Opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickramasingha, speaking in Parliament today said the protest opposite the UN office in Colombo had brought shame and disrepute to the country.
Wickramasingha noted that the appointment of a UN panel on Sri Lanka had nothing to do with the protest.
2.US backs UN in Sri Lanka war crimes dispute
WASHINGTON (AFP) – The United States on Tuesday stood behind UN chief Ban Ki-moon and his advisory panel on war crimes allegations in Sri Lanka, where protesters including a cabinet minister surrounded the UN office.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that the United States supported "people’s right to free expression" but also sought a "robust accountability process" to help the island reconcile after decades of war.
"To that end, we welcome UN Secretary (General) Ban’s announcement of a panel of experts to provide advice on relevant best practices for investigations into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law," Toner said.
Protesters, who included Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa, shouted anti-UN slogans outside the UN office in Colombo, preventing staff from leaving for seven hours, according to witnesses.
Ban last month named a UN panel, headed by Marzuki Darusman, a former Indonesian attorney general, to advise on "accountability issues" during the war between government forces and the Tamil Tiger separatists.
The Sri Lankan government has refused to cooperate with the panel, which some see as a precursor to a full-blown war crimes investigation.
The Tiger guerrillas were defeated after decades of conflict in May 2009, and the UN has said that at least 7,000 ethnic Tamil civilians were killed in the first four months of last year.
The United States and other Western nations criticized Sri Lanka over its rights record in the final stages of the conflict. But Washington’s relations with the island have since improved.
3.UN temporarily closed
By Jamila Najmuddin in the Daily Mirror online, July 6
Colombo: The UN office in Colombo has been temporarily closed and the UN staff has been advised to work from home tomorrow as a result of the tense situation which developed outside the UN office today, UN sources told Daily Mirror online.
UN sources said that instructions to work from home was issued to the UN staff today after the group of protestors led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa who gathered outside the UN office laid siege to the building and prevented the UN staff from leaving the premises.
However there was no indication for how long the UN staff would stay away from their office although it is expected that a decision would be taken following a review of the latest developments.
Meanwhile when contacted, officials at the UN Headquarters in New York said that New York was closely monitoring the situation in Colombo and would take the matter up with the Sri Lankan government.
“We are fully aware of what is happening in Colombo and are closely monitoring the situation. We will raise the matter with the necessary people,” the official said refusing to comment further.
Meanwhile UN Associate spokesman Farhan Haq, speaking to reporters in New York a short while ago said that the UN had registered its strong objections with the Sri Lankan government over the protest organised by Minister Wimal Weerawansa outside the UN office which prevented UN staff from entering and leaving the premises.
He also said that the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo Neil Buhne had met Prime Minister D.M Jayaratna yesterday and obtained an assurance over the security of the UN staff in Colombo as a result of the threat made by Weerawansa last week urging the public to lay siege to the UN office. (Daily Mirror online)
4.I did not condemn annihilation of LTTE in war, says Jayalalithaa
The Hindu July 7
CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Tuesday clarified her stand on the LTTE, saying that she did not condemn the annihilation of the LTTE in war.
“What I condemn is the wanton killing of LTTE activists surrendering, waving white flags before the Sri Lankan Armed forces. What I condemn is the killing of 50,000 unarmed civilians coming out of their bunkers, lured into believing that the war had come to an end,” she said in a statement.
Joining issue with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi over the Sri Lankan Tamils issue vis-à-vis her opposition to the LTTE, she said the Chief Minister’s idea was to paint her as anti-Tamil. She said right through the 1980s, former Chief Minister MGR and she supported the LTTE-led struggle for the rights and freedom of the Tamil masses of Sri Lanka. “But when the killings of Tamil moderates, members of rival Tamil militant groups and finally the former Prime Minister of India took place, it was obvious that the outfit of freedom fighters had turned into terrorists. From that point onwards, I had the courage to oppose the LTTE,” she added.
Reacting to the allegation that she was responsible for the Assembly adopting a resolution that no member of the “banned LTTE should be allowed to gain entry into India, she said, “It is not in my nature to hobnob with or be soft on elements from banned organisations.”
Ms.Jayalalithaa admitted that she did say that some civilian casualties were inevitable during war.
