The Australia government has updated its travel advice on Sri Lanka. Last week the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and trade upgraded Sri Lanka states to “Exercise a high degree of caution” saying, the advice “contains new information under Civil unrest/political tension (the Prevention of Terrorism Act remains in place and permits prolonged detention without charge or trial). We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka at this time because of the unpredictable security environment.”
Read the full update below;
-
Tony Abbott – PM
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka at this time because of the unpredictable security environment.
- Security forces maintain a visible presence throughout the country. Military and police checkpoints are present along some roads and road closures can occur without warning.
- You should avoid all demonstrations and large public gatherings as they may turn violent or be a target for politically-motivated attacks. Police have used tear gas in response to protests.
- In the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, which includes Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochichi and Jaffna Districts, post-conflict security force activity is ongoing.
- In both the Northern and Eastern Provinces you should stay on main roads and pay close attention to signs warning of danger from landmines.
- Foreign passport holders, including diplomats and international and local non-government organisation personnel, no longer require approval from the Ministry of Defence to travel to the north of Sri Lanka. However, individuals and groups intending to visit military establishments or High Security Zones or to meet military officials still require specific approval from the Ministry of Defence.
- Pay careful attention to the type of visa you apply for. Travellers risk deportation if they engage in activities outside their visa conditions.
- All regions of Sri Lanka experience outbreaks of the mosquito-borne dengue fever. Almost half of the cases in 2013 were reported in Western Province, where Colombo is located. See Health Issues below for more information.
- Because of the prevailing security situation, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us so we can contact you in an emergency.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
Related posts;
Warning To Brits: British Foreign Ministry Updated Travel Advice On Sri Lanka
Native Vedda / April 17, 2014
Sinhala/Buddhists
Sinhala Expatriates Seek Extradition From UK Of War Crime Suspect Adele Balasingham
Now comes the warning from down under and mother country, empire strikes back:
Warning To Brits: British Foreign Ministry Updated Travel Advice On Sri Lanka
Travel Warning To Aussies: Exercise A High Degree Of Caution In Sri Lanka.
“It’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt” ― Mark Twain
/
Native Vedda / April 17, 2014
Sinhala/Buddhists
Sorry I missed this headline:
Canada Suspends Commonwealth Funds For Next Two Years
Are we going to see more Chinese, Hindian, Arab and Russian tourists?
/
whywhy / April 17, 2014
Native
Chinese and Hindians found selling goods in some parts
of the country,on tourist visa.Hindians are working as
tourists.All for their expenses.But look at the tourist
arrival rate which is sky rocketing!!!And wait wait,we
do have heroes assigned to specific tasks!BBS and Wimal!
We are going to see some magic,even from the great
“Thum mulla.”
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Eusense / April 17, 2014
Vedda,
Read the update carefully. It really reveal facts that needs to be considered by any tourist. Basically, what it says is, if you plan well and are not involved in subversive or anti-government activities you have nothing to worry. A security environment is good for tourists. avoiding protests is good anywhere in the world. Warnings about land mines is good or bad?? Getting the right visa is good for any tourist going to any country. Health concerns with Dengue is good thing to know too.
So what is the big negativity in this travel update?
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srilal / April 18, 2014
so basically there is nothing to concern or worry about for the intended Aussi travelers ,out of the blue , Australian Department of Foreign Affairs just issue travel warnings for nothing !great !!!!!
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Spark / April 18, 2014
When you have been eating Rajapakse bullshit for long periods of time, one’s sensibility ends up this way. First and foremost, issuing a “Travel Warning” to a country is in itself negative because it is a damn “warning” and not a “welcome” note. Now tell me why travel warnings are not issued for Australians to visit Malaysia, Singapore, Europe or USA? If you say that the Travel Warning for Sri Lanka is a “positive” thing, then not issuing a travel warning for Malaysia, Spore, Europe and USA is a “negative” thing? This is typical southern Sinhalese yakko way of looking at his own shit and saying it is fragrant.
Did you conveniently forget to read the part “Security forces maintain a visible presence …..without warning”. Did you know that the Sri Lanka security forces are suspected for war crimes and genocide on thousands of innocent Tamil civilians? Credible proof for this has been obtained by no other than trophy videos by own soldiers. Oh no, certainly no, you would say, the UN report is bullshit and the report written by your grandmother and grandfather are the only authentic honest truth about the criminality and culture of these exemplary honest patriotic hero’s. So why the heck is the blooming Australian Government warning their Citizens that their are too many Sri Lankan soldiers present on the streets? Don’t you see the logic? Even after this, is your nose still immune to your own shit?
