These are extracts from a speech in parliament on May 3 by Ranil Wickremesinghe, leader of Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National party (UNP), on the UN expert panel’s report on Sri Lanka’s war crimes (see full text here ): “We made it clear that we will whole-heartedly extend our cooperation to the government in respect of all genuine efforts to uphold our sovereignty and democracy.” “The present situation is perhaps the single most difficult position we have faced externally since the [Indian] airdrops of 1987. “ In whatever we do, we, as a responsible party in the Opposition are...
Two years after Sri Lanka's genocidal onslaught against the Tamil population reached a zenith in a tiny enclave in the island's north, the horrors unleashed between January and May 2009 have come under international scrutiny. The United Nations expert panel's report on the closing stages of the armed conflict has set out in harrowing detail how Sri Lanka's 'systematic persecution' resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, through mass bombardment amid a blockade on food and medicine. The report has been welcomed by the US, UK and EU, among others, who have called for action over the war crimes and crimes against humanity. The furor within Sri Lanka that followed the release of the UN report, however, has underlined the fundamental contradiction at the heart of the country's crisis. Whilst the Tamils have collectively welcomed the UN report and its call for an independent inquiry into the conduct of the war, the Sinhala polity, with overwhelming support from its constituents, have united in fierce opposition. The government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has drawn support from the other Sinhala parties, including the main opposition UNP, in resisting an independent inquiry, as well as action over the mass crimes.
The following is a declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union: “The EU considers that the publication of the report of the UN Secretary-General Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka is an important development . It will be recalled that the EU had welcomed the appointment of the Panel by the UNSG in June 2010. “ The Panel has concluded that there are credible allegations that major violations of international human rights and humanitarian law were committed on all sides in the conflict. “The EU reiterates its view that an independent...
" The discussion of the applicable law and legal findings at p. 52 et seq [in the UN expert panel’s report on the conclusion of Sri Lanka’s war] seem to me to be more or less watertight. There are no flights of fancy here; even when broad or progressive, the legal findings are appropriately cautious when caution is warranted. ” - Marko Milanovic , lecturer in law, Nottingham University. See here his note on the blog of the European Journal of International Law. ------ Note: The UN-released pdf of the expert panel's report has the cut-and-paste function disabled. However, a quotable verson is...
“ The United States attaches great importance to the dialogue that is now taking place between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). “The Government [says it] is committed to a sincere dialogue with the TNA. But the proof will be in results, not in promises . “ We very much hope that this [dialogue] will result in concrete progress towards the issues that that are of concern to the Tamils. “So this will remain a very high priority for the United States and I hope for the Government as well.” - Robert Blake , US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia. See his...
“It is the failure on the part of successive governments of the Sri Lankan State to deliver on such a political solution that has been the primary cause for the exacerbation of the conflict and the consequences thereof. “[Instead] The Sri Lankan State has over the years, systematically and continuously unleashed violence against unarmed Tamil civilians in order to suppress and subjugate them and to deny and deprive them of the realization of any legitimate power-sharing . “ We observe that the [UN expert panel’s report] confirms the truth of what happened to the unarmed Tamil civilians in the...
A convention is being organized on May 10 in New Delhi, to discuss the recently release UN Report on War Crimes in Sri Lanka and its implications. Prominent activists speaking at the convention include Prof Jagmohan Singh, Arundhati Roy, Justice Rajinder Sachar (former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court), and Prof SAR Geelani (Delhi University). Leaders from Indian political parties, including D. Raja of the CPI, are also taking part. The convention is to be held atKrishna Menon bhavan (opposite the Supreme court) from 2.30 to 7.30. The UN report will be released and video footage of war crimes in Sri Lanka will be screened.
As part of its ongoing efforts to rebuild the war-torn Tamil areas of Sri Lanka, India is to fund development of Kankasanthurai (KKS) harbour, the largest port in the Jaffna peninsula. When its ready, the revamped port will make possible the easy transportation of goods and people between the island's north and nearby Tamil Nadu ports. The Indian government will fund development of KKS in two stages, including repairs to the present breakwater and jetty, and the deepening of the harbour, as well as the building of a new breakwater.
"The Chinese side is confident that the Sri Lankan government and people are able to properly address all relevant issues." " We hope that the international community could help develop a favorable external environment for the Sri Lankan government to stabilize the country's internal situation and accelerate economic growth, and avoid taking measures that could further complicate the issue." - The response of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei When asked to comment on the report by the UN Secretary General's Advisory Panel. See here for the Xinhua press report of his comments.
" The role of India and the US is probably going to determine whether the pressure mounts on Sri Lanka or the [UN expert panel's] report is quickly forgotten. If one takes a cue from developments over recent years, Colombo’s successful prosecution of the war would not have been possible without both overt support and sins of omission and commission by both New Delhi and Washington ." - An extract from a comment in the May 2011 issue of Himal magazine. See here for the full comment.