“The EPDP, originally called the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF), began as a rival to the LTTE. One wing of the EPRLF founded the EPDP as a formal political party when its leader, Douglas Devananda, was elected to Parliament in 1994 and aligned with the government. Devananda continues to hold the single parliamentary seat his party won in the 2004 election. As part of the ruling coalition, he serves as Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare. Although registered as a formal political party, the EPDP remains a feared paramilitary group, wielding non-official power over parts of the Jaffna peninsula and especially the offshore islands with the tacit approval of the Sri Lanka Army.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Jaffna Government Agent K. Ganesh with Minister Douglas Devananda and Security Forces Commander Jaffna Major General G.A. Chandrasiri ( the present governor in North )
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable is classified as “SECRET” and discuses Sri Lanka’s paramilitary operations. The cable was written by the Ambassador Robert O. Blake on May 18, 2007.
Under the subheading “Extra-Judicial Killings with the Military’s Support” the ambassador wrote; “Working in concert with SLA soldiers stationed in the Jaffna peninsula, the EPDP is able to conduct extortion, abductions, extra-judicial killings and other criminal acts without fear of consequences, according to numerous sources. On April 20, Catholic priest Father Bernard (strictly protect) told us about EPDP’s involvement in extra-judicial killings in Jaffna. Independently, on April 24, Jaffna Government Agent Ganesh (strictly protect) confirmed much of Father Bernard’s account. He explained that when the EPDP intends to kill a target, they first provide notice to the military. The number of soldiers patrolling the streets of Jaffna (40,000 total on the peninsula) is such that there are literally soldiers stationed at every street corner. At an agreed time, all of the soldiers in the designated area take a five to ten minute “break” at once (although the normal practice is to take breaks in shifts). At that point, armed and masked gunmen, often riding on motorcycles, race down the street and assassinate the intended victim. Shortly after the killing, the soldiers’ break over, they return to their posts to deal with the aftermath. While police investigations are common, they almost never lead to arrests.”
Read the relevant part of the cable below;
VZCZCXRO9322 OO RUEHBI RUEHLMC DE RUEHLM #0728/01 1380922 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 180922Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6072 INFO RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 0407 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0115 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7096 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 5189 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 3756 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0973 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 3828 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 1087 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2907 RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 7682 RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5363 RUEHON/AMCONSUL TORONTO PRIORITY 0209 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2046 RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 COLOMBO 000728
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
MCC FOR S GROFF, D TETER, D NASSIRY AND E BURKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: GSL COMPLICITY IN PARAMILITARY
FACTIONS' HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
REF: A. COLOMBO 591
¶B. COLOMBO 561
¶C. COLOMBO 463
¶D. COLOMBO 460
¶E. 2006 COLOMBO 2056
¶F. 2006 COLOMBO 1896
¶G. 2005 COLOMBO 2157
¶H. 2004 COLOMBO 1219
Classified By: Ambassador Robert O. Blake, Jr., for reasons 1.4(b, d)
¶1. (S) SUMMARY: Allegations of government complicity in
crimes committed by organized paramilitary groups have
mounted in the last year. Paramilitaries such as the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-breakaway Karuna
group and Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) have helped
the Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) to fight the LTTE, to
kidnap suspected LTTE collaborators, and to give the GSL a
measure of deniability. The GSL, which denies any links to
paramilitary groups, has recently touted its efforts to
improve its human rights record, such as the re-publication
of procedures on arrests and detentions and the appointment
of a "One-Man Commission" to investigate reported
disappearances (ref C). However, these efforts so far appear
aimed more at improving Sri Lanka's image abroad and have yet
to produce concrete improvements in the human rights
situation. Outside the capital, the incidence of human
rights abuses has continued, including extrajudicial
killings, abductions, child trafficking, extortion, and
prostitution. President Rajapaksa's government, strapped for
cash, has cut direct payments to paramilitaries initiated by
former President Kumaratunga and instead turns a blind eye to
extortion and kidnapping for ransom by EPDP and Karuna.
