Sri Lanka’s defence secretary warned that the military was still “are kept on high alert on other security threats” throughout the COVID-19 pandemic including the “re-grouping of certain elements”, as a military enforced curfew engulfed much of the island.

Sri Lanka’s presidential pardon of a soldier convicted of massacring Tamils is “a slap in the face to the member countries” of the UN Human Rights Council, said the International Council of Eelam Tamils in a statement this week, as they reiterated calls for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court. 

Tamils across the North East are finding it increasingly difficult, to cope with the hardships incurred from the curfews, that have been imposed across the country to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

A lack of support from the Sri Lankan government during the curfews has particularly affected Tamils from small villages, the elderly and those from low-income families, prompting the Tamil diaspora and local volunteers to help out instead. 

The Human Rights Commissions of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) expressed “deep concern” over the pardon granted to a soldier who was convicted of massacring Tamil civilians, in a statement released this week.

Staff Sergeant Sunil Rathnayake, who a Sri Lankan court found guilty of the Mirusuvil massacre, was pardoned by Gotabaya Rajapaksa last week.

Sri Lankan soldiers attacked Tamil villagers in the North this week, for allegedly breaking a military enforced curfew in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak on the island.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has urged the Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat to publicise the documents pertaining to presidential pardon of Sunil Rathnayake for the Mirusuvil Massacre of Tamils in December 2000.

TISL insisted it was compulsory that the Presidential Secretariat and/or the Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, immediately disclosed the; Report of the Trial Judge, Advice of the Attorney General and the Recommendation of the Justice Minister, in line with the provisions of the constitution and the RTI Act. 

The Hindu said there has been “justified outrage” after a Sri Lankan soldier on death row, who had been convicted over the murder of Tamil civilians, was pardoned by Sri Lanka’s president.

“It hardly needs emphasis that the exercise of the power of pardon is an act of compassion, and not a tool for political or electoral messaging,” said The Hindu.

Sri Lankan President, and accused war criminal, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has mandated that decision on lockdowns will be made at the highest levels of government and that no regional authority should make this decision.

Britain’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka met with Shavendra Silva, the war crimes accused head of the Sri Lankan military, as the two discussed the island’s coronavirus outbreak measures.

C.D Wickramarathna, Sri Lanka’s acting Inspector General of Police, has instructed Sri Lanka’s CID (Criminal Investigation Department) and police to pursue legal action against those on social media criticising government officials on the pretence that it obstructs their duties.

Sri Lanka’s police have arrested 206 people with a 6-hour span on Sunday for violating the island-wide curfew intended to curb the spread of coronavirus.