The Bishop of Mannar, a prominent civil society activist in the North-East, urged Tamil voters to elect representatives who put the Tamil nation first, stating that the Tamil people's struggle for freedom was not yet over. “As the struggle for the freedom of the Tamil people has not ended yet, we can be an influential force in Sri Lanka politics by electing representatives who prioritise the welfare of the Tamil nation,” said Bishop Rayappu Joseph. “Tamils’ struggle for freedom started as a non-violence movement, then transformed into an armed struggle, and the armed struggle ended in 2009 due to different circumstances. Although the war ended, the struggle has not; therefore the only hope that is left for the Tamils is our democratic strength."
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) held talks with the United National Party (UNP) leader, Ranil Wickremasinghe, on how to respond to the report by the OHCHR Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL), Mr Wickremasinghe told the Uthayan newspaper. "We have held talks with the Tamil National Alliance on finding a political solution to the ongoing problems in the North-East and how to respond to the report to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council this September," Mr Wickremasinghe was quoted by the Uthayan's Saturday print edition as saying. "The understanding needed to create good governance was present between us and the TNA." "I am hopeful that the TNA will be support the continuous of good governance."
The Sri Lankan army declared open a Buddhist vihara that it constructed in the Tamil North-East last week, proclaimed an official military website . Sri Lankan troops from the 661 brigade constructed the Buddhist vihara in Pooneryn (Poonakari), where Buddhist monks and soldiers held a religious ceremony at the opening on the 29 July. “Financial contributions” from the 661 brigade and troops from other divisions were also involved in the construction, according to the Sri Lankan army.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe assured that the LTTE would not be allowed to resurge under a future UNP government , as current president Maithripala Sirisena would become the government’s defence minister and pledged to make Sri Lanka a bastion of Buddhism. Speaking at an election rally at Kurunegala on Thursday, ColomboPage reported Mr Wickremesinghe as telling the crowd not to worry about the resurgence of the LTTE, as an “excellent defence minister” would be assigned to the post. He went on to state that current Sri Lankan President Sirisena would be given the role in a future UNP government in order to “safeguard” the country. Mr Sirisena previously held the post of defence minister during the final few weeks of the armed conflict in 2009, when the vast majority of Tamil civilian deaths occurred – mostly from Sri Lankan government shelling. Mr Wickremesinghe also stated that if his party were to succeed in the upcoming general elections, national security would remain its main focus. He also added that he would ensure “Sri Lanka would be made the centre of Theravada Buddhism to propagate and preserve Theravada Buddhism in the region and the globe as a whole”.
The Federation of National Organisations (FNO), a collective of Sinhala political organisations, businesses and civil society groups based in the south, has urged Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to explain their positions on India’s plans to build a road link between Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-dominated North-East of the island. Speaking to media at the Abayaramaya Buddhist temple, co-chairman of the group Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara called on the candidates to reveal their positions before the elections on August 17, The Island reported. Dr Amarasekara said the proposed bridge was the “biggest challenge” Sri Lanka would face as it would “heavily damage the territorial integrity” of the island, as some powers were trying to “annex” Sri Lanka to India through the bridge. The co-chairman warned that if the bridge was built, Sri Lanka would not be able to be considered a separate country or an island, as it would become part of India.
The United Nations is exploring financial assistance to the Sri Lankan government in reconciling with the Tamil community through a transparent and inclusive process with all key stakeholders. The spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, speaking in a press conference on Wednesday said , “At the request of the Government of Sri Lanka, the UN is exploring the provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance in consultation with all key stakeholders.” The spokesperson, Stephen Dujarric stressed that the UN support would be built on the basis of inclusive,...
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who told him to work towards helping Eelam Tamils achieve self determination and realise their “legitimate aspirations” on Friday. The Chief Minister handed a memorandum to Mr Modi, who had met with Ms Jayalalithaa in Chennai. "The process of securing the right to self determination, through democratic decentralization by the 13th amendment ... should be the springboard for Sri Lankan Tamils to eventually realise the aspiration of Tamil Eelam," the memorandum said . "I strongly urge the (Indian) government to take all possible steps to ensure that the process of democratic decentralization, which is integral to the survival of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, is expedited," the Chief Minister added. She continued to call on the government “to take necessary measures to bring to book those in Sri Lanka who had perpetrated the genocide on innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka” adding, "I hope the government, as a leader in the region and as a champion of human rights and democracy, will decisively take a bold stand in support of the much discriminated against and long suffering Tamil minorities in Sri Lanka".
The Sri Lankan navy is attempting to appropriate a further 3 acres of land in Mannar, said the local church's charity group. The land, which is situated in the Vettimaankudiyiruppu village of Mannar Pesalai, is within a 210 acre area of land which belongs to St Victor's Church. The land deeds are issued to the Bishop of Mannar. Over ten years ago navy officers confiscated a portion of land in the village, which they continue to occupy. In 2013, officers attempted to confiscate more land, however this was met with fierce opposition from locals who petitioned against it.
Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lanka needs to maintain the “unitary status” of the island, at the opening of a new building at a defence university on Tuesday. "Having assessed the bitter experiences the country had to undergo in the past few decades, if Sri Lanka were to overcome future challenges, the country's unitary status needs to be maintained," said Mr Sirisena. His comments echo recent pledges made by a range of Sinhala parties who have spoken out against devolving power to the Tamil North-East, ahead of the general election later this month. Mr Sirisena continued to say that the “knowledge we should earn for national security is unlimited”, according to the Ministry of Defence. “The importance of the Kotelawala Defence University is invaluable when we consider about how to cope with the invasive strategies, effects and plans of powerful countries,” added the Sri Lankan president.
The Bodu Bala Sena’s political party, the Bodu Jana Peramuna, said it is the only true saviour of Sinhala Buddhists, as the major parties, as well as members of the Buddhist clergy, have turned a ‘blind eye’ as Sinhala Buddhist rights are gradually eroded. Speaking to media, BJP’s Colombo district candidate Anika Padmini Perera the party is only contesting the elections because of the “mounting challenges” faced by the Sinhala population. She said those speaking for Sinhala rights have been branded racists, while Tamil political leaders “promoting separatism” received praise.