Issue No. 132 August - October 2011

Premachandra being taken to the hospital

Late Premachandra’s daughter, Hirunika who is reading for the final law degree exams says that the law is being applied in a skewed manner in the investigation into the death of her father. “There is plenty of evidence that he (Duminda ) shot my dad. It does not matter whether he is in the death bed, or sick. He should be named a suspect,” she said. She argues that if an average person had been involved, he would have already been arrested, “But, he (Duminda) is a politician and protected by powerful persons. He is above the law. This is a very sad situation,” she said. “But that is how the law is applied in this country. We lost everything. I will fight for justice for my father,” she averred. That however, appears to be an uphill task seeing that the powers that be are themselves not helping her cause.

Human Rights Review : August - October Institute of Human Rights 2 INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Editorial 03

Current issues :

Corruption & Impunity ♦ Corruption & impunity– twin destroyers of good governance 05 ♦ IMF delays loan installments 06 ♦ Abuse of state resources : Polls chief helpless

Human Rights Violations • CPA against emergency regulations under PTA 06 • 357 prisoners on death row : CG prisons 07

War Crime Charges • Amnesty slams SL Govt’s method of inquiry as ‘fundamentally flawed’ 07 • Major General Jagath Dias under security 08 • White house petitioned to probe alleged war crimes in SL 09

Towards a Political Solution • LLRC’s interim recommendations : Friday Forum wants to know …... 09 • The need for 19th Amendment for confidence in governance 10 • Laws that promote democracy & development • It’s brewing! The crisis within Rajapakse rule 11

Situation in the North • US wants paramilitary activity in north stopped 12 • Historical old park in Jaffna town demolished 13

Environmental Degradation in the name of Development • Wilpattu laid waste by ‘business thugs’ 14 • Now Soragune forest sees animals out, golf course in 15

Crime & Violence in a Lawless Land • A Lawless Land 15 • Mulleriyawa Shooting

Unit Reports Legal Unit 17 Restoration & Protection Unit 18 Education Unit 19

Staff Information 20

Edited by Layout designed by Cover Page Pictures Leela Isaac Hashini Rajaratna Lakbimanews 23/10/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 2 Institute of Human Rights

3 EDITORIAL

DOES THE PRESENT REGIME ENCOURAGE LAWLESSNESS & PROMOTE POLITICAL THUGGERY?

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity (The second coming – by W.B. Yeats – 1865 – 1939)

Considering the far too many incidents of violence and thuggery carried out recently with such impu- nity, one cannot blame the people if they raise this question. The government seems to rely heavily on thug- gery and lawlessness to win elections and once in power to hold on to it. Any kind of protest or dissent is put down ruthlessly. The election commissioner has complained that the police had ignored his orders issued just before the recent elections. Among those who violated election laws were several government ministers and officials he has said. Had the election laws been strictly enforced, perhaps Bharatha Lakshman Premachndra would be alive today and Duminda wouldn’t be in hospital. But then who cares? We are now quite used to turning a blind eye to all forms of thuggery unless it affects us personally. For instance when Minister manhandled one of the parents at a school in Kelaniya, he openly declared, “I am the thug, your MP and your minister” implying that no one had the right to question his actions or argue with him. The people of Kelaniya seem to have meekly accepted this all too powerful minister’s authority to control their lives. If such thugs are given unlimited powers and their acts of thuggery are looked upon by the regime almost lovingly and ad- miringly as the pranks of a loveable, naughty child, how can law and order prevail in this country? “The main suspect in the assassination of Sunday Leader editor (Lasantha Wickramathunga) died at the National Hospital last afternoon, the police said”. This is a simple newspaper report without any comments. But we know that Lasantha was killed in broad daylight while he was driving to work in January 2009. There were many who witnessed the crime. But even today 3 years after the murder the police investi- gation is heading nowhere. The case has been handed over to the Terrorism Investigations Department, and no suspects have been found. It was revealed earlier that Jesudasan and the army officers arrested could not be charged with murder or aiding and abetting murder. There was no evidence and everyone else was re- leased but not Jesudasan. Today after 3 years in custody a ‘chest pain’ has released him. What was his crime and why was he kept in custody? No one seems to know or care. What the newspaper report said was that Jaesudasan was a garage owner from Nuwara Eliya. He was arrested after CID stated that he had purchased five SIM cards which were allegedly used by the killers using his national ID card. However despite investiga- tions the CID was not able to unearth any further information following the lead. It would be very easy now to close the file because the one and only suspect is dead. It is ironic though that it is a man from a minority community who was used as a scapegoat to save the real murderers of Lasantha who sacrificed his life de- fending human rights and minority rights. The murder of Bharatha Lakshman further exposes the depth of our moral degradation. “A belief in impunity lies at the heart of the Kollonawa killings; those who shot Premachandra repeatedly at point blank range in full public view believed they were above the law. Why else would they be unfettered by the pres- ence of so many eye witnesses who can testify against them in a court of law?” asks a well known journalist. But the ordinary knows that soon the powerful regime will prove beyond doubt that there were no eye witnesses and Duminda Silva was not involved in the murder. Premachandra’s driver, an eyewitness told BBC on 12.10.2011 “MP Duminda Silva fired at Mr. Premachandra after he fell down to the ground”. But two days later Director General of the Media Centre for National security told the same BBC that Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who was seen by the people as the chief accused is not a suspect at all! It is the government version that will finally prevail as in many cases and a scapegoat will soon be found. Just as the people ac- cepted the Defense Secretary’s version of what happened during the final stages of the war-that not a single civilian was killed by the army, this ‘truth’ too could be accepted reminding us of George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Nineteen Eighty four’. Some of the senior ministers have expressed their concern. (Continued on page 04)

Human Rights Review : August - October 3 Institute of Human Rights

4 EDITORIAL

(Continued from page 03)

