Wigneswaran’s ‘Two Nations’ & The State’s Two Blunders

By Dayan Jayatilleka - April 1, 2014

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka

Chief Minister Wigneswaran has just made, or made explicit, a basic political claim which escalates the political conflict and places or retains Sri Lankan Tamil politics on a road to a dead end. Meanwhile, the state authorities have made two wrong moves in recent weeks, both of which stem from a single error, and will have negative repercussions for some years to come.

The Sri Lankan authorities have cracked down on what it claims is a plot to revive LTTE activity. If the story is true, then a crackdown is certainly warranted if it is conducted in a manner that does not alienate the Tamil people further and thereby help the LTTE in its planned activities. In short, an intelligence-led covert surgical operation is the instrument to use rather than an overt and heavy security blanket which disrupts the progress made by the state in providing a relatively normal life for the people of the area.

One must be pardoned though for wondering whether the overt and widespread nature of the crackdown is inspired by the Israeli doctrine in the Occupied Territories, namely that of periodic roundups to stay on top of the populace, keeping it off balance.

A related problem is the arrest of Jeyakumari, followed by Ruki Fernando and Fr Praveen. The LTTE operative Gobi is a strange fellow, seeking shelter in the house of a prominent activist who is almost certain to be under surveillance.  Even assuming this to be true, the Prevention of Terrorism Act is intended for hard targets, not for the likes of Ruki and Fr Praveen, not to mention Azath Sallay, Kumar Gunaratnam, Lalith and Kugan, and very probably Prageeth Eknaligoda.

It is the inability to distinguish adequately between hard and soft targets that has placed the Sri Lankan state in the crosshairs of an international probe.                                     Read More

UNHRC resolution and electric chair bogey has not delivered desired election results for the regime

UNHRC resolution and electric chair bogey has not delivered desired election results for the regime

Electric Chair Man by  Matt Hohmann

Tuesday, April 01, 2014 

Why did the ‘electric chair’ fail Mahinda at this election?  by Upul Joseph Fernando

Mahinda’s decision to hold Southern and Western Provincial Council elections just one day after the vote on the US resolution in Geneva was not a random decision based purely on auspicious planetary movements in the heavens. 

UNHRC Resolution and Electric Chair Bogey Has Not Delivered Desired Election Results for the Regime by nelvely

Governance crisis and the third US resolution 
By Rukshana 
    Nanayakkara -March 31, 2014 

At the time of writing this column, the election results of the Western and Southern Provincial Council polls have just started flowing in. The final outcome of the elections is not a hard prediction. The government will certainly continue to enjoy its winning streak amidst a weak and a debunk Opposition, and the outcome will reenergize the war winning trump card with a new phase.

So the latter speaks for the unfortunate reality of our governance crisis in this country. 
Throughout the elections, love for the motherland and the need to stand against international conspiracies ruled over issues relating to the provinces. In the President’s words a victory in the Provincial Council elections for his Party would be a victory over international forces against Sri Lanka. So we fail to understand and realize one of the key elements of governance: accountability.

The money spent in conducting elections and the outcome of the elections both in theory and practice should speak for the issues relating to the provinces and the emphasis kept upon by the voters on such issues. The deliberate deviation as steered by the Highest Executive of the country is a disregard of the principle of good governance. On the other hand, mixing what the third UN resolution aimed at with a people’s mandate given in a Provincial Council election is an indication of lack of accountability and absence of maturity in realizing the gravity of the resolution itself. Both in the eyes of international community and the rational minds of Sri Lankans; either we are ignorant as a nation or living in denial of our duties. Judging by the political manoeuvring of the highest echelons of the Rajapaksa Government I am inclined to believe latter over the former.    

The overemphasis on the resolution during elections is an indication of how much we are worried about the resolution itself. But the rejection of the outcome indicates the mentality of our trustees towards accountability and responsibility in governance of this country. Among others the content of the resolution carries three principal recommendations given the absence of commitment from the Sri Lankan Government for a credible national process with tangible results for peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. These include:
“To monitor the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and to continue to assess progress on relevant national processes;

To undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures mandate holders.
- To present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its 27th session, and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion on the implementation of the recent resolution at its 28th session.”

