Reaffirming India’s support for the Sri Lankan Tamils, Congress president and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said New Delhi would continue to press Colombo for constitutional amendments to ensure equal rights and status to ethnic minorities in the island nation.
“In our neighbourhood, there is no issue closer to our heart than the Sri Lankan Tamils’ issue. There was significant progress last year and India had committed and provided large sums of money for their rehabilitation,” Ms. Gandhi said here at a joint election rally with DMK President and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Troops interfering in Family Issues of the Jaffna People Complaints Made to the Multi-Religions Team
The people from Jaffna face interference by the troops in their family affairs, as such the fear-psychosis which usually prevails among the Jaffna residents has not declined,
Sri Lanka troops have been poking their noses into the family and social issues of the people of the Jaffna peninsula, said Father Paul Natchchaththiram to the muti - religious team that had visited Jaffna.
The people from Jaffna face interference by the troops in their family affairs, as such the fear-psychosis which usually prevails among the Jaffna residents has not declined, Father Paul complained to the multi religious team.
A multi – Religious Team lead by most rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visited Jaffna to see for themselves the situation in the North. They went to Vanni and then to Jaffna.
A meeting between this team and the multi religious team from Jaffna, took place at the Rimmer centre in the middle of the town. The situation in the Jaffna district after the end of the war was explained to the visitors form Colombo.
Father Paul Natchchaththiram explaining the Situation in the North at the discussion said ‘peace is not merely observing silence; it should really be felt in the human minds. Wherever peace prevails, unity and one mindedness follow. There will be no fear, but even after 1 ½ years after the war, the people of the North are still living in a state of fear.
He further elaborated that the interference of the soldiers in the family and social issues of the people of the Jaffna peninsula is the reason for this fear situation, he pointed out as an example. When there is fear, truth, justice and understanding will be missing he added.
Father C. J. Jaikumar from the St. Mary’s church in KKS, said that though it was said that the peace prevailed in the country, the people of the North did not think so, they have not enjoyed the fruit of peace, he added.
He pointed out that even after the peace had come to the country there are more than 400 people in Mandaithivu who are unable to get resettled in their own places.
Suspicion arose in the case of death of a young teacher recently, but no one was arrested. On the other hand there are many who are held up in detention camps without trial. Some of them had died all of a sudden and no reasons are given for this. How can the Tamil people feel or taste peace in such a situation, he questioned. He also mentioned that the religion of Buddhism can do a lot in building up an understanding between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.
A Buddhist monk replying to that said that the war was going on for more than 30 years and you can not expect everything to be all right in just 24 hours.
The Multi-Religious Team, after listening to the above statements openly stated that they are able to identify the problems faced by the people, but are unable to bring a solution.
The Multi-Religious Team that visited the North was lead by most rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and comprised of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian representatives and included apart from Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Kottawa Dharmalankara thero, Brahmasri Ramachandra Kurukkal, Moulavi Aadham Bawa. The team visited several areas in the peninsula and had discussion with various parties including the Jafffna bishop, representatives of civil organizations and members of the business community.
The team also visited the civil administration offices of the army and also paid a visit to the Naga Vihara and met the Buddhist monks there.
The representatives of the various organizations who met the multi-religious team alleged that the government had given several assurances in regard to various development activities but not even the initial steps had been taken in all such activities.
Foundation stones for road projects were laid by the ministers and the presidents son, or the siblings of the president or the president himself and every thing comes to a stand still after that. The government has not initiated any development activity in the Jaffna peninsula, but makes only announcements to deceive the international community, the representatives of the civil organizations lashed out.
It was only after listening to the above allegations that the multi-religious team agreed that it was not in a position to find a solution to the problems faced by the people of the north, although they were able to understand and identify their problems.
However as religious dignitaries, they said that they were in a position to identify the needs of the people and gather information pertaining to the above needs and submit the information so gathered to the relevant authorities. But the team accepted the fact that they are unable to bring any anticipated changes.
GTN
Sri Lanka troops have been poking their noses into the family and social issues of the people of the Jaffna peninsula, said Father Paul Natchchaththiram to the muti - religious team that had visited Jaffna.
