Issue No. 128 December 2010 - February 2011
Human Rights Review : December - February Institute of Human Rights 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Editorial 3
Current issues : Media Under Attack ♦ Journalists kept out of Boosa detention camp 5 ♦ Lasantha, The Sunday Leader and the media ♦ LLRC criticised for preventing journalists coverage ♦ Human Rights and Patriotism—an alternative view 6 ♦ Failure to investigate caused by Police/ Political Nexus ♦ Lanka - enews fire, editor says arson 7 ♦ Protest for missing HR activist tomorrow ♦ Journo killings and abductions 8
Bribery & Corruption • Inexorable march of bribery & corruption 9 • Free rein for bribery & corruption • ‘Serious violation of democratic rights’ 10
Reconciliation & Situation in the North • Bring armed gangs under control—CTU 11 • Residents claim killings on the rise in Jaffna • No Solution in sight 12 • Govt. failed to safeguard Jaffna people—IUSF • Northern Violence and its National relevance 13 • Increasing violence with impunity in Jaffna
War Crimes • Mahinda’s bad omens and mixed signals 14
Article • Celebrating war victory and banning commemoration of dead ……... 15
Unit Reports Legal Unit 17 Restoration & Protection Unit 18 Education Unit 19 Staff Information 20 Edited by Layout designed by Cover Page Leela Isaac Hashini Rajaratna Daily Mirror
Human Rights Review : December - February 2 Institute of Human Rights
3 EDITORIAL
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
eace in our country cannot last long without reconciliation. And there can be no reconciliation until the P people in the North and East and all those who were affected by the war come to terms with their losses, and pick up the threads with hopes of a better future.
No matter how many highways and bridges are put up, no matter how many houses are built, until and unless the grievances of the war affected minorities are looked into, there will be no lasting peace. The grievances of these people are not limited to food, clothing and shelter only. The 30 year civil war was not fought merely to get these basic needs. First and foremost they need to be free of fear and humiliation. Even today, twenty one months after the war a man or woman can be harassed by the police on mere suspicion, if he or she happens to be a Tamil. For lasting peace Tamils and Muslims need to feel they have equal rights as citizens of this country irrespective of their ethnicity or religion. And this can be guaranteed only through a political solution. How close are we to such a solution? And does the government actually feel the need for a solution to the ethnic conflict. Many in the government deny the very existence of an ethnic problem and therefore to speak of a solution is considered irrelevant.
In August 2010 Tamils in Wellawatte had to undergo the humiliating procedure of registering them- selves with the police. Although there was no special circular the police spokesman of the time said that under section 76 of the Police Ordinance the OIC of the Police Station is vested with power to register residents in his area for “their security and well being”. And obviously the OIC has the right to decide which ethnic group needs to be registered.
In February 2011 TNA MP Mavai Senathiraja complains that the military was obtaining money and forcing the people of Jaffna to pose for family photographs and sign various forms in Sinhala. This causes great fear and panic among the people he said. Reports from the Jaffna Army Headquarters say that this is done due to security reasons and the District G.A. Mrs. Sukumar says she was not officially informed and the army is not bound to discuss this matter with her. However, Major General Medewala rejects all these charges. Such situations don’t help us to move towards reconciliation and peace.
There was also the question of the National Anthem being sung in Tamil. It is interesting to trace the history of the National Anthem, for it shows how much the political scene has changed since independence. Namo, Namo Matha had been composed by Ananda Samarakone in 1940, and it had been first sung at Mahinda College, Galle where he was a teacher. In 1951 Sir Oliver Gunathillake is said to have submitted this song to the cabinet recommending its adoption as our national anthem. He had also attached a Tamil transla- tion by Mr. K. Kanagarathnam (Some say it was actually translated by Pandit M. Nallathamby) and an English translation by Dr. C. W. W. Kanangara. (The English version seems to have now disappeared). In March 1952 it was approved by the cabinet and adopted as our National Anthem.
But even in 1949 and 1950 it had been sung as the National Song at Independence Celebrations, at Torrington Square, Galle Face Green and the Havelock Race Course. At these functions this National Song had been sung in Sinhala and Tamil. At that time there was no Wimal Weerawansa to point out the illegality of singing the national anthem in Tamil. Today times have changed. When the President of the country visited Jaffna during Thai Pongal, the Tamil school children had to be trained to sing the national anthem in Sinhala. (Sunday Times 16.01.2011) Worse than that is the assassination of M. Sivalingam, Deputy zonal Education Director, in Jaffna, by highly trained and well armed men who were able to break into his house in spite of the sixty thousand security forces personnel guarding Jaffna! (Continued on Page 04)
Human Rights Review : December - February 3 Institute of Human Rights
4 EDITORIAL
(Continued from Page 03) We can also rest assured that the assassins will never be found. The Education Director’s crime had been that he openly expressed his view that Tamil children should sing the National Anthem in Tamil and not Sinhala. Obviously the political will or need for reconciliation doesn’t seem to exist among the present rulers.
Not everyone agrees that a political solution is a must, if there is to be lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Those who promote and defend Human Rights believe that Development is no substitute for ‘Devolution’. But there are other views. One such view is that Devolution or power sharing doesn’t mean anything to the war affected people. Once basic needs are provided and the North and East are developed, people will begin to enjoy their economic prosperity. There really is no ethnic problem and no need for a political solution. This perhaps is the view of the majority.
Regarding war crimes too there are many views. Human Rights activists believe that if war crimes were committed they should be investigated and justice meted out. The traumatised victims of war who want to know what happened to their loved ones must know the truth, so that they can at least grieve in peace. It’s terrible for a mother or father not to know whether the missing son or daughter is dead or alive in a torture camp.
But this again may not be the view of the majority. They seem to say “Let us forget about the war crime charges against the government and try to persuade the President to grant some kind of decentraliza- tion of power. Of course we were all appalled at the events during the last stages of the war, but focusing on accountability and prosecution will not be pragmatic, as the Rajapakses will not allow any investigations and they are likely to be in power for the next 24 years at least. Nothing can be achieved by confronting them. The minorities might as well gratefully accept whatever the Rajapaksas are willing to offer them. They must also accept the fact that they are only a small fraction of the total population and they cannot ever claim equal rights with the majority who form more than 75% of the population. Certainly not after Prabakaran. He and the LTTE have made sure that all Tamils now and for many more generations to come will be looked upon with suspicion as ‘Terrorists’”. This may be so but we must also remember that Truth must be faced before recon- ciliation. Wounds caused over the years must be cleaned and healed. If merely covered and plastered over, they could fester from within.
