Somawansa et al throw book at Wimal, demand Rs. 20 mn Neththa Venuvata Eththa

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa has been served letters of demand for Rs. 10 million each by the lawyers of JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and General Secretary Tilvin Silva for an alleged breach of copyright due to the publication of his book ‘Nettha Venuvata Aththa.’

The separate letters of demand sent by the lawyers for Amerasinghe and Silva state:

"We are instructed by our client that you have authored and/or claimed to have authored and published and/or caused to publish a book titled ‘Naththa Wenuwata Attha’ and have marketed the said book for a sum of Rs. 250/- per copy.

You have further said that such book had been re-printed and published within a week of its 1st publication and thus admitted the fact that you have economically benefited out of such publication.

We have instruction from our client to write to you stating that you have included several un-published letters authored by our client which are his original work in the said book into and/or in a substantial re-production of the said works of our client without his consent and/or approval and/or authorization.

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http://www.island.lk/2008/07/17/news15.html

Three day strike in the offing - Lal Kantha

Lal Kantha warned a three day strike in the near future and said that they would begin to strengthen their support in work places from next Monday. Speaking to the media this morning (July 15th), he said at previous day\'s talks with trade unions, it was also decided to continue with union action until all their demands are met.

The NTUC agreed to prepare a petition with one million signatures and hand it over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

From July 21st, a series of meetings, starting from the Colombo National Hospital, will prepare workplaces in the state, private and plantation sectors for the planned work stoppage, Mr. Lal Kantha said.

According to him, Jirath Gamage of the Government United Labour Union, Lienus Jayatilake of the United Workers Union and Neil Wijetilake of the Cooperative Employees Union have agreed to go for a collective action to win their common demands.

Further discussions would take place with trade unions affiliated to the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and the Trade Unions Federation to decide the joint course of action.

Suggestions would be sought from private bus owners, trishaw drivers, school and staff transport services as well, he added.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/politics/20080715072622.php

Lankan Army capable of providing security to leaders during SAARC Summit

While dismissing the "untrue" reports that a large contingent of Indian security forces would be present in the island nation during the SAARC Summit next month to guard Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sri Lanka said, "Sri Lankan Army, despite the ongoing war with the LTTE, would be able to provide adequate security to leaders during the SAARC Summit".

"It is not true that a big contingent of Indian Army would be coming to Colombo to provide security for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the SAARC summit," Nimal Siripala, a senior Sri Lankan Minister, told Parliament in Colombo Friday, PTI reported here today.

His comments follow reports in newspapers here recently that had claimed that President Mahinda Rajapakse had given approval for a heavy Indian military presence in Sri Lanka during the August 2-3 SAARC Summit.

Siripala, leader of the House and Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition, said it was normal for the heads of state to bring their own security as has been the case with other international conferences, but added that no large contingent of security forces from India would arrive here to provide security to Singh.

The issue first came up on Wednesday when the Marxist JVP party member Bimal Ratnayaka sought to know whether 1,500 Indian soldiers had already come to Sri Lanka to provide security to Singh during the SAARC Summit. At that time, the member was assured that Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake would reply to the question on Friday.

Read more,
http://www2.irna.com/en/news/view/line-17/0807128036171818.htm

Delhi accused of pressuring Colombo to end offensive against LTTE

It is three weeks since a high-level Indian delegation arrived in the island for closed-door discussions with Sri Lanka’s leaders, but the reverberations from the visit still continue with Sri Lanka’s Marxist-cum-Nationalist party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) slamming India for ‘its invasive dictatorial foreign policy’. Indian diplomatic sources in Colombo have stated that the meeting focused ‘mainly’ on the security considerations of the upcoming Saarc summit to be held in Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, the government has staunchly denied that India’s three top most bureaucrats, National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan, Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon and Defence Secretary Vijay Singh who met President Rajapakse, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunge had applied pressure to stop the war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

The government denial of Indian pressure came as the JVP accused the Indian government of wanting the military campaign against the LTTE stopped at a time when the Tiger rebels were weakened and many key guerilla camps in the north taken over by government troops.

Sri Lankan officials have dismissed the unprecedented heights to which media speculations reached regarding the recent visit of the Indian delegates, with some reports stating that thousands of Indian troops will arrive in the country.

Read more,
http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/12/int11.htm

Marxist party's strike fails to disrupt Sri Lanka

A strike of public sector employees called by the Marxist party failed Thursday to paralyze the country as planned.

