AP March 2020

Empires are crumbling - Tamils’ submissive mentality isn’t

European hegemonies began to crumble The US was known to have provided secret with the emergence of the 20th century. The training operations for Sri Lanka’s forces as disintegration commenced despite the far back as the 90s. However, during Eelam major role Europe had established in War IV, the US imperial power shaping the world through global order. An significantly aided the genocidal example is the British Empire which at one destruction of the Tamils’ armed struggle point controlled over a quarter of the Earth. through the provision of; military aid, However, such imperial structures began to technological assistance and political crumble with the First World War, where endorsement for the Sri Lankan state’s European powers fought amongst themselves. Furthermore, the end of WWII genocidal intentions. Even if their voices saw the degradation of European power say that the US has stopped their supply of dynamics where many imperial European military aid to Sri Lanka due to human powers lost most of their colonies. It rights concerns, it is far from the blatant simultaneously saw the rise of the US truth. The document titled, “Brief empire, thus shaping global order for the Introduction into US Complicity” is a following decades, through its rivalry with must read to gain a more comprehensive the Soviet Union. insight into the US’ role in Sri Lanka during that specific period. This document is After the fall of the Soviet Union, the US available on the Peoples’ Tribunal on Sri empire was the sole superpower which Lanka’s website, shaped the world as an empire never seen before in history. However, in the 21st However, this US policy has not changed. century, we are now witnessing the On 14.02.2020, the US Department of State probable disintegration of this empire and had declared a travel ban on Shavendra the possible rise of a Chinese empire. Silva based on, “credible information of his involvement, through command In the last two centuries, the dynamics of responsibility, in gross violations of human empires have changed or are evolving. As a rights.” However, in that same statement it result, the catalyst for the Tamil struggle was further mentioned that, “The United was created and shaped. The British Empire States remains committed to strengthening laid the foundation of the genocidal state of the bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka, which caused the nonviolent helping reshape its security forces to tackle Tamil struggle and the subsequent armed current and emerging threats.” struggle. However, it was in fact the US empire which played a major role in the It is upon that basis that the Special Forces process of crushing the armed resistance Operational Detachment Alpha 1333 of the and continues its role in strengthening the US Army (primary fighting force of the status quo. Green Berets) had engaged in a training ã All rights reserved 1

exercise with the Sri Lankan navy. This The Tamils’ revolutionary spirit of four-week training operation focused on a resistance has degraded into a submissive multitude of areas including: position. This may be as a result of the emergence of a Tamil generation who were • Human rights born and raised in the West whose influence • Law of armed conflict has poisoned the Tamil struggle for • Small unit tactics liberation. • Military operations in urban environment Failing to be critical of our host countries • Tactical combat casualty care and attempting to manoeuvre around the • Combat marksmanship obstacles imposed by them, will not allow • Close quarter battle the Tamil struggle to proceed. It is • Mission planning disappointing to see the failure of many • Maritime operations Tamil activists to identify the shortcomings of the UN Human Rights Council. The renewed attempts of these activists to It is also noteworthy that the Green Berets reimplement another such failure within had trained the genocidal Sri Lankan forces these structures is further problematic. during the 90s thus evident that the US Therefore, a question that we must all turn tendency towards Sri Lanka and the Tamil to ask ourselves is, struggle had not changed much. On the other hand, the Tamils’ tendency towards “How much more do we have to lose to the US and Europe has changed in the set the course of the Tamil struggle on aftermath of 2009. the right path again?”

