Sri Lanka: reconciliation and justice

Frontline

Nearly three years after the end of the 26-year civil war in Sri Lanka that reportedly left an estimated 80,000–100,000 dead, questions are still arising about alleged war crimes and how they will be addressed.

The Killing Fields, first broadcast by Channel 4 in June last year and a follow up aired this March called Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished, have been significant in bringing evidence of executions, the shelling of civilians and other atrocities to light.

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence rejects the evidence, however, arguing that it has been falsified by Channel 4 and that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE ) were responsible for a proportion of the civilian casualties. It also rejected calls from the UN-led investigation into alleged war crimes, opting for a locally-organised investigation, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

What action will the Sri Lankan government take in light of new footage and will it be forced address the issue of high-command responsibility? After the failing of the international community to prevent such atrocities, what role can they play in the future?

Join us at the Frontline Club to discuss the impact of Sri Lanka's Killing Fields and the situation today in Sri Lanka.

With:

Callum Macrae, journalist, filmmaker and Director of both Sri Lanka's Killing Fields and Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished that documents evidence of alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Government.

Dr Chris Nonis, Sri Lanka High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Professor Rajiva Wijesinha MP, adviser to the President on Reconciliation.

Channel 4 News presenter, Jon Snow.

Additional panelists to be confirmed