WHY
is the International Community silent about these
Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes ?
Wake up call
to the UN Human Rights Council
Appel à la prise de conscience du
Conseil des Droits de l'Homme - Nations Unies
Llamado para reacción urgente del
Consejo de Derechos Humanos-Naciones Unidas
Website : www.tchr.net
6th session / 6ème session / 6° período de sesiones
10/09/2007 -- 28/09/2007
LOGO
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR
Centre Tamoul pour les droits de l'Homme - CTDH
Centro Tamil para los Derechos Humanos
(Established in 1990)
CONTROVERSEY BETWEEN THE UN AND SRI LANKA
"34 HUMANITARIAN STAFF KILLED IN SRI LANKA SINCE JANUARY 2006"
Sir John Holmes, United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator and
Under Secretary General of Humanitarian Affairs
"Aid agencies say 34 humanitarian staff have been killed in Sri Lanka since January 2006, including 17
local staff of Action Contre La Faim shot dead in the restive northeast a year ago in a massacre Nordic
truce monitors blamed on security forces. There is a concern ... about the safety of humanitarian
workers themselves and the record here is one of the worst in the world from that point of view."
(Reuters in an interview on 8 August 2007)
*****
"I WOULD SAY HOLMES IS COMPLETELY A TERRORIST,......"
Chief Government Whip and a Minister, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
"I would say Holmes is completely a terrorist, a terrorist who supports terrorism. We consider people
who support terrorists also terrorists. So Holmes, who supports the LTTE (Tamil Tigers), is also a
terrorist. This person tries to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka internationally." He added. "I think the LTTE
has bribed Holmes." (Reuters, 15 August 2007).
*****
"UN SECRETARY-GENERAL FULLY SUPPORTS THE WORK OF HIS
EMERGENCY RELIEF COORDINATOR, JOHN HOLMES"
UN Secretary General's Spokesperson Michèle Montas
"....There was a statement made in the press and, you know, giving accusations against Mr. Holmes.
We believe them to be unwarranted and unacceptable. The Secretary-General fully supports the
work of his Emergency Relief Coordinator, John Holmes. So that’s what I can say at this point
concerning those comments." (Daily press briefing - 16 August 2007)
*****
"I don‟t give a damn about what this
UN boss has to tell me or Sri Lanka"
Chief Government Whip and a Minister, Jeyaraj Fernandopulle
I don’t give a damn about what this UN boss has to tell me or Sri Lanka. He can say whatever he wants,
but I will still go by what I said and that is, John Homes is a terrorist who takes bribes from the LTTE.... I
do not care what the UN Secretary General says. We cannot allow any foreigner to come to our country
and work against us"
(The Nation - August 19, 2007)
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR
Centre Tamoul pour les droits de l'Homme - CTDH
Centro Tamil para los Derechos Humanos
(Established in 1990)
Website : www.tchr.net
TCHR PARTICIPATION IN UNITED NATIONS
WORLD CONFERENCES AND OTHER MEETINGS
*
The Tamil Centre for Human Rights (TCHR) officially participated in the United Nations
7th Global Forum, Re-instating good governance, in Vienna, Austria 26-29 June 2007.
*
Members of TCHR participated in the World Federation of United Nations Associations
(WFUNA) seminar in Geneva, Switzerland, 29-31 July 2007.
*
TCHR officially accredited to participate in the United Nations Conference on Anticorruption Measures, Good Governance and Human Rights, in Warsaw, Poland 8–9
November 2006.
*
A meeting was held on 7 March 2006, in the European Parliament – titled "EU contribution
to the peace process in Sri Lanka". This was jointly organised by TCHR and Mr. Robert
Evans, a member of European Parliament of Labour Party in UK.
*
Accredited by the United Nations to participate in the World Summit on the Information
Society – WSIS in Tunisia, 16 – 18 November 2005.
