Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a report on the arrest and detention of human rights defender Balendran Jeyakumari and sources state she would most likely be released by next week, coinciding with the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka.
Jeyakumari
Jeyakumari (50) was arrested last year during the Rajapaksa regime, under charges of aiding Gobi – an individual, whom the previous government claimed was attempting to revive the LTTE in Sri Lanka.
Sources state PM Wickremesinghe has called for a report on Jeyakumari and it is to be submitted by this week, after which, he would make a decision on her release.
Although Jeyakumari, who turned an avid human rights defender after her son’s disappearance, was arrested under charges of aiding and abetting the revival of the LTTE through Gobi, no charges have been filed against her so far.
Recently, Colombo Telegraph published a letter written by her daughter to the President Sirisena, in which she has begged for her mother’s release.
Upon the election of the new government, Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said they are considering the release of some of the political detainees and subsequently, the Police Chief has submitted a list of 257 names of individuals of Tamil ethnicity who are currently being detained.
alex / March 8, 2015
Hooray .. they found one political prisoner who is being unlawfully held! At this rate the others should all be out by the 22nd century.
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justice / March 8, 2015
This means that there is no evidence against 257 tamil detainees including Jeyakumari, which will survive scrutiny in a court of law.
The state must pay compensation for unnecessary arrest and detention.
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anonymous / March 8, 2015
” coinciding with the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka.” ???
Shouldn’t have arrested her in the first place.
Why are they keeping that so called ‘sea tiger’ woman ?. Disgraceful!
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dcn / March 8, 2015
It was a unfair arrest and detention of Kayak marine for such a long period. Pleased to know the P.M. is taking some action to release her.
These kind of unwanted arrests and detentions for indefinite periods has created a kind of distrust and suspicions in the minds of minority Tamils. The government must take measures to dispel such fears and doubts in the minorities.
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ponkoh Sivakumaran / March 8, 2015
Since her detention was clearly illegal, she should be compensated by the state. These are false charges brought against mothers who are agitating for children who have disappeared. It is the duty of the state to find out what has happened to their children. Ranil Wicks will do well to find out about them instead of trying to deflect blame for the killings of many citizens both Tamil and Sinhalese. The persons who were responsible should be brought to trial. Whether they committed genocde, war crimes or crimes against local laws are for appropriate tribunals to decide. It is not for Wigs or Ranil Wicks to decide such weighty matters. Their expertise does not extend to the law in these areas.
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truth / March 8, 2015
The govt. must pay compensation for the pain, humiliation, suffered by the mother and daughter, even though they cannot compensate for the mental agony suffered by them. Can the Govt. bring back Gopi? They should apologize for his loved ones and pay them compensation too!! They should release all political Tamil prisoners and pay compensation for their arrests and sufferings!!
At least the world should realize how much the Tamils have suffered under the genocidal sinhalese govts. since independence. Hope the new Govt. will not follow the same path as the previous ones!!
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Parakrama Abeygunawardane / March 8, 2015
I request P M to release and compensate her and also amend the law to punish the police officers who frame false charges against innocence ..
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Rajash / March 9, 2015
Police officer ? He was acting under The direct orders of Gota
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / March 9, 2015
Under our law, superior orders is not a defence. The Kataragama Murder Case established that. Every policeman has a duty to disobey an order that is clearly illegal. Orders that came from Got a Baya were clearly illegal orders particularly when it came to abduction, forcible restriction and murder. The punishment of policemen or army personnel who obeyed his orders will provide a deterrence against future misdeeds by errant policemen and the security forces.
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Sylvia Haik / March 9, 2015
These unjust incarcerations were made possible by the ubiquitous “Prevention of Terrorism Act” which should should have been repealed a reasonable time after the war ended, but 6 years is stretching it a bit.
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turth / March 9, 2015
Good suggestion. If found guilty, the police officers, or security forces should be dismissed with punishment. That will teach them and the future ” ” “uniformed thugs” a lesson they will not forget!!
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burt / March 9, 2015
This is one of the worst crimes committed against individuals and its not limited to Sri Lanka. When a person is held in custody for this long a period in destroys their livelihood, moral values they believe in and come out with a lot of resentment than they went in. The happiness of freedom lasts only for days but the resentment for being held without a valid reason lasts a lifetime.
