Submission to Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms

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2:01 AM - 28 Jun 2016

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Groundviews, along with Maatram and Vikalpa, were invited to present submissions to a Sectoral Meeting of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institution (SLFI) on 28 June 2016.

The invitation from the Consultations Task Force (CTF) laid out the framework for the submission and also had a helpful FAQ to guide our understanding of what was expected. As noted in the FAQ, the consultations will focus on mechanisms to be established for reconciliation. The Government has already stated that it will be considering the following mechanisms:

1. A Judicial Mechanism with a Special Counsel
2. A Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Non-Recurrence Commission
3. An Office of Reparations
4. An Office of Missing Persons

The CTF is seeking suggestions on these and other mechanisms, processes and measures that would bring about justice, truth and reconciliation.

The written submissions and supporting documents presented to the CTF are available below. Though we specifically focussed on a Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Non-Recurrence Commission and an Office of Reparations, we repeatedly noted that what we outlined was applicable more broadly and across all four mechanisms.

1. Submission to the CTF
2. Media output and content production strategy by theme (supporting document)
3. Media output and content production strategy by institution (supporting document)
4. Media output and content production strategy by phase (supporting document)

A recording of our submission can be listened to here, or below.

In response to the questions posed by the CTF, Groundviews emailed a detailed submission to the CTF on 29 June. This submission, which builds on the one submitted verbally and in writing on 28 June 2016 is anchored to questions around the nature of violence against the media as well how the Consultation Task Force (CTF) could raise awareness around (1) the consultations process (2) the buy-in to the four mechanisms, amongst in particular the population in the South.

Download it here.

Follow-up-submission-to-CTF-by-Groundviews.org_.pdf by Thavam Ratna

RECONCILIATION DOES NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT & ROAD AHEAD IS CHALLENGING – SAMARAWEERA

( Minister Samaraweera speaking at a Side event on 28 June 2016 at HRC 32 ©sunanda deshapriya)

29/06/2016

In his statement at the 32nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council today (29 June 2016), Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Mangala Samaraweera insisted that ‘reconciliation does not happen at once, overnight. It requires effort, hard work, commitment, and careful, continuous, concrete action. It is not an end that can be reached where no further work is required. It is not a box that can be ticked as achieved. It is a journey that requires constant striving.’ He further said that‘the road ahead is certainly challenging, but it is powered by our determination and resolve to achieve reconciliation. There are some who doubt our sincerity to do so, and also a few who want us to fail. For those of our friends who are genuinely concerned, and want Sri Lanka to succeed, every delayed second seems to appear as an eternity, and they fear that the Government has lost its way and the political will to succeed.’

The text of the speech follows:

Mr. President,
High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Excellencies.
Distinguished delegates.

At the 30th Session of this Council last October, Sri Lanka, by co-sponsoring the Resolution 30/1, ‘Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka’, broke away from the years of disengagement, self-isolation, and confrontation that preceded the election of President Maithripala Sirisena in January 2015.

Sri Lanka, hailed at Independence in 1948 as a potential “Switzerland of the east”, was now ready to come to terms with the many tragedies we have had to face as a nation in the past, and move forward as a brave new country in order to harness the peace and prosperity that our people truly deserve.

President Sirisena, in his Address to the Nation on the 68th Independence Day anniversary on 4th February this year, reiterated his commitment to fulfil the provisions of Resolution 30/1, in working out the contours of a new Sri Lanka.

He said that Sri Lanka is committed to implement the Resolution to protect the dignity of our State, our People and our Security Forces and that we will implement the proposals with patience, discipline and restraint. It will be freedom, democracy and reconciliation that will be reinforced by implementing the provisions of the resolution.

When Sri Lanka’s unity Government marks its first year in office in August this year, there will be many achievements to look back on, with a certain sense of satisfaction.

While consolidating many of the democratic changes achieved within the first 100 days, we have begun taking action on all fronts related to strengthening good governance and the rule of law; promoting and protecting human rights; fostering reconciliation; and achieving economic development; while engaging and working closely with the international community in a constructive manner that benefits the people of our country:

-In order to ensure that the setting up of the reconciliation mechanisms is done effectively, a Secretariat for Coordinating the Reconciliation Mechanisms has been set up under the Office of the Prime Minister;

The Government recognises that, in order for the transitional justice process to be effective in achieving the desired objectives, the necessary mechanisms should be properly sequenced, integrated and coordinated. Some have started raising alarm bells that sequencing of mechanisms is a delay tactic or means to omit the component of justice. This is incorrect. The Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms is already consulting experts and is working on obtaining the required training and capacity-building for the relevant mechanisms – investigating techniques, forensic expertise, prosecutorial strategies – so that when the designs are in place, following the Consultation Process, the required expertise for the mechanisms will also be in place;