Discontent and opposition
Sri Lankan Government strongly opposed the resolution with its discontent and opposition. The responses aired by Minister G.L. Peiris itself indicates our attitude towards inter and intra accountable governance. Sri Lanka continues to deviate from the core issue of what has promoted the international community to pass a resolution on the country for the consecutive third time. Rather the minister’s responses included indirectly attempting at a regime change by the international community, lack of objectivity and conflict of interest on the assumption that the investigation to be funded by certain nations who prompted the resolution and the lack of mandate of the office of Human Right Commissioner’s to conduct such an investigation.

We continue to play the role of a victim as opposed to an accountable partner, to the content of the resolution. The minister’s statement lacks in focusing at what Sri Lanka’s credible commitment in bringing peace and reconciliation process for the country with tangible results and objectively countering the resolution if he wished to do so.    
The resolution opens many avenues for multiple interpretations and explanations: the issue of sovereignty, who are the international friends and foes of Sri Lanka and their human rights records, the possible outcome of non-compliance with the resolution, narration of achievement of Sri Lanka since the end of the war and so on.

Above all these, it is time that we as a nation focussed on and reshaped our governance attitude towards the resolution.

The third resolution is neither a victory nor a defeat of anyone. The words of all three resolutions are what this country went through for many years and the need of non-repetition of the past. They speak for justice undelivered for every community who suffered from the inevitability of a war. Unless we adjust and restructure Sri Lanka towards an accountable governance structure the justice undelivered will prevent us from achieving and enjoying our full potential freedom. It will continue to haunt us to live with an era of paranoia and rejection.

UK says it led charge against Sri Lanka

- Hugo Swire

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London-April 1, 2014

British State Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire said that the UK had taken a forward-leaning position and provided leadership to bring a UN resolution on Sri Lanka for an international investigation. Addressing the Westminster Hall debate last Tuesday (25/03/14) at the British parliament Swire said that such a resolution would help break new ground if the council was successful in establishing an international mechanism. 

"The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary, my ministerial colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and I have personally engaged with the majority of Human Rights Council countries. On 21 March, my right hon.

Friend the Prime Minister led a call for European Council conclusions that put the EU’s full support behind the resolution.

"We have been encouraged by the responses, but will continue to press hard for support right up until the vote takes place. We are taking nothing for granted. We have been working extremely closely with non-governmental organisations and other interested groups and listening to their views and aspirations," he said.

Speaking at the same debate Conservative MP for Ilford North Lee Scott said a comprehensive international investigation was needed as the  Sri Lankan Government was not dealing with the matters themselves. 

"I would like to see put forward as tough a resolution as is humanly possible. I have seen that the current draft resolution says that crimes up to 2009 would be investigated, but many crimes have been committed since then that must be looked into as well. The demilitarisation zone should be expanded to include the east of the country, where crimes have been perpetuated, as well as the north.

It is also important for there to be a free political stage—people should not be persecuted for trying to speak up and stand as opposition parties in Sri Lanka, as they are currently", Scott said.

"The Sri Lankan Government has never given any signal that they intend to carry out their duties as a Government representing all people in their country, so nothing should be taken off the table when considering what we must do to ensure that the resolution is adhered to and justice is done. Without question, before there can be even a chance of reconciliation, there must be justice.

I call for peace for all in Sri Lanka. The accusation has been levelled at me that I am speaking on behalf of only one people. I am talking on behalf of everyone—I do not want anyone in Sri Lanka to suffer, whatever their religion or background might be. It is not for me to say who is guilty or not; the whole point of a comprehensive international investigation is to find that out. Someone was responsible for the death of women and children, for the rape of women and for the persecution that has gone on, and they must be held to account", he further said.

Labour MP for Mitcham & Morden Siobhain McDonagh joining the debate said that the President Rajapaksa headed a regime that most observers believe committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. During the conflict, it dropped cluster bombs on the area it had designated a no-fire zone. Even now, nearly 150,000 Tamils remain unaccounted for.

"More than half the abductions mentioned in the report took place in the last year alone. Tamil places of worship are routinely targeted. A policy of displacement through militarisation led the UN special rapporteur in December to describe the living conditions of tens of thousands of Tamils as "very precarious". Human rights campaigners have been targeted, including Balendran Jeyakumari, who was arrested and assaulted earlier this month and whose defenders were also detained when they tried to investigate. Earlier this month, the leading Sri Lankan Catholic Bishop Rayappu Joseph was accused of treason. Sri Lanka is now the most dangerous place in the world to be a journalist, and there have been thousands of disappearances. According to Freedom from Torture, Sri Lanka is now the country from which it gets the most referrals. Human Rights Watch has also released a shocking report on the rape and sexual abuse of Tamil detainees", she said.