Colombo, Nov 2: A mentally challenged man, who Prevailed jumped into the Indian Ocean to escape arrest, To bear witness drowned after being badly beaten up by Sri Lankan To a country whose police in the water in front of a large crowd, police War was just over said. (news item) To a people Now at peace. Wonder was horror-edged And pity was guilt-edged MADNESS The waters whirl and Flotsam on our conscience the foam is still froth-white As we watched the boy By Vivimarie VanderPoorten The sun glistens still Thrown into a senseless On the golden sand Sea swirling with violence But the boy we call mad And as shocking anger Is retreating into the ocean Beat him to death Still trying to hold off the blows And forced him to drown With batons and sticks We who had watched worse The last vestiges of his And said nothing Strength devoured Gazed in silence By hatred and waves And A mobile phone video-recorded And our humanity Footage of folly Strangles itself That moment On the shore. Of hideous history
Human Rights Review : December - February 4 Institute of Human Rights
5 CURRENT ISSUES
Journalists kept out of Boosa detention camp Lasantha, The Sunday Leader And The Media en local journalists and a BBC correspondent were re- T fused access to the Boosa detention camp yesterday We can all only hope that in 2011 when the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission the authorities will create the conditions for (LLRC) met detainees including former LTTE cadres. a lasting improvement in press freedom. The journalists had gone to the camp on the invitation of the This must include solving the murder of LLRC and with prior permission from Media Centre for Na- Lasantha Wickrematunge, and the disap- tional Security Chief Lakshman Hulugalle. They were assured pearance of political cartoonist Prageeth that no special permission was required to enter the camp. Eknaligoda nearly a year ago. The latest incident was on Thurs- However when the journalists arrived at the Boosa Camp they were denied access by security personnel. day, December 30, 2010 when the govern- ment imposed a ban on a visit by 10 Sri They were informed by LLRC Secretary S.B Athugoda that he Lankan and foreign journalists, including did not have the authority to permit entry to the camp and the BBC’s correspondent, to a detention advised the journalists to get Ministry of Defence clearance. camp in Boosa to attend a meeting between The journalists were later told by a senior Terrorist Investiga- prisoners and the government-created Les- tion Department official that they should have obtained per- sons Learned and Reconciliation Commis- mission from the DIG in charge of the TID or from Police sion (LLRC). The reporters had previously Chief Mahinda Balasuriya. received permission from the LLRC and the -Daily Mirror - 31/12/2010 Media Centre for National Security. Human rights groups say there LLRC criticised for preventing have been cases of torture and extra judi- journalists coverage cial disappearances in the camp, which houses more than 700 suspected former The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) has strongly criticized members of the Tamil Tiger rebels. the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) BBC journalists were also prevented yesterday for preventing journalists from covering the session from attending several LLRC interview ses- at the Boosa Detention Camp recently stating that transpar- sions with the Tamil population in Septem- ency and accessibility is vital in bridging the gap between ber in Killinochchi, Mullaitivu and elsewhere. communities.CHR Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon said As a general rule, the authorities that hundreds of suspected hardcore LTTE cadres are de- are providing the media with no precise tained in the Boosa Detention Centre. He said that during the information about the problem of Tamil Ti- LLRC sessions in Jaffna and Trincomalee it was clear that ad- ger prisoners of war. The figures vary from dressing the issue of detainees is vital in achieving reconcilia- ministry to ministry. And the press has had tion. “We believe that the LLRC session in Boosa was one of no access to some detainee camps. the most pivotal and the most sensitive LLRC sitting because Journalists are afraid to cover the the Commission had the chance to meet a group of young issue of war crimes or their editors do not men who once believed to be involved in an armed struggle let them. A Colombo-based media freedom and listen to what they have learnt and what they suggest to activist said: “Several journalists from Eng- achieve reconciliation,” Tennakoon said.“Openness of the lish and Sinhalese-language media have process and the accessibility to information is important in been allowed to follow the LLRC’s work, but achieving reconciliation since it clears away misunderstand- their reports do not include the most dis- ings and prejudices. Therefore preventing independent jour- turbing accounts of the end of the war. nalists covering LLRC sessions is counter-productive in They have to censor themselves on the is- achieving the goal of reconciliation,” he said. sue of war crimes.” -Daily Mirror - 01/01/2011 By Frederica Jansz -Sunday Leader - 02/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 5 Institute of Human Rights
6 CURRENT ISSUES Human Rights and Failure To Investigate Caused By Patriotism – Police/Political Nexus An alternative view an Sri Lanka remain a stable society if the rules C relating to murder are so flagrantly abused? This is A rather disturbing trend of more re- a question that needs to be reflected upon on the second cent times has been the tendency to categorize anniversary of the assassination of Lasantha Wickre- every censure of human and democratic rights matunge, who was an opinion-maker in Sri Lanka. violations as unpatriotic. But this proposition There is some paralysis in the opinion making while perhaps acceptable and even popular process in Sri Lanka, perhaps due to fears generated by political rhetoric and it must be popular other- murders of a similar sort that were not investigated. This wise it won’t be repeated so ad nauseam, does has led to the opinion-makers themselves remaining si- not really hold water either intellectually or lent on great issues that affect society itself, including in morally. Surely the unpatriotic action, is that terms of rules relating to murder and other serious which violates our rights and denies our free- crimes. Added to this is the nationalist sentiment that the dom. “Unpatriotism is not decrying the assaults investigations into this murder may cause political rifts on our liberty, the assault on our liberty is un- which may be dangerous to the idea of the nation as it patriotic”. stands now. If one murder were to be properly investi- It is unpatriotic that opposition MP’s gated, then what would happen to many others that are are assaulted and their vehicles damaged, it is not investigated, which may be of those who were terror- unpatriotic that freedom of speech and assem- ists? bly is violated and it is unpatriotic that the The fear that a proper investigation into one freedom of the media, electronic (Sirasa), print murder may lead to others seems to lurk very high as a (Lasantha) and web (e-Lanka) are violated. concern of many persons who don’t want such investiga- Those are the real unpatriotic acts and those tions. Nationalism that pays no heed to the murders of that really love their country and her people, citizens is a serious contradiction in itself. Nationalism is which is what patriotism is all about, will cher- about citizens and their lives. If the lives of the citizens ish the freedoms and liberties we achieved do not matter then how does a nation stand together? over sixty years ago after many centuries of The nation is a gathering of individuals. If the death of an foreign colonial domination. We should not al- individual does not matter then there cannot be a deeper low our cherished freedoms and rights (human cause for internal divisiveness than that. and democratic) to be weakened, eroded and One individual does not trust that another indi- stripped away. Protecting our rights and free- vidual will intervene on his behalf if a catastrophe were doms is the sacred, patriotic duty