-A Task Force consisting entirely of civil society representatives has been appointed to seek the views of the public that will inform the designing of the truth-seeking, justice, accountability and reparations mechanisms;

-The task of working on the wider issues of reconciliation aimed at achieving non-recurrence is being coordinated by the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation which comes under the purview of the President, and is led by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga;

-The draft Bill approved by Cabinet to establish a Permanent and Independent Office on Missing Persons, which is an essential component of the truth-seeking process and the first mechanism in the transitional justice programme, has already been gazetted and included in the order paper of Parliament. This, to us, is a milestone in Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process;

-A Bill to amend the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act No 19 of 2010 to enable the issuance of Certificates of Absence in respect of Missing Persons was approved by Cabinet and gazetted earlier this month. This too will be tabled in Parliament to be taken up in July;

-The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was ratified and the draft legislation to give effect to the provisions of the Convention will be presented to the Cabinet in July, for gazetting and presentation to Parliament;

-A ‘National Policy on Durable Solutions for Conflict Affected Displacement’ has been evolved through wide consultations, and with technical support from the UN. The Policy is presently before Cabinet for approval, and has been released to the public as well;

-A Committee is now putting the final touches to the first draft of the new counter-terrorism legislation that will replace the much criticised and much abused Prevention of Terrorism Act, in keeping with Sri Lanka’s commitment and obligations to human rights and countering terrorism. Technical assistance for this purpose has been sought from the UN Counter-terrorism Committee Executive Directorate;

-Despite the Government maintaining a zero tolerance policy on torture, its incidence has not ceased, although reduced. We are seized of the seriousness of the issue and have also sought the assistance of the National Human Rights and Police Commissions in Sri Lanka to create greater public awareness and initiate the necessary public discourse required, in addition to training programmes for the Police and other measures aimed at combating and eliminating torture including addressing the need for prosecution and conviction;

-A Cabinet approved Inter-Ministerial Committee has been tasked with drafting the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2017-2021;

-Last week the military released another 701 acres of land to the District Secretary of Jaffna, out of which, 201.3 acres were handed over to their original owners on 25th June. The Government has clearly instructed the military that all the land obtained from civilians must be released latest by 2018, and that the owners of whatever land that may be required for national installations or development purposes would be fully compensated.

-The three principle pillars on which the architecture of the new Sri Lanka is built, are democracy, development and reconciliation. The Government is also working towards a new Constitution for Sri Lanka. This Constitution, while entrenching the democratic gains we have achieved during the last year, will also be a celebration of Sri Lanka’s diversity as a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-lingual country that will guarantee equal rights, justice and dignity for all, and address some of the issues that have plagued us since Independence and has stood in the way of our unity as a nation. The Public Representations Committee tasked with seeking the views of the public for the new Constitution has just completed its work, and their Report has been handed over to the Government;

-Sri Lanka is also now open to the world and engages with the international community with courage and confidence. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance, the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and the Special Rapporteur against Torture visited and shared with us their observations, which are being acted upon. The Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparations and Guarantees of Non-recurrence visited us thrice in one year, in a technical-advisory capacity. We were also pleased to receive you, High Commissioner, in February; and we are hopeful that Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon will visit us this year as well.

We invite all who are interested in Sri Lanka’s progress to visit us, including all those who criticise us, fairly or unfairly. We are ready and willing to accept praise as well as criticism in the correct spirit, and use both for reflection and improvement.

One of our weaknesses has been our failure to communicate our strategies and plans, effectively. We are already planning on starting a communication drive to address this essential requirement.

Mr. President,

Reconciliation does not happen at once, overnight. It requires effort, hard work, commitment, and careful, continuous, concrete action. It is not an end that can be reached where no further work is required. It is not a box that can be ticked as achieved. It is a journey that requires constant striving. A commitment towards which our nation should be bound across generations, and a central tenet of governance, because the price to pay if we falter, is not one our nation can endure once again after over thirty years of bloodshed that has spared no one.

I would say that we are following what the ancient Romans would have called, a policy of festina lente – making haste slowly. This may make it seem for some that the progress we are making is too fast, and too slow for others.

What we have achieved so far since January 2015 may seem like ‘baby steps’ for some, but for us they are ‘giant leaps’. Some alleged that we are being optimistic, upbeat and hopeful. I must say that we are. How else do we work towards achieving our objectives? What is important is that our optimism is not based on delusion. It is based on the actual results of what we have managed to achieve so far, and the knowledge that our Government is working on a comprehensive strategy that will enable us to pursue different processes in a coordinated, integrated and appropriately sequenced manner.

