July - September 2015

Issue No. 148 July - September 2015

WILL DEAL WITH PAST HONESTLY– MS AT UN

President Sirisena addresses the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly Says SL will use a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence

President Maithripala Sirisena addressing the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York yesterday, said that a fundamental requirement to achieve his government’s main vision -- sustainable development and reconciliation -- was to deal with the past honestly and build a modern nation: and that in dealing with the past, Sri Lanka would use a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence.

Human Rights Review : July - September Institute of Human Rights 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Editorial 03

Challenges before the new regime

Politics – The General Election The folly of our citizenry 06 Sobitha Thera supports UNFGG on conditions 07 Criminals and Politicos Priorities of new Govt. 08 Jayawewa Sri Lanka A national govt. for peace & unity 09 A lesson for communal elements 10 Dilemma of finding Qualified and Untainted candidates 11 Sobitha Thera blasts move to form jumbo Cabinet 12

The Ethnic Problem Saravanabawan To Attend Canada Event 13 Tamil Diaspora organizations look to TNA for lasting solution

Sri Lanka in the International Scene 14

Domestic Vs International Probe: Battle Begins UNHRC Calls for a Hybrid Special Court Resolution adopted without a vote An extract from the Statement by Sri Lankan Civil Society members on 15 OHCHR reports on Sri Lanka

Investigating corruption and HR violations

The Terrorism of heroin 16 Check whether the candidate is on the drug mafia list 17 Wasim Thajudeen death not accidental: CID CaFFE urges repeal of PTA 18 No internal inquiry on Kotahena shooting: UNP

Unit Reports 19 Staff Information 20

Edited by Layout designed by Cover Page Picture Leela Isaac Hashini Rajaratna --Daily Mirror-

Human Rights Review : July - September 2 Institute of Human Rights EDITORIAL 3

Signs of discontent amidst hope

When Maithripala Sirisena was elected as President in January this year majority of Sri Lankans rejoiced at his victory. The terrible era of authoritarianism, corruption, violence and fear of white vans, abductions and disappearances was over and the new President would usher in peace and good governance, was their expectation. In that process they also believed he would expose all corrupt deals of the past and mete out justice to those found guilty of having caused irreparable damage to the nation in every way. This was his main election pledge too. Had he been defeated, as he himself admitted later, he and his family may have permanently disappeared without a trace. He was courageous enough to take the bold step of breaking away from the corrupt government and coming forward as the ‗common candidate‘ of the people to challenge Mahinda Rajapaksa. He was taking this risk in order to liberate the country from the clutches of the Rajapaksa family regime, and the people gave him their full support. In August when the general election was held, people again voted for the UNP which was mainly responsible for promoting Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate and bringing him to power. Though the UNP did not win sufficient numbers to form a strong government, the President was able to form a coalition or a sort of national government with members from both parties, the UNP and the SLFP. The first signs of disappointment came when corrupt men against whom there were serious allegations of drug trafficking, rape and murder, were given nominations and more shocking was that people voted for these corrupt men very enthusiastically, in large numbers. What happened next was most shocking. The few corrupt men, who had been rejected even by these voters, were brought into Parliament by the President himself, as ‗national list‘. MPs and offered ministerial posts, ending up with a cabinet of about 87 ministers of different sorts. (Cabinet, State, Deputy) How could this happen? The same President, who in his election campaign pledged to do away with corruption, brought these same men back into Parliament instead of filing charges against them? The people were disappointed and disturbed. One explanation given was that since the President had only a slim majority in Parliament, he needed the support of these corrupt but strong and popular men to get the necessary anti corruption legislation passed in parliament. But would theses men help in passing laws which could later be used to put them behind bars? Would they help to pave the way leading to their own doom? Or has the government entered into a deal with them? The people are puzzled. The other explanation is that it is a clever political strategy, used by the President, to keep these ‗corrupt‘ men within his control by offering them these ministerial posts as bribes. If he did not do that they would have joined Mhainda Rajapaksa in the opposition and created chaos in the country destroying the peace that we enjoy today. It could have led to clashes between the two groups ending in a blood bath. Again the same question arises. What was the deal? The other puzzling question is ―why are our voters attracted to thugs, drug traffickers and rap- ists? What makes them give their preferential votes to these men involved in thuggery and corruption even rejecting a person like Rosy Senanayake who has dedicated herself to serve the people?‖ It perhaps proves that they admire the ability and cleverness of these crooks to make money using any illegal means without getting caught. It is these corrupt, but strong, rich and popular men they go to seeking help in difficult situa- tions. They vote for them making no moral judgment. According to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, 190 MPs out of the 225 are dishonest men, abusing their powers and enjoying the perks and privileges. They are not there to serve the country. But the President continues to talk of yahapalanaya - enforc- ing collective cabinet responsibility, introducing a strict code of conduct for the MPs, eradicating corruption, punishing criminals, and introducing ethnic and religious harmony leading to peace and prosperity. With the corrupt team that he has chosen is it possible to achieve this goal within his term of (Continue on page 04)

