No one has to tell us what to do-MR

Wednesday, 28th March 2012 

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No one has to tell us what to do-MR

While claiming that the government is committed to walk an extra mile to establish permanent peace through reconciliation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that no one has to tell Sri Lanka what to do.

“Sri Lanka is in the midst of peace won at great sacrifice. We are progressing on the path of peace and reconciliation. Our government is committed to walk that extra mile to establish permanent peace through reconciliation. That is our commitment to our people and no one has to tell us what to do,” the President said addressing ‘Sri Lanka Expo 2012’, organized by the Export Development Board (EDB) at the BMICH this morning.

The President said the presence of investors shows the failure of the efforts of those who still support the agenda of separatist terror that prevented development in Sri Lanka for more than three decades.

“You are here today, with a measure of confidence in Sri Lanka that has not been diminished by false propaganda that is currently spread by those who are trying to prevent investment flowing to our country and the large international presence at this event is a clear indication of the growing awareness in the world of the new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka,” said the President.

The President also said “What is showcased here is the rapid development process that Sri Lanka is engaged in today. It is a process that develops five hubs of key activity that will soon transform Sri Lanka to the Wonder of Asia as envisaged in Mahinda Chinthana, Future Vision, the wonder of a newly won peace and the wonder of strengthened peace and national unity. It is a wonder of reconciliation being achieved through our own means in keeping with our own traditions.”

Sri Lanka Expo – 2012 seeks to attract international buyers from every region of the world offering them a rich range of products and services that reflects a multi-cultural heritage a tradition of skilled craftsmanship and the best of modern skills in industry and services.

Disappearances Continue In Sri Lanka, Despite End Of War

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 To listen the interview click here

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Disappearances continue in Sri Lanka, despite end of war (Credit: ABC)

The pro-democracy group, Platform for Freedom believes there have been about 35 disappearances over the past three months.
The UN Human Rights Council last week passed a resolution calling for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes committed by both sides during the final phases of the civil war.
Platform for Freedom says the Sri Lankan government's track record for follow-up is not a good one.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Brito Fernando, co-convenor, Platform for Freedom, Sri Lanka
FERNANDO: We have a history of not implementing commission reports. Sometimes even, they do not publish the reports, so no one knows. Recently, when a free trade zone worker was shot dead in a struggle, the President appointed a Commission, the Commission report was handed over, but no one knows what is there. So, this LLRC (Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission) being a commission appointed by the government and their recommendations, and if the government is not going to implement, the foreign intervention is much needed.
LAM: Has the government made sincere attempts at national reconciliation, especially in Sri Lanka's north and east?
FERNANDO: I don't think the government tried its best or worked sincerely because, Yes, they have built some temples, changed Tamil names into Sinhala and the army presence is much stronger than before, so if someone says this is reconciliation, then Yes. But the thing is, the Tamil people are unhappy because they don't have the freedom for expression. They can't mourn together for their disappeared, or for the people who were killed, whether they are LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) or not. Their children, they have the right those things. So, I think the government is not doing this real reconciliation. But without admitting their role in wrong things and repent, I don't think that there can be reconciliation. Everyone has to admit what they have done and then only the reconciliation can begin.
LAM: You're the chairman of Right to Life, which over ten years ago set up this 'Wall of Tears' memorial, where over 600 photographs of people who've been 'disappeared' are posted, and the list is still being updated annually. So are these forced disappearances still occuring, now that the war is over?
FERNANDO: Yes, that is the main worry we have, because in our country, in 1989, when we had these disappearances, we all campaigned against it, the leadership was given by the present president, Mahinda Rajapakse. We marched from Colombo to Kataragama, that is down south, about 19 days, and he was our representative to the UN and he was campaigning in Geneva, to stop the disappearances, so after he became the president, it's very unfortunate, it's still happening. So last three months, the numbers say it's about 35 disappearances have taken place.
LAM: So you're saying the government is not taking this issue seriously?
FERNANDO: No, because they're using it as a political thing against their opponent very recently, some military people were caught red-handed, when they were trying to abduct the chairman of a municipality, that chairman was from their own party. But the government just released them, saying that they just went to find some ex-soldiers from the military. So the government is not paying interest, in stopping this, the most cruel violence against a human being.
LAM: In a recent paper, you spoke about the militarisation of society - is this part of what you were talking about, this lack of freedom of expression?
FERNANDO: Definitely, yes. Now, they always try to call the military on the street, legally. Now all the districts under the People's Protection Act, the military can be called to anything. So very recently, when the fishermen came on to the streets - I know they sometimes behave roughly, because they don't have that sort of training or ways of how to challenge and other things. Then the military was called and shot dead a fisherman. And even the armoured cars came on to the streets. So this is happening again and again. So we have to stop it because now they're calling against every struggle being conducted by the workers, the farmers or anything like that. So the military personnel, they're not only in the north, but even in the south now. For anything, they will call the military.
LAM: How do you think a space might be opened up or built, to promote a free and safe forum for discussion of issues that are important to the people? How do you think this might be done in Sri Lanka?
FERNANDO: The civilian movement is not that strong in Sri Lanka, but still, we're trying to engage all the political parties and the civil movements, especially on a few issues like the freedom of expression, trying to create an environment where the people can have the right of dissent. But the freedom of expression should be maintained, so we're trying our best as Platform for Freedom. Now, even the main opposition political party is working with us, so we're getting all the other political parties and the civil movements together, to fight for those things, so that is how we think that space can be made. And even by organising the local mass campaigns and joining hands with the international pressure, we have to create it. Otherwise, no one can do anything, no one can express themselves freely, without the fear of getting disappeared. Now even passing a resolution in Geneva, it always helps, but it is our duty to build up a movement in Sri Lanka, in a democratic way, to challenge those things. And we are not afraid to say that we worked with the President and he was with us against the disappearances. Now he has forgotten those things, and we are still continuing.

