Making a clear case for how poorly and arbitrarily the ICCPR Act is being utilized in Sri Lanka; columnist Kusal Perera was on the verge of arrest by last Friday. He was however spared of the horror by the intervention of none other than Sirisena himself the following day.
Kusal Perara
Local media reported last Friday evening that Organized Crime Division had made a case before the Colombo Magistrate Courts against Perera and the Daily Mirror, to investigate a complaint against an article written by Perera, published on May 17th in the Daily Mirror titled ‘From Islamic terrorism to marauding Sinhala Buddhist violence’. The Police had stated his writings inflame religious rivalry.
Whistleblower tweep M A Ratna revealed the complaint against Perera was lodged by Rtd. Air Vice Marshall A B Sosa, who is currently facing money laundering charges for his direct involvement in the Jaliya Wickramasuriya case where 332,000 USD was embezzled from the Sri Lankan Mission in Washington. Sosa is also closely affiliated with Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Meanwhile, Perera in a tweet late Saturday night announced Sirisena personally reached out to him and assured he would not be arrested and that Acting IGP has been instructed to refer the complaint against Perera to Attorney General Dappula De Livera.
Below is Perera’s tweet: “To all who supports me and opposes the total misuse of the ICCPR Act. Prez @MaithripalaS called me abt 01 hr ago and assured me there will be no arrest and he had instructed Actg. IGP to refer the complaint to AG and have his instructions #lka #SriLanka”
This direct intervention by Sirisena and the actions of the Police reveal the arbitrary misuse of the ICCPR Act as Perera’s ‘release’ was carried out while writer Shakthika Sathkumara is currently in his eleventh week in custody, charged under the ICCPR Act for penning a piece of fiction on abuse of child monks, which isn’t at all a far cry from reality.
Meanwhile, activists queued up to campaign for Perera and are to continue with the actions they planned to raise awareness among the public on the misuse and exploitation of the ICCPR Act.
Dramatist Parakrama Niriella writing to all political parties on also noted that Perera, being charged with ICCPR is not only a violation of his personal freedom of expression but a blow against independent views and dialog within the broader society as well.
However, it is now also learnt that Perera himself wrote the new story that was published in some local websites that warned of his impending arrest and glorified himself as an ardent activist and writer who stood against religious and communal intolerance.
We publish below the news item Perera has written about him:
Gunaratne Bandara / June 17, 2019
What an A**hole, glorifying himself! Looks like a pathetic character!
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D.P. / June 17, 2019
I don’t know Kuasal Perera & therefore, I can’t comment on his behavior. However, to my knowledge, journalism as a whole is an extremely manipulative field, both by journalists themselves & by many others from outside. Therefore, unless you know the journalist very well & where/how the material for a piece of writing came in, it is very difficult to judge what exactly is going on. On the same token, if the ICCPR act is so restrictive that writers can be arrested for writing on religion related matters then all who have any feeling for freedom of expression must stand up to force the Gvt to have a hard look it immediately.
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dingiri / June 18, 2019
“Gloryifying himself”?? What? By exercising his constitutional right to call a spade a spade? Kusal and Thisaranee are among a small group of fearless journalists who at great personal cost to themselves have had the courage to call out this nasty nationalism that is sweeping the country.
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Soorasena / June 17, 2019
Looks like the guy is full of himself, look at the news item he has written about he himself. And also how can this bloody Sira intervened ? where is the law and order?
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Stela / June 17, 2019
I can’t think of whether I’m going to have a Stela pint or Carlsberg or Samahan? This bugger is not a journalist, he just a marketing man in Samahan.
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justice / June 17, 2019
We need more journalists like Kusal Perera.
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Hela / June 17, 2019
Kusal Perera is just one of many frauds marauding as liberal journalists fighting for a secular free society. In practice they are bloody whores who would suck anything for a penny.
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Mallaiyuran / June 17, 2019
In 2014 Kusal Perara recommended CV as the common candidate expressing his opinion that CV will remove the EP in there months and would honestly resign from EP himself too. His essays in this subject are in CT too.
But New King was promoted by CBK claiming he is a Sinhala Buddhist while with better qualities of CV. New King violated 100 days deal, one term deal, and even the 19A’s 6 years limit, no NCM on PM, only assigned two ministries , no dismissal of PM, no parliament dismissal, ………
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Estate Labourer / June 17, 2019
It seems to me that some people are invoking and applying certain provisions of the ICCPR selectively, while at the same time ignoring and even infringing many other important provisions of this document.
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Nathan / June 17, 2019
Any one who is sane, anyone who values humanity are enemies to these warped minds. They want extremism and survive on extremism. Don’t know what values they have? Kusal is a hero and he is the kind we need at a time like this. Kusal, ignore the howls. At least here I am happy that Aiyo had stood by you.
