President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged with faculty and students of the prestigious Harvard University, USA, on Friday 24 March 2023, at Boylston Hall in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute and the Center for International Development of Harvard, organized and hosted a fruitful virtual discussion that focused on contemporary developments in Sri Lanka and should be congratulated for the conduct of a successful event. The President made a short statement and answered questions from the participants on a wide range of current topics.
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Washington DC, Mahinda Samarasinghe was also present at the event which was well attended. This will be the first of many engagements with leading U.S. academic institutions focusing on Sri Lanka and cooperation in diverse fields.
Sri Lanka’s rush to apply South African model of TRC to resolve decades long oppression of Tamil people is another ruse to elude international community, especially when forthcoming UNHRC sessions are reaching at a crucial state on its action for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide of Tamil people. If this model is applied, it will enable Sri Lanka to continue its seventy years of impunity to perpetrators of gross human right violations.
The subterfuges of Sri Lankan state of this nature to are not new to those who have known Sri Lanka’s political history, especially when it comes to protect perpetrators of atrocity crimes of those in ropes and uniform. Its history of the “culture of impunity” and its inclination to protect chauvinistic Buddhist clergies is self-explanatory.
While the world at large sympathises on Sri Lanka’s self-inflicted economic plunge, what the international community fails to comprehend is that the Tamil people in the island are being subjected to the double-edged sword of economic strangulation as well as the on-going premeditated oppression.
Concentrated militarisation (16 out of 19 divisions of defence personal are based in Tamil Homeland), destruction of Tamil heritages, proliferation of Buddhist temples in places of historical Hindu temples, land-grabbing of Tamil peasants, destabilisation of Tamil peoples’ livelihood, antagonising Tamil people in their homeland etc. are still unending dilemmas in the island and they all are swept under the carpet of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
It must be noted that it is the Tamil people who are still escaping from Sri Lanka to other countries in small boats risking their lives, it is the Tamil people who are landing in India in fishing boats, and it is the Tamil people, who still seek refugee status in western countries not for economic prosperity as it is generally portrayed by western countries, but for escaping atrocities inflicted on them. It is not the Sinhalese people who risk their life in that manner as their prosperity in the island is always granted. The international community must rationalise this unequivocally.
It is also imperative to understand that the judiciary system in Sri Lanka is not independent but politically adulterated. The victim community receives no fair trial. The draconian law of Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1979, having severe criticism from several UN mechanisms, member states, NGOs and international organisations continue to be unleashed against dissenting voices.
To cover up the historic impunity Sri Lankan governments used to form commissions and inquiries to drag the burning issues and exhaust until the atrocity crimes are forgotten and kicked in the long grass.
Despite of all the above, Sri Lanka’s two ministers had paid a visit to meet the South African President making a propaganda that it would study how South Africa’s TRC model could be applied to resolve the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.
Such an attempt is nothing other than a hoax, merely to hoodwink the international community, especially the countries that are going to make crucial UNHRC decisions in forthcoming UNHRC sessions.
We, the British Tamils Forum (BTF), would therefore draw the following to the international community’s attention and warn them to act rationally and not to be caught by the gambit staged by the Sri Lankan state to protect its perpetrators of the war crimes, the crime against humanity and the genocide.
A Potential Upshot on TRC – South Africa vs Sri Lanka
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Oppressors:· Minority White.· Accepted their wrongdoing.· Gave up their oppressed rule over the majority citizen. Oppressed:· Majority Indigenous non-white Native South Africans.· Consented for TRC upon oppressors’ acceptance of their wrongdoing.· Became the ruler of the nation fulfilling their aspirations to live with the right to self-determination.Outcome:· The rulers changed. · Oppressed became the rulers.· The political structure and the governing system were completely changed.· The people of the land live in peace and harmony.· TRC prevails.
Oppressors:· Majority Sinhalese.· Never accepted their wrongdoing.· Treat non-Sinhalese with “them and us” attitude.· Infliction of oppression on Tamil people continues despite of the decline of its economy.· Continues to deploy concentrated military forces in oppressed homelands.· Destruction of oppressed (Tamil’s) heritage continues. Oppressed:· The enduring psychological scar of the atrocity crimes inflicted on them persist.· Continuing cycles of violence has gone from endurance to acrimony. · The resentment cannot be consoled with conciliation process.· No system changes. Possible Outcome:· Oppressed will remain oppressed.· Oppressor will get recognition for the atrocity crimes that it inflicted on the oppressed with total disregard for international human rights laws.· The atrocity crimes of the oppressors will continue.· The oppressed will cease to exist in future.
