Declaration of South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

4-6 September 2010
Nagarkot, Nepal
Fighting Unitedly against Poverty, Hunger and Injustice in South Asia
Context
We, the members of SAAPE from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met at the AGM from 4-6 Sep 2010 to deliberate on the theme- "fighting unitedly against poverty, hunger and injustices in South Asia" .We affirm our committment to `intervening’ on issues of poverty and exclusion contributing for the eradication of poverty and injustice, rejecting the neo-liberal development paradigm and economic strategies and striving for sustainable alternatives that are pro-poor people’.
Poverty in countries of South Asia is accompanied by disparity. The increase in the number of poor is common in all countries. However, this number only indicates the 'absolute poor'. The number would be far higher if other aspects of a dignified quality of life are considered. The problem of poverty, even in a big country like India that boasts of substantial economic growth, is persistent. Some sections seem to even lapse back into poverty. The situation is thus one of perpetuation of poverty.
There is reason to believe that the ruling elite in all our countries is enamoured by “economic growth” as the “be all and end all” of the development process. On the contrary, ground reality strongly indicates that even when the country registers high growth rate, there is huge exclusion and marginalisation. SAAPE feels that the time has come for all of us to work not only with the exploited classes but also with the excluded social groups.
We are profoundly saddened by several recent incidents which has had long lasting implications for the rights of people and their livelihood. The armed conlfict in Sri Lanka came to an end with a large number of people from Vanni being displaced and held in internment camps with restrictions imposed on their mobility and fundamental freedoms.
The current global crisis of climate change is a big challenge facing the South Asian countries which are witnessing increasing natural disasters causing devastating impacts. The recent floods in Pakistan are disrupting the lives of over 20 million people, nearly 12% of the population and this is a reminder of this gruesome reality.

We appreciate the historic judgement given by the supreme court of Bangladesh reviving secular character of the constitution and declaring past military regimes illegal. The court also made it clear that the World Bank does not enjoy any immunity. At the same time we are disappointed by the fact that the government of Bangladesh has succumbed to the pressure of the factory owners by imposing wages at a level much below the demand of the garment workers.
Democratic and human rights continue to be thereatened with the imposition of new regulations and the curtailment of civil society activities. In the rise of people’s resistance their leaders are threatened, and face extrajudicial killings and disappearances.
We are alarmed that the 18th Amendment to the Constitution in Sri Lanka is facilitating immense powers to the Executive virtually creating a Constituional dictatorship thereby threatening democratic parliamentry norms. It is also regretable that GOSL has failed to provide a long lasting political solution for the ethnic problems/national problems based on an effective power sharing model.
The economic crisis has been used to attack trade union struggles and curtail worker’s rights. We condemn the killing of two trade union leaders in Pakistan.
We condemn ethnic cleansing and demand unconditional release of all the political prisoners and repatriation and rehabilitation of the Bhutanese refugees to their homestead with dignity.
As South Asians, we watched with great appreciation the unique manner in which the Constituent Assembly of Nepal was created. We were particularly overjoyed with the introduction of proportionate representation and equal representation for women, and men in the Constituent Assembly, but today we are disappointed that the work of Constituent Assembly has come to a standstill because of the political impasse. We urge all concerned and especially the members of the Constituent Assembly to rise above narrow considerations reach consensus and put in place a Constitution which will be a trend setter for all other countries in South Asia and beyond. We call for an immediate resolution of the political impasse in Nepal for the consolidation of the democratic processes and introduction of effective agrarian reform
Similarly, we stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and Maldives in their struggle to achieve democracy and long lasting solutions for securing human rights and fundamental freedoms
The region continues to be militarised combined with nuclearisation.
We demand accountability from our political leaders. As demonstrated in Pakistan though natural and human induced calamities are a frequent occurrence in South Asia, the common element in all this is our shocking lack of preparedness (in physical, economic, administrative, legal and other aspects), coupled with a lack of long term vision, especially, to help the excluded groups.

We are disappointed with the south asain governments and SAARC as a body for their failure to develop a common regional disaster management policy and a mitigation plan. We urge the immediate adoption of a common plan and the establishment of a Task Force to handle disaters in the future arising from climate change and global warning.
We also demand the repudiation of all debts of Pakistan and provide the necessary resources and funds for relief and rehabilitation of communities affected by the recent floods.
Ad hoc approaches and an absence of a policy framework for relief and rehabilitation and reconstruction is a denial of the legitimate rights of the survivors. On the other hand, in a democratic polity the right to relief with dignity and development are the fundamental right of every disaster victim and it is the responsibility of the state and civil society to ensure that.

This is also a unique opportunity for South Asian countries to express their solidarity in terms of aid and political solidarity with the beleaguered Pakistan, and develop common disaster management mechanism in line with the relevant SAARC Charter.

Women in South Asia
The majority of women in South Asia remain excluded and impoverished. They form the bulk of the displaced in South Asia. The post conflict situations are fraught with increased insecurity, gender based violence and lack of protection which is directly linked to poverty.
We appreciate the efforts made by Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to facilitate and recognise the greater and effective participation of women in politics and governance challenging the age old prohibitions of patriarchal ideology through legislative enactments and policies. It is regretable that Sri Lanka has not been able to achieve it’s heights in this regard and wish to express our support to all efforts taken by civil society and women’s groups working for urgent reforms in this area.
It is important to stress the need to respond immediately to specific needs of women affected by floods in Pakistan as our gesture of solidarity to empowerment of women in practice.
International and Regional Power Dimensions
We recognise the need to evolve consistent multi-pronged strategies to combat the influence of globalisation, continuing repression and militarisation in the name of war on terror, growing international re-alignments including India-US, and China, shrinking democratic space, marginalisation of human rights, unsustainable development paradigm.
Our Challenges...
Dominant development models and paradigms have failed. It has exhausted all possibilities. We see the accentuation of deprivation at all levels of the people. We see poverty as deprivation of capabilities of people which deny them freedom and human rights and keep them continously in a state of disempowerment social, economic and political.
We are aware that old slogans are not sufficient for organisation and mobilisation. We need to call for all exlcuded women, dalits, indigenous, all minorities ethnic, religious and linguistic based on our contemporary understanding to unite to struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice.
The fight for entitlements such as employment, food, education, health. housing, human security, social security, dignity and the like needs to be carried out through the agency of the exploited masses as well as the excluded social groups. SAAPE will work with excluded groups and associations of the poor to alert governments on their responsibilities and to bring a collective sense of social responsibility within the region for future reduction of poverty and the attendant risks of living in that condition for the millions of the poor in South Asia.