Nitharsan

International News

03.03.2020: UN - concessions which were 09.03.2020: UK - According to Sunday provided to Sri Lanka. According to Daily Times LK, the SL Mirror, Sri Lankan government had rejected 05.03.2020: BIMSTEC - officials, including allegations made in the The Secretary General of Shavendra Silva, are at report compiled by UN the Bay of Bengal risk of being designated Special Rapporteur (SR) Initiative for Multi under a new British regarding the SL security Sectoral Technical sanctions regime which is forces’ role on restricting Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to be implemented for the freedom of religion, as had held a discussion with purpose of establishing an incorrectly referenced. Dinesh Gunawardena on autonomous UK Global 04.03.2020. Whilst Human Rights 03.03.2020: Lasantha commending the progress (‘Magnitsky-style’) murder case - Ahimsa made by member states, program. Wickramatunge’s request discussions also focussed to the US’ Ninth Circuit upon the upcoming 11.03.2020: Vietnam - Court of Appeals has been summit that is to be hosted The Secretary of the accepted by the said court by Sri Lanka, reports Municipal Party thus allowing future Colombo Gazette. Committee in Vietnam has litigation against According to PMD News , pledged to facilitate the Gotabaya, reports Sri Lanka is scheduled to operation of foreign Colombo Gazette. It was host the next BIMSTEC businesses - including Sri reported that she had summit in early September Lankan businesses - requested the dismissal of of this year. Sri Lanka will during a reception which her case against Gotabaya be the lead country for the was hosted for Sri Lanka’s until he was no longer sector of science, Ambassador, Sampath eligible for presidential technology and Prasanna Walpita Gamage impunity innovation. on 10.03.2020, reports Colombo Gazette. 03.03.2020: UK - 05.03.2020: India - According to Colombo According to Daily 12.03.2020: US - Gazette, the High Mirror, India had According to Colombo Commissioner-designate reportedly granted Indian Gazette, the Annual US of Sri Lanka to the UK, citizenship to almost Human Rights Report on Saroja Sirisena had 19,000 people from five Sri Lanka for 2019 had assumed her duties at the neighbouring countries outlined many significant SL High Commission in including 113 Sri Lankan human rights issues the UK. citizens. violations.

03.03.2020: HRW - In a 09.03.2020: UN - 21.03.2020: China - published statement, According to Colombo According to Daily HRW condemned the Sri Gazette, the UN Resident Mirror, the China Daily Lankan security forces’ Coordinator in Sri Lanka, had reported that Chinese role in destructing civic Singer, had mentioned that health officials and their spaces and urged blocs more women should be counterparts from 19 such as the EU to elected into SL’s countries (including Sri reconsider GSP+ parliament. Lanka) had held an online video conference to

discuss the prevention and Forum (ITF), the including 30,000 surgical control of COVID-19 on Canadian Tamil Congress masks and 1,000 COVID- 21.03.2020. (CTC), British Tamil 19 test kits were handed Forum (BTF) and the over to SL’s Health 22.03.2020: Pakistan- Australian Tamil Ministry at the Chinese According to Daily Congress (ATC). Embassy in Colombo, Mirror, Pakistani Foreign following clearance from Minister, Qureshi had 27.03.2020: Justice - In a SL customs. contacted his counterparts published statement, from Sri Lanka and Nepal Human Rights Watch 30.03.2020: Singapore - to propose the hosting of a expressed the need for the The SL High Commission SAARC health ministers implementation of an in Singapore will be conference to combat the international justice closed for a fortnight COVID-19 pandemic, in a mechanism to ensure that following a diagnosis that published statement from justice was delivered for an individual who was on Pakistan’s Foreign Office. victims following the the premises had release of Mirusuvil contracted COVID-19, 22.03.2020: Entry ban: genocidaire, Ratnayake. reports Colombo Page. The PMD office released a statement, declaring the 27.03.2020: UN - The UN 31.03.2020: UAE - imposition of a ban against High Commissioner for According to Colombo the entry of all ships and Human Rights has Page, Mahindha had flights into Sri Lanka. condemned Sri Lanka’s contacted the Crowned release of Ratnayake, Prince of Abu Dhabi and 23.03.2020: Diaspora - reports Colombo Gazette. the Deputy Supreme Multiple Tamil diaspora Commander of the UAE organisations condemned 28.03.2020: COVID-19 - armed forces, Sheik Al the use of militarisation to HRCSL has been reported Nahyan, to discuss the combat the COVID-19 to have contacted SL’s strengthening of bilateral crisis in a published Director of Prisons to relations in a phone call on statement and encouraged ensure that measures were 30.03.2020. The Sheik the international implemented to protect was reported to have community to implement prisoners from the spread expressed his interest to an international justice of COVID-19, reports assist Sri Lanka to combat mechanism similar to the Colombo Page. the current COVID-19 one recently utilised in crisis and had commended Myanmar (IIIM). 29.03.2020: China - SL for integrating their Signatories of the According to Colombo sectors to coordinate the statement include; Gazette, China’s first country’s crisis USTAG, Irish Tamil batch of donations management.

