25 April, 2024

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UNHRC Draft Resolution Weak On Substance, But Nandasena Govt Set To Reject Text And Force Vote

The Government of Sri Lanka is set to reject almost out of hand the early draft of the 2021 UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, which activists are condemning as a bitter disappointment that does not take into account the scathing report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The draft resolution does not even come close to the text of the resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2014, disappointed rights activists said as calls mounted internationally for the Council to take decisive action against the Sri Lankan Government. The resolution calls for the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights to consolidate and preserve evidence pertaining to war crimes and emblematic cases in Sri Lanka. The recommendation falls far short of the International Impartial Independent Evidence Mechanism for the investigation and prosecution of most serious crimes. This mechanism was established for Syria.

Michelle Bachelet

Michelle Bachelet in her report to the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council warned of an impending human rights calamity in Sri Lanka, with the Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa Government actively obstructing justice for war crimes and other human rights violations with his endless commissions of inquiry. Bachelet even urged member states of the UNHRC to pursue the option of referring Sri Lanka’s war crimes and atrocities to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. In her 17 page Report, Bachelet told the Council that Sri Lanka was at a critical turning point in its engagement with the Council, as it issued an ‘early warning’ about trajectory for democracy and human rights in the island nation that is struggling to come to terms with crimes committed in war time. Bachelet’s warning is in line with the UN’s own commitments about intervening early with preventative action to prevent mass human tragedy. The policy that set out the UN’s responsibility to intervene early, came about after a review of the world body’s failures Sri Lanka in 2009, where it estimates 40,000 people perished in the final days of battle in the northern province.

The “zero draft” of the UNHRC’s 2021 resolution on Sri Lanka reflects none of the High Commissioner’s heightened concerns. Although the draft is subject to major revisions, activists are already warning that the resolution is likely to be diluted rather than strengthened before it is adopted by the Council in March.

Despite the weakness of the resolution relative to the concerns expression by human rights organisations and Tamil activists, the government of Sri Lanka will not only reject most of the draft it will also force a vote at 47-member state Council.

Sri Lanka has failed to win a vote on a resolution to promote reconciliation and accountability in the country since 2012 when the US first sponsored one at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Colombo Telegraph has seen a GoSL document that outlines its opposition to the text of the draft resolution. The Nandasena Rajapaksa government is firmly opposing not only the recommendation that Bachelet’s Office run a mechanism to preserve and analyse and consolidate evidence regarding war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka for war crimes trials at a later date, demanding that the core group removes a brief reference in the draft text about the 13th Amendment to the Constitution that sets up the provincial councils.

Rajapaksa is planning to repeal the 13th Amendment in line with demands from hardliners in his ranks like Rear Admiral and Public Order Minister Sarath Weerasekera who wish to have the provincial council system scrapped. A new constitution the government is hoping to enact within a few months will likely remove the 13th Amendment unless the Government of India stages a major intervention to prevent it. (By Chinthika De Silva

See full text of the current version of the UNHRC draft resolution on Sri Lanka:

Zero Draft 

19 February 2021

46th Session of the Human Rights Council

Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka

The Human Rights Council, 

PP1: Guided by purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, reaffirming  the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recalling the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments, 

PP2: Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 19/2, 22/1 25/1, 30/1, 34/1 and 40/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, 

PP3: Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, 

PP4: Reaffirming also that it is the primary responsibility of each State respect, to promote and fulfill human rights as well as to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms of its entire population, 

PP5: Deploring the acts of terrorism which occurred in Sri Lanka in April 2019 leading to high numbers of injuries and deaths,

PP6: Acknowledging the holding of free and transparent democratic elections in November 2019 and August 2020, 

PP7: Taking note of the passage and operationalization of the twentieth amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka while stressing the importance of democratic governance and independent oversight of key institutions, and also encouraging the Government to respect local governance including holding of elections for provincial councils, and ensure that all provincial councils are able to operate effectively, in accordance with the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka,

PP8: Reaffirming that all Sri Lankans are entitled to the full enjoyment of their human rights without distinction of any kind such as religion, belief or ethnic origin, in a peaceful and unified land,

PP9: Acknowledging the progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka in rebuilding infrastructure, demining, land return, resettling internally displaced persons and improving livelihoods,  

and encouraging further efforts in these areas, 

PP10 Welcoming the continued commitment by the Government of Sri Lanka to remain engaged with and seek the assistance of the United Nations and its agencies, including human rights mandates and mechanisms, in capacity building and technical assistance,  

PP11: Reaffirming also that measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with States’ obligations under international law, in particular international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law,

PP12: Emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach to dealing with the past incorporating the full range of judicial and non-judicial measures, in order to ensure accountability, serve justice, provide remedies to victims, avoid recurrence of violations of human rights and promote healing and reconciliation,

PP13: Recognizing that mechanisms to redress past abuses and violations work best when they are independent, impartial and transparent; and use consultative and participatory methods, that include the views from all relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to, victims, women, youth, representatives from various religions, ethnicities, and geographic locations as well as people from marginalized groups,

PP14: Recalling the responsibility of States to comply with their relevant obligations to prosecute those responsible for gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law, 

PP15: Noting with appreciation the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights towards the promotion and protection of human rights and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, 

OP1: Welcomes the oral update presented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council at its forty-third session and the report of Office of the High Commission for Human Rights at its forty-sixth session; 

OP2:  Also welcomes the positive engagement between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights between 2015 and 2019, urges the continuation of such engagement and calls on Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights;

OP3: Acknowledges the progress achieved by the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations and stresses the importance of maintaining support to these institutions, safeguarding their independent and effective functioning, providing both offices with sufficient resources and technical means to effectively fulfill their mandates, allowing them to proceed with interim relief measures for affected vulnerable families, with a gender focus, and resolving the many cases of enforced disappearances so that families of the disappeared can know their fate and whereabouts;

OP4: Stresses the importance of a comprehensive accountability process for all violations and abuses of human rights committed in Sri Lanka, including those by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as highlighted in the OISL report of September 2015; 

OP5: Notes the persistent lack of accountability through domestic mechanisms and regrets that the domestic Commission of Inquiry announced on 22 January 2021 lacks independence and does not include a mandate to pursue accountability for past gross violations of human rights, or for serious violations of international humanitarian law, 

OP6: Recognises the importance of preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability and decides to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial proceedings in Member States with competent jurisdiction;

OP7: Expresses serious concern over emerging trends over the past year, which represent clear early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including the accelerating militarization of civilian government functions, erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights, ongoing impunity and political obstruction of  accountability for crimes and human rights violations in “emblematic cases”, policies that adversely affect the right to freedom of religion or belief i, surveillance and intimidation of civil society and shrinking democratic space, arbitrary detentions, allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment and sexual and gender based violence, and that these trends threaten to reverse the limited but important gains made in recent years and risk the recurrence of policies and practices that gave rise to the grave violations of the past; 

OP8  Expresses further concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on freedom of religion or belief and exacerbated the prevailing marginalisation and discrimination suffered by the Muslim community, and that the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to mandate cremations for all those deceased from COVID-19 has prevented Muslims and members of other religions from practicing their own burial religious rites, and has disproportionately affected religious minorities and exacerbated distress and tensions,

OP9: Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of all allegations of gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law including for longstanding emblematic cases,

OP10: Also calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the effective and independent  functioning of the National Human Rights Commission, the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations;

OP11: Further calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to protect civil society actors, to investigate any attacks and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance, insecurity and reprisals;

OP12: Requests the Government of Sri Lanka review the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and ensure that any legislation to combat terrorism complies with its international human rights and humanitarian law obligations; 

OP13: Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to foster religious freedom and pluralism by promoting the ability of all religious communities to manifest their religion, and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society; 

OP14: Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to cooperate with special procedures mandate holders, including responding formally to outstanding requests; 

OP15: Also encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant Special Procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing the abovementioned steps,

OP16: Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including progress on reconciliation and accountability, and to present a written update to the Human Rights Council at its forty-ninth session, and a comprehensive report including further options for advancing accountability at its fifty-first session, both to be discussed in interactive dialogues.

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Latest comments

  • 35
    7

    If strong action isn’t taken in Geneva, all of us Sri Lankans will suffer.
    .
    To say that we will be doomed is no exaggeration.
    .
    Dealing properly with issues of this sort is a matter for professionals. It may be that my views are shared by many, but of course,. I don’t know.
    .
    We know that there were terrible crimes committed but punishment on a suitable scale will not be possible. I hope that Tamil-speaking citizens accept that, so that we can move forward.
    .
    That said, I don’t want to tell Tamils, who have suffered much, what positions they should take. Their rights, and freedom to agitate must be the same as mine.

