28 April, 2024

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Will David Cameron Apply Magnitsky Sanctions On Sri Lanka After Promoting Investment For Its Controversial Port City Project?

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron must recuse himself from imminent decisions on whether to apply Magnitsky Sanctions to alleged Sri Lankan war criminals, said eight international human rights groups*, after it emerged that Cameron was employed as recently as this year to promote investment for the controversial Port City project in Sri Lanka, which is being built by a Chinese state firm.

Human rights group, the ITJP (International Truth and Justice Project) has submitted two sanctions submissions for alleged war crimes committed by retired Sri Lankan military leaders – former Army Commander, Shavendra Silva[1] and more recently Jagath Jayasuriya – both awaiting decisions before Human Rights Day on 10 December. At the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative summit last November, the UK announced that it would prioritise sanctions for individuals alleged to have been complicit in conflict-related sexual violence.

“We have made a compelling case that retired Sri Lankan army General Jagath Jayasuriya should be designated under the UK’s Magnitsky sanctions regime for his role heading the notorious detention site known as Joseph Camp, where hundreds of people have been tortured and raped over the years”, said ITJP’s Executive Director Yasmin Sooka, who sat on a UN Panel that investigated allegations of war crimes after the civil war ended in Sri Lanka. “Many of those Tamil torture and rape victims now have asylum in the UK. Given the UK’s declaration at the PSVI initiative last year to end sexual violence and to hold those responsible accountable, the failure to act against perpetrators of torture and sexual violence is deeply disappointing”.

In 2017 the ITJP and partners in Latin America filed a number of universal jurisdiction cases against Jagath Jayasuriya for his role in Joseph Camp and his command of the final bloody phase at the end of the civil war in 2009. Unfortunately, he was tipped off and fled home before an arrest warrant could be issued.[2] Again in 2019, the ITJP and Australian Centre for International Justice filed a criminal complaint against him in Australia, a country he continued to visit with impunity[3], followed up by a sanctions submission in 2022 which Australia declined to act upon. Evidence on his role has also been shared with the UK and US Governments who have yet to make public their intentions with respect to designations.

Martyn Day SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk organised a Westminster Hall debate on ‘Sri Lanka Tamils and Human Rights’ (5 December) attended by MPs across political parties including Elliot Colburn, Ed Davey, John McDonnell, Siobhain McDonagh, Dame Maria Miller and Jim Shannon. There were calls for greater transparency around David Cameron’s position and the urgency for sanctions to be applied to war criminals. (Hansard transcription here).

“Our Foreign Secretary needs to come forward and be honest about his role in promoting the Chinese Government’s plan for a new port in Colombo. It does not bode well. Let us show Sri Lankans and Tamils something different. Let us take a different path and make some progress.” – Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden.

The clear message from MPs was that the UK lags behind the United States and Canada in terms of sanctions for Sri Lanka.

“This is not about a lack of evidence; it’s a lack of political will on the part of the UK, which is the penholder at the Human Rights Council in Geneva and is responsible for leading the international community in holding Sri Lanka accountable for its war time past as well as the current torture and sexual violence. Now that someone paid to promote Sri Lanka has been appointed as foreign secretary, how seriously can victims take the UK’s policy on accountability for Sri Lanka?” said Ben Kumar Morris, Campaign Director at the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice.

The Colombo Port City project is widely viewed as a mega infrastructure project aligned with the Rajapaksa family, two of whom – Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapaksa – were sanctioned in Canada for their alleged role in war crimes[4]. Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court recently named the three Rajapaksa brothers, Mahinda, Gotabaya and Basil, as responsible for the country’s economic crisis in 2022, ruling that their actions brought about a total economic breakdown and collapse of public order and a complete undermining of rule of law[5]. Port City, which has been designed to operate outside of Sri Lanka’s existing laws, has the potential to initiate further corruption and is intended to benefit political elites and the interests of China, which has been deeply criticised in Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lankans do need the UK’s help in this time of unprecedented economic crisis but that doesn’t mean investment for a city that sits outside the normal Sri Lankan labour laws, taxation system, and with inadequate financial oversight,” said Brito Fernando, a veteran human rights activist and president of the Families of the Disappeared (FOD). “It means support for holding those complicit in war crimes and economic crimes accountable. It means finding money to feed babies, and help the poor, not the rich”.

The International Monetary Fund’s September 2023 Governance diagnostic report on Sri Lanka also raised the issue of tax exemptions for the Port City project being given without sufficient scrutiny. The report noted that “The Port City Act will grant wide-ranging exemptions for up to 40 years to offshore financial services, information technology and communication operations, and the tourism sector.[6] The IMF complained there had been no analysis of whether the potential benefit of the incentives exceeded the social costs.

“The UK has long dragged its feet on sanctions for Sri Lanka. How can victims have any faith in our government now that we learn the Foreign Secretary – whom we trusted because when he was Prime Minister and attended CHOGM, took the time to visit Jaffna in 2013 and meet with the victim community – how can he be so easily co-opted?” said Mrs Jenifer Weerasinghe, whose son was abducted in 2008. Fingers pointed to the top of the Navy and the case is still ongoing 15 years later. “The only way I will have faith in the system again is if they sanction Sri Lankan Generals.”

“The UK’s lack of political will to hold Sri Lanka accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide allegedly committed during the armed conflict risks undermining existing actions taken by the international community to further accountability in Sri Lanka. It also emboldens the Sri Lankan government’s culture of impunity, which leads to Sri Lankan war criminals continuing to occupy positions of authority, as well as a worsening human rights crisis for the Tamils in the North-East, putting the country at further risk of ethnic conflict and instability. The Foreign Secretary’s work in Sri Lanka brings into question the UK’s commitment to ensuring that there is meaningful accountability for Tamil victims and survivors. The British government should respond to calls by the Tamil community, iNGOs, and the UN for increased bilateral pressure on Sri Lanka through targeted sanctions and trade conditions,” said Archana Ravichandradeva, Executive Director at People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL).

