Monthly Archives: April 2012

Dambulla incident not just a Muslim issue

Dispute
The dispute over the presence of a Muslim mosque on Buddhist temple land in Dambulla points
to an underlying tension in Sri Lanka’s multi religious society that is capable of being exploited by extremist forces. It is reassuring that the violence that suddenly manifested itself over the location of the mosque was not permitted to escalate […]

By Dr. Jehan Perera | Published on April 30, 2012 at 9:41 pm

It’s accountability, stupid

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable” – Moliere
Many legal luminaries and political pundits have had their voice. Many politicians have added their two cents’ worth also into the mix. Yet the US-backed resolution at the UNHRC in Geneva is now already a fait […]

By Vishnuguptha | Published on April 28, 2012 at 1:20 am

UN finds cluster bombs in Sri Lanka

A report from a UN mine removal expert says unexploded cluster munitions have been found in northern Sri Lanka, appearing to confirm, for the first time, that the weapons were used in that country’s long civil war.
The revelation is likely to increase calls for an international investigation into possible war crimes stemming from the bloody […]

By | Published on April 28, 2012 at 12:46 am

Religious violence: Not In Our Name

Put your name down, resist violence, pass on the message
Here is the link
This statement is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil. Please show solidarity and support by adding your name to the relevant language post.
What can we do?
The shameful behaviour and expression employed by the Mahanayaka of the Rangiri Dambulu chapter, along with the monks […]

By | Published on April 28, 2012 at 12:32 am

Chinese activist escapes house arrest and finds protection in US embassy says friend

BEIJING — Chen Guangcheng, the blind, self-taught lawyer known for his outspoken opposition to China’s forced abortion and sterilization policies, has escaped from house arrest and posted a dramatic YouTube video
calling on Premier Wen Jiabao to investigate his case and protect his family.
Hu Jia, another prominent activist and friend of the Chen family, said Chen […]

By Washington Post | Published on April 28, 2012 at 12:00 am

No truth to allegations says Minister Tennakoon

Minister of Lands Janaka Bandara Tennakoon a few hours ago denied the allegations made against him regarding the Dambulla Mosque issue by the Chief incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulu Rajamaha Viharaya Ven.
Inamaluwe Sri Sumangala Thero stating ‘they were all wrong.’
Earlier the Thero told this website that the Buddhists and those of other faiths work amicably […]

By Nirmala Kannangara | Published on April 26, 2012 at 2:54 am

Discovering the White Van in a Troubled Democracy

An analysis of ongoing “abduction blueprint” in Sri Lanka
In a country that has achieved so much in literacy, education and social development, is it not indeed unfortunate that “White Van” has frightened the entire nation? Appearance of a white van assures a disappearance of some one. If you Google or do any other internet search […]

By JC Weliamuna | Published on April 26, 2012 at 2:02 am

Mystery, Mayhem and the Media: The Challenges of Covering China

The 2012 Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia
ASIA SOCIETY:Please join Norman Pearlstine, Chief Content Officer at Bloomberg, and members of the Oz Prize jury to celebrate this year’s winner of the Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Journalism on Asia, Fast
Company Magazine’s April Rabkin. Ms. Rabkin, the publication’s Beijing-based correspondent, won the […]

By | Published on April 26, 2012 at 1:46 am

Muslim civil society groups call for Hartal this Friday after Jumma Prayers

Muslim civil society organisations based in Colombo have organised a city wide Hartal to protest the government’s decision to relocate a decades old mosque based in the sacred Buddhist city of Dambulla.
The city was declared a sacred city in 1982 by an extraordinary gazette notification but the mosque had continued to operate until recently when […]

By Sudharshan Nicholas | Published on April 26, 2012 at 1:29 am

‘A couple of knuckleheads shouldn’t detract from what they do’ – Obama on Secret Service

Some Secret Service employees accused of misconduct in the Colombian prostitution scandal are privately contending that their conduct didn’t warrant dismissal because senior managers tolerated similar behavior during
official trips, according to people familiar with the employees’ thinking.
Reversing decisions to resign
Several of the men who agreed to resign under pressure last week are also considering reversing […]

By Washington Post | Published on April 26, 2012 at 1:05 am