'We will not allow anyone to harm India's security': Sri Lankan Foreign Minister

 

Eyeing China, Sri Lanka Says 

"Won't Allow Anyone To Harm 

India's Security"

The Minister also addressed India's concerns regarding the visits of Chinese research vessels to the island nation, saying that they would like to work with other countries in a transparent manner but not at the cost of others.

  World NewsAsian News International  May 21, 2024

 NDTV

Colombo: 

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry affirmed his country's commitment to safeguarding India's national security interests on Monday, stating that Colombo, as a responsible neighbour, will not allow anyone to harm India's security.

The Minister also addressed India's concerns regarding the visits of Chinese research vessels to the island nation, saying that they would like to work with other countries in a transparent manner but not at the cost of others.

"We have very clearly stated that we would like to work with all countries, but any reasonable concerns regarding Indian security will be taken into note, and we will not allow anyone to harm that. Subject to that, of course, in a very transparent manner, we would like to work with all countries," the Minister said in an interview with ANI.

"I just got to know that recently China has become India's biggest trading partner. So similarly, like you work with that. We would also like to work with everyone, but that should not come at anyone else, third parties cost. So therefore, let me reiterate, as a responsible neighbour and a civilizational partner we will not undertake anything that would harm the legitimate security concerns of India," he added.

When asked about the ongoing elections in India, the Minister said that the exercise is a celebration of democracy and asserted that Sri Lanka would work with India irrespective of its election outcome.

"It's a celebration of democracy, the largest democracy in the world. Indian people are educated. Indian people will know what is good for them. I think when it comes to elections, it is domestic matter. It is the public who must decide and others only should watch. We see this celebration is taking place of a democracy. We want a peaceful conclusion of this and we will work with any outcome with the indian public decide," he said.

Last year, India had expressed its security concerns over the docking of the vessel at the Sri Lankan port as it was shown as a research vessel with the capability of mapping the ocean bed, which is critical to anti-submarine operations of the Chinese Navy. The Chinese research ship had docked at Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar while commenting on Chinese spy vessel Yuan Wang-5 which had docked in Sri Lanka, said that any developments that have a bearing on India's security are "obviously of an interest to us"⍐.

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com"What happens in our neighbourhood, any developments which have a bearing on our security, obviously are of an interest to us," Jaishankar said at a joint press conference after the 9th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting⍐.

7 மலையக மாவட்டங்களுக்கு மண்சரிவு அபாய எச்சரிக்கை!

9 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு மண்சரிவு அபாய எச்சரிக்கை!

20 MAY, 2024 VK

கடும் மழை காரணமாக 9 மாவட்டங்களுக்கு தேசிய கட்டிட ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம் மண்சரிவு அபாய எச்சரிக்கை விடுத்துள்ளது.

பதுளை, கொழும்பு, காலி, கம்பஹா, களுத்துறை, கண்டி, கேகாலை, குருநாகல் மற்றும் இரத்தினபுரி ஆகிய மாவட்டங்களுக்கே இந்த மண்சரிவு அபாய எச்சரிக்கை விடுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது . 

இந்த எச்சரிக்கை நாளை (21) நண்பகல் 12.00 மணி வரை அமுலில் இருக்கும் என தேசிய கட்டிட ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது. 

கொழும்பு மாவட்டத்தின் சீதாவக்க மற்றும் களுத்துறை மாவட்டத்தின் மத்துகம பிரதேச செயலகத்துக்கு உட்பட்ட பகுதிகளில் மண்சரிவு எச்சரிக்கை அறிவிப்புகள் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.

இந்த மாவட்டங்களில் மழை தொடர்ந்து பெய்தால் மண்சரிவு ஏற்படும்  எனத் தேசிய கட்டிட ஆராய்ச்சி நிறுவனம் வெளியிட்டுள்ள அறிவிப்பில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. 

Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president, dies in helicopter crash

Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president, dies in helicopter crash aged 63

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has died after a helicopter carrying him and other officials crashed in a mountainous and forested area of the country in poor weather.

The 63-year-old, a figure representing conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics, was president for nearly three years and appeared on track to run for re-election next year.

A former chief justice, Raisi was touted as a potential successor to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 85-year-old supreme leader of Iran.

Raisi was born in Mashhad in northeastern Iran, a religious hub for Shia Muslims. He underwent religious education and was trained at the seminary in Qom, studying under prominent scholars, including Khamenei.

Also like the supreme leader, he wore a black turban, which signified that he was a sayyid – a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, a status with particular significance among Twelver Shia Muslims.

Raisi racked up experience as a prosecutor in multiple jurisdictions before coming to Tehran in 1985. It was in the capital city that, according to human rights organisations, he was part of a committee of judges who oversaw executions of political prisoners.

The late president was a longtime member of the Assembly of Experts, the body that is tasked with choosing a replacement for the supreme leader in the event of his death.

He became attorney general in 2014 for two years, when he was appointed by Khamenei to lead the Astan Quds Razavi. The colossal bonyad, or charitable trust, has billions of dollars in assets and is the custodian of the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia imam.

