CHOGM heats up, Rae calls Sri Lanka a "Rogue Member"

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 April 2013, 00:34 GMT]
As the members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group [CMAG] meeting in London scheduled to be held on April 26 draws close, the CHOGM [Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] boycott call has increased, with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi sending his emissaries to meet the CMAG envoys to demand shifting of the CHOGM venue out of Sri Lanka, Indian media reported. Meanwhile, Canada's Liberal party leader, Bob Rae, urged Commonwealth states to boycott the meeting if held in Colombo, and said "[t]he Commonwealth is too important to allow its business to be disrupted by a single rogue member’s violation of the association’s beliefs and values." 

Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha urged Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to skip the summit. Addressing a hall meeting on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue in Chennai last week, Sinha said India was the pivot of the Commonwealth body. “If India does not go there, CHOGM cannot be held,” the Sunday Leader quoted Sinha as saying.

Bob Rae in a statement released last week said, “[t]he situation on the ground in Sri Lanka is showing no signs of improvement, and the Rajapaksa regime’s disrespect for human rights and democracy continues unabated. No serious effort has been made by that government to reconcile with all actors in Sri Lankan society.

"There is neither truth nor reconciliation after the end of the civil war. Ethnic and religious discrimination is growing, not decreasing. Attacks on journalists and opposition politicians are getting worse and more lethal. The abuse of the rule of law is increasing; the impeachment of the country’s Supreme Court Chief Justice was a deep abuse of power," Rae added.

The DMK, which walked out of the UPA coalition over the Lankan Tamils issue last month, had also demanded that India boycott the meeting in case it was held in the island republic, The Hindu said.

Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu are the current members of the CMAG.

While Sri Lanka-CHOGM issue was rumored to be not included in the meeting agenda of the forthcoming CMAG, the Sunday Leader reported that "attempts are being made to discuss Sri Lanka outside the main agenda," and that "a last minute push was underway with parties urging their governments to make that move [shifting of the meeting venue from Colombo] ahead of the (CMAG) meeting.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has already issued a warning that he may boycott, and the Queen will also likely not attend.

“Any high level participation or engagement from the Indian side in the CHOGM will not only embolden the Lankan regime but also incense public opinion and sentiment in Tamil Nadu on this very sensitive issue even further," Tamil Naadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh urging him to boycott the Colombo meeting.

Interview: Sri Lanka Has Not Only Crossed The Line, But Trying To Set A Precedent – Sir Ronald

By Colombo Telegraph -April 10, 2013 

In an interview with Phoenix News Media, Sir Ronald Sanders who is currently a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London in the UK explains his take on Commonwealth and Sri Lanka. Sir Ronald Sanders is an International Consultant, Writer and former senior Caribbean Ambassador.

Sir Ronald Sanders

As the current debate on Sri Lanka being the host-venue for theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meeting goes beyond simply rhetoric and self-interest, the clarity Sir Ronald Sanders has provided serves as a striking rod on the purpose for its future existence. His immensely enriching response has come out at a time when the movement is at crossroads degenerated by the forces of undemocratic countries outside the movement and the willful forces against the principles of the movement, within.

At the invitation of former US President Jimmy Carter, he became a member of “The Friends of the Democratic Charter” in October 2011. In addition to President Carter, the “Friends” include the Rt. Hon Joe Clarke, former Head of Government of Canada, and several other heads of Government from the Western Hemisphere.

In July 2010 Sir Ronald was appointed as one of 10 members of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) which was requested by Commonwealth Heads of Government to recommend options for reform that will sharpen the impact of the 53-nation Commonwealth, strengthen its networks and raise its profile. The recommendation was accepted by all Commonwealth Heads of Government at their meeting in Australia in October 2011.

An important clause in the Charter reads: “We are committed to equality and respect for the protection and promotion of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights including the right to development, for all without discrimination on any grounds as the foundations of peaceful, just and stable societies”. Clearly the government of Sri Lanka has not shown any regret or corrective action urged upon it by the UN, many Commonwealth Governments, and a myriad number of international legal and judicial organizations attendance by other Heads of Government would sully the Commonwealth by validating the Rajapaksa government.

If this reason were a consideration according to Sir Ronald, President Mahinda Rajapaksa would already have withdrawn Sri Lanka from hosting the CHOGM in November. Instead he has insisted that the Commonwealth Summit must be held in Sri Lanka even as his government is mired in intense controversy over violations of human rights and disregard for the rule of law.