    • 22
      4

      There have been lots of distortions of what is going on in Sri Lanka at the moment, and in how it is reported.
      .
      I have drawn attention to how a person of Professor Laksiri Fernando’s standing has distorted what is currently going on. You will find it here, and I shall put more on there – in a desperate attempt to ensure that an atmosphere of rationality is restored.
      .
      https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/authoritarian-hypocritical-recommendations-of-the-un-high-commissioner-for-human-rights-on-sri-lanka/
      .
      I’m avoiding all use of highly charged language and provocation. However, I intend putting on there my views of the ways in which people like this current Acting Minister of Health (Channa Jayasuman) and Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera have been misleading the public for years, and of how the Sinhalese voters are continuing to be brain-washed by the media.
      .
      That I shall place there, instead of cluttering up the space below this important article.

      • 5
        0

        Sinhala_Man: May I draw your attention to the concluded court case in Los Angeles (reported by Sri Lanka Express US-based yesterday) that an “Unregistered Foreign Agent” by the name Imaad Shah Zubri – Pakistani origin, was sentenced to “12 Year” in prison, who was paid by Sri Lanka Government in 2104 an amount of US$ 6.5 million to “Lobby” and “Thwart” US moves against the country (Sri Lanka) at UNHRC. See how the S/L Government has “Acted” “THEN”, (in 2014) by the “Rajapakse Government” – a clear case of “BRIBERY”. Who knows those “OLD HABITS” aren’t repeated in 2012?

        • 3
          0

          Thanks, Simon.
          .
          People like me, stuck in Sri Lanka, old and poor are not really brave and courageous. I can tell you that I live in fear. However, I know that to allow those fears to control me, will only make matters worse.
          .
          It’s a great comfort to me that there are people like you whose assurances can always be taken at face value.
          .
          “We can’t trust any politician.” Often said, but not true. Define: “Who is a politician?” Anybody who actually contests an election. I have not done so, and I will not in the future – that is as far as State elections are concerned. I have notoriously contested school OBA elections, and realise how difficult it is to convince a voter of one’s own honesty.
          .
          I operate on the premises that there are honest candidates at every election; voting for them, however sure they are to lose is necessary. On the other hand, if a guy is contesting because of ego, or to split the vote, never vote for him!
          .
          This has hardly been an answer to your question, but have no fear. I well know that about 90% of politicians deal in bribery? Surprised at the low percentage?
          .
          Simon, I do trust as many as 10%.

          • 1
            0

            Sinhala-Man: Thanks. Take care of yourself and that is the “Best Choice and the Best Help”. A “politician” is not and need not contest at elections. In contrast, you and I and several others in this forum are “Politicians”. In my understanding, anyone participating, by way of expressing his/her opinion in the “Governing Functions” of a country is a “Politician”. Of course, “Politicians” are of different “TYPES” and you know what I mean. Take care of yourself.

            • 0
              0

              Dear Sinhala_Man, Simon, and the likes:
              In solidarity with the good will and the pursuit of righteousness.
              +
              Fear of persecution has spread like a wildfire under Gotabaya’s presidency. It’s a real and palpable situation.
              +
              Fear of the state’s lawlessness has underscored the lives of millions over the course of independent Sri Lanka’s history.

              • 1
                0

                Sugandh: Thanks. “Fear of persecution…..under Gotabaya”. He showed his “SKILLS” in that “TALENT” when in the shoes of “Secretary Defense”. Can a “Lepeord” hide his “Spots” even becoming the President of the “Slave Kingdom” of 6.9 million? One day “HE” will eat the “Slaves” too. This time “HE” will do it “Slowly” but “Steadily”.

      • 4
        0

        Sinhala_Man: A correction in my reply to you. In the last sentence of my reply, the year must be read as “2021” and not “2012”.

    • 12
      14

      Funny!

      UNHRC passed anti-SL resolutions in 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016?

      What happened?

      SL just farted out all of them!

      • 17
        6

        Gatamboooooo, the charges are not against the ‘country’ but against the mass murderers of this nation. I know how you racists will portray this as UNHRC bullying the country. Let me enlighten you on this, the charges are against Nandasena and all other mass murdering thugs who massacred the innocent of this nation. While at it, there were many fellows in Sri Lanka who murdered rural Sinhala youths and many militant killers are also there running around in Colombo, charge them all.

        • 5
          10

          Tamil Macho,

          “Let me enlighten you on this, the charges are against Nandasena and all other mass murdering thugs who massacred the innocent of this nation.”

          Smarting from defeat neda ?

          • 5
            1

            defeat of the LTTE? The LTTE has killed more people I personally knew and loved than the armed forces. So there is no sharp pain. But for a low life like you, you think every Tamil is a supporter of the LTTE or you probably want to portray everything that way to demonize the entire Tamil population. I am a bit too smart for you idiot, also by pushing me to the extreme you think I will one day say something racist towards the Sinhalese? You are neither Sinhalese nor Tamil nor human, you are simply a low life gutter dwelling racist scumbag. Somewhere in your life in the gutter, a Tamil must have beaten you to a pulp so you are crowing away like a fool. Stop making an ass out of yourself. LTTE achieved what they wanted, look around in Colombo how many senior LTTE members are working for the Rajapaksas. 3 of the biggest killers from the LTTE death squad and the only illegal arms dealer of the LTTE are working for the criminal family Rajapaksa in Colombo. Can you enlighten me on that matter? If you have a penchant hatred towards the LTTE, why are you so silent on these individuals and their handlers.https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-Red-Notices#1998-4743
            Shame on you!!!!!

            • 1
              3

              Tamil Macho,

              Fact is most tamils were unhappy about the defeat of the LTTE. In the country you live in, you may have seen how the Tamils came in large numbers to protest when the LTTE was being defeated. (They came out saying they wanted to save Civilians)

              As for call me an idiot., I think you have identified something, professors of three countries could not. Any way you are free to say what you like thats all that is left for you.
              About the 3 biggest killers of the LTTE with the Rajapaksa’s, I am in complete agreement with you here.

              • 1
                1

                Ravi Perehera, so who is the supporter of the LTTE here? The Rajapaksas or the Tamil community? There is far more clear evidence that the Rajapaksas are deep down lovers of the LTTE than anyone I can think of.
                Also many Tamils protested because of the atrocities the government committed on the minorities, there were some protesters who were trouble makers and I have to agree with you on that. Some fellows run away from a war, then once they get their landed papers in Canada they resort to this Tamil Ealam nonsense. Sri Lanka must remain one country!!!!!! The majority and the minorities have to learn to live with each other and the majority must learn to treat the minorities with absolute respect and kindness. Come to Canada and see the model we have in this country…………..the French came here first and the English afterwards, but the French are the minority in the country. The amount of protection the French have in this country at times can be annoying. They have so much say in the country and many of our PMs are from French speaking areas. We do not run around having race wars, we have so many different ethnicities who live here and we do not run out to the streets and declare war.

                • 1
                  0

                  Tamil Macho,

                  “Sri Lanka must remain one country!!!!!! The majority and the minorities have to learn to live with each other and the majo rity must learn to treat the minorities with absolute respect and kindness.”

                  Most welcome.

                  What should be the model in Sri Lanka.

                  1.Do you espouse for a full Federal model like Canada
                  2. Do you espouse for a North East Merger

              • 0
                0

                “professors of three countries could not”

                Professors are experts in certain field(s) and their judgment of you is related your ability to readily master that field(s), which is in no doubt.

                The number of professors who commanded very high standing in academia and supported Hitler and Nazi ideology is mind blowing. This is one of the reason scientists like Einsteen had to flee out of Germany.

                The Sinhalese ideology of despising and genocide of Tamils is not much different to what Nazi Germans did against Jews except the scale and time frame.

                “In the country you live in, you may have seen how the Tamils came in large numbers to protest when the LTTE was being defeated. (They came out saying they wanted to save Civilians)”

                In this, you readily loose your judgement.

                Yes, those who came out protesting proved sori Sinhala State’s intention of destroying Tamils from the Island in the pretext of fighting terrorism and after that.

      • 17
        2

        GATAM,
        The responsibility of UNHRC is to collect necessary and sufficient information for the Security Council (SC) of UN, in New York, to act on.
        What UNHRC is currently doing is to collect that Evidence, to present to the SC, so that the SC finds it a legitimate case for them to act upon.
        No ‘farting’ is allowed on SC premises!

