26 April, 2024

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Adopt UN Human Rights Commissioner’s Recommendations On Sri Lanka: IBAHR And BHRC Tell Member States And GoSL

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) are gravely concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka and join calls made during the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for Sri Lanka to pursue accountability for past and recent grave human rights violations.

BHRC and IBAHRI are concerned that the government of Sri Lanka continues to ignore calls for accountability for past human rights violations, interfere with judicial process and independence, arbitrarily restrict and detain lawyers and promote discriminatory policies against minority groups. In light of the evidence of ongoing interference in judicial independence and processes, and restrictions placed on lawyers, we consider that there is valid reason to question the Sri Lankan government’s espoused commitment to the ability of domestic processes to remedy these concerns.

In February 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa withdrew from the government of Sri Lanka’s commitments pursuant to UNHRC Resolution 30/1 to investigate violations and hold war crimes trials supported by foreign judges. We note that the report of the UN High Commissioner refers to a culture of impunity whereby the cases that reached the courts were subject to repeated delays, interference, harassment of victims and witnesses and only exceptionally achieving convictions.[1]

Developments since that withdrawal demonstrate that the accountability process for past crimes continues to be systematically undermined by the current government which has proactively obstructed ongoing investigations and criminal trials. As highlighted in the January 2021 report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, these include:

• Since 2020, the President has appointed at least 28 serving or former military and intelligence personnel to key administrative posts and has formed several Presidential task forces with vague, overbroad, or overlapping mandates with existing institutions. We share the UN High Commissioner’s alarm that these appointments include senior military officials who, in UN reports, have been alleged to be implicated in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the final years of the conflict.[2]

• On 9 January 2020, the government appointed a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged “political victimisation” of public officials, members of the armed forces and police, and employees of State corporations by the previous government. With its broad mandate, the Commission has intervened in police investigations and court proceedings, undermining the police and judiciary in several high-profile human rights and corruption-related cases.[3] We additionally are aware of recent evidence that an unpublished report of this Presidential Commission is being actioned, and unverified excerpts leaked to the press and other media, further bringing into question the Sri Lankan government’s commitment to the rule of law, independence of the judiciary and functioning of senior law officers.

• Hundreds of officials involved in trying to prosecute human rights cases involving State officials have been targeted. More than 700 law enforcement officials with the criminal investigation division (“CID”) who investigated human rights violations were placed on a travel ban soon after the new government came into power in November 2019. CID Inspector, Nishantha Silva, left Sri Lanka in 2019 fearing reprisals for his lead investigative role in respect of several such cases and since then he has been charged with various offences. On 31 July 2020, Shani Abeysekara, a former chief of the police, who led investigations into several high-profile crimes and “emblematic” human rights cases, was arrested on charges of fabricating evidence in a murder case.[4]

• On 22 October 2020 Parliament passed the 20th Amendment to the Constitution changing the balance of power between the different branches of the government. The amendment has fundamentally eroded the independence of key commissions and institutions, including the judiciary, in terms of procedure for the selection, appointment and dismissal of senior judges and other high-ranking officials.[5]

BHRC and IBAHRI share the position of the UN High Commissioner that “Sri Lanka remains in a state of denial about the past”. Nearly 12 years on from the end of the war, domestic initiatives for accountability and reconciliation have repeatedly failed to produce results, more deeply entrenching impunity, and exacerbating victims’ distrust in the system.

Recent developments demonstrate that confidence in the independence and robustness of domestic mechanisms is not well-founded. BHRC and IBAHRI express our support for lawyers and the judiciary in Sri Lanka, whose targeting through political decisions undermines the rule of law.

BHRC and IBAHRI urge members of the UN Human Rights Council to adopt the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner in her report A/46/20 presented during the current 46th regular session, and draft resolution A/HRC/46/L.1. In particular,

• Request the OHCHR to enhance its monitoring of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including progress towards accountability and reconciliation,

• Support dedicated capacity to collect and preserve evidence and other
related information for future accountability processes, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial proceedings in Member States with competent jurisdiction,

• Cooperate with victims and their representatives to investigate and prosecute international crimes committed by all parties in Sri Lanka through judicial proceedings in domestic jurisdictions, including under accepted principles of extraterritorial or universal jurisdiction,

• Prioritise support to civil society initiatives and efforts for reparation and victims’ assistance and prioritise victims and their families for assistance.
We call on the government of Sri Lanka to acknowledge and adopt the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner at paragraph 60 of her report, and to support the draft resolution A/HRC/46/L.1.

We share the views expressed by the High Commissioner that Sri Lanka will only achieve sustainable development and peace in the future if it finally and effectively addresses the systemic and grave human rights violations in its past.


[1] Para 8 Promotion reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report January 2021. A/HRC/46/20

[2] Para 23, Promotion reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report January 2021, A HRC/46/20

[3] Para 26, Promotion reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report January 2021, A HRC/46/20

[4] Para 28, Promotion reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report January 2021, A HRC/46/20

[5] Para 24, Promotion reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report January 2021, A HRC/46/20

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Latest comments

  • 35
    8

    We can only hope and expect the US, West European Countries and other progressive countries stay firm and resolute in getting strongest possible sanctions approved by the UNHRC against Srilanka which has the blessings of Pariah States. It is very unfortunate that Australia has become a pupil of tyrannical State of China. The brutal killing of late Mr. Lassantha Wickremetunge who became a thorn in the flesh of the Rajapkshe Family by obstructing them from plundering the public coffers must be coupled with the brutal murder of Mr. Jamal Kashogi masterminded by the Crown Prince of the wicked Kingdom called Saudi Arabia.

