So what do we see in the statements made by Madam Navanethem Pillay who was the Head of the UN Human Rights Commission at that point of time, the statement made by Madam Louise Arbour, who was also the Head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights a little earlier, and the statement made by Justice Bhagwati -the Chairman of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons, a retired Chief Justice of India who was in Sri Lanka in order to assist in the investigations that have been conducted by the Udalagama Commission in regard to several human rights violations. They have all made their position very clear, Sir, in the statements they have made. Sampanthan insists on implementing UNHRC resolution, adopting new constitution […]

The tragedy of Sri Lanka is the extension of the mindset created during the struggle against the suppression in the colonial period into the era of independent Sri Lanka  – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara Through the entire period of independence Sri Lanka experienced ethnic conflicts. The majority Sinhalese had conflicts with Tamils of Indian origin, Sri Lankan Tamils and Muslims. After the independence, especially after 1956, the Burgher community of Sri Lanka started migrating to various countries mainly to Australia. Sri Lankan Tamils also started migrating later and created an influential diaspora now. A large number of Tamils of Indian origin were sent back to India under Sirima-Shastri pact. There were a number of violent conflicts with the Muslims, the major one being in the pre-independence […]

The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture is set to carry out its first visit to Sri Lanka from today to the 12th to examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment. Issuing a press release the UNHRC states that the four-member delegation will meet government officials and hold discussions with relevant ministries, as well as meeting with the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations. Their talks in Colombo will focus on advising and assisting the Sri Lankan authorities regarding the measures they must take to be in compliance with the obligations contained in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. The Subcommittee will be visiting places of […]

The British Foreign Secretary has said that there will never be lasting peace in Sri Lanka without justice and accountability. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made the remarks in response to a question about Sri Lanka in parliament on Tuesday. Gareth Thomas MP had asked: “The rules-based international order would be strengthened if countries were seen to be held accountable for adhering to the conclusions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. What steps are Ministers taking to hold Sri Lanka to account for its failure to bring to justice those who are guilty of perpetuating major human rights abuses?” The Foreign Secretary responded: “This is something on which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Asia and the Pacific has done an enormous amount of work through his […]

UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet Upbraids Northern Province Governor Dr.Suren Raghavan over Serious Misrepresentations in the Media About What She Told the Sri Lankan Delegation at a Discussion in Geneva A top official handpicked by Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena to represent the country came in for harsh criticism by the UN for “putting a spin” on a high level bilateral meeting in Geneva. In a strongly worded statement the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday, that a newspaper article quoting a senior Sri Lankan official “seriously misrepresents” her discussion of the recent UN Human Rights Office report on Sri Lanka with a Sri Lanka Government delegation attending the Human Rights Council, (UNHRC) in Geneva on March 20. A […]

—Lee Kuan Yew S. Nadesan was a promoter of democratic principles such as regional autonomy, bilingualism, federalism, and constitutional safeguards for the Tamil speaking. Regarding the tension caused by the Official Language (Sinhala Only) Act, he firmly believed that separatist movements only took root in unitary states, and dismissed the suggestion that federalism leads to separation. Somasundaram Nadesan, QC-Senator Somasundaram Nadesan, QC was a leading Tamil lawyer, civil rights activist and member of the Senate from end 1940s to early 1970s. He served on the bar for 55 years and was made a Queen’s Counsel in 1954. A passionate defender of minority rights though, Nadesan remained detached from Tamil nationalistic politics of S. J. V. Chelvanaygam (Fedral Party) and G. G. Ponnambalam of Tamil Congress […]

President’s delegation had prepared to ‘undo’ the resolution the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) which wanted to secure the resolution with an extension granted to implement the UN Resolution.   Minister Marapana denied the Tri Forces had committed war crimes Minister Marapana criticized the UNHR chief in order to mend the clauses on the resolution. The delegation was set to ask the HRC to allow Sri Lanka to solve its own issues without foreign intervention. In one voice UN member countries said the Government of Sri Lanka should make substantial progress over the next year in implementing a comprehensive transitional justice strategy with a clearly defined timeline, including the establishment of a special judicial mechanism.   By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan It is said that old habits never […]