Tamil soldier and so called new LTTE leaders were murdered in conspiracy by regime-Jaffna commander major general Udaya Perera's statement confirms


(Lanka-e-News- 15.April.2014, 2.30 PM) Commander in chief of Jaffna , Major general Udaya Perera had made a statement to the Udayan newspaper published in Jaffna that the three so called LTTE leaders who were killed by the Rajapakse regime in the jungles of Nedunkarni were in the custody of the army three days prior to the killing. The Udayan newspaper had in its edition of 8th April published this , that is three days prior to the killings on the 11 th.

Tamil Soldier and So Called New LTTE Leaders Were Murdered in Conspiracy by Regime-Jaffna Commander Major G... by nelvely

Shooting Of LTTE Suspects

Paranoia or paid diaspora media witch-hunt

|  by Pearl Thevanayagam

(April 15, 2014, Bradford UK, Sri Lanka Guardian)  People, Look at the face of Gopi who was brutally killed by the army Point-blank shooting him during a confrontation in Nedunkerni jungles, according to media reports emanating From official channels As well as some private websites. Is this the face of a terrorist or is it that of a youth in his prime who had endured the ravages of war? A face showing the scars of enduring untold hardship and deprivations in jungles of Wanni caught perhaps in the ideology of the LTTE or a target manufactured by the State and its diaspora media moles to prove the LTTE is re-grouping.

Apart from government information there are no tangible proofs from eye-witnesses or independent intelligence that Gopi and two others who were killed were indeed part of an international plot to resurrect the LTTE.

Whoever shot Gopi and the other two must have had a most enjoyable New Year since he would certainly have been rewarded handsomely by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya. While the Tamil mothers are weeping over the loss of their sons, the soldier must be pushing his children on the onchilla, eating kavun and kokis and getting blessings from his own mother. Would he be having nightmares of the incident? It is doubtful.

Gopi and the other two had no recourse to trial or legal representation since under PTA (Prevention of Terrorism Act) of 1971 - the outrageous anti-terrorism law - which is still in force five years after terrorism was declared wiped out, enables the government to shoot on sight and he was hunted down like an animal and brutally killed. He became a terrorist by default.

The look on his face is that of a frightened and wounded animal unlike the smarmy looks of former LTTE hierarchy and financier K. Pathmanathan, former LTTE Eastern Commander Muralitharan alias Karuna and Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan who are enjoying the benevolence of the State.

Then there is the big question of identity and the reported attempt to kill a police officer by firing at him when confronted in a widow's house Gopi was found hiding under a bed. At the time the widow Balendran Jeyakumari was living alone with her daughter, 13 year old Vibushika, in Wanni. The former is incarcerated in Boosa Prison and the latter in a children's home in Wanni. Both these females are vociferous human rights activists and only a complete ignoramus and idiot would seek to hide in their house.

The defence sector was quick to defend itself and send out dubious reports the LTTE had infiltrated the island and was plotting a come-back. Mostly media in the diaspora fed fuel to the paranoia by systematically branding youth the government made scapegoat of in their websites as LTTE re-groupers.

It is most unfortunate the mainstream media do not monitor what the media in North and East report. Thenee, Veerakesari and Uthayan are carrying reports that the army is being unleashed in the North in their thousands and nightly search and cordon operations are under way with hundreds of youth taken in for questioning.

While we have diaspora websites fuelling rumours that the LTTE is re-grouping the media in the South are making their own conjectures with political pundits throwing in their bit of imaginary analysis of how the LTTE is surfacing. How much blood money is paid to these diaspora website owners by the State? Is it funding their nostalgic holidays to the island from which they left seeking refugee status in Western countries?

The police, TID and security forces are reported to be entering homes without permission in the darkness of night by climbing over walls, intimidating householders and breaking down doors in unoccupied houses looking for LTTE suspects. Jaffna MP E. Saravanapavan has intervened and requested military and intelligence unit to get the arrested youth released immediately if they are not found guilty.

The people in the North are living in panic that the North is regressing back to war time hysteria and fear psychosis once more. Those in the security forces who are fluent in Tamil are reportedly mingling with the public and gathering intelligence as a result of which people have chosen to keep mum.