The Marxists People's Liberation Front (JVP) hoped up to 200,000 public servants of the 1.1 million government sector employees would strike, crippling transport, health, port and the education sectors, however, most services were operational without a serious disruption.

The government had argued that the trade union action would help the Tamil rebels whom they said were on the verge of being defeated by a strong military campaign underway in the northern part of the country.

In the capital posters sprung up overnight saying the strike would benefit the Tamil rebels of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Earlier Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament that the strike would demoralise the security forces who have made significant gains in the war front by recapturing some of the rebel-controlled areas in the north.

The JVP backed trade unions were demanding a minimum salary increase of 5,000 rupees (46 US dollars) per month for public servants to compensate for the rising cost of living.

read more,
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/southasia/news/article_1416134.php

Behave or face consequences, Police warn strikers

The police yesterday warned that it would come down hard on anyone involved in violence during today’s strike.

Police spokesman S.S.P. Ranjith Gunasekera said under Section 14 (1) of the Constitution, any person or group was entitled to peaceful demonstration, but those who resorted to damaging government property, attacking non-strikers and forcing people to join the strike would be arrested.

In accordance with the provisions of Police Penal Code Section 89 to 99, Police would enforce the law to prevent any violent activities and allow strikers to carry out peaceful demonstrations, he said.

Gunasakara told The Island that if the strikers wanted to launch street demonstrations, they would be allowed to do so, but they must not disturb or obstruct non-strikers, students, vehicles, public and private buses, railways and hospitals. The police had already drawn a temporary traffic plan and some roads in the Colombo city would be closed.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Health Ministry had already formulated contingency plans to face any emergency situation.

He warned that any hospital worker resorting to sabotage by blocking water supply, locking up drug cabinets, disconnecting oxygen pipe lines, hiding registers etc.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/07/10/news1.html

Majority of state sector employees dislike attending the forth-coming token strike

Leading political parties and the government express a various ideas on the forth-coming token strike. However majority of workers who suffer from the prevailing economic conditions said that they want to continue their employment without any obstruction of the trade unions and other political henchmen. They stressed that the proposed strike is unreasonable by all means.

�We do not need strikes or protests, but need higher salary to face the current economy, said an ex- trade unionist of a state owned venture.

Meanwhile twenty-three teacher unions including the Sri Lanka Nidahas teachers� union said they are not taking part in the strike action proposed to be held on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo on Tuesday the union�s General Secretary N.Fernando said the strike action is a political plot. He said the JVP and the UNP are calling for this strike action not for the rights of workers but in an effort to hide their failures. He requests all employees of the education sector to not take part in the strike since sharing is an indirect support to terrorism.

Ceylon Railway Services Trade Union Joint Alliance also says they will not attend in the proposed strike. Chief Organizer of the alliance D.M.D. Abeyrathne said their alliance does not support strikes aimed at gaining political objectives.

Chairman of the Omni bus owners association Gemunu Wijerathne said that his association will not take part in Thursday�s strike. The estate unit of the Nidhas Sevaka Sangamaya will also not join the strike action according to its General Secretary P.G. Chandrasena.

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http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/politics/20080708142311.php

UNP, JVP in dire straits - Minister Sirisena

When considering the prevailing political atmosphere of the country and the behaviour of the party members it is clear that UNP and the JVP are in a helpless stage, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Minister Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday.

Addressing a UPFA news briefing held yesterday, Minister Sirisena said it was unfortunate that the present UNP leadership criticised the ongoing security operations to eradicate terrorism.

“While on foreign tours the Opposition Leader says that our Forces can never win the war or defeat the LTTE. Unlike the then great UNP leaders such as D.S. Senanayake and Dudley Senanayake the present UNP leadership is pessimistic and tarnishes the image of the country,” the Minister said.

More than 7,000 UNP and JVP party members have deserted their parties and taken the membership of United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) since they were fed up with their earlier parties.

There wasn’t any UNP Parliamentarian, head of the party or even a lawyer who participated on the occasion of submitting nomination lists but only the candidates. “It seemed clearly that even the party members are let down by the leadership and moreover it indicated that they would lose the election,” the Minister added.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/09/pol01.asp

Sri Lankan gov't warns of major rebel attack

The Sri Lankan government on Monday warned the public to be vigilant against a perceived major attack by Tamil Tiger rebels.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told reporters that intelligence sections have warned of a major attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the next 48 hours.