Human Rights Review : July - September 3 Institute of Human Rights EDITORIAL 4

(Continued from Page 03) 5 years. Cynics say- It is old wine in new bottles and not all the bottles are new either, most of them are the same old bottles. There are also other reasons for even the staunch supporters of ‗Maithripalanaya‘ being critical of the government (e.g. Ven. Madoluwe Sobitha Thera). The Central Bank ‗Bond Scandal‘ seems to be swept under the carpet even after the President had asked the Prime minister to get the man whom he (Prime Minister) appointed to resign at least till all doubts are cleared. That did not happen. Is someone trying to protect Arjuna Mahendran and his son in law? The doubt lingers and TV discussions continue. People also feel that the Avant Garde issue is being soft pedaled. Is someone trying to protest some corrupt politicians of the previous regime? The Chief opposition whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake is one parliamentarian who keeps asking relevant but inconvenient questions which sometimes embar- rass the government. Thanks to him, today the government cannot ignore the Avant Garde issue. His question is ―why is the government avoiding the issue, now claiming that there was nothing illegal go- ing on aboard the Avant Garde ship? Here again one is bound to ask – who is protecting whom? Has the government come to a ‗deal‘ with the culprits? There are also questions and doubts regarding the murder of Thajudeen. In July this year the CID informed the Colombo additional magistrate that Rugby player Wasim Thajudeen‘s death was not accidental. His teeth and the bones in the pelvic region had been broken, and his neck pierced with a sharp knife. He was subjected to all this torture prior to his death. Now in September, it is reported that x-rays and parts of Thajudeen‘s body which were there at the first post. Mortem examination have gone missing from the deep freezer of the JMO‘s morgue, kept under his safe as custody. Is someone in the new regime trying to protect the suspect in this case, who happens to be the son of former President Rajapaksa? People have doubts yet all is not lost. We can walk, talk and write without fear thanks to the new regime. Under the previous regime there was always a kind of fear lurking in our minds and one had to be careful even of the police. People hardly went to the police station to make a complaint. All that has now changed and people are grateful for this great relief. There is also the government‘s positive response to the investigation report of the OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights). Unlike during the previous regime, there are no aggressive street protests against the UN and international interference leading to our loss of sovereignty, dramatic fasts unto death, or burning of effigies. The US sponsored resolution titled ―promoting re-conciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka‖ has been for the first time co-sponsored by the Sri Lankan government. The earlier three resolutions tabled before the Council since 2012 were rejected by the previous government. This resolution which was adopted on the 1st of October, without a vote was supported by more than 25 coun- tries. According to media reports the US ambassador to the UN had said ―This resolution was tabled with the aim to support Sri Lankas path to a lasting peace built on justice and accountability. It was the important changes in Sri Lanka since January 2015 that made the resolution a possibility‖. U.K. had called it a historic development for both Sri Lanka and the council. Ravinath Ariyasinghe had admitted it was a ―path breaking outcome ―and it was the result of the courageous and confident leadership if the new President and Prime Minister and the commitment of the new government to uphold and protect Human Rights! Whether all the recommendations in the Resolution can be implemented is a difficult question specially the participation of commonwealth and other foreign judges, defense lawyers, authorized prosecutors and investigator in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism. The country can at least hope that the government would arrive at a compromise that would satisfy the victims and quiten the extreme elements among the nationalists on both sides. (Continue from Page 05)

Human Rights Review : July - September 4 Institute of Human Rights EDITORIAL 5

(Continued from Page 04) The Tamils are hopeful that finally there could be light at the end of the tunnel for people who have suffered years of discrimination, humiliation, deprivation and finally a prolonged brutal war brought about by the LTTE‘s violent, reaction. Hopefully the new regime will once and for all resolve the ―ethnic conflict‖ by offering the minorities a reasonable and plausible solution which would be ac- ceptable to all communities living in Sri Lanka. The TNA‘s response too has been very positive. Its leader Sampanthan has said,‖ The draft resolution provides a constructive starting point for what will be a long road to reconciliation, we thank the co-sponsors all other government and non-government stake holders, who stayed true to their convictions and we recognize that the hard work of implementing the governments commitments and winning back the trust of victims begins now. The TNA is ready to support such efforts. And we continue to live in hope. Leela Isaac

The UN Report on Sri Lanka known to have been convicted. The report also found that extensive re- The UN report has identified patterns of cruitment and use of children in armed conflict grave violations in Sri Lanka between 2002 and by the LTTE and by the paramilitary Karuna 2011, strongly indicating that war crimes and group, which supported the Government follow- crimes against humanity were most likely coming that group‘s spilt from the LTTE in 2004, was mitted by both sides to the conflict. The report also documented. recommends the establishment of a hybrid spe- Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera cial court, integrating international judges, told reporters on Thursday that a consultation prosecutors, lawyers, and investigators, as an process will begin from the second week of Octo- essential step towards justice. ber to formulate the domestic mechanism to in- Most serious crimes vestigate the human rights allegations, and it will Among the most serious crimes docu- be completed by the end of January. mented in the report are sexual and gender- He said that from January, the Govern- based violence. One shocking finding of the in- ment will begin implementing the ideas and pro- vestigation was the extent to which sexual vio- posals discussed during the consultation process lence was committed against detainees, often and hope to complete that process in 18 months. extremely brutally, by the Sri Lankan security The US based Human Rights Watch said forces, with men as likely to be victims as the call by the United Nations‘ top human rights women. officer for a domestic-international hybrid court The report that noted harrowing testi- to address allegations of war crimes and crimes mony from 30 survivors of sexual violence who against humanity in Sri Lanka should receive were interviewed indicates that incidents of sex- strong endorsement by members of the UN Hu- ual violence were not isolated acts but part of a man Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva. deliberate policy to inflict torture, following simi- ―UN member States should strongly sup- lar patterns and using similar tools. The report port the UN High Commissioner‘s recommenda- describes sexual torture which occurred during tion for a hybrid court as the best way to provide interrogation sessions, and also patterns of rape, justice for all the victims of Sri Lanka‘s long civil many of which appeared to occur outside of in- war,‖ said John Fisher, Geneva director at Hu- terrogations sessions. man Rights Watch. ―The Sri Lankan government The report found that sexual torture was should build on the goodwill of the international performed in a wide range of detention locations community and embrace this important initia- by different security forces, both during and after tive.‖ the conflict. Not a single perpetrator of sexual -Sunday Leader - 20/09/2015 violence related to the armed conflict is so far

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The folly of our citizenry been supremely cunning in its perpetration of fraud and the extraction of kickbacks. It has gone to Not so long ago, the middle classes of this country great lengths to cover its tracks and is very confi- considered the masses living in the villages to be, dent that there will be no evidence of wrongdoing. broadly speaking, uneducated and naive. This belief That there has been massive fraud is incontroverti- was bolstered by the fact that they were easily ble; because there is clear evidence that mega pro- gulled by politicians who repeatedly deceived them jects have cost much, very much, more than they with promises that were never fulfilled; and the should have. masses never seemed to learn not to be taken in. Where have all those kickbacks, running This general belief was shattered by the Silent into billions, gone? Why is the Treasury almost in- Revolution in January when a leadership that had solvent after the glorious economic performance of systematically (and massively) robbed the country the last nine years (according to the last Governor was unexpectedly overthrown by the ballot. There of the Central Bank)? The present Government, can be little doubt that the people voted in January with the huge task of investigation and prosecu- against corruption. The President they voted in was tion, and its limited resources, is taking longer than pristinely pure. The Prime Minister he appointed, in those eager to see condign punishment being accordance with his manifesto, was not tainted with meted out, can stomach. All sorts of base reasons corruption. This was the massive difference that are being mooted for the failure to bring the mis- brought about the change. creants to book. It is, therefore, irritating to find the public, Worse still, there is a strong tendency for and even the intelligentsia, showing immaturity in the people (including the intelligentsia) to say that their impatience over the Government‘s apparent we should consider the suspects to be innocent be- tardiness in prosecution of the offenders of the pre- cause ‗a person is innocent until he is proved vious regime. It should be obvious to the discerning guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt‘. That is a people that the current Government is determined maxim that holds only in a court of law, in criminal to stick to the spirit and the letter of the law; no matters. It does not apply when we have to make a Kangaroo Courts for them. They are obviously de- judgement for ourselves whether we should hold a termined that their cases should be watertight and man guilty or not. that there should be no acquittals. By Charitha P de Silva The previous regime had equally obviously The Sunday Times - 05/07/2015