As Sir Ronald eloquently seralize, that the Commonwealth Action Group has since suspended other member states – Fiji, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Pakistan – after addressing their violations of Commonwealth values, it should do so now with Sri Lanka, or the freshly minted Commonwealth Charter will simply become another set of words, not worth the paper on which they are inscribed in the name of the people of the Commonwealth.

There is also precedent for moving a Commonwealth meeting from New Zealand to Bahamas in 1981, when the host country did establish sports contact with the then apartheid riddled South Africa.

It is interesting and strikes as a proverbial statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shridath Ramphal, in response to the Ugandan crisis created by Idi Amin: “There has been in the Commonwealth, of course, as in the international community, a long and necessary tradition of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. How to strike a balance of political judgment between the two extremes of declamation and silence is sometimes difficult – but it would be entirely illusory to believe that such a judgment could, or indeed should, be avoided altogether. There will be times in the affairs of the Commonwealth when one member’s conduct will provoke the wrath of others beyond the limits of silence…. although the line may be indefinable, all the world will know when it has been crossed.”

As Sir Ronald clearly illustrates beyond any doubt that Sri Lanka has not only crossed that line, but trying to set a precedent that the Commonwealth movement is only good on print and not in any way illustrate its willingness to uphold the principles and values of its very foundation.

Here is Sri Ronald full interview

Impartial commission necessary to protect journalists

Wednesday , 10 April 2013

Journalists and media organizations in the north and east getting crushed is continuing hence by appointing an independent stable commission, government should come forward to protect journalist and Medias.

 

 

All Ceylon State Public Employees Federation Leader and leading industrialist S.Loganathan made this statement.

 

The All Ceylon State Public Employees Federation management meeting was held at Kalmunai Sanasa outdoor hall chaired by its Leader S.loganathan and he expressed his opinion.

 

S.Loganathan at the meeting proposed a “denounce resolution” and expressed his views concerning the attack against "Udayan" press Kilinochchi regional office Manager and staffs.

 

He said, savage anarchy is a series unleashed mainly for Medias and journalists in this country.

 

In the past period suddenly Chris men cropped up roamed and stipulated journalists in the north and similarly  some media organizations are attacked by hooligans naming unidentified persons.

 

Attack against “Udayan”

 

Hooligans recently executed this unruly act against the “Udayan” office and its Manager and staff.  This attack incident is similar to, throttling the throat of “Udayan” press.

 

In the past period mainly in the north and east journalists were assassinated and were under assault, meanwhile media organizations faced attacks.

 

This media suppression continuing in the north and east can be exposed by identifying those connected with this ruthless activity.

 

The government should come forward to appoint a permanent commission to protect the journalists and the media organization, to prevent from attacks  continuing in the future.

 

 

Continuous attacks and unscrupulous activities are executed especially against northern journalist, and media organizations, and the government should take constructive measures to bring an end, was said.

 

The resolution condemning the attack against "Udayan" office at Kilinochchi was unanimously implemented at the meeting. It was decided to appeal the government to appoint an impartial commission.

UN spokesperson cannot comment on the Udayan attack.

Wednesday , 10 April 2013

 UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's spokesperson said, opinions concerning the attack incident against "Udayan" press cannot be expressed in the present situation.

 The daily media briefing was held on last Monday at the UN headquarters and concerning the attack against "Udayan" press, UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon's spokesperson Martin Nesriki was queried.

According to the present state, concerning the attack incident opinions cannot be made. However Medias should be permitted to function independently, which is clearly notified by UN Secretary General, and spokesperson emphasized it.

Wednesday , 10 April 2013

How To Solve A ‘Problem’ Like ‘Uthayan’

By Malinda Seneviratne -

Malinda Seneviratne

The ‘Uthayan’ newspaper was attacked a few days ago.  It was not the first time.  Not the second. Not the third.  It was the thirty sixth time that ‘Uthayan’ was attacked.  That it still stands, still publishes and still defies testifies to admirable resilience.

Uthayan, over the years, has been a newspaper that has a clearly identifiable political position and one with clearly identifiable political loyalties. As is the case in such publications, political expedience overrides journalistic ethics. Truth is not important; political convenience is.  Balance is not important; required slant is. Informing is not important; misinforming is.  But wait, isn’t that also what the BBC does, what Al Jazeera does, what Channel 4 does, what people who are invested in political projects do all the time?

