Two children feared dead after five bodies found in family neighbourhood: ‘It’s a shock’

After five bodies were found in a possible murder-suicide in an Illinois home, neighbours have said two children lived at the home.

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Elon Musk says Twitter feud with Apple boss is 'resolved' and was a 'misunderstanding'

Twitter boss Elon Musk appears to have diffused a row with another tech giant.

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South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and what it means for SL

State circles in Sri Lanka have begun voicing the need for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for the country, on the lines of South Africa’s historic TRC, and the time could not be more appropriate for a comprehensive discussion in Sri Lanka on the questions that are likely to arise for the country as a result of launching such an initiative. There is no avoiding the need for all relevant stakeholders to deliberate on what it could mean for Sri Lanka to usher a TRC of its own.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKI), Colombo, took on the responsibility of initiating public deliberations on what a TRC could entail for Sri Lanka. A well-attended round table forum towards this end was held at the LKI on November 25 and many were the vital insights it yielded on how Sri Lanka should go about the crucial task of bringing about enduring ethnic peace in Sri Lanka through a home-grown TRC. A special feature of the forum was the on-line participation in it of South African experts who were instrumental in making the TRC initiative successful in South Africa.

There was, for example, former Minister of Constitutional Affairs and Communication of South Africa Roelf Meyer, who figured as Chief Representative of the white minority National Party government in the multi-party negotiations of 1993, which finally led to ending apartheid in South Africa. His role was crucial in paving the way for the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994. Highlighting some crucial factors that contributed towards South Africa’s success in laying the basis for ethnic reconciliation, Meyer said that there ought to be a shared need among the antagonists to find a negotiated solution to their conflict. They should be willing to resolve their issues. Besides, the principle needs be recognized that ‘one negotiates with one’s enemies’. These conditions were met in South Africa.

Meyer added that South Africa’s TRC was part of the country’s peace process. Before the launching of the TRC a peace agreement among the parties was already in place. Besides, an interim constitution was licked into shape by then. The principle agreed to by the parties that, ‘We will not look for vengeance but for reconciliation’, not only brought a degree of accord among the conflicting parties but facilitated the setting-up of the TRC.

Meyer also pointed out that that the parties to the conflict acted with foresight when they postponed considering the question of an amnesty for aggressors for the latter part of the negotiations. If an amnesty for perceived aggressors ‘was promised first, we would never have had peace’, he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr. Fanie Du Toit, Senior Fellow of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, South Africa, in his presentation said that the restoration of the dignity of the victims in the conflict is important. The realization of ethnic peace in South Africa was a ‘victim-centric’ process. Hearing out the victim’s point of view became crucial. Very importantly, the sides recognized that ‘apartheid was a crime against humanity’. These factors made the South African TRC exercise a highly credible one.

The points made by Meyer and Du Toit ought to prompt the Sri Lankan state and other parties to the country’s conflict to recognize what needs to be in place for the success of an ethnic peace process of their own. A challenge for the Sri Lankan government is to ban racism in all its manifestations and to declare racism a crime against humanity. For starters, is the Lankan government equal to this challenge? If this challenge goes unmet bringing ethnic reconciliation to Sri Lanka would prove an impossible task.

Lest the Sri Lankan government and other relevant sections to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict forget, reconciliation in South Africa was brought about, among other factors, by truth-telling by aggressors and oppressors. In its essentials, the South African TRC entailed the aggressors owning to their apartheid-linked crimes in public before the Commission. In return they were amnestied and freed of charges. Could Sri Lanka’s perceived aggressors measure up to this challenge? This question calls for urgent answering before any TRC process is gone ahead with.

Making some opening remarks at the forum, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said, among other things, that the LKI discussion set the tone for the setting up of a local TRC. He said that the latter is important because future generations should not be allowed to inherit Sri Lanka’s ethnic tangle and its issues. Ethnic reconciliation is essential as the country goes into the future. He added that the ‘Aragalaya’ compelled the country to realize its past follies which must not be repeated.