The people from Jaffna face interference by the troops in their family affairs, as such the fear-psychosis which usually prevails among the Jaffna residents has not declined, Father Paul complained to the multi religious team.
A multi – Religious Team lead by most rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visited Jaffna to see for themselves the situation in the North. They went to Vanni and then to Jaffna.
A meeting between this team and the multi religious team from Jaffna, took place at the Rimmer centre in the middle of the town. The situation in the Jaffna district after the end of the war was explained to the visitors form Colombo.
Father Paul Natchchaththiram explaining the Situation in the North at the discussion said ‘peace is not merely observing silence; it should really be felt in the human minds. Wherever peace prevails, unity and one mindedness follow. There will be no fear, but even after 1 ½ years after the war, the people of the North are still living in a state of fear.
He further elaborated that the interference of the soldiers in the family and social issues of the people of the Jaffna peninsula is the reason for this fear situation, he pointed out as an example. When there is fear, truth, justice and understanding will be missing he added.
Father C. J. Jaikumar from the St. Mary’s church in KKS, said that though it was said that the peace prevailed in the country, the people of the North did not think so, they have not enjoyed the fruit of peace, he added.
He pointed out that even after the peace had come to the country there are more than 400 people in Mandaithivu who are unable to get resettled in their own places.
Suspicion arose in the case of death of a young teacher recently, but no one was arrested. On the other hand there are many who are held up in detention camps without trial. Some of them had died all of a sudden and no reasons are given for this. How can the Tamil people feel or taste peace in such a situation, he questioned. He also mentioned that the religion of Buddhism can do a lot in building up an understanding between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.
A Buddhist monk replying to that said that the war was going on for more than 30 years and you can not expect everything to be all right in just 24 hours.
The Multi-Religious Team, after listening to the above statements openly stated that they are able to identify the problems faced by the people, but are unable to bring a solution.
The Multi-Religious Team that visited the North was lead by most rev. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and comprised of Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic and Christian representatives and included apart from Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Kottawa Dharmalankara thero, Brahmasri Ramachandra Kurukkal, Moulavi Aadham Bawa. The team visited several areas in the peninsula and had discussion with various parties including the Jafffna bishop, representatives of civil organizations and members of the business community.
The team also visited the civil administration offices of the army and also paid a visit to the Naga Vihara and met the Buddhist monks there.
The representatives of the various organizations who met the multi-religious team alleged that the government had given several assurances in regard to various development activities but not even the initial steps had been taken in all such activities.
Foundation stones for road projects were laid by the ministers and the presidents son, or the siblings of the president or the president himself and every thing comes to a stand still after that. The government has not initiated any development activity in the Jaffna peninsula, but makes only announcements to deceive the international community, the representatives of the civil organizations lashed out.
It was only after listening to the above allegations that the multi-religious team agreed that it was not in a position to find a solution to the problems faced by the people of the north, although they were able to understand and identify their problems.
However as religious dignitaries, they said that they were in a position to identify the needs of the people and gather information pertaining to the above needs and submit the information so gathered to the relevant authorities. But the team accepted the fact that they are unable to bring any anticipated changes.
GTN
AI Urgent action: Law student D.M. Thushara Jayaratne fears for safety after death threats
Urgent Amnesty International Action/ Student fears for safety after deaths threats
A Sri Lankan student who complained that his law school's final exams were being managed unfairly was abducted, interrogated and threatened with death before being released.
On the morning of 4 March law student D.M. Thushara Jayaratne was waiting at a bus stop in the Colombo suburb of Kohuwala when two men approached him, saying they wanted to record a statement. Thushara was afraid and tried to escape by boarding a bus leaving town. The two men followed him onto the bus and left it with him in the suburb of Pillawa. The men forced him into a waiting van and took him to an unknown location where he was held for nearly 12 hours; he was released in another suburb, Nugegoda. He was questioned about complaints he had made against the Law College Registrar and his statements to international organisations.
A Sri Lankan student who complained that his law school's final exams were being managed unfairly was abducted, interrogated and threatened with death before being released.
On the morning of 4 March law student D.M. Thushara Jayaratne was waiting at a bus stop in the Colombo suburb of Kohuwala when two men approached him, saying they wanted to record a statement. Thushara was afraid and tried to escape by boarding a bus leaving town. The two men followed him onto the bus and left it with him in the suburb of Pillawa. The men forced him into a waiting van and took him to an unknown location where he was held for nearly 12 hours; he was released in another suburb, Nugegoda. He was questioned about complaints he had made against the Law College Registrar and his statements to international organisations.
Forced registration in Batticaloa
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has instructed residents of Vellaveli in Batticaloa district to register with the village level officers (Grama Niladhari-GN), civil society sources in Batticaloa said. The SLA has directed the GN to submit all names of residents of the village in forms supplied to them. SLA has also directed the villagers to indicate whether the household members include ex-cadres of the LTTE and disabled due to conflict. This has caused tension and fear among the villagers.
Batticaloa district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Mr.P.Selvarajah' on receipt of complaints from villagers' met the Batticaloa District Army Commanding Officer and lodged his protest against army directive to residents to register.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Concern over Law College whistle-blower
The London based human rights watchdog Amnesty International has expressed concern over the lack of proper investigation into the abduction of a whistle blower.
DM Thushara Jayaratne, a final year Law College student was abducted, interrogated and threatened with death on 04 March, according the rights watchdog.
The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka (SLHRC) has refused to pursue the case after Mr Jayaratne filed a complaint about his abduction.
Major changes in election laws
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
Changes in legislations are on the cards whereby the Elections Commission would be vested with the authority to fix dates for elections and make re-poll compulsory in the event of an annulment, sources said.
These are the major proposals among others made to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms, (Committee) chaired by Minister Dinesh Gunawardana.
The all-important ‘Local Government (Special Provisions) Bill to amend the Municipal Councils and Urban Councils Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act of 1987 will be taken up for debate and to be passed tomorrow in Parliament. The new Bill is a result of the recommendations made by the ‘Interim Report’ by the Committee to Parliament.
Changes in legislations are on the cards whereby the Elections Commission would be vested with the authority to fix dates for elections and make re-poll compulsory in the event of an annulment, sources said.
These are the major proposals among others made to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms, (Committee) chaired by Minister Dinesh Gunawardana.
The all-important ‘Local Government (Special Provisions) Bill to amend the Municipal Councils and Urban Councils Ordinance and the Pradeshiya Sabha Act of 1987 will be taken up for debate and to be passed tomorrow in Parliament. The new Bill is a result of the recommendations made by the ‘Interim Report’ by the Committee to Parliament.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
'Mob attacked Tamils of Indian origin in Hatton after India beat Sri Lanka to the cricket world cup' - Minister Thondaman
Police in Sri Lanka say that they have arrested four people suspected on an attack following a the protest threat by a cabinet minister.
Superintendent of Police Prishantha Jayakody told BBC Sandeshaya that the suspects were remanded until the 15th of March."This was a clash between two groups and the situation is under control," he said.
CWCSLHA.jpgHowever, a government minister maintained that they have provided names of four people 'who were among a mob that attacked Tamil community in Up Country". The leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Arumugam Thondaman, had earlier threatened to stage a Hartal if police do not arrest those who were involved in the attack.
Superintendent of Police Prishantha Jayakody told BBC Sandeshaya that the suspects were remanded until the 15th of March."This was a clash between two groups and the situation is under control," he said.
CWCSLHA.jpgHowever, a government minister maintained that they have provided names of four people 'who were among a mob that attacked Tamil community in Up Country". The leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Arumugam Thondaman, had earlier threatened to stage a Hartal if police do not arrest those who were involved in the attack.
JVP undergrads call on UN to help restore democracy in SL
By Shamindra Ferdinando
In the run-up to the imminent release of a controversial UN report on alleged ‘war crimes’ committed during Eelam War IV, particularly in the final phase of ground battles on the Vanni front, a section of Sri Lanka’s undergraduates belonging to the JVP is seeking UN intervention to restore democracy in the country. They say that the conclusion of the war in May 2009 hadn’t brought about the anticipated change in the country.
The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), powerful student body affiliated to the JVP, on Friday (Apr.1) handed over a petition requesting UN backing to take on the ``dictatorial’’ Rajapaksa administration which they allege is targeting university students.
In the run-up to the imminent release of a controversial UN report on alleged ‘war crimes’ committed during Eelam War IV, particularly in the final phase of ground battles on the Vanni front, a section of Sri Lanka’s undergraduates belonging to the JVP is seeking UN intervention to restore democracy in the country. They say that the conclusion of the war in May 2009 hadn’t brought about the anticipated change in the country.
The Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF), powerful student body affiliated to the JVP, on Friday (Apr.1) handed over a petition requesting UN backing to take on the ``dictatorial’’ Rajapaksa administration which they allege is targeting university students.
An increase in murders and disappearances in Jaffna
According to the Police Department there had been over 50 disappearances in Jaffna District during March 2022. 12 bodies who were disappared had been found in the vicinity which had been brutally murdered.
According tothe Police amd the Government, these murders and disappearances are being carried out by organized gangs.
But an army of over 50,000 military personnel have been deployed for the safety of 670,000 citizens within the Jaffna District. Accordingly one army soldier is deployed for 13 citizens in Jaffna.
LankaTruth
According to
But an army of over 50,000 military personnel have been deployed for the safety of 670,000 citizens within the Jaffna District. Accordingly one army soldier is deployed for 13 citizens in Jaffna.
LankaTruth
Their Colombo Plan
By Tisaranee Gunasekara
“….doing violence to the spirit of thousands of laws without actually running afoul of so much as a city ordinance.”
— Kurt Vonnegut (The Sirens Of Titan)
The campaign to replace popular sovereignty with Rajapaksa sovereignty swung into top-gear last week. The regime announced that the Colombo Municipal Council and four other local authorities will be placed under the control of a new, unelected, entity: the Colombo Metropolitan Corporation.
The new CMC (selecting a title with the identical acronym is quintessential Rajapaksa; this way the new CMC can replace the old CMC effortlessly, initially on official documents and assets and eventually in the public mind) is to be vested with the powers enjoyed by the existing CMC et al, via a Parliamentary Act. While the unelected Corporation is thus empowered, the elected CMC et al will be left with trivia, such as authorising (or not) the “construction of a parapet wall, drainage line” etc. (The Sunday Observer – 27.3.2011).
“….doing violence to the spirit of thousands of laws without actually running afoul of so much as a city ordinance.”
— Kurt Vonnegut (The Sirens Of Titan)
The campaign to replace popular sovereignty with Rajapaksa sovereignty swung into top-gear last week. The regime announced that the Colombo Municipal Council and four other local authorities will be placed under the control of a new, unelected, entity: the Colombo Metropolitan Corporation.
The new CMC (selecting a title with the identical acronym is quintessential Rajapaksa; this way the new CMC can replace the old CMC effortlessly, initially on official documents and assets and eventually in the public mind) is to be vested with the powers enjoyed by the existing CMC et al, via a Parliamentary Act. While the unelected Corporation is thus empowered, the elected CMC et al will be left with trivia, such as authorising (or not) the “construction of a parapet wall, drainage line” etc. (The Sunday Observer – 27.3.2011).
Lakshman Hulugalle — Convicted, But On The Board Of Com Bank
The appointment of a convicted criminal to the Board of Commercial Bank by the government has raised eye brows among senior bankers in the country.
Lakshman Hulugalle, the Director General, Media Centre for National Security has been appointed to the Board of Commercial Bank by the government. In 1989 Hulugalle was given a two year prison sentence suspended for 10 years and has no previous banking experience or professional qualification.
When Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal was asked whether a person who had a conviction behind his name, and on the basis of the Central Bank’s fit and proper test, could such a person be appointed to the Board of a Bank, Cabraal said that it was up to the Commercial Bank Board to carry out their own investigations.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Making barons out of robbers – issues of good governance
"If you remember, when you came into power you said, about opening up the economy, that you saw no harm in letting the robber barons come. Now you are trying to make barons out of robbers."
Two days ago, Sam Wijesinha, former Secretary-General of Parliament, had reportedly given a talk at the Open University of Sri Lanka on the subject of good governance. In his own inimitable style, he had made many anecdotal references to issues of governance in the past. Understandably, he was careful not to refer to the present. The above quote is also from him, but it was stated not at the Open University lecture but in a conversation he had with a journalist many years ago. Wijesinha had made that remark to the then President J R Jayewardene over some other issue. We quote that remark because of its relevance to our present time.
Two days ago, Sam Wijesinha, former Secretary-General of Parliament, had reportedly given a talk at the Open University of Sri Lanka on the subject of good governance. In his own inimitable style, he had made many anecdotal references to issues of governance in the past. Understandably, he was careful not to refer to the present. The above quote is also from him, but it was stated not at the Open University lecture but in a conversation he had with a journalist many years ago. Wijesinha had made that remark to the then President J R Jayewardene over some other issue. We quote that remark because of its relevance to our present time.
Friday, April 1, 2011
AFP: Cup final reprieve from S.Lanka tensions
By Mel Gunasekera
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's appearance in Saturday's cricket World Cup final offers a rare if fleeting moment of unity for a nation that remains deeply fractured despite the end of its decades-old ethnic conflict.
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who will attend the final against India in Mumbai, has promoted the game as a symbol of reconciliation following his government's final victory over Tamil Tiger rebels nearly two years ago.
"Sports has been a uniting factor and cricket has been in the forefront of bringing communities together," the president told foreign correspondents in Colombo just before Sri Lanka's semi-final victory over New Zealand on Tuesday.
COLOMBO — Sri Lanka's appearance in Saturday's cricket World Cup final offers a rare if fleeting moment of unity for a nation that remains deeply fractured despite the end of its decades-old ethnic conflict.
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who will attend the final against India in Mumbai, has promoted the game as a symbol of reconciliation following his government's final victory over Tamil Tiger rebels nearly two years ago.
"Sports has been a uniting factor and cricket has been in the forefront of bringing communities together," the president told foreign correspondents in Colombo just before Sri Lanka's semi-final victory over New Zealand on Tuesday.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Eastern University closed down indefinitely
While the Tamil Youth Organisation in UK was engaged in an awareness campaign for boycotting genocidal Sri Lanka in international sports, a cricket-related euphoria of the Sinhala students in the Eastern University of Sri Lanka in Batticaloa resulted in attack on Tamil students and indefinite closure of the university. Inebriated by euphoria of Sri Lanka’s victory in the cricket semi finals that took place in Colombo, the Sinhala students of the Batticaloa University entered into the hostel of the Tamil students and attacked them on Tuesday midnight. Following the incident, the SL police at the university check post that entered into the campus without permission from the Vice Chancellor also started attacking the Tamil students. As Tamil students started boycotting classes on Wednesday the university is closed down indefinitely.
Thousands of SL troops round up resettled villages in Jaffna, Mullaiththeevu
Thousands of occupying troops of Sri Lanka Army rounded up the village Uduththu’rai in Vadamaraadchi East and are engaged in search operation since Thursday early morning. A similar operation is simultaneously being undertaken in Mullaiththeevu also. Vanni IDPs were recently resettled in both the places. The operation is said to be following an alleged incident in which some SL troops who went on a boat are missing in the sea and only their boat came ashore.
The SL troops came in armoured vehicles rounded up the entire coastal area.
The SL troops came in armoured vehicles rounded up the entire coastal area.
Over a million children lack toilet facilities
By Azra Ameen
Around 1,299 schools or nearly one million school children and around 200,000 families in the island do not have access to toilets, Deputy General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Deepthi Sumanasekera said following a survey conducted by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Nearly 1,860 schools have dilapidated toilets or don’t have access to water.
"Those who do not have access to toilets are bound to be easy prey to various diseases and kidney damage," Chairman of the Sri Lanka Water Partnership Kusum Athukorala said.
Around 1,299 schools or nearly one million school children and around 200,000 families in the island do not have access to toilets, Deputy General Manager of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Deepthi Sumanasekera said following a survey conducted by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Nearly 1,860 schools have dilapidated toilets or don’t have access to water.
"Those who do not have access to toilets are bound to be easy prey to various diseases and kidney damage," Chairman of the Sri Lanka Water Partnership Kusum Athukorala said.
SRI LANKA: Persecuting of NGOS under the pretext of prosecutions
These days there is considerable discussion about investigations into some NGOs in Sri Lanka. The president himself is talking in public about this issue and already implying that there is some kind of wrong doing on the part of some NGOs. This has also been followed by several media channels. Therefore some simple reflections on the issue are in order.
There is a vast difference between prosecution and persecution. This difference may not be quite so clear in Sri Lanka anymore. There is a great deal of persecution going on under the name of prosecution and the public may be very much confused about what is a legitimate prosecution and what is, in fact, a terrible persecution.
Leaving aside this contextual situation in Sri Lanka for a moment let us go into a basic reflection on what, under a rule of law system, is a legitimate prosecution and what is, in fact, a persecution. A legitimate prosecution begins with an existing law in the country. The law clearly lays down some act which may be considered a crime. A complaint about the commission of a crime by someone is the beginning of a path that may lead to a prosecution before a court of law.
There is a vast difference between prosecution and persecution. This difference may not be quite so clear in Sri Lanka anymore. There is a great deal of persecution going on under the name of prosecution and the public may be very much confused about what is a legitimate prosecution and what is, in fact, a terrible persecution.
Leaving aside this contextual situation in Sri Lanka for a moment let us go into a basic reflection on what, under a rule of law system, is a legitimate prosecution and what is, in fact, a persecution. A legitimate prosecution begins with an existing law in the country. The law clearly lays down some act which may be considered a crime. A complaint about the commission of a crime by someone is the beginning of a path that may lead to a prosecution before a court of law.
Go beyond 13th amendment, India tells TNA
India has instructed Sri Lanka’s main Tamil political party, The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to go beyond the 13th Amendment when they hold discussions with the Sri Lanka government on power devolution.
Jaffna District TNA Parliamentarian Mavai Senadhirajah said however, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has categorically informed thatthe police powers would not and could not be devolved under any circumstances, during their recent powwow with the government representatives.
Jaffna District TNA Parliamentarian Mavai Senadhirajah said however, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has categorically informed that
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday Forum deeply concened about recent appointments to Human Rights Commission
We wish to question what human rights protection experience and credentials they bring to the Human Rights Commission. In short, the criteria that may have been used for selection is highly suspect.The Friday Forum is an informal gathering of public spirited persons who are dedicated to promoting peace and development in Sri Lanka within a framework of democracy, social justice and pluralism. To that end, the Forum has, from time to time, made interventions regarding matters of public concern. This statement too is made in the spirit of democratic engagement through the articulation of our views on matters of vital importance to national life.
The Friday Forum wishes to express its deep concern about recent appointments made to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, details of which were carried in newspaper reports. We are concerned about two important dimensions relating to the appointments: first, the process by which the appointments were made and secondly, the suitability of some appointees to serve on the Commission.
First, there is no transparency regarding the process by which the appointees were selected. We understand that the opposition did not participate in the process.
SRI LANKA-FORMER FEMALE SOLDIERS FIND BARRIERS TO REINTEGRATION
KILINOCHCHI, 23 February 2011 (IRIN) - Former female combatants in northern Sri Lanka face a tough time returning to civilian life, with fewer marriage, education and job prospects due to stigma, say aid workers and activists.
"Former female child soldiers are just not being perceived positively by society," said Thaya Thiagarajah, a senior official with the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India, noting how cultural and social barriers are the biggest barriers to their smooth reintegration.
Marriage prospects for female former rebels who fought with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are bleak, said Selvanayagam Selvantha, a local aid worker with the same church, located in the former conflict zone.
"Former female child soldiers are just not being perceived positively by society," said Thaya Thiagarajah, a senior official with the Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India, noting how cultural and social barriers are the biggest barriers to their smooth reintegration.
Marriage prospects for female former rebels who fought with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are bleak, said Selvanayagam Selvantha, a local aid worker with the same church, located in the former conflict zone.
Mandate for TNA to seek federal system based solution - Premachandran
By Wilson Gnanadass
TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said the mandate the party has obtained from the people is to find an immediate solution based on a federal system and this fact must now be honoured by the present government.
The TNA that had been branded earlier as the ‘LTTE’s proxy’ won 12 councils of the 15 it contested convincingly.
Premachandran pointed out that the TNA has once again proved to the South that it is a party that still commands the support of the majority of the Tamils in the north and east and could secure more support in the days to come.
TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said the mandate the party has obtained from the people is to find an immediate solution based on a federal system and this fact must now be honoured by the present government.
The TNA that had been branded earlier as the ‘LTTE’s proxy’ won 12 councils of the 15 it contested convincingly.
Premachandran pointed out that the TNA has once again proved to the South that it is a party that still commands the support of the majority of the Tamils in the north and east and could secure more support in the days to come.
Monday, March 28, 2011
The Politics of Domestic and International Accountability Options in Sri Lanka
Alan Keenan
1. The need for an international investigation
The International Crisis Group, like others concerned with a sustainable and just peace in Sri Lanka, has been calling for the establishment of an independent and international commission to look into the many credible and well-documented allegations of war crimes in the final months of Sri Lanka’s long civil war. A serious and independent accountability mechanism is needed, first of all, as a matter of principle. The violations of international humanitarian law that we have evidence of and wrote about in our May 2010 report on War Crimes in Sri Lanka, point to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians in the final four months of fighting and an assault on the fundamental principles of the laws of war. These are simply too serious to be left without investigation or acknowledgment. Accountability is also important for achieving a set of broader conflict resolution goals: to open up greater political space in Sri Lanka’s shrinking democracy, to lay the groundwork for political reconciliation between the island’s different ethnic communities, to ensure that Sri Lankan Tamils have a clear account of atrocities by the LTTE that can’t be dismissed as pro-government propaganda, and, crucially, to discourage other governments from using indiscriminate and disproportionate force in their own particular “wars on terrorism”.
UPFA MP discharged from rape charge
United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Colombo district Parliamentarian Duminda Silva was discharged by High Court Judge Sunil Rajapakse on March 24, on charges of rape and engaging in sex with an under-age girl.
The judge accepted the request made by State Counsel representing the Attorney General that the latter has agreed to withdraw the indictment as the girl reportedly raped was reluctant to give evidence during cross-examination.
The judge accepted the request made by State Counsel representing the Attorney General that the latter has agreed to withdraw the indictment as the girl reportedly raped was reluctant to give evidence during cross-examination.
AG’s withdrawal of murder charges illegal says lawyer
By Manopriya Gunasekara
Questioning the Attorney General’s withdrawal of murder charges and acquitting the accused in the Nampamunuwa murder case - former MP Chandana Kathriarachchi and three others - lawyer J.C. Weliamuna, watching the interests of the deceased said that the action was illegal.
Former MP Kathriarachchi and three others were charged for murdering a supporter of the opposition (UNP) at Nampamunuwa Salgaha Junction in Piliyandala during the Nampamunuwa Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society election in 2006.
TNA seeks police and land powers for North -Devolution issues to be taken up with President
By Chris Kamalendran
The Tamil National Alliance wants the Government to grant the Northern Province police powers besides the right to manage land and forest reservations.
This request will be placed before President Mahinda Rajapaksa through a government committee in the course of periodic consultations. The TNA points out that these subjects are already listed in the Concurrent List of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
These are the major subjects of power sharing the TNA wants to discuss with the Government. TNA MP Mavai Senathiraja told the Sunday Times this would be the first time issues relating to power sharing would be discussed by the TNA with UPFA leaders.
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