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R.M.B Senanayake / March 9, 2015
True Jeyakumarie was imprisoned by the previous government. But to keep a person in jail without filing charges for a long period is violation of the Rule of Law. Didn’t the new Government agree to implement the Rule of Law? Yes the Government should not interfere with the Courts but then the Police should be held accountable for arresting people and detaining them without formulating charges against them within a reasonable period. The Police should be asked o compensate her for the pain and hardship if they cant file charges against her.
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ela kolla / March 9, 2015
SL under the leadership of ‘appa sira’ has gone to dogs
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Pacs / March 9, 2015
Should pay for illegal Detention also for all the illegal activities of the Government officers. The sign of disrespect for the rules and Law is rampant among the govet officers in the north and east.
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K.A Sumanasekera / March 9, 2015
This rogue PM threatened to shoot Naduans who drive Fishing Boats to our Vellala Waters in the North..
And these drivers are all poor Dalits, who are bonded labour to Kerala Mafia.
And Jeyakumari goes scot free, although her two mates got shot while trying to pull out AK 47s from Ms Jeyakumari’s garden shed..
Wonder whether this PM has a soft spot for Keralite Elite and the Diaspora mates?..
I mean Jeyakumari knows even the British PM .. Right..
Or is it the other way around…
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Ponkoh Sivakumaran / March 9, 2015
Sumane, Are you referring to the Sinhala Karawa who came from Kerala and hide their ancestry with pseudonyms like Aresecularatne, Kurukoolasooriya and Kularatne. Why are there no Padukulartnes among you guys? Are you one of them? Since you are so worried about Tamil Vellalas, you should let us know what exactly you are- possibly a cinnamon peeler brought from India. Let us try to forget these petty matters. It does us no good.
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Sylvia Haik / March 9, 2015
Leave Sumane alone. His type of sycophancy is a rare breed that should be bottled and not thrown in the sea as most people want but preserved in a deep mine and forgotten. Who else would keep defending the draconian actions of the Rajapakse regime in the face of obvious evidence they are long gone.
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truth / March 9, 2015
“And Jeyakumari goes scot free, although her two mates got shot while trying to pull out AK 47s from Ms Jeyakumari’s garden shed..”
The charges are all fiction!! If it is true why was she not charged?
Mrs. Jeyakumari’s garden shed? Jeyakumari does not have the luxury of owning a garden shed!!She must have been living in a shack!!
By the way how much do they pay you to write these racist comments!!
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Senthil / March 9, 2015
Not only the living political prisoners but also illegally killed for money, body parts etc. and also the mentally ill person killed in Bampalapiti sea and many others have to be compensated through the independent non political unbiased court. Lets see whether the people worry about UK protest will do something. I think it is much better if people protest in UK than Mithiri just come and go without any publicity – Very boring. Are we people of boring nation, born to work and eat only our own food, like Runil boasted, eating high cholesterol coconut oil. In the west without going to China or any part of the world, you can eat the best food from that country, because of multi culture. We Asians eat only our food 3 times, 365 days-very boring people.
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SHASHNI / March 9, 2015
SHE SUPPORTED TERRORISM…..
SEE HER TERRORIST CONNECTION!!!
DO NOT BE BABIES AFTER SUPPORTING TERRORISM AND NOW TRYING TO PLAY HUMAN RIGHT..
THE TERRORISTS NEW STYLE THAT LTTE INTRODUCED TO THE WORLD IS “HUMAN RIGHT ACTIVITIES”
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Native Vedda / March 10, 2015
SHASHNI
“SHE SUPPORTED TERRORISM…..”
So did Mahinda.
SEE HER TERRORIST CONNECTION!!!
See his connection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhmary_K62Q
Mahinda also paid large sum to VP who was also a terrorist.
Mahinda’s cabinet was full of former(?) terrorist including Douglas.
What are you going to do about Mahinda’s collusion with JVP, EPDP and LTTE?
Dayan supported terrorism, by colluding with EPRLF.
Weerawansa and a whole host of others supported terrorism.
