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Sri Lanka firm that it can seek accountability on its own, says External Affairs minister

Mar 1, 2015

Speaking at the High Level Segment of the opening sessions of the 28th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka’s minister of External Affairs said that Sri Lanka should be allowed to work towards accountability and justice on its own.

Addressing the UNHRC high level segment on ‘Strengthening of international Cooperation in the field of Human Rights’ Mangala Samaraweera said,

“We are firm in our belief, that , to be successful, the journey of reconciliation and accountability is one that the people of our country must embark upon, on their own.”

Deeming "the end of terrorism in May 2009," a necessity, Samaraweera said the new government recognised the importance of this opportunity to work on achieving reconciliation.

Recalling a recent visit of a South African delegation to share experiences in Sri Lanka and noting a meeting he had with the High Commissioner for Human Rights last month, Samaraweera added that the Sri Lankan government was ready to “engage and work in cooperation with a range of international organisations and countries across the world.”

UN official reassures Wigneswaran OISL report will be released in Sept

Mar 1, 2015

The UN Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, reassured the North's chief minister, C V Wigneswaran during a meeting in Jaffna on Tuesday that the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka would definitely be released in September.

The report, which was due to be publishing this month at the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, was last month deferred till the 30th session, by member states.

"When I asked what would happen if certain member states try to delay the report [further], he [Mr Feltham] gave me his assurance that it would be published in September," Mr Wigneswaran told reporters following the meeting.

"Importantly, he [Mr Feltham] asked questions about the political situation," Mr Wigneswaran went on to say.

"He asked questions regarding the significance and meaning of bringing a resolution on genocide. In response we replied that this document illustrates the feelings of our people," he said, adding that the government's statement that the military would not be removed from the Tamil areas also caused the Tamil people significant distress.

Human Rights Council played 'indispensable role' in Sri Lanka - US

Mar 1, 2015

The US Secretary of State John Kerry said the UN Human Rights Council has made "significant accomplishments" in changing the course of "bad actors", citing the cases of Sri Lanka and Myanmar as successes of the Council's engagement.

"Consider the indispensable role the HRC has played in encouraging leaders to live up to their promises and commitments in countries such as Burma and Sri Lanka, where there are opportunities for real change," Mr Kerry said, listing some achievements of the Human Rights Council.

Sri Lanka should address outstanding human rights issues - Botswana

Mar 1, 2015

Botswana's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi expressed her country's hope that the new Sri Lankan government would seize the opportunity to make progress and address outstanding human rights issues.

Speaking at the opening day of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council, Ms Venson-Moitoi congratulated Sri Lanka for January's presidential election.

"May I also take this opportunity to congratulate Sri Lanka for their recent Presidential elections, and express our readiness to work with the new Government. An opportunity has arisen for the country to make further progress," she said.

Sri Lanka can show commitment to justice and reconciliation by signing Rome Statute, says Callum Macrae

Mar 1, 2015

“The new government has made no real move to show it is an different,” said the director of the No Fire Zone documentary speaking on working towards truth, justice and accountability for Sri Lankan atrocities against Tamil civilians.

Noting that Sri Lanka had been given a further 6 months before the UN report into Sri Lanka’s atrocities was released, Callum Macrae suggested that Sri Lanka should take steps to sign up to the Rome Statute, publish lists of prisoners of war, demilitarise the North and return lands seized from Tamils to show that it was committed to truth, justice, accountability and reconciliation on the island.

Concrete steps to meet Tamil aspirations needed to gain trust, says Bishop of Mannar

Mar 1, 2015

The aspirations of the Tamils as a distinct community, that want to govern themselves in their areas of historical habitat and want acknowledgement and accountability for abuses committed against them must be addressed by the Sri Lankan government to resolve the national issue, said the Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph.

Expanding on how to build trust between the Tamil community and the Sri Lankan government, Bishop Joseph, said,

“Concrete actions to address grievances, such as first steps towards addressing the Tamil political question, actions towards releasing political prisoners, handing back land occupied by the military, demilitarisation, finding and acknowledging the truth about the disappeared, these are some actions that will help build trust.”

Surveillance of journalists in North must stop, says international media mission

Feb 28, 2015

The international media mission addressing the Jaffna Press Club at the conclusion of their visit. Photograph: Tamil Guardian

There remain “significant challenges” to media freedom in Sri Lanka said an international media mission, who called for the continued surveillance of journalists in the North to cease.

The International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute and International Freedom of Expression Exchange released a joint statement today saying,

“Surveillance, monitoring and following of journalists are incompatible with a free media and the principles of open government that should underpin the 100 day reform process.”

Sri Lanka's tourism industry leads to 'systematic human rights abuses'

Feb 28, 2015

Sri Lanka's large scale developments in the tourism industry are leading to systematic human rights abuses, says a report released by the Society for Threatened Peoples Switzerland (STP), calling on European travel agencies to be vigilant on human rights issues.

“The report shows that systematic human rights abuses have been taking place as a result of tourism development in the country,” said the STP and the Sri Lankan Campaign in a joint press release. “Fishermen have seen their access to the sea blocked, land grabbing has taken place and the local population are insufficiently, if at all, informed about planned tourism projects.”

The report, Dark Clouds over the Sunshine Paradise – Tourism and Human Rights in Sri Lanka, also details the extensive involvement of Sri Lanka's military in the island's tourism industry. “The military is increasingly focusing its budget on tourism with the army, navy and air force opening hotels all over the country and increasingly offering tourist activities,” said the report.

“The military are deeply entrenched within the tourism industry,” said Fred Carver, Campaign Director of the Sri Lanka Campaign.

Land owners protest against police station

Feb 28, 2015

(Photos Tamil Guardian)

A protest was held in front of the police station in Ilavalai, demanding the return of the land on which it was built.

The owners of the land in the village near Jaffna said 13 houses and 8 plots of farm land were taken over by Sri Lanka's authorities to build the police station and demanded its immediate release.

Sri Lanka requests international assistance in corruption probe

Feb 28, 2015

The Sri Lankan government said it requested the assistance from the World Bank, India, the US and the UK to investigate financial fraud committed by the previous government under Mahinda Rajapaksa, Xinhua reported.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Justice Minister Wijeydasa Rajapaksha visited these countries over the last weeks to seek assistance from institutions for the probe.

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Sri Lanka firm that it can seek accountability on its own, says External Affairs minister

UN official reassures Wigneswaran OISL report will be released in Sept

Human Rights Council played 'indispensable role' in Sri Lanka - US

Sri Lanka should address outstanding human rights issues - Botswana

Sri Lanka can show commitment to justice and reconciliation by signing Rome Statute, says Callum Macrae

Concrete steps to meet Tamil aspirations needed to gain trust, says Bishop of Mannar

Surveillance of journalists in North must stop, says international media mission

Sri Lanka's tourism industry leads to 'systematic human rights abuses'

Land owners protest against police station

Sri Lanka requests international assistance in corruption probe

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