Mullaitivu Falls to the Tamil Forces 210 Years Ago Today

Will history once again repeat itself?

Ilankai Tamil Sangam

இலங்கை தமிழ் சங்கம்

by V P Lingajothy, Esq., August 25, 2013.

At least as far as the records and anecdotal history go, there was no war of independence following Kaadu Rajah Vinnasythamby’s 1878 defeat anywhere in Vanni. According to the known history, Pariyari Velar was never captured alive but his son Kaadu Rajah Vinnayar was pardoned by the British authorities and he remained in obscurity following his defeat until his death. A century later his great-great-grandson took up arms and joined a liberation organisation which defeated the enemy and once again took over Mullaitivu in July 1996. The great-great-grandson of Kaadu Rajah was known by the nom de guerre ‘Major Curdles’ and was affectionately known as Kerdy to his fellow freedom fighters. The great martyr (Maveeran in Tamil) Mahalingam Thileepan, otherwise known as Major Curdles, is a cousin of the most illustrious freedom fighter Brigadier Theepan.

Mullaitivu Falls to the Tamil Forces 210 Years Ago Today by nelvely

President orders media heads to bait Sanath by hook or by crook

 Thursday, 29 August 2013 

President Rajapaksa has instructed a head of ‘Mawbima’ newspaper to report on the harassment of the singing couple Rukantha and Chandralekha in such a way that the blame goes to Sanath Gunatileke, and told the editor of the ‘Rivira’ newspaper owned by his family to bait Sanath Gunatileke earnestly.

By luring Sanath by hook or by crook, the final objective of this plot is to place the final blame of the Rukantha and Chandralekha incident on former president Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, said Temple Trees sources. The president is presently engaged in a ‘media hype’ by offering a pardon at the request of Rukantha and Chandralekha for the persons said to be involved in the assault on the duo. The final objective of this ‘media hype’ is to finally level the finger regarding the Rukantha and Chandralekha incident at the former president.

Accordingly, the president has asked the ‘Rivira’ editor to give wide publicity to the actor Sanath Gunatileke, who became a monk temporarily by the name Hanguranketha Wimalaratana and is residing at Benthara Sapugoda Sri Maha Vihara, and also to obtain a statement from him regarding the Rukantha and Chandralekha incident. Therefore, ‘Rivira’ newspaper is giving wide publicity these days to Sanath Gunatilake’s temporary monkhood. Acting in a totally opposed manner, the ‘Mawbima’ newspaper, at the behest of the president, is strongly criticizing Sanath Gunatilake’s temporary monkhood. In both ways, the final objective is to corner Chandrika through Sanath Gunatilake.

Mandana says ‘gold haul’ found by police does not belong to her

By Madura Ranwala-August 28, 2013,

The Sunday Leader Associate Editor, Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema, has said that the gold jewellery the police claim to have recovered from the men who broke into her house does not belong to her.

Police said the jewellery (12 bangles, 14 chains, two bracelets, ten pendants, ten rings and nine ear rings) had been recovered from the robbers who broke into Abeywickrema’s residence on August 24. 

Police spokesman SP Buddhika Siriwardana yesterday told The Island that the police investigations had revealed that the jewellery belonged to Abeywickrema’s mother.

However, when contacted, Mandana said the intruders had robbed only two ear rings, two rings and a short chain belonging to her. She denied the police claim that the jewellery belonged to her mother.

Mandana said, "I don’t think my mother would have had such an amount of gold jewellery in her possession. I have not gone to that house in Bambalapitiya since the incident."

She could identify the intruders who told her that they had come on a contract as their masks had dropped from time to time while the lights were on, Abeywirckrema said, stressing that the motive for the break-in was not clear as there had been two previous attempts to intimidate her and her family. "Last Thursday morning, there was a dead cat near our house and on Friday morning, we found the tyres of my husband’s car slashed and then in the early hours of Saturday, the intruders held me at knifepoint saying they wanted to carry out a contract and half of the loot had to be given to the person who hired them." 

In her statement to the CCD, Abeywickrema has said that the person who had given the contract to the five suspects wanted them to take care of her and fetch the goods. "I do not know what he meant by goods and take care of me," she told The Island yesterday.