*This press release is supported by the following eight human rights groups:

International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP)

People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL)

Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace & Justice (SLC)

National Fisheries Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO)

Families of the Disappeared (FOD)

Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIG)

Centre for Society and Religion, Sri Lanka (CSR)

International Working Group on Sri Lanka (IWG)

[1] https://itjpsl.com/press-releases/time-for-the-uk-to-sanction-sri-lankas-army-commander

[2] https://itjpsl.com/reports/the-case-against-jagath-jayasuriya

[3] https://itjpsl.com/press-releases/joint-media-release-afp-fails-to-investigate-visiting-sri-lankan-general-for-war-crimes-groups-now-declare-timetosanction-under-australias-new-magnitsky-regime

[4] https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/sri_lanka.aspx?lang=eng

[5] https://www.jurist.org/news/2023/11/sri-lanka-supreme-court-rules-government-officials-breached-public-trust-in-management-of-the-economy/ and Transparency International Sri Lanka: https://www.tisrilanka.org/tisl-files-petition-in-the-sc-demanding-accountability-for-the-economic-crisis/

[6] IMF Country Report No. 23/340, Footnote 88.

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Latest comments

  • 3
    16

    Let us get a few things straight.
    The Port City, a project about which I have reservations, was controversial to the opposition until it was elected to power in 2015. Attempts to ditch it failed and since then there was no controversy about the project itself. Its alleged MR family affiliation ceased to be an issue.
    There are issues about tax exemptions for investors and such matters. But that is our funeral and not that of foreign governments. The government of the country should address the issues. the public should demand rectification of serious fiscal errors. The leading political parties should make noises. But all is quiet on that front.
    *
    BTW, what have human rights issues to do with the Port City?

    • 13
      1

      SJ,
      There are number human rights issue relate to China and Sri Lanka. It is not a secret that China bribe Rajapaksas and their racism.

      • 2
        15

        Please list a few if you can.
        How does one bribe anybody’s racism?
        *
        You are great at being instantantly pathetic.

        • 12
          0

          Tell the projects that you and Bathiudeen didn’t benefit from, then we list the rest. NuraiCholai, the first Chinese project, Rowdy Royals took a cut of $250. Dharishi and Vamadevan ran to the US because the Chinese Ambassador was funding the election. You don’t have to know, but the Airport, Harbor, Stadium all paid a lot to rowdy Royals. This was made possible because Chinese without allowing local accountants check the or audit projects. On every small road paved by China Rowdy royals got a cut. Why didn’t Mr. 40% want Mawlana Manson? Because the judge did know the whole story of it, so didn’t want to face questions on that. If you can understand the ABC of finance, instead of bluffing on everything, then you will ask Evil Emperor why the Langkang Exchange rate dipped in ocean when Evil and Mangala brought the Foreign Exchange Fraud Amnesty Act (2017)

        • 10
          0

          Can I issue a challenge to you, as you are issuing a challenge putting confidence on the destroyed books of accounts, to prove the theft. Get me only 10% of the Harbor contract books. I recreate 100% of the lost properties value. Go for it without bluffing. Ask your people you wash them, to take a challenge with me, and I will show you what I can do. Don’t sheepishly think that all others also are bluffing here, like you, the Paadam Theriya master. Appe Aanduwa doesn’t want Law and Order for Tamil provinces. (I don’t mean that they want other rights given to Tamils.) Your inability to deal with these matters does not allow you to understand why Evil separates law and order from others. That means every penny that Royals have deposited in America, Britain, Italy, Australia will come back to Langkang on the same evening. Come on, take the challenge.

        • 13
          2

          “Please list a few if you can.”

          I congratulate you for constantly being very stupid.

    • 11
      1

      SJ ,

      ” BTW , what have human rights issues to do with the Port City ” ?
      S J , did you forget that next year we’re going to have Elections
      and for that We are Going To Become Humans , The Government
      and the Opposition !

      • 3
        13

        ww
        Thanks for clarifying what all the fuss is about.
        Hopefully Mr A will learn a little from your comment

        • 11
          1

          Ha Ha Ha..
          Ha Ha Ha..

          • 2
            11

            Laughing at yourself!
            That is nice or a change.

      • 11
        1

        WW, UOJ Sadampi is here to ask Modaya questions and ridicule urgent, critical, significant issues. When I came to CT, he challenged & attempted to ridicule each and every one of my comments. He misunderstands everyone in CT to UNI’s freshman. So, he gets training in walking on the toes. This Stalinist has no Idea that UNHRC has already passed a resolution on Royals plundering country’s wealth and violating people’s human rights by bring this time of projects. Langkang court refused to meter out the punishment of Central and other corruption. But the verdict is there that they violated people’s rights and opposition MPs are calling for their civic rights to be annulled. This UNHRC resolution was contested in Modayas’ Parliament as saying UNHRC had violated its authority because Economic crimes are no Human Right violation. I think it was M.A. Sumanthiran, P.C., who showed appropriate UN provisions & explained the nature of UN’s human rights provision. Modaya in the parliament and Sadampies in UOJ has no idea what human right violation is means.

        • 2
          10

          “is here to ask Modaya questions”
          Why do you call Ajith a Modaya?
          He qualifies far less than you for that title.

          • 8
            0

            Do you remember the master soldier of SLFP, Ponni’s presidential election in 2010? He was hiding in the Maha Lanvankam Hotel during the election days. The New King was living with Muslim Jihadi’s in Puttalam in 2015. So, this time all SLFP-Slap Party goons have left CT fearing a raid of their homes in the coming election. The stalwarts like Lemon Puff, Ganapathi Pillai, Kamala Das refuge in Parliament fearing to face people from their homes because those houses will be set fire in the next election. Because no longer any Sinhala Buddhist SLFP-Slap commentators come to CT for you to hide in their Munthanai you are attempting to wear a Sari for Ajith and hide in that Munthanai? Sari may look pretty on Ajith in a drama or comedy show, but unlike your parents his parents have been dressing him blue and brought him up. So, he shows his proudness in his comments while wearing pants unlike you in your nudity shows.
            Langkang still pays only interest on the first Chinese industrial project, Nuraicholai. So, China is still not ready to recognize Langkang’s authority to call Japanese, German, American engineers and have the plant fixed forever.
            Have you already called President Xi Jinping to ask him to tell his hackers to let the power come to your house at least; hackers see you on the Evil’s side.