      • 8
        2

        GATAM,
        .
        I believe you are not reborn ? Not long ago, GSP +, Fish industry related stuff concessions were taken away from SRLANKA. Remember ?
        :
        Execept two terms, namely (CBKs period and Good Goverannce period) all other recent termss were caught by UN resolutions and the ramifications. If EU, US or any other rich countries would sign an agreement with srilanka, RAJPAKASHE MADE ANTI HUMAN RIGHTs affected entire nation. Ironically, PUNNAKKU eaters dominated srilanka would never grasp it. They would even contribute the last cent (in a form of taxes) in order bitch s sons to enjoy eating “Pitaya (Drachenfrucht)”-

        I see some redlights at the end of the tunnel, but I really dont know how it effective that would be. However, it would be thousand times powerful than anytimes in the past. There, only poor people would have to suffer while, all others would go on more pleasing the backsides of the criminal family.

      • 4
        3

        GATAM

        Any chance you are a secret admirer of Thiruvengadam Velupillai Prabaharan?

        • 1
          0

          NV, maybe Gatamboooooo is Thiruvengadam Velupillai Prabaharan? :) He loves TVP so much he cannot stop writing about TVP. :)

    • 5
      12

      Dear Sinhala_man
      What is your honest opinion about my contention that “Accountability is the very antithesis of reconciliation”
      Despite

      • 4
        8

        Dear Sinhala man
        Sorry, some interruption, let me please continue.
        Despite passing references to “both sides” and “violations by LTTE” we are not children to be fooled. It is more than clear that the target is only the government forces taking comfort in the fact that LTTE top rank is mostly dead barring those managed to sneak to the West and living incognito. Effectively planned exercise is designed to holding only one side accountable and for my life I can’t understand how this one sided justice is leading to peace between two groups who were engaged in ferocious, bitter fight for 30 long years.
        .
        That is not my main concern. My main concern is the truth, exposing nothing but the truth – what exactly happened in regard to civilian deaths. Was it cross fire or deliberate targeting. The whole thing is further muddled by the fact that all terrorists don’t wear uniforms.
        My belief is that only an environment totally free from any punitive accountability will enable us to uncover the truth. Combatants will confess, testify against co-combatant only in such an environment. Punishing few people is not worth at all in comparison to that immesurable value of truth. And in my belief that is the only useful remnant we can leave behind for posterity so that they can on their own draw appropriate lessons from history.

        • 3
          6

          Dear Sinhala man
          A father reaches the end of his lifelong quest to find out who killed his beloved son. His only purpose in life was to avenge the heinous crime. At his death bed an Angel appears and offers him a choice. The angel would undertake to punish the criminal appropriately but the father will depart without knowing further details OR alternatively reveal the identity in which case he will be pardoned.
          If you were that father which would you choose?

          Soma

      • 9
        2

        soman

        Please define “Accountability and Reconciliation” in your own words.
        What do you expect from Accountability and Reconciliation as far as you understood.
        What is justice?
        And finally why do you act like very very stupid person or indeed you are one?

        • 2
          6

          NV
          As you have already classified me as stupid my definitions can’t be of any value to anybody.
          Readers are expecting to learn from a self proclaimed wise man like you. Please enlighten them with the answers to your own questions.
          I am listening.

          Soma

          • 4
            0

            soman

            “Readers are expecting to learn from a self proclaimed wise man like you.”

            Don’t be stupid.
            I always told everyone who is willing to listen to me that I am bit thick and am a simple Jivatma unlike you lot (Gota, you, all your saffron brigades, Dayan, Wimal, ….).
            Self proclaimed wise/great/strong/… Sinhala/Buddhist/…are as follows:
            Gota, Kamal, Shavendra, … members of saffron, ….

            As you lot always champion the virtues of Sinhala/Buddhist wisdom I think I have come to the right person for your advise while copying certain wise words for your information:

            Wisdom can’t be acquired simply through reading books; knowledge is one thing, wisdom quite another.

            Wise people continue to doubt themselves (and that’s part of what makes them wise).

            Wisdom is positively related to happiness.

            Wisdom must be distinguished from mere cleverness (which frequently “poses” as wisdom).

            • 0
              0

              NV
              “Don’t be stupid “
              Only a man who assumes himself wise would say this, I suppose.

              Soma

      • 3
        0

        Dear Soma,
        .
        My response to this has to be complex – I will come back to answer it.
        .
        There must always be accountability. Without it, civilised life will be impossible.
        .
        In this instance, I may appeal to Tamils to rise above all that and forego the need for Sinhalese perpetrators of War Crimes to be allowed to go unpunished, as a “strategy” to achieve reconciliation because we all want to live in peace.
        .
        I will never tell a Tamil that he must accept my suggestion. He has every right to demand accountability. Affirming that is very different from “supporting terrorists”.
        .
        Now please don’t start another round of “who started it?” Of course, the demand for “fifty-fifty” was silly. Prabhakaran was guilty of ruthlessly eliminating rival-Tamils, of recruiting child-soldiers. I’m not going to discuss such red-herrings. Nor will hypothetical questions be answered. Those are meant to trap.

        • 0
          2

          Dear Sinhala man
          Thank you very much.
          Awaiting your detailed response. Hope you will go through my comment (which was in three parts) once more before you despatch it.
          What I wanted to emphasize is that truth is far more important than the satisfaction you derive by hanging a few army chaps and punitive accountability will bury the opportunity to uncover it and add to the history.
          Further, the proposed accountability mechanism based on the fact that LTTE military hierarchy is no more available to be held accountable (dead or vanished) will only achieve of very opposite of what you are conditioned to believe -‘reconciliation’.
          .
          Most are fooled into the assumption that Tamil political class very much desires reconciliation.
          No my dear S-M, reconciliation is the very antithesis of separatism.
          Unless animosity is maintained hot ordinary Tamils cannot be goaded towards Vadukkodai objective.
          Even at this stage they are prepared to bargain ‘justice’ for a couple of solid steps towards Vadukkodai.
          .
          My dear Sinhala man, regrettably any third-party reading your comment will get the impression that only one side has committed war crimes.

          Soma

    • 4
      9

      Sinhala_Man???
      “If strong action isn’t taken in Geneva, all of us Sri Lankans will suffer.”
      —-
      How?
      ===
      “I don’t want to tell Tamils, who have suffered much, what positions they should take.”

      If so do not tell Sinhalayo who suffered more than Demalu because of LTTE Tamil terrorists who used suicide bombers, claymore bombs, multi-barrel guns and chemical weapons to massacre Sinhala men, women, children and even unborn babies for three decades what position they should take.

    • 4
      1

      Mahinda Rajapakse has sent a letter to Modi, begging for India’s support at Geneva. So much for the cardboard veeraya.

      • 3
        0

        Pani Edirisinghe your suggestion that Tamils should allow war criminals to go unpunished in exchange for reconciliation, happened in East Timor and South Sudan.There victims got justice for which they fought. This is what international community expected Mahinda to fulfill after defeating LTTE, for which they gave support. Had Mahinda granted justice to Tamils and achieved reconciliation, none of this would have happened. Mahinda not only went against his promise, but also refused hold his forces accountable for their crimes.To the question will Tamils get justice for which they fought, answer is NO. They will not even get partial justice without international intervention. Peace returned to East Timor and South Sudan when perpetrators of crimes and their supporters were removed form theater of offence. Sinhala armed forces must be removed from Tamil areas whatever settlement that is reached, for Tamils to live in dignity and safety.

        • 0
          0

          Ado Gnana,

          None of the War heroes would be punished. If at all a few individual soldiers will be punished. Lets see who wins here too. Smarting from defeat you thalaya

      • 1
        0

        Gnana,

        Cardboard veeraya did a job colourful chaarcters like Gamini and Lalith could not do.
        You demalu are angry with Mahinda for hammering you buggers

    • 2
      0

      Over and over again running and defending SL Govt views on UN resolution is a waste of time and effort. What has to be done is to have a Truth and Reconciliation Commission appointed in SL to investigate Army as well as LTTE actions. This has to be done as a credible investigation as those who sit as commissioners should be appointed and agreed by all parties in the Parliament. If any one party objects to a commissioner then that person should not be appointed. This is the only way to sort this ever recurring resolution issue. Alternatively, the full bench of the Supreme Court can be requested to appoint the commissioners. This has to be done before the UNHRC session in Feb 2021.

    • 3
      3

      Mr. Panini Edirisinghe,
      .
      Trying very hard to digest the overwhelming amount of people who attended JVP/NPP/AKD’s protest at Hyde Park recently.
      .
      You have to give credit to JVP/NPP/AKD as they are the only party that can call entire voter base in to a place like Hyde Park.
      .
      And RW’s UNP trying very hard to beat JVP/NPP.

    • 3
      0

      Sinhala man you are one of the few Sinhalese who stands for justice for the Tamils bravely and I salute for this. Like what you state , this watered down resolution by the so called core group , is not going to do anything for the island’s Tamil speakers but is a ploy just to deceive them and treat us like fools. The former colonial power Britain again is leading this deceit against the island’s Tamils. It is the cause of all the current problems , when it handed over power in 1948 only to the majority Sinhalese, with no or little protection for the island’s Tamil speakers. Now still protecting the Sinhalese racists with watered down resolutions , that amount to nothing . Yet most Sinhalese , the Sri Lankan government , especially the current one that largely is comprised of these war criminals and racists , who are only intent on making the island a Sinhalese Buddhist Fascist state similar to
      Myanmar, still oppose this.

      • 3
        0

        The Sri Lankan or Eelam Tamils will never get any justice for what happened to them or is happening to them. All these so called powers are pussyfooting and pandering to the Sinhalese majority and racists , for their own benefit and agenda or in fear of China and what it will do and are happily watching the structural genocide of the ancient Eelam Tamil nation in the island , pretending to care but really not , which is really an insult. If they really cared they can stop this and bring stronger resolutions and punish these war criminals and racists , just like they did in Kosovo, East Timor , Southern Sudan and many other places. They created these nations , that had never existed but on the hand the Eelam Tamil nation, just like the Sinhalese nation, that had existed and thrived and only died off due to European colonialism, especially during the British era, as it is they who gave the death knell to the Eelam Tamil nation ,by joining their lands with the Sinhalese in 1833. In 1948 , the British revived the Sinhalese nation but not the ancient Eelam Tamil nation .

        • 3
          0

          Looks like this Cabal led by Britain the last colonial power still wants this status quo to continue and the Tamils in the island gradually to die out or run away and not live in peace and dignity , this is why they did not accept or watered down the report of the Human Rights Commissioner. If any amendments are going to be made it will only to further water this down and make it a joke. They are treating the Eelam Tamils who are facing human rights abuses and structural genocide in the island like a joke. They know what they are doing and will never do this to a white or light skinned Western Asian people Eg; Bosnia , Kosovo Syria but tread the darker skinned people in a different way , as if we do not deserve any rights, unless there was something in it for them like in East Timor.
          Sri Lanka is cunningly using the China card and have played it beautifully and is taking the west and India for ride. It has done it many times but they have not learnt their lessons. They make promises , their leaders simper , smile and pretend to be humble but never intend to keep these promise and take they high hand once they achieve what they want.

          • 0
            0

            Siva Sankaran Sharma
            Your definition of Tamils is:
            Hindu/Christian Tamil language speakers in Jaffna.
            My definition is:
            All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion caste or the date arrival.
            What is TNA’S definition?
            What is India’s definition?

            Soma

            • 0
              0

              Where did I state anywhere that only Hindu and Christian Tamil language speakers originating only from the Jaffna region or the north are Tamils and the rest are not. You seem to be imagining a lot of things or deliberately lying to create mischief. A Tamil is a person who is of Tamil ethnicity and identifies them selves as a Tamil. They can be Hindu, Christian. Muslim , Buddhist , Jain , Agnostic, tree worshippers , Satanic or anything . These are personal beliefs of a person and has nothing to do with origin, heritage or ethnicity. Today I can be a Hindu and tomorrow I can decide Christianity or Islam is the true path and change my religion. This does not mean I cease to be Tamil and overnight change my ethnicity to European Jew or Arab/Moor just because I changed ny religion. Tamil is a Dravidian language and Tamils are of predominant Dravidian heritage but not all Tamils have a Dravidian origin. They can be of Indo Aryan origin, Western Asian, Austaloid,ancient Greek or Roman or other European origin or a mixture of everything.

              • 0
                0

                Siva Sankaran Sharma
                .
                Thanks. You agree with my definition:
                All Tamil speaking people scattered across the island irrespective of their religion, caste or the date of arrival.
                .
                Now, can you outline a possible geographic devolution model which can encompass at least 90% of them taking into consideration their distribution across the island?

                Soma

          • 1
            0

            “Looks like this Cabal led by Britain the last colonial power still wants this status quo to continue and the Tamils in the island gradually to die out or run away and not live in peace and dignity”

            The British, especially for few years onwards of July 1983, gave refuge or readily accepted Tamils who landed in Britain in the hope that it would reduce the number of population base for the LTTE continue to fight.

            The UK expected that Sinhalese (with British Keenie Meeni hand-in-hand fighting ) would be able either defeat, destroy or weaken LTTE to the point of LTTE begging for accommodation with Sinhalese, or LTTE naturally wither away.

            This policy or plan had extremely backfired, and the number of Tamil (speaking, yes Muslims included ) people landing in Britain had exponentially risen and become unmanageable for the UK; yet LTTE leadership readily built a formidable fighting machine with very little resources.

            All Western nations have been with Sinhalese in destroying Ezham Tamil nation in the Island since 1500.

            “Sri Lanka is cunningly using the China card and have played it beautifully and is taking the west and India for ride.”

            Yes West and Hindia know that.

  • 9
    25

    If UNHRC wants to investigate war crimes and human rights violations that took place in Sri Lanka because Tamils in the North who are the descendants of Dravidians brought by colonial rulers launched a terrorist campaign targeting Sri Lanka Armed Forces and Sinhala civilians in order to grab a part of the country to create a separate State based on a bogus claim ‘Traditional Homeland’ let them start with War crimes and human rights violations committed by:
    • LTTE Tamil terrorists;
    • IPKF; and
    • Sri Lanka Armed Forces in that order.
    Sri Lanka Armed Forces have nothing to worry because all the allegations are fabricated stories revealed by ‘GHOSTS’ who did not show their faces whereas there are credible evidences for the war crimes and human rights violations committed by the other two parties.

    • 16
      5

      Eagle Eye,
      .
      Who are these ” ‘GHOSTS’ who did not show their faces?” YOU!
      .
      You have repeatedly been asked to say who you are. Many continue to wrongly imagine that you are either H.L.D. Mahindapala of Australia or Prof. Chandare Dharmawardena in Canada.
      .
      Panini Edirisinhe (NIC 48 3111 444V)

      • 3
        8

        Sinhala_Man???
        To answer your question; that is the way the Office of Missing Persons collect evidences from Demalu for war crimes and human rights violation charges against ‘Ranaviruwo’ who liberated this country from LTTE Tamil terrorists. It is a one way street. They believe everything Demalu say and no chance for cross examination. So, as they have been doing Demalu can fabricate stories and give as evidences. These evidences can be used against ‘Ranaviruwo’ even to take them to ICC. The identity of the persons who give evidences cannot be revealed for 30 years. Traitors in ‘Jadapalana’ Government who co-sponsored the UNHRC Resolution agreed to these conditions.
        —-
        You keep on asking the same dumb question again and again about my identity. I told you before and I am telling you again that I do not have to reveal my identity. That is not a requirement of the comment policy of CT. Your identity is immaterial to me. You can say you are Panini Edirisinghe but who knows whether that is true or not. Probably you could be Thangavelu, Mahalingam or Rajalakshmi.

        • 4
          3

          Mahindapala, just because you are a coward writing rubbish as eagle eye, do not contest the identity of those who are brave to write in their name and forthright in their views. Style of writing of articles by you in the press and what appears in this column is the same. Accept this and prevent others from being wrongly accused for your madness.

        • 2
          0

          Eagle Eye,
          .
          I’m replying this, but may decide never to reply a guy who, when writing English has to say “Demalu” instead of “Tamil”.
          .
          Read again your second paragraph about “identity”. Clearly, if we allow your game to be played, nothing will ever be proved.
          .
          So, you don’t even know that I’m “Panini Edirisinhe”. Let me add a photograph:
          .
          https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/challenging-three-cheating-thomian-pharisees-and-not-doing-it-from-behind/
          .
          So, my photograph has been added. There are no real hate comments there, but you will find them aplenty in the four earlier articles that you can navigate to. Although people who say that they have met me say that they hate me and what I stand for, not one of them suggests that I’m a figment of any imagination.
          .
          Despite all this, if my identity cannot be established by you, how do you expect Tamils to prove their case?
          .
          Your talk of CT policy allowing you to write as you do is analogous to your claiming that although War Crimes were committed, the UNHRC can be outwitted. Have it your way, since I can do nothing about it.
          .
          Look at Professor Kumar David’s unexciting article that has just come on:
          .
          https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/four-countries-will-decide-lankas-economic-future/
          .
          That is the reality: economic ruin.
          .
          So, continue with your silly arguments. They don’t matter; taken seriously by no sensible person since nobody takes responsibility for what is said.

          • 0
            0

            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

            • 1
              0

              Thanks very much for making it short.

              Get well soon !!!!!!

