Dispatches: 40,000 Reasons Why Sri Lanka Is No Model for Nigeria

JUNE 16, 2014

Andrew Stroehlein

To crush Boko Haram insurgents, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters last week declared it would employ the “Sri Lankan method.”  

It’s hard to imagine a worse idea.

Boko Haram’s brutal campaign in northern Nigeria demands urgent action to protect the civilian population. The militant Islamist group’s atrocities have killed thousands and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, sparking a humanitarian crisis in Nigeria’s northeast and across national borders. Boko Haram’s April kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls has dramatically increased international attention on the problem and pressure on the government to resolve it.

But, before opting for “the Sri-Lankan method” to deal with an insurgency, Nigeria would do well to examine what that actually means.

Sri Lanka's war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), particularly in its final stages in 2009, caused tremendous and unnecessary human suffering. As the noose tightened around the insurgents – who were, like Boko Haram, responsible for numerous horrific abuses – nearly 300,000 civilians held as human shields by the LTTE became increasingly squeezed into a tiny area with little food or medicine. The military repeatedly and indiscriminately shelled the area, including a government-declared "no-fire zone" and hospitals trying to care for the sick and wounded.

In the last months of the conflict, as many as 40,000 civilians died, according to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts report. And since the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, serious abuses against ethnic Tamils by the military, including systematic rape of suspected LTTE supporters, have continued to the present.

Those responsible for the numerous wartime abuses on both sides have yet to be investigated, let alone brought to justice. For years, Sri Lanka tried to block an international inquiry into alleged war crimes, but in March 2014 the UN Human Rights Council endorsed an investigation into Sri Lanka’s wartime atrocities.

Is this really the model Nigeria wants to follow?

Nigeria’s security forces have already committed many serious abuses in their fight against Boko Haram including offenses that might constitute crimes against humanity. The security forces’ heavy-handed approach has included burning homes, physical abuse, indiscriminate mass arrests, detentions without trial and extrajudicial killings of thousands of men and boys from the northeast.

Replicating Sri Lanka’s lawless approach to counterinsurgency would further endanger a civilian population already brutalized both by Boko Haram and the military. Nigeria’s government needs to work with the population at risk and not treat them – as Sri Lanka’s government did – as the enemy.

SRI LANKA CAN LEARN FROM BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN FACING UP TO WAR CRIMES CHARGES--JEHAN PERERA 16 June 2014 The international human rights community’s determination to pursue with its probe into alleged war crimes in the last phase of Sri Lanka’s civil war is widely seen within Sri Lanka as evidence of prejudice against the country. However, what has happened to the Sri Lankan government must not be seen in isolation from international developments. Sri Lanka Can Learn From British Government in Facing Up to War Crimes Charges--jehan Perera

Victims the real heroes at London sexual violence summit

By Frances Harrison Jun 16, 2014

I had the unusual experience of attending last week’s preventing sexual violence summit in London with a survivor of rape I know. I bumped into him at a play called Unlocked, which is based on the testimony of three survivors of male rape – Congolese, Bosnian and Sri Lankan Tamil.

Victims the Real Heroes at London Sexual Violence Summit by nelvely

Listen If You Wish

By Helasingha Bandara -June 16, 2014

It is that time of the year that gossip is circulated, predictions are made, hypotheses are formulated, mud is slung and curiosity is aroused regarding the next political extravaganza, the presidential poll.

The talk concentrates on the subject of whether the Rajapaksas can be defeated, whether there can be a common candidate from the opposition, who can be that candidate, is it Chandrika, Ranil, Fonseka, Sobhithaor Dissanayake and what should be the winning manifesto.

Can the Rajapaksas be defeated?