The LTTE does not need the help of the diaspora to re-group. The government is paving the way for it to re-surface by its puerile and vicious attempts at targeting Tamil youth. The bleeding of the nation has not ended in Nanthikadal. There is every sign the war is not over.

(The writer has been a journalist for 25 years and worked in national newspapers as sub-editor, news reporter and news editor. She was Colombo Correspondent for Times of India and has contributed to Wall Street Journal where she was on work experience from The Graduate School of Journalism, UC Berkeley, California. Currently residing in UK she is also co-founder of EJN (Exiled Journalists Network) UK in 2005 the membership of which is 200 from 40 countries. She can be reached at pearltheva@hotmail.com)

The Great Indian Betrayal - India Voted Twice For Sri Lanka

By  Paul Newman  -

April 15, 2014

Dr. Paul Newman

India proved once again that it cannot be trusted by anyone. When everyone who have been keenly following the Sri Lankan Affairs EXPECTED
to Vote for the U.S. sponsored resolution seeking International Investigations,
abstained after giving an unwanted moral Boldness and Conviction at the 25   ^TH  UNHRC in Geneva during the course of the passing of the resolution A / HRC/25/23.

All there were voting in Three  On the 27 ^TH  of March 2014. On The First One was by a Vote sought to ascertain whether there were Lahore Enough finances in the UNHRC to conduct an International Inquiry and wanted the resolution to be deferred for a year. India which had announced that would abstain jumped into action and voted for the Pakistan sponsored motion.   

Lahore was also sought by the Second Vote to remove operative paragraph 10 (OP10) seeking an International inquiry.
once Again voted along with Lahore, China, Russia and Caribbean Nederlands remover to OP 10. 

On the Third Vote seeking IT was only the passing of the resolution sponsored by the USA,
abstained.   Thereby clearly cast
Its Vote On behalf of Sri Lanka and of Supported twice Lahore and China.

It was a day of shame to be voting along with countries which has the scantiest regards for human rights. The justification may be the Kashmir issue. If India has treated the people of Kashmir with dignity and honor why should it fear any inquiry?

In 2012, everyone thought India would vote against the resolution (A/HRC/19/L.2) and support Sri Lanka, they just did the opposite. Sri Lanka stood dumb folded and betrayed as its immediate neighbor had taken the trouble of garnering votes for Sri Lanka in 2009 (A/HRC/S-11/L. 1/Rev. 2) and voted along with China and Pakistan long considered by the South Block and the other Indians as their traditional enemies and the only countries against which India has fought wars.

The 2009 vote for Sri Lanka along with Pakistan was a very curious case to note as India had virtually snapped all its relations with Pakistan after the Mumbai bomb blasts in November 2008 in which Pakistan was accused of aiding the terrorists who had carried out this attack on India's economic capital.

In 2012, India's position was not clear till the last minute. The pressure from Tamilnadu was too much for the Indian state to resist. It played its wily game by supporting the resolution and sprang a diplomatic success. India diluted the resolution and Sri Lanka was happy that its immediate neighbor had helped them by diluting the resolution despite voting against it. USA, the main sponsor of the resolution too was happy that the resolution had the support of the world's largest democracy and the leader of the Non Aligned Movement. The people of Tamilnadu too calmed down as their country stood by their emotional sentiments.

                                      Read More

Indian forces took part in Lankan war: PleaIndian forces took part in Lankan war: Plea

A PIL filed in the Supreme Court has said Indian military personnel took direct part in the war, and that some were even injured in the battle. 

A Subramani , TNN  |  Apr 15, 2014

CHENNAI: Did
clandestinely Its armed forces deploy in Sri Lanka during the Final Phase of the ethnic War in 2009? 

A PIL filed in the Supreme Court has said Indian Military Personnel Direct took Part in the War, and that some were even injured in the battle. A Sikh officer was commanding the forces, it said, citing eyewitness evidence and international probe. Noting that Indian Military Without deploying Parliamentary or Presidential nod is illegal, IT probe and sought a Special Tribunal to prosecute persons who were behind the "illegal War", to the Immediate Families of the Victims Compensation TeleExchange.  

The petition filed by Delhi-Based advocate ram Sankar, Secretary of Delhi Tamil Advocates Association, has been listed for Hearing On April 17 Last Week.  