*
Officially participated in the NGO forum of the UN World Conference Against Racism –
WCAR in Durban, South Africa, from 28 August to 1 September 2001. TCHR held an
information stall including an exhibition at the forum. The TCHR representatives also
attended the main WCAR conference held in Durban, 31 August to 7 September 2001.
(http://www.tchr.net/reports_wcar_detail.htm)
*
A meeting was held on 14 October 1998, in the European Parliament – titled "Press
censorship in Sri Lanka". This was jointly organised by the Tamil Centre for Human Rights
(TCHR) and Ms. Anita Pollack, a member of European Parliament of Labour Party in UK.
*
In 1993, held an information stall and a photo exhibition on human rights violations, in the
nd
United Nations 2 World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna, Austria, from 14-25
June.
*
TCHR participates in meetings of Treaty bodies and submits reports to the same.
Fact finding missions to the North East of the Island of Sri Lanka
*
May 2003
(http://www.tchr.net/report_studymission_2003.htm)
*
December 2003 – addendum report
(http://www.tchr.net/report_studymission_2003add.htm)
*
July-August 2004
(http://www.tchr.net/reports_visite_2004.htm)
Head Office
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPEAL
03
HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
05
09
Peace talks between Tamil and Singhala leaders since 1927
COLONISATION
10
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in the Eastern province
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in Batticaloa district
Since 1963 - Tamil and Sinhala population in Amparai district
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in Trincomalee district
11
ETHNIC CLEANSING
Sri Lanka police send Tamils back to their villages
Ranil on forced eviction of Tamils
Send Tamils to India – UNP!
Mahinda 'dividing' Sri Lanka
The United States condemns the forced removal of Tamils
Norway condemns enforced removal of Tamils from Colombo
Canada condemns the forced removal of citizens of Tamil
Indian PM concerned over eviction of Sri Lankan Tamils
BJP slams move to evacuate Tamils from Colombo
Eviction is not ‗winning hearts and minds‘
RECORDED FIGURES
12
13
14
16
Arrests, killings, disappearances, rapes, displacements and Injuries
to the Tamils in the North East, Colombo and other regions
JOURNALISTS AND OTHER STAFF
Killed, attacked and harassed
1990 - 2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
17
18
19
20
21
22
HUMANITARIAN WORKERS
46 Humanitarian staff killed in Sri Lanka
Humanitarian staff injured
Attack on NGO's office
24
25
KILLING OF RELIGIOUS DIGNITARIES AND LAYMEN
26
Arrest & injury
RECENT KILLING OF ACADEMICS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS
27
Death threats to parliamentarians
MASSACRES AND KILLINGS OF TAMILS
Killings by the IPFK in the North East
Massacres and killings - Amparai district
Batticaloa district
Trincomale district
Mullaitivu district
Vavuniya & Mannar district
Kilinochchi district
Jaffna district
Colombo and other districts
1
28
32
33
34
35
36
37
MILITARY OCCUPATION OF
Civilian dwellings/land, schools, place of worship and public buildings
AMPARAI DISTRICT – Division 1
BATTICALOA DISTRICT :
Division 1
Division 2
Division 4
TRINCOMALE DISTRICT :
DIVISION 1
VAVUNIYA DISTRICT :
Venkalachcheddikkulam Division
Vavuniya Division
M ANNAR DISTRICT :
Mannar Division
Nanattan Division
Madhu Division
Adampan Division
JAFFNA DISTRICT :
Valikamam East Division
Valikamam West Division
Valikamam Division
Vadamaradchi Division
Islands Division
Thenmaradchi High Security Zone
Schools within the High Security Zone in Valikamam North
Temples within High Security Zone in Valikamam North
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES DAMAGED/DESTROYED
BY AERIAL BOMBING AND SHELLING IN THE NORTH
38
39
40
41
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
51
52
55
HINDU TEMPLES / KOVILS DAMAGED/DESTROYED BY AERIAL BOMBING AND SHELLING
AMPARAI
BATTICALOA
JAFFNA
KILLINOCHCHI
M ANNAR
MULLAITIVU
TRINCOMALEE
VAVUNIYA
64
66
69
82
90
95
99
ANNEXES
NGOS INTERVENTION IN THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM
Are the Tamil people not as fashionable as the Bosnians? IED
There is no hope for the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka – LIDLIP
