Global Tamil Forum tribute to Sunila Abeyasekara
- Tuesday, 10 September 2013
On the first day of the 24th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, we have lost one of the most ardent human rights activist, Sunila Abeyasekara, in Sri Lanka. Sunila represented a unique voice from within the majority Sinhalese community. She fought repression of all forms, be it against Sinhalese, Tamils, women, Muslims and youth. She built an international solidarity network around the globe, which worked on issues of poverty, environment, labour, women’s rights, and emancipation.
“Tamils lost a rare voice of reason within Sri Lanka today. Sunila Abeyasekara fought for equality of all of the residents of Sri Lanka. She stood in solidarity with Tamils in our most trying times, and she stood for accountability and justice since the end of the war in 2009. I have lost a personal friend of 15 years. She has made this world a better place for all of us. May god bless her soul.”
Sri Lankan rights activist Sunila Abeysekera no more
Sri Lankan activist Sunila Abeysekera (1952 — 2013), who inspired many with her relentless work championing human rights, passed away in Colombo on Monday. Photo: Special Arrangement
, September 10, 2013
Sri Lankan activist Sunila Abeysekera, who inspired many with her relentless work championing human rights, passed away in Colombo on Monday. She was 61.
Ms. Abeysekera was known for her consistent efforts in campaigning for human rights, focusing particularly on the plight of people living in war-affected areas. She also engaged with issues pertaining to women's rights, sexual and reproductive rights, including the rights of communities such as sex workers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and lesbian, gay, and transgender persons, according to PeaceWomen Across the Globe, an organisation involved in peace activism.
“In 1989, Sunila played a pioneering role in the establishment of a group, INFORM, that undertook documentation of human rights abuses at a time when there was a high level of repression and terror in the country,” a note on its website said. She was one of those activists who consistently raised their voice against human rights violation, despite intimidation and threats.
Citizen journalism website Groundviews carried a poignant note on Ms. Abeysekera's passing away, highlighting her contributions to social causes and also pointed to her skills as a singer. She was also actively involved in theatre, local reports said.