What Uthayan does (or does not do) may be interpreted as attempts to wreck rather than facilitate post-conflict processes of rehabilitation, resettlement, reconstruction and reconciliation, but those who interpret thus need to understand that nothing comes easy.  They need to understand that there will be ‘spoilers’ real or imagined. They need to understand also that good and lasting solutions need to a) factor ‘spoiler’ into the process, and b) deal with spoiler within the larger framework of the law.

It is not easy, of course.  If it was about money and guns in an earlier era, today its money, guns and media, working in concert of course.  So ‘Uthayan’ is part of that larger story, one could argue.  On the other hand, the moment Uthayan is attacked, the hack gets visibility and respectability, and what is patently slanted is legitimately taken as biblical truth.

Even if none of this was true, any attack on any establishment or person is an affront to democracy as well as an indictment on the law and order situation in the country.  If any entity is attacked as many times as Uthayan has and no one has been apprehended then it implies that the law enforcement authorities are utterly incompetent or else complicit. The state can and must do better than this.

The best way to counter a lie is by confronting it with truth.  There’s a reason why the so-called human rights activists whose safety Navineethan Pillai was ‘concerned’ about can’t find friends outside their tiny circle of party-going, cocktail-sipping, dollar-hungry fellow-travelers: they have been effectively dealt with solid arguments.

This is why, a couple of weeks ago, attending a session of Colomboscope 2013 devoted to alleged war crimes, where Prof Rajiva Wijesinghe and two spokespersons for the Sri Lankan security forces spoke, Dr.Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu didn’t utter a word.  No, not out of fear for everyone knows what his positions are and he walks around without looking over his shoulder.  He just doesn’t have the arguments; he’s been undressed enough with logic.

That’s how democracy works.  It doesn’t stop Saravanamuttu from lying through his teeth of course and it won’t stop those who are ready to accept lie as truth and reward with bucks the liar from continuing to harass Sri Lanka at every turn, true.  On the other hand, it stops outsiders from scripting anarchy in this country.

In the case of the Uthayan, on the other hand, what we’ve seen is action and inaction that not only provide frill to the lie-manufacturing mill, but upsets those who value democratic processes and the democratic culture of engagement, including those who are wont to consider Uthayan as a propagandist rag.

The same goes for attacks on political opponents, physical or otherwise.  It betrays a reluctance to fight word with word or indeed a certain impotency in debate.  Worse still, it raises the questions of arrogance and implies an inherent weakness when it comes to dealing with criticism.

The two uniformed gentlemen at Colomboscope, it is reported, showed admirable composure, which only buttressed argument and moreover helped floor critics.  That’s maturity.

When the Government will get its act together, no one can tell. For now, all that needs to be said is that just as it might be hard to stand with the Uthayan on the same political platform, standing for democracy necessitates an unambiguous condemnation in the strongest terms of the attack.

We condemn. Unreservedly.

*Malinda Seneviratne is the Chief Editor of ‘The Nation’ and his articles can be found at www.malindawords.blogspot.com

