A new investigation suggests that the Sri Lankan Government may have sought systematically to exhume and destroy evidence of mass civilian deaths. With no adequate form of accountability emerging from within Sri Lanka, the report highlights the need for a full international investigation.
Professor William Schabas
The report “Island of impunity? Investigation into international crimes in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war” published today by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) gives a picture of grave violations of international law committed in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war.
The PIAC says, the report will assist the UN Human Rights Council in considering how to ensure accountability for allegations of atrocities committed in the final stages of the civil war.
“Although violations were committed by both sides, the evidentiary material indicates that members of the Sri Lankan Security Forces perpetrated the vast majority of alleged crimes during the investigation period.” the report said.
The International Crimes Evidence Project (ICEP), a project of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), was established to provide key decision-makers with independent and credible analysis of alleged violations of international law committed in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war (September 2008 to May 2009).
Professor Paola Gaeta
According to the ICEP, the investigation is independent of all parties to the conflict, and has been guided solely by the evidentiary material uncovered with expert advice and assistance from ICEP’s independent Committee of Experts comprises John Ralston (Chair), Professor Paola Gaeta, Professor William Schabas, Colonel (retired) Desmond Travers and Gordon Weiss.
“It is reasonable to conclude that members of the Sri Lankan Security Forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) are responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Reasonable grounds exist to suspect that many of these violations amount to war crimes.” say the expert panel chaired by the former Chief of Investigations at the United Nations (UN) International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and Chief Investigator at the UN Commission of Inquiry on Darfur.
Colonel (retired) Desmond Travers
The 253 pages report also illustrates violations perpetrated by both parties to the conflict and in particular, widespread torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearance, which continue in part today, perpetrated by the Sri Lankan Security Forces on the civilian population.
“The Sri Lankan Government has not initiated an effective investigation or prosecution of such credible allegations. There are also allegations of collusion and other acts by the Sri Lankan state, which inhibit accountability for wartime crimes and protect perpetrators.” says the ICEP.
The report describes command and control structures so well-established that criminal responsibility for certain crimes if proven at trial could lead to convictions of senior military commanders and Sri Lankan Government officials, as well as senior surviving members of the LTTE.
Gordon Weiss
“More than four years since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, the Sri Lankan Government has failed to address serious and credible alleged violations of international law. The Sri Lankan Government has not complied with the UN Human Rights Council’s March 2012 resolution on reconciliation and accountability. There is strong concern about the independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary and the inadequacy of other checks on executive and military power. Accordingly, there remains serious doubt that the Sri Lankan Government will establish a credible investigation into allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and breaches of international human rights law and IHL. An independent and comprehensive international investigation is needed into these alleged violations of international law. Failure to do so can only damage the prospects of meaningful and enduring reconciliation in Sri Lanka. The absence of such an investigation will also ensure the ongoing impunity of those on both sides of the conflict who have committed violations of IHL and international human rights law, thereby emboldening those who may continue to abuse the civilian population.” the report concluded.
To read the full report click here
Rajash / February 5, 2014
Nothing nnew in the finding, other than another reputable isntituion endorsing war crimes comitted by both sides and in particular the Sri Lankan Govt.
Govt response would be a predictable ….ICEP is in the payroll of LTTE rump….
/
DesperateMINDS / February 5, 2014
But wait and see- how the govt delegation to Geneva would cover all these. I believe they lack of good guys this time to defend the sessions.
DJ, TK, RW are out of the scene. Only other low weights will have no good arguments, and not competent enough to face before the IC representatives in the session. Mahinda Samarasinghe and GLP are born weaklings.
/
Thiru / February 5, 2014
Mahinda must be regretting in retrospect for committing crimes against humanity and genocide of Tamils.
Karma Mahinda, it is Karma!
/
Thiru / February 5, 2014
Mahinda MahaRaja, King and Emperor of Sri Lanka and Tamil Eelam, you buried tens of thousands of innocent Tamils including babies alive in bunkers by your bombing and shelling.
Now they rise up from all corner of the world to get you to the Hague.
Get ready and be prepared, take your sarong with you, it might come in handy, you know for what!
