GTF secures foothold in British parliament for anti-SL offensive
February 17, 2013, 10:15 pm
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), spearheading a campaign to haul Sri Lanka up before an international war crimes tribunal, over accountability issues, has secured space in the British parliament to mount an all-out attack ahead of the US moving its second resolution targeting the country.
According to the GTF, several British politicians, including the Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg, are scheduled to address a meeting to mark its third anniversary at Committee Room 14, on Feb. 27 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm.
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will be represented by its leader and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan and attorney-at-law M. A. Sumanthiran, MP.
GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran told The Island that the conference would highlight the current situation in Sri Lanka, with several international speakers sharing their opinion. Member of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Panel of Experts (PoE) South Africa’s Yasmin Sooka and Leader of the Opposition and Labour Leader Ed Miliband are scheduled to address the gathering.
Former British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is scheduled to share his views via a video message but the highlight will be the first ever preview of new documentary titled ‘No Fire Zone’ alleging war crimes during the final phase of the conflict.
Surendiran said that ‘No Fire Zone’ was the third documentary in the ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ series directed by Callum Macrae. The full documentary would be screened at the forthcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. The Geneva screening would be followed by special showings in India and the United States, the GTF spokesperson said.
Responding to a query, Surendiran claimed that ‘No Fire Zone’ would reveal hitherto not shown footage depicting irrefutable evidence of war crimes.
Among the other speakers are Prof. William Schabas, who appeared in Macrae’s first documentary, released in June 2011, Dr. Joshua Castellino and Prof. Elvira Dominguez Redondo, representing the Middlesex University.
Interestingly, Peter Kellner, Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society is scheduled to discuss the ongoing controversy over Sri Lanka being the venue for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CGOGM 2013) later this year.
Monday , 18 February 2013
Northern provincial council administration is necessary to monitor the resettlement in the north. By considering this the northern provincial council should be held was said by opposition party leader Ranil Wickramasinghe at Vadamarachchi.
Ranil Wickramasinghe visited Sri Vallipura Aalwaar Temple yesterday at 9.30 a.m and was engaged in religious obligations. Later in the midst of devotees assembled at the temple premises, he said,
“The administration which is elected by northern provincial council election should function to observe the resettlement. The Reconciliation Commission's recommendations should be implemented without delay, for which government should come forward. If government still fails to implement this, at the next election the General Alliance will merge and will defeat the government. We will also take measures to find a settlement to the Tamil people’s crisis.”
General Alliance was originated not only against the government but President, and to work for a political settlement to the Tamil people. This was the reason, the Tamil National Alliance was joined to the General Alliance.
Even though development projects are carried out in the north, it is processed without peoples corporation or contribution. Without people’s contribution, whatsoever development project will not turn to be successful was mentioned by him.
Point Pedro Urban Council Chairman Lawyer Saba.Raveendran, Member K.Kulasegaran, Lawyer N.Visnukanthan, and temple members were present during this time.
Monday , 18 February 2013
