What is the Batalanda Report?

Following a disastrous interview with Al Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan by former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Batalanda report and his role in facilitating torture has come into the spotlight. We take a look at the report and at Wickremesinghe’s alleged role.
Sri Lanka’s cabinet to present Batalanda Commission Report to parliament
The Sri Lankan Cabinet has confirmed that the Batalanda Commission Report will be presented to Parliament this week, after a disastrous interview by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe on Al Jazeera aired last week.
Buddhist monk close to Gotabaya Rajapakse claims to know 'mastermind' of Easter bombings
The leader of a far right, ultranationalist Buddhist organisation claimed on Thursday that he knew the identity of the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka which claimed the lives of 270 people, including many foreign tourists.
Paramilitary EPDP rejects alliance with Rajapaksa’s SLPP
The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), a paramilitary group that was once closely linked to the Rajapaksas has reportedly refused to contest under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) lotus symbol, leaving the party scrambling to find alternative partners in the Tamil homeland. 
Court orders security measures after discovery of human skeletal remains
The Jaffna court has appointed a five-member committee to oversee security at Ariyalai cemetery following the discovery of human skeletal remains
Tamil MP assassinated by Sri Lankan military remembered

Events were held in Jaffna and Mullaitivu last week to commemorate Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Kiddinan Sivanesan on the 17th anniversary of his assassination by Sri Lankan armed forces on March 6, 2008.

Sri Lanka announces probe into Ranil Wickremesinghe – but ignores war crimes against Tamils

Sri Lanka will launch a fresh inquiry into allegations against former president Ranil Wickremesinghe, said a government minister, including his alleged role in the Batalanda torture camp, the Central Bank bond scam, and the Easter Sunday attacks. 

No more evasion
This week has made one thing abundantly clear: Sri Lanka will never voluntarily deliver justice. Whether in Geneva or on an international news broadcast, its leaders lie, deflect, and evade.
Tamil families of the disappeared brave intimidation to mark International Women’s Day 
Tamil families of the forcibly disappeared in Mullaitivu marked International Women’s Day this week with a protest through Mullivaikkal, the site of the 2009 genocide, as uniformed Sri Lankan police officers watched on.
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