Raisi initially ran for president in 2017, unsuccessfully challenging the re-election of former President Hassan Rouhani, who represented the centrist and moderate camps.

Assange Can Appeal Extradition to U.S

Assange Can Appeal Extradition to U.S., British Court Rules

The WikiLeaks founder won his bid to appeal his extradition to the United States on espionage charges, opening a new chapter in a prolonged legal battle.

By Megan Specia Reporting from London May 20, 2024 NYT

A London court ruled on Monday that Julian Assange, the embattled WikiLeaks founder, could appeal his extradition to the United States, a move that opens a new chapter in his prolonged fight against being sent to America to face trial on espionage charges.

Two High Court judges said they would allow a full appeal to be heard and gave Mr. Assange’s lawyers until Friday to submit a full case outline to the court.

Mr. Assange, 52, has been held in Belmarsh, one of Britain’s highest-security prisons, in southeast London since 2019 as his fight against the extradition order has proceeded through the courts.

Julian Assange granted leave to appeal against extradition to US

                                                           

Julian Assange US extradition news: UK High Court holds key hearing

• The United Kingdom’s High Court is due to hold a crucial hearing in imprisoned WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s long-running legal battle to avoid extradition to the United States.

• The London hearing is expected to determine whether the 52-year-old will have additional opportunities to argue his case in UK courts or if he will have exhausted all legal avenues in the country for appeal. The latter could result in his extradition or a likely application to the European Court of Human Rights.

• The court in March asked the US government to provide assurances that Assange would be given a fair trial and not face the death penalty if extradited to face charges over the release of confidential military and diplomatic files by WikiLeaks in 2010.

• The Australian citizen faces 18 charges in the US, all under the 1917 Espionage Act except one. His supporters maintain the prosecution is an attempt to punish him because he helped expose wrongdoing by US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Julian Assange's wife delivers statement ahead of appeal hearing

                                                                           VIDEO

Julian Assange granted leave to appeal against extradition to US

• Julian Assange has been granted leave to appeal his extradition from Britain to the United States, after London’s High Court ruled he could be prejudiced there because he is Australian.

  The decision, made at a hearing on Monday, means he will remain at Belmarsh Prison pending a hearing at a later date.

  

  People attend a protest outside the High Court on the day of an extradition hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, in London, Britain, May 20, 2024. REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
  
  

  Mr Assange is facing extradition to the US, where he has been charged with 18 criminal offences, including obtaining, receiving and disclosing classified information.

  The justices granted him leave to appeal on two grounds — including that he could be prejudiced because of his nationality — but denied a third.

  At Monday's hearing, Mr Assange's lawyers told the court their client would be "discriminated against" in the US judicial system because he was Australian.

  
  

  

  
  

  Mr Assange, 52, was asking the High Court of England and Wales for permission to appeal against a decision that would see him handed to American authorities.

  Mr Assange is running out of legal options in the UK. In fact, if his permission to appeal was not granted, authorities could legally have hauled him out of Belmarsh Prison and on to a plane immediately, although that was unlikely.

  

  Monday's hearing lasted just over two hours. Early arguments were centred around how Mr Assange would be treated if he was extradited.

  Mr Assange did not attend the hearing, with his lawyers saying he was too unwell.

  After a hearing in February, two British justices hearing the case had asked for several assurances from the US legal team if they did clear him to be sent to America, including: 

  • 1) That Mr Assange would be permitted to rely on the US constitution's first amendment (which protects free speech)
  • 2) That Mr Assange would not be prejudiced at trial or sentence because of his nationality
  • 3)That death penalty would not imposed should Mr Assange be convicted

  Several weeks later, the US provided them, although they came with one catch.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  In a diplomatic note sent from the US embassy in London, it said while Mr Assange would be able to "seek to rely" upon the US constitution's provisions for free speech, "a decision as to the applicability of the first amendment is exclusively within the purview of the US courts".

  
  
  

  

  
  

  On Monday, Mr Assange's barrister, Edward Fitzgerald KC, told the court in London that the US's assurance his client "could seek to rely" on the first amendment was "blatantly inadequate".

  "Prejudice will occur at trial by reason of the applicant's Australian nationality," he said.

  
  

  

  
  

  He also pointed out it would be impossible for the UK court to bind its American counterpart with a ruling.

  "The US constitution is supreme," he said.

  Acting for the United States, barrister James Lewis KC told the court the US' diplomatic note explicitly said Mr Assange would not be prejudiced in the country's legal system because of his nationality.

  

  
  

  "We do rely heavily on the first line of that assurance," he said.

  "In our opinion it does make it clear he will not be discriminated against because of his nationality."

  The charges relate to material published on Mr Assange's WikiLeaks website in 2010.

  
  

  

  
  

  That information — given to him by soldier-turned-whistleblower Chelsea Manning — detailed evidence of, among other things, war crimes committed by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

  Mr Assange was living in the United Kingdom at the time of the publication, and this hearing represents his final legal avenue in that jurisdiction to avoid extradition.

