Lakshman Gunasekera is a senior journalist in Sri Lanka and former Editor of the Sunday Observer. Asked about his reaction to the sentencing of fellow journalist J.S. Tissainayagam, he had this to say.
Located at the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Groundviews is a citizen journalism website that uses a range of genres and media to highlight critical perspectives on governance, reconciliation, human rights, the arts and literature, democracy and other issues. The site has won two international awards, including the prestigious Manthan Award South Asia in 2009. The grand jury's evaluation of the site noted, "What no media dares to report, Groundviews publicly exposes. It's a new age media for a new Sri Lanka... Free media at it's very best!"
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funny things is these crusaders who r fighting for the govt accountability is running away when questioned theirs !
“peace with honour” vs “peace with shame” — well said, and bravo for this stance. Shortly after 18 May my sister wrote in an email to me: “I have never supported or funded these bastards (LTTE), but why am I feeling a bit less Sri Lankan today?”, and a friend said in similar tone “I wasn’t part of the war, but I feel like a loser now — why?” These are sentiments from people who had no sympathy for the ltte (neither their means nor the ends they aimed for)!
Honourable President Bean,
Obviously CBK and RW are weak leaders. They thrive on party votes from die hard UNPers and SLFPers. Now ppl like JR and MR are visionaries and know clearly what to do and are able to steer through troubled waters with ease. Wholeheartedly, it is a privilege to watch them govern audaciously. Those leaders get voted in for clearly what they do and what they stand for. I assert the reason for valuable 47% of the vote base being wasted on RW in 2005 is because ppl didn’t know who MR is. But now it’s a different game of ball. The reluctance of RW wanting to contest with MR bears testimony to these facts. I am not in anyway trying to blow MRs trumpet but I believe leaders should be fearless and daring and should have the ability to inspire others. Given MR and RW who would you choose? It’s your call mate. Cheers…
His statement is self contradictory. Listen from 01:18 to 01:30, he says “I’m sure the the Judge is right. I’m sure due punishment is given” making everything else he says bull crap (by his own admission).
Fact remains this Tissanayagam guy was tried in courts, was given all the opportunity to prove innocence, yet failed. Hence no one can call this an unfair judgement. It has been proven beyond doubt. You reap what you sow. A crime is a crime. He got what he deserved. Leave it, Move on.
@billy
Seems like your crusade is writing not so logical comments anonymously on groundview! At least try to discuss the content!
“At least RW didnt bribe LTTE” Hmmmmmmmmm,. Well mate even your idol didnt have spine to come out of the closet. I know it is bit out of fasion to prejudice ppl based on their orientation. But I cant stand fudge packers.Well Well Well, can we then all agree to take a rest from our armchair keyboard battle and put MR and RW to the test?? Any throught on who might win??
quick response to Nibras – the reason Mr Gunasekera seems to contradict himself is because he is being cautious – if he said anything else he would be done for contempt of court – in the current climate one has to be careful. I noticed similar comments in the Sunday leader article re Tissa – being very careful not criticise the judge.
It is not as simple as he got a fair trial (which he did not) he is being tried under Prevention of Terrorism Act a draconian law (which should be repealed) in the first place.
“Fact remains this Tissanayagam guy was tried in courts, was given all the opportunity to prove innocence, yet failed. Hence no one can call this an unfair judgement.”
Let’s try MR in the Courts for giving money to the LTTE. And also, for stealing Tsunami money. All the evidence is there, Tiran Alles (who was arrested and released) and Sonali Samarasinghe (who was questioned for five hours by TID) can be witnesses. All the “opportunity to prove innocence” will be there. No one can call it an unfair judgment.
The way Mahinda gave Rs. 500 million to LTTE revealed
(LeN-2007 July 10, 7.40pm) The information on how President Mahinda Rajapakse handed over Rs. 500 million to the LTTE in the guise of a housing scheme has now revealed.
The President has obtained the approval for a cabinet paper on this regard.
————————————————————-
Mahinda’s note to cabinet
Rebuilding the Nation under
Jayalanka Housing Programme
First Housing Programme
for North and East
The Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) has been directed by me to commence projects for equitable assistance to all needy communities, irrespective of whether they were affected by conflict or Tsunami, in the fields of housing, livelihoods, social and physical infrastructure.
One of the first projects identified for immediate and speedy implementation is the construction of housing units for conflict-affected communities in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticoloa, Ampara, Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Housing requirements obtained from 42 GN divisions in these districts amounted to 1200 housing units. The Board of Management of RADA granted approval to invite offers from consultants and contractors in the area to implement this project. Funds for the project are to be obtained from the Consolidated Fund.
Accordingly, offers were solicited from prospective consultants and parties willing to undertake housing construction in the stipulated areas. GS Builders & Consultants of Vavuniva was selected as the Consultant for the project.
B&K Holdings (Pvt) Ltd of No. 437A, 3rd Lane, Hirunavukulam, Thandikulam, Vavuniya, which offered the lowest quote for a 500 sq. ft housing unit at Rs 624,725/(exclusive of VAT) was selected as the Contractor for the construction of 400 housing units at Trincomalee. Another 400 units in Batticaloa was awarded to Everest Civil Engineering Services of 113/1, Mill Road, Ukulangkulam, Vavuniya, at the same rate of Rs 624,725.00 (exclusive of VAT).
Housing projects in Trincomalee and Batticaloa are in progress, and the total cost estimate for both projects is Rs 499,780,560/-. With the addition of 400 housing units to be implemented in other districts shortly, the entire cost estimate for the required 1200 housing units is Rs 757,166,000/- (inclusive of consultancy fees).I seek the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to proceed with the construction of the 1200 housing units as envisaged above.
August 2, 2006
Sgd
Mahinda Rajapakse
President
http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=4387
To Nibras Bawa and your comment: “Fact remains this Tissanayagam guy was tried in courts, was given all the opportunity to prove innocence, yet failed.”
A defendant should not have to prove his innocence. It is up to the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But, then again, that is how it’s done in civilized nations and I wouldn’t expect that from the Rajapakse Dictatorship. You seem to be the kind of person who if Rajapakse told you it was bright and sunny while you both stood in a torrential downpour, you’d believe him.
How about trying the Rajapakses for war crimes or are you really that naive to believe that the Rajapakses did not kill a single civilian. With people like you and the Rajapakses, it is no surprise that our country remains a Third World nation.
@ Nibras,
I would urge you to read the full court proceedings of the case and see for yourself the state of justice in the country.
There is a general belief in this nation now.
The GOSL defeated the LTTE. Therefore Sri Lankans should not just accept anything the GOSL should choose to say or do, but we should bow down with awe and gratitude to them.
Even if they killed L:asantha W. Even if they imprison Tissanyagam. Even if they ignore every form of moral and ethical principle they know.
It is a kind of sad twisted logic in operation here. The gosl defeated terrrorism therefore the gosl can have a free hand in any criminal activity it chooses.
Do we seriously think that there can be “peace” or “freedom” in this nation?
Now we have a different reign of terrror. One operating with the blessings of the democracy that elected it.
Sinhala Buddhists are the clear majority of Sri Lanka and their wish dominates and rules in a democracy. All others had better get used to it – or depart.
Wow, Susan Goon, you certainly picked an apt last name for yourself. I would call you daft, but then that would be insulting to people who are truly daft.
@Susan Goon – that’s not how it works in a democracy. What you’re describing is a tyranny of the majority – a very different beast. But I think you know that.
A functional democracy also tends to include things like the rule of law, fair trials, free speech, a presumption of innocence, no arbitrary detention – you know the sort of thing (even if you wouldn’t particularly like it).
I am a Sinhala Buddhist woman. I am truly ashamed to say that I am a Sri Lankan, anymore. What the MR regime has done to Tissanyagam is the most despicable action of the current regime besides killing Lasantha. I always thought that the Premadasa regime was the worst I’ve ever had in my life time, but we did not know what was coming with MR- This is by far the worst ever absue of power that we have seen. Being a mother of 3 young children, I always tried to instill in my kids the worth of our beatiful country and to love our country what ever its failings were and not to scorn at the short comings and mistakes. With this horrendously unfair sentence given on T and the horrible injustice done, I do not want my kids to even think that they belong to this shameful country and most of all ashmed of being a Sinhala myself now. If this is the way MR regime is abusing power, abusing HR and fundamental rights of the ppl, be them journalists or otherwise, killing ppl and throwing them in prison faking all kinds of allegations, I can only think of MR and the clan facing the same fate as Premadasa. Sorry to say this being a buddhist but this is my gut feeling. Will I ever vote for a Sinhala politician ever again – NO WAY. either I cast my vote to a Tamil or I spoil my vote.
undergroundview: In that case, the majority view will prevail, democracy or not. Democracy is anyway a foreign concept imported by the British. We never had democracy in ancient Lanka. The glorious Sinhala Buddhist civilization was built on a feudal monarchy, and we missed none of these human rights and democratic choices for over 2,000 years. Mahinda V will take us back to the glories of the past, no matter what the minority minions and their western supporters might say. Get ready for it…it get out of our Lanka.