„ You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean. If a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty”. Mahatma Gandhi

“There is no greatness where there is no simplicity, goodness and truth” Leo Tolstoy

Human Rights Review : July - September 6 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 7 Sobitha Thera supports UNFGG on conditions

The civil organizations including the Movement for stood as a guarantee that the UNFGG would fulfil Just Society led by Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha its promises. Thera today said they had decided to support the The other conditions laid out by the civil United National Front for Just Society (UNFGG) un- organizations are commencing probes on corruption der conditions including the appointment of Vener- and completing them within few years, enacting the able Sobitha Thera as the Chairman of the Consti- 20th Amendment to the Constitution, Anti Corrup- tutional Assembly which the party had pledged to tion Act and brining in a Cross Over Bill. set up in its manifesto. Venerable Thera said people should become The civil leaders and the Venerable Thera aware of the powers they have and vote intelli- told a news conference that they would oppose the gently at the elections. UNFGG if it failed to fulfil the conditions it had He appealed to the people not to vote for promised after coming into power. corrupt, drug dealers and paedophiles. ―We will constructively oppose the UNFGG if ―The issue today is that people are not it moved away from delivering their promises,‖ aware how to use their powers including franchise Venerable Sobitha Thera said while stressing that to elect suitable people to Parliament,‖ the Thera this strong statement of the civil organizations added. -Daily Mirror - 30/07/2015

Criminals and Politicos serious breach in the law. security personnel to be armed The genesis in re- with automatic weapons. But Last week‘s machine spect of the proliferation of with the end of Sri Lanka‘s 26 gunning of supporters of Finance weapons took place to protect year old Tamil terrorist war in Minster Ravi Karunanayake at politicos when the country was May 2009, the government of Colombo in broad daylight which virtually on fire after the signing the day asked those in posses- left one dead and 13 injured is a of the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord sion of such weapons to hand reflection of the serious break- in July 1987. The IPKF was in them over to the authorities. down in the law and order situa- the North and East with the Nevertheless, last tion in the country. LTTE running amok in those ar- week‘s shooting with automatic No civilian is authorized eas then. To make matters weapons may be an indication to possess an automatic worse, the JVP was on a killing that such a request was ob- weapon. But the shooting had rampage elsewhere in the coun- served more in the breach, with allegedly been done with the try, elsewhere in the country, weapons, and no ordinary weap- gunmen using at least one auto- virtually operating a de facto ons at that, but automatic weap- matic weapon. The fact that State in the ‗south‘. ons to boot, either in possession these gunmen were in posses- In a state of near anar- of such persons or sold or lost or sion of automatic weapons, chy, the then government al- robbed or lent to criminal ele- which weapons only the security lowed politicos of various hues ments had been used. forces and the Police are author- to organize their own security, -Editorial ized to possess, shows another even sanctioning such private -Ceylon Today – 04/08/2015

“My Problem was to find big men for the big jobs that were vacant. There was no shortage of big chairs. The problem was how to find chaps with enough grit and ability to fill these big chairs” - Lee Kuan Yew

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Priorities of new Govt. Their support too to the UNP-led Govern- ment should be forthcoming. The market-friendly UNP led UNF/UNFGG coalition Sri Lanka's immediately preceding Parlia- won the majority of seats at Monday's general elec- ment, namely its 14th, was unique in that it was tion, winning 93 of the 196 seats. home to two governments. Those were the UPFA- With a total of 29 National List seats also led Government from April 2010 to 8 January 2015 available, overall, on a pro rata basis the UNP and the UNP-led minority government from 9 Janu- should get 14 of those seats as well, taking the to- ary 2015 to Monday, 17 August 2015. tal number of its seats in the 225-member Parlia- A UNP-led UNF/UNFGG coalition government to 107. Still short of six seats to have a sim- ment may see economic policies bereft of crony ple majority in Sri Lanka's 15th Parliament, it capitalism, at least not to the extent practised in should cobble another seat from the SLMC with Rajapaksa's Government of November 2005 to 8 which it has an electoral arrangement. January 2015. There are rumours to say certain newly However, the blot on the UNP canvas which elected/National List appointed UPFA MPs will also formed the government after Rajapaksa's defeat in lend their support to the UNP-led coalition to form January was the alleged Treasury Bond scandal a government. involving its Central Bank Governor appointee Ar- The UPFA whose de facto prime ministerial juna Mahendran and one of his son-in-law's family candidate is said to be former President and UPFA owned firms, a primary dealer company. Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, won 83 seats, exclud- Nevertheless, the new government elected ing National List seats at Monday's election. after general elections to Sri Lanka's 15th Parlia- TNA won 14 seats (excluding National List ment held on Monday will have two priorities. seats) and the JVP (five), including one National Those are the economy and ethnic recon- List seat. Both the TNA and the JVP together with ciliation. the UNP and SLMC, and other minor and minority On the economic front it will have to attract parties lent support to then Presidential Candidate investments by turning expectations into reality. Maithripala Sirisena in his successful win over Raja- Investments are needed to create jobs. paksa at the 8 January 2015 presidential poll. -Editorial -Ceylon Today – 04/08/2015

Jayawewa Sri Lanka and there is speculation that a new SLFP would join to set up a national Government.This would give Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe‘s the Government headed by the President and the caretaker Government—the United National Front Prime Minister a comfortable working majority to for Good Governance—yesterday got a clear man- move effectively towards their promise and mission date from the people to continue the silent rainbow of building a new Sri Lanka. revolution of January 8. President Maithripala Siris- The UPFA whose campaign was led by for- ena, the new national unity Government, the other mer President Mahinda Rajapaksa, won eight of the parties and the people need to commit themselves 22 districts but its majority in these and other dis- to the mission of climbing every mountain, search- tricts was slashed by more than 20 percent, giving ing every sea and following every rainbow until we the UNFGG a comfortable majority. Mr. Rajapaksa, find our dream. After a hard-fought and vigorous whose decision to make a comeback has created one-month campaign, it was officially announced one of the biggest crises in the Sri Lanka Freedom last evening that the UNFGG had won 106 seats, Party (SLFP), had decided to move from his home seven short of a working majority in the 225- base of Hambantota to the Kurugnegala district, member Parliament. But with the main Opposition with one of the main reasons being that it had as United People‘s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) split down many as 15 seats, next only to the giants like the the middle after President Sirisena took some dra- Colombo and Gampaha districts.But the UPFA‘s ma matic action last week to wrest control of the party (Continue from Page 09)