"India Denies me Visa"-KP's Cousin

http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/news/front-page-news/19958.html
Monday, 30 August 2010 00:57
India had denied a visa to Sinnaiah Thavaratnam, KP’s first cousin, after being chosen to be part of a Lankan fishermen team which toured Tamil Nadu to discuss bilateral fishing issues recently.
Thavaratnam, who is the chairman of the Federation of Jaffna District Fishermens’ Associations, told an Indian news agency on Saturday, that he was given no reason for the rejection.
When asked for permission to see a higher officer, it was
denied.“I do not know why they keep denying the visa to me these days. In 2006 too, I was denied. But, my wife was able to get it last year and she toured Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Over the 1980s and 1990s,I had visited India more than 25 times without a problem,” he said.
Asked if it were because he was KP’s first cousin (His father and KP’s father are siblings) Thavaratnam chose not to answer directly, but said that it was wrong to punish him for the deeds of a cousin.
“My wife and I had done a lot for stranded, arrested or wounded Indian fishermen and spent a lot of money on these. I have always spoken for amity between the fishermen of both sides. If I have done anything wrong or against India, I would like to know what it is, and am prepared to correct myself,” Thavaratnam said.
Thavaratnam was out of touch with KP when the latter was abroad working for the LTTE as arms smuggler and funds manager. But he had met KP twice after he was captured in August 2009.
KP on Saturday had said that Thavaratnam was president of his North Eastern Rehabilitation and Development Organisation (NERDO) and that he himself was its Secretary.
But, Thavaratnam told Express that this was not so, and that he was working with NERDO only on issues concerning Jaffna fishermen.
Asked what he thought of the visit of the Lankan fishermen to Tamil Nadu, which he missed, Thavaratnam said that the agreements entered into were good.
“Tamil Nadu fishermen have promised to end trawling in the shallow seas by November 2011. I welcome this,” he said.
(Express News Service)

Herman's Note:
Thaveratnem was the proposed leader to the team visited Tamilnadu India during the 16-24 August. As his visa was denied by Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr.T.Suriyakumar replaced his position and lead the team. However, the SL team was reluctant to proceed as planned with this situation and organizers of NAFSO and ARIF had to take strong position to convince the team to follow the planned actions.

15000 North & East kids study under trees

http://www.lakbimanews.lk/news/laknew1.htm
ARMY CAMPS MUSHROOM
NO APPOINTMENTS FOR TEACHERS
By Rathindra Kuruwita

Fifteen thousand school children in the North and East are compelled to study under trees since schools have been converted into IDP and transit camps and detention centres, while the government spends millions on military bases, education department sources said. The situation is grave in Vavuniya, Omanthai, Maithadi and Kilinochchi where the majority of schools function in temporary shelters with minimal facilities.
"Omanthai Maha Vidyalayam is used as a transit camp for people who are returning to their villages from IDP camps. Although a year has passed after the civil war ended, no steps have been taken by the government to either build new shelters for IDPs, or to rebuild schools in another location," said an education ministry official.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of Sri Lanka Teacher Services Union (SLTSU) Mahinda Jayasinghe told LAKBIMAnEWS that there is also a massive dearth of teachers in the North and the East, which is having a negative impact on education. This shortage mainly affects subjects such as English where the education authorities are dependant on pensioners who have been re-enlisted on contract basis.
"Not only are thousands of students continuing their education without buildings, water or sanitary facilities, these schools also need hundreds of teachers," Jayasinghe said. "A lot of teachers who worked in these schools have either left for Colombo or have left the island. Even 14 months after the end of the war the government has not appointed Tamil medium teachers to these areas."
Jayasinghe added that there are over 500 Tamil medium teachers in the 2010 batch at teacher training centres in the island, but none of them have been given appointments because of the lack of funds.
"Each year around 3000 trained teachers are given appointments around this time of the year, but this time that is not the case. Appointment letters are not given since no funds have been allocated in the 2010 budget. This means that thousands of Tamil youth will sit for O/L and A/L exams partially ready."
Meanwhile in a recent visit to Wishwamadu Army Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya claimed that with the establishment of new army camps, buildings which have been occupied for security purposes will be returned to schools.

I AM UPLOADING THIS NEWS TO MY BLOG AS THIS REALITY SHOULD BE CHANGED WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF COMMITTED PEOPLE. SO WE NEED TO FIND THEM IN TO OUR CIRCLES WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM TO THE DISPLACED PEOPLE AND DEMOCRACY TO THE NATION.
Herman Kumara.
08.08.10.

STRAIGHT TALK ACROSS PALK STRAIT - “NO FTAS”!

15 June 2010

A Joint India-Lanka People's Statement for Cultivating Peace and not Free Trade Agreements

Talks towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) are to be intensified by the governments of India and Sri Lanka. This is one of the main messages from the joint declaration in Delhi, India between the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse. A joint commission has been revived for the purpose to deepen economic and agricultural ties. The CEPA is likely to be made final and signed by the end of this year.