          • 8
            0

            Why do you call Ajith a Modaya?
            “Sakuni mama” is the moderator between Rajapaksa and China.

            • 1
              5

              Really?
              I did not know that it was his sideline!

              • 1
                5

                A
                BTW
                Where is your list?

                • 0
                  4

                  A
                  Someone stole the list?

              • 3
                0

                So you thought ‘His Sideline’ was trading Deva Pharmacy medicine for Deva’s contractor?
                How the Ganja Crops harvest in Kerala this year?

    • 7
      2

      Go with Port City, and it’s New-World-Economics-Order according to British-Crown; Neo-Colonialism via British control of China. America tried to control China but failed. So now Britain will attempt to do so, at the expense/demise of the US. One easy way to maintain the British Crown.

      And what will our ancient Motherland get from it? Elysium for the Elite and perpetual hardship for the masses. Balancing that Order will not allow a cent to be taken from any payoffs and profits as it will require continuous investment and maintenance of the status quo; money laundering to become legal. Only things that will sustain the masses are casinos, red-light, and narcotic trade-offs. Heritage and livelihoods of the farmer and fisherman….doomed!

    • 9
      2

      SJ, you say: “Its alleged MR family affiliation ceased to be an issue.” Why? Did Ranil finally wrangle the money from them and place it into the PC investment fund? Doubt it. Ranil is not that clever – he’s their puppet. No, MR and Co. will reign supreme for a long, long time with PC, whilst the indigenous population (the SB’s – the masses) will grind to a halt. SB-ism will live on with entirely with MR and Co. If Ranil does manage to wrangle the money from MR and Co., it will be the same thing but in a multi-cultural setting.

      • 2
        8

        It ceased to be an issue in the particular contest.
        No more no less.
        I would rather avoid going at a tangent.

        • 5
          0

          SJ,

          How? Why has it ceased to be an issue? Aren’t you curious? Surely you must be concerned that it involves huge taxes that the common man has to struggle to pay for. Who can forget Basil Rajapaksa who, for over a year kept the nation in anxious anticipation, giving the illusion that the economy was at the cusp of bountiful harvests, and yet never disclosing what his operations were about. And Lankan economists kept begging him to disclose his dealings so they could democratically check if it was going to benefit the nation . But such was the Rajapaka power over the money of the hard work and struggles of the nation. All ended in colossal failure for the economy of course. Aren’t they going to be jailed for what they did? Can’t brush off their continued hold on power and their easy way to ensure it, through Port City.

          • 6
            0

            Furthermore SJ,……MR. and Co., or even Ranil and Co. in his greater multicultural setting, cannot live comfortably in their own Circle of Eliticism. A Tangent of Reality has to pull apart the Circle and install an honorable setting for the Masses inside the Lankan Circle of Realism (largest part comprising the suffering SB masses).

            • 1
              4

              I repeat:
              It ceased to be an issue in the particular contest.
              No more no less.
              I would rather avoid going at a tangent.

              • 5
                1

                SJ,….you are being dense. Think of the masses of poor and suffering and courageously pull the tangent will you! Think laterally for the good of the Motherland.

                • 2
                  4

                  It will be daft to be dragged away from what I am driving at.
                  If being dense will help, I will try being dense like you.

                  • 2
                    1

                    Kindly elucidate on what your are driving at.

                    • 1
                      0

                      Ramona,
                      I believe SJ is thinking laterally about the tangential mass of people who are forced to read your sinusoidal writing…..

                    • 0
                      2

                      Sorry RTF, I cannot be clearer.

                    • 2
                      0

                      Oh, they will like that.

  • 5
    13

    “Our Foreign Secretary etc. etc….Let us show Sri Lankans and Tamils something different. Let us take a different path and make some progress.” – Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden.
    Does the Labour MP think that Sri Lankans and Tamils are mutually exclusive entities?
    Or is it the Tamil voters in and around London that he is calling ‘Tamils’?

    • 13
      3

      “Or is it the Tamil voters in and around London that he is calling ‘Tamils’?”

      Whats wrong with it?

      Siobhain McDonagh is a female Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden.
      https://twitter.com/Siobhain_Mc

  • 13
    1

    Like an errant child …….. Lanka deserves all the sanctions it can get. …….. Severe hardship is the only medicine that penetrate Lankan skulls.

    From no limit to 4 litres a week …….. for people ………. the gasoline queues are just a distant memory

    And Ranil and the pols are turning to be gifted omni-talented Gods again ……..

    Too many deities.

    Wish Sinhala_Man stop worshipping nimal fernando ………

    Insecure deities thrive on praise/worship …….. secure, prefer insults to keep feet firmly on the ground.

    Native is flying high up in the clouds with his hero Ranil. ……… As customary for Ranil, hope the landing won’t be one mighty thud.

    • 2
      0

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      • 5
        0

        Sinhala_Man

        I am depending on you for clarification of statements issued or comments made by JVP old guards. Please let me know if they are also living on this earth or have they joined SJ in a blissful state of abstract impractical rhetoric?

        On 8 November 2023 Dinamina reported part of Vijitha Herath’s parliamentary speech(?) on 7th earlier (https://www.dinamina.lk/2023/12/08/politics/45075/ ) titled
        වැඩ කරන ජනතාවට වැටුප් වැඩි නොකර බදු පැටවීම සුදුසු නැහැ
        Its about the affect on young people by increased Taxation.
        He also complains about 50,000 vacancies the young won’t fill because of poor pay.

        He mourns about Rs 13,500 additional burden on families due Tax hike.