/
Ben Hurling / February 5, 2014
Nice timing again. Just before UNHRC in March. Where is CH4 this year? Working on their next documentary due to be released in March 2015?
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) & The International Crimes Evidence Project (ICEP)? Lofty names indeed.
Exactly who’s behind these groups? And who commissioned this report? Who paid for it? And why exactly now?
Cheers!
/
Dev / February 5, 2014
Another “report” by a bunch of nobodies. These groups do seem to sprout like mushrooms at certain convenient times LOL
Then you get the terrorist diaspora trying to prop them up as “reputable” minutes after they see their grandiose acronyms for the first time in their lives LOL
/
Native Vedda / February 5, 2014
Dev
Do you think this March a C4 documentary showing VP’s surrender and subsequent death in the pipeline?
In an interview to Radio Times John Snow indicated the existence of other clips more horrific than they dare to show them.
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
Dev:
You haven’t seen the last of it yet. Did you ask your Mahinda mama on why he is holding council elections just days after UNHRC vote? Convenient for him? You must also ask him why immediately after the war he got the 18A passed to remove the two-term limit on his presidential terms? Jokers really, one day pass to unlimit and then pass term limit and then again unlimit the term. You Sinhalese people must be a bunch of nuts to allow such goons to treat you people as uneducated and illiterate and take you people for a ride. What is next?
/
Robert.R / February 5, 2014
You may mock the committee but a quick search in google news shows that the world has in fact accepted the grouping as very credible.
/
Ben Hurling / February 5, 2014
There was a time think tanks had credibility.
Often produced impartial, apolitical expert reports. That time is over. Reports are a buyers’ market now. All depends on funding now.
Rather than opinion owners saying things themselves, they get these think tanks to say it for them.
So, how many people were slaughtered in the so called Sri Lankan “Genocide” according this latest report? 40 000, 75 000 or 110 000?
It sounds like industrial scale killing by SLA. Did SLA operate gas chambers as well? Besides squezzing 300 000 out of LTTE’s racist death trap?
Stupid Rajapassa hegemony is dragging Sri Lanka into a historical mess for sure.
If Rajapassa cannot clear Sri Lanka’s name & deliver justice to victims like in a normal civilized country they should have the decency to get out of the way.
Cheers!
/
Native Vedda / February 6, 2014
Ben Hurling
“So, how many people were slaughtered in the so called Sri Lankan “Genocide” according this latest report? 40 000, 75 000 or 110 000?”
What is your take?
Zero casualty.
The theatre war crime has been wiped clean, yet skeletons are popping up in various parts of this island.
A honest investigation should have commenced just after the brutal war came to an end.
If you are a honest person you would be pursuing the state to conduct an independent investigation into all war crimes perpetrated on my ancestral land. Since you are not you are playing around with numbers.
Meet the mothers face to face both Sinhalese and Tamils who have lost their innocent sons and daughters and tell them that they were fibbing all their lives to discredit a humane state and its rulers.
By the way I have met many mothers from north and south who have been suffering for many years, because of war crime deniers like you.
“If Rajapassa cannot clear Sri Lanka’s name & deliver justice to victims like in a normal civilized country they should have the decency to get out of the way.”
Please stop kidding yourself.
/
Ben Hurling / February 6, 2014
Native,
I can look at mothers both Sinhalese and Tamil. I can also look at them in the eye. Say the exact same thing. Coz’ I am not serving Ealamistas, Rajapassa, Western HR hypocrites or those who committed crimes against innocent people.
I stand with both Tamil and Sinhalese mothers who have lost their innocent sons and daughters.
I am not a war crime denier. I seek and stand only for the truth. That is how I love my country and all of its’ people. Regardless of their ethnicity, religion or caste.
“Zero civilian casualty” was a military propaganda strategy. We do not buy that. American military champions this kind of thing.
Truth is civilians were killed. We should have the backbone to look at victims in the eye and admit it. New Sri Lanka need to ask for their forgiveness & share their pain. And help rebuild broken lives.
It applies to all Sri Lankans who have suffered at the hands of Police, military brutality or other forms of political violence since 1948.