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BP / June 17, 2019
“………..writer Shakthika Sathkumara is currently in his eleventh week in custody, charged under the ICCPR Act for penning a piece of fiction on abuse of child monks, which isn’t at all a far cry from reality.” Abusing of child monks – what is the purpose of writing/talking about these repeatedly if it is not a far cry from reality? As far as I was informed, in his short story, this writer has said that Prince Siddhartha had doubts whether Rahula was his own son. Did he too want to glorified himself by saying something no one has ever thought of?
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dingiri / June 17, 2019
The Police top brass dont seem to have a clue as to what is legitimate and what is not. Some can incite people to commit murder and arson in plain view of the police and there is not even a caution. Zaharan can incite his own people to engage in violence against infidels and Kafirs with the full knowledge of the “intelligence” agencies and nothing is done. But when someone calls these same people out as racists and marauders they promptly get locked up for “causing religious rivalry”
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JD / June 17, 2019
I read else where what exactly happened. Sri lanka must have a Strong PTA and under that Kusal Perera and the so called Muslim women should be arrested and question both. there are here pick garbage. work like Myanmar if needed quit UN and U”CRUNCH both. Some countries have even resigned from other UN organisations.
Law comes secondarily when it comes to arresting Trouble makers under in the name of terrorism.
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JD / June 18, 2019
If Kusal Perera and the so called Muslims were allowed to leave unattended, they will create problems. the best thing is leave both them in the remand under the PTA..
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Nimal / June 18, 2019
I know Kusal very well. He was a very close friend of Mahinda Rajapaksha, and he normally called MR by his first name when he was the Minister of Fisheries. In spite of that Kusal has the backbone to criticise MR’s dealing and he has been doing it for a quite long time. Otherwise, he could have got a very high position in the government if he has supported him.
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K A Sumanasekera / June 18, 2019
Marauding Sinhala Buddhist Violence…Sounds ever worse than Terrorism with that marauding bit added to Sinhala Buddhism..
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How many Marauding Sinhala Buddhists have exploded themselves with C4 Vests or even C4 Backpacks loaded with Ball bearing and rusty nails…
In the last 30 Years?….-
Thank God our Sinhala Buddhists , I mean the great majority can’t read this” Mirror.”
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Sisira Weragoda / June 18, 2019
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the writer Shakthika Sathkumara (Jews), and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a middle class public servant/writer (Jew).
Then they came for Kusal Perera (me)—and there was All mighty MY3 (no one left) to speak for me.
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Kumar David / June 18, 2019
The intimidation of Kusal Perera is an attack on free speech. Various forces in power would like to cut off his tongue and of others who criticise the powerful. Kusal, when he is right and when he is wrong, follows the edict of the great Palestinian intellectual Edward Saeed: “The task of the intellectual is to speak truth to power”.
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JD / June 18, 2019
Only the Bhikkus and sinhala buddhists do not have freedom of speech and they can be intimidated as you wish. Ven. Ghanasara was jailed for what ?. IT is simply protestant, Evangelist and Western agenda.
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dingiri / June 19, 2019
Gnanasara was jailed for contempt of court. i.e. abusing in raw Sinhala filth (a speciality of his) a female court official. He received no warning or threat of arrest over either the “Abha Sarana” speech in Alutgama which resulted in the burning of the town and murder of several people. The law enforcement agencies i.e. the Police also watched on when he threatened the nation with a “Sanakeliya” if Moslem ministers did not resign. So @JD please dont despair. Villains like Gnanasara have every freedom in this country of ours.
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Spring Koha / June 18, 2019
The only question now is whether Mr Kusal Perera will go (with mother?) and take tea with Mr President.
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Emil van der Poorten / June 18, 2019
If proof be needed of the manipulative and unethical “journalism” of Kusal, check out the list of those who leaped to his defence. That list contains some of the most unethical journalists in Sri Lanka who’ve done very well for themselves irrespective of which corrupt regime was in power.
One of the best things that Frederica Jansz did while she was editor of the now-defunct Sunday Leader and before she had to run for her life was fire this guy!
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kebab / June 18, 2019
Does the freedom of journalists depend on whether you like his writing !
I thought Van der Pooten was enlightened and not a sanctimonious humbug
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Emil van der Poorten / June 19, 2019
kebab:
I have watched Perera in action long enough to form an informed opinion. You , who so bravely conceal your identity under a pseudonym have, I suppose, the right to call those who don’t share your opinion “humbugs.”
P.S.
What do your kebabs contain?
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K A Sumanasekera / June 19, 2019
Mr Poorten,
I am a fan of Kebab, the real deal not the strips off that big Boxing Bag of Halal hanging from a Rafter ,.
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Only the Greeks sell the Real Deal deal which is grilled Pork served on Greek Pita Bread with a hint of Origano and a good squeeze of Lemon Juice..And a few Chips on top..
