‘We Tamils still have to plead with collaborators of the genocide for justice’

In January, the UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) led a 7 member delegation under Fr. S J Emmanuel to the centenary celebrations of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa. Peeved at the invitation to a Tamil diaspora group, the Sri Lankan government had declined to participate at the historic ANC function.

The ANC invitation to GTF came as a morale booster for Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora groups fighting for self-determination rights. Last year, ministers of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) were invited to open an embassy in Southern Sudan.

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Regime chief has late night secretive talks with a European State to save skin of his and kin’s

 (Lanka-e-News-02.March.2012, 10.30PM) The Sri Lanka (SL) regime chief Mahinda Rajapakse is having highly secretive discussions with a group of representatives of a European State who had cordial relations with SL during the period of the SL war, in regard to methods and means to extricate himself from the US recommendations that are scheduled to be brought before the human rights conference now in progress in Geneva, according to reports reaching Lanka e news from sources within the Temple trees.

These discussions had been taking place yesterday and day before late in the nights after the employees of Temple Trees have gone home after work.

The European representatives have during the discussions given a list of the names of army officers who are charged for war crimes to the regime chief, and have stated that the US recommendations to be brought before the Geneva Sessions can be averted.

The regime chief who blabbers that he will not betray the Army officers even if he is to face the electric chair punishment has agreed with the European representatives. In any case nothing conclusive has been arrived at, it is reported.
The war crime charges which are likely to be proved have been so far leveled against Gotabaya Rajapakse publicly or unofficially. That is , Gotabaya giving orders to kill those who surrender carrying white flags. It is learnt that there are evidence to substantiate that accusation against him.

No matter what , according to Temple trees informants , these secretive discussions are selfishly aimed at saving the Rajapakses while sacrificing a group of Army officers.

SRI LANKA: Former army officer arbitrarily detained and tortured for almost five years without trial

March 2, 2012
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION-URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that Mr. R D Wickramasinghe, a teacher and former army officer, has been arbitrarily detained foralmost five years. A husband and father of three, Mr. Wickramasinghe was abducted and held in the basement of a building, the offices of the Criminal Investigation Department and other locations under suspicion that he provided shelter to suspected terrorists. Despite the fact that Mr. Wickramasinghe and his wife have categorically denied these allegations, his abductors will not release him. Mr. Wickramasinghe has been refused the right to legal counsel and a fair trial. He has been blindfolded, deprived of proper food and severely tortured. During this time, he was forced to sign a number of documents that he did not understand. This case is yet another illustration of the exceptional collapse of the rule of law in the country.

CASE NARRATIVE:

Mr. R D Wickramasinghe (51) of No: 30/A, "Srikatha", Yatihalagala, Kandy has beenarbitrarily detained in an unknown location for four years and eight months without trial. He is married and the father of three teenage children.

Read More...

Sri Lanka: Global Road Map versus the Great Indian Roadblock at Geneva

07-Mar-2012

Guest Column by Prof. Ramu Manivannan   

There is an uneasy silence prevalent in New Delhi about the 19^th session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva.  Though the Indian government wants to keep its cards close to its chest the world is no longer prepared to play blind.  At the same time the Indian government may not miss an opportunity of carrying earthen pots to Geneva, like our Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna did in Colombo in January this year to observe Pongal,   in order to demonstrate our love for the Tamils of Sri Lanka and their cultural traditions.  There are no myths left and all our pots are broken. 

The exceptional political and diplomatic support extended by India during the final phase of the war flows from the commitment of the Indian political establishment for the military solution enforced by the Sri Lankan government and its authorities.  It is the brutality of the truth that hurts India more, not truth as it is. 

The  Government of India has a responsibility to explain to the people of this country about the status of political reforms and rehabilitation of the Tamils displaced after facilitating the military resolution to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. 

An unthinkable humanitarian disaster was allowed to take place in Sri Lanka through such pre-match political fixations operated by the Indian political establishment and a string of power manoeuvring bureaucrats.  Our moral content is beyond redemption when the retiring foreign secretary of the Government of India went on a personal vacation to Colombo as a private guest of the Sri Lankan President before being appointed as the ambassador of India to United States of America.      