      • 5
        2

        EE,
        .
        EE would not care much about any comment contents, but continue as usual. I dont think that could be a match with the profiles of both, you mentioned above.
        :
        There are times, I quesiton myself, why EE is that one sided- repeat his hatreds filled arguments on and on. The kind of men are born to fool others not knowing how deep they are fallen it. If these men would continue their hideouts in rich countries, how would they face rigorous laws – is the million dollar question that eechoes my ears ?

        • 5
          0

          This was to Mr SM

    • 5
      15

      EE,

      IPKF did not do any war crimes after 1987. They were much loved by Sri Lankans. Wish the IPKF was back in Jaffna! Sigh!

      Sinhala Modayas are very good at scoring own goals. Here are some own goals.

      * Fighting with India over Indian fishermen robbing the fish of SL’s north. Why? Who loses if no action was taken?
      * Dispatching the IPKF. Who loses if no action was taken?
      * Free education, free healthcare, free fertilizer in areas NOT under government control. Who loses if no action was taken?
      * Removing the army camp in desalination plant in Elephant pass in 1999 (for the election) to assist poor northern fishermen. Who loses if no action was taken? A few months later LTTE attacked this which forced modayas to vacate the Elephant pass camp. Classic!
      * So called “humanitarian” operation “rescued” 300,000 Tamils from the “jackboot” of LTTE. Who loses if no action was taken?

      • 5
        12

        GATAM,
        IPKF committed war crimes and human rights violations against Sinhalayo who lived in Tirikunamale. India that was eyeing for Tirikunamale port wanted to get rid of Sinhalayo in that area and IPKF massacred Sinhalayo.
        I met a Buddhist monk in Tirikunamale who told me atrocities committed by IPKF. According to him, there were Tamil soldiers who could speak Sinhala and they were the most ruthless people against Sinhalayo.
        Whether the decisions taken by Sinhala politicians depending on the situation prevailed at that time right or wrong is a different matter. In hindsight one could say they were wrong.

        • 5
          4

          Eagle Blind Eye

          “IPKF committed war crimes and human rights violations against Sinhalayo who lived in Tirikunamale.”

          Did it?
          So bad.
          What did the cowards who have been running the island do to hold Hindians and IPKF responsible for all those atrocities you imagine IPKF had committed? What was your brave Ranavirus do to stop IPKF commiting those atrocities?
          Yet Colombo had allowed IPKF to erect a war memorial in Colombo. What a pathetic little country, its Sinhala/Buddhist majority and cowardly armed forces.

          • 3
            0

            Sinhala_Man: May I draw your attention to the concluded court case in Los Angeles (reported by Sri Lanka Express US-based yesterday) that an “Unregistered Foreign Agent” by the name Imaad Shah Zubri – Pakistani origin, was sentenced to “12 Year” in prison, who was paid by Sri Lanka Government in 2104 an amount of US$ 6.5 million to “Lobby” and “Thwart” US moves against the country (Sri Lanka) at UNHRC. See how the S/L Government has “Acted” “THEN”, (in 2014) by the “Rajapakse Government” – a clear case of “BRIBERY”. Who knows those “OLD HABITS” aren’t repeated in 2012?

            • 0
              2

              Idiot – that is called lobbying in the USA what you call bribery .

              • 2
                0

                a14455 / February 21, 2021
                Who is idiot ? You or anyone else ? Yet today, you the kind of men to misinterpret MaRa abusive tricks ? Lobbying ? ha hah.. my gosh.. are u in puberty ? Grow up man ! that is not that difficult as appeared to be

              • 0
                0

                a14455: Do you know why I call it a “Bribery”? This man’s agency was NOT a “Registered” outfit to undertake “Lobbying” in USA. That is why he was charged for not “Accounting” the receipt of that amount from S/L. Do you know who were “Instrumental” in making that “US$ 6.5 million”? They were: Sajin Vas Gunawardane, Jaliya Wickramasuriya, and Nivad Cabral. This deal was “Executed” completely keeping the “Foreign Ministry” and the Cabinet out. The “Indictment” said that “Man”- Imaad Shah Zuberi, failed to “Account” the funds (Lobbying) received and “Divulge” the disbursements. The “Accused” pleaded “GUILTY” and was sentenced to12years in Prison”. That is why I called it a “BRIBE”, but now I call it a “ROSEBERRY” of “PEOPLES, MONEY” by “THREE” cohorts of “Rajapakse & Co, Inc.” What can I call you for not knowing the true facts? Anybody,s guess?

          • 1
            0

            NV: That “IPKF” has a “History” in Sri Lanka. The then “KING” of Sri Lanka “JRJ” brought the “IPKF” to S/L. When he was asked to explain this “Court Order” (King’s) he replied: ” India started this war. I have allowed India to “Solve” it and that is why “IPKF” is here. Our Armed Forces will be withdrawn from participating in that operation. Now let “IPKF” handle it”. That was “HIS” punishment to India. In a way that “Move” by JRJ proved to the world the “Barberic” nature of “IPKF” and also the “Humiliation” suffered in the soil of S/L. To save face, the next President Ranasinghe Premadasa, “Ordered,” the “IPKF” to “Go Home” and “Empowered” (by offering money and arms) to “National Tamil Army” (a proxy of LTTE). Remember, the “Rs. 200 million” cheque issued from the Treasury to “TNA” by the then Secretary to the Treasury under Premadasa, Mr. Paskaralingam? That “History” is in my records. Interesting stuff when you look back?

            • 1
              0

              Simon

              “The then “KING” of Sri Lanka “JRJ” brought the “IPKF” to S/L.”.

              JR was forced to accept the invasion of IPKF.
              The saddest part is the gloating Gota and his Goons never challenged Hindian forces. In fact they were hiding behind VP’s fat butt. After fighting bata wearing baby brigade for nearly 30 years now Gota and his goons never forget to mention how they won the war. It was VP who won the war and 2 elections for Mahinda.

              It was Premadasa who decided he couldn’t order his lazy bums to fight a war with Hindians he managed it through VP. I don’t blame Premadasa as he knew his lazy bums can only kill their own innocent unarmed people and wouldn’t dare a war with foreigners. That is one reason Hindia and USA worked along with clan between 2005 and late 2009, provided international diplomatic cover for the war criminals.

              Whether the Yankee dick was clever or clever dick, the Sri Lankan armed forces which were supposed to protect its own people from harm, sat tight and protected its own bum while innocent people in the north east were subjected to war crimes. The very same cowards now bragging about how they obliterated LTTE from the face the earth.

              • 1
                0

                Simon

                ” (by offering money and arms) to “National Tamil Army” (a proxy of LTTE). “

                It was not a proxy of LTTE, it was IPKF’s creation and mainly under EPRLF’s control. Dayan have had close relation with EPRLF and was a proud member of its North East provincial council. TNA was funded by IPKF.

                Out of the 200 million what percentage was given to LTTE?

                • 0
                  0

                  NV. You are correct in saying “JRJ” was “Forced” to bring IPKF, but as usual “Politicians” use, always “TWIST” and “TURN” to save face. Premadasa, too played to the “Gallery” taking “Credit” for sending out IPKF. Yet, it was LTTE “Stalwarts” who did the “Ground” work, for which they were brought to Colombo in Air Force Helicopters and “Exclusively” accommodated at “Hilton” hotel. In this “Game”, Paskaralingam played a very prominent role, and I know to whom that “Cheque” of “Rs.200 million” was addressed. During that era, “GOTA & Goons” were wearing “Diapers” and sucking the baby feeding bottles. All about “TNA” will be a long story to tell. Leave it for a later date..

        • 3
          4

          EE,

          That was only in 1987 due to a small misunderstanding. That’s why I said they didn’t do any war crimes after 1987. Compared to the good they did in Jaffna, that’s minor.

          Bring back IPKF to Jaffna to save Tamil women from the Sinhala army.

        • 4
          2

          Do you know that there is a monument to honor IPKF in SL Independence Square? I bet you don’t know! Sri Lankans loved the IPKF for their great stuff in Jaffna.

          Bring back the IPKF to Jaffna!

      • 11
        3

        Gatamboooooooo, you damn liar. IPKF was much loved by the SriLankans? What a crock you liar. When the disgusting IPKF refused to leave and when the LTTE gave them a severe thrashing in the north, the people of the south celebrated the decimation of the IPKF, there were VP’s posters being sold in Colombo. Now you are twisting the events to suit your lie.

        • 4
          6

          Tamil from the north, you are a damn liar. No such thing happened. IPKF suffered only 2,500 deaths. How many Tamils they killed, etc.? Many times more.

          That’s why Sri Lankans loved the IPKF. Do you know that there is a monument to honor IPKF in SL Independence Square? I bet you don’t know!

          Bring back the IPKF to Jaffna!

