“The standing committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on Rule of Law at its meeting on 10thMay decided to express its concern on the appointment of a commission regarding the unearthing of the mass grave in Matale, when in fact what is necessary is to proceed under the normal Law of the Country. Commissions of inquiry has throughout our history has been a modus adapted to sweep an issue under the carpet. It is noted that the Police has not yet taken even the most important step of recording of statements from persons who were in charge of security during the relevant period.” says it’s Convener Priyantha Gamage.
Issuing a statement he said today; “The failure of the Police, up to now, to make any progress in the investigations into the multiple attacks on the Udayan Newspaper and its staff is causing grave concern to those interested in protecting the freedom of expression and Rule of Law. This is a serious lapse considering the fact that a large security force is stationed in the area. This has led to much speculation regarding the attackers. Therefore we call upon the authorities in charge of the investigations to expedite the investigative process to bring the culprits before the law and in fairness to all those concerned to make a public statement as to the reasons for the failure to bring those who has committed these criminal acts before the law.”
“The detention of Azath Salley under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the drama that followed raises a serious question of the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act to detain persons who are suspected to have committed offences that can be tried under the normal law of the country. What emerges is that this Act which is a piece of legislation that deprives a suspect of a fair trial in keeping with the fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution and the protection that an accused or a suspect is entitled to under the criminal law of the country is being used to harass persons who are critical of the government. This will give rise to a serious situation where dissent will be suppressed and the freedom of speech and assembly be deprived to selected citizens.” the Convener further said.
Amarasiri / May 18, 2013
Awadiyaw, Awadiyaw, Awadiyaw.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution
The American Revolution was a political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. By 1775 each colony had established a Provincial Congress or an equivalent governmental institution to govern itself, but still recognized the British Crown and their inclusion in the empire. The British responded by sending combat troops to re-establish royalist control. Through the Second Continental Congress, the Americans then managed the armed conflict in response to the British known as the American Revolutionary War (also: American War of Independence, 1775–83).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution
The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799), was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a lasting impact on French history and more broadly throughout Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality and fraternity). The royal houses across Europe were horrified and led a countercrusade that by 1814 had restored the old monarchy, but many major reforms became permanent. So too did antagonisms between the supporters and enemies of the Revolution, who fought it out politically over the next two centuries.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Revolution
The Russian Revolution is the collective term for a series of revolutions in Russia in 1917, which dismantled the Tsarist autocracy and led to the creation of the Russian SFSR. The Emperor was forced to abdicate and the old regime was replaced by a provisional government during the first revolution of February 1917 (March in the Gregorian calendar; the older Julian calendar was in use in Russia at the time). In the second revolution, during October, the Provisional Government was removed and replaced with a Bolshevik (Communist) government.
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justice / May 18, 2013
Amarasiri,
1)What is the relevence of these ‘revolutions’ to the Matale Mass Grave and the proposed ‘commission’?
What are you trying to say?
2)At last the lawyers have woken up to the effect of the PTA on Justice for Citizens.
They prosecute and defend citizens arrested under the PTA even now.
Many human rights lawyers who realised this much earlier were killed during the second JVP insurrection in ’87-’89.
One of them Liyanarachchi died after torture in two police stations.
But the lawyers were silent during those times.
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Safa / May 18, 2013
Even with evidence staring them in the face, our local bloodhounds are in denial. What is rather obvious to even a simpleton is rather devious to the local Sherlock Holmes. Bloodhounds have turned into pariahs. Talking about skeletons in ones cupboard, GR has a lot to answer for.
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Jayantha / May 22, 2013
Safa,
Oh, please Don’t ever say Bloodhounds to our beloved President Mahinda Rajapakkse.
They are the descendents of Lord Buddha and King Dutugemunu.
According to Jackson Anthony Lord Buddha was King Dutugemunu’s Great, great, Great Uncle and King Dutugemunu is President Mahinda Rajapakse’s Great, Great, Great Grand Father…..”Mee Muththa”……mee hara…a.
