28 March, 2024

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Full Text: NPC’s Resolution On The Need For An International Mechanism 

Acknowledging the long standing efforts of United States, India along with the international community in securing justice, rights, peace and security to this troubled Island

Recognizing the efforts of the international community through the UNHRC process towards investigating and ensuring justice, accountability for mass human rights’ violations committed from 21 February 2002 until 15 November 2011

C.V. WigneswaranNoting the statements made by the Chairman and Councilors of this Northern Provincial Council on the need for an independent, international investigative mechanism

And further noting the demand of the victims, most of whom call this Province their home, for an independent, international investigation

Highlighting the fact that victims of human rights’ violations are spread across many countries

We wish to bring the following to the attention of the International Community, member states of the UNHRC and Human Rights’ Activists:

Sri Lanka has had a long and blighted history of human rights violations which initially manifested as discrimination against the Tamil minorities and over the course of six decades evolved into a full blown civil war marked by mass atrocities. In our Resolution passed on 10th February this year, 2015, we characterized the treatment and continuous killings of Tamil people in Sri Lanka in the years since the independence of the country in 1948 as amounting to genocide under the Genocide Convention and under International Law. Under the Genocide Convention, the State of Sri Lanka bears responsibility for such Genocide. Under International Law, as codified in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Code, actual perpetrators are responsible for the acts of genocide they had committed. The treatment of the Tamils by the Armed Forces and other agents of the Government of Sri Lanka involve the commission of other international crimes including crimes against humanity, torture, rape, enforced disappearances and the seizure of civilian land. The Council awaits the Report of the OISL of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights to be released this month which is due to identify the nature of the crimes committed and possibly, the alleged perpetrators.

In this context, we the members of the Northern Provincial Council believe that the trial of the alleged perpetrators should not take place through any mechanism instituted by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) as a State also incurs responsibility for the acts of its agents. Under these circumstances, the trial of the perpetrators of international crimes by a domestic mechanism, would be a travesty of justice as it would amount to the potentially guilty Government trying its own agents, thereby violating the prohibition in the maxim nemo iudex in sua causa.

Furthermore on a legal dimension also no domestic law prescribes these international crimes. Trial under new legislation will offend the prohibition of ex post facto prosecutions contained in the maxim nullum crimen sine lege. (There is no crime without a Law)*. The argument that Article 13(6) can cure the defect as it states that crimes against general principles are incorporated in Sri Lankan law is contentious as international crimes depend largely on international treaties and customary international law. The constitutionality of such a process becomes doubtful. It also becomes doubtful as, under the constitution, foreign judges cannot be appointed to exercise jurisdiction within Sri Lanka in respect of domestic crimes stated in domestic legislation.

This Council wishes to emphasise that Sri Lanka’s descent into grave human, political and social rights’ violations was precipitated and reinforced by the failure of key pillars of State which were meant to protect and serve its citizens. The prolonged decline in the political culture and political will of the State and the failure of key institutions of Justice, law and order, i.e. Judiciary, police and the armed forces, ensured that impunity became the new norm in Sri Lanka. The Tamil community bore the full brunt of this new norm at all levels of its existence.

The prejudice among the members of the Judiciary against the minorities has been well recorded both by international organizations like the International Bar Council and by Sinhalese lawyers like Jayantha de Almeida Guneratne, Kishali Pinto Jayawardene and Gehan Gunatilleke in their publication The Judicial Mind – Responding to the Protection of Minority Rights. Similarly International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) who were nominated by international donor countries and the government of Sri Lanka and vested with a wide mandate to observe all investigations and inquiries conducted by and on behalf of the Commission of Inquiry into 17 atrocities, on resigning, cited reasons which aptly captured the long history of failures on the part of the State and the entrenched institutional flaws. The reason cited by IIGEP included the lack of political will, transparency and timeliness in the proceedings, non-corporation of state bodies and lack of victim/witness protection among other things as reasons for its failure.

For these reasons, the Council calls upon the International community to set up an international tribunal to try those alleged to have committed international crimes against the Tamil People in Sri Lanka. We urge the new leaders of the Sri Lankan government to be courageous enough to work with the International community to set up a credible international mechanism which will deliver justice and put this nation on a path of meaningful reconciliation.

*This principle was accepted by the Privy Council in one of the trial at bar cases in Ceylon.

C. V. Wigneswaran,

Chief Minister,

Northern Provincial Council

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Latest comments

  • 7
    29

    Go for it mate…

    We are waiting to see how long Sira can hold his “hand” to bluff the poor rural Sinhala people who sacrificed their children to liberate the country from Tamil Terrorists, so that Sira , Ranil and Chandrika can play Poker….

    • 8
      8

      OMG

      This is a classic example of how the cheap publicity getter -Sivajilingam plays into Sumanasekaram’s hand. There is nothing these clowns going to achieve by passing this resolution other adding one more reason to give the control of the council to the president and the governor. Maybe, the move might make a few hot headed diaspora happy but that is it, mark my words, where it this Idiot Sivaji when 40000 we’re being killed. Rajapakse would be laughing, where was this clown all these days? He is always helping to MR, there is no other reason for him to contest in Kurunegala, hope one day he will get what he deserves, like what Suresh and Kaje have learnt. Not sure where Vignesa up to, it seems to be similar to the old saying: to trying and make a vignesa out of something, unfortunately it turned into a monkey. The diplomacy is something very hard to intertwine with Tamil politic, as the person calling the shot has nothing to loose by himself, but only to gain as one of their heroes. End of the day, what all these leaders have achieved is a name for themselves, at the miseries of downtrodden Tamils. Poor folks.

      • 0
        1

        I read many out of 65 comments & arguments , counter arguments , what did happen, what did not etc.

        I think this resolution by NPC is something that we should understand in political context , NPC had to cater to it’s electorate , north, so was resolution. How can they ever say internal mechanism is okay.

        On the other hand MS/RW govt. even with JHU’s Champika , Ven. Ratana on board had it’s nightmares on the run up to general election, with MR & extremists giving a hard time & winning 95 seats. So RW/MS should cater to their electorate, survival is the name of the game.
        So much so, Colombo govt. can never agree to any international investigation, even local investigation will be resisted by extremists but govt. will have to do it.

        Dr. Rajasingham Narendran is very practical “Will this resolution make any difference to the process that is about to unfold?”

        We all should be practical

  • 16
    14

    Will this resolution make any difference to the process that is about to unfold?

    Is’nt it wiser to go along with what seems inevitable, but make a case to have international observers?
    Is the NPC once again trying to usurp the role of the TNA?

    Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

    • 12
      4

      Dr RN,

      I do comprehend as to where you are coming from; however, you need to view NPC in the context of post-war scenario where there sentiments and feelings of the Tamil people have been suppressed and intimidated. In a mundane scenario, a provincial council will not meddle in central issues. Here it is different, the populace of the NPC are the subject matter of the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. They are one of the parties to the equation and the CM of the NPC has every right to talk about the various forms of investigation that are being planned.

      Of course the Tamils in Sri Lanka and Diasporas are completely incredulous about the internal mechanism that will investigate the their own crimes. The history is littered with examples of laughable shams of coverups etc. Hence, the NPC have every right to preempt this; whether their resolution will have any impact on what will be afoot, is another question. NPC have made their objection to the internal investigation. Now it is the duty of the Sri Lankan sate and the external actors to manifest with deeds that the proposed investigation will be impartial and in keeping with international standards. The composition of the investigating committee and the remit should be acceptable to all parties. The peoples regardless of their ethnicity should be allowed to air their statements without fearing of persecution and threat to their lives. Can the Sri Lankan state guarantee safety and provide frar-free environment for the internal investigation to work?

      • 9
        13

        Burn,
        First, Wigneswaran’s writing here is mythical. If Tamils are discriminated how come he had a good education, a public position, owning real estate in Colombo and all that luxury happen? If he was in the north during the last 30 years, leaving the safety of Colombo, Parabakaran would have taken cared of him long time ago. There are millions of Tamils similar to him living a good life both in the south and the north. If they are discriminated how can Jaffna has the highest number of best schools per sq/mile in the island? More than half of my Batch mates during the mid seventies at Peradeniya was Tamil and most of my professors was Tamil. Our family physician was Tamil, my parents accountant was a Tamil. And mind you all this was in heart of Kandy. Most shop owners in Kandy were Tamils and that is even true now. How can these happen if Tamils were tormented, discriminated and treated as 2nd class citizens?
        Tamils like Wigneswaran has to be truthful if he is to be taken seriously. He very well knows that there was no intentional killings of any Tamils at the end of the war. If the gov. wants to kill Tamils why do they have to wait till the end of the war to do so? And then, stop such killings the next day after the war ended? He very well knows that civilians were used as shields by the terrorist. These are ridiculous accusations that can never be substantiated. It took time for the west to realize that the Tamil diaspora was taking them for a ride! Though I have no hatchet to bury with Tamils, it bothers me and I am sure of many reasonable Sinhalese, when false accusations are made to get attention of foreign powers. Though it worked for a while the honeymoon with the west is now over. He can keep writing letters until the cows come home, but my advice for him is, for the sake of innocent Tamils work with the new gov. to achieve whatever good for those folks.

