Odds & Ends

Misplaced pride?

When our new man in Geneva, Ambassador Dayan Jayatillake, was elected one of the vice presidents of the Human Rights Council last week, the Foreign Ministry put a spin on the story. Firstly, that he was elected ‘unanimously’, and secondly, that his election was a sort of a slap in the face for human rights activists because the Council, after all, has virtually endorsed Sri Lanka's human rights record by giving us the post of vice president. Never mind the abuses.

Dubious honour

A Geneva source tells us that vice presidents are rotated among regional groups and are not contested. They are virtually offered to countries on a platter. But there is a catch. The Council has a long track record of giving key posts to habitual human rights abusers, including Libya, Zimbabwe and Sudan. The logic behind this is that human rights abusers inside the Council are the best guarantees of protecting human rights abusers outside the Council. So, obviously, Sri Lanka's ‘election’ as vice president of the Human Rights Council is a back handed compliment. Now, it has to protect all those countries with poor human rights record. But the Foreign Ministry is apparently taking the honour seriously. So, is our man in Geneva.

Booru-crats are fighting

Two Government top booru crats are said to be engaged in a battle royal with each blaming the other for lapses. It may not be long before the President has to intervene and sort things out. These ex-retired security types having held parallel ranks apparently do not like to be second to one another, but under the appointments they hold one is technically above the other. The petty wrangling is too close to the front for comfort

He will leave no stone unturned

Jaya mangalan or awa mangalan the man is working as if possessed. Never mind the blunt snub from comrades early this week for his methods. So it looks as if he will leave no stone unturned to bring down a king. He has not stopped at greens. Now it is time for secret pow-wows with thondu man and kumari-gate man

Pocketing the lucre

A Puttalam district deputy minister’s personal staff say they are receiving only a part of their monthly salaries while the rest is being pocketed by the minister. However they say they are being forced to sign in the record books that they are obtaining their full salary as well as other perks even though this is not so. Sand miners in the area too are angry with the said DM saying they are being asked for a part of their profits by this person.