarath Silva at a news conference today (15) said, there are no provisions in the Army Act to arrest, or to hold a trial against him in the military Court.

The former Chief Justice stated this based on his examination of the manner in which Fonseka was arrested, the subsequent actions against him and the inquiry fixed for 16th and 17th in the Military Court.

The conduct of the proposed trial in the Army Court only, following the arrest of Fonseka by the military police is a violation of the fundamental right of the General under S 13 (1) of the constitution. Likewise it is an infringement of the UN proclamation on civil and political universal human rights.
Action can be filed in a military Court within six months of retirement in relation to offences committed under the Army Act only against officers below the rank of the army Commander. In the Army Act, there are no provisions governing the action to be taken against an Army Commander.

Under the constitution, the power to appoint an Army Commander and removal of him is vested in the President. But, if any action is to be instituted against the army Commander, such action shall be only under the constitution and not under the Army Act, former CJ clearly emphasized.
The unlawful acts of arrest of Fonseka and attempts to produce him before the military Court, and the development on these bases is indeed a matter of fate if the General had co operated in this direction, the CJ lamented.This Society’s Democracy is eroded not at once, but gradually, insidiously and step by step. Because the Society for various reasons not taking action against the erosion of Democracy and following a silent policy, it can militate against their own citizens’ rights and engender the danger of losing the fundamental right to legal protection.

When the security barricades were removed during the war, there was a sudden and instant evacuation of Tamils from Lodging houses in Colombo and forcibly taking to the North. However the Supreme Court gave an order against the action and directed to bring them back to Colombo within 24 hours. If Gen. Fonseka as the Army Commander at that time had adhered to the orders of the Civil Court and acted accordingly, this Army behavior of unlawfully and forcibly acting against Fonseka, who is now a civilian may not have occurred, the former CJ pointed out.

Le tribunal militaire essayer général Fonseka n'a aucune validité juridique - ancien juge en chef


(Lanka-e-News 15 Mars 2010, 5.40PM) L'ancien juge en chef Sarath Silva lors d'une conférence nouvelles aujourd'hui (15) a dit, il n'existe aucune disposition dans la loi sur l'armée d'arrêter, ou de tenir un procès contre lui dans le tribunal militaire.

L'ancien juge en chef a déclaré ceci est basé sur son examen de la manière dont Fonseka a été arrêté, les actions ultérieures contre lui et l'enquête fixée pour 16e et 17e de la Cour d'ordre militaire.

La conduite de l'essai proposé à la Cour seule armée, à la suite de l'arrestation de Fonseka par la police militaire est une violation du droit fondamental de l'Assemblée générale sous S 13 (1) de la Constitution. De même, il constitue une violation de la proclamation des Nations unies sur les droits civils et politiques des droits humains universels.
D'action peut être déposée dans un tribunal militaire dans les six mois de la retraite par rapport aux infractions commises en vertu de la loi sur l'armée que contre les officiers jusqu'au grade de commandant de l'armée. Dans la loi sur l'armée, il n'existe pas de dispositions régissant les mesures à prendre contre un commandant de l'armée.

En vertu de la Constitution, le pouvoir de nommer un commandant de l'armée et l'enlèvement de lui est dévolu au président. Mais, si une action doit être intentée contre le commandant de l'armée, une telle action ne peut être ouvert en vertu de la Constitution et non en vertu de la loi sur l'armée, ancien juge en chef a clairement souligné.
Les actes illégaux de l'arrestation de Fonseka et tente de le produire devant le Tribunal militaire et le développement sur ces bases est en effet une question du sort si le général avait co exploité dans ce sens, le CJ lamented.This démocratie La société est érodée pas à une fois, mais progressivement, insidieusement et étape par étape. Puisque la société pour diverses raisons, ne pas agir contre l'érosion de la démocratie et en suivant une politique de silence, il peut militer contre les droits de leurs propres citoyens et à engendrer le danger de perdre le droit fondamental à une protection juridique.