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Eusense / April 18, 2014
spark,
Defending Sri Lanka does not mean “eating Rajapakse bullshit”. Rajapakse corruption is different from Tamil terrorism. Here I am writing about negative propaganda by the west (fueled by the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora)not about Rajapakse.
You seem to be ignorant about travel! Have you ever seen the western media writing anything negative about travel to the US or UK? Have you traveled to the US? Do you know or have read of any area in the US that you should not visit even during the day time?
You talk about Malaysia and Singapore, did any of these countries went through 30 years of suicide murdering Tamil terrorism? It is stupid to think that terrorism is totally cleaned up. The government needs to be in high alert for reemerging terrorism and that is the reason why “Security forces maintain a visible presence …..”. It is not to harm the tourists. Do you think the gov. is stupid to believe harnessing tourists will make tourism grow?
You ask “Did you know that the Sri Lanka security forces are suspected for war crimes and genocide on thousands of innocent Tamil civilians?” What does this have to do with travel? When the LTTE was involved in genocide in the south tourism went down to almost nonexistence. Once the LTTE was annihilated tourism went up almost 100 folds! So, what you are saying is suddenly the travelers needs to be scared of the soldiers who made tourism possible? Australian tourists are not stupid to believe every word their gov. says! Within few months you will see the results.
Further, what evidence of thousands of Tamil civilian genocide is there? Shouldn’t the dead have names?? Forget about thousands, give me names and addresses of 10 civilians who were claimed “genocided”. Sorry,without names this genocide claim is a myth!
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len / April 23, 2014
They most probably waiting for arrest of Pretty boy Col. Karuna , KP, Daya Master three Sri Lankan hero’s.
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Horikadey / April 17, 2014
Will the Rajapakses accept reality? They have brought this country a very ugly name under their near decade military-type rule. Britain – and now Australia warning their nationals – virtually saying “Sri Lanka is not a safe place to visit” If the E/U follows up then it is doom for tourism. This deception of a revival of the LTTE is to keep the lid on the people to prevent them from facing the real trouble in the country – the frightening Cost of Living, breakdown of law and order, the proliferation of drugs affecting more youngsters than ever before, corruption everywhere including the armed forces, immigration and Police etc. etc. By the time the Rajapakse gang’s rule is over there will be little left of the country.
Horikadey
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aratai / April 17, 2014
..
Why Tourrists should avoid Srilanka:
– most of the Srilankan Tamils say most of the Sinhalese are terrorizing them
– most of the Srilankan Sinhalese say, most of the Tamils are terrorists
So, most of the srilankans say, most of the srilankans are terrorists.
:-)
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Spring Koha / April 17, 2014
These travel warnings are becoming more like an invitation to Take a Walk on the Wild Side…And the Kandy girls go “Doo do doo do doo do do doo…”
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BBS Rep / April 17, 2014
Only a week ago a young Tamil man set himself on fire in Sydney. He was to be deported to Sri Lanka by the Australian Immigration Department.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-11/tamil-asylum-seeker-self-harms-in-sydney/5383318
5 days later the Australian Government has acknowledged that Sri Lanka is not a safe place to travel. The Australian Government has specifically stated that there is ongoing military action in Tamil areas.
Hmm, well reader make up your minds about the Australian government.
What a shame this young Tamil would rather commit suicide than go back to the country of his birth. What an indictment on Sri Lanka.
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lal / April 17, 2014
Self immolation is commonly practiced by Tamils in Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu. The fellow who tried to kill himself in Australia could have gone to his homeland of Tamil Nadu. Why do Tamils go to Canada, Australia and UK when Tamil Nadu is just a few miles away? Because they know Tamil Nadu is a dump. What an indictement of Tamil Nadu!
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Palmsquirrell / April 17, 2014
Why do Sinhalese remain in Lanka and emmigrate to the West when they can go to their homeland of Bengal,Orissa and South India.
Sinhalese emigrating out of Lanka means Lanka is a dump.More Sinhalese than Tamils are emigrating to Australia.