“It is so with practically every war the world has seen. But Mr. Karunanidhi deliberately chooses to mix up civilian fatalities caused during war with the planned mass killing of civilians using banned weapons after he [Mr. Karunanidhi] had announced the end of the war. The first, I said, was inevitable,” she further said.
5.Special new procedures for UN agencies
By Jamila Najmuddin in The Daily Mirror, July 7
The government is to introduce special procedures for UN agencies travelling to the north in order to distinguish them from local and international NGOs. Discussions to this effect are expected to take place with the UN soon, a government official told Daily Mirror online.
Mr.S.B. Divaratne, the secretary of the Presidential Task Force, told Daily Mirror online that the special procedures would be worked out within a few days and, after that, the government would hold discussions with the UN. “In one or two days we will sit with the UN and straighten out all their difficulties. We will also inform them of the special procedures,” said Mr. Divaratne.At present all international humanitarian workers traveling to the north, including those belonging to the UN, have to obtain approval from the Presidential Task Force and the Ministry of Defence. However, Mr. Divaratne said, despite being granted clearance, many INGOs came back without completing their work.
He said these INGOs were not allowed to re-enter the areas. Meanwhile, UN sources in Colombo said that the UN had been scheduled to meet the government last week to discuss the easing of the travel restrictions imposed on UN foreign staff travelling to the north (including Jaffna and Mannar).
6.Hunger strike to protect soldiers will continue: NFF
Colombo July 06: Speaking exclusively to Newsfirst, Chairman of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Minister Wimal Weerawansa says that the hunger strike launched opposite the United Nations office in Colombo this evening will go on until a solution is provided.
The NFF launched this hunger strike calling for the removal of the advisory panel on Sri Lanka appointed by the UN Secretary General.
However Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe visited the UN office following the tense situation and commenced a discussion.
“The National Freedom Front (NFF) launched this hunger strike, because we want to protect the soldiers who brought peace to the motherland. We began this fight against Ban Ki Moon’s effort to take the commander of armed forces, the head of the armed forces and the soldiers, who defeated terrorism, before the International Criminal Court by placing war crimes before them.”
“Police arrived at this location and assaulted the protesters who were engaged in the hunger strike. Six persons have already been hospitalized. They have acted violently to stop this protest. We did not begin this protest campaign to address our personal problems.”
“The Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Romesh arrived at this location. He said that he wanted to hold a discussion with the representatives of the UN. We said that we were ready for a meeting. Three of our representatives were engaged in the dialogue. We will state our stance there.”
“Ban Ki Moon has to withdraw the committee he appointed. Until then we will not stop our hunger strike. If some one attempts to stop this strike, we will transform this into a fast unto death campaign.” said the leader of NFF Minster Wimal Weerawansha in an exclusive interview with Newsfirst.
7.Opp moves to impeach SC Judges
By Kelum Bandara in The Daily Mirror, July 7
Opposition political parties are planning to bring an impeachment motion against certain Supreme Court judges soon.
Opposition UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had reportedly held talks with some MPs to work out this motion. MPs Mangala Samaraweera, Dayasiri Jayasekera, Rauff Hakeem, Lakshman Kiriella, Tissa Attanayake, Karu Jayasuriya and Wijedasa Rajapakse had participated in this meeting.
The opposition is currently gathering information for this motion.
UNP sources said judges are appointed by the executive today without implementing the 17th Amendment.
We have no way to raise this matter other than bringing an impeachment motion,” sources said.
Earlier, MP Samaraweera proposed to his colleagues in parliament to consider an impeachment motion against certain judges.He also charged that the executive was encroaching into the judiciary making a serious assault on the rule of law.
The motion is expected to be handed over to the Speaker after the budget debate.
Meanwhile the UNP is also planning a no confidence motion against External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L.Peiris.
8.Ciminalization of Northern Politics
By Lenin Benedict in Sri Lanka Guardian
(July 06, Toronto) World renowned LTTE mafia boss and The Interpol wanted Kumaran Pathmanapan alias K.P getting more importance in the Northern politics and backing of the Government very much shows the criminalization of politics in the North. It raises the question of honor and respect to our beloved armed forces that sacrificed themselves to destroy Terrorist forces from Srilankan soil. Does the Government of Srilanka (GOSL) dishonor those sacrifices made by our brave men and women, by bringing back the same LTTE leadership into the Government? Are we Srilankans going to accept this to happen?
