Archive for September 2009
Ceylinco Islamic ‘profit sharing’ Company too collapses
| The ‘Ceylinco profit sharing’ a Co. functioning under the Ceylinco group of Companies has also totally crashed. Consequently, 11000 Muslims who invested in this Company have been plunged into serious problems being unable to recover their monies.
The amount invested by these individuals is Rs. 8500 million. As interest taking is prohibited in Islam , this Company was launched for Muslim investors . A majority of the investors in this Company are Muslims who have either gone on pension or are Muslim widows. |
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Muslim lawyers should be bridge between communities
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“Muslim personal laws in Sri Lanka are the tireless and propehtic efforts of our forefathers in the legal field and Muslim lawyers have major role to protect these personal laws based on Shariah. These personal laws help us to maintain our distinct identity in a plural society with unity and amity. Muslim lawyers have major role to play in building bridge between communities and they shall be model to lawyers of the other communities”, said Justice S.I. Imam, Judge of the Supreme Court when he made key note speech at the 4th annual Ifthar and AGM of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association (MLA) held in Colombo last night. Speaking further Justice Imam paid tribute to first Muslim Supreme Court Judge late M.T. Akbar and first Muslim Attorney General A.M. Ameer and all the Muslim lawyers and political leaders involved in enacting the Muslim personl laws before many decades. “We should cherish our personal laws and the Muslim lawyers, judicial officers, theologians and Quazi judges shall endeavour to practice these laws to the best use of the community”, the Justice added. Faaiz Musthapha, President’s Counsel chaired the event. New office beares for the ensuing year were elected and Mr. Musthapha was re-elected as the President of the MLA. Former Attorney General Shibly Aziz, PC was re-elected as the Vice President. Official website of the MLA www.MuslimLawyers.lk also was inaugrated by the Chief Guest. Members from the official and unofficial bar and several Muslim members of the judiciary attended the event. |
Expelled Northern Muslims and Tamil polity
Recent meeting the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had with the President on 7 September 2009 reflects on the change of attitude by the TNA towards the government in the changed political scenario. Among other things the TNA has also discussed the issue of the return of forcibly evicted Muslims from the North by the LTTE in 1990, according to reports. This is the first time the TNA has publicly taken up the issue of expelled Northern Muslims. The TNA and its constituent parties have waited 19 long years to openly recognize the right to return of the expelled Northern Muslims and to sympathize with their cause. According to reliable sources, the passing reference the TNA made regarding the resettlement of expelled Northern Muslims is due to the pressure of the only Muslim MP in the TNA Mr. R.M. Imam supported by Mr. N. Srikantha, a TELO MP in the TNA. Incidentally, Mr. Srikantha’s predecessor late Mr. Raviraj MP has been a lone sympathizer with the expelled Northern Muslims. He was the only TNA MP who had visited the refugee camps in Puttalam where the expelled Northern Muslims are languished for the last 19 years. The TNA taking up this issue is not going to yield any rapid results in the return of Northern Muslims. Already the expelled Muslims are in the process of returning to their villages in small numbers. There are many challenges ahead. The Church and bureaucrats are working overtime in Mannar to change the demography even if the expelled Muslims return. Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, Mr. Rishard Bathiutheen who was present at the meeting and who is a victim of this ethnic cleansing is assigned with the task of resettling all refugees. TNA MP Mr. Imam also was a victim of the ethnic cleansing. What the Muslims see by this call of TNA to voice for the expelled Northern Muslims is a kind of solidarity with their cause. The TNA has at last showed its solidarity thanks to the elimination of the LTTE. But still the Diaspora Tamils and other Tamil leaders except the EPDP and PLOTE have not demonstrated their solidarity for the cause of the expelled Northern Muslims. Whenever and wherever they talk about the refugees and IDPs they mean and include only the IDPs in the Tamil community. They don’t even sympathise with the expelled Muslims from the North. A delegation of Diaspora Tamils came to Sri Lanka in July this year and visited the refugee camps in the Wanni. They met with the refugees there as well as Tamil IDPs from the East but they neither visited the IDP camps in Puttalam and Anuradhapura nor met with them elsewhere. They admitted this lapse at a media briefing they had at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) auditorium. Tamil political leaders, civil society activists and Tamil Diaspora have been so far silent on the expelled Northern Muslims. Their silence is cowardly justifiable when the perpetrators of the ethnic cleansing, the LTTE was still active. It is high time they come forward now to express their solidarity and sympathise with their cause at all available forums for their fellow community. Let them follow the footsteps of the TNA
PSM |
Pak team to visit Colombo to probe attack on Sri Lankan cricketers
A high-level Pakistani investigation team will travel to Sri Lanka next week to probe reports that elements in the island nation were linked to the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said.