        Why does not he demand the state to recover more than Rs 16 billion VAT due from a handful of Sugar merchants who did very well during Mad Gota’s rule?
        Perhaps he could organise a massive rally in front of the crooks residences and demand them to pay back stolen VAT from people and the state?

        • 2
          1

          Native,
          I think the moderators have had it up to the gills with commentators who seem to enjoy displaying borrowed feathers, such as the famous people their children talk to, or who was born in the same week they were, or who adopted whose cousin’s surplus child……..

        • 1
          0

          Native ,

          Why is it always only the white elephants of Mahinda were the
          curse of the country , what about three decades of civil war
          expenditures that NPP artfully hop step and jump ?

          • 3
            0

            whywhy

            “…… what about three decades of civil war expenditures that NPP artfully hop step and jump ?”

            Because they too have been involved in the war logic and they were heavily involved in supporting the terrorising armed forces, even today they are not interested in finding Truth (ignore Champa who does not understand the meaning of the word Truth nor does she ever heard of it ). NPP still believe the state could discover Truth.

            The other reason is in the early 1990s many of the JVP members joined the armed forces for safety reasons, because state organised death squads were after them. There were two options one to flea to Hindia like the anti Hindian Somawansa and and other JVP members or enlist in the armed forces. Therefore how could JVP/NPP question their own insanity?

            • 1
              0

              N V ,

              Thank you NV . That is valuable information to a valid
              question and raise eyebrows of a future with a force
              that already has its skeletons that needs a burial ground .

        • 5
          0

          NV,
          .
          “Please let me know if they are also living on this earth or have they joined SJ in a blissful state of abstract impractical rhetoric?”
          .
          From what they repeat on the public stage and TV or other media they make every effort to show, they were born y day. Unfortunately people are obviously stupidier than appeared to be, if they are asked to take part in “SLPP dogs conference” scheduled to be on the 15th December at Sugathadasa stadium, regardless of sky rocketing cost of living they ll risk to attend it. 😩😩😩

          • 3
            0

            leelagemalli ,

            I leave your question to N V for him to answer and get into
            ” SLPP dogs conference ” . President Ranil and Derana
            showed the way forward with the ‘ people like no other ‘ to
            be marched into empty grounds . Crowd carnivals is still
            a Vesak in the paradise . Derana on the 25th Nov had its song
            competition in Sugatadasa and tried to exhibit to the paradise
            residents that nothing out of ordinary ever happened . This
            may be a clear rehearsal for the “dog” show .

            • 0
              0

              WW
              I spent 2 wks in Sl and returned to Europe a few days ago.
              .
              I thought not only criminal politicians but also people are to blame.
              Whole lot of people don’t care about anything. Yet today they overestimate Rajapakses, albeit clear evidence on their high crimes.

              • 0
                0

                leelagemalli ,

                Couple of days back at an NPP rally , AKD was mocking at
                our export items like coconut water in packs instead of
                trying to venturing into making electronics for export and
                that is one of their goals . I just couldn’t help stop laughing .
                Of course we need to have a dream but that doesn’t mean
                a ‘ day dream ‘ . Sometimes he ads some rubbish to his
                speech without knowing details and how world runs import
                export and foreign investments . He is under the impression
                that we have untapped talents that can do wonders in world
                markets . They do have a crowd to believe in them and it is
                same with other camps . I called a friend of mine in London
                yesterday just say hello to him and wish him good health .
                He is a heart patient and under loads of medications . He was
                telling me how terrifying it is to go through the hundreds of
                side effects listed on the leaflets of his medicines . This is my
                point LM , how can we expect the whole population of a country
                to learn the tricks of politics ? It is in the hands of few hundred
                politicians , Not To Play Out The citizens and the citizens need to
                have a basic knowledge and strength to separate good from bad ,
                right from wrong and truth from false . Not an easy job.

          • 1
            0

            I hear Colombo Pong Cing is going to have an extravaganza.
            https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Port-City-Colombo-s-festive-Christmas-carols-tonight/44-756172

            In Tamil there is a saying: “Aalila Mangaiku Arai Panathu Thali Pouthatham”
            (The woman is crying for multi sovereign Thalikodi, but unfortunately nobody can find a man who would agree to marry her!)
            So sad the Langkang story man!

        • 0
          0

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    • 9
      0

      Native and Nimal , despite fully agreeing with punitive measures for non compliance I have just one question to ask??? . In 75 years of so called investment/ development in Silly Lanka is there any yielding profits/ benefits / results ??? Our education is helping other countries, health is on one leg , many govt hospitals are without doctors/ finance about to shut down, bankrupt SriLankan , dysfunctional electricity, failing telecom/ petroleum,/ banking…. small / cottage industries/ farming / poultry / fishing…. …. … … the only ones to survive are Buddha Sassana, Archaeology, SB Politics , drug mafia… which no country seems interested to invest ?? Cement, paper/ salt/ refinery are either shut or stripped. Mattala, Stadiums ( now that we are bankrupt / suspended/ back to minions are turning monuments) …. our debt has crossed 100 BILLION USD

      • 8
        0

        chiv

        These are areas where people are forbidden to dig deep into …….
        However I appreciate your indulgence in self harm.

        As far as my Elders are concerned the first mistake was made when 1948 Citizenship brought in and enforced by the weeping widow (please ignore grieving SJ who is in mourning for her).

        The rest came one after another.

        The stupid Tamil/Sinhala speaking people should have known or learned when to stop digging.

        We have an unique problem with Tamil/Sinhala speaking people, they think/believe/behave as if they are too clever, eg SJ, Sritharan, Wimal, Champa, …… Gota, Namal, Weerasekere, … Rohana, VP in the past, ….. and about 21 million others too.

        The people of this island should unlearn what they learned from politicians and their religious gurus in the past 75 years. This will be first step in the right direction.