    • 22
      8

      Human rights abuses happened & continues. It is the average citizen who is now at risk, not necessarily only political activists & critics. Unfortunately, sanctions & punitive action against SL will only hurt the poor citizens. Therefore, I hope those alleged with human rights abuses will have their foreign assets (I am sure some of the ill-gotten wealth is invested in countries which are not tax havens) frozen & travel to those countries by their kith & kin, as well, restricted.

      I recently saw a documentary about Gadhafi’s lost billions. In over 40 years of rule, Gadhafi skimmed the oil revenue of the country & invested abroad which are now frozen but during his final days, he shipped out plane loads of cash to South Africa for safe keeping by Zuma. After Gadhafi’s death, this money is now lost & the current Libyan govt is offering a finder’s commission to recover the lost billions. Gadhafi’s own son is in hiding & unable to enjoy the wealth & the same fate may happen to the wealth plundered from SL.

      • 1
        3

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

        For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

      • 8
        5

        Were the foul murderers after the so called Gadhafi’s billions?
        The scoundrels in order to justify their filthy deeds paint their victims as black as possible.
        Raj-UK, have you the slightest idea of what they did to Libya, a stable country with a remarkably good standard of living.

        • 4
          3

          SJ

          Gadhafi was a despot who promoted terrorism all over the world & his destiny was karma or whatever. It doesn’t bother me in least. My point was that he robbed the country, & in the end, it benefitted only outsiders, not him nor the people of Libya. Such people probably think of eternal wealth for their families but in the end, it is often others who enjoy the spoils, so the question is whether it was worth robbing a nation. By the way, did you live in Libya to experience the good standard of living? Not so, according to an acquaintance who worked in Libya in the 80s. Anyway, this is besides the point.

          • 1
            0

            Raj,
            You say : “In over 40 years of rule, Gadhafi skimmed the oil revenue of the country & invested abroad”
            Is that bad? This happens in Saudi Arabia too. Most of the 9/11 bombers were Saudis. Osama was a Saudi. But why do we not see Saudi leaders being killed like dogs and civil war being promoted there? Not everything is black and white.

          • 3
            0

            Dear Rajah

            You could not be further from the facts regards to Libya and Hon Col Gadhafi.

            Have studied with Libyans and been to Libya on work too.

            I know UK folks who worked in Libya during all the sanctions.

            He was a progressive man who thought for his Nation of People and served his people very well. He invested extensively on several African Nations and contributed greatly to Non Align movement.

            What did your acquaintance say?

    • 17
      16

      Did you hear that Indian air force planes which took part in air show, have taken aerial photos of strategic places around Colombo for future parippu drop.

      • 13
        11

        Aiyo Doctor, India knows every inch of this country, no new surveys necessary.
        Also they know our arms inventory to the last bullet – what is in stock and what is on order.
        With so many like you living in our midst they don’t even have to waste their money to deploy RAW agents.
        .
        You are waiting for parippu from air.
        ALONG WITH THAT YOU WILL EAT PARIPPU FROM THE SINHALESE TOO , GRATIS TO YOUR DOOR STEP.

        Soma

        • 4
          6

          S
          Do you take this conman seriously?
          He has got caught lying on several occasions.

          • 3
            2

            A pannadai is calling another commentator as “Conman” . The Pannadai doesn’t know English. But the question is, to call another one “Conman”, if he trusted his precious things like jewelry chest or his women folk with the other and disappointed?

            • 5
              3

              Do not waste time with this Sivasegaram fellow. Famous song, “Athihamaga padichchu padichchu moolai kalangi pochchu” aptly describes his stupidity.

      • 2
        4

        This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.

        For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2

      • 6
        10

        Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam, we know very well about India and India never ever can be forgotten, Sri Lanka thought the very good lesson to India giving world’s best guard of honor to Rajiv Gandhi by Sri Lankan sailor and last respect by Tamil LTTE. India knows Sri Lanka is Rawana’s country and everyone knows Sita was the unofficial wife of Rawana. Why Rawana kept Sita for a long time? Rawana played ‘Ata Bole” with Sita?

      • 6
        7

        Indian Air force does not have to take aerial photos of strategic places for future Parippu drops. With modern technology they could do it much easily .
        Anyway if they do a parippu drop it will be on behalf of the hindians and not on behalf of you demalu

        • 1
          1

          RAVI PERERA
          The Sinhala Speaking Demela

          “Anyway if they do a parippu drop it will be on behalf of the hindians and not on behalf of you demalu”

          The way things are Hindians may be forced to drop parippu in the south to feed the entire population.

          You may opt out if you are going to be fed at the Embassy.

  • 27
    8

    Impunity for periodic mass killing of Tamils via pogroms and during the last stages of the war when war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide of Tamils (in all forms) should come to a stop.

    Gota, Mahintha, other political leaders responsible and all the criminal military leaders must be convicted and should be kept behind bars in the Hague. Then and only then future political leaders of Sri Lanka will not resort to such atrocities.

    • 24
      6

      Thiru, these governments of SL have been killing anyone who opposed them from the 50s. They massacred their own back in the 88-89 period, Premadasa carried out the killings of 85,000 rural Sinhala youths. Tamils stand no chance against these animals who are the rulers of this beautiful nation, which has been dragged through the mud for so many decades by these racist thugs. Until foreign intervention takes places, these animals will continue to slaughter the innocent people of this country. When I say innocent people of this country…………………I meant everyone………….Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, etc.

      • 5
        7

        Yes, you defeated demalu are hoping for an internation intervention.
        Keep dreaming.

        • 1
          1

          RAVI PERERA
          The Sinhala Speaking Demela

          “Yes, you defeated demalu are hoping for an internation intervention.”

          The way things are Hindians may be forced to drop parippu in the south to feed the entire population.

          You may opt out if you are going to be fed at the Embassy.

          Keep hoping!!!

      • 7
        2

        TftN
        The state resorted to violence during the General strike, that was before the 50’s. Then there was the Hartal of 1954. Police shooting killed 10 protesters, but then the Prime Minister resigned.
        There was no government killing of opponents until 1971, when the JVP started an insurrection. Much of the killings sadly were after the insurrection was effectively over.
        Brutal suppression of strikes resumed in 1980 during the NSSP-led General Strike.
        I think that your expectations of foreign involvement are rather misplaced. Foreign powers (the US and allies especially) act in self interest and target only those that stand in the way.

        • 1
          0

          SJ, I agree with your sentiments towards the Americans. They are just an hour and half from where I life, they are a damn nuisance. They only intervene if there is something in there for them.

          When I say foreign, Canada would be a good fit.

        • 1
          1

          Tamil from the north

          Have you noticed how artfully SJ has dodged/avoided the unacceptable anti trade union activities of Weeping Widow and her Merry Men.

          Weeping widow’s Merry Men broke 108 day strike action which was launched on 1/9/1972, sacked thousands of bank employees. Party men were recruited to man the counters, …..

          Was SJ involved in shuttle diplomacy between Nixon and Mao, talks on detente, etc, was away from the island and was unable to observe as to what the weeping widow did or did not do in 1972 .
          Or perhaps he suffers from selective amnesia?

    • 5
      7

      Thiru thanbi,

      “Gota, Mahintha, other political leaders responsible and all the criminal military leaders must be convicted and should be kept behind bars in the Hague”

      This would be permanently on your wish list, will never happen

      Accept you bugger, you are a defeated group of people

  • 16
    14

    In an international environment where double standards have been consistently used in favour of major powers while puny little countries geo-strategically placed in regional conflict or areas of influence are targeted for sanctions or harassment (such as Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, Chagos islands, Afghanistan) one needs to be careful in placing too much dependence on external parties to bring reparations or responsibility to protect victims of war. Whereas well-placed strictures on individuals can work, economic embargoes on countries have historically exacerbated complex problems and resulted in humanitarian tragedies, like in Iraq for example. The UN has an unimpressive record of bias and favoritism. However, international criminal courts have managed to retain credibility.

    • 5
      7

      ” The UN has an unimpressive record of bias and favoritism.” Yes you are right and even UN accepted through an internal investigation report that it was biased & failed to protect Tamils in 2009. 20 International Human Rights experts have insisted that UNHRC must go ahead with HC’s report. Punishing one individual will not eliminate the system which is fine tuned to produce murderers & Genociders like SWRD, Siri Ma O, JR, Vaalaiththodam, Old King, New King, King………Lankawe political ruling system must be remodeled by international bodies, even by sending peacekeepers or NATO. Using Tamils to gain Sinhala Voting must be stopped by design process, not British style Laissez-faire type democracy.

    • 1
      0

      LP,

      I agree. Any sanctions should be targeted at the regime’s criminal elements and war criminals. Not at the country as a whole. Country-wide sanctions will only further polarize everything to the detriment of every community in SL, without accomplishing much.

  • 4
    5

    We are in a period that marked a begging of a new era. It kicked off in 2012. The mechanisations we are on at present are slowly bringing in massive changes. Covid-19 is all but one agent of change. A big change will be the world history centred around the island of Sri Lanka. This process will correct this -> http://jambudipa.quora.com . From what I hear those who create barriers will be in for a surprise.

    • 3
      0

      Jambu,
      “big change will be the world history centred around the island of Sri Lanka”
      Yes of course. Dream on.

  • 11
    23

    Why are they so concerned about events that happened 12 years ago? There were a few bad players, yes, but this is the way of war. Show me one war where the winners investigated themselves for war crimes. In any case, there is no genocide. If there was a genocide, Tamils would not be living in S. Lanka. This is about privilege. The elite Vellalar Tamils lost their privileges under the colonials, went overseas & supported the LTTE out of vengeance. After the LTTE lost, they are still bitter and now pursuing these very expensive international options to force the hand of GOSL. But it will not work. These resolutions will amount to nothing because the majority population has total confidence in Gothabaya.

  • 12
    23

    Sorry England. This is not an English colony like wales. So we don’t take orders from you. Don’t like it then you may shove your recommendations up your arse.

    • 9
      5

      Yeah, but you do take British Pounds Sterling from them. Where is the arrogance then?

      “Britain will give Sri Lanka £6.6m over three years to help the battle-scarred country continue its recovery from a long civil war.The money will be backed up by a non-resident defence attache and access to British armed forces training to help with military reform. The aid will also help people displaced from their towns and villages during the bloodshed to return home.The rebel Tamil Tigers were defeated six years ago after decades of war, but there have been serious concerns over alleged human rights abuses. The new President, Maithripala Sirisensa, has pledged major reforms, including a crack down on corruption.

      David Cameron meets President Sirisensa at the Commonwealth summit in Malta on 27 November The Prime Minister said: “Britain is committed to standing up for those affected by Sri Lanka’s civil war. This £6.6m funding is part of a long-term UK commitment to supporting stability and prosperity in Sri Lanka.”

      Biting the hands that have fed us for years.

      • 5
        8

        OMG what will we do without that 6.6 mil pounds.

        I wish these english b a $%^erds would pay for all the lives they took and all the resources they looted from Sri Lanka. and one more thing I wish they would take and keep for themselves all these slaves they created like Ashan and Pannini

    • 5
      2

      Srilankans must be truly grateful to the British for helping to become civilized people of the world by providing them with a high level of education and teaching them high skills in medicine, science and technology

  • 20
    4

    Today the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Admiral Jayantha Colombage lambasted Ms. Ahimsa Wickramatunga, the daughter of the slain Journalist Late Mr. Lasantha Wickramatunga for a posting that appeared in Washington Post. In this posting, he (Secretary FA) says has criticized the President and the Government and it is an attempt to destroy Sri Lanka and see its downfall. The most interesting part of his observation and opinion is his statement to say: ” I have not seen this posting in the Washington Post”. This “Observation” and the “Opinion” expressed, (even without reading that posting) by this “Admiral Secretary of FA” have been widely published in the Media. Now, these International Organizations, such as IBAHR, BHRC, UNHRC and, its Commissioner would see what types of “Professionals” (most of them ex- Army Personnel who have been appointed to Civil Service positions) are handling the functions of the Government of “GR”. Do you NEED any more proof to arrive at a reasonable conclusion that this “GR” led Government and its cronies would have any “Capability” or and an “Initiative” to do the “RIGHT” abiding by the LAW or RULE OF LAW and JUSTICE. Please don’t drag your foot anymore. Do the “RIGHT THING” in the name of Justice, Rule of Law and, Democracy.

    • 7
      1

      Simon
      The parties concerned have in the past mostly ignored Ahimsa as much as they could.
      This time the timing is close to the Geneva vote in a little rougher weather than before.
      Diplomats can and do deliver dirty jobs for their respective governments. But a professional diplomat does it with finesse so that the government comes out a tad prettier than it really is. But political appointees (especially military personnel) with little training in diplomacy end up making embarrassment worse for the government.

      • 3
        0

        SJ: Thanks. The irony is that the President cannot and incapable of identifying the embarrassment caused by these “Diplomats” and put them on the correct path. Why? Because all these appointees are “Boot Lickers” and the President is a man who has lost his own integrity and credibility. So he is one among other wheels that keeps the clock running.

    • 6
      1

      The father of Ahimsa Wickrematunga met with a brutal murder by exposing the Air Force MIG purchase scandal robbing the public money in Billions of Rupees. How the Srilankans share her pain of loosing her father at a tender age in a horrible manner is most appalling.

  • 8
    4

    There is UNHRC process is ongoing on the War Crime of Lankawe Aanduwa (and LTTE). This report is not independent on the investigating of its own. It has carefully reviews the UNHRC & HC’s actions recently on this matter, and has independently tried to verify them on their own, and it is written to add validity for the UNHRC process. So it is not asking anything for less or more of UNHRC’s process, but asking the members to stay on the course.
    This report has not spent time on minority rights. It did not mention about Tamils, Sinhalese or Sinhala Buddhists. It sees the Aanduwa and Aanduwa ways of ruling. So the report is able to avoid mentioning the truth South Asian Hitler government is bought to power by 80% of the Sinhala Buddhist, a fake authority for Aanduwa to be indulged in crime, robbery & tyranny. .
    The special part on this reports is, unlike in ITJP, IHW, AI or other INGOs that are active in the war crime matter for long time, this organization cannot be maliciously blamed as “Funded by Diaspora” because it talks about Lankawe, rather than war crime. In simple word, the report says that they see there are credible problems in the Island Ceylon. So they want that to be attended by the members of the UNHRC.

  • 6
    5

    Though 80% of the Sinhalese voted for this governments, by specifically avoiding who is having problem in Lankawe, the reports assume Ceylonese have the problems. This is different from the May 2009 special sitting and eventual sittings, where the death of the 150,000 Tamils was described as War crime. World is now seeing, in addition to war crime of 2009 government, whether legitimate elections or coup that there is no proper governments in Lankawe for some time.
    Problem arose, in 1948, from the failure of British perception of Minority Tamils living with the Sinhala Buddhists, who are strict followers of Anagarika Dharmapala & Mahanama Buddhist’s extremism. When Don Stephen started to deport Tamils to steal their jobs for Sinhala Buddhists, or he started the Senanayaka Samudra project to colonize Eastern Province with Sinhala Buddhists Rowdies to steal the Lands from Tamils, it was not about development for Sinhala Buddhists, but only projects for marginalize Tamils and carry out Genocide. From that onward, all development projects of Appe Aanduwas were ill-conceived to destroy Tamils and they were/are pulling the country on the down ward slope. One light example is Lankawe indebted to China and selling its sovereign Lands not for real developments, but to allow China to find jobs for its prisoners in White Elephants projects.

    • 4
      8

      Mallaiyuran
      There are typos in your comment.
      Too many zeros in numbers.
      Contact CT editor for correction.

      Soma

      • 4
        3

        soma, I see that you have way too many zeroes after a big zero in your IQ. Hence your total IQ=000000000000000000000000.

        :)

        • 2
          1

          TftN
          You are capable of serious comment.
          Getting drawn into childish tit-for-tat remarks is not worth your time.

          • 2
            1

            SJ, sometimes SJ, I need to cool down and crack a joke or two just to entertain myself. I am so agitated by these racists on both sides.

      • 5
        2

        S
        Why do you assume that the comment is in English?
        Don’t you know that since zero has zero value, adding or removing a few will not make much difference to some.