This CEPA has no social backing and has been met with people's protests on both sides. In the past the two countries have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that came into effect in 2000 and reportedly, the next level of trade relations through a CEPA are to “build on the gains” of the earlier FTA. However, a decade later there are neither official impact studies on either side nor real life evidence to show that trade between the two countries has gainfully bettered people's lives. The FTA was only about trade in goods, but the CEPA will broaden out to cover much more, including services and investment.

Despite PM Singh's call for “inclusive growth” and the President Rajapaksa's Election Manifesto Mahinda Chinthanaya motto that Lankans will produce locally, everything they need; our governments are negotiating several bilateral trade and investment agreements amongst themselves and other countries. In these negotiations, as in Lanka “the government (is) determined to give an opportunity to the business community, industrialists, investors, importers and exporters...to air their views on the CEPA and many other agreements which are scheduled to be signed.” Likewise, in India it is the industry bodies and business associations, such as FICCI and CII, that are consulted. The talks are not made transparent to ordinary people's whose lives and livelihoods are most affected by such bilateral trade and investment agreements. The two sides have now agreed to launch a CEOs Forum, so that business communities can interact. It is the economic and political elites that are able to bargain win-win deals for themselves.

South-South FTAs too must be seen as a continuation of relationships of dominance by powerful players and private corporations. The Indian peoples' experience with the Sri Lankan FTA shows that it has had a devastating impact on agricultural livelihoods in states such as Kerala. The same FTA has also had negative impacts on the Sri Lankan side, which explains the anti-India sentiment even with the proposed CEPA. Trade is thus turning our peoples against each other. Trade rules compel us to compete rather than collaborate. Therefore, the urgent need for a new foundation for fostering relationships amongst the countries in South Asia. Trade can not be the basis for lasting peace in the sub-region.

We, ordinary peoples, farmers' groups, worker unions, trade activists, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations, representing both India and Sri Lanka, express solidarity with the movements on both sides of Palk Strait that work for genuine friendship across its waters. Till small farmers, fisher folk and local communities from both sides progress, there can be no real peace. In securing that peace, we do not need terms of trade – tariff quotas, import duties, CEPAs, etc. but an agreement to first make peace with the natural resources that support lives, cultures and livelihoods. More trading means more impacts on the planet and our peoples. It is our firm belief that resettlement after the many crises – ethnic, economic and ecological, requires rebuilding local economies that are socially just and ecologically appropriate. Therefore, we do not support any of the trade agreements between the two governments. We however endorse the many “alternatives” that people's themselves are building in partnership, such as on seed, food and farm practices. On our part we commit to work on a people-to-people level to sow peace.



Forum Against FTAs, India | MONLAR, Sri Lanka | GRAIN (International) | La Via Campesina, South Asia

A village Disappears

Last week, 3 of my collagues of Praja Abhilasha net work visited Mannar area to meet IDPs and search the opportunities for ensure their rights to be attained.
Rev. Thomas John, one among them drafted the following and I thought this is important story to tell others the realities of the so called resettlements of the IDS due to war ended last May, 2009.
Here is the story which Thomas John narrated after their visit to Mannar.

The story of the displacement of 200 households from their habitat in Mullikulam
Our visit to a group of 32 displaced families from Mullikulam in itself was significant achievement and experience. We got a glimpse into the kind of gross violations of human rights in the name of hunting down Tamil Tigers and the sinister designs behind such moves happening in a various parts in Sri Lanka. The story is that of two hundred families who had lived peacefully and with a sustainable means of lived- fishing- in a place called Mullikulam in the district of Mannar. They were uprooted in 1990 from their habitat, but with great resilience and determination they returned to it in 2004 and reconstructed their habitats and livelihood in the same location. In 2007, they were again evicted in one hour notice by the military. After taking them through various temporary shelters, 32 families were finally left in the streets of Mannar to fend for themselves. Since the time of this eviction, the husband of one of the women who had been accompanying them in a motor cycle was never seen again and still he is missing. Another group of evictees was separated from them to another place and some of them have since then left for India. Now the 32 families are squatting on a private land without any public service such as electricity and water and any means of livelihood or any resource base for sustainable livelihood. They have been traditionally dependent on fishing anA village Disappears
The story of the displacement of 200 households from their habitat in Mullikulam
Our visit to a group of 32 displaced families from Mullikulam in itself was significant achievement and experience. We got a glimpse into the kind of gross violations of human rights in the name of hunting down Tamil Tigers and the sinister designs behind such moves happening in a various parts in Sri Lanka. The story is that of two hundred families who had lived peacefully and with a sustainable means of lived- fishing- in a place called Mullikulam in the district of Mannar. They were uprooted in 1990 from their habitat, but with great resilience and determination they returned to it in 2004 and reconstructed their habitats and livelihood in the same location. In 2007, they were again evicted in one hour notice by the military. After taking them through various temporary shelters, 32 families were finally left in the streets of Mannar to fend for themselves. Since the time of this eviction, the husband of one of the women who had been accompanying them in a motor cycle was never seen again and still he is missing. Another group of evictees was separated from them to another place and some of them have since then left for India. Now the 32 families are squatting on a private land without any public service such as electricity and water and any means of livelihood or any resource base for sustainable livelihood. They have been traditionally dependent on fishing and now they have to eke out a living by casual manual labour. Their land is now occupied by the army and they are not permitted in as it is now a High Security Zone. Only 21 houses are now left in that area and the rest has been demolished and are now occupied by the army. It is also learned that now they are negotiating with the Catholic Bishop of the area for the land and a school belonging to the Catholic Church. It is also rumoured that they are going to construct houses for naval officers in that area. The displaced people are determined to get their land and houses back. The 32 families together would have about 80 acres of land. They refused to be lured into accepting anything less than their land and their means of livelihood. They cherish the happy life they had in Mullikulam. The same design of declaring war against innocent people and declaring their habitations as HSZs and handing them over for other developmental activities is replayed in different theatres of war against Tigers.