The long walk to peace

By Lashane Cooray-2013-04-10  The war to eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka was justifiable, but the peace achieved in the aftermath cannot be described as being favourable to all, former Sri Lankan Ambassador to France, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka said at a seminar organized by the Sri Lanka Young Journalists' Movement in Colombo on Monday. Addressing the forum themed, 'Religion, Reconciliation and the Future,' Dr. Jayatilleka voiced his opinions on the 30-year civil war, Sri Lanka's standing in the eyes of the international community as well as the civil unrest that had been growing over the past few months between minority Muslim groups and the Buddhist community at large. "The war was just in its essentials, but the peace which has followed is not so. Reconciliation has proven difficult so far due to the complete lack of opposition towards the government; as the United National Party (UNP) is not competitive," he said. Commenting further on the Geneva consensus of 2009, as compared to the attitude shown towards Sri Lanka in the recently-held United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in 2013, he said, "In 2009, the consensus was broader than it is now. The time obtained for Sri Lanka was squandered and lost, and now we are running out of space. The problem does not lie entirely with the Tamil Diaspora. In 2009, countries such as Brazil and Peru supported us. However, they did not support us this time. Something had gone wrong and something is rotten." Speaking on the religious unrest in the country, he said, "We should be able to mutually coexist within the island. There are certain groups who claim this is a Sinhala Buddhist country. Doesn't it belong to the minority groups as well? The Sinhalese Buddhist is naturally entitled to a position of leadership, but nothing of the sort displayed by some of these factions at the moment. The first Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the late D.S. Senanayake understood this. Even in his time, there were such groups, albeit existing at a much smaller scale. He managed to ward them off successfully, and instead of following his example, we have turned away from it." Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M. Sumanthiran, addressing the forum said the rule of law is not ensured in the country, despite the fact that Sri Lanka was richly sourced in laws ranging from Roman- Dutch to Kandyan Law. "It has been said the minority groups are the ones who are responsible for unrest within a country. I think every Tamil speaking person in Sri Lanka bears the eternal shame of not standing up to the LTTE in the early days of the organization," Sumanthiran said. Commenting on the comparisons made between the war and 'what is brewing now,' he said, "Prohibiting the passage of law happened with the gaining of independence, taking away from some while giving in excess to others. In 1956, Sinhalese was made the only official language of Sri Lanka, and in 1987, Tamil language was included as one as well. However, I still had to make the police complaint in Sinhalese when our offices were attacked in Kilinochchi recently." Speaking on the Muslim community being targeted by a number of Buddhist groups, he said, "We have to realize that enough is enough, and not let this carnage continue. It can at least be said the Tamil people took up arms, but what have the Muslim people done?" Former Anglican Bishop of Colombo, Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, Frontline Socialist Party Propaganda Secretary Pubudu Jagoda, Sri Lankan educator and Diplomat Javed Yusuf, The Editor-in-Chief of the Nation, Malinda Seneviratne and University of Sri Jayewardenepura Senior Lecturer Anuruddha Pradeep also addressed the event.

2013-04-10

‘Civilian casualties not because of army’

WEDNESDAY, 10 APRIL 2013 

While claiming that International community had failed in their duty to stop the war crimes committed by the LTTE terrorists, the first part of the Army’s Court of Inquiry report stated that instances of shellings referred to in the LLRC report were not caused by the Sri Lanka Army.

The report, which was handed over to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa by Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya this morning stated: “…the instances of shellings referred to in the LLRC Report were not caused by the Sri Lanka Army and civilian casualties might have occurred due to unlawful acts by LTTE.”

“These acts include firing at civilians fleeing to the safety of Army held areas, dropping of artillery rounds fired by ill-trained LTTE gunners on to civilian concentrations, employment of sub-standard artillery rounds obtained from illegal sources by the LTTE, forced conscription of civilians including children and old people by LTTE for combat purposes, thus exposing them to danger,” the army said in a statement.

The statement says:

The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa had made some observations pertaining to the Army and allegations made by Channel 4.

Thereafter in terms of Regulation 4 of the Courts of Inquiry Regulations 1952, the Commander of the Army convened a Court of Inquiry comprising of the under-mentioned officers to investigate and submit a report on the said observations made by the LLRC.

a. Maj Gen A W J C de Silva RWP USP psc - President
b. Maj Gen A K S Perera WWV RWP RSP - Member
c. Brig J R Kulatunga RSP psc - Member
d. Brig W R P de Silva IG - Member
e. Brig A S Wijewickrama - Member
f. Lt Col H M L D Herath RSP psc SLSC - Secretary

The Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya VSV USP ndu psc handed over the 1st part of the of the Court of Inquiry Report to the Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa RWP RSP psc at the Ministry of Defence today.

The Court examined senior field commanders and infantry, armour, artillery, intelligence, civil affairs and medical officers who had participated in the Humanitarian Operation. From the evidence presented, the Court of Inquiry concluded that LTTE terrorists had violated the international law with impunity by committing various unlawful acts inter alia, using of civilians as human shields, placing of artillery and other heavy weapons amidst civilian concentrations and illegal conscription of civilians, including children and old people, for combat purposes thus exposing them to danger.

Evidence before the Court has conclusively established that the Humanitarian Operation was conducted strictly in accordance with the “Zero Civilian Casualty” directive made by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and commanders at all times obeyed the said directive and even where the LTTE terrorists had fired from NFZs, commanders refrained from firing at such NFZs. It has also been revealed that as an additional measure of safety, artillery commanders had added 500 meters more to the boundaries of NFZs given by higher headquarters.