Police sources said that two of the suspects were still being treated at the National Hospital and the other two were being questioned on detention orders.

However, statements had not yet been recorded from the two suspects being held on detention orders, sources said.

Two of the four suspects are army deserters identified as K. P. Chamara Kumara of Weralupitiya, Avissawella and Rifleman Asanka Ubeysiri. Of the five suspects, three are brothers.

One of the brothers was shot dead by the police when he resisted arrest.

Police said yesterday that the suspects were robbers who had carried out a number of robberies in the area and the Saturday’s break-in was one of them.

Army Major heading extortion racket nabbed

By Jayathilaka Gannoruwa-Thursday, 29 Aug 2013

Mahara Magistrate, Dharshika Wimalaweera, remanded a Sergeant Major (SM-Army) who was taken into custody by a team of officers of the Sapugaskanda Police, for kidnapping a three-wheeler driver and demanding a sum of Rs 500,000 from him. The SM is reported have posed off as an officer from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

A request made by the police to retain and question the Army officer and an Army deserter who was allegedly involved in the drama, was denied. They granted bail by the Magistrate.

The extortionists who had arrived at the residence of the three-wheeler owner, Gayan Jeewantha, in Kelaniya, had kidnapped him and escaped, having posing as a police team attached to the PNB. Thereafter, when Gayan's wife had been trying to contact her husband on his mobile phone, a member of the gang answering the call had allegedly demanded Rs 500,000 to secure his release, informing her they had found a haul of heroin in his possession. The gang had further assured Gayan's wife they would also be able to obtain bail from the Court for 'Gal' Sampath, Gayan's father, who is presently in remand custody at the Mahara Prison, for dealing in heroin.

The officers of the Sapugaskanda Police, informing Court about the money demanded by the extortionists, said they had subsequently set a trap to nab the Sergeant Major and his accomplice. They had put their plan into operation, with Gayan's wife having informed them to meet her at the Galvihara Junction in Sapugaskanda, at which point, she would hand over the money to them. Unknown to the extortionists, the police had been waiting to apprehend them, when they arrived at the designated place.

Police investigations reveal that the person who had come to accept the Rs 500,000 demanded to secure Gayan's release was a Sergeant Major attached to an Army Camp at Pottuvil, Ampara. On being questioned consequent to his arrest, he had divulged who the other members of the gang were.

The items recovered from the suspect includes a 9mm pistol, 12 live bullets and a hand grenade, which had been hidden in a van used by the gang in their unlawful operations. They had also revealed that they had extorted millions of rupees from a businessman in Wellawatta, posing as CID officers.

The extortionists who are now in custody have been identified as Chaminda Kumara of Pitipana, Homagama, Ambaravila, Pradeep Indika Mahagedarawatta of Galle, Piryantha Lal Jayasiri of Balapitiya, T. Anura Kumara of Millewa and M.M.N.A. Bandara of Ambaliyadda.

Investigations are continuing under the instructions of the DIG, Colombo – West, supervised by the Senior DIG, Western Province, Anura Senanayaka.

Investigations are also being conducted by the OIC of the Sapugaskanda Police, P.G.S.R. Sanjeewa, instructed by the SP for Kelaniya, C.E. Edirisinghe.

Hitherto unrevealed grave crime of army at Weliveriya –student’s evidence exposes

(Lanka-e-News-29.Aug.2013,2.30PM) A most deadly and blatant crime had been committed by the Rajapakse murderous forces during the Weliveriya mass killings . That is , an ambulance vehicle with army personnel had come into the midst of the crowd to attack the law abiding citizens who demanded drinking water, according to the evidence given by a School going student (whose name was not revealed) when he related thus :

I came to Weliveriya at about 3.00 p.m (on the day of the ghastly murders), Ravishan aiyya who died was with me. While we were talking we saw a number of protestors fallen on the road cut and chopped. Just then an ambulance came by. One of those within opened the door of the ambulance. It is only then I saw to my consternation , it were not patients but army personnel who were in that ambulance.

After the conflict began the army began assaulting with Albizzia clubs . I too got attacked . I got down to a drain nearby and stayed out for a while. Later I went home.

What is specially noteworthy is , this student young as he is , revealing this in his evidence given before a retired supreme court judge, Priyantha Perera.

Based on this evidence , the army had committed a most serious war crime and a violation of international laws. The use of an ambulance by the forces to launch an attack is not only running counter to universally accepted laws, but according to military laws , such a vehicle cannot be used for attack or transporting soldiers. Only the patients , medical units of the forces, doctors and nursing aides can be in that vehicle. Besides no weapons can be carried by them. Only two unarmed personnel can be in it , if there is a necessity.

A special discussion was held today (28) at the SL Human Rights Commission (HRC) with representatives of civil Organizations chaired by its President Priyantha Perera in connection with the Rathupaswala mass killing episode. Providing fresh clean drinking water to the people of Weliveriya was the central theme of discussion. It was decided that the representatives of the local bodies of Gampaha and Attanagala , and water supply department are summoned to the HRC next week to iron out these issues.

The discussion held today lasted about an hour , and statements of several of those present were recorded.

Father Lakpriya Nonis of Weliveriya mission ,representatives of trade unions, village civil organizations and many villagers took part in the discussions.

The Impeachment: What I Said Was Edited Out By Ceylon Today

By Rajiva Wijesinha -August 29, 2013 

Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha MP

Ceylon Today asked several questions with regard to the impeachment. Though its assumption that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rightswas going to meet Shirani Bandaranayaka may have been misplaced, it seemed necessary to answer the questions and also to reproduce the full answers since some of what I said was edited out.

1.    Reports indicate that the High Commissioner is going to meet deposed Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake during her visit. Isn’t this a clear snub to the government which has consistently attempted to vilify and condemn her?

Given the controversy the impeachment caused, it is understandable that the High Commissioner would want to meet Mrs Bandaranayake.

2.    Obviously Pillay meeting Dr. Bandaranayke will be interpreted as a show of tacit support and an acknowledgment that she was unjustly and arbitrarily removed from her post.  Do you think the President will interpret her moves to visit Dr. Bandaranayake in this manner or else how do you think he will view it?

I think he will understand that the High Commissioner is working in terms of her mandate. I hope however that government people who meet her will be able to show the rationale for the impeachment.

3.    Do you think the government is unhappy that Pillay is going to meet the former Chief Justice?

There will be some people in government who will be unhappy with anything Ms Pillay does.

4.    Several independent international legal analysts and commentators including diplomatic missions have voiced the view that Dr. Bandaranayke is being unduly persecuted post-impeachment . They have voiced the view that the charges leveled against her by the Bribery Commission are fake. What do you have to say about this and do you agree?Read More

Media Freedom in Sri Lanka

The following letter to the Chairman,National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka by the Free Media Movement

| by Sunil Jayasekara

(August 28, 2013, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)We would like to thank you for inviting the Free Media Movement (FMM) and other media organizations for a discussion on the violations of the rights to freedom of expression, in the aftermath of the killing of three persons by the Army in Rathupaswela, and restrictions and attacks on media personnel who were covering the incident.

Media Freedom in Sri Lanka by nelvely

Why Pillay should raise media freedom

Editorial

Thursday, 29 Aug 2013

The visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, who is in Sri Lanka on a week-long official tour, is expected to meet a motley group of people representing the government, including the Head of the State, the opposition, civil society, Tamil political parties, media and so forth.

Pillay's visit caused ripples within the government, soon after her office in Geneva announced her official tour, some weeks back. Within days, the President appointed a special commission to inquire the disappearances and abductions that took place during the height of war. Last week, the Police Department was, suddenly, brought under the newly-established Ministry of Law and Order. Both those measures were, in fact, part of recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), nearly two years ago.

Earlier, in March this year, the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in a resolution called upon the government to implement the recommendations of the LLRC. Now, Pillay is here to assess the country's human rights record and the progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the LLRC. Hence, the sudden interest in the government to address those long-neglected human rights and governance related concerns.

In this backdrop, the existential grim realities in the media landscape loom large. Pillay should listen to the media fraternity in this country, who against many odds, had refused to bow down to the powers that be. It is media that remains one of the last functioning pillars of democracy in the country and unearthed much of the incriminating evidence of violations of human rights and civil liberties. For simply doing their job, those scribes were assaulted, abducted, killed and forced into exile. It was not long ago that the reporters risked the wrath of the military in order to report the mayhem in Weliweriya. Their reportage caused a public outrage over the military excesses, triggered a debate on the militarization in the society and prompted the government on a damage control offensive, which culminated in an Army Court of Inquiry, a rare act on the part of the security establishment.