  • 8
    2

    I was not aware Cameron was was employed to promote investment for the controversial Port City project in Sri Lanka. If he was, he is no longer able to do so as Foreign Minister of UK. In fact, I am surprised that he undertook such a job as he clearly showed his contempt for SL govt., at least for MR, when he walked out after MR showed him 2 fingers when requested to have those responsible for the murder a British aid worker of Indian ethnicity & gang raping his Russian girlfriend to be brought to justice. MR, a dumb yob as he is, probably didn’t realise that his action was not only an insult to the country on an international scale but to the citizens of SL as well because it clearly showed the impunity of President, drunk with power & the level of our justice system. MR was playing to the gallery & we lapped it up as the tough guy who stood up to ‘Western imperialism’.

    Anyway, if I am not mistaken, the Magnitsky law is for recovering laundered money & I am sure the UK govt. would assist in the recovery of syphoned funds by the Rajapakses if asked. However, most likely that money is stashed in third world countries & China who are not signatories.

    • 6
      2

      Raj-UK: Please be aware that it was none other than Ranil W who appointed Cameron.

      • 3
        0

        Please provide a link for the information 🙏

    • 4
      9

      R-UK
      Cameron was not employed, but had an agreement with a party that had interest in the Port City.
      British politicians, with very few exceptions, are into China bashing after Russia bashing has proved futile.
      Cameron has made himself clear: he was not promoting the Port City project.
      Whatever he did is no different from what retired prime ministers do: make a little fortune from their reputation. Sadly Johnson and the lady before him are not in a position to do so.

      • 9
        1

        What is your definition of employment? What is the payment Ex.PM received on this deal? Evil who told so many lies to save Rowdy Royals, now saying Langkang has not received any profits from China on the Hangbangtota project from 2017. What an honest China and the honest Evil who sold 100% of the port to China.

        Whatever the action the British government takes, none of them will stop China from swindling the Colombo Pong Ching to China. We saw it in Hangbangtota Port. We are seeing it here too.

        China will not take hair cut. Only an ultimate fool will assume things like that, without seeing it in paper, signed and sealed.

        • 2
          9

          It was not going to the Euro-American Salon for a haircut.
          It did better to help securing the IMF loan than those who set the haircut snare imagined.
          I don’t blame you if you cannot understand.
          Sense scarcely penetrates some bony shells.

          • 8
            1

            Euro-American Salon You are declaring here that China is waiting for Kristalina Georgieva to stop asking for a haircut!
            When did Sinhala Buddhist Kondai Appuhami, the Evil Emperor, buy the Euro-American Salon which employs Kristalina Georgieva as MD Yes she asked China not to be Shylock, but how many trips the Langkang owners have flown already China on that? What was the message of Evil to German TV on his trip to Paris Club?

            It was the Terrible Twins, after bankrupting a full Bank (People’s Bank) by importing Chinese Poop, went to the IMF. . Hitler King, with a short technique, declared that the country was bankrupt and tried to hide under IMF, thinking that country would no longer be liable to pay for any past loan. To stop Old Rowdies going to IMF, surprisingly, Parai Demulo Dr. Jaisankar pumped $4B

            Do you read newspapers in Langkang? If so, can you rate it for us in the CT readers, whose meter is topping the list in the election claims of “I am the one said first: ‘to go for IMF’”. Please list your rating for these names:
            1). Playboy Minister
            2). Harsha the UNHRC peer review fame,
            3). Old Rowdy King
            4). Hitler King
            5). Athanake
            6). Valaiththodam
            7). Hakeem
            8). Naseer Ahamad
            Even now, Anura is in that, if you have read any useful news!

            • 2
              9

              Take care of what is left inside when you visit the salon.
              The man with the trimmer perhaps play tricks on you

              • 1
                1

                Sure, I will protect myself. I take your unfortunate experience for granted. But I really want to express my displeasure with your barber who did this for you, which I yet have not heard had happened anywhere in the (earth) world that I live.

                solely depending on the senile crooked brain but with no useful material, behaving desperate like a back bone broken old wild fox? You should have reserved some of your things, which you sadly lack, for your students’ future, walk on the roads and find something to do for their life.

                You apparently appear very badly misunderstood that your stale dated communism and Malamalama Rowdy bosses will walk you through anywhere, anytime? Didn’t you?

                At least start spreading some flowers, now, on your last bed instead of having it filled with only thorns. Badiuddin and Athanakala Royals sucked you inside out and rendered you worthless below a SuraiKai Kuddukai.

                Chenchoru Kandan Theerka Seratha Idam Sernthu Vanchathil Vaazhnthayada Kaarna!

                BYE BYE

                • 1
                  5

                  “BYE BYE”
                  Thanks.
                  I hope that is for good.

                  • 1
                    1

                    You won’t let me go, without inviting me back. Go ahead and claim your success in controlling my mind.

                    Everybody knows the times you thanks Appe Aanduwa when it genocide Tamils. Everybody knows your hope of ruling baron lands without people in the North East with Aanduwa. Otherwise, link me to the line, please if you wrote anything about Kasianandan’s Dwarka Drama? Where did yours and Sonali’s guilty feeling go on failing to illuminate Tamils on that matter? You are a real fraud even beyond that Fraud Dwarka. If I accuse here that you participated with that club and wrote the scripts to Dwaraka, that might not be right realistically, but illuminate me on something “will that make any practical discrepancies on your projects, if not boosting them? Or show me the line you wrote about Suren Surenthiran kowtowing to bald heads and submitting the Declaration of Tamils Eelam Under Sanga? Even though some Tamil essays suggested Suren Surenthiran is an American project (negatively meaning), you pretended like you did not read it, so you don’t want to comment on him because he is another cheap category who sells Tamils’ Rights to bald heads by negotiating his peace treaty with bald heads.

