The State Is Being Over-Represented By Its Security ArmThe State Is Being Over-Represented By Its Security Arm

By  Jehan Perera  - March 17, 2014 

Jehan Perera

The sudden deterioration in the climate in the north is unfortunate. When I visited North last week it seemed that the sense of normalcy in the North was getting stronger. The military posts and uniformed sentries on duty at short and regular intervals on the roads are no longer there. Most of the people I spoke to in Jaffna told me that the military personnel in Jaffna behaved well and they encountered few or no problems with them. However, they also said they could not speak with assurance about how the military was behaving in the Wanni, which is a much poorer and less densely inhabited part of the North. When I spoke to people in Kilinochchi gave answers that they were no different From those of the people of Jaffna. They even said that the military was helpful to the extent that if a household had a problem they would even go sometimes to the army rather than to the grama sevaka or village official, as the army could do more to help them.  

However, the arrest and Detention of Recent Balendran Jeyakumari , One of the leading activist organization of Members of the Families of the disappeared May be a indication of Things to Come. She was arrested in the northern district of Kilinochchi after a policeman was shot in that area. The government's police spokesperson stated that a shooting incident took place in the north and they have identified a house where the suspect has been hiding and that two women are being investigated. Human rights defenders in the area report lots of checkpoints, raids, questioning, fear and surveillance. Jayakumari is reported to have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for 16 days by a court order and sent to the Boosa detention centre which is at the other southern corner of the country. This has been followed by the arrest and interrogation of two human rights defenders, Ruki Fernando and Fr Praveen Selvadurai who were in Kilinochchi to see to the welfare of other families of disappeared in the aftermath of the arrest of Jayakumari.                                                                      Read More

From Jennings to Geneva: Sri Lanka's tortuous decline

Rajan Philips- March 15, 2014

There have been quite a few news reports and nostalgic commentaries on Sir Ivor Jennings inspired by the visit to the Peradeniya campus by his granddaughter, Catherine Watson. Sir Ivor's pioneering contribution to university education in Sri Lanka has not been sufficiently honoured and appreciated. For several decades, honouring Jennings was a one-man mission for the late HAI (Ian) Goonetilleke, the venerable bibliographer of Sri Lankan scholarship. Ian fought a lone battle against powerful odds and without any official resources to remember and honour Jennings, to preserve his writings and to publish some of them. It was not just the establishment for, as has been duly noted by the popular "People and Events" columnist Nan, even the student population at its boorish worst spurned the efforts in the 1970s to honour Jennings with a statue or monument on the campus he founded. Perhaps a better way of honouring Jennings today, than statues or street names that are no longer a mark of distinction, would be for the universities to offer (seminar or reading) courses on Jennings, his work and his contributions to Sri Lanka.

Jennings From Geneva to Sri Lanka's tortuous decline by nelvely

Healing the wounds of a bitter war

It will be highly difficult for Sri Lanka to establish long-term peace without fixing accountability for the war crimes

NATION REBUILDING: There needs to be meaningful progress on a political settlement, accountability, human rights and reconciliation. Picture shows displaced Tamils ​​at Cheddikulam in Sri Lanka.

WILLIAM HAGUEMarch 17, 2014

During the week of March 24, the UN Human Rights Council countries will be asked to show where they stand on a resolution on Sri Lanka. That resolution seeks to support the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' call to establish an international mechanism to investigate alleged violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law by both sides during Sri Lanka's war. The resolution is also expected to ask the government of Sri Lanka to address human rights concerns, make progress towards a political settlement and support reconciliation for all Sri Lankan people.

I believe that there is only one course of action for countries that care about Sri Lanka's future stability and prosperity, and that is to vote in favour of the resolution. Let me explain why.

Subject of reconciliation

First, it will be highly difficult for Sri Lanka to establish long-term peace without accountability. Seeking the truth and justice helps to put countries on the right track toward reconciliation. Sierra Leone is a good example. Special Court convictions drew a definitive line under a tumultuous period of Sierra Leone's history and addressed impunity in response to victims' needs to promote healing. Sri Lankans wanting to understand what happened amongst the bloodshed should not be deprived of answers, and those responsible should be held to account to heal the wounds of a long and bitter war.

Second, the Sri Lankan government has failed to take action itself despite two previous resolutions calling for an independent, credible domestic investigation and offers of technical support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Sri Lanka's own domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission established in 2010 fails to adequately address this matter. If it did and if Sri Lanka was making tangible progress, we would not be where we are today. Instead of calling for international action, we would be congratulating Sri Lanka's own efforts to address past violations.

Third, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for the international community to act and establish an international mechanism. She is supported by multiple, independent voices including the powerful peace advocate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu as well as groups in Sri Lankan society and the main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance. There is an additional, compelling body of evidence collected through the work of non-governmental organisations and journalists that further supports this call.

Fourth, there is no doubt that tackling impunity for violations and crimes committed during the war will strengthen the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The international community must send a strong message that everyone has a right to feel safe and secure, and that no one should be above the law.

Those arguing against the resolution say that Sri Lanka's domestic processes need time, that a solution is best found within Sri Lanka, that we should constructively engage Sri Lanka and not criticise, and that the Sri Lankan government has every right to take steps to stop the return of Tamil Tiger (LTTE) terrorism.

Of course, much of this is true. It does take time to heal from the wounds of war. Comprehensive, independent and transparent home-grown solutions can be highly effective. Constructive engagement is essential, including through the Human Rights Council. And no one wants to see terrorism take root again.

But this is not about needing more time; it is about the government of Sri Lanka not showing political will to back a transparent, thorough and credible process that delivers the truth to those people that seek it. Sri Lanka has failed to deliver the promise it made to address accountability in a joint statement with the UN Secretary-General in 2009.

The international community has a responsibility to encourage Sri Lanka to make progress across a range of issues that will strengthen Sri Lanka as a nation. Reconstruction has been important but this alone is not enough to secure Sri Lanka's future. There needs to be meaningful progress on a political settlement, accountability, human rights and reconciliation.

The fight against terrorism requires a careful balance. We know this in Britain, and we sympathise with all those Sri Lankans who suffered at the hands of the brutal Tamil Tigers. No one regrets that they were defeated. But responses to any believed terrorist threats should be proportionate to avoid fuelling the fires of extremism. This means ensuring inclusive governance, minority rights, stopping sexual and other abuses and justice for all which is why we must encourage Sri Lanka to bring these values ​​to all Sri Lankan people.

The British government explored many of these issues during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Sri Lanka last year in discussions with the Sri Lankan government, including with President Rajapaksa.

I conclude that the time has come for the Human Rights Council countries to stand together and put firm support behind the next Sri Lanka resolution to be voted on in Geneva later this month. It will not only seek to establish an international mechanism to address past violations of international law but seek a better future for all Sri Lankans. We must all do the right thing by Sri Lanka.

(William Hague is the Foreign Secretary of the UK)

New interactive map reveals extent of militarisation and Sinhalisation across North-East
 17 March 2014

A new interactive map reveals the extent of militarisation and Sinhalisation across the North-East, providing details of military installations, Sinhala colonisation and Buddhist Viharas. 
See here.
Launched by the US based Tamil rights group, USTPAC, the map remained yet to reach full completion due to the on-going campaign of intimidation and terror by military, map developers told Tamil Guardian.

"The work is painstaking and slow due to the Sri Lankan state's campaign but the second draft UNHRC resolution dropping the word 'demilitarization' and the renewed terror campaign we've seen over recent days by the mono-ethnic military warranted us releasing the data before it was complete."

