Almost 100 kilograms of cannabis, thought to have been smuggled in from India, was seized by Sri Lankan police in Jaffna this week.

Sri Lanka’s Special task Force arrested two people after the haul was discovered along the Achchuveli-Valalai coast in Jaffna following a tip off.

Writing in the Tamil Guardian today, the UK Minister of State for Asia, Hugo Swire recognised progress made by the Sri Lankan government but said "much more remains to be done" in the country.

Expressing agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' oral update on Sri Lanka, Mr Swire highlighted the need for further land releases, repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the development of credible justice processes, in consultation with victims and families in Sri Lanka and the diaspora.

The full text of Mr Swire's op-ed follows:

A long way in a short time, but more needs to be done

Sri Lanka has come a long way since President Sirisena’s election in January 2015. I have been struck by the progress made. No one should underestimate the challenge of dealing with the legacy of a 30 year conflict.  Sri Lanka is in a far better place now than even the most optimistic could have imagined, only 18 months ago. Yet much remains to be done.
 

The local civil security department of Mullaitivu has demanded 524 acres of land from the district secretariat.

13 different public properties were listed in a demand for handover to the armed forces.

According to the notice 11 places have been earmarked for agricultural use while the other two are required for the construction of free education centres.

Video uploaded

De-militarisation of the North-East will be complete by next year said Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, whilst calling on the international community to “give Sri Lanka a chance” amidst civil society concerns of  the government's slow progress and reneging on its commitment to the UN Human Rights Council resolution on accountability and reconciliation.

Photographs: Tamil Guardian

Speaking in Geneva at a public side event held by Sri Lanka’s permanent mission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Mr Samaraweera commented on the issue of foreign judges, investigators and prosecutors in the accountability process, stating,

“There are many different opinions on what levels the international participation in the judicial mechanism ought to be. Some people say the participation of judges is paramount others say it is not possible. The decision on the contours of the mechanism will only be taken after consultations. The assurance I can give you now is that whatever the final outcome of the judicial mechanism it will be a mechanism that will have credibility and address the needs of all stakeholders and be done in consultation with all political parties.”

Responding to questions asking why Sri Lanka was scared of international judges Mangala Samaraweera said,

“We are not scared of international investigations. We feel that domestic mechanisms with international support is much easier than the process you’re suggesting which is not practical. Let me underline, a domestic mechanism does not preclude foreign participation. There is circumstances were foreign participation in certain areas is needed, especially foreign investigators and forensic experts.”

When quizzed further on the reneging by elements of Sri Lanka’s government on its commitment at the UNHRC to international judges, prosecutors and investigators in an accountability process, Mr Samaraweera said,

“We are doing it and we have the political will to do so. There are various statements made by different people, but our commitment to the Geneva resolution remains unchanged. In February addressing the nation President Sirisena said Sri Lanka is committed to implement the resolution to protect the dignity of the state, our people and the armed forces.”

See also: International participation in Sri Lanka's accountability process necessary reiterates UN Human Rights Chief

Responding to questions on whether the government would commit to addressing the intense military presence in the North-East, Mr Samaraweera said,

“We are in the process of demilitarisaiton. We have asked the armed forces to gradually move out of the north. Many of the lands held under the armed forces are now being returned. To be frank we are not happy with the speed at which land is being given back…We have asked the military to give a time line..Many of the businesses run by the army have been handed back but there are still some more. The process is ongoing and hopefully by the end of next year things will be back to normal.”

Noting that the military had given a time line, he added, “All the lands will be returned by 2018.”

See also: Sri Lankan president pledges government will 'not in any way weaken' military (28 Jun 2016)

When asked about what initiatives Sri Lanka was taking to educate the Sinhala south on the need to prosecute for mass atrocities and the true meaning of the UNHRC resolution on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the foreign minister said,

“That is one area that our communication has not been the best in the world. We have not communicated enough about what we are doing here and what we will be doing. That is why we now have some communications people to start educating the people.”

Photographs: Groundviews

More than 290 war affected community members from across the Tamil North-East have called for the United Nations to “become a partner to build the transitional justice efforts of Sri Lanka” stating that the current government has failed in its obligations.

“The government has failed to show transparency and genuineness in carrying out the national consultation,” said an open appeal addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein, released at the Vavuniya Urban Council Cultural Hall on Tuesday.

“The government is forcing their plans upon us without considering the importance of participation and contribution of the affected communities in creating reconciliation bringing about a lasting solution to the ethnic divide”, it added. “Therefore, we have lost faith in the Sri Lankan government’s efforts in carrying out the transitional justice process.”

Tamils who have been displaced from their homes for decades have written to the United Nations human rights chief, urging him to appoint an expert panel to “monitor and report the progress on resettlement, relief, and restoration of the sociopolitical and economic structures”.

In a letter written to the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein, Tamils from Valikamam North in the Jaffna district said that the Sri Lankan military continues to occupy their houses.

“They are cultivating our lands and are involved in other economic activities,” said the letter. “Only the buildings that is being used by the military survived.”

Noting that the current Sri Lankan government had many several pledges to release land occupied by the military, the displaced group added that “however, there were no positive indications by the government to uphold the promises”.

“While measures to release lands are deliberately slow, work on acquiring lands for the expansion of the Palaly airbase and military requirement is taking place rapidly,” it said.
“The people became increasingly frustrated and began a fast unto death campaign and once again the President reassured that the people will be resettled soon. The timeframe given for resettlement has long expired and we have lost faith in the government. Therefore, we look to the international community to ensure our resettlement.”