There is no patriotic-wave lifting the Rajapaksa boat. There is no anti-government wave either.

Ballot boxes for PC elections ( The Hindu)

''If the Opposition is to amount a serious challenge to the Rajapaksas at national elections, it must become more active, more rooted, socio-economically and less fractious. The UNP remains the single largest opposition party (though with a much reduced vote-base); the JVP and DP are in a dead-heat for third place. What is necessary is the broadest possible opposition coalition, which includes the TNA and other minority parties, stands up for all victims of Rajapaksa misrule and opts to focus on political-social-economic distress rather than on patriotic chest-thumping.  ''

Two Verdicts on Rajapaksa Rule  by Tisaranee Gunasekara

Yasmin Sooka: If panel of experts are banned from visiting Sri Lanka..

Yasmin at UNHRC side event ( photo: Deshapriya S)

''It is never too late for reconciliation initiatives in any country. However, reconciliation cannot be built on impunity and denial and is usually based on accountability that is, truth, justice, reparations for victims and an acknowledgement by the State of its responsibility for such crimes. The TRC in South Africa was established as one of many transitional institutions paving the way for democracy. It was also preceded by an interim Constitution which paved the way for elections and ultimately the transition to democracy. ''

Interview with Yasmin Sooka

Sri Lanka: Indian Abstention at UNHRC: National Interest or Complicity Issue?

Prof. Manivannan

Prof. Ramu Manivannan

The introduction and passing of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution L.1/Rev.1.,‘Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ on 27/03/2014 heralds a new page on many fronts in South Asia.

First, the uninterrupted impunity that the successive Sri Lankan governments have enjoyed in their treatment of Tamils since 1948 has finally been challenged at the international level.

Sri Lanka:Delhi has slammed shut the door on every opposition party and every potential alternative government

Dilip Sinha at UNHRC: Closing the door

India's Janus Faced Duplicity by Dr Kumar David
In an unexpected volte-face India abstained from supporting the UNHRC resolution calling for an international probe into war crimes during the final stages of the civil war in Lanka.
Both the Congress led government and the BJP, hopeful of forming the next, are arm in arm and complicit in this. There were concerns about what implications certain passages in the resolution may have for human-rights violations and crimes by past, present and future Indian governments, and we are asked to believe that this was the reason for abstention. This may be partly true, but why should anyone be soft on governments seeking to hide crimes against their own people under the shroud of national sovereignty?

UNHRC Sri Lanka Resolution: Diaspora disappointed and hopes UN Security Council will take action

Tamil diaspora activist in London

Joint Statement on UNHRC Resolution 25/1 on Sri Lanka

We welcome the establishment of an international investigative mechanism to establish the facts and circumstances pertaining to “serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes” committed in the island of Sri Lanka. The UN Human Rights Council adopted Resolution A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1 on March 27, 2014, which paves the way for a comprehensive international investigation. We urge that the investigation should cover the period prior to, during and after the end of the armed conflict in 2009.

Sri Lanka : Patriotism without justice is pure bluff

Basil Fernando

Human beings, however poor or however oppressed, seek justice in the same way. Even a tuberculosis patient looks for fresh air. All wisdom traditions have associated justice as having the same character as fresh air. To deny justice is to deny a fundamental condition of being human. If a person cannot get fresh air in the normal way, they have to be provided with air through artificial means of giving oxygen. To treat a patient’s illness, the patient must first be kept alive. If they cannot be kept alive by natural means, they should be kept alive through the use of artificial means. Failing to do that is to resign oneself to sure death.

Sri Lanka PC elections: President’s downfall imminent: JVP .

JVP has a new leader

While being overjoyed at the results recorded at the two provincial council elections, after suffering setbacks for several years, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said the election results had dismantled the President’s power map planned for the next six years. Convening a media conference at the Party’s head office in Colombo, the JVP leader said the election results in the Hambantota District clearly reflected the downfall of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, since the UPFA vote percentage in the district dropped from 67% to 57%, when compared with the previous provincial elections held in 2009.

