Now that the NE Provincial Elections are over, there seems to be a new -found optimism in Rajapakshe circles that the International Community would go soft on him for Genocide accusations,
Genocide in Sri LankaRows of Tamil Corpses. Image.Independent.Tamil children Killed Source,Tamil.net.
The winning Tamil party combination is more interested in running the local Government than bringing Rakapakshe to book.
I am posting some more gruesome images of the Tamils killed by Sri Lankan Army lest people forget the Genocide.
More than 135, 000 Tamil men, women and children has been killed or went missing.
More than 35, 000 Tamil were killed in 2009 alone.
1.1 Million Tamils flee Sri Lanka
Estimated 600, 000 Tamil internal refugees
More than 20, 000 orphaned children
More than 35, 000 Tamil widows
Thousands of Tamil families (including children) are kept behind barb wire fenced internment camps by the Sri Lankan govenment, for several months in aftermath of war.
Half a million Tamils kept under military rule in Jaffna peninsula (Northern Sri Lanka) that had been described as an “open prison”.
Economic embargo imposed on traditional Tamil areas for more than 2 decades
Supply of food, medicine, fuel, electricity and other essential items controlled by the Military
Forced Starvation
Usage of banned weapons – Cluster bombs, White phosporous. Usage of heavy weapons, artillery on densely populated civilian areas. Reported usage of chemical weapons.
Her Press briefing on 31 August , 2012 was candid to such an extent that the Sri Lanka Government was forced to protest that she exceeded her brief.
She was earlier abused by the Government and the Sri Lanka Media , calling her ‘Tamil Tigress‘, accusing her of bias, raking her Tamil origins.
Story:
Sri Lanka refutes:
”
Issuing a statement, the Govt information department says that she is only an agent of a Civil organization, hence she cannot make such statements regarding Sri Lanka.
Govt has issued this statement with regards to the statements made by Ms. Navi Pillay at the media meeting held on the 31st in Colombo, in conclusion of her week’s tour in Sri Lanka.
The complete statement is as follows..
President Rajapakshe apologised for his minister’s out burst against her earlier.
Her report, as stated by her in the Press Meet , in short, is as under.
1.Developmental activities. post the civil war , is sluggish and definitely not as it had been portrayed by the Government of Sri Lanka.
2.The Missing Persons of Tamil area are not being investigated.
3.Tamil women are being molested and no visible action.
3.The Military, even after four years of the conflict coming to a close, still has an iron grip, on the Tamil areas, hampering return of Normalcy.
The presence of Military in the North East is worrying.
4.The Military is controlling areas where it has no business, like Education, Agriculture.
5.The Military is grabbing private Tamil lands for converting them into barracks, with no compensation.
6.Systematic racist attacks are being carried out against Tamils and Muslims.
As a parting shot, she said,
““I am deeply concerned that Sri Lanka, despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new vibrant, all-embracing state, is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction,” Pillai said, a remark that was to be broadcast around the world in minutes.”
Well, that’s pretty candid and accuses Sri Lanka, in real softer terms, its Genocidal and Ethnic cleansing Policies!
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navanetham Pillay was on a week-long visit to Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by the Government of Sri Lanka in April 2011. This invitation is a part of Sri Lanka’s consistent engagement with the UN System.
As is well known, the High Commissioner’s visit to Sri Lanka was extensive, which she herself has described, as the longest ever country visit undertaken in her current position. The GOSL provided unfettered access for the High Commissioner to meet all those whom she sought to engage with, besides providing briefings on the part of the GOSL, on the continuing post conflict developments, a fact that she has acknowledged.
It is significant to note the High Commissioner’s acknowledgement of the true nature of the LTTE, and her call to those in the diaspora, who continue to revere the memory of the LTTE, to recognize that there should be no place for the glorification of such a ruthless Organization.
While noting that the High Commissioner has paid respects “to all Sri Lankans across the country who were killed during those three decades of conflict”, a disturbing fact that emerged during the visit, which had also come up during her media conference, was the surreptitious effort made by the visiting delegation to pay a floral tribute during the visit to Mullivaikkal. It was pointed out by the Sri Lankan side to the OHCHR delegation that if such a gesture needed to be made it should be done at a venue common to all victims of the 30 year terrorist conflict and not on the grounds where the LTTE leader met his death. It is significant that at no point of time during the discussions in formulating the High Commissioner’s programme, that the holding of such an event was indicated. This was brought to the attention of the Government side, only a few hours before the unilaterally scheduled event. On inquiry it became evident that the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, who represents the UN Secretary General, was unaware of this planned event.