Sri Lanka needs to change says diplomat

28 March, 2012

Sri Lanka could learn from Myanmar which has radically changed bringing democratic reforms in the country says Sri Lanka Ambassador to France, Dr.Dayan Jathilleka.

He told Sandeshaya that in 2009, Myanmar came under vigorous international pressure over its human rights record and Myanmar was defeated in a vote brought in the UN Human Right Council.

Changing Myanmar

“A few weeks after Sri Lanka won our battle in Geneva in May 2009, Myanmar lost in the same forum. It had the votes of India, Russia and China,” said Dr.Jayathilleka.

But, he said, today there is nothing levelled against that country because it is changing.

With defeat in UN Human Rights Council, Myanmar rallied round its neighbours particularly Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and worked towards improving its human rights record.

Since then, he said, Myanmar has been achieving tremendous and incredible progress towards establishing democratic reforms.

"It became a more liberal country and even took steps to release the Burmese opposition politician and the leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suuki", he said.

Dr.Jayathilleka said that it was how Myanmar had wisely got out of the trap of the powerful countries.

“Its success has even led Myanmar to become the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Countries ( ASEAN) next year”, he said.

Serious thoughts

Ambassador Jayathillka said that Sri Lanka should take the resolution passed by UNHCR seriously because that would not be the end and those countries which brought it may push it through in the future.

He said it would have long term effects on Sri Lanka as those powerful countries and organisations will use it as a tool and act accordingly.

 

Like how GCE A/L results were bungled so are the O/L results ! Ven. Thero converted into a Tamil - student

MaRa’s Jara administration – even a simple road crossing cannot be done properly !!