Misdirected goal - a flock’s confusion

Through the Vaddukoddai Resolution of A failure of Tamils to expressly convey 1976, the Eelam Tamils’ collectively their ideal for justice, will in turn have a established their democratic mandate for an cyclical effect of misinterpretation. A lack independent and sovereign Tamil of specificity will lead towards the Eelam. This was a goal which was implementation of mechanisms which sustainably pursued and established by the would deepen the plight of Tamils and often LTTE as a political solution to the strip them of their ability to gain genocide systematic genocide that the Tamils were recognition and any subsequent substantial continually subject to by Sri Lanka and their measure of justice. One such mechanism is multiple allies. the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) which was introduced in However, in a post-2009 Mullivakkal 2011 to investigate crimes committed in the genocide context, many Tamil parties have Syrian Arab Republic. This measure was drastically converted their vision to later implemented in Myanmar to advocate the establishment of justice and investigate the Rohingyan genocide in accountability for Tamils, through various 2018. In both instances, the mechanism had platforms. However as evident through the deepened the plight of the victims. A history of the struggle, a solution within the comparative study of the effect of the IIIM framework of a Sinhala chauvinist Sri upon victims will be explored in a Lanka, is unviable and detrimental to the subsequent editorial through the case struggle. Nonetheless, the Tamils’ studies of Syria and Myanmar. endeavour had primarily focused upon gaining justice and accountability from the Similarly, the Tamils’ tendency to loosely western apparatus, the UN. Following the identify solutions for our plight, often introduction of the UN Resolution 30/1 in creates a vacuum which allows external 2015, advocacy for transitional justice was parties to exploit the space. This void allows pursued as an avenue for accountability by a window for mechanisms such as the IIIM many Tamil organisations. As many Tamil to be imposed upon the Eelam Tamils. In representatives hung onto the Sirisena the absence of the Tamils’ leadership, the administration’s broken promises for current uncertainty in ascertaining a justice, the subsequent setbacks for the concrete political demand for the Tamil struggle for liberation have been establishment of justice and accountability multifold. for the continuing Tamil genocide, will further deteriorate the struggle for justice, Yet, with the return of the Rajapakse autonomy and liberation for Tamils. A brothers, a tendency to pursue “alternative frantic flurry to seek any sliver of justice as pathways to justice” has emerged amongst hope, further undermines the Tamils’ such Tamil organisations. These pathways unwavering disposition and ultimately reels are supposedly pursued with the belief that back the progress of the struggle down a they would function as an independent rabbit hole and into a diminished beggar- mechanism. esque state - but until then, who’s to say otherwise?

Senchudar Gemini

Military News

02.03.2020: US - The 04.03.2020: US - The US 09.03.2020: COVID-19 - Joint Combined Exchange Embassy in Colombo According to Daily Training (JCET) Balance congratulated the SL navy Mirror, hundreds of Style 2020/01 between the for their success in personnel at the Security SL navy and US army has combating drug use in the Force HQ-East had been reported to have island and emphasised updated the requirements commenced in their commitment to for the Punani and Trincomalee to share securing SL’s Kadakadu quarantine knowledge and skills sovereignty. centres over the past 48 regarding land warfare and hours according to law enforcement. This 04.03.2020: Saudi- directions from Shavendra four-week exercise Arabia - According to Silva. The centres are focuses on; SL’s army and navy reported to quarantine all • Human rights websites, the Saudi those who arrive from; • Law of armed conflict Military Attaché for New Iran, Italy and South • Small unit tactics Delhi and Colombo was Korea as an initial phase. • Military operations in reported to have visited an urban environment SL’s Naval HQ and army 11.03.2020: Pakistan - • Tactical combat commander on the same According to army.lk, the casualty care day. new Pakistani High • Combat commissioner had met the marksmanship 07.03.2020: Russia - SL army commander. The • Close quarter battle According to the SL navy topics of discussion • Mission planning homepage, the Russian included existing bilateral • Maritime operations naval ship, ‘Admiral relations encompassing; Vinogradov’ had arrived training opportunities and 03.03.2020: Bangladesh - at Colombo port for a exchange programs for the The Bangladeshi naval goodwill visit. tri-service personnel. ship, “Shadhinota” was reported to have arrived at 07.03.2020: Australia - 11.03.2020: Maldives - Colombo port on a The Royal Australian According to navy.lk, the goodwill visit, reports Naval ship, HMAS ambassador of the navy.lk. Parramatta had arrived at Maldives had visited the the port of Colombo to SL Naval HQ. 03.03.2020: India - participate in a wide range According to the SL of events and programs, 12.03.2020: Pakistan - navy’s homepage, the 9th reports navy.lk. The Pakistani High staff deliberation between commissioner was the SL and Indian navies 04.03.2020: Russia - reported to have visited had concluded following According to the SL the SL Naval HQ to discussions regarding navy’s website, two discuss bilateral bilateral defence relations. Russian naval ships, cooperation, reports Smuggling activities in the ‘Yaroslav Mudry’ and navy.lk. Indian Ocean also played a ‘Victor Konetsky’, were crucial role in this reported to have arrived at 12.03.2020: Afghanistan discussion. the port of Colombo on a - The Afghan ambassador three-day goodwill visit. had visited the SL navy’s

