Families of Pilakudiyirippu continued their protest demanding the return of their lands on Thursday for the seventeenth day. Protestors reported that they were frequently being photographed by troops from within the nearby air force camp. Those at the protest site also said they experienced continued surveillance from the camp, noting that air force personnel often watched them through binoculars.
Sri Lanka’s former president Chandrika Kumaratunge blamed the Tamil diaspora for “singling out war crimes” and said accountability for violations of international humanitarian law must be looked at after constitution reform has taken place. Speaking to The Hindu, Ms Kumaratunge said that she has experience of “working with the Tamil community closely” and has visited the Tamil North-East. “The people are not singling out war crimes,” she told reporters in Colombo. “That is the Tamil diaspora.” Ms Kumaratunge, who now heads Sri Lanka’s Office for National Unity & Reconciliation, also...
Students from the Eastern University held a demonstration on Monday to show solidarity for the Pilavu protestors. In a demonstration organised by students of the Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Eastern University students gathered outside the institute in Kallady, Batticaloa and called for the Sri Lankan government to release the Pilakudiyirippu lands.
Protesters at Pilavu have vowed to remain at their site, despite a reported pledge by the Sri Lankan president to release their lands. The families of Pilakudiyirippu said that while they welcomed President Sirisena’s pledge, they would not cease their protests until their lands are actually returned. “We have been betrayed enough times,” one protester told Tamil Guardian on Wednesday. The protesters have been occupying their space outside a Sri Lankan Air Force camp for 16 days. A new structure for Pilavu children to have classes A plane thought to be from the Air Force base has been...
According to the Institute of National Security Studies Sri Lanka (INSSSL) research has been initiated to examine the security implications of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects and the presence of foreign workers on the island. The INSSSL stated that during an interagency meeting on guidelines for FDI approval, there was a consensus that the government should encourage FDI with caution. A statement released by the INSSSL stated that as a consequence of increased FDI, there is “a major debate between the “freedom of investment” and concerns of national security.” INSSSL analyst, Ranuk...
Human Rights Watch this week urged the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull to push the issue of accountability with his Sri Lankan counterpart who is currently visiting Australia. "Let’s hope that beyond friendly cricket matches, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull asks some hard questions about how the Sri Lankan government will provide accountability to victims and their families, still awaiting justice seven years after the horrific end to the country’s long civil war," Elaine Pearson, HRW's Australia director wrote. See here for full statement. Extract reproduced below: "while...
The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe sparked anger among Tamils and human rights activists after he this week said "all is forgiven" and urged asylum seekers who had fled the country to return, adding "even Tamils". Speaking at a press conference in Canberra together with his Australian counterpart, Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Wickremesinghe said, "Come back. All is forgiven." Human rights activists have hit back on social media at his remarks, questioning why the asylum seekers who fled the country following persecution should be forgiven. Many have also pointed to the lack of...
The Northern Provincial Council has called on the Sri Lankan president, prime minister and leader of the opposition to release Pilavu land. Writing to President Sirisena, Prime Minister Wikremesinghe and Sampanthan MP, the council members called for an intervention in order to resolve the peaceful agitations of the Pilavu protestors. “They are fighting for their rights without any political background,” the letter stated, adding, “if their reasonable demand is neglected it will result in serious consequences in the political background.” See full letter here.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has received an honorary doctorate from Deakin University in Australia for his efforts in post-war reconciliation on the island. "Mr. Wickremesinghe has emphasized the need for reconciliation, whilst ensuring accountability, and enabled groups riven by conflict to find common ground in a more hopeful future," said a university spokesperson. He is also set to meet with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to commemorate Australian-Sri Lankan diplomatic ties. Meanwhile, a petition has called on all Australian leaders from the John Howard era...
Locals around the Northern Province have reported a heightened presence of armed forces in their towns over the weekend. With protests ongoing in Keppapulavu and Puthukudiyirippu, and several solidarity protests across the province, including in Jaffna and Vavuniya towns, towns have seen more military personnel on their streets. An increased visibility of police special task force troops has been reported in Jaffna town. Tamils in the North-East frequently complain of intimidation and surveillance by armed forces when attending protests and political gatherings.