        • 13
          4

          Euse,

          First you need to be truthful and stop writing total nonsense. Why in the hell that the gosl do not put forward your futile arguments to counter the international pressure? Both SLFP and UNP have accepted that the Tamils have been mistreated and they have genuine grievances; why don’t you pose your questions to them? Why are you bothering people like me on these forums?

          International or domestic inventigation and this is the question. There is no option for not having one; have you noticed that? You need to come to terms with this!

          • 5
            7

            Burn,
            What is not truthful of what I wrote? I have written my experience living in Sri Lanka. So, spell it out to me 1)where I am wrong and 2)what specific laws of Sri Lanka discriminate Tamils and 3) where and how Tamils are mistreated in SL. I am eager to know!

            Now, don’t ask me why the GOSL is not putting forward my FACTS(not arguments). If I am in politics I will definitely do so.
            I don’t agree with the UNP and the SLFP if they have said Tamils are tormented, discriminated and treated as 2nd class citizens. Link me to where the UNP and the SLFP claiming this. At the mean time remember any minority in any country is subjected to some amount of discrimination from the majority population. Good example is the US and UK towards the colored population. But like Sri Lanka no country has separate laws and rules for minorities.

            Don’t get hung on these investigations, whether domestic or international! You can have investigations until the cows come home but their outcomes won’t do a darn thing for the Tamils. It is wiser to join the new gov. and improve your life.

            • 8
              4

              Euse,

              It appears that you have a lot to learn! By your logic there in no need for a justice system. What good it is to find a muederer or a rapist; the victims may as well get on with their lives and improve their lives!

              Why should there be an investigation? It is to find the Truth and to have a form of closure to their their trauma. Also to ensure that their are adequate measures in place to prevent future such events. Any Pearson or persons found responsible for crimes committed should be held accountable. The full truth should be revealed to educate the Sinhala masses as to what really had happened. I do sincerely hope that having learned the truth, the future generations of Sri Lankans will not repeat the past mistakes. This can only be achieved by establishing the Truth and nothing but the Truth.

              • 3
                1

                burn,
                First, where are the answers to my questions? You say I have a lot to learn, so teach me while answering my questions! Where did I say “there in no need for a justice system”?? What I say is what is important now. Justice system should work and find out the root cause for all what happened. While that is going on, the Tamil politicians should work to make sure Tamils in the country who had nothing to do with terrorism (the majority Tamils) are taken cared by the gov. Personally, I don’t agree foreign influence on my country’s internal affairs. No country allows this kind of activity. I think the US has realized this and is now seeking an internal investigation. Now, who knows the consequences of the outcome of this investigation will be. If you and Viki & Co. wants to hang MR and all the armed forces for what they did to end terrorism, let it be so. What I am saying is ordinary Kandahia won’t benefit by this in anyway. Only thing that will happen is spreading anger among the majority population. That is the reason I keep repeating that Viki& Co. should work with the gov. to improve Kandahia’s life while pursuing this investigation.

                You say about the investigation; “Also to ensure that their are adequate measures in place to prevent future such events.” Sounds convincing! However, you, me and all Sri Lankans know the truth and reality, that this situation wouldn’t have happened if the LTTE terror group did not raise arms against a legitimate gov.
                By the way while the LTTE terror was going on for 30 years, did you ever raise your voice condemning suicide killing of innocent civilians that amounted to about 100,000? What consequences did you expect of this LTTE terror war?

                • 2
                  3

                  Euse,

                  Are you thick? Which part of my post you did not understand? Do not play majority arrogance on me; how many times have I and others tried to tell you that the Tamils want greater autonomy with Tamil as the medium of administration. Is this too hard for you to understand?

                  • 4
                    3

                    burn,
                    You haven’t convinced me at all that Tamils should be given greater autonomy or separation. You haven’t even bothered to answer a single question I asked. Now, who is arrogant?

                    • 1
                      1

                      Euse,

                      You will never be convinced as your intransigence is sticking out like a sore thumb! The Tamils need autinomy and self respect because they have been trampled down and marginalised. They are as prouder people as the Sinhala.

                      The Tamils want to regain their due right to govern themselves. They want to use the Tamil language as the medium of administration. This is a democratic request and a necessity.

                      You cannot compell the Tamils to learn Sinhala; you need to create a conducive environment for them to willingly want to learn. Do you understand this fundamental concept? You exhibit majority arrogence in abundance without any shame. This is why I say that you have a lot to learn; I suggest you do that first and foremost.

                      Are you willing to learn Tamil? Do not tell me that the Sinhala constitute 75% as it is irrelevant.

        • 13
          4

          Eusense – You need not go that far. If a Tamil goes to a police
          station or Telecommunication dept. or electricity board with a problem, he is pushed from pillar to post and he returns home,
          after several hours ,with the problem unresolved. This is due to callous treatment meted out to the minorities and no one is bothered as superiors do not entertain any complaints nor rein in the staff concerned when the complaint is from a Tamil.He returns next day with a Sinhala speaking man and he gets his job done, may be parting with some money.

          You are talking about the Tamil elites like Wigneswaran but you
          are not talking about an ordinary Kandiah or Subramaniam and
          their sufferings at the hands of lethargic officials of the majority community. Above is a simple example of how a Tamil is harassed at the govt. institutions and naturally they are frustrated and this is why they demand a federal state to run their own affairs.

          • 5
            8

            LW,
            What you say about Kandiah may be true in the south. Here you are not trying to bring separation and self governance as the solution. But there are 2 real solution for Kandiah. First learn Sinhalese/English (I am not saying this in a bad way)he is living in a country where 85% of the population speak Sinhalese. Second, once he learn Sinhalese he can apply and secure a job where he will be an asset to the office where more Tamils can be helped. Don’t all Tamils who migrate to the west learn those languages? Why not learn Sinhalese and improve your life and earning capacity rather than complaining?
            How did Wigneswaran and many other Tamils I know became elites? Did not they work hard? why not Kandhia do the same? I know many Kandhias in Kandy area who speak Sinhalese and have a good life.

            If you get a federal state to run your own affairs, what about the Sinhalese in those areas? Will you ask the officials to learn Sinhalese to cater to the Sinhalese? In those lines the current politicians should work with the new gov. to make sure Tamils are catered by making it compulsory for all gov. workers to speak Tamil rather than asking for separation and self rule.
            It may be important for you to remember even in the US the gov. offices cater to no language other than English in spite of 25% of the US population is Spanish speaking. When it comes to gov. they have to learn English! Lanka Watch, you will never lose learning another language.

          • 3
            1

            Lanka Watch,

            “If a Tamil goes to a police station or Telecommunication dept. or electricity board with a problem, he is pushed from pillar to post and he returns home, after several hours ,with the problem unresolved.”

            This is not true in the North and I assume that it is not true in the East. I don’t know the East personally.

            Communication with the police is still a problem but most police stations in the North have some Tamil policemen and policewomen. I believe that 1400 Tamils from the NP applied recently to join the police. In addition there are Tamilspeaking Muslims in the police force and even many Sinhalese members of the police have mastered a certain level of Tamil.

            The situation is better than before but not perfect.

        • 5
          2

          Eu sense,

          What you describe as the situation prevailing in your parent’s time and your early adulthood, cannot be disputed. Events and circumstances changed this reality, upside down. Yes, the circumstances in the north and east, compelled many Tamils to the South during the years of violence and war. Many also left our shores as a result. Many died.

          It is a fact the post- war circumstances are slowly, almost reluctantly, but surely changing and making the Tamils feel more confident. This is new beginning and is hence quite tentative.

          Your reference to the best schools being in Jaffna, is old history. There are buildings, but to compare them with the schools of old is untenable. There is a drastic qualitative deterioration , from which it may take decades to recover, if at all this is possible, considering the qualitative decline of the Tamil community as a whole.

          Dr.RN

          • 4
            0

            RN,
            I agree with most points of your post. But I hope you are not holding the Sinhalese and the SL government solely responsible for the “events and circumstance” that changed the socioeconomic landscape of the north. I would attribute a major portion of blame to the terror war the LTTE fought for over 30 years.
            With regard to the schools in Jaffna, the SL gov. was funding the gov. schools continuously until the LTTE took over the region. Their priority was to recruit fighters rather than educate the future generation. They chased out intellectuals and professionals out of the region. This took the region decades backwards and initiated a qualitative decline of the Tamil community. Giving the devil his due, I would say MR during the past 7 years has done much more for the Tamil community of the north by improving its infrastructure, roads and commerce than any other Tamil leader. Unfortunately, the current Tamil leaders are preoccupied with self governance and separation with the aim of holding personal power than looking after the welfare of their constituents.