Media in this country has shown enormous resilience in the face of multiple threats. Those threats vary from the prevailing climate of impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of violence, the concentration of media ownership with the individuals closely associated with the incumbent regime, State interference with the editorial content, through multiple means, the absence of a Right to Information Law, the safety of media personnel and so forth. It is against those odds that media in this country strives to be independent, vocal and outspoken; and in terms of those attributes, the local press has fared much better than many of their counterparts in Asia.

It is important that the visiting UN Human Rights Chief be cognizant of the existential realities of the media landscape. When she meets the government authorities, Pillay should bring up those concerns that beset media freedom in this country, one of the oldest democracies in South Asia. It is within her mandate to demand that the Government of Sri Lanka ends the prevailing culture of impunity and prosecute the killers and abductors of scores of scribes and many thousands of Sri Lankan citizens.

It is definitely within Pillay's mandate to ask the government to ensure the safety of media personnel so that they would be in a position to carry out their duties with a sense of security, without looking over their shoulder.

Pillay should also remind the Government of Sri Lanka that many recent democracies have enacted legislative provisions enabling right to information of their public. Nepal and Bangladesh are two recent examples. The Government of Sri Lanka has obstructed the passage of the Right to Information Bill that was presented by the Opposition.

The UN Human Rights Chief may not be able to convince the intransigent government to deliver on all measures. But, she may, at least, succeed in forcing the government to address some concerns as per press freedom.

‘You may whisper in my ear’, Pillay told Mullai people

[TamilNet, Thursday, 29 August 2013, 02:55 GMT]
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay, who met a section of the uprooted people of Champoor in Trincomalee on Wednesday, told them that she was aware of their plight. On Tuesday, Ms Pillay, who visited Mu’l’li-vaaykkaal in Mullaith-theevu sympathized with the victims struggling to resettle amidst the prevailing SL military occupation and the ongoing structural genocide. Noticing fear in the people in speaking out in the presence of the surrounding SL military personnel clad in civil, she told them that they may whisper in her ears. Her direct contact with the victims in Vanni and Trincomalee comes after criticism on the conduct of the UN officials, who in Jaffna on Tuesday had opted to take her away through the backdoor following ‘advice’ by the SL authorities, preventing her meeting with around one thousand parents and victims of the missing people at the Jaffna Public Library. 

Tamil rights activists in Jaffna blame the Colombo-centric UN officials as being instrumental in avoiding Ms Pillay’s contact with key civil society leaders and human rights activists on the ground. 

Ms Pillay’s scheduled visit to former ‘High Security Zone’ in Valikaamam that is now being converted into a Sinhala Military Zone was also avoided citing practical problems. 

However, informed sources in Jaffna told TamilNet that Ms Pillay had reacted to the usual ‘development’ showcase by the SL Governor Major General (retd) G.A. Chandrasiri. 

Ms Pillay told the SL officials in Jaffna that she was more interested in witnessing what had been achieved on the human rights front. She also questioned whether the people on the ground had been consulted in designing the ‘development’ projects that were being displayed to her, the informed sources further said. 

The SL military had temporarily dismantled more than a hundred check posts from Jaffna to Mullaith-theevu. Some posts were hurriedly bulldozed. The SL ‘victory’ exhibition-cites had been locked and some monuments were even covered with tarpaulin sheets. Uniformed soldiers were replaced with civil-clad and pistol-armed military personnel on the streets from Jaffna to Mullaiththeevu on Tuesday. 

The Colombo-based reporters, who were focusing on the bizarre statement by the notorious SL gangster-minister Mervin Silva as saying that he was prepared to marry Ms Pillay, failed in exposing the ‘groundwork’ by the SL military in displaying a semblance of normalcy to the visiting UN Human Rights High Commissioner. 

The foreign reporters based in Colombo have also failed in covering the nuanced situation that prevails on the ground. 