The short answer is yes. Should they be defeated is more of a difficult question. My personal opinion is that they should not be, if (a massive if) they can change. The possibility of that change depends on many factors such as the time scale of the next presidential election, their intelligence and their humility. If it is going to be held after another two years, there will be enough time for the Rajapaksas to address their shortcomings and win back the popularity that they have lost. If it is less than two years till the next election, it is unlikely that there will be sufficient time for the Rajapaksas to redress their faults. Both intelligence and humility of the Rajapaksas seem to be at the lowest ebb at present. Evidently blinded by the enormous power bestowed upon them they have almost forgotten the meaning of humility. Many people still wish them well and want them to remain in power. That trend is diminishing by the day. If the Rajapaksas do not regain the lost intelligence and restore the sense of humility for themselves they would push those people who still want to support them over the edge. With no option left they will turn against the Rajapaksas.                               Read More

SRI LANKA: Where disappearances served as a national security imperative to nation-building?

Reviewed by Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena-June 16, 2014

A Book Review: A Sociological Exploration Of Disappearances In Sri Lanka
Author: Jane Thomson-Senanayake
Print Length: 275 pages
Publisher: Asian Human Rights Commission
Date: May 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-955-4597-04-4

Reading through this study by an Australian doctoral researcher Jane Thomson-Senanayake published by the Asian Human Rights Commission, May 2014, I am forcibly reminded of the lessons that history should teach us if a modicum of sense informed our thinking on Sri Lanka’s crisis of state accountability. 

SRI LANKA Where Disappearances Served as a National Security Imperative to Nation-building by nelvely

Sri Lanka: Pillay alarmed by intercommunal violence, calls for end to hate speech

GENEVA (16 June 2014) - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed her deep alarm Monday at inter-communal violence taking place in south-western Sri Lanka in which two, or possibly three, people have reportedly been killed and scores injured.

The violence erupted on Sunday 15 June in the town of Aluthgama following a large rally of the Buddhist group Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to protest an alleged assault a few days earlier by a Muslim youth against the visiting monk at the local temple.   

After the rally, violence erupted on both sides as the BBS and supporters moved in procession through Muslim neighbourhoods, allegedly chanting anti-Muslim slogans.  Homes, shops and mosques were reportedly attacked and some set ablaze. Despite a curfew and deployment of approximately 1,200 police, violence apparently continued into the night.

“The Government must urgently do everything it can to arrest this violence, curb the incitement and hate speech which is driving it, and protect all religious minorities,” the High Commissioner said.

“I am very concerned this violence could spread to Muslim communities in other parts of the country,” Pillay continued.  “The authorities must immediately bring the perpetrators of such attacks to book and make it clear to the religious leadership on both sides, and to political parties and the general public, that there is no place for inflammatory rhetoric and incitement to violence.”

“At the same time, the security forces must use appropriate measures to contain the situation and ensure this tragic situation is not compounded by any excessive use of force,” she added.

During her visit to Sri Lanka in August 2013, and in her subsequent reports to the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner warned about the rising level of attacks against religious minorities and the incitement of violence by Sinhala Buddhist nationalist groups.  The Government had promised amendments to enhance existing provisions of the Penal Code and ICCPR Act with regard to hate speech, but these have yet to be adopted.

The Human Rights Council in March 2014 expressed its alarm at the significant surge in attacks against members of religious minority groups in Sri Lanka, including Hindus, Muslims and Christians.

ENDS

Shivajilingam writes to Modi on 13A

By admin on June 15, 2014

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Northern Provincial Council (NPC) member M.K. Shivajilingam says the Tamil people do not believe that the 13 Amendment to the constitution could lead to an equitable political solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil people.

In a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shivajilingam says India should push Sri Lanka to work towards a solution which can, at the minimum, offer a true federal autonomy to the Tamils in a single merged North-East special region.

“The Tamil people do not believe that the 13 Amendment could lead to an equitable political solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil people, and I request your leadership towards a solution which can, at the minimum, offer a true federal autonomy to the Tamils in a single merged North-East special region,” he said in the letter.

Shivajilingam says successive Governments have repeatedly refused to offer the Tamils their political rights and all the negotiations and agreements between the Tamil and Sinhala leaderships were never implemented due to the intransigence of the Sinhala leadership.