The team has already been constituted, Mr. Malik told a TV news channel on Friday. The Sri Lankan government has handed over some important clues that are being examined and these leads are expected to help nab the persons behind the attack, he said.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani recently directed Mr. Malik to send a team of experts to Sri Lanka to investigate reports that elements in the island nation were linked to the attack on the Sri Lankan players in March.
Mr. Gilani has said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave him clues linking elements in Sri Lanka with terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including the strike on the Sri Lankan cricket team, during a recent meeting in Libya.
Eight persons were killed and over 20 others, including several Sri Lankan players, injured when terrorists ambushed the team’s motorcade at a busy traffic roundabout on March 3.
The Hindu
Free laptops for students
Free laptops for students Thirteen schools benefit under pilot project:
Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE In line with the national drive to arm the younger generation with the knowledge of English and Information Technology, the Education Ministry has taken steps to issue laptop computers to students in 13 schools. The program is carried out under the One Laptop Per Child program (OLPC) conducted by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the University of Colombo. Under this program, 1,250 laptop computers will be distributed to students in 13 schools. The context of text books from Grade One to Five and the curriculum has already been fed in to the computers. The laptop computers have been designed for rough use since it is used by children and it is powered by two power sources, as hydro power and solar power. In addition to the operating system in English, the children can operate the computer either in Sinhala or Tamil languages whichever they prefer. The computer comes with a sound system enabling students to play sound tracks. This facility helps the students to learn music, pronunciation of words, aesthetic subjects etc. High bright screen provides the maximum viewing opportunity to the user even in broad day light. “Since the laptop computer can be operated by solar power it will be a boon to underprivileged schools which haven’t electricity supply. The computer can be a tool which increase the ‘quality of education’ as the feed back of the computer is high” Education Ministry Secretary Nimal Bandara said.
School’s receiving laptops: These thirteen schools which were categorized as underprivileged schools have been selected to represent the whole country. The schools are Kalugahaela P.V. in Galewela education zone, Mawattegama P.V. in Thambuttegama zone, Van. Sri Vaithilingam P.V. in Jaffna zone, Ganangamuwa P.V. in Maho zone, Hegoda Sooriya P.V. in Ambalangoda zone, Seelarathana P.V. in Gampaha zone, Blackwood P.V. in Bandarawela zone, Deliwala Tissa P.V. in Mawanella zone, Tharul Hasanath P.V. in Akkaraipattu, Katawala K.V. And Saraswathie P.V. in Kurunegala zone, Kukulkatuwa P.V. in Anuradhapura zone, Waihena K.V. in Galle zone.
Irakkamam PS gets two Sinhala DS dvsns
Two G.S. divisions from the Damana Pradehiya Sabah have been annexed to the Irrakkamam Pradeshiya Sabah causing much concern among the Muslims of Irakkamam. There were 500 Sinhalese voters within the area of the Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabah at present and by annexing these two G.S divisions, 800 more Sinhalese voters would be taken in to it.
There is a possibility of a Sinhalese member elected to the Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabah at the next PS local election from this Sabah. The annexation is designed to create a Sinhala local body representative, the villagers stated.
Irakkamam Pradeshiya Sabah was created recently and the people of Irakkamam were happy that their long flet need was fulfilled. But the sudeen announcement of amalgamation of these two villages from Damana Pradeshiya has caused much concern and dissatisfaction among the Muslims of Irrakkamam.
According to them well designed Sinhalisation is taking place at a rapid pace in the Eastern Province from recent times and lands belonging to the Muslims and Tamils are forcibly acquired. An agenda of amalgamating G.S divisions of Sinhala Pradeshiya Sabah with the majority Muslims Pradeshiya Sabah has not only shocked the Muslims but also the Tamils who are happy over the elimination of terrorism.
PSM
A Six Star tourist hotel project
The Ministry of Tourism has agreed to develop the tourism and hotel sector with the support of foreign hotel companies. Initially, a Six Star Hotel Project is planned in the Kalpitiya area. 4000 acres had been acquired. Massive development is possible in this field when international firms venture into Sri Lanka. This is a luxury hotel chain engaged in up market tourism
According to the Ministry sources, Hilton is the only Hotel which is in operation with a foreign hotel company. Sri Lanka’s development and economic growth was severely affected due to terrorism. However, with the dawn of peace, a progmme has been undertaken to develop the country. Promoting the tourism sector is one such measure.