With reference to the High Commissioner’s assertion that the new Ministry of Law and Order “is at best a partial separation as both Ministries will remain under the President, rather than under a separate civilian Ministry”
The fact that the remarks were addressed to Pillay while she was on a high level diplomatic mission on the explicit invitation of the Government was extraordinary. But more extraordinary, for the visiting UN Rights Chief was the fact that persons who had made representations during her tours of the former conflict zones had been visited by police and military officials. “This to me is just completely over the top – this kind of thing simply does not happen on my missions,” Pillay charged during the question and answer session. “The UN takes reprisals against those who speak with UN officials very seriously. I will be reporting on any reprisals against those who spoke with me back to the Human Rights Council,” she warned.
On every critical issue falling within her mandate the UN Envoy pulled no punches. She had her own assessment on virtually every current challenge to democracy and freedom in post-war Sri Lanka. “The war may have ended, but in the meantime democracy has been undermined and the rule of law eroded,” she said, reading from one of the more electrifying sections of her statement.
On the hot button issue of religious intolerance, with attacks against the Muslim community intensifying in the last few months, the UN Envoy said the Government had downplayed the issue. “They said it was an isolated incident, but the information pouring into my office indicates otherwise,” she said.
Disappearances being the overarching theme of her visit, Pillay told journalists after her briefing that she had never witnessed such uncontrollable grief as when people begged her to help bring their loved ones home.
“The fighting may be over, the suffering is not,” the UN Human Rights Chief said, as she prepared to leave Sri Lanka.
The High Commissioner took great pains to address repeated questions on alleged UN bias put to her by the state media during the briefing. She urged journalists to “read the published material” to learn how vocal her office was being about human rights issues around the world, including those violations committed by powerful countries. “Sri Lanka is one of 193 states reviewed by the UNHRC. The US in its review had almost 300 recommendations made to them by other states,” Pillay explained.
She added that UN independent experts were currently examining Extraordinary Rendition procedures, the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and drone strikes against civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan – all violations Washington has been accused of by human rights activists.
n the aftermath of the screening of the Killing Fields on Wednesday 14 March millions across the world will be stunned and horrified by the images of the bloody massacre of Tamil people in Sri Lanka. Most will draw the conclusion that what took place is nothing short of genocide. And, once the shock fades, every viewer will ask: what can be done now?
I am posting excerpts with my comments.
Th first assumption they make that Buddhism is inherent to Sri Lanka.
That implies that there were no living beings in Sr Lanka till then, which is not a fact.
In the same article it says Sri Lanka has been invaded from 2 BC.
True, equally true is that the original SriLanka dynasty, according to MahaVamsa, of Sri Lanka was established by the offspring of Kalinga Prince.(Orissa)
So Sri Lanka owes its existence to India and by the same logic, a part of India!
Ridiculous.
“(a) They deliberately refused to recognize Tamils in Sri Lanka as Sri Lankan citizens. Instead they identified them as Tamils based on their race. Thus racism is the basis of their strategy.”
Yes.
This phenomena is not noticed before the period of Bandarakaike and the sufferings of the Tamils’, nay the citizens of Sri Lanka,became Public.
India does not need an elaborate strategy to conqueror Sri Lanka.
”
(b) They bred, nurtured, trained and deployed terrorist outfit called LTTE with the direct involvement of Indian Central Government to fight against Sri Lankan government.
(c) They pressurized the Central Government of India to intervene in Sri Lanka and settle so called ethnic problem which was infact created by themselves in connivance with Central Government of India.
(d) They set T.N.A. as their proxy in Sri Lanka to carryout their mission.
(e) They also launched a massive campaign in pro-Eelam countries in the West in the pretext of campaigning to protect human rights of Tamil Community in Sri Lanka. They use Tamil diaspora for this purpose.”
LTTE was not brought about by India.
True, India did train LTTE.
When?
When The Tamils were being killed by Sri Lanka and after, despite, International communities to talk to the Tamils, Si Lanka refused to do so.
True India raised the issue at International Forum.
So are the other Nations,US,Canada, Australia.
”
It was a fact that the Peace Accord was imposed over Sri Lankan government under duress. Neither Parliament nor the people of this country demanded such an Accord. The LTTE also rejected the Peace Accord. Sri Lankan President J.R.J was compelled to accept and sign it due to intimidation caused and duress imposed by sending Indian Air Force Jets over Sri Lankan airspace. It was imposed so hastily, neither Parliament nor the general public of Sri Lanka were given an opportunity to raise their views on it. Obligations to be fulfilled on the part of the Indian government and the LTTE as set out in the Accord were never honoured.
