Sri Lanka’s Deadly Track Record For Journalists Post Independence

By Raisa Wickrematunge

Last Friday marked Independence Day. 63 years after February 4, 1948, how free are we? Ironically, since independence, freedom of the press has deteriorated. Journalists who are too ‘outspoken’ are harassed, threatened, beaten or killed. Most recently, the Lanka eNews office was burned down by an unidentified gang.
The Sunday Leader itself has seen its presses burnt twice, its Founder Editor killed while its employees continue to receive threatening letters and phone calls. The following is a compilation of journalists killed, courtesy the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and online news websites. Apart from the LTTE claiming responsibility in some of the murders, all the others have remained unsolved with the perpetrators going free. The following cases send a strong message of how far freedom of expression is tolerated. Or, rather not tolerated in this country – yet.

      
These figures are only the number of journalists who have been killed- by the LTTE, some allegedly by Tamil party members, and some by persons unknown. Many have fled overseas having received threats, in fear for their lives. Press freedom advocate and Government critic Poddala Jayantha is one prominent example. Jayantha fled overseas after being abducted and brutally assaulted while returning from work in 2009. Many have simply disappeared without a trace, the most recent instance being cartoonist and Lankaenews journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, who is still missing. Full Story>>>

Sri Lanka's rights violations compel investigations, says Australian MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 02 March 2011, 02:45 GMT]
Laurie Ferguson, Member of Australian Parliament for Werriwa and Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, in his statement following submitting a private members bill for debate on "Humanitarian Issues During the War in Sri Lanka," Monday detailed the egregious violations of human rights in Sri Lanka and said he supported eminent personalities, Governments, and premier Rights organizations around the world in demanding an independent, international investigations into Sri Lanka's rights violations.

• Hansard: Humanitarian Issues During the War in Sri Lanka

Australian MPs Ferguson, Randall, Bandt, and Alexander spoke during the debate of the private bill for debate submitted by Ferguson.

Full Story>>>

Two Air Force Kfir jets crash, one pilot killed

Two Air Force Kfir jets crash, one pilot killed

Tuesday, 01 March 2011 10:34

Two Air Force Kfir jets crashed during a rehearsal at Yakkala today morning killing one of the pilots, an Air Force official said.
Initial reports said that both pilots had ejected themselves and escaped,  but later the air force confirmed one of them was killed.  Flight Lt M. Perera had been killed while Sq Leader Vajira Jayakody had escaped.
Mr Jayampathi Gamage who visited the scene soon after the accident said at least 12 houses had been damaged by the crash and  trees within an area of  about 800 metre radius had been damaged.
"There was a school nearby,  but no damage has been caused. Parents were rushing to get the children from the school",  he said.
He said the crash had occurred at the Nelligahamula junction on the 231 bus route and a part of the wing was fallen on the main road.
"It is was lucky that no persons on the ground had been killed or  severely injured in the crash.  But there are many coconut trees whcih have been damaged",  he said.
The rehearsal was for the 60th anniversary of the air force which is being marked on Wednesday with fly-past aerobatics and a skydiving display. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been invited as the chief guest for the event at the Ratmalana air base.
The President visited the scene of the crash a short while back, a spokesman for the President’s office said.

                                                     FULL STORY>>>

Two Air Force Kfir jets crash, one pilot killed

FACTBOX - Key political risks to watch in Sri Lanka

By C. Bryson Hull

COLOMBO | Tue Mar 1, 2011 3:04pm IST

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka has flagged rising oil prices as the only risk to economic growth the central bank forecasts at a record 8.5 percent this year, a threat now made real by crises in Libya and elsewhere in North Africa and the Middle East.
Following is a summary of key risks to watch in Sri Lanka Full Story>>>

Sri Lanka risks war crimes probe

 

Updated: 20:23, Tuesday March 1, 2011

Sri Lanka could be hauled before a war crimes tribunal over the killing of 'many thousands of civilians' in the final months of its separatist war with Tamil rebels, a top US official says.
In the toughest warning since the end of fighting in May 2009, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Robert Blake, said Sri Lanka risked a forced international investigation.
His remarks came as the UN Human Rights Council was meeting in Geneva, where Sri Lanka has previously managed to avoid condemnation thanks to the backing of several nations, including strong allies China and Russia.
Blake, a former ambassador to Sri Lanka, said it was 'preferable' for Sri Lanka to have its own investigation in line with internationally accepted human rights standards, rather than face an external inquiry.
'It's important to say that if Sri Lanka is not willing to meet international standards regarding these matters, there would be pressure to appoint an international commission to look into these things,' Blake told AFP.
Sri Lanka has refused to investigate alleged war crimes, but President Mahinda Rajapakse has appointed a panel to probe why a 2002 ceasefire between the government and the Tamil rebels broke down.
International rights groups have rejected the government-appointed panel as a whitewash, saying it fails to address war crimes by both sides during the 37-year conflict.
Sri Lanka's relations with the US were strained in 2009 when Washington voiced concern about human rights as the army killed the top leadership of the Tamil Tiger rebels, ending decades of insurgency.
After urging from the Tamil diaspora, a number of US politicians have pushed President Barack Obama's administration to take a harder line on Sri Lanka.
In a video interview on Monday from Washington, Blake said reconciliation, accountability and human rights were among the key elements the US wanted to see to normalise ties with the South Asian nation.
'The UN has estimated that many thousands of civilians were killed in the final few months of the war,' Blake said.
The UN said that at least 7000 civilians perished in the final months of fighting, while international rights groups have put the toll at more than 30,000.
Blake cited the UN Security Council reporting Libya to the International Criminal Court last week as a signal of global concern over human rights.
He said he was not comparing Sri Lanka with Libya, but said the security council's unanimous decision against Libya over the weekend underscored the resolve of the international community regarding crimes against humanity.

 Full Story>>>

Accountability for Violations of IHL in Counterinsurgency: The Case of Sri Lanka

Live Seminar 30: Accountability for Violations of IHL in Counterinsurgency: The Case of Sri Lanka

View more presentations from Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research at Harvard   University                                                                         

                                Full Story>>> 

Rajapaksa’s Dictatorial Allies Foretell His Future

By Mangala Samaraweera, M.P.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gaddafi and Namal and Gaddafi

By Mangala Samaraweera, M.P.

Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gaddafi and Namal and Gaddafi

It is with great alarm that the peace loving people of the civilised world witness the despotic regime of Muammar Gaddafi killing his own people, using heavy weapons and even fighter aircraft to bomb civilian targets in a desperate attempt to retain power. Looking at the brutal suppression of peaceful civilian protests in Libya by its megalomaniac leader and his sons we cannot but draw parallels to the dynastic path the Rajapaksa regime has taken here at home.
For the last 42 years Gaddafi has ruled Libya with an iron fist, destroying all forms of opposition, stifling dissent, silencing free speech and paving the way for his sons to take over once he is no more. During this time he and his family amassed billions of dollars and siphoned the country’s oil wealth. Oil rich Libya with its population of just six million is run by a handful of family members and cronies loyal to the first family. Gaddafi’s sons Saif, Mutassim and Hannibal hold key positions in government and the military running the country as if it were their personal fiefdom. Feb 27 2011 | Posted in Politics | Read More »

Prabhakaran’s Mother’s Ashes Desecrated

By Dinouk Colombage Following the cremation of Parvathi Amma on Tuesday, February 22, the ashes were awaiting the ritual collection the next day. During the night an unidentified group had desecrated the ashes by shooting three dogs on the cremation spot. The murdered dogs were then laid on the ashes which had been scattered on [...]

Feb 27 2011 | Posted in News | Read More »

Northern Homes Will Not be Returned At Cost Of National Security

81,000 lost their homes, most still waiting

By Maryam Azwer
Claims made by people whose homes remain in the hands of security forces in the North will be considered, but properties will be returned only if doing so will not hinder national security, said Defence Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella.
“Primarily, national security will have to be considered. It is the case in any country,” he said.
In parliament last week, the TNA raised the issue of many private properties in the North being held by the security forces. Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena in response to this stated that while a total of 1,205 properties were indeed being used by the forces, these could not be returned yet as they were within High Security Zones (HSZs).  Meanwhile, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran told The Sunday Leader that during the war, “81,000 people were ousted from their houses because they fall within the area that is loosely known as the Palaly High Security Zone.”
He said that there had been several efforts made by the people themselves to reclaim these properties, and while some had been reclaimed, others are still unaware as to when they would get their homes back.  “They (the government) say that these properties are inside the High Security Zones, but legally there is no High Security Zone,” said Sumanthiran, who had brought up this point in parliament last week too. Responding to questions on whether people who had lost their homes had been compensated, Defence Spokesperson Rambukwella said, “They are living somewhere, so it obviously means that alternative arrangements have been made. We are mindful of this,” he added.     Feb 27 2011 | Posted in News | Read More »

Dual citizenship gone - to avoid war crime charges?

Dual citizenship gone - to avoid war crime charges? By Ranga Jayasuriya

Some key positions of this government have been filled by dual citizens. Gotabaya Rajapaksa - the powerful Defence Secretary is a dual citizen of Sri Lanka and the USA. Basil Rajapaksa - Investment Development Minister has a US Green Card in addition to his Sri Lankan citizenship. Sarath Fonseka, the now incarcerated former army commander is also a Green Card holder. Palitha Kohona, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations also holds his Australian citizenship in addition to his Sri Lankan citizenship.
The government directive stopping dual citizenship is not retrospective - hence it would not affect the citizenship status of those who have already obtained dual citizenship. But it effectively deprives thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands of expatriate Sri Lankans of their Sri Lankan citizenship.
And, there are other explanations, as advanced by diaspora Tamils on the discontinuance of the applications for dual citizenship.
A reader commented on a popular website - Transcurrents
“The news coming out of Sri Lanka says that the Sri Lankan government has stopped considering applications for dual citizenship. Will it retroactively cancel the dual citizenship; in which event Palitha Kohona will be only a Sri Lankan citizen and then he will be beyond the jurisdiction of International Criminal Court. Sri Lanka has not recognized the ICC.”
“What a smart ostrich style move to protect its own.”Expatriate Sri Lankans obtain citizenship of their host countries for practical reasons. With the citizenship of the host country, come other opportunities which are exclusive to the citizens such as educational opportunities, better career prospects, security clearance and voting rights, etc.
Yet, many have opted to keep their Sri Lankan citizenship, more so for their emotional attachment with their motherland. Now that the process for dual Dual citizenship gone - to avoid war crime charges?FullStory>>>

"An Australian citizen and senior Sri Lankan diplomat

Kohona could face court over Tamil Tiger deaths - Sydney paper

Kohona could face court over Tamil Tiger deaths - Sydney paper

[Mon, 21 Feb 2011, 13:33 GMT]

"An Australian citizen and senior Sri Lankan diplomat has been accused of complicity in the murders of three surrendering Tamil Tigers in an application to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands," Sydney Morning Herald said in its Monday edition, referring to Dr Palitha Kohona, who is currently attached to the United Nations Sri Lanka Mission in New York. "...two international Tamil organisations have made a series of war crimes allegations to the International Criminal Court involving Dr Kohona and his role in the negotiated surrender of three Tamil Tigers who are believed to have been killed," the paper said.

• Filing with Mareno O'Campo, ICC Prosecutor

                                                                                                Full story >>

Sri Lanka: The need to address persistent impunity for violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law

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Index Number: ASA 37/002/2011
Date Published: 24 February 2011
Categories: Sri Lanka
In this written statement to the sixteenth session of the Human Rights Council Amnesty International expresses its concern that Sri Lanka’s human rights record has not improved since the organization last addressed this Council in May 2010. Impunity persists for past violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law, and new and serious violations of human rights continue to be reported.

This document is also available in:
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Full Story...

War Crimes in Sri Lanka: Time for UN to Act

Delivering the petition to the UN

                  War Crimes in Sri Lanka: Time for UN to Act

Asia, International Justice | Posted by: Jim McDonald, February 24, 2011 at 11:07 PM

Last May, Amnesty International launched a global action calling on the UN to establish an international investigation into war crimes and other abuses committed during the war in Sri Lanka.
Both the Sri Lankan government and the opposition Tamil Tigers were responsible for massive human rights abuses and violations of the laws of war during the 26-year conflict.
In response to Amnesty’s call for action, over 52,000 people signed our petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanding an international investigation as a first step toward accountability for these crimes.
This past Tuesday, Feb. 22, I had the privilege of accompanying Yolanda Foster, the Amnesty researcher on Sri Lanka, and Dr. Kasipillai Manoharan, the father of one of the “Trinco 5” students killed by the security forces in 2006, to the UN offices in New York as we delivered the signed petitions to the UN.  We pressed the UN to act on our petition without delay and let them know we would be following up to make sure an international investigation is promptly established.
The U.S. government has not yet joined Amnesty in our call for an international investigation.  We could use their support.  Please write to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and ask that the U.S.  government encourage the establishment by the UN of an international investigation into war crimes and other abuses in Sri Lanka.  For Dr. Manoharan’s sake and that of all the other families of the victims, we cannot stop campaigning until they receive justice.Full Story...

Registering Jaffna residents 'illegal'

Registering Jaffna residents 'illegal'

	MP says selectively taking photos of a community is against the law

A Tamil political party in Sri Lanka has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court against forcibly registering Tamil residents in Jaffna allegedly by the security forces.

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian MA Sumandiran told BBC Sandeshaya that the measure is a violation of a previous Supreme Court order.

“This is completely illegal. You cannot selectively register a community,” he said.

The MP who is a prominent human rights lawyer further said that it is an illegal act under international law.

'Apartheid'

There was a similar system during the height of the war, he said, but that was done by the police and that provision has recently been removed from emergency regulations.

	Sri Lanka military denies MP's accusations

He compared the situation to that of South Africa during the apartheid era.

“This was practised during apartheid era in South Africa and Sri Lanka protested to the South African regime those days,” he said.

But Sri Lanka military denies they are only targeting residents in Jaffna.

Maj Gen Ubhaya Medawala, the spokesman of Sri Lanka army said the police are registering residents of other areas in Sri Lanka.

But he did not name the other areas where residents are required to register with the security forces.

“I can say it is happening all over Sri Lanka,” he told BBC Sinhala service.

Maj Gen Madawala added that the registration is done the police not by the security forces.

Registering Jaffna residents 'illegal'

EU team meets military governor, finds no time for civil groups in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 25 February 2011, 15:13 GMT]
The parents and relatives of abducted and ‘missing’ youth in Jaffna were thoroughly disappointed, as the visiting European Union team could not find time to meet their representatives or receive petitions from them. They were further frustrated by the act of the team choosing to meet on Thursday the SL colonial governor in Jaffna Maj. Gen. Chandrasri, who is accused of many abductions and disappearances when he was commanding the SL military in Jaffna. The EU team that showed much keenness in its ‘aid’ related investments and in knowing the ways the SL colonial administration functions in Jaffna, by its gesture, signals assent to the SL military rule of Eezham Tamils, civil groups said. Conceding synthesis of occupying military and civil service, a high official in Jaffna told the team that the military are also ‘government servants’.

Thousands of young men and women ‘disappeared’ in Jaffna alone, ever since the SL military occupied the peninsula in the 1990s. So far nothing is known about them.
Over several years, parents and family members live with untold anxiety.
The Sri Lankan state is of no use in delivering justice. Its occupying military in Jaffna refuses to meet parents and relatives of the disappeared.
Representatives of parents and relatives look upon international justice and they wanted to use the opportunity of the visit of the EU team to present their case.
Several hundreds were abducted by the occupying military and disappeared when Maj. Gen. Chandrasri was commanding the military in Jaffna. He was directing the Army intelligence unit operating from the Palaali base that was engaged in the crimes. Chandrasri is now the colonial governor, but he is a war criminal, civil groups in Jaffna said.
Certain symbolic acts of some establishments of the so-called international community, signalling ‘subjugation to the end’ angers Eezham Tamils beyond limits, the civil groups further said.

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Nambiar facing calls for ICC investigation

By JOSEPH ALLCHIN
Published: 25 February 2011

Vijay Nambiar speaks to reporters before he leaves Rangoon in November 2010 (Reuters)

Acting UN special envoy to Burma, Vijay Nambiar, is facing calls from two Sri Lankan rights group to be included in an investigation into the army’s execution of surrendering Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.
The charges were submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the US-based Tamil’s Against Genocide (TAG) and the Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils (SCET). They refer to Nambiar’s time as the UN’s Chief of Staff when he was sent to Colombo to aid negotiations towards an end to the country’s lengthy civil war.Nambiar facing calls for ICC investigation.   Full Story>>>

Bahrain releases dozens of political prisoners

Published On Wed Feb 23 2011 

Fifteen-year-old Muhammed Ramadhan is tossed in the air inside Pearl Roundabout Tuesday after the Bahraini government began releasing political prisoners.