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dingiri / June 19, 2019
This is puzzling. I thought these two (Emil and Kusal) were on the same page on most issues. The difference my lie in their backgrounds. Kusal is a trade union type while Emil is a Plantation owner type. The rubber tapper/tea plucker rarely gets to sit at table with the Periya Dorai. :-)
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K A Sumanasekera / June 19, 2019
Guten Morgan Mr Poorten… Now you are talking …
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I am sooo happy to see you on the side of at least our Cardinal, who has his work cut out to get Justice for the 250 perished Souls of his Flock, from the UNP, SLMC , Bathudeen, Assath Sally ,Hezbulla Cabal who are now hell bent on ” Shooting Sirisena” and giving you their newest Common Candidate through the PSC….
Instead of helping the poor Cardinal who has been doing a fantastic job which is worthy of at least a consolation Noble Peace Prize..
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Wonder whether they have already hired this dude or at least put him ona retainer, Because he seems to do a darn good job of making the poor Sinhala Buddhists look like the Suicide Bombers…
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kebab / June 18, 2019
Big Brother is listening ! Are we a Stalinist State ?
I think the President by saving at least one person from harassment has done a good thing
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Maco / June 18, 2019
KP must have picked the article on the same subject published elsewhere in an online e news on Lanka and sent it across to someone. Its not 100% sure though. However, the legal system in Sri Lanka works in strange way polarizing the society as a whole across the nation. ICCPR, PTA etc. are being used by law enforcement agencies according to their masters need. Master is none other than the God Father and his cronies. One fine day, police and armed forces will face the law to the full sooner or later according to their “KARMA” and the masters wouldn’t be there to safeguard them.
Maco P
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JD / June 18, 2019
KUSAL Perera is here in Sri lanka to pick anything that supports his Human rights business. Sri lanka has to show the door to all the western Human rights business people.
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Ad / June 18, 2019
If reality is hatred, all news would naturally reflect same. The police need educated officers rather than present uneducated lot. The law enforcers should be graduates and trained in law. They should be able to identify compliance without prejudice. With the politicians acting as police, detectives, judges and managers of all sort, the total administration has boiled down to chaos. There is only one resort available.
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chiv / June 18, 2019
What about our own Mahindapala, Rajeewa . Did Kusal write something worse than these frauds.
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JD / June 19, 2019
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Nirmalan Dhas / June 19, 2019
It will be interesting to know how it comes about that the ICCPR Act has being skillfully used to arrest a novelist because he exposed the activities of members of the clergy, a woman because she wore clothes with a particular design printed on them and possibly others as well.
Sri Lanka has a supreme court and a Chief Justice. The police force need not prosecute without the advice of the Attorney General except in routine matters. It is very unlikely that they would launch an investigation, much less make an arrest under the ICCPR without consulting the Attorney General.
It is time the Minister of Justice looked into the matter of how legal clearance was obtained by the police to make these arrests when at the same time large numbers of persons whose actions appear to be illegal under the ICCPR Act are being allowed to roam free.
It may also be helpful if the Supreme Court were to interpret the ICCPR and advise the public as to exactly what actions constitute and what actions may constitute crimes under the act and lead to prosecution.
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dingiri / June 19, 2019
Further more. These bonkers arrests which only expose what an ill trained, ill informed group of people the Police are will not stop until the policemen involved are not punished. They should be sacked or at least have their pay docked for acting like a bunch of Neanderthals and embarrassing the whole nation.
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Andare 2.0 / June 19, 2019
Kusal Perera is another clueless idiot who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
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JD / June 19, 2019
Kusal Perera seems very dishonest person. He is ashamed to the extent that he cannot even face the photo straight showing his eyes. That pathetic.
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Winston de Valliere / June 24, 2019
Forget all other considerations. In the article under reference, has Kusal spoken the truth or not. To my mind, he has. That being the case, it matters not that the dogs bark. Most of what I read above by way of stupid criticism of Kusal’s principled take on the law’s tolerance of mass collective crime by Sinhala mobs, stemming from the Easter suicide bomber killings, is a frightening manifestation of the fact that such mob rule has very wide appeal among gutter snipes of the sort who have written against Kusal.
Men in authority are unfortunately often of the same ilk. It’s good of the President to intervene in the cause of justice. But can we expect justice in this country ? The witch hunt against Kusal in itself proves the the truth is vigorously resented by political handlers who lurk behind the scenes. All this proves that this nation has vociferous defenders of crime and racial/religious bigotry and incredibly lash at at men such as Kusal who have the integrity to stand for truth and warn the nation ahead of an immense bout of social strife that seems to be almost inevitable. I think that this warning was the basic objective in Kusal’s rather blunt manner of writing. More strength to your fist Kusal.
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