(Lanka-e-News-28.March.2012, 5.00PM) Like how the results of the G C E advanced level exam was muddled up absolutely , even the G C E ord. level exam results released two days ago had been bungled on a monumental scale by the MaRa regime by trying to find solutions to problems according to its own whims and fancies, based on reports. W Pangarathane Thero of Sri Dharmodaya Vihara who sat the G C E ord. level exam this year in Sinhala language has received the results of a Tamil student , reports say. This Thero had sat the exam under index No. 10030492 in the Sinhala medium. The result he received is that of a candidate Glasensia Evangeline Irudhiyaraj under his index Number. The letters of the word media has been indicated wrong in the result . Another Tamil student , Arasaratnam Dayalani St. John residing at St. John Dilari , Norwood who had received a most unexpected result had committed suicide in acute disappointment . It is believed that this tragedy is because of erroneous results . It is the consensus that the Idi Mahin regime is increasingly demonstrating day after day that it is incapable of solving any problem in the country on behalf of the people and the future younger generation , and is only obsessed with its own perpetuation in power by resorting to murder and mayhem . Consequently the country is being plunged into total chaos from all angles including administration , economy, judiciary and peace. The only thing that was done well was the war . There too without giving credit to the war Hero who won world acclaim for winning the war, and imprisoning him under most unjust and wicked circumstances , it is incurring the wrath of the people and deities. This MaRa regime’s inability to even do a simple road crossing properly, leave alone all else is clearly depicted in this photograph. Need we elaborate further on MaRa's Jara- hora administration ?

First Lady protects corrupt Rear Admiral

First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has come forward to safeguard the position of Director, Sri Lanka Navy (Engineering) Rear Admiral Mahesh Gunasekera (Gunasekera Nanayakkara Wijeratne Wickremasinghe Gunasekera Wasala Mudalilage Gamini Mahesh) who has been accused of committing a fraud amounting to several millions of rupees. The First Lady, who looks into affairs of the Navy, has come forward to safeguard this Rear Admiral following a request made by Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

An internal investigation has proven that the said official had played out millions of rupees when procuring military equipment and other engineering equipment for the Navy. The officer has been charged on seven counts. It has been proposed that he be court martialed on four charges.

The Navy Commander has asked the officer to hand in his resignation letter and resign from the force. The Commander has said that he would stand to lose his position and face a jail term that is not less than seven years if the officer had to face a court martial.

Gunasekera has said that he would resign from the force if he is allowed to leave as a Rear Admiral. However, the Navy Commander has said it was not possible. The Commander has explained that he had served as a Rear Admiral post in the past two and a half years on a probationary basis and his careless actions have prevented him from being officially appointed to the post of rear Admiral. He would therefore have to resign as a Commodore.

Gunasekera had not agreed to the Navy Commander’s proposal and has asked for assistance from one his close relatives, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. The Minister had then requested for help from the First Lady. The President’s son, Navy officer Yoshitha Rajapaksa had also intervened in the matter. The First Lady had then directed the Defence Secretary to act in a manner that was fair to the Rear Admiral.

In this background, the Navy’s internal inquiry has been stopped and the Defence Secretary has appointed a three member committee consisting of members from the three armed forces to inquire into the matter. The committee is headed by senior Air Force officer Kolitha Gunasekera.

The disciplinary committee appointed by the Defence Secretary it is learnt has decided to exonerate Gunasekera.

Read more...

D.S. Senanayake- A study of his foreign policy

( March 28, 2012, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) On February 4, 1948, Ceylon regained her freedom. As a colony, she had no independent foreign policy. During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the whole of South-East Asia was controlled by Western power, and had no means of following a foreign policy of its own. It was during this period that man's economic environment changed from feudalism to capitalism; that the great discoveries which gave man greater control over the forces of nature, were made; and the industrial revolution was ushered in.

The foreign policies of the Western powers, which alone counted, had their beginning during this period, and the theories of balance of power commenced then. During this formative period in the history of mankind, Ceylon, together with so many of her neighbours, was tied to the chariot wheels of the British Empire, and her foreign policy was the foreign policy of the United Kingdom.