Northern Naval HQ, of Bandaranaike officer had shot and killed reports navy.lk. International Airport to a sailor and injured 2 assist airport personnel to others at the 14.03.2020: COVID-19 - combat COVID-19. Mohottuwarama Navy According to NewsFirst base in Kalpitiya. LK, SL army 20.03.2020: Australia - Spokesperson, Brigadier Australian High 30.03.2020: SL Navy - Chandana Commissioner, David According to the SL Wickremesinghe had Holly was reported to have police, a UNP member mentioned that another met the SL army who had prevented SL quarantine centre had been commander to discuss navy personnel from established in preventative measures to enforcing quarantine Bambaimadu, Vavuniya in combat COVID-19, regulations had been addition to existing centres reports army.lk. arrested in established in; Arachchikattuwa, reports Diyatalawa, Batticaloa 24.03.2020: COVID-19 - Colombo Page. Campus, Punani and According to Ada Derana, Kandakaadu. These SL’s navy has engaged in 30.03.2020: US - The quarantine centres are sterilisation programs JCET program which was reported to currently across the island with most conducted between the US accommodate 1,720 of its initiatives centred in army and SL navy had individuals. the Northern Naval Area. concluded with an award It is noteworthy that ceremony in Trincomalee, 17.03.2020: COVID-19 - temples and various other reports Colombo Page. According to PMD News, sites were sterilised across Shavendra Silva will head Jaffna. 31.03.2020: SL army - SL’s National Operation According to a statement Center for Prevention of 25.03.2020: Britain - made by genocidaire COVID-19 Outbreak, According to army.lk, the Shavendra Silva, the SL under the directives of British High army would be Gotabaya. Commissioner had met the transporting pensioners to SL Army commander to banks in a secure manner 17.03.2020: COVID-19 - discuss measures to during the pension period The US Ambassador to Sri combat COVID-19. of 01.04.2020-02.04.2020 Lanka, Teplitz, had to allow them to safely announced that they had 29.03.2020: SL Navy - receive their pension donated personal According to Colombo payments, reports protective gear to the staff Gazette, a SL navy base Colombo Page.

Domestic News

01.03.2020: SL human rights defenders 12.03.2020: Schools - Parliament - According and journalists. According to Colombo to News First LK, Gazette, SL’s Ministry of Gotabaya will be vested 08.03.2020: SL Education had announced with the powers to Parliamentary elections - that all government dissolve the parliament According to Daily schools would be closed after midnight on Mirror, Douglas from 13.03.2020 - 01.03.2020. Devananda had 20.03.2020 to contain the announced that they would spread of COVID-19. 02.03.2020: SL be participating in SL’s Parliamentary elections - upcoming elections across 13.03.2020: Universities - According to Sunday the Tamil homeland under According to Azzam Times LK, a published the ‘veena symbol’. It is Ameen, all universities Gazette notification had reported that deliberations would be closed for two declared that nominations are underway to establish weeks to prevent the for SL’s upcoming a coalition amongst other spread of COVID-19. parliamentary elections parties which oppose the would be received TNA. 13.03.2020: Weather - between 12.03.2020 - According to Colombo 19.03.2020. The elections 08.03.2020: SL Gazette, SL’s Department are reportedly scheduled Parliamentary elections - of Meteorology had to occur on 25.04.2020 In a published statement, announced that the heat with SL’s new parliament Ambika Satkunanathan index would increase to scheduled to deliberate on expressed that she had “Extreme Caution” 14.05.2020. submitted her resignation conditions from from her position as the 14.03.2020. 03.03.2020: Speaker - Commissioner of the The Speaker of SL HRCSL on 26.02.2020 to 14.03.2020: Consular Parliament, Karu be effective from services - SL limits the Jayasuriya’s term came to 07.03.2020. consular services provided an end following in 11 foreign countries to Gotabaya’s dissolution of 08.03.2020: SL prevent the spread of parliament, reports Parliamentary elections - COVID-19, reports Colombo Gazette. According to Pathivu Colombo Gazette. Media, Ambika 05.03.2020: HRCSL - In a Satkunanathan and 15.03.2020: Airport - The statement submitted to the Sasikala Raviraj were SL government and CAA UNHRC, HRCSL had invited to a Women’s Day announce that Jaffna outlined the deterioration event that was held in International Airport of the 19th Amendment in Thenmarachchi to would be closed for 2 Sri Lanka’s constitution introduce them as weeks to contain COVID- and its role in impacting upcoming election 19, reports Colombo the rule of law on the candidates in SL’s Gazette. island, reports Colombo parliamentary elections. Gazette. The statement 15.03.2020: Event ban - was reported to have According to newswire.lk, included demands to all events in Sri Lanka are instate protection for banned.

16.03.2020: Museum ban from her position as the SL’s upcoming - According to SL’s councillor for the Western parliamentary elections as Ministry of Buddhasasana, Province as she had been party representatives, Cultural and Religious nominated as an SLPP reports Pathivu Media. Affairs, 11 SL national candidate. museums would be closed 20.03.2020: COVID-19 - to contain the spread of 19.03.2020: SL According to Sunday COVID-19, reports Parliamentary elections - Times LK, in addition to Colombo Gazette. According to Colombo the first quarantine centre Gazette, SLEC had denied constructed by the SL air 16.03.2020: Exams - SL’s the Sinhala Extremist force in Vanni which Department of Party, Bodu Bala Sena’s houses 206 individuals, examinations has Gnanasero Thero’s three more were under postponed all exams that application to contest as a construction in; Palaly, were scheduled to occur in candidate in SL’s Iranaimadu and March 2020, reports parliamentary elections. It Mullaitivu. Colombo Gazette. was reported that the Thero had appealed the 21.03.2020: SL 18.03.2020: HRCSL - decision. Parliamentary elections - According to the HRCSL, In a published all investigations 19.03.2020: SL Extraordinary Gazette scheduled between Parliamentary elections - notification, Sri Lanka’s 20.03.2020 - 10.04.2020 According to Colombo Electoral Commission had have been rescheduled Gazette, Ambiga announced that the polls until further notice due to Satkunanathan had scheduled to occur on the COVID-19 crisis, mentioned in a media 25.04.2020 could not reports Colombo Gazette. statement that she had occur due to the COVID- withdrawn from 19 outbreak and had 18.03.2020: Labour - The participating in SL’s mentioned that a decision Commissioner of SL’s parliamentary elections as would be made 2 weeks Labour Department TNA’s candidate due to from 30.04.2020. announces the termination personal reasons and of essential services until denied allegations that the 21.03.2020: Church - 31.03.2020, reports TNA had withdrawn the According to Colombo Colombo Gazette. offer due to the media’s Gazette, it was requested vilification of her. that all those who had 19.03.2020: SL attended a service at a Parliamentary elections - 19.03.2020: Ethanol - church in Jaffna, were According to Azzam SL’s Department of requested to quarantine Ameen, the chairman of Excise will be transferring themselves to prevent the SLEC had announced that seized ethanol to the spread of COVID-19 after SL’s general elections Department of Health to a pastor was found to have would be postponed due to combat the spread of been tested positive for the COVID-19 crisis. COVID-19, reports COVID-19. Colombo Gazette. 19.03.2020: SL 22.03.2020: COVID-19 - Parliamentary elections - 19.03.2020: SL According to PMD news, According to Pathivu Parliamentary elections - the curfew imposed for Media, a renowned The UNP had released five districts in the North - surgeon, Seetha their list of 29 candidates namely Mannar, Arambepola, had resigned who were to participate in Vavuniya, Mullaitivu,

