"All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure,
they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like life and
want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life
should be protected." -Mahavir
Unitary State must go for Real Sri Lankan Unity
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
The single biggest achievement of Norway facilitated six rounds of talks
between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam was the Oslo declaration.
For the first time in modern Sri Lankan history the Government and tigers
agreed in principle to "explore" a federal solution at Oslo. This effectively
meant that Colombo and Kilinochchi were prepared to move away from
entrenched positions of "unitary Statism" and "separate Statism " to seek a
new "Federal state "alternative.
Call for policy review of the ‘peace process’
amidst wrangling over CFA talks and divisive
electioneering
By Dr. S. Narapalasingam
Sri Lanka continues to be saddled with many unresolved problems and
unfinished tasks despite the February 2002 Cease Fire Agreement (CFA)
signed by the then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the LTTE
leader Veluppillai Prabhakaran. High hopes arose amongst all sections of
the population with the joint declaration of the cease-fire and the belief
both sides were committed to a negotiated political settlement to the
conflict. These were soon dashed because of the lack of progress as
envisaged in the Agreement. The progress expected by the LTTE was in
relation to its own agenda, which was at odds with Government’s priorities.
The CFA had been drafted loosely to suit the implementation of the
separate agendas of both sides by non-militaristic methods. Although
negotiated political settlement was stated as the final objective, there was
no mutual understanding when and what to negotiate for a final
settlement. If the negotiations were thought to be within a unitary or
federal structure, the agenda must focus on the political issues.
Full Text: Address by President Chandrika
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga
At the High Level Plenary Meeting of UN General
Assembly in New York
May I at the outset extend our sympathy and solidarity to the people and
the Government of the United States of America as they begin
reconstruction and rehabilitation, following the recent Hurricane disaster
on the Gulf Coast. We do so while recalling the generous and
spontaneous response of the people, Governments of other nations and
the Government of the United States, and so many member States of the
United Nations, the UN and other international agencies when the Tsunami
waves hit Sri Lanka last December.
Full Text: "Peace requires consensus and joint
action by the major political parties"-
President Kumaratunga at NY's Asia Society
It is a pleasure to be here at the Asia Society once again. Over the past
eleven years as President of Sri Lanka, I have had the occasion to visit
New York City, several times. During these visits, I have also invariably
visited your Society and addressed you. My visits to New York and the
United Nations have become inextricably linked to my having to deliver a
talk at the Asia Society. So that now I have begun to think of a visit to New
York as a visit to the Asia Society. I also take great personal pleasure in
getting an opportunity to brief the distinguished members and guests here
about the situation in Sri Lanka, and to reflect on the challenges Sri Lanka
faces in achieving peace and development, and consolidating democracy.
Rajapakse Campaign: Some thoughts
PM's challenge should be not to unify Sinhalese nation,
but build common ground for all communities
By Jayadeva Uyangoda
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse is drawing quite a lot of flak these
days for his pre-election MOU's with the JVP and the JHU. Both President
Chandrika Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Anura Bandaranaike have
expressed their deep anger over what Mr. Rajapakse has been doing over
the past couple of weeks.
Role of Tamil diaspora vital for peace process:
Dhanapala
Senior Advisor to the President of Sri Lanka and Secretary-General,
Peace Secretariat, Jayantha Dhanapala has emphasised the potential role
that can be played by the Sri Lankan Diaspora- both Sinhala and Tamil, in
promoting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy
in Washington said yesterday.
Security imbalance, not violence, threatens
truce [Tamil Guardian]
The actual risk to the ceasefire is not violence per se, but the continuing
non implementation of crucial aspects of the Agreement resulting in
declining benefits from it.
Observers of Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict have watched the ongoing
shadow war in the island’s east between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan military with growing concern. Although
the killings undoubtedly cast doubts on the bona fides of both sides, more
disconcerting for peace advocates is the pace at which the truce seems to
be unraveling.
But focus on the violence alone obscures the actual risks to the ceasefire
agreement.
SLFP presidential candidate - JVP agreement
justifies division
Editorial- Uthayan Daily
The agreement between Mahinda Rajapaksa, the SLFP presidential
candidate, and JVP has implicitly justified division of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan government, southern intellectuals, and even some at the
international level accuse the LTTE for not publicly announcing that they
are giving up their armed struggle and their demand for a separate state.