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama hosts Ifthar for the 3rd consecutive year
 Hosting the Ifthar (breaking fast) for the 3rd consecutive year, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama stated that he began the tradition of hosting Ifthar during the holy month of Ramadhan following his appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also stated that this tradition of celebrating important festivals and observances associated with the four major religions practised in Sri Lanka will continue.
This year, the Ifthar was held at the residence of Minister Bogollagama in Kotte on 8th September 2009, and commenced with the breaking of the fast at sunset followed by ‘magrib’ prayers after which the distinguished gathering were hosted to a sumptuous dinner reflecting the food preference of the Muslim community.
The invitees to this year’s Ifthar included the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministers, Parliamentarians, the Governor of the Western Province, Senior Officials of the Government of Sri Lanka, Heads of Missions from Muslim countries including Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Pakistan and Palestine, dignitaries and the officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Four suspects committing crimes posing as CID officers arrested
| By Pushpakumara Jayarathna
Four suspects who have robbed 1.2 million in cash, gold and killed two persons posing as officers of the CID were arrested by a special team of the Kurunagela police today. The suspects who are from Kurunagela, Wallawa, Gampaha and Kegalle were arrested in connection with the murder of an English teacher. The arrests were made after suspects from a parallel investigation into a murder of a resident of Maraluwawe named Sunil Premarathna who had come from abroad, were found to be connected to the murder on an English teacher in Kurunagela. It is reveled that the suspects had entered both premises identifying them selves as officers of the Criminal Investigations Department and carried out the crimes. Two laptops belonging to the slain teacher Harsha Lankagith have been also recovered from one of the suspects while the vehicles used to make the getaways have also been found when they were abandoned in two different areas. Senior Police Superintendent Cyril Perera stated that the motives of the two crimes are still under investigation and whether it was robbery or contract killings is unknown. The arrests today were made under the supervision of the Senior Police Superintendent, OIC of the Walewa Police and a team led by Inspector Palitha Dias. dailymirro |
Parliamentary Election Bill inconsistent with Constitution
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Parliamentary Elections amendment bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker W.J.M Lokubandara told Parliament today (8). He also s aid that a 2/3 majority is required in Parliament to pass the bill. This bill was challenged by political parties in the Supreme Court and the supreme court in terms of the constitution has communicated its decision to the Speaker.
Opposition parties United National Party (UNP), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and and ruling United People Freedom Alliance (UPFA) coalition party Lanka Sama Samaaja Party (LSSP) are few parties challenged the bill in the supreme court.
PSM
General Sarath Fonseka becomes Vice President of Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha
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A senior official of the UNP media unit told Lanka News Web that General Sarath Fonseka was unanimously appointed as the Vice President of the Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha yesterday (6).
Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is the President of the Kelani Rajamahavihara dayaka sabha. The ofifical further noted that many well known priests are trying to get General Fonseka into their respective daya sabhas and priests from one nikaya are looking at presenting the former Army Commander with an honorary doctorate. |
lankanewsweb
91 persons dead while in police custody
A total of 91 persons have died while in police custody between 2005-2009, Parliament was told today.
Of these the largest number of 32 had died this year, 29 in 2008, 20 in 2007 and 11 in 2006 and two in 2005, chief government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in reply to an oral question raised by JVP MPLakshman Nipunaarachchi.
The reasons given for the deaths included suicide and natural causes, addiction to the influence of dangerous drugs, in defensive action by police personnel when attacked by those in custody and from injuries caused to suspects who are apprehended by civilians and handed over to police.
When JVP MP Vijitha Herath asked how those in custody got drugs, the chief government whip said that even those in prison got drugs and this is a serious problem against which strict action is being taken
Dead body of woman found near culvert
Police in Madampe have found the dead body of a woman near a culvert at Thalgasduwa, Kakkapalliya. Her face had been disfigured beyond recognition, and the body had several bruises. Aged around 60 years, she had been wearing a rose-coloured saree and a blue-rose jacket.
Police believe she had either been killed or run over by a vehicle elsewhere and the body dumped at Thalgasduwa.
