Tamil doctor on the mat for expressing private opinion
December 12 2009 – Lakbimanews
A Tamil doctor has been interdicted by the ministry of health allegedly for expressing a private opinion to a Sinhala doctor that was interpreted as “causing disrepute to the Government of Sri Lanka”.
The incident has caused ripples among Tamil academia and begs the question where freedom of speech is the prerogative of the majority community – and whether only certain types of views are tolerated under the brand of “free speech” now practised in Sri Lanka.
One Tamil activist questioned how it was possible for a Sinhala doctor to complain about a Tamil doctor on a matter of ethnic interest or disputed facts, leading to ex-parte action by the ministry of health without any reference to law.
On 17 November 2009, Dr Murali Vallipuranathan received a Sinhala language interdiction order dated 10 November 2009 stating that he was removed from service for causing disrepute to the Government of Sri Lanka. His salary was also stopped.
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Balavarnam eyewitness ‘fear for life’
November 30 2009 – BBC Sinhala
The eyewitness of an alleged police brutality in Colombo says she feared for her life after testifying before courts against police officers.
Renu Gunathilake has witnessed the brutal killing of a psychological impaired person allegedly by police officers off the Bambalapitiya beach in Colombo a month ago
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The gathering storm clouds
November 22 2009 – Lakbimanews Lk
For some reason the true picture of conditions in the IDP camps is not being reported. The conditions are not a secret, NGOs and INGOs with access to the camp know the truth, and resident and visiting medical personnel are well aware of the appalling conditions. The military, the health ministry and officials are in the know. However, only a few people like Nimalka Fernando have had the courage to speak out on the public platform; the press prefers self-censorship, is shit scared of the authorities, or perhaps plain callous. I have had the opportunity to chat with NGO people and medical personnel from time to time and have asked “why not go public”; they demure for honourable reasons. If their names are exposed, further access will be forbidden, and the little good they now do will be lost.
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Ready for big battle: Rajapaksa vs. Fonseka
November 22 2009- Sunday Times LK
President Mahinda Rajapaksa is set to sign a proclamation tomorrow evening declaring a Presidential Election. Nominations are to be called within two weeks after tomorrow, possibly on December 9 or 10. After six weeks of campaigning, the polls are now likely on January 23.
Despite his firm insistence on having a Presidential Election first, Rajapaksa was under heavy pressure up to yesterday to opt for a General Election. Protagonists for the move argue that such a poll would give him several options. In the event of a defeat of the UPFA Government, he would retain the prospect of winning over some of the victors to form a Government. He was also entitled constitutionally to appoint Ministers and would retain the right to dissolve Parliament after one year. They argued that he would lose these options otherwise.
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Freedom for IDPs but criticism and confusion
November 21 2009 – Sunday Times LK
Internally displaced people will be allowed free movement from December 1, it was officially announced yesterday.
The announcement was made to them by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, when he visited Menik Farm yesterday. This thousand-acre farm was the site of the largest camp where some 130,000 IDPs now remain. Since the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas, more than 300,000 refugees were interned in this and other camps under heavy military security.
November 21 2009 – Sunday Times LK
Internally displaced people will be allowed free movement from December 1, it was officially announced yesterday.
The announcement was made to them by Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, when he visited Menik Farm yesterday. This thousand-acre farm was the site of the largest camp where some 130,000 IDPs now remain. Since the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas, more than 300,000 refugees were interned in this and other camps under heavy military security.
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