The defence secretary of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called on Sri Lankans to use the forthcoming Western and Southern Provincial Council elections to show that the people are supportive of his brother, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while speaking during an election rally in Colombo. Speaking about next month’s UNHRC session in Geneva, Gotabhaya said that the ultimate objective was to remove the president from power and topple the government, in order to install a government which will act according to western interests, and enable them to spread their political power and dominance in the Indian Ocean, reported the Daily Mirror . “They know that with the current regime and President they cannot divide this nation or fulfill their political agendas. So this upcoming election is a good opportunity for Sri Lankans to show that they are with President Rajapaksa and the government,” he said.
A discussion on the ‘genocide in Sri Lanka and trials against the Tamils in Italy’ was held by the TPO Centre in Bologna on the 12th February. Photo: TYO Italy The panel included Professor of Anthropology at the University of Bologna, Christiana Natali, a speaker from the Tamil youth Organisation Italy (TYO – Italy), International Law professor and jurist at PPT on Sri Lanka, Gabriele Della Morte and a lawyer that has defended Tamil activists, Vainer Burani. Christiana Natali spoke on the historic genocide of the Tamil people that led to an armed resistance that formalised as the LTTE. Speaking on the LTTE she said, “The LTTE was a revolutionary movement. Not only within the island, but also within the south-Asia region. I’m not talking about their armed struggle but about their progressive revolution in the social life of the Tamil Nation. They abolished caste system and they made effective equal rights between men and women. Even the largest democratic country, India, is failing to achieve the implementation of these important human rights. The Tamil women fought for their nation, shoulder to shoulder with the men. Equal to them.” Photo: TYO Italy The spokesperson for TYO went on to outline the ongoing destruction of the Tamil people in the North-East, highlighting the unabated land appropriation of Tamil land. Gabriellie Della Morte then went on to speak about the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal (PPT), which classified the assault on the Tamil populous in Sri Lanka as genocide. Commenting on the failure of the international judicial system to hold Sri Lanka accountable, she said, “The failure of R2P (responsibility to protect) is followed also by the failure of an International judicial system. In fact the ICC jurisdiction is not recognised internationally. Some countries like United States, Russia, China, India and Sri Lanka don’t recognise the international Court. The countries that I mentioned represent 2/3 of the world population. Countries that commit these crimes (War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide) are free to decide if face to trial. This is why alternative tribunals like the PPT are important to enlight the crimes that cannot be investigated by international law.”
Reporting back from a trip the United States, Secretary to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga, called the lobbying mission to meet members of the US Congress a ‘success.’ Expressing satisfaction with his work in the US, Weeratunga stated , “By providing the true picture of our progress since the end of the 30-year conflict, I was able to change their opinion on Sri Lanka.” Weeratunga further outlined that ‘pro LTTE’ lobbyists had been working ‘round-the-clock’ to disseminate a ‘wrong picture of the Rajapaksa government’s reconciliation process.’ Weeratunga’s 'successes' come as...
The Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket auction took place this week, left sport commentators shocked at the reluctance of IPL clubs to bid for Sri Lankan cricket players. The end of the first day auctions saw several high profile Sri Lankan cricketers struggle to find bidders. The IPL last year saw intense opposition and protest over Sri Lankan cricketer involvement, with the Tamil Nadu governance passing resolutions that banned Sri Lankan players from participating in matches within the state.
Amnesty International has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an international mechanism to investigate violations of international law in Sri Lanka, in a written statement submitted to the council. Released earlier this month, the non-governmental organisation called for a independent international investigation adding, “the international community must ensure that those suspected of the crimes are prosecuted in genuine proceedings in full conformity with international standards for fair trial.” Noting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights statement in...
The Australian Senate has passed a resolution calling for the establishment of an international investigation into crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka, this week. The motion, which was proposed by the Labour Party and co-sponsored by the Greens went on to call on Australia to “co-sponsor any United States resolution at the UNHRC in March 2014 regarding Sri Lanka’s progress on accountability and human rights”. Commenting on the successfully passed motion, Greens Leader Christine Milne said , “The Australian Senate has sent a powerful message to the UN and international community about supporting an international independent war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka. This is a long awaited response to horrific allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses committed in Sri Lanka. New evidence from PIAC makes the investigation even more urgent. Prime Minister Tony Abbott must end his appeasement of the Sri Lankan government which is designed to bolster his cruel refugee policies here in Australia.” Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, also added, “The world will be watching how Australia will be responding to this international call for a war crimes investigation. Today we have sent a clear message to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Australia has co-sponsored the last two United Nations General Assembly Human Rights Council resolutions on Sri Lanka, and it is crucial that Australia does the same at the coming March meeting. The Greens have consistently called for a war crimes investigation and will continue to campaign strongly for one. We welcome Labor’s decision to now support this position.” See the motion in full below.
The United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell stated that the US was “also extremely concerned over the rise in rape and sexual assault”, as she addressed a group of non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka earlier this week. The Ambassador was addressing the group via internet video messaging after she was refused a visa to enter the country by the Sri Lankan government, which reportedly ‘pleased’ a ruling alliance constituent party. @S_GWI Amb Russell speaks to NGOs in SL to discuss gender based violence, women's political and economic empowerment pic.twitter.com/0f8Uze6azl — U.S. Embassy Colombo (@USEmbSL) February 10, 2014
Pictures: Veerakesari Updated 20:13 GMT Skeletal remains have been found yesterday evening at a playground in Trincomalee, whilst workers were trying to dig a well, reported the Veerakesari . Sri Lankan security forces, who arrived promptly to the scene, have closed the area off to the press and public, o ne witness, who wished to remain anonymous fearing his safety, told the Tamil Guardian this evening. See video sent to Tamil Guardian.
Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the UNP, has blamed the government for the resolution against Sri Lanka that is expected to be tabled at next month’s UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. "The country is at a precipice and the government bears full responsibility for our country's current plight," the statement said. " This is a situation which could have been easily avoided had the government heeded the calls of the UNP and many others who have been insisting that the rulers respect the rights of its citizens, irrespective...
The number of skeletons found in a mass grave in Mannar has risen to 61, with two more found on Wednesday. More excavations are due to be held on Thursday, reported the Uthayan .