Kilinochchi and Jaffna - Technology Agency of Sri constitution, reports had been extended until 6 Lanka (ICTA) have jointly Colombo Gazette. am on 24.03.2020 for the launched an online portal supposed wellbeing of the to support the Sri Lankan 29.03.2020: Easter citizens, reports Daily Diaspora, reports Sunday Attacks - Mirror. Colombo Page. According to a statement made by the SL Police 22.03.2020: COVID-19 - 26.03.2020: COVID-19 - Media Spokesperson, SP According to Colombo According to Daily Jaliya Senaratne at a press Gazette, a travel ban had Mirror, SL’s PMD had conference, the main been imposed against the announced that an ongoing suspect who had planned residents of the Northern police curfew in the Jaffna and executed the suicide Province from travelling district would continue to bomb attack on Zion across the island. be enforced until further Church in Batticaloa had notice due to the current been arrested and detained 24.03.2020: situation. Curfews in the by SL’s CID following Appointment - SL’s Mannar, Vavuniya, investigations, reports former air force Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi Colombo Page. commander, Goonetileke, and Jaffna districts were assumed duties as the scheduled to be 30.03.2020: Curfew - Councillor of SL’s temporarily lifted at 6.00 According to PMD News, Western Province before am on 27.03.2020. the curfew imposed upon Gotabaya, reports the 6 districts of; Colombo Gazette. 28.03.2020: Customs - Colombo, Gampaha, According to Colombo Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy 26.03.2020: COVID-19 - Page, SL’s Customs and Jaffna had been According to DailyMirror, Department had made reimposed on 30.03.2020 the Special Representative arrangements to to be in force until of the President, Basil immediately release 01.04.2020, reports Rajapaksa, had been essential commodities Colombo Gazette. appointed as the Chairman from port premises in a of the Presidential Task secure manner. 31.03.2020: UNP - Force established to Former UNP MPs are combat COVID – 19. 29.03.2020: SL scheduled to meet with Parliamentary elections - Gotabaya on 01.04.2020 at 26.03.2020: Portal - SL’s Sajith has been reported to SL’s Presidential Ministry of Foreign have mentioned that his Secretariat to discuss the Relations and the election policy would COVID-19 pandemic, Information & centre around the 13th reports Colombo Page. Communication Amendment of SL’s

Economic News

06.03.2020: Scam - 18.03.2020: Travel ban - 19.03.2020: SL President According to Colombo Arrivals at the - According to Gazette, SL’s Fort Bandaranaike newswire.lk, Gotabaya Magistrate’s Court had International airport are has taken the following issued the arrest of 10 reported to be suspended decisions on behalf of suspects including Ravi until 31.03.2020 whilst SL’s Cabinet, to counter Karunanayake, regarding departures and transits will the issues caused by the SL’s Central Bank continue to operate, COVID-19 crisis: Treasury Bond Scam from reports newswire.lk. • Releasing LKR 10 2016. billion for settling the bills 18.03.2020: China - procured medicine in 09.03.2020: Solar energy According to TamilNet, arrears. - The Ceylon Electricity China’s Development • Releasing LKR Board (CEB) has issued Bank had extended a 500 million for Corona tenders for 150 MW of syndicated-loan for Sri eradication activities. solar power, reports PV Lanka by USD 500 • Releasing LKR 3 magazine. million in a 10-year-tenure billion for settling the upon SL’s request for procurement bills of 10.03.2020: Stock assistance to combat fertilizer. market - Colombo’s COVID-19. • Releasing LKR 5 Stock Market’s All Share billion for settling bills of Price Index fell to its 2nd 19.03.2020: Fuel - SL small and medium scale historic low, reports Cabinet spokesman, construction contractors. Colombo Gazette. It was Bandula Gunawardena • Allocation of LKR further reported that the had announced that the SL 46 billion for the interest Colmbo’s Stock Exchange government would applicable for the senior (CSE) was temporarily maintain fuel prices at a citizens’ deposits that had halted following a fall in flat rate, reports Colombo not been paid for two the S & P SL20 by 5%. Gazette. years. • Supplying LKR 8 15.03.2020: Wages - 19.03.2020: SL Central billion required for SL’s According to Colombo Bank - To counter the General Election 2020. Gazette, plantation economic pressures companies had denied the caused by the COVID-19 20.03.2020: Currency - implementation of a wage crisis, SL’s Central Bank According to Colombo of LKR 1000 for their had announced several Gazette, the LKR had workers. actions, reports continued to depreciate in newswire.lk. The measu- value against the USD for 17.03.2020: Business - res were reported to the 4th consecutive day. According to Azzam include the suspension of Ameen, Gotabaya had the purchase of; non- 22.03.2020: China - ordered banks and essential goods, motor Following reports made by financial institutions from vehicles and Sri Lanka a SL cabinet minister to collecting loan International Sovereign the Daily Mirror, it has repayments for the next 6 Bonds by licensed banks been reported that SL is months. in Sri Lanka, for the next due to receive additional three months. concessionary loans from China to fund sectors such

