Nagananda Kodituwakku
After almost two and half years of attempts to rob the blood ivory stock, confiscated on May 2002, the customs has now been permitted to dispose the container load of the blood ivory stock. This priceless stock of ivory is now scheduled for destruction with the participation of representatives of CITES on 26th Jan 2016.
People should not forget that this was made possible thanks to the unwavering commitment and will of many sons of mother Lanka, who fought tirelessly against the mighty Rajapakse regime that made all feasible attempts to rob this stock of ivory stock, which were thwarted as a result of the full exposure of the fraudulent act initiated by the President Rajapakse, with overwhelming evidence published in the media.
Thanks in this regard should specially goes to the Colombo Telegraph for exposing the government’s unlawful attempts with the publication of the unlawful directive issued by the Presidential Secretariat on 19th of December 2012 to ‘hand over’ the entire stock of ivory to the Presidential Secretariat.
Blood ivory seized by the Customs
The President’s directive had clearly violated Sri Lanka’s obligations under CITES agreement, which prohibits any unauthorized disposal of confiscated ivory, outside stipulated CITES guidelines. The exposure of the wrongdoing in the social media networks and international media, provided an insight to the international community with the publication of the government’s fraudulent move. This effectively forced Rajapaksa regime to pull out from the illegal act of misappropriation of the stock of ivory.
When the international community questioned illegal attempts made by Rajapaksa regime at the CITES conference held in Bangkok in March 2013, the government representative, Justice Rohini Marasinghe vehemently denied the allegation as absolutely false and unfounded – causing further damage to the credibility of the government of Sri Lanka in the eyes of the international community.
The unlawful directive issued by the Presidential Secretariat on 19th of December 2012;
Mark / January 15, 2016
Credit in this regard should also goes to the head of Bio Diversity Directorate Mr Samantha Gunasekara, the nature lover, and his team for assisting former head of Customs Revenue Task force and Lawyer Nagananda Kodituwakk, selfless crusader, who fight fight single handedly against all forms of corruption.
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justice / January 15, 2016
The obsession of some disciples of Lord Buddha to own elephants and decorate their abodes with teeth of elephants slaughtered in Sri Lanka and abroad, is an insult to The Compassionate One.
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patriot / January 15, 2016
There is saying in Sinhala which goes as The Dog does not eat hay in the meantime do not allow the Cow that eat hay to have it. Nagananda sleep well. All those elephants will be walking now.
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Lankan / January 15, 2016
Patriot,
So you condone the illegal and barbaric
ivory trade?
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Native Vedda / January 16, 2016
Lankan
“So you condone the illegal and barbaric ivory trade?”
Only if the clan profited from the trade.
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Native Vedda / January 15, 2016
patriot the pathetic
“The Dog does not eat hay in the meantime do not allow the Cow that eat hay to have it.”
Simply it is “dog in the manger”.
Just like your patriotic smart asses.
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sam / January 15, 2016
President’s letter says that he intended to use blood ivory to ‘adorn’ Dalandha Maligawa’. A Diabolical Lie, how come he use blood ivory at Buddhist temple of deciples of the Lord Buddha.
If this abuse had not been forced to stop, MARA would have been managed to make several more millions of dollars.
Worse part in this case is Judges defending MARA’s dirty work.
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Jim softy / January 17, 2016
Sam you are a christian, don’t understand buddhism.
“It is all in your mind”
understand that. It is not easy to understand.
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bo / January 16, 2016
Process of destruction, on paper, sounds good. But actually, what are the p[ractcalities. Who will be doing the destruction? And where, at Kanatta creamatorium, or in a bon fire at the back of some VIPs back garden, because miraculously, gas supply to all Colombo and suburban crematoriums would be unavailable due to inexplicable system defects. I won’t be surprised. Anything is possible in this Dharmadweepa!
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Jim softy / January 16, 2016
Sri lanka has to live according to what others say.
Why this much jealousy ?
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Wow / January 16, 2016
Aww right.. they are gonna destroy them all. So who’s gonna oversee this so called act of justice? For all we know, they could switch the damn things with fakes and make off with the originals. Get rid of the evidence in a goddamn elegant way. Cmon now people. The yahapalanaya has done some pretty screwed up things while making some sententious claims. When you live in a country where the rulers increase the price of cars because of the pollution or sugar prices because of the increase of diabetes patients, I guess believing that the government is going to destroy those goods because they were quote: unethically procured : unquote is not a big deal. Lets see how they are going to destroy the tusks. If they do it publicly then sure I’d believe them. But I’m gonna bet they would do it in secret and say that its already done
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Nagananda / January 16, 2016
The event of destroying of stockpile (seized by customs in 2012 scheduled for 26th Jan 2016) will be done in PUBLIC with participation of CITES representatives and other representatives of world community.
All of us should consider this event as another significant step in combating the unlawful trade in elephant task.
Performing Sri Lanka’s obligations under CITES was inordinately delayed as there were some attempt to rob this stock pile of ivory but that has to be abandoned due to intense pressure from all concerned groups including conservation groups worldwide.
This ceremony would sends loud and clear massage to the world community that Govt of Sri Lanka too committed to discharge its obligations under the CITES Treaty to curb the illegal trade of elephant ivory.
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Jim softy / January 16, 2016
Why these tusks have to be destroyed ?
Why others are itching for it ?
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Ananda Markalanda / January 17, 2016
What is the worth of a country without its people? What is the worth of a body of people that convene for no common purpose and tolerate the wrongdoings just for personal gain? These are the questions that traverse my mind as many tries to just let it deteriorate. The immense promises of Sri Lanka will be realized only if people recognize their rights and, the right conditions will be put into place. Together, our elections have resolved that the Sri Lanka to be guided by the principles of democracy. We have resolved that sovereignty resides in the people. That the rule of law must defend individual liberty. Those human rights are to be enjoyed by all. That economic freedom promotes prosperity that can lift millions out of poverty. Those political and economic freedoms are the instruments of lasting peace. And we have resolve to work together to put these principles into practice. If we delay and do not take action it will be gone.
Appreciate the valiant efforts of Mr.Kodituwakku in this regard.
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BBS Rep / January 18, 2016
Well done CT. Well done Nagananda Kodituwakku. Well done all those who leaked the documents that brought this sad saga of MARA to the public eye.
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