In his closing remarks, former Minister of Public Works of South Africa and High Commissioner of South Africa to Sri Lanka ambassador Geoffrey Doidge said that Sri Lanka’s TRC would need to have a Compassionate Council of religious leaders who would be catalysts in realizing reconciliation. Sri Lanka, he said, needs to seize this opportunity and move ahead through a consultative process. All sections of opinion in the country need to be consulted on the core issues in reconciliation.

At the inception of the round table, Executive Director, LKI, Dr. D. L. Mendis making some welcome remarks paid tribute to South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela for his magnanimous approach towards the white minority and for granting an amnesty to all apartheid-linked offenders. He also highlighted the role played by Bishop Desmond Tutu in ushering an ‘Age of Reconciliation’.

In his introductory remarks, High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in South Africa Prof. Gamini Gunawardena said, among other things, that TRCs were not entirely new to Sri Lanka but at the current juncture a renewed effort needed to be made by Sri Lanka towards reconciliation. Sri Lanka should aim at its own TRC process, he said.

During Q&A Roelf Meyer said that in South Africa there was a move away from authoritarianism towards democracy, a democratic constitution was ushered. In any reconciliation process, ensuring human rights should be the underlying approach with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights playing the role of guide. Besides, a reconciliation process must have long term legitimacy.

Dr. Fanie Du Toit said that Bishop Tutu’s commitment to forgiveness made him acceptable to all. Forgiveness is not a religious value but a human one, he said. It is also important to recognize that human rights violations are always wrong.

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Asalanka wins last over thriller at Pallekele

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

 

Sri Lanka completed the highest successful run chase ever at home to square the three match ODI series against Afghanistan on Wednesday at the Pallekele International Stadium.

Set a target of 314 to win, Sri Lanka got home with two balls and four wickets in hand as Charith Asalanka starred with an unbeaten 83 off 72 balls with five fours and four sixes. Sri Lanka were in trouble after Rashid Khan ran through the middle order claiming four for 37. Three of those dismissals were batsmen failing to read the googly and all three were bowled through the gate.

But Asalanka battling with cramps fought back and he was well supported by Dunith Wellalage as they added 65 runs off 39 deliveries for the seventh wicket to complete the run chase.

The hosts needed 13 runs off the last over. Wellalage pulled the first ball bowled by Fazalhaq Farooqui for six although Rashid Khan at deep mid-wicket nearly completed the catch. Wellalage got a single off the third ball and then Asalanka sealed the game with a six off the fourth delivery for much of the delight of a packed stadium.

Opening batsman Ibrahim Zadran rewrote the history books for Afghanistan with a career best 162 before being dismissed in the last ball of the innings.

The 20-year-old posted the highest score by an Afghan player in ODIs going past Mohammad Shahzad’s 131, made in 2015 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah. It’s also the highest score by an overseas player in Sri Lankan soil moving past India’s Gautam Gambhir, who had posted 150 in Colombo in 2009.

Zadran was playing just his eighth ODI but showed excellent temperament and composure helping his side out of a tricky situation after being reduced to 57 for three. Zadran was involved in a 154-run stand with his namesake Najibullah Zadran, a record for Afghanistan for the fourth wicket.

It was Ibrahim Zadran’s second century in the series having posted a match winning hundred in the first game which Afghanistan won by 60 runs. Zadran required 100 balls for his century but from there on he was cruising as he needed only 38 deliveries for his next 62 runs. His knock contained 15 fours and four sixes as Sri Lanka ran out of ideas to stop the batsman. Najibullah assisted him well posting less than run a ball 77 with eight fours and one six. The stand was broken when Dasun Shanaka pulled off a stunning catch at mid-wicket. However, there was no stopping Ibrahim Zadran.

Kasun Rajitha was the pick of the bowlers finishing with three wickets.

 

 

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Most senior Republicans pull rug from under Trump's 2024 bid over antisemitism

A flurry of Republicans has turned against Donald Trump's presidential bid after the former President had dinner with a white supremacist and an antisemitic organiser.

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US tornado alert: 'Dangerous' twisters to strike as flooding and power cuts hit the South

Tornados tearing through southern US have destroyed homes as more than 40 million face power cuts and severe weather, including flooding.