FCE does it again
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The Foundation for Co-existence (FCE) in its daily security report of 27th August, 2009 reported that the Muslims living in Upparu for generations and evicted by the LTTE more than 24 years ago do not possess deeds/permits for their lands, National Identity Cards/Army Identity Cards and/or Certificate of Displacement, which according to MIC – Sri Lanka is totally wrong. When MIC – Sri Lanka pointed out this error, the FCE made correction to it on its report of 28.8.2009. On an earlier occasion too, the MIC – Sri Lanka had pointed out the same type of mistake to the FCE in its report to say that National flags were not hoisted in Muslim areas of Kalmunai during the period government was rejoicing the victory over the LTTE and this was corrected later on with an apology to the MIC – Sri Lanka. The FCE is a very big organization working in Sri Lanka since 2002 with an intention of creating peace and co-existence among the different ethnic communities that are living here. MIC – Sri Lanka also an organisation working towards achieving this goal feels that this type of error on reporting will lead to misunderstandings that would create hatred among communities, detrimental to the vision and mission of FCE. (Source – MIC) |
Pakistani heroin gang busted Heroin couriers did 17 trips via BIA since Nov. 2008
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Two Pakistanis, recently arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) in Colombo on a charge of heroin smuggling had visited Colombo 17 times since November last year. They have come through the Bandaranaike International Airport without being detected though their frequent visits should have alerted authorities.
The two Pakistanis had arrived in Colombo for the first time on September 2, 2009.
Police spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediweka told The Island that the two suspects along with three Sri Lankans allegedly involved in the distribution of heroin had been held on a detection order pending further investigations. He said that the suspects had been taken into custody on Thursday (August 3) evening and Friday as a result of an investigation launched late last month.
Quoting SSP Eric Perera, the police spokesman said that investigators had recovered 271 grams and 100 mg from two Pakistanis and four of their distributors.
SSP Perera told The Island that they first received information regarding the Pakistani couriers following the arrest of two Sri Lankans on August 25 along with 937 grams of heroin. On information elicited from them, PNB investigators had swooped on two Sri Lankans last Thursday evening, he said. “They led us to the Pakistanis staying at a hotel in the Kollupitiya police area,” he said adding that since then three other Sri Lankans had been arrested in connection with the same investigation. He asserted that the suspects had no other reason to visit other than to smuggle in heroin.
Perera said that altogether seven persons had been arrested and heroin recovered from six of them, including the two Pakistanis concerned. Of them, five had been held on a detention order while one was remanded pending further investigations, he said. The PNB chief said that another person had been arrested for his involvement with the gang, though investigators had not recovered any heroin from his possession.
According to him, before the recent arrest of two foreigners, six other Pakistani, including three women and one Indian woman had been held on charges of smuggling heroin.
The Island
Colombo University confers President and Defence Secretary with “Honorary Degrees”
The University of Colombo conferred the titles on President and Defence Secretary in recognition of their services to the country in safeguarding its territorial integrity, sovereignty and defeating the LTTE by restoring peace and harmony among all Sri Lankan communities and uplifting the image of Sri Lanka within the international community, the Senate of the Colombo University stated.
The awarding ceremony took place with the Postgraduate Convocation of the University of Colombo held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) attended by distinguished guests and invitees.
LTTE involvement in attack on Lankan cricketers – Pakistan PM
Pakistan’s prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said there were indications the LTTE had been involved in the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore six months ago.
He told the media that investigators got indications to suggest the Tigers had financed the attack on a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers, Xinhua reported.
Mr. Gilani has said that he had discussed this possibility when he had talks with Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa in Libya last week.
He added that Pakistan would soon send a team to Colombo to share intelligence with Sri Lankan officials.
Six Sri Lankan cricketers were wounded, six policemen and two civilians killed in the attack.
colombotoday
Free Umrah visas to 100 Muslims
The Saudi Arabian government has issued free Umrah visas to one hundred Sri Lankan Muslims.
The Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said that at the request of Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia has issued free Umrah visas today.
These Muslim men and women are among more than thousand of Sri Lanka Muslims who are proceeding on Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca during Ramadan this year, it said.
“The giving free visas reflected the goodwill and confidence that the Saudi authorities have in the Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and also evinced the respect that he himself personally has had for the Sri Lankan Muslim community,” the Minister said.
The Saudi authorities had previously reduced the number of visas issued to prospective Umrah pilgrims from all over the world resulting in the reduction of number of visas available to Sri Lankans as well.
Pakistan naval ship in Colombo on goodwill visit
Pakistan Navy Ship ZULFIQUAR will pay a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka in next few days, according to the spokesperson of the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo. “This will provide an opportunity for close interaction between both friendly navies”.
Such visits to regional countries are a regular feature but have picked up momentum in the last few years owing to growing interdependence at state level in facing emerging challenges and to enhance security and defence of vital national interests., the spokesperson said.
Muslims protest ‘police killings’ :BBC SINHALA
They allege that several have been killed or have disappeared. The police say they’re engaged in a necessary clampdown on organised crime.
No sooner had Friday prayers ended at the Friday Mosque in the Muslim area of Maligawatta, than several dozen men and women marched off down the street, shouting anti-police slogans.
Their posters said “Ramadan Wet with Blood” and “Innocent to Sacrifice”.