Groups warn of backlash as UN calls for probe into Sri Lanka civil war abuses

(CNN)  - Rights Groups are of a Backlash against activists in Sri Lanka following a WARNING Landmark International United Nations resolution calling for an inquiry into abuses at the end of the country's Civil War.

By  Tim Hume, CNN- April 2, 2014

The UN's Human Rights Council  passed a resolution Thursday calling for a "Unable Investigation into alleged Serious violations and abuses of Human rights" allegedly committed both by Sri Lankan Government forces and the separatist Tamil Tigers in the Final Stages of the country's brutal 26-year Civil war.

Groups Warn of Backlash as U.N. Calls for Probe Into Sri Lanka Civil War Abuses by nelvely

India ‘betrayed Tamils’ say Tamil Nadu students

 02 April 2014

Students in Chennai held a protest this weekend, criticising India for their stance on Sri Lanka and calling for economic sanctions to be put in place.

Organised by the Tamil Youth and Students Federation, over 150 people gathered in Chennai, calling on India to empose economic sanctions on Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Tamil Guardian, one of the organisers V Prabhakaran said,

“India has been betraying the Tamils. During 2009, they helped Sri Lanka by supplying radar equipment and more. Even now they are giving military training. And just a few days ago India supported Sri Lanka at the UN.”

“India must decide whether what is more important - Tamil Nadu or Sri Lanka”.

He went on to add that “for the sake of innocent Tamils who lost their life in the genocide” the students of Tamil Nadu would continue their protests”.

Exclusive: An Interview With Rev. S. J. Emmanuel

THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE AND FREEDOM CANNOT BE DETERMINED BY TEMPORARY SETBACKS

The following interview originally was printed in, The Conflation, a latest book by written  by the author.

PART 01 

by NILANTHA ILANGAMUWA

( April 2, 2014, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) REVEREND Father S. J. Emmanuel is a priest, activist and the president of the Global Tamil Forum, an umbrella organisation for Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora groups.

Father Emmanuel was born in 1934 in Jaffna, in what was then known as Ceylon. He studied in Jaffna before going to the University of Ceylon in Colombo from where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in physical sciences (Mathematics & Physics) in 1958. After graduation he spent time as a teacher and a journalist before entering the priesthood. He then went to the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome from where he obtained a degree in philosophy and theology.

Exclusive an Interview With Rev. S. J. Emmanuel by nelvely

Church's Perseverance in Sri Lanka 

Pays Off  (1607)

Civilians flee from parts of Tamil areas in Sri Lanka in January 2009 as a result of the Sri Lanka Army's military offensive.

- Wikimedia Commons

The United Nations will investigate possible war crimes in the island nation, fulfilling a request made by Sri Lankan Catholic officials who have endured harassment and pressure from nationalist groups.

BY ANTO AKKARA 04/01/2014

NEW DELHI - 

Human-rights advocates won a major victory March 27, when the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a resolution approving an international investigation into possible "war crimes" in the final stages of Sri Lanka's protracted ethnic war.

Church's perseverance in Sri Lanka Pays Off (1607) by nelvely

APPGT deplores diaspora ban, calls on international community to condemn Sri Lanka's actions
02 April 2014
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT), a cross-party group of parliamentarians working alongside the Tamil diaspora towards justice and an end of oppression for the Tamils in Sri Lanka, in a statement released today, deplored the Sri Lankan government’s proscription of Tamil diaspora groups and called on the international community to condemn the Sri Lankan government’s attempt “to restrict the Human Rights of people and the organisations that they wish to proscribe.”

See full statement below. 

STATEMENT ON BANNING OF DIASPORA ORGANISATIONS

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils is deeply concerned by reports that The Sri Lankan government has reacted in anger after the passing last week of the UNHRC resolution calling for an International Independent Investigation.    The reports state that  using UN Security Council Resolution 1373 they have tried to proscribe 15 diaspora organisations including a number based in the UK. This will have a very serious effect on the human rights struggle undertaken by these organisations and could enable Sri Lanka to extend the reach of its harassment of human rights defenders and Tamil activists beyond the shores of the island. It could also pave the way for the government to detain and harass Tamils living in Sri Lanka under the pretext of association with one of these organisations.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils is a democratic, transparent and accountable group of UK cross-party politicians. We work alongside legitimate organisations to achieve peace and justice for all. We find this reported attempt to neutralise Human Rights Groups and others completely unacceptable. We have worked continually for the International Independent Investigation which the UNHRC agreed only last week; and condemn this attempt to restrict freedom of anyone, especially those who might have been called as witnesses, and whose opportunity to do so may now be seriously curtailed.

