Movement for a just and righteous society in Sri Lanka

Original post: Ven. Sobitha — a Buddhist puts his finger on Lanka’s ‘civilisational crisis’

Most Venerable Maduluwave Sobitha Thera has set up an organization called “Peoples’ movement towards a just and righteous society” to ‘bring democracy back to Sri Lanka.’ Ven. Sobitha Thera says that in order to sustain democracy in the country it is essential that a peoples’ movement, geared towards the creation of a just and righteous society, is brought to power.

In an interview with LAKBIMAnEWS, the thera said: “If a country is governed according to democratic norms and principles then such governance should be evident to everyone.”

Excerpts of the interview:
But it is not so anymore. The first is the independence of the judiciary. It is now clear to the country that there is no more independence within the judiciary. It has become way too politicized. The public is aware how some people withdraw court cases they have filed at the eleventh hour, just when a case is about to be called. In fact cases are withdrawn by the Attorney General (AG). In some instances, when an appeal is lost, such cases are withdrawn. So where is the democracy in such a situation, you tell me? Everyone in this country has to abide by the law. There has to be a mechanism whereby the independence of the judiciary is protected at all times. Some of the Supreme Court judges, once they retire are showered with top posts along with excellent perks. They know that when they retire they are going to be well looked after. Such expectations and hopes should not be given to SC judges. They should lead quiet lives once they retire.

Police force politicized
Secondly, the police force has to be entrusted with the task of maintaining law and order devoid of political influence.

Today the police force has become politicized so much so that there is no independence for the police force in the country to carry out their job.

The best example is the underworld leader, Julampitiye Amare, who despite over 100 warrants against him, could not be apprehended by the police. He moved openly while brandishing firearms. Under whose authority did he do this, or how could he do this?

It is clear to the public as to who is shielding whom. The police later said that Amare had only five warrants. In that case, wasn’t that number of warrants sufficient to arrest him? The unfortunate incident at Katuwana occurred due to Amare being allowed by the government and the police to roam freely. There are scores of other instances that could be cited to justify claims that  the Police Department has become politicized, from the very top to the lowest ranks.

Using clout to flout rules
Third, there is no use in conducting elections under the present system of elections. Conducting polls sans an independent election commission leads to blatant violations of all election rules when polls are conducted. No election rules can be enforced without the establishment of an independent election commission.

It is the incumbent government that is using its clout to flout all such rules. This has been true in the past, it is true at present and it will be the case in the future as well unless the situation is transformed,” said Sobitha Thera.

Independent commissions

The thera (see main story) also said that even the LLRC recommendations have highlighted the setting up of independent judicial, police, election and state service commissions, and bemoaned the fact that the government has done nothing proactive to address these issues.

He maintained that if independent commissions are set up they will also go a long way towards establishing democracy in the country and will pave the way for a lasting solution to the national issue as well.

“The Executive President could overrule any laws or acts adopted by parliament. Such is the authority and power vested in him. Even in the Mahinda Chinthana it has been clearly stated that the Executive Presidency will be abolished. This was even stated by former President Chandrika Kumaratunga,” Sobitha Thera observed.

The Chief Incumbent of the Kotte Sri Naga Vihara said that the onus is on the government to set up and activate the independent commissions if they are sincere or genuine in their efforts to establish democratic norms and principles in the country.
He also emphasized that the government had invited the wrath of the international lobby vis-a-vis the Geneva resolution that was passed early this year due to it not being sincere in its efforts to traverse the path of democracy.

“Clearly the government has failed in allowing the people to live in peace and sans any fear. There were scores of incidents that took place in the past where people were allegedly abducted by white vans, etc. Now this too is a form of terrorism that is being unleashed in the country and the government is not determined to eradicate it though they wiped out Prabakaran’s terrorism. What we are requesting from the government is to look into these issues seriously. This was the same message given to the government by both the UNHRC in Geneva and the LLRC report, (LLRC is Lessons Learned Reconciliation Commission)” the thera averred.

Ven. Sobitha Thera said that it is time for all Sri Lankans to put aside their differences, whatever they may be and force the government of the day to adhere to democratic principles and maintain democracy in governance.

He also urged ministers and MPs to raise a voice from within the government circles towards this end.
“This request carries no party, race, caste, creed or affiliation. It is the crying need of the hour of all Sri Lankans. Justice is our religion. Equality is our religion. Independence is our religion and freedom is our religion. It is about time that the people take to the streets to achieve all of these,” he affirmed.

