Reconciliation: GTF says SL not sincere

January 3, 2014, 9:41 pm 

The UK-based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has urged the international community not to allow the Sri Lankan government to undermine the accountability and national reconciliation process. In a hard hitting statement issued from London, GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran has alleged that the government is trying to deceive the international community by indicating its readiness to accept a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address grievances of the Tamil speaking community.

Surendiran said that the GTF would continue to work with various political parties and non political organisations in the Southern Sri Lanka.

Excerpts of the GTF statement: "The deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka must change and change now! GTF urges all members of the international community – governments, parliamentarians, civil society organisations and concerned citizens alike to back the demand for an independent, international inquiry into the allegations of breaches of international law by both parties to the armed conflict and to support the initiation of a comprehensive political settlement. President Rajapaksa’s regime should be given no further allowances at the 25th Session of the UNHRC in March 2014 to subvert, deliberately prolong or undermine the accountability and reconciliation processes by insincerely suggesting a process of "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" with a clear intent to hoodwink the international community." 

"GTF hopes that 2014 brings with it the realisation of at least some of the fundamental aspirations of our people. One among them is the demand for an independent, international commission of inquiry, which can credibly investigate the conduct of the final months of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict. The team behind the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated ‘Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’ documentaries and the ‘No Fire Zone’ film, released in 2013, as well as Channel 4 news deserve special praise for uncovering further evidence of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The establishment of such a mechanism, under UN auspices, is imperative to ensure truth and justice for the tens of thousands who perished, as well as to help lead the way towards a brighter future on the island." 

"It is clear that international patience is wearing increasingly thin, with the Government of Sri Lanka’s unwillingness to address the alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law arising from the conflict and for the on-going perpetration of human rights abuses, particularly in the heavily militarised north and other parts of the island.

"The visits to the Tamil majority North of the island, conducted by the UN Human Rights Chief, in August, and by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt. Hon Mr David Cameron MP, during CHOGM, brought much needed international scrutiny to the plight faced by the people of the region."  

"The clear political mandate given by the Tamil people to the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), at the elections to the Northern Provincial Council in September, strengthened our hopes for the future. The decisive victory sent an important message to the Government of Sri Lanka and the international community. with the TNA and help to strengthen their voice in the international arena in 2014."