of every Sri to befall him, that they will not defend his right to life. Lankan and speaking up when such rights are What then is this so-called idea of the nation, a nation under assault is a moral responsibility. that does not care for the lives of the individuals? These By Harim Peiris. are serious questions that arise on this occasion and not -Daily Mirror - 10/02/2011 to reflect on such issues but merely make some kind of ritual celebration of the second anniversary is itself a From “The Deserted Village” by farce. If death memorials become a farce, then what else Oliver Goldsmith (1728 - 1774) is there in society to create basic societal meanings? That is the kind of societal crisis that Sri Lanka is “Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, facing today. Rule of law is now been reduced to a noon day dream. Where wealth accumulates, and men decay: (Basil Fernando is Director, Asian Human Rights Princes and Lords may flourish, or may fade; Commission (AHRC), a regional non-governmental A breath can make them, as a breath has organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights is- made, sues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in But a bold peasantry, their country’s pride, 1984.) When once destroyed, can never be supplied” By Basil Fernando - Sunday Leader - 16/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 6 Institute of Human Rights
7 CURRENT ISSUES
Lanka-enews fire, editor says arson 100 years old, all the books were completely burnt as well,” he said. he Lanka e News office in charged that the attack was by a “Important documents were also T Malabe was set on fire last group not happy with the news lost due to the fire. We were using morning by a group of unidentified reports of its website Lankae- the house for rent and we did not men. The incident took place at news.com. “The incident took have any private security person- 1.30 a.m. place at around 1.30 a.m. in the nel there as we are financially morning and we were informed by weak. The entire office was gut- the residents in the area. There is ted when the police arrived after a “Because it was a Sunday, a Devalaya right next to our office, call from a Buddhist temple in the the employees left the place at who informed the police immedi- neighbourhood. around 7-7.30 p.m. We did not ately,” he said. lodge a complaint with the police No one had witnessed “All the computers, tele- as we did earlier, as the Police did them entering the premises, an phones, fax machines and the two not investigate the matter,” Mr. employee said. photocopiers were completely Rupasinghe said. The News Editor of Lanka damaged due to the fire. We had a -Daily Mirror - 01/02/2011 e News Bennet Rupasinghe library with books which are over
massive protest is to be held in Puttlam tomor- they said. A row demanding the release of well-known hu- According to the investigation reports filed before man rights defender, Pattani Razeek who had been Puttlam Magistrate relating to the abduction, one abducted a year ago. Shabdeen Nowshadh, a former employee of CTF and A large number of human rights organizations a close associate of government member was a key and civil rights suspect in the activists are ex- Protest for missing HR activist tomorrow disappearance. pected to partici- Police had so far pate at the protest to be held tomorrow, February 11 failed to arrest Nowshadh who had been seen in pub- on behalf of Razeek, Managing Trustee of Community lic places several times since this was disclosed in Trust Fund (CTF), a human rights defender in Sri mid 2010, they said. The suspect also has informed Lanka and Asia, sources said. courts that he was a close acquaintance of a Minister The human rights activists are also to protest and was needed by the Minister for election and other against inaction of the police which has failed to ar- work. rest the main suspect in the alleged abduction despite -Daily Mirror - 10/02/2011 credible information received during the investigation, F A ♦ Jan C 24, 201 T 0 : Pra- B gee O th Ekne X ‘ ligoda, Prageeth creates stronger self image’ n a jour- alist of Lanka N ews We is abdu b The Alliance of Media Organizations cted on his way home (AMO) and Sandya Eknaligoda, wife of missing from th e Lanka New E- journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, yesterday handed s office
over a petition to UN Resident and Humanitarian ♦ The Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne asking the family o f the ab j ducted ournalis Organization to expedite its efforts in finding the t, repea ted call fro him s missing journalist. to be lo cated. The Media organization said that though ♦ P rageeth one year had passed since the disappearance of was pr eviously abduc the Lanka e News journalist no headway had ted on the 27th Aug of been made by the local authorities. ust 200 9, and w re as leased on the 2 9th of same the -Daily mirror - 25/01/2011 month.
Human Rights Review : December - February 7 Institute of Human Rights
8 CURRENT ISSUES
hat police could not arrest was appointed to investigate disap- neligoda. However, a probe into T the killers of Lasantha Wick- pearances and abductions. the identity of Ekneligoda’s last ramatunga and twenty two other But, the commission like its prede- contact has stalled. media workers - and perpetrators cessors didn’t produce any tangible Sandya Ekneligoda, the grief of many other abductions and results. stricken wife of the journalist told grievous assaults of journalists - is Sampath Lakmal, the murdered this newspaper that the CID is not simply beyond comprehension. For freelance journalist before leaving investigating. many, this reinforces the allega- his house told his mother , Rupa “I don’t know why, but, they (CID) tions that the government is culpa- de Silva that one ‘Sir,’ an is not telling anything about that ble in at least some of the killings army lieutenant had telephoned last person he met before he dis- and abductions. him and asked him to come and appeared” she said. Poddala Jayantha who fled the meet him. Such incidents smack of a sanc- country, fearing for his life and The following day, Lakmal’s bullet tioned cover-up and many media now living in the United States, ridden body was found down a lane ac- tivists believe that is ex- alleges that police investigation in Dehiwela. actly why killers are still into his abduction was only eye- After the killing s... uction roaming free. “We can’t wash. abd accept the government’s ex- s and A court case at the illing of planation as to why suspects could Gangodawila Magistrate no k the young journal- Jour not be arrested. We don’t think Court over his abduction ist, his hand phone in which de- investigations are genuine at all,” has been put on hold due to “lack tails about all his telephone con- says Lasantha Ruhunage, Secre- of evidence.” versations was recorded was tary of the Working Journalist As- But, Poddala Jayantha alleges that marked as a production item for sociation of Sri Lanka (SLWJA), of police never bothered to look for the court case. However, the cell which, half of the members of the evidence, but instead, tried to executive committee fled the coun- whitewash the government. “I told try due to death threats. the senior police officer Desha- “It is a bit of a stretch to say that a bandu Thennakon who interviewed police and military force which has me over my abduction, that I sus- all the training and equipment pected a certain person.” could not arrest the killers. The “I recalled a previous incident in phone went missing later, depriv- inaction of police and other agen- which this big-wig called me to his ing the prosecution of the most cies make us believe that these office and threatened me.” powerful piece of evidence. killings and abductions are con- “The police officer didn’t write COVER UP? doned by the hiearchy of the politi- down my statement; instead he Prageeth Ekneligoda also has re- cal and military establishment,” began arguing with me as to what ceived a call on his mobile phone says Ruhunage. grounds I had to accuse this per- from a contact he went to meet on “That’s why they don’t want the son,” he said. the day he disappeared. This hith- truth out.” He said he gave the same state- erto unidentified person could shed By Ranga Jayasuriya ment to the one man- commission light into the disappearance of Ek- -Lakbimanews - 16/01/2011 of Mahanama Thilakaratna who