UNHRC 25: India takes the wind out of US sails but leaves Lanka puffed

Anti Resolution demo in Colombo

Don Manu

Though India took the wind out of puffed US sails set to charter a new turbulent course for Lanka by abstaining from voting in the US-sponsored resolution on Thursday, her non committal stance did nothing, however, to rock the smooth passage of the resolution which was comfortably passed with 23 nations voting for and 12 against, thus conferring the United Nations’ inquisitorial mandate upon Navi Pillay’s office to conduct an international probe into Lanka’s alleged violation of human rights and humanitarian laws.

Sri Lanka: Monks break up US-sponsored seminar for journalists

Monk violence on the rise ( file photo)

A journalist training programme — funded by an international non-governmental organisation based in the United States – was abandoned on Friday after Buddhist monks disrupted it in the wake of the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva. The two-day in-house programme for 30 journalists was being held in Polonnaruwa on the theme of ‘search for peace’ when it was disrupted by the monks four hours after it began. The journalists taking part were from all ethnic communities in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts.

Sri Lanka :Sexual assaults on foreign women on the rise as tourist numbers increase

In search of the sun, sea and sand:
Is enough being done to protect tourists?

Recent cases of harassment and rape of foreign women have raised concerns regarding the safety of tourists arriving in the country. Last week, a former Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested, produced in Court and remanded for sexually harassing a 22-year-old Swedish woman at a resort in Weligama. Earlier this month two police constables were arrested at the popular tourist destination Ella, in Badulla district for sexually harassing a 27-year-old German who was holidaying with her boyfriend.

New govt will move resolution in UN against Lanka: Jayalalithaa

TNN

CHENNAI: Chief minister J Jayalalithaa said steps would be taken to make India move a resolution at the UN seeking action against Sri Lanka for killing innocent Tamils during the war. At a meeting in Madurai on Friday, she said she would ensure that those responsible for the genocide are punished. The assurance comes on a day the Centre faced flak from parties and activists for abstaining from voting on a USbacked resolution on Lankan war crimes.

Happiness is now a global issue-Sri Lanka among ‘saddest’ countries

(Photo by Geri Dagys)

Two years after declaring March 20 the International Day of Happiness, the United Nations has released its first World Happiness Report. The UN has formally recognized the pursuit of happiness as a fundamental human goal. It can be argued that the UN has far more important issues to concentrate on, but surely we can all agree that happiness is every human's deepest wish - and therefore a serious issue.
The UN survey gives us insight into the general mood in different countries. People everywhere are checking it to see where they stand in the happiness rankings.

Action against us unnecessary: Sri Lanka's envoy on UN resolution

Ravinatha Aryasingha

 Noopur Tiwari

Geneva:  India yesterday abstained from the vote at the United Nations session in Geneva which calls for an international investigation into alleged war crimes in the final stage of the island's civil war which ended in 2009.
 Indian envoy Dilip Sinha said India does not support the operative para 10 OF the resolution which asks for an international inquiry but encourages Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of an internal inquiry's report and findings.
Ravinatha Aryasingha, Sri Lankan Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva, speaks to NDTV's Noopur Tiwari after the vote.

UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka: Positions of the Political parties and Civil organisations

click to enlarge (Tamizh Prabhagaran)

Rajapaksa family to blame for Sri Lanka’s current plight - UNP  - UNP
Sri Lanka Rejects UN Rights Probe,a conspiracy for a regime change
TNA welcomes resolution
Govt. responsible for Geneva debacle; JVP 
Tamil Civil Society Forum concerned at limitations of resolution

Sri Lanka debate at UNHRC 25: Positions of the countires and Tactics that failed

 UNHRC Requests High Commissioner to Undertake a Comprehensive Investigation into Alleged Serious Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka  

Pillay: a  madate to go ahead (UN /Jean-Marc Ferré )

In a resolution (A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1) on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, adopted by a vote of 23 in favour, 12 against and 12 abstentions, the Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner 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. 

SRI LANKA: UN investigation offers hope to victims in Sri Lanka

HRC 25 in progress ( un photo)

A statement from the International Commission of Jurists ( ICJ) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

UN investigation offers hope to victims in Sri Lanka The UN Human Rights Council resolution to establish an international investigation into allegations of human rights violations and abuses committed by both sides in Sri Lanka’s civil war gives hope to tens of thousands of victims who continue to be denied truth and justice, the International Commission of Jurists said today.

