Geo-politics Prevails the Humanity

Unquestionably the whole world knows that the Mullivaikkal genocidal intended Tamil massacre in Sri Lanka is the first and the worst in this 21^st century. Despite the awareness of well-substantiated documents pertaining to Tamil massacre, the international community not only assisted Sri Lankan state to execute its purpose but continue to disregard Tamil peoples’ call for justice for the atrocity crimes inflicted on them by the Sri Lankan state.

Had the international community been considerate on humanities, rather than paying their geo-politics, many Tamil peoples’ lives could have been saved. It is not only the loss of lives, but several people have been maimed, lost their limbs, eyes, widowed, orphaned and have been living into destitute situation due to the destruction of their properties and belongings and also due to the occupation of concentrated Sri Lankan military in their lands. 

Had the world-leaders proactively set an example by intervening with the Sri Lankan government and stopped the massacre of Tamil people, that precedence could have saved many peoples’ lives in other countries too. A good recent example is Ukraine – Russian war.

Nevertheless, there are 1000s of well documented evidence are available the UN Member states continue to fail to acknowledge merits to establish an international criminal justice mechanism due to lack of political will and geopolitical interests. Had there been a drive, international community should have ensured the (a) reporting of these crimes to other UN mechanisms and (b) referring to the General assembly for an international criminal justice mechanism.

The Core Cause for Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis

Majority of the countries were sympathetic with Sri Lanka’s pretence that imposition of stringent resolution against it, while it undergoes economic upheaval, is unfair without knowing the true cause for its current dilemma.  

These countries must understand and acknowledge that there is a disconnection between the current economic crisis and the seven decades of Sinhala Buddhist exclusivity, impunity, cycles of violence, conflict driven political agenda and highly centralised state institutions, 

We met the diplomats of several countries and internationally reputed NGOs to comprehensively explain them with facts and figures in convincing them that the root cause for Sri Lanka’s current economic problem has been its racial hegemony of Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinism since Sri Lanka became independence in 1948. 

Among the many things cited: 

·        the Sinhala-only Act followed by the premeditated deployment of more military camps in Tamil homeland from 1963 when the Tamil people were conducting nonviolent resistance, 

·        the prolongation of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a temporary provision enacted in 1979 till to date, arbitrary arrest, detention, enforced disappearance, extra judicial killings, torture, sexual violence, vulnerability of the women & children and the effect of impunity, 

·        national budget spent for defence for 27 years, between 1983 and 2009 was $14 billion, whereas the post-war defence expenditure for the 10 years, from 2010 to 2019 has been $17 billion causing the frenzy borrowing led to $51 Billion foreign debt, and

·        the additional defence expenditure predominantly was to deploy 16 out of 19 military divisions in Tamil homeland with the increase of 318,000 military personnel in 2018 from 220,000 at the end of war in 2009.

Imposition of Leverages

The despotic nature of the Sinhala-Buddhist chauvinistic Sri Lankan state has proved over the past seven decades, by defying several negotiations & pacts for the devolution of powers to the Tamil people, that it is not going to fulfil the legitimate aspirations of Tamil people in the island for prospering through the process of peaceful coexistence. 

Undeniably, the international community is fully aware not only from the many cycles of violence staged against Tamil people, but also from disregarding the UNHRC Resolutions over the years, particularly A/HRC/RES/46/1 of March 2021 and A/HRC/51/L.1/Rev.1 of October 2022.

It is the time for the international community to take tangible actions, one of which is applying calibrated leverages against Sri Lanka avoiding the sufferings of innocent civilians. otherwise, it will continue its atrocities endlessly, leading the country further economic and political crisis. 

As Sri Lanka is totally depending on foreign aids and support such as the GSP+ privileges, applying leverages at this stage can bring significant changes to the political structure in the island. 

By using all the available leverages on Sri Lanka, when it is in weakest stage and fully dependant on the international community, particularly the USA, UK, India and EU should be able to prevail on the decision makers of Sri Lanka to arbitrate a power sharing arrangement based on the right to self-determination and the principles of federalism. Resolution 51/1 progressively included the political solution and devolution.