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Eusense / April 17, 2014
Palm,
Two things you have to remember; the Sinhalese are not talking about a homeland in Bengal or anywhere else where Sinhalese is not spoken. Sinhalese immigrate to western countries either for studies (and become residents later) or for economic reasons. These are the same reasons why Indians, Pakistanis, East Europeans, Filipinos etc. etc. immigrate to the west except the Tamils who being untruthful about their main reason for leaving Sri Lanka.
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paul / April 18, 2014
That is why they riot inside Australian run detention centres when told they would be settled in another country.
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Palmsquirrell / April 18, 2014
” Two things you have to remember; the Sinhalese are not talking about a homeland in Bengal or anywhere else where Sinhalese is not spoken.”
And Tamil is spoken in Sri Lanka and is the dominant language in the North and East. So your point is?
Ceylon Tamil emmigration only started in meaningfull numbers after all out war started.
You claim Sinhalese are emmigrating for economic reasons, so you admit Sri Lanka is a dump , because I was respoonding to Lal who said Tamils leave for places other than TN because TN is a dump.
So if Tamils don’t want to go to TN and Sinhalese want to leave Sri Lanka then both places are dumps that people do not want to go to or live in.
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Eusense / April 18, 2014
palm,
Read before you write. I was answering your post. The Sinhalese don’t need to claim any other country, state, area district, city or province as their home land.
You say “And Tamil is spoken in Sri Lanka and is the dominant language in the North and East. So your point is?” My point is just because people in an area of a country speaks a certain language that it should not be their homeland or a separate country. If this is not the case the US will now have over 50 countries within it.
Have I ever said SL is a first world country? Why you call SL a dump? because few Sinhalese are leaving that country for their financial gain? My main concern is Tamils leaving for the same reason but tout discrimination as the reason. People in any country will move to another country if it benefits them. Do you know that some people are renouncing US citizenship and moving out for there for financial gain?
How can you call TN a dump when many millions continue to live there?
You are definitely a confused man/woman !
/
Palmsquirrell / April 19, 2014
” The Sinhalese don’t need to claim any other country, state, area district, city or province as their home land. You say “And Tamil is spoken in Sri Lanka and is the dominant language in the North and East. So your point is?” My point is just because people in an area of a country speaks a certain language that it should not be their homeland or a separate country. “
Except this is exactly what the Sinhala nationalists claim, that Lanka is the exclusive homeland of the Sinhalese. GOSL is Sinhala ultra Nationalist , clearly evident in the fact that a Sinhala nationalist like Fonseka got most of the Tamil vote because Rajapaksa are percevied to be even more extreme Nationalist.
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eusense / April 19, 2014
palm,
I don’t consider SL as a Sinhalese home land and also not a Tamil home land. Sri Lanka is for all races. Nationalist as you say may think SL is Sinhalese Buddhist but not the majority, similar to the LTTE who tried to use terrorism to make the north Tamil home land. I guess you did not agree with them.
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Palmsquirrell / April 19, 2014
“How can you call TN a dump when many millions continue to live there? You are definitely a confused man/woman !”
You are twisting my words…
I didn’t call TN a dump ; Lal called TN a dump. So I said well if TN is a dump because Ceylon Tamils do not want to go there then by the same logic wouldn’t Sri Lanka also be a dump because Sinhalese want to leave.
All most all of India is a dump to varying degrees, one only has to see the starvation, malnutrition and oppression of historically persecuted groups to see proof of this.
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Native Vedda / April 18, 2014
Nuisance
“the Sinhalese are not talking about a homeland in Bengal”
They should start talking about homeland in Bengal or Bihar. By the way they do want to build an Aryan Sinhala/Buddhist ghetto in the Indian ocean exclusively for stupid Sinhala/Buddhists.
“Sinhalese immigrate to western countries either for studies (and become residents later) or for economic reasons.”
Oh yeah, I got your point, Sinhalese have never claimed asylum in any part of the world.
Have your reality checked.
/
Anton Perera / April 18, 2014
Nuisance@,
how come you seem to have no even a bird brain ?
NV@;
HOW CAN HE HAVE REALITY CHECKED BEING BLIND by EVERY MEANS. He has seen sofar only black and white. No rainbow colours. Nor has he a clear vision about anything, as I noticed. Be it regarding tamil problem of the country or the biggest headache of the day that we all face – MR regime, Nusance´s stand seems to be not different, while telling that he is very against MR corrupted politics, he only attacks minorities on this forum. I am bit disappointed seeing this kind of graduates that share the genetics with the self proclaimed director -Abhaya from the US.