While many of the charges against the government have been
made in public fora, a growing number of trusted Embassy
contacts, often at personal risk, have described in detail
the extent of the GSL's involvement with paramilitary groups.
END SUMMARY.
¶15. (S) Working in concert with SLA soldiers stationed in the Jaffna peninsula, the EPDP is able to conduct extortion, abductions, extra-judicial killings and other criminal acts without fear of consequences, according to numerous sources. On April 20, Catholic priest Father Bernard (strictly protect) told us about EPDP's involvement in extra-judicial killings in Jaffna. Independently, on April 24, Jaffna Government Agent Ganesh (strictly protect) confirmed much of Father Bernard's account. He explained that when the EPDP intends to kill a target, they first provide notice to the military. The number of soldiers patrolling the streets of Jaffna (40,000 total on the peninsula) is such that there are literally soldiers stationed at every street corner. At an agreed time, all of the soldiers in the designated area take a five to ten minute "break" at once (although the normal practice is to take breaks in shifts). At that point, armed and masked gunmen, often riding on motorcycles, race down the street and assassinate the intended victim. Shortly after the killing, the soldiers' break over, they return to their posts to deal with the aftermath. While police
investigations are common, they almost never lead to arrests.
BLAKE
Related posts to this cable;
WkiLeaks: Gota Authorized Paramilitary Operations – Sri Ranga
WikiLealks: Major General Chandrasiri Confided MOD Instruction To US
WikiLeaks: EPDP Sold Jaffna Children: Girls To Prostitution Rings And Boys To Slavery
Saro / September 17, 2013
Not only the army and police all of whom speak Sinhalese language even the employees at the Huamn Rights Commission in Jaffna are suspected of being in collusion with the killers of EPDP. Judges were used to be transferred if their rulings curtail the free movement of or inhibit the criminal activities of EPDP.
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Rev.Devil / September 17, 2013
Some Champions of Human Rights Part-1
Fr.(Big) Bernard used to run his HR Office in front of St.John’s
Catholic Church at Hospital Road in Jaffna. There has been another young Fr.Bernard too in the field of HR.
Fr.(Big) Bernard here after called BB – was a former Rector of St.Patrick’s College Jaffna. He genuinely recorded hundreds of Human Rights abuse cases committed by Armed forces and a Paramilitary outfits who enjoyed heaven with the patronage of Gen.Chandrasri and his men in those dark days.
Apart from Fr.BB’s great documentation, he has been an ardent supporter of the LTTE like his predecessor of St.Patrick’s Rev.Fr.Michael Joseph who, after his retirement as Rector, spent more than two decades in the Vanni, serving VP’s family closely and surrendered to the military at the final stage of the war with Ezhilan and hundreds of LTTE carders to be still missing. Fr.Joseph openly supported and justified the bloody revolution of the LTTE in the student assemblies of St.Patrick’s in the 80s.
The then Catholic Bishop of Jaffna Late Rev.Dr.Diogupillai – known for his strong leadership qualities claimed at the Prize giving ceremony of St.Patrick’s College in 1984 that the problems of the Tamils should be taken to the UN. His claim provoked anger among Sinhalese which led to a fierce debate in media to name him a Tiger in white robe. Fr.Michael Joesph was the Rector at this time.
In the middle of 1988 in a midnight Suresh Premachandren’s men of the EPRLF supported by the IPKF entered into St.Patrick’s and brought Fr.Michael Joseph (Rector) Late Fr.P.Jesunesan (Vice -Rector) and some more Fathers to the street namely Mathews road and held them on their knees down just against ”Premala cafe” junction.
The on lookers heard the EPRLF men humiliating the priests in Cassocks in utter filthy and threatening them to kill.