Implications of 51/1 UNHRC Resolution 

It is worth mentioning at this juncture that Sri Lanka, arrived with an arrogant attitude of defying the resolution as if the countries would extend their support on sympathy of its economic crisis and also demanding not to interfere with its sovereignty, severely lost with receiving only seven votes, which was four less than its position if 2021. India emphasised on the devolution of powers and the aspiration Tamil people for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. 

Unlike Resolution 46/1 low allocation of budget, which was subsequently unduly curtailed by the friendly countries of Sri Lanka, Resolution 51/1 has allocated a moderate budget for the evidence collection, preservation and analysation of human rights violations and related crimes in Sri Lanka. 

Resolution 46/1 does not restrict the time limit for the evidence collection of atrocious deed inflicted on innocent victims. Thus, this permits us to collect evidence of all atrocity crimes including Genocide even up to the date Sri Lanka attained independence in 1948.

This implies that Tamil people, particularly the diaspora organisations, Victims & Witnesses and the human rights defending countries must work hard in providing and assisting the Sri Lanka Accountability Project, UNHRC with truthful and genuine evidence collections. 

Considering that “unity is strength” the Tamil diaspora organisations collectively must take responsibility to ensure the revelation of the unreported crimes especially the crime of Genocide in the future reports of the OHCHR. We call upon the like-minded Tamil organisations to join us to explore the avenues leading to international criminal justice mechanisms and mobilise the resources to establish such international mechanisms for Sri Lanka

Tamil political parties and civil society to work in unison towards finding a long-term political solution by involving India, the United States, The European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada to play as arbitrators of the devolution of power sharing mechanism. 

The Way Forward

Considering the foregoing, among the many other things stipulated in current resolution, 51/1, we must ensure to strengthen the Evidence Collection Mechanism by fully resourcing without further delay by enabling the team reach out to the victims and witnesses globally and to secure their evidence, prepare case files, share with relevant host countries and international justice mechanisms to initiate the judicial proceedings. More proactive we are, will result in strong reporting on the 53^rd session validating the elements of genocidal intent and other atrocity crimes. 

In the interim, we request the states to address the underlying causes of the crisis, including impunity for human rights violations and economic crimes by pursuing a number of options to advance accountability at the international level, by helping the victims seek justice, reconciliation and human rights; and requests UNHRC to pursue the prosecution of the available emblematic cases through appropriate mechanisms and  also requests the council to refer through the General Assembly to establish an International criminal justice mechanism for Sri Lanka.

We also request the International Community to work towards a negotiated political solution for the Tamil people through international arbitration and to undertake to implement it in Sri Lanka.

Continuing with its various initiatives to uplift communities and create opportunities in Sri Lanka, CHEC Port City Colombo (CPCC), donated 2,500 translated copies of its inspiring and educational Children’s Storybook, “City Rising from the Ocean”, which has been translated into the Sinhala and Tamil Languages, Shalaka Wijeyaratne, Assistant Executive Director – CIFC Development at CPCC told Times online

The book was originally published in English in 2021, when 2,000 copies of the book were donated to the National Library of Sri Lanka, with the intention of inspiring future generations through an engaging story about developing Port City Colombo as the first ever master planned city built on reclaimed land thriving to drive the economic and social development of Sri Lanka, he said. .

Alongside the book donation, CPCC also undertook the refurbishment of the Chinese Book Corner of the National Library to mark the occasion.

The donation of the translated copies this year, builds on CPCC’s efforts to make a positive impact within communities through promoting reading and igniting a passion for learning amongst young minds.

Incidentally, this occasion also serves to mark both PCC’s 8th anniversary, while also celebrating Children’s Day in Sri Lanka.The set of 2,500 translated copies of “City Rising from the Ocean” were officially handed over to. W. Sunil, the Director General of the National Library, by a delegation of Senior Officials representing CPCC, led by Mr. Shalaka Wijeyaratne, Assistant Executive Director – CIFC Development at CPCC.