There was a provision in the Accord that the LTTE should surrender arms kept in their possession within 72 hours after signing the Accord and all parties should cease hostilities within 48 hours. Sri Lankan Forces were ordered to be confirmed to the barracks. Moreover the Indian government has ensured that Peace will be definitely restored in Sri Lanka.
Those obligations were never honoured. Instead, the LTTE was continued to strengthen its armoury and intensified attacks immediately after the Accord against Sri Lankan Forces who were in contrast ordered to be confined to barracks. The IPKF which was brought in to combat had become a total failure. As a result, the Indian government was compelled to withdraw the IPKF and abandon the Peace Accord unilaterally. Accordingly, the Peace Accord become an Accord non-existent. So that how can they say repealing the 13A would cause a violation of the Peace Accord which is non-existent.
The next component of the Peace Package is the 13th Amendment to the Constitution imposed over Sri Lanka so hastily. This is also a unilateral proposal which was formulated and drafted without consulting the Sri Lankan government by Indian government ex-parte. Provincial Council Act No. 42 of 1987 is the outcome of 13th Amendment.’
Sri Lanka did not approve the Accord.
In the same breath, there is a complaint that the LTTE did not fulfill the terms of the accord!
Sri Lanka seems to deny any agreement by saying that it does not have the backing of the people.
What do you have there?
Government or some wayward signing papers which mean nothing?
If so, why did Sri Lanka accept aid from foreign Governments signed by the same Government?
The comments on 13th Amendment are laughable.
Finally if The Tamils are the citizens of Sri Lanka, why massacre them in lakhs?
Not to forget the fact that the LTTE was wiped out by the help in intelligence and hardware by India.
As I wrote the original Post,I could not get adequate first hand report(reliable) on the rebuilding efforts in Sri Lanka, Post Civil War and LTTE.
Today I came across an article in the Guardian, which states that the Rebuilding efforts are normal and raises questions over the 13 th Amendment and the size of the Defence Foeces to be maintained in the Tamil Areas.
Ifeel that this might take time because one hs to take into account the tragedy suffered by the Sri Lankans as well.
Surprising, or is it intentional that no report of this nature is picked up by The Tamil Media and even on the internet one has to hunt for this information!
Reconstruction
A recent visit to Colombo and Jaffna enabled this writer to hear a range of voices and also see the reconstruction activities that have been undertaken by the Sri Lankan authorities in the latter city and area. The resettlement work and the reconstruction of physical infrastructure in the four years that have passed since the LTTE’s defeat have been good. While there is a civilian administration in place, the Governor is a retired army officer and this is a ground for complaint. It is true that Colombo would have had little option but to rely on the army in the immediate aftermath of the conflict for resettlement and development work. However, popular sentiment would now be addressed by reducing the army’s salience. The acquisition of land for the expansion of defence facilities is a major ground for complaint.
One of the most contentious issues relates to the size of the defence force to be stationed in the Northern Province. Almost all sections of Tamil opinion are convinced that if the defence forces are placed in large numbers in extensive military facilities, their sole objective would be to coerce the Tamil population. The basis of this belief is that the threat of violent separatism has disappeared with the defeat of the LTTE. The Rajapaksa view, endorsed by many Sinhalese, is that this is not so. It strongly holds that the ambition of a separate Tamil state is widespread, especially in the influential Tamil diaspora. The diaspora is currently focused more on putting pressure on Colombo on human rights issues. However, in future it can promote violent activities and an empowered province in the north may provide them with a base.
There is no easy resolution of these two fundamentally contradictory visions. In the 21st century, terrorist violence is an issue but the security of plural and multi-ethnic states is best guaranteed in satisfactorily addressing the reasonable aspirations of ethnic and religious minorities including their quest for identity, justice, democracy and development. On their part, minorities must shun violent approaches and understand the concerns of the majority communities. Historical memory, ancient grievances and the dubious lessons of battles lost and won in centuries past cannot guide leaders, particularly those who control the destinies of peoples and countries in this digital age.