Jesse McLean Staff Reporter

MANAMA, BAHRAIN—Bahrain’s king ordered the release of dozens of political prisoners Tuesday, conceding yet another demand from demonstrators as the embattled monarchy scrambles to calm an uprising that grows bigger as it enters its second week.
A stream of freed prisoners — many of them young, gaunt and unshaven — arrived directly from jail at Pearl Square shortly after midnight, where several were hoisted by the jubilant crowd.
“I was so scared I would not get out,” said Ali Ahmed Radhi.
The 21-year-old has been in jail since Sept. 12, when police raided his family’s home at 2 a.m. and accused him of helping others set fires in the streets.
He is thin and his face is buried beneath an unmanaged beard, but he remained defiant in his anti-government stances.Full Story>>>
Bahrain releases dozens of political prisoners

At UN, Ban to Meet with Sri Lanka AG, His Panel Undercut, No Nambiar Comment

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, February 22 -- Two months after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon claimed that his Panel on Sri Lanka could visit the country due to President Mahinda Rajapaksa's “flexibility,” on February 23 Ban is set to meet in New York with Sri Lankan Attorney General Mohan Peiris and Secretary for External Affairs C.R. Jayasinghe, Inner City Press learned late on February 22.Full Story>>>.

At UN, Ban to Meet with Sri Lanka AG, His Panel Undercut, No Nambiar Comment

Nations condemn Libyan crackdown - Africa - Al Jazeera English

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Gene Sharp: Author of the nonviolent revolution rulebook

21 February 2011 Last updated at 05:42 ET
By Ruaridh Arrow Director of Gene Sharp - How to Start a Revolution

In an old townhouse in East Boston an elderly stooped man is tending rare orchids in his shabby office. His Labrador Sally lies on the floor between stacks of academic papers watching him as he shuffles past.

This is Dr Gene Sharp the man now credited with the strategy behind the toppling of the Egyptian government.
Gene Sharp is the world's foremost expert on non-violent revolution. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages, his books slipped across borders and hidden from secret policemen all over the world.

The American who wrote the rules for toppling dictators worldwide

Peaceful revolutionary  Full Story>>>                                                               

Push to investigate Australian citizen for war crimes-Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)

Sarah Dingle reported this story on Monday, February 21, 2011 18:25:00

Alternate WMA version | MP3 download

MARK COLVIN: The International Criminal Court in the Hague overnight received a submission to the Office of the Prosecutor to investigate an Australian citizen for war crimes.

The brief claims that during the last days of Sri Lanka's civil war the dual Sri Lankan-Australian citizen Dr Palitha Kohona was involved in the murder of three Tamil Tiger leaders who had already surrendered.

The US-based group Tamils Against Genocide has brought the case. They say there's no way to bring any potential Sri Lankan war criminals to justice in the International Criminal Court. Instead they're hoping Dr Kohona's Australian passport will allow a case to proceed.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) contains an audio interview with the different parties involved in the case.

Sarah Dingle reports.                                                                      Full Story>>>
 

Kohona could face court over Tamil Tiger deaths - Sydney paper

Kohona could face court over Tamil Tiger deaths - Sydney paper

[Mon, 21 Feb 2011, 13:33 GMT]

"An Australian citizen and senior Sri Lankan diplomat has been accused of complicity in the murders of three surrendering Tamil Tigers in an application to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands," Sydney Morning Herald said in its Monday edition, referring to Dr Palitha Kohona, who is currently attached to the United Nations Sri Lanka Mission in New York. "...two international Tamil organisations have made a series of war crimes allegations to the International Criminal Court involving Dr Kohona and his role in the negotiated surrender of three Tamil Tigers who are believed to have been killed," the paper said.