(Bandula)

1. SJB MPs Eran Wickremaratne, Harsha Silva and Kabir Hashim say the proposed tax increases is a death sentence to various groups: previously, the same MPs have severely criticised the tax decreases effected by end-2019.
2. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe rejects Russia’s MIR payments systems for the second time: Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane had requested approval for this payment method to facilitate trade and tourism between the 2 countries.
3. Central Bank able to accept only Rs.60.3 bn in T-Bill auction out of offer of Rs.90 bn: 91-day rate shoots up to 33.05%: 182-day rate jumps to 32.53%: government’s interest cost increase for the 6 months 1st April 2022 to 30th September 2022 records a staggering Rs.540 bn.
4. Sri Lanka abstains in UN General Assembly vote to condemn Russia’s annexation of 4 regions of Ukraine: resolution supported by 143 countries: 35 states, including Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan and India, abstain.
5. Analysts say IMF-driven tax hikes could hit investments into stock markets from small time investors: claim new levies wipe out a significant portion of disposable income: tax hikes show tax threshold reduced to Rs.1.2 mn from Rs.3 mn: corporate tax raised to 30% from 24%: exemptions removed.
6. Sri Lanka to donate over 6 mn Pfizer vaccines valued at USD 40 mn to Myanmar: vaccines unuaed because many Sri Lankans reluctant to obtain booster doses: previously, 18 mn doses of Pfizer vaccines had been purchased for booster doses.
7. Gunman who shot and injured a 3-wheeler driver in Ahungalla on Wednesday, shot dead by Police: suspect shot when he tried to shoot STF personnel with a pistol when they attempted to arrest him.
8. Health Ministry says 59,317 dengue patients reported across the island so far this year: highest number reported from Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts.
9. Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwelle says more people are coming to the government hospitals because they can no longer afford private hospitals: also says there won’t be a lower middle class in this country anymore at this rate.
10. Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team defeats Pakistan by 1 run in thrilling semi-final in the Women’s Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka Women 122/6 in 20 overs: Pakistan Women 121/6 in 20 overs.

Cascading global crises have left 54 countries, including Sri Lanka, in dire need of debt relief, the UN said Tuesday (11).

In a new report, the United Nations Development Program warned that dozens of developing nations were facing a rapidly deepening debt crisis and that “the risks of inaction are dire”, AFP said.

UNDP said without immediate relief, at least 54 countries would see rising poverty levels, and “desperately needed investments in climate adaptation and mitigation will not happen”.

That was worrisome since the affected countries were “among the most climate-vulnerable in the world”.

The agency’s report, published ahead of meetings of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and also of G20 finance ministers in Washington, highlighted the need for swift action.

But despite repeated warnings, “little has happened so far, and the risks have been growing,” UNDP chief Achim Steiner told reporters in Geneva.

“That crisis is intensifying and threatening to spill over into an entrenched development crisis across dozens of countries across the world.”

The poor, indebted countries are facing converging economic pressures and many find it impossible to pay back their debt or access new financing.

“Market conditions are shifting rapidly as a synchronized fiscal and monetary contraction and low growth are fueling volatility around the globe,” UNDP said.

The UN agency said debt troubles had been brewing in many of the affected countries long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“The rapid build-up in debt over the past decade has been consistently underestimated,” it said.

The freeze on debt repayment during the COVID crisis to lighten their burden has expired and negotiations under the G20 Common Framework created during the pandemic to help heavily-indebted countries find a path to restructure their obligations have been moving at a snail’s pace.

According to available data, 46 of the 54 countries had amassed public debt totalling $ 782 billion in 2020, the report said. Argentina, Ukraine, and Venezuela alone account for more than a third of that amount.

The situation is deteriorating rapidly, with 19 of the developing countries now effectively shut out of the lending market — 10 more than at the start of the year.

A third of all the developing economies have meanwhile seen their debt labelled as being “substantial risk, extremely speculative or default,” UNDP’s chief economist George Gray Molina told reporters.

The countries at the most immediate risk are Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Tunisia, Chad, and Zambia, he said. Gray Molina said private creditors have so far been the biggest obstacle to moving forward with needed restructuring.

But he suggested that the current market conditions could pave the way for a debt deal, as private creditors see the value of their holdings plunge by as much as 60%.

“When emerging market bonds trade at 40 cents on the dollar, private creditors suddenly become more open to negotiation,” he said.