However, we do not need to apologize to crocodile tear shedding monekys from outside Sri Lanka. Who never published a single report or made documentary before May 2009.
It was an unprecedented war. A truly ugly war nobdoy wanted to wage. But, we had to wage. Against a ruthless enemy with a pschopathic, racist leader and a adoring fans in the Tamil die-ass-pora.
I believe extra-judicial killings, rapes, torture took place.
While some of those victims were “A Grade Terrorists” themselves, it is no excuse for Sri Lanka to deny them justice.
That is not the new Sri Lanka we seek. Everything must be investigated by Sri Lanka at her own free will. And justice must be served. Three is no other way.
Many Western nations have kicked these things under the carpet. It is not an excuse for us to do the same.
War against the LTTE was absolutely justified. We should quit playing hide and seek with Western HR hypocrites. Rather mend our ways and clear our name. Stand upright.
BTW, Ealmistas have a new number to be tagged with the so called “Sri Lankan Tamil Genocide”. That is 140 000 dead. Hurray!
These propaganda monkeys of Tamil racism based outside Sri Lanka are a real shame to mothers who lost their children. And an obstacle to delivering true Justice. I do not stand with them.
Nor should you.
Cheers!
PS: Agree. I might have been kidding muyself about Rajapassa getting out of the way. They need to be kicked out. And they will be. Rest assured. A matter of time.
/
Anpu / February 6, 2014
Ben,
“That is not the new Sri Lanka we seek. Everything must be investigated by Sri Lanka at her own free will. And justice must be served. Three is no other way.”
Srilanka (UNP & SLFP ) is doing things freely from 1948!!!!
From zero casualty to 8000!!!. Rajapakse came up with this figure because of international pressure. Rajapakse did not come up with 8000 on his own free will.
“Justice must be served” – How are you going to this? Please write an article and publish it on CT.
This comment appeared in another forum
“”IF GoSL’s “War” with LTTE was an internal affair, then why did the GoSL take great pains to “internationalize” that “war” sought and obtained “international” support to fight the LTTE.
So naturally, the countries that helped the GoSL would have the “moral right” to question the behaviour of the GoSL during and after the “war”. That is their moral right.
They – the international community – did not help the LTTE and so morally they do not have any right to question the LTTE about its activities. The IC considered the LTTE as its enemy.””
/
Palmsquirrell / February 7, 2014
You realize Genocide isn’t purely about absolute numbers or gas chambers, that genocide is the deliberate destruction of a race or ethnic group by various means.
/
The Truth / February 8, 2014
We have given too much freedom to these foreigners to come to our country. What else that “May have” come up with is unpredictable. Fist they put the suspicion and then next time it become true for them. Ordinary Americans are not like that, even presidents are not like that, it is the few moneyed people who control the world(including the presidents).Genocide was “Done” in Iraq by Americans, it is not “May have taken place”. Lost of Arm manufactures are sad that one country became a peaceful country.
/
Ainsley / February 5, 2014
yes rajash, agree. When can we free ourselves from these predictable games, going round and round with nothing actually coming out except MR getting strengthened at home?
/
Jayan / February 5, 2014
MR regime is in deep trouble because of their stupidity & ignorance. When you appoint stooges, idiots & henchmen for important positions, this is what happens. As a last resort MR should appoint a presidential commission to inquire into possible war crimes, comprising Dr. Mervyn Silva, Duminda Silva & Wimal Weerawansa. Anarkali, Paba & Pawithra can be the consultants.
/
Rajash / February 5, 2014
Free our selves? you kidding?
we are sleep walking in to a dictatorship
have you not read the news that the Sri Lanka military is undergoing riot control training?
/
MrRetort / February 5, 2014
If war crimes are proved by independent inquiry, into military and LTTE, EVENTUALLY only government and left over LTTE such as KARUNA, Pillayan, KP etc would get caught. They are again UPFA SLFP top management. So what can be done?
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
Pillayan is now the “chief” counsel to the President for Tamil affairs in the Eastern province. Does he look like a counsellor to the president?