Dudley Senanayake with his father Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake and Finance Minister J. R. Jayewardena. He was then Minister of Agriculture & Lands. - File Photo

To mark the 60th death anniversary of the country’s first premier we publish an extract from an article by J.R. Jayewardene, who served as Finance Minister in Mr. Senanayake’s Cabinet      

Read More »

Sri Lanka: A Regime Floundering like a Headless Chicken

28-Mar-2012
Guest Column by Dr. Kumar David

It is quite usual to employ the name of a country when referring to its government; for example, “China criticised India at such and such a forum.” However sometimes, as in this piece, it is important to avoid this usage to forestall confusion. Hence I will use ‘government’ or more precisely ‘regime’ (meaning the Rajapakse sibling cabal which is the quintessential locus of state power) in my analysis today. The resolution adopted at the UNHCR in Geneva on 22 March does not condemn the nation or people of Sri Lanka; no, it is clearly targeted at the Sri Lankan regime; the wording, the last paragraph which implies distrust, and the hammering that the government got in the conference hall and in the lobbies make that plain. 

The regime finds itself in a very tight corner after the Geneva resolution was carried by an absolute majority. It lost India, the US, Western Europe and the majority of African and Latin American votes; the Middle Eastern Muslim votes are fair-weather friends. The Lankan regime is suddenly very isolated, adrift from the international community. The situation inside the country has also become desperate, and I am choosing my words carefully. Whichever way it turns, and there are three to choose from, it encounters a yawning abyss; there is a fourth ‘make the best of it’ option that it is unlikely to favour and I will come to that at the end. 

Option 1 or option 2?    Full Story>>>

Lanka vote’s got nothing to do with human rights

Wednesday, March 28, 2012
There seems to be no moral justification behind the United States-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council. The massacre of ‘40,000 civilians’ and continued persecution of Tamils is a fit case for international censure; even an international intervention could be justified. That the US, motivated, or rather compelled, by a moving human rights crisis decided to sponsor a resolution against Sri Lanka is the ostensible explanation, which is difficult to fathom. The very day the US-sponsored resolution backed by 24 countries — ironically, including India — was passed, the US also voted against a resolution ‘ordering the first probe into how Israeli settlements may be infringing on the rights of the Palestinians’. The resolution against the illegal Israeli settlements was passed by 36 votes in favour and 10 abstentions; the US alone voted against the resolution. This underscored the US’s moral bankruptcy and also highlighted the majority international sentiment against illegal Israeli settlements.Full Story>>>

Political 'disappearances' still rife in Sri Lanka: rights group

Wed, 28 Mar 2012
A human rights group in Sri Lanka says despite the civil war ending in 2009, people are still disappearing on a regular basis.

Platform for Freedom set up the Wall of Tears memorial ten years ago with photographs of 600 Sri Lankans who it said had been "disappeared".

Platform for Freedom spokesman Brito Fernando told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific that despite a campaign by President Mahinda Rajapakse to end the practice, the group believes there have been 35 such disappearances in the last three months.

He said the government is not taking the issue seriously anymore.

"They're using it as a political thing against their opponents. Very recently some military people were caught red-handed when they were trying to abduct the chairman of a municipality.

"But the government just released them saying that they just went to find some ex-soldiers from the military. So the government is paying no interest in stopping this, the most cruel violence against a human being." he said.

Mr Fernando said the government's attempts at national reconciliation have not been sincere.

"They have built some temples, changed Tamil names into Sinhala and the army presence is much stronger than before.... But the thing is, the Tamil people are unhappy because they don't have the freedom of expression.

"They can't mourn for the 'disappeared', or for the people who were killed, whether they are [Tamil] or not," he said.

The United Nations' Human Rights Council last week passed a resolution urging Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

It also called for a thorough investigation of alleged war crimes committed by both sides during the final phases of the civil war.

Mr Fernando says he doubts the government will act without external pressure.

"We have a history of not implementing commission reports. Sometimes even, they do not publish the reports, so no one knows."

War Crimes Courts

by Gaja Lakshmi Paramasivam  

An Pen letter to Mr. Bob Carr, Senator and Minister for Foreign Affairs

( March 28, 2012, Melbourne, Sri Lanka Guardian) I note through today’s news that you have been the medium through which Australia has pledged a ‘new round of funding’ for the UN backed war crimes tribunal in Cambodia. As you would be aware, efforts are being made to take some Sri Lankan leaders also to war crimes courts. An independent and just system would take leaders of both sides to war crimes courts. On Sunday, 25 March 2012, there were protests against the current Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Australia on this basis. (Please see Appendix). There were present during the meeting of Australian civilians, officers who I understand are from the Anti Terrorism & Security Group of NSW Police. We came as simple Australian civilians. Not so the High Commissioner nor the Protestors. The former brought with him his government beyond his position and the latter brought with them, the war-victims’ position beyond their official positions and/or their Truth and hence needed numbers rather than their independent powers. This confirms that Sri Lankan Government positions and their Tamil Eelam opposition positions are infected with suspicions of Terrorism. No amount of funding to War Crimes Courts would be enough to override such suspicions in the mind. I urge you to act to ‘prevent’ wars and save lives.

 Read More 

Sri Lanka’s UN quandary

28 March 2012They say that everything is fair in love and war. So should be the case with Colombo.

That is what Sri Lanka wants the United Nations to believe in, as it rejected a resolution of the world body that called upon it to ensure accountability for alleged violations of international humanitarian laws committed during the last stages of war with the Tamil Tigers. Shrugging it off as an internal issue, Sri Lanka wants the world to help rebuild the island-nation state, and not to revisit the civil strife. Yet, it goes with saying that human rights violations did occur in the country, and the dispossessed minority Tamil community wereforced to live on the edge of marginalisation.

The resolution tabled by the United States and adopted at the UNHCR had come as a bolt from the blue for Colombo. That inadvertently has turned into a robust domestic issue with fears of sanctions being slapped on the rise. Whatever may be the case, Sri Lanka just can’t do away with its responsibility of assuring the world that the minority community hasn’t been discriminated during the strife period. Allegations of rape, torture and excessive use of force are truly in need of being investigated — and that is important from the perspective of rehabilitating its image as a civilised political entity. Colombo for that matter hasn’t denied that it won’t look into such charges and had been exercising caution while ensuring reconciliation with the Tamils.

The political process in which the Tamils have been taken onboard is most welcome. Reforms through a sustained engagement process and constitutional guarantees can go a long way in dispelling international concerns that forecast ethnic chaos on the island. Sri Lanka should not take the UN concerns as a pretext for internationalising its domestic issues, and rather see to it as a step in the direction of embracing the minority earnestly. The crackdown episode that brought the curtain down on the LTTE era, and likewise the war spanning over 25 years, has some fundamental questions and concerns to be addressed. Sri Lanka shouldn’t shy away from it. It’s time to put the ghost of the Tigers to rest.

CTCTV - An interview with Gary Anandasangaree

Gary Anandasangaree is Barrister and Solicitor, and is the Sri Lankan Monitor for Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada. He is also Legal Counsel for the Canadian Tamil Congress. Gary has participated in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions regularly from the special session on Sri Lanka in May 2009. Gary has been a panelist in many UNHRC side events hosted by prominent Human Rights organizations. In the recent 19th UNHRC session, Gary was a panelist for a Human Rights Watch (HRW) side event that took place on March 9th 2012 where he presented the Tamil Diaspora’s views.

Two other experts from Sri Lanka who participated in this HRW panel have received threats, including one from a Sri Lankan government minister. The High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay in her recent statement has warned Sri Lanka of any reprisals against these human rights activists. Sri Lanka sent a very large delegation to Geneva for the 19th session to counter the US resolution on Sri Lanka and to intimidate human rights activist from speaking the truth.

In May 2009 special session, Sri Lanka was congratulated by an UN Human Rights Council resolution. A lot has changed since then. On March 22nd 2012 UNHRC passed a resolution putting Sri Lanka on notice.

Gary attended the Nineteenth Session of the Human Rights Council Session held in Geneva from February 27th to March 23, 2012. In the interview below Gary shares his experience in Geneva.

Published on: 03/27/12 16:33

Hindu Council objects Buddhist Vihara replacing Saiva temple in Kokku'laay

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 March 2012, 16:24 GMT]
The construction of a Buddhist Vihara in the site after the destruction of several decade old Pi'l'laiyaar temple at Kokku'laay in Mullaith-theevu district cannot be allowed, said C.Yogeswaran, Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian in a memorandum to Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister D.M.Jayatrena who also hold the post of Ministry of Buddha Sasana. Mr Yogeswaran has sent the memorandum in the capacity of vice president of All Ceylon Hindu Council. 

Yogeswaran has pointed out to the SL Prime Minister that Buddhist Viharas are being constructed in Tamil areas where not a Sinhalese lived earlier. 

“I have brought these injustices done to Saivites for your consideration several times. But you have failed to address the issues. Please take immediate steps to stop constructing Buddhist Viharas after destroying the Hindu temples,” said Mr Yogeswaran in his memorandum to the SL Prime Minister.

Viharas are being constructed surrounding the spots where Buddha statues had been planted by the Sri Lanka Army, especially in the vicinity of their camps, in the North and Eastern provinces. 

“Such mischievous attempts would lead to animosity between the peoples,” the MP told SL Prime Minister in his letter.

Tamil Saivites and Christians were the natives of Kokku'laay. There was no historical evidence to show that Sinhala Buddhists were living there. 

Under the current circumstance, many Hindu temples are being destroyed and Buddhist Viharas are being erupted under the guidance of Buddhist prelates in the North and Eastern provinces. This wanton destruction of Saiva koayils, going on for the last 3 years, could not be allowed any more, the MP further said.

Foreign Office Minister welcomes successes of the UN Human Rights Council

26 March 2012

The UN Human Rights Council concluded its 19th Session on 23 March, with a number or landmark resolutions on key countries of concern.

Speaking today, Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne said:

“We have seen some great successes at the Human Rights Council over the past year, and I am delighted with the achievements of the latest session that the UK has worked hard to secure.

“I welcome the Syria resolution at the Human Rights Council, and particularly the decision to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry. This is the strongest Council resolution on Syria so far, and another very clear signal from the international community that it will not tolerate impunity for gross violations and abuses of human rights.

"The renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Iran shows a significant commitment by Human Rights Council members to address the growing international concern about the human rights situation in Iran. We urge Iran to seize this opportunity to engage with the UN to improve its human rights record.

“I also welcome the outcome of the vote on the Sri Lanka resolution. This underlines the importance that governments across the world attach to supporting lasting peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. We urge the Sri Lankan Government to take the necessary steps to implement the recommendations of their Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission as soon as possible.

“For the first time, the resolution on DPRK was adopted by consensus. The resolution on Burma was also adopted by consensus.
The UK will continue to work with our international partners on these and other issues, to support the work of the Council and ensure that those who are responsible for human rights violations and abuses are held to account by the international community.”