13th Amendment
The 13th Amendment is the cornerstone of the position of the overwhelming majority of the Tamil political class. It has already been diluted by the decision of the Court regarding the inadmissibility of the merger of the Northern and the Eastern provinces. Any further weakening of the Amendment is unacceptable to them. The Indian position too is to support the implementation of the Amendment. Recently, the Union Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, urged his Sri Lankan counterpart that elections for the Northern Provincial Council need to be held within the time frame announced by President Rajapaksa and under the present provisions of the Constitution. While India is firmly committed to the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka, the entire country shares the concern expressed in Tamil Nadu for the rights and welfare of Sri Lanka’s Tamil community. Will President Rajapaksa take these views into account and if he does not, what can and will India do? The communication channels which have worked successfully to diffuse situations in the past now need to operate urgently.
(Vivek Katju is a former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan.)
I have been posting articles on the repression of the Tamils in Sri Lanka,The Genocide and lack of progress in the resettlement of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, post the civil war and LTEE era.
Displaced in Sri Lanka
I still hold the same views on the culpability of the Rajapakshe Government in the massacre of the Tamils in Sri Lanka.
Regarding developmental activities in Sri Lankapost Civil War, as I mentioned in my earlier posts, there is scant and vague information in the internet,
The tales of atrocities continue.
However, normally very credible Thuglak, a Tamil Fortnightly, run by Mr, Cho Ramaswamy, Satirist and Political Commentator, has been running a series of articles being reported by its Reporter, SJ Idhaya, who has visited Sri Lanka, which states that war normalcy has returned ,people are going about their normal activities and are relieved to be rid of the LTTE Threat.
Excerpts.
Killinochi,Pudukkudiruppu,Mullaiththeevu and Vavuniya have returned to normalcy.
People used to dig holes in the houses, hide children to save them from being recruited by The LTTE.
The women who were interviewed had admitted that they have joined the Sri LankanArmy and that there has been no force.
The people are not threatened nor are they being mistreated by the Army.
The reporter confirms that those interviewed were those who had no time to prepare their replies and most of the time the interviews were impromptu.
The reporter affirms that the demand for Tamil Elam is the making of the Tamil Politicians for their vote-bank.
For more on this read the Thuglak dtd 26 June 2013.
I am providing a Link for Mr.Cho’s views on the subject.
‘I doubt these people realise that the US resolution does not condemn Sri Lanka as such. The resolution says that recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Com-mission (LLRC) appointed by Colombo, which was something like the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, should be implemented. The US resolution also insists that there must be a settlement of the Tamil problem. I cannot understand what the champions of the Eelam cause see in it.”
Tamils have come under the Sri Lankan Army‘s Chemical weapons attack today, Tamil sources affirmed. They added it is unknown if the chemical weapons have been used previously in the war since many have been admitted to hospital with the same symptoms of dizziness, vomiting and fainting. However these symptoms had been ignored as they were due to hunger and distress.
In the final days of closing on the LTTE rebels, who have been fighting for a free state for Tamils in the North and East, the Sri Lankan Government is frustrated by mounting foreign concerns over its war crimes and banned media.
The Sri Lankan Army is at the final stages of removing evidences of the bloody war they have declared on Tamils in the name of rooting out ‘terrorism’. When the screens open for the outside world to see what has happened to Tamils in the area, the Sri Lankan Government want obedient and scared Tamils citizens to “praise” the government’s effort to “free” the regions from LTTE.
To simplify the job, the Sri Lankan Government has deployed its chemical weapons to cleanse the Tamils and LTTE rebels in the war zones. Civilians have reported vomiting, difficulty in breathing, dizziness and fainting after been subjected to these attacks.
Sources also said that the Sri Lankan Army higher officials wearing mask to protect themselves from the fumes and lower cadets were actually found in distress, who were then transported to Army facilities to get medical help.
LTTE warns against use of ‘chemical weapons’
COLOMBO, AUG. 16, 2001.
The LTTE today accused Sri Lanka of purchasing a banned chemical weapon and warned of “dangerous consequences” if it was inducted in the battlefields of northeastern Sri Lanka.
The LTTE statement appeared to be referring to the Russian- manufactured RPO-A Shmel rocket launcher without naming it. The Sunday Leader newspaper reported this week that the Government had purchased 1,000 units of the weapon.
The Sri Lankan Army spokesman, Brig. Sanath Karunaratne, confirmed the purchase of the Shmel, but denied it was a chemical weapon or that it was banned.
The RPO-A Shmel is a rocket-propelled incendiary/blast projectile launcher whose warhead contains a “thermobaric” flammable mixture, that is, it simulates high pressure conditions when detonated in enclosed structures and in the open.
The use of this weapon by the Russian Army in Chechnya came in for strong criticism by the human rights groups.
You must be logged in to post a comment.