Fresh concern has been expressed over the failure to follow proper procedure when carrying out arrests of former-LTTE cadres, among others in the North last month.
Following the discovery of a cache of weapons used by the LTTE in the north last month leading to security concerns that the LTTE is seeking to regroup, there has been many arrests including of former LTTE cadres who had failed to surrender to the government at the end of the war nor gone through the required rehabilitation process.
Sagala Ratnayaka – Minister of Law & Order
“It is reported that there have been over 23 arrests in the past month. This has led to opposition parties to claim that national security is under threat by the LTTE and those who continue to support it. On the other hand, these arrests, and the manner in which they are taking place, are creating a sense of fear and foreboding amongst the people in the north,” the National Peace Council said.
The National Peace Council is concerned about reports from the north which indicate that legal procedures have not been followed in the case of many of these arrests. “One of the most feared features of the previous government was its utilization of security forces personnel to take away those it perceived to be threats, enemies or suspects in what became known as “white van abductions.” Although the new government recognized the flawed nature of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which has lower protections for suspects, and pledged to review and repeal it, the law remains in force and security forces continue to use it,” NPC said.
The present government won two successive national elections last year on the votes of ethnic and religious minorities who had become the focus of governmental impunity and virtually unanimously voted against the former government. The government has also committed itself to a process of transitional justice in which the truths about the past will be ascertained, accountability for war crimes and human rights violations will be ensured which include the wrongs of all sides, and there will be institutional reforms so that the past does not recur.
“The National Peace Council calls on the government to remain committed to its pledge to move forward in accordance with internationally accepted standards in a manner that will heal the wounds of the past and rebuild trust between the ethnic and religious communities and the state. We also call upon the TNA, as the main representatives of the Tamil people, to strengthen the confidence of the general population in its commitment to democracy by dissociating itself from the LTTE and its acts of violence and terror even as it continues to fight for the political rights of the Tamil polity in the country,” the NPC added in a statement.
Eusense / May 1, 2016
National Peace council can say what ever it wants but Sri Lanka can’t allow the ugly head of brutal terrorism to be raised again. As a peace loving citizen I want the Gov. to declare emergency and arrest each and every terror suspect. Also SLDF should be housed in the north and east as long as we find there is no more threat of terrorism. Reconciliation efforts should be suspended until all Tamil leaders pledge to support gov. against Tamil terrorism and help arrest the real culprits.
The GOSL should also publicize the latest developments on this by issuing a special report to the UNHRC and the US government.
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Zorro / May 1, 2016
Eusense -Soldier Hegel Egghead Pirate, Psycho_Sense,
“” As a peace loving citizen”
Iguana!! Sinhala Buddhist +Muslim, you need the catalyst for mere survival.
NO politician is EVER…EVER well-meaning.
waaallla……wackbar….boom!
Blessed are the idiots for they are the happiest people on earth.
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Native Vedda / May 2, 2016
Nuisance the Stupid I
Your favourite media reported the following piece only a few days ago:
Ex-cadres were army informants – police
By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody – Apr 30, 2016
Investigations by Police have revealed that three out of the ex-LTTE cadres who were arrested recently had been working with the Army intelligence at the time of arrest.
Police Media Spokesman, ASP Ruwan Gunasekera added that the trio, Ram who was arrested in Ampara, Nagulan (Jaffna) and Thalayan (Trincomalee), who were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the detection of suicide jackets in Chavakachcheri, had been working with military intelligence.
They were arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).
Gunasekera also pointed out that all three of them had not been rehabilitated for one year, the minimum stipulated period.
While the three are presently under TID custody and are detained on detention orders, a fourth suspect, Subramaniam Sivakaran, arrested on April 27 on suspicion of the offence of aiding and abetting in the escape of suspects involved in the Chavakachcheri bomb jacket incident, has been released.
“Ram, Nagulan and Thalayan had been active cadres in the LTTE. They had not been rehabilitated properly. For an example, Ram had only been in rehabilitation for 45 days. They are being investigated in relation to the suspicion of their involvement in the Chavakachcheri bomb jacket incident,” he said.
“We do not know why they were released prior to serving one year minimum in rehabilitation. They have been working together with the Army intelligence,” Gunasekera explained. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Karunasena Hettiarachchi declined to comment about whether there was a serious security situation or threat in the North and the East.
He said Police had yet to submit a report regarding the investigations into the Chavakachcheri incident to the Ministry.
“I do not know anything about the rehabilitation periods completed by those arrested and whether as according to the Police Media Spokesman they have worked with the Military intelligence and therefore cannot confirm anything regarding such. When we engage in matters concerning intelligence, we do not talk to the media or anyone,” he elaborated.
Military Spokesman, Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera observed that it was a common, general practice of the LTTE organization to have a lot of persons going by and using one name.
“We do not know whether these declared names are in fact truly their names. The matter needs to be handled officially. The names have to be declared officially,” he elaborated.
Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Order, Jagath Wijeweera was not available for a comment.
http://nation.lk/
online/2016/04/30/
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Eusense / May 2, 2016
Vedda,
So what? What is the point you are trying to raise??
The LTTE sleeper cells are trying to infiltrate the SLDF too. It is high time the gov. make sure terrorism is nipped at the bud. People who complain about these arrests are an accessory to terrorism and should be kept under surveillance. Many posters in CT seem to fall into this category.
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Analyst / May 1, 2016
Ugly war against the Northerners created by the War Mongers of SL in the 1950s showing its ugly Face again.
There are Arms dealers in the world with the state of the art weapons ready to sell to an impoverished country like Srilanka is the story of the game.
While the war mongers keeps on crying foul pointing at the dead and the so called annihilated Regime in the Elam war 4 during the process killed innocent women and children too says they appear to have revived??
Now this appear to be another round for the sale and buy of arms to kill the Rest .
Good news for war mongering white van kings to come out of the closet.
Wonder SL and the so called Good Governance ready for another war as the National Peace cCouncil points out would the Government remain committed to its Pledge or the same old sorry state of Srilanka .
There will be plenty more countries ready to sell arms to Kill the rest of the Tamils .
Same old game of the SL Security Forces to stir up violence.
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Sengodan. M / May 2, 2016
Obviously a case is being ‘built up’ to continue the unwarranted large scale presence of the military in the North and even to enhance same. One may wonder whether there is parallel government of Gota controlling the military in the North?
Sengodan. M
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KA Sumanasekera / May 1, 2016
Didn’t the UNP appointed Deputy Minister of Defence and his fellow UNP Ministers say it was a 2007 News Paper which was used to wrap 12 Kilos of C4 and 4 AK 47s?..
How come they have now arrested 23 LTTE Cadres so far?
Has Batalanda PM, Mr Ranil and his hired President mate Bodhi Sira said anything about the TNA boss Vellala Sambandan forcing himself in to a major Army base in Killinochchi ,with whole horde of past and present LTTE supporters?.
Was it just a social call, as Bodhi Sira’s Mouth Piece Minister Rajitha said the otherday that Mr Sambandan just paid a courtesy call to say hello to the Army Commander in Killinochi?.
Sinahaal Buddhist people who suffered in the past 30 years under Thamil Terrorists are getting nervous day by day by these developments?
Has the Yahapalanaya got the necessary Intelligence in place now, to detect any C4 and AK 47s coming to Galle , Matara and Hambantota after Batalanada Ranil’s UNP Police has locked up our brave Intelligence Offiers lock stock and Barrel?
They arrested one called Kennedy in Galle recently with explosives and guns . He was an active LTTE cadre who held a high position and involved in several massacres and assassinations under Mr Pirahaparan.
How did he settle in Galle and carried out several murders on contract for the Under World?.
Does this NPC want protection for them by insisting on arrest warrants and court orders to lock them up?
Instead of focusing on these serious developments, which threaten the security and peace of the Nation, which was restored at a great cost to the poor Sinhala Buddhist majority, the President who is clamouring for their support, now only interested in removing Military protection for the war winning ex President.
And how to sack the real SLFP members from their own party.
What a joke ?
Are Suren Surendran, TNA Sambandan,UNP London, Batalanda Ranil, and Bodhi Sira in one camp now, to destabilize the nation and get the UN to intervene to give Vellalas the Federal Homeland?.
Because any pollster worthy of his or her salt would know that the great majority, in fact 5.2 Million plus many more now, will not cast their vote to dig their own graves.
Yahapalana suckers must realize that this is not the 70s, when the poor inhabitants were sucked in to vote, not to have right to vote. by Batalanada’s dear uncle Junius.
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shankar / May 1, 2016
fonseka may be the best guy to be given a special assignment by ranil to look into this.he has the confidence of the people when he gives his verdict on whether the security forces are justified in their actions or whether this is a move by some who pretend to support the government,but are desperately trying to neutralise the tamil support base.They know the tamils will not support rajapakshe,but if they can be made to be neutral at least then raja can be back.
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Richard / May 1, 2016
Still keeping the racist army and police in the North is the only reason for this kind of oppression. You don’t try to fool the world again in this regard. All are well aware of Sri Lanka’s racist tactics. Keeping the ex LTTE carders by the Army for creating something like this can be foreseen by all. As agreed by the new regime why are they not able to do everything possible for reconciliation? Why the responsibilities for security not transferred to the NPC yet? Any 5th grader can understand! Do you really want peace in your Country?.NO, NO it will never happen!
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lal / May 1, 2016
There isn’t the slightest possibility of transfering of the responsibility of security to the NPC. We know from the past of murder, robbery, drug pedalling by the Tamil Terrorists and their associates for which Sri Lanka paid a heavy prize. Too many Sinhalese, both military and civilian have lost lives. The military presence will continue and, police powers will remain in place with the government of Sri lanka. However citizens have to be treated fairly; be they Tamil, Sinhala, Muslim and, that the Unitary state be made responsible for ensuring that happens. One nation, one government for all and, forget about NE merger or Federalism or a cocktail of administrative bodies.
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bandito / May 1, 2016
laloooooOOOOthe Stupid!!
Hegel Egghead Begging bowl,
Kidnap Hijack, murder and do the Shape shape boggie- a national pastime.
But you can never hoodwink the `money market` because it is surreal.
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eusense / May 1, 2016
It looks like many posters in this forum need psychiatric attention.
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bandito / May 1, 2016
eusense,
You mean Hard Cheese!
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Eusense / May 1, 2016
richard
You say “Still keeping the racist army and police in the North is the only reason for this kind of oppression.”
Haven’t you separatist terror supporters learnt anything from the past? Terrorism won’t work.
By the way the army is not racist, but they will get rid of all terrorists. So who are the terrorists here? They happen to be tamils. Even that you haven’t learnt! How can Tamils like you progress with this kind of IQ?
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words / May 1, 2016
Why are we arresting people.. and up to 23 at that.. as per the government the findings last month were either old stuff which they actually found about 10,000 similar pieces over last year..or they were planted by MR to instigate fear in people!!! Damn! Confusing@@
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lal / May 1, 2016
Wise words from Words!. Yes, certainly MR planted those weapons just as he did cause the earthquakes in Japan and Nepal and, many other disasters worldwide. Why is he still a free man? Is he being rewarded for beating the hell out of the terrorists?
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sr / May 1, 2016
“Fresh concerns as Authorities resort to unlawful arrests in the North”
Re-emerging terrorism!
Yes, Fear is still lingering in the minds of peace loving citizens and the authorities in Sri Lanka. To support that Tamil diaspora are active outside the country.
When the required alert is being maintained to curtail their reemergence; there should be assurance that the people aren’t inconvenienced and their democratic and human rights are safeguarded and transparency in the administration of law is maintained.
If our authorities are cautious and concerned about above matters that’s enough.
What are those Internationally accepted standards the NPC is highlighting?
Are there differences between our standards and international standards?
Are the so called international standards are followed by super powers?
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SJ / May 1, 2016
The lesson is that the “Good Governance” regime cannot have the Sinhala nationalist cake and eat it.
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harry hatton / May 1, 2016
[Edited out]
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justice / May 1, 2016
State Terrorism has reared its ugly face again.
The Minister of Law and Order is afraid to tell the army and police to act according to the law.
Meanwhile, they want a new constitution!
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eusense / May 1, 2016
Justice
There is no law with terrorists. They are there to kill. The only solution is to kill them all, before they start another massacre of innocent civilians. We had enough of that for 30 years.
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Zorro / May 1, 2016
Soldier of terror eusense Hegel Egghead,
“”There is no law with terrorists. They are there to kill. The only solution is to kill them all,””
You are having Disney spells.
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justice / May 2, 2016
eusense,
Who decides that a person is a terrorist, other than a court of law?
Many hundreds are already in prison, not yet convicted in courts, because, there is no evidence against them.
Do you want many more imprisoned in similar circumstances?
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Eusense / May 2, 2016
justice
Which country is stupid enough to go to courts after a suicide bomber has blasted 50 innocent civilians, to get a court decision that the killer was a terrorist???
For your information, nobody can identify a terrorist from a innocent civilian. That is why the LTTE used human shields when they were losing the war.
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Richard / May 2, 2016
eusense,
This fear of yours for Tamils is artificial. The fear for federalism is your ignorance and lack of knowledge. The fear Tamils have for Sinhala hooliganism every now and then is very real. From the year of independence all governments did was terrorize the Tamils and rolled the Country down the precipice. Who is afraid of whom? The Army and Police were recruited from among Sinhalese and motivated to do what they do. You surely are living in the present, are you not? If you are real and can think for all you can change your perception. Sorry for you and your thinking. The truth is permanent and falsification will bring disaster. This is the universal truth. Kings and all the subjects know this truth.