                  • 0
                    1

                    Why was Aanduwa in a hurry to de-proscribe GTF? Have you or your Munthanai Disciple Sonali enlighten either Sinhalese that GTF may turn out to be Puli Reviver or the Tamils as GTF will act as Puli Ollippu Captain. Why do your tricky quips never illuminate anybody, either Sinhalese or Tamils, in this world, where people like you can release quips instead of illuminating, that can hide the Sun in daytime on the Earth with a single hand. Are you ready to go and campaign for the government that GTFs are angels sent by Buddha, Allah, Christ, and Siva so they never will take arms against the PTA? You know GTF is being used by Evil to delay all Tamils demands being considered and keep milking the IMF. So, you never write a word on people needing some illumination of the fraudsters, like you or the disciple like Sonali; did you? You never talked about the illegality of Hitler appointing Evil as the president. But convulsing to underrate Prime Minister David Cameron’s return. Didn’t you pray to God, in your above comment, longing that my BYE would be a permanent one. (Nevertheless, I am proud of the respect you were willing to show me. Remember the letters you wrote CT that let go me like is way to drain the CT swamp?)

                  • 0
                    1

                    You are labeling him tricky; how tricky? Is he coming on the same line between the Points of Old Rowdy SLFPyers and the Evil Emperor, UNPyers? Or is he in a different plane above or under that line? Evil, though he did all the tricky racist political campaigns, was 100% rejected by Sinhalese, is now the president. That is an illegal interpretation of the constitution, which asks for, if the leading candidate cannot hit over 50% on the first count, try the 2nd and third to see who hit first the 50% cut off mark. How can somebody ignore that rigid demand of the constitution and appoint one as president who even could not hit 1% in a parallel parliamentary election. Anybody can become Langkang Prime Minister if 125 Afghani Donkeys in the parliament raise their tails bray for perks. But the constitution is saying if the PM is not selectable, then the Speaker of CJ has to be selected. PM Cameron did not do any political campaign for foreign secretary position (probably would never do in future too.). He resigned his PM position when he thought people were calling Britain to narrow the relationship with neighbors, but he couldn’t do that because his job was fiduciary, which cannot be supplanted by referendums. Then a reasonable man is torn off between peoples’ ignorant wishes and intelligent fiduciary management.

                  • 0
                    1

                    He came back when he saw that he could do something to help Britain patch back its relationship with neighbors. I said earlier India had a constitution with more than 250 pages, possibly defining all possibilities. Britain has practically no constitution. David Camaron can come through the front door, the election. Or Come through the backdoor, non-elected membership. But politics there only grows, never shrinks. You personally went there but was programmed by Appe Aanduwa, so missed seeing it. Today, I read in a news piece, the author was saying that in 2009 Britain voted against America but worked with America to get peace. Last week Britain voted with America, but still it will work with America and has the peace reinstated. There are about 200 donkey countries in UN GA, only 25 donkeys short to be officially labeled as “Palace De Diyawanna Lake- II”. The author says SC reviews the issues, the issues and the peace are matters agreed between countries. Their purpose is to bring peace and not to surrender to anybody, so there is no use of people criticizing Britain voting along with America.

                  • 0
                    1

                    You are spending such much time in discrediting David Camaron, after all he is not the contemporary British Prime Minister, and he is volunteering to promote Pong Cing, your Aanduwas’ biggest blood drainer of the people. (We are against him trying to salvage that because we feel that the West is giving oxygen instead of letting this ill-formed Phenix self-immolate and regenerate into an adorable new bird from the ash.) On the other side of the coin, you are hoping the magician Cameron will have milled a Hong Kong out of Pong Cing, so your past calls of Old Rowdy and Central Bank Cabal, the captains of the Langkang’s great Train robberies as best Economists, even better than your Karl Marx, will become true prophecy.

                  • 0
                    1

                    Old Rowdy sold Pong Cing for 1.4 million, because he raised $200M out of $250M Nuraicholai. After he signed the Sales deed, he opened hands to count his wealth. He was shocked because there were no trillion fingers on his hand to count the commission was going to make out of Colombo Pong Cing. When Evil came to power during the Yahapalanaya time, China saw it was getting free port and 5 Villages land for the project of controlling the Indian Ocean, it let a small loose of the Pong Cing grip. Now you pretend like Evil may give a tax break to investors. Japan pulled from another Hotel Project it signed for upcountry, accusing Appe Aanduwa had bogusly billed the couple the amount of the value of the building. Last three years Japan, not Western Countries, pulled out of so many projects because of Appe Aanduwa. If you have your project costing on these, can see them showing the needed tax holidays or the advanced Bonus needed to obtain form investors. But you mastered your talent to bray on these even better than the Afghan donkeys in the Palace De Diyawanna Lake.

                  • 0
                    1

                    Your hope is PM Cameron will have milled out a new Hong Kong out of Pong Cing, so your calls of Old Rowdy and Central Bank Cabal as the best Economists, even better than your Karl Marx.
                    are true prophecies.

      • 8
        0

        SJ

        British PMs, unlike SL politicians who are able to amass fortunes while in power, have to supplement their £100k annual pension, usually, as ‘after dinner’ speakers at corporate gatherings (Boris J apparently earned £250k last tax year while Thatcher used to charge £20k per event) What is Cameron’s interest in the Port city unless promoting it in some way? Anyway, now that he is FM, he is barred from private earnings & has to abide by the UK foreign policy. As far as I am aware, SL govt. has to request the Magnitsky law to be applied to recover any laundered funds in UK. The author(s) seem to have got the knickers in a twist.

        • 3
          7

          R-UK
          I did not mean to hurt your feelings when I noted a fact.
          I am not blaming anybody for making a buck when one can.
          Let British law determine if the man did anything improper.
          Let us not speculate based on prejudice.
          *
          David Cameron, visited the Port City Colombo development project during a private visit to the island in January 2023. (The visit was arranged by Nirj Deva, a former Conservative MEP, now adviser to the government of Sri Lanka.)
          *
          Cameron’s pitch to Dubai investors was made as part of a conversation event with Deva, with a second event taking place in Abu Dhabi.
          His spokesperson said: “Mr Cameron has not engaged in any way with China or any Chinese company about these speaking events.”
          *
          His assessment of the project is not in line with the Sino-phobic remnants of the Empire. There was worse from such lot like Brexit.
          If he had lied about any aspect of the Port City, let the media challenge him. (Even I dislike Port City for other reasons, and will like more views.)
          If Britain keeps out of B&R or Port City, I doubt if it will hurt either project.