  Mr Assange's legal team has previously said it will attempt to challenge the extradition in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), if it runs out of legal options in the UK.

  A date for the appeal has not yet been set.⍐

Russia-China: Two countries' coordination 'propelling establishment of a fair multipolar world order'

 

Putin says China clearly understands roots of Ukraine crisis

Two countries' coordination 'propelling establishment of a fair multipolar world order'

By Yang Sheng Global Times May 15, 2024 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said before his trip to China that Russia is open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including Russia's, and he expressed positive views on China's position on the Ukraine crisis.

Chinese analysts said on Wednesday that China will maintain communication with and mediation among all parties involved, and now the key problem is that some other parties have shut down the door for negotiations and insist on a military solution.

On the eve of his two-day state visit to China, which starts on Thursday, Putin stated in a written interview with the Xinhua News Agency that Russia and China are promoting the prosperity of both nations through expanded equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic and cultural fields.

In the interview, Putin emphasized that the coordination of foreign policies between the two countries is propelling the establishment of a fair multipolar world order, which underpins the future success of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

On the Ukraine crisis, Putin said China clearly understands the roots of the Ukraine crisis and its global geopolitical impact, as reflected in "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," a 12-point proposition issued by China in February 2023. The concepts and suggestions indicated in the document demonstrate the sincere desire of China to stabilize the situation, he added.

Putin emphasized that the four principles for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis recently proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping seamlessly fit in the above-mentioned document.

The Russian president said "The steps build on the idea that we need to forego the 'Cold War mentality' and ensure indivisible security and respect for international law and the UN Charter in their entirety and interrelation."

"We have never refused to negotiate," Putin said. "We are seeking a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of this conflict through peaceful means. We are open to a dialogue on Ukraine, but such negotiations must take into account the interests of all countries involved in the conflict, including ours."

Zhang Hanhui, Chinese ambassador to Russia, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview recently that "Unfortunately, there is still no sign of a cease-fire in the current Ukraine crisis, and the conflict is still escalating and expanding. The parties involved are not willing to budge on their positions, with significant differences in understanding. Some external forces are still adding fuel to the fire and fanning the flames." 

"History has proven that the end point of any conflict is the negotiating table. China supports the timely convening of an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace proposals. China is willing to continue to play its unique role and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to promote a political solution to the Ukraine crisis," said the Chinese ambassador.

CNN reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a surprise trip to Kiev on Tuesday, meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian forces made significant gains in eastern Ukraine. Blinken's visit was the first by a Biden administration official since the long-delayed passage of US supplemental funding to the war-torn country.

In their meeting, Zelensky urged Blinken to provide more military support to the Ukrainian military, including additional air defense support. Russia is pushing ahead with its new advance into northeastern Ukraine after making several major advances there over the past week - Moscow's most significant gains since Kiev's forces recaptured Kharkiv in late summer 2022, CNN reported.

Zhang said "The China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has never targeted any third party, nor does it tolerate any third-party interference or coercion. China is not the creator or a party to the Ukraine crisis." 

"We will never accept baseless accusations or threats of sanctions against China and Russia by certain countries using the Ukraine crisis as an excuse to interfere in exchanges and cooperation. We will firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of our enterprises. At the same time, we advise relevant countries to stop blaming China and make real efforts to politically resolve the Ukraine crisis," said the Chinese ambassador.

Putin said in the interview with Xinhua that "Our countries [China and Russia] have similar or coinciding positions on key issues on the international agenda. We advocate for the primacy of international law, equal, indivisible, comprehensive and sustainable security at both the global and regional level with the UN's central coordinating role." 

The Russian president said "We also reject Western attempts to impose an order based on lies and hypocrisy, on some mythical rules of no one knows whose making."

Yang Jin, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China, Russia, as well as the vast majority of the Global South all oppose unipolar world order with hegemonic dominance, unilateralism, protectionism and the double-standards and hypocrisy displayed by some Western countries, especially the US.⍐

Xi lauds China-Russia ties as Putin lands in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, China May 16, 2024, in this still image taken from live broadcast video. Kremlin.ru/Handout via REUTERS

 Xi lauds China-Russia ties as Putin lands in Beijing

By Bernard Orr and Guy Faulconbridge BEIJING/MOSCOW, May 16 2024 (Reuters)

 Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to work with counterpart Vladimir Putin to "rejuvenate" their countries as the pair started a day of talks in Beijing, saying China would "always be a good partner" of Russia, according to Chinese state media.

Putin arrived earlier on Thursday for a two-day state visit that will include detailed talks on Ukraine, Asia, energy and trade with Xi, his most powerful political backer and fellow geopolitical rival of the United States.

"The China-Russia relationship today is hard-earned, and the two sides need to cherish and nurture it," Xi told Putin as they met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing for their opening session.

"China is willing to...jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world."

China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing just days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine, triggering the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two.

By picking China for his first foreign trip since being sworn in for a six-year term that will keep him in power until at least 2030, Putin is sending a message to the world about his priorities and the strength of his personal ties with Xi.

As they met, Putin told Xi that their co-operation was a stabilising factor.

"It is of crucial significance that relations between Russia and China are not opportunistic and are not directed against anyone," Russia's RIA Novosti news agency cited Putin as saying.

In an earlier interview with China's Xinhua news agency before his departure, Putin praised Xi for helping to build a "strategic partnership" with Russia based on national interests and deep mutual trust.

"It was the unprecedentedly high level of the strategic partnership between our countries that determined my choice of China as the first state that I would visit after taking office as president," Putin said.

"We will try to establish closer co-operation in the fields of industry and high technology, space and peaceful nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, renewable energy sources and other innovative sectors."

Informal chats between the leaders and senior officials of both sides to be held over tea and dinner later on Thursday are expected to be key to the two-day trip.

Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said those talks would range over Ukraine, Asia, energy and trade.

Putin's newly appointed defence minister, Andrei Belousov, as well as Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Ushakov will also attend, along with Russia's most powerful CEOs.

It was not immediately clear if Gazprom (GAZP.MM), opens new tab CEO Alexei Miller would go to China as he was on a working visit to Iran on Wednesday.

CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS OF TIES

Putin, 71, and Xi, 70, will participate in a gala celebration of 75 years since the Soviet Union recognised the People's Republic of China, which Mao Zedong declared in 1949.

Xinhua confirmed Putin's arrival for a state visit and the expected talks with Xi, while dozens of large Russian and Chinese flags fluttered around Tiananmen Square amid police patrols.

Some commentaries have hailed the pair's "great power diplomacy".

The event is the top trending item on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, with 1.4 million search requests.

The United States casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat while U.S. President Joe Biden says this century will be defined by an existential contest between democracies and autocracies.

Putin and Xi share a broad world view, which casts the West as decadent and declining, just as China challenges U.S. supremacy in everything from quantum computing and synthetic biology to espionage and hard military power.

Putin will also visit the northeastern city of Harbin, which has historic ties to Russia. A mall devoted to Russian-made goods from about 80 Russian manufacturers opened on Thursday, the China Daily said.

China has strengthened trade and military ties with Russia in recent years as the United States and its allies imposed sanctions on both countries, particularly Moscow, for its invasion of Ukraine.

Western governments say China has played a crucial role in helping Russia withstand the sanctions and has supplied key technology that Russia has used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

But China, once Moscow's junior partner in the global Communist hierarchy, is by far the most powerful of Russia's friends globally.

Putin's arrival follows a mission to Beijing late last month by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in part to warn China's top diplomat Wang Yi against deepening military support for Russia.⍐

2024-முள்ளிவாய்க்கால் முழக்கங்கள்

 

2024 மே நாளில் சூளுரைப்போம்!

 

2024 மே நாள் வாழ்க!

உலக உழைக்கும் மக்கள், மாதர், தொழிலாளர் விவசாயிகள், ஒடுக்கப்படும் தேசங்களின் ஒப்பற்ற புரட்சிகர மே தினம் நீடூழி வாழ்க!!

இன்றைய சகாப்தத்தின் மாபெரும் புரட்சிகர வர்க்கமான பாட்டாளிவர்க்கம், என்றும் போல இன்றும் மனித குலத்தின் விடுதலைக்கான தலையான தீர்மானங்களை இயற்றும் நாள் இன்றாகும். எனினும் 2024 மே நாள் பல காரணங்களால் தனி விசேட முக்கியத்தும் பெற்று நிற்கின்றது.

இக்காரணிகள் சர்வதேச பிராந்திய உள்நாட்டு நிலைமகளில் செல்வாக்குச் செலுத்தி, அவற்றின் வர்க்கப் (அரசியல்) போராட்டத்தின் போக்கையும் பொதுத் திசை வழியையும் தீர்மானிக்கின்றன.

சூடான் யுத்தம், ரசிய-உக்ரைன் யுத்தம், பாலஸ்தீன படுகொலை யுத்தம், எண்ணற்ற எல்லைத் தகராறுகள், வணிகப் போர்கள், தேசிய ஒடுக்குமுறைகள்-உள் நாட்டு யுத்தங்கள், அந்நியத் தலையீடுகள்-ஆட்சிக்கவிழ்ப்புகள், தலைமை மற்றும்  தனி நபர் அழித்தொழிப்புகள், கறுப்புப் பட்டி கருங்காலிகளின் ஏவல் போலி பொது ஜன கிளர்ச்சிகள், வர்ணப் புரட்சிகள், அரபு வசந்தங்கள்.....என அரசியல் போர்க்களம் `களை கட்டி` நிற்கின்றது! 