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(Continued from Page 08) jority in the Kurunegala district was slashed by more than 20 percent when compared to the 2010 General Election and the number of seats it won was reduced to 8 while the UNFGG won seven. One of the lessons that history has clearly shown is that we need to be humble and magnanimous in victory while being courageous in defeat. Unfortunately this was a virtue that Mr. Rajapaksa did not or could not practise after winning the war in May 2009. Instead what we saw was largely a crisis of reckless arrogance specially after the notorious 18th Amendment which opened the hellhole for absolute power to corrupt absolutely—the body, the mind and the country. Thankfully Premier Wickremesinghe in the afterglow of the victory yesterday said, we should not divide ourselves into winners and losers but work on a win-win basis. Mr. Wickremesinghe during the past eight months of the yahapalanaya Government has often stressed—and he did so again yesterday—that we should work towards consensus politics with all in Parlia- ment being in the Government through select committees and advisory committees. Priority in the coming weeks and months needs to be given to the 20th Amendment for electoral reforms, the long-delayed implementation of the Right to Information Bill, making appointments to activate the Constitutional Council and the Independent Commissions and the appointment of the National Audit Commission. The Independent Commissions and the Audit Commission could play a key role in the battle against corruption, fraud, bribery and other vices which were rampant during the previous regime with the break- down in the rule of law leading to a crisis where the former Parliament was virtually turned into a den of robbers. The criminal plunder of public resources has plunged the country into an international debt trap and the new government needs to act immediately and effectively to implement a sustainable rural economic development plan to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in most areas and bring about a more equitable distribution of the country‘s wealth and resources. At an international level our diplomatic service needs to be revived and professionalised after political diplo-muts dragged the country into a foreign policy muddle. As the talking ends, as the hard and hon- est work begins, we join the nation in thanking Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya specially, his staff, the Police and other public officers for giving Sri Lanka the honour and privilege of conducting an election that was peaceful, and free and fair. Mr. Deshapriya, Kipling indeed would look at you and say, ―this was a Man‖. We hope that the once- degraded public service will produce statesmen like you. Jayawewa Sri Lanka! -Editorial -Daily Mirror - 19/08/2015

A national govt. for peace & unity words, the deepest propensity of man is to love. Not to hate, to brush aside, not to care. If any facet of the 2015 August general The nation as a whole, Sinhala, Tamil, Mus- election augured well for all of Sri Lanka, it was lim, Burgher, etc. have all proved this propensity a unarguably the fact that the populace shunned all truism ... and responded with almost a resounding appeals, subtle or overt, made by politicians of mandate against the politically created segregation every hue, to stoke the fires of racist antagonism of a nation that only four decades ago thrilled at and its litany of innuendo about the immanency of the sheer joy of breathing in the fresh air of an ex- Tamil separatism lurking just around the corner. hilarating freedom of being Sri Lankan. A visit to No one was buying this package of national the Colombo Airport shows to every discerning ob- psychological and moral sabotage anymore. They server the sheer joy on the faces of each Sinhalese, threw out that jargon with a new found realization Tamil, Muslim or Burgher returning from some- that political rhetoric has been allowed for too long where abroad. to keep the nation bogged down in a putrid morass -Editorial of externally stoked racist resentment. In Cicero's -Ceylon Today - 21/08/2015

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A lesson for communal elements T h i s leading political parties to re- is partly be- frain from giving nominations The eighth Parliamen- cause of Ranil. In fact, in my appealed to voters to refrain tary Election took place peace- opinion if Sajith Premadasa was from voting in such candidates. fully without any serious elec- given the opportunity to lead Has this worked? No. tion law violation. In this regard the UNP for the purpose of elec- Even a candidate whose nomi- the Elections Commissioner and tion campaigning, he would nation was signed in jail has the Inspector General of Police have cut a figure bringing fur- been returned. In this regard must be congratulated and fe- ther defeat to the UFPA at the people have not voted wisely, as licitated. election. The UPFA gained due several other bad elements have But how was it possible? to Ranil‘s weakness. come in. During previous elec- The JVP also should In appointing Ministers tions owing to the illegal and have performed well but the and Deputy Ministers care unwanted interference of the voters have failed to consider its should be taken to refrain from ruling party or the President, the role in bringing the Yaha- appointing such people they corruption, violence and election palanaya following the recent have entered parliament. It is -malpractices were rampant. Presidential Election. At a time good if the number be restricted State machinery and when there is a good future for to Twenty-Five Ministers. resources were abused. The Sri Lanka, its role with more Minority groups have Elections Commissioner and the members in Parliament would be voted for Ranil and there is a Police were not allowed to exer- conducive for good governance. polarisation, when one considers cise their powers independently. The election has also the performance of the UPFA – The Elections Commissioner was given a death blow to racism the Sinhala and minority votes. forced to do certain things and communalism. Buddhist The extreme communal ele- against his free will. Monks of the BJP (Bodu Bala ments be it Sinhala, Muslim or That is past. The incum- Sena ) have learnt a bitter les- Tamil, have learnt a lesson at bent President and the Prime son. It is noteworthy that no this election. Minister allowed a free hand to single Buddhist Monk who con- I wish the new govern- the Elections Commissioner and tested has been elected to Par- ment prayerfully for success and the IGP and as a result there liament. The voters have voted may Allah bless this country and was a peaceful election. wisely. In fact several leading the Yahapalanaya In this process democ- eminent Buddhist Monks ap- The Council of Muslims racy is upheld. And there is pealed against Monks participat- of Sri Lanka was founded by peace even after the election. ing in politics, respected leaders like Sir Razik People are contended with the This election by the de- Fareed, Dr. Badiudin Mahmud, election. feat of prominent former minis- Dr. M.C.M. Kaleel, A. Azeez, Sir Prime Minister Ranil has ters and senior Parliamentarians A.W.M. Ameer and several oth- obtained the highest preferential has given a lesson to those who ers .hitherto , has given proper votes of over 500,000 in Co- are not steady, wavering and directions to Muslims of Sri lombo owing mainly to his hon- changing parties and principles. Lanka since inception. esty, integrity and introducing Over 100 Civil Move- the concept of Yahapalanaya ments with Rev. Sobitha Thera -By A.H.G. Ameen LLB, LLm, and a good future for Sri Lanka. campaigned for good govern- JPUM - President, Council of People expected a better ance and to reject nomination of Muslims , Sri Lanka turnover for the United National those against whom allegations -Daily Mirror - 21/08/2015 Front and a defeat for the UPFA. of corruption, malpractice or But the UPFA fared well and gar- criminal charges were present. nered 95 seats, which none ex- PAFFREL with its March pected. 12 Declaration signed by all

Human Rights Review : July - September 10 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 11 Dilemma of finding Qualified and Untainted candidates