"We have received information and it is our duty to protect state institutions," Abeywardena told reporters.

However, trade union leaders dismissed the warning as a political ploy to disrupt the scheduled one day token strike later this week.

The main left party the JVP or the People's Liberation Front backed by the main opposition United National Party has given notice of the strike for July 10 to protest high cost of living and other pressing issues.

The government maintained that the trade unions must not organize strikes at a critical time when the government has reached a decisive stage of its military battle against Tamil Tiger rebels.

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/07/content_8506249.htm

JVP has become LTTE cat’s paw - Wimal

The diehard JVP leadership has become the LTTE’s unofficial cat’s paw. The party has been driven to a sorry state because certain party members have begun to work according to an agenda of some foreign powers active within the party, said the Janatha Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) President Wimal Weerawansa.

He was addressing its inaugural meeting at the Ananda Samarakoon theatre, Negegoda recently.

He said today the JVP has turned to be Ranil’s junior team. For over two years we struggled to change the direction, the party was following.

When it was found our efforts were in futile, we left the party and formed the JNP, so that we were ready to face any challenges. Party President, Wimal Weerawansa, General Secretary Nandana Gunatilleke, National Organiser Kamal Deshapriya and shttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifeveral others participated.

A large number of invitees including the members of the clergy was also present. Several artistes including Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Lal Kularatne, Rogger Seneviratne and Cyril Enderamulla received the party membership.

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http://www.srilankanewsweb.com/news.view.php?fldNewsID=14260

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Sri Lanka says no Indian pressure to give up military action

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday refuted claims by the main left party that India had pressurized it to abandon the current military thrust against Tamil Tiger rebels.

The JVP, or the People's Liberation Front, accused the Indian government of bringing pressure on the Sri Lankan government to stop the military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by sending a top level delegation to the island last week.

"There was no such pressure. The visit was a demonstration of the increased co-operation between the two countries," Anura Yapa, the government spokesman and the minister of Media and Information told reporters.

The unscheduled visit by Indian Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon, National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan and Defense Secretary Sri Vijay Singh has led to many a speculation.

Yapa said both the Indian and Sri Lankan governments believe in a political solution to the island's long drawn out separatist armed conflict and the military solution was never an option.

The Sri Lankan government is currently engaged in a military campaign against the rebels who are fighting for a separate homeland for the Tamil minority in the north and east.

The military campaign so far has resulted in the rebels from being evicted from the Eastern Province and the government maintains that the rebels have now been limited to just two districts in the north.

Extracted from,
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/26/content_8445162.htm

It’s very unrealistic to think of a ceasefire at this stage -Basil

Q: Analysts see the May Eastern victory as a triumph of war strategy and political consolidation. Is there a danger of you and Gotabhaya exercising more power in this scenario?

First you need to see that the East was not a favourable province for the PA. The President lost the East badly at the Presidential election. We lost over 168,000 votes. In this campaign the UNP used three SLMC leaders and a prominent Sinhala politician to defeat the govt. Then the TNA made a public appeal for the people to vote against us; then the LTTE created tension to dissuade voters. Even the JVP contested separately. All we had was the faith that we had genuinely done work to develop the East. We had that confidence when we went before the people.

But on strengthening myself and Gotabhaya I need to deny that belief because I haven’t even gone to the East after the elections. I used to visit there at least once a week before but now the people have spoken and there is an elected people’s representative there who can handle the development; we don’t need to get involved there. My involvement in the East is less now. Even in the military side more and more power is coming to the Provincial Councils. The military presence is much less there. Those days the centre had more power because we worked through the governor, but now there are ministers and the CM so our involvement is negligible. Politically, we have power because our presence is strengthened after the elections in the East.

Q: Although you say your involvement is minimal, there must be much left undone in the East?

There is a lot to be done. We have resettled at least 90% of the displaced. Our target is to leave none unsettled by end December. On livelihoods too we are progressing with the help of donor agencies. The infrastructure development too is continuing according to plan. The East must be having the largest number of bridges in the entire country as planned. Water, fisheries harbour and roads will take priority. Even the World Bank has cited the East as a priority in the recently pledged funds. Reconstruction of the irrigation canals is also underway. The Trincomalee industrial estate is already underway.

Read more,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=13259

JVP’s doomsday not far away - Nandana Gunatilake

The controversial ex-hardcore JVPer and currently the General Secretary of the newly formed National Freedom Front, Nandana Gunatilake while inviting genuine members of the JVP to join them in their freedom struggle claimed that the present leadership of the JVP has deviated from its original struggle - the struggle to defeat imperialism.

He told the ‘Sunday Observer’ that the JVP, which took a different turn since 1995, is now misleading its members by promising the freedom struggle by trying to defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa government.

Excerpts

Q: What is the idea behind forming the new political party - the National Freedom Front (NFF)?

A: Although we say Sri Lanka is an independent nation still we do not enjoy real freedom. Since 1948, from the day the country became free from the British, all the successive governments for the past 60 years, have failed to make the country ‘independent’.

The need of the hour is to make Sri Lanka an independent nation with the support of all citizens who love this country. I think this is the responsibility of this generation. That is why we came forward and our main target is to get political, economical and social - cultural independence. That is what we are striving for.

Q: You said that you could not realize that aim when you were with the JVP, which was considered to be the third force in the country. Do you think that the NFF with few members can fill the void?

A: Yes. Forming this party was not solely an idea of ours. Those who love this country and strive for a fully pledged freedom has led us to take this decision. This is a national quest, in which the JVP has failed so far.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/06/15/pol05.asp

“The JVP has abandoned what they should be doing” — Weerawansa

Controversial ex-JVPer Wimal Weerawansa, in an interview with The Nation recently explained the agenda of his newly formed National Freedom Front. He said, the new party intends to fill the void left by the JVP. “The JVP has abandoned what they should be doing, and are gradually retracting to the days that were left behind a long time ago.

Therefore, the task of the NFF would be to fill that void left by the JVP,” he said. Also, despite the belief that Weerawansa has lost his former fiery wit, since his expulsion from the former rebel group, he displayed ample verbal prowess when charging his former bedfellows of various foul deeds. He pointed out that if the JVP continued to resort to such devious methods of intimidation, it would lead the country’s youth back towards the dark days…

Following are the excerpts:

Q: What is the agenda of the National Freedom Front (NFF)?
A: The foremost expectation in forming the NFF is to fight for the country’s freedom. Although it says that we gained freedom from the British 60 years ago, we never enjoyed real freedom over those 60 years. Each and every leader who was appointed by the people’s sovereignty did not rule according to the people’s wish, but according to the agendas of certain foreign powers.

The tragic situation the country has fallen into at present is a direct result of following foreign agendas. Therefore, even after 60 years since the British left, we still have to strive for national freedom. The NFF, as its name suggests, plans to achieve socio-cultural, economic and political freedom for the country. It is our main agenda.

Q: Do you plan to invite groups with similar sentiments to join hands with you?
A: Definitely. The NFF was formed by the individuals who were ready at that time to form such a movement. The doors are open for those who genuinely want freedom for the country, to join the NFF. I stress that they must genuinely love the motherland.

Read more,
http://www.nation.lk/2008/06/01/inter2.htm

Somawansa remains as the leader of the JVP-Wimal axed

Somawansa Amarasinghe remains as the leader of the JVP while Tylwin silva was appointed as the General Secretary by the Central Committee of the JVP at their fifth convention held in this evening at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium , Colombo.

Wijitha Herath was appointed as the Propaganda Secretary by the central committee and Anura Kumara Dissanayake is now holding Parliamentary group leadership.

In last few weeks the Asia Tribune predicted about Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s post and most of party loyalists say these leaders could save the party and the nation.

Extracted from,
http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11433

Somawansa has become a puppet of JVP’s UNP sympathizers - Nandana

JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe has become a puppet in the hands of a powerful segment within the party which is fast becoming a crutch to the main Opposition UNP, General Secretary of the newly formed National Freedom Front and one time JVP Presidential candidate, parliamentarian Nandana Gunatilake said yesterday.

"In the issue of ousting Wimal Weerawansa and others, who dissented against this conspiracy, Comrade Amarasinghe was used to the hilt. He, who once led the campaign of rebuilding the party from ruins, came under the pressure of several conspirators and cracked. He let the conspirators take control and is now politically assassinated," Gunatilake told a media conference at the National Library and Documentation Center in Colombo.

The conspirators within the party had been bought over by the UNP to destroy the JVP, he said. "Comrade Amarasinghe, by giving into the conspirators is also partially responsible for the crisis the party faces today," he said.

Gunatilake said there was speculation in the media recently that Somawansa Amarasinghe would be replaced at the fifth JVP convention scheduled to be held today.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/27/news3.html

JVP’s branch in Japan ceases funding, more to follow "May have to rob petrol sheds again"

The JVP yesterday received a heavy blow to its fund raising on the international front as its branch in Japan, which had poured in billions of rupees, severed all connections with the party over the ousting of Wimal Weerawansa and ten other MPs along with a large number of party members.

"Our comrades in Japan had directed all money they earned to the party fund. They were under orders to send their pay-packets home and were allowed only to keep a meager sum for subsistence. We funded all elections except for the recent polls to the Eastern Provincial Council.

Other than this the Japanese branch had loaned a large sum of money on various occasions at the request of party leader Somawansa Amarasinghe. Not a cent of the loans was repaid and we did not even request that the loans be repaid as we were clear about our priorities. Now we understand that our sacrifices had been misused," organiser of the JVP’s Japan Branch Saman Priyankara said in a letter addressed to JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.

He said party leader Somawansa Amarasinghe had come under the grip of several top rankers acting like frogs in the well and he had mixed up the party’s priorities and had commenced to silence dissent against it.

"The leader of the party should have acted prudently and respected the opinion of the majority within the politburo and central committee. Instead he gave into several front liners. The end result was a major split in the party resulting in the loss of eleven MPs including Wimal Weerawansa, a large number of provincial and local government level representatives and full timers in almost all districts."

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/05/22/news1.html

JVP not in tune with new challenges - Wimal

The current JVP leadership has failed to respond to issues created by new challenges or accept those challenges other than merely being an alternative to the traditional Left, leader of the newly-established National Freedom Front (Jathika Nidahas Peramuna) Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday addressing the party's first general summit at the BMICH, Colombo.

Weerawansa recalled that the JVP was created by the late Rohana Wijeweera with the noble objective of fighting imperialism 43 years ago on May 14, 1965 while offering solutions to identified issues.

The Eastern provincial council election result has clearly showed the present deterioration of the JVP whereas the party could win with a clear majority at earlier elections. But as the result of weakness of the party leadership the JVP has failed to identify the pulse of the ordinary masses, he added.

"The adamant party leadership and some high rankers within it were not ready to accept the present day challenges even though we tried to steer the party on the correct path," Weerawansa said.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/05/15/pol03.asp
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Eastern Sri Lanka poll 'relatively violence-free'

The poll to elect a maiden provincial council in eastern Sri Lanka ended on a 'relatively violence-free note' with nearly 60 percent of about one million voters exercising their franchise, the election commission said Saturday.

'According to reports received at the close of the poll, the estimated voter turnout was approximately 65 percent, 55 percent and 60 percent in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee respectively. Counting has commenced for postal votes,' the election department said.

An assistant commissioner of the election department at Rajagriya in Colombo told IANS Saturday evening that though there were reports of poll-related violence in all three districts in the eastern province, 'they were not serious in nature'.

'There were no immediate reports of 'serious poll-related violence' that could affect the overall outcome of the poll. We, however, have to wait for the zonal reports, which would be out only after the ballot boxes are opened for counting,' he said on condition of anonymity.

'Overall, I would say, the poll is relatively violence free,' he said, adding that the final result for the council would not be released if there was any re-polling due to malpractices.

However, the opposition parties such as the United National Party (UNP), the Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) have charged that the poll was largely marred by violence, including rigging, impersonation, assault and intimidation instigated by pro-government mobs.

Read more,
http://www.indiaenews.com/srilanka/20080510/117229.htm

Launch of Wimal Weerawansa's party on May 14

JVP breakaways Wimal Weerawansa and Nandana Gunatilake will launch their political party in Colombo on May 14th, an activist in their political movement said..

There will be 350 invitees when the new movement, which is yet to be given a name, makes its debut at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies at the BMICH.

Messrs. Weerawansa and Gunatilake are due to meet the Elections Commissioner on the previous day to register it as a recognized political party.

May 14, 2008 is of special significance to the JVP, as the day marks the 43rd anniversary of the leftist party founded by the late Rohana Wijeweera.

An events organizing firm has been entrusted with the propaganda and other activities in connection with the occasion, the spokesman said.

Extracted from,
http://www.lankaeverything.com/vinews/politics/20080511012803.php