போர் பிரதான போக்காகி, போர்த் தயாரிப்பு முன்னுரிமை பெறுவதாக ஆகி விட்டது,

பொருளாதாரத் துறையில் அந்நியக் கடன், பணவீக்கம்-விலைவாசி உயர்வு, வேலையின்மை போன்றவை கூர்மை அடையாத ஒரு நாடு இல்லை என்கிற அளவுக்கு இவை உலகப் பொருளாதாரத்தின் பொதுத் திசை வழியாகி, உற்பத்தி மந்தம் தொடர் நிகழ்வாகி விட்டது,

பலகட்சி அல்லது இரு கட்சி ஆட்சிமுறை- (சமாதான சகவாழ்வு நடத்தும்) ஒரு கட்சி முறை ஆகுதல், முதலாளித்துவ ஜனநாயகத்தின் அடி ஆதாரக் கோட்பாடான நீதித் துறையின் சுயாதீனம் மீது தலையீடு நடத்தப்பட்டு, சட்டம் ஒழுங்கு சீர்குலைக்கப்பட்டு, வாக்குரிமையும் தேர்தற் காலப் பண்டமாக மாற்றப்பட்டு, நாடாளமன்ற ஜனநாயகம் நடைமுறையில் காலாவதி ஆகியது,

ஐ.நா.சபை அதன் கிளை நிறுவனங்களான பாதுகாப்புச் சபை, மனித உரிமைகள் சபை, சர்வதேச குற்றவியல் நீதி மன்றம், International Atomic Energy Agency, உலகத் தொழிலாளர் கழகம் போன்ற மாபெரும் உலகப் பொது நிறுவனங்கள், அவை உருவாக்கப்பட்ட குறிக்கோள்களை காக்க இயலாத இடர்ப்பாடுகளைச் சந்தித்தல்,

இறுதியாக தொகுப்பாக இரண்டாம் உலப் போருக்குப் பின்னால் உருவாக்கி நிலை நிறுத்தப்பட்ட அனைத்து முறைமைகளும் நிலை குலைதல்.

எனினும் இவை  முதலாளித்துவ சமூகத்திலும், அதன் ஏகபோக  கட்டத்திலும் பொதுவாக நிகழ்பவையும் நிகழ்ந்தவையும் தான் என்பது உண்மைதான்.காலத்துக்கு காலம் இவை நிகழ்ந்த வண்ணம் தான் இருந்திருக்கின்றன, அவை முதலாளித்துவத்தின் விதியும் கூட.

ஆனால் இந்தத் தடவை இது அவற்றில் ஒன்றல்ல, அவை போன்ற ஒன்றுமல்ல. இதில் தான் இக்காலப்பகுதியின் வரலாற்று முக்கியத்துவம் அடங்கியிருக்கின்றது. 

இப்போதுள்ள நெருக்கடி மந்த நிலைக்கு அரச நிதிக் கொள்கைகளில் ஏற்படுத்தும் மாறுதல்களைக் கொண்டோ, அல்லது சமாதான பூர்வமாக ( WTO -World Trade Organisation ) சந்தையைப் பங்கிட்டுக் கொள்வதன் மூலமோ தீர்க்கப்படக் கூடிய ஒன்றாக இனியும் இல்லை.

சமாதானப் பங்கீடு முற்றிலுமாக முடிந்தொழிந்து முழு அளவிலான பங்கீட்டு (மூன்றாம் உலக)ப் போர் ஆரம்பிக்க இல்லையென்றாலும், பகுதியளவிலான ( பிரதேச, தேசிய, பிராந்திய), பங்கீடுகளின் பிரதான வழி முறை யுத்தம் என்பதாக ஆகிவிட்டது.இந்தப் போர் இது அமெரிக்க சோவியத் ரசிய இரட்டைத்துருவ உலக காலத்தின்(12 March 1947 – 3 December 1989) பனிப்போர் அல்ல இது நிஜப் போர் ஆகும்.

ஏன்?

சாதாரண வாழ்வில் ஒருவர் இன்னொருவரைக் காதலித்தாலோ அல்லது ஒருவர் மற்றொருவரை மணம் புரிந்தாலோ அவர்களுக்குள் சண்டை மூள நியாயம் இல்லை. ஆனால் ஒரு காதலரை இன்னொருவர் காதலித்தாலோ, அல்லது ஒரு குடும்பஸ்தரை மற்றொருவர் மணம் முடித்தாலோ சண்டை மூளும் சந்தர்ப்பம் உருவாகின்றது!

 மறுபங்கீடு இத்தகையது. ஏற்கெனவே ஒருவர் கையகப் படுத்திவிட்ட சந்தையை, அடுத்தவர் ஒருவர் அபகரிக்க முயலும்போது சண்டை மூளுகின்றது. அவ்வாறல்லாமல் இது வேறெதுவுமாக இருக்க இயலாது. 

இக்காலப் பொருளாதாரத்தின், அதன் நெருக்கடியின் தனிக் குறிப்பான அம்சம் உலக மறுபங்கீடே ஆகும். இவ்வாறு உலக மறுபங்கீடு இக்காலப் பகுதியை இயக்கும் பொது விதியாக உள்ளது.

குறிப்பிடத்தக்க அதன் குணக் கூறுகளைக் கொண்டு இக்காலப் பகுதியை ஈராக் யுத்தம் (20 Mar 2003 – 15 Dec 2011) முதல் இஸ்ரேல் யுத்தம் (07-ஒக்ரோபர்-2023 .........) மற்றும் அதன் தொடர்ச்சியான காலப் பகுதியாகக் கொள்ளலாம். இப்போக்கு ஒரு மூன்றாம் உலகப் போரிலேயே மறு முனைக்குச் செல்லும்.

பொருளாதாரத் துறை

பொருளாதாரத் துறையைப் பொறுத்த மட்டில் இக்காலப் பகுதியின் குணாம்சம், ஏகாதிபத்திய அபரிமித உற்பத்தி நெருக்கடி, உலக மயத்தின் படு தோல்வியோடு மீள இயலாத நெருக்கடியாக மாறியதில் வெளிப்படுகின்றது.இந்த மீள இயலாத நெருக்கடியில் இருந்து மீள்வதற்குத்தான் `மறு பங்கீடு` அவசியமாகின்றது.

`மொத்தத் உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` 

அதிகார பூர்வ புள்ளி விபரங்கள், வரை படங்கள் என்னவோ எப்போதும் ஆகா ஓகோ என்றுதான் உள்ளன.உண்மை நிலைமையில் மக்களின் வாழ்க்கை நிலைமை அவ்வாறு இருப்பதில்லை.

முதலாளிகள் தமது கையில் இருந்த ஆரம்ப மூலதனத்தின் ரகசியம், ஆதித் திரட்சி என்று கூறினார்கள். கார்ல் மார்க்ஸ் ஆதித் திரட்சியின் ரகசியம் ஊதியம் அளிக்கப்படாத உழைப்புச் சக்தி என்கிற உபரி மதிப்புத் தத்துவம் மூலம் இந்த வரலாற்றுப் பொய்மையை `அரசியல் பொருளாதார` விஞ்ஞானம் மூலம் முறியடித்து அம்பலமாக்கினார்.

அதிகார பூர்வ புள்ளிவிபரங்களும் `ஆதித் திரட்சி` போன்றது தான்.இரண்டாம் உலகப் போருக்குப் பின்னால், (உள் நாடுகளின் ஒட்டு மொத்தத் தொகுப்பான) உலகப் பொருளாதாரம் என்பது `மொத்தத் உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` என்கிற மந்திரக் கோலால் அளவிடப் படுகின்றது. 

இந்த `மொத்தத் உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` என்றால் என்ன?

ஒரு நிலப்பகுதியின் மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி (Gross Domestic Product அல்லது GDP) என்பது, அப்பகுதியின் பொருளாதாரத்தின் அளவை அறிய உதவும் அளவைகளுள் ஒன்றாகும். 'ஒரு குறிப்பிட்ட காலப் பகுதியுள்,  ஒரு நிலப்பகுதியின் எல்லைக்குள் உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகின்ற மொத்தப் பொருட்களினதும், சேவைகளினதும் சந்தைப் பெறுமதியே மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` என வரைவிலக்கணம் கூறப்படுகின்றது.

பொதுவாக இந் நிலப்பகுதி ஒரு நாட்டின் எல்லைப் பகுதியாகவும், காலப்பகுதி ஒரு வருடமாகவும் உள்ளது.

இது சந்தை நலன்களுக்கான அளவையே தவிர சமூக நலனுக்கான அளவை அல்ல. இதனால் இதன் உயர்வு (வளர்ச்சி Growth) எவ்வகையிலும் சமூக வளர்ச்சியை குறித்து நிற்பது இல்லை. `` உற்பத்தி செய்யப்படுகின்ற மொத்தப் பொருட்கள்`` என்பது அரசியல் பொருளாதாரத்தில் அபரிமித உற்பத்தி, சேவைகள் என்பது பிரதானமாக பண்ட விநியோகம்,மற்றும் நிதி நிர்வாகம் சார்ந்த வலையமைப்பே ஆகும். 

ஆக மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி என்பது ஏகாதிபத்திய அபரிமித உற்பத்தியின் வளர்ச்சியை மட்டுமே அளவிடுகின்றது.

தனிப்பட்ட ஒரு நாட்டின்  `மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` என்பது கூட அந் நாட்டுக்குள் இயங்கும் அந்நிய உற்பத்தியும் இணைந்ததாகும். `இந்தியாவில் உற்பத்தி செய்யுங்கள்` (Make in India) என பாய் விரித்து செய்யும் அனைத்து அந்நிய உற்பத்திகளும் இந்தியாவின்  `மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி` யே ஆகும்! இந்தியா வளராதா என்ன!

இந்த வளர்ச்சி அந்நிய வளர்ச்சியாக இருக்கையில், இதன் ஏற்ற இறக்கங்கள் என்பது சந்தை நடவடிக்கைகளின் ஏற்ற இறக்கங்களாகவே  தவிர்க்க இயலாமல் உள்ளன.

உற்பத்தி முறையின் நெருக்கடிகளை இந்த மந்திரக் கோல் மதிப்பீடு செய்வதில்லை.

ஒரே ஒரு உதாரணம்: 

கடந்த 20 ஆண்டுகளில் உலக மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தியின் வளர்ச்சியை கீழே காணும் வரைபடம் காட்டுகின்றது.

உலகப் பொருளாதாரம் அசுரப் பாய்ச்சலில் எகிறிக் குதிக்கின்றது!

இந்தக் காலப் பகுதியில் ஈராக், இஸ்ரேல் ஆகிய இரு பெரும் போர்கள் மூண்டன, சூடான்,ஈழம், உக்ரைன் என மொத்தம் 130 இற்கு மேற்பட்ட யுத்தங்கள் இதே 20 (2003-2023) ஆண்டுகளில் தான் ``வளர்ந்தன`` !

உலகப் பொருளாதாரம் சீராக இவ்வாறு வளரும் காலப் பகுதியில், உலகம் சீராக `வளர்ச்சி` அடைந்த அதே காலப் பகுதியில் 130 யுத்தங்கள் எங்கனம் வளர்ந்தன என்பதை மொத்த உள்நாட்டு உற்பத்தி (Gross domestic product அல்லது GDP) விளக்கவில்லை. இது யுத்தத்தின் கதை தான்!

மானுட நெருக்கடி அனைத்தினதும் ஒட்டுமொத்தமான ஒரு வெளிப்பாடாக அமைவது இடப் பெயர்வு அல்லது அகதித் தஞ்சம். இது குறித்த விரிவான தவல்களை UNHCR’s Refugee Population Statistics Database தருகின்றது.

இவ்வாறு அரசியல் நெருக்கடியும் சரி பொருளாதார நெருக்கடியும் சரி உலக மறுபங்கீட்டுப் போரைச் சுற்றியே வலம் வருகின்றன. அல்லது அதற்கமைய செப்பனிடப்படுகின்றன.

இதன் தவிர்க்க இயலாத மற்றொரு விளைவே பாசிசமாகும்.

இப்பாசிசமும் கூட இக்காலப் பகுதிக்குரிய தனித் தன்மைகளைக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றது.

'' We accept India’s national interests and security in the region.” Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader JVP

 NPP leader vows to build corruption-free country and foster national harmony

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP), flew to Sweden on Friday to take part in events arranged by party followers there.

This is his latest foray after his China, Russia, India and Canada visits that came amidst reports of his party being touted as a frontline contender at the upcoming presidential election. Just last week, a Chinese Communist Party delegation led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan called on him in Colombo.

Dissanayake, due to return ahead of May Day, declared in a Q&A, “No country can exist in isolation. There are several powerhouses being formed.” The NFF will hold four different May Day rallies -– one in Jaffna and the others in Anuradhapura, Colombo and Matara. “Conducting one major rally in any town will be a logistical nightmare when one thinks of the large crowds and the vast number of buses needed to transport them,” he pointed out.

Significantly, Dissanayake did not hide NPP’s foreign policy goals when he declared that “we need to maintain a balanced foreign policy with powerful countries.” He said our immediate neighbour India is engaged in a geopolitical race whereas Sri Lanka is not. They expect Sri Lanka not to take any decision or engage in anything that threatens India’s national interests and security in the region. We accept it.”

He added, “Therefore, I believe that since we are located within the Indian geopolitical region and India’s broader concerns about its national security, we must maintain political and economic relations with India. Unless we have such support, we cannot overcome the present crisis. We need foreign investment; we need technology, and we need access to foreign markets. Therefore, we need a strong foreign policy. We have been open, and we have no hidden agenda. We engage in a transparent dialogue with all foreign dignitaries who visit us.”

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Here are edited highlights of the Q&A:

There has been no response from the NPP on its position on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Can you explain what it is?

On several occasions, we have stated our position on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and the provincial councils. Our policy document published in 2019 also contained our stand on the provincial councils. Nevertheless, let me explain it once again.

We don’t believe that the Provincial Council system is a complete solution to the ethnic problem in the country. However, the provincial councils have been in existence for over three decades, and our party is also contesting at provincial council elections. People in the North and East consider the provincial council is one of their rights. They think that the provincial council is a victory they have got after many years of demand. Hence, we are of the opinion that we should continue with the provincial councils, yet our opponents express different opinions on that.

How will the NPP focus on the Tamil Ethnic Issue?

I have already explained to you that the provincial council system alone cannot find solutions to the ethnic issue. Politics in Sri Lanka for a long time has been instigating one community against the other. For example, in 2019 at the presidential election, Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory was completely based on a slogan that was against the Muslim community. Throughout the political history of our country, the usual practice has been organising one section of people against the other for political gains. Political parties, whether they are Muslim, Tamil or Sinhalese, in certain instances, have created dissension among communities at times to gain power.

Our politics is completely different from theirs. Even in the most difficult times, we are a party that has always stood for national unity and ethnic harmony among Tamil, Muslim, and Sinhala communities. Therefore, the first step to solving this ethnic issue is to establish a political system that integrates all communities rather than using divisive politics. We are doing it.