          • 3
            1

            Gatambooooooo, is that why Premadasa invited the LTTE representatives to Colombo, put them up at the Hilton, wined and dined them and then sent them back with all sorts of weapons to beat the IPKF.

            Gatambooooo, an army general from the IPKF told Rajiv Gandhi this is going to be our Vietnam and we need to pull out. Bloody joker, stop lying to people on CT.

          • 1
            0

            “Do you know that there is a monument to honor IPKF in SL Independence Square?”
            G, do you know when that came up and under which government?

            • 1
              0

              “G, do you know when that came up and under which government?”

              It does not matter under which government, now we have a self proclaimed strongman in power he could easily remove any monument, just the one at Jaffna Uni, …..

    • 13
      4

      Eagle ‘blind ding bat’ Eye, yes I agree that ex-LTTE fellows need to be charged. To start with, go and arrest the criminal family’s best friends in Colombo by the following names;
      -Karuna Amman
      -Pillayan
      -Inniyabarathy
      -KP Pathmanathan
      -Daya master
      -Douglas Devananda
      and all their handlers;
      -The criminal mafia family by the name: Rajapaksa

      Stop wasting your time trying to charge VP, he is DEAD!!! Go after the killers in Colombo.

      • 3
        6

        Tamil from the north,
        VP is dead but there are LTTE leaders hiding in ‘Greener Pastures’ under new identities. Some of them are listed as missing persons.
        The people that you mentioned helped Rajapakshe regime to eliminate LTTE Tamil terrorism and restore peace in the country. Unlike Demalu who stabbed in the back of Sinhalayo after settling down in Sinhale, Sinhala Buddhists do not betray people who helped them. Forgive and Forget is Buddhist culture.

        • 3
          1

          Eagle ‘mutt’ Eye, they helped the criminal family to defeat the LTTE? I thought your military single handedly beat the LTTE! Karuna did not help the criminal family but he ran away to Colombo to save his pukka from the northern tigers. He saw VP was coming for him. Also he, pillayan and Inniyabarathy are the 3 people who massacred 600 surrendered cops in the east. A simple sorry is enough to wipe the tears off thousands of family of these cops? Shame on you little weasel. Also there is KP Pathmanathan, whose weapons killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans for over 25 years, what do you got to say for that clown?

      • 3
        3

        Tamil thanbi,

        What about Mrs Balasingham and all the former LTTE members living in the west.
        Also add Suresh Premachandra to this list (For killing young LTTE members) with the help of IPKF..

        • 2
          1

          oh boy Ravi Perehera, are you ill or something bugger? You can round up all the ex-LTTE members you have mentioned here and charge. It does not matter whether they are in SL or abroad. Why are you asking me? Anyone who has innocent people’s (all Sri Lankans) blood in their hands must be charged.

          • 0
            2

            Hey Tamil,

            May be you can help us to find where in Toronto these Tamil killers are hidding.

            • 2
              0

              cont..
              So many Sinhalese and Tamils have married each other in Canada and they are all living happily, but step into Sri Lanka it turns into an international disgrace and a clown show. Buddhist monks causing trouble, setting fire to mosques, churches and temples, what disgrace is this? Who does that to a place of worship? Unlike you, I do not hold you responsible for the carnage in Sri Lanka becuase you are Sinhalese. This is how you racists demonize all Tamils by tying them to the dreaded LTTE. LTTE has done more harm to my friends and family than the SLA. So next time before you sit there and write a response think!!!!!!!!

              Ravi Perera, lets try and round up the killers from the majority also. Be careful someone might round you up as well.

            • 2
              1

              Ravi Perera, shed your racist mindset and think properly. War crimes charges are against those who committed it and those who had command responsibility over the crimes. Charge is only against some members of the armed forces and their superiors who authorized it. If you are saying that all LTTE members, even those who did not commit any war crimes should be punished then the entire armed forces and the government officials who supported the armed forces must be punished. In law when a person is dead, case against him is closed. Those LTTE members who committed war crimes have either been killed in combat or killed after surrendering, and thus there is no case pending against LTTE. On the other hand Sinhala war criminals are walking free, and need to be brought to justice, which will happen eventually. If those Sinhala murderers do not want to be sent to gallows, way out for them is to commit suicide.

              • 0
                0

                Gnana,

                What about those who funded the terrorists. Should they be investigated for funding a terrorist group. At most a few members of the Army would be punished that is also unlikely. You buggers are smarting from defeat

        • 1
          0

          RAVI PERERA
          Sinhala Speaking Demela

          “What about Mrs Balasingham and all the former LTTE members living in the west.”

          Whatabout your whataboutism?
          Why not KP, Pillayan, Karubna, Mahinda, Basil, Emil Kanthan, ……. ?

          “Suresh Premachandra”

          He is a special case.

          • 0
            0

            Suresh Premachandran -Special case

            why ?

      • 2
        6

        Tamill, you have a problem. You see heroes as killers and killers as heroes! What on earth did you drink?

        • 2
          0

          Gatamboo, idiot show me one evidence of me where I saw killers as heroes? Who are these killers you are speaking of?

        • 0
          0

          G, you asked ‘Tamill’
          “What on earth did you drink?”
          The same question crossed my time every time I bothered to read your comments.
          Are you trying to compare notes?
          He cannot match you at his worst moment.

      • 4
        1

        TftN
        BTW, Douglas D was not an LTTE fellow at any stage. That does not make him a paragon of virtue though.

        • 2
          0

          SJ, Douglas was part of Pathmanaban’s gang (EPRLF) and then he formed EPDP. But this fellow has killed so many civilians it is so sad. There is no difference between this Douglas fellow, LTTE, the armed forces and the criminal family Rajapaksas.

          • 1
            0

            TftN
            I only pointed out that DD was not in the LTTE. He was always at loggerheads with the LTTE.
            I added that “That does not make him a paragon of virtue though.”
            I had some respect for Pathmanabha, as one who had a view of issues that transcended the blinkered approach of most Tamil nationalists.
            But the EPRLF was a puppet of the Indian establishment (not RAW though, which was soft on the LTTE until involvement in RG’s killing came to light.)

            • 1
              0

              SJ, at the end all these fellows are killers. They would have killed anyone who stood in their way. To me, it does not matter who these fellows are with, they all have innocent blood on their hands.

    • 0
      4

      Dear EE

      I think you are an FP/TULF man.

      Only mention one of the victims LTTE west happy to enjoy the company of TNA. Good for you man.

      So you want the UNCHR to I vestige LTTE not what created them(FP/TULF) and how this was done in the first place????? no investigations since 1970’s onwards in Jaffna on a logical order that will show the duplicity the UN/UNCHR and all others how we all died???

      This suppose toggle answers tour National problems???

    • 3
      1

      Eagle Lie the native Eelam Tamils in the north and east are not the descendants of Dravidian Slaves brought by the colonial power. It is the coastal Sinhalese living along the north western , western and southern littorals who are they are descendants . They make up 50% of the present day Sinhalese . The Portuguese and Dutch colonial powers imported hundreds of thousands of Low caste and untouchable Tamil from then Tamil South India ( Tamil Nadu and Kerala) and settle them along the southern and western littorals , to do lowly service tasks , like fishing, tree climbing or to work as indentured slave labour in the huge southern spice estates. The Sinhalised descendants of these low caste/untouchable Indian Tamil immigrants are the Sinhalese Karawe, Salgama , Durawa, Hunu, Hali, Berewa and many others. Many of them took Portuguese names to hide their lowly immigrant Tamil origin and then later to hide this too, some changed to Sinhalese names, Most of them first converted from Hinduism to Cat holism and many later to Buddhism during the Anagariaka Dharmapala era. Now ironically most of theme have become rabid anti Tamils and card carrying Sinhalese Buddhist or Catholic Fascists and supporters of the Sinhalese Aryan myth.

      • 3
        1

        The Sinhalese leaders and elite are very good at this game. Wait and see once all this is done India will be in for a big shock when it sees China on its southern door step very soon and they cannot do anything about it. Damn good as they always have used the Eelam Tamils and their fight for justice for their own agenda but never really cared and always betrayed the island’s Tamils and pandered to the majority Sinhalese racists, as many who make decisions in India are anti Tamils or ethnic Tamils largely belonging to a certain caste , that I too belong to but are Tamil haters. However the Sinhalese have always taken the Indians for a ride and will do so again and they will never learn until it is too late.

        DNA also proves this . The present day Sinhalese share a 70% DNA with Indian Tamils and only 25% DNA with the Bengali/Orissa and other North Indian people like the Gujarati/Marathi. The native Sri Lankan Tamil on the other hand shares 17% DNA with Indian Tamils and share a higher percentage of DNA with the Bengali/Orissa and other North Indian immigrants like Gujarati/Marathi 30% . This despite the Sinhalese claiming an exclusive north Indian origin.