What is democracy for - The above is a translation of a poem written by If we wish for kings Mahesh Munasinghe, a young Sinhala poet and And military rulers? posted in a literary website ‘Boondi’. This was quoted Why speak up against oppression - in a recent essay by Liyanage Amarakeerthi, the If we ask for laws of emergency Peradeniya academic. The poem becomes very rele- And penal codes? vant to us today as we celebrate the 63rd anniver- Why fight for freedom of expression - sary of our independence from western colonial rule. If we ask writers to ‘know the limit’? In many spheres of our political, economic and social Why ask for commissions on corruption - life, we seem to have gone backwards rather than If we don’t forget to bring moving forward. The corrupt to power? -The Island—05/02/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 8 Institute of Human Rights
9 CURRENT ISSUES
Inexorable march of bribery and corruption Sirisena admits his Ministry n undercurrent of iniquities seems to bedevil A our society unabated underneath the surface a den of corruption of comparative peace and tranquility. Bribery, cor- Vows to implement NDP, clean up ruption, fraud, abuse of power, selfishness, greed, hatred, delusion, duplicity and other vices pervade Ministry before quitting all spheres of activity today despite apparent ef- forts to transform the country into a virtuous and Healthcare Minister Maithripala Sirisena re- righteous state. The rampant and most bother- cently admitted that his Ministry was a bottomless some among these vices is bribery and corruption pit of corruption and vowed to clean it up before that cause political and social problems, and dis- relinquishing his portfolio. rupt public life. Speaking at a Workshop on Registration of By Milinda Rajasekera Drugs and Medical Equipment in Colombo, he said -Daily Mirror - 03/01/2011 corruption, malpractice and irregularities were the order of the day at the Ministry and a drug could PMB debts Rs. 500 mn not be registered without a bribe being given. Noth- ing could be done at the Ministry without bribing The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) had not main- some official or another, he said. tained annual accounts over the last 20 years, an Minister Sirisena vowed to implement the inquiry by a high level parliamentary committee National Drug Policy in 2011 by hook or by crook. had revealed. Several problems in the Health Sector had arisen The committee had directed the PMB officials to due to non-implementation of the policy, he said submit a report in this regard within three months. adding that since he assumed duties seven months It had been revealed that the PMB had not submit- ago, he had been holding talks with relevant offi- ted its annual accounts to either the Auditor Gen- cials on the implementation of the National Drug eral or the high powered parliamentary committee Policy. At the same time he had instructed officials, since 1990. This had happened in the last 20 years informed committees and authorities, but nothing under UNP, PA, UNF and UPFA regimes. had materialized. -Daily mirror - 20 / 01/ 2011 - The Island - 15/01/2011
Dealing another trained unit as they blow to the country’s Free rein for bribery and corruption have the experi- independent bribery and ence to handle corruption investigative mechanism, 56 experienced bribery investigations. Therefore transferring 56 ex- investigation officers including the OIC attached to perienced investigation officers will definitely affect the Commission to investigate allegations of bribery future bribery investigations.” or corruption, have been transferred overnight from Another former senior officer said this is a yesterday. Although 56 new police personnel had further blow to the independence of the Bribery been sent to the Bribery Commission they could not Commission. be appointed as investigative officers or given the “Investigation officers have to be experi- responsibility of handling bribery and corruption in- enced and independent as the entire bribery investi- quiries as they had not gone through the proper re- gation is dependent on their reports,” he said. cruitment procedure of the BC. “How can you expect an independent investi- Meanwhile a former senior bribery investiga- gation against policemen involved in bribery and cor- tion officer who did not want to be named said, “In ruption from the police officers who are only ap- special divisions like the CID or State Intelligence pointed by the police department,” he asked. Services, bribery investigation officers are a specially -Daily Mirror - 01/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 9 Institute of Human Rights
10 CURRENT ISSUES
lice could have blatantly ignored ‘Serious violation of democratic rights’ such a crime due to political pres- sure.So what of those among us My decision to enter politics and the huge stones, I was caught in the who consider this a serious violation commitment with which I take my middle of what was a professional of our democratic rights? responsibilities has always been and well-planned operation. They are the silent majority that based on the fundamental freedoms By some miracle, I was able to get suffers quietly as extravagant that we, as Sri Lankans, have en- into a moving vehicle that was leav- spending by the state has resulted joyed since independence. As a stu- ing - thanks to my personal security in no real relief for the people. dent, I remember my civic studies officer. In addition to physically pro- In a country where housewives teacher explain my rights as a citi- tecting me, he was able to throw dread the journey to the market zen as enshrined in the Constitution out a lit petrol bomb that was put and where embarrassed mothers – something which were always into the vehicle from the rear; endure untold agony when unable taken for granted. where the glass was already shat- to put even the basic of meals on What happened on the 4th of Febru- tered by an iron rod. Many viewers the table, we continue to borrow ary this year, a day when we cele- would have seen on television the from international loan sharks just brated independence from British flaming vehicle pull away from a to keep going and to fund self- rule, has surely to be the ultimate situation that was meant to cause congratulatory tamashas. assault on such privileges.We were serious bodily harm to all who took The people of Sri Lanka little realize treated to an extravagant display of part. that we are mortgaged to the third pomp and pageantry in the morn- In addition, my personal vehicle generation to come, as they are ing, followed by speeches that were was smashed beyond recognition by hoodwinked by the state media and meant to inspire the country. the mob, breaking every glass and spin doctors to believe that prosper- All this was then turned into a farce denting it all round in a wilful act of ity is just around the corner. That is when a peaceful demonstration was destruction. My driver, who held up the very reason that we were at- mercilessly targeted and savagely his hands to protect himself from tacked on Independence Day – a attacked that same evening. iron rods, had his fingers crushed day set aside to celebrate the free- The protest was to highlight the and required emergency surgery – ing of shackles from our colonial plight of General Sarath Fonseka, we await to see if he will be able to masters. The truth is a bitter pill accepted by all - including the Ex- use his hands again. and the message was that anyone ecutive- to be a vital factor in de- It is now evident that persons who how dares to excise their right to feating the LTTE. On this day our have been allocated to control this draw attention to such double stan- only intention was to bring to the area, as it is the common practice dards, including the media, can ex- attention of the country that a of the present regime, had taken on pect retribution with an iron fist. grave injustice was being perpe- the responsibility entrusted to them However, I write today to say that it trated on such a hero by incarcerat- with a vengeance. It is also clear will not deter us – or those who ing him as a common criminal. It is that those who have activated a truly value democracy in this coun- clear that a vast majority of the personal vendetta on the General, try. people feel accordingly and as citi- since he announced his interest in As it is said, there are none so blind zens and as politicians, we have a politics, supported such an action. as those who will not see – the days duty to bring forth this travesty and I personally think that the greatest of glossing over the shortcomings to continuously ask for his redemp- shame was the ‘see no evil’ stance and laughing off the hard-pressed tion. It is with this intention that by the Police; as hundreds of them citizens with impunity are coming to we marched peacefully towards the looked on, we were subjected to a close. As many international auto- Borella junction on the Maradana ferocious violence. The guardians of crats have realized, you can sit on a road, ironically away from the the law, as we have always seen powder keg only for so long and the prison. them, were clearly under direct or- resultant explosion will be first felt What happened is now well known, ders to do nothing – an order so by those who oppress the funda- but my personal experience was converse to their entrusted role. mental rights of democracy. particularly harrowing. Knowing my father-in-law, the for- By Rosy Senanayake - 14/02/2011 As thugs who looked very obviously mer IGP Stanley Senanayake, and trained in such activity charged to- the principles he stood for, it is un- wards us with iron bars, clubs and thinkable that the modern-day Po-
Human Rights Review : December - February 10 Institute of Human Rights
11 CURRENT ISSUES
Bring armed gangs under control - CTU Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) Gen- eral Secretary Joseph Stalin speak- fficials attached to the education sector em- ing to Daily Mirror pointed out that this situation had O ployed in Jaffna expressed grave concern for been going on for quite some time. “Several weeks their safety following yet another attack on one of ago an armed gang had shot and injured a teacher. their colleagues on Sunday (26) night. So far the authorities had not conducted an effective investigation into any of these incidents and no ar- These officials pointed out that several officials from rests have been made,” he said. Speaking further Mr. the education sector in the area had been targeted by Stalin pointed out that teachers were reluctant to armed gangs operating in the area and that they serve in these areas as they fear for their lives. “We were afraid that they also could be assaulted or even urge the authorities to expose the deeds of these worse be killed. In a recent attack on Sunday night armed gangs that are working clandestinely and were the Assistant Director of Education Urumpirai, Jaffna - terrorizing the people of the area as well as education Manikkam Sivalingam (52) was shot while ha was officials,” he said inside his own home by an armed group. -Daily Mirror - 31/12/2010
fear psychosis has apparently gripped the presence of his 14 year old daughter. In a separate A people of Jaffna with several killings being re- incident a businessman was abducted and was later ported in mysterious circumstances with a few disap- hacked to death near Sarasalai in the pearances also adding to the panic that had set in Chavakachcheri a area. among the people. Jaffn His n body had been found se i Residents of the area pointed out that on Dec. 11 an e ri dumped by the side of the unidentified armed gang had reportedly entered th road on Thursday (30) at Thalvari, on the house of a Hindu priest and shot him ngs police said. and his two children. The family illi k The people of Jaffna said they were living in a state had been rushed to the im la of constant fear and do not even risk going out side nearest hospital but s c the priest nt after dusk, even in case of an emergency. They also had succumbed ide to his injuries es claimed that abductions and robberies were increas- fours days later. R ing and accused the police of not taking any steps to In another incident Vadikamam Zonal Director of arrest any of the suspects and bring them before Education, Makandu Sivalingam, had been shot dead court. at his house in Urampirai last Sunday (26), in the -Daily Mirror - 01/01/2011
Feeding a ‘post-war LTTE’ ? tance, the investor erences of age-old issues like would shy away. On ‘colonisation’, lawlessness and ab- Sinhala chauvinists, or self-styled the overseas front, that is precisely sence of governmental initiatives in ‘Sri Lanka nationalists’ who feel what the Diaspora may end up Tamil areas too could send out a that ‘development’ is a substitute achieving, if the ‘genuine cause’ message that the ground realities for ‘devolution’ in the Tamil areas, that they represent are not satis- for long-term investments in Sri as elsewhere in Sri Lanka, need to factorily addressed by the Govern- Lanka may not have changed for understand investor-chemistry. If ment back home. the better – barring the exit of the the risk flowing from possibilities of LTTE. Nearer home, new issues such as any revival of LTTE brand of mili- By N.Sathiya Moorthy ‘National Anthem’, and revived ref- tancy was even smelt at a dis- -Daily Mirror - 03/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 11 Institute of Human Rights
12 CURRENT ISSUES No Solution In Sight Govt. failed to safeguard Jaffna people-IUSF
Excerpts from an interview We Are Sri Lankans (WASL), an organization backed by the with M. A. Sumanthiran Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) said yesterday that the
Q: Do you think we are any Government should offer an explanation as to why it has failed to closer to arriving at an agree- guarantee the security of the people living in the North in spite of sta- ment on a political solution? If tioning over 55,000 security personnel in the area. no, what do you think is imped- WASL Executive Committee member, IUSF Convener Udul ing progress? Premaratne speaking at a press briefing said that according to the statistics in 2006 there are 559,000 people living in the North while A: We are keen to engage with the there are 55,000 security personnel currently stationed in the area. government on the question of finding a political solution. We “Why has the Government failed to safeguard the people of have repeatedly expressed our the North from the killings, abductions and robberies that are being willingness to be involved in that committed in the area, when there is approximately one security offi- exercise, but that process hasn’t cial per ten people?” Premaratne questioned. started yet. We are not any closer Pointing out a handbill which had been distributed by the Po- to a solution to the national ques- lice among the people in the North with information on how to safe- tion than we have been at several guard themselves, Premaratne said that the leaflet makes it evident points in time for the last couple of that the Government and the security personnel in the areas are rid- decades. The government does not ding themselves of the responsibility. seem to think that such a solution is necessary. There has to be a The leaflet lists down a number of requests such as refraining great attitude change in the gov- from wearing gold accessories, being alert about unknown vehicles ernment. If it continues with an and people in the area and ensuring that children and girls are sent attitude of triumphalism we cannot out of homes with the presence of a guardian. see a solution very soon. Once the “What is the point of having a Police and the Army in the area reality of Sri Lanka being a plural- if a girl cannot go out alone?” he questioned. istic society dawns on the govern- ment, then we’ll be close to a solu- He said that just within the past weeks there have been two tion, accommodating all the com- killings and four abductions in the North apart from robberies that are munities in a power-sharing ar- committed almost daily. rangement. “It is impossible for these crimes to take place without the knowledge
of the security establishment of the areas,” he accused while holding By Raisa Wickrematunge the Eelam People's Democratic Party supporters and security person- -Sunday Leader - 05/12/2010 nel responsible for the crimes.
Commenting on the prevailing weather situation Premaratne said that over 4000 students studying in some 16 schools in the East- ern province have been affected by the flood situation prevalent in the area.
Some 4000 students in the Kattankudi and Eravur areas are affected by the floods and their books and other school equipment have been destroyed, he said.
“The manner in which the Government has handled the situa- UNP’ers dressed in prisons attire, tion is very irresponsible. The Minister in charge of Disaster manage- demand the immediate release of ment has not taken steps to even issue an official statement with con- cern to the flood situation in the area,” he added. Ret.General Sarath Fonseka during yesterday’s (09th February 2011 ) -Daily Mirror-12/01/2011 protest at Lipton Circus. (Pic Jude Denzil Pathiraja)
Human Rights Review : December - February 12 Institute of Human Rights
13 CURRENT ISSUES Northern Violence And Its National Relevance
A Dress Rehearsal?
The President’s much vaunted National Thaipongal Celebration in Jaffna contained an unmistakable indication about what ‘national’ means in the Rajapaksa parlance (and a subliminal hint to the Tamils about their ‘rightful’ place in post-war Sri Lanka). The National Anthem was sung not in Tamil but in Sinhala. Dur- ing the President’s recent encounter with media heads, he was asked about the National Anthem contro- versy. “Rajapaksa said as far as he was concerned there was no issue. Hence he did not wish to talk about it. Though he did not say it, administratively government officials and departments have been told that the National Anthem would be sung only in Sinhala. Special arrangements have already got underway…to train school children on the use of the anthem” (The Sunday Times – 16.1.2011). By Tisaranee Gunasekara -Sunday Leader - 23/01/2011
Increasing Violence with Impunity in Jaffna
This spurt of violence also coincided with the announcement of the local government polls and ac- cordingly new elections to the Jaffna Municipal Council. In the event of a reasonable turnout the TNA can be expected to win the poll comfortably. A very low poll is required for the EPDP led UPFA slate to prevail. The official response to this sudden spurt of violence has been fairly predictable. According to their standard script, senior state security officials denied the existence of any violence. However belying this contention, the Police distributed leaflets to the public asking them to protect themselves, to avoid traveling alone at night and other such precautions.
The Government
Response Entirely predictably the government response led by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House was to deny the existence of a problem, in defiance of the facts to the contrary and then claim that this was no different to the violence that existed in other parts of the country. However the significant difference be- tween the rest of the country and the Jaffna peninsula is the presence of over sixty thousand security forces personnel in a proportion of one security forces personnel for every five adult civilians and a security regi- men including high security zones not found elsewhere in the country. A typical case of the violence in Jaffna is as follows.
Markan Sivalingam, Deputy Zonal Education Director, Valligaman, Jaffna Markan Sivalingam, Deputy Zonal Education Director of Valligaman, Jaffna was a respected govern- ment education services official, committed to his job and dedicated to the education of students in Valliga- man, Jaffna. He was also outspoken and independent minded. He opposed the near forcible memorizing of the national anthem in Sinhala by mono lingual Tamil children in Jaffna, in preparation for the official gov- ernment Pongal celebrations in Jaffna attended by both the President and the Prime Minister. He believed it should be sung in Tamil. Dispensing with the singing of the national anthem in Tamil was a knee jerk reac- tion of the regime after the President’s Oxford debacle. Markan Sivalingam believed that Tamil students should sing the national anthem in Tamil and made his views known. A few days later, he was assassinated by a highly trained and well armed assassin who broke into his home in the dead of night, murdered him and departed notwithstanding the security blanket. There will be no more proponents of singing the Sri Lankan national anthem in Tamil in Jaffna any more. The murder of Markan Sivalingam will ensure that. Reconcilia- tion, Sri Lankan style. By Harim Peiris -Daily Mirror - 27/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 13 Institute of Human Rights
14 CURRENT ISSUES
Below is the Amnesty International statement: crimes in the final phase of the decades-long conflict. (Washington, D.C.) The United States should Amnesty International has called for the United Na- investigate Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapksa, tions to initiate an international investigation. who arrives on a surprise visit to the United States “Thousands of victims in Sri Lanka demand account- today, for his alleged role in perpetrating torture and ability for the abuses they’ve suffered from the Sri war crimes, Amnesty International said today. Lankan security forces as well as armed groups such Rajapaksa reportedly left Sri Lanka early Wednesday as the LTTE,” Zarifi said. morning with a delegation of 20 bound for the United In December Wikileaks exposed a secret States. United States Embassy cable sent by Ambassador “The United States has an obligation under Patricia Butenis from Colombo in which she noted the international law to investigate and prosecute people difficulty of bringing perpetrators of alleged crimes to who perpetrated war crimes and grave human rights justice when “responsibility for many of the alleged violations such as extrajudicial executions, torture crimes rests with the country’s senior civilian and and enforced disappearances,” said Sam Zarifi, Am- military leadership, including President Rajapaksa nesty International’s Asia-Pacific director. and his brothers ….” Rajapaksa is commander in chief of Sri Lanka’s The United States should further investigate armed forces, which face numerous allegations of these allegations and support calls for an interna- engaging in war crimes, enforced disappearances, tional investigation into Sri Lanka’s role in war and torture. Under international law, military com- crimes. manders may face criminal responsibility if they Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize- knew, or should have known, of such crimes being winning grassroots activist organization with more committed by their subordinates. than 2.8 million supporters, activists and volunteers The President’s visit comes as a Panel of Experts ap- in more than 150 countries campaigning for human pointed by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki- rights worldwide. The organization investigates and moon works on a report advising him on accountabil- exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, ity issues in Sri Lanka. Both Sri Lankan government and works to protect people wherever justice, free- forces and members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil dom, truth and dignity are denied. Eelam (LTTE) are accused of having committed war -Sunday Leader - 23/01/2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 14 Institute of Human Rights
15 ARTICLES Celebrating war victory and banning commemoration of dead civilians: this is “home grown & indigenous” reconciliation and freedom in Sri Lanka?
staff and families due to participate in the event. oday, 18th June 2010, has been declared a Later, I came to know that this was not an isolated T public holiday by the government. Many Sri incident and several other friends were subjected to Lankans, especially Sinhalese from the South are ex- similar threats. pected to respond enthusiastically to the govern- ment’s elaborate plans to celebrating the war victory On the same day, 17th May, Nallur Temple over the LTTE. For several days, citizens in Colombo area in Jaffna, where an inter-religious event was had to put up with closed roads in preparation. How being held to remember those killed in the war was much of our - citizens - tax payer’s money will be held, was surrounded by the police and the army. spent for this celebration is something I don’t know The people who came to participate were threatened and dare not think. and told to go away. Those who insisted on going in they were asked to register their names and other Some media had highlighted on the fact that details with the police. Many went away in fear and the General who led the war victory is likely to be in only few had participated. Later on, the army had detention and not invited to celebrate the victory he questioned and threatened a priest who was involved led. in organizing the event. The priest was even sum- moned to Palaly military headquarters in Jaffna for What seems to be forgotten, and what I do questioning. know for sure is that tens or hundreds of thousands of Tamils, particularly in the North, will not be cele- In Vanni, an army officer had told a villager brating this victory. Many of them infact, will be that he will shoot a parish priest and drag him behind grieving and mourning for family members and his jeep, because he (the priest) was organizing friends killed, injured, missing and detained in during prayer services for those killed in the war. Another the course of the war, particularly the final months of priest was prevented from celebrating a holy mass to the war. pray for those killed in the war on 19th May in the Vanni. However, now, even grieving and mourning appears to be criminalized in the newly “ liberated” So, it is clear the army doesn’t want Tamils to North. mourn and grieve for their loved ones killed during the war. The thinking appears that all these events On 17th May, amidst heavy showers and are to commemorate the killing of LTTE leader Pra- floods in Colombo (which had compelled the govern- bakaran. Or that May 17th - 19th is a victory day, and ment to postpone the victory celebrations), I was thus, no mourning should happen, and everyone with a group of friends, at an ecumenical (Christian) should celebrate, even if your own mother or child or event to commemorate those killed in the war. As we husband was killed. were starting the event, I got a call from a good friend, a Catholic priest in Jaffna, who told me that he This seems to be the official policy of the gov- had got several threatening calls asking him to cancel ernment, with the Minister of Media and Information a religious event he had organized in Jaffna to com- reported as saying that Tamil people only have a pri- memorate civilians killed in the war. In addition to vately commemorate their kith and kin killed pri- the telephone calls, senior army officers had visited vately and not publicly. (See http:// his office and asked him to cancel the event. He was www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=9568) in a dilemma - he was personally not keen to cancel the event, but was concerned about the safety of his (Continued on Page 16)
Human Rights Review : December - February 15 Institute of Human Rights
16 ARTICLES
(Continued from page 15) lic processions and meetings were repealed, the mili- tary had prevented peaceful religious events from Of course the writing has been on the wall for taking place and threatened organizers and partici- some time. Ever since the end of war, I had seen pants. many monuments built in the Vanni celebrating war victories and in honour of dead soldiers. At the same The army had also curtailed religious free- time, memorials for Tamil militants built by the LTTE dom, despite freedom of religion being a right that have been destroyed, in the Vanni as well as in cannot be restricted in any circumstances in the Sri Jaffna, denying family members the opportunity to Lankan constitution. light a candle or lay a flower. At one such destroyed memorial site in Jaffna, army officers told me not to So, we Sri Lankans will have to live with a take photos since that place is now earmarked to be type of homegrown reconciliation in Sri Lanka that an army camp. I was not allowed to even get near doesn’t allow its citizens, and especially families of another such well known memorial in Kopay, Jaffna. those killed, to light a candle, lay a flower, say prayer Not surprisingly, I didn’t see a single memorial built to mourn and grieve. to remember civilians killed in the war. A priest in Vanni who was trying to build a simple and small We will have to live with an indigenous monument for civilians killed was warned by the “liberation” and “freedom” which doesn’t include army to stop building it. rights of religion and peaceful assembly to have reli- gious events to commemorate family members and Beyond a moral and ethical perspective, loved ones killed. these incidents raise serious issues about freedom of assembly and freedom of religion. By Ruki -www.groundview.com Just a few days after some provisions of the emergency regulations, including restrictions on pub-
Lt. Colonel complains of inhuman torture
A Lieutenant Colonel from Sri Lanka Army complained to the Supreme Court that he was arrested by the police and inhumanly tortured for nearly five months causing him life threatening injuries.
Following the fundamental rights action filed by Lieutenant Colonel W. A. R. C. Perera, on the direction of the Supreme Court, the Chief Consultant Judicial Medical Officer, Colombo had issued a Medico-Legal report on the alleged assault which concluded that such injuries he had received could have resulted in endangering his life.
Lt. Col. Perera in his application had cited Director, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Inspector Gen- eral of Police, Mahinda Balasuriya, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and the Attor- ney General as respondents.
Lt. Col. Perera in his fundamental rights application stated that he was a law abiding citizen and a dutiful officer of the Sri Lanka Army and the allegation that he had dealings with the LTTE he had with the LTTE was false. He asked the Supreme Court to rule that his fundamental rights were violated by the respondents with the alleged arrest and inhuman torture. He asked court to issue an interim order releasing him from the de- tention under any condition.
The Supreme Court fixed the hearing for June 2, 2011.
- Daily Mirror - 03 / 03 / 2011
Human Rights Review : December - February 16 Institute of Human Rights
17 REPORT FROM LEGAL UNIT
th n 26th May 2009 in the late evening uring the prison clinic on 19 June 2010 at O for no reasons the Petitioner who is a D Kuruwita we found this case. Suspect is a Teacher and lives in Mathugama was as- driver and remanded more than two years, sus- th saulted and ill treated by police officer’s at- picious of Heroin. IHR filed the case on 8 Sep- tached to Kalutara South Police station. Due tember 2010 and supported the case. to severe assault his ear drum was ruptured. HEROIN rd Petitioners’ ears were severely infected and Bail granted on 3 Decem- as a result he was admitted to hospital for 5 ber 2010 with the conditions of Rs 20,000/= days. cash and 2 sureties. E AS We filed Fun- d a m e n t a l C
Rights case on E 16th June TS UR GH 2009 and RT it was sup- LI ThePetitioners are in the rank of Cap- TO GH ported on 26th June 2009. HI tain in Sri Lanka Army serving for over Leave to proceed was granted on 21st July 12years in operational areas. They actively 2009. involved in the final leg of thehumanitarian operation against LTTE. A board appointed This case was taken up for hearing on 23rd by the commander of theArmy had recom- October 2009. Case mentioned for settle- mended to discharge the Petitioners from st th January ment on 6 December 2010. The Respon- their services witheffect from 1 dent paid Rs. 25,000/= as a compensation 2011 on the ground of absent without to the Petitioner. Therefore case was settled. leavefor over 21 days.
Wefiled two applications in Court of Appeal claiming for Writ of Certiorari toquash the FREE EDUCATION PROJECT IN decision of the Commander of the Army. JAFFNA
Urelu is a remote village in the D.S. Division of the Vali East Jaffna District. Most of the Villagers are farmers and labours. Their earnings are very low to fulfill their needs. The school going children of these village are unable to go for the tuition classes.
Legal Officer V.S.Niranchan took this matter into consideration and made arrangement to provide tuition classes in Jaffna IHR premises with the permission of our Chairman Mr.Jeevan Thiagarajah. This free education tuition classes are started on 23rd November 2010. Approximately 45 students are fol- lowing these classes on every week days evening 2.30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
All the subjects are teaching based on Government syllabus by our Jaffna IHR staffs (Shyamini & Malini), CHA staff (Partheepan) and whenever Legal Officer Niranchan visits to Jaffna, he also participating. Further two volunteer teachers appointed for this project. Jaffna Legal Officer Jeyaruban is paying Rs. 1000/= monthly as incentive for them (Rs 500/= each).
Presently we are providing seats for the students by CHA and IHR office table and chairs. This is the short term arrangement. Mr. Shanmuganathan is focusing on writing proposals for long tables, long benches and white boards.
This service will be continuing.
Human Rights Review : December - February 17 Institute of Human Rights
18REPORT FROM RESTORATION & PROTECTION UNIT ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD RISK REDUCTION AWARENESS PROGRAMME
he objective was to provide awareness on Environment Hazard / Risk Reduction to Makola & T Ranmuthugala Remand Home Children & Officers.
The Makola Remand home program was held on 16th December and Ranmuthugala Remand Home program was held on 22nd December 2010. Ms. Tahirih Q Ayn facilitated the Makola Remand Home Program. Ms. Shirmilla, Ms Nithiya & Ms. Hashini facilitated the Ranmuthugala Remand Home Program.
Motor Mechanic Course Thaldena Young Offenders Correctional Center
Field visit was done on 24th & 25th January 2011. Tools worth of Rs.1.1 million & Other items (Steel Cupboards, Wall Fans, Stationery Items, Tube lights, White Boards, etc.) purchased of Rs.100,000/- was distributed to Thaldena Correctional Center.
The tools will be used to teach practical and will be kept at the correctional center for the continuation of the Mo- tor Mechanic Course in the future. Introducing the pilot project on Com- munity Based Correction for Juveniles
ain objective was workshop was or- M to introduce the A ganized and held on Family Group Conferencing the 31st January 2011 for (FGC) as a tool, to be used Preparing guidelines for for Community based cor- the Community Based Cor- rection for juveniles. This rection of juveniles and 02 day program was con- introducing the project to ducted by Ms.Nayomi Kan- stake holders.. nangara on 10th & 11th All the programs were held January 2011. at Rural Development and
Research Centre, Colombo
08.
Human Rights Review : December - February 18 Institute of Human Rights
19 REPORT FROM EDUCATION UNIT MEMBERSHIP DAY
We are members of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agency (CHA) and CHA organized a membership day for their members. Membership day was held on 17th December at CHA. IHR was represented by Ms. Menka, Ms. N G Priyanthi, Ms. Unita, from Education unit Ms. Hashini, Ms. Nithiya of Restoration & protection Unit at the exhibition stall, organized by CHA. The Local authorities, Ministries, Provincial Councils, Private firms and NGO’s were running stalls at this symposium. We briefed all our activities and distributed IHR brochures, posters, HR Diploma flyers, hand outs and items produced through vocational training were displayed.
Calling applications for the Diploma in Human Rights
he programme is an interactive course that Course fee : Rs.15,000/- T explores the concept of human rights, dis- cusses the ‘rights’ dimension of global and local Registration fee : Rs. 150/- events and trends, and builds a community of indi- viduals to participate in making a change. Members who are interested please visit our website for application forms or contact the following staff: For whom Students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, public sector, Hashini at [email protected] for private sector, religious sector, NGO personnel, me- English medium dia personnel, youth leaders, service personnel, per- sons interested in human rights and current affairs. Priyanthi at [email protected] for
Sinhala medium Delivered by A panel of human rights academics, activists and Unita at [email protected] for professionals working with government, non- Tamil medium governmental and academic institutions Tel. Nos : 0112502703 or 0113158863 Commencement : March 2011 Website : www.ihrsrilanka.org Institute of Human Rights Course Duration : 06 months 154, 02nd Floor B, (Sessions every Saturdays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm) Havelock Road, The lectures will be conducted in Colombo Colombo 05
Human Rights Review : December - February 19 Institute of Human Rights
20 STAFF INFORMATION
Chairman Jeevan Thiagarajah
Board of Directors Michelle Gunaratne Leela Isaac Tahirih Q Ayn H.G.Dharmadasa
Legal Unit Hot Line : 077-3760680 [email protected] 011-2502703 Manager – Legal Neel Sujith Silva [email protected] Legal Officer Unica Fonseka Legal Officer V.S. Niranchan Senior Coordinator K Premaseeli Coordinator Dinusha Bandara Coordinator Varahini Canisius Legal Consultant B.N. Thamboo
Education Unit 011-2502703 [email protected] Education Administrator 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]
Special Project 011-2559494 Grants Administrator Gayani Meegamuge [email protected] Legal Officer Wasana Ellawala Legal Officer Ireshika Gunawardena Coordinator Nithiyavani Baladasan
Restoration and Protection Unit 011-2502703 [email protected] Manager – Restoration and Protection Shirmilla Perera [email protected] Coordinator Hashini Rajaratna
Finance Unit 011-2502810 [email protected] Finance Officer Champa Jayakody Accounts Assistant Ayesha Jeewanthi Accounts Assistant Shashika Jayasinghe
Administration 011-2502703 [email protected] Senior Office Assistant / Driver M Kannadasan Front Officer V P Chandima Padmasiri Driver / Office Assistant Duminda Attygala
Jaffna Branch 021-2240999 Legal Consultant Jayasingham Jeyaruban Supervisor T. Sanmuganathan Coordinator Shiyamini Rajaratnam
Anuradhapura Branch 025 3899218 [email protected] Legal Officer Erandhi Thilakaratne
Matara Brach 041-5621452 [email protected] Legal Officer Mettha Sudharshi Narasinghe Coordinator Deeshani Prabhasari
Kalutara Branch 034-3749090 Manager – Legal Neel Sujith Silva [email protected]
Human Rights Review : December - February 20 Institute of Human Rights