The petition said Indian Army, Navy and Air Force Personnel "were unlawfully sent to Sri Lanka to Aid and abet the Sri Lankan forces in Their Internal War against Tamil Minorities "in 2008 and 2009, an Open Declaring War Without or Without the Sanction of the President of
, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, under Article 246 of the Constitution and Without Parliamentary Sanction required.  

Sankar said he visited Sri Lanka several times as part of international humanitarian efforts. "Asylum seekers have said that a turbaned Indian Commanding officer was seen that the armed forces were attacking Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu."  

"The authorities, an Open Without Declaring War, armed forces deployed in Aid and abetment of the Personnel of the armed forces of Sri Lanka. This fact was also not revealed to Parliament, which alone is vested with the power to regulate the military affairs. There is no provision in the Constitution permitting the use of Indian armed forces for any purpose other than for the defence of India, " he said.  

"This clandestine action of Indian armed forces to Assist the Sri Lankan armed forces against Tamil Rebels in a domestic conflict, not for the Defence of
, in 2008 and 2009 is Reported in paragraph 56 of a report prepared by an independent International Panel of experts by the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon Appointed. It was Published On March 31, 2011, "Read the PIL.  

It wanted the court to constitute a Special Investigation Team under APEX Its Control and supervision to probe individual and Collective Roles of Indian armed forces against Tamils, including persons of Indian origin, in Sri Lanka. It wanted the court to direct the authorities to constitute a special tribunal to prosecute those who committed the crimes against the lives, property and honour of Tamil minorities in Sri Lanka, and to direct them to pay adequate compensation to the immediate family members of the victims .  

Sankar cited the Ministries of Defence, external Affairs and home, TeleExchange the Cabinet Secretariat, As respondents in the case. 

சர்வதேச மத்தியஸ்ததுடன் த.தே.கூ.வுடன் பேசும்போதே உண்மையான சமாதானம் ஏற்படும்: அரியநேத்திரன்

Tue, 04/15/2014 

இந்த நாட்டில் நிரந்தரமான ஒரு  சமாதானம்  ஏற்பட வேண்டுமாக இருந்தால் நிச்சயமாக  தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்புடன் சர்வதேச  மத்தியஸ்தத்துடன்  இலங்கை  அரசாங்கம் பேச வேண்டும் என தமிழ்த் தேசிய கூட்டமைப்பின் மட்டக்களப்பு மாவட்ட பாராளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர் பா.அரியநேத்திரன் தெரிவித்தார்.

 

அம்பிளாந்துறையில் இடம்பெற்ற  ஊஞ்சல் விழாவில் கலந்துகொண்டு உரையாற்றியபோதே அவர் இவ்வாறு தெரிவித்தார்.

 

இங்கு உரையாற்றிய அவர்,

 

தமிழ்-சிங்கள  புத்தாண்டு  நிகழ்வு  இடம்பெற்றுக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றது. தொடர்ச்சியாக வருடந்தோறும் நாங்கள்  மருத்துநீர் தேய்க்கின்றோம். ஆலயங்களுக்கு  செல்கின்றோம். புத்தாடை அணிகின்றோம்.

 

ஆனால் நிரந்தரமான ஒரு சமாதானம் ஏற்பட வேண்டுமாக இருந்தால், ஜனாதிபதி  இன்றைய 2014 தமிழ் சிங்கள புத்தாண்டிலே கூறிய நிரந்தர சாந்தியும் சமாதானமும் திகழவேண்டுமாக  இருந்தால், நான்  ஜனாதிபதியிடம் ஒரு செய்தியை  இன்றைய  நாளில் கூறுகின்றேன்,அதை ஒரு  வேண்டுகோளாகவும் விடுக்கின்றேன் இந்த  இலங்கைத்திருநாட்டிலே தமிழ்த்தேசியக்கூட்டமைப்புடன்  நிச்சயமாக  சர்வதேச  மத்தியஸ்தத்துடன் அரசாங்கம் பேசுவதற்கான  ஒரு வாய்ப்பை  வழங்கவேண்டும்.