The Indian government is caught in an unique twin trap of global sentiments, on the one hand, about the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and the demand, on the other, from the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to not to support the Sri Lankan Government in the Human Rights Council in Geneva this month.  The Government at  the centre shares neither of these concerns even as a remote possibility.  It must then hide in absentation like a school boy failing to appear before the scheduled examinations.  It may therefore choose to absent itself from voting if it cannot influence the United States and the Nordic countries about the content of the resolution.

The world knows little more than what India wants the world to believe about its role in the brutal military resolution of the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.  Above all the complicity factor stares us more than supporting the resolution while absentation would help to keep our feet inside the Sri Lankan politics.  We have shown enough stomach for humiliating rebuttals on political reforms and  military-strategic turnarounds but cannot survive the exposure of the complicity factor if the Sri Lankan government chooses to use blackmailing strategy to enforce compliance with the its diplomatic ploy. India needs to ponder here.  If the Indian Government gives in to this fear factor it will have the company of China and an historical precedent of Tibet before us.  India must not repeat and push surrender another Tibet in the North and East of Sri Lanka and ultimately contribute to the growing constituency of homeless and despondent people in South Asia.   

There are three basic options that India is likely to explore at this 19^th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. First, scuttle the submission of any proposal that would demand even the slightest of political obligation on Sri Lanka.  Secondly, to absent itself from voting after participating in the debate with its remarks on record.  Lastly, to vote against Sri Lanka after enforcing moderation of the demands on the Sri Lankan government.  The last option entails considerable political risks of witnessing the Sri Lankan display of China card in public. 

A critical factor is that the Tamils have no demands on India except a stale belief that India would act at least sometime in the distant future whenever it wakes up to the calls of justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka.  There is another section that believes that the Tamil struggle for justice must move on with or without the support of Indian government.  This notion is more prevalent in Tamil Nadu than anywhere else.  This perspective is held not only among the Tamil nationalists groups but also the common public who were stunned by the Indian indifference to the massacres and inhuman treatment meted to the ordinary civilians during the war.  It will not be easy to erase the memories of internment camps or the so called welfare centres as the Sri Lankan government wanted the world to believe. An added shame is that our businessmen with access to corridors of power supplied these barbed wires to the Sri Lankan security forces who manned these mass detention centres in the Vanni region. That is why the appeal of the political parties and leaders across the political spectrum in Tamil Nadu including the ruling AIADMK, MDMK and even the pretentious UPA coalition member at the centre, DMK gains significance at this stage.  The centre may once again ignore this growing constituency of parties, leaders and people in Tamil Nadu who remain disenchanted with the India’s foreign policy towards Sri Lanka. 

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms. Jayalaithaa has only been this articulating concern through resolutions passed at the state legislature and political appeal to the Indian government with regard to the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan government and its authorities.  There is certain sanctity to popular legislature and peoples’ voice in a democracy that the government cannot ignore for long before it is too late.     

(Author chairs the Department of Politics & Public Administration in the University of Madras- The views expressed are his own.) 

Thousands of voters 'missing' in north

07 March, 2012

Party representative have requested the Commissioner to issue temporary ID cards

The main opposition in Sri Lanka says that over two thousands registered voters in two electoral bodies in the north are unaccounted for.

United National Party (UNP) quoting the elections commissioner (EC) said nearly 10-15% of people out of 21,000 registered voters in Pudukudiiruppu (PDK) and Maritimepattu in Mullaitivu district are either dead or missing.

"Therefore, we requested the election commissioner to consider issuing temporary identity cards," Dr Jayalath Jayawardene, MP, told BBC Sandeshaya after a meeting with the Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya on Tuesday.

He said party representatives requested EC Deshapriya to arrange special public transport for the election day.

Executive Director of Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon says that over half of eligible voters in the two Pradeshiya Sabhas do not possess national identity cards.

Military intervention

The representatives have also requested the commissioner to allow candidates and parties to meet those voters who are still in refugee camps.