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Eusense / April 18, 2014
Vedda,
the more you write here the more you show your ignorance.
/
Zara Dennis / April 19, 2014
There are quite a few Sinhalese who have sort asylum in Australia. So you can’t claim that no Sinhalese have sort asylum
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Desperateminds / April 19, 2014
You may be right, but I have met sinhalese, muslims from the Isalnd have claimed to seek for political asylum in Europe (Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark and UK). They are just econimic asylum seekers that make every efforts to succeed their refuee related cases by producing all kind of illegal documents.
Latter is also common with many of the tamil refugees that sought refuge in western rich countries. Those who really got caught by civil war- were not able to even think of leaving the country for any other destinations. The fact that some countries in Europe are bound to welcome any kind of refugees countries from conflict regions of the world, regardless of their lengths of the stay, politicians on the west have now worked for the new amendments. As a result of that, Germany, France, Uk and several other countries dont welcome every refugee that put the feet on each of the soils as had been during the last two decades.
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AndreasAppuhamy / April 18, 2014
I am sinhalse, but I would not could not ask any of the lankens to go TN or anywhere. It is their own right to decide so. Lal, people like you and your efforts only cause strenghtehn the divisions within the nation. Please be cautious at least today, we had a 30 year old war, we fought for a high price. Eunese and the like men are the other threat, they see only one side of the problem. All these people ^s exchanges cant help any of us te peace longing people of this beautiful island.
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BON / April 19, 2014
Is there any tricks by which one could teach self immolation tactics to Mahinda Rajapakshe ? If yes, we can save the nation.
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Gaje / April 17, 2014
Good bye tourism! In the island of miracles (aascharyamath)! Did Tony Abbot support us in Geneva?
Now the other guys will follow by issuing caution on travel! Our idiots think about their power like a frog in the well without realising how the West can affect our income! The next will be the garment quotas! Followed by tea etc. Santions don’t have to come in the form of sanctions,,!
Subha Anqgathayak!
Long live our new brother China! Be content with cheap tourists from China, Russia and ? India? (Even those Westerners who come now are not the high end anyway)
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kris / April 17, 2014
Non of the Auzzies don’t care about this travel warning these are only official purpose
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srilal / April 17, 2014
“Non of the Auzzies don’t care about this travel warning these are only official purpose “
wow ,how did you come to such a hasty conclusion ? are you an Ausi ? my understandings was , before any one books the ticket for an overseas holiday /travel from any travel agent ,he/she generally seeks the travel advice on the intended destinations , based on your assumption , none is worried/concerned about the travel warnings , it’s only for official purposes!!!!!!!!! may be, now we can add this to the long list of “asscharaya” .
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sama / April 18, 2014
double negative make one positive ( – + – = +)
so, “Non of the Auzzies don’t care about this travel warning” = they do care *smile :)
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srilal / April 18, 2014
non or NONE
and
don’t or DOESN’T
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Thiru / April 17, 2014
World has realized that the chaos predicted by the president’s secretary if the international investigation of war crimes is approved by the UNHRC is unfolding in Sri Lanka.
Beware tourists and visitors, that’s the message from these leaders.
The saying goes; the elephant pours mud on itself with his own trunk!
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srilal / April 17, 2014
this is the price SL has to pay for being silly , LTTE bogey , Gopi et al will work fine for SL grass eating masses , but will it work at international level ? quite contrary , now it has been back fired , UK & Australia have already issued travel warnings to her citizens , question is , who else will follow suit ?
surely , our foreign ministry will issue a statement condemning those announcements and possibly requesting to retrieve it and the same time will announce that SL is 100% free from terror activities . one wonders , can we have both ways ?
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sirimal / April 17, 2014
Dear Srilal,
even if the topic is out of focus, permit me to add this to you.
I like the way journalist Suranga Senanayake (sirasa TV sender) clearly raised the issue that the excutive president of the country failed to react accordingly.. here it is directly focused on the drug trafficking problem in the country. Suranga´s analysis is brilliant- I wish if we had his kind of journalists in the country, Kudu duminda´s life would have been limited to a prison to thisday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZJSPa7tr0Y
I really wonder why the general public nevertheless supported this man in the last PC elections ?
