Day: 21 September 2015

UN (OISL) Report Names Several Commanding Officers of the Sri Lankan Army Involved in the Final Phase of War in Wanni.

Karu

The Office of the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Investigation on Sri Lanka(OISL) report has outlined the structure of the Sri Lankan armed forces with specific reference to the commanding officers involved in the final phase of the war that occurred in the Northern mainland known as the Wanni. The OISL report names several senior officers and the military entities they commanded during the final phase of war during which it is alleged that several human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed. Though no specific charges…

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US Government’s International war crimes investigation Vs Hindu American Foundation

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Hindu American Foundation’s very powerful lobbying in Washington DC is having effect on US Government’s International war crimes investigation. They had several high level White House and State Department meetings pushing for international war crimes trial. Recently, they organized Channel Four’s documentary on Tamil Killings at the popular Washington National Press Club and at US Senate. Their reach out to the media is effective. Below, please find very powerful New York Times editorial urging international war crimes trial. Tamils are great full for Hindu American Foundation ‘s effective lobbying in…

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1st Informal Session on proposed draft resolution on Sri Lanka (UN HRC30 )

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BY Rajkumar As usual the Member states are holding dividing opinion on the way-forward. It looks like the criminal investigation mechanism would be a local one within the Sri Lankan system. It May include some international observers / experts. Member states are even reluctant to use the term “Hybrid Mechanism” as it could open many interpretations they claim. Pakistan and some other states are opposing to even add demilitarisation of the North and East in the resolution. Looks like only Swiss wanted to strengthen OP4 to clarify the mechanism. We need…

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EU to grant GSP+, lift fish export ban

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European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka David Daly said the new government’s policies on improving human rights, good governance and strengthening democratic institutions is very encouraging to grant GSP plus and lift fish export ban to EU countries. “The EU is seriously considering Sri Lanka’s request, as the EU has to go through a rigorous evaluation process before taking the final decision to grant both GSP plus and remove the fish export ban to the EU,” Daly told at the 23rd Annual Export Awards ceremony of National Chamber of Exporters…

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Sri Lankan gov’t assures political solution for Tamils

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Sri Lankan gov’t assures political solution for Tamils COLOMBO, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) — The Sri Lankan government said on Monday that a political solution for the minority Tamils will be implemented through proposed constitutional reforms. Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said the government will hold talks with the Tamil parties to reach a political solution for the North and East issue. Once a political solution is agreed upon it will be included in the constitutional reforms to be presented to Parliament for approval, he said. The Tamil parties have been demanding…

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PAKISTAN HELPED SRI LANKA TO KILL MORE THAN 40,000 TAMIL CIVILIANS.

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  Monday, September 21, 2015 – Islamabad—Without cooperation and help of Pakistan by virtue of defense relations, Sri Lanka could never get rid of terrorism it has been facing during the previous decades, said EAS Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka. She was addressing a seminar organized by Department of Politics and International Relations of International Islamic University (IIU) held at Faisal Masjid Campus of the varsity. “Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy best defense relations,” she said adding that both countries would further enhance bilateral ties in future…

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Sri Lanka Resolution: China, Russia May Align With US

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By Easwaran Rutnam In what will be a very significant turn of events, China and Russia may back the consensus resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), thus aligning themselves with the Unites States. Two strong critics of the US, both China and Russia have always maintained the position at the UNHRC that they are against outside interference in the domestic affairs of a country. Both countries had voted against the US sponsored resolution which resulted in the investigation on Sri Lanka by the Office of…

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Govt. asks UN, US to allow it to conduct domestic probe sans hybrid court

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Healing wounds in Sri Lanka [slideshow_deploy id=’8037′]AN impartial inquiry into the human rights abuses in the war against the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka in 2009, as demanded by the UN, will only be the first step toward accountability and reconciliation without which there will be neither peace nor stability in the island nation. [slideshow_deploy id=’932′]Sirisena should avoid the mistakes committed by his predecessor. Rajapaksa is the only leader in recent history who can claim to have led a counterinsurgency campaign to a successful conclusion.…

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Opinion Expressed On UNHRC Report

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Opinion Expressed On UNHRC Report The report of 600 pages has been simplified into 19 pages. There are six main areas that have been focused by the report. Among them are illegal killings, sexual and gender-based violence, forced disappearances, torture and other inhumane and degrading treatment, forced recruitments, attacking common dwellings of civilians and preventing humanitarian aid. The report is based on the evidence given by eye-witnesses and victims during interviews, forensic reports, satellite surveillance data and other video and still footage. Following are some of the comments made to…

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