The man led the EPRLF team was one Mr.Thasan – a tiny little made man from the area who killed many LTTE supporters and ordinary men in the area is now a Pastor in France and Suresh Premachandren is now a glorious fighter and Parliamentarian of Tamils and Tamil rights.
My biggest question is …how many cases of LTTE HR abuses Fr.BB documented and submitted to Robert O Blake !!?
Further Fr.BB being a Diocesan priest has never been happy about the young Fr.Bernard’s HR work as an Oblate priest. This is a typical example of NGO mafia and sole proprietorship mentality of Tamils !!?
Fr.BB now lives in the USA while hundreds of sons and daughters of poor family conscripted by the LTTE by force spend their days behind bars.
Then comes one MR.Xavier Director and Chairman of HHR (Home for Human Rights). Mr.Xavier showed no mercy to any critique of the LTTE he even would not hesitate to slap you for doing so. As a result he was the only individual laity allowed by the LTTE to run his HR Business in the North East. He had his offices in Mannar , Jaffna (Temple Road railway crossing junction), Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Colombo 03 and Kandy. His business knowledge prudently avoided an office in the Vanni. Late Fr.Karunaratnam (Mariampillai Xavier Karunaratnam) known as Fr.Kili of NESOHR and Late S P Thamizhchelvan were his very close associates.
The LTTE chased independent and courageous groups who dared to challenge both the LTTE and the GOSL away from the North East. UTHR is one such worthy group chased by them to be mentioned here.
After the retirement of Mr.Xavier her western educated daughter Sherine Xavier leads the Organisation – submitting hundreds of HR Violations to the UN mostly about the armed forces,Douglas and his men until the end of the war in may 2009.
She Organised a massive UN International Human rights day celebration in the same year (December 2009) at Veerasingham Hall in Jaffna under the patronage of none other than the world renowned criminal and Human rights abuser Mr.Douglas Devananda. Like her father she prudently did one thing….she invited Politicians of other parties as well to show that she works with everyone. Is she a politician or a Human rights Champion !!?
Of course she tried to contest in the last General election but it didn’t work out. But She shall be there next time with her present Masters who are better known for HR abuses.
Here I finish this long episode and let me come back about the glorious Human Rights Commission’s Office in Jaffna in the 2nd part leisurely.
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Agnos / September 18, 2013
You seem to have good inside information about the HR community in Jaffna. It seems to me that you were a real reverend? I want to read the second part. Also, if you know about Mr. Xavier/Sherine Xavier, do tell us.
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Anpu / September 17, 2013
Thank you CT team for all your good work.
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BBS rep / September 17, 2013
These so called “Extra-Judicial Killings with the Military’s Support” if true did occur during 2007(Blake on May 18, 2007). Yes, during that time not only EPDP was active the LTTE was quite active as well. It was a time of impunity for those who committed capital crimes. You can’t really start pointing fingers at one party or another. The war that ended in 2009 was started to put an end to all such criminal activities.
My advice to all is to let bygones be bygones. No point dredging muck from a time when there were far too many groups engaging in all sorts of criminal activities. It was a dark time in the history of Sri Lanka and that is that. Let us forge a new Sri Lanka, and though the task of reconciliation seems insurmountable with multitudes of people still nursing raw war wounds and the Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora clamouring for blood, we must keep moving towards the day all in Sri Lanka can coexist peacefully.
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Ajith / September 17, 2013
It is funny that Blood thirsty Sinhala fundamentalist Buddhist Monk taking about blood. The blood bath in this Nation started by a Buddhist Monk and still continues with demolition Mosques, churches and Temples. If the Monks did not start the killing of SWRD Bandaranaiyaka and killing of hundreds of Tamils in the streets of Colombo in 1958 there is no chance of LTTE in this country. LTTE violence was against the Sinhala fundamentalist criminals and its Tamil allies, not against Sinhala people. LTTE did not target civilians, hospitals, churches as Sinhala Buddhist army did in the North East. Even now, blood bath continues in the North and Buddhist military is behind all the crimes in the North. If you want peace, please leave Tamils and North East to have their fundamental right of democracy at least during this election time.