The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils works closely with some of the organisations that are reported to have been proscribed. We have seen at first-hand the dedication, commitment and integrity of their campaigners, and have worked with them for several years. APPG for Tamils believes that these organisations have done much to raise awareness in the UK of Sri Lanka's oppression of the Tamil people and have been key partners in our effort to hold Sri Lanka to account through an international inquiry.

If confirmed, we deplore Sri Lanka's reported move to bring these organisations and other genuine activists into disrepute and threaten all those associated with them with arrest; and will join with others to call upon the international community to condemn in strongest terms this attempt by Sri Lanka to restrict the Human Rights of people and the organisations that they wish to proscribe.

GTF flays government decision to ban Diaspora organizations

Wednesday, 02 April 2014 

The Global Tamil Tamil Forum (GTF) has said the Sri Lankan government’s decision to proscribe 16 Tamil Diaspora organisations and four prominent Tamil Diaspora activists, including the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and its President Rev. Dr S.J. Emmanuel, as ‘foreign terrorist entities’ and fronts for the defeated LTTE is shameful.

GTF Policy Advisor and former Member of Parliament for Enfield North, Joan Ryan has said in her press statement that the move is the latest attempt by a government hell-bent on intimidating and silencing those who demand truth, justice and accountability both for the alleged war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict and for the on-going perpetration of human rights abuses.

“It can be no coincidence that this decision has been made a matter of days after the latest resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), on Thursday 27th March. This resolution raised a number of human rights concerns and will initiate an international investigation into allegations of violations of international law by both sides in the final years of the war. The Government asserts that this action has been taken to stop attempts to revive the LTTE in the former conflict areas of the Tamil majority North and East of the island. However, no one wants to return to armed conflict and the Government cannot provide a single shred of credible evidence to support this accusation. As the Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province states, this claim is a “witch hunt” used for political purposes and as a cover to continue the militarisation and repression of the area,” she has said.

GTF has noted that by labelling major Tamil Diaspora groups as ‘terrorists’, the proscription will forbid Sri Lankan citizens, NGOs and political parties from having any contact with these organisations. Families and friends of representatives who work for these groups will be in even more danger and members of the Tamil Diaspora heading to the island will be under closer scrutiny by the state security forces.

“The Government is not interested in engaging constructively with the Diaspora and is not prepared to address the root cause of the armed conflict – the systematic marginalisation of the Tamil people. This is a blatant measure to attack freedom of expression. It will further undermine the human rights situation on the island and will do yet more damage to the accountability and reconciliation processes. This cannot be tolerated by the international community, especially since the UNHRC raised these matters as serious issues of concern in its resolution last week. It underlines why the culture of impunity in Sri Lanka must be challenged and why there needs to be an independent, international investigation,” Joan Ryan has said.

Premadasa family counterfeit money deals and Sajith Premadasa’ s money laundering activities reveals


(Lanka-e-News-02.April.2014, 3.00PM) Ms. Dulanjali Premadasa and Sajith Premadasa are close friends of Rowlin Perera , and the massive counterfeit currency business that had now come to light had been carried out by them along with Rowlin Perera for a long period , and has not been a racket that was started a day or two ago. Moreover Rowlin Perera has been in charge of Sajith Premadasa’ s money laundering activities, according to reports reaching Lanka e news inside information division.

It is also reported that Sajith is in possession of Rs. 16 billion cash amassed following his money laundering activities. Hikkaduwa Arachchige Chrishantha Rowlin Perera is the son of a Minister under the Late R. Premadasa’s government. When Sajith was in England playing guitars while pretending he was studying there , Rowlin Perera was with him in England. Rowlin was also a mutt like Sajith and could not make a success in his literary pursuits .After returning to Sri Lanka (SL) he became a close family friend of the Premadasas and got involved in the businesses of the Premadasa family. The funds of Premadasa were invested in Rowlin’s name in various commercial ventures. 