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shashini / March 10, 2015
Misconceptions on detention of Balendran Jayekumari The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland presents its compliments to all Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Switzerland and has the honour to circulate herewith the statement by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to the arrest and detention of Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, for the information of the esteemed Permanent Missions. Statements have been made at the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the arrest and detention of Balendran Jeyakurnari. In order to eliminate any misconception in this regard, the GoSL wishes to state the following : K.P. Selvanayagarn a.k.a. Gobi who had been overseas and returned to Sri Lanka was actively involved in reviving the LTTE in association with certain LTTE operatives including those resident in Switzerland. Investigations revealed that there is an attempt to regroup LTTE cadres and recruit unemployed local youth with the intention of using them for acts of terrorism and 5O such person had already been mobilized in the North, East and in Colombo. In this context, the LTTE had hidden arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment in secret locations prior to the end of the conflict. and the purpose of this operation had been to recover, such material and put them in the hands of these operatives. The key operative who was directing the operations K.P. Selvanayagarn, a.k.a. Gobi had been evading arrest. Following further investigations the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) had recovered arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment including several mobile phones, propaganda material related to Tamil Eelam, mortar and RPG type live ammunition, three hand grenades, 2.5 kg claymore bomb and ammunition for T-56 weapons among other material. Pursuant to the recovery the Police obtained a lead on the whereabouts of the chief suspect Gobi which resulted in a team of Officers proceeding to the residence of Balendran Jeyakumari in Killinochchi. During the search operation Gobi had fired at the Police officers, injuring sub Inspector of Police Rathna Kumar and escaped. The Sub Inspector is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. At this residence the landlady Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Balendran Vibooshika were present. Since suspect Gobi while being armed escaped from this residence a search was carried out on the said residence. A Menelab F-3 type mine detector was recovered from the residence, As Ms, Jeyakumari was unwilling to provide further details with regard to Gobi she was placed under arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting Gobi in his activities to reorganize the LTTE. As Balendran Jeyakumari had been unable to provide an appropriate caregiver/relative to keep her 13 year old daughter she was taken along with the mother and produced before the Killinochchi Magistrate (Case No. B201/2014) and the Police officials requested the Magistrate to either place the child in protective care, with a relative/caregiver, or in the alternative she could remain with her mother in Boossa detention Centre. Based on the Magistrate’s order Vibooshika has been placed under the care of Probation and Child Care services. The aforementioned arrest was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). It should be further noted that the ICRC has access to all detainees being held at Boossa. Therefore, it is regrettable that an elected member of the Northern Provincial Council of Sri Lanka Ms. Ananthi Sasitharan has chosen to misrepresent this case and depict it as an arrest made of a child who had participated in protests. At no time was Vibooshika arrested. It was only at the insistence of the mother that Vibooshika was taken along with her and produced before the Magistrate for a protective order. The actions taken by the Law Enforcement Authorities of Sri Lanka are well within the existing legal framework and following due process. The very fact that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan could freely visit Geneva and addressed this august Assembly appearing as a NGO representative presenting her side of the story is a clear demonstration of the fact that she is able to enjoy the benefits of democracy in Sri Lanka. It may be recalled that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan has been able to be a part of the democratic process due to the re-establishment of the democratic system in the North after a lapse of three decades due to terrorism. While having been closely associated with the LTTE through the activities of her husband the choice of language continues to demonstrate affinity with the cause of the LTTE. For instance, in one of her statements she refers to children in the area as “Eelam Tamil children”. As the Council may already be aware Eelam is the name given by the LTTE to their cause of creating a mono-ethnic separate state which they attempted to do through 30-years of bloodshed and terrorism. Her claim that her husband was a political leader is incorrect as her husband Elilan was a leading LTTE terrorist, who had been widely regarded as responsible for terrorist activities including the recruitment of child combatants. The detention on 16th March 2014 of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the Prevention of Terrorism Act were in connection with the investigation into the attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the cache of arms at Vishwarnadu on 11th March 2014 and the shooting incident which took place in Dharmapuram on 13th March 2014 where the involvement of Gobi transpired. Investigations have revealed that Mr. Fernando and Father Praveen had been in Killinochchi engaging with persons connected to Gobi. Their questioning is continuing at present to ascertain the whereabouts of Gobi and other related operatives. This development underscores the need to be vigilant on the activities of the remnants of the terrorist group, considering its bearing on national security. Subsequent to the immense bloodshed and suffering endured by the people of Sri Lanka following three decades of terrorism, it is all the more imperative on the Government to ensure its non recurrence.
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victor / March 10, 2015
Hi Sashni,
Please first you must know what had happened,don’t use the terrorism. Please come out from the well and say.
Your terrorism word no more valid.
