Month: November 2019

The British Tamils Forum would like to state that we are a politically neutral organisation working with cross parties to promote our values and aspirations, and also would like to impress on the entire community that we the BTF support a two-state solution. However, it has come to light that there have been some serious misrepresentations of the conservative party manifesto hence we feel that we need to make a statement, so as to ensure that the Tamil Community is not misinformed by anyone. The Conservative Party Manifesto states ‘’From…

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A Swiss Embassy employee is abducted and asked about asylum applications and investigators are banned from leaving just days after Gotabaya Rajapaksa is elected. (Lanka-e-News- 28.Nov.2019, 9.00 PM) Fears of a potential crackdown on critics of the newly returned Rajapaksa political dynasty in Sri Lanka are rising just days after the election, as officials and journalists who investigated the Rajapaksas for human rights abuses and corruption began trying to flee the country, officials said. Abduction of the diplomatic officials… In a case that raised particular alarm, a Sri Lankan employee…

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The fear psychosis and suspicion prevailing among Tamil and the Muslim communities can be understood. But the fear among the Sinhala Buddhists cannot be regarded as justified. by Victor IvanEvidently, the Tamils ​​in the north and particularly the Muslims in the east have voted en-block for Sajith Premadasa while a vast majority of Sinhala Buddhist voters in the south voted for Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This Presidential Election clearly shows a pattern of voting where major ethnic groups – Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim had cliqued into three separate groups according to their…

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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan has urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government to fulfil the commitments made by Sri Lanka at the UNHRC and warned that if not, Sri Lanka would lose its legitimacy in the international arena. He told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka should avoid making fresh representations to the UNHRC as it had already co-sponsored a resolution. “If Sri Lanka keeps avoiding its international commitments, it will soon lose its legitimacy and be termed a failed state. Those who suffered during the war, need…

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By Shamindra Ferdinando Manohara De Silva, PC, yesterday urged the government to conduct a ‘no-holds-barred’ inquiry into high profile accusation that its agents abducted a local employee of the Switzerland mission in Colombo, and questioned her before releasing her. Responding to Switzerland demanding an inquiry into the alleged abduction on Monday, Nov 25, the top lawyer said that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure a thorough inquiry. However, the refusal on the part of Switzerland to deny access by the law enforcement authorities to the alleged…

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We want to remain neutral in our foreign relations and stay out of any conflicts among the world powers With ceremonies redolent with symbolism, followed by administrative moves that sent clear messages to the public, Gotabaya Rajapaksa took office as the President of Sri Lanka signalling a clarity of purpose and a no-nonsense approach to his duties that lay ahead. The indications are that his tenure will be very different from those of the presidents before him, including that of his brother Mahinda. Unlike previous presidents, Gotabaya is not a…

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Embassy breaks silence, issues statement to clarify false info circulating on incident Says employee was detained on street, forced into car, and threatened at length Says Embassy fully cooperating with authorities Due to deteriorating health condition, victim currently not in state to testify Says no request made for extradition of CID officer and family The Swiss Embassy last night issued a statement regarding the incident that took place on Monday (25 November) night involving one of its local employees, saying several false pieces of information are circulating in the reporting…

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the joint press conference held yesterday (29) said that India is confident that the reconciliation process under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will see the implementation of the 13th Amendment. The newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa accepting his invitation by the Indian Prime Minister made his first official visit to India this week. A special reception was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind which was also attended by Prime Minister Modi. “I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will carry forward the…

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Maaveerar Naal observed by Tamils across Europe Maaveerar Naal was observed by thousands of Tamils across Europe, where they gathered in various cities to pay tribute to the fallen. Oberhausen, Germany Herning, Denmark Oslo, Norway Paris, France Fribourg, Switzerland29 November 2019 Mannar Tamils defy threats to mark Maaveerar Naal Maaveerar Naal was commemorated in destroyed thuyilum illams (LTTE cemeteries) in Mannar district on November 27. Despite threats and obstacles from Sri Lankan security forces, thousands showed up to the thuyilum illams where the traditional commemorations took place with flames and flowers.29 November 2019 Tamils…

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Writing in the Tamil Guardian on November 27th, the leaders of the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats both expressed their support for British Tamils and pledged to work with the community in their struggle for justice. In his piece, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks on his work with British Tamils and his party’s commitment to human rights and justice. Read more: I will never back down on Labour manifesto pledge – Jeremy Corbyn In her piece, Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson speaks on genocide recognition, justice for mass atrocities and her party’s…