Rev.Thomas John.
06.06.10

Internally Displaced People in Sri Lanka

I don't know whether I should Laugh or should Cry when President Mahinda rajapakse is satisfied with the resettlement process and says on IDPs of Sri Lanka as follows;

"Sri Lanka has done the best job in the world of resettling internally displaced persons (IDPs) and rehabilitating militant youth."

“What we have achieved in terms of rehabilitation of those misled youth, and the resettlement of the IDPs, is far superior to any such exercise anywhere in the world,” Rajapaksa told at a business conference related to the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards.

I am afraid to think what would be the so called resettlers of 275,000 people's destiny once President of SL says like this. What would be the way for their livelihoods? What would be the future of educationof the children? What will be the way for living for more than 50,000 women headed families?
The so called resettled people are still hanging on under the trees, abandoned houses or temporary shelters have considered as the resettlement.
If this is the assessment of the leader of the nation about his fellow citizens, we can not think what would be the future of those people and their destiny.

Herman Kumara,
05.06.10

FREE FREE AUN SAN SUKI,! FREEDOM FOR BURMESE PEOPLE!

It is almost 20 years, the Burmese Military Junta keeping democratically elected Leader Aun San Suki of Myanmar. She had received more than 90% votes at the general election. But, the military junta didnot allow her to exercise the power and captured the power forcefully keeping Aun San Suki in the house arrest.
The Third World Friends, lead by Freddie Gamage organized a protest infront of the Myanmar Embassy on 26th May commemorating the victory of Aun San Suki and People of Myanmar.
There were more than 50 people gathered at the occassion including buddhist monks, catholic priests and nuns with number of civil society activists.

Our Main Slogans were;
Free Free Aun San Suki!
Freedom for Burmese people!

Herman Kumara,
03.06.10

South Asian State Heads Met at Thimpu, Bhuthan on Silver Jubilee SAARC Summit

SAARC SUMMIT DECLARATION
Thimphu Silver Jubilee Declaration


“Towards a Green and Happy South Asia”

The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai; the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina; the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley; the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh; the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed; the Prime Minister of Nepal, His Excellency Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal; the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani; and the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, met in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 28-29 April 2010 for the Sixteenth Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

2. The Leaders expressed satisfaction that SAARC had achieved a number of important milestones with the completion of twenty five years of its establishment. The Leaders underscored the relevance and importance of the Association in providing a platform for regional cooperation to accomplish the Charter objectives.

3. In this Silver Jubilee Year of SAARC, the Leaders emphasized the need to develop a ‘Vision Statement’. They agreed to form a ‘South Asia Forum’ for the generation of debate, discussion and the exchange of ideas on South Asia and its future development. The Forum will consist of eminent personalities of diverse background including from all SAARC Member States. The Forum would provide inputs, based on a comprehensive understanding, for charting out the future course of SAARC in the medium and long run and recommend, if required, the necessary improvements required in the existing mechanisms. Such a forum could function on public-private partnership lines, and allow for multiple inputs beyond governments into the consideration of the future of SAARC.

4. In order to commemorate the 25th anniversary, the Leaders laid emphasis on effective communications and public diplomacy. They drew attention in this regard to the need to reach out to different sections of the South Asian community, particularly its students and youth, private media, private sector, think tanks, civil society, and institutions of economic development.

5. The Leaders agreed that the scope and substance of cooperation had expanded to diverse fields, providing a firm basis for genuine partnership. However, a number of these had not translated into meaningful and tangible benefits to the people. They, therefore, highlighted the need for more efficient, focused, time-bound and people-centric activities and called for appropriate reflection of all the SAARC decisions into the national policies and programmes of Member States. They resolved that the Silver Jubilee Year should be commemorated by making SAARC truly action oriented by fulfilling commitments, implementing declarations and decisions and operationalizing instruments and living up to the hopes and aspirations of one-fifth of humanity.

6. The Leaders, while appreciating that all the Member States had evolved into multi-party democracies, underlined the challenges faced by them in ensuring effective, efficient, transparent and accountable governments. In this regard, they emphasized the need for regional cooperation to strengthen good governance through sharing of experiences, best-practices and establishing institutional linkages. They noted the proposal by Bangladesh to convene an Inter-governmental Meeting in Dhaka on the idea of a SAARC Charter of Democracy on which Bangladesh offered to circulate a Concept Paper.

7. The Leaders recognised the need to draw on the democratic and participatory tradition collectively represented by the Parliamentarians of South Asia for the progress of SAARC. In this context, the Leaders recommended the convening of a “Conclave of SAARC Parliamentarians” in line with the SAARC Charter and directed the SAARC Secretariat to convene a Working Group, comprising nominees of the Member States, to workout the modalities for establishment of such a Conclave.

8. The Leaders emphasized on a greater focus to pursue people-centric development with due emphasis on socio-cultural progress and upholding traditions and values and in that regard, noted the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) pursued by Bhutan, inter alia, in ensuring people-centric development, culture, preservation of environment, better governance. They further noted that other Member States might consider Bhutan’s experience with the concept and welcomed Bhutan’s offer to host a SAARC Workshop on GNH in 2010.

9. The Leaders emphasized on deepening regional efforts on poverty alleviation, the overarching objective of SAARC. They called for the expeditious mainstreaming of the SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) in the national processes and completion of the Mid-term Review of the SDGs as scheduled. They further noted the useful finding and recommendations made by successive regional studies through the Regional Poverty Profiles (RPPs) and directed the relevant SAARC mechanisms to act on them. In this regard, they welcomed the offer of the Government of Nepal to host the Third Ministerial Meeting on Poverty Alleviation in 2011.

10. The Leaders welcomed Climate Change as the theme for the Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to address this challenge. In this context, they adopted the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change and directed that the recommendations contained therein be implemented in earnest.

11. The Leaders noted that while climate change impacted every country, the SAARC Member States as developing countries were shouldering a major burden, in spite of having contributed least to the problem. They emphasized that global negotiations on climate change should be guided by the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities as enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and should be conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner.

12. The Leaders, underscored the need to initiate the process to formulate a common SAARC position for COP16 and thereafter, including on issues such as separate financing for adaptation and mitigation as well as technology transfer. In this regard, they welcomed the offer of Bhutan to host an Inter-governmental Expert Group meeting.

13. The Leaders welcomed the Government of Nepal’s initiative to organize a Ministerial Meeting of Mountainous Countries in Kathmandu later this year.

14. In pursuance of the recommendation contained in the SAARC Ministerial Statement on Environment on conservation of aquatic ecosystem, trans-boundary bio-diversity zones, automated network of weather stations and regular and systematic sharing of scientific data, the Leaders called for focus on water management and conservation and development of cooperative projects at regional level in terms of exchange of best practices and knowledge, capacity building and transfer of eco-friendly technology.

15. The Leaders, deeply concerned by the extent of environmental degradation in the region, reiterated the importance of sustainably managing environment and development through adoption of eco-friendly approaches and technologies and that South Asia should become a world leader in low-carbon technology and renewable energies. They welcomed the signing of the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment and called for its early ratification and implementation.

16. The Leaders, concerned by the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, called for effective regional programmes in early warning, preparedness and management including response and rehabilitation while remaining within their respective national laws and procedures. They called for further negotiations and early finalization of the SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters.

17. The Leaders noted with satisfaction the ongoing initiatives in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through regional cooperation. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed the announcement by the Government of Maldives to nominate a Woman Secretary General as the Tenth Secretary General of SAARC.

18. The Leaders appreciated the comprehensive directives of the Colombo Statement on Children of South Asia, specially highlighting the importance of the in-depth assessment of the SAARC Decade of the Rights of the Child (2001-2010) and its follow up. Recognizing the important role young people play in the region, the Leaders directed the development of a SAARC Youth Action Plan, in line with the SAARC Youth Charter, to guide regional cooperation in this area. To achieve this end, the Leaders directed to organize SAARC Youth Summit, involving policy makers and youth leaders from all Member States.

19. The Leaders underlined the important role of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for financing regional and sub-regional programmes and projects. They welcomed the ratification of the SDF Charter. The Leaders also welcomed the inauguration and operationalization of the Permanent Secretariat of the SDF including the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Leaders also urged the importance of projects being funded through SDF are demand-driven, time-bound and aligned with the developmental priorities of the region. The Leaders also emphasized the need for the Member States to take full advantage of the mechanism of the SDF through expeditious clearance and implementation of the projects and programmes to promote the welfare of the people of the SAARC region, to improve their quality of life and to accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the region.

20. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to implement SAFTA in letter and spirit. They emphasized the need to realize the full potential, through reduction of the size of the sensitive lists, acceleration of trade facilitation measures, and removal of non-tariff, para-tariff and other barriers. They directed the SAFTA Ministerial Council to work in earnest in these areas in a time-bound manner.

21. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services and expressed that this will open up new vistas of trade cooperation and further deepen the integration of the regional economies. They called for the early ratification of the Agreement. The Leaders also called for the early conclusion of negotiations on the specific schedule of commitments under the Agreement.

22. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen the role of private sector in regional initiatives through appropriate mechanisms including through Public-Private Partnership as well as the need for greater intra-SAARC investment promotion efforts.

23. The Leaders underlined the need for taking concrete measures to improve trade facilitation. They directed the relevant SAARC bodies to expedite their work in these areas. They also recognized the importance of development of communication system and transport infrastructure and transit facilities specially for the landlocked countries to promote intra-SAARC trade.

24. The Leaders noted with appreciation that SAARC Commerce Ministers had coordinated SAARC position on WTO Issues and Doha Development Agenda during the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference and agreed on the SAARC Ministerial Communiqué. They directed the Commerce Ministers to continue the process.

25. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in education and directed greater interaction among the universities in the region towards undertaking of joint programmes on collaborative research and exchange programmes. They underscored the imperative of recognition of degrees, and where possible facilitation of credit transfers for open and distance education etc. They directed the expeditious finalization of mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees as also harmonization of educational curriculum in South Asia.

26. The Leaders took note of the Reports of the Steering Committee of the South Asian University, and appreciated the progress being made towards establishing the University. They also underscored the importance of establishing regional campuses of the South Asian University. They appreciated the announcement of the CEO of the SAU project office to initialize the first academic session of the University with effect from August 2010. Further they asked the Steering Committee to work towards finalizing the modalities of the University.

27. The Leaders called for collaborative efforts to achieve greater intra-regional connectivity and endorsed the recommendation to declare 2010-2020 as the “Decade of Intra-regional Connectivity in SAARC”. They agreed on the need to expedite negotiations with a view to finalizing the two agreements on Motor Vehicles and Railways.

28. The Leaders, reiterating the centrality of connectivity to further deepen and consolidate regional integration, mandated the Chair to convene an Inter-Governmental Meeting to recommend specific measures to enhance multi-modal connectivity including air, sea and surface transport.

29. Acknowledging the enormity of the challenges related to food insecurity and poverty, the Leaders directed the SAARC Agriculture Ministers to vigorously pursue regional cooperation in agriculture covering all sub-sectors to enhance overall agricultural productivity. They called for regional efforts on increased sharing of best practices, technologies, techniques, and materials. Given the importance of quality seeds in enhancing productivity, they further directed early consideration of the concept of a regional seed bank, regional testing and certification of seeds, and a framework for transfer of plant genetic material and seeds. They agreed that South Asian agriculture must benefit from collaborative efforts from within and among SAARC countries by undertaking specific initiatives and projects.