/
Native Vedda / February 6, 2014
MrRetort
Would you be interested in digging out the truth or punishing the war criminals?
Digging out truth is far more important than punishment.
/
Dev / February 5, 2014
Oh no, not another group that did not get the memo from Michael Roberts/Darshanie Ratnawalli /Padraig Colman about the war casualties being all a figment of imagination of the western media led astray by the evil diaspora?
tsk tsp really really this is terrible, they really should have consulted these three before the come out with this report. :-D
/
Point Man / February 5, 2014
After much coaching by PR experts and rehearsals, the usual suspects are back with their fabrications, props and fake emotions to give their cynical performances to a jury that has already made up its mind. These guys are more evil than the Tigers themselves.
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
This would be a good opportunity for you to advise the president to up the stakes – employ more PR firms and consultants. You see, how kind we are to offer ways to help the regime to spend its vast reserves of resources and finances.
/
aratai / February 5, 2014
.
By not arresting and punishing ‘bad’ soldiers, SL Government is making all SL soldiers are as bad and criminals.
Again, killing VP is not a crime, but killing VP’s 10 year old son is a crime.
:-)
/
Reena / February 5, 2014
I think the ICEP has presented the points well as many fundamentalist Sri Lankans have a presecution complex anad are on the defensive. This makes it very fair and clear:
1. Offences are on both sides. Both shouuld be held accountable
2. However more crimes are committed by govt forces
3. Attempts have been made to cover up.
An international investigation is a must as this regime is one of the most violent and corrupt.
/
HALAL &THAYAB / February 5, 2014
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
kapu / February 5, 2014
BULLSHIT !..another new ruse to’flog a dead horse ‘.. So,next will have a resolution to find…GRAVES OF MASS BURIALS..i suppose..when you make a claim make it credible and not please Warmongers and profiteers on both divides while you media guys can flash the customary smile at the start of a bulletin and fire damaging salvos.
Four years on,after the end of the brutal terrorist who sent shivers down the asian nations and other Countries who were scrambling to get them banned and banished from the face of this earth,it is surprising why the remaining Diaspora has now become the ‘SantaClaus ‘ of the West.
Simply, for the survival of politics…of corrupt politicians of this world.
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
These days almost everyone on planet earth seem to be poking at the SL regime. I wonder whether any Sinhalese with any grey matter had even paused to ask himself/herself – why not carry an impartial international investigation to find out actually what happened. If indeed the regime is innocent then it can prove it. For your information, the Santa Claus you referred to was able to make your president look like a fool during CHOGM.
/
Oma Yang / February 5, 2014
Aiyo, these fellows are on the LTTE and Diasporas payroll, hence these allegations are nothing but Lies to discredit suvarnabhumi!
You cannot fool everyone!
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
Yes, yes all the others are fools except you?? When a third resolution is glaring at you fools, continue to behave like NERO the mad. NERO destroyed ROME and what beholds for “mother” Lanka?
/
Thamara / February 5, 2014
Not only war crimes, but there must be investigations by the international organizatins to go into the other killings like Lasantha,Rathpaswela, Chilaw etc and disappearences of Prageeth, independence of the judiciary and the press etc. and drag the brothers before the ICC
/
Fathima Fukushima / February 5, 2014
Rubbish!
Good riddance of LTTE Tamil junk. That is why we have peace today.
/
Fathima Fukushima / February 5, 2014
These people want Tamils killed and raped again.
[Edited out]
/
NAK / February 5, 2014
“The Sri Lankan Government has not initiated an effective investigation or prosecution of such credible allegations”
The report is said to be ‘new’ but still stuck with old ‘credible allegations’
Why can’t these ‘new’ reports find some thing new for a change.
And if this new report is based on any thing said by Gorden Weiss the “CAGE” man,the inventor of the lie 40000 dead, the whole story is already in the Darus’man’s report.
/
Native Vedda / February 5, 2014
NAK
“the whole story is already in the Darus’man’s report.”
The report by UN is known as
Report of the Secretary-Generals’ Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka.
Are you referring to the same report you silly fellow?
FYI it was published on 31 March 2011 by UN and not by M Darusman from his kitchen table.
In case if you are reading the wrong report it is available on the following link:
http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/Sri_Lanka/POE_Report_Full.pdf
It contains 214 pages. It might harm your mental health – might even restore your sanity. Warning read this report at your own risk.
/
sach / February 5, 2014
Anything that points out at Gorden Weiss in any investigation cannot be taken seriously.
/
Mitthraseeeeeeeeli / February 5, 2014
To you but to many.
Wait and see babe, things will turn its way better for us the dissidents soon. Jayawewa to right thinking, sanity loving lankens !!!!!!!!!!!!!
/
jansee / February 5, 2014
You are talking as if others have to get your permission to do these investigations? Sorry, you don’t call the shots anymore.
/
Thondamanaru / February 5, 2014
Gordon Waysie has suddenly realised[Edited out]
/
EastHamBoy / February 6, 2014
Yet another TOP SECRET REPORT?
Asked whether the PIAC would produce eyewitnesses before Sri Lankan authorities or court of law abroad, Senior Media and Communications Officer Gemma Pearce told The Island that she couldn’t respond for what she called ‘witness security reasons’
Not even a Court of law abroad!
/
kris / February 6, 2014
Another crap from LTTE supporters , this will eventually go to bin like other reports
Another waste of LTTE die ASS Pora Money
/
Bruz / February 6, 2014
No need to panic. All these reports and USA, UK combined efforts are not going to do anything serious at all. US and UK who are trying to bring motions against SL, gave all the finance, war machinery, ammunition, advice, logistics in addition to China,Pakistan and Indian help. This is all political gimmicks fooling all and sundry. Don’t be alarmed, it’s all “you scratch my back and I scratch yours” story. US, UK or even India will never do anything harmful to Sri Lanka or it’s ruling thug politicians, in spite of exactly knowing what really happened and who did what. They have all the proof and holding Sri Lanka hostage demanding ‘ransom’ like trade, Trinco Harbor,Less Chinese collaboration etc.,This is nothing against Sri Lanka or in support of minority Tamils or Muslims. It’s all dirty geopolitics of inhuman money and power minded imperialists and un-greatful Indians. Chinese, Pakis, Iranians are doing strict business with politics mixed. No one really cares about murder,terrorism,rape, inhuman things, torture, disappearances, crime…it’s all for us to go through and suffer.
Never trust these people even for a minute. All these ‘tamasha’s at UBHCR will fizzle out at the end. MR will harp about his ‘viktory’ again and kiss the killing fields of Lanka, the ‘Bo’ tree and give Dhana to BBS, JHU prelates and enjoy his temporary freedom from God’s curse and a delay in serving for his Karma.
/
Ram / February 6, 2014
Yet another western think tank/NGO persuing the western agenda. Weiss who ‘witnessed’ the war from Colombo for his ‘bestseller’ also makes an appearance.
/
Steve Grafton / February 7, 2014
“the Sri Lankan Government may have sought systematically to exhume and destroy evidence of mass civilian deaths”
So that’s why the Tamil terrorists and their hangers on have no evidence to support their bogus allegations LOL
What an operation that must have been, to dispose of, how many is it today, 200,000? 300,000? bodies without even raising a brow on the eye in the sky LOL
US Army Logistics take note LOL
/
The Truth / February 10, 2014
Let those who claim the genocide, produce the names and numbers of people missing between 2006 and 2009. What the SL leaders can do is to get the High Commissioners and ambassadors to find out and compile a report of Sri Lankans migrants(Legal and Illegal) that have settle down in all the countries. I believe that CANADA AND UK IMMIGRATION ARE BOUND TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO THE RESPECTIVE High COMMISSIONS without reservation. We will compare the figures and find the ‘Missing persons” Also there should be same research done in Colombo, Gall and Mathara where there are new Tamil people have settle down(since 1984).
/
Priya Raymond / February 18, 2014
I am neither Sinhalese nor Tamil. My ancestors were Dutch. But I have never seen a country with such hatred towards minorities. There must be some radical change to the mindset of Sinhalese. Otherwise they will only bring disaster to this beautiful country
/