The Congress of Religions and our Presi- first time voters being swayed by those who have dent have called upon voters to "leave aside politi- become popular by throwing their ill begotten cal parties. Just concentrate on worthy candidates". means to win votes. Another factor is the election Voters have been asked to elect "qualified and un- promises, most of which will never see realization. tainted candidates" as MPs. The lack of interest amongst our voters in de- The Merriam Webster dictionary describes manding answers to the manner in which neces- the adjective Qualified as having complied with the sary finances will be obtained to make good such specific requirements or precedent conditions (as promises is an indication that our gullible voters for an office or employment) and the Untainted as have matured little since they believed and voted not tarnished, contaminated, or polluted. for a party who promised to bring rice "even from Voters are in fact being asked to perform a the moon" some 45 years ago. near miraclewith no guidelines to define a qualified We then come to the question of untainted and untainted candidate nor a support system to candidates. Who exactly is an untainted candidate assist them. that our religious leaders and President is talking What is the basis for a voter to decide who about? How is the voter to discern between the is a qualified candidate assuming what is meant is tainted and untainted? educational qualifications? What are the minimum There are candidates seeking re-election qualifications a candidate should possess to con- that voted for the Executive Presidential system in test for a seat in Parliament? Is it ‗O‘ Levels, ‗A‘ 1978 and held ministerial and deputy ministerial Levels, a diploma, a degree or what? No politician, positions for a decade till 1988 after meekly hand- party or government since independence has done ing over their undated letters of resignation to anything to legislate a set of mandatory minimum President Jayewardene on demand, to be locked qualifications for candidates. It resulted in 95 out up in a cabinet together with their souls. They kept of 225 MPs in the last Parliament having less quali- silent when houses of Supreme Court judges were fications than those required by an applicant ap- stoned by organized gangs during that era. Are plying for a post of a bus driver in the SLTB. In they not tainted? There are candidates who un- such a background, the appeal made by both the ashamedly enjoyed perks and privileges of cabinet learned members of the Congress of Religions and office for 10 long years and bartered their souls the President has no meaning. It is left to the under the supposedly tainted Mahinda Rajapaksa imagination of each voter to decide on the qualifi- & Co.voting for the infamous 18th Amendment, cations required by their representatives with no the impeachment of the 43rd Chief Justice of Sri guidance whatsoever. Further, the non-availability Lanka and many other misdeeds. Are they not of even a simple mechanism such as a govern- tainted? ment website containing educational qualifications Tainted are not only those who have served of candidates contesting in 2015, whatever they prison terms or been given suspended sentences. may be, does not assist voters in their dilemma. Tainted are not only those guilty of abuse of politi- Four former MPs have not received party cal power and office. Tainted are not only those nominations on ground of being tainted. The Presi- involved in the drug trade, smuggling and other dent has publicly stated he will not appoint former antisocial activities.Tainted are also those who President and Hambantota UPFA Candidate used their power to save their offspring, siblings, Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister even if his kith and kin, relatives, friends, party supporters party commands a majority in parliament pre- and on occasion even political opponents from the sumably as he is considered to be tainted. What of long arm of the law by interfering in Police proce- the others from UPFA, UNF and all other parties? dures. Tainted are also those guilty of employing How many of them can claim to be untainted? and granting perks and privileges to offsprings, The absence of any guidelines will result in siblings and kith and kin at state expense. Tainted a substantial number of our voters especially the (Continue from Page 10)

Human Rights Review : July - September 11 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 12

(Continued from Page 10) and untainted MPs who will dedicate themselves to are also those who changed political parties for serving the country and its people rather than ministerial positions. Tainted are also those who themselves while upholding the principles of good provided jobs and directorships to unqualified governance and rule of law. It is further hoped that party supporters and schoolmates in government such a group will form the majority amongst those institutions sans vacancies and experience in rele- contesting from all parties in the hustings in 2020. vant fields resulting in disastrous consequences to Regrettably the "Code of conduct to be pro- the institutions and the country. Tainted are also vided for observation" promised in the 100 day pro- those who sat at cabinet meetings silently and did gram which would help voters in benchmarking un- not object when cabinet papers for Mattala Airport, tainted candidates still remains a promise on a Magampura Port and similar projects were ap- piece of paper. Not even a task force has been set proved. The list goes on. up for the purpose of preparing a preliminary draft. There are contestants of the likes of Harsha If such a group is ever put together, let it consist de Silva and EranWickramaratneto name a few not of politicians but with right thinking members of who are relatively new to the fray and are not civil society with proven track records. tainted. They are untested in that they did not As for the 2015 elections, voters in having contest in 2010 but were appointed through the to choose between the tainted, less tainted and a National List. But by being affiliated to parties with miniscule number of untainted candidates are in a tainted leaders and contestants and their partisan dilemma. Theirs is a Hobson‘s Choice. Let no one conduct on issues such as the recent Central Bank fool themselves or the voters. There is no question Bond scam for the sake of party discipline, they of voting for qualified and untainted candidates. At too are in the process of getting tainted. best, it is a case of voting without knowing if most It is hoped that these worthy gentlemen candidates are qualified or unqualified. It is also a together with the other untainted candidates in the case of voting mostly for candidates who are not fray such as those from the JVP, once elected will untainted but less tainted than some others. form the nucleus of a group of educated, qualified -Sunday Island- 16/08/2015

Sobitha Thera blasts move to form jumbo Cabinet

National Movement for Sobitha Thera said that mess. Some of the SLFP parlia- Social Justice (NMSJ) Leader the when considering this trend, it mentarians are describing the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera won't be a surprise if all 225 recently signed MoU as a move today severely criticized the parliamentarians are appointed towards the formation of na- move to appoint a large number ministers. tional government and some of of ministers for the purpose of He said the 19th Amend- them who have opposed such an accommodating a 'National Gov- ment had not specified the exact agreement had decided to sit in ernment' number of ministers in case of a the Opposition while the JVP and ―Appointing a large num- ‗National Government‘ and as the TNA have not so far sup- ber of ministers has become a such it had to be decided by the ported the proposal. In such a joke and a farce. The Mahinda decision makers of both parties. scenario, how can it be called a Rajapaksa government had ap- The Thera criticized the national government,‖ the Thera pointed an unreasonable number move to form a ‗National Gov- said. of ministers. Nobody protested ernment‘ and warned that such Piyumi Fonseka then. I am optimistic that Presi- a move might lead to a crisis Daily Mirror - 26/08/2015 dent Maithripala Sirisena will not between the legislature and the continue the mistakes commit- executive. ted by that regime,‖ he told ―Even the beginning of Daily Mirror. the new government is in a