 

நிச்சயமாக  தமிழ்த் தேசியக் கூட்டமைப்புடன்  சர்வதேச மத்தியஸ்தத்துடன் இலங்கை  அரசாங்கம் பேசினால் மாத்திரமே ஜனாதிபதி  கூறுகின்ற சாந்தி சமாதானமாக இருக்கலாம்,அல்லது  வேறுயாரும் கூறுகின்ற  சாந்தி  சமாதானம் இந்த நாட்டிற்கு வரும் என்கின்ற செய்தியை கூறிவைக்க விரும்புகின்றேன்.

 

ஏனென்றால் தொடர்ச்சியாக  இன்னல்பட்டு அடிமைப்பட்டுக்கொண்டிருக்கின்ற இனம் நாங்கள். எங்களுக்கு விமோசனம் தேவை. தற்போதைய  சந்ததியில் பாரம்பரிய  பண்பாட்டு  விழுமியங்களை தமிழர் மரபில் இருந்து  அழியாமல் பாதுகாக்க சித்திரைப்புதுவருடமும்  வழிவகுக்கின்றது.

 

இதில் ஒரு அங்கமாக மட்டக்களப்பு மாவட்டத்தின் படுவான்கரைப்பிரதேசத்தின்  அம்பிளாந்துறையில் உhஞ்சல் விழா  இடம்பெற்றது. செவியேறல் ரீதியான ஊஞ்சல் பாட்டு பாடப்பட்டு ஊஞ்சல் ஆடப்பட்டது.

 

301 வருடம் பழைமை வாய்ந்த  நிழல்வாகை  மரத்தில்  ஊஞ்சல்கட்டி  சிறுவர், பெரியோர் என்ற வேற்றுமை  இன்றி கிராம மக்கள்  ஊஞ்சல்  ஆடினர்.

 

அன்று  அம்பிளாந்துறையை ஆட்சிசெய்த சிற்றரசன் அருமைக்குட்டிப்போடியார்  இன்  1776ஆம் ஆண்டுகாலப்பகுதியில் இருந்து   ஊஞ்சல் கட்டி  ஆடிய நிழல் வாகை  மரமான இம்மரம் இருந்ததாக வரலாறு  கூறுகின்றது.

S Africa's Special Envoy to visit North and East 
By Mirudhula Thambiah-April 15, 2014 
 
 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Spokesman and Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran, who returned from South Africa, yesterday said the special envoy, Cyril Ramaphosa, will pay a visit to Sri Lanka in May or June, especially to the North and the East in order to observe the situation.
 
 
Special envoy Ramaphosa and his delegation will meet government members and the TNA, he said.
"We urged, during our visit, that it is important for a comprehensive political settlement in the North and the East, before reconciliation. We discussed the intense militarization in the North and the East and the new round ups and the arrests of innocent civilians under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the resettlement issues and the large number of private lands that have been taken over by the military," he said.
 
 
The TNA delegation mainly discussed about the proposals brought forward in the past, to settle the political issue, the US Resolution passed during the UNHCR sessions and the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) Report to implement the reconciliation process in the country, he said.
"We pointed out to the South African delegates that there were 18 rounds of discussions with the government, held to settle the political issues, but we were not able to reach a comprehensive settlement", he said.

Sri Lanka to provide counselling to kin of war missing

 Tuesday, April 15, 2014,

Colombo: A Sri Lankan government-appointed panel probing the cases of thousands of missing people during the nearly three-decade-long war with the LTTE will provide counselling to the kin of those disappeared, an official said Tuesday. 

HW Gunadasa, Secretary to the Presidential Commission inquiring into cases of alleged disappearances in the north and eastern provinces, said the Commission was working with the health authorities. 

"We have learnt from the Commission's sittings held in north and east that some families had suffered multiple disappearances. They have as a result suffered much mental stress. The Commission therefore decided to have a strategy to tackle the issue," Gunadasa said. 

The panel appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa last year received some 18,000 complaints of disappearances, including 5,000 from the government troops. 

The three-member panel is mandated to inquire into and report on alleged abductions or disappearances between June 10, 1990, and May 19, 2009. 

"The Commission's work is being hampered by the lack of evidence on these cases. The relatives do not want to accept death certificates or receive compensation. They are hopeful that we will be able to find their relatives," he said. 