“The incentives are to now join a negotiation where you might accept the haircut of 20 cents on the dollar, 15 cents on the dollar, and 30 cents on the dollar.”

But willing creditors are not enough to actually nail down a much-needed debt-relief agreement, Gray Molina acknowledged.

“The missing ingredients at this moment are financial assurances from major creditor governments to clinch a deal.”

Steiner, who has repeatedly raised the alarm about the crisis, voiced hope the international community might finally recognize that action is in everyone’s shared interest.

“Prevention is better than treatment and certainly… much, much cheaper than having to deal with a global recession,” he said.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in an interview with Pasini Withanage on The Leader YouTube channel on Thursday (13), emphasized the importance of King Charles III attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) scheduled to be held in Egypt from 6 – 18 November 2022.

The President made this observation in response to a statement made by Buckingham Palace on October 02 which stated that a decision had been made for King Charles III not to attend COP27.

The President of last year’s summit and member of Liz Truss’s Cabinet Alok Sharma however had stated that King Charles III should attend the upcoming climate change conference. Sharma was responding to a report which claimed British Prime Minister Liz Truss had ordered the king not to attend the conference.

According to British news reports, the King- then the Prince of Wales had indicated he would attend the annual conference.

King Charles III has been a staunch climate action advocate with a long history of campaigning to reduce the effects of climate change and made a speech during the opening of last year’s summit.

President Wickremesinghe, who recently appointed former Norwegian Minister of Environment Erik Solheim as his international advisor on climate, is expected to attend COP27 in Egypt next month.

The full text of the interview is as follows;

Q. Why is Sri Lanka placing so much importance and emphasis on climate change, especially during the economic crisis?

A. Well, if you are looking at the economic crisis, we have to emphasize climate change because today the economy and climate change are interlinked. We have to recover from this position. There must be economic development in the country. We have to go ahead. Then, our economy now must be on the lines of a green economy. That’s what everyone else is doing in the world. We can’t be outside that. Secondly, tremendous potential Sri Lanka has as a green economy. We’re getting into renewable energy. There are many other fields in which Sri Lanka can really benefit and we should go ahead.

Q. What are some of the initiatives that Sri Lanka has put in place, or is planning to put in place to address climate change?

A. Actually, we haven’t done much after COP26 due to the political instability in Sri Lanka, but we do have a plan. Our framework will take into account the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement we signed, the decisions taken at COP26, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government resolution on climate change. We are also looking at the blue economy. So within this framework, we’ll be working out our initiatives, and the potential we have. The steps we had to take. We even had to look at the water at some stage, degraded soils and reforestation. But in addition to that, I feel there has to be capacity building not only for Sri Lanka but for our whole region. We are also proposing 1s a climate change university which will be devoted to capacity building among the officials and the activists involved in climate change.

Q. You mentioned the COP summit. It has been announced that you will be attending the COP27 in Egypt next month. What is the government hoping to achieve by attending the summit?

A. No, we want to play our role there because we are very concerned as an Indian Ocean island nation, about the impact it can have on us. And we should also work together with India, especially in places like Tamil Nadu. A lot is being done on climate change. I also want to get support for the climate change university which we have been advocating. So we are going ahead and I’ve asked the former President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, to act as my special envoy on climate change. He has been visiting several countries and Mr Eric Solheim came as an advisor, on both our legislation as well as the climate change university.

Q. The climate summit has been running for 27 editions now this year. Do you think the summit had been successful or do you think there’s space for improvement?

A. Well, 2015 was a really important one, when it came to the climate change agreement, and certainly 26 is very important. We have to follow up on COP26. Some of these countries have fallen behind or they’ve sort of retreated from the position they have taken. This is why COP27 is important. The President of Egypt had invited King Charles III to come and address COP 27. I also think it’s very important. Unfortunately, there seem to be some issues in the UK about him attending COP27. I can’t talk of the UK, but talking as a member of the Commonwealth, King Charles is the head of the Commonwealth and last February at the CHOGM, we passed a resolution on climate change. Therefore, he should be here. I think the UK government should reconsider it and enable him to be in Egypt for COP27 because he has an important role to play.

THE LEADER