Listen to following videos….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAHa4gdz15A
Also listen to following video…..
http://www.youtube.com/user/mrfcjtv?gclid=COXcyOmVqLcCFYai4AodARIA7A
And this……..President Rajapakse Return After 1994 Geneva UNHRC protest.
http://www.cpj.org/tags/mahinda-rajapaksa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtDZTP7bTL0&list=PLBEF5C63C844E7C8B
Best stage actor in the world.
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Vitamin C / May 18, 2013
Are you ……. kidding me ?
who can do that ?
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Capricon / May 18, 2013
French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside”
Come on we need this. Let us take the bloody ganayas to the Guilatine
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srilal / May 18, 2013
Please take a note of the following facts.
In recent SL history, respective governments have had their influential/brutal defense ministers. During JR’s era , it was Lalith Athulathmudali who controlled the military , it is reported that Lalith had used different extra judicial methods/techniques to suppress Tamil/Sinhala uprising both from south and north. then we had this brutal & ruthless General Ranjan Wijeratne who gave orders not to spare even a suspect . on CBK arrival , the modern day Sapumal kumaraya come synthetic General , Anurudda ratwatte came to haunt the masses, just being a close relative of CBK , he abused the power to a point where no one dared to question him , if one looks back and analyses the fate of the all the former defense ministers , one thing is obvious , that is not just the defense ministers lives but also their dear loved ones departed pre maturely from the face of the earth , we may call it karma !
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Piranha / May 18, 2013
Everyone should realise that Gota is above the law. In fact anyone associated and supportive of the regime is above the law. Anyone who thinks otherwise and speaks up will end up getting a white van ride to the never never land. That is the reality of life today in Sri Lanka.
So far the indications are that Gota and his associates Jagath Dias and Shavendra De Silva are responsible for the torture and deaths of these men and women in the mass grave. The same mass murderers went on to kill thousands of Tamil civilians and surrendered LTTE combatants in the last Eelam war.
Will any victims get justice? Will these men ever stand trial? It will depend on how soon the present dictatorship falls and how determined the people and rights institutions inside and outside the country are to seek justice. I hope these vile mass murderers are tried and hangers by the Sri Lankan people before long.
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punchinilame / May 18, 2013
When the Govt. cannot find answers for the Ch. 4 clips – photographic
evidence, they know this mass burial site is nothing to be concerned
with – after all the victims belong to the very Sinhala voters who still
shout Jayawewa!
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Benadict / May 18, 2013
Do not worry, One day GOTTA Will be in Jail or shot by BBS.History proves wait and see
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Roy / May 19, 2013
Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who retired from the Army holding the rank of Colonel served in the Gajaba Regiment.Gota as he is generally known was appointed as Commandig officer of the 1st Gajaba Battalion on May 1st 1989 and posted to Matale district as the District Coordinating Officer. He served in Matale until the end of 1989 and went abroad to the USA in January 1990 on three months leave.
Among some of the Junior officers who served under Gotabhaya Rajapaksa in Matale were Shavendra Silva, Jagath Dias and Sumedha Perera.They are all of Major-General rank now.
Initially several UNP politicians of Matale protested to the then National Security Minister that Gotabhaya should not be posted in Matale as he was the brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa then a Parliamentarian from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party(SLFP)
Wijeratne however overruled these protests and assigned Gotabhaya the task of wiping out the JVP insurgency in Matale district. Ranjan Wijertne was impressed by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s dedication and efficiency in carrying out the duties entrusted to him.
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Anura / May 19, 2013
The whole story sounds like a result of western conspiracy to topple the government.. Ha ha
MR or GR has to say something in this line, and 95% Sinhalese will beleive it and forget these mass graves or any injustice to their own sons and daughters.
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milinda / May 20, 2013
why cover-up the Alick Aluvihare and his thug sons involvement in eliminating some of their political enemies in this mass killing plot
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Roy / May 20, 2013
Milinda you are right, Ranjith Aluvihara and his siblings might be the future Rajapakses. I hope and pray that Srilanka will get rid of this corruption and nonsense.
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Roy / May 20, 2013
JMO in charge of Matale mass grave also to be transferred.
srilankamirror.lk/news/7438-jmo-in-charge-of-matale-mass-grave-also-to-be-transferred
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didi van der wert / May 21, 2013
Any that commit aggression against humanity shall pay dearly in this life and in the Hereafter. None can escape Divine Retribution for sure.
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