The black monies (illegal monies) that were accumulated by Sajith Premadasa in the past have been converted into ‘white’ (legitimate) cash through Rowlin Perera . Under the guise of exporting garments through the factory run by Rowlin Perera and Dulanjali jointly , via bogus documents and registrations these black monies of Sajith had been converted into ‘white ‘ cash purportedly received as payment on account of the spurious exports. Rowlin has made a confession to this effect to the police.

Sajith has been well noted for defrauding funds collected via underhand activities. Might we recall some time ago many millions of rupees Sajith received from a foreigner for Sajith’s organization were swindled by Sajith. When the foreigner complained this to the foreign Ministry , in order to play down and suppress this fraud , Sajth and his mother fell at the feet of a bigwig of the government at that time . Finally Sajith managed to escape from that crime and forestall a scandal.

Another media reported just a few days prior to the seizure of Rs. 2 million counterfeit notes of Dulanjali , that Sajith has with him Rs. 16 billion worth counterfeit notes .

When Rs. 2 million worth fake notes were detected of Dulanjali by the HSBC bank , Dalunjali’s claim that she knows nothing about it , and that they had been printed by someone not known to her is a story fabricated by the police. The fake notes business of the Premadasas is not what had begun a day or two ago.

It is obvious that a novice in this racket would not start with printing as large a quantity as Rs. 2 million worth counterfeit notes. Moreover , to say that the monies were sent to the bank without being counted by Dulanjali is an old wives’ tale. It is because this is not the first occasion such a fraudulent deal had taken place that Rowlin rushed to the bank with a check in order to save his accomplice in this scam. The police that detected this huge scam at 2.00 p.m. had gone to search the house of Rowlin only on the following day , at their own leisurely pace , which bears testimony that the whole investigation is a sham.

Following the exposure of this counterfeit racket of the Premadasa family , MaRa the Alibaba ( the chieftain of the crooks ) had swiftly moved in to rescue the Premadasas ( members of Alibaba’s forty thieves ?) . Alibabas are famous for exploiting the weaknesses of their comrade thieves to be used at a future date . Now all arrangements have been made to suppress the scam. MaRa has taken into his custody Rowlin’s affidavit etc., so that he can make Sajith a puppet to dance according to MaRa’s needs . MaRa is maneuvering to belittle and suppress the crime, it is reported .

The gravity and egregiousness of lawlessness prevailing in the country under Alibaba and his countless thieves became most manifest following the unlawful concessions granted so far to this group of organized fraudsters : while as large as Rs. 2 million worth counterfeit notes of Rs. 5000 denomination were caught red handed , Dulanjali Premadasa an accomplice in this monumental fraud had been released unlawfully and promptly . Besides , the other culprit , Rowlin Perera who is now in remand custody is being given special pampered treatment . On the 29th of March on the excuse of further interrogation of Rowlin , he was released from remand custody taken to his home given all the comforts of enjoying the company of his wife , have food , bathe and stay for a day before being brought back to the remand prison.

In the circumstances , it is unsurprising if the culprit in this monumental scam is released on bail at the next court date.

Meanwhile it is learnt that the prelates of the Viharas have begun to doubt (justifiably of course !) whether the donations made by Sajith during the recent past to the Temples were also counterfeit monies, and they are probing into them. Copious information had come to light regarding the Premadasa counterfeit monies and money laundering . These will be revealed in detail shortly.

Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara, 13 others acquitted

NOTE: - Due to legal contstraints, the Ada Derana Editorial team has taken a decision to disable comments on all articles concerning ongoing court procedures.

April 2, 2014 

The Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galabodaaththe Gnanasara and 13 others including three monks charged with attacking the Cavalry Church in Thalahena at Malabe on July 7, 2008 were acquitted today.

The accused were charged with causing damages to the Calvary Chruch, caused injuries to the two pastors, stolen a mobile phone worth Rs. 15,000 and snatched a gold chain worth Rs. 50,000 that belonged to the pastors.

All the suspects have been acquitted by the Colombo High Court.

Saudi Arabia: New Terrorism Regulations Assault Rights

Campaign to Silence Peaceful Activists-MARCH 20, 2014

Saudi authorities have never tolerated criticism of their policies, but these recent laws and regulations turn almost any critical expression or independent association into crimes of terrorism. These regulations dash any hope that King Abdullah intends to open a space for peaceful dissent or independent groups.

Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director

(Beirut) – Saudi Arabia’s new terrorism law and a series of related royal decrees create a legal framework that appears to criminalize virtually all dissident thought or expression as terrorism. The sweeping provisions in the measures, all issued since January 2014, threaten to close down altogether Saudi Arabia’s already extremely restricted space for free expression.

Saudi Arabia New Terrorism Regulations Assault Rights by nelvely

Venice: The Bangladesh of the West

Climate change becomes the great leveller as Italy's Adriatic jewel and Bangladesh's poverty-stricken deltas face surprisingly similar problems

By  Michèle Penna  Apr 02, 2014

What do Bangladesh and Venice have in common? Most would guess little or nothing and it is indeed hard to see a link between the lush, green mangroves of the Bay of Bengal and the wooden piers lined with gondolas of the Venetian lagoon. But the two places share a common challenge, and a vital one at that: they both are among the most vulnerable places to climate change in the world.

Inscribed the Venice of the West by nelvely

Tsunami warning and evacuation of thousands after earthquake in Chile

Deaths reported and people on coast spending night in the hills after magnitude 8.2 undersea quake triggers emergency

Jonathan Franklin in Santiago-Wednesday 2 April 2014

Evacuation under way in Antofagasta, Chile, after an offshore earthquake triggered a tsunami alert. Photograph: Javiera Mora Araya/EPA

An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 has jolted northern Chile, triggering a tsunami alert and the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal areas. At least five people were killed and more than 300 women escaped from a coastal prison.

The quake was centred under the Pacific Ocean 61 miles north-west of the city of Iquique and struck at 8.46pm as thousands of residents were arriving home from work.

As sirens blared and emergency warnings urged residents to evacuate by foot to higher ground, in coastal cities traffic jams ensued as panicked residents sought to escape the coast. The first tsunami surge measured 2.5 metres (8.2ft) and flooded low-lying areas of Iquique including a medical clinic and bus terminal.

An image released by the US Geological Survey shows the location of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake off the coast of Chile 100km from the city of Iquique. Photograph: USGS/EPA

While thousands of residents sought refuge in the hills, an ad-hoc security force of police and members of the Chilean armed forces searched Iquique for the estimated 329 female prisoners thought to have escaped. Initial reports from Chilean investigative police said 16 prisoners had been apprehended. Firefighters, meanwhile, battled a huge blaze in central Iquique and the lack of water and electricity added to a sense of chaos.

In Santiago, a contingent of special forces police boarded a Hercules transport plane and were flown north to provide reinforcements and help prevent looting. In Iquique, police took control of service stations and provided perimeter security for supermarkets. Government officials said attempts to loot stores and abandoned homes in Iquique were rebuffed by police.

Chileans flee coastal areas after a tsunami alert triggered by a powerful undersea earthquake.

Reports of damage to infrastructure and homes began filtering in during the early hours of Wednesday. Several highways were reportedly blocked by rockslides and the airport control tower in Iquique had been damaged.

Strong aftershocks shook northern Chile every few minutes throughout early Wednesday, some measuring above magnitude six. Earthquake experts at the Universidad de Chile predicted the aftershocks would continue for months.

The Chilean president, Michelle Bachelet, called on residents to maintain calm and said a full damage estimate would be made at daybreak. Bachelet immediately announced a visit to northern Chile and confirmed that Brazil, Peru and Argentina had offered material support.

Location of the earthquake in northern Chile

Bachelet, who took office in mid-March, sought to avoid a repeat of her widely criticised reaction to a deadly earthquake during a previous stint as president. An 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Chile on 27 February 2010 killed an estimated 500 Chileans and caused a massive tsunami that government officials had told coastal residents would not happen. 

When the huge wave hit – measuring up to 60ft high – it destroyed large swaths of the Chilean coastline and blemished Bachelet’s previously stellar reputation.

Over the past four years, the Chilean government has repeatedly held tsunami practice drills and earthquake of magnitude 6.7 on 16 March prompted the evacuation of more than 100,000 people in Iquique. Dozens of small tremors in recent weeks have kept northern Chile residents on edge.

Given that three of the 10 largest earthquakes ever recorded have been in Chile, the populace is long accustomed to earthquake survival protocols. Building standards in Chile require multiple storey buildings to be capable of withstanding a 9.0 earthquake, though in rural areas many older buildings – often made of adobe – are prone to sudden and often deadly collapse.