Human Rights Review : July - September 12 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 13

Saravanabawan To Attend Canada Event

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP E. Sarava- of the fundraising event extends to raising nabawan takes part in the fundraising event held $100,000.00 in order to support the war widows to today in Canada to support war widows to build build houses, wells and toilets for 41 internally dis- houses in newly released land in Sampur. placed families. Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Sarawana- They want to give hope for the men, bawan said that upon an invitation extended by women, and children of Sampur, improve the lives Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), he visited Canada of people in the community and give them the hope to take part in the Tamil Canadian Walk which is and tools for a sustainable lifestyle,‖ he part of the humanitarian efforts of the CTC for the added. The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) re- displaced people of Sampur. He added that the ported that since 2009, over $240,000 in funds walk is organised to raise funds to support 41 dis- have been raised to support various local charities, placed families to build their houses in the newly along with increasing the awareness of the charity‘s released land in Sampur.―Upon an invitation ex- mission. According to them, CTC is a non-profit or- tended, I take part in the event today on behalf of ganisation which serves as the voice of Tamil Cana- the TNA. Their intention is to help war widows to dians. rebuild lives, restore dignity and help 41 displaced Waruni Karunarathne families achieve self sufficiency,‖ he added. – Sunday Leader – 13/09/2015 According to Sarawanabawan, the mission

Tamil Diaspora organizations look to TNA for lasting solution

Several Tamil Diaspora organizations while V. Wigneswaran and will seek to address the urgent congratulating the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) for existential issues of the Tamils, and successfully securing 16 seats in the Parliamentary polls have navigate the new political environment in Sri Lanka emphasized on finding a lasting solution to the to achieve a permanent solution to the Tamil Na- Tamil National question through democratic means. tional question‖. British Tamil Conservatives (BTC), Global Tamil The Global Tamil Forum (GTF); ―As an or- Forum (GTF) and Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), ganization that has worked with the TNA for several urged the North and East voters political optimism years, we seek the full support of the international that emerged in January this year, by releasing community, including India, to help implement the statements during the Parliamentary Election cam- legitimate demands of the Tamil people through a paigns, has released a statement last week extend- negotiated political solution. ing their greetings to the TNA as well as urging the ―GTF would like to take this opportunity to Alliance to work towards a solution through democ- reiterate our commitment to recognize and respect ratic means. the wishes of the Tamil people, and to work with The statement by the British Tamil Conser- TNA and all other relevant stakeholders to achieve vation (BTC) is as follows: ―we are pleased the equality, justice, peace, respect and prosperity for Tamils in the North and East have once again exer- Tamil people‖. cised their franchise in large numbers to endorse The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC); ― As TNA‘s policies for truth, justice and lasting solution an organization that has worked with the TNA for to the Tamil national question based on Tamil peo- several years, CTC calls upon the international ple‘s longstanding and legitimate aspiration of right community, particularly neighbouring India, to help to self-determination. implement the legitimate demands of the Tamil ―We extend our best wishes to the newly people through a negotiated political solution‖. elected members of Parliament and hope the Par- -Ceylon Today - 21/08/2015 liamentary Party working hand in hand with the Northern Provincial Council led by Chief Minister C.

Human Rights Review : July - September 13 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 14

Domestic Vs International Probe: Battle Begins

Mangala to meet Zeid, brief UNHRC told The Sunday Leader that an accountability process is necessary, so that truth and justice can be Sri Lanka‘s attempt to obtain support for a achieved. domestic mechanism will face stiff resistance from He says it is also clear that the best way of a Tamil National Alliance Northern Provincial Coun- achieving that is through an impartial international cil delegation and producer of the controversial No- accountability process that can examine all crimes Fire Zone film on the war Callum Macrea. committed by all parties to this conflict. The Northern Provincial Council and Macrea ―The Government of Sri Lanka, if it is genu- feel an international judicial process and not a do- inely committed to truth and justice, has nothing to mestic mechanism should be used to deal with al- fear of such a process. Only the guilty fear the leged war crimes said to have been committed in truth,‖ he said. Sri Lanka. Easwaran Rutnam Macrea, who will be in Geneva this week, – Sunday leader – 13/09/2015 UNHRC CALLS FOR A HYBRID SPECIAL COURT

Enforced disappearances affecting tens of thou- ances, torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or sands over decades degrading treatment, recruitment of children and For the time being, doesn‘t believe genocide oc- their use in hostilities as well as abduction and curred forced recruitment of adults by the LTTE, attacks Forced recruitment of adults and children by the on civilians and civilian objects, denial of humani- rebels tarian assistance and violations during the deten- Domestic court can‘t overcome suspicions tion of internally displaced people (IDPs) in closed Numerous unlawful killings between 2002 and camps. 2011, allegedly by both sides ―The severity of the crimes were most aston- Wants to establish office in SL ishing... The crimes of sexual nature made a har- The brutal use of torture by security forces rowing reading...,‖ the High Commissioner stated The 251-page report contains details of the as he commented to a query by a journalist con- most serious crimes documented during the period cerning the crimes listed in the comprehensive re- of2002– 2011 to which includes unlawful killings, port. sexual and gender-based violence committed by -Daily Mirror - 17/09/2015 the Sri Lankan Security Forces, enforced disappear-

Resolution adopted without a vote resolution has also recognized the need for accountability and reconciliation process for the The new resolution on Sri Lanka that was submit- violations and the abuses committed by the LTTE ted to the UNHRC was adopted without a vote dur- as highlighted in the recently released OISL ing the Council's ongoing 30th session. (OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka) report. More- The resolution while welcoming the govern- over, it has called for the OHCHR to continue to ment‘s recognition of an accountability process to monitor Sri Lanka‘s progress in the implementation uphold the rule of law, affirms the importance of of its recommendations and other relevant proc- having independent judicial and prosecutorial insti- esses linked to reconciliation, accountability, and tutions led by personnel known for integrity and human rights and calls for the High Commissioner‘s impartiality and has further noted the ‗importance Office to present an oral update to the UNHRC at of participation in a Sri Lankan judicial mechanism, its 32nd session as well as a comprehensive report including the Special Counsel‘s office, of Common- followed by discussion on the implementation of wealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers, the present resolution at its 34th session. and authorized prosecutors and investigators‘. The -Daily Mirror -

Human Rights Review : July - September 14 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 15 An extract from the Statement by Sri Lankan Civil Society members on OHCHR reports on Sri Lanka