Even at the Oslo meeting in 2002, LTTE only agreed to study a possible
solution incorporating internal self-determination and it did not agree to
give up the armed struggle.
S.Lanka PM vows new approach with Tigers if elected
Reuters Interviews PM Rajapakse
Sri Lanka's peace bid with the Tamil Tigers needs a fresh approach,
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse said on Wednesday, vowing if elected
president to invite his opponents to join forces to negotiate with the rebels.
Left-of-centre Rajapakse, who will face off against right-of-centre
predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe in presidential elections in November,
says converting a 2002 truce into lasting peace after two decades of civil
war and pursuing economic development are his top priorities.
Walking through corridors of culture with
Lakshman Kadirgamar: Reminiscing a Prince of
dignity
By Sudharshan Seneviratne
From now, brusquely, I feel him leave, plunging into the waters, into
certain waters, into a certain ocean, and then, as he strikes, drops rise,
and I hear a sound, a persistent deep sound come forth., a huge wave,
whipped by his weight, and from somewhere, from somewhere, I feel these
waters of culture leaping and splashing, these waters splash over me.
Sri Lanka amends consent law [BBC]
'Many youngsters are in custody due to encounters with
girlfriends'
The cabinet of ministers in Sri Lanka have decided to amend the current
laws to reduce the age of consent.
Justice Minister John Senevirathne said the government is proposing to
reduce the age of consent of the girls for sexual encounters to 13 years.
The younger generation in Sri Lanka, he said, are increasingly becoming
aware of sexual relationships.
LTTE police investigates SL police
LTTE says police officers 'illegally' entered their territory
Sri Lankan authorities have sought international assistance for the
release of a group of police officers, detained by Tamil Tigers.
Child Protection Authority (CPA) said that six police officers have gone to
rebel-held area near Mannar in search of a suspected paedophile.
SLMM visits Sri Lankan Police in Tamil Eelam Police
custody [LTTEPS]
Helen Olafsdottir, SLMM Spokes woman and Mr. Lars, from SLMM
Kilinochchi Liaison Office met the SLA police officers in the Tamil Eelam
Police custody in Kilinochchi today 14th of September 2005.
These three Sri Lankan police officers including a Sub Inspector have
detained by the Tamil Eelam Police after they forcefully entered into LTTE
controlled areas in Mannar. Upon the request of police, Kilinochchi
magistrate ordered them to detain them for further investigations.
Police to probe PM tsunami fund [BBC]
Police in Sri Lanka have been authorised to investigate a private relief
fund set up to help victims of last December's tsunami.
The fund was set up to help people in the Hambantota constituency of
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse.
Reports in Sri Lankan media outlets say that money sent by international
donors has been diverted into the fund.
A judge says the police can examine how 83 million rupees ($820,000)
came into three private bank accounts.
IMF warn Sri Lanka on subsidies [BBC]
The IMF have called for the government to raise fuel prices.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Sri Lanka that it is
exceeding government spending targets.
It urged Sri Lanka to cut subsidies, especially on fuel, to help restore
economic stability.
The report said that higher spending, combined with lower than expected
tax revenues, had led to high inflation.
Muttiah Muralitharan:
Allegations are shocking and totally baseless [Cricinfo]
I have been compelled to make a public statement following wholly
inaccurate and defamatory speculation of me by certain sections of the
Indian media during the past few days.
These media reports have insinuated my possible involvement in a
gambling and match-fixing controversy with which I have no connection.
These allegations are shocking and totally baseless.
Arts - Culture - Heritage
Further the Nallur festival of old days took place in the nights,with the
procession carrying the deity preceded by women clad in shimmering
outfits dancing to the beat of gigantic drums. The streets of Nallur
were illuminated with flame of torches and lamps. [Contd.]
Rukmani Devi rescued, revived and redefined
Bharata Natyam
by Sumana Saparamadu
The arangetram is now a regular feature of the cultural scene in Colombo.
The daily newspapers, ever so often, carry pictures of young girls due to
perform or have performed their arangetram, the first public performance
of a dancer trained in Bharata Natyam.
But for Rukmani Devi and Kalakshetra, the institute of fine arts she
established in Adaya, Madras, these girls would not be learning Bharata
Natyam, much less getting on the stage for the arangetram. A training in
Bharata Natyam would be no social accomplishment.