During the Court of Inquiry it was transpired that LTTE terrorists had located artillery and other heavy weapons amidst civilian concentrations and from such locations they repeatedly fired at Sri Lankan Army positions. However despite heavy bombardments by LTTE terrorists, Sri Lankan Army troops had refrained from firing heavy weapons and this self-imposed moratorium had caused heavy casualties to Army troops.

Evidence revealed that at all stages of the Humanitarian Operation, the Sri Lanka Army behaved as a well-disciplined military force observing the IHL and the law of war and they took all the precautions to avoid civilian casualties and all those who came under the control of the Sri Lanka Army, including surrendered/captured LTTE cadres, were treated humanely observing the IHL to the letter. On the contrary, shocking details of war crimes committed by LTTE terrorists such as using of civilian as Human Shields, summary executions of civilians who attempted to escape to army lines, forced conscription of children for combat purposes etc were revealed at the inquiry. The Court noted that the International community had failed in their duty to stop the war crimes committed by the LTTE terrorists.

From the testimony presented, the C of I concluded that the instances of shellings referred to in the LLRC Report were not caused by the Sri Lanka Army and civilian casualties might have occurred due to unlawful acts by LTTE. These acts include firing at civilians fleeing to the safety of Army held areas, dropping of artillery rounds fired by ill-trained LTTE gunners on to civilian concentrations, employment of sub-standard artillery rounds obtained from illegal sources by the LTTE, forced conscription of civilians including children and old people by LTTE for combat purposes, thus exposing them to danger.

In his concluding remarks the Commander of the Army has stated that in any war, even those fought by western powers using state of the art hi-tech equipment, civilian casualties are inevitable due to the vagaries of war and although the evidence presented before the Court of Inquiry does not attach blame to any Sri Lankan Army member, if new evidence is presented by any person giving precise information on civilian casualties, such instances will be investigated further by giving such persons the opportunity to present their evidence.

The C of I will now proceed to investigate the 2nd part of their mandate, to wit Channel 4 allegation on summary executions of captured LTTE terrorists

Academics Call Upon Govt Owned Mobitel To Remove BBS Anthem From MP3 Ringtones

By Colombo Telegraph -April 10, 2013 |

Academics and professionals call upon Mobitel to remove BBS anthem from its MP3 ringtones service provided to its customers and restore our confidence in the supposed impartiality and professionalism of commercial enterprises.

Issuing a statement they say; “We also call upon the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to take immediate action to ensure that this is done.”

We publish below the statement in full;

We note with grave concern Mobitel’s promotion of the anthem of the Bodu Bala Sena as a ring tone which can be downloaded.  The anthem of the Bodu Bala Sena carries an incendiary message that seeks to depict sections of this country’s people as outsiders and destroyers. Its purpose is to incite distrust and hostility between ethnic and religious groups, promoting national disharmony in the country.

Mobitel is a commercial telecommunications service provider to the entire country including the groups who are being targeted by this anthem. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Telelcom, of which a 50% stake is owned by the Sri Lankan government, Mobitel is also partly a state enterprise. It is therefore extremely disturbing that such a responsible commercial enterprise with close affiliations to the state would facilitate the spread of hate speech through its services and in doing so contribute to ethnic and religious tensions in the country. The recent attack on the Fashion Bug building in Pepiliyana indicates that hate speech and  scaremongering campaigns have extremely violent consequences. Under the circumstances, we expect Mobitel to act responsibly.

We call upon Mobitel to remove this anthem from its MP3 ringtones service provided to its customers and restore our confidence in the supposed impartiality and professionalism of commercial enterprises. We also call upon the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to take immediate action to ensure that this is done.

NAME DESIGNATION/AFFILIATION

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya,  Open University of Colombo

Krishanthi Anandawansa, Academic

Vijula Arulanantham, Attorney at Law

Crystal Baines

Dhanuka Bandara, Journalist

Prof. A. M. Navaratne Bandara, University of Peradeniya

Bishop Duleep de Chickera, Anglican Church

Prof. Priyan Dias, University of Moratuwa

Rev. Galkande Dhammananda, University of Kelaniya

E. Shanthini Ekanayake, Psychologist, Visiting Lecturer , Colombo University

Sumedha Fernando, Engineer

Dr. Udan Fernando, Academic/CEPA

Gayathri Hewagama, Academic

Anushke Guneratne

Prof. Camena Guneratne, Open University of Colombo

Dr. Ranil Guneratne, University of Colombo

Max Gunasekera

Dr Dileni Gunewardena, University of Peradeniya

Mr. Mahinda Hattaka, Journalist

Gayatri Hewagama, Academic

Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, Bishop Emeritus of Kurunegala