The present government bears the burden of delivering on its promises and regaining the confidence of victims and survivors. In light of the Foreign Minister‘s commitments not to cower behind distorted concepts and principles such as sovereignty, and to address weaknesses and deficiencies with the help of the international community, we call upon the GoSL to: 1. Commit to a political and constitutional settlement of the ethnic conflict based on meaningful power shar- ing. 2. Introduce domestic statutory reforms to incorporate international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, without statute of limitations. 3. Incorporate modes of liability with respect to international crimes such as command responsibility and joint and co-perpetration into domestic law. 4. Provide for the appointment of international judges, lawyers, prosecutors and investigators to a special hybrid court as recommended by the OISL Report. Moreover, facilitate the appointment of international experts to other transitional justice mechanisms, in full compliance with international standards and best practices. 5. Invite the OHCHR to establish a full-fledged country presence to monitor the human rights situation, ad- vise on implementation of the High Commissioner‘s recommendations, past HRC resolutions and recommendations of various UN bodies and provide technical assistance. 6. With support from the OHCHR, hold broad consultations with all relevant stakeholders, particularly survivors and their families, and civil society groups, including those from the North and East, with a strong commitment by the government to take on board sentiments expressed therein, prior to finalising any mechanisms. 7. Publish in full, by the end of September 2015, all reports of Commissions of Inquiry that have inquired into human rights violations in the past. 8. Initiate a high-level review of the PTA and its regulations and the Public Security Ordinance Act with a view to their repeal and the formulation of a new national security framework fully complying with international law. 9. Criminalize enforced disappearance through special legislation, and establish a permanent Office of Miss- ing Persons with strong involvement of families of disappeared persons, civil society, the International Com- mittee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the international community. 10. Sign and ratify the CED including recognition of article 31, Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and also extend standing invitations to all Special Procedures of the HRC. 11. Guarantee protection to witnesses and victims of crimes, including international crimes, in keeping with international standards and best practices. 12. Formulate a plan to ensure adequate reparations to victims in keeping with international standards and best practices. 13. Enact, with immediate effect a law on the Right to Information. 14. Establish a special mechanism to fast-track and bring to justice all perpetrators of sexual violence against women and children. We call upon the Member States of the HRC to ensure that the consensus resolution on Sri Lanka to be adopted at the present Council session endorses the positive commitments of the government, findings and recommendations of the OHCHR reports, and our above calls. We also call upon the Member States to ensure that the resolution mandates the OHCHR to keep the Council informed of progress made by all parties in implementing the recommendations of the OHCHR reports, by reporting back at regular cycles within a two year period. -Colombo Telegraph - 18/09/2015

Human Rights Review : July - September 15 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 16

The Terrorism of be eliminated in the same way mented at the national and re- heroin as Sri Lanka had eliminated po- gional levels. At the same time lio. The NATA chief said the best non-drinkers must be routinely Launching a national war for the way to address the issue was to addressed to sustain their status. eradication of narcotic drugs and educate and work with children, As prevalence is high among the curbing of liquor or tobacco specially those in their teens. males, a targeted cost effective abuse President Maithripala Siris- He pointed out that rehabilitation programme should ena declared that any politician though there was a popular be- be prioritised. The increasing found to be involved in the nar- lief that the government derived trend among female drinking cotics trade must be removed a large portion of its income from indicates the need of primary from politics. the taxes on alcohol and to- preventive actions targeted at The President, speaking bacco, the truth was otherwise. them. at a national ceremony in Ja-ela He said the government had to Last year the Health Min- to mark the National Drugs spend much more on treating istry said there was an increase Eradication Month, said tough people afflicted with tobacco and in smoking among the country‘s action would be taken against alcohol related diseases. women. A study showed that any politician found to be in- Presidential Secretary, P. more women, especially those in volved in the narcotics or illegal B. Abeykoon told the media the the estate sector, had taken to liquor trade. Presidential Secretariat, the Po- smoking. Some women were To mark the beginning of lice the Excise Department and also addicted to narcotics, intoxi- this month, all bars and liquor the National Dangerous Drug cants such as babul and mild shops were closed yesterday. Control Board (NDDCB) were tranquilisers. Ministry warned The President said he wanted a accepting complaints and would that if pregnant mothers smoked three-day closure but Treasury carry out regular raids. or consumed liquor or dangerous officials had told him that the According to a research drugs, they would do so at the government would lose too much project carried out by the Health expense of their unborn babies‘ tax revenue. The President said Ministry and published in the health. Medical experts said. he had a plan to remove excise Journal of the Post Graduate With the President de- revenue in the national budget Institute of Medicine, the claring war on narcotics and from alcohol and tobacco sales prevalence of alcohol use in 2008 mainly heroin smuggling, illicit by 2020. was 26% among males aged be- alcohol and tobacco abuse we He appealed to the Maha tween 17and 64. But last year, hoped that anyone alleged to be Sangha and other religious lead- despite all the political spirit involved in these vices would not ers to co-operate with him in this about ‗Mathata Thitha,‘ alcohol be nominated for the August mission while politicians and consumption had increased to General Elections. Even if some public servants would be given 39.6 percent among males and parties nominate such persons the responsibility of setting up 2.4 percent among females. The for dubious purposes the sover- drug prevention units in their report said the most widely used eign people must take a strong regions or departments. was beer-76.9% followed by stand and reject them because Dr. Palitha Abeykoon, spirits 51.5%, wine 25.8%, heroin smuggling for instance is Chairman of the National Author- kasippu 22.2%, palmyrah toddy one of the deadliest forms of ter- ity on Tobacco and Alcohol 16.9% and toddy 16.8%. rorism and we do not want it in (NATA) told a news conference The report said preven- Sri Lanka. on Wednesday that alcohol, to- tative activities focusing on vul- -Editorial bacco and narcotics abuse could nerable groups should be imple- – Daily Mirror - 11/07/2015 -

Human Rights Review : July - September 16 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 17 Check whether the candidate is on the drug mafia list