The national plan of action monitoring the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has listed several action to address social, economic and health needs of the vulnerable groups in the former conflict zones. 

Provision of counselling and psychosocial support is to be a key area under the action plan, officials maintain. 

Sri Lanka, however, has faced criticism for its slow progress in implementing the LLRC recommendations. 

The LLRC was Sri Lanka's answer to calls for local mechanism to achieve reconciliation with the Tamil minority. 

Three resolutions in the UN rights body since 2012 have urged Colombo for speedier action on LLRC.

Sri Lanka maintains the resolutions impinged on the island's sovereignty. 

About 40,000 Tamil civilians were killed at the end of the separatist war, rights groups and experts have said. 

PTI

5 years today - Tamil civilians killed carrying white flags in No Fire Zone, diaspora continues protests

15 April 2014

15 April 2009 - Tamil civilians killed carrying white flag in No Fire Zone, diaspora continues protests

The Sri Lankan Military, in an intense 3 hour assault on the No Fire Zine killed at least 180 Tamil civilians.

Reports form the ground highlighted that injured civilians transported with white flags were being killed.

“The seriously wounded civilians are dying as their transport has been blocked by the Sri Lankan army firing on medical transport carrying white flags. The Sri Lankan army gunners shot a man who was trying to transport a wounded victim while holding white flag,” sources on the ground told Tamilnet. 

5 Years Today - Tamil Civilians Killed Carrying White Flags in No Fire Zone, Diaspora Continues Protests by nelvely

There Aren’t Two Equal Nations (Or More) In Sri Lanka

Rejoinder to Prof. Laksiri Fernando

| by Dayan Jayatilleka

( April 15, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Laksiri feigns surprise that I sought to place Kumar David and him in the same category and rebut them in the same polemic. The reason should be obvious: they both defend Chief Minister Wigneswaran’s claim of Tamil nationhood and make the same claim themselves with some modifications. I reject it.

There Aren’t Two Equal Nations (Or More) In Sri Lanka by nelvely

Warning To Brits: British Foreign Ministry Updated Travel Advice On Sri Lanka

April 14, 2014

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has updated the travel advice on Sri Lanka. Read the full update below;

Safety and security

Crime

Credit card fraud is the most common type of crime affecting visitors. Use cash wherever possible and only use ATMs attached to banks or major hotels. Don’t lose sight of your credit card if you use it. Some travellers experience problems using their cards on arrival in Sri Lanka when their banks’ automated fraud protection system blocks transactions. It may be possible to avoid this by informing your bank in advance of your intended travel arrangements. There are plenty of money-changers in tourist areas if you want to change cash.

Foreign secretary William Hague

Violent crimes against foreigners are infrequent, although there have been an increasing number of reports of sexual offences including on minors. When travelling around Sri Lanka, you should make arrangements through reputable travel companies and take care.Women should take particular care when travelling alone or in small groups, and carry a personal alarm.

There have been reports of thefts from hotels and guesthouses. You should take precautions to safeguard your valuables, especially passports and money.

Organised and armed gangs are known to operate in Sri Lanka and have been responsible for targeted kidnappings and violence. While there is no evidence to suggest that British nationals are at particular risk, gangs have been known to operate in tourist areas. A British national was killed during a violent attack by a gang in a tourist resort in December 2011.

The Sri Lankan justice system can be slower than in the UK. There are currently a number of outstanding cases of crimes against British Nationals which have yet to reach trial.

Disputes between market traders and street hawkers can sometimes become violent. In 2010, an explosive device injured a number of people following a dispute in Pettah, Colombo.

There have been reports of drinks being spiked with drugs in bars and restaurants in southern beach resorts. Be careful about taking drinks from strangers at bars and restaurants, and don’t leave drinks unattended.

Local travel – North                                                             Read More

UK concerned about Sri Lanka

 Tuesday, 15 April 2014 

British Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire today said that his country has real concern in Sri Lanka.

“Let us take values first. The Commonwealth Charter, agreed in 2012, is historic: the first ever declaration of our common values in a single document. But, frankly, implementation is patchy. We have real concerns in Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth’s Chair in Office, where there has been very little progress in investigating the terrible atrocities in the civil war that ended five years ago. The Prime Minister has shown great leadership in securing an international inquiry into this through the UN Human Rights Council.,” Swire has said in a statement.