          • 6
            1

            SJ
            You have not hurt my feelings. In fact, I don’t give a monkey’s about Cameron’s hand on the port city promotion. I just wanted to clear the fact that Cameron being back in the UK Parliament, cannot engage in private dealings & has to tow the line when it comes to UK foreign policy. The author(s) of this article seem to have got Magnitsky law & Cameron’s ability as current FM of UK all mixed up.

    • 5
      0

      Raj , there is one incident I vividly remember. Cameron on his official visit was determined to personally inspect war affected areas and Rajapaksas had prevented anyone from doing so. ( only Moon was allowed by air to view predetermined sites) . Without notifying in advance he surprised them all by his intentions. Though govt could not prevent still they threatened, warned , intimidated and finally send goons in between to stop travel further. He had to.find alternate mode of transport to reach some where but not the place he intended. There were pictures of him visiting make shift huts and sheds of displaced. If I m not wrong, initially he took the train which was stopped some where close to Anuradhapura. He then found his own way to reach close to Vavuniya by car. His plan was to go upto Jaffna. ( I may be wrong with finer details.)

  • 2
    0

    The article states: “Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court recently named the three Rajapaksa brothers, Mahinda, Gotabaya and Basil, as responsible for the country’s economic crisis in 2022, ruling that their actions brought about a total economic breakdown and collapse of public order and a complete undermining of rule of law”
    .
    The Wikipedia page on “Magnitsky Legislation” states: “The original Magnitsky Act of 2012 was expanded in 2016 into a more general law authorizing the US government to sanction those found to be human rights offenders or those involved in significant corruption, to freeze their assets, and to ban them from entering the US.”
    .
    Let us not forget that Gotabhaya Rajapakse when he was the Defence Secretary, was a US citizen; and Basil Rajapakse is still a US citizen. Both of them have also been implicated as responsible for the economic crisis the country is in, in the recent Supreme Court verdict.
    .
    It is no secret that the Port City Colombo could potentially be the first tax heaven in South Asia. Some are quite explicit about it too. Tax heavens around the world are part and parcel of the both of the US & UK economies.
    .
    Watch The Spider’s Web: Britain’s Second Empire, on YouTube, if interested. https://youtu.be/np_ylvc8Zj8?si=0dgiSvS8bzIBU-su

    • 4
      0

      Ruchira: GOTA, it is said, has “Surrendered” his citizenship in the USA. But, Basil remains a citizen in the USA.

      With that decision of the SC, (S/L) shouldn’t the USA now decide to withdraw the citizenship of Basil? Properly speaking the S/L Government must make that application to the USA. As an initial step, the S/L Government must withdraw immediately the “DUAL CITIZENSHIP” granted to Basil. In addition, the Government of S/L that represents the PEOPLE must PROSECUTE all those named in the SC decision and seek to get the ACCUSED to RESTITUTE the loot and get a LIFE TERM in jail.

      I doubt very much Ranil W’s Government will initiate action on any of the above. Hopefully, a future Government of the PEOPLE would do it.

      • 4
        0

        Douglas,
        .
        Yes Gota did renounce his US citizenship when he contested the Presidential elections, while Basil still continues. It is rumoured that Basil would contest the next Presidential election, if he is to, he too would have to give up US citizenship.
        .
        As per the S/C verdict I do not think either the US or RW would do anything significant to punish any of those who are guilty, let alone recovering anything they may have looted. They are all in it together for the money and the power, including the US.
        .
        All these sanctions are just mere tools for them to arm twist individuals to get them to align with their interest.
        .
        What future government do you think would prosecute them?

        • 1
          0

          Ruchira: I expect an NPP Government without any of the “CROOKS” who are presently sitting in the Parliament. It must be a MAJORITY Government. If not these CROOKS cannot be brought to account.

          • 0
            0

            Douglas,
            .
            Looks like that’s direction the public opinion is turning. Whether NPP would get a 2/3rd majority, we may have to wait and see.

          • 0
            0

            This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

            For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

    • 4
      1

      Ruchira,
      .
      This, “The Spider’s Web: Britain’s Second Empire” video takes a full 78 minutes, and I’ve watched it all, taking it in with long pauses whilst watching other things, including relaxing music.
      .
      Yes, this must be absorbed quietly. The programme is more than five years old, but is still relevant. Relevant? It’s more than that; it’s essential listening. Yet, for a variety of reasons few will end up seeing it.
      .
      Ruchira is the “new kid on the block” and hasn’t yet won the trust of everyone for them to start listening to a video as long as this.
      .
      I’m known to be an idiot who sometimes gets “edited out”. Let me hope that such a fate will not befall this comment. Please listen carefully. To do so, click on this important link:
      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np_ylvc8Zj8
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 483111444V)

      • 5
        0

        Dear Panini,
        .
        Glad to hear that you watched the video shared and found it to be informative. And thanks for reposting it.
        .
        Just wanted to show how corruption and crime are built into the capitalist world order. The neo-colonial world is corrupt elsewhere as much as it is in Sri Lanka.
        .
        It is one reason why we perhaps don’t seem to be able to do anything about it.
        .
        The corrupt are well networked, supported and protected by these corrupt international networks that seem to have a significant influence and a say in the current world order.
        .
        Hope you had a great Saturday in Bandarawela!