The Terrorist separatist war in Srilanka that existed for three decades ended just before a year after heavy loss of civilian causalities from all communities, including brave men and women of our armed forces and loss to the economy, which brought utter destruction to our motherland. It all happened due to the powerful mafia network of LTTE that was controlled by a criminal and mastermind called K.P who was all powerful and an independent authority of the clandestine operations, the man who supplied arms and ammunition to continue the war for decades. Is it the weapon or man behind the weapon? It was Mr. Mafia boss the K.P who was behind the clandestine operations to procure arms and ammunition, raised money and controlled the wealth accrued by money laundering and by other means of illegal businesses. He was the one in charge of their vessels and smuggled weapons to Srilanka for LTTE to continue this war. If such people were allowed into politics, will it not criminalize the Tamil politics, which has already manifested a gun culture deep rooted in its own?
Under general amnesty in 1987, all the political leaders of various organization of that time got a blanket amnesty and accepted to abide by the constitution of Srilanka and will not support separatism. Every organization surrendered their weapons including LTTE and made a way to democratic politics. Later LTTE took up arms since it was not accepted as a sole single party in the conflict. It was then President Premadasa, who armed LTTE and made the Terrorist organization a come back. Anything happened after 1987, cannot be pardoned, until otherwise the Government announces a decree. It has not been done so far and therefore Mr. K.P the Mafia Boss is still considered a wanted man according to Srilankan justice system. He is also a wanted person still by the Interpol in Rajiv Gandhi’s murder case. Yet he is able to travel to Malaysia for an event to collect money for rehabilitation according to media reports. If then, has the Government of Srilanka withdrawn the case against Mr. Mafia? Recently, the GOSL has announced that the case against K.P will not be dismissed and will take it own course. If the case is such, how can the government allow a criminal to do the rehabilitation work in the north?
Victory over the Terrorist brought a great relief to the country and peace has been established in all walks of lives in Srilanka. Democracy to a greater extent has been restored in the North and East and it is a pre-condition to yield the fruits of political freedom. The Presidential and the general elections has been successfully carried out in Tamil areas without any violence and threats from LTTE in a very peaceful manner ever in the history of Srilanka. It was the first time the Tamil community voted on its own will without any intimidations form LTTE. Instead of strengthening the hands of democratic institutions in the North and East and support the moderate Tamil politicians, the decision of GOSL to engage with criminals and allowing such people to take part in the process of rehabilitations will not only criminalize our democratic institutions in the North and East, but will also encourage the separatist forces within Tamil community a upper hand and will strengthen their positions in Tamil politics. Already the so called LTTE sympathizers and their supporters the TNA, has won the majority seats in the parliament sowing and spreading the Tamil Nationalism all over again in Tamil politics. Allowing Mr. K.P the Mafia Boss freely in the country to roam would also undermine our judicial system and the confidence we have in our legal system.
On the other hand, the welcoming of criminal person like K.P will only again strengthen the LTTE supporters in the Tamil Diasporas which will ultimately weaken the voice of the moderate Tamils of the Srilankan Diasporas. In the days of Pirabaharan, even to the peak days of Terrorist activities, it was LTTE that has been recognized as a party in the conflict by UNP regime and by successive governments. Even after Pirabaharan’s death and defeat of separatism, the LTTE holds the power in a Government that declared victory over Terrorism and crushed the separatist movement in Srilanka. Will the SLFP leaders be able to criticizes or put the blame on UNP that it should take the responsibility of aiding the LTTE and strengthening the movement when they themselves repeat the same old mistakes what the previous UNP regime did. If GoSL wants to give a chance to LTTE supporters and sympathizers, enabling them to change themselves, it is most welcome. Everyone who really wants to be a part of the Srilankan family should be encouraged and made to rejoin the national stream. But assigning criminals in the rehabilitation programmers and opening investments opportunities to them would not be the right thing to do. The safety and security of the country will be jeopardized, if those investments are made in our coastal areas, in fishing sector and in areas of strategic and of military importance. Who knows what Mr. Mafia and his associates have in their minds? It could be a tactic of the LTTE to regain the political strength in the country by infiltrating the Government bodies.