            • 2
              1

              Eusense,

              I have always said that the Tamil politicians,militants and the LTTE should also take a share of the blame for their stupid, shortsighted and knee jerk reactions. However, theirs nevertheless, were reactions.

              Dr.RN

              • 0
                4

                Dr.Rajasingham Narendran

                If Nuisance agrees with you which means you are wrong.

              • 2
                1

                Come now doctor. They massacred hundreds of civilians because they couldn’t get into university?

          • 1
            0

            Dr Rajasingham Narendran and Eusense,

            “Your reference to the best schools being in Jaffna, is old history. There are buildings, but to compare them with the schools of old is untenable. There is a drastic qualitative deterioration , from which it may take decades to recover, if at all this is possible, considering the qualitative decline of the Tamil community as a whole.”

            I have met old boys and girls from the private schools visiting Jaffna for the first time after many years away. They have been shocked by what they find in their old schools. Many facilities that existed 30 years ago are gone. Many buildings are in ruin and abandoned. Lower quality of staff, lower results, less students,less income.

            Many parents choose not to pay for this when better education and environment is available free of charge from government schools.

            I know that many of the CT writers and commentators are old boys and girls of the Jaffna private schools.

        • 3
          3

          Eusense
          You said, “If Tamils are discriminated how come he had a good education, a public position, owning real estate in Colombo and all that luxury happen?”

          So you agree there is no discrimination whatsoever against the blacks in USA, because if Obama being a black with African Origin and has become the President of the United States. The story about the police killed a black man is all damn lies. It so happened he was black and the media took it all out of proportion.

          • 3
            1

            shri,
            Discrimination is everywhere. That is human nature. That does not mean that every minority should separate and have a separate country! What I am saying is, if Vignaswaran can make it any other Tamil should be able to make it too. Do you think my assumption is wrong?

            • 1
              0

              Eusense
              The biggest historical blunder Tamils made was to support ‘Independence’ from colonial rule in 1948. Tamils were certainly well off then. Had the colonial rule continued because Tamils did not support ‘Independence’, and when you will be whining complaining discrimination, I would have told you exactly what you just told me “Discrimination is everywhere. That is human nature”.

              • 0
                1

                shri,
                Whether Tamils supported or not the British were leaving. It is not because of the Tamils that the British left.
                Again, discrimination is everywhere. If there is nothing to discriminate humans will make up something to discriminate. What I am saying is one needs to negotiate to get relief from discrimination but not resort to violence like what the LTTE did. See how many innocent lives were lost and other collateral damages incurred by the region. It lost a whole generation!

        • 3
          0

          Eusense,

          “If they are discriminated how can Jaffna has the highest number of best schools per sq/mile in the island?”

          Many schools in Jaffna were good but I don’t believe that they are very good any more. I know some private schools that have declined to a very sorry state due to the conflict. Lack of money, lack of competent staff and less students.

          Do you have any recent statistics to show that Jaffna schools continue among the best in the country?

          • 2
            0

            TRA,
            No, I don’t have current statistics on Jaffna schools. When I said the best schools, I meant what it was during the era when I entered the University. As many of you point out if they are not so good now, I am sure one can figure it out why, considering what went on there during the last 35 years.

        • 3
          1

          You’d be able to get blood out of a stone before you get the truth out of them. Your post-Peradeniya experiences should have taught you that.

          • 1
            4

            Ramuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

            “You’d be able to get blood out of a stone before you get the truth out of them”

            Look who is talking about Truth..

            For a moment I thought you were demanding Truth from OTC.

        • 0
          0

          Eusense

          From your style of writing, I can tell you are quite intelligent, and there is an air of decency around what you say even though it contradicts my views. You must be from a educated and decent family and have gone to a good school. I certainly do not agree with what you tell but I respect your views because you say it well and place them respectfully.

          I do understand you, as you are a Sinhalese and you have your own perspective in the same way we Tamils do have our own angle of opinion and vision.

          A more personal question, you have mentioned you were in Peradeniya University in the mid 70s, I too was a University student during that period but in Colombo. If you don’t mind, could you tell me which course of study were you following?

          Thanks.

          • 0
            0

            Shrikharan,
            Appreciate all the good things you wrote about me. I perfectly understand that you have a different perspective on issues than me as a minority and I too respect that. I have no animosity towards Tamils what so ever and has protected many of my Tamil colleagues during those episodes of violence against Tamils. My only issue was and is with Tamils who are involved in violence and terrorism. I developed this only after my sister in law narrowly escaped a suicide bombing by a few seconds while driving in Colombo and a distant relative who died in a bombing of a train.
            Yes, I entered University of Peradeniya in 1974. I like to keep my information private in a public forum such as this. However, I would say that I pursued a professional degree in the “biological” field.

            • 0
              0

              Eusense
              Thanks so much. From your tone of writing I understand quite well you are not a blind racist. I have observed in these forums quite a few use foul languages. That is not acceptable. Decency must be upheld at all times. Because, using foul language and table thumping can never win arguments and one is only playing to the gallery. It only reveals user’s attitude and character and will never win anything except exposing himself.

              In a debate we have to attack by facts and also some good sense of humour and that is ok. In this respect I enjoy Native Vedda. I learn good presentation tactics from him.

              It does not matter so much whether we agree or we disagree, and it is how we put it is what matters. Place the facts properly, or we may place facts in a sequential manner to corner the opponent and checkmate him/her. These are legitimate but not using raw filth in an insulting manner which is not acceptable.

              I can understand your point of view, being a Sinhalese. I have many Sinhala friends. I had my disagreement with your comments and I refuted using polite language and armed with the little fact I knew. So I do not become a racist because I opposed you and same applied to you as well. You too used quite polite language and in one instant you have said you will apologize to the Tamil victims on behalf of the Sinhalese and that is your magnanimity. So I accept you defending your race and I never call you a racist for it.

              I was able to see through (but sadly not all have the talent) the decency in your writings even though I may not agree with many of the facts and reasoning you placed. I have a feeling you are a female.

              I also entered the University (Colombo) in the same year as you in 1974 to the faculty down Kynsey Road!

            • 0
              0

              Eusense

              I do not justify any wrongdoing from ‘my’ side towards the Sinhalese. I am quite well aware of the suicide bombings and other forms of violence inflicted as part of tactics by Tamil militants.

              But I must jump to tell Tamils in general until the introduction of the discriminatory media-wise standardization were a hardworking and god fearing set of people, especially the people from Jaffna. Tamils shunned away from bad people and outcasted such families. Every family gave priority to the education of their children and had ambitions to send them to University. All Advanced Level students clamoured to enter the University especially the Engineering and Medical faculties.
              I hope you may recollect Jaffna had flourishing tutories which catered to these students and conducted classes from early as 4am in the morning. The teachers were so dedicated to give the best to their students and they organized with their colleagues and held many mock exams to coach the students, and I remember I got these question papers down through my relatives in Jaffna (I was a Colombo Student).

              It is sad how a once hardworking, honest and god fearing people got transformed into ruthless terrorists. I don’t know whom to blame this on. I think the Tamils need lots of reassurance and space to recover. Certainly Sinhalese also had suffered so much.

      • 0
        0

        Very True.
        Sengodan. M

    • 9
      5

      Dear Narendran,
      I agree with you that this resolution is not going to have any effect on what is going ot happen as USA has made an unchangeable decision to go along with the government to have an internal inquiry, as they have been brain washed by Srilanka government that Sinhalese do not want any one of their people tried by an international court and if the government agrees to international inquiry they will be defeated and there will be unrest caused by Sinhala extremist. Therefore in order to save the regime and prevent Rajapakse coming back, Tamil opinion and thereby justice has been sacrificed. If Tamils do not protest like passing resolutions like this then international community will think that Tamils agree with the stand of USA. I have been a medico-legal officer in war zone and non of the security forces who perpetrated crime on Tamils were brought to justice. Despite my detailed report, The Sinhala judges in Colombo accept the false report produced by the Police and declare the offences as either collateral damage or justifiable homicide, when in fact they were first degree murders. In this instace also trials will be conducted by government lackeys where Tamil witnesses will be threatened, false evidence be led by security forces, some scape goats will be found to please the international community while the main culprits will be allowed to go free. Your suggestion to ask for international observers of integrity is a good one, but it will destroy the main purpose of government in covering up, and is inlikely to be acceded. By this it is clear that Tamils will never get a fir solution even with internatinal mediation as the prime interest for them is to prop up this government at any cost.

      • 7
        1

        @Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam .. So in Your socalled Report why have you not attributed any CRIME TOWARDS the LTTE????? The USE of Human Shileds, LTTE fighters changing into Civilian clothes and fighting among civilians (hit and hide tactics) which they used through the 80’s and early 90’s and latter stage of 2009. Why Their Heavy Weapons and ammunation were sored in Hospitals and civilian areas??????? Funny how your eyes Don’t See these as CRIMES against Humanity as well.

        • 4
          2

          Kamal you have come out with some rubbish due to your racist mindset. Medico-legal officers are not present in the place of crime but get involved only after the incidents are reported to them. So your rantings become irrelevant. No one has denied the crimes committed by LTTE, but all of them have either been killed in combat or been murdered by security forces after surrendering. Once someone dies the case is closed. What Tamils are asking is why this double standard of punishing Tamils both by justifiable and unacceptable means, while allowing the Sinhala and Muslim perpetrators of crime on Tamils to walk away free. Also remember there are several Tamils who have committed small or no offence at all are still languishing in jail without fair trial. It seems that you are bringing LTTE into the picture to justify the crimes committed by security forces and absolve them.

          • 3
            1

            GS,
            You say some were murdered by the security forces. If you know them why don’t you put out the lists. Also if you say “while allowing the Sinhala and Muslim perpetrators of crime on Tamils to walk away free. Also remember there are several Tamils who have committed small or no offence at all are still languishing in jail without fair trial” you should give credible information of these situations. The problem is most Tamils who write here only talk about these occurrences but never give specifics or further information. How can the gov. or groups that watch gov. activities take action against such “crimes”? I am sure Colombo Telegraph will be happy to publish your lists.

      • 4
        3

        The USA has come to it’s senses at last. The TGTE howling has had no effect.

      • 4
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        GS,
        You should now publicize your reports and other documents you have without fear. Being a Tamil and making oral allegations against the defense forces generally is not productive. While in the war zone have you ever taken any attempt to discourage the LTTE to be in an arms struggle with the gov. realizing the unnecessary human toll involved?

        • 4
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          There is no point in anyone appearing before a panel constituted by Srilanka government.The government wants to whitewash the whole thing of war crimes, as any conviction of war criminals will give rise to an uprising of Sinhalese. USA is going along with this in order to save the present government from being overthrown and Mahinda Rajapakse coming back to power. Due to this justice to Tamils will be sacrificed, and Tamils cannot do anything about it other than expect some divine intervention to punish the wrong doers and their supporters. Tamils never got justice in the Srilankan courts in the past and to expect they will get justice in the future is far fetched. Please remember there is god above and if the present day Sinhalese do not pay for the sin, future generations of Sinhalese will have to. In 1958 when Tamils were killed in the south and their dead bodies were sent to the north, Sinhalese would have never expected that after 25 years Sinhalese will be killed in the north and their dead bodies will arrive in coffins in the south. In 1983 when Tamils were killed and their dead bodies disposed of, Sinhalese would never have expected that in 10 years Sinhalese would be killed and their dead bodies would be disposed of. So please do not be cocky and continue to do wrong things or support injustice to Tamils thinking nothing is going to happen to you.

    • 3
      0

      Dr Rajasingham Narendran,

      I believe that you are also interested in the basic needs of the Northern Tamils. While the latest resolution is important I wonder is the CM and the NPC doing all they can to help the population with practical every day problems.

      I have today found two pieces of news related to water.

      “The North Western Provincial Council has taken steps to provide 77 water filtering systems to several areas of the Kurunegala District where a number of kidney patients were found in the recent past.

      Accordingly, Kobeigane, Maho, Giribawa, Galgamuwa and Polpithigama Divisional Secretariats are provided with drinking water facilities under the directions of Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. Rs. 311 million had been invested for the purpose, the Chief Minister said.”

      http://dailynews.lk/?q=local/water-filtering-systems-nwp

      If the CM of NWP has directed the PC to invest in Reverse Osmosis systems why cannot the CM of the NPC do the same?

      Does the NWPC for some reason have more funds available than the NPC?

      Has the NWPC for some reason applied for additional funding for drinking water?

      “The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of Jaffna partnered with United Tractors and Equipment (UTE) for a cardinal project to supply and install two Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Plants with ancillary works in order to ensure a consistent supply of drinking water to the people of Delft Island.”

      http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&
      code_title=130964

      Good news for the population of Delft Island. Apparently The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) was behind this project NOT the NPC.

      Is the CM and NPC being lethargic in trying to solve the water problems?

      • 6
        1

        TRA (I am reluctant to type your chosen pseudonym),

        Thanks.

        Gamini Jayawickreme Perera too did much for Wyamba as Chief Minister. The Wyamba is the only PC with a pro-active Environment Protection Unit.

        Further, the ultimate solution to the water problem in the peninsula is completing the Jaffna River Project. This is the least costly and most viable option. Sivagnanam Sri Tharan MP has also apparently come around to supporting it.

        In the short term Reverse Osmosis units to reduce the salt content of well and tank waters is the answer. This will be a costly exercise in terms of installation, maintenance and delivery. Desalination of sea water, will in the long term damage our marine environment irrepairably and should not be considere at all.

        Further, our politicians think the NPC is both a stepping stone to parliament and to an Eelam of sorts. Whenever I see the photograph of CVW sitting on a throne of sortsm wearing a crown and holding a spear (Vel), I feel like vomitting. This retired judge is delusional, inept, unwise, and apparently does not understand what he says or does.

        The crop of Tamil politicians ruling the roost at various levels in the north and east, either do not know or pretend not to know what the priorities are for the people. They also do not know how to get things done. They have been fed, bred and grown on a diet of slogans and excuses,and continue to use slogans and excuses to bamboozle the people.

        Unless there is a vociferous public demand for tangible performance they will not deliver.

        This is why I have been pushing the TNA to join the government and get some experience in getting things done which would involve formulation of projects, submission. negotiations, bargaining, give and take, execution, launching and management.

        Dr.RN

        • 2
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          You yourself have been accused of being ambitions/greedy and you are accusing W of being that? This is a joke.

          • 0
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            Robert.R is [Edited out]

        • 4
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          RN,
          I am glad that you have come around over the years. If you read my posts during the past years this is how I always wanted the Tamil leaders to act. I had two additional requests; Tamils should take over SL financially and every Tamil should learn Sinhalese.

          • 1
            0

            Eusense.

            Most Tamils would have learned Sinhala, if not for the Sinhala only law and Tamil politicians reactions to it. Sinhala was being taught in many Jaffna schools, prior to 1956. I am pleasantly surprised to see the number of Tamils who speak atleast some rudimentary Sinhala in Jaffna now.

            If not for the stupid political jerrymandering, most Tamils would have leaned Sinhalese and many Sinhalese would have learned Tamil. This was an economic necessity. Both would have also learned more advanced English than now.

            Dr.RN

        • 0
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          Dr Rajasingham Narendran,

          “Further, the ultimate solution to the water problem in the peninsula is completing the Jaffna River Project. This is the least costly and most viable option. Sivagnanam Sri Tharan MP has also apparently come around to supporting it.”

          I think that the fact that Delft received reverse osmosis filters might be connected to the fact that the island was an area supporting the EPDP. The decision about the R/O must have been made during the time MR was president and Douglas a minister. Douglas took care of his supporters without waiting for NPC help. Since there have not been local elections I believe that the Delft PS still is controlled by the EPDP and the same goes for the unelected DS.

          For an island R/O might be the best solution unless rain water can be harvested or there are massive solar stills. The SL Navy has been bringing water for the residents during years.

          For the main land Jaffna “the river” is maybe the best solution. I just keep wondering about the quality of the “river water”. If the water causes kidney disease elsewhere what is the point of bringing it to Jaffna? I am not saying that I know the quality of the “river water” or what causes the kidney disease.

          Thank you for the good news about our MP Sivagnanam Sri Tharan.

          My expectation is that the CM of NP is on his way out due to the continous conflict with the rest of TNA, erratic behavior and lack of concern for development and reconciliation.

    • 0
      0

      With the changing dynamics in the international scene, a regime change in Colombo is being viewed favourably. Though this favour steams from the fact geopolitics shifting and regional imbalances being altered.

      It is imperative for all good minded citizens of Sri Lanka to give a chance to this changed regime to function under its motto of good governance. The domestic mechanism hopefully would be more transparent and would consist of unbiased non political persons. It is also essential it be representative in nature.

      The recently reported atrocity in the name of ragging at KDA demonstrates there are mentally challenged or deranged persons in our society who creep through the cracks and end up in places including the forces. Hence there is no absence of doubt that there could have been acts committed outside a disciplined conduct!

      Passing resolutions of the nature like the recent one by the NPC (appears to be the only function this council has been actively involved in since it establishment) while may feed the appetite of the very few remnants of hard core tamil extremism, is ill advised and would fail to attract the attention of an international community which views the new Government with hope. NPC is well advised to refrain and restrain itself from militancy and adopt a more conciliatory approach and give change a chance to address and redress ers of the decade gone by.

  • 17
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    Good resolution that points out necessary and painful truths. The conflict in Sri Lanka won’t be resolved by another farcical commission.

  • 11
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    Results of many domestic commissions are still secret, as the reports did not favour the regimes which existed and even appointed them.

    The most recent is the report on the Welikada Massacre more than two years ago, which is kept a secret as it bares the participation of military and police, as is widely believed.

    In such circumstances, it would be naïve to expect any just/judicial probe by the government into the numerous massacres of tamils since independence, which climaxed with killings even in the ‘no-fire zones’ by the armed forces, and ‘disappearances’ of many hundreds taken into custody in full sight of witnesses.
    So far, no robust protection for would be witnesses in any domestic probe is available.
    An international probe is therefore required to ensure credibility.
    At the very least, the presence of international & UN observers at any ‘domestic’ probe is necessary to ensure justice and accountability.

  • 9
    4

    “Is’nt it wiser to go along with what seems inevitable”

    Unprincipled opportunism, what else can it be?

    If continuing overt and structural genocide of Tamils is inevitable with the process that is about to unfold, my dear friend, is it wise to go along with that?

    You are no different from Karuna, Douglas and their kind of Tamils.

  • 12
    4

    International Mechanism is a must to find out the truth about what happened in the recent war and thereafter. It is not against Srilanka or its people. It is against those who violated the human rights and committed crimes against humanity. It should be noted that LTTE, Military, Parmilitary and State are accused and no one is telling the truth. It is not only Tamils but many Sinhalese and Muslims also believe that the justice system in Srilanka is not capable of conducting an impartial investigation. For example, even the former Chief justice also had the same opinion.
    We have had experience of international observers in the case of Trincomalee Tamil youths murder case and nothing changed the behaviour of state.

  • 12
    3

    The scepticism of the NPC and the CM is understandable and justified. Instead of addressing the core issues, only peripheral issues are being dished out. What is so great about returning the illegal acquisition of land by the army? It is simply being returned to the rightful owner.

    What is more important is to handle the accountability and the devolution issues which the govt feels allergic to even hearing of it. The hawks are still hell-bent in denying the Tamils on what has been agreed upon already.

    It will show commitment and build trust if the SL govt can show any tangible action to on these two (accountability and devolution). Mere talk will only mean pussy footing.

    • 4
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      jansee,
      What accountability are you talking about? Accountable for what? Please explain.
      What devolution are you talking about? Give specifics. Do you mean devolution of power to govern? to every minority in the country???

      • 6
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        Eusense:

        What accountability do yo think the UNHRC, the SL Govt, etc are talking about? If you have been sleeping all this while, or even pretending, then my advice is you start bucking up because yo are very far behind on this issue. I will help you a little but don’t ask me to spoon feed you. Read Mangala’s recent speech to the Diplomatic Corps. He mentions a couple of times about accountability. Well, I am glad that the Diplomatic Corps did not suffer from failed faculties and were quite intelligent to understand on what Mangala meant by “accountability”. CT ran the full speech. Start from the day MR and Ban Ki Moon reached an agreement on this subject immediately after the war.

        “What devolution are you talking about? Give specifics. Do you mean devolution of power to govern? to every minority in the country??”

        What else would you think? Surely devolution is not for growing roses and chillies. The Tamils are not busy bodies like you to poke their nose into the affairs of other minorities on what they want. Looks like you have plenty of time for that. Get a paper and pen and talk to all the other minorities to find out. May be they will thank you for that.

        • 3
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          Jansee,
          Why don’t you answer the simple questions I asked you? I need only one sentence answers. If you can’t you should be not commenting on accountability. Let me ask you again. I need your answer because you are the one who is gung ho about accountability. Also I am not talking to UNHRC in this forum.
          1. My country is accountable for what actions of its?
          2. The country is accountable to whom?

          So, devolution is not for growing roses and chillies! I have some bad news for you let me give you the good news first. You can keep growing roses and chillies as long as you want. The bad news is, you will never get separation/autonomy/self rule. No country in this world gives minorities self rule or separation. In the US Spanish population is 25%. They not only get no self rule they have to learn English as English is the only official language.

          • 3
            3

            Eusense:

            As you mentioned, yours was a simple question and even a stupid donkey will know the answer and I have also mentioned where you can look for the answers. Go and look for them. If you are not talking about the UNHRC in the forum, my answer is: we are discussing about WHY there should be an international investigation on accountability and not WHAT is accountability?

            You seem to be jumping the gun, ALWAYS. The two adversaries who fought the war have been cited for various war crimes. To determine whether such crimes were indeed committed and if they were, who were accountable and responsible for such crimes and what action may ben taken those perpetrators. One noteworthy thing: even the SL govt has accepted that there should be an investigation into this but insists on it should be a domestic one and has given an undertaking that if indeed such crimes have been committed and if anyone is held accountable then it will have to be dealt with through its own judicial process. However, the other adversarial group believes that, based on the long dubious history of commissions in SL, an international investigation will be necessary. This group does not include the Tamils but a wide spectrum of countries and calling for such an inquiry was passed by the UNHRC. Whether SL agrees to such an international inquiry, given its horrendous history of duplicity, is another matter. After all, the UNHRC went ahead with its business in 2014.

            It is not for you/SL to say or talk about offering autonomy or otherwise. A thief and a cheat never admits to his actions. This is a well-known fact already about SL. SL is synonymous to cheats and liars. The trust deficit and its history of broken promises with its credibility stripped naked, and to which even the present govt agrees to, there is one last chance to stop acting cockily and unlike you, the present govt realises that. You think the Sinhalese majority will be left in peace if they deny what the Tamils ask for. When the NPC passed the genocide resolution, what you guys were doing?

            • 3
              2

              jansee,
              Where are the answers?
              You say “As you mentioned, yours was a simple question and even a stupid donkey will know the answer ……”
              Does that mean you are worse than a “stupid donkey”??
              Stop beating around the bush and answer my questions.

              You talk about two adversaries who fought the war. It appears that according to you SL govt is one. Who is the other adversary? I would like you to name him/her/it/thing.
              No, “SL gov. has ACCEPTED that there should be an investigation”. The current SL gov. has AGREED to conduct an internal investigation as offered by the US. As the SL gov. has accepted the US offer the investigation will go on as agreed.
              You need to be smarter to realize that the US was hell bent on regime change in SL but not to bring justice to anyone. If they are looking for justice they should investigate thousands of civilian deaths in its war in Iraq. To be fair why don’t you press the US to investigate that too.
              You are naive as a new born. Don’t you know that UNHRC is a puppet of the US? They tell the member countries (except China, Russia, Iranians etc.) how, when and what to vote in those sessions. Look how UK and Canada listen to their big brother US and follow everything what it says. Why do you think Canada went silent on international investigation now? They boycotted Commonwealth meeting in SL as a protest. Observe and learn. Don’t get exited about UNHRC resolutions. They are there today and in garbage the next day.
              A final thought, don’t have too much hope on the present SL gov. too. All politicians are shrewd.
              You are right my greatest fear now is the NPC passing the genocide resolution!!!

              • 2
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                Eusense:

                A stupid donkey will be always one and you are one. You are the one beating around the bush looking for more donkeys. If you care, to read my comments, you will find the donkeys but can one teach a donkey to look above the ears?

                What do you mean by it “appears” on of the adversary is SL? It is SL. I didn’t call you a donkey for nothing for not even knowing who the other adversary is? Go back to school and start learning your basics or ask a doctor to check your faculties if they are in order? You have a serious disorder.

                I don’t believe that the investigation will go on just because you or the SL govt says so. “Sri Lanka will be judged by actions and achievements, not by promises – U.S. Tom Malinowski”. Whether it will independent and once the criminals have been convicted will they be meted out with the relevant sentences? There are so many “IFS” as far as SL is concerned. That is the tarnished reputation of SL.

                I am not naive to the wheeling and dealing of the powers, including the US. There will be some arm twisting going around but how do you account for SL’s winning the UNHRC resolution in 2009?

                You don’t have teach me about international politics. Just make sure the politics at home is reachable. The haunting will continue until SL keeps its promises.

      • 4
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        Euse,

        You really are an arrogant so and so! The level of arrogence that you shamelessly exhibit is mind boggling! People like you take ethnic chauvinism to a new height.

        • 3
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          Burn,
          I don’t mean to be arrogant. I am not a politician, so I wont speak what people like to hear. I tell the truth as I see it and I will call a spade a spade. If I am wrong please correct me.

          What writing of mine made you come to that conclusion?

          • 1
            3

            Euse,

            “I don’t mean to be arrogant.”

            This is the problem you have; you are tunnel visioned and cannot see wood from trees! Your logic is that the Tamils must assimilate with the Sinhala and improve their lives. This is what you want to say but prevaricating somewhat! You act as if the period between 1948 to present does not exist.

            “I am not a politician, so I wont speak what people like to hear.”

            One does not need to be a politician to understand humanity and their behaviour! The Tamil people have been battling to maintain their identity and recognition of their habitual areas. All what they have been meted with fabricated history, hostility, pogroms, and violence with impunity. The Tamil stand is their democratic right. You do not need to be a politician to understand this.

            It is crystal clear that along with you won’t speak what people want to hear, you will not accept any rational that you do not agree with. It is simple that you will not get the answers that you want from me; yo might as well wrap-up and go home!

            “I tell the truth as I see it and I will call a spade a spade. If I am wrong please correct me. What writing of mine made you come to that conclusion?”

            No, you are not looking for people to correct you! You are insidiously attempting to put words in other people’s mouth. I said you are Thick and arrogant; I stand by that. You represent the majority community and you have no perception whatsoever of the Tamil perspective. Your solution is that the Tamils should assimilate! This has been the objective of the Sinhala nationalists from independence and you have been shamelessly vocal about it on these forums. Starting with Sinhala Only to systemic alienation of the Tamils from the public services to orchestrated pogroms, a conducive platform has been created for people like you to publicly advocate assimilation! This is why I say that you are Arrogant! Your arrogant chauvinistic approach will not wash.

            Mark my word:

            There will be an investigation on war crimes and crimes against humanity; it may be based on internal mechanism or external. I am hoping that this investigation will establish the death toll and how they died.

            This will evolve a conducive platform on which reconciliation can be fashioned along with a solution for the Tamil Question. The solution should accommodate maximum devolution within one Sri Lanka. This is the reality.

            However, this does not mean GOSL must not formulate policies to integrate her peoples. There are many things that the central government can do to build communal confidence that eventually bring peoples together driven by the economic reality.

            • 2
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              Burn,
              Good for you and good luck!

      • 1
        3

        Hey, you the fundamentalists have no chance in today s environment.
        We have got enough of you guys- now let MY3 and Ranil to work on peace and reconciliation. I think Sirlankens have equal oppotunities in every areas. I love the way Germans allow Turkish orgin police to work in the turks dominated colonge area. Likewise do the birmigham police its best appointing indians /sometimes tourban wearing pollice men to control over that areas. So I dont mind MUSLIMS, Tamils become the police men of the areas where their communities dominate. We need to introduce a culture where all of the srilankens could feel equal.
        All regardless of the gender to work together for permanent peace. So long idiots like Wimal Buruwanse, Eusense, Dayan Jayathilaka and Gommapila have more rights to bother, we will not succeed our peace initiatives for one nation in this country.

  • 10
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    I welcome the resolution moved by the Chief Minister in the Northern provincial Council.
    The Local mechanism will be used only to whitewash the perpetrators of genocide.

    International inquiry is a must

  • 7
    3

    I got a serious question. Is Viki part of TNA or not ? Because, TNA, especially Sampanthan and Sumanthiran (Co-dictators of TNA?!#$)are against an Independent International Investigation on war crimes and crimes against humanity carried out by Srilankan army against thousands of Tamil civilians during the final stages of the war in 2009. They are happy to settle for a local mechanism to investigate these crimes, may be something like LLRC or IRC. But, Viki for the second time has passed a resolution on Independent International Investigation.

    As someone said before, this resolution has no impact at all. Western powers worked overtime to push Mahinda out of power and brought in Ranil. As any other Sinhala nationalist, Ranil will never allow an independent investigation on Srilankan officers and Soldiers. Not only that, no matter how hard he hates Rajapakshas, he will never allow anyone to question them on war crimes and etc. Putting pressure on Ranil may weaken the western foothold in Srilanka. Therefore, Western powers, especially America will never force Ranil for an Independent investigation. USA will happily settle for a local mechanism. All it needs is an eyewash investigation to justify its influence in Srilanka. This eyewash investigation can be an exact copy of LLRC or even lower than that.
    Tamils will never get justice for what happened to them, not just in 2009, but since independence. The only solution for Tamils at the moment is, convert to Buddhism and live like Sinhalese. Old Tamils from Negombo and Puttalam did this in early 50 s and survived.

  • 15
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    Thank you Chief Minister and the Council. You have expressed the thoughts and wishes of not only the Tamil people in the North but also of all citizens who wants to know the truth through an independent international mechanism. You have clearly given the reasons for such a process.

    We trust the UNHRC, the USA and India will support the international process and not allow a flawed political rationale to subvert justice.

    • 6
      3

      You are kidding, right ? UNHRC is a puppet of USA. America never sided itself with oppressed people in the history. It always identified itself as the friend, advisor, arms supplier to the oppressing regimes.From Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, Indonesia to South america, it has been the saviour of dictators and war criminals. America banned Tigers and forced EU to follow them. Started an international network to curb tigers. Frozen Tiger assets overseas and helped Srilanka with useful intelligence and war material to wipe out tigers. America was happy to accept any human casualties in the war as collateral damage. No one really cared about the UN and UNHRC requesst for “minimise civilian casualties” at the last stages of the war. All wanted to get rid of Tigers at any cost. Americans knowingly supported Srilanka to finish them off. And you think USA going to do something to investigate war crimes, which are carried out with its knowledge and approval ??

      India was the main force behind 2009 war. You know one thin Ethir? In early 2009, when someone in Mahinda’s Govt questioned Sarath Fonseka on the final assault dates, he said it will be in August. The reason behind this was, by that time the Army will manage to get most of the civilians out of NFZ through break ins in Tiger defences. Once this is done, he can go for the kill. But, Sonia Ghandi had other plans for the final dates.She sent her henchmen, Narayanan and Shiv Shankar Menon to Colombo with a strong message. The message was, “Wipe them off at any cost before May 18”, the day of Indian general elections. With India running the show, Sarath Fonseka did not have any other choice but to bring the dates forward for the final onslaught. India promised Srilanka to keep International pressure at bay until it finishes off the remaining NFZ. With India’s guidance and cover, Srilanka went for the kill and rest is history. India played a larger roll in the final war compared to Srilanka. India is equally responsible for the war crimes and crimes against humanity in the war finished in 2009. And you think India is going to investigate its own war crimes against Tamils?

      Get real buddy !

      At the moment, Tamils have no where to go or complain. Accept what ever the Srilankan Goverment is happy to give without upsetting majority community and close the lid on “war crimes investigation coffin” with 150,000 innocent lives in it.

  • 5
    7

    Whether the mechanism of investigation is domestic or international does not matter. Imagine the best scenario for Wignasweran; investigation found the then SL gov. was guilty. What good is that going to do for Tamils of Sri Lanka?

    • 2
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      Eusense
      “Imagine the best scenario for Wignasweran; investigation found the then SL gov. was guilty. What good is that going to do…?”

      Good question and you gave a fine answer. One of your loved ones got brutally murdered by a killer you know. What good will it serve to send him to gallows, it will not change anything, the dead cannot be brought back alive, the suffering your family endures will not ease, so just leave him alone.

      The running of the prisons and the judicial system cost lot of tax payers’ money, time and effort and for what’s worth? As you correctly told nothing is gained by finding the culprit and punishing him unless you could undo what has happened. If he has robbed you then you may be able to recover the stolen valuables. But if it is murder then best left forgotten and carry on with the rest of your lives. A wonderful piece of advice by you. I agree with you!

      • 3
        3

        shrik,
        Your scenario sounds convincing but in reality it is not.
        This is my remark. I did not say not to have an investigation. OK, imagine the SL gov. was found guilty. MR and all defense forces were hung to death as punishment and everybody is happy.
        Now what? Will you continue the story…….

        • 1
          2

          Eusense

          If found guilty then punishment should be meted. No matter who including MR! Sorry if that hurts you. That is what justice is about. Justice works on the principle ‘two wrongs do make a right. Sorry to tell that IS the corner stone in our justice system.

          I shall continue the story you wanted me. It will certainly put a deterrent for others not to dare to commit crime and the prospective criminals will know that the wheels of justice will certainly turn and will eventually catch you whoever you are. So not worth risk committing a crime and spending the rest of your life in prison. So now whoever you are big or small can live peacefully and criminals will not dare commit crime.

          If on the other hand, as you have liked, the UN felt not worth punishing the influential and powerful guys of Sri Lanka for sake of disposable minorities and keeps quiet. Then another power block gets ideas seeing how UN reacts with ‘might is right’ philosophy, and invades Sri Lanka destroys everything knowing very well UN will always support the might and powerful. You have lost all your loved ones, and you are crippled but alive. Then am I to tell you what you told me

          “OK, imagine the invaded superpower X was found guilty. The President of the superpower X and all defense forces were hung to death as punishment and everybody is happy. Now what? Will you continue the story…. “
          Sorry, I sincerely hope such a thing happens

          So remember one day it may be your turn to be on the wrong and unfortunate side. It is always best to be on any side but ensure justice is based purely on right or wrong irrespective being powerful or not powerful, big or small. This is what justice is about.

  • 2
    3

    “For these reasons, the Council calls upon the International community to set up an international tribunal to try those alleged to have committed international crimes against the Tamil People in Sri Lanka. We urge the new leaders of the Sri Lankan government to be courageous enough to work with the International community to set up a credible international mechanism which will deliver justice and put this nation on a path of meaningful reconciliation.”

    I fail to understand who is behind this resolution. All of the NPC or a majority or a minority? Please let us know who voted for it.

    This resolution is clearly against what the USA and the “new leaders” of our country want. Even Sumanthiran has said that he wants to see the UNHRC report before deciding what to do.

    Apparently the TNA has two spokesmen at the moment: Sumanthiran and Suresh were both presented as spokesmen of the TNA in the latest Sunday Observer.

    Does anybody know who is the real spokesman?

    • 0
      0

      To answer some of my own questions:

      Sumanthiran is the new spokesman of the TNA.

      “The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentary Group was convened yesterday. R. Sampanthan was elected as the TNA’s Parliamentary Group Leader at this meeting. It was also decided that Sampanthan should be appointed as the Leader of the Opposition of the Eighth Parliament. On this basis, TNA MP Selvam Adaikalanathan accepted appointment to the post of Deputy Chairman of Committees. The following appointments were also made at the meeting today:

      Party whip – Dharmalingam Siddharthan, MP, Secretary, Parliamentary Group – Sivagnanam Sritharan, MP, TNA spokesman – M. A. Sumanthiran, MP”

      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/tna-brokers-deal-based-on-sampanthan-being-named-opposition-leader/

      “I fail to understand who is behind this resolution. All of the NPC or a majority or a minority? Please let us know who voted for it.”

      With the minority I meant to know how many voted for the resolution, were absent, abstained or voted against it.

  • 2
    0

    To hold an Internal/Domestic accountability process will only end up like the past commissions of inquiry.
    Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena who has written extensively on the subject of Human Rights violations amongst other matters relating to the Rule of Law opined elsewhere….
    Let it be said quite unequivocally that all of SriLankas past commissions have essentially wasted public funds and raised expectations of victims of all ethnicities in the country only to cruelly and summarily dispose of their pleas without redress…..

    An Independant International Investigative mechanism will be the answer for the Human Rights violations by all sides,including the LTTE,ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST STAGES OF THE WAR THAT ENDED IN MAY 2019.

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    Ranjith,
    Modi is not Sonia Ghandhi. One can only appeal to Modi and USA and the other members of the UNHRC to release the full report with its recommendations as written before January 8. Tamils have no leverage except to appeal to the members’ sense of Justice to set up an international mechanism. We all know the politics of nations – India and USA are not Angels. Clinton slept during Ruwanda. He regrets it now. But the international community did wake up.
    If Biswal and company intervene in the due process of UNNHRC they will come into criticism by the Congress for compromising on war crimes for political expediency. The process will be slow but if we persevere justice will be done.

    If UNHRC decide on the domestic process, it is important for the dates of the period include, starting with JR’ Regime to Rajapaksas’ regime. Tamils need to unite to bring all of the crimes against humanity that occurred in Sri Lanka since 1958.

    I still feel USA or India will not support a domestic process that is certain to backfire and cause Sri Lanka – Sinhala Community – to implode. Biswal and USA will not want to be blamed for such a chaos. Such a chaos will cause UN to intervene to keep law and order. One may argue that the International investigation too will cause implosion. Yes that might happen too.

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    What matters here is what the people want and not what the powerful forces are attempting to brush under the carpet. Yes, the Tamil people have to compromise somewhat but Tamils have been compromising since Independence and where has that led them? more brutality, murder, rape, torture, looting and other theft by the Sri Lankan state and its supporters. All the NPC is doing is to represent the people who elected them. In this world full of crooked and murderous politicians (elected or otherwise), it is good to see politicians promoting the people’s wishes.

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    Canada has adopted the “wait and see” approach similar to Sumanthiran.

    “War crimes probe: Canada won’t reveal its stand till text of new resolution is ready”

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    Though I do not entirely agree with all the contents of the NPC resolution moved by Justice Wigneswaran and approved by the NPC, I will say that it is against the principle of natural justice for Sri Lanka to appoint its own commission of inquiry where its own agents are accused as the main perpetrators of war crimes. It would violate the natural justice maxim nemo iudex in sua causa, meaning, no one can be allowed to sit as a judge in his own case.

    If Sri Lanka wants to put behind the terrible end to the war in 2009, it should agree to the UN Human Rights Council appointing an independent commission inquiry and should extend its fullest cooperation. If members of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces are found to have breached the various international Humanitarian and Human Rights Conventions,they deserve punishment. The fact that the hundreds of SL soldiers sacrificed their lives in ending LTTE’s terrorism should not blind us to the other fact that some of their actions during the war like the killing of LTTE members who surrendered, the shelling of hospitals and enclaves declared as safe havens for the Tamil civilians deserve punishment under the international humanitarian law.

  • 0
    1

    White Vans and White Drones –
    Do they need an internal investigation? ( from Amnesty International)

    “The Obama administration claims its use of lethal force, including with drones, is “legal”, “ethical”, and “wise”. But Amnesty International is gravely concerned that the administration is killing people outside the bounds of human rights and the law.
    International law permits the use of lethal force in very restricted circumstances. But from the little information made available to the public, U.S. drone strike policy appears to allow extrajudicial executions in violation of the right to life, virtually anywhere in the world.”

    “U.S. drone strike policy appears to allow extrajudicial executions “

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    The UN , USA, India, Successive Sihala Govt all have their hands soaked with Tamil blood. They want to wash it away.
    Tamils need to take a stand whether it will make a difference or not is irrrleavant.
    Dissapointed by Dr RN’s post

    • 4
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      The Sinhala rioters, Tamil militant’s, the LTTE’s and the IPKF’s hands are also soaked in blood, gore and loot. I have experienced it and dealt with the pain.The degrees may vary but the deeds were the same.

      Ask Suresh Premachandran, Sidharthan, Karuna, Pillaiyan and Devananda, whether they are not guilty too? Ask Sritharan MP, about his role in the war? Ask Sambanthan why he endorsed the LTTE as the sole representatoves of the Tamils and why he did not call a halt to the crimes the LTTE committed against the Tamils? Ask the Tamils who were funding, whistling and cheering from the sidelines of the war, their role in bringing about the calamity on the Tamils?

      The war was joined by both sides and fought with equal ferocity. It was a war made out to be between the Sinhalese and Tamils. It was a war between a State that identified itself as Sinhala and a well armed group that identified itself as re[esenting the Tamils. Those who could have died as a result were obviously Sinhalese and Tamils. In a war that was fought amidst the Tamils and war tactics involved using Tamil civilians in various roles (including that of bait), more Tamils had to die. It was a bestial war which lost even the least humanness expected from both sides. Both sides should bend their heads in shame and guilt. Both sides should publicly repent and make amends.

      I want the UNHCR to expose every single detail of the last war and events preceding it all their gory and ugly detail. Every person responssible should be named, including the high, mighty and the small fry.

      Yes, the details of what transpired over the decades have to be investigated and reported for posterity, not to blame and punish, but to prevent a repeat. We have to understand that we were rendered besstial by forces mostly beyond our control and not thirst for more blood and revenge.

      The needs of the living in the post-war circumstances, require far more attention from the government at the centre, the TNA and the NPC. This would be the best tribute we can pay for those who sacrificed their lives.

      The TNA at the higher levels are dealing with the UNHRC report and consequences. They recently discussed this issue with the visiting US delegation. Why should the CVW and the NPC, who have visibly and miserably failed in doing what they were mandated to, get involved in this issue?

      Dr.RN

      • 0
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        Dr Rajasingham Narendran,

        “Ask Suresh Premachandran, Sidharthan, Karuna, Pillaiyan and Devananda, whether they are not guilty too? Ask Sritharan MP, about his role in the war? Ask Sambanthan why he endorsed the LTTE as the sole representatoves of the Tamils and why he did not call a halt to the crimes the LTTE committed against the Tamils? Ask the Tamils who were funding, whistling and cheering from the sidelines of the war, their role in bringing about the calamity on the Tamils?”

        I agree that the above mentioned should be investigated also. Are they?

        It was difficult to choose a candidate with a “clean” background in Jaffna. All the local talent is likely to have a skeleton hidden somewhere unless they are young.

        I remember some of these guys proudly appearing in LTTE military events with child soldiers, slapping the back of VP and being silent on human rights abuses of the LTTE. On the other hand: the LTTE brutally silenced any opposition in the North so that there was very little choice. Of course, nobody forced them to continue in politics.

  • 1
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    Vanguard

    “Do they need an internal investigation? ( from Amnesty International)”

    Its very good question. As a humanist you should campaign on behalf o the victims.

    Be a man, launch a campaign, we will be right behind you.

  • 0
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    It is my opinion that a resolution by the Northern Provincial Council in protest to the domestic inquiry is needed in the absence of the TNA’s failure to raise the protest voice. However, the Chief Minister and the TNA members met the Under Secretary Biswal and her colleague Asst.Secretary(Human Rights) Malinowski on their recent visit to Colombo and she had explained to them that United States will present a resolution in Geneva this time which supports Sri Lanka’s proposed domestic probe on Human Rights Violations during the war. Did the TNA group and CVW showed any protest to Biswal? The shift on the US position, is believed, due to the regime change in Sri Lanka. It is politics between Big powers and small powers which the ordinary citizens will not be able to understand.
    It is my belief that the minority Tamils should not depend on big powers like the United States, UK and India to help them to achieve their legitimate rights. The Tamil people have to take up to the streets. It is happening in many countries all over the world at the moment. The people have the right to voice their grievances and if the government fails, protest marches is the only way until they gain what they want. The Tamil leaders have to be sincere and should have the guts to lead the people to the streets.