Then, how can we find solutions to the problem?

We know there are certain identical issues that Tamil-speaking people are facing just because of them being Tamil. It may be language, culture, freedom of religion, right of fair access to power and so on. These have to be addressed.

Though there are certain provisions in the constitution. They are not being followed. It has been 15 years now after the end of the separatist war, but no genuine solutions have been found to the problems that Tamil-speaking people are facing.

We believe in a two-way approach. Firstly, the political issue. We ensure the Tamil-speaking people’s fair right to have access to power which has been denied over the years by successive governments. Secondly, there are certain identical issues that Tamil-speaking people are facing. Similarly, there are several other common issues that they too are facing like the other people in the country.

We ensure that we find solutions for all those problems. Otherwise, the divisive political culture inciting one against the other cannot find solutions to the ethnic problem. Therefore, we believe as a party we can find lasting solutions to the ethnic issue in Sri Lanka and rebuild the nation.

What is your policy in respect of the Executive Presidency? Will you abolish or continue with it?

The Executive Presidency should be changed and we are very clear about our stand. Since the introduction of the executive presidency, we have believed it is not a suitable model for us. Even after 46 years of its existence, the executive presidential system has repeatedly proved that it is not suitable for a country like ours. Therefore, it should be abolished.

The deals of the government with the IMF. Will you retain them or propose changes? How will they come?

We have now entered into an IMF programme. If we had not agreed, we could have looked at an alternative. Since we have agreed now, whoever comes to power cannot leave the IMF programme. We know that not all countries could overcome their crises by going to the IMF. For example, Argentina, Greece and many other countries have not been successful in following IMF conditionalities. Also, there are a handful of countries which have been successful. The IMF can intervene to manage the crisis. However, its involvement will not be sufficient to solve the inherent problems in our economy. Therefore, our policy is to have a dynamic economic programme that enhances the production of goods and services, that people are actively involved in the production process, and that people enjoy fair distribution of such goods and services. Therefore, we strongly believe that unless there is a sound economic policy, we cannot overcome the economic crisis just because of being in the IMF programme.

What is the NPP’s policy towards the minority communities, like Tamils and Muslims?

We don’t need a government that acts against one community. We need a government that represents all communities. We have been talking with the political parties in the north. Also, we hope to negotiate with the political parties in the upcountry and with Muslim parties. We need not build a government only for Sinhalese, nor that people in the north feel it is a Sinhala government. We need a government that safeguards the rights of Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim people in the country. We need the support of all communities to form a government and also, we need them to represent our government. Therefore, we are having a broader dialogue with the three main communities and their political leaders in this regard.

What are the main NPP pledges to the public during the presidential election campaign?

We believe that there are two main causes for the present crisis. First, our country’s political culture which is full of corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency. One main pledge that we give to our people is that we eliminate this corrupt political culture. This political culture has not enabled economic democracy in the country. The access to economic activities is determined to what extent the private sector is connected to politicians. As such, it has been impossible to run a business without soliciting the blessings of politicians. Therefore, our second pledge to the people at this election is that we establish economic democracy in the country whereby there will be a level playing ground. We also know that many people in society have been impoverished owing to the crisis. Recovering those affected is also one of our priorities.

There are moves for a debate between you and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa. What about one with UNP leader Ranil Wickramasinghe? Should you not be debating with him?

We have been explaining to people our political practices. Our opponents too are doing the same and people in the country have experienced their political behaviours over the years. We have been engaging with people, explaining our policies and programmes, and they have witnessed our practices. The SJB, which does not have an identity of its own, has been repeatedly challenging us for a debate. We have accepted the challenge. Honestly, our dialogue is not with them but with the people. However, now we have proposed a few dates for the debate, but they have rejected those dates. We have once again informed the SJB leader to give us a few convenient dates for him before 20th May. If the debate does not happen on or before 20th May, the talk on this matter should come to an end.

What about a debate with President Ranil Wickremesinghe or the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna?

We are also prepared to have a debate with Ranil Wickramasinghe as well.

How do you propose to cope with bribery and corruption when you are in power?

The first proposal that we make is to eliminate the political culture that nurtures bribery, corruption and nepotism. The main thing that is required to stop corruption is that the rulers do not engage in corruption. Rulers must not rob public money. This is the first step we need to take to stop corruption. The NPP is the only party that can do that. We will do it. That is not sufficient. The investigation arms, the legal system and the judiciary should be made efficient. We are a country that should not face a calamity like this. This is not a result of a natural cause. This is a result of corrupt political regimes that have robbed billions in public money. Therefore, people expect us to stop this corruption and mismanagement.

Hence, first, we must free the political authority from corruption. None of my party members or I have selected this political movement to waste or rob public money. Next, an uncorrupt political movement can build an uncorrupt government. We are such a party that proved to be uncorrupt through our practices over the last few decades. While strengthening the law enforcement agencies and eliminating corruption, we at the NPP will build a country that is free from corruption, mismanagement, and nepotism.⍐