The NPC member told Modi in the letter that even the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987 has not been properly implemented by Sri Lanka and recalled that the government of Sri Lanka had demerged the Northern and Eastern Provinces which were merged as per the Indo-Lanka Accord.

“Sri Lanka even refuses to implement the 13 Amendment in full, despites its obligation to India and promises to the International Community,” he added.

Shivajilingam says Tamils living in Sri Lanka are very hopeful of Modi’s leadership and sincerely believe he will be able to ensure a political solution in Sri Lanka which offers Tamils their legitimate political rights along with equality, dignity and justice.

“Having gone through more than 65 years of injustice by successive governments of Sri Lanka, Tamil people are fully aware that no political solution will reach us without the direct and active involvement of India,” he added.

Shivajilingam also urged Modi to help solve the issues faced by the fishermen from both India and Sri Lanka and also create closer economic integration between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces. (Colombo Gazette)

Horror in Aluthgama: Their Crime, Our Shame

Photo courtesy BBC

by Tisaranee Gunasekara 

- on 06/16/2014 

[Editors note: This was sent by the author directly to us. As a policy Groundviews does not republish what's already gone up somewhere else on the web. Making an exception in this case because of the context in Sri Lanka at present, and the need to get as many readers engaged with this content]

Horror in Aluthgama Their Crime, Our Shame by nelvely

Meticulously planned and executed to military precision

By Latheef Farook
 16 June 2014
The unwanted and unnecessary attack was mayhem of an unprecedented scale in and around Aluthgama which later spread to   Dharga town  and Beruwala following the highly inflammatory speech by Sinhala racist outfit Bodu Bala Sena’s General Secretary  Ven .Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero, the Buddhist Zionist who is hell bent on shedding Muslim blood.

These senseless slaughter of innocent Muslims   were    part of BBS’ ongoing anti Muslim campaign   to destroy their economic base, deprive them of their livelihood and make them paupers.

Meticulously Planned and Executed to Military Precision by nelvely

U.S. Embassy Statement on Aluthgama & Beruwela Violence

June 16, 2014

• Read in Sinhala
• Read in Tamil

The U.S.  Embassy condemns the violence that has spread over the weekend in Aluthgama and Beruwela. We urge the government to ensure that order is preserved and the lives of all citizens, places of worship, and property are protected.   We urge the authorities to investigate these attacks and bring those responsible to justice. We also urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law. 

Racial fury and fire of BBS inspired by Rajapakses spread : Dehiwala pharmacy burnt; Dep. Minister Mustafa stranded

(Lanka-e-News -16.June2014, 12.30PM) The racial violence inspired by the Rajapakses via the paramilitary Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) terrorists is fast getting out of control. The racial violence that started at Alutgama had spread not only to Beruwala but even to Dehiwala , Colombo, according to reports.

Just a while ago , a group of BBS terrorists who stormed into the Harcourts pharmacy at Dehiwala have broken the pharmacy’s front windows and doors, and set fire using a petrol bomb. The entire pharmacy is consumed in smoke. The marauders had arrived in a defender and a jeep committed the arson , and fled while the security of the division were idly watching .

Prior to this , 34 houses and shops including Naleemiya Arabic College had been set on fire. The Muslims who were rendered homeless had taken refuge in Naleemiya College. It is learnt that deputy Minister Faizer Mustafa who was at Naleemiya College before the fire broke out is stranded. A large number of shops along Lotus road , Dharga town have also been set ablaze.

Two Muslim mosques including that at Adhikaragoda have also been set on fire . An eye witness told Lanka e news , along Galle road between Alutgama and Beruwala 6 places including three business establishments are ablaze . There are no reports of the number of casualties following these fires. Some media told 80 person wounded and some media told 41 person wounded but any one did not confirme those figures. 2 person killed by attacks. 

Mohomed Rifaz , a youth who is trapped owing to the curfew sending in a voice recording via his mobile phone stated , while the men had gone to the mosques for prayers , the attacks had been launched , and as curfew was imposed, they are unable to come out of the mosques. It is only women who would have been in the houses that were set on fire. At least 20 to 30 houses had come under the attack of arson in Dharga town , Rifaz added..

Rifaz lamented that because of the curfew , they could not go out , and save their wives and children or properties in the houses , but the marauders and goons were allowed to feely travel on vehicles without any hindrance unleashing violence and committing arson with gay abandon. 

Dharga town is surrounded by a river and three Sinhala villages. He is therefore trapped Rifaz claims. ‘We are unable to save our own properties in the very villages we were born ,’ Rifaz bemoaned. Even to give medical treatment to those who are injured , there is no way. In the voice tape he had pleaded to reveal this to the world who are unaware of the atrocities. He had also wanted us to make a pledge that we would publish the true situation to the world. 

Meanwhile the security division says , a helicopter of the air force , the army buffel vehicles , and 1800 members of the army have been deployed to bring the situation under control. Curfew has been expanded until tomorrow (17)

In the picture are some of the destitute affected Muslim women who flocked to the Jamiya Naleemiya Institute for safety , and in fear of their lives.

AUDIO: Hakeem ‘utterly ashamed’; to decide on future with govt

 

June 16, 2014 
The Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Rauf Hakeem today stated that he is “utterly ashamed” for not being able to even provide the minimum security for the Muslim people as the country’s Justice Minister. 

The minister stated that he has visited Darga Town in Aluthgama and Chaina Fort in Beruwala, where clashes between religious groups broke out yesterday.   

“Despite the previous existence of a risk for such a situation and despite the information possessed by intelligence units, we continuously talked about this situation for the past 3 days,” he told Ada Derana, over the phone. 

He stated that the public is heavily criticizing the measures taken by the government to prevent this, despite knowing about preparations for such acts of violence. 

“The criticism from the masses that we have failed in our duties or responsibilities as government Ministers is justifiable. We have to accept that,” he said. 

“The people are blaming us for allowing the Bodu Bala Sena and Sihala Ravaya to hold such a meeting with a preparation for carrying out such provoking. We have to accept that too.” 

“We have seen the police obtaining a court order when university students or trade unions request to hold a demonstration or march. However, the question right now is what action did the police take regarding individuals preparing to create religious disharmony and provoke the public,” he stressed.

Explaining his stance on the issue, Hakeem stated that he has to accept and agree with the criticism regarding the failure at every opportunity to thwart such premeditated attacks targeting the economy of Muslim people. “We will inform the international community regarding this matter.” 

He stated that as government Ministers they can no longer remain silent on this issue. “Because the responses we receive internally are regrettable.”

He stated that members of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will gather this evening to decide on their next course of action. 

“The SLMC parliamentary group will meet today and discuss whether they can put pressure on this while continuing to remain within the government,” Hakeem said. 

He questioned why the government, which managed to defeat an organization such as the Tamil Tigers, is unable to prevent a terrorist organization like this. 

Hekeem stated that as the country’s Justice Minister he is “utterly ashamed” for not being able to even provide the minimum protection for the Muslim people. 

Asked whether he has made a request for the arrest of those responsible for the incident, the SLMC leader stated that “they definitely have to be arrested” and that “it is very clear” as the speech delivered in Aluthgama not only provoked the people it also pushed them to violence. 

While calling for the arrest of the BBS and Sihala Ravaya Buddhist monks involved, the minister stated that he is of the opinion that the “government should be held responsible for everything.”

Sri Lanka extends curfew after anti-Muslim violence

Minister threatens to resign after failure to prevent attacks that left three Muslims dead and dozens of homes destroyed

Sri Lankan police officers walk past a burnt-out shop in Alutgama, south of Colombo, following violence last weekend. Photograph: Eranga Jayawardena/AP

Monday 16 June 2014 

Sri Lanka has extended curfews in a popular tourist region after a rampaging Buddhist mob killed three Muslims and burned dozens of homes and shops in the latest outbreak of religious violence on the island.