30. The Leaders underscored the need for promotion of tourism to enhance greater people-to-people contacts in the region and called for the creation of tourism-friendly environment. They welcomed the offer of the Government of Nepal to host the Third SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Tourism in Kathmandu in 2011 which coincides with the Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

31. The Leaders recognized the need to enhance cooperation in the energy sector to facilitate energy trade, development of efficient conventional and renewable energy sources including hydropower. They emphasized the need to undertake studies to develop regional energy projects, promote regional power trade, efficiency, conservation and development of labeling and standardization of appliances, and sharing of knowledge and technologies.

32. The Leaders agreed that an Action Plan on Energy conservation would be prepared by the SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Islamabad with inputs from the Member States and submit to the inter-governmental mechanism for consideration. They called for the creation of a web portal on Energy Conservation for exchange of information and sharing of best practices among SAARC Member States.

33. The Leaders noted the proposal from India for preparing a Roadmap for developing a SAARC Market for Electricity (SAME) on a regional basis, as SAARC is considering electricity trading, supported by enabling markets in the Member States.

34. The Leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed deep concern over the threat which terrorism continues to pose to peace, security and economic stability of the South Asian region. They reiterated their firm resolve to root out terrorism and recalled the Ministerial Declaration on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism adopted by the Thirty-first Session of the Council of Ministers in Colombo. They emphasized that the linkages between the terrorism, illegal trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance, illegal trafficking of persons and firearms all continue to remain a matter of serious concern and reiterated their commitment to address these problems in a comprehensive manner. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to fight terrorism and transnational organized crimes. They reaffirmed their commitment to implement the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. They re-emphasized the importance of coordinated and concerted response to combat terrorism. The Leaders also recognized in this regard the value of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and noted the progress made during the recent rounds of negotiations and called for an early conclusion of the Convention.

35. The Leaders welcomed the hosting of the Third Meeting of SAARC Home/Interior Ministers and related Meetings in Islamabad to review the implementation of relevant SAARC Conventions. They underscored the importance of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and called for its ratification.

36. The Leaders welcomed the Observers from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius, the Union of Myanmar, the United States of America and the European Union and appreciated their participation in the Summit. They acknowledged that Australia and Myanmar were attending the Summit for the first time. They appreciated the interest shown by the Observers to work with SAARC.

37. The Leaders welcomed the offer of the Government of Maldives to host the Seventeenth Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2011.

European Parliament Occupied by the Homeless

It is a myth that thrid world people, specifically our people in Sri Lanka think Europe or the west is a heaven and there is all the luxury found there. However, we can realize the situation there at europe, once we see the poor people at the streets, on the benches, in the railway stations, under the bridges, or along the corridors during the nights. Some people live with playing piano accordions, flutes, guitars or many other musical instruments. Some times we could see how the police treat them in the streets, railway stations once they want to sleep in the nights.
It is good to see the efforts of activist Jens Galschriot to high light the issues of homeless people in Europe visitng European parliamnet in mid april.
Here is the press release we got from APWLD and would like to add to my blog to high light this issue for those who willing to know this.

Herman Kumara,
12.04.10

Press release 10.04.2010

The artist and activist Jens Galschiøt (DK) joins the homeless organizations to put focus on the great number of homeless in Europe by visiting the European Parliament 12th to 16th April.


Galschiøt has created 13 big bronze sculptures of homeless people, all in natural size. These very heavy sculptures are by now on their way to the European Parliament to act as the start signal for a debate in all member countries about the conditions under which the homeless have to cope.


It has been a huge task to cast and create the many sculptures on which I have worked for two years. But they are intended to initiate a dialogue and put these problems on the agenda, and that makes it all worthwhile. I do not think that homelessness should exist anywhere in the EU, says Jens Galschiøt. Bronze sculptures are usually put up to honor kings and other important powerful persons. I have chosen to act the other way round and use the noble material and my art to tell the story of the back side of society and that way give voice to these people who are normally ignored.



Hearing in the EU on homelessness


In connection with the exhibition there will be a hearing where European politicians have a unique opportunity to learn about homelessness. The project UDENFOR (outside) and among others the Danish MEP Britta Thomsen (social democrat) in cooperation with the European umbrella FEANTSA will put focus on homelessness .


This takes place during a hearing in the European Parliament on Wednesday April the 14th which Britta Thomsen and a number of other MEPs will host. The hearing will lay forward the challenges to the European societies and present some relevant solutions to concrete problems. Present at the hearing will be Lászlo Andor EU Commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, Philippe Courard, representative for the Belgian Government and Eric Marlier, independent expert. Former homeless will also attend the hearing to relate about their experiences and to contribute to find solutions for the future.



Tour de Europe


After the visit to the European Parliament the sculptures start on a great tour de Europe. A number of exhibitions in public places are intended to start up discussions about unemployment in cooperation with local organisations for the homeless. The following towns in Denmark are to be visited this spring, København, Odense, Aarhus, Aalborg.


The exhibition and the campaigns are implemented on the initiative of “Projekt UDENFOR “and the project can be followed on www.welcomehomeless.org


For more information


Free photos of the sculpture: www.aidoh.dk/EU-Homeless


The artist Jens Galschiøt tlf.: +45 6618 4058/ mobil +45 4044 7058
aidoh@aidoh.dk , Info Galschiot: www.aidoh.dk

What would be our way forward under MR new regime?