  • 2
    0

    Only way to explain this massive blunder of PM Camaron is he is seeing China and Langkang, UNP and SLFP Royal Rowdies as separate entities. If so, he needs to understand he is not correct in his assumption. Prime Minister should understand that SLFP originally wanted to sign the Rome accord, but was in CBK time and in Yahapalanaya time, the Evil Emperor who blocked Langkang signing to Rome Accord. That is the major hurdle Tamils are facing in seeking the international justice for the Genocide/ War crimes. The Prime Minister first should work on getting Langkang to sign the Rome Accord before the Evil Emperor can tap on any international financial aid. It is completely a flawed conception if the Prime Minister thinks that Britain can support a UNP Government, (which few assume as West bent, capitalistic party) and cannot support the SLFP-Slap Party Government (Russia – China bent Socialist party.). The current government is not a UNP government (not even 1%). In all ways controlled by Slap Party MPs. The Evil Emperor is holding on to the power thrust into his hand by Rowdy Royals. So, as per the job description Evil Emperor is employed, all that he has done is saving the Rowdy Royals from Economic Crimes and Genocide/ War crimes. Other than SLCB’s concocted statistics, one single consumer product is selling cheaper in 2019.

  • 0
    0

    As Prime Minister is from Britain which colonized India and Ceylon, he understands much better than any foreign constitutional experts on the difference between the Lord Soulbury’ s Constitution and Dr. Ambedkar Constitution. Lord Sudbury’s constitution is many times more fluid, free flowing. India is locked in the Dr. Ambedkar constitution and is unlikely to be freed from it in the near future. But Langkang has gone through more than fifth generational modifications with its deep penetrating changes. So why is the country plagued with divisions? When the UK was giving freedom to Ceylon, GGP asked only for a 50:50 unitary constitution. Federalism and the call for separation came only after the Sinhala Buddhist Chauvinist interpreted the constitution for their advantage. But India- Pakistan, still being torn off in many directions, taking the example from the India-Pakistan split. So, at this point, Prime Minister Cameron must think why the country who copied UK system, which has allowed a Half Nude Packri Paradesi land man to become a Prime Minister, but Langkang has blocked his brethren moving forward by its Indian Pakistani Citizenship Act, MMDA, Standardization, PTA……………… Salvaging Langkang from China’s occupation is only a daytime dream for the West. Give it up and circumvent the situation by some other techniques. If tonight China brings down all Langkang computers, Langkang will deport all American British new investments without any compensation.

  • 9
    1

    Happy Birthday VP!

    Everyone have heroes …… and a right to celebrate/commemorate them. We celebrate our “heroes:” let the Tamils celebrate theirs.

    For the current lot of Sinhala pols and “heroes,” ……….. Prabakaran is a constant reminder, a thorn in their side ……… how good things were while he was still alive. No one was starving.

    Without good ol’ Prabakaran to protect them …….. now that the Sinhalese have had a taste of the unbridled power of their own Sinhala rulers/pols ………. it’s just not the Tamils who want to commemorate Prabakaran!

    Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown ……. in his country …….. in his time.


    Why do Native sit the autumnal judge
    Years of self-righteousness will not budge
    Savior or “terrorist,” it was his to choose
    Which of us knows what was his to lose
    Because idols are best when they’re made of stone
    A savior’s a nuisance to live with at home
    Stars often fall, heroes go unsung
    And martyrs most certainly die too young
    So thank you for righting a few wrongs
    You were a savage gift on a wayward bus
    But you stepped down and you “terrorised” our oppressors for us :)))

  • 1
    0

    This article now questions the integrity of Lord Cameron, former PM, now UK Foreign Secretary (Minister in our parlance) and creates pressure on him. Are we a set of such stupid fellows not to know who Cameron is? Still better we seem to be ignorant of the capabilities of the Civil Servants in 10 Downing Street. Obviously, Cameron was roped in by PM Sunak for medium term or long-term conservative party’s political objectives for the betterment of latter’s longevity. Before all that the relevant MI5, MI6 and observations and the Civil Service Machine would have operated in favor of such roping in. I would place my bets on the following outcomes: (1) EITHER Cameron will not recuse himself and sign the order against Sri Lankan Generals OR he will recuse himself and his deputy or stand in would decide that there is no enough evidence against the Sri Lankan Generals (2) Family reunion settlement visas would be severely restricted focusing on Sri Lankan Northerners applying stringent criteria (3) Sources of Revenue of would be sniffed thoroughly using transparent criteria affecting former Sri Lankan Northerners. (4) All political parties in UK would be barred from receiving certain funds.

  • 2
    0

    Today apparently is the International Anti-corruption Day!
    .
    As a country that is officially banckrupt and corruption is perceived to be high and rampant let us make a note that it is one more issue that needs attention and fixing.
    .
    The President Ranil Wickremasinghe has pledged to make the country a developed nation by the year 2048. But being a rich country isn’t meaningful if corruption is rampant.
    .
    Let us ask Mr. President and the others as well who intend to contest next Presidential Elections, what he/they is/are going to do to reduce and/or eliminate corruption, once and if they get elected to the highest office of the country!

  • 5
    7

    Comments are often puzzling, sometimes embarrassing. There are those who write comments that are long-drawn-out numbered segments that are longer than the main article. Such comments are usually written in a language and reasoning that only the writer must understand. Others write completely unrelated comments as if they haven’t read the main article at all, or as if they completely misunderstood the main article. It could also mean their mental configurations are imperfect. Then there are those who produce one or two short “relevant and illumination” lines when comments on an article get unbearable ignorant, attempting to put clumsiness on the correct path. Myself, and I am certainly many, many others, immediately see the relevance of such principled and intelligent attempts. But such individuals get roundly abused by the few who fail to recognise skill; or who fantasize themselves heroic keyboard gladiators who never lose.

    • 8
      2

      Here we go!

      UOJ Sadampi need not to cross dress Ajith any more it seems!

  • 3
    1

    To hell with Port City.
    China will bankrupt Sri Lanka.

    Cameron did well during COHGM, went to Jaffna, spoke and listen to victims, warned MR, to address HR issues, or else. He brought about UNHRC Resolution L30/1. SL now progressed to L46/1 and L51/1. SL is heading for suicide, that caused the genocide.SL is doomed.

    As a come back kid, Cameron has to make good the past mistakes of the UK and push for a two state solution for Tamil Eelam and Palestine.

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