People should be made born fools to this day.
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srilal / April 17, 2014
Dear Sirimal,
As i have stated previously , we srilankans love to boast about 2500 year old great history ,great civilization, great culture , great religion, high literacy rate bla bla and every thing great but when it comes to common sense majority of the population fails to differentiate right from wrong. if one analyses the past general election results , you will see the thinking patterns of the masses.
just look at the sample of 2010 General election results .
highest no of preferential votes were gained by the following characters(not in the right order though)
1)Wimal weerawansa
2)Basil Rajapakse
3)Namal Rajapakse
4)Johnston fernando
5)S.B Disanayake
6)Mahindagamage A
7)Rohitha Abeygunawardana
8)Duminda R silva
9)Thilanga Sumathipala
10)Laxman Wasantha perera
11)Mervin silva
12)Nimal siripala desilva
i just brought up few of the names which came to my mind , if you go through the list , how many of them deserved to be in the parliament , let alone coming top of the list ? but why people kept on voting these known offenders ? answer is simple , personnel gains and stupidity !
talking about drugs and alcohol, how many of above engage in illicit drug & alcohol trade ? how many of them engage in illegal/unethical activities ?
now it’s too late and no point in blaming these drug loads/racketeers , very same people who are blaming & cursing at these politicians are the ones who elected these undesirable characters, there isn’t much we can do about this now Sirimal !
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sirimal / April 17, 2014
Thank you. I appreicate your comment.
And I understand that the current situation is somewhat comparable to that of a metastaized malignancy (cancer) that would not allow much hope. Nevertheless, I still believe if the opposition segments not only political parties would join together, defeating current brutal regime will definitely be a reality. As said once before, not only politicians, but also law professionals, other academics, senior professionals, University dons, senior professionals and all must support the opposition right at this critical stage of the country.
Recalling, earlier days (prior to 89), people´s power was very high in the Island than it is today. Many that contested as politicians were educated ones. And to that point of time too, today ´s president was in the lanken politics, but his behaviours to fall on other directions after becoming country´s leader is very confusing. 45 years in parlimentary politics is not comparable to those of many leaders that have improved countries in the today.
Further to this, I believe that our people are not adequately informed about the core issues of the country TODAY or people seem to have no time and interests to make aware of them about current sitution. Cost of living is reached to record high levels as even middle class people can harldy affod the life today. However, various other factors could still cause them to fall them into legthagic/indifferent/ mode. May be internet use have made them taken out of control.
Yes, when studying above results, the people have voted for the mentioned in 2010, wihtout thinking twice. It is like being caught by a wave. I think this is unique to lanken people.
Coud you also please add the comparable list (of the candidates) of one before 2010 election ?
/
whywhy / April 17, 2014
Sirimal
We lost people’s power the day we decided to be a
Republic I suppose.Again the same power hungry
left coalition was at it.They are not coming to
give people a decent life that people want,instead
lecture people to forego what they already have
and when fail,force and pressure applied through
anti democratic means including extension of mandate
without consulting the voters,setting a wrong
example for the opposition which later turns to
somewhat tit for tat in a different, more annoying
manner with only little respect to democracy.The
price is always democratic values.With the head
of state becoming executive President,things have
gone to the Lunatic asylum.2500 yr old culture,
prouder civilization,literacy rate,Buddha’s foot
print and all else have failed this nation due
to their greed and stupidity that jump the queue.
/
Sirimal / April 18, 2014
whywhy@,
it is sadly the fact – that people are misguided by state media.
This, the PC results made very clear. Earlier times, “Sarawajana Janda balaya” – universal franchise had a greater meaning, though literacy rates of the nation as a whole was relatively lower, but today, a nation claiming their high literacy numbers (which is the highest in SA region -over 92%), people to have not used their head properly – would not be clear to anyone, looking at it being out of the country. People make mistakes, but mistakes to be repeated as they are deaf and blind – is not comprehensible to me. A candidate, not worth to handle even a bazaar, though said to have earned maturity in local politics (being a senior with 45years of lanken politics)to represent the nation is simply joke. His style resembles with that of Premadasa in late 80ties. Rather seeking public attention being centre of the nation, not even 1% of progress achieved in the line of finding permanent peace. I think the gap is widening than getting closer to come to peace talks.Who thought that this would work to this direction, after all after the civil war is no longer there.