After long and disturbing campaign, General Elections held today, 8t April.
There will be 14 million voters with 8700 candidates to elect 196 MPs through the people's votes and 29 from the national list propotinately to each political party votes received.
What a big mess during past 2 months after the announced the general election? How much money spent by the candidates, speciallythe ruling party candidates? How did they earn those money to run their election campaigns?
Most importantly, the cometeton was among the same party candidates as that is the only way to get the highest votes and be elected as a MP.
Predicent Mahinda Rajapakse, requested from the people a strong parliament with majority youth representation. At the begining, they expected 2/3 majority and the later stage of the campaign they realized 2/3 majority is impossible and gave up the idea.
With the news coming up from various sources, some of the powerful ministers are also in a fear as there would be some computer gimmick again this time to drop them from the list to the parliament, eventhough they take the required preferential votes in their respective districts.
But, the UNP, the main opposition party of the country also in the opinion that they could form a government as the TNA, DUF and UNP will get the majority representation at the Parliament.
So, there is only few more hours to see what has happened and we all are awaiting to learn the way we as social movements, NGOs, trade unions with different political ideologies and different views on on going development process.
We have initiated the dialogue and will continue with concern all.

Herman Kumara,
08.04.10

"This is the Land of Lord Buddha"

Just within 3 months after the presidential elections, the Parliamentary General election will be held on 8th April. The campaign was over by 5th night though the candidates are still runing here and there to collect votes.
Who cares the election rules in the country. From regional council member to the highest executive power holder, the president of the country is also breaking the rules. President him self says he is above the Sri Lankan Law. But, almost all the close ones to president exercise this power as police can not take any action against them at all.
Now, the main opponenet at the presidential election to the elected president is under arrest and no freedom to rn his campaign. No, freedom to run their campaigns by the opposition parties as a whole. IGP of police says he can not enforce the law in the country. Election commissioner says, there is no point of order to the police to enforce the law. How can we expect the rule of law in the country.
The defence secretary, one of the most powerful civil servant of the country runing the election campaign to support to ruling party candidates. At the same time the former army commander arrest claiming he had some political connections with the politicians and had telephone conversations with them. So, how can we see the free and fair elections in the country?
What is happening to this country is only god knows.
But, I have seen there are some stickers in the private buses saying.
"This is the land of Lord Buddha."
Then, I can not imagine what is the type of the land for Sathan?????
I am afraid to think of that.

Herman

Sri Lanka, political industry at the service of a totalitarian regime

I am highly impressed with this article and want to share with all.
As Sunil Ranasinghe shared with me, he had received very impressive feed back from the hundreds of people from the world. Specially, from unknown people who shares the same concerns of the prsent SL regime.
As, this gives a clear picture of the situation and some prophetic words on future, I keep this as important shating of my diary.
Thank you Sunil Aiya.

Herman


03/25/2010 13:17
SRI LANKA

by Sunil Ranasinghe*
An anthropologist and writer, describes the reality today in the Asian nation, characterized by propaganda and slogans inspired by patriotism to maintain power. No freedom of thought, opponents are being jailed and convicted on false accusations. Power is centralized in the hands of a narrow circle that stifles the nation.


Colombo (AsiaNews) - Sri Lanka is going through a phase of apparent peace after three decades of war between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the country. However, the recent presidential elections have raised the issue of freedom of thought and speech, of the political struggle between rival factions.
The vote ended with the triumph of outgoing President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the arrest of the challenger, Sarath Fonseka, an army general and hero of the victory over the Tamil rebels. He launched accusations of vote rigging, through which Rajapaksa regained the leadership of the country. In response, the Head of State ordered the arrest of his rival, who is now on trial.
AsiaNews publishes an analysis of the social and political situation in Sri Lanka by anthropologist and writer Sunil Ranasinghe.
The warriors are not a creation of the people, the art of politics appears on giant billboards on the roadside, they influence people to accept them as saviours of the country, it is the strategy of a totalitarian regime. Göbbels, Minister of Propaganda of the Nazi regime of Adolf Hitler, popularized this psychological effect during the Second World War: "A lie repeated thousands of times, becomes the truth." And it is with this fascist recipe that elites of the regime are using the printed and electronic media to colonize a false view of patriotism in people's minds. This is the hyper reality of a totalitarian state, such statesmanship throws old passions such as cinema, sports and stars into a political dustbin, and converts them into panegyrist to the regime.
The war in Sri Lanka was a war of propaganda, mass consumption of a false patriotism, to maintain the reputation of a shrewd leader, society under the control of mercenaries, and to silence all voices that resisted against a brutal system, "Everything is within the state, nothing outside the State, nothing against the state."
There is no commercial business more profitable than the political industry, the system opens an immense space for the greatest beneficiaries of the war to climb the pyramid of power and reach the summit. The leaders of a regime that centralizes power are regarded as outlaws, belonging to the narrow circle of the capitalist class, with traffickers, people who launder money and punters who sit next to them to exploit the common good. Such a system opens a huge space to the biggest war profiteers in their race to the top of the power pyramid, the leaders of the power centric regime are merely gangsters, belonging to the inner circles of the capitalist class, with smugglers, money launders, brokers, sitting next to them, ready to exploit common wealth.
The economic crisis and social unrest are human disasters of greedy politicians; protests and repression are only tools of the system. If the totalitarian regime suspects you are not resolutely on its side, they threaten to kill you and make fake documents and accusations against you and imprison you, without any judicial trial, wiping out human rights and real meaning of democracy. In the context of foreign conspiracy, false patriots emerge from the surface with religious zeal and apparent calm, but deep down are the most hypocritical and corrupt.
Totalitarianism has crushed the entire population to deploy its official ideology and the regime has increased its efforts to control virtually all aspects of life of society including the economy, education, arts, science, the private and moral life of the people, the officially proclaimed ideology penetrates into every nook and cranny of society; its ambition is total.
Sri Lanka suffered under total control and a painful isolation caused by false patriotism, the totalitarian state has dissolved all ethnic groups spreading suspicion and hatred among the people, it has blocked freedom of expression, following the enactment of the Terrorism Act ( pta Act) the opponents of the regime and the activists are the victims of kidnapping, carried to detention centres and convicted on false accusations.
The security forces act like bandits and wild beasts. The totalitarian regime has launched a campaign of terror against its own nation. "Under the totalitarian regime, it was as if we are forced to live in the same room with an insanely violate man”. We are experiencing the results of the political industry in Sri Lanka. * Sunil Ranasinghe is a freelance journalist, writer and anthropologist