Maduluwave Sobitha Thera insisted that he is not interested in setting up a joint opposition.
“This should not be construed as the setting up of a joint opposition. That is entirely different from what we are planning right now. We do not have political undertones or connections. We encompass all citizens in this country without discriminating anyone under any circumstance. All are welcome - irrespective of who they are,” he asserted.

Related Posts:

1.  UNIVERSAL DECLARATION ON DEMOCRACY
2. LLRC-REPORT (pdf file 407 pages)
3. Darusman Report (UN Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka War Accountability) pdf 243 pages, 31 March 2011
4. What is UN panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka 
5. Critic on LLRC: Statement on the Report of Sri Lanka's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission
6. Recommendations of LLRC report implemented - Dr. Kohona
7.  TNA rejects LLRC report as failing to meet international standards of accountability and right of victims to truth, justice and reparations
8. Democracy and Human Rights: UN
9. Human Rights

EXPOSED: Sinhalese Tamil Tigers: Ice Manju

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The Nation / Sunday July 08th, 2007
Ice Manju wanted!

Andrahennedige Chaminda Roshan alias Ice Manju is a Sinhalese, fair in complexion and standing at 5’ 7”. Thirty-year-old Ice Manju has been a wanted man since October 29, 2005. Ice Manju is believed to have shot dead, at point blank range, Staff Officer of the Military Intelligence Corps, Colonel Tuan Rizli Meedin at Kiribathgoda.



Thirty-year-old Ice Manju has been a wanted man since October 29, 2005. Ice Manju is believed to have shot dead, at point blank range, Staff Officer of the Military Intelligence Corps, Colonel Tuan Rizli Meedin at Kiribathgoda.

He was spotted the very next day at Kantale and later on, on the Seruwila Road. Since then, Ice Manju has disappeared into LTTE-controlled Sampur, where LTTE Trincomalee Military Wing Leader Soosaipillai Joseph Anthonydas alias “Col.” Sornam, was operating from.

“Col.” Sornam was a prize catch and Col. Meedin and many others in the intelligence business were keen on getting him. The LTTE, in turn, was trying to eliminate Meedin and many other intelligence officers. In short, the Colonel and the self-styled Colonel were trying to get at each other but were using the same contact –Ice Manju, a Sinhalese.

He was playing the role of a double agent. After Meedin was killed by Ice Manju, as if to take sweet revenge, Sornam’s brother was eliminated the following year. Ever since, Sornam’s troubles have multiplied.

Ice Manju was promoted by the LTTE to the rank of “Major” and has been provided with a luxury vehicle and two body guards in the Wanni from where he operates after Sampur changed hands from the Tigers to the army on September 4, 2006.

Last year, he was located at Kurunegala by spies working for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Speculation was rife this week that it was Ice Manju who was arrested while seeking medical treatment at a hospital in Kandy. But, whether this was the most wanted Ice Manju is in doubt. The suspect has been handed over to the CID and possibly the Special Branch there. Sleuths would use the latest technology and a DNA test was likely to be done to establish the identity of the suspect in custody.

Sleuths are also alive to reports that plastic surgery had been performed on at least one other person to create a look alike.

The authorities suspect the latest arrest could be a case of mistaken identity and the chances are that the mother would be traced in Dambulla in a bid to establish whether the suspect in custody is actually her son.

Who is Ice Manju?

Andrahennedige Chaminda Roshan alias Ice Manju is a Sinhalese, fair in complexion and standing at 5’ 7”. He earned the name Ice Manju from his ancestral parents at Gandara who had an Ice plant or factory (mola) deep down South.

There were many Sinhalese including the Galappathys from Gandara and other places in the South who migrated to Trincomalee where a thriving fish business was underway. Ice Manju is one of them. After his father divorced his mother, the latter who got re-married had settled in Dambulla.

Selin Kumar, another Sinhalese who had a thriving fish business had made Ice Manju his Manager. Around 2002-2003, during the UNF peace process, Ice Manju was taken to custody on alleged trumped up charges and he is learnt to have been sent to Boosa.

But, police insist that Ice Manju was an underworld gangster who was involved in criminal work. The Ice Manju who was later released became a changed man and wanted to take revenge on the Sinhalese. He was fluent in Tamil and was an ideal candidate for the LTTE which tapped him. He proved to be an asset in the hands of the LTTE.