Voluntarily inviting trouble: 3 months is the time frame – LLRC proposals are not like those of the IRC

Local and international Lawyers blame the moribund MaRa regime for its egregious stupidity

(Lanka-e-News-27.March.2012, 11.55PM) Following the official announcement of the Govt.’s stance pertaining to the resolutions adopted at the Geneva human rights conference that it will not abide by them no matter the consequences, a senior Minister of the very Govt. speaking to Lanka e news said, his moronic moribund Govt. has clearly demonstrated to the world what exists in SL is a Govt. of underworld criminals who are barbaric and allergic to lawfulness like the notorious goons and rowdies of the caliber of ‘Thummulle Padme’, ‘Kaduwela Vasanthe’ or ‘Army Jine’. This Minister who represented the Govt. at the Geneva conference added that the Govt. will be learning a bitter lesson by next March. If what the recent Geneva conference sent out was only a cyclone , next March it will transform into a tornado. , he warned. Lanka e news did a survey gathering opinions of prominent citizens relating to the stupid arrogance and MaRa regime’s stubborn conduct : First we sought the opinion of a senior SL Lawyer resident in Washington who is conversant in local and international laws . We must apologize to our readers that we are unable to disclose names because we cannot predict what venomous and vengeful action the MaRa regime of Idi Mahin which is panic stricken would take against those people who are expressing the stark truths .Full story >>

India to wage documentary war countering West’s exposure of Sri Lanka crimes

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 27 March 2012, 18:48 GMT]
The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi has embarked on deploying India’s expertise in cinematography to campaign against recent exposures of Sri Lanka’s war crimes by Western documentaries and to defend the partnership efforts of the two Establishments in the island. Leading film makers in India have been hired by the ministry to produce a documentary that will be showing an interview with Rajapaksa, de-mining work by Indian teams and footages of Tamils ‘praising’ India, news sources in Colombo told TamilNet on Tuesday. Meanwhile, India’s Bollywood is set to produce a ‘politically charged’ commercial film, “Jaffna,” directed by Shoojit Sircar carrying the theme of ‘extremism’ to another level compared to his earlier film on Kashmir, and the actor John Abraham is going to visit the island often to get a hang of the milieu, IANS reported early this month. 

Indian Public Diplomacy, a wing of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is engaged in producing the documentary.

The decision was taken a year ago. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has provided the funds and logistical support to the team from the production house.

The team visited Jaffna, Ki’linochchi, Vavuniyaa and Trincomalee among other places in the Tamil homeland of the North and East.

The team was instructed to avoid asking anything about the war.

They were to record interviews with ‘Tamil beneficiaries of Indian help’ and to cover only post-war ‘rehabilitation’.

The brief for the team was to film homes, infrastructure projects made through Indian assistance, the work done by Indian de-mining and medical teams and show how these were helping the Tamil population. They also shot extensively with people who were using the Indian designed and manufactured prosthetic devices called the "Jaipur foot".

Not many people were willing to speak with the team. The team has however managed to get the kind of sound bites it was looking for, informed sources said. 

The team has since gone to Delhi and has started post-production.

The Rajapaksa interview part planned for the documentary is yet to be accomplished. 

The MEA plans to show the documentary initially to ‘educate’ the Indian parliamentarians and diplomats.

The picture they want to paint through this short film is that of a Tamil population that is 'happy with the assistance offered by the Indian government’ and ‘focused on rebuilding their life’. 

Debates and deliberation in the Indian Parliament on the situation of Eezham Tamils lately have seen calls for international investigations into war crimes in Sri Lanka and criticism of the continued denial of political and fundamental rights as well as basic freedom to them.

The short film is an attempt at countering some of the criticism. 

New Delhi needs ‘damage control’ after the Geneva vote and Channel 4 documentary, the informed sources in Colombo further said. 

Contrary to ‘praises’ by a section of Eezham Tamil activists lured by the agendas set by competing USA and India, both were not genuine at Geneva, political observers opined. 

While the US-resolution confined solutions to Sri Lanka’s LLRC recommendations, bailing out the Rajapaksa regime from international investigations and the Sri Lankan state from any constitutional obligations, the Indian ‘amendment’ has not only freed the genocidal state from UN interventions but has even paved way for possible stalemate in acting on the resolution. 

The Indo-US competition always proves a bane to Eezham Tamils and a boon to the genocidal state in Colombo, Tamil political circles in the island commented.