Adopting an antagonistic approach towards the West only further strengthened their resolve and the resolve of other regional powers to tighten the noose against us. It is critical that if we are to tread delicately and get the best of what the game of international politics has in store for us, that we are at our best behavior at home.
Via http://groundviews.org/…/charting-a-new-course-sri-lankan-…/
“When the Chinese naval submarine ‘Great Wall 329′ arrived at the Colombo Port, Mahinda Rajapaksa may have not dreamt that even his royal astrologer, Sumanadasa Abeygunawardene’s prediction may prove wrong about his victory. Also, having declared a presidential election and when he travelled to Lord Venkateswara Temple, India, Mahinda may not have felt that the correct Temple to worship was the Temple at South Block, New Delhi. Be that as it may, Mahinda’s destiny was not changed by Maithripala who had hoppers and left him, but by the Chinese submarine ‘Great Wall 329′.”
via: http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/37286
“The new Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena, has a chance to make some changes, but only if he can keep an uncertain coalition together. Resetting relations with Delhi and Washington will be an important part of this – and his country’s friends need to give him some space.”
via: http://southasiahand.com/regional/sri-lanka-after-the-election-upset-what-next/
On a Sunday four months ago, a vessel pulled unannounced into Sri Lanka’s Colombo harbor: the Chinese Navy submarine Great Wall No. 329, which is designed to carry torpedoes, a cruise missile and a 360-pound warhead.
via: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/new-president-in-sri-lanka-puts-china-s-plans-in-check-646675
“Neither of their manifestoes states anything about refugees living outside the country. My plight in the Trichy camp is no better than those at the Chettikulam camp in Lanka. How does it affect me if Mahinda or Sirisena wins?”
“Rajapaksa has made it clear in public rhetoric and propaganda that China is our best friend,” said Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, executive director of the Colombo-based Centre for Policy Alternatives. “There’s a perception that the Chinese are underpinning misgovernance and corruption in the regime.”
via: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2015-01-06/why-sri-lankas-election-matters-for-china
In less than a week, President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka will be facing the toughest political battle of his life as the country votes in the presidential elections on January 8. The Sinhala strongman, credited with ending a 30-year war against the separatist Tamil Tigers in 2009 was expected to have a cakewalk until one of his closest colleagues Maithripala Sirisena walked out of the ruling combine and mounted a credible challenge after the fragmented opposition rallied around him.
via: http://thediplomat.com/2015/01/china-india-and-the-sri-lanka-elections/
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is running for a third term in office, has roped in an Indian IT expert to help with his social media campaign for the January 8 elections, The Hindu has learnt.
India will now export two warships to Sri Lanka after delivering a warship to Mauritius for the first time, minister of state for defence production Rao Inderjit Singh said here on Saturday.
“As many as 87 Indian fishing vessels are in custody of Sri Lanka and the government has taken up the issue with the country’s authorities, Lok Sabha was informed today”
On October 20, hundreds of angry fishers from south Sri Lanka protested in front of the Fisheries Ministry in Colombo against a European Union (EU) ban on seafood exports from Sri Lanka and the government’s promotion of joint ventures with East Asian fishing companies. Over the years, there have been numerous protests by Northern fishers against poaching by Indian trawlers. These are a reflection of a larger crisis in Sri Lankan fisheries; the fishers face dispossession and fear the end of their way of life.
via: http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/no-country-for-small-fishers/article6561568.ece
“”In the case of the 157 Tamil asylum seekers, customs officials asked no questions about the asylum seekers’ safety in India or reasons for leaving Sri Lanka. They asked only “brief biographical details,” the court heard.
Ron Merkel QC, acting for the asylum seekers, told the court sending the Tamils back to India, where they had no right to be registered as refugees, no work rights, or access to health or education services, was a breach of international law. The asylum seekers also faced the risk of being sent back to Sri Lanka from India.””
The iconic Yal Devi Express from Colombo to Jaffna will resume its run on October 13, some 25 years after the link was suspended during the height of the Sri Lankan civil war.
Sri Lanka has rejected a call to allow Indian fishermen to fish in Lankan waters on a permit system for three years, days ahead of a meeting in Delhi to find an amicable solution to the contentious fishing issue.
“India will be far more supportive of Sri Lanka’s position at the United Nations Human Rights Council than ever before, former Union Cabinet Minister and the chairman of the BJP Committee for Strategic Action Subramanian Swamy said here on Monday.”
via: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/india-to-be-more-supportive-of-sri-lanka-at-un-swamy/article6234802.ece