  • 2
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    Sellam,
    Are you trying to lead people to the street to protest the domestic inquiry? I doubt the US will change its mind. Tamils have greater problems in their day to day life some say. Why not protest for those?

  • 1
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    Eusense

    I am tamil living in the north during civil war. I am not here to make my case against Sinhalese. However, l just want to tell you some of my experiences back in 90s and 2000s.my village is a fishing village. Every boat should return to the police camp every day for a check up by Police while they returned from fishing. Most of the time, the good fish were taken by police and there were times that police did dry fish bussiness. How can we report this attrocities to police while the same police steal from us. Another example is that two girls were raped by Army and a case was filed against them.One of them just vanished from this world and the case was dropped.

    Friend of mine (an engineer studied in Peradeniya) was killed by a claymore while he was travelling.his body was taken to Kandy hospital for treatment as he did not die on the spot (there are lot of witnesses as police open fire on the bus after the claymore was blown up and surprisingly there was no offduty security personnel in the bus as all of them were alighted in the previous army check point). When his parents reached Kandy to collect the body, the police asked his parents to sign on a paper which mentioned that he was a ltte.I was there in person to witness it. Then a lecturer from Peradeniya university was informed and he arrived at hospital and scold the police and got us my friends body.if I reported it I could have been vanished. Now you could understand what kind of pain that we went through by security personnels.

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      truth,
      I feel bad and apologize on behalf of the Sinhalese for the difficult times the Tamils in the north went through. I am sure the Police and the SLDF was harsh on Tamil civilians. At the mean time I like to also remind you that there was a reason for these folks to be present in your neighborhood. The SL gov. did not send them their to make your lives miserable. It all started because of terrorist activities of the subversive LTTE group. If not there wouldn’t be the Police and the SLDF presence in the north. Wouldn’t you put most of the blame on the LTTE? Have you ever realized that this type of collateral damages will occur when there is subversive activity against a gov.? Have you ever raised your voice at the LTTE to stop raising arms?

      It was a sad situation that you faced with your friends death and trying to recover his body from Kandy. I strongly believe you should have complained to your MP on what happened. You have elected these representatives to the Parliament to look after your interest. They are the ones who should be taking action and publicizing these situations. Even now many posters here come up with their horror stories which should have been conveyed to the MP rather than keeping it to themselves or anonymously posting them here.

      • 1
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        Eusense
        Now the question is why did the LTTE become a reality? Because of the Youth unrest of the 70’s and only Tamils would know following media-wise standardization for University admissions when Tamil students were discriminated. Media-wise standardization started from the 1970 University Admissions. There was no other way out of this and Education was a passionate desire for the Tamils and as a result Tamil youth suffered serious frustration and was there was a widespread Tamil youth unrest and which culminated in a armed struggle for separation.

        Eusense, you have mentioned you were a University Student during the 70’s and so you should have had some knowledge of this injustice to the Tamils.

        • 1
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          Shri,
          Yes I was in the first batch of district basis addmisions. You appear to be unaware that more than jaffna, students (Sinhalese) from colombo, kandy and galle were affected because of this. Several classmates of mine who had excellent results could not enter university at all. Shouldn’t it be the Sinhalese who started your so called ltte type terror activity?

          • 1
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            Eusense

            Do not confuse district quota system and media-wise standardization. Tamil Students from Jaffna, Colombo got affect by both these criteria.

            Media-wise Standardization targeted against the Tamils was discriminatory and the primary cause for the youth unrest culminating in the quest for separation ensuing in an armed struggled and the rest is history which went on for 30 years.

            Surely the Sinhalese from affluent districts such as Colombo got affected by the District Quota System, which was benefitted by the students of backward districts. (This is not the media-wise standardization to which Sinhalese students were not affected but benefitted by it). Media wise Standardization was initiated from 1970. District Quota system was from 1974 the year I entered University from Colombo.

            So do not confuse Media-wise Standardization and District quota system both are different but existed during my time.

            You might have missed out, I posted something for you to read and reply – September 4, 2015 at 8:40 am. I did ask some personal questions.

            • 1
              1

              Shri,
              I remember the Media-wise standardization(MWS)which was initiated in 1970. This actually did not have any major effect on Tamil admissions. You will find this in various published analysis if you search. My first hand observation was also that my senior year batches had majority Tamils compared to Sinhalese. But after the district quota system kicked in with my batch I saw the numbers of Tamils gradually decreasing as well as Sinhalese from major cities.

              I have responded to your 8.40am post.

              • 3
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                Nuisance

                “You will find this in various published analysis if you search.”

                Could you give us the details of all such published analysises, Author(s), Title, Year of Publication, Name of Publishers, etc.

                • 0
                  3

                  vedda,
                  Google.
                  Do I have to spoon feed you?

                  • 2
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                    Nuisance

                    “Do I have to spoon feed you?”

                    That would be nice if you are 20 years old young woman and I am unmarried.

                    Since you have passed your prime and I am married, it would be most inappropriate. Sorry I will have to refuse your offer.

                    “Google.”

                    What?

                    Could you give us the details of all such published analysises, Author(s), Title, Year of Publication, Name of Publishers, etc.

  • 2
    1

    There is no doubt that any internal investigation will be a
    whitewash. Those who gave the orders, such as the Rsjapaksas and top military commanders, will be protected. So the NPC is right in its resolution, and it should make clear to the US and other countries that the victims won’t accept such an investigation.

    But the US will get it’s way. So, even while protesting, Tamil leaders will need a Plan B. They should impose conditions under which even a domestic investigation’s results can be used toward any international investigations by independent courts of inquiry, with or without the UN’s involvement.

    Such conditions could involve empowering the NPC to conduct its own investigation, having international observers as well lawyers representing victims watching over everything. Basically, the NPC should not stop with resolutions but should have a serious plan to have the victims’ interests safeguarded. The NPC should have been collecting its own evidence; if not, it is still not too late to do so methodically.

  • 1
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    Today, a citizens’ group agrees on an international mechanism of investigation of deaths during the war.
    Also points out the absurdity of the same party being in the government and opposition which negates the concept of democracy.

    http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=131069

  • 0
    2

    The truth is, Wigneswaran knows, that he is manipulating poor Tamils in the North in order to satisfy his ego. What a pathetic way for an EX-Supreme Court Judge. IS that the way he gave verdicts. All biased.

    The evidence is when he goes to political meetings, he is the best Hindu in this world.

    When that Colonial master Biswal comes he looks like a obedient servant of the colonial master, full three piece suit and the tie. He is ready to serve her meal, the colonial master.

    What a shame to Tamils. OHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Tamils are not respectable people.

  • 0
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    “For these reasons, the Council calls upon the International community to set up an international tribunal to try those alleged to have committed international crimes against the Tamil People in Sri Lanka. We urge the new leaders of the Sri Lankan government to be courageous enough to work with the International community to set up a credible international mechanism which will deliver justice and put this nation on a path of meaningful reconciliation.”

    Wonder what are the “international crimes” against “Tamil People in Sri Lanka”?

    After reading this resolution again I noticed that it only mentions crimes against Tamils. Is it not discrimination to forget the other victims?

    Today the Sunday Observer has a good article explaining a lot in English.

    In my opinion the TNA is even more divided than before and this just at the moment when it should be united to achieve something.

    There is a wing of Wigneswaran, NPC, Ponnambalam, sections of Diaspora and some MPs who just keep on insisting on an international inquiry. Should they first not see the results of the existing international UNHRC inquiry soon to be published?

    Are they not clearly asking for punishment of the war criminals instead of just an inquiry?

    “Agriculture Minister of the NPC Ponnuthurai Ainkaranesan said they abide by the decision of the CM and they have no views of their own on the issue.”

    Does all of the NPC really blindly follow Wigneswaran even in the future? The resolution was passed unanimously.

    Just think about all the unknown facts of what is going on in the TNA.

  • 0
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    [Edited out] Please write instead of posting links – CT

  • 0
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    It looks like “hardline Tamils” are heading to Geneva to complain even before the results of the international inquiry ITAK itself requested have not been published.

    5 NPC members and very likely also Ponnambalam are going. Wigneswaran and his assistant recently visited UK and USA. Who is paying for all of this traveling? How much funding comes from Diaspora and does it come in a legal way meaning thru banking channels? Does any funding come from banned Diaspora groups?

    Many of these hard liners did not manage to become MPs recently.

    “Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachci (ITAK) leader Mavai Senathirajah scoffed at Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran’s demand for an International investigation into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka saying that an investigation had already been carried out by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).”

    “He warned that ITAK and its leadership would be compelled to take action against Mr. Wigneswaran over these issues.”

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