Exploring closer Singapore-India education links
[Hindu]
Singapore's Minister for Education
Tharman Shanmugaratnam is in Chennai to explore the
possibilities for linkages with Indian educational institutions. In an
interview, Mr. Shanmugaratnam lists out potential areas that could be
mutually enriching for both the countries. Excerpts:
We are entering a new phase in Singapore-India relations. Trade with
India is growing faster than with any other country, even China.
Though Singapore investments here are escalating, we want to look at
bettering other relationships too, apart from just economic and industrial.
We are keen on encouraging substantive programmes in Indian higher
educational institutions, especially those in Chennai such as the IIT,
Madras University, and Anna University. We already have some
programmes going at IIT Mumbai, and IIT Madras is exploring the
possibility of a joint PhD programme.
The violin finds voice when he plays
A phenomenon in the field of music, violin exponent
Lalgudi Jayaraman turns 75.
As heir to a family of musicians that traces its guru parampara to a saint-
composer Tyagaraja, it was no small inheritance that young Lalgudi G.
Jayaraman was beneficiary to Gopala Iyer, Lalgudi's father and guru, who
identified unmistakable sparks of genius in his son. But the legatee was
not complacent. He worked hard and soon mastered the art.
Alathur Subbier remarked with admiration: ``What we practise and make
perfect in three months, this boy plays in three minutes.'' Madurai Mani
Iyer prophesied: "This boy will go places." Lalgudi was soon to become a
globetrotting phenomenon. Recognition for his musical worth came in
various forms — a horde of awards, a legion of rasikas and also in one
other unusual form. Study groups and seminars critically analysed his
compositions as well as his Bani.
Naomi presents 'With My Feet'
This show, which is rife with symbolism, mixes the portrait of old elegance
with intricate choreography. It further adds symbolism by the use of black
and white exclusively throughout the first half of the show.
Resurfacing all the joys of extravagant dance numbers, the first half of the
show comprises old favourites and new choreographies the like of Alpha,
Olympic Dream, Ballroom Fantasy, Blue Danube, Trio Tango, Fusion, Toy
Story, Out Of Africa, Hot Samba, Black Orchid and Streets of Fire.
In the second half, the audience gets a surprise as the colour is exhibited
to an impressive display. Style also merges with form and costume to give
spectators a riot of neo style that they have seldom witnessed before.
Tamil Movie Review:
Ah ... Aah ... : Love dons a surreal garb
Unlike Jeeva's `12B,' which confounded viewers, Annai Mary Madha
Creations' `Ah ... Aah — Anbae Aaruyirae' (U/A) prepares you for what's
to come, with a clear intro that melds beautifully with the opening song
sequence. It is the story of estranged lovers re-united by their own
thoughts — only that their feelings for each other are given a human form.
Thus we have another pair along with the original.
And if you saw the influence of the Hollywood film `Big,' in `New', in `Ah ...
Aah ... ' you notice traces of the Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi
Goldberg hit, `Ghost.'
After `New' Suryah probably feels double entendres are his film's USP.
That's why in many sequences you have dialogue obviously censored but
clearly mouthed. Also sublime love slips into a mere physical plane very
easily.
The Dalai Lama visits Rutgers - New Jersey State
University on Sep 25
Rutgers welcomes His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an internationally
respected advocate of peace, to deliver the public lecture “Peace, War,
and Reconciliation.”
Sunday, September 25, 2005, at 10:30 a.m. at Rutgers Stadium
The visit of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, winner of the 1989 Nobel
Peace Prize, is the keynote event in a semester focusing on issues related
to conflict and moral obligation. Honors seminars, special lectures,
concerts, exhibits, films, and other cultural events and activities inspired
by the Dalai Lama’s visit continue throughout the fall semester.
Katrina dolphin rescue launched [BBC]
Wildlife experts say they have rescued two dolphins swept away from
their aquarium after Hurricane Katrina, and hope to save another six.
Jackie, who is 30 years old, and her offspring, Toni, 16, were picked off
the coast of Mississippi on Thursday.
The animals were sighted in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday after being
washed from their aquarium in Gulfport.
The bottlenose dolphins have lived most of their lives in captivity and
cannot fend for themselves in the wild.
Standard
Disclaimers
Applicable
"There are two things born from mountains, shining so brilliantly that the great bow down, driving
darkness from earth circled by roaring waters. One is the flaming sun, single wheel bright as
lightning, the other is Tamil that has no like." — from the taNTiyalankârum [Berkeley Tamil]