On matters related to the island, an international media gang-up operates for a long time, carefully orchestrated by the architects who conducted the genocidal war without witnesses and who are now busy with the structural genocide and in keeping everything under the carpet. The international media had been told to handle Navi Pillay visit in such a way not jeopardizing the ‘agendas’ set for the forthcoming months, said an informed diplomat in Colombo. 

Ms Pillay's visit precedes the UNHRC session in Geneva in September, where she is expected to make an oral preliminary report on the progress in the implementation of the LLRC-based resolution tabled by the USA and fine-tuned by India in March this year.

After Navi: Troops Are Back In The North

August 30, 2013

Security forces personnel who were confined to barracks in the northern province have returned to their outposts and are back on the streets after visiting UN Envoy Navi Pillay left the area, according to eyewitness reports from the region.

While the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights travelled extensively in the north including the former LTTEstronghold of the Wanni, the heavily garrisoned province was somewhat bereft of armed forces personnel who have become part and parcel of the scenery post-war in the north.

The Elephant Pass checkpoint that was dismantled ahead of the UN High Commissioner’s visit has also been restored, sources told the Colombo Telegraph. “Troops are out on the roads again in Jaffna,” the sources said.

Reports are also emerging about military intelligence officials threatening Tamil civilians who demonstrated for their disappeared loved ones and held discussions with the UN Envoy. These claims cannot be independently verified at this time.

Militarisation of the north has been a hot button issue on the international agenda against Sri Lanka, because the heavy presence of soldiers in the former battlezones are seen as being an impediment to the resumption of normal civilian life in the region. The Government has repeatedly pledged to downscale the military in the north prior to the Northern Provincial Council elections but residents claim no such move has been made so far.

 Read More

Pillay goes off track

THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2013 

Visiting UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay yesterday went off her provided schedule, and had met a prominent Christian Priest in the Trincomalee District.
The sudden change in plans was not informed to her security contingent who were taken unawares, reports said. However sources said that the meeting had been arranged by the UN office in Colombo.

Discussions between her and the priest had lasted for close on an hour after which she had left for Colombo.  Accordingly she had met Fr Y. Yogeshwaran, a prominent human rights activist of a non-governmental Organization named Jesuits Academy-Foundation for Nonviolent Communication, located at Inner Harbour Road, Trincomalee.

It is learnt that the father had handed over a report containing details of missing persons and highlighted four main points in the report. It is learnt that a copy of this particular report had earlier been handed over to the UN Rights Chief by Tamil National Alliance members.

Ms Pillay also held talks with Eastern Province Governor Mohan Wijewickreme and government agents in the province at the Governor’s office in Trincomalee. She had been briefed on the development activities in the area.

Navi Pillay invites Mannar bishop

[ Thursday, 29 August 2013, 08:32.36 AM GMT +05:30 ]

UN Human Rights Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay schedule to meet Mannar bishop Rev.Fr.Irayappu Joseph at UN office in Colombo today.

Commissioner invited bishop to discuss on human rights issues in the Vanni and Mannar areas, sources said. Bishop will brief commissioner on political prisoners, resettlement activities, disappeared persons and human rights issued face since end of war in the country. Previously bishop met defence secretary while hand hovering newly constructed houses for 30 displaced families in the Mullikulam area.

Pillay Urges To Protect Tamils She Met: ‘Tamils Who Met UN Rights Chief Threatened In Sri Lanka’ – Rudrakumaran

August 30, 2013

In an urgent appeal to the UN High-Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, the Prime-Minister of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE), Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran , urged her to ensure that those Tamils who met her in the NorthEast of the island are protected from harassment and abuse by the Sri Lankan Security forces and intelligence agencies.

PM - TGTE - Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran

According to BBC (Tamil Service), those who met the UN High-Commissioner Pillai have been threatened.

Additionally BBC reports that the military who were kept inside the camps during her trip were out in the streets and have re-established their check points, after the High-Commissioner left Tamil areas. The checkpoint at Elephant-pass in the A9 road, which was closed down during her stay have also been reopened after she left.

Hundreds of mothers of the disappeared held peaceful rally showing the pictures of their loved ones who went missing after security forces abducted them or surrendered to the security forces. Some of these mothers and relatives of the disappeared met High-Commissioner Pillay and urged her to find their loved ones.