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shashini / March 10, 2015
Misconceptions on detention of Balendran Jayekumari The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland presents its compliments to all Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Switzerland and has the honour to circulate herewith the statement by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to the arrest and detention of Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, for the information of the esteemed Permanent Missions. Statements have been made at the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the arrest and detention of Balendran Jeyakurnari. In order to eliminate any misconception in this regard, the GoSL wishes to state the following : K.P. Selvanayagarn a.k.a. Gobi who had been overseas and returned to Sri Lanka was actively involved in reviving the LTTE in association with certain LTTE operatives including those resident in Switzerland. Investigations revealed that there is an attempt to regroup LTTE cadres and recruit unemployed local youth with the intention of using them for acts of terrorism and 5O such person had already been mobilized in the North, East and in Colombo. In this context, the LTTE had hidden arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment in secret locations prior to the end of the conflict. and the purpose of this operation had been to recover, such material and put them in the hands of these operatives. The key operative who was directing the operations K.P. Selvanayagarn, a.k.a. Gobi had been evading arrest. Following further investigations the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) had recovered arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment including several mobile phones, propaganda material related to Tamil Eelam, mortar and RPG type live ammunition, three hand grenades, 2.5 kg claymore bomb and ammunition for T-56 weapons among other material. Pursuant to the recovery the Police obtained a lead on the whereabouts of the chief suspect Gobi which resulted in a team of Officers proceeding to the residence of Balendran Jeyakumari in Killinochchi. During the search operation Gobi had fired at the Police officers, injuring sub Inspector of Police Rathna Kumar and escaped. The Sub Inspector is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. At this residence the landlady Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Balendran Vibooshika were present. Since suspect Gobi while being armed escaped from this residence a search was carried out on the said residence. A Menelab F-3 type mine detector was recovered from the residence, As Ms, Jeyakumari was unwilling to provide further details with regard to Gobi she was placed under arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting Gobi in his activities to reorganize the LTTE. As Balendran Jeyakumari had been unable to provide an appropriate caregiver/relative to keep her 13 year old daughter she was taken along with the mother and produced before the Killinochchi Magistrate (Case No. B201/2014) and the Police officials requested the Magistrate to either place the child in protective care, with a relative/caregiver, or in the alternative she could remain with her mother in Boossa detention Centre. Based on the Magistrate’s order Vibooshika has been placed under the care of Probation and Child Care services. The aforementioned arrest was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). It should be further noted that the ICRC has access to all detainees being held at Boossa. Therefore, it is regrettable that an elected member of the Northern Provincial Council of Sri Lanka Ms. Ananthi Sasitharan has chosen to misrepresent this case and depict it as an arrest made of a child who had participated in protests. At no time was Vibooshika arrested. It was only at the insistence of the mother that Vibooshika was taken along with her and produced before the Magistrate for a protective order. The actions taken by the Law Enforcement Authorities of Sri Lanka are well within the existing legal framework and following due process. The very fact that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan could freely visit Geneva and addressed this august Assembly appearing as a NGO representative presenting her side of the story is a clear demonstration of the fact that she is able to enjoy the benefits of democracy in Sri Lanka. It may be recalled that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan has been able to be a part of the democratic process due to the re-establishment of the democratic system in the North after a lapse of three decades due to terrorism. While having been closely associated with the LTTE through the activities of her husband the choice of language continues to demonstrate affinity with the cause of the LTTE. For instance, in one of her statements she refers to children in the area as “Eelam Tamil children”. As the Council may already be aware Eelam is the name given by the LTTE to their cause of creating a mono-ethnic separate state which they attempted to do through 30-years of bloodshed and terrorism. Her claim that her husband was a political leader is incorrect as her husband Elilan was a leading LTTE terrorist, who had been widely regarded as responsible for terrorist activities including the recruitment of child combatants. The detention on 16th March 2014 of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the Prevention of Terrorism Act were in connection with the investigation into the attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the cache of arms at Vishwarnadu on 11th March 2014 and the shooting incident which took place in Dharmapuram on 13th March 2014 where the involvement of Gobi transpired. Investigations have revealed that Mr. Fernando and Father Praveen had been in Killinochchi engaging with persons connected to Gobi. Their questioning is continuing at present to ascertain the whereabouts of Gobi and other related operatives. This development underscores the need to be vigilant on the activities of the remnants of the terrorist group, considering its bearing on national security. Subsequent to the immense bloodshed and suffering endured by the people of Sri Lanka following three decades of terrorism, it is all the more imperative on the Government to ensure its non recurrence.
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SHASHNI / March 10, 2015
Misconceptions on detention of Balendran Jayekumari
The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland presents its compliments to all Permanent Missions accredited to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Switzerland and has the honour to circulate herewith the statement by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to the arrest and detention of Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, for the information of the esteemed Permanent Missions.