While dealing with the low-hanging fruit immediately, we have strategies and plans to deal with the more serious and controversial issue of setting up a judicial mechanism with international assistance. Sri Lanka is no stranger to international assistance and participation with many investigative and forensic experts having worked with us in the past. Of course, there are varying views on the nature, level and role of international participation. Divergent views are indicative of a healthy democracy and consultative process. Despite such divergent views, however, I can assure you that the mechanism that is finally set up will be one which has the confidence of the stakeholders, especially the victims, with fair trial and due process guarantees.

The road ahead is certainly challenging, but it is powered by our determination and resolve to achieve reconciliation. There are some who doubt our sincerity to do so, and also a few who want us to fail. For those of our friends who are genuinely concerned, and want Sri Lanka to succeed, every delayed second seems to appear as an eternity, and they fear that the Government has lost its way and the political will to succeed. Then there are others who are misinformed and misled and therefore, disbelieve or are unaware of the achievements so far. And of course there are those who pray that we won’t succeed. These are the forces of extremism on both sides of the divide, who, in league with the ghosts of the past, wait to rejoice to see Sri Lanka fail to succeed in its journey of reconciliation. For the extremists of course I have nothing to say, but to all the others, I wish to say that the Government is united and firm in its commitment to achieve reconciliation, development and ensure non-recurrence. Let us have the benefit of your doubts in order to take forward this extremely challenging yet essential process for our nation.

As I mentioned before, Sri Lanka is open to the world, and I invite all our friends to come and see what we have done, and assist us in this historic journey.

When I come back here in March next year, the contours of the new Sri Lanka we aspire to build, I believe, will be far clearer.

We appreciate greatly, Mr. President, the role of those who are helping Sri Lanka in this challenging journey in numerous ways – through advice, through technical assistance, through resources and investment. We are also deeply appreciative of the support of the High Commissioner and his Office. We note that the High Commissioner’s Report acknowledges our achievements. We appreciate the observations made which help us reflect, and take action to address areas of concern, and we look forward to continue to work in close cooperation with the international community in our journey towards economic and social progress, reconciliation, and achieving durable peace for our people. I urge all of you to support our journey with patience and perseverance.

Thank you.

UN Human Rights Chief Wants Sri Lanka To Investigate Cluster Bombs Used In War, Underscores Need For International Judges

June 29, 2016

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has called on the Sri Lankan government investigate the use of cluster munitions by the military during the final stages of the war against the LTTE, which also resulted in civilian deaths.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein – The UN HR Chief

“In light of recent reports on new evidence that has emerged on the use of cluster munitions towards the end of the conflict, following similar allegations in the OHCHR investigation report, the High Commissioner calls for an independent and impartial investigation to be carried out,”Zeid said in his annual report, which was submitted at the 32nd session of the Human Rights Council on June 28, 2016.

While emphasizing upon the need for the Sri Lankan Government to quickly build public and international confidence in its determination to pursue accountability, and to meet its obligations under international human rights law, Zeid also underscored the need to bring in international judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawyers into the judicial mechanism to probe war crimes.

“The High Commissioner remains convinced that international participation in the accountability mechanisms would be a necessary guarantee for the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims, as Sri Lanka’s judicial institutions currently lack the credibility needed to gain their trust,” he said in the report.

Zeid also expressed his discontent over the slow progress made in several crucial murder investigations, even thought they were initially fast tracked during the first few months the Government was in office.

“During its first months in office, there were a number of high profile breakthroughs and arrests made in a number of prominent cases, for instance the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, the killings of newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge and Tamil MPs Joseph Pararajasingham and Nadarajah Raviraj, and the murder of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, but progress has since slowed, he said.

Zeid said that the early momentum established in investigating emblematic cases must be sustained, as early successful prosecutions would mark a turning point from the impunity of the past. “Continuing allegations of arbitrary arrest, torture and sexual violence, as well as more general military surveillance and harassment, must be swiftly addressed, and the structures and institutional culture that promoted those practices be dismantled, to show there will be no tolerance for practices of the past,” he said in his report.

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SLOW PROGRESS OF RECONCILIATION PROCESS WORRYING – IMDAR

( Dr Nimalka Fernando  who heads IMDAR ©sunanda deshapriya)

29/06/2016

In a oral statement made after the High Commissioner Zeid’s report on progress made by Sri Lanka in implementing the Unhrc resolution 30/1 IMDAR headed by Dr nimalka Fernando said that ” The slow progress in returning of lands, failure to facilitate security sector reform including the dismantling of units and structures allegedly responsible for grave violations in the past, continuing culture of impunity and surveillance, existence of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), harassment of Tamils returning home, the delay in releasing political prisoners, failure to initiate a public campaign to support its transitional justice process continue to challenge the political commitment of the Government.”

The statement follows:

IMADR Oral Statement: 32nd session of the Human Rights Council/ 29 June 2016.

Thank you Mr. President,

Together with Rights Now Collective for Democracy, Association for Family Members of the Disappeared (FOD), Right to Life, Campaign for Free & Fair Election (CaFFE) and other networks in Sri Lanka, we appreciate the continuing engagement of the High Commissioner and his office for the implementation of the Human Rights Council resolution 30/1.

We congratulate the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) for co-sponsoring this resolution which addresses issues related to reconciliation, accountability and grave human rights violations. Their engagement with the UN, the international community and the civil society both inside and outside the country demonstrates a new departure from the past.

We recognise the progress enunciated in the High Commissioner’s oral update. In a country which has a long drawn legacy of involuntary disappearances, the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) together with the efforts taken to draft corresponding legislation and to establish the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) provide an enabling environment. On the other hand, the recent emergence of ‘white vans’ and the prevailing surveillance culture in the North and East pose real threats to witnesses and victims including local NGOs.

The slow progress in returning of lands, failure to facilitate security sector reform including the dismantling of units and structures allegedly responsible for grave violations in the past, continuing culture of impunity and surveillance, existence of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), harassment of Tamils returning home, the delay in releasing political prisoners, failure to initiate a public campaign to support its transitional justice process continue to challenge the political commitment of the Government.

We endorse the call by the High Commissioner to pursue a comprehensive strategy for a better coordination within the Government and to further facilitate a concerted public information campaign.

We call upon the Government to adopt a national policy on NGOs to affirm principles of freedom of association and assembly, and swiftly remove practices of reporting and checking of NGO activities by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) especially in the North, East and plantation sector.

Constitutional reform process should address a lasting political solution to the ethnic problem by envisioning a power sharing model.

Last but not least, we call upon the Government to abide by the recent promise made by the Foreign Minister that the level of international participation in transitional justice mechanisms to be decided upon in consultation with victims and affected communities. We request the international community to continue their engagement for the successful implementation of the resolution 30/1.

Thank you Mr. President.

De-militarisation to be complete by next year's end says Sri Lanka's foreign minister at UNHRC

29 June 2016
De-militarisation of the North-East will be complete by next year said Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, whilst calling on the international community to “give Sri Lanka a chance” amidst civil society concerns of  the government's slow progress and reneging on its commitment to the UN Human Rights Council resolution on accountability and reconciliation. 

“There are many different opinions on what levels the international participation in the judicial mechanism ought to be. Some people say the participation of judges is paramount others say it is not possible. The decision on the contours of the mechanism will only be taken after consultations. The assurance I can give you now is that whatever the final outcome of the judicial mechanism it will be a mechanism that will have credibility and address the needs of all stakeholders and be done in consultation with all political parties.”Speaking in Geneva at a public side event held by Sri Lanka’s permanent mission to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Mr Samaraweera commented on the issue of foreign judges, investigators and prosecutors in the accountability process, stating,

“We are not scared of international investigations. We feel that domestic mechanisms with international support is much easier than the process you’re suggesting which is not practical. Let me underline, a domestic mechanism does not preclude foreign participation. There is circumstances were foreign participation in certain areas is needed, especially foreign investigators and forensic experts.” Responding to questions asking why Sri Lanka was scared of international judges Mangala Samaraweera said,

When quizzed further on the reneging by elements of Sri Lanka’s government on its commitment at the UNHRC to international judges, prosecutors and investigators in an accountability process, Mr Samaraweera said,

“We are doing it and we have the political will to do so. There are various statements made by different people, but our commitment to the Geneva resolution remains unchanged. In February addressing the nation President Sirisena said Sri Lanka is committed to implement the resolution to protect the dignity of the state, our people and the armed forces.” 

See also: International participation in Sri Lanka's accountability process necessary reiterates UN Human Rights Chief 

Responding to questions on whether the government would commit to addressing the intense military presence in the North-East, Mr Samaraweera said,

“We are in the process of demilitarisaiton. We have asked the armed forces to gradually move out of the north. Many of the lands held under the armed forces are now being returned. To be frank we are not happy with the speed at which land is being given back…We have asked the military to give a time line..Many of the businesses run by the army have been handed back but there are still some more. The process is ongoing and hopefully by the end of next year things will be back to normal.”

Noting that the military had given a time line, he added, “All the lands will be returned by 2018.”

See also: Sri Lankan president pledges government will 'not in any way weaken' military(28 Jun 2016)

When asked about what initiatives Sri Lanka was taking to educate the Sinhala south on the need to prosecute for mass atrocities and the true meaning of the UNHRC resolution on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, the foreign minister said,

“That is one area that our communication has not been the best in the world. We have not communicated enough about what we are doing here and what we will be doing. That is why we now have some communications people to start educating the people.” 