UK Concerned About Sri Lanka by nelvely

Future Of Tamil Nationalism In Sri Lanka After NPC Election

By R Hariharan -April 15, 2014  

Col. (retd) R.Hariharan

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s thumping victory in Sri Lanka’s Northern Provincial Council (NPC) election held on September 21, 2013 has to be viewed the post-Eelam War political setting. It was conducted after electoral politics was set free from the stranglehold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in nearly three decades. The election is a watershed in Sri Lanka Tamil history as it marks the return of Tamil nationalism to the political platform after a tortuous journey to extremism to insurgency. This makes the election a truly democratic exercise. The huge 68 percent voter turnout in the election showed peoples’ enthusiastic acceptance of the shift of leadership from the insurgents to political parties.

The TNA won 30 seats including 2 bonus seats in the 38-member council, while the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) secured 7 seats and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) won 1 seat. The TNA secured a record 78.5 percent of the votes polled. Such a huge mandate is an uncommon occurrence in the dual vote system of elections in Sri Lanka.[i]The people of Northern Province with their strong support to the TNA have sent a message to President Mahinda Rajapaksathat they expect the TNA to keep Tamil nationalism alive despite the failure of Tamil insurgency.[ii]

President Rajapaksa called the last war against the LTTE a “Humanitarian War,” waged to free Tamils from oppression under the Tamil Tigers. When the episodic war against the LTTE ended in May 2009 with the elimination of its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and the entire leadership, many rejoiced at the prospect of ushering in permanent peace. They expected President Rajapaksa to kick start the political process to meet Tamil aspirations and put an end to the prospect of renewed   Tamil insurgency once and for all.

However, these expectations have been belied. President Rajapaksa has used the military victory to strengthen his hold and emerge as the all-powerful arbiter of Sri Lanka’s future. As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs Navaneetham Pillay cautioned during her August 2013 visit, Sri Lanka was “increasingly heading in an authoritarian direction.”[iii] Militarism is gaining upper hand in general and in Northern Province in particular. The only redeeming feature is Tamil insurgency has ceased to be an existential threat to Sri Lanka.

                                 Read More

UN Youth Advisory Panel Launched

 Tuesday, 15 April 2014 

The United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP), officially launched on 7 April, is part of the wider UN-wide Action Plan on Youth to establish direct linkages between youth and the UN Country Team (UNCT). It was followed by a three-day orientation programme in Colombo. UNYAP brings together a group of fifteen Sri Lankan youth with a passion for myriad aspects of development work. The panel, chosen after a competitive process, will come together with the UN family in Sri Lanka to support and advise the UNCT in its work through the perspective and experiences of youth.

Working with and for youth is a priority for the United Nations both globally and in Sri Lanka. Addressing the needs of youth is one of the key priorities of the UN Secretary General. In realizing this priority, the UN Secretary General has taken three main steps. Firstly, he appointed the first-ever Envoy on Youth, who visited Sri Lanka in July 2013, to bring voices of young people to the United Nations and to serve as a link and harmonizer between UN agencies and young people. Secondly, the UN Secretary General called for the development of a UN system-wide Action Plan on Youth. Thirdly, the UN’s Youth Volunteers modality managed by United Nations Volunteers (UNV) was established to expand opportunities for youth participation.

In this global context, the UNCT in Sri Lanka has decided to define working with and for youth as an overarching priority. Therefore, a UN Youth Mechanism (YM) co-chaired by UNV, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) was established to facilitate a UN wide engagement in this priority area. One of the innovative ideas realized through this mechanism is to establish the UNYAP. Commenting on the establishment of the UNYAP, Mr. Subinay Nandy, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Sri Lanka, said, “all our agencies work with and on youth issues, and the Youth Advisory Panel provides us with an excellent opportunity to hear young voices and perceptions”. Mr Nandy commented further, “for us in the UN system in Sri Lanka, the establishment of this panel is a significant step in strengthening our engagement with youth, who we believe are a key development partner in Sri Lanka”.

The youth were selected from over 300 applications received across the island. Commenting on being chosen for the UNYAP, and being part of the orientation programme, they expressed their high expectations and passion.