“It is those who met High-Commissioner Pillay who are being threatened by the intelligence services and the security forces” said Rudrakumaran.

“We strongly urge High-Commissioner Pillay to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of those Tamil whom she met. These people are extremely vulnerable and need protection” appealed Rudrakumaran.

UN High-Commissioner Pillai visited Northern town of Jaffna and “Mullivalkal” where the mass killing of Tamils took place during the final months of the war in May 2009. It is in these places she met families of those directly affected by the Sri Lankan Security Force abuse.Read More

Families of Persons who went Missing After Surrendering to Military file Habeas Corpus Applications in Vavuniya High Court

28 August 2013, 10:44 pm

Families of Missing Persons file Habeus Corpus Application in High Court

• Use of Cluster bombs and chemical weapons alleged

• Indian naval ship fired into civilians in Mullivaikkal

• Christian priest too among the disappeared

• Women young and old stripped naked and abused in refugee camps

• Entire family including 3 small children among missing persons together with parents

Demonstration in Jaffna-Aug 27-pic courtesy of: BBC Tamil

A new set of Habeus corpus applications were filed in the High Court of Vavuniya by the families of persons who are missing after surrendering to the Sri Lankan Military. It was alleged by the Petitioners that after their harrowing trek to the Mullaithivu government controlled area they acceded to the request and announcement made by Sri Lankan Military authorities and decided to surrender.

The surrendees were lined up in a queue and were loaded in to the waiting buses. This was watched by their immediate family members who were hopeful that their kith and kin would return after inquiry and due process. However even after the lapse of four years the Petioners have not heard anything after the 18th May 2009. The petitioners state that they made complaints and filed information about the disappearance to the police, army, the President, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the ICRC and International agencies but to no avail. In their fury they have cited the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka as one of the respondents in their applications alleging dereliction of statuary duties and for failing to investigate/inquire into the complaints.

The petitioners also made striking revelations that cluster bombs and chemical weapons prohibited under the international regulations governing war were used in the final assault. As a result of such cruel and brutal attack it is alleged that numerous people lost their lives. Even natural vegetation including tall Palmyrah and coconut trees were instantly burnt. Hand bills were dropped from the air announcing places of safety and no fire zones, but no sooner the people reached the designated locations Sri Lankan Air Force planes carried out attacks from the air killing further number of people.

Eye witnesses also stated in their petitions that an Indian ship under Indian flag also carried out attacks on the civilians converged on the land killing and injuring those who had gathered on the land for safety. Petitioners further alleged that there was scarcity of food and essential items due to restrictions on the food supply by the Sri Lanka Government who claimed that only 30000 -40000 civilians had been stranded in Vanni, but there were more than 300,000 who had to share the food supply that were supplied only for 30000-40000 people.

Thus there was starvation and severe malnutrition and sickness caused to the people by these calculated measures taken by the government to systematically starve the entire Tamil population trapped in the Vanni.

Petitioners also stated that a Christian clergy Rev Fr. Francis Joseph who facilitated the surrender to the Sri Lankan military was also taken together with the surrendees and that nobody has seen or heard of him ever since. Rev. Fr.Francis Joseph was a foremost educationist having been the Rector of St.Patrick’s College, Jaffna a leading and prestigious school in the island. He was 77 years of age at the time of his involuntary disappearance and had completed 50 years as a priest only the previous year.

One petitioner has complained that the entire family of her daughter consisting of the daughter, son in law and their children aged 10, 8 and 2 ½ years of age are missing. All petitioners alleged that the disappeared persons were last seen in the custody of the Sri Lankan army particularly the 58th Division deployed in Mullaithivu and the Vanni region and that the State represented by the respondents is accountable, answerable and responsible for the security, safety and wellbeing of those who surrendered to as well as those arrested by the armed forces. They have sought relief from the Court for the issue of a mandate in the nature writ of Habeus Corpus for the release of their relatives.

It was also stated that in the camps established in Vavuniya ,people were treated harshly , particularly young girls were treated in the most indecent, inhuman and undignified manner by Sri Lankan military ,police and Para Military groups in the so called refugee camps which were virtually detention and torture camps. The Petitioner and young girls were stripped naked and were insulted and abused. The petitioner further stated that these acts were motivated by racist tendencies but were condoned by the hierarchy of state officials present at and manning the camps.