Many people in civil society are asking, ― ‗Security‘ – for whom? – IADL
17 humanitarian aid workers were brutally massacred - IED
Human rights defenders are killed by the Armed forces - Interfaith International
The rule of law situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating – IMADR
GOVERNMENT HAND IN ABDUCTIONS RACKET BARED
CAFE D‟ APRC
THE APC SMOKESCREEN
LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
TCHR SUMMARY, MARCH 2007 – AUGUST 2007 (NAMES, DATES, PLACE OF INCIDENTS ETC)
Arbitrary arrest / detention
Extra judicial killings / summary executions
Enforced or involuntary disappearances
112
118
128
2
10 September 2007
The President
Members and Delegates
Human Rights Council - 6th Session
United Nations
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Distinguished Sirs / Mesdames,
First of all, we extend our congratulations to you for your appointment as the Chairperson of the 6th
session. We regularly report on the human rights violations taking place in the Island of Sri Lanka. Our
reporting is based on indisputable facts, the authentic details of which we receive from our sources
directly from the North East and other parts of the Island. The United Nations human rights monitoring
bodies have appreciated the veracity of our reporting.
In our submission to the 6th session, we will be high-lighting the human rights violations perpetrated
against the people in the North East and other parts by successive governments that ruled the island
since independence in 1948.
Our report includes the history in a nutshell, colonisation & ethnic cleansing in the East, recorded
figures of violations from 1956 to 2007, killing and harrassment of journalists, humanitarian workers,
religious dignitaries, academics, parliamenterians - and major massacres and killings. Also the report
includes details of military occupation of civilian dwellings/land, schools, places of worship and public
buildings. We have also included details of cultural genocide in the North East with a list of 299
Christian churches and 1348 Hindu/Saiva temples/kovils which were fully or partially damaged by aerial
bombing and shelling in the North East.
The incidents we have mentioned in our report since 1956, have never been subject to an independent
inquiry - nor have the perpetrators been arrested and punished nor have the victims been
compensated. There are many more incidents to be added to those we have in this report.
Impunity is a very serious problem in Sri Lanka. Many notorious human rights violators in the Security
forces especially in the Army, Police and the Paramilitary have received the best promotions and
appointments as Ministers and to high profile jobs in the government. The government of Sri Lanka
encourages and allows the perpertrators to move freely in society - and the violations continue.
In the Northeast the human rights situation has been deteriorating for many long years. Genocide,
cultural genocide, multiple displacements are occuring and a systematic economic embargo to the
North East is starving the people.
First hand witnesses to these Crimes against humanity - cemeteries full of murdered bodies, hospitals
full of child and adult casualties, camps full of displaced people, people starving due to the economic
embargo and buildings destroyed in all parts of North East. The security forces have created ―High
Security Zones‖ in the densily populated residential areas of the Northeast and are occupying civilian
homes and public buildings.
Sirs / Mesdames,
The Sinhala constitution denies fundamental and political rights to the Tamil people. The introduction of
the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 1979 and 27years of emergency rule (ER) have inflicted terror
upon the Tamil people in the island. ER and the PTA permit the Sri Lanka security forces to arrest,
torture, rape and kill the Tamils with impunity. Only a few cases have attracted international news
coverage - and international human rights and humanitarian organisations are paying attention to these.
Press freedom and freedom of expression are in peril in Sri Lanka. Journalists are arrested,
tortured, abducted, disappeared and killed over-night. Misinformation is heavily used internally
and internationally by the