Conclusion:· There is no basis for the Sri Lankan government to consider that the South African TRC model will fit for the purpose of acknowledging Tamil peoples’ legitimate aspirations and ensure non recurrence by restructuring the failed state for a peaceful coexistence of all in the island.· Sri Lanka knows very well that TRC will not resolve the ethnic issue in the island.· The international community must understand this clearly and must not be cheated by its trick of delaying or eradicating the commitments of the UNHRC’s Resolutions.· Creating a scenario of discussing with the President of South Africa is merely to delude the international community.· The way forward is to establish an International Criminal Justice Mechanism without further delay.
In South Africa the majority who took over from their oppressors could be magnanimous; in Sri Lanka the oppressors remain in power after eliminating those standing up for the Tamils in bloody atrocities.
Reference:
· TWENTY YEARS OF MAKE-BELIEVE SRI LANKA’S COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY
A LEGACY TO REMEMBER; SRI LANKA’S COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY
· A Commentary on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry and the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Political Victimization, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA)
Despite of many more committees formed by the Sri Lankan government, they were all fake and falsehood. Especially designed to deceive the international community with ulterior motives.
To avoid losing benefits, applicants must provide accurate information by March 31
The program initiated on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to identify those eligible for welfare benefit payments has completed the information verification for over 2.2 million applications received during the on-going survey and verification process.
Mr. Saman Ekanayake, the Secretary to the President, has instructed officers to accelerate the eligibility verification process for welfare allowances pertaining to 3.7 million applications received from 340 Divisional Secretariat Divisions throughout the island.
As a result, the majority of applications that have been confirmed and finalized are from the Matara district, accounting for 82.1% of all applications.
The data verification process has validated the information of 2,227,888 applications from all over the island. Among them, 78.3% were from Ampara district, 74.5% were from Kalutara district, 73.3% were from Galle district, and 71.7% were from Anuradhapura district. (See Annexure 01)
As the information survey work is set to conclude on March 31st, the government urges applicants to provide accurate data to the officials conducting the survey with utmost urgency.
It should be noted that failure to provide correct information by the deadline may result in the denial of welfare benefits, and therefore, the government emphasizes the importance of timely and accurate information submission.
Effective from Friday, March 31, 2023, the Ministry of Transport has announced a reduction in the minimum bus fare for Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and private buses. The minimum bus fare will now be lowered from Rs. 34 to Rs. 30. The ministry has further added that the revision of other fares will be notified tomorrow, March 30.
Regarding the reduction of fuel prices announced by Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, the new prices starting from midnight today are as follows:
The price of petrol will decrease by Rs 60, resulting in a new price of Rs 340. The price of diesel will decrease by Rs 80, resulting in a new price of Rs 325. The price of petrol 95 will decrease by Rs 135, resulting in a new price of Rs 375. The price of super diesel will decrease by Rs 45, resulting in a new price of Rs 465. The price of kerosene will decrease by Rs 10, resulting in a new price of Rs 295.
In response to the ongoing strike by several trade union leaders and workers against the privatization of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the CPC has taken action by sending disruptive trade union leaders and workers on compulsory leave starting today. The CPC has also implemented an entry ban on these individuals at both the CPC and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL).
The CPC has assured the public that all other employees will be allowed to enter the premises and continue with the fuel distribution process. In the meantime, the Minister of Power and Energy, Kanchana Wijesekera, has urged the public not to panic over fuel shortages, while the Police and armed forces have been deployed to assist with the fuel distribution.
Furthermore, Minister Wijesekera announced that fuel distribution has commenced at the Kollonawa and Muthurajawela terminals since 6 am today, and there are sufficient stocks of fuel available.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe says SL will become the first country in the region to adopt a green economy, as the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Power and Energy, and the Climate Change Office work together to introduce a green economic policy focused on renewable energy within the next two months.
Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says seven companies have submitted EOIs for the proposed new refinery in Hambantota; asserts technical evaluation committee and other procurement committees will evaluate EOIs and issue the RFPs to suitable applicants.
Janaka Ratnayake confirms he has been officially briefed on the grounds on which he was removed from the position as the Chairman of the PUCSL; denies all allegations against him; adds that his response will be sent to the Finance Ministry in writing.
Health Ministry’s food inspection unit asserts the certification required for the release of the egg stock imported from India can be completed within this week; adds the process may take at least three days.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, MP Ajith Mannamperuma says two opinions have been raised regarding the lodging of a lawsuit demanding compensation for the eco damage caused by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster; asserts the Committee will be working towards reaching a common agreement in the first week of April; laments no legal clearance is granted to inspect the place where the cargo vessel sank for the calculation of the damage.