One of them is reported to have said, “It is a shock that the incident that took place on 8th October happened under President Rajapakse’s government. We have to enforce the law against “the barbarians” who assassi- nated former parliamentarian and presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and social justice needs to be put in place”. But this could be only a voice in the wilderness because the majority in parliament, including the opposition would want to protect and support this regime for their own survival in power. Thanks to the 18th Amendment which was passed in parliament with the support of the so called “Old Left” the presi- dent today is not only all powerful but also “infallible”. He can do no wrong. The Defense Secretary is reported to have admitted that thugs are being used by politicians and he would introduce army personnel to keep a tab on such activities by political thugs. But the irony is that Duminda Silva, who is seen not only as the main suspect in the murder of Premachandra but also as a political thug and drug dealer is referred to as ‘Gota’s man’ by the President himself as reported in a newspaper. It is also reported that the Defense Secretary spent two hours at Sri Jayawardanapura hospital making all neces- sary arrangements for the security of the wounded Duminda. Patients going to this hospital say it now looks like an army camp. But there are the defenders of the regime who say the Defense Secretary would never have known about the underworld or weapons or any of this. The same minister () goes on to say that Duminda though he has links with the underworld is a very very nice person. “He is pleasant, soft- spoken, smart and very gentle until he pulls out a gun. And at the moment he is not a suspect”. The point is drug dealers and underworld thugs have been used by politicians for a long time in their struggle for power, but the situation today is different. Drug dealers and underworld thugs themselves have directly entered par- liament and other local government bodies. This truth was revealed by the prime Minister himself recently. When the international community and the UN make allegations of human rights violations and war crimes, they are not attacking the Sri Lankan nation as a whole or the Sinhala people. They only hold the pre- sent Rajapakse regime accountable for these violations and demand an independent investigation because they realize how easily the regime covers up all crimes committed, like for instance the murder of Lasantha and many others. Therefore it would be foolish to call them “International vultures” hovering around our brave little Sri Lanka. What they are concerned about is the misuse of power by the present regime. When the same international community exposed the atrocities committed by the LTTE the Sri Lankan government accepted it as authentic. What’s different now? Quite often the question is asked; “Do the Tamils really have any grievances?” Reams and reams have been written setting out their grievances starting from 1948 up-to-date, if anyone cares to read. It is not cor- rect to say the LTTE suddenly sprang up from nowhere demanding a separate state and resorting to terrorism. How and why did the demand for a separate state arise and when and why did the Tamil youth take up arms? The answer to these questions would explain the grievances of the Tamils. Terrorism raised its head only in the 1980s, but why were the Tamils attacked in the 1950s and 1970s when there were Tamil leaders like Chel- vananyagam and Amirthalingam who used no weapons, other than stayagraha? While terrorism cannot be jus- tified on any grounds, the causes that led to terrorism must be understood, if an acceptable political solution to the ethnic problem is to be found. The other question raised is “How can devolution of power solve the problems of the Tamils?” Devolv- ing power to the provinces will help all the people living in the different provinces, not only the Tamils in the North and East. People living in the provinces will be able to monitor their own affairs. The needs of a village are best understood by the villagers themselves, not by the central government. Our parliamentarians have very little contact with the villages except during election times. If the village leaders are given the power and the resources to develop their villages, they would do a better job than the MPs, and it would certainly ease the tension in the areas occupied by Tamil speaking people. Power sharing through devolution is a must and so is power sharing at the centre which would prevent discriminatory laws being passed (e.g. The Sinhala only Act). Even today one hears TNA leader R.Sampanthan saying that the LTTE was created by successive govern- ments which refused to ensure the linguistic and cultural rights of the Tamil people, although there were lead- ers like S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Dudley Senanayake who tried to do it but were not allowed to. The Tamil people did not create the Tigers, but they suffered at the hands of the Tigers and the Army. Now they deserve peace and freedom not forced development. (Continued on page 05)

Human Rights Review : August - October 4 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 5

(Continued from page 04) Today Sri Lanka lacks an effective opposition that can mobilize the people to protest against the abuse of power by the government. Instead we have a ‘permanent’ leader of the opposition who does not want a regime change. He seems to do everything possible to strengthen the regime while dividing and de- stroying his own party with the help of the government. It’s a great pity that the LSSP of N. M. Perea and Colvin R. de Silva has been reduced to a few spineless ‘intellectuals’ acting as advisors to the president. Our only hope is that the few journalists, activists, academics and members of civil society who have the cour- age to speak up will not join the vast silent majority. Many ‘intellectuals’ among the silent majority remain deaf dumb and blind, thus safeguarding their positions within the regime. They do not lack conviction, they are simply being opportunistic.

Corruption and Impunity – twin destroyers of good governance

he trouble with an oppressive machinery is wild elephants. In 2010, it is reported that 89 people T that, in the short term, the more it is strength- 228 elephants died in similar circumstances. It is ened, the citizenry also falls into silence and apathy. also reported that the military is being used to clear Except for a few public -spirited individuals and land and guard the banana cultivated area from be- groups like the Citizen’s Movement for Good Govern- ing even inspected by the wild life and environmental ance, Transparency International, Centre for Policy officials. In the same area, in Wekandawewa, an an- Alternatives and Friday Forum, the majority, the vast cient tank has been encroached on as a result of this majority, prefer to be non-confrontational, even if banana cultivation and the villagers have been de- they silently applaud the public-spirited taking a pub- prived of water. lic stance for good governance. But that is not good enough. As Romesh de Silva wrote in his introduction Now comes reports of another sale of land to to CIMOGG’s recent publication of its statements is- another US-based company. Ravindra Kariyawasam sued over the years: ‘Sri Lankan society is full of of the Centre for Eco-cultural Studies says that over sycophants and opportunists. People even in the 600 acres of agricultural land have been given to an highest positions prostitute themselves and sell their investor to build a golf course and a resort hotel. souls not even for the proverbial thirty pieces of sil- According to Kariyawasam, the land was owned by ver but for a mere half piece of enamel.’ the Department of Forest Conservation and the Kuda Kataragama Temple in Soragune. It is the catchment A couple of weeks ago, there were reports of area of the Welioya Amuna Project which irrigates hundreds of acres of forest lands being given to a 8000 acres of paddy land. Some 6000 farmers US-based multi-national corporation for banana culti- spread over 35 villages who survive for their liveli- vation. Several hundreds of acres of this fell within hood on paddy cultivation would be affected. If the the Somawathiya National Park. Like the building of figures quoted by Kariyawasam are correct, is a road through the Sinharaja Forest, the rape of our staggering cost to agriculture and the livelihood of forest reserves does not seem to matter to our politi- farmers in our country so that a few individuals can cians as long as there is money to be made. The ba- make a fast buck. It is also reported that an elephant nana cultivation also affects the natural habitat of corridor runs through this land between Uda Walawe our elephant population. Once the area for their and Bogahapattiya. Closing of this corridor will inten- movement is shrunk, invariably there will be an es- sify the elephant-human conflict in the area. calation in the elephant-human conflict. According to government figures, in the first half of this year, this By Shanie conflict had claimed the lives of 23 people and 149 -The Island - 24/09/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 5 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 6