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eusense / May 2, 2016
Richard
I have no fear of Tamils. I have fear of Tamils who are terrorist and Tamils who encourage terrorism like you, Vedda, Justice, zoro etc. Who always instigate young tamils talking of state terrorism etc. It is not state terrorism it is maintaining law and order when brain washed tamils conduct Hartal, civil disobedience, suicide bombing etc. You need to remember that this is and will be the mode of action irrespective of the race involved.
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Native Vedda / May 2, 2016
Nuisance the stupid I
“There is no law with terrorists.”
Could you explain.
“They are there to kill.”
They is the third-person plural personal pronoun.
Do you mean 21 Million of them?
“The only solution is to kill them all,”
You mean kill 21 Million to kill them all.
“We had enough of that for 30 years.”
We had enough of that for 2500 years.
Therefore according to your stupid logic we have to kill 21 Million to get rid of those harm my people and stole our land and continue to terrorise us.
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eusense / May 2, 2016
What a nonsensical comedy!
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Gunawathi Punyasoma / May 1, 2016
appa sira has justified sambandhan’s encroachment into the army camp. what a pathetic character
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Lanka Watch / May 2, 2016
The former Ltte cadres arrested in the recent past, were those who did not surrender to the army and some did not go through the process of rehabilitation after the war ended and discovery of cache of weapons
used by Ltte in different parts of the North may not be inter related.
There could be more weapons found, as it is only now people are allowed
to enter their lands & houses in N/E. Politicians should not jump the gun and cry from the roof tops that terrorism is raising its head again
as it is yet to be proved whether they were regrouping or leading normal lives. They were taken only for questioning and It is very doubt
-ful that they were planning to regroup, as,as per media reports, some of the men arrested by the police were in fact army informants and the Police was not aware of it.The National Peace Council (NPC) is worried about the manner they were arrested because it created fear among the people of North not the South, whether ‘white van culture’ of the past regime has in fact returned .The NPC should be congratulated for their concern to know whether democratic procedures were followed when arrests were made, which is a good sign for a growing democracy.
Hope this is not a ploy to hood wink the International community (IC)who is exerting pressure on the govt. to return the confiscated lands ASAP to the rightful owners and reduce the armed forces to a level required for the N/E and not keep them at every family’s door step.
It was a timely advice, the current IGP given to the people to mind on their own business and Police will do their duty, looking after maint-
enance of law and order in the country,so lets wait for the Police
report,to know whether there was any connection between the two
incidents. It is low on the part of Jnt. opposition to brain wash the people and induce fear into the minds of the majority people that the country is not at all safe and it will get divided if Federalism is introduced to SL. This is a ploy by the jnt.op.to avoid discussions on the subject of Federalism as they have no proper answers for rejection as Federalism is a success in many countries, who adopted this system.
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BBS Rep / May 2, 2016
It is time to repeal the onerous ‘Prevention of Terrorism Act’ or at least amend the PTA in consultation with the opposition. The investigative and arrest powers under this Act must be totally shifted to the civilian police. The war is over and LTTE is comprehensively annihilated and the police are totally capable of handling any security related situation now.
The need of the moment is adherence to law by all parties. The brutal practices of the past must not revisit us if the cause of reconciliation is the guiding factor.
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senthil / May 2, 2016
Reality is those war mongers never work from the field, they manipulate poor idiots and plan how to steal money sitting inside a pullet proof AC room. In srilanka, the rich countries will not stop aids and loans until there is something for them in return (nothing is summa). Until poor people get piece of bone, the support for the war mongers from poor idiots will not reduce. It will stop only after the country becomes bankrupt. That time all the war mongers will migrate to the west and the rest of the poor idiots will fight each other for a piece of bread – if our educated youngsters are not wise it happened in many countries and it will happen very soon in our once native, that’s how capitalism works and the rich countries remain rich. Most of the wise educated youngsters aim now is to settle in the west which we can’t blame – so even God cannot save our country because most of the remaining lot are filtered idiots.
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Richard / May 2, 2016
All taking part here can see Sri Lanka still allows hate speech and hate crimes as well. You can clearly see how the person called eusense here is waiting to kill more Tamils. I am speaking in plain words the perception of this individual. Sri Lanka has not yet put a stop for this kind of racial hatred. How do anybody expect racial harmony or reconciliation after the war ended. The future is still bleak even after the so called good governance is put in place. Eusense is only an example for the rest. It looks difficult for this regime to bring up the good values of peace and reconciliation and show the people. The problem is all those in power, all those in the forces were recruited and trained by the former majoritarian Governments for establishing a Sinhala Buddhist Country only. This trend is now difficult to reverse. All can see what choice is there for the Tamils. NPC has to do something if the present regime is backtracking.
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