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Is Sirisena ready to release Tamil Political Prisoners? - Taylor Dibbert

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Sri Lanka’s government could be doing much more to heal the wounds of the war and address Tamil grievances writes Taylor Dibbert in the Diplomat.

Highlighting the ongoing military “occupation of civilian land in the northern province” and the “ government’s continued detention of Tamil political prisoners,” Mr Dibbert said President Sirisena’s  decision on how to deal with Tamil political prisoners will be something to watch closely.

Urging Sirisena to move on matters that are of particular importance to the country’s Tamil community, he added,

“Though the country’s numerical minorities voted overwhelmingly for Sirisena during January’s presidential election, Sirisena’s campaign platform dealt mostly with curbing corruption, improving governance and trying to return the country to a parliamentary democracy. When and how will Sirisena move on other (arguably more controversial) war-related matters that are of particular importance to the country’s Tamil community? From the military’s occupation of civilian land in the northern province to the government’s continued detention of Tamil political prisoners (many of whom haven’t even been charged), Sri Lanka’s coalition government could be doing more to heal the wounds of war.”

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