IMF delays loan installments The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has postponed the review of the country’s economic situation till De- Speculation over state of economy, cember before releasing the ninth tranche of the US$ but Central Bank denies rumours 2.9 billion stand-by facility which was scheduled to have been released in August, officials said yesterday. But informed sources said the IMF had withheld the tranche because of the dismal performance by state in- stitutions and the government’s failure to properly manage the exchange rate. -Daily Mirror - 20/09/2011

“The provision to do so has been Abuse of state resources: Polls Chief helpless repealed. However, the Com- missioner has sought the assis- he Elections Commissioner is not constitutionally tance of the private and state media to ensure bal- T empowered to take action against any abuse of anced coverage,” Mr. Mohamed said.He said Elections state resources, Deputy Elections Commissioner M.M. Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya had informed all Mohamed said yesterday. media institution heads to stop election propaganda Responding to allegations that the state me- from midnight October 5. dia are being used to carry out propaganda work for Meanwhile six officials have arrived from In- the ruling party candidates in the run-up to Satur- dia to monitor Saturday’s elections, and will be coor- day’s local council elections, Mr. Mohamed said with dinating with the Elections Department. the passage of the 18th Amendment, the Commis- The Elections Department National Coordinating Cen- sioner no longer had Constitutional powers to appoint tre has so far received some 100 election-related a competent authority to ensure balanced media cov- complaints. erage. -Daily Mirror - 05/10/2011

CPA against emergency regulations under PTA

The Centre for Policy Alter- meant the country would now the government never intended to natives (CPA) has condemned the function “democratically under the relax emergency laws when it an- government’s decision to perpetu- ordinary law.” nounced the termination of the ate a number of Emergency Regu- The replacement of Emer- state of emergency. lations, such as those relating to gency Regulations by the expedi- CPA, therefore, has called detainees, purported ‘surrendees’ ent method of PTA regulations con- on the government to rescind and local authorities, in the form of firms the concerns expressed by forthwith the PTA regulations new regulations under the Preven- civil society over a long period that promulgated on 29th August, re- tion of Terrorism Act (PTA). unless and until the PTA is re- lease detainees held under lapsed We believe that the re- pealed, the termination of the Emergency Regulations, desist introduction of regulations of this state of emergency offers no genu- from interfering with the admini- nature, just over a week after the ine promise of improvement in the stration of local authorities, and President declared that the need protection of human rights, espe- take steps to repeal the PTA. for the state of emergency no cially for minorities and those in CPA also calls on the gov- longer existed, was dishonest and the North and East of the country, ernment to remove forthwith all wholly incongruent with the Presi- CPA argues. restrictions relating to areas that dent’s promises to Parliament, a It added that the fact that were previously demarcated as statement issued by the CPA said. the PTA regulations took effect at High Security Zones under lapsed The CPA says that government’s midnight on 29th August – twenty Emergency Regulations, given that decision will lead to disillusionment four hours before the state of there is no continuing legal basis among the public who were led to emergency lapsed – is a worrying for such restrictions. believe that the end of emergency but telling indicator of the fact that - Daily Mirror - 26/09/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 6 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 7

There were 357 prisoners on death row at “Persons who have studied up to Grade 8 as the the moment with some having served over 15 years minimum education qualification could

while waiting for their sentences to be carried out, apply for this ons post. It is a post Commissioner General of Prisons P. W. Kodippili said similar to ris a Karyala Karya G p yesterday. : C Sahayaka (KKS) or office ow assistant,” he said. Though successive governments have h r eat failed to carry out a hanging since n d Questioned as to why the post had 1976 several persons had re- s o fallen vacant as no executions had been carried ner ceived death sentences iso out for decades, he said, “The capital punishment is pr from time to time. Ko-357 dippili said there in the books. If the government takes a policy that the post of hang- man had fallen decision to carry out executions, we have to be ready vacant and applications would be called from inter- for it. Therefore, we have to fill this vacancy now.” ested persons to fill this vacancy as soon as possible. -Daily Mirror - 20/09/2011

‘The Cage:’ sovereign territory, and I left with manity were perpetrated by the much the same view” he says. The government and the Tigers, and ordon Weiss was United Na- government had every right to only an independent international G tions Spokesman in Lanka for fight the war to victory but “the investigation will ever get at the two years during the civil war; his tactical choices the Sri Lanka Army truth. Weiss backs it up with 350 recent book The Cage (The Bodley was directed to make and which pages of facts, descriptions and Head, London, 2011) was on the contributed to the deaths of so cogent arguments. The Cage is a shelves for some weeks before the many civilians warrant a credible knockout blow that the Sri Lankan government had it taken off; so judicial investigation of the kind state and military (and the rump- much for the fraud called lifting that the Sri Lankan state . . . is no LTTE) will not be able to stomach. Emergency Regulations! The book longer capable of mounting”. The book with its descriptive power is scathing in its expose of the Ra- (Emphasis added). and firsthand reports invests the japaksas and military but also mer- findings of the Darusman Report ciless in denouncing the Tigers. If I were asked to sum up with immensely enhanced credibil- Weiss is not pro-Eelam; “I went to the book in one sentence it would ity. Sri Lanka as a supporter of the be: Horrendous crimes, including By Kumar David state’s essential right to protect its war crimes and crimes against hu- -Lakbimanews - 11/09/2011

Amnesty slams SL Govt’s method of inquiry as "fundamentally flawed"

mnesty International has slammed the method May 2010, it said. A of inquiry conducted by the Sri Lankan govern- The LLRC had failed to properly pursue alle- ment into the civil war as it was "fundamentally gations of war crimes and crimes against humanity flawed and provides no accountability for atrocities". levelled against both government forces and the Lib- The report of the Amnesty International — eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). When will they get justice? "exposed the shortcom- Amnesty’s Asia-Pacific Director Sam Zarifi ings" of the inquiry commission — the Lessons said in its website: "The Sri Lankan government has, Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), ap- for almost two years, used the LLRC as its trump pointed by the Mahinda Rajapakse government in (Continued on page 08)

Human Rights Review : August - October 7 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 8

(Continued from page 07) publicly defended Colombo against allegations of war card in lobbying against an independent interna- crimes, it said. tional investigation. Officials described it as a credi- The report said during LLRC’s first field visit, ble accountability mechanism, able to deliver justice the panel’s Chairman made no mention of human and promote reconciliation. In reality it’s flawed at rights abuses, telling witnesses to "forget the past". every level: in mandate, composition and practice." Instead, he asked them to tell the Commission about LLRC’s mandate fell far short of international stan- any problems accessing education, medical care and dards for such inquiries. housing. An analysis by the Amnesty International of The Commission ignored crucial questions the LLRC’s publicly available transcripts found it about the role of government forces in war crimes failed to appropriately investigate credible allega- and crimes against humanity. tions of systematic violations by both sides to the The LLRC’s interim report in September 2010 conflict, including illegal killings and enforced disap- did not contain any recommendations aimed at pearances, widespread shelling of civilian targets achieving accountability for the past human rights such as hospitals, and use of civilians as shields. abuses. The final report is expected in November Interestingly LLRC’s commissioners include 2011, the human rights body added. former Sri Lankan government officials who had -The Island - 18/09/2011

Major General Jagath Dias Under Scrutiny

n the backdrop of Sri Lanka standing accused of committing war crimes during the the final stages of the I war, a report from the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), dated January 2011, has accused another Sri Lankan Army Officer, Major General Jagath Dias, of committing war crimes Shelling of Madhu Church, April 2008 The 57th Division captured the area of Madhu on 25 April 2008. The report quotes the Bishop of Mannar, Most Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph as saying, “Shells are falling within the church premises several times and many of those staying there have been compelled to leave, while priests and the other church workers who are still remaining, live in fear and are being forced to seek shelter in bunkers.” (Source: an open letter by the Bishop of Mannar, available online). Church officials are also reported to have said, “Shells were exploding near the shrine of Our Lady of Madhu as the Sri Lanka Army continued to fire shells from Periya Pandivirichchaan and Chinna Pandivirichchaan areas since noon Wednesday. The shelling ceased for only two hours from 3:30 a.m. till 5:30 a.m. on Thursday.” In addition, the ECCHR report also said that “the Sri Lankan government’s claim that the church area was being used by the rebels could not be verified by an independent source.” It goes on to accuse Dias and his division for committing war crimes in Madhu. Likewise, more war crimes In similar fashion, the report details the taking of Kilinochchi and the shelling of the General Hospi- tal. Witness statements and newspaper reports describe uninterrupted constant shelling, including the shell- ing of the General Hospital. The 57th Division operated from the southwest to capture the town. In Ramanathpuram, which was taken by the 57th Division on 17 January, there were “unconfirmed reports by Tamil sources of shelling incidents killing civilians in the area between Kilinochchi and Ramanath- puram in early January 2009.” “Several women were killed and injured,” the report quotes an article from Tamil Net. “Most likely, these shellings are attributed to the 57th Division and thus to MG Dias,” the report says. Likewise, in Visuamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppa war crimes were committed, and have been attributed to MG Dias. In addition, from between 18 to 21 May 2009, rebel leaders were killed. This time the source is the Sri Lanka army website. By Gozala Anver -Sunday Leader - 04/09/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 8 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 9 White House Petitioned To Probe Alleged War Crimes In SL

A petition has been sub- In his petition, McDonold by its forces, as documented by mitted to the White House asking says both the Sri Lankan govern- Amnesty International and so an the US government to support an ment and the LTTE reportedly international investigation into the international war crimes investiga- committed war crimes, crimes crimes and abuses committed by tion in Sri Lanka. against humanity and human both sides during the war is The petition was submitted rights abuses during the war in Sri needed if the victims are to receive by Jim McDonald, the Sri Lanka Lanka. justice. Country Specialist at the human He says the Sri Lankan -Sunday Leader - 02/10/2011 right group Amnesty International government has a poor record of in America. effectively investigating violations

SL envoy denies war crimes allegations manity. Admiral Samarasinghe has The Australian Federal Police is considering a been linked to shelling from naval ships which fired sub mission that Sri Lankan High Commissioner and directly on unarmed civilians as they fled when gov- former Navy Chief Thisara Samarasinghe was in- ernment forces moved on Tamil Tigers in the bloody volved in war crimes, the Australian media reported. closing stages of the civil war. It was reported that the submission, from the Inter- The source says witnesses now living in Aus- national Commission of Jurists' Australian section, tralia can attest to the alleged crimes. Admiral has compiled what a source says is direct and credi- Samarasinghe has denied any illegal behaviour. ble evidence of war crimes and crimes against hu- -Daily Mirror - 17/10/2011

LLRC’s interim recommendations: Friday Forum wants to know progress

The Friday Forum, ‘a group of concerned citi- "In February 2011 the Minister of External zens’ has asked the government for access to infor- Affairs, Prof G.L. Peiris, briefed the diplomatic com- mation on the current state of progress in imple- munity on the progress made by the IAAG in imple- menting the LLRC interim recommendations. menting the recommendations of the LLRC through In a letter written to Attorney General Mohan practical measures and strengthening the related Pieris. early last week. former top career diplomat processes at the same time. and UN Disarmament Chief Jayantha Dhanapala, "The members of Friday Forum would appre- writing on behalf of the Forum, has requested, ciate if you could kindly direct us to the relevant among other things, "the details of the relevant stra- published information sources or linked web sites, tegic action steps taken in pursuit of such implemen- where Friday Forum members as well as the public tation, associated process improvements imple- can access information which shows the current mented, any remaining recommendations yet to be state of progress in implementing the LLRC interim implemented and the assessed outcomes of such recommendations, the details of the relevant strate- implementation in realizing the goals set by the gic action steps taken in pursuit of such implementa- LLRC in making the interim recommendations." tion, associated process improvements imple- Dhanapala has called for "the relevant pub- mented, any remaining recommendations yet to be lished information sources or linked web sites, where implemented and the assessed outcomes of such Friday Forum members as well as the public can ac- implementation in realizing the goals set by the cess information which shows the current state of LLRC in making the interim recommendations." progress in implementing the LLRC interim recom- mendations." -The Island - 23/08/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 9 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 10 The need for 19th Amendment for confidence in governance

ILL GOVERNANCE A fortnight ago there was an assault on a senior journalist in Jaffna. The assault took place near a military sentry point in a town that is saturated with the military. There is a doubt as to how anyone who did the assault could have got away without being apprehended. The latest report is that the police have arrested a suspect. Following local and international protests the government ordered an investigation into this assault. However, it is reported that the police report lies with the President. It is like the report of the Presidential Commission to report into serious human rights violations in 2007 which suffered a similar fate. It is no cause for surprise, and every cause for sadness, that a senior academic Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole with a social mission has felt impelled to flee Jaffna rather than place his faith in the law enforcement and justice mechanisms available in that part of the country. A glance at the media headlines would indicate signs of deep discontent in society that are not reflected in the election results. A few weeks ago there was the scandal about the import of substandard petrol that ruined thousands of cars. Now where is another report of the import of substandard cement that could cause buildings to collapse in the future. There are also stories of people taking the law into their own hands on the grounds that the police will not act or will protect the wrongdoers. The opposition presidential candidate for whom over 40 percent of the national electorate voted continues to languish in prison on controversial charges that were ratified by military courts. The problem with the suppression of the truth of what happened is that it erodes confidence in the institutions of governance. This is what leads people to take the law into their own hands. The latest crisis is the breakdown of respect for the law in with regard to the rumour of "grease devils" who attack women and children. According to witnesses and police there are men who wear balaclavas that cover their heads and leave only the eyes exposed and who grease their bodies and move about at night to commit criminal acts. Some alleged suspects have been caught and killed by vigilante groups. They may be innocent per- sons. Some were said to be traveling salespersons. A justification given by the vigilantes is that the police do not take action when these suspects are apprehended because they are connected to the government machinery. It is clear that there is a breakdown of confidence in the integrity of national institutions. By Jehan Perera -The Island - 16/08/201

Laws that promote democracy and development

t is a well-known fact that laws in a country are sulted in the creation of a window of opportunity for I created, implemented or abrogated after taking investment and economic growth. It has also helped into consideration the people’s wellbeing and con- to develop tourism and business sectors and helped duct. The end of the thirty-year civil war in Sri Lanka the government in obtaining development aid and has resulted in the Sri Lankan national flag being loans. hoisted, above all divisive, flags from point Dondra to When a state of emergency is imposed spe- Point Pedro. The defeat of terrorism led to various cial laws are imposed which go beyond the normal opinions being expressed with regard to the restora- laws of the country. In 1990 these laws were used tion of people’s democratic rights and livelihoods. for the restriction of war reporting, banning of May The critical strictures made in the Darusman Day rallies, strikes, and declaring some services as report resulted in abrogating acts, which prevented essential services. The lifting of the emergency regu- people’s rights to the freedom of expression and lations have resulted in giving people the right to helped to reestablish democracy. The lifting of the demand that a suspect be produced before a magis- emergency regulations is a good example. The end of trate within 24 hours of being arrested, the right to the war and the restoration of democracy have re- (Continued on page 11)

Human Rights Review : August - October 10 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 11

(Continued from page 10) ber 17/41 was presented by the President of Sri strike and the freedom to use one’s language has Lanka under the Public Security Act 40 chapter 12 on resulted in a broad sense of democracy being incul- the grounds of maintaining peace in the country in- cated in today’s society. This new found freedom will structing all forces to report to the mentioned places create space for economic development. to maintain public peace and security. The Sri Lanka In reality, whereas the emergency was lifted, Army, Navy and Air Force have been amalgamated under the 1979 chapter 48 of the Terrorism Preven- to district level in order to maintain public peace and tion Act (Temporary act) continues to be in force. security and cover administration in all districts ac- Acts of this nature create a situation where under the cording to the second sub paper. This has resulted in guise of preventing terrorism law enforcement offi- security camps been established in every district and cials go beyond their jurisdiction which results in the the security forces performing tasks necessary for weakening of a democratic society. Even though the the maintaining public security, which was earlier war on terrorism in the country is over acts which implemented by the police. This is a grave threat to give broad powers to the ministers still need to be democracy. This proposed enactment was entered abolished. There is also no mechanism under the into the parliamentary agenda on the 10th of August. laws of Sri Lanka to prevent the Defence Minister The last time the emergency was debated in Parlia- from enacting these laws once again if he wishes or ment was on the 9th of August. Without any discus- if he feels that an emergency situation has arisen or sion this was included the next day in the agenda on the grounds of preventing terrorism. Therefore which prevented any debate. In the future when laws the government should take measures to abolish the are to be enacted with regard to the repeal of sec- Public Security Act, the emergency laws and the Pre- tions of the criminal law, the emergency laws which vention of Terrorism Act at the same time. The Attor- were extended on a monthly basis could be included ney General recently commented that with the sus- in the ordinary laws. pension of emergency rules it is imperative to prose- Therefore we should draw the attention of all cute suspects for crimes. Therefore there is suspicion democracy loving people of this country, to this that, since this government has a 2/3 majority in emerging situation. We hope that the government parliament, these abolished amendments will be en- will not hoodwink the international community by acted under the normal laws of the country. If such a publicizing that the country’s emergency laws have situation arose it would be a grave threat to democ- been abolished. racy. By On the 6th of August 2011 a special cabinet -Daily Mirror - 07/09/2011 paper of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka num- It’s Brewing! The Crisis Within Rajapaksa Rule

The LLRC is the latest in a long line of failed domestic inquiries. Impunity has been the rule rather than the exception, now exacerbated by a post-conflict triumphalism that rejects all responsibility for abuses, carried out by government forces,” Sam Zarifi / AI, Asia Pacific Director at the release of the AI Report on LLRC. All talk of normalcy in the country and Emergency Regulations (ER) allowed to go lapse from Au- gust 30 is just junk rhetoric, with three special gazette notifications issued on Monday August 29, by the President. All arrests, detentions and judicial proceedings that were made effective under ER would now continue under the PTA number 48 of 1979. All legal empowerments that come with these gazette notifica- tions, would therefore effect those thousands of Tamil youth who have been detained under ER, being turned into detainees under the much harsher PTA. Timing of enacting such abrasive laws without even allowing for a discussion in parliament, slaps hard on the government’s claim on reconciliation efforts and democratic rule. August thus came to an end leaving little doubt the regime is in no mood to reconcile with the Tamil society and their politics. By Kusal Perera -The Sunday Leader - 11/09/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 11 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 12 Puppeteers, elected puppets, right to information & people's liberties

Lets take the Anna Hazare route; not the Colonel Gaddafi route True, there are problems that need fixing, but not for a moment should we consider moving away from de- mocracy towards a military administration with a puppet mayor as the answer. In the previously mentioned Social Indicator poll an overwhelming majority had mentioned that they had no desire to have any other form of government but a true democracy; not even under special circumstances. What we need is an administration that will serve the local community with the local tax-payers contribu- tions in a satisfactory manner and be answerable to the people in the community. What we don't need is an ultra-powerful administrator who will not be answerable to anyone. B y Dr. -Daily Mirror - 24/09/2011

US wants Paramilitary activity in north stopped

he United States yesterday urged the govern- “I was very pleased to hear from both the T ment to control para-military activity in the government and the TNA that they will resume their North and for Tamil police personnel to be deployed important dialogue on devolution and other matters,” to the North. he said. The US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O. Blake When asked about the TNA’s negative out- told journalists he was concerned about Human look towards the discussions, Mr. Blake rejected such Rights in Sri Lanka. aspersions. “I am concerned about human rights. I dis- “I think there is a far more optimistic picture cussed with relevant officials the importance of dis- with both sides taking the talks very seriously,” he arming paramilitary groups, on which progress is be- said and added that the 13th Amendment was being ing made. It is important to deploy Tamil policemen expanded by both sides and was not a redundant in the north so the military no longer needs to per- mechanism. form these functions,” he said. “I think they are working towards expanding Mr. Blake specifically named the Eelam Peo- the amendment to deploy more powers to the prov- ple’s Democratic Party (EPDP) as having a strong inces,” he said. Para-military presence in the north. Speaking on the Lessons Learnt and Recon- “Para-military groups are not allowed to carry ciliation Commission (LLRC) he explained that it was weapons in public. When I was in Jaffna I, experi- premature to make any judgments on the commis- enced the power wielded by the EPDP, which at- sion before its report was released. “We have to wait tempted to prevent me from meeting some university and see what’s in the report and the issues raised students,” he said adding that it had been conveyed and thereafter make a judgment,” he said. to him that although the emergency regulations have However Mr. Blake did not dispel the possibil- been lifted it was of little practical value, because the ity of international pressure if the report by the com- Public Securities Ordinance and the Prevention of mission was found to be inadequate. Terrorism Act were still in place. “We are not in the business of making Mr. Blake said the resumption of talks be- threats to our friends. There is a need for a credible tween the (TNA) and the gov- process of accountability for those who have violated ernment was encouraging and that he felt both sides international humanitarian law and there will be were taking these discussions very seriously. (Continued on page 13)

Human Rights Review : August - October 12 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 13

(Continued form page 12) Devananda said yesterday that Robert O. Blake, the pressure for some mechanism to ensure that this US Assistant Secretary for South Asian Affairs had takes place. However we hope that (such pressure) is made allegations against his party with ulterior mo- not necessary,” he said. tives. Mr. Blake said it was premature to call for the LLRC report to be presented at the United Nations Mr. Devananda said that there was no para- Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in March military group operating in the North and that only next year. “This is dependent also on what the Sri the security forces and the police bore arms. Lankan government wants to do with the report,” he said. “Mr. Blake must have ulterior motives. He also expressed the need for Sri Lanka to Wikileaks recently revealed who funded whom in Sri engage with the international community. “There is a Lanka. I think Mr. Blake is pumping money to some need for Sri Lanka to engage positively with the elements here that provide him with such false infor- United Nations. I know that there is a delegation in mation. He has to find such information to please the Geneva at the moment and I hope they are able to vested interests of his country,” the Minister said. brief the UNHRC on the work of the LLRC,” he said. Mr. Blake also addressed the need to put an Meanwhile, Deputy Resettlement Minister Vi- end to the grease devil incidents which had “given nayagamurthy Muralitharan (alias Karuna), said in rise to new levels of insecurity” and expressed that response to Mr. Blake’s request to deploy Tamil police the “US remains deeply concerned about attacks on personnel to the North, that there was only one police journalists”, he said . force in Sri Lanka, and that was the Sri Lanka Police. Mr. Muralitharan said that this police force could not Blake has ulterior motives says Devananda be categorised into Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim as re- By Kelum Bandara quested by Mr. Blake. EPDP leader and Traditional Industries and -Daily Mirror - 15/09/2011 Small Enterprise Development Minister Douglas

Historical Old Park in Jaffna town demolished

The historical Old Park buildings in Jaffna by the Governor to the Archaeological Department town were demolished on Wednesday allegedly on saying that wild plants growing on the walls of the the orders of the Northern Province Governor G. A. buildings of Old Park are to be removed. Before I Chandrasiri. The Governor denied this allegation, but could do anything about it many parts of the old declined to comment on it further. buildings were razed to the ground, she said. The Ministry of Heritage declared these Old Park buildings These buildings housed the Jaffna Kachcheri as archaeological monuments. She said that a ga- before, a new building was built a few decades ago zette notification to this effect had also been pub- for the purpose. The residence of the Government lished. Agent was also housed in one of these buildings at “I have reported this matter to my superiors. that time. These building were maintained by the I can’t do anything more than this” she said. When Archaeological Department. contacted in this regard, the governor said, “I didn’t order this” and disconnected the call. Responding to a query by Tamilmirror, Jaffna district secretary Emelda Sukumar said. -Daily Mirror - 29/09/2011 “I don’t know what is happening here. Many things which we cannot question about, happen here. Yes- terday afternoon, I received a copy of a letter written

Human Rights Review : August - October 13 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 14

Tamil parties launch protest fast in North

The participants wanted to convey their strong opposition to the re registration of lands in the North and East, the move to form new GA divisions in the Mullaitivu district, and the creation of ‘army villages’ in the North. “We are urging the government to put a stop to all this, and instead to find a political solution to the national question, which is the most pressing need at the moment,” Mr. Siddharthan said Mr. Anandasanga- ree said the people of the Northern Province were experience untold hardships and called on the govern- ment to redress “a most tragic situation”.

-Daily Mirror -18/10/2011

Wilpattu laid waste by ‘business thugs’

Powerful businessmen with the help of top po- liticos are currently engaged in clearing up 245 acres of the Wilpattu National Park buffer zone. Yet, so far, not a single Wildlife Department official has taken steps to halt this. The Wilpattu National Park covers an area of 131,667.1 ha and encompasses the Puttalam, Anurad- hapura and Mannar districts. At the time of writing, the Wanathawilluwa area which falls in the buffer zone is being cleared up in flagrant violation of all environ- mental laws and regulations. -Lakbimanews - 25/09/2011

The Forest Department yesterday said that they will go all out to stop a road that is to be con- structed adjacent to the World Heritage site of the Sinharaja Rainforest.

The Department’s Conservator Operations K. P. Ariyadasa told aja The Island yester- day that such construction would lose the World Heritage har site status; how- to Sin ever, he said it comes under the purview of cent the Land Reforms Com- mission. dja oad a lt r to ha pt. According to him, the Department is going all out to st De acquire Fore the land from the LRC. He also said that they had requested the Central Environ- ment Authority (CEA) to take the initiative on legal aspects.

Environmentalists also said that they will take up the matter with UNESCO which is the governing body that gives World Heritage status. -The Island - 12/09/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 14 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 15 Now Soragune forest sees animals out, golf course in

nvironmentalists charge that a hotel and golf ter could pollute Kalkan oya. If the golf course is cre- E course are to be constructed in the Uva Province ated it would lead to the destruction of invaluable by clearing 628 acres of the Soragune forest. The flora and fauna,” said Banduranga Kariyawasam. The project has been given the green light by the Board twin projects could also pave the way for a sharp of Investment (BOI) and entrusted to Alpha & increase in human-elephant conflicts warned the en- Omega Developers (Pvt) Ltd. vironmentalists. - Lakbimanews - 02/10/2011 “If this hotel project goes ahead, then its waste mat-

A Lawless Land President’s house for his review involvement in the municipal elec- before sending them to the Elec- tion campaign is a grave violation A New Legality tions Commissioner” (Colombo of the Establishments Code and a Telegraph – 3.10.2011). misuse of government as- he Ruling Siblings want Clearly the Rajapaksas consider sets” (BBC – 5.10.2011). Hopefully T power, for themselves and themselves above the law. Thus the lethargic and fractious opposi- their descendents. This requires Gotabhaya Rajapaksa campaigned tion will back him up, instead of violating existing laws. For in- for the UPFA openly during the allowing this courageous journalist stance, according to a WikiLeaks recent CMC election, thereby to become an extra-judicial victim cable, during the 2010 presidential breaking a fundamental rule and a of a power-wielder’s murderous- election, “the President’s campaign venerable tradition in Lankan pub- rage. has ordered eight GAs including lic service. Journalist Lasantha Ru- By Tisaranee Gunasekera those in Ampara, Anuradhapura, hunuge has lodged a complaint -The Sunday Leader- Polonnaruwa and Batticaloa to with the Elections Commissioner 09/10/2011 send election results directly to the claiming “that Defence Secretary’s Mulleriyawa Shooting IRONIES

Sanjeewa Bandara, an eye witness to All kind of thugs and goons are walking about the the Mulleriyawa shooting incident said that country with weapons in hand. They have no legitimate supporters of MP Duminda Silva opened fire business to conduct with these guns. This hardware is used at late MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra to threaten and intimidate the public during elections, as felling him, in front of police officers on the was clearly observed in the North during recent local gov- day of polling. ernment polls. It is used in the conduct of armed robberies, The eye witness, who is a supporter abductions, extortion, kidnapping and murder, among other of Mr. Premachandra, said that Mr. crimes. Sri Lanka is today awash with illicit and licensed Premachandra had been shot a number of firearm and it is dangerous. But the priority of the Defense times, but none of the police officers on duty Ministry is the beautification of Colombo and the provision in the area had come to his aid or even to of unsolicited security to universities around the country. take him to hospital. That’s ironic. And the most supreme irony of all is that we By Indika Ramanayake will forget all this before the sun goes down tomorrow. -Daily Mirror - 10/10/2011 By Namini Wijedasa

Human Rights Review : August - October 15 Institute of Human Rights CURRENT ISSUES 16 ''We see little being done by this government to listen to its people''

Alan Keenan, Sri Lanka Project Director and Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group speaks to Daily Mirror on its motives for screening the controversial Channel 4 documentary, 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' in the Euro- pean Parliament, the LLRC process and Sri Lanka's process of peace.

Q: What was the ICG's motive for organising the screening of the controversial Channel 4 documentary, 'Sri Lanka's Killing Fields' in the European Parliament together with Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) last week?

A: We co-sponsored the screening of the Channel 4 documentary because we believe that it accurately de- picts many incidents that potentially constitute war crimes and that require a fair and thorough investiga- tion. The incidents depicted are consistent with the reports of the many eyewitnesses we spoke to for our May 2010 report on war crimes. We've seen the government's critique of the C4 film, but we aren't con- vinced. The flaws in C4's presentation of events don't erase the very powerful evidence that both the LTTE and government forces violated the laws of war and that this should be investigated by a credible and inde- pendent body. I know that it is hard for many Sri Lankans to believe that government officials would order their forces to engage in such violations - just as it has been hard for Americans or British citizens to ac- knowledge the now well-documented crimes of their governments in the so-called war on terror. But until such charges and the full body of this evidence on which they are based are examined independently, we fear lasting peace in Sri Lanka will be hard to achieve.

Q: The Sri Lankan government has undertaken several initiatives to promote reconciliation such as rehabilitation of ex-combatants, resettling the vast majority of IDPs, and providing closure to victims' families. Importantly, members of all ethnic and religious communities enjoy greater freedom than they did during the course of the war. Don't you think these are positive develop- ments? There have unquestionably been some positive developments, but these initiatives you mention don't go very far. Yes, most of the ex-combatants have been released - but many of them continue to be monitored and harassed by the security forces once released. And why did they need to be held in detention without any independent monitoring or access to lawyers? And what guarantees of a fair trial are there for those still detained? You speak of closure to victims' families, but does this exist for those thousands of families who still don't know the whereabouts of their missing relatives, either detained or killed in the final months of the war? Yes, most families have been released from Manik Farm - but some 60,000 people continue to live with host families, another 7000 have just learned they may never return to their land in Mullaitivu now occupied by the military, and those who have returned home have returned to a devastated landscape with few houses, few physical or financial resources and inadequate government assistance. Finally, you speak of people enjoying greater freedom now than before the war - yes, all Sri Lankans are free from the terror and political depredations of the LTTE, but can those in the north whose daily life is governed by the military and by officials from a different ethnic community really be considered free? Can those in the south whose elec- tions are repeatedly undermined by violence, corruption, and misuse of state resources - as documented repeatedly by your own brave civil society organisations - really be called free? By Ayesha Zuhair -Daily mirror - 18/10/2011

Human Rights Review : August - October 16 Institute of Human Rights REPORT FROM LEGAL ARTICLES UNIT 17 PRISON CLINIC

Date Conducted Prison No. of Lawyers Inmates

27th August CRP 2 25 17th September Kalutara 2 30 01st October CRP 2 18 12th October Magazine 2 17 15th October Badulla 3 69 22nd October Vavuniya 4 54

Certificate Course in Human Rights

Mediums : Sinhala & Tamil

Commencement : January 2011

Course Duration : 03 months Places Sinhala medium : Matara Tamil medium : Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya Hatton (Sessions every Saturdays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm) Course fee : Rs.5,000/-

Registration fee : Rs. 100/-

Priyanthi at [email protected] for Sinhala Medium

Unita at [email protected] for Tamil Medium

Tel. Nos : 0112502703 or 0113158863

Website : www.ihrsrilanka.org

Institute of Human Rights 154, 02nd Floor B, Havelock Road, Colombo 05

Human Rights Review : August - October 17 Institute of Human Rights REPORT FROM RESTORATION & PROTECTION UNIT 18

Motor Mechanic Course Child Protection Policy Workshop Thaldena Young Offenders workshop was organized and held at the Vocational Train- Correctional Center A ing Centre—Kolonnawa on the 29th & 30th September. Re- source Person was Ms. Samanmalee from save the children . In the month of August & Sep- 24 participants from 3 different institutions participated. tember 2011 Practicals were carried out Navoday – Department of Social Services, Officers from Career on the following areas in the Motor Me- Guidance - Min- chanic Course—Thaldena. istry of Produc-

tivity, Officer ♦ Practical on D.S. 22 Nissan Four from Vocational Stroke Diesel Engine Training Centre ♦ Practical on Four Stroke Diesel – Kollonawa. Engine (L 300 Four Stroke Die- Care sel) was taken to 03rd Batch request all Offi- cers to partici- A new batch of 20 participants pate in the pro- were interviewed by the Superintendent gram from the and the resource person Mr. Ratnayake. security guard to the top level Officers. The course commenced on 6th October The importance of the Child Protection Policy was empha- 2011. sized, when a juvenile is referred to an institute for vocational An introduction to Motor mecha- training / rehabilitation. For this purpose Ms. Samanmalee made nism was given. An exercise book and an effort to create an understanding regarding the different pens were given to each participant. stages of children and their physical & emotional needs, growth From the first batch 2 inmates, and devel- assisted the resource person, as dem- opment. onstrators and 1 inmate helped with The regard to the tools. Save the The following topics are covered to date. children 1.Safety CPP was 2.Clutch explained 3.Gear box to the par- ticipants so The participants are enthusiastic that it was to join the course and are eager to at- useful to tend daily. give an in- sight to an existing CPP, to prepare / create their own CPP exclusively for their respective institutes. The second day was devoted to group dis- cussions among different institutes, as well as preparation of the CPP for their institutes. The outcome: A CPP in place, for each In- stitute and creating awareness on the CPP was very successful, as the participants described and demonstrated experiences of what they had learnt the previous day.

Human Rights Review : August - October 18 Institute of Human Rights REPORT FROM EDUCATION UNIT 19 AWARENESS PROGRAMME

The objective was to provide awareness on Child Rights, Women's Rights & Land issues for Grama Niladari & Proba- tion Officers of Mannar District.

The one day program was held on 17th September 2011 at Mannar Kachcheri. Resource persons were Mr. V.S. Niranchan, Legal Officer / AAL and Mr. S. Selvakunapalan— Senior Legal Draftsman.

Commencement of the Certificate Course in Human Rights

The Certificate course in Human Rights commenced in Vavuniya and Mannar on the 22nd October 2011 in the Tamil medium. The course is held at Vavuniya Kchcheri and Manner Kachcheri. 40 participants were registered in Vavniya and 20 par- ticipants were registered for the Manner certificate course. Resource persons for the Vavuniya Certificate course were Mr. Gangadharan (AAL) and Mr. V. S. Niranchan (AAL/ Legal officer at IHR). For the Mannar programme the resource person were Mr. Sriskumar (HRC Lecturer) and Mr. Selvakun- apalan (Senior Legal Draftsman).

Calling applications for the Diploma in Human Rights (English & Tamil)

he programme is an interactive course that Commencement : January 2011 T explores the concept of human rights, dis- Course Duration : 06 months cusses the ‘rights’ dimension of global and local (Sessions every Saturdays from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm) events and trends, and builds a community of indi- The lectures will be conducted in Colombo viduals to participate in making a change. Course fee : Rs.15,000/- For whom Registration fee : Rs. 150/- Students, teachers, doctors, lawyers, public sector, private sector, religious sector, NGO personnel, me- Members who are interested please visit our website dia personnel, youth leaders, service personnel, per- for application forms or contact : sons interested in human rights and current affairs. Hashini for English medium - [email protected] Delivered by Unita for Tamil medium - [email protected] A panel of human rights academics, activists and Tel. Nos : 0112502703 or 0113158863 professionals working with government, non- Website : www.ihrsrilanka.org governmental and academic institutions Institute of Human Rights 154, 02nd Floor B, Havelock Road, Colombo 05

Human Rights Review : August - October 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 Varahini Canisius

Education Unit 011-2502703 [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]

Special Project 011-2559424 [email protected] Grants Administrator Gayani Meegamuge [email protected] Legal Officer Wasana Ellawala

Restoration and Protection Unit 011-2502810 Manager – Restoration and Protection Shirmilla Perera [email protected] Coordinator Hashini Mahesha Rajaratna [email protected]

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 Legal Consultant A. S. Athputharay Supervisor T. Sanmuganathan Office Assistant Regina Malini

Anuradhapura Branch 025 3899218 [email protected] Legal Officer Erandhi Thilakaratne Coordinator Dilki Priyanga

Matara Brach 041-5621452 [email protected] Legal Officer Mettha Sudharshi Narasinghe Coordinator Deeshani Prabhasari

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Human Rights Review : August - October 20 Institute of Human Rights