In response to a question asking if the Sri Lanka government would ask the United Nations to extend its mandate on Sri Lanka beyond 2017 to Mr Samaraweera referred to the Secretary General of Sri Lanka’s  Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM) M Tittawella, who said,

“We are in the process of setting up the legislation to deal with the truth justice and reconciliation process and once the legislation is passed we will require significant international experts and advisors and assistance in sustaining these organisations... Yes we will be asking assistance from the UN and other international systems in terms of expertise. So the short answer is yes. There is a lot more work to be done past the March.”

See also: Sri Lanka has 'failed to show transparency' charges North-East civil society (29 Jun 2016) 

Commenting on recent evidence of cluster munition in Sri Lanka’s former No Fire Zone that saw the killings of Tamil civilians, the foreign minister, said,

“I have never accepted that cluster bombs were used, just that if the allegations are true, we will look into it. I have not accepted these allegations, this government has not rejected or accepted the allegations. “

In response to allegations that the Sri Lankan state was committing genocide against the Tamil people, Mr Samaraweera added,

"I really do not agree that there was genocide. But having said that there were extremely serious cases of human rights violations. Some may amount to war crimes, we don’t know. I think the time has come for Sri Lanka to know the truth. In the process of seeking the truth, we may also find out / if there were allegations of genocide we are willing to look into it.”

Speaking alongside Tamil civil society, both the International Commission of Jurists and Human Rights Watch stressed the importance of legitimate international participation in any accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka due to several past failures in Sri Lanka’s judiciary.

Human Rights Watch, further stressed the need to repeal the Prevention for Terrorism Act and asked if Sri Lanka would continue to seek further assistance from the UNHRC in implementing the resolution.

Concluding the event, which was chaired by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said,

“There are still the forces of reaction.. and ghosts of the past waiting for the government to make the wrong move in order to somehow get the populist leaders back into action again. This is why we are proceeding cautiously and slowly because those who have suffered want justice and they want to be assured that it will be given through a credible mechanism. Sri Lanka has a window of opportunity that it has never had before… We have to come to terms with our past and make sure all peoples of Sri Lanka can share a future.”

Other excerpts from Mr Samraweera’s opening statement at the event below:

On the government’s path since the presidential elections of 2015, Mr Samaraweera said,

“As we all know soon after the elections in 2015, a historic government consisted of a unity government that did a 180 degree turn in terms of human rights and engagement with the international community. With the election of the new government we ended a self-imposed isolation of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka broke away from the past and began to engage with the rest of the world after. Our engagement with the office of the high commissioner was advanced. We have been working closely with the OHCHR and all UN human rights mechanisms.”

Calling on the diaspora to join hands with the government, Mr Samaraweera said,

“Our government is only 10 months old and the journey ahead would be much easier especially if all those that are truly concerned join hands with us. The diaspora has a very important role. In fact that is why one of the first steps we took was to de-list some of the organisations which were listed by the earlier government.”

Speaking on the recent set up of a draft bill for a new Office of Missing Persons, the minister said,

“I am aware that some of you have expressed concerns about the public consultation process. Some are concerned that you haven’t consulted enough with the office of missing persons. The bill is available online at the moment and we would appreciate your opinion because until it is taken up in parliament there is room for more input.

However I must note that influential members of the Tamil diaspora have said the OMP is a good proposal. In drafting the legislation for the office of missing persons we consulted civil society and consulted international experts including the ICRC from the beginning.”

Sri Lanka's Justice Minister W Rajapaksa was also present on the event panel.

Hussein’s bombshell

June 29, 2016, 8:09 pm 

‘Caressing one’s face before slapping it’ is a popular saying here. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein has done just that to the Sri Lankan government. In his report to the current session of the UNHRC, the other day, he paid some compliments to the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe administration and even described its engagement with his outfit as ‘positive and constructive’ before delivering a slap.

Diplomats are said to be those who can tell someone to go to hell in such a way that the latter really looks forward to the trip. Zeid has amply demonstrated his diplomatic skills unlike his predecessor who was given to acting like a bull in a china shop.

Having said some nice things about the Sri Lankan government, Hussein played his message track loud and clear. Referring to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s statement at a meeting with the military top brass last May that there wouldn’t be international participation in a domestic Sri Lankan justice mechanism, the UN Human Rights Chief declared he was convinced otherwise. He said: "… international participation in the accountability mechanisms would be a necessary guarantee for the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims, as Sri Lanka’s judicial institutions currently lack the credibility needed to gain their trust. It is also important to keep in mind the magnitude and complexity of the international crimes alleged, which the OHCHR investigation found could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity."

So, Hussein is already talking about ‘crimes against humanity’. He sounds just like Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran, who moved and secured the passage of a resolution last year in his council calling upon the UN to conduct a genocide probe. The UNHRC is craftily scaling up the proposed mechanism to handle the so-called accountability issues. It will be interesting to know what those who claimed that the UNHRC would soften its stand on Sri Lanka following last year’s regime change have got to say to this development.