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South Dakota bans TikTok on state-owned devices over Chinese connection concern

The Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem, signed an executive order on Tuesday banning Tiktok on state-owned devices.

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Biden rushes to mic to announce Team USA's victory over Iran: 'They did it, God love 'em!'

The USA join England in progressing through Group B to the World Cup knockout stages in Qatar.

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Dolawatta responds to GL

SLPP MP Premanath C. Dolawatta said his private member’s motion wouldn’t lead to the postponement of local government polls. He said he felt the need to restore the 25% quota for youth, even before he entered Parliament, consequent to the August 2020 general election. The government and the Opposition could quickly reach a consensus on the proposals, and avoid unnecessary complications. MP Dolawatta said so when The Island sought his response to accusations made by Prof. Peiris, who said that time was rapidly running out for Local Government polls. As the nomination process needed to be commenced soon to ensure that 341 Local Government bodies could be constituted by 20 March 2023.

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Police rescue two from booby-trapped house as AK47 gunman barricades himself inside

A hostage situation developed in Boulder, Colorado Monday night with police confirming a man had barricaded himself in a building with what appeared to be booby traps.

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Trump wrong to dine with 'white nationalist and Holocaust denier', fumes Pence

Former President Donald Trump met with "white nationalist and Holocaust denier" Nick Fuentes and rapper Kanye West at his Mar-a-Lago estate last week.

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Arizona election chaos as Republican officials refuse to certify midterm results

Some officials who believe in the voter fraud theories have refused to certify the results despite no firm evidence.

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Biden urges Congress to intervene to prevent 'crippling' and 'devastating' rail strike

A rail strike is set to start from Friday December 9 unless unions and railroad owners can settle their differences.

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Musk questions if Apple 'hates free speech' as advertising on Twitter 'mostly stopped'

Tesla CEO Elon Musk completed his $44billion acquisition of the social media platform Twitter last month.

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Imthiaz: Youth have every right to be angry and rulers cannot escape responsibility

SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar says a ruler cannot hold on to power by imprisoning the country’s youth.

Participating in the debate on the 2023 Budget, Bakeer Markar said, “The current crisis has severely affected the country’s youth as proved by the ongoing brain drain. We must all understand this situation. The youth who are suffering due to these issues are now in anger. Their dreams have been destroyed due to the crisis. They have no hopes for the future and neither have they been offered any help or support to build their lives. Given the situation they have every right to be angry.”

“Labelling them as terrorists or issuing threats claiming that military or police will be deployed against them is not what must be done.

“It is a fallacy to think traditional politics or intimidation is a solution to these issues. One is mistaken if one believes they can hang on to power through the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act or a Rehabilitation Bill or even by locking up youth in torture chambers or in dark rooms. Traditional politics is dead. One cannot deal with today’s youth with an island mentality,” he said.

The MP said that youth with new thinking is coming into power the world over and have become forces of change in their countries.

“The world is calling for Martin Luthers and not Hitlers,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka must use the citizens’ struggle in a positive manner for its future journey.  “Our country’s youth became exemplary when they engaged in a peaceful struggle on the country’s streets for freedom, equality and life. Using their struggle as an example we should set our goals as a country higher and obtain the support of the youth to embark on this journey. This is what is accepted in the developed world today where they look at youth in a positive manner. It is understood that a speedier journey towards development can be achieved through this,” the MP said.

He said that oppression is not the answer. The country’s leadership must join hands with them to go forward.

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WATCH: Dramatic footage shows lava lighting up world’s largest active volcano as it erupts

Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, is located on Hawaii's Big Island.

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Hawaii volcano eruption: Alert level stepped up as 'stay indoors' warning issued to locals

An eruption at the world's largest active volcano began on Sunday night, the US Geological Service has confirmed.

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'Very sad and depressed' cat finds forever home after droopy-eyed post goes viral

Fishtopher the cat became an online sensation overnight after his story was shared and liked thousands of times. Now, the droopy-eyed tabby is in a much better place.

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Donald Trump's 2024 candidacy branded 'untenable' after meeting notorious anti-Semite

The dinner was also attended by rapper Kanye West, who has been dropped by a number of brands for his comments about Judaism.