Mr. Mafia might even use his influence in the Government to get the pardon for few LTTE leaders who are left behind bars and who are not so far identified in the camps by our authorities. The Government should not commit any blunder in this regard, which could ultimately strengthen the separatist elements remaining still under the hands of the Government authorities. Allowing such criminals to visit refugee camps freely and in rehabilitation work on the other hand might help this criminal gang to recognize themselves that are still alive and might lead to regrouping of these separatists. If the Government of Srilanka plans an inflow of LTTE money and wealth to the country with the assistance of Mr. Mafia, it can be done through legal means in accordance with existing domestic and international laws by confiscating the assets of the Terrorist organization, since LTTE is already proscribed as a Terrorist outfit in many countries. Even if it is not possible, we cannot sell the dignity of the country for a few million dollars, which Mr. Mafia has in his possession. SORRY, SRILANKA IS NOT FOR SALE. The impact of the loss of morale amongst our soldiers and civilians on national security and social welfare could have adverse effects. Thus, we would loose the morale worth billions and billions.
We should remember the capabilities of trained LTTE cadres who live abroad and are still active. There are more than 25,000 estimated LTTE members or sympathizers living in North America and in Europe according to intelligence reports. According to Canadian intelligence the RCMP, it is estimated that there are around 8000 cadres live in Canada alone. They may be used in future to land in Srilankan territorial waters to strike against the state of Srilanka and its people. As an example, I would say that the LTTE has carried out assassinations on EPRLF leader and former. Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi as a result of conspiracies waged outside Indian soil. Most lately, before their defeat, the foreign trained pilots of the TTE carried out attacks on Colombo civilian targets and our defense establishments, which is a clear indication of their capabilities.
The LTTE global network and their huge wealth behind them as well as their cadres’ strength will be an advantage to its organization, which will not hinder their capabilities and strength to strike. The support of the Tamil Diasporas will be an added advantage and the political backing of some western powers might make them a come back. In this situation, it is not advisable to strengthen the mussels of former LTTE rankers by any means. One may argue that how could people like Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman and Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan have been absorbed into the government’s political stream. Both these men courageously broke their rank with Pirabaharan and fought against him when the LTTE supreme leader was alive and the organization was very much powerful and finally they both joined the government. They were not cowards but risked their lives and gave up the highest rank, which they were holding at that time. Karuna Amman was second in command and had almost equal respect within the organization and more than Pirapaharan in the Eastern province.
When there were few other political prisoners still in custody and been refused to be freed by the authorities under emergency regulations and other existing laws to safe guard the interest of the Nation, how come a worst criminal and a top ranking Terrorist is being allowed to move freely in the country? There were incidents that some of the LTTE sympathizers who came to Srilanka on a holiday were sent back by immigration authorities and in one incident a women from Germany had been detained and still under custody for the reason that she had participated in a protest demonstration waving LTTE flag. If for such petty reasons they were deported and detained, how much more we have to do for Mr. K.P the Mafia, who is the worst criminal of all in the world? Further to the humiliation of the Srilanakan Diaspora.
And to the sacrifice of victory, Mr. Mafia boss invited his most loyal Mafia gang from North America, Europe and rest of the world to visit the country, which received a red carpet welcome and allowed to visit freely the refugee and rehabilitation camps. Does the victory made us blind to see the right thing?
Imagine the criminal crowd the LTTE network that raised money, procured arms and ammunition, propagated against Sovereign state of Srilanka and our people, protested all over the world, brought ill fame to the nation, trained pilots, aided Terrorism given a red carpet welcome and allowed freely into the country. This is not just a humiliation to the lives lost in combating Terrorism but a disgrace to the entire Nation. Disgrace to each and every patriotic soul of the country. Disgrace ever to the brave soldiers of our armed forces and to their families. It’s the duty of the state to answer the patriotic community, which once said there were only two communities, which is Patriotic Srilankans and Unpatriotic Srilankans. The soul of Patriotic Srilankans has begun to bleed and only rectifying the faults could heal their wounds.