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Visiting Sri Lankan President Gotayaba Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today discussed wide ranging issues, including reconciliation and ethnic harmony in Sri Lanka. The talks took place as Rajapaksa undertook his first official overseas visit as Head of State after being elected President. Rajapaksa was accorded a grand welcome at Hyderabad House following which he engaged in bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. “We exchanged our views on reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa told me of his inclusive political point of view on ethnic harmony,” Prime Minister…

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Tamils need not fear the Rajapaksas and the new president Gotabaya Rajapaksa is weaker than one wants to believe. He does not dare yet what is political. His success rests in deep dark acts of terror and brutal solutions with the State machinery under his disposal. by Prof. Ramu ManivannanViews expressed in this essay are the author’s ownThe victory of Gotabaya Rajapaksa was much anticipated in the recently held 16th November presidential elections in Sri Lanka given the course of national politics after the evaporation of false euphoria over the…

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By Chandani Kirinde Switzerland yesterday demanded an immediate and complete investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in which a local employee of the embassy was detained against her will on the street and threatened at length by unidentified men, in order to force her to disclose embassy-related information. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in Bern, in response to an email inquiry by the Daily FT, said Switzerland regards this incident as a very serious and unacceptable attack on one of its diplomatic representations and employees. “Switzerland promptly…

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FM asks embassy to follow ‘established procedure’ to allow smooth probe By Shamindra FerdinandoThe Swiss embassy in Colombo has declined to give Sri Lanka, conducting an investigation into an alleged abduction of one of its employees, access to the person concerned. Authoritative sources told The Island yesterday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had been denied an opportunity to record the alleged victim’s statement. Responding to another query, sources said that the investigations had been hampered by the failure on the part of the detectives to question the alleged victim. Susil Premjayantha,…

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Sampanthan leading elite Jaffna politics with Mavai and Sumanthiran LLRC recommendations a platform for North-South dialogue  UNP has remained a Sinhala Buddhist party dependent on Southern votes  Reading Northern Tamil politics from Colombo, the presidential election seems to have proved Tamil political leaderships of all colour are caught in a serious dilemma. Much fractured TNA had to eventually compromise to announce Tamil people should vote to the “lesser evil.” TPC led by former Supreme Court Judge and former Northern Province Chief Minister Wigneswaran asked the people to “vote wisely.” Wanting to…

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By Kumar David – Prof. Kumar David Gotabaya Rajapaksa has won an immense landslide victory among the Sinhalese (72% of Sinhala Buddhist and nearly 60% of other Sinhalese – Catholic/Christian – voted for him). Equally stunning was his total rejection by Tamils and the Muslims. Never before has polarisation been so stark in our electoral history. However, that is all water under the bridge now. How to go forward? The spirit of this column is: 1) Let’s make proposals that are legitimate and feasible; but 2) let’s keep up our guard till…

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By Dinasena Ratugamage Former Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council, C. V. Vigneswaran on Tuesday said that the Tamil people had a right to celebrate the Mahaviru Day peacefully. On Mahaviru Day people of the North commemorate a number of people who had passed away and those celebrations were done in a peaceful manner, he said, that he expected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa would understand the situation and refrain from disrupting the commemorations. There was no need for anyone to seek legal approval to commemorate…

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Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s visit to India. “Gun-toting soldiers are roaming in the streets inhabited by Tamil people. Tamil areas have become concentration camps controlled by the Sri Lankan army. What happened in Nazi Hitler’s time in Germany and Poland, is happening today in Sri Lanka,” Vaiko said while addressing a public meeting which had gathered in the protest. “80 million Tamils are living in India. We have got an amicable…

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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday said the government’s plan to review United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution 30/1, ‘for promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights’ in Sri Lanka would have serious repercussions for the country at the international level. TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that in 2015, the Sri Lankan government co-sponsored the UNHRC Resolution 30/1, promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka at a time when there was a negative image about the country internationally, Following the co-sponsoring the situation changed in favour of Sri…

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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa shaking hands with Deputy High Commissioner Tom Burns on Monday. HC Hulton (Centre) and First Secretary Amy O’Brien look on. By Shamindra Ferdinando Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader Dinesh Gunawardena, MP, on Monday, Nov 25, assumed duties as the Foreign Minister. Gunawardena succeeded Tilak Marapana, PC (Aug 2017-Nov 2019). Addressing the media, with Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinghe by his side, Gunawardena assured that foreign agreements, including the Geneva resolution, would be revisited. The reference was to the resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka on Oct 01, 2015. Ven.…

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