Statements have been made at the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council on the arrest and detention of Balendran Jeyakurnari.
In order to eliminate any misconception in this regard, the GoSL wishes to state the following :
K.P. Selvanayagarn a.k.a. Gobi who had been overseas and returned to Sri Lanka was actively involved in reviving the LTTE in association with certain LTTE operatives including those resident in Switzerland.
Investigations revealed that there is an attempt to regroup LTTE cadres and recruit unemployed local youth with the intention of using them for acts of terrorism and 5O such person had already been mobilized in the North, East and in Colombo.
In this context, the LTTE had hidden arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment in secret locations prior to the end of the conflict. and the purpose of this operation had been to recover, such material and put them in the hands of these operatives.
The key operative who was directing the operations K.P. Selvanayagarn, a.k.a. Gobi had been evading arrest. Following further investigations the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) had recovered arms and ammunition/explosives and other military equipment including several mobile phones, propaganda material related to Tamil Eelam, mortar and RPG type live ammunition, three hand grenades, 2.5 kg claymore bomb and ammunition for T-56 weapons among other material.
Pursuant to the recovery the Police obtained a lead on the whereabouts of the chief suspect Gobi which resulted in a team of Officers proceeding to the residence of Balendran Jeyakumari in Killinochchi. During the search operation Gobi had fired at the Police officers, injuring sub Inspector of Police Rathna Kumar and escaped. The Sub Inspector is currently undergoing treatment in hospital.
At this residence the landlady Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Balendran Vibooshika were present. Since suspect Gobi while being armed escaped from this residence a search was carried out on the said residence. A Menelab F-3 type mine detector was recovered from the residence, As Ms, Jeyakumari was unwilling to provide further details with regard to Gobi she was placed under arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting Gobi in his activities to reorganize the LTTE.
As Balendran Jeyakumari had been unable to provide an appropriate caregiver/relative to keep her 13 year old daughter she was taken along with the mother and produced before the Killinochchi Magistrate (Case No. B201/2014) and the Police officials requested the Magistrate to either place the child in protective care, with a relative/caregiver, or in the alternative she could remain with her mother in Boossa detention Centre. Based on the Magistrate’s order Vibooshika has been placed under the care of Probation and Child Care services.
The aforementioned arrest was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). It should be further noted that the ICRC has access to all detainees being held at Boossa.
Therefore, it is regrettable that an elected member of the Northern Provincial Council of Sri Lanka Ms. Ananthi Sasitharan has chosen to misrepresent this case and depict it as an arrest made of a child who had participated in protests. At no time was Vibooshika arrested. It was only at the insistence of the mother that Vibooshika was taken along with her and produced before the Magistrate for a protective order.
The actions taken by the Law Enforcement Authorities of Sri Lanka are well within the existing legal framework and following due process.
The very fact that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan could freely visit Geneva and addressed this august Assembly appearing as a NGO representative presenting her side of the story is a clear demonstration of the fact that she is able to enjoy the benefits of democracy in Sri Lanka. It may be recalled that Provincial Counsellor Sasitharan has been able to be a part of the democratic process due to the re-establishment of the democratic system in the North after a lapse of three decades due to terrorism. While having been closely associated with the LTTE through the activities of her husband the choice of language continues to demonstrate affinity with the cause of the LTTE. For instance, in one of her statements she refers to children in the area as “Eelam Tamil children”. As the Council may already be aware Eelam is the name given by the LTTE to their cause of creating a mono-ethnic separate state which they attempted to do through 30-years of bloodshed and terrorism. Her claim that her husband was a political leader is incorrect as her husband Elilan was a leading LTTE terrorist, who had been widely regarded as responsible for terrorist activities including the recruitment of child combatants.
The detention on 16th March 2014 of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the Prevention of Terrorism Act were in connection with the investigation into the attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the cache of arms at Vishwarnadu on 11th March 2014 and the shooting incident which took place in Dharmapuram on 13th March 2014 where the involvement of Gobi transpired. Investigations have revealed that Mr. Fernando and Father Praveen had been in Killinochchi engaging with persons connected to Gobi. Their questioning is continuing at present to ascertain the whereabouts of Gobi and other related operatives.
This development underscores the need to be vigilant on the activities of the remnants of the terrorist group, considering its bearing on national security. Subsequent to the immense bloodshed and suffering endured by the people of Sri Lanka following three decades of terrorism, it is all the more imperative on the Government to ensure its non recurrence.
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