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Leading Republican vows to investigate Joe Biden and his family over ‘abuse of power’

Congressman James Comer, who is about to become the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, has promised that House Republicans will be holding a series of investigations into President Joe Biden as well as certain family members.

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AI: Lanka at brink of humanitarian crisis

The dramatic fuel shortages that accompanied mass protests in Sri Lanka earlier this year may have eased, but for millions of Sri Lankans the economic crisis is worse than ever, said a report by the Amnesty International. It said: This month, the United Nations renewed a humanitarian appeal, stating that 28 percent of the population faces food insecurity and that the poverty rate this year has doubled.

Food price inflation was over 85 percent in October, and acute shortages of foreign currency mean that many imports, including essential medicines, are scarce or unobtainable. Meanwhile, authorities have cracked down on peaceful protest. President Ranil Wickremasinghe has suppressed demonstrations and has used the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to detain student activists. Wickremasinghe has even warned that he will again declare a state of emergency and deploy security forces in the event of major protests.

Without respect for human rights, including the right to peacefully protest, Sri Lankans cannot hold politicians accountable, whether for mismanagement or corruption. It is essential that Sri Lanka’s international partners, including the United States and European Union, press the government to fulfill its human rights obligations as an essential step towards addressing the crisis.

Sri Lankan economists fear the economic situation could deteriorate rapidly without action by foreign creditors, placing the basic needs of millions of people in further jeopardy. To stabilize the economy, international creditors should agree to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt so the country can secure final approval for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and financing from other global agencies.

In April, Sri Lanka defaulted on over US$50 billion in debts to international creditors, and in September it reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout. The first tranche of that bailout would ease the crippling shortage of foreign exchange and unlock access to other funding, including from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, which cannot provide new funding until the IMF agreement is completed.

Sri Lanka’s major foreign creditors, including China, Japan, and India, should urgently mitigate the adverse human rights impacts of the economic crisis. The IMF should use its procedures to make needed funds available as soon as possible, putting into place safeguards to protect people’s economic and social rights.And the Wickremesinghe administration should respect fundamental rights, including to peaceful protest.

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Teenage hero, 14, dies after trying to rescue two friends from icy lake

Dyllan's family paid tribute to the youngster who has been hailed a hero for his selfless actions that saw him and another boy attempt a rescue.

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Trump's 2024 bid may be 'busted flush' after midterms setback, says election strategist

Mr Trump wants his old job back but it might not be that simple, says Dr Louis Perron.

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Joe Biden blank stares for 20 seconds after question on the US-England tie: 'Game over?'

Joe Biden's presidency has been marked by persistent mistakes during official speeches and informal occasions, with his detractors questioning his ability to run the country.

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Top bridal designer of today

Indi’s bridal designs design are renowned for its distinctive use of colours, quality of fabrics, intricate embroideries and a glorious rich Sri Lanka culture.Indi is included in the list of best Sri Lankan bridal designers and she is one designer who is acknowledged on the international pedestal for her different and unique designs of bridal ensembles. Her designs are elegant, her taste heavily inspired by local culture

Indi’s reimagination of traditions and styles is what sets her apart. And rightly so according to her the quintessential Indi’s bride is the one who’s self assured, highly confident and well aware of the craft and art.

A bridal attire is no charm if it is not designed under the signature label of popular designers. Indi is one designer whose collection provides ease with style. She creates magic when she puts together her mind and creativity to design any bridal attire.

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Winston the French bulldog shows off his star quality after snapping up top prize

French bulldogs are the second-most popular breed in the United States.

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FM clarification: She is not the Foreign Secy

“Chairman of Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) SJB MP Kabir Hashim chairing a session of Foreign Affairs at a committee room in the Parliamentary complex on Tuesday. Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane is also in the picture,’ the Foreign Ministry said that the person appearing in the photograph, with lawmaker Kabir Hashim, is not Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane. Also there was no COPA session on Foreign Affairs.

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Walmart gunman left behind sick 'Death note' manifesto claiming he was 'led by' Satan

Andre Bing left behind a harrowing "death note" asking God to forgive him and claiming he was a "loving" person.

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Ibrahim, Fazalhaq help Afghanistan take 1-0 lead

A century by Ibrahim Zardan and a four wicket haul by Fazalhaq Farooki helped Afghanistan defeat Sri Lanka by 60 runs in the first ODI played at Pallekelle on Friday

 

Afghanistan 294/8 in 50 overs

(Ibrahim Zardan 106, Rahamat Shah 52; Wanidu Hasaranga 2/42)

Sri Lanka 234/10in 38 overs

(Pathum Nissanka 85, Wanidu Hasaranga 66  ; Fazalhaq Farooki 4/49, Gulabdin Naib 3/34, Yamin Ahamadzai 2/46 )

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Rome taxi driver ‘sexually assaulted two US students returning home from night out’

Antonio Macrì, 34, allegedly attacked the two Americans after a night out, as they returned to their accommodation.

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Kanye West has announced his plan to run for US President in 2024

The rapper embroiled in scandal has announced on social media he will make another run at the White House in 2024.

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GCE O/L results to be released today

GCE  O/L 2021 examination results are to be released today and can be viewed on www.doenets.lk

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Tragedy as woman, 31, freezes to death in national park as desperate husband ran for help

A 31-year-old hiker has died after suffering in freezing temperatures on a 16-mile trail. It is the second tragedy in the sprawling Zion National Park in a matter of weeks after a 22-year-old was swept away in floodwater.

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Thanksgiving horror as gunman 'storms into home and shoots four people after dinner'

Late on Thursday night, the shooter entered a Houston home and opened fire, killing two people and injuring another two.

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Commonwealth Chess Championship Awards and Prize Giving at Temple Trees

The Commonwealth Chess Championship Awards and Prize Giving Ceremony was held at Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Wednesday (22).

Winners representing England, South Africa, India, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka received their awards. Addressing the Commonwealth chess officials and players, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that it was a privilege for the country to hold the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Colombo and that the game would help to develop discipline, patience and the power of thinking and gaining knowledge by the youth of the country.

State Minister of Sports Rohana Dissanayake, Member of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena, Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, President of the Commonwealth Chess Association Bharat Singh, President of Sri Lanka Chess Federation Lakshman Wijesuriya and other officials and representatives from the Commonwealth took part in the ceremony.

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Thousands line streets of New York for giant balloon Thanksgiving Parade

Thousands of spectators lined the streets of New York on Thursday as colourful, high-flying balloons - including Minions characters - ushered in Thanksgiving.

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Incredible wheelchair which can be controlled with brain signals created in Texas

In one of the first studies of its kind, a wheelchair controlled by the thoughts of its user proved successful at helping wheelchair users navigate through a cluttered environment.

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Speaker orders out SJB’s Wijesiri

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri was removed from Parliament yesterday following an attempt to assault Member of Parliament Nimal Lanza during the Parliament sitting in the morning.

MP Wijesiri tried to attack MP Lanza during a debate on the local government elections.

Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena instructed to remove MP Wijesiri for behaving in an unruly manner in the Chamber as per the request of Leader of the House Susil Premajayantha.

Wijesiri was later allowed into the House for afternoon sittings.

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Walmart mass shooting suspect named as 31-year-old Andre Bing

Andre Marcus Bing, 31, was an overnight team lead at Walmart on Sam's Circle in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Walmart mass shooting suspect named as 31-year-old Andre Bing

Andre Marcus Bing, 31, was an overnight team lead at Walmart on Sam's Circle in Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Walmart shooting victim named as survivors say gunman silently picked off victims

Tyneka Johnson, 22, has been named as one of six people shot dead by a Walmart gunman in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA, last night.

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US servicewoman accused of killing a motorcyclist to be tried in UK

A US servicewoman accused of killing a motorcyclist by careless driving can be tried in Britain, a judge ruled yesterday. Mikayla Hayes, 24, claimed she should be handed over to the US authorities as she was wearing US Air Force PT gear at the time of the fatal crash. Her lawyer argued wearing the outfit is the same as being in uniform - meaning she was "on duty".

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