        • 1
          1

          SJ
          Hindus are credited with the introduction of the concept of zero into the number system which is considered as an epoch making achievement of human thought.
          Tamil racists are using it liberally as they carry out their propaganda to beg sympathy from outside world.
          .
          Another thing SJ
          Tamils in Sri Lanka are the only group of people who derive satisfaction by imagining greater and greater numbers of their own victims. For example if a bus carrying school children is heard to have met with an accident and it was later confirmed that only one is seriously injured Tamils would be extremely unhappy to hear it.
          As is actually the case if this is done as a propaganda ploy international community may pay attention but the resulting phycological effect on the Tamil masses , particularly children are extremely damaging. Inculcating a defeated, victimised, helpless, despondent mentality is the greatest harm you can do to a nation.
          The way I think it should be the opposite. If the Sinhala military boasts we killed 10,000 of them Tamil propagandists should say it was only 100 as a moral booster even if the actual figure is 1,000.
          A lot more to say. Later.

          Soma

          • 1
            1

            soman

            “Tamil racists are using it liberally as they carry out their propaganda to beg sympathy from outside world.”

            You ought to be happy because they are using it however the Sinhala/Buddhist racist Weerawansa didn’t even know how to use it. It is a sad story.

            On the other hand Chambika being a Sinhla/Buddhist racist publicly claimed ownership of Zero in France.
            What a pathetic lot you are.

            On the other (third) hand SJ is going to dismiss your assertion and going to claim Zero was the invention of Chinese.

      • 6
        2

        S
        The CT editor can be forgiven for overlooking errors of grammar, spelling and syntax, but is not blindness to hateful nasty lies more serious?

        • 2
          0

          You bottomless cesspool mouth, if you have nothing to comment, why are you fouling a serious essay like this ? Filth

          ” The CT editor can be forgiven “
          Otherwise how can an invalid who,without knowing that Savam is a curse word for dead-body in Tamil, writes his own bloody name as Savasegaram, can be tolerated in a public comment site. Writing own name is taught to learn before getting into nursery.

  • 8
    7

    By this destruction of the country, Aanduwa thinks it is permanently reserving China’s veto in UN against a war crime investigation.

    In order to evade UNHRC’s pressure on Accountability and responsibility on Tamil Genocide, Aanduwa hurriedly burring Muslims bodies after one year. Aanduwa is trying to cook up PTO after 40 years. But, Aanduwa is no longer able to hide the internal truth to international community because Lankawe is now dependent on Syria, Iran, China, and Venezuela et al like international rogue nations for its survival. Its economic performance is in public records to world for perusal. Its financial indicators are below bankrupt countries. World is now seeing, beyond any camouflaging of Appe Aanduwa, the country is spiraling on the down slope on all human livable indexes on the land.
    This is where the future role for learned Buddhist Sinhalese comes. They need to take the advantage of the world’s realization of the new norms in Lankawe. They need to tell IC they don’t need protection against non-existing, media revived LTTE, but real protection from the Appe Aanduwas. They need government to take care of them, but not to destroy Tamils to milk votes from them. They have to ask UNHRC that they want to live away from Tamils so the Sinhala Buddhists elites keeping the Sinhala Buddhists mass in dark, for them to become new monarchies in South Asia.

  • 15
    6

    It is important to understand that the UNHRC resolution is not about the country but it is about the regime which violated the human rights of the people. It is not only about Tamils but also about Sinhalese and Muslims who are the victims of the human rights violation. It is not about those poor those poor Sinhala soldiers or poor Tamil fighters or helpers. It is about those ordered to violate the rights of innocents. The violation happened not in the interest of people of the country but in the interest of the regime. The failure of UNHRC after 12 years means never the victims and oppressed are not going to get. Not only oppressed people of Sri Lanka but also the oppressed people in the many countries are going to become permanent orphans and refugees. It will happen in India, in Pakistan, in Burma, China, Russia and even in UK or USA. The consequences of failure will
    lead to dictatorship; removal of basic rights, removal of freedom of speech, freedom of right, even freedom to eat or drink. In Sri Lanka further militarisation, colonisation, land grab, destruction of religious places. Buddhists may think that they can built the whole country with Buddha’s statue but what is the guarantee that the regime will not destroy all Buddhist institutions in the future.

    • 8
      7

      Ajith,

      My salute for your assessment. Agreed fully.

  • 5
    6

    I hope China’s recognition of UOJ Saddampy is in the oven.

    Below is reported by Colombopage:

    Mar 05, Colombo: Sri Lankan Human Rights Activist and Attorney-At-Law Ranitha Gnanarajah is among the recipients of this year’s International Women of Courage (IWOC) award presented by the United States Secretary of State…………….
    ……………………………………….
    “Ranitha has dedicated her career to accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances and prisoners detained often for years without charge under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act by providing free legal aid and related services. As an individual personally affected by the conflict and based on her extensive experience working with victims and their families, Ranitha has demonstrated tremendous passion and dedication to justice and accountability, especially for Sri Lanka’s most vulnerable populations,”

  • 6
    9

    “The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)”

    They should be investigating the bunch of lawyers belongs to the FP/TC/TULF since Independence…for having taken oath

    1.Hate speeches after hate speeches in Jaffna for 70 years….a cocktail of violence spitted out to people.
    2.Getting the children to kill their opponents who are democratically elected or standing in elections.
    3.Not attending the funerals of the Jaffna Tamils who were killed by the thugs.
    4.Not condemning the killing
    5.Not delivering a single job scope related their positions as the elected MP’s
    6.Turning a Developing nations Parliament into Court room Drama
    7.Selling our children to Tamil Nadu for armed training to kill the Sri Lankans.
    8.Suthenthiran news paper to be translated to all the languages in the planet to understand the criminal nature of this organisation.
    9.Misinterpreting every and each government policies to the masses and criminalising/poisoning the entire landscape for their ventures.
    10. “IBAHR And BHRC Tell Member States And GoSL”….they should find out why none of the FP/TULF lawyers did not make available there human right expertise to find the killers in Jaffna for the victims.
    11. IBAHR/BHRC to look for the killers who may have settled in England & Wales for expatriation and follow up trials for the said killings in Jaffna in Sri Lanka.
    12. Illegal mandate obtained at the point of a gun and violence in 1977 that let to riots and innocence dying. This was not a free and fair election requires immediate investigations.