During times of peace, Velupillai Prabhakaran, the LTTE chief has a carved out plan of action that runs parallel to the process of peace. Often, this plan of action is ignored by many hoping to achieve the higher goal of peace.

The LTTE wanted to eliminate Tamil paramilitaries as much as possible. The Cease-fire Agreement had a clause to have Tamil paramilitaries disarmed within 30 days making them sitting ducks as we have seen. The State was getting its act together regarding intelligence gathering and the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) had successfully undertaken missions previously. Hence the LTTE insisted on a clause in the CFA to stop all “activities by deep penetration units.”

But, Intelligence Officers and agents were singled out and eliminated very much during the peace process and in most cases the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission failed to rule on these killings, claiming that they did not fall within the SLMM ambit. In the case of Col. Meedin, the SLMM did rule the act a violation by the LTTE.

After, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the President with the help of the LTTE, which ensured a polls boycott of Tamils from uncleared areas, war was imminent and hence the LTTE went for the top officers of the army. The modus operandi was changed to prevent suspicion. Hence, Sinhalese civilians and military officers were tapped to do the job.

One such officer is Major Piyasiri Perera who was sentenced to death by court martial for passing on information about senior officers’ movements to the LTTE.

Meanwhile, Major Manamendra Dassanayake allegedly aided and abetted in the assassination of the Army’s No. 3, Major General Parami Kulatunga, promoted posthumously Lieutenant General. Dassanayake along with Ice Manju is learnt to have aided and abetted in eliminating Intelligence Officer Major Tuan Muthaliph who was posthumously promoted Lieutenant Colonel.

Ice Manju, a Sinhalese, with wide influence was tapped to liquidate Lt. Col. Meedin who was promoted posthumously a full Colonel.

In what appears to be a pre-meditated murder, Ice Manju silenced his victim, not after a heated argument following the consumption of alcohol, but in the course of friendly advice given by Meedin to his would-be assassin to flee the place.

Seated in the rear seat of Meedin’s car, driven by the army officer, Ice Manju said he was in serious debt and he hadn’t the money to flee to another country. Having said that, Manju pulled the trigger of his 7.62 Micro Pistol and shot his associate on Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. Meedin was taken to the National General Hospital in an unconscious state by his brother Brigadier Tuan Fardyle Meedin several hours after the shooting. He died there on Sunday morning at 1:30 a.m.

Ice Manju shot Meedin in the presence of a mutual friend Chamley who was in the front seat of his official car bearing number 19-5823. Ice Manju obviously got to know Meedin through Chamley who operated a fish business from St. John’s market. Chamley’s two brothers, Kapila and Ranga, were based in Trincomalee where they supported the business. All three brothers are now in custody.

Ice Manju who had visited Chamley’s house before he made his way to Meedin’s place had allegedly hid the micro pistol in a pedestal fan.

He was on contract by the LTTE’s Colonel Sornam to kill Meedin two months after an LTTE big shot and his three body guards were killed in Nilaweli, Trincomalee.

Meedin had been warned by his superiors to be mindful of those whom he associated with. But, the nature of his work- intelligence gathering- necessitated that he moved with people of all strata. On that fateful day, Meedin was expecting for dinner a former PLOTE cadre, his wife and three children who were leaving for an undisclosed overseas destination.

In the interim, Chamley came over with Ice Manju to meet Meedin at his residence in the Kiribathgoda Housing Scheme. After an hour’s discussion, the three left Meedin’s place in his car ostensibly to get a bite.

The conversation which centred on LTTE’s Trincomalee Wing Leader Col. Sornam was obviously quite interesting that every time Meedin’s wife called her husband, he had requested her to ask the guests to wait. Finally, Meedin had told them to have dinner and they had to leave as it was getting late.

It was only two hours after the killing that Chamley who knew Meedin’s wife, informed her of the killing using his own mobile. This prevented the injured officer from being rushed for medical treatment. It also gave the assassin enough time to escape the scene of the crime. The police have obtained the vehicle in which Ice Manju used to flee the scene of the crime.

He was spotted in Trincomalee and Kurunegala but has managed to escape arrest. There is grave doubt that the suspect arrested is actually Ice Manju, and it is a matter of time before the sleuths make a determination.

After all the investigations are completed, the Attorney General would have to take a decision based on evidence on whom to indict. Chamley was arrested two days after the incident in Kadawatha, and has been in custody since. Whether he can be used as a crown witness may also have to be considered.
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