Chinese military delegation for demining

By Lal Gunesekera | The Island
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Expertise of the Chinese security forces has been sought to clear the Northern and Eastern Provinces of landmines and other explosives yet remaining from the war on terrorism which ended in May last year (2009).

A spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Development told The Island that a delegation of security forces from China, which also included the Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhang Ze visited Sri Lanka recently and were briefed on the situation by the local authorities.

He said that 2400 kilometres have yet to be demined of landmines and other explosives in the North and East, although similar devices have been demined in an area of 1500 square km as estimated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Among those who briefed the Chinese delegation were Nihal Somaweera of the Ministry of Economic Development and Monty Ranatunga, Director of the National Demining Unit. by Lal Gunesekera

Expertise of the Chinese security forces has been sought to clear the Northern and Eastern Provinces of landmines and other explosives yet remaining from the war on terrorism which ended in May last year (2009).

A spokesman for the Ministry of Economic Development told The Island that a delegation of security forces from China, which also included the Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhang Ze visited Sri Lanka recently and were briefed on the situation by the local authorities.

He said that 2400 kilometres have yet to be demined of landmines and other explosives in the North and East, although similar devices have been demined in an area of 1500 square km as estimated by the Sri Lankan authorities.

Among those who briefed the Chinese delegation were Nihal Somaweera of the Ministry of Economic Development and Monty Ranatunga, Director of the National Demining Unit.

© The Island

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Low intensity evil in Sri Lanka

By Kumsyoh | Groundviews
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How can evil ever be low intensity? It is similar to a low intensity cyclone. It appears to be a misnomer. However it does really exist. A depression given the right conditions which causes spinning and convergence in the atmosphere becomes a highly damaging cyclone. Wisely meteorological institutions track depressions before they become cyclones due to their harm potential. Should not we be aware as to low intensity evil?

The celebrated author Miroslav Volf refers to low intensity evil as a complete system, which prevents others, from obtaining economic, social or psychological necessities through domination. It is low intensity because it is not outright persecution. Sadly it has the ability to work subversively trapping a naïve populace into believing in its perverted logic. Saying it -simply watch out! There could be schemes being hatched, already hatched, in fact the chicks could be running about even now, they appear normal, but they are working towards making someone, some people dominant. The flip side is that some people will not be finding the economic, social or psychological necessities that life requires because a group suppressed it to make themselves strong. This article attempts to engage in a larger issue than the ethnic issue alone. It attempts to engage the way our society functions.

The logic to make someone or a group dominant at the cost of others is evil. Those who want to dominate make their viewpoints the most dominating viewpoints in public life. They make their viewpoint permeate every facet of society; it is beamed through different lenses and repeated intentionally so that it would influence the totality of the way people think. Then Historians pick up this dominating viewpoint and trumpet out loud how the past was glorious when the dominating viewpoint was in play, and how the past victimized us when some other viewpoint was dominant. Political scientists play the same tune in all forums like DJ’s play the ‘in song’ at all the parties. Cultural anthropologists make stoic arguments at to how the community is under threat if the dominant viewpoint is not dominant, or if any other viewpoint is allowed to compete. Artists extol the virtues of the dominant group, and what you get is a public trapped into perverted logic. Somebody or some group must go down for myself or my group to come up. Is it of little wonder that all these groups appear to find an easier path to the Sri Lanka parliament, simple by echoing the dominant viewpoint?

Think of the argument about national sovereignty that is in the air. Whose sovereignty does it deem to protect? Is there any chance for anyone to stand up and say, we are signatories to the conventions that espouse Human rights and Humanitarian Law, and if there has been a breach there has to be an investigation? If not what does sovereignty mean? Is the sovereignty of the people different to the sovereignty of the state?

The problem with low intensity evil is that it cannot be always managed. With sustained dissent or the convergence of suppressed anger and we can experience violent repercussions, leaving us to wonder what went wrong.

Sri Lankan has been down this path before. Should we travel on it again?

© Groundviews

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Siyatha attacked: Owners say they won’t be cowed

By Norman Palihawadana | The Island
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Co-owner of Siyatha media organization popular actress Sangeetha Weeraratne commenting on yesterday’s predawn attack on her studios at Hunupitiya said that she could not be put down by such cowardly acts of violence.

The first floor of the three storeyed building where the Siyatha TV studio is located was badly damaged in the attack but the Siyatha Radio Station on an upper floor suffered minor damages.

According to the security personnel on duty at that time, six armed men came in two cars and launched the attack on the studios around 1.30 am. They had lobbed petrol bombs triggering a fire that engulfed part of the building. The Fire Brigade managed to bring the fire under control by dawn.

Three security guards were injured in the fire and two of them are receiving treatment at the National Hospital for burn injuries while one who had received minor injuries was discharged.

Co-owner Roshan Kariyapperuma, husband of film actress Sangeetha Weeraratne, said that it was a great loss for them. Million worth camera equipment had been destroyed in the fire along with other valuable equipment. He said though the exact damage had not been yet estimated, it could run into millions of rupees. "However, we cannot be stopped by these cowardly acts. We will forge ahead", he told The Island.

He said neither the building nor the studio nor the equipment had been insured.

Media spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody said that several police teams had been deployed to investigate the incident and the Government Analyst’s assistance sought.

Commenting on yesterday’s incident at the Siyatha media organization, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya while recalling the attacks on Sirasa called upon the government to hold a thorough investigation into yesterday’s incident and bring the perpetrators to book.

Rehabilitation and Prisons Minister D. E. W. Gunasekera condemned the attack and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted.

The Siyatha Radio was on the air at the time this edition went to press.

© The Island

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