Ahilan Kadirgamar, Researcher

Dr. Danesh Karunanayake, University of Peradeniya

M. Kodithuwakku, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Sarath Kodithuwakku, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Shamala Kumar University of Peradeniya

Dr. Amarakeerthi Liyanage, University of Peradeniya

Sudesh Mantillake, University of Peradeniya

Dr. Dushyanthi Mendism University of Colombo

Ramona Mirandam Communication Consultant

Kaushalya Madugallem University of Peradeniya

Dr. Nishan de Melm Economist

Mahen Muttiahm Research Consultant

Nilhan Nilesm University of Moratuwa

Dr. M. A. Nuhmanm Formerly of University of
Peradeniya

Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja Film Maker and formerly of University of Colombo

Selyna Peiris, Sri Lanka Law College

Nicola Perera, Graduate Student

Vihanga Perera, Sri Jayawardenepura University

Noeline Prins, Graduate Student

A.L. Rajakaruna, Software Engineer

Anushka Rajapaksha, Software Engineer

Hiruni Rajapakse, University of Peradeniya

Dr D.S. Rajasingham, Medical Officer

Emeritus Prof. Ryhana Raheem, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Harshana Rambukwelle, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Hemamala Ratwatte, Postgraduate Institute of English

M. R. M. Riham, Academic

Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon, Open University of Sri Lanka

Dinesha Samararatne, Univ. of Colombo

Kumudini Samuel, Women and Media Collective

Chathurika Senanayake, Academic

Dr. Sumathy Sivamohan, University of Peradeniya

Deepthi Siriwardena Executive, Communications

Shreen Abdul Saroor Mannar Women’s DevelopmentCentre

S. Thalayasingham, Attorney-at-Law

M. Thalayasingham, Attorney-at-Law

Dr. Vasanthy Thevanesan, Univ. of Peradeniya

Chandragupta Thenuwara, Artist and Academic

Dayapala Thiranagama,  Formerly of University of Kelaniya

Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran, Women’s Education and Research Centre

M. Thiruvarangan, Graduate Student

Dr. Deepika Udagama, University of Peradeniya

U. K. S. M. Uduwella ,Academic

Gamini Viyangoda, Literary Translator, Journalist and Social Critic

Dr Ruvan Weerasinghe, University of Colombo

Dr. Kanchanakesi Warnapala, Open University of Sri Lanka

Prof. Carmen Wickramagamage, University of Peradeniya

W. H. P. Wijeratne, Academic

Asanka Sanjeewa Wijesinghe, Univ. of Peradeniya

Gayatri Wijekoon, University of Colombo

Ranjit Wijekoon, Attorney at Law

Dileepa Witharana, Open University of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka blames India for protracted war

 April 10, 2013

Colombo: Sri Lanka today blamed India for the Tamil separatist war which dragged for 30 years on the island.

The information department quoted Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as telling the local media that India could never absolve itself of the responsibility for creating terrorism in Sri Lanka

India's former permanent representative to the UN, Hardeep Singh Puri, called for an investigation into specific allegations of war crimes during the last 100 days of military operations in Sri Lanka.

Mr Rajapaksa, however, said those demanding accountability on Sri Lanka's part for alleged atrocities committed during the last 100 days of the conflict were silent on the origin of terrorism in Sri Lanka.

He said Mr Puri should realize that India's intervention in Sri Lanka had caused a major regional crisis when "Indian-trained Sri Lankan terrorists" raided the Maldives in November 1988.

Mr Rajapaksa said the international community should consider a comprehensive investigation into the issue beginning with the Indian intervention.

The information department quoted the defence secretary as saying that some interested parties were reluctant to acknowledge that Sri Lanka was a much better place today without the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan military defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009 after 30 years of war. 

Colombo answers Indian political visit by simultaneously inviting Pakistani defence visit

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 April 2013, 12:00 GMT]
While representatives of a section of Indian political parties were on a fact finding mission to the island, meeting various Tamil political, civil society, chamber of commerce and former civil members in Jaffna on Tuesday and Wednesday under the aegis of the Indian High Commission and the Indian Consulate in Jaffna, the SL government in Colombo is engaging with a high level Pakistani Defence delegation comprising 19 members who are on a one-week visit to the island. The visit by Pakistani defence delegation follows the visit of the Chinese Deputy Minister of Intelligence last week. 