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      BHRC website mission statement & has a registered address in London
      – We support and protect lawyers, judges, human rights defenders and journalists who are oppressed in their work or face retaliations through harassment, persecution, violence or arbitrary arrest, detention and death.

      The above article is publish by the same…
      https://www.barhumanrights.org.uk/sri-lanka-accountability-for-past-human-rights-violations-and-adequacy-of-domestic-mechanisms/

      IBAHR – Registered address in London. The foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice. In the ensuing 70 years since its creation, the organisation has evolved, from an association comprised exclusively of bar associations and law societies, to one that incorporates individual international lawyers and entire law firms. The present membership is comprised of more than 80,000 individual international lawyers from most of the world’s leading law firms and some 190 bar associations and law societies spanning more than 170 countries.

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        We want these organisations to investigate the Lawyers who formed the FP/TULF and map their activities in Jaffna since the Independence. They should audit the party news paper/each and every member since inception/stage by stage meetings/every killing that took place in Jaffna from 1970-1977-1981/Tamil Nadu training camps/1977 election mandate and its validity/stand up for each and every Tamil killed/families by the these thugs (some may well be registered members of these organisations) immediately. Specially in ht light of GoSL who were powerless to deal with these killers/thugs then in the 70’s and seek to these organisations to stand up for the free will of the Jaffna people against a bunch of lawyers who took us for a mugs at gun point abusing our own children.

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          If is about justice for the planet then we need to map the activities of the “FP/TULF lawyers another actions under oath” using these organisations as the vehicle to analysis what is really happening in our planet. we the people Sri Lanka should sign a petition to these organisations to immediately start the investigations of all the crimes by the “Ratha Pottu Mafia 1970-1977-1981” a Tamil Killing Field has nothing to do with the state was powerless to exterminate these educated law specialised killers then..

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            A Nations dream of a dignified life robbed out by a bunch of Lawyers since Independence in Sri Lanka.

            IBAHR and BHRC did not know of the FP/TULF thuggery under oath and the cover of “scarlet robes with grey silk facings, bands or a jabot and a bench wig” their members activity in a common wealth country then we have a problem with the law and order Nationally in the UK and Internationally.

            Now in the era of information highways the above organisations are not geared up to mapping the entire case against what led to what in Sri Lanka then we have a problem with the definition of law itself for whom and by whom…..devils advocacy and playing god in another mans life??

            Let us not only address human rights issues in Sri Lanka but at the same time let us look at these organisations as British and Western Patriots who take ownership on fact vs fiction…fibs vs facts etc….Justice for All….this will help the UN to be more suitable organisation in the 21st Century to serve humanity too.

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              I welcome all Sri Lankans who live in the developed world to unite to deliver justice to all the Developing World and to help the Developed World/UN to play a productive roll to better humanity in their respective countries and to others.

              This is the duty of the immigrants to contribute more constructively to their lands of origins and at the same time du diligently helping the crumbling economies of the countries now they live/breath and breed.

              If we focus on selfless non partisan politics then we can become the solutions to all the human issues…be part of the solution as suppose being part of the problem and compounding local issues as well as International issues too.

              Local issues for example came about in the form Brexit recently where local Nationalism did not know how to deal with the ever so increasing immigration issues that ourselves are creating as the “new arrivals” to the respective societies we need acknowledge. The misuse part is not limited to various crimes invariably attached to the event but also from the “retribution focus” playing into the hands of geo politics which always had the wrong selfish/lost cause focus too.

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                We need to go back to the Vaddukottai resolution and the entire activity/participants surrounding the event itself for a legal look at all that matters to Sri Lankan HUAMN RIGHTS ISSUES.

                Every FP/TULF activity/Information dished out of every single event sighted by the lawyers need to be investigated whilst Mr Sampathar is around to be a material witness. This should be done at The Hague level as no local set up (is already contaminated by the same..example is Hon CVW appearing out of no where to be in Jaffna NPC) is adequate for an Independent inquiry.

                Otherwise we are treating only the symptoms not the causes be it local or international. We (humanity) can not afford to burry anything anymore for a better UN to transpire out of all this we will assist the world to be a more just place. If IBAHR and BHRC is advising the UN as an expert body it is even more vital we get to the bottom of the facts they are working with etc and have them published for a comprehensive site investigations.

