Sri Lanka’s Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has hit out at the international community for criticising his country on the issue of investigations into war crimes, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has refused to take a complaint made by a Buddhist monk against the Bodu Bala Sena, a Buddhist organisation, thought to be close to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

The monk accused the BBS of threatening him and that he feared for his life.

The Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Major General Shavendra Silva has said in a speech marking Sri Lanka’s Independence Day that many groups in western countries try to paint a false picture of Sri Lanka.

Students from colleges in Tamil Nadu, handed over a petition to the United States Consulate in Chennai on Thursday, calling for an international independent investigation into genocide to be initiated at the UN Human Rights Council in the coming weeks.

The students, including those from Loyola College who sparked off a wave of protests last year after undertaking a hunger strike, handed a petition to Jennifer McIntyre, the Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai, stating,

“Probing war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army by its own Government will not yield any justice. What was committed by the Army cannot be limited to war crimes but it amounts to genocide. We Tamils all over the world cry for justice. We demand an independent international inquiry on Tamil genocide.”

They went on to outline their demands to the United States for an international investigation and referendum, adding,

“We firmly believe that Indian government will not initiate any process for inquiring into the charges of genocide on Sri Lanka. Therefore we seek the help and assistance of United States of America to pass a resolution against Sri Lanka in the forthcoming UNHCR meet to be held at Geneva. We request the USA take a firm stand on Sri Lanka by seeking independent international inquiry on Tamil genocide committed by the Sri Lankan Army under the guidance of Sri Lankan Government.”

See the full text of the petition below.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka (MCSL) has released a statement, expressing concern over the resolution to be put forward at next month’s UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

"In view of the Sri Lankan Government's stated commitment to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) which has been accepted by Sri Lankans and the International community, it is unclear how the proposed resolution will productively bring about the much needed changes in our country," the statement said according to Colombo Page.

The MCSL said it hoped that a process would be started to support Sri Lanka in looking for domestic mechanisms to address concerns.

The council, which is the largest Muslim civil society organisation on the island, offered its “wholehearted support” to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

India’s External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has called on Sri Lanka not to isolate itself, over global pressure on war crimes and accountability, while speaking to a group of Sri Lankan journalists in New Delhi on Wednesday.

The defence secretary of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called on Sri Lankans to use the forthcoming Western and Southern Provincial Council elections to show that the people are supportive of his brother, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while speaking during an election rally in Colombo.

Speaking about next month’s UNHRC session in Geneva, Gotabhaya said that the ultimate objective was to remove the president from power and topple the government, in order to install a government which will act according to western interests, and enable them to spread their political power and dominance in the Indian Ocean, reported the Daily Mirror.

“They know that with the current regime and President they cannot divide this nation or fulfill their political agendas. So this upcoming election is a good opportunity for Sri Lankans to show that they are with President Rajapaksa and the government,” he said.

A discussion on the ‘genocide in Sri Lanka and trials against the Tamils in Italy’ was held by the TPO Centre in Bologna on the 12th February.

Photo: TYO Italy

“The LTTE was a revolutionary movement. Not only within the island, but also within the south-Asia region. I’m not talking about their armed struggle but about their progressive revolution in the social life of the Tamil Nation. They abolished caste system and they made effective equal rights between men and women. Even the largest democratic country, India, is failing to achieve the implementation of these important human rights. The Tamil women fought for their nation, shoulder to shoulder with the men. Equal to them.”

Photo: TYO Italy

“The failure of R2P (responsibility to protect) is followed also by the failure of an International judicial system. In fact the ICC jurisdiction is not recognised internationally. Some countries like United States, Russia, China, India and Sri Lanka don’t recognise the international Court. The countries that I mentioned represent 2/3 of the world population. Countries that commit these crimes (War crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide) are free to decide if face to trial. This is why alternative tribunals like the PPT are important to enlight the crimes that cannot be investigated by international law.”

Amnesty International has called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an international mechanism to investigate violations of international law in Sri Lanka, in a written statement submitted to the council.

Released earlier this month, the non-governmental organisation called for a independent international investigation adding,

The Australian Senate has passed a resolution calling for the establishment of an international investigation into crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka, this week.

The motion, which was proposed by the Labour Party and co-sponsored by the Greens went on to call on Australia to “co-sponsor any United States resolution at the UNHRC in March 2014 regarding Sri Lanka’s progress on accountability and human rights”.

Commenting on the successfully passed motion, Greens Leader Christine Milne said,

“The Australian Senate has sent a powerful message to the UN and international community about supporting an international independent war crimes investigation in Sri Lanka. This is a long awaited response to horrific allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses committed in Sri Lanka. New evidence from PIAC makes the investigation even more urgent. Prime Minister Tony Abbott must end his appeasement of the Sri Lankan government which is designed to bolster his cruel refugee policies here in Australia.”

Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, also added,

“The world will be watching how Australia will be responding to this international call for a war crimes investigation. Today we have sent a clear message to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. Australia has co-sponsored the last two United Nations General Assembly Human Rights Council resolutions on Sri Lanka, and it is crucial that Australia does the same at the coming March meeting. The Greens have consistently called for a war crimes investigation and will continue to campaign strongly for one. We welcome Labor’s decision to now support this position.”

See the motion in full below.

The United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Catherine Russell stated that the US was “also extremely concerned over the rise in rape and sexual assault”, as she addressed a group of non-governmental organisations in Sri Lanka earlier this week.

The Ambassador was addressing the group via internet video messaging after she was refused a visa to enter the country by the Sri Lankan government, which reportedly ‘pleased’ a ruling alliance constituent party.

Pictures: Veerakesari

Updated 20:13 GMT

Skeletal remains have been found yesterday evening at a playground in Trincomalee, whilst workers were trying to dig a well, reported the Veerakesari. 

Sri Lankan security forces, who arrived promptly to the scene, have closed the area off to the press and public, one witness, who wished to remain anonymous fearing his safety, told the Tamil Guardian this evening.

See video sent to Tamil Guardian.