• Filing with Mareno O'Campo, ICC Prosecutor

                                                                                                Full story >>

SRI LANKA: Universities responsible if graduates not 'employable'

SRI LANKA: Universities responsible if graduates not 'employable'

Santhush Fernando 20 February 2011 Issue: 159

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Higher Education has brought in new measures from this year to make public universities responsible for ensuring their graduates can be 'guaranteed' to get jobs anywhere in the world.

Higher education minister SB Dissanayake (pictured) this month convened a meeting of vice-chancellors, deans and heads of departments of all universities to tell them they would be held responsible if their graduates were not employable.

"Under this new scheme the university administration will have to rethink and reengineer how they run campuses and teach undergraduates," Dissanayake said.       Full story >>  

British MPs urge UK to seek ‘robust and independent’ probe into Sri Lanka war crimes

British MPs urge the Prime Minister to support an independent, international war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka

• Full text of the British MPs’ letter

Today, 41 British MPs drawn from the three major parties at Westminster, have written to the British Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to add Britain’s support to calls for an independent, international inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s 25 year civil conflict (letter is attached). The MPs are all Members or Supporters of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils.Full story >> Posted by Thavam

Commemorative lecture on second death anniversary of Lasantha Wickrematunge

16 Feb, 2011 Groundviews Colombo, Features, Human Rights, Media and Communications, Peace and Conflict, Politics and Governance, Post-War

Lasantha Wickrematunge

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” ~ Martin Luther King Jr, (15 January 1929 ~ 4 April 1968), (Activist, Clergyman, and prominent leader in African ~ American Civil rights movement)
A commemorative lecture to mark the second death anniversary of Sunday leader editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was held today. This is the first commemorative lecture to pay tribute to Late Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was killed on 8^th of January 2009 in Ratmalana, suburb of Colombo.
Christopher Warren, former President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) delivered the key note address titled ~ “Role of Media in Post-War Democratization”. Candles were lit around the cement monument of pen with a human hollow to pay tribute to the journalists who sacrificed their lives. The monument stands on a barrel painted in white. The monument was created by the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA).
A large number of human rights activists, diplomats, foreign and local journalists, politicians, artistes and members of the civil society attended today’s commemorative lecture. The event was organized by the Free Media Movement.
Above text and all photos by DushiYanthini Kanagasabapathipillai, a regular contributor to Groundviews.
Continue reading »

The Tamil Diaspora and the Future of the Tamil Struggle

The Tamil Diaspora and the Future of the Tamil Struggle

18 Feb, 2011 Nirmanusan Balasundaram Colombo, Diaspora, Peace and Conflict, Post-War

Today, the 18^th of February, finds us three months away from the second anniversary of the “Mullivaikal Massacre”. At this juncture it is important to ask the question: What constructive action can be taken by the Tamil Diaspora to build a better future for the Tamil nation?
In Tamil culture, at a funeral, all the people of the village are expected to attend. It’s tradition. But if the whole village was a funeral house, who will go and to whose house?  Also, who will heal the existing souls?
This is not just a philosophical question, but an unavoidable reflection on the May 2009 humanitarian catastrophe, where 40,000 Tamils were massacred and nearly 60,000 were wounded. Nearly one in four Tamil people became direct victims of the Sri Lankan government’s offensive military operation. And today the survivors still suffer lingering effects of structural and cultural violence.Continue reading ».

The Tamil Diaspora and the Future of the Tamil Struggle

Support war crimes inquiry-British MPs

A group of 41 British MPs- members or Supporters of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils- in a letter to British Prime Minister David Cameron urged to support an independent, international war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka.

These MPs drawn from the three major parties at Westminster said that “This is a major issue of concern for British parliamentarians, and follows credible evidence provided by the US State Department, the European Commission and International Crisis Group, as well as the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, that war crimes could have taken place in Sri Lanka.”

The MPs believe it is important for the future prospects of peace and reconciliation on the island that these allegations are investigated in a robust and impartial fashion.
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British MPs urge the Prime Minister to support an independent, international war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka

• Full text of the British MPs’ letter

Today, 41 British MPs drawn from the three major parties at Westminster, have written to the British Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to add Britain’s support to calls for an independent, international inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s 25 year civil conflict (letter is attached). The MPs are all Members or Supporters of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils.Full story >>