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BBS rep / September 18, 2013
Ajith,
I agree there are bloodthirsty fundamentalist Buddhist monks.
That does not mean that the Tamil Diaspora should follow suit.
What I am suggesting is for all thoughts of vengeance to cease and walk a safe path to peace. Violence begets violence and hatred begets hatred. It is self perpetuating. Let us all take a break from the path of violence, retribution and vengeance.
In the contemporary history of racial violence in Sri Lanka it was SWRD who uncorked the race genie from the lamp. The rot began from the time SWRD introduced the Sinhala only bill. We at BBS despite popular belief are not following the Sinahla only path.
With regards to LTTE not targeting civilians- well that is not a correct statement. They did and once again I say why dig up muck from the past. Let us all try and leave those dark days behind and look forward for better times for all. If South Africa could do it, and if Myanmar has also chosen a path of reconciliation, and if arch enemies Gotabhaya and Karuna of all people could embrace each other, surely there could be light at the end of the tunnel for Sri Lanka as well.
Iqbal,
I agree with you, Co-existence is possible only on equal terms. Let us all try and work towards that.
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iqbal / September 17, 2013
Co-existance is possible only on equal terms.
The finger was and is pointed at LTTE not only locally but internatonally by banning them. What the world including vast majority of Sinhalese in whose name the atrocities were committed do not know exactly what happened, how many were massacred. Even after the war ended it was alleged thousands were massacred.We all know what LTTE did and how many they killed. Another important thning is LTTE supporters who carry its flag still think LTTE did not commit war crimes. That is why UN Panel of Experts recommended an international independent investigation of all the alleged crimes. Then only it is possible to let the past be gone and can move forward.
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Ajith / September 17, 2013
Tamil People will decide whether to vote for EPDP’s targeted killing of Tamils with the support of the Government that’s primary target was Tamil Civilians or a democratic TNA. The UN report clearly identified the Govt and EPDP targeted Tamil Civilians, Hospitals and Schools throughout the history of Sri Lanka.
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hela / September 17, 2013
CT campaigning for TNA by publishing outdated documents already in the public domain just before the election……….
It would be more honourable if CT declare publicly their stand on NPC election without resorting to covert tactics.
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Sumathy M / September 17, 2013
Whether it be CT,Tamilnet or whatever the people in the north are behind Douglas.That is why the people have been electing him since 1994.His support among the people is not deceasing but increasing.He wont be able to capture the NPC,he will give a tough fight to the tiger proxies
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Lapatiya / September 17, 2013
I am afraid what Jim softy, Aathal Sumane will think about our Sri Rohana Manaranjana, Sambuddha Sasana Chakrawarthi’s involvement with EPDP targeted killings.
“Rajathuma Horu Samaga Heluwen”
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punchinilame / September 17, 2013
The Tamils could vote EPDP compeletly out, that only they garner illicit
votes – a truly democratic step when the opportunity is given to the
tamils this time around. Lets wait and see if the elections are not
annulled by the EC (18th Amend rot).
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Fathima Fukushima / September 17, 2013
So only LTTE can kill? Others can’t kill?
What a joke!
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Siripala / September 17, 2013
Fattyma
nobody has the rights to kill any one. Are you seriously mental?
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shankar / September 20, 2013
“Are you seriously mental?”
and are you stupid to ask such a question.Can’t you see from fathima fukshitarse numerous comments,not only mental but beyond any rehabilitation too unless maybe gota’s type of rehabilitation of dumping into the sea or feeding the sharks.
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Brigadier he he he / September 17, 2013
[Edited out]
For more information read our comment policy – CT
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2/
/
CitizenJ / September 17, 2013
What is your point or purpose of this news item. There is no harm to get one terrorist to kill another terrorist. Every government on earth fighting the menace of terrorism known to use this type of actions. Let us now build our country with those who are willing to live peacefully in a country/nation known and recognized by every known international forum as SRI LANKA.