/
paul / April 17, 2014
Obvious answer is that the so called democratic system of government doesn’t work for us because the majority of the voters are foolish.
Perhaps basic education must be made compulsory for voting – like enough English knowledge to comprehend mature political discussion going on in forums such as this one.
/
paul / April 18, 2014
An interim, quick and dirty way to to achieve this would be to slightly alter the constitution giving 2 votes each to those with gce o/l, 3 votes each to religious and ethinic minorities and those attended a school with more than 300 students. That will less power to the “Moda singala” voters who seem to be the sri lanka’s probem. And one more, no voting rights to the yellow robed ones too.
/
AndreasAppuhamy / April 18, 2014
I believe it is the media that have to play a greater role here.So long they the majority of journalists would not change their stand, nothing will work changed for the good of the majority of the folks – who are the rural folks living across the country. It is said they are over 70% of total island population.
/
sirimal / April 17, 2014
Thank you. I appreicate your comment.
And I understand that the current situation is somewhat comparable to that of a metastaized malignancy (cancer) that would not allow much hope. Nevertheless, I still believe if the opposition segments not only political parties would join together, defeating current brutal regime will definitely be a reality. As said once before, not only politicians, but also law professionals, other academics, senior professionals, University dons, senior professionals and all must support the opposition right at this critical stage of the country.
Recalling, earlier days (prior to 89), people´s power was very high in the Island than it is today. Many that contested as politicians were educated ones. And to that point of time too, today ´s president was in the lanken politics, but his behaviours to fall on other directions after becoming country´s leader is very confusing. 45 years in parlimentary politics is not comparable to those of many leaders that have improved countries in the today.
Further to this, I believe that our people are not adequately informed about the core issues of the country TODAY or people seem to have no time and interests to make aware of them about current sitution. Cost of living is reached to record high levels as even middle class people can harldy affod the life today. However, various other factors could still cause them to fall them into legthagic/indifferent/ mode. May be internet use have made them taken out of control.
Yes, when studying above results, the people have voted for the mentioned in 2010, wihtout thinking twice. It is like being caught by a wave. I think this is unique to lanken people.
Coud you also please add the comparable list (of the candidates) of one before 2010 election
/
srilal / April 18, 2014
Dear Sirimal ,
“Coud you also please add the comparable list (of the candidates) of one before 2010 election ? “
please bear with me , i’ll get back to you on this soon.
Cheers.
/
Moda Putha / April 17, 2014
Native Veddas
you should benefit from the words of wisdom from Mark Twain. If it was personalised to you it would read, “it’s better to keep your thoughts to yourself and not write to CT than make them public and remove all doubt of tour stupidity”. One cannot make it clearer.
/
Wickramasiri / April 17, 2014
Why is it that these travel advisories do not warn against the use of public roads, such as:
1. Be wary of potholes and open manholes since you can fall and injure yourself, or worse still, cripple you.
2. When driving give way to speeding buses and motorised tri-shaws, else you will be abused or meet with an accident.
3. It is dangerous to use pedestrian crossings since motorists do not stop for people to cross. In fact don’t cross the road at all.
4. Be wary of politicians and their high speed convoys which are known to run people down.
5. Be wary of politicians’ children and wives at the wheel since they enjoy impunity and immunity.
/
paul / April 17, 2014
Hooray…It took this long for us to get here… let us open a bottle of champagne to celebrate…
/
Liberal One / April 17, 2014
West failed pathetically to save Prabakaran. Will they succeed in their new project of giving a self governing authority to TNA? Our courage will be the deciding factor.
/
oopla / April 18, 2014
how funny
Aussies have been bending over backwards to work with the Sl authorities. Voting in favour of them at the UN. Then saying that the refugees from SL are bogus.
Now they issue a travel warning saying SL is not safe.
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paul / April 18, 2014
It is true majority of Sri Lankan refugees are bogus. Otherwise how do you explain there are no sri lankan refugee boat arrivals in India, bangladesh, burma, thailand,cambodia,malysia,singapore,jakarta, png, solomon islands or vanavatu-except as transit points- while they have to pass through all these places to get to Australia?.
/
eusense / April 18, 2014
Don’t take Aussies too seriously. They too are a country first made up of criminals.