The Island of tears of the Indian Ocean:

Her name is A. Ranjani 30 years old and her birth place is Jaffna. Ranjani lost her mother in 1988 due to the IPKF attacks. This is not only the misfortune of Ranjani as her family got caught the war in 1995 and displaced first time. After the first displacement Ranjani and her family resettled at Kanakarayankulam in Kilinochchi district.
Today, Ranjani lives with her husband 38 Years old and the 11/2 years old baby girl. Before the Eelam war 3 in 2009, her husband was a carpenter. But due to shell attacks during the war, he lost his right leg and now he can not do his profession any more as a carpenter. He became a day labourer as he needs to run the family. However, this is a huge struggle for the survival of the family today.
“Now we are living in a small hut at Puduhur Junction in Puliyankulam. We settled here just after the release of the people from the camps. Government gave us 12 tin sheets and 25,000 rupees only as the resettlement aid. The WFP gave us dry ration such as rice, flour, pulses, oil and sugar for our survival and we are depending on them today. We do not know when we would go back to our original places. We think it would have been much better if we had died during the war.” This is Ranjani’s frustrated voice. “We were seriously affected at the final war. We were living at Kanakarayankulam when the Eelam war 3 started. When the government military invaded our area the people went backward and vacate the village. We ran away to save our child and our lives with few clothes which we could carry at that time. After the Exodus, we got stranded at Puthukudurippu at Vellimullavaikkal camps at the end of the run. We were got caught at the final war and became the serious victims as we affected badly”.
Ranjani and her family could not live in the camps more than one month as they got frightened due to shells moving over their heads. At the same stage, her husband lost his right leg and became a cripple. This was another great loss for Ranjani’s life as he was the only bread winner of the family of three. Even with the wounds there was no any treatment for her husband as there was no medical facilities for any wound to treat. So, the best option was to remove his leg and save the life of the patient. The doctors help to save his life that way which they can see as a fortune at least today. Finally, they dug a bunker and lived within the bunker more than a month. Even it was like a nightmare to Ranjani today. Shells were fallen on the heads of the people and within a second people lost their lives. “We ran away when government military forces came to the Vellimullivaikkal area and ordered people to move out from the camps. We left even our father at the bunker as we could not carry him with us. We walked three days. Some times we did not have water to drink. My child was so weak with no food. What to do? I did not have breast milk too to feed her. Once, I was hiding in an abandoned well one day to save my life and my husband’s and child’s lives. That was so hard to remind now. The sufferings due to lack of food, lack of water and also the security we were in serious difficulties. As Ranjani says, “LTTE did not treat well at the last moments also LTTE didn’t provide enough food to the people because they too haven’t had enough food. But LTTE sold some food to the people who gave money. But, we did not have money too to buy foods from LTTE. The prices were very high and we could not afford at all.”

On the other hand my husband also a cripple, I am helpless in many ways. After three days struggle, we walked from Muliwaikkal to Kilinochchi Junction, which is more than 100 Km and later reached at Menik Farm by buses provided by Government military forces. Evan the military did not treat us well, but provided a bun per person.”
They were stayed there at Menik farm more than 6 months. By January 2010, it is around one month now they have settled the place where they live now.
But their voice is so wage and sharing are so much pathetic and hopeless.
“We can not see any future for our people. We were neglected as we are belonging to a minority group. We do not know how far we need to stay at these camps.”
“We are scared to live in these new settlements as serpents come to the tents in the night. What can I do with my poor husband and girl child.? We are victims of the war and the neglected due to poor and marginalized.”
Some of our people are displaced since 1995. They do not have any resettlement scheme yet. So, we do not know how long we have to be here. Some times, my poor girl will also perpetuate this life and will curse this society in the future, as we do today. I am scared to think this happen again in our society. I do not want any more violence. But there will no any option for the poor minority people in this society. What can we do? I do not like to remind the bad memories of war any more.”
Finally, Ranjani shared her fear and her frustration with a challenge to the whole Sri Lankan society.

Do we have the Commitment with a Vision?

Early morning I watched the television, ITN as usual while having my breakfast.
One so called Scholar was appeared in the TV and the presenter was also the government agent as usual.
Scholar is well known to me as he was one of my parrallel batch mate in Peradeniya university. I got mad with the economic explantions with the 5 points power centers in Sri Lanka would be the best in Asia and will continue straight forward with Mahinda Chnthana Way Forward. This is again a mere abusive mechanism of government media and the so called scholars.
I am really feel sorry about our scholars in my country. Because, people can be misleaded with these and not only the politicians do it and the scholars are also do the same.

Because, election Campaign is underway and the UPFA politicians are fighting among them for higher preferential votes. So, the competetion is only within the party?
We all are wondering what is going on. General public do not pay any attention to all these political jargons.
But, the politicians in the government, as well as the so called scholars are highly voceferous and confident about 2/3 majority. The important thing according to the people engage here is that to make the Sri Lanka wonder in the Asia, under the Mahinda Chinthana way forward, government need a strong parliament.
So, do we as people in Sri Lanka ready to believe all these?
I am not sure people will believe this. But, majority people are frustrates after the presidential election results, and now keeping quiet amidst all these political bluffing.
What we can do to face these situations?
Now, we need to think different strategies to educate people. Most of the people are easily mislead and follow the oppressive mechanisms.
I hope, committed small group with a vision, can change the world.
I do believe this and could continue what I can do in my small little way.

Herman