Director of Verité Research and economic expert Dr. Nishan De Mel says some more steps need to be taken to build global confidence in Sri Lanka’s economy; adds the next challenges facing the island nation are to succeed its debt restructuring programme and to secure a higher credit rating.
The UNFPA congratulates Sri Lanka on its achievement in developing robust national evaluation capacities, at the policy, institutional, and professional levels: UNFPA delegation commends President Wickremesinghe’s leadership in promoting evaluation, particularly in the public sector, which they say will play a ‘significant role’ in addressing the challenges faced by the country.
Senior Director of the global human rights watchdog Amnesty International Deprose Muchena spills the tea by slamming the Sri Lankan government, in what he suggested as Sri Lanka “being one of the many countries that disrupted the right to protest of the people”; adds human rights came under attack, and repression has taken the course in the most ‘calculated order’; demands ‘transparency’ on the IMF deal so that everything that has been debated in within the public purview.
Veteran singer, songwriter and musician Prof. Sanath Nandasiri has passed away at the age of 81.
A coalition of leading South African human rights groups questions their government’s invitation to Sri Lankan delegates whom they described as individuals with links to alleged ‘war criminals’ for a study tour on reconciliation and transitional justice: A statement by the coalition emphasises that the invitation to Ministers Ali Sabry and Wijedasa Rajapaksa by the SA government is concerning in view of allegations of on-going human rights abuses, the suppression of civil society and a failure by the SL government to ensure criminal accountability for ‘gross human rights abuses’ perpetrated during the 1983 – 2009 civil war.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Manisha Gunasekera presented her Letters of Credence to the Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay on 21 March 2023 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The ceremony entailed the presentation of credentials followed by a meeting with the Director General.
At the meeting, Ambassador Gunasekera reiterated Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to maintaining its proactive engagement with UNESCO in areas of shared interest and relevance encompassing education, cultural heritage, environment and the sciences.
Recalling the country’s long standing close relations with UNESCO since the early days of the organization, Ambassador Gunasekera referred to the75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s membership of the UN body which will be commemorated in 2024. Director General Azoulay welcomed Sri Lanka’s strong and abiding ties with UNESCO as a testimony to the enduring significance of the organization to member states.
The discussion focused on Sri Lanka’s collaboration with UNESCO in sectors of relevance and the means of further enhancing existing cooperation. Director General Azoulay appreciated Sri Lanka’s valued contribution and commitment to UNESCO, and expressed her support towards the country’s continued engagement with the organization.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, accompanied by the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, concluded the 3 day working visit to South Africa from 21-25 March 2023.
It is recalled that the Cabinet of Ministers in January this year approved the concept of a Truth and Reconciliation mechanism as proposed by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Reconciliation, which is chaired by President Wickremesinghe. The proposed concept states that an independent, domestic mechanism of truth seeking is identified as a meaningful way for Sri Lanka to advance and secure peace, after the country’s arduous journey of ending conflict of three decades. The Cabinet also authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice to operationalize this concept and to initiate discussions and facilitate the drafting of a Truth and Reconciliation law. It is in support of this process, the current visit took place at the invitation of the South African Government.
During the visit, the two Ministers paid a Courtesy Call on the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and held bilateral meetings with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa Naledi Pandoor and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional and Constitutional Development Ronald Lamola. They also met with former South African President Thabo Mbeki as well as Roelf Meyer, former Minister of Constitutional Development and one of the chief negotiators, along with President Ramaphosa, for the end of apartheid in South Africa and paving the way to the first democratic elections in the country. Meetings were also held with officials from the Public Prosecutions Office of South Africa, the Pan African Bar Association of South Africa, “Freedom park”, “In Transformation Initiative” and the “Institute for Justice and Reconciliation”.
During the call on President Ramaphosa, the South African President warmly recalled his friendship with President Wickremesinghe and said that he wishes to further consolidate the bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. He further stated that South Africa is committed to sharing their experiences in relation to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a view to assisting Sri Lanka in the reconciliation process.
Foreign Minister Sabry and Minister Pandoor exchanged views on important bilateral issues as well as the current situation in Sri Lanka. Minister Sabry especially briefed the South African Minister on the progress being made by the Government of Sri Lanka with regard to national efforts on reconciliation and the promotion and protection of human rights. While acknowledging that the South African model would need to be adapted to the Sri Lankan context, both Ministers agreed to work together in sharing experiences and expertise in developing the contours of a truth-seeking mechanism that would best suit the needs of the Sri Lankan people.
The interactions with the South African Minister of Justice and other experts provided valuable insights with regard to the South African experience in the establishment of their Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Mannar districts during the afternoon or night.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