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hela / September 18, 2013
This is CT election campaign…
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Sumathy M / September 17, 2013
Tigers and its lackeys are working overtime to tarnish the name of the EPDP.This has been going on for more than two decades.Douglas is the only leader who is looking after the poor peoples needs.Douglas is the only leader who can be easily accessed by anybody.That is why the people elected him in the last election with the most preferential votes.People,especially in the north are behind him.
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Ajith / September 17, 2013
Sumathy,
You cannot deny the facts about Dogluas and his crimes.
Douglas is the man who stopped Prof. Hoole becoming Vice Chancellor of Uni. Douglas is the man who killed Chavakacheri student and buried him in the farm. He transferred the judge who ordered to arrest the criminal. He and his thugs control all government offices and use government officers for his illegal activites. Even ont a single institution employ using normal procedures, always have to give jobs to his list who will act as agents and force officers to vote for him. He and Sri Lankan Navy control some parts of islands in Jaffna and people are not allowed to meet others. He is the agent Gotapaya and White van owner abducting and money laundering activities in Jaffna. Recently, his ally robbed Bank. Recently the Predesiya sabha members checked few Hotels run by Douglas group and found they run brothels. The Wikeleaks highlighted most of the crimes by this dirty politician. It is shame that he abduct children and export them for slavery and prostitution. Tamils should get rid of him. Once TNA take control of NPC, Tamil people will chase him out of the region and all government officers and people will enjoy their freedom.
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Piranha / September 17, 2013
Devananda needs to be eliminated from the tamil political scene either by democrartic or by other means. The man should not be allowed to cause any further damage to the tamils.
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sooriasegaram / September 18, 2013
All the parties contesting in this election are ex-killers, including TNA, which is nothing but a coalition of the biggest and most brutal killers and their ardent supporters. If you want to point at killers you will run out of fingers! Engaging in this type of charges and counter charges serves no purpose – it is simply an exercise in futility,I think. The good thing is that they have all stopped killing and taking part in democratic processes and we must celebrate that and ensure that they are not allowed to re-engage in killing again and that they all now adhere to democratic methods of struggle. Any belligerent language of returning to the gun culture must be condemned by the voters. It is more useful now to engage in promoting constructive public discussions on all issues confronting the people in the NP. After this election the ruling party (most probably TNA lead by Vigneswaran)and the opposition parties must engage constructively to deliver the best possible services to the people, especially in the face of a serious starvation of private sector investment and even more serious shortfall in the calibre of available human resources. I think we have to rise above party and petty personality politics and start discussing issues such as good governance, constructive engagement with the central government, post war reconciliation, development of the economy of the North (which is now at the bottom of the 8 underdog provinces, Western province being the master province), development of human resources skills, job creation especially in the private sector, tri-lingual administration, a police service fully proficient in Tamil language to serve effectively the local community, poverty allievation measures, state land for the landless, home for the homeless, toilet for toiletless, teaching of all three languages, provision of broader and balanced education, abolish dependance on private tuition, provision for extra-curricular activities in schools, abolish all forms of overt and hidden discrimination on the grounds of caste, gender, race and religion, make intelligent use of the current provisions of the 13th amendment (in this regard I expect a great deal of contribution from Vigneswaran) and many more things. This, I think, is our primary task facing us today and not the pre-occupation with the dark and tragic past.
Sooriasegaram
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Uthungan / September 18, 2013
All those bad brutal,terrible people who you say have now stopped shooting each other are still thriving on their merry-go-round and are successful.You don’t realize that you too are also on the same merry-go-round and all your pontification is meaningless while pretending to be superior without acknowledging your own complicity.Remember there is no love in this world every one wants the same thing and that is the problem.So what are you on about.
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