SL military steps up harassment on IDPs as US draft drops ‘de-militarisation’ in Geneva

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 March 2014, 23:20 GMT]
As the US draft that already failed Tamils by dropping international investigation on Sri Lankan State gets further watered down in its demands at the corridor discourse at Human Rights Council in Geneva, the occupying SL military in North and East of the island has strengthened its grip on Tamil people who have been determined with seeking justice on the ground. While those demanding the SL State to reveal the whereabouts of their missing family members in the North are subjected to harassments by the intelligence wing of the SL military, the uprooted Champoor Tamils still languishing in temporary huts in four camps in Moothoor East in Trincomalee are left to rotten with deteriorating health conditions in their camps, the women in the camps complain. 

Repeatedly harassing the people to obtain alternative lands at different locations than the military occupied Champoor region, the Sri Lankan military attempted to forcefully relocate the uprooted people form the so-called welfare camp at Kaddai-pa’richchaan. The Divisional Secretary of Moothoor has also been instructed by Colombo to work with the SL military in meting out the ‘collective punishment’ on the families that still demand resettlement in their own villages. 

There are three more similar camps in Moothoor division at Ma’nal-cheanai, Paddiththidal and Ki’liveddi. There are more than 1,300 Tamil people residing in these camps with no proper shelter. 

Of the 347 families residing at Kaddaipa’richchaan, 115 are women-headed families, the uprooted people told TamilNet. Totally there are around 250 women-headed households in all the four camps, they say. 

The uprooted are still residing inside the shelters that were meant to last for 6 months four years ago. They have not been provided dry rations for the last four years. If anyone enters their camps to provide humanitarian assistance, the SL military intelligence operatives question the people on the visit by ‘outsiders’. 

Their problems start with water, especially potable water. There is only one well per 25-30 families. A toilet is provided for every 10-15 huts. Toilet pits are full, but there is no assistance forthcoming from the divisional secretary who is responsible to the management of the camps. The DS has been instructed not to facilitate any such assistance, the uprooted people complain.

The families also complain that the basic economic assistance doesn’t reach them on a regular basis. 

Now, people claiming as the owners of the lands where Kaddaipa’richchaan temporary settlement is situated, also ask the families to vacate the place. The area was a jungle, which the people cleared for their temporary resettlement four years ago, the uprooted people say. 

Some of those living in the camps have left the site due to deteriorating health conditions and are paying around 3,500 rupees per month to stay elsewhere. But, female-headed households are unable to afford such expenses, the mothers say.

Sinhala Buddhist Bigotry Root Cause Of Strife In Sri Lanka

By Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah -March 16, 2014

Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah

Bringing Lord Buddha’s Philosophy to shame and Disrepute

I believe Sinhala Buddhist bigotry is the root cause of strife in Sri Lanka. If it were not, there will be recognition and respect for everyone’s rights, not a denial of those rights. This bigotry in the name of Sinhala Buddhism, no doubt bringing disrepute and shame to Lord Buddha’s philosophy and causing yet more strife in this beautiful island is a vexing question true Buddhists must now address.

The island would have been spared an ethnic conflict that has still not been resolved, due to years of deception, procrastination and bluff on the part of Sinhala Buddhist governments, with no end in sight- all because of Sinhala Buddhist bigotry.

Sinhala Buddhist governments have shown us that they have absolutely no will to act. What is keeping this conflict from being resolved? It is this bigotry..

If not for this bigotry, the Tamil and the Sinhala nation, with Muslims happy where ever they choose to belong, will be prospering. Imagine the advancement each country would be making helping each other.

Sinhala Buddhism is two faced, it is a paradox that puzzles me.

Take Sinhala Buddhists, the polity and their leaders, they pray to Hindu Gods very religiously, but unashamedly demonstrate Sinhala Buddhist characteristics of intolerance and hegemony over Tamils influenced by ultranationalists and Buddhist fundamentalists that are here, and those that have come and gone like Anangarika Dharmapala who thrived on messages of hate towards Tamils and Moors.