‘All Muslims’
In the past few weeks the police have regularly announced the killing of men they describe as underworld figures, or those involved in crime, usually in encounters in the streets.
Almost all are Muslims.
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 There should be a law, courts of law. Actually it is the law of the jungle. So we want to show the government, the entire world, that there is no law in this country Human rights activist, MN Abubakar
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Some demonstrators said more than 16 have died in this way and that some of the victims were not criminals, but that even criminals should be treated with due legal process.
MN Abubakar, a local human rights activist argues that the police are violating the law in Sri Lanka.
“There should be a law, courts of law. Actually it is the law of the jungle. So we want show the government, the entire world, that there is no law in this country,” he said.
The government is unapologetic.
It says it wants to use the same resources it used against the now defeated Tamil Tigers, against the underworld – and that police have been killing criminals in self-defence when they’ve drawn guns.
The media are mostly supportive.
But one of the speakers at the Muslim protest, which was partially organised by leftist parties, said that if the current situation continued, Muslims in Colombo might take up weapons.
BBC SINHALA
8,000 Girls Ascend the Heavenly Mountain
Iron shield of china
8,000 Girls Ascend the Heavenly Mountain
The making of a new film in Beijing casts an interesting light on Mao’s early efforts to colonise Xinjiang:
The film’s title, 8,000 Girls Ascend the Heavenly Mountain, suggests that Chinese audiences will see a tale of joy when it is aired on television this autumn.
It dramatises the lives of thousands of girls aged 13 to 19 who went to China’s remote far west in the 1950s to follow soldiers sent to colonise the turbulent Muslim region.
In real life it was a trip to purgatory. As shooting for the film unfolds in Beijing under the watchful gaze of party censors, an astonishing story of mass deception, forced marriages and suicides has come to light.
Elderly women have come forward to tell how they were lured to China’s new frontier by false promises of training and education – only to find themselves locked in barracks and coerced into marrying soldiers.
Chinese journalists have also discovered that Chairman Mao Tse-tung approved the dispatch of 900 prostitutes from the brothels of Shanghai to undergo “thought reform” at the hands of the troops.
Thousands of war widows were also conscripted to go forth and multiply in the desert with new husbands from the People’s Liberation Army.
It casts new light on the leadership’s determination to occupy and populate the far west, known as Xinjiang, in the early 1950s. Ethnic conflict between Chinese and the Uighur Muslim population has flared ever since. [...]
It remains to be seen how Chinese censors will allow the film to treat its subject, given the unrest in Xinjiang and the emergence of these accounts.
We can be reasonably sure, I think, that it won’t turn out to be a shocking exposé of the brutality of Maoist China and its expansionist policies in the west.
mickhartley
Resettlement of Musli 400 evicted Vanni Muslim families to be resettled soon
Four hundred Muslim families will be resettled shortly in the village of Salampaikulam in Vavuniya, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A Chandrasiri said. The Governor said that the families are expected to be resettled by the end of the Ramazan Festival and that all efforts were in place to meet that deadline.
The Governor had made this assurance during a visit to meet the displaced persons in the village of Salampaikulam.
dailymirror
A Muslim youth abducted by an armed group who came in a white Van
 A Muslim youth (21yeras old) , Mohomed Mushafa who was returning home from the mosque has been abducted on 20th August at Panchikawatte by an armed group who arrived in a white Dolphin Van bearing registration No. 57-5603
Mushafa is a resident from Panchikawatte. Relatives of the abductees has lodged a complaint with the Maradana Police under entry No. 60/118 GCIB. They have also reported the matter to the human rights commission and the Red Cross Organization. |
Muslim deputy mayor for Jaffna after one year
The EPDP today signed an agreement with the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) to offer the deputy mayoral post of the Jaffna Municipal Council to a Muslim member after a lapse of one year. Both parties contested the election to the Jaffna Municipal Council under the betel leaf symbol of the UPFA.
The EPDP fielded 20 candidates and got nine of them elected to the council, and the ACMC secured its slots for all the four members put forward by it.
ACMC leader Minister Rizad Bathiudeen told Daily Mirror online that the deputy mayoral post would be offered to one of his members after one year in terms of the agreement signed with EPDP leader Minister Douglas Devananda.
Mosque attack suspects further remanded
A total of 131 suspects were further remanded by Kalutara Additional Magistrate Chandani Dias in connection with the Beruwala factional clash that took place last week. The suspects were produced by the Beruwela Police yesterday and they were remanded till September 9. The parties were represented by the Police and their respective lawyers in Court. The suspects were regularly produced in Court for identification and on each occasion only groups of four were produced.