After hearing the submissions made by Counsel for the Petitioners K.S.Ratnavale, on Monday 26th August, the High Court Judge of Vavuniya V.Chandramani directed notice be issued on the Commander of the Army and the General Officer Commanding of the 58th Division- Mullaitivu the 1st and 2nd Respondents returnable on 12th September.

A Question Of Hope: Holding On To The Final Straw Or Letting Go?

By D. Da Silva -August 29, 2013

‘We were on the run because of shelling while we were walking towards Puthukuddiruppu, one moment my husband was still next to me, the next moment I couldn’t see him because of all the smoke. I was not sure if he was injured by shelling but I knew that if I with my children would stop running that we would be the next victims.  I just prayed that he would be fine and once this all would be over, we would meet again’ until now her husband has not returned home, he is one of the 5,671[1] that is still missing.

Family members of disappeared Tamil people holding pictures of their relatives protest during the visit of U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013. Pillay is in Sri Lanka for seven days during which she will meet government officials, human rights activists and travel the country’s former war zone where thousands of civilians were allegedly killed. Photo: AP

In the same week of the visit of Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, the Sri Lankan government was summoned by the Sri Lankan court to investigate the cases of 2,550 missing persons.  In response the additional magistrate Nirosha Fernando ordered the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) to launch a broad investigation into the disappearances of missing persons in North and East[2].

Read More

Navi Pillay

by Vishnugupta-Thursday, 29 Aug 2013

 

She has all the credentials that an international diplomat should possess; her academic background is impeccable, her posture is imposing and her communication skills are excellent. Yet she is portrayed by most dictators and 'democratic-pretenders,' be it Syria or Egypt, Myanmar or Pakistan, as a trouble-maker, for what she finds out and her declarations could be harsh to those who wield power. They could be utterly unpalatable to the abusers of power. To those rulers who are perpetually engaged in covering up their sinful acts against their own subjects, to those practitioners of inhuman treatment to those who don't agree and conform, to those who dare to hold a view contrary to that of the rulers, Navi Pillay might indeed be a pest. But that is her job. One cannot find fault with her for doing her job with exceptional skill, aptitude and daring. If she does not do that, she does not belong there, period.

Navi Pillay by nelvely

Sri Lanka minister says U.N. rights chief's report won't be fair

By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal-COLOMBO | Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:58am EDT

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (R) accompanied by an unidentified official speaks during a short interview with Reuters before leaving for China Bay airport after concluding her visit to area in the North and East of Sri Lanka, in Trincomalee, about 275km (171 miles) east of Colombo August 28, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Dinuka Liyanawatte

(Reuters) - A Sri Lankan minister on Thursday accused U.N. Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay, assessing the country four years after the end of a brutal civil war, of acting without transparency and said her report will be unfair.

Amid protests for and against a seven-day visit to assess human rights, Pillay visited former northern war zones in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaiteevu and the eastern district of Trincomalee.

Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa, the leader of the National Freedom Front, a hardline nationalist political party in President Mahinda Rajapaksa's ruling coalition, criticized her itinerary.

"There is a problem on whether she is working with transparency," Weerawansa told reporters in Colombo. "In Trincomalee yesterday, she secretly met some people, who were not in the normal schedule. She is also scheduled to meet some people who are critical of the country. So our view is she is not going to submit a fair report (to the UN)."

Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said Pillay had freedom to meet whomever she chose during her visit which ended on Wednesday.

Pillay's visit followed a second U.S.-sponsored U.N. resolution in March this year that urged Sri Lanka to carry out credible investigations into killings and disappearances during the war, especially in the final stages.

A U.N. panel said earlier it had "credible allegations" that Sri Lankan troops and rebels both carried out atrocities and war crimes, and singled out the government for most of the blame.

The Sri Lanka government battled separatist Tamil guerrillas from 1983 until 2009.

Tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the final months of the war, a U.N. panel said earlier, as government troops advanced on the rebels' last stronghold and many hundreds of people, most of them Tamils, simply disappeared.

(Reporting by Shihar Aneez; Editing by Nick Macfie)