Keep in mind that this bigotry prevails in an island where great statesmen like Ponnambalam Ramanathan, true patriots of the soil, were born of Thamil ilk. Sir Ponnambalam though a devout Hindu, was it is said, responsible for the “revival of Buddhism” and he treated all “Ceylonese” alike.        Read More

Catholic Diocese of Jaffna call for release of Father Proveen and Ruki Fernando

17 March 2014

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaffna has called for the early release of Rev. Fr. Proneen Mahesan and the Sri Lankan human rights activist Ruki Fernando, who were detained by TID officers on Sunday evening in Kilinochchi.

In a statement released Monday, the Jaffna Diocesan Laity Council said,

"We understand that this priest and Ruki were involved in mercifully investigating into the circumstances surrounding the plight of that defenceless mother and child. As a further threat to such HR Defenders these two too have now been arrested and detained.

We therefore wish to point out that such activities of the security forces will complicate the search for an honest solution of the National question and further expose Sri Lanka to International intervention."

Full statement reproduced below:

A Press Release from the Justice and Peace Desk of the Jaffna Diocesan Laity Council forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
WORLD: The arrest in Sri Lanka of Rev. Fr. Proveen and Ruki Fernando
Bishop's House, Jaffna
2014-03-17
We the Catholics of the entire Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaffna, comprising of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts are sad and perturbed to know from the media that Reverend Father Proveen Mahesan, resident at Amathipuram, an Oblate settlement and Rukki Fernando a Human Rights activist of the South have been arrested in the Kilinochchi area and have since been taken to Colombo for questioning by the TID.
Rev. Fr. Proneen Mahesan omi (Oblate of Mary Immaculate) was the former Director of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation in Jaffna and was a keen activist promoting Peace, Forgiveness and Reconciliation activities here, going from village to village training especially the children there, in these thoughts and attitudes. In fact he has formed very many volunteers to train and cultivate these considerations and mentality in other children in each area besides those already touched by him.
For true reconciliation, injustices have to be identified or surfaced, victims identified, forgiveness promoted, perpetrators recognized and enticed to repent and seek pardon for their wrong doings.
Thus along with his activities of training children in reconciliation he also collects data about Human rights violations such as extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, unjust arrests, unending detentions etc.
Similarly, Ruki Fernando too was a real Christian and concerned about justice to all irrespective of religion, ethnicity or cast. Along with his numerous activities, memoranda etc to promote justice to all, he was concerned also about individuals, groups and races denied of their basic and human rights. Being firmly convinced that Sri Lanka can achieve true peace and progress only through the implementation of a just solution to the problems of the Tamils of Sri Lanka, though a Sinhalese by birth, he was a keen defender of the ethnic rights of the Tamils of Sri Lanka and was also a firm defender of those promoting such rights and being victimized for being involved in promoting such rights.
It is reliably reported that a lady's husband and father of one child had been 'lost' through enforced disappearance by the security forces. They had therefore become keen HR activists in their efforts to relocate their lost one. They had taken part in many demonstrations etc towards this end along with hundreds of others suffering from similar fate.
It is also reported that the residence of this defenceless mother and daughter in Kilinochchi  was unlawfully surrounded by the security forces and the mother subsequently arrested and taken into detention presumably as a threat to all those who take part in such HR activities.
We understand that this priest and Ruki were involved in mercifully investigating into the circumstances surrounding the plight of that defenceless mother and child. As a further threat to such HR Defenders these two too have now been arrested and detained.
We therefore wish to point out that such activities of the security forces will complicate the search for an honest solution of the National question and further expose Sri Lanka to International intervention.
These are two persons who are sincerely involved in the true welfare of their Motherland, however unpalatable they may appear to be to the wrongdoers and anti-national, extremist and lawless elements let loose in this Country.
We therefore appeal to you, as the chief Executive of this Country to cause a sincere evaluation of the events surrounding the present plight of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Proveen and order their immediate release to continue their lawful activities.
We appeal also for the early release of the already victimized mother mentioned above again made to undergo further suffering through unlawful detention, agony and anxiety about her child.

Details emerge on brutal arrest of pregnant mother in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 March 2014, 04:34 GMT]
The occupying Sri Lankan military and police arrested a 26-year-old pregnant mother at Uppuve’li in Troncomalee on 11 March. The 4-year-old boy of the mother was attacked when he cried during the arrest of her mother. The brutal arrest has come after her husband had been reported missing. “Balakuruparan has been abducted from his house in Jaffna. While we were struggling to get him released, our 7-month pregnant daughter has been arrested in a brutal way,” the parents said. The family and relatives are yet to receive any legal assistance. 

In the meantime, news sources in Colombo said that the victim, Tharmila Balakuruparan, was brought to the torture chamber at the notorious 4th floor in Colombo. 

However, human rights activists trying to trace the details on Tharmila Balakuruparan said that the 7-months pregnant woman has been transferred to an unknown locality from the 4th floor.

The SL military has deployed military intelligence personnel at the vicinity of the house of the parents of Tharmila at Uppuve’li. 

The SL military has fixed surveillance equipment’s also at the residence of the couple at Eazhaalai in Jaffna, the reports from Trincomalee said. 

In the meantime, news sources in Jaffna said that Balakumaran was first abducted, but the family of Balakumaran was informed that their son was arrested for having 97 notices against the Sri Lankan military.

While the Human Rights Council in Geneva is scheduled to discuss a watered-down resolution on Sri Lanka, the SL military is engaged in threatening those who stage non-violent protests in North and East.

Two HRDs detained by TID in Sri Lanka while the UNHRC 25 discuss Sri Lanka situation

(Lanka-e-News- 17.March.2014, 2.00AM) Late evening around 10.30 pm Sri Lanka time yesterday (16 March) two well known human rights defenders Ruki Fernando of INFORM, Colombo and Rev. Fr Pravenn, Director of the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation (CPR), Jaffna were arrested in Kilinochchi by special team of Terrorist Investigation Division, who came from Colombo. 

After the arrest both of them were brought to the Kilinochchi police station and they were interrogated in separate locations. One of them was taken to the bachelors' mess (restaurant) and the other person was taken to the mess located behind the police station They were questioned for nearly 3 hours until 1.30 am Sri Lanka time.

LeN sources has seen that both of them were bundled in to TID vehicle, hand cupped and blindfolded and soon after the TID vehicle had left for Colombo. According to LeN sources Kilinochchi police has not made any entry in the record books about the arrest and questioning of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen. 

According to the same LeN intelligence sources the HRDs were questions on whether they have sent any information to Geneva Human Rights Council and whether they have used secret telephone frequency to transmit the information.

Arresting Performance: Shelling Sri Lanka's Zone In Geneva

| By DR DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

"He who tries to defend everything, defends nothing" - Sun Tzu ('The Art of War')

(March 17, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)  With the arrests of an outspoken activist with no middle Aged Woman Tamil History of Violence, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Boossa Detention her, her 13 year old daughter to the handover of the child protection authorities, the detention without acknowledgement of two human rights activists, Ruki Fernando and Fr Praveen reportedly also under the PTA, the Sri Lankan authorities just torpedoed Sri Lanka's chances at the ongoing crucial 25th sessions of the UNHRC.

Arresting Performance shelling Zone In Sri Lanka's Geneva by nelvely

US expresses concerns over arrest

US Government Concerned Over Detention of Human Rights Defenders

March 17, 2014

• Read in Sinhala
• Read in Tamil

The United States Government is concerned about the arrests and detention of several well-known Sri Lankan human rights defenders and activists over the past week.  We urge Sri Lankan government authorities to ensure that all those detained are given transparent and due legal process, including full access to legal counsel. 

As we have noted many times in the recent past, both previous and on-going human rights concerns have led many in the international community to push for a UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka.  With these latest actions, we remain convinced that continued scrutiny by the Human Rights Council is necessary. 

US expresses concerns over arrest

By admin on March 17, 2014

The United States has called on the Government to ensure the due legal process is provided to human rights activists Ruki Fernando and Reverend Father Praveen after they were arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) last night.

The US Embassy in Colombo said that the US Government is concerned over the arrest of the two activists. It urged the Government to ensure the two activists have full access to a legal counsel.

“As we have noted many times in the recent past, both previous and on-going human rights concerns have led many in the international community to push for a UN Human Rights Council resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka.  With these latest actions, we remain convinced that continued scrutiny by the Human Rights Council is necessary,” the Embassy said.

Meanwhile the Free Media Movement condemned in the strongest terms the arrest of the two activists and called for their immediate release.

The FMM raised concerns over the arrest at a time when human rights issues in Sri Lanka are being discussed at the UN Human Rights Council currently meeting in Geneva.

The two human rights activists were arrested in Kilinochchi yesterday under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

He said that the two activists were transferred to Vavuniya and were later to be brought to Colombo for further investigations.

The police spokesman said that the main charges were that they were attempting to create instability among communities and were also allegedly promoting separatism.

Fernando had informed his colleagues via SMS that he and Father Praveen were being questioned separately in Kilinochchi last night.

A lawyer who called the Killinochchi police station last night, was initially informed that no such persons were arrested by the Killinochchi police. However the police later said that two persons had been arrested by a specially appointed unit of the TID and were being held at a separate location in Killinochchi.

Another lawyer who spoke to the OIC of the Killinochchi police station had confirmed that Fernando and Father Praveen were taken in for questioning last night. (Colombo Gazette)

WORLD: The Sri Lankan Government retaliates to the proposed Human Rights Council resolution by arresting activists and witnesses

March 17, 2014

A draft resolution promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka is to be discussed at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The proposed resolution calls for, among other things, the Office of the High Commissioner, 

WORLD the Sri Lankan Government Retaliates to the Proposed Human Rights Council Resolution by Arresting Act... by nelvely

The Arrest Of Ruki And Fr. Praveen Is Highly Damaging To National Interests: Law And Society Trust

March 17, 2014

The arrest of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen under the PTA and their detention is not only a violation of their rights but also is highly damaging to national interests at this crucial time as it sends a strong negative signal to the international community regarding the state of human rights and threats to activists in Sri Lanka at the present time, says the Law and Society Trust.

Ruki

Issuing a statement today it says; “The consequences of this act is likely to reverberate negatively throughout the human rights community at the very moment when the government is working hard to convince member states at the UNHRC of its ability and interest in adhering to international law with regard to human rights in the country.”

We publish below the statement in full;

Arrest and detention of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen, OMI

The Law and Society Trust is deeply disturbed by the arrest of former staff member of the Law and Society Trust, Mr. Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen, OMI from Kilinochchi on Sunday 16^th March 2014.

Mr. Fernando worked with the Law and Society Trust for five years until April 2012 as head of the Human Rights in Conflict Programme.  He was a deeply committed campaigner for human rights and is widely known and highly respected both in Sri Lanka and outside the country. We remain seriously concerned as to his safety and that of Fr. Praveen and urge that strict due process standards are followed by the law enforcement authorities in this regard including giving clear and distinct reasons for the arrest.

According to international law standards accepted by Sri Lanka, States have a responsibility and duty to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights.

The arrest of Mr. Fernando and Fr. Praveen under the PTA and their detention is not only a violation of their rights but also is highly damaging to national interests at this crucial time as it sends a strong negative signal to the international community regarding the state of human rights and threats to activists in Sri Lanka at the present time. The consequences of this act is likely to reverberate negatively throughout the human rights community at the very moment when the government is working hard to convince member states at the UNHRC of its ability and interest in adhering to international law with regard to human rights in the country.

We appeal to you to use your power and authority to intervene with the authorities responsible for the arrest and detention of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen; ensure their safety and take steps to release them immediately as on our understanding, they had only been trying to help family members of ‘disappeared’ persons in the North.

Arrest of Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen

Photo courtesy Janikissima on Flickr

by Groundviews 

- on 03/17/2014 

Last night’s arrest of Ruki Fernando and Fr. Praveen in Kilinochchi on terrorism charges, soon after the arrest of Jeyakumari Balendran and her young daughter on suspicion of harbouring a criminal, is extremely disturbing and an urgent call to action. In stark contrast to what the Government says in Geneva is what it does in Sri Lanka. Human rights activists are being arrested under draconian laws which permit the authorities to interrogate them in isolation for extended periods of time. It is clear the government wants to go after those who flag human rights abuses. This is happening when deliberations at the Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka are taking place, demonstrating the regime’s scant regard for international opinion and scrutiny. It is an urgent call to hold the government accountable and use all means necessary, in Geneva and elsewhere, to secure the safety of Ruki, Fr. Praveen, Jeyakumari, her daughter and others similarly under arrest and detained. Failure to do suggests that words aside, the international community accepts the democratic deficit in Sri Lanka.

We received the following updates last night:

At around 10.05 pm tonight, several of us received a text message from Ruki Fernando, on his mobile number 0773874xxx stating that Ruki and Father Praveen have been detained at the killnochchi police station, apparently on suspicion of a shooting. Later, Ruki informed a colleague also via text, that he and father Praveen were being questioned separately.

A lawyer who called the Killinochchi police station, was informed that no such persons were arrested by the Killinochchi police or being held at the police station. However the police said that two persons had been arrested by a specially appointed unit of the TID and were being held at a separate location in Killinochchi.

Another lawyer who spoke to the OIC Killinochchi was informed that Ruki and Praveen were being questioned and a decision regarding their continued detention would be made in the morning. This directly contradicts the version in the para above.

We don’t know the details of arrest or the facts leading up to it. We are very concerned for their safety and urgently need a lawyer who can visit the police station tonight and find out where they are being held on for what reasons etc.

We published two more updates to the situation:

Update 1: A lawyer who called the Killinochchi police, was informed that ruki and fr. praveen were being questioned by around 15 TID officers at the Killinochchi Police station.

The HRC has also been informed that both persons are being held at the police station.

Still no clear reasons for this treatment and we have also not been able to find a lawyer in Jaffna/Vavuniya/Killi who can visit the police station.

Update 2: there is a possibility that ruki and father praveen ay be moved to colombo or vavuniya, but we have not been able to verify where they are at present.

As journalist Dinouk Colomboge notes on Twitter,

Dinouk Colombage @Dinoukc

Follow

Police spokesperson says Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen will be brought to the TID headquarters today on terrorism charges #lka #hrc25

10:59 PM - 16 Mar 2014

Ruki has been a prolific author on Groundviews, covering over the years issues and incidents mainstream media has often glossed over and the Government claims simply don’t exist, are fabricated or over-hyped. A number of videos featuring Ruki’s take on the human rights conditions in Sri Lanka can be viewed here.

Follow Twitter for the latest updates on Ruki’s arrest:

Police Spokesman has become the government’s spokesman - JVP

March 17, 2014 

The Police Media Spokesman has turned into the government’s media spokesman, the JVP General Secretary, MP Tilvin Silva stated.

Speaking at a press conference held today (March 17) in Battaramulla, he said that the government was connecting Geneva to everything happening within the country.

MP Silva compared the protest in Thunnane to that of the one in Rathupaswela where residents had on numerous occasions appealed about their grievances upon deaf ears. The situation had boiled over he explained and stated that the police had responded to protests by way of violence.

He accused the Police Spokesman of being a government mouthpiece and claimed that the government was making an effort to link everything unfavourable to them within the country to Geneva.

He also accused the police of assaulting unarmed civilians while warning the police that if they continue to lie what little faith the public has in them will be lost.

Silva said that the JVP will not be frightened of the lies being said by the government and the police department and would fight alongside the people in any of their justifiable causes.