Zeid has said nothing new. His position has been consistent right along. He and the countries whose interests the UNHRC helps further on the pretext of championing human rights want an international war crimes tribunal here. They have also renewed their call for a vetting process to deal with military personnel in respect of accountability issues.

Intriguingly, Zeid has not highlighted the instances where President Maithripala Sirisena ruled out the participation of foreign judges. The President has said more than once in no uncertain terms that he is against the involvement of foreign judges in a war crimes probe. Is it that the UNHRC considers what he says inconsequential?

The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government either under duress or in a bid to curry favour with the western bloc chose to co-sponsor the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka last year, calling for, among other things, the participation of international judges, prosecutors et al in the war crimes probe to be launched here. Having made such an irrevocable commitment, how can it now say it won’t allow foreign judges? Hussein is demanding his pound of flesh. This turn of screw in Geneva may be considered an attempt to make the government of Sri Lanka more pliable in the hands of the western powers.

Government spin doctors are doing their damnedest to make Hussein’s statement out to be something favourable to Sri Lanka. They have a remarkable ability to see something positive even in anything disastrous. While smarting from the stinging slap they have received from Hussein they may say they are delighted that Prince used a ‘gloveless’ hand to deliver it!

Taking Sri Lankan Foreign Policy to the Post-Confrontational Phase

The government’s external policy strength lies in the position of equidistance it is now maintaining with regional, continental and global powers.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (right) with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Credit: Reuters

BY JAYADEVA UYANGODA ON 29/06/2016

Foreign policymaking is infinitely more complex than what politicians in the opposition, or those who are aspiring to come to power, want the public to believe. Sri Lankan’s leaders have been learning this simple, yet fundamental lesson, since last January. That is why the foreign policy positions of the current government seem to have been in a continuous state of flux.

There is a good reason for it to be so. The government has been compelled to confront a number of factors and pressures in establishing its own ‘foreign policy identity’. I do not think there is yet evidence to suggest that the government wants to have, or has been able to establish, a firm ideological identity in its external relations, as has been the case with many governments in the past, particularly the previous one of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Avoiding an ideological identity in its foreign policy strategies seems to be a key defining feature of the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wikremasinghe administration at present.

Some see this flexibility as a weakness of the government. There is, however, another way of looking at it. It represents the essential dimension of pragmatism in foreign policy, necessitated by a range of complex domestic, regional and global factors. Muddling through is not necessarily a sign of weakness, or a prelude to disaster, in a context where the government has been experimenting with different responses to some key foreign policy determinants.

What are the key determinants that have shaped Sri Lanka’s foreign policy since January last year? We can put them in two groups.

Regime change

The first is electoral and regime change compulsions. Any new government would want to steer a new path of foreign policy. Given the atmosphere of extreme hostility between the two camps, the new government was compelled to abandon immediately the foreign policy orientation of Rajapaksa. The new orientation was seen in the restoration of closeness with regional as well global powers that had earlier been marginalised. This core dimension of Sri Lankan foreign policy continues with only a slight change.

This change is felt primarily in relations with China. Beijing had maintained a close political proximity to the previous government and its leadership. China’s aloofness to the emerging opposition during even the last months of 2014 was somewhat inexplicable too. All this led the new government to adopt a policy of distancing itself from China, both politically and economically. One could even detect some degree of tension between Sri Lanka’s new establishment and the Chinese government; this became somewhat noticeable with regard to the Colombo Port City development project. The government has since passed that initial phase of uncertainty and now appears to have refined its core foreign policy stance to be ‘friendship with all; enmity with none’.

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காணாமற்போன பிள்ளையார், அம்மன்

29-Jun-2016

தெல்லிப்பழை பலநோக்குக் கூட்டறவுச் சங்கம் அமைந்திருந்த இடத்துக்கு அருகில் இருந்த மூன்று ஆலயங்களில், , பிள்ளையார் மற்றும் அம்மன் ஆலயங்கள் முற்றாக அழிவடைந்துள்ளதாகவும் வீரபத்திரர் ஆலயம் மட்டுமே எஞ்சியுள்ளதாகவும்அப்பகுதி மக்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

வலிகாமம் வடக்கில் கடந்த 26 வருடங்களாக உயர்பாதுகாப்பு வலயமாகவிருந்து கடந்த சனிக்கிழமை  விடுவிக்கப்பட்ட 201.3 ஏக்கர் காணிகளை மக்கள் பார்வையிட்டு வருகின்றனர்.

