Northern PC resolution on accountability issues before Geneva well-timed

30 January 2014 05:10 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran was skeptical about the use of word ‘genocide’ in a resolution moved by councillor M.K. Sivajilingam. Sivajilingam’s resolution, calling for an international probe into alleged human rights violations came up for discussion at the group meeting of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on Sunday.

Wigneswaran, a former Supreme Court judge, perused the resolution carefully, and cautioned against the use of the word ‘genocide’ in it. Instead, he advised the mover of the resolution to reword or dilute it.

Focus on rights issue
“It will be legally unwise to use the word ‘genocide,” he said.
The resolution was taken up for discussion during the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) session on Monday, and adopted with the support of all the TNA members. But, the opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) registered its protest over the move.

The copies of the adopted resolution are expected to be forwarded to the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. So, the TNA has timed the adoption of this resolution with preparations for an international inquiry into accountability issues during the last stages of the war.
The United States has already indicated that it will move yet another resolution in Geneva during the March session of the UNHRC. Likewise, Britain has called for international action. Against this backdrop, it is clear that the TNA is mustering its fullest possible strength to authenticate such calls by sections of the international community whereas the government enhanced its lobbying spree against those attempts.

The monitoring MP of the External Affairs Ministry, Sajin de Vass Gunawardane and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga were in Geneva and Washington during the last couple of weeks holding meetings ahead of the UNHRC session. The duo has been assigned to play the leading role in Geneva this time. Whether they will succeed in their effort to quell international pressure is too early a matter for comment.

Independence celebrations in Kegalle
Amid lobbying in world capitals against such attempts, President Mahinda Rajapaksa opened a new outer circular road on the Kandy-Colombo road by passing the Kegalle town on Sunday. National Independence Day celebrations will be conducted on February 4 in Kegalle. The President participated in a function at the Galigamuwa Central College on the same day. Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath and Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane were chatting to each other by the time President arrived. Another arrival before the scheduled time was government MP J.R.P. Suriyapperuma. The parliamentarian made it a point to have a few words with school children during his visit he spoke on the importance of consuming jak fruit and greens as a dietary habit.

The resolution was taken up for discussion during the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) session on Monday, and adopted with the support of all the TNA members. The opposition United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) registered its protest over the move. The copies of the adopted resolution are expected to be forwarded to the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon

Virgo is a winner
He also, made a cash donation to a school girl pursuing GCE Advanced Level studies in the Arts stream. When the MP inquired after her star sign, the girl replied that it was Virgo. Apparently to inject some optimism, Suriyapperuma said, “Do you know both the late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike and President Mahinda Rajapaksa were born under the star sign Virgo?”

President in Kegalle
When the helicopter bearing the President landed at the school ground, the Galigamuwa ruling party organiser Ranjith Siyambalapitiya together with the Chief Minister Mahipala Herath received the presidential party. Later the President unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the inauguration of the new school laboratory.
After the event, the President rushed to a function at the Dawson bungalow in Ambanpitiya in Kegalle which is of historical significance. Actually, it was the residential bungalow of British engineer, Captain Dawson who oversaw the construction of the Colombo-Kandy road at that time. The chief minister, who had a leisurely walk with the President in the bungalow, mentioned that the Kandy-Colombo road was constructed for the logistic supplies of British soldiers and their easy deployment.
Subsequently, the President addressed yet another function at St. Joseph Girls’ College in Kegalle. In his address to there, he said, “ For a girl, her mother is the best friend in the world.” As a piece of advice, he cautioned schoolgirls not to be duped by those befriending them on Facebook.

In a separate function, the President unveiled the statue of late Minister P.B.G. Kalugalle. In his speech the President remarked, “The late Mr. Kalugalle brought everything except a port to Kegalle.” Mr. Kalugalle was a stalwart of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The government has spent Rs.3500 million for the 4.2 kilometre circular road aimed at reducing traffic congestion in Kegalle town.

The Election Commissioner’s task
The Election Commissioner Mahinda Desapriya is busy with preparations for the election to the Southern and Western Provincial Councils. This election holds more significance to him than any other provincial council elections conducted during the past few years after he assumed office. He is to exercise his own franchise for the first time. “I am going to vote for the first time this year after becoming the election commissioner. I will answer any queries from the media, but, I will not divulge whom I am going to vote for. Don’t ask that question from me,” he told a news conference in lighter vein on Wednesday.

The commissioner, with a better understanding on the importance of communicating information to the general public through the media, has assigned three different officials to answer media queries over the phone. But, he asked scribes to submit their queries only during working hours of the day.

“Once, an electronic media organisation contacted me at 5.00 am and asked for a voice cut for their programme scheduled for 5.45 am. My answer to that was, ‘we only wash our clothes at that time’,” creating ripples of laughter.The commissioner has planned to prevent corrupt practices by political parties. He said he would allow only candidates with a good track record to send their representatives to the counting stations.

When accepting nomination papers, political parties and independent groups are required to submit confirmation that those in the lists are alive and living here. “We need such certification. Otherwise, persons living abroad also try to submit their nominations through various parties and independent groups,” he said.

ITAK embarrassment
Ilankai Tamil Arachu Kachchi (ITAK), the largest ally of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), missed an important function last Sunday. It was the Republic Day of India. There were events both in Jaffna and Colombo. But, the party representatives missed it because they had organised their central committee meeting for the same day. It is learnt that Indian diplomats are unhappy about the ITAK not being present. For the ITAK, India is important in their struggle for political rights.

The monitoring MP of the External Affairs Ministry, Sajin de Vass Gunawardane and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga were in Geneva and Washington during the last couple of weeks holding meetings ahead of the UNHRC session. The duo has been assigned to play the leading role in Geneva this time

UNP programme in Anuradhapura
The United National Party (UNP) National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the party working committee meeting, hailed party members, particularly the Anuradhapura District and national organiser Daya Gamage for successfully conducting religious ceremonies in Anuradhapura during the weekend. The party organised religious observances at the compound of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

Atamastanadhipathi Ven. Pallegama Srinivasa Thera commended Wickremesinghe’s role in erecting a gold fence around the sacred tree when he was the prime minister. The party is now moving to conduct similar religious programmes at Kataragama Kirivehera and Sri Dalada Maligawa.

The UNP will finalise its nomination lists for the Southern Province today and for the Western Province tomorrow.

Traffic stops Sarath Fonseka
Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka could not get on to the stage of the common opposition rally organised in Colombo on Tuesday because his protest march that started from Gamini Hall, Maradana got stuck in the traffic jam. So, he only sent a goodwill message.

His party is also busy with nominations for the election these days. According to sources there is a glut of applicants to contest the upcoming elections from his party.

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Northern PC resolution on accountability issues before Geneva well-timed

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