23rd February 2017

By Jayantha de Almeida Guneratne, Kishali Pinto-Jayawardena and Gehan Gunatilleke – When multiethnic and multi-religious societies are confronted with challenges that test the limits of coexistence, governments may be tempted to resort to populism or political expediency. Sri Lanka’s relatively short post-independence history is unfortunately riddled with examples of such compromises. Minorities have been victimised throughout this country’s history. They have had nowhere to turn, except perhaps towards the only institution that is tasked with checking power: the judiciary. Sri Lanka’s judiciary has been called upon time and again to vindicate minority rights in the face of overwhelming oppression by the other organs of government. This study has essentially sought to examine the judiciary’s record in rising to and meeting this enormous challenge. At the […]

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has warned that ethnic violence against Tamils is an imminent danger until there is a political resolution to the conflict. TNA leader R. Sampanthan told Parliament today that ethnic violence was unleashed against the Tamil people when they made political demands that would enable them to live as equal citizens in the Country.  He said the armed conflict by Tamil youth emerged only after several decades of ethnic violence against the Tamil people. “The Conflict was also internationalized, and the issue has been in the international domain. Several resolutions were adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council and the resolution adopted in October 2015 comes up for review in February /March 2017. Our Neighbour and parent Country India offered […]

TNA leader says he’s ‘extremely unhappy’ with the way Tamils are treated by govt. After two years of engaging the Sri Lankan government on reconciliation and constitutional reform, the country’s Tamil polity seems to be losing patience, if Leader of Opposition R. Sampanthan’s address in Parliament is any indication. On Wednesday, the veteran Tamil leader attacked the government that, he said, was treating the minority Tamils the same way the previous governments did. Pointing to two key issues — land and disappeared persons — the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader said: “Let me be frank. I am extremely unhappy with the way our people are treated by this government with respect to their land.” Over the last three weeks, families in Mullaitivu district — that […]

The UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues Rita Izsák-Ndiaye says there is mounting frustration in Sri Lanka with the pace of progress in the accountability process. In a report on Sri Lanka submitted to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) ahead of its 34thsession in Geneva, Rita Izsák-Ndiaye said that to achieve peaceful coexistence after the long, devastating civil war, a comprehensive, well-planned and well-coordinated truth, reconciliation, healing and accountability process must take place, and it cannot be done overnight.  However, almost two years after the change of Government, the Special Rapporteur notes the mounting frustrations with the pace of progress. “It is important for the Government to put in place some immediate, important and concrete measures to clearly demonstrate its political will and commitment […]

International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has exposed shocking details of sexual exploitation by the army against Tamil women in the former war torn areas. The report accused the Sri Lanka military for holding women as sex slaves in rape camps. Former President and Kurunegala district MP Mahinda Rajapaksa has condemned former President Chandrika Kumaratunga over her allegations that there was widespread sexual exploitation by the army against Tamil women in the former war torn areas. Rajapaksa Issuing a statement today Rajapaksa said: “the statement made by Mrs Chandrika Kumaratunga to foreign correspondents in Colombo last week to the effect that war widows in Sri Lanka now face ‘widespread’ sexual exploitation by members of the army among others, is a matter of grave concern. The rape and […]

By R. Sampanthan – R. Sampanthan I would submit with respect that this is a Matter of urgent public importance, and that is the reason for raising this matter today in the House at Adjournment, to enable the whole country to be kept informed of the truth in regard to the processes and everything relating thereto. Hon. Speaker Parliament of Sri Lanka Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Question relating to matter of Public importance to be raised on 22nd February 2017 at the conclusion of questions by Mr. R Sampanthan, Member of Parliament, Leader of Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Leader of the Opposition All people who lived in Sri Lanka, irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, or any other difference, whether Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim […]