As the 6th anniversary of the end of the armed conflict approaches this month, the American journalist Shashank Bengali reporting from Kilinochchi, described the ongoing suffering of the many Tamils who continue to search for the whereabouts of their missing loved ones six years post conflict, in an article published in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday.
See full article here. Extract published below.
See full article here. Extract published below.
"Tamil leaders say Sirisena's government has not fulfilled pledges to withdraw security forces from the north, where soldiers still watch over public sites and counter-terrorism police patrol towns and villages on bicycles. Sirisena has not said whether he will repeal a controversial anti-terrorism law that activists say is being used to detain hundreds of Tamil prisoners without charges.
With U.S. support, Sri Lankan officials in February persuaded a U.N. panel to delay a report on war crimes that could implicate Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabhaya, the former defense minister. Government officials argued that the report could embolden Rajapaksa's Sinhalese nationalist supporters before parliamentary elections scheduled for June.
Though Sirisena's initial agenda focuses on corruption and political reforms, "there is nothing in it about accountability for war crimes or solving the Tamils' problems," said Father S.V.B. Mangalarajah, a priest with the Diocese of Jaffna.
Harsha Da Silva, deputy minister for policy planning and economic development, said the government had taken "concrete steps" to address Tamil grievances.
"We need a little time to show the country that we are going to implement what we promised, that our intentions are genuine and we really are attempting to create a sustainable peace in this country," Da Silva said.
Tamil groups have staged demonstrations across the north, demanding swifter action on the missing. Manoranjithamalar has preferred to stay quiet, banishing the thought that sometime over the last six years, the worst had happened to Balasingham.
"I gave him to the army alive," she said, fighting back tears. "I expect them to release him alive."