as infrastructure. mentioned on 24.03.2020, month refinancing facility TamilNet notes that the that the government had to support COVID19-hit reports made to Daily not consulted with SL’s businesses including the Mirror had indicated that rubber industry in the self employed and other the loans are expected to midst of the COVID-19 individuals. be credited in May, 2020. crisis and that they require the government’s 29.03.2020: Stock 23.03.2020: Economic assistance to allow them to Market - After being measures: According to manufacture plastic gloves closed between Azzam Ameen, the for officials who required 23.03.2020 - 27.03.2020 deadlines for; VAT, them. due to curfew restrictions, income tax, driving CSE had announced that licence renewal, 26.03.2020: HSBC SL - the market would be wat/electricity bills below According to Daily FT, closed on 30.03.2020 as a LKR 15,000, would be HSBC SL had expressed market holiday due to the extended. in a statement that they extension of the curfew, would assist personal and reports Colombo Page. 25.03.2020: Treasury - corporate customers According to Economy during the COVID-19 30.03.2020: Nestlé - Next, SL’s treasury bill crisis through relief According to Colombo had fallen 82 basis points measures. Page, Nestlé had donated within a week to the LKR 15 million worth of lowest rate that it has been 28.03.2020: Food - products to SL’s National at since 2016 due to the According to Colombo Operations Centre for COVID-19 crisis. Page, Mahindha had Prevention of COVID-19 contacted SL’s to assist SL’s frontline 25.03.2020: IMF and agricultural authorities to workers who were World Bank - According prepare for an impending combatting COVID-19. to Economy Next, IMF global food crisis due to and World Bank had the outbreak of COVID- 30.03.2020: Deficit - instructed their creditor 19. According to SL’s Central countries to suspend debt Bank, SL’s trade deficit repayments from 76 IDA 28.03.2020: US - The US had deepended following a countries - including SL - Department of State and fall in exports and increase to allow them to USAID are reported to in imports, reports concentrate their efforts to fund SL with USD 1.3 Colombo Page. their respective economies million as emergency in light of the COVID-19 health and humanitarian 31.03.2020: Inflation - crisis. assistance to combat According to SL’s COVID-19, reports Department of Census and 26.03.2020: Rubber - Colombo Page. Statistics, Colombo’s According to Economy Consumer Price Index Next, SL Association of 28.03.2020: SL Central (CCPI) had declined from Manufacturers and Bank - According to 6.2% in February 2020 to Exporters of Rubber newswire.lk, SL’s Central 5.4% in March 2020, Products’s Director Bank had announced the reports Colombo Page. General, Rohan allocation of LKR 50 Masakorala had billion, to establish a 6-

News about Oppression & Resistance

02.03.2020: Remand - 06.03.2020: Solidarity - International had indicated The Mawanella The Tamil Youth People’s in a statement which Magistrates’ Court has Movement expressed their established that impunity announced that the 32 support towards a protest for sexual and gender- individuals arrested for the that is to be organised by based violence in Sri alleged desecration of the families of forcibly Lanka was high. They Buddha statues across disappeared persons on further mentioned that Mawanella would be 08.03.2020 in Mullaitivu. consecutive SL further remanded until In a published statement in governments had failed to 16.03.2020, reports Tamil, the youth further uphold their assurances to Colombo Gazette. expressed solidarity for address the issue. these families who had 03.03.2020: TID - been protesting for over 3 10.03.2020: Hartal - According to TamilNet, years. Kattankudy Urban the TID had arrested 4 Council and Business Tamil youth in Pooneryn 07.03.2020: EPDP - Association have for the alleged possession According to their sources announced that a hartal of explosives in from Colombo, Douglas would be staged on Vadamarachchi, without Devananda had been 11.03.2020 in opposition any independent granted permission to to the establishment of a verification or complaint retrieve his exiled EPDP quarantine centre at lodged to the local Human assassins to Jaffna, reports Batticaloa campus, reports Rights Commission. TamilNet. Colombo Gazette.

04.03.2020: TID - 07.03.2020: COVID-19 - 10.03.2020: TID - According to TamilNet, S. According to Colombo According to TamilNet, Uthayasivam from Gazette, SL’s Health Uthayasivam had been Valikaamam East was Director General, Dr. arrested by the TID due to known to have been Jasinghe had notified a his involvement in arrested and detained by private university in resisting the occupational the TID for alleged links to Batticaloa, that the SL navy and army’s sand the 4 youth from Pooneryn campus would be acquired mining and the who were arrested for the until further notice to occupational SL police’s alleged possession of function as a COVID-19 logging in the area. explosives. quarantine centre. 19.03.2020: SL 05.03.2020: 08.03.2020: Protest - The Parliamentary elections - Militarisation - families of forcibly According to Colombo According to Colombo disappeared persons held a Gazette, a former Gazette, Gotabaya had mass protest in Mullaitivu spokesman of the SL defended the appointment to raise awareness army, Maj. Gen. Sumith of former SL military regarding their relatives’ Alapattu would be officers into the SL state’s plight and demand contesting in SL’s institutions in a press accountability. upcoming parliamentary conference, as the officers elections under Sajith’s were supposedly 08.03.2020: Impunity - party from the Kurunegala universally trained in such According to Colombo district. fields. Gazette, Amnesty

21.03.2020: Prison - annual convention which sergeant of the SL army, Inmates from was held on 02.03.2020, R.M. Sunil Ratnayake, Anuradhapura prison held Mahindha mentioned that who was sentenced to a protest demanding the conversion of death over the murder of secure conditions due to a Buddhists to other eight Tamil civilians in fear of the spread of religions was a threat and Mirusuvil, Jaffna in 2000, COVID-19. The STF was an “anti-conversion bill” had received a presidential involved in controlling the may be introduced to pardon from his offences protest which resulted in a counter this following and was subsequently shootout where 3 inmates SL’s upcoming released from Welikada sustained injuries and 1 parliamentary elections, Prison. was reported as deceased, reports Barnabus Fund. reports Colombo Gazette. 24.03.2020: Buddhism - 26.03.2020: Prison - During the All Ceylon According to Daily Buddhist Congress’ Mirror, the former staff

One excuse, several liberations

Sri Lanka’s former Army Staff sergeant, Rajapakse’s presidential campaign from Sunil Ratnayake, was sentenced to death in October of 2019.Then presidential hopeful, June 2015 for the murder of eight Tamil Gotabaya Rajapakse, had pledged that once civilians in the Mirusuvil massacre of the in power, he would acquit and release ‘war year, 2000. Following a 13-year trial, a Sri heroes’ who were being held on ‘baseless’ Lankan court had convicted him of charges. He further promised that he would murdering eight members from the Eelam free military personnel jailed for a string of Tamil community, including a five-year-old offenses under the governance of previous and three teenagers. SL government administrations.

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan Is this merely an excuse to deliver their government had made the decision to ease accomplices from accountability? Is congestion in prisons by releasing COVID-19 an opportunity to unleash prisoners. This decision was supposedly criminals convicted of monstrous crimes? made to avoid the spread of COVID-19. It was allegedly announced that amongst This acquittal of genocidaire, Ratnayake others, released criminals would be those has reminded us once again that regardless who had committed petty crimes or were of the intensity of any crisis situation, the unable to meet bail conditions. It is within Sri Lankan government will never neglect this context that a mass-murderer, Sunil its primary concern of maintaining their Ratnayake, had been acquitted of his crimes supremist agendas. Especially that of through a presidential pardon. preserving the heroic nature of their “war heroes.” To further contextualise this release, it is crucial that we examine Gotabaya Kayalvizhi

Signs of Structural Genocide

05.03.2020: 05.03.2020: 11.03.2020: Sinhalicisation and Environmental Sinhalicisation - Militarisation - degradation - Despite According to TamilNet, According to a statement complaints lodged to the LTTE’s Thooyavan made by C.V. Gotabaya regarding the College of Political Wigneswaran, the significant impact on Science which had been Gotabaya regime had marine-life near a allocated to the furthered the Sirisena Chinese-funded coal plant administration of Jaffna regime’s initiatives of in Norochcholai, the CEB University, had received employing Sinhalese was reported to have instructions from SL’s youth into job vacancies notified journalists that the Ministry of Higher within occupied Tamil plant was not a threat to Education, to enrol Eelam. This was the environment, reports Sinhalese students into the supposedly achieved Colombo Gazette. The college. TamilNet reports through the appointment denial of the that the Sinhalicisation of of Sinhalese youth into environmental impact the educational leading positions in civil aligns with the disruption institutions of Tamils administration thus of the Tamils’ territorial constitutes as cultural depriving the local Tamils integrity through the genocide. of the opportunity, reports destruction of the . TamilNet. occupied lands’ marine and land capacities.

11.03.2020: Buddhicisation - A grand Buddhist Vihara, “Sarasavi Viharya”, which was funded by the SL government, was opened within the premises of Jaffna university’s Kilinochchi campus on 07.03.2020, reports TamilNet. It is notable that Sinhala Buddhist national group members had attended the opening ceremony from SL’s Southern provinces.