      • 1
        1

        Sorry their and not they are

  • 3
    2

    The very Society that forces people who in reality want to live as good men to become thieve, murderers criminals & terrorists, today is crying crocodile tears for justice and human rights.
    One of the best examples Sri Lanka has
    Is the past story of INJUSTICE towards
    YOUNG MARU SIRA, all.he ever wanted was to live a good man, but members of the society, mostlty criminals never gave him an opportunity and pushed him to become murderer in his mid twenties, they continued harassment and not letting him live his life turned this innocent harmless timid young man to a murdering monster and the hypocritical self righteous society which was alone responsible for his fate also condemned him to the gallows.
    As long as the Society remains bias, wicked , envious , preventing equal opportunities,washing theirs with those of others by bidding behind the veils of their religions , there will never be true justice , peace or prosperity in such nations.

    • 2
      2

      Pardon
      Re- correction.
      The self righteous society which washes it’s sins with others sins,hiding behind the veils of their religions and with the support of men of their circle with similarity, there will never be true justice, peace nor prosperity in such nations.

  • 2
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    Forgive , forgive , keep on forgiving & forget every wrong done to you , close your eyes and meditate and block your mind while your ears hear every sound of harshness& until nothing can distract you from complete tollerance, for in tollerence alone is the key to peace, in peace is success.

    IF YOU CAN NOT PRACTICE TOLLERENCE or Forgiveness,
    then at least remain indifferent.

  • 5
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    His excellency Percy when prez after the war in SL asserted twice to a foreign TV reporter (BBC?) that there were ZERO civilian casualties from the war..don’t you believe him?

    • 4
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      Dr.Lasantha Pethiyagoda
      Tamils also couldn’t find any casualties around them, so they even wanted the man who led the military to be the president of the country. During the war there was a RAW agent under every other tree in Wanni and under every other lamppost in Jaffna. They didn’t report of any civilian casualties either. In the first post war UNHRC session they even congratulated Sri Lanka. It took about five years to discover that 150,000 civilians are missing. Confusing, isn’t it?

      Soma

      • 3
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        Soma. in 2009 they congratulated Srilanka, because Prabaharan was intransigent to any negotiated solution. Moreover Mahinda went round promising to the countries if they help in getting rid of LTTE, he will grant the rights of Tamils. Countries believed him and gave help. Remember if India and USA did not help, LTTE would never have been defeated. In 2008 after fall of Kilinochchi, India wanted Prabaharan, Pottu Amman and Prabaharn’s son to surrender Had they done, India would have stopped the war and SL army would not have been able to move even a foot forward. Most of LTTE fighters would have been alive brought under India and lives of innocent Tamils would not have been lost. It is after Mahinda went back on his promise that international community was at his throat. There is no salvation for a country which cheats others.

        • 0
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          “Had they done, India would have stopped the war “
          Some more war fiction by GS.

          • 1
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            Sivasegaram, just because you are a fool, do not think that others are in your category. There are instances where India put a stop to the war.
            1 in 1987 after clearing Vadamarachcy in operation liberation phase 1, armed forces embarked on phase 2 to clear Valigamam. Few days into phase 2, India stopped the war.
            2. After clearing Jaffna in 1996, security forces staged operation Jayasikuru to advance southward, but were defeated by LTTE at Kilalai, and India put a stop on security forces in carrying out further attacks.
            3. Subsequently LTTE staged an assault to re-take Jaffna and after advancing for few kilo meters, India ordered LTTE to stop.

            • 0
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              GS
              I have to give it to you hands down for taking all others for fools all the time.
              Indian intervention was all along motivated by Indian hegemonic intertests. India would have to;erated all oppression of Tamils had not JRJ taken a pro-US anti-Indialine (+ personal attacks on IG).
              India’s record of war stoppage:
              *
              India paused an SL Army siege to start its own war that killed many Tamils.
              *
              India wrecked the peace talks and encouraged MR to wage war. Its support for MR’s war was by way of logistics, hardware and personnel. No wonder MR said ‘We fought India’s war”.
              *
              The LTTE was moving on the Army camp, and India threatened to attack.
              *
              Is this your way of ‘stopping’ any war?
              I grant that it did stop a recent attempt at border war, tail tucked between the rear legs.

      • 1
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        Somu Darling,

        That Number was reported in LLRC, the very first hearing on the war, a century before your time of 5 years. Are coming to Tamil Eelam to live? Then watch out your words, otherwise someone may hurt you there.

      • 2
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        Somoooo, there was a raw agent in the Vanni jungles under every tree? Wow, that means there must have been about 500,000 raw agents in the Vanni jungles under 500,000 trees. Confusing to you? Yes, anything will be confusing to you as you have a dull mind.

      • 1
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        S
        The reason why Tamils voted for the SF against MR was because they were (rather stupidly) persuaded by the TNA to believe that the SR was the lesser evil.
        Do not place constructs like “Tamils also couldn’t find any casualties around them” without a fuller picture before you,

      • 2
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        Aiyo soman

        “Tamils also couldn’t find any casualties around them, so they even wanted the man who led the military to be the president of the country.”

        Its like Premadasa who couldn’t find any trusted self respecting Sinhala/Buddhists members of armed forces to fight the invading Hindians. He chose VP to fight the Hindian IPKF out of the country.
        Where were Kamal, Shavendra, Sarath, Sarath, Gota, Wimal, Channa, Udhaya Shenali, ……… ?

        “During the war there was a RAW agent under every other tree in Wanni and under every other lamppost in Jaffna.”

        Is that why you have been keeping enough war criminals on top of every palm tree in the north?

        “It took about five years to discover that 150,000 civilians are missing. Confusing, isn’t it?”

        Are you saying if given more time the missing person count could be more than, 150,000 or 350,000?
        Let us have a authentic figure so that I can quote it referenced to Soman.

        • 0
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          NV
          Next year it will be 1,500,000.
          .
          (Hindus are credited with introducing the conceptof ‘zero’ into the number system , considered to be one of the greatest advances in human thought.
          Tamil racists are making full use of it today)

          Soma

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      Lasantha Pethiyagoda: His Excellency Percy was “Correct” in that “assertion” because that “War” was named “Manushika Meheyuma” (Liberation of Human). In a “Manushika Meheyuma”, there could hardly be any “civilian casualties”.

  • 2
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    This song and dance by UNHRC will be an annual ritual that will go on and on for how long! who knows? It is high time for them to pack their bags and go home. Sure there are lot of party-goers who would be disappointed. But reality must hit home.

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    If needed U.S and EU can still implement sanctions, (which hurts more), regardless of UNHRC resolution.

    • 5
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      Have their sanctions achieved much? Or in fact any purpose in North Korea, Iran, Cuba etc., but cause hardship for the ordinary people?
      Sanctions have backfired badly in Venezuela.

  • 6
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    This is the last chance for the UNHRC to take strong, decisive, and punitive action against Sri Lanka. If the Council does not do it this time, it never will, and the UN might as well close down that organization and divert the funds set aside for it to another one of its agencies. The victims are tired of going round and round as if on a merry-go-round.

  • 3
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    Referring the PP6, OP7 & OP10,
    By PP6, UNHRC is welcoming the Supreme Court rejection of the opposition parties’ case, which was filed against delaying the election violating the constitutional three months limitation, to introduce fake Corona Virus cure. After hearing it for 10 days then the court dismissed without explanation. So the Royal Aanduwa set the election in a favorable way to it- but not an election stipulated in Constitution.
    IC and America spent time and money in Myanmar, where too a similar situation like Lankawe exist. Military was forced to conduct election; NLD won the election and shared the government. Recently again NLD won with 80%. Disappointed army took over again. But it is obvious it cannot implement substantial damage. Probably, the next election may bring to NLD the needed mandate to change constitution so USDP can participate in ruling if it has earned that much majority.
    From the time the Universal Franchise was introduced, the election is Lankawe are programed towards a military cum autocratic ruling over Tamils. Election and voting procedure, electoral systems are carefully programed and fine-tuned to keep Tamils’ voice out of ruling houses. In first election, about 1/3 of the MPs went to parliaments were Tamils’ representatives. Now only 13 MPs going to parliament from Tamil parties, not associating with Sinhala National parties.

    • 1
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      “Referring the PP6, OP7 & OP10 Sorry, read it as PP6 & PP7. Those are two referring about Election and implementing of 13A, which is not accepted by either Sinhalese or Tamils. PP7 should have been OP(Something) if UNHRC honestly expecting Lankawe to do anything they were telling. I don’t get that gilmart why it is there. That was the confusion I had earlier too.

      This gives a clue of Indian Interference in drafting, as the reason for diluted resolution. India’s long standing opposition to International Investigation is obvious here. You may remember when the first resolution was about to come, (Resolution 19/2) Indian FAM, S.M. Krishna came to Colombo, ate Royal Pukkai and went to Jaffna and insisted that TNA must accept anything Old King was willing to give. That was his way of stopping Tamils from go to UNHRC. But TNA took the matter to American Ambassador and who working on the resolution that time, replied that any solution should acceptable to both parties so Tamils too have options to tell what they want. This time it was our Demulu Pariah, Dr. Jeyasangar was playing S.M. Krishna’s role. Unfortunately, he didn’t have as much as stamina Krishna, so Aanduwa pulled him to leg and stepped on him. Other than that, 13A was never talked in UNHRC.

  • 3
    7

    The Colombo Terrorgraph need not lecture their western masters, as if they’re going to listen to the third world intellectuals of CT. West knows very well they don’t have any evidence to back so called war crimes allegations regardless of the noise generated by the paid activists, TNA, GTF,CT and various other carnival barkers on the matter of war crimes.If they had any credible evidence no matter how small it is they would have already punished us. It won’t take them 10+ years to do that. Therefore they resort to bullying GoSL into admission of made up war crimes with sanctions and other forms threats. GoSL should not bow down to the western bullying. We should keep our heads high just like Israel. LTTE is a criminal enterprise founded by the west and India to harass Sinhalese especially the Sinhala Buddhists.

    • 3
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      There are eye witness accounts of Tamil survivors, mobile phone photos supplied by Sinhala soldiers and Satellite images taken by USA to prove war crimes committed by security forces.
      International community had been soft on Sri Lanka and not taken action unlike in Rwanda or Bosnia. It is time that they act decisively and bring Sinhala war criminals to justice.

  • 1
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    The government here is referred to as the Nandasena government. What about Percy. Is he a lame duck? I don’t think so. The reality of the matter is that both Israel and US walked out of the UNHRC. Any reference to a court in Hague? NO. For a trial to begin in the Hague there must be FACTS, not comments and conjectures as seen in various reports. Even in the Hague, Uhuru Kenyatta walked into it as an accused, but could the trial proceed? NO. It is common sense that UNHRC is a forum to pontificate and condemn the so-called weak nations and not really an organization that upholds the virtues of human rights. The proponents are aware that it should not drive Sri Lanka to be a fully fledged Chinese base. A fisheries harbor in the North or North West with Chinese influence is the last thing that India and the so-called Quad of nations would want.

  • 1
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    “The policy that set out the UN’s responsibility to intervene early, came about after a review of the world body’s failures Sri Lanka in 2009, where it estimates 40,000 people perished in the final days of battle in the northern province.”

    So the policy is based on unreliable statistics. This 40K figure is LTTE propaganda. For example, LTTE could easily group their own casualties alongside civilian casualties. It is true that the LTTE leadership was executed after surrendering. But this is not “genocide.” To prove genocide, you have to prove there was intention to murder on a mass scale. If the intention of GOSL was genocide, Tamil civilians will not run to the government side, taking the risk of LTTE shooting them in the legs. What is even more funny, this “genocide” suddenly stopped after the war was over. Instead of committing mass murder, GOSL put the Tamil civilians in temporary shelters and rehabilitated thousands of LTTE cadres. UN should focus its attention on Saudi aggression in Yemen or the barbed-wire refugee camps in the UK, where refugees are being held like animals.

  • 2
    1

    God is a Good boss, he never interferes
    With man’s freewill,all decisions made by each man is neither Karma, nor predestination, Man praises himself when his decisions are successful and agrees with his desires , when his decisions do not , it has to be the devil at work or God has predestined.
    Man alone is responsible.
    You make a decision when you vote and do not expect human beings to perform miracles and deliver overnight.
    It has to be a common rule and structuring, orderly and day by day , month by month and by years as much as possible with the government’s term in office.
    Sri Lankans need to shun this hasty habit of wanting to change governments overnight in between two parties now 3 plus .
    Unless The present government makes a slip , even God won’t interfere with the decision of 6.9 million voters, it’s the opposition and their camp who is agitating not the 6.9 million.
    Wheather any opponents like it or not , RW’s day dreams of toppling the government in 6 months with his politically bankrupt party is a joke.
    The present government will not only survive this term , If their political strategy is smoothly excuted and not allowing any intimidation even within the party.,they will be around for at least 25 years in power, they need to trust the President , The PM and support them.

  • 1
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    The TNA should be realistic and they must now work with the government to help free all their people in prisons and agree to a system within the Unitary state .Their responponsibily is towards the Tamil people and to become pawns for the opposition’s agendas.
    This is the best time to negotiate and once the the reconciliation is successfully achieved; The Tamil Leaders must encourage the overseas
    Tamils to move in and invest in the north.

    • 1
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      Pardon
      Correction
      TNA Should avoid becoming a pawn to the Opposition.

  • 1
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    Note the words: “Reaffirming”, “Deploring”, “Acknowledging”, “Taking Note”, “Welcoming”, “Emphasizing”, “Recognizing”, “Recalling” and “Noting” it has been “Resolved” to: “Stress”, “Notes”, “Express Serious Concerns”, “Requests” and “Urge”. (Copied from the above published itemized Resolution). The “Minutes” would be “Written” in the “Minutes Book” of UNHRC as follows: “The 46th UNHRC session ended on a “Happy Note”. That version is for English language readers. For the Sinhala Readers it is: “Saba Thomo Sathutin Visira Giyaya”. For Tamil language Readers: Can someone out there in the forum help me, please? Thank you. NB. Were the “Services” of another “Ismaad Shah Zuberi” – A “Lobby Group Specialist” who is sentenced to 12 years in prison (on 20th Feb. 2021) were obtained on “Payment”(US$ 6.5 million) like in 2014 to “Draft” this “Resolution”?

  • 1
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    Any resolution in UNHRC is a defeat for Lankawe, unless it explicitly argue for War Heroes. Denesh had withdrawn from Resolution 30/1 saying Lankawe didn’t do any crime and if so it will investigate & UNHRC had no authority to tell Lankawe what to do. So Media is reporting he will oppose any resolution that is not, at least, similar to May 2009’s Lankawe’s self resolution. Self resolution is unlikely this time. So all other resolutions will be having some kind of irritating elements for Sinhala Buddhist at home. Even preserving evidences will not be acceptable to them. But on the opposite side, any resolution fall short of referring Lankawe to UN SC or directly recommending to ICC president to start an investigation on his own is a worthless resolution( a clean defeat) to Tamils. The high chance this time is both returning home disappointed.

  • 3
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    They are just going through the motions but are really hand in glove with the Chingkalla governments and the Chingkallams m giving them the wink wink and nod on , we are really with you and other than shedding a few crocodile tears on the plight of the Eezham Thamizh , as we are seen to have to but do not care and you can finish committing your genocide and ethnic cleansing activities on them. Create a Chingkalla Buddhist only fascist land, that will be friendly towards all the human rights abusing nations , dictatorships , China and Russia , as long you do not allow China to take over the island , however they will but it is now silly Thamizh hating India’s lookout but India loves to be taken for ride by other Thamizh haters like the Chingkallams The enemy of all Thamizh is the friend of India, even if they screw India.

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    Sanction are not ment for regime change if that is what you think is the goal. It is to apply pressure to get them to negotiate and take meaningful steps. Also the countries are improvising sanctions , targetting individuals, families and groups so that it hurts them most. The rest is as usual your imagination.( especially about Venezuela). Time will tell whether it will have impact or not , in a country like Lanka.. At least one thing is for sure Rajapaksas may have to go to China for their medical care and not to USA or other allied countries.

    • 1
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      What has any form of sanctions achieved politically anywhere? Lasting changes cannot be imposed from outside.
      *
      The EU has snubbed the US on Venezuela following the recent elections, but there is some way to go for the PSV to further consolidate power.
      *
      BTW
      Recent regime changes and subversion have fallen flat on their face in Bolivia and in Ecuador (where the pro-US neoliberal Lenin Moreno’s proxy was utterly humiliated).
      Rather sad days for US imperialism.

  • 3
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    SJ

    “What has any form of sanctions achieved politically anywhere? Lasting changes cannot be imposed from outside.”

    What made Apartheid South Africa to free the country from its iron fist?

    Maybe Apartheid South Africa was scared of Mao’s Red Book and Siri Mao’s Non Alignement Movement. If Siri Mao were to impose Indian ocean as a “nuclear-weapon-free zone (NWFZ)” South Africa might have lost its edge over other countries and weakened its nuclear security.

    Actually it was Siri Mao who liberated South Africa not west imposed sanctions.

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