Mr. Umesh Moramudali (23 years / Western Province/ UNYAP representative for Disabilities): “Getting selected to UNYAP was one of the most delightful moments in my life! I believe that I can be a voice to people with disabilities and ensure a better future for youth in Sri Lanka”.

Ms. Shamen Kalanasuriya (23 years /Uva Province/ UNYAP representative for Employment): “I was really excited to take part in this orientation. It was wonderful meeting such talented and passionate young people from across Sri Lanka. It was inspiring to see and hear about their work”.

Mr. Thiveegabalan Chanthirakumar (27 years / Northern Province/ UNYAP representative for Sports, Arts and Entertainment): “This was a very fruitful orientation programme. Learning about the UN system and the UN Youth Mechanism was very helpful for all of us to understand how the UN works and to plan to work with and for young people in Sri Lanka”.

Ms. Aisha Nazim (23 years / Western Province/ UNYAP representative for Media): “With the UNYAP, I hope to make youth understand the beauty of diversity and help them become more tolerant, open minded and understanding of other people and different cultures”.

Members of the UNYAP represent diverse sectors, such as entrepreneurship, health, social work, academia, and gender equality. They also represent a wide range of geographic districts, including Jaffna, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Kandy, and Colombo.

Profiles of UNYAP members: http://on.fb.me/1p5q2Rw

Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka: Why we need to unite against it

Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka: Why we need to unite against it

Tuesday, April 15, 2014 

Chandrapala Kumarage, Attorney-at-Law

The PTA law is being applied arbitrarily, and even offences that could be dealt with under the normal laws are being dealt with under the PTA. This is at a time when the Emergency Laws have already been revoked. Since the PTA law is being wrongly used in this way, it is necessary for us to acquire a good knowledge of what this law is and what are its implications.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is very clear about civil and political rights of the people but all its provisions are not enshrined in our country’s law. Right to Life, Right to Liberty, Anti-torture etc. are enshrined in our country’s law. Such rights are not negotiable. Yet, when a State of Emergency is declared by the Govt., some of these rights can be limited.

In August 2011, the Emergency Laws were lifted. However, under the PTA, all the provisions of ICCPR are made invalid. PTA law is now part of the normal law in the country and it can be continued, unlike Emergency Laws which can be lifted. Yet, under the PTA, the Emergency Laws can be convoked. For example, banning certain organisations, prolonged detention of persons etc. The regulations promulgated under PTA law are, however, a violation of the provisions of ICCPR.

Recently, when some organisations were banned, the necessary regulations were not gazetted at once but it is only subsequently that these are being gazetted. Not only the banned organisations and their members, but even those who have connections with them may fear that they too will be arrested. Such actions by the Govt. seem to be in retaliation to certain steps being taken by the international community.

Presently, Emergency Law is not in force but the PTA is being used in its place. This is dangerous because we who are working for the protection of the Rule of Law could also be in danger. The Bar Association is working against the militarization of society.

We must also identify certain dangerous clauses in the PTA law. For example, the term “unlawful activities”. This is not defined anywhere. It could be omission or commission and it does not have any bounds, because anything could be defined or interpreted as “unlawful activity”.  Thereby, detention for 18 months is also possible.

Already, there are people who are in prolonged detention, and this trend could continue. We have to learn to face these things in the future. Even in the case of Ruki Fernando, the “unlawful activity” clause was used to detain him for 72 hours. Bail can be refused also. Only the Attorney General can decide on bail or release but is the AG free to act on his own?

The AG is under the President’s purview but the decisions are actually taken by the Defence Secretary. At present, fair trial, or the right to free trial, is denied. Ruki and Fr. Praveen were released only because of the public outcry. Even a lawyer’s right to intervene on behalf of a detainee is highly restricted. Issuance of a receipt to family members of detained persons is taking place only now, though it did not happen earlier. Even a confession cannot be coerced from a detainee. Yet, proof that a confession was not given willingly is a burden on the accused himself. This is a serious situation. 

The PTA law of 1979 is a draconian piece of legislation that has caused fear among the people. Therefore, we must all unite against it.

- Taken form the Notes of discussion on Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) held at CSR, Col.10 on 10th April 2014 ( courtesyRight to Life Human Rights Center)