We requested the police not to allow any interference by the military in the election campaign   V Thirunavukarasu, NSSP

Election for the two pradeshiya sabhas were not held together with other local government elections quoting security issues.

Hundreds of voters from the two electorates where the final days of Sri Lanka's war raged are yet to be resettled.

V Thirunavukarasu of Nava Sama Samaja Party (NSSP) said the commissioner agreed to allow candidates who are still in refugee camps to engage in campaigning.

"We requested the police not to allow any interference by the military in the election campaign," he said.

Representing Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Sunil Watagala, said Commissioner Deshapriya pledged to personally monitor the minimising of military intervention during the election.

Counting the dead

According to Sri Lankan government statistics released recently, about 9,000 people died in the war-torn north of Sri Lanka during the controversial final phase of the war.

More than 7,000 of the deaths appear to be directly related to the military battle.

The Catholic Bishop of Mannar had earlier stated to a presidential war commission that nearly 1,50,000 people from the battle zone seem to have gone missing.

In a submission to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) quoting information from local government authorities, Bishop Rayappu Joseph said that 146,679 people seem to be unaccounted for.

Local council elections for Pudukudiyiruppu (PDK) and Maritimepattu are to be held on the 24th of March.

44,682 have registered as voters, in the two local bodies according to figures released by CaFFE.

Towards Tamil Eelam

London Speech
by Ron Ridenour / March 7th, 2012

This speech has been unusually difficult for me to prepare, because I am so angry with the whole world, and most of the people in it, including many of the victims of oppression. I will explain underway. I try to speak my talks and not read them, but this topic is too complex for me to rely on my spontaneity, so I have chosen to write it, and then rewrite it, and end up still angry.

Why did I, a white westerner get involved in this crazy world of Sinhalese and Tamils? I knew nothing about Sri Lanka until the end of the internal war, May 2009. I was asked by the Latin American Friendship Association in Tamil Nadu, India to look into it, because they knew of my work with Cuba and the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of our America (ALBA).

I am rooted in Martin Luther King’s premise: “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere”.

I got involved in solidarity with your people’s struggle because you have been so brutally treated, and because of the moral principle of solidarity with the oppressed, the struggle for justice.

In the land of my birth, The Devil’s Own Country, I experienced similar injustice committed against the native peoples and the black people as Tamils suffer. In the 1960-70s, I joined with millions of brothers and sisters of all colors to fight racism, to struggle for equal rights, for education and health care for all, the basic right to vote, and to assist the Vietnamese-Cambodians-Laotians win back their countries from the invading Yankees. We did help end the war in favor of the invaded peoples, and black people did achieve most equal rights.

But now, decades later, the world still looks as bad or even worse.

I recently read Under My Skin, Doris Lessing’s first volume of her autobiography. She wrote this nearly 20 years ago when in her 70s. I quote from a passage on page 282 that took place during World War II or soon afterwards:

“We took it for granted that when the working class – or the blacks or any other disadvantaged people – took power, they would be inspired by only the purest and most disinterested ideals.”

What do we have in the world today so long afterwards?(Full article …)

Will implement LLRC, says Sri Lanka

07 March, 2012

Sri Lanka will implement the LLRC recommendations on human rights, says Prof Peiris

Sri Lanka has informed the South African government of its plans to implement the recommendations of the government-appointed war panel.

Foreign Minister GL Peiris' pledge in Pretoria comes as Sri Lanka government is trying hard to avoid a US-sponsored resolution seeking the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission being passed in Geneva.

Minister Peiris has told South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, that Sri Lanka plans to implement the LLRC recommendations on human rights, and post-conflict reconstruction and nation-building.

Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, for its part, has stressed the need for a peaceful and sustainable political solution.

'Western conspiracy'

Prof Peiris is currently on a visit to African countries, in an apparent attempt to canvass support from the African nations against the US-sponsored resolution at the UN human Rights Council.

Both sides agreed on the need to grasp the opportunity to finally settle the conflict in Sri Lanka, including the setting up of an impartial, inclusive and transparent mechanism to deal decisively with questions of accountability and justice Statement issued by the South African government

"Both sides agreed on the need to grasp the opportunity to finally settle the conflict in Sri Lanka, including the speedy implementation of the LLRC Report, as well as the setting up of an impartial, inclusive and transparent mechanism to deal decisively with questions of accountability and justice," a statement issued by the South African government on said.

South Africa also said that it is "ready to assist and share" its experience with regard to Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which tried to heal scars of decades of violence against apartheid regime.

"South Africa continues to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the LLRC Report in the same spirit as South Africa implemented the TRC processes," it said.

The Sri Lanka government earlier organised a day of protests describing moves by the West to pass a resolution at the UNHRC as a “conspiracy” against the Rajapaksa administration.

Catholics divided on war crimes

Bishop Joseph (L) has contradicted earlier statement by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith

Tamil Catholic priests from the north have called for an international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, contradicting an earlier statement by the head of Sri Lanka's Catholic Church.

In a letter sent to UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the group urges the UN body to urge Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the government appointed war panel.

It also calls on the UN to urge Sri Lanka to accept an international probe into accountability issues that has not been dealt by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

"At least now, we urge the Council to act decisively in relation to Sri Lanka, to enable Sri Lankan to move towards genuine reconciliation," said the letter singed by 31 clergymen including Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph.

At least now, we urge the Council to act decisively in relation to Sri Lanka, to enable Sri Lankan to move towards genuine reconciliation A letter sent to UNHRC by a group of 31 clergymen

Although the LLRC has identified abuses by both the government forces as well as the LTTE, said the letter, "it has failed to address critical issues of truth seeking and accountability."

In a statement issued earlier, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka opposes the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHCR.

"Such efforts by western powers is an insult on the intelligence of the people of Sri Lanka", says the Cardinal.

But Fr Gerard Rosairo, one of the signatories, told BBC Sandeshaya that the Catholic Church has so far failed to discuss alleged human rights violations during the last phase of war against the LTTE.

Columns - Political Column Peiris-Samarasinghe differ in Geneva as US talks tough

President reprimands GL, two ministers take contradictory positions to make a bad situation worse While millions of Lankans tighten their belts, huge delegation hosts lunches, parties to woo support

By Our Political Editor

It was 6 p.m. on Wednesday February 22 when President Mahinda Rajapaksa greeted his cabinet ministers turning up at "Temple Trees". That was first for a meeting together with electoral and district level representatives of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Thereafter, he was to chair the weekly cabinet meeting. The telephone operator hurriedly put through a call to him. It was External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris. He was calling from Geneva. The time in the Swiss city was 1.30 p.m. With the government's, albeit the Sri Lankan nation's, attention focused on the UN Human Rights Council, there was concern as Rajapaksa pressed the telephone receiver hard in his ears. What he heard was news that he least expected. Peiris complained that his ministerial colleague, Mahinda Samarasinghe was not 'co-operating' with him. He alleged that Samarasinghe, who is the President's Special Envoy for Human Rights did not share any documents and was functioning 'independently.' At least four cabinet ministers who were around could not help but listen to the conversation in Sinhala. An angry Rajapaksa sternly made clear to Peiris he could not intervene in the matter. He said, as Minister of External Affairs, it was Peiris' responsibility to ensure there was rapport with his colleague Samarasinghe, and to stop whining. The latter's role was special envoy. In that capacity, he had to interact with the Permanent Representatives from different countries assigned to Geneva, delegation leaders and other diplomats at the Human Rights Council. Peiris was in overall charge as the Minister of External Affairs. In that position, it was incumbent on his part to ensure he maintained good relations, not only with delegations of foreign countries but with his own. Members of the Sri Lanka delegation led by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe at an interactive discussion with delegations, INGO representatives and members of the Tamil diaspora at the UNHRC office in Geneva.  FullStory>>>

Sri Lanka against itself

 Sri Lanka is engaged in an all-out effort to stave off a resolution against it at the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council at Geneva. The United States, the prime backer of the resolution, has circulated a draft among the Council's 47 members calling on Colombo to do nothing more than implement the recommendations of its own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, as well as to initiate credible investigations into violations of international human rights laws not addressed adequately by the LLRC. Among other recommendations, the report, tabled in the Sri Lankan parliament last year, asked the government to “ascertain, more fully the circumstances” of five incidents in which civilians were killed during the last phases of the war against the LTTE in 2009, and if wrongful conduct by security personnel were established, to prosecute and punish. It also asked the government to investigate the disappearances of LTTE members who surrendered, to demilitarise northern Sri Lanka, and to arrive at a settlement for devolution of powers to the Tamil minority. In its defence, the Rajapaksa government has pointed to internal enquiries initiated by the Sri Lankan Army as “progress” on implementing the LLRC recommendations; it has also cited the setting up of a parliamentary select committee as evidence of its sincerity in addressing the Tamil question. The success or failure of a resolution at the HRC depends not so much on the merit of the issue, but on a country's diplomatic ability to line up friends and allies, in support of or against the resolution. By that measure, Sri Lanka could yet come out of its ordeal laughing.

While it is true that America's human rights advocacy is riddled with double standards, the debate at Geneva is an opportunity for Sri Lanka to reflect on why it finds itself at such a difficult pass. Over the past three HRC sessions, the Rajapaksa government was able to buy time with promises and action plans, which — had they been executed — could have saved Sri Lanka the diplomatic energy now being expended. Even the LLRC felt constrained to complain that its interim recommendations had not been implemented. Instead, the government has chosen to paper over issues of accountability for the loss of civilian lives during the war's final weeks. Much to the exasperation of allies such as India, it has also blown hot and cold about a settlement of Tamil political aspirations. Sri Lanka must realise that its own interests require it urgently to address these twin bases of national reconciliation. Sadly, its response to the Geneva challenge has been to whip up anti-U.S., anti-West, Sinhala nationalist protests at home, creating an atmosphere of an island under siege. This is hardly a constructive response; if anything, the government's over-the-top campaign may further sharpen ethnic cleavages in the country.

Sri Lanka accuses the west of interfering

Sri Lanka accused the western countries of making attempts to interfere in internal matters as The United States said the time is slipping away for Sri Lanka to achieve reconciliation and lasting peace.

	Otero with Mahinda Rajapaksa

Attending a media conference in Colombo on Friday Minister of Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, Wimal Weerawansa Said that there is a conscious operation to interfere in Sri Lanka.

Lesson from Libya

“We have to learn from what they did in Libya. Western forces were sent to Libya under a UN resolution in the pretence of providing humanitarian aid. In reality the aid turned in to air raids”. Said the minister.

Meanwhile, addressing the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday, Maria Otero, Under secretary of state for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights of the US said the international community waited nearly three years for action and the United States is concerned.

	Wimal Weerawansa with US undersecretary of state Robert Blake

"We know from experience that there can be no lasting peace without reconciliation and accountability, but the United States is concerned that, in Sri Lanka, time is slipping away," Otero said.

Double standards

Minister Weerawansa accused the US of double standards,
“If the United States is against terrorism, why do they protect Rudrakumaran? That man is trying to revive a vicious terrorist organisation, Tamil Tigers. How come he is not considered to be a war criminal?” The minister questioned.

Otero said the US has been engaged with Sri Lanka bilaterally on the issues since the conflict ended in May 2009 and expressed the readiness of US to continue to work with Sri Lanka to address the accountability and to achieve lasting peace.

"Action now in this Council will sow the seeds of lasting peace in the ground," Otero said.

Ideology Behind Military Rape in ‘United Sri Lanka’

By Karthick RM

04 March, 2012
Countercurrents.org

The pathology of the Sri Lankan army in the episode of Mullivaikaal would have been all too obvious to those who watched the Channel 4 video on ‘Killing Fields’ in Sri Lanka released last year – a phenomena that Tamils have been exposed to for decades, but now on prime time. While the zeal that the soldiers in the 99% Sinhala military showed in executing bound prisoners of war shocked audiences world over, many were unprepared for their drive and ‘call of duty’ in dealing with captured Tamil women – as shown in the scenes in the C4 video where Sinhala soldiers vividly describe the naked bodies of Tamil women combatants whom they had sexually abused before executing with words that would make a pornographer blush.

But what is the rationale behind these ‘excesses’? Is there an ideology behind this or is it just yet another crime committed during a counterinsurgency war? Full Story>>>>

Worried Colombo consulted top D.C. law firm for advice

[TamilNet, Sunday, 04 March 2012, 15:22 GMT]
John Bellinger, currently a senior partner in a large Washington Law firm, and formerly the legal adviser to the State Department in the Bush Administration, writes in a popular website that the Sri Lankan Government consulted him for advice on the war-crimes charges against Sri Lanka's President Rajapakse in the D.C. District Court. The article also discloses that Sri Lanka requested the U.S. State Department to intervene in the Rajapakse war-crimes case more than nine-months ago, but the State Department delayed issuing the "Suggestion of immunity" until after Judge Kotelly formally requested the views of the U.S. Government. Judge Kotelly dismissed the case on the grounds of Head of State Immunity. 

Bellinger was the predecessor to Harold Koh, the current legal advisor to the State Department. The Justice Department’s filing attached a letter from Harold Koh stating that the “Department of State recognizes and allows the immunity of President Rajapaksa as a sitting head of state from the jurisdiction of the United States District Court in this suit.” 

Bellinger states in his article: "The Administration’s [Obama's] Suggestion of Immunity for Rajapakse is consistent with longstanding State Department practice. However, the Administration’s delay in recognizing the immunity of a sitting head of state is unusual and may be another indication that Obama Administration officials want to appear to be more supportive of human rights litigation in U.S. courts against foreign government officials. 

"This is the second time the Administration has delayed in asserting immunity for a sitting head of a foreign state. Last year, in an Alien Tort Statute case, the Administration waited for more than a year after receiving a formal request for immunity from the Rwandan government before filing a Suggestion of Immunity for Rwandan President Paul Kagame." 

Bellinger cautions that the U.S.'s policy of delaying recognition of the immunities of foreign government officials in U.S. courts is likely to be viewed by other countries as inconsistent with international law norms and could have adverse reciprocal implications for U.S. government officials (including Obama Administration officials) who may be sued in foreign courts.

Rajapakse had appointed counsel, Mitchell Berger from the lobby firm of Patton Boggs to represent him in the D.C. Court.

The Complaint by the three Tamil plaintiffs alleged multiple violations of the Torture Victims Protection Act (TVPA) based on Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa’s command responsibility for the extrajudicial killings of Ragihar Manoharan, the son of Plaintiff Dr. Kasippillai Manoharan, of Premas Anandarajah, a humanitarian aid worker for Action Against Hunger, and husband of Plaintiff Kalaiselvi Lavan, and four members of the Thevarajah family, all relatives of Plaintiff Jeyakumar Aiyathurai.

Iran oil: Lanka trapped in US sanctions

Sunday March 04, 2012 

By our Diplomatic Editor

Sri Lanka has told Iran it will follow in the steps of India to secure urgently needed oil supplies from theat country if its quest for stocks from other sources fails. At present Iran supplies 93 per cent of Sri Lanka’s crude oil requirements. This in essence is what Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal told Iran’s Central Bank Governor Mahmoud Bahmani during extensive talks in Teheran recently. Mr. Cabraal flew to Teheran for a day’s visit accompanied by an Assistant Director of the Central Bank. This was in the wake of the sanctions imposed on Iran by the United States. The move came after confirmation that Sri Lanka would not receive exemptions from the US. India has publicly declared that it will only heed sanctions of the United Nations and not the United States. Hence, India, one of the largest buyers of Iranian crude has said it will continue its purchases from Iran. However, payments for such procurements are being routed through other sources and not through any US banks. Mr. Cabraal has also explained to Iran the difficulties Sri Lanka encountered as a result of the US sanctions. He has said that it was an extremely difficult situation since breaking the sanctions would mean Sri Lanka will lose the country’s largest apparel market in the United States. He has also said that Sri Lanka was looking for other sources of supply on an urgent basis. Last week’s the Sunday Times report of the US not granting exemption from sanctions to Sri Lanka drew a response from Edward Heartney, Economic Counsellor in the US Embassy in Colombo. He explained, “The United States has been engaged in private discussions on this issue with the Government of Sri Lanka, before and during the February 2 visit of US Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Luke Bronin, as well as in subsequent meetings. We will continue to work with the Government of Sri Lanka, and have offered to provide any technical expertise that might be of assistance.” However, he has not explained what this “technical expertise” is. Mr. Heartney has said that the US sanctions has two exemptions. He states: “First, the law exempts exports of food, medicine, and medical devices to Iran, which is significant for Sri Lanka because tea exports are included in the food exemption. Second, if a country significantly reduces its imports of Iranian oil, then the legal provisions cutting off access of that country’s financial institutions to the US financial system are exempted. Under the US law, eligibility for this exemption solely depends on significant reductions in Iranian oil imports, and it is not tied to any human rights issues.” Mr. Heartney added, “there is no tie between sanctions and human rights records, and thus Sri Lanka’s request could not be granted. Iran sanctions law is applicable to all countries, and there are no exceptions based on the amount of oil imported from Iran.” However, other diplomatic sources said yesterday that exemptions have indeed been granted by the US when sanctions are imposed. Rural electricity project hit by US move An Iranian funded rural electrification project in Sri Lanka has run into trouble due to the US sanctions which prevent dealings with Iran’s banks, Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said yesterday. He said the project aimed at providing electricity to some 1,000 villages had been affected as Sri Lanka could not now deal with the Iranian banks. The minister said Sri Lanka had received US$ 40 million worth of material for the project which was estimated to cost US$ 106 million. But Sri Lanka was not in a position to obtain the balance money and this would be a severe setback to the rural electrification programme, he added.

Tamil Diaspora Wants Justice

 Sunday, March 04, 2012

By Maryam Azwer

A Pro-LTTE protest march Picture courtesy: www.nowpublic.com

Since the end of the war in 2009, the Tamil diaspora has been incessantly pushing for an independent investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Despite the government claiming that local mechanisms are in place to look into such issues, diaspora groups like the ‘Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam’ (TGTE) have refused to accept that this is enough, and have continued to call for an ‘independent international investigation.’
In an email interview with The Sunday Leader, the TGTE’s prime minister, Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran, commented on the US backed Resolution recently drafted for the ongoing UNHRC sessions in Geneva, and why the TGTE wanted international involvement in investigating alleged war crimes.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Do you feel that the UN Resolution against alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka is worded strongly enough to produce some results?Read More »

SRI LANKA: Life of Human Rights Defender in Danger

Wednesday February 29, 2012

Salem-News.com Eye on the World Report.

Herman Kumara

(SAYDABAD, Bangladesh) - The head of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement of Sri Lanka, Herman Kumara, founding members of the Platform for Freedom in Sri Lanka, collaborated with more than 160 civil society organizations and trade unions across the country to create an organization responding to the needs of the people. The Platform for Freedom gave voice to those who wanted to express disagreement against oppressive government policies.

Mr. Kumara arrived in Sri Lanka several days ago following an international conference in Rome, Italy. Shortly after his arrival, he noticed that he was being followed by a group of people in a van with the registration 301-2865; this of course is potentially synonymous with the notorious 'White Van' disappearances which Sri Lanka has become internationally noted for. The suspicious behavior of the group led him to believe that he was in danger of being abducted. Herman Kumara is currently in hiding.

Our goal with Eye on the World is to illustrate and highlight politically oriented problems and tragedies that traditional media channels don't have time or interest in covering.

The world has its own set of laws that were agreed upon by the ruling nations in 1948, and many people are not aware of this simple fact. At the root of the concept of world citizenry itself, is the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an overriding and supreme law that ensures many essential human rights that governments today fail to observe. Also central to any hope of human success, is the understanding of the human hierarchy of needs, as defined by Abraham Maslow- more information on this at the conclusion of this entry. We must use the Internet as a tool of justice at every junction, and we need to assist all human beings, everywhere, and not allow cultural, racial or religious preferences as determiners.

In this appeal, William Gomes contacts Mr. N K Illangakoon, the Inspector General of Police, New Secretariat, in Colombo, and he cited that he also contacted the Special Rapporteure on Situation of Human Rights Defenders and Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions on this regard: asking for urgent intervention to ensure that authorities get to the bottom of allegations of the imminent threat to life and abduction of Herman Kumara, by determining who the people are behind the threats against this noted activist, and 

prosecuting them under the criminal law of the country.Read Full Article

Chilaw Bishop under influence of regime and filthy lucre: pressurizes Fathers to give false evidence

-Fathers’ and fishermen’s lives in danger

(Lanka-e-News- 01.March.2012, 6.00AM) Following the recent killing of the Chilaw fisherman Anthony by the Govt., there are more dire threats to lives of the fishermen and the catholic priests, according to reports reaching Lanka e news. There are still police sleuths hovering about and they are also in the Chilaw Bishop’s house too. Chalenz Mendis , the Chilaw Bishop is taking the side of the regime and exerting pressures on the fishermen and the other priests (Fathers) to commit sins. Bishop Chalenz Mendis has forced the Father in charge of the church, Egodawella division where the murder occurred to give false evidence in court. The residents of the area point out that this pressure brought to bear by the Bishop is most reprehensible and is inimical to the catholic religion and the country . Already threats to life of the Egodawella division Father had been posed by unidentified groups. The fishermen had been threatened to accept the fuel concession and resume their fishing . The fishermen had however stated that the concessions given on the earlier occasion was withdrawn after two months , and therefore , whether the Bishops would take the responsibility in the event that withdrawal is repeated in this instance too. Bishop Mendis had refused to take the responsibility. Meanwhile Herman Perera ,the representative of the fishing community had gone into hiding in fear of the deadly threats held out to him, reports say. In the circumstances , the people are urging the responsible opposition parties to protect the fishermen.

Asian Tribune Works With GSL Military Intelligence Services

Colombo TelegraphMARCH 1, 2012

By Colombo Telegraph -

Courts of Appeal in Sweden heard that Asian Tribune is closely associated with the Sri Lankan government, its undercover agents and Sri Lankan Military Intelligence Services.

Capt SK Ranatunga, who came from Sri Lanka, said that he is from the Sri Lanka’s Defence Unit and his official boss Prof. Rohan Gunaratna had advised him to appear as a witness who working on Intelligence and Terror research matter,

KT Rajasingham called on former Director of Military Intelligence Brig.Kapila Hendawitharane who is now the Director of National Intelligence and Captain Ranatunge from The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment Unit of the Sri Lanka Army as witnesses inNadarajah Sethurupan defamation case.

The Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment Capt SK Ranatunga, who came from Sri Lanka, said that he is from the Sri Lanka’s Defence Unit and his official boss Prof. Rohan Gunaratna had advised him to appear as a witness who working on Intelligence and Terror research matter, He said that We Defense people known KT.Rajasingahm long time and writing many things which is closely associated with the Sri Lankan government.  KT.Rajasingham’s lawyer asked Capt SK Ranatunga that “who are you and always telling that ‘We, We’ what you mean by ‘we’?” Capt SK Ranatunga said that “we mean we are defence people of Sri Lanka.

Brig.Kapila Hendawitharane’s lawyer, Mr.Kalinga N.Indatissa said that his clint has lost to understand as to why he has been summoned as a witness in the above case and he has had no connection whatsoever, either with Kanapathipillai Rajasingham or who are parties to above case.

The court heard that threats against NORWAY NEWS journalist Sethurupan’s life originated from the Sri Lankan military intelligence and Sri Lankan National intelligence according to KT Rajasingham’s testimony in Court.