The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) denied the current head of department, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, stated that the sexual exploitation of Tamil women by the army would jeopardise the reconciliation process. Military Spokesperson Brig. Roshan Seneviratne claimed that the “head of an ethnic reconciliation body” said sexual exploitation and abuse of Tamil women by the army in the post-war context would jeopardise the reconciliation process. “ONUR would like to categorically deny that the former president Kumaratunga did not make a statement as...
Displaced Tamils in Mannar held a demonstration on Monday to show their support for the people of Keppapilavu who are protesting for the return of their land.
The Sri Lankan president has instructed the army to return lands in Kepapilavu, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Kilinohchi back to the Tamil people, the leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R Sampanthan said on Monday citing a meeting he had with the president. At a press conference, Mr Sampanthan, flanked by TNA MPs MA Sumanthiran and Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Mr Sampanthan said, "the president clearly told us that he had no objection to the lands being returned to the people in so far us Kepapilavu is concerned." The site has been the focus of a prolonged protest by the land owners who have...
Sri Lanka's prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe pledges this week that he would bar provincial councils from discussion separatism, reported the Daily Mirror . Reiterating that the new constitution would uphold Buddhism's current status, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "the existing system will be used as a frame for devolving power in the new constitution. Some allege that the government is going to introduce federalism, but I aver that no such system will be introduced. The government does not intend to divide the nation."
The Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena told those attending a military event held in Mannar on Monday that his government had won "international honour" for the country's security forces. Sri Lanka's forces stand accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Tamil people at the end of the armed conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). "After being elected, the current government has taken several steps to provide welfare facilities and grant benefits to the war heroes throughout the last two years. With that the government will not be...
The British government has spoken out against an attack on a church in North West Sri Lanka by a group of Buddhists headed by a monk last month. Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alok Sharma said the UK condemns “all violence against religious minorities, including the attack on a church”. Though over 200 witnesses had named the Buddhist monk and 12 others responsible for the attack, Sri Lankan police released all the accused on bail. “The freedom to practise, change or share your faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a...
Tamil university students in Kilinochchi joined the ongoing protest by families of the disappeared in a solidarity demonstration on Sunday. The families' protest demanding information and accountability for their missing loved ones has been ongoing for seven days.
The displaced people of Valikamam North carried out a demonstration on Sunday morning in solidarity with the protesting people of Pilavu and Puthukudiyiruppu.
The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday reiterated there would be no foreign judges in any domestic war crimes probe. Speaking at an event in his home town of Polonnaruwa Mr Sirisena was quoted by Colombo Page as saying "the government was able to bring an end to the issue of international judges called for judicial investigations to be carried out on the alleged war crimes." Mr Sirisena reportedly added that "he informed all foreign heads of states who visited Sri Lanka as well as the UN Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and leaders of other...
The Sri Lankan police said the shooting of the Batticaloa Land Reform Commissioner, Nesakumar Vimalaraj on Wednesday was a contract job over Mr Vimalaraj's opposition to land in Eravur being illegally aquired by politicians, the Daily Mirror reported. According to the paper, police have instructed two teams to investigate the shooting. Mr Vimalaraj was shot after he was called outside by two unidentified motorcyclists, whose faces were covered by helmets. Mr Vimalraj was immediately taken to Kaluvanchikudy Hospital, and later transferred to Batticaloa Teaching Hospital for further care.