1990ஆம் ஆண்டு இடம்பெயர்வுக்கு முன்னர் அப்பகுதியில் அருகருகே மேற்படி 3 கோவில்களும் இருந்துள்ளன. தற்போது, சென்று பார்க்கையில் வீரபத்திரர் ஆலயம் பற்றை மண்டி சேதமடைந்துள்ள நிலையில் உள்ளதுடன், ஆலயத்தின் மணிக்கோபுரமும் உள்ளது.

ஆனால், அவற்றுக்கு அருகில் அமைந்திருந்த பிள்ளையார் மற்றும் அம்மன் ஆலயங்கள் முற்றாக அழிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளதாக அவர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.

Our Collective Conscience Is Lost; People’s Lives Are Pawns On A Political Chessboard

By Vishwamithra1984 –June 29, 2016

“There is no witness so terrible and accuser so powerful than conscience which dwells within us.”~ Sophocles (496 BC – 406 BC)

The manner in which the world media is covering significant events, the twists and turns it renders to the core substance of a major event and the preordained definitions it ascribes to the personalities and communities who generate these events are a way beyond comprehension. Whether it’s the so-called ‘free media’ of the West or state-controlled media in closed societies such as the Middle-East, North Korea and Cuba or even an open society like India, the story is the same. Sensationalism is substituting for authenticity; commercialism has invaded the minds of those who control the machinery of the media, both print and electronic, and in order to obtain maximum ratings or readership, newspapers have fallen to the level of tabloids and television and social media have fallen to the level of downright nihilism.

For example, the coverage the latest airline debacle, the missing EgyptAir Plane Flight 804, received on worldwide television screens was pure sensationalism and they did not even begin to talk about those 66 people who were aboard the flight until the next morning. Each and every person on that flight, including the crew, had a family. They were fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons or daughters of somebody. The loss of each one of them is being mourned by his or her family. The coverage of the human angle of the story was subordinated to ratings; the anguish and despair caused to those families took a back seat while sensationalized tidbits such as the location of the Black Box- of course, its critical discovery would be immensely helpful in finding out what took place immediately prior to the disappearance of the plane- and the political shades that were painted to suit the particular network that covered the event hit the headlines. No argument is made here to belittle the enormous validity and relevance of incidental facts and figures regarding the actual crash or disappearance of Flight 804. But the absence or lack of arresting attention to the human side of the story is glaring and cannot be understated.

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‘We are licensed rogues , so allow us to rob’ Katunayake Immigration: Emigration mafia fights shy of CCTV cameras !

(Lanka-e-News -29.June.2016, 11.30PM) The corrupt mafia of the Government officers which has become a  scourge of the motherland scored a success  yesterday (28) . That mafia group is of the Immigration and Emigration department division at the Katunayake Airport. 

It is an incontrovertible fact that our motherland  had been unable to slam  the doors on  corruption at the Colombo Port and the Katunayake Airport , despite the fact those are the two most notorious Institutions creating infamous records  in the sphere of monumental corruption .Tons of contraband including drugs are being brought  into our motherland annually through these main security ‘doors’ supposedly guarding the country. These are being smuggled into our motherland not by parachutists who drop them from the air but through the channels of these  corrupt criminal officers. This is a well and widely known truth. 

With a view to curb and control these corrupt and smuggling activities at the Katunayake Airport , and to save the motherland ,  the government took  measures to install a new CCTV camera system at the Airport . Believe it or not , the corrupt officers of the Immigration and Emigration staged a strike  against this measure designed to save the entire motherland .

Clearly the protest only betrayed a simple truth  that like the serpent which retreats when kerosene oil is poured on them , these officers are being hurt when measures are being taken  against their self fattening corruption activities  in the larger interests of the country . Indeed this strike of these corrupt self seeking scoundrels with overriding traitorous traits should go into the Guinness book of (ignominious) records , for  Sri Lanka is the only country in the whole wide world in which exist Immigration and Emigration officers who oppose and  resist the installation of CCTV camera system in their work place.

After these selfish, self fattening  corruption ridden officers commenced the strike in the morning which continued until 1.30 p.m. a number of flights had to be cancelled. A number of passengers who were to leave as well as to  come into the country were left high and dry, and the  country’s international image was dented. Finally , the strike ended on a temporary victory note in favor of the selfish corrupt officers  who are only obsessed with personal  gains at the expense of the motherland.

After the Deputy chairman of Airports and aviation services H.S. Hettiarachi gave an assurance in writing that a solution will be found after discussing with the defense ministry , the strike was called off by the corrupt officers .

The objective of the government in installing  this CCTV system at Katunayake

There are six CCTV camera systems at present in operation at the Katunayake Airport. One of them  covering the area of Airport passengers ; the second covering the area of  anti narcotics division ; and so forth . It was the aim of the  government of good governance to introduce a single CCTV system that would cover  all the divisions  from a single monitoring center. Under this single camera system , it was planned to deploy separate monitors to cover each division . By that ,since the whole area is being  covered at the same time , bribery and corruption can be restricted , which  would also render it  difficult for the corrupt officers to indulge in the crimes. 