The smuggling or trading in heroin and nections with the heroin mafia. other narcotics has become a key issue in the President Sirisena, speaking at a summit of campaign for the crucial general election on August Asian leaders to mark the golden jubilee of inde- 17. pendence for the Maldive Islands, said he had made The National Dangerous Drugs Control a personal commitment to eliminate the heroin ma- Board (NDDCB) Chairman Dr. Nilanga Samaras- fia by 2020. He appealed to Asian leaders to co- inghe has emerged as a heroic figure in the battle operate in a combined war on the heroin mafia in against heroin which destroys not only the lives of the continent to pave the way. thousands of addicts but even their families. We hope President Sirisena would also give Dr. Samarasinghe, speaking on TV talk the NDDCB Chairman approval to publish the mafia shows, said he had prepared a list of about 135 list so that the sovereign people will know who is racketeers including former parliamentarians and doing what and will not vote for kudu mudalalies, other politicians against whom there was substan- traders and politicians who are involved with them, tial evidence of involvement in the smuggling or obtaining funds or providing patronage for them. trading in heroin and other addictive narcotics. He More than ever before – and perhaps be- said he was awaiting a call from President Maithri- cause the previous Parliament was widely seen as pala Sirisena to hand over this list to him. The the worst since independence - the people are NDDCB Chairman said he had received death thinking deeply and closely analyzing the charac- threats and the President‘s office said on Sunday ter, integrity and motives of candidates. This is an Mr. Sirisena had ordered the Police Special Task important step in the right direction, because in Force to provide extra security to the Chairman. previous elections a large number of people are Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said known to have voted on traditional party political that on the direction of Prime Minister Ranil Wick- lines, irresponsibly voting without thinking. remesinghe he had met the NDDCB Chairman to Most analysts believe that this time the ensure that no one on the mafia list got nomination people will vote for those who will sincerely, self- from the United National Front for Good Governance lessly or sacrificially work for the common good of (UNFGG). But UNFGG and Janatha Vimukthi Pera- the country and implement the promises they muna (JVP) leaders said their main rival the United make. The political culture must change now and People‘s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had not ensured those who cannot serve the people but want to do that those on the NDDCB mafia list did not get business and sometimes even criminal business in nominations, though during the past five years Parliament must be told to go to hell. there had been widespread allegations that former -Editorial UPFA Ministers, MPs and other politicians had con- -Daily Mirror– 29/07/2015

Wasim Thajudeen death not accidental: CID

The death of former judeen‘s teeth had been broken, contradictory and that the death Havelock‘s Rugby captain, the bones in the pelvic region was not an accident but murder. Wasim Thajudeen was not acci- also broken and his neck pierced Further magisterial in- dental but a murder, the Crimi- with a sharp instrument prior to quiry into the matter was post- nal Investigation Department his death. The CID added that poned for tomorrow (28). (CID) informed the Colombo Ad- muscles in his legs had been cut The former Havelocks SC ditional Magistrate today. with a piece of broken glass. captain Wasim Thajudeen was The CID informed Magis- The CID said the govern- killed, apparently, in a road acci- trate Nishantha Peiris that the ment analyst's report and the dent in Colombo in May 2012. investigations conducted so far postmortem report on the death Earlier the police had had revealed that Mr. Tha- of the ruggerite appeared to be (Continue from Page 16)

Human Rights Review : July - September 17 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 18

(Continue from Page 17) that his vehicle had exploded for suspicion. He said that ac- said that Thajudeen was driving within seconds of the crash. cording to the JMO his death to the airport and had lost con- Although police said the could not have been due to the trol of his car and crashed into death was accidental, SSP Ajith accident. the wall of Shalika Grounds on Rohana, on February 26 this Lakmal Sooriyagoda Park Road, Narahenpita, and year, said there were grounds -Daily Mirror – 28/07/2015

CaFFE urges repeal of PTA to curtail the free- individual liberty. Our country dom of the people. has been accused of violating The Campaign for Free Human Rights by several and Fair Elections (CaFFE) today At a meeting with civil activists groups. With a stable govern- urged the government to repeal in Rajagiriya, Mr. Tennakoon ment in place, action should be the Prevention of Terrorism Act said the Act was used to detain taken to recind the PTA and re- (PTA) saying it was misused by media personnel and several establish a proper civil admini- the previous regime to suppress civil society activists without a stration in the country so that media and human rights activ- time limit. people can live without fear,‖ he ists in the country. ―With the scourge of ter- said. CaFFE Executive Director rorism eradicated some six years Piyumi Fonseka Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon said ago, the implementation of the -Daily Mirror – 27/08/2015 the Act was mainly implemented PTA is a great obstacle for the

No internal inquiry on Kotahena shooting: UNP

No internal inquiry was being carried out to hold such inquiries. Therefore, we have en- regarding the Kotahena shooting, in which gunmen trusted the Police to investigate,‖ he said. fired at hundreds of people led by Minister Ravi Ka- He said it was unnecessary for the UNP to runanayake during an election campaign, UNP can- get work from any underworld gangsters for the didate Ajith P. Perera said yesterday. forthcoming general elections since the UNP was When asked by a journalist, he said the obtaining an obvious victory with at least 120 Par- UNP had not such power to carry out an internal liamentary seats. inquiry though their supporters were killed and in- Piyumi Fonseka jured during the shooting. Daily Mirror – 06/08/2015 ―As a political party, we are not authorised

„AG acts as Non-patriot/Dictator

Where does the “Consensual Alliance‟ signed between UNP and SLFP stand in Parlia- ment? While the Attorney General terminates the AVANT GARDE case. Any Government Servant knows that the Financial Regulations stipulate that any equipment purchased by the Sri Lanka Army is recorded in the Army Stores Master Register and stored under the Authority of the Superintendent of Stores. Moreover expensive Army Equipment was stored in a private Ship in the Galle Harbour and another cache of firearms stored at the BMICH compound. It is a criminal offence that the AG has terminated, and therefore, the AG should be prosecuted under the Good Governance law in the Courts. As an exception Fire Arms can be stored by the Army in any place of their choice, if approved by the Sri Lankan Parliament. George Daily Mirror- 19/09/2015

Human Rights Review : July - September 18 Institute of Human Rights UNIT REPORT 19 Calling applications for the Diploma in Human Rights

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Human Rights Review : July - September 19 Institute of Human Rights STAFF INFORMATION 20

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Board of Directors Michelle Gunaratne Leela Isaac Tahirih Q Ayn H.G.Dharmadasa

Legal Unit 0112081382 [email protected] Legal Officer V.S. Niranchan Senior Coordinator K Premaseeli

Education Unit 0112081382 [email protected] Grants & Education Manager Menaka Shanmughalingam [email protected] Education Coordinator (Sinhala) Priyanthi Gamage [email protected] Education Coordinator (English) Hashini Mahesha Rajaratna [email protected] Education Coordinator (Tamil) Unita Ferly Bastian [email protected]

Rehabilitation Unit 0112081382 Consultant Tahirih Q Ayn [email protected] Coordinator Hashini Mahesha Rajaratna [email protected]

Administration / Finance Unit 0112081382 [email protected] Finance Officer Champa Jayakody [email protected] Accounts Assistant Shashika Jayasinghe Senior Office Assistant / Driver M Kannadasan Front Officer V P Chandima Padmasiri

Jaffna Branch 021-2240999 Legal Consultant A. S. Athputharajah Supervisor T. Sanmuhanaathan Office Assistant Regina Malini

Head Office

01, Gower Street, Colombo 05

Branch Office

Jaffna

Urelu East, Chunanagam

Website

www.ihrsrilanka.org

Human Rights Review : July - September 20 Institute of Human Rights