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                  IBAHR and BHRC should start looking at each and every killing in Jaffna where under the supervision and watchful eyes all the FP/TULF opponents were gunned down/terrified masses were bullied into voting for a concept of separatism (against the law) at gun point and intimidation/various groups trained in India killed each other in Jaffna (because they were children brainwashed) a savagery yet to be discussed at Hague/ the caste oppression that was the worst form oppression was practised under the FP/TULF since independence/not serving the people as MP’s and made them destitute to create horrors/thuggery at all others opposed to and serving their communities and human right abuses/specially since 70’s did the FP/TULF MP’s give the UN/IBAHR and BHRC the crimes that took place in Jaffna and sought help on behalf of the victims?? GoSL should furnish the entire transcript of each stage speeches/participants/contents/Suthenthiran news paper translation/killings in Jaffna for the period of 1970-1977-1981. Every terror and horror of a thuggery they need to talk to the victims before they submit the document to the UN.
                  Jaffna people want total compensation from FP/TULF/India for the said crimes. Jaffna people want these thugs to be taken to task.

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                    IBAHR and BHRC look for the killers hiding in the western countries and have them taken to The Hague.

                    This focus on LTTE vs GoSL and the final day events in 2009 are a whitewash to humanity need to be nailed now once and for all.

                    Therefore the UN chapter need to be rewritten following this as we now going to have an entirely different basis what is a Nationhood/National planning vs Mafias vs who tells whom how to shape their Nation.

                    Let us revisit the FP/TULF Citizens act/various illegal pacts/creating riots using the children and getting out of this as innocents…crime against humanity and every parent in Jaffna when the children were robbed out them by these crooks. How convenient it is to focus on the LTTE vs GoSL and is now becoming very clear how this game has been played to undermine a sovereign Nation and her people for the past 50 years….follow up on the first 500 years and year marked for a different purpose of Geo Politics.

                    Un withdrawal from SL prior to the final days and 200000 ++ SL refugees not having state hood for the past 50 years in India and the Tamil Nadu training camps we will be discussing in another 100 years????

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                    R
                    I am amazed at your knack for making the most inappropriate remark on any occasion.

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                      For Tamils to survive we need to stop the thuggery in Jaffna first that originates from this FP/TULF initiation. This is the number one priority for the people of Jaffna so they can think for themselves exercising their rights as born free without their life being cut short by these thugs….

                      When we can not stand in our own soil and make our cases as to what we believe with dignity then all else is flowed…there were no Sinhalese in Jaffna putting the gun at the Tamils and it was the Tamils who did that to them…to be specific Indian trained children under the supervision go the FP/TULF monsters/human rights abusers/fascists who took oath to protect human rights/law of the land watch it all happen as though it was happening few thousand miles away.

                      The IBAHR and BHRC should investigate this for their respective countries as to why so many Tamils end up being destitute in their life a case by case revisit and analysis to prevent the same for the entire millions being made stateless/homeless ever since to date…a UN blunder not ever addressing the real root cause of the problems…running away and making a living.we need answers/compensation in Jaffna for the Indian thuggery in our Soil….Tamil Nadu to pay for their sins.

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                      Perhaps Rumble should stand for elections in Jaffna?

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                      We are not going to have much talked about “Truth and Reconciliation” south African style where all the victims since 1970 would have stood facing the killers and the FP/TULF MP’s answering our questions as well as the GoSL cause….how convenient for the UN and other nations who needed to answer the Seri Lankans watched by the entire world……

                      This we call it Justice…what a bunch of jokers ma.

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    My God I hope Gotha’s military goons don’t harm Ms Ranitha!
    One does not know what will happen to people who dare to speak up.

    Prof Kumar David

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      Prof. K.D., in all likelihood, the harassment of Ms. Ranitha grew exponentially soon after Gota’s presidency, i.e., when the military goons once again got their free pass to harass.

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      Ranitha is seen here. I didn’t know about her. Only 90 seconds.

      .
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw-AjoVpnD8

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      eeakdavi
      .
      They don’t waste bullets.

      Soma

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        Yes Somu; They are smart, so they use Chemical Bombs.

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        soma, yes they don’t waste bullets because all the money that was given to them to buy weapons are sitting in the Rajapaksa personal accounts in Dubai.

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      eeakdavi,
      “One does not know what will happen to people who dare to speak up.”

      Don’t worry. Megalomaniac Prabhakaran whose hobby was killing is dead and gone. You know the freedom of expression prevailed when that brutal dictator ruled the Kingdom of Eelam. Kangaroo courts and summary executions were the order of the day! Demalu have forgotten those good old days.

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    The more they refuse to cooperate, continue stalling, and keep blaming all others, the more guilty they keep looking. Why are they so afraid of investigations and being held accountable?
    Answer: Because those who are guilty of war crimes, are all in the Rajapaksa regime.
    The trail of blood leads to those who now refuse to cooperate with UN investigators.
    Those who gave the orders to kill innocent civilians in the middle of the conflict, are in the Rajapaksa regime and those who wore the uniform, in top positions, responsible for a massacre, have been pardoned, and given top jobs in the Rajapaksa government.
    Some are considered pariahs and unable to go to other countries.
    ON top of it all the discrimination of minorities in this country, only adds to the appearance of guilt.

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    IBAHR and BHRC are barking mad. They have no right to stick their nose in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs.
    /
    The current president and the government have been elected by 2/3 majority to serve native Sri Lankans, not international organisations or foreign governments, and they sent Yahapalana regime packing for colluding with international enemies. The 2/3 patriotic people of Sri Lanka have rejected the UNHRC’s bogus allegations as well.
    /
    Remember British colonialist created the muslim and the so called Tamil community to divide and rule Sri Lanka. The worst thing is the colonialists pitted different communities against each other. And IBAHR and BHRC should know that Britain is responsible for Sri Lanka’s ongoing minority problems.
    /
    Someone should remind these imperial criminals that Sri Lanka is a sovereign country and no international organisation or foreign government is superior to the government or the president of Sri Lanka.
    /
    Since the colonialist has not acknowledged, apologised or reparated for their colonialism, crimes and slavery- their words of human rights don’t carry weight either.