Community leaders accused authorities of doing little to prevent Sunday night's violence, with the most senior Muslim member of President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government threatening to resign after the decision to allow militant Buddhists to rally in the flashpoint region.

"Three deaths have occurred and 78 people have been seriously wounded in the mob attacks … Places of Muslim religious worship have also been attacked with total impunity," the justice minister, Rauf Hakeem, said as he visited the affected towns of Alutgama and Beruwala.

"The government allowed the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) to hold their gathering and therefore they must take responsibility for what has happened," he said, referring to a hardline group better known as the Buddhist Force.

Hakeem told reporters he was under pressure from his supporters to quit the government in protest at the failure to prevent the attacks, the latest in a series of violent incidents involving the BBS.

Violence erupted on Sunday night when followers of the BBS staged a protest over a road rage incident. After stones were allegedly thrown at them, the BBS supporters rampaged through the two towns, attacking people on the street and setting fire to property. Several mosques were also damaged.

Local residents said police did little to protect them when the Buddhist mobs began their attack in the mainly Muslim towns, which are about 37 miles (60km) south of the capital, Colombo. Police fired teargas and imposed a night-time curfew but the violence continued for several hours, according to residents.

"We pleaded with the police to come and stop the mob attacking our houses but the police did nothing," said Mujahedeen, a resident of Alutgama's Milton Road where about a dozen buildings were set on fire.

Police said on Monday the situation had calmed down but the curfew would remain in place for a second night. "The situation is largely under control, but the curfew was extended as a precaution," a police source told AFP.

Both towns are popular beach resorts frequented by international tourists, but there were no reports of foreigners or hotels being caught up in the violence.

Rajapaksa said in a statement that he would not allow "anyone to take the law into their own hands" and urged restraint.

The attacks are the latest in a series of religious clashes to hit the island after unrest in January and also last year when Buddhist mobs attacked a mosque in Colombo.

The BBS leader, Buddhist monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara, is on bail after being arrested in May on a charge of insulting the Qu'ran. He is also accused of intimidating lawyers watching the interests of Muslim groups in that case.

The latest unrest came weeks after Muslim legislators asked Rajapaksa to protect their community from "Buddhist extremist elements".

Videos posted on YouTube have shown mobs led by Buddhist monks throwing stones and smashing a Christian prayer centre in southern Sri Lanka in January and attacking mosques while police looked on.

Senior Buddhist monks have been caught on video threatening violence against their moderate colleagues who advocate tolerance.

Sri Lanka, which is facing an investigation into its war against Tamil separatists in May 2009, has also been criticised for its alleged failure to protect minority religious groups.

Muslims make up about 10% of Sri Lanka's population of 20 million.

Nationalist Buddhist groups have in turn accused religious minorities of wielding undue political and economic influence on the island.

Dharga town ablaze : BBS thriving in racial violence instigated by Rajapakses –curfew imposed

(Lanka-e-News -16.June2014, 12.30PM) Following the turbulence and turmoil created yesterday in Alutgama by the Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) Company which has been internationally condemned and described as a terrorist organization , a police curfew had been clamped on that area. Alutgama is a place where Muslims are in a majority.

Some days ago , that is on the Poson poya day (12 ), there had erupted a dispute between a Buddhist monk and some Muslims. Some monks of Sri Lanka who have by now become most notorious for creating mischief in the name of Buddhism (BBS specially) had taken advantage of this trifling incident as is usual in the present climate under the Rajapakse regime which is thriving in violence , murder and mayhem in order to perpetuate its power at any cost. The monk had stated that the Muslims attacked him. On the other hand the Muslims said , there was a conflict between two groups that were traveling in a Van and a motor cycle along a narrow road , and that the dispute was really with the driver of the Van and not with the monk who was also in the van .

Nevertheless , the BBS company which is always violence and murder prone eagerly waiting like vultures for their preys ,had aroused the Sinhala people and staged protests in the streets alleging that the police did not act duly under the law. Later the police had arrested three Muslims and produced them before the magistrate .

Thereafter , the Sinhala group had demanded that the arrested Muslims be handed over to them so that they could be made to ask for pardon publicly from the monk. The police instead remanded them . By 13 th the conflict between the parties died down. The police told Lanka e news that the clergy of the Muslims asked for pardon openly on Friday during their religious congregation in the mosques for wrongdoing , if any to the monk.

Yet the BBS (demons in human form doing greatest disservice to true Buddhism) that did not accept this apology organized a protest and a procession yesterday (15) in Dharga town , Alutgama. They alleged that the police had not inquired into this violence ,and the BBS should conduct an investigation (eccentric Kekile King trial faithfully followed now by moronic MaRa clan ).

After this incident on the 12 th night , 12 business establishments in Dharga town of Sinhalese and Muslims were destroyed by some group by hurling stones and missiles.

A woman who is the owner of a damaged shop had told the BBC that this group that caused the damage is not of that area. Since the situation was explosive and feelings were running high , responsible people and officials have warned the authorities that allowing the BBS, the demonic monks to stage protest rallies in the area could precipitate a holocaust.

Azath Salley , the leader of National United Alliance had by letter yesterday(16) morning addressed not only the IGP , but even the police headquarters to make a complaint as follows :

This is to request to take immediate action to ensure law and order in Alutgama against the concerted and organized attacks that are to be launched on the Muslims today ( 16)

The IGP,

The extremist BBS and the Sinhala Ravaya organizations are seeking to hold an anti Muslim rally in Alutgama based on an incident that took place three days ago. Like how they indulged in violence in other areas , we understand that they are similarly planning under the pretext of holding a rally , to attack business places and properties of Muslims , at the conclusion of the rally.

We will deem it a great service of yours in the direction of maintaining peace, law and order in the country if you will take action to halt the meeting of these extremists. On the contrary if you are to follow instructions of the secretary your superior , and communal political parties , and give permission to hold this procession and rally , we will be forced to assume that you have contributed to the beginning of a national calamity .

Might it be informed that if attacks are launched on the Muslims and their establishments specially today, we shall have no choice but to conclude justifiably those are not attacks following a sudden riot but an organized and planned devastation.

Our final request to you is , like how you are safeguarding the dignity of police department and your own position as IGP , please protect the country ,all Sri Lankans and society from the wanton destruction and damage these extremist terrorists can inflict.

Azath Salley

It is a shame that in spite of the urgent request made by Salley , the IGP was unable to halt the violence. A group of the STF and some police officers from around were summoned , yet exactly what were forewarned in the letter took place.

Last evening the BBS Co. disregarding law and order congregated at the very place where tension was taut , attacked the STF and destroyed six Muslim business establishments by the time this Sinhala original article was being published. Many Muslim homes too had been set on fire though no accurate reports are being released. By the time our second edition was published , the police had clamped curfews not only in Alutgama but even in Beruwala.

Unofficial reports disclose that while the curfew is in force , many other places and vehicles have also been set on fire suggesting that regime’s lawlessness is being taken advantage of . At the outset , when the OIC of Beruwala police asked for instructions from the senior police officers of the division to arrest the culprits involved in the riots , they had advised him not to take that step or arrest them .

During the security council meeting on Wednesday last , the IGP in the report submitted by him regarding the BBS , had explained the grave dangers besetting the country because of Gnanassara the leader of BBS who is taking the law into his hands. Referring to the statement that was recorded of Gnanassara by the Slave island police , where Gnanassara had mentioned his organization is acting as the ‘police’ instantaneously with authority when it comes to Buddhist issues , the IGP lamented with concern that it might become impossible for the police to exercise control over violent situations in the future.

When the shocked IGP questioned ,with whose authority Gnanassara is acting this unlawfully ? The criminal defense secretary Gotabaya had replied light heartedly , ‘ take it easy , monks make various utterances at various times. Don’t worry over them . Just forget it’