UNHRC Sri Lanka Resolution debate : Who's who and what's not

 Paul Newman at HRC 25

Countries tackling terrorism must adhere to International obligations and there is an impending need for an International Inquiry into War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity before the world wakes to the reality of investigating whether there was a genocide that took place in Mullivaikal. At the end of the session one was left wondering with the remark made by Ireland which stated that “Reconciliation can come only with respect and thinking from the other’s perspective!” Hope this happens at the earliest.
 Paul Newman

Delhi Should Have Supported Resolution On Sri Lanka: FM P Chidambaram

P Chidambaram

Differing with his government's stand of abstaining from voting in UNHRC on the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka, Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said New Delhi should have supported it.

"It is my personal opinion. Twenty three countries had supported it and we also should have supported even if it was a watered down one," he told reporters here.

The decision could have been taken by officials in the External Affairs Ministry, Chidambaram, who hails from Tamil Nadu where the ethnic conflict involving minority Tamils in Sri Lanka has an emotional appeal, said.

“No Problem Even If All Countries Oppose” - President

Even if all 48 countries voted against Sri Lanka in Geneva, foreigners will not be allowed to subjugate the mother land, President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized.

Winning or losing will not be a problem as we have not committed a wrongdoing, he added.

The President made these comments addressing the final election rally of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) at the N.T. Dayananda grounds at Debarawewa in Hambantota  on26 March.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu expressed shock and disbelief on India's vote at UNHRC on Sri Lanka

Political parties in Tamil Nadu expressed shock and disbelief, while condemning India’s decision to abstain from a U.S. sponsored resolution in the United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC) against Sri Lanka for a credible, independent, international probe into the alleged human rights violations in the last leg of the civil war in that country during 2009.

UN investigation brings new hope for justice in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka war victims ( File photo- AFP)

Human rights activists and journalists critical of the government in Sri Lanka have regularly been threatened and harassed Human rights activists and journalists critical of the government in Sri Lanka have regularly been threatened and harassed

The Sri Lankan government has twice ignored calls by the UN Human Rights Council to conduct an independent and credible investigation into allegations of violations during the country’s horrific civil conflict. Now they have a fresh opportunity to restore some international credibility by cooperating with the investigation.

UN Human Rights Council sends a clear message: justice and accountability cannot wait

America at UNHRC

UN Human Rights Council Vote on Sri Lanka Reconciliation

Press Statement /John Kerry, Secretary of State

Today’s vote in the UN Human Rights Council sends a clear message: The time to pursue lasting peace and prosperity is now; justice and accountability cannot wait.

This resolution reaffirms the commitment of the international community to support the Government of Sri Lanka as it pursues reconciliation and respect for human rights and democratic governance.

Why India did not support the Sri Lanka resolutionat UNHRC

FULL STATEMENT BY INDIA:

March 27, 2014

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted three resolutions on Sri Lanka since May 2009 when the three decades old conflict in that country ended. India has always been of the view that the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka provided a unique opportunity to pursue a lasting political settlement, acceptable to all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamils.

HRC25 adopted Sri Lanka resolution March 2014 with 23 for to 12 against and 12 abs

photo by Maga.Tamizh Prabhagaran

Congress Party to ensure a credible, objective, time-bound inquiry into allegations of human rights violations in Sri Lanka

Civilians in the midest of SL war

Congress Wakes Up, Tries to Contain Damage 

Devirupa Mitra - NEW DELHI

Reduced to being a marginal player in Tamil Nadu mainly due to its policy with Sri Lanka, Congress gave its most detailed attention to the island nation in its manifesto with talk of putting international pressure on Colombo to hold a time-bound inquiry into war crimes in the last stages of civil war.

The manifesto, released on Wednesday, devoted 10 paragraphs to articulating its foreign policy vision. While it talked in generalities about the relationship with other countries, it was clear that Sri Lanka was an exception.