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      You do not like to listen to the truth.

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    There is no way, ABSOLUTELY NO WAY, of punishing the Sinhalese without Tamils facing a far more devastating backlash.
    Diaspora is totally unmindful of this obvious scenario.
    Mighty India may be able to cow down the government at official level or the armed forces at military level , but not the agitated masses.
    .
    Potential human cost of delivering ‘transitional justice’ (I still don’t understand this English word ‘transitional’) to one side of a 30 year conflict is far too high than they realise.

    Soma

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      Somu,
      “Transitional” is both ways. For Transitional, the reason for the war and what happened during the war have to be clear. The reason for the armed struggle is the rowdy Aanduwas, who are the worries of Buddhist Sinhalese too. So Buddhists Sinhalese will benefit, would not be affected when the UNHRC, ICC &UN process over. Rebelling against Transitional justice will certainly hurt Buddhist Sinhalese as well as Sinhala Buddhists and probably Tamils too. Keep cool, you will be ok.

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      S
      Coming from you it may be seen as a threat.
      But I am aware of the risks.
      If at all, it will not be the punishing of the Sinhalese that will be done. When government and military personnel are targetted, the fury will be turned on the ordinary Tamils. There are enough mischief makes around.
      The ‘leaders’ of the Tamil Diaspora are not interested in solving anything. Many will get a kick out of getting any Sinhalese humiliated.
      CV Wigneswaran when he assumed duties as Chief Minister pleaded with the Tamil Diaspora not to tell the Tamils here what to do. (That was when he spoke sense.) He was right in his assessment.
      *
      But equally there is much that the Sinhala political leaders should do. Progressive Sinhalese need to think in terms of lasting peace.

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    No one knows these organizations! Dodgy!

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      Gatambooooo, maybe you should get out of Wilpattu and travel and maybe you will understand.

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    As if SL has met all previous commitments!

    LOL!

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    Do the ‘sensible & reasonable’ Sinhalese understand what the Sinhala Buddhist Fundamentalists are doing to the country by suppressing not only the minorities but also the Sinhalese who are opposed to ecoside/ corrupt deals/ selling assets to China / media & judiciary gagging/use of state intelligence & security officers to do illegal ACTS
    etc etc etc. The DOCTOR’S [ UNHCR ] prescription to SL is a TIMELY remedy for the rulers of the country. Please swallow the bitter pill for the country to survive as a respectable, peaceful and harmonious one.

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      N
      The “‘sensible & reasonable’ Sinhalese” will understand if spoken to in a sensible and reasonable way.
      The kind of arrogant lecturing I find here that insults a people as a whole will drive even the sanest towards the fanatics.

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        “The “‘sensible & reasonable’ Sinhalese” will understand if spoken to in a sensible and reasonable way.”
        How many of the sensible & reasonable’ Sinhalese can influence the government s decision? What do you say is majority of Tamil speaking people are arrogant and majority of Sinhalese speaking are sensible and reasonable. In other words Weerasekara and Weerawansa are sensible and reasonable but Sumanthiran & Sampanthan are arrogant?

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          A
          “The kind of arrogant lecturing I find here that insults …”
          That was exactly what I said.
          It may help to read the text carefully before pouncing on the keyboard to stuff words into my mouth.
          Surely, your language skills are far better than that of several we come across here.
          *
          If you cannot think of anything other than persuading the government, I will not push the matter any further.
          Please yourself

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            SJ,
            Best of luck to your effort to persuade the Rajapaksas now. Thanks for your persuasion in the past which gave every Sri lankan to enjoy the freedom of liberty.

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              A
              Here you go again– all out to distort statements.
              It is not what a healthy mind indulges in.

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            before pouncing on the keyboard to stuff words into my mouth.
            If thirsty a crow drop pebbles in bottomless Cesspool mouth, the pebble will not go thorough the mouth, but will fill up it and cause cesspool spill over.

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    Can the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) tell why the UK Government knowingly and apparently consciously withheld vital evidence from the despatches of the UK military attaché Col. Gash. Lord Naseby says that these despatches from an experienced and dedicated senior British officer in the field makes it clear that the Sri Lankan armed forces at every level acted and behaved appropriately, trying hard not to harm any Tamil civilians who were held by the Tamil Tigers as hostages in a human shield.
    According to Lord Naseby the Foreign Office had resisted to give these despatches for two years when he tried to obtain them under Freedom of Information.

    Practise what you preach!

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    BJP India are ruthlessly blood thirsty and after the minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.
    We have been openly threaten by
    Minister of BJP , that they are going to rule Sri Lanka.
    I urge His Excellency The President and

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    BJP India are ruthlessly blood thirsty party and are after the minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.

    We have been openly threaten by a
    Minister of BJP IN India , that they are going to rule Sri Lanka.

    I urge His Excellency The President and HON. PRIME MINISTER to not only ban BJP here but not to allow any more new Political parties and especially this extremist, even under any other name or symbol.
    .
    Muthusami should take a boat and go to India and join the BJP THERE .
    BJP can intimidate Nepal not Sri Lanka.

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    Dear CT readers;
    I am going to get approval from Singapore political Party PAP ;
    Peoples Action Party , and then work with the government .
    IF They help us we will let the Media know.
    I don’t think the Election Commissioner can refuse approval because thus does not even mention any country’s name while BJP does and is approved as per the Media
    So if blue shirt want to establish a Political party named Saudi Peoples party ? Yes also can ; ,?

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