Quand les barricades de sécurité ont été enlevés pendant la guerre, il ya eu une évacuation soudaine et instantanée des Tamouls du Logement maisons à Colombo et prendre de force dans le Nord. Cependant, la Cour suprême a rendu une ordonnance contre l'action et réalisé pour les ramener à Colombo dans les 24 heures. Si le général Fonseka que le commandant de l'armée à cette époque avaient adhéré aux ordres de la Cour civile et agit en conséquence, ce comportement de l'Armée de façon illicite et d'agir avec force contre Fonseka, qui est maintenant un civil mai ne pas avoir eu lieu, l'ancien juge en chef a souligné .

 

General’s case begins: Judges not qualified to hear -Lawyers raise preliminary objections


(Lanka-e-News 17.March,2010 6.40AM) The Lawyers appearing for the former Army Commander and Chief of Staff Gen. Fonseka in the case filed against him based on three charges ,raised preliminary objections in the military Court when it was heard yesterday (16). They objected that the three Judges appointed to conduct the trial are not qualified and not competent to try General Fonseka.

This case was heard at the Colombo Naval Headquarters . The panel of judges comprised Major General H L Weeratunge , (President) ,Major General T R A B Jayatileke and Major General A L R Wijetunge.

When the lawyers who appeared for Gen. Fonseka raised the preliminary objections , the Counsel Sameendra Fernando who appeared on behalf of the Attorney General requested General’s lawyers to raise objections individually in respect of each judge .

Accordingly the General’s lawyers stated , the President of the Court , Major General H L Weeratunge is the brother in law of the Army Commander , his conducting the trial therefore will not be unbiased , and justice will not prevail.

Major General T R A B Jayatileke was an officer who was demoted for inefficiency by Gen. Fonseka when he was the Army Commander for not carrying out orders duly .

Major General T L R Wijetunge was found guilty of and punished for granting a tender illegally to the higher bidder. This incident occurred when Gen. Fonseka was the Army Commander and when tenders were called at the Army Headquarters.

The Judges panel had however overruled these objections and the Judges have read out the charges against the General, and asked from him whether he is pleading guilty or not . The General had pleaded not guilty.

The charge against General Fonseka under S 124 and S 102 (1) of the Army Act is that he has taken part in politics when he was in service as an Army Commander and as Chief of Defense staff .

The Lawyers for Gen. Fonseka while filing preliminary objection s, said the military Court has no power to hear this case , and this Court has been suddenly and hastily established . Consequently there was no time to meet the General and discuss the issues . Therefore more time should be granted , the Lawyers pointed out .

The Judges who gave permission to file their answers adjourned the Court until the 6th of April.
PC Rienzie Aresecularatne along with Nalin Laduwahetti, Sugath Kolder, Rishard Ameen, Sunil Watagala. Wasantha Batagala, Janith De Silva appeared for the General assisted by Lawyers of Paul Ratnayake legal Firm. Attorney at Law Lilantha De Silva appeared on behalf of the legal Firm.

Solicitor General Buwaneka Aluvihare and a group of Lawyers of the Attorney General’s Dept. appeared on behalf of the Army Commander

Cas général commence: pas qualifié pour les juges-avocats entendent soulever des objections préliminaires


(Lanka-e-News 17.March, 2010 6:40) Les avocats représentant l'ancien commandant de l'armée et chef d'état-major général Fonseka dans la requête déposée contre lui repose sur trois charges, ont soulevé des objections préliminaires à la Cour militaire quand il a été entendu hier (16). Ils se sont opposés que les trois juges nommés pour conduire le procès ne sont pas qualifiés et non pas compétente pour juger général Fonseka.

Cette affaire a été entendue au siège de la Marine de Colombo. Le jury comprenait le major-général HL Weeratunge, (Président), le général TRAB Jayatileke et le major général ALR Wijetunge.

Lorsque les avocats qui ont comparu pour le Général Fonseka soulevé des objections préliminaires, le Conseiller Sameendra Fernando qui ont comparu au nom du procureur général a demandé des avocats généraux à soulever des objections individuellement à l'égard de chaque juge.

En conséquence les avocats du général a déclaré, le Président de la Cour, le major-général HL Weeratunge est le beau-frère du commandant de l'Armée de terre, sa conduite de l'essai ne sera donc pas impartiaux, et la justice ne l'emportera pas.

Major-général TRAB Jayatileke C'était un officier qui a été rétrogradé pour cause d'inefficacité par le général Fonseka, quand il était le commandant de l'Armée pour ne pas exécuter les ordres dûment.

Major-général Wijetunge TLR a été reconnu coupable et puni d'un appel d'offres pour l'octroi illégalement au plus offrant. Cet incident s'est produit lorsque le général Fonseka a été le commandant de l'armée et quand les offres ont été appelés au siège de l'Armée de terre.

Le panel des juges a toutefois infirmé ces objections et les juges ont lu les accusations portées contre le général, et de lui demander s'il plaide coupable ou non. Le général avait plaidé non coupable.

L'accusation contre le général Fonseka sous S 124 et S 102 (1) de la loi sur l'armée, c'est qu'il a pris part à la politique quand il était en service en tant que commandant de l'armée et de chef du personnel de la Défense.

Les avocats de dépôt tandis que le général Fonseka objection préliminaire s, a déclaré le tribunal militaire n'a pas compétence pour entendre cette affaire, et cette Cour a été brusquement et hâtivement établis. Il n'y avait donc pas de temps à répondre aux générale et discuter des enjeux. Donc plus de temps devrait être accordé, les avocats ont fait remarquer.

Les juges qui ont donné la permission de déposer leurs réponses ajournée jusqu'à ce que la Cour le 6 avril.
PC Rienzie Aresecularatne avec Nalin Laduwahetti, Sugath Kolder, Rishard Ameen, Sunil Watagala. Wasantha Batagala, Janith De Silva est apparu pour la général, assisté par des avocats de Paul Ratnayake cabinet juridique. Attorney at Law Lilantha De Silva a comparu au nom du cabinet juridique.

Solliciteur général Buwaneka Aluvihare et un groupe de juristes du Département du procureur général a comparu au nom du commandant de l'Armée de terre

 

While building a Castle for the elder brother, the younger brother cruelly tramples the laws


(Lanka-e-News, March 16, 2010, 4.15PM) The Defense Ministry Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse is now a great orator appearing on the political stages of the UPFA to speak on behalf of candidates in their election campaigns.

Gotabaya had addressed nine election campaign meetings of Colombo District UPFA candidate Duminda De Silva on a single day. He had spoken at meetings held on the 14th in Kolonnawa. Maharagama, Homagama, Kesbewa,Colombo North, and Kotte. He had addressed three meetings at Kolonnawa and two at Homagama

Gotabaya had in his speeches at these meetings stated that the war is over now. Earlier, the Govt. did not have stability and took into its fold MPs from other parties. But, now, we must appoint a strong Govt.. Hence, he urged the people to vote for a youth like Duminda De Silva, and send him to Parliament with the most number of preferential votes.
Gotabaya who also addressed the meeting at Dompe of his brother Basil Rajapakse, the Gampaha district UPFA Leader and candidate, extolled, Basil Rajapakse as having successfully addressed the issue of the IDPs and their re settlement. He also added that this time there is a an excellent UNFA group contesting Gampaha under the leadership of his brother Basil Rajapkse. Therefore, he told the people to vote for them as he can guarantee that Gampaha will be developed by them after they win the election.
He went further and said, the people have got an opportunity to help the President to fulfill his second goal, that is development by electing a strong UPFA govt. Like how the country’s problems were solved, you can solve your problems in your provinces by sending a strong parliamentary representative group. I hope the Gampaha voters will help to strengthen the hands of the President by enabling the UPFA to get a 2/3 majority, he observed.

Although Govt. officials are legally barred from taking part in politics, this defense secretary who occupies the number one or number two slot in the Govt. service deems that he is above the law, and he is not bound by the sacrosanct laws of the country merely because his brother is the Executive President of the Country, going by his conduct trampling the election and country’s law with impunity. Incidentally, it is noteworthy Gotabaya Rajapakse did not secure this appointment after sitting the administrative exam or successfully completing it.

It is well to note the following :

Officers of the administrative service and in the Defense services are forbidden to take part in politics.

The Former Amy Commander General Fonseka is being indicted because he has allegedly taken part in politics while he was in the armed services.

It is an intriguing and perplexing question as to what conditions, laws and regulations govern the Defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse‘s actions defying the laws of the country so openly and violently?

It is also significant to note that Gotabaya Rajapkse has on several occasions said he will not enter politics.

 

It is 50 days since Ekneliyagoda disappeared : leaflets distributed to galvanize the deaf and blind Police


(Lanka-e-News 16.March,2010 1.45AM) It is 50 days as at today (15) since Prageeth Ekneliyagoda, the 'Lanka e news' political columnist disappeared. Leaflets were distributed this afternoon (15) in front of the Fort Railway station demanding the holding of a proper result oriented and not a clownish inquiry into his disappearance.

This leaflet distribution was organized by the Media Organization campaign against media suppression . Several representatives of media organizations participated in this leaflet distribution. The media personnel agreed to distribute at least a ten thousand leaflets against media persecution in SL.

Independent media campaign Secretary Sunil Jayasekera said.

Our security divisions succeeded in defeating the world’s most dangerous terrorist Organization. Therefore the authorities saying it is unable to trace Ekneliyagoda or garner information about his whereabouts is a stupid joke. Ekneliyagoda consistently criticized the Govt. Hence, the failure to make a breakthrough in the investigations clearly compels anyone to direct an accusing finger at the Govt. It is therefore a duty incumbent on the Govt. to conduct a serious and honest investigation with a view to making a breakthrough.

 

It was General who secured the freedom for Mahinda even to fearlessly go out of Temple Trees –Somawansa


(Lanka-e-News, March 15, 2010, 5.40PM) The JVP and the Democratic National alliance (DNA) organized a peaceful demonstration in front of the Colombo Bodhiraja Vharaya today (15) against the unlawful detention of Gen. Fonseka by the Army, and being produced before the military Court. They demanded that he shall be immediately released.

The Demonstration staged under the leadership of JVP leader Somawansa Amerasinghe, JVP M.P. Sunil Hnadunetti and many others, was attended by a huge crowd. The protestors carrying placards sat down in front of the Viharaya and demonstrated peacefully.

Somawansa addressing the media said, General Fonseka was forcibly carried away by a group of Army officers. The General was taken into custody without any charges. But, now charges are being framed against Fonseka, evidence is being collected against him and even laws are to be introduced with retroactive effect. Tomorrow (16), he is going to be produced before the military Court. This is absolutely illegal. Neither the Govt. nor the Army or any other can produce Gen. Fonseka before a military Court legally. Hence, we demand that he shall be released forthwith. No one has the right to violate his human rights.
All these actions have one basis – political revenge the Govt. is trying to wreak on him. The Rajapakse Govt. has been democratically challenged by him. That has been the cause for the Govt. to arrest him and take him into custody. Every citizen must have the right to challenge the Rajapakse Govt. democratically. Gen. Fonseka performed his duty at the highest level by offering this challenge. Now, he has been forced to go ahead without turning back on this challenge.
The President Mahinda Rajapakse who could not move freely or fearlessly out of even the Temple Trees, not even to the Bandaranaike Memorial Hall was secured the freedom to travel by Gen. Fonseka. Hence, it is the duty of the President to be grateful, withdraw the frame ups and release Gen. Fonseka immediately. The nation does not approve this incarceration of a great war Hero and the insult poured on him.

With a view to inspiring this great war Hero and patriot, the savior of this country we will stage demonstrations throughout the Island and across the whole world.

 

 

General’s wife files habeas corpus application for release of General held in custody unlawfully

(Lanka-e-News, March 12, 2010, 7.15PM) General Sarath Fonseka’s wife Anoma Fonseka has filed a habeas corpus application in the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday (11), claiming that her husband is being forcibly held in custody after being wrongfully abducted and detained.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasooriya, Naval Commander Vice Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe, Military Police Brigadier A K J R Wijesiri and Attorney General have been cited as respondents.
This petition has been filed through the company of Lawyers, Paul Ratnayake, while President’s Counsel Romesh Ratnayake is appearing for the petitioner.

 

What the military Court is trying to do is to be the plaintiff , the Jury and the Judge! -Former District Court Judge Kulatileke


(Lanka-e-News 14.March.2010 7.50AM) Two military Courts have been established to try Former Chief of defense staff General Sarath Fonseka on seven counts based on two charge sheets. These charge sheets have been served on Fonseka who is now kept in detention at the Naval Headquarters with inadequate facilities. The lawyers of the Opposition have pointed out that the forcible abduction of Fonseka , holding him in detention and producing him before a military Court to try him or filing a case against him in the military Court are illegal.

No less a person than the former District Court Judge P.D. Kulatileke explained to Lanka e news as follows :

In one charge sheet against the General , three accusation have been made . One charge is under S 124 of the Army Act.. The other two charges are under S102 , sub section one of the Act.

The indictment under S 124 is , while he was in the Army service and when he was the chief of defense staff , and a member of the security Council , during the period between Oct. 1st to Nov. 14th 2009, he has had discussions with Johnston Fernando on the phone which were damaging to the State sovereignty and integrity . The words , he used ‘ after providing the necessary evidence regarding the war to the American Govt. , I shall return placing the Govt. and the army in jeopardy. I will be coming back to contest as a candidate for the Presidential elections.. Be ready to receive me as a Hero at the Airport.’ has been included to incriminate Fonseka in the indictment.

What S 124 refers to is ,betraying the President or using words which are detrimental to the President . If he has made such a wrong he is guilty under the section .. But , his words which are incorporated in the indictment , by no means indicate he has committed such a wrong. Hence , how can you indict him under that section ?. Of course the General was the closest rival of the President at the last Presidential elections.

The charge under S 102 (1) is, during the above period , while having telephone discussions with Johnston Fernando , he had requested Johnston Fernando to propose his name as a Presidential candidate for the Presidential elections in February 2010 at the UNP Executive Committee meeting .

The X1 Charge has been served under the orders of Army Act 13/79 dated 27th December 1979 . Under that section , infringement of such an order is an offence punishable under the section 102 (1) .The next charge is based on the discussion the General had with Lakshman Seneviratne on politics. The charge against Gen. Fonseka in that regard is , he has acted in breach of the Army order 13/79 .

The Army order 13 / 79 clearly lays down that in the appointment of representatives to Deputy MPs group and other representatives to District Councils , except casting the vote , participation in politics is prohibited .. Similarly , becoming a candidate for an election or supporting a candidate for election is also prohibited under this order .

After SL secured independence , under the Dominion constitution known as the Ceylon constitution 1946 ; under order in Council section 7 , the Parliament was represented by the Parliamentary representatives and the Senate council . In the 1972 constitution , the Deputy MPs Council changed into the National state assembly, and the Senate was dissolved.. Consequently , under the 1978 constitution , the National state assembly became the Parliament. The Army orders were formulated on 27th December 1979.. By that time , the Deputy MPs Council and the National state assembly had ceased existence.. In that event , , the 13 /79 order made on 27th December 1979 is totally wrong. This order has also not been updated . There is nothing mentioned in this about the Presidential election . In the circumstances , , the charges two and three are being filed on which order and on what basis?. If General Fonseka has got associated with politics at all , it is only at the Presidential elections.
The appointment of the military Court has been on the order of the President Rajapakse.. The President was a rival of Gen. Fonseka at the Presidential elections. Hence, this Army Court has been established to punish a candidate who contested with him.. The appointment of such a Court on the directive of the President by letter dated 10th March 2010 is a violation of the principle of natural justice.

The present army commander is officially below the rank of Gen. Fonseka. Under the Army Act , there are no provisions to punish an Army Commander or an officer above that rank. Under the provisions the Chief officer is the Army Commander . Hence , in the final scenario ,the charge sheet has been served on Gen. Fonseka by the army Commander . The judges were appointed by the President and the President is making this appointment against his rival candidate who contested him at the Presidential elections. In other words , he has not only filed the case, but sitting in judgment and even passing judgment on it .

 

Five Star Democracy of Govt. wreaking havoc : Shiral summoned to TID for questioning on how he helped General


(Lanka-e-News 11.March.2010 8.50AM)The Chief Organizer and Colombo District candidate, Attorney at Law Shiral Lakthileke was summoned yesterday morning (10) to the TID for questioning as to the assistance he rendered to General Fonseka , the common opposition Presidential candidate at the last election .

The TID which questioned Lakthileke for two and half hours , had asked him as to how and why he helped the General politically
Lakthileke , told Lanka e news that the Govt. is carrying on a deliberate campaign of intimidation and harassment against all opposition parties and Forces by resorting to terror tactics and instilling fear. The people must rally round the opposition and ensure that this undemocratic terror reign is ousted once and for all at the forthcoming elections.

 

Govt. seeks conference of Nations which are outside of UN to obstruct war crime charges inquiry against it


(Lanka-e-News 13.march.2010 8.30AM) The Govt. has sought the assistance of a conference of nations unconnected with the United Nations (UN) to ward off UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s attempts to appoint a special Council to secure advice in regard to SL.

The Secretary of the Conference , has addressed a letter on the 10th March to Ban Ki Moon based on the request of SL , that directing the focus against one country unilaterally is in contravention of the UN s Charter , and they are opposed to these attempts.

The UN Secretary General , had sent a letter on the 02nd of March to the President Rajapakse stating that he is proposing to appoint a special Committee to inquire and advice him in respect of the allegations leveled during the last phase of the SL war .
Subsequently , at a Press conference held at the UN headquarters on the 08th , he had reiterated that he is sending a representative without delay to investigate the situation in SL while he will also be implementing his decision to appoint the special Advisory Committee.

Meanwhile ,the Presidential Secretariat which issued a communiqué on the 7th March following the telephone conversation with Ban KI Moon , stated , with regard to the letter dated 25th February addressed to the President by Ban Ki Moon , that appointing a special advisory Committee is unnecessary and unwarranted, and he would take measures to counter that if such steps are taken.

 

The assassination conspiracy charges leveled against General when he was arrested has evaporated into thin air

(Lanka-e-News, March 12, 2010, 7.15PM) The JVP Parliamentary group leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing a media briefing at JVP Headquarters Battaramulla today (12) said, even though General Sarath Fonseka was arrested on charges of conspiring to assassinate the President, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse and for overthrowing a legally elected Govt., the charges on which the Govt. is now trying to indict him are totally at variance.

Gen. Fonseka was taken into custody allegedly by the Govt. on charges based on his offences committed when he was in uniform, but now it is very clear it was part of Govt.’s vindictive campaign to wreak revenge, he pointed out.

The President and the defense secretary cannot try General Fonseka in the Military Court for offences allegedly committed by him when he was in the Army service. A habeas corpus action has therefore been filed in the Supreme Court (SC) on the 11th against the abduction and wrongful detention of Fonseka and for his immediate release, he stated.
The President is vested with the power to appoint the Army General or remove him. Except that power the President cannot interfere in other official matters. If he does, the victimized officer can seek redress in the civil Court on grounds of violation of their rights. The Lawyers are now studying whether in the case where an Army Commander is removed from his post, he can go for legal action in a civil Court.

Our lawyers have in the application showed that there is no way by which General Fonseka can be tried before a military Court, Dissanayake noted.
The govt. is excited and in panic to hastily try Gen. Fonseka in the military Court just before the General elections, in order to fasten guilt to Gen. Fonseka and convict him, and show to the people that because he is guilty, he cannot enter Parliament, and hence his winning at the General elections will be unavailing. Kumara Dissanayake recalled how at the Presidential election the govt. similarly made a hue and cry about his voting disqualification (just a mere technical lapse) and tried to paint a picture that he cannot be appointed as the President even if he wins.

 

If the General is produced before the Military Court , Civil Court action will be filed against it – Anura Kumara


(Lanka-e-News 12.March.2010 8.25AM ) The Democratic National Front (DNF) vehemently stated that they would file action in the civil court , if the General is produced before the military Court under the Army Act , as legally such a Court cannot be constituted nor judges appointed to try Gen. Fonseka,

JVP Ex M.P. Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing a media briefing on the 11th made this point very clear. As the Army Act does not provide for the trial of an Army Commander , and because an Army officer higher in seniority than the Army Commander has not been appointed to the Judges’ panel, Gen. Fonseka cannot be tried in the Army Court , he pointed out .

Gen. Fonseka is not only a rare War hero and patriot , but also a four star Army general. There are no officers more senior than he in the SL Armed Forces. If the Army Commander has committed an offence , the President can by a stroke of the pen remove him from the post . Only officers below the rank of Army Commander can be tried in a military Court. Hence , if the General is tried in a military Court , we will take the matter up with the Civil Courts of SL , Dissanayake explained.
Army spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe and his group can only malign and hurl false charges against Gen. Fonskea before the media. Gen. Fonseka has been allowed to speak only for two hours with his wife for a day. The balance 22 hours he knows not what to do. This is the treatment meted to such a great war Hero who saved the country for the President , the Govt., and the people with unselfish determination and dedication devoting all his 24 hours of the day of his life in the battlefield.

It is the President and Govt.’s inordinate fear for the General who is a constant threat to their political careers that is impelling the Govt. to act this way. The last Presidential elections , the General won it but for the election frauds and results manipulations. The only task of G L Peiris who has nothing better to do these days is to spend his time on profusely lying about Gen. Fonseka’s offences.
Now , the Govt. is begging from the people for a 2/ 3 majority to amend the constitution . We ask the Govt. to tell us ahead as to what changes the Govt . is trying to introduce. The Govt. is now in an uncharted sea traveling in all directions aimlessly , as , it is aware that it has no plans or programs to solve the economic and other burning problems in the country . It also knows if it loses power , the entire hierarchy will have to face the corruption and mismanagement charges pending against it . No wonder it is clinging to power at any cost , holding foul elections and announcing fictitious results .

The entire country holds the judicial Courts of the country in the highest esteem . They have so far been acting impartially and dispassionately without stooping to political influence or bending to political pressures . The whole country hopes they will live as in the past so in the future up to the expectations of the people , Dissanayake added.

 

8 Police chief Inspectors interdicted on Defense secretary’s orders

(Lanka-e-News, March 11, 2010, 5.50PM) On the orders of Defense Secretary, 8 chief inspectors have been served with interdiction orders.

In connection with the violence that erupted on the 26th of January 2010, the day of the Presidential elections and the day following, the Defense Secretary has ordered the immediate interdiction of the following Police Inspectors for allegedly failing to maintain law, peace and order to safeguard the security of the state and the people.

Former Welikade Police station OIC H A N W T De Silva, Western province operations unit O.M.De Gemunu ( Maradana former OIC), Kurunegala Headquarters OIC, M S K Wickremenayake, Chunnakam former OIC T Ludowyke, Jaffna former OIC H A M Lewangama, Nelliady OIC D R N S Dharmadasa, Matara OIC H D N S Jayasekera, and Jaffna Police RP, K A D K Ranasinghe have been interdicted.
At the meeting of the top Police brass at the Police headquarters on the 5th, the IGP who announced the interdiction orders has also frightened the police officers by stating that the police stations OICs at areas where the Govt. loses at elections shall be liable to transfers, and they must take responsibility for Govt.’s defeat, according to reports.

A majority of the OICs who had been issued with interdiction orders are those who performed their duties duly during the Presidential elections and took action against election violence and malpractices.
Sources say, some OICs are preparing to take legal action against the interdiction orders.

 

Gen. Fonseka will be produced before two Military Courts on the 16th and 17th


(Lanka-e-News 12.March.2010 8.25AM) The case against General Fonseka will commence hearing on the 16th and 17th of March in the Military Court by a three Judge panel. He is being charged on 7 counts.

The two Courts which will be hearing the case are situated within the Naval Headquarters.

The same panel of judges will be hearing the case in both Courts. The panel appointed by the President on the recommendations of the Army commander will comprise Major General H L Weeratunge (President), Major General H L R Wijetunge, and Major General D R A P Jayatileke . Rear Admiral W W J S Fernando will act for the Judges and as legal Counsel presenting the plaint.

The charges against him Fonseka in the first Court hearing the case on the 16th are : one, his taking part in politics while in the Army service under S 124 of the Army Act. ; and two charges under S 102 (1) of the Act. All three charges have been filed in relation to his taking part in politics while being in the Army.

In the second Court which is scheduled to commence on the 17th , there are four charges against Gen. Fonseka under S 109 (e) of the Army Act . These charges are based on allegations that when making procurements for the Army , the laws and regulations governing them had not been adhered to.
Army spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe made these announcements at a special media briefing regarding National security summoned today (11) at the media Headquarters.

 

Petition urging the search for and finding Prageeth postponed until 27th April


(Lanka-e-news 10.March.2010 10.20PM) The Habeas corpus petition filed in the Court to issue an order to the IGP to search for and find the Journalist Prageeth Ekenliyagoda was taken up for hearing on the 9th .

This application was filed in the court by Prageeth’s wife Sandya Ekneliyagoda .

The Judges Upali Abeyratne and Ranjith Silva who examined the petition postponed the case to the 27th April to allow the lawyers for the petitioners to adduce reasons .
Lawyers Krishmal Jayasooriya and Sunil Watagala appeared for the petitioner.

The IGP ,The DIG of the CID and the OIC of the Homagama Police station have been cited as respondents in this case.

 

Import of paper from India for printing ballot papers is for counterfeit voting -UNP MP Dayasiri


(Lanka-e-News 10.March.2010 10.10PM) UNP M.P. Kurunegala District ,Dayasiri Jayasekera speaking in Parliament at the debate on extension of emergency regulations said , there are doubts in regard to the import of paper from India on the ground that there is a shortage of them for the printing of ballot papers. It is suspicious , and is questionable whether the Govt. is trying to get a 2/3 majority by using them for counterfeit voting.

While requesting the elections Commissioner to investigate this , he warned the Govt. not to create panic by giving the printing of ballot paper to India on the excuse of shortage of them.
If papers are to be imported from India , it must be done duly and following proper procedures .Otherwise , like at the last Presidential elections the Govt. can resort to election frauds and produce fictitious results, Dayasiri pointed out. We entertain grave doubts as to whether the Govt. in its determination to get a 2/3 majority is seeking this insidious avenue to achieve that . Last time, too ballot papers without print were discovered . Hence , he urged the Elections Commissioner to investigate these attempts.

 

CID chases after the media to implicate Sarath Fonseka as part of Govt.'s witch hunt


(Lanka-e-News 10.March.2010 11.50AM) The CID has summoned media personnel Lal Priyantha on the 8th ,and questioned him for five hours and elicited answers from him. He had been questioned in regard to the assassinations of Sunday leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickremetunge , the assault on Rivira newspaper editor Upali Tennekoon , Journalist Keith Noyahr and the tarnishing of the image of the Govt. thereby.

Do you know the Journalists Wickremetunga and Tennekoon ? Where were you when Wickremetunge was killed and Tennekoon was attacked ? The CID had thus questioned him and inquired about the connection he has with General Sarath Fonseka , and about the instructions he latter had issued to him on the phone.

The CID had also questioned him as to the bitterness that existed between Fonseka and Wickremetunge , and what he knows about the killing of Wickremetunge . The CID had asked him whether Fonseka had given instructions to the media to tarnish the image of the Govt. , and who are those media personnel who received such instructions ?

Lal Priyantha told Lanka e news that under Ref. Nos. 2010 /31 and 4855/08/2010 of the CID folios his statements were recorded.

ASP Roshan Hewavitharane , SI Ratnayake were among the officers who questioned Lal Priyantha and recorded the statements .

Meanwhile the TID had interrogated Lakbima Journalist Mihiri Fonseka who covered Gen. Fonseka’s war news, and Tissa Ravindra Perera of the Rivira who covered Defense news when the General was the Army Commander. Both had been questioned pertaining to their connections with the General.