While Tamils in Sri Lanka boycotted SL Independence day, both US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina B. Teplitz, publicly congratulated Sri Lanka on their “democratic traditions” and “shared principles” of “equality for all” in their Independence Day wishes.
As Sri Lanka celebrated its Independence day, Tamils and Muslims across the North-East and across the world unified in rejecting the day and highlighting urgent human rights issues. Tamils described the day as "a black day". Tamils also took part in a walk for justice from "‘Pottuvil to Polikandi" which aims to press the United Nations and international community to heed Tamil calls for justice and accountability. The march has been endorsed by all Tamil political parties, as well as by Tamil and Muslim civil society organisations and Muslim leaders. The campaign has been met with a brutal crackdown from the Sri Lankan state, with troops and police disrupting and threatening marchers. In Mullaitivu, Jaffna, and Vavuniya Families of the Disappeared, defying court-ordered bans and police intimidation, launched protests and hunger strikes demanding to know the whereabouts of their loved ones.
Read more here: Pottuvil to Polikandi - Tamils brave crackdown to begin marching length of homeland
Blinken released a statement on 3 February saying, “On behalf of the American people, I send sincere congratulations to the people of Sri Lanka as you celebrate the 73rdanniversary of your independence.”
“On this day, the people of Sri Lanka and the United States celebrate our shared principles to protect and promote democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and equal justice for all. The success of the democratic endeavour lies in how we uphold these principles for all citizens. We look forward to working with Sri Lanka as a partner and friend to promote regional security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. We will continue to cooperate to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic, support global economic recovery, and meet future challenges together,” Blinken goes on to state.
Message from Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: pic.twitter.com/018oPaSDjI
— U.S. Embassy Colombo (@USEmbSL) February 4, 2021
Furthermore, Blinken highlighted alleged “shared principles” of “human rights” and “equal justice for all,” regardless of a recent report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet which instead outlines “clear early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation” in Sri Lanka. Bachelet also highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s “inability and unwillingness to pursue a meaningful path towards accountability for international crimes and serious human rights violations.”
The report received widespread international support including reply’s from Human Rights Watch and US Senator and Ranking Member of the US Foreign Relations Committee Robert Menendez.
Read more here: Antony Blinken and Sri Lanka – A look at the new US Secretary of State
Alaina B. Teplitz, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, also wished Sri Lanka an Independence Day, commenting on the island's “democratic traditions.”
On behalf of the US, I offer congratulations to the people of #SriLanka on the 73rd Independence Day of South Asia’s oldest democracy. May #lka’s democratic traditions continue in service to the delightfully diverse, resilient & hospitable inhabitants of this beautiful island. pic.twitter.com/CZu5h2MSzK
— Ambassador Teplitz (@USAmbSLM) February 4, 2021
Replying to Ambassador Teplitz, Mario Arulthas, advisor for the Washington DC-based People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL), commented on Teplitz’s use of “democratic traditions,” referencing a tweet by the UN Human Rights office highlighting Sri Lanka’s “failure to address past violations” which also references Bachelet’s report calling for international action to “ensure justice for past crimes.”
These “democratic traditions”? https://t.co/VToJABDZdL
— Mario Arulthas (@MarioArul) February 4, 2021