Sadly , when the people and the government of good governance are hoping to put the country on the right track at least now, after a ‘nefarious decade’ of outrageous monumental corruption under the Rajapakses ,these officers of the Immigration and Emigration who have made bribery and corruption their way of life went on strike to sabotage this proposed system.  Without any sense of shame  they only demonstrated to the world by their move , their shameless despicable slogan  is ‘we are licensed rogues , and therefore allow us to rob without let or hindrance’ .    They proved nothing else.

To the rogues CCTV cameras were like burning kerosene is to snakes and serpents , and like petrol is to dogs

Another curious protest was staged similarly by the Karapitiya medical students against CCTV camera installation. They opposed the installation of CCTV cameras in the examination halls. By their opposition what they impliedly said was, ‘Permit us to copy.’ This was the disgraceful message they conveyed, and nothing else.

It must be probed whether these stupid idiots are making such demands while their clothes are on or in the naked state of a brute in the jungles. It is such rascals and brutes who are opposing the private medical College too.

Single queue system also opposed by the Immigration and Emigration corrupt officers

To these Immigration and Emigration officers not only the CCTV camera , but even the single queue system which is also aimed to trap corrupt activities is a bugbear. In the entire  world it is this single queue system that is  followed at the Airport  Immigration and Emigration counters. The passenger is directed one by one to the counters according to which counter is ready and free to receive the next passenger . This is to prevent any passenger from reaching for the officer he desires  on a premeditated arrangement. He can only go to the counter that is vacant when his turn comes.

Though this is the procedure followed to eradicate corruption among immigration and Emigration officers in the world , in Sri Lanka however, such a plan is not in place. There being different queues , the passenger who is up to mischief can select the queue freely without any impediment that takes him to the corrupt officer  with whom the ‘deal’ has already been arranged. This mafia of the Immigration and Emigration corrupt officers  of SL is averse to  introducing this change to the existing multi queue system. Obviously , these corrupt scoundrels are  opposing the CCTV system too because they are aware they will be trapped when that is in place. Their opposition is unsurprising  therefore.

Anti corrupt groups  to the fore to lay siege to the homes of these corrupt officers. 

The anti corrupt organizations now active in Sri Lanka must give priority and precedence to ensure that these corrupt mafia operators  do not emerge victorious in their treacherous and traitorous aims and objectives. These organizations instead of pursuing their own political agendas must cast aside their  differences , and work towards eradicating these mafia groups that are routing the economy of the country. 

All the anti corrupt organizations must unite and lay siege to the Katunayake Airport with a view  to oppose these corrupt rascals and rogues and put a full stop to their corruption. That is the best service they can do to the country  vis a vis the deadly disservice these corrupt officers are doing to their own motherland after collecting salaries from the government. If not , they must at least lay siege to the homes of these corrupt officers individually, and demonstrate their opposition to the corrupt activities of these shameless officers  who are the scourge of the country in much the same way as  the drug dealers and smugglers are  with whom they are in league.

Above all, the government should not kowtow to the mafia of these   corrupt officers and crooks .When attempts are being made to stamp out  robbery  , if anybody or group is resisting that ,the only inference is they and their groups are themselves involved directly or accomplices in those crimes. In such instances the anti corruption operations must be intensified against them in the best interests of the country rather than relenting or  yielding to their demands. 

Bearded goat arriving to cut the beards of President and P.M. soon…. 

These Immigration and Emigration officers are not celestial beings enjoying special prerogatives or having a special ability  , and therefore should be permitted to rob the country in broad daylight  with impunity .On the contrary, these are the selfish ,self fattening ,self seeking rascals who have no  special skills   at all which can be of use to  the country . Even the special skill of a carpenter who engraves a flower on a bed or chair , these traitors haven’t . Their  gaze are fixed only on filthy lucre however earned . These traitorous officers are so unskilled (except in the art of bribery and corruption), that if only they did not have the ability to speak English , they would be worse placed than the laborers in the Pettah markets carrying gunny bag loads of goods from place to place. 

In the circumstances , instead of retaining these stone hearted tortoises of  the mafia , it will be infinitely better to select the jobless graduates who are often falling  victims to tear gas attacks , and be given the  jobs of these rogues , after training those  graduates. If such an action is taken at one Institution , the other Institutions will automatically improve , and function duly .

Unless such measures are  taken right  now,  on a not too distant date  , for sure  a bearded  goat is going to  arrive one morning  to sit on  a chair of the President’s palace or on  a chair of the temple Trees , to order them to  cut their  beards (seen and  unseen) .

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by     (2016-06-29 23:53:56)