• NPC passes resolution asking UN to investigate genocide of Tamils by Sri Lanka state

    Feb 09
    08:32 GMT

    The Northern Provincial Council passed a resolution today calling on the UN inquiry to investigate the genocide of the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan government and recommend appropriate measures for the International Criminal Court, stating that the Tamil people have no faith in domestic commission.

    The resolution, tabled by the chief minister of the province, Justice C V Wigneswaran, was passed with an overwhelming majority around 9.30am local time.

    "This resolution provides as overview of the evidence demonstrating successive Sri Lankan governments' genocide against Tamils, and respectfully requests the ongoing United Nations Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) to investigate the claim of genocide and recommend appropriate investigations and prosecutions by the International Criminal Court (ICC)," the resolution read.

    Stating that the "Tamils have no hope for justice in any domestic Sri Lankan mechanism, whether conducted by the Rajapaksa regime, Sirisena regime, or its successor" the resolution called for justice and accountability for the Tamil genocide "to be driven and carried out by the international community".

  • Genocide resolution is challenge to 'moral integrity' of Sinhalese and world – CM Wigneswaran

    The Northern Provincial Council’s Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran said the resolution passed today by the Northern Provincial Council, calling on the UN to investigate genocide, is a challenge to "moral integrity and humaneness" of the international community and the Sinhala people.

  • Tamil Nadu government will fund lawyers to get boats back from Sri Lanka
    The Tamil Nadu government stated it would hire lawyers if needed to secure the release of 81 fishing boats which were confiscated by the Sri Lankan Navy, in a letter urging the Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka to ensure the boats are returned.
  • No need to remove army camps in North to return land to Tamils says Sri Lanka minister
    Sri Lanka's state minister of defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, said reiterated the government's refusal to remove army camps in the North, stating that there was no need to remove such camps in order to release land to the Tamil people.

    Announcing the appointment of a committee by the new president intended to investigate land issues in the North in order to release land to civilians, Mr Wijewardene said "there would not be a necessity to remove army camps in the North in order to release lands required by the civilians".

  • Sri Lanka completes payments of $750,000 to former IMF chief DSK
    Sri Lanka completed payments of $750,000 to former IMF Chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn this week, for his role as advisor in setting up the country's International Finance Centre.

    Cabinet spokesperson Rajitha Senarathne confirmed that the payments had been made but stated the hiring of Mr Strauss-Kahn “has taken place without a cabinet approval.”
  • New Sri Lanka govt needs to do actions not just words says NPC minister
    The Northern Provincial Councillor, P. Aingaranesan criticised the new Sri Lankan government's failure to prioritise the issue of missing Tamil civilians and enforced disappearances, stating that the new government must its commitment to reconciliation "in actions, not just in words".

    “The Tamil people thought the new regime assumed power claiming to make a change will bring change in their lives too. It in on the basis of that belief, they defeated the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa using their votes," Mr Aingaranesan told the Uthayan newspaper on Monday, adding that the new government should act honourably. 

    “The whereabouts of the thousands of Tamil women and men arrested by the army is still unknown; including several hundreds of people were kidnapped by unidentified persons and disappeared; many, who are [LTTE] cadres, surrendered to the army at the end of the armed conflict; and those who were handed over to the army by their relatives. The new government should provide an answer to their relatives that are waiting every day for their return," he added.

  • UN must stay involved to ensure independent investigation into Sri Lanka’s atrocities - NYT
    The best way to guarantee an independent investigation in to war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka whilst protecting witnesses is to keep the United Nations involved, said the New York Times Editorial Board on Tuesday.
  • 30y old Tamil man found dead in Amparai
    The body of a Tamil man was found inside his house in Mahasakthi village in Amparai on Tuesday, reports BattiNews.

    The man has been identified by the police as a 30 year old father of two children, Thangavelu Rajenthira.

    His body has been transferred to hospital for a post-mortem. Akkaraipattu police are reportedly investigating the incident.
  • TNA MP calls for internationally mediated political solution for Tamils
  • We do not expect Sri Lanka to conduct credible investigation – HRW

    Human Rights Watch’s Asia Director Brad Adams said last week the New York-based organisation does not expect Sri Lanka to conduct a credible investigation into mass atrocities committed during the armed conflict.

    Speaking to IPS ahead of Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s visit to the US this week, where he will meet with US officials and representatives of HRW, Mr Adams said the UN should continue to be central to the current process.

    “We do not expect the government to conduct a serious investigation,” he said when asked about the government’s proposed domestic investigation, pointing out former army commander Sarath Fonseka’s presence in the government would politicise a domestic probe.

    “The United Nations should continue to be at the centre of the current process,” he said, but complimented the new government for reaching out to HRW. “We are very encouraged and we are happy to meet with the foreign minister.”

  • Tamils across North-East Sri Lanka demand release of disappeared in new wave of protests

    Hundreds of Tamils protested across the North-East demanding the new government to release and reveal the whereabouts of their detained and disappeared, whilst calling for an international probe into the whereabouts of the disappeared.

  • Iranian warships dock in Sri Lanka

    The 33rd naval fleet of Iran's navy, docked in Colombo on Monday, where it will be conducting a three day visit.

    Senior Sri Lankan navy officials are scheduled to meet with the Iranian naval personnel onboard during their stay.

  • Sri Lanka Bar Assoc questions Sirisena's renewal of military powers
    The Bar Association of Sri Lanka called on the new president, Maithripala Sirisena to withdraw his renewal of powers allowing the military to maintain public order.

    Last week President Sirisena, renewed an Extraordinary Gazette notification which called on the military to ensure security and law and order within the island if the police could not.
  • Sri Lanka's foreign minister visits UK, US and China ahead of UNHRC
    Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera, embarked on a visit of key state capitals ahead of the UN Human Rights Council's 28th session, which is due to begin next month.

    Mr Samaraweera, who left Sri Lanka on Sunday for the UK, is scheduled to arrive in the US later this week where he is to meet with the US Secretary of State, John Kerry.
  • I do not fear retribution by new Sri Lankan govt says Gotabaya
    The former Sri Lankan defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he does not fear retribution by the new government for his role in the allegations of the mass atrocities committed against the Tamil people, stating that the people of Sri Lanka still appreciated the former regime's actions.

    Asked if he feared retribution by the new regime in Sri Lanka or even a witch hunt by Western nations now that he was no longer in power, Mr Gotabaya told an Indian journalist this week:
    "I do not fear any retribution from any quarter or Western witch hunts. We knew the risks involved when we took on the LTTE despite resistance from interested nations. We fought terrorism to a finish because that was our duty by our nation. The people of Sri Lanka still appreciate the sacrifices we made and the risks we took."

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