/
Oma Yang / April 18, 2014
As usual, comments in this forum have turned into a personal mud slinging match trying to prove one idiot is better than the other rather than seeing the bigger picture of this article. A travel warning issued by one country to its citizens is not a positive but certainly a negative. Some years back some South Asian Countries were had a travel warning issued against them due to the SARS virus outbreak, and these countries suffered due to the lack of tourists. Recently Thailand was another one due to the political rallies. Tourism which is one of their main revenue spinners was at an all time low. Hotels, Lodges, Airlines, even brothels suffered losses.
When at a time we intend to rebuild or we hope on showing the world we are the miracle in Asia such a warning is certainly damning. From an economic perspective, its a warning sign for investors. For our tourism trade its a Red Card nonetheless.
Of late SL has been seeing a influx of Chinese and Indian Tourists, whereas the Big money spending tourists are flocking to places like Maldives even though the only thing Maldives has to show in terms of natural beauty are beaches and nothing else.
Decades before we used to see tourists from European Countries flocking to our country, but now they seem to be in favor of places like Dubai, Malaysia, Thailand, and Certain other South Asian Countries. If you look at the tourists we have been seeing are mostly Chinese and Indian who come for a few day just to Gamble, have a roll in the hay and go back. But our beaches are almost deserted or patronized by our own people. Places like restaurants and bars are overpriced and serve no variety one dish you are most likely to find in all places, is a deviled Meat.
Only way we can change this is by changing our mentality and outlook towards things. One thing i have certainly noticed is that when SL men see a Foreign Woman they literally strip her naked and imagine themselves hopping into bed with them. Further, we are certainly over priced for the quality of service we provide. There is nothing cheap in this country. Even our own Ceylon Tea is expensive. For shopping Tourists to come these need to be lucrative. We don’t have any of the big brands but certainly have a load of inferior, rejected or duplicate products flooding our markets at over priced rates.
We need leaders who are visionaries and not people who are only concerned with increasing their family wealth. When people get a chance to exercise their vote our citizens shun away, thinking the neighbor will do it for them. Our last voter turnout was appalling, if you decide not to vote, don’t expect change and when change doesn’t occur don’t complain cos its you who decided whether to change or go unchanged.
Wake up people and smell the coffee
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srilal / April 18, 2014
Oma Yang ,
well said mate , let me add a few more lines to it , most of the Europeans who visit SL belong to low end category i.e factory workers , and when they visit , they normally visit as back packers and hardly spend on non essentials things , certainly SL is not a high spenders destination.
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Oma Yang / April 21, 2014
Thank you Srilal!
However, SL very soon will be red flagged by India given the recent death of a young chap over Botched up Kidney transplant racket. What most members in this forum don’t realize is that some of our local Three Wheel Drivers and Hotels are thriving because of these so called Tourists. We admonish the indians and chinese at every given turn but in reality whatever numbers we are getting is because of them. Further, we got a realize that India and China are over a Billion in number, India especially has a booming middle class and they are the ones who are now traveling. Unfortunately we do have plenty of Lamp holders who have never set foot in that country only go by hear say rather than see that they are streets ahead of us in every aspect. True one will find Filth and feces on the roads but we need to understand that with all those short comings Indians will outsmart us an every aspect.
As a country what do we have show when we compare ourselves economically to them. Today multinational companies are lining up to investing in India because of the talent pool they posses, brought about by their competitive educational curriculum. Whereas our university pass outs cannot be hired cos they lack skills.
Yet we wish to believe we are superior to everyone else when we are in fact nowhere close. Those of us who are fortunate to get a good education leave the country the moment we get a chance. cos in our country you are hired for based on the people you know rather than the skills you have.
I can go on forever, however, change is what we need to have and the sooner we realize that we are not as good as what we think we are we will get better
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Rajash / April 18, 2014
The travel advise shoul issue a warning that rival political thugs carry pistols and guns openly and tourist may get caught in the dross fire.
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paul / April 19, 2014
Travel warning or no travel warning, numbers killed, maimed and properties destroyed pre 2009 was 100 times worse than at present. Hence the travel warning today should 100 times milder than then. In any case Sri Lanka is currently getting more than 100 times more tourists compared to pre 2009. Furthermore tourists arrivals has its costs too..drugs, prostitution, gambling and criminal gangs not to mention destruction of social fabric. Hence limiting it some way is not a bad idea either.
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