The Pakistani delegation visiting Colombo was ‘concentrating’ on gaining awareness on Sri Lanka’s ‘defence, development, domestic and foreign policy matters’, reports in Colombo said.

The Pakistani delegation is meeting the SL Defence Secretary and presidential sibling Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, all the commanders of the three armed forces and the governor of the Central Bank, the reports further said.

The Pakistani defence delegation was also scheduled to visit the North, informed sources in Colombo said.

Last week, the Chinese intelligence minister visited Jaffna and Trincomalee in the company of the occupying Sinhala military.

The SL State in Colombo, as usual, is counting on its underhand abilities in prompting bureaucrats in New Delhi and sections of media in India, to sustain the line of the New Delhi Establishment to remain hostile to the interests and existence of the nation of Eezham Tamils, informed sources in Colombo said.

In the meantime, the Tamil delegates in Jaffna were unanimous in explaining to the delegation of Indian political party representatives that India talking about 13th Amendment or about 13 plus, would not help Eezham Tamils under the unitary character of the Sri Lankan constitution, sources in Jaffna said.

Except a few individuals of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), planted or prodded by the very powers that directed the genocidal war and continue to facilitate the structural genocide against the nation of Eezham Tamils, the grassroots sections of the Tamil polity remain sharp in comprehending the machinations and in articulating for the righteous aspirations of Eezham Tamils, young generation politicians told TamilNet.

Sneak Preview Screening: No Fire Zone + Q&A

Tuesday 23 April 2013, 7:00 PM

BOOK NOW

 

The screening will be followed by a Q&A with director Callum Macrae

No Fire Zone - The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka, chronicles the final 138 days of the 26 year Sri Lankan civil war. Told by the people who lived through it, the film builds on two award winning television documentaries by director Callum Macrae.

Civilians, Tiger camera operators and government soldiers filmed the events using small cameras and mobile phones. This disturbing footage is carefully analysed and authenticated by video analysts, and shows the extreme violence against Tamil civilians and bombing of hospitals by the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Macrae pieces together the scenes with personal accounts from civilians who survived the conflict and testimonies from UN officials who were forced to leave the area. The Sri Lankan government contests the depiction of events shown in No Fire Zone and dismisses the documentary as fake.

Directed by Callum Macrae
Duration: 90′
Year: 2013

Peabody Award for Sri Lanka's Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished

Published: 28/03/2013

Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished was amongst the prestigious winners of the annual Peabody Awards last night, the oldest and one of the top honours in broadcasting. First presented in 1941, the George Foster Peabody Awards recognise excellence in television and radio broadcasting, as well as by webcasters, producing organisations and individuals. The awards program is administered by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. Selection is made each spring by the Peabody Board, a 16-member panel of distinguished academics, television critics, industry practitioners and experts in culture and the arts.

The powerful follow-up film to Sri Lanka's Killing Fields, Jon Snow's critically-acclaimed investigation into the final weeks of the war between the government and Tamil Tigers, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished accumulated powerful new evidence including contemporaneous documents, eye-witness accounts, photographic stills and videos relating to how exactly events unfolded during the final days of the civil war. It featured new chilling video footage of five men and a child who had been executed.

When the film was broadcast last year it had impact internationally causing uproar in both the Houses of Parliament in India - the upper house's session had to be adjourned after politicians from the south of the country, which has a large Tamil population, criticised the government's failure to pressure Sri Lanka to investigate war crimes as part of a reconciliation process.

Both ‘Killing Fields’ films built on the work of Channel 4 News which first revealed the existence of trophy execution footage and were produced by ITN Factual and directed by Callum Macrae with Zoe Sale as producer. The same team have now released their first feature-length film about the final bloody months of the Sri Lankan civil war in March. No Fire Zone represents the culmination of three years of journalistic investigation and contains deeply disturbing new evidence, powerful eye witness testimony and compelling personal stories of survival in a war zone. It presents a devastating indictment of the men responsible for the crimes and an exposé of the failure of the international community to prevent this catastrophe. The project is backed by Channel 4, BRITDOC, The Bertha Foundation, the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, Stichting Democratie en Media, and WorldView as well as NGOs including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. The film, made for an international audience, was launched at the Geneva Human Rights Film Festival during the UN Human Rights Council meeting in March.: