Current situation in Sri Lanka
Let me start by quoting some facts.-Friday, 03 May 2013
According to the Sri Lankan government sources, Australia has deported 928 Sri Lankans since February last year up to April this year. Of them, 201 were Tamils, 23 Muslims and 704 Sinhalese. Most of these deportations had been carried out involuntarily.
According to the statistics of the Sri Lankan Navy, 3,286 people had been arrested by its patrols between January 6, 2012 and April 24, 2013. Of them, 2,403 were Tamils, 455 Sinhalese and 142 Muslims.
The Sri Lankan government says that Tamil Diaspora tries to win political asylum for more of their community on grounds of security in post-war Sri Lanka.
However, the data above shows a different picture. Most of those deported from Australia were Sinhalese.
Minister Brendan O’Connor says that the Australian government is committed to deterring people from making the dangerous journey by boat and saving lives at sea.
First of all, why do thousands of people from diverse ethnic and religious groups try to leave Sri Lanka, despite the perils inherent in such a hazardous exercise?
Amnesty International says that the Sri Lankan government is intensifying its crackdown on critics by sanctioning abuses often committed by security forces or their proxies.
Journalists, the judiciary, human rights activists and opposition politicians are among those subjected to threats, harassment, imprisonment and violent attacks.
Violent suppression of dissent, the creation of a culture of fear, and consolidation of political power have been the political agenda since the military defeat of the separatist struggle led by the LTTE.
The regime in Sri Lanka attempts to equate opposition with treason and its critics have been harassed, attacked and sometimes killed.
Even after more than four years since the defeat of the separatist struggle any strike action by the workers, any agitation by the working people are branded as championing separatism.
A constitutional amendment rubber stamped by the parliament eliminated presidential term limits and expanded the president's control over the judiciary, police and elections officials.
The most recent experience in this regard seems to be the undermining of independence of the judiciary.
There have been instances where threats had been made against judges who rule in favour of victims of human rights violations.
Recently, the Parliament impeached the then Chief Justice.
Intimidation against journalists forced some to flee the country. At least 15 have been killed since 2006.
Even the remaining independent media outlets critical of the government policies in Sri Lanka such as the Uthayan newspaper in Jaffna have been attacked and burnt down.
The Committee to Protect Journalists ranks Sri Lanka as the fourth most dangerous place for journalists in the world.
Reporters without Borders ranks it almost at the very bottom in terms of press freedom.
Sri Lanka has appointed many commissions of inquiry in the past to look into many disappearances that occurred since 1971.
None has ever produced a public report or led to prosecutions.
The most recent political phenomenon is the escalation of attacks and anti-Muslim rhetoric that has caused fears of a new wave of ethnic violence in Sri Lanka.
The anti-Muslim campaign seems aimed at distracting Sri Lankans from the rising cost of living and other contentious issues.
Sinhalese traders have also seen an opportunity to "grab the market" dominated by Muslim businesses.
There has been escalation of the situation through outrageous speeches and conspiracy theories.
Recently, there have been several attacks on Muslim places of worship and businesses. There have been many incidents where Muslims have been intimidated.
The campaign has frightened Muslims, who suspect the government is not just refusing to protect them, but is actively fomenting tension, a charge the government denies.
The root causes of the conflict, economic, social and cultural, remain unaddressed.
Civilians seem to be subjected to many forms of “collective punishment”.
The focus of the regime has been to put on economic development in the former conflict areas over a proper truth and reconciliation process.
However, the experiences of South Africa, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and the former Yugoslavia have shown, there can be no lasting peace without justice.
Accountability for past crimes is necessary for sustainable peace and reconciliation.
Whilst there has been an end to open conflict, the humanitarian situation remains grim and human rights abuses continue to abound.
The culture of impunity sadly is still thriving on the island.
The situation is compounded by the attitude of powerful nations such as China and India who have allied themselves with Sri Lanka.
If things are allowed to continue as they are, there is no real hope for progress.
That is why spirit of internationalism that May Day engenders in terms of international solidarity of the working people is vital for the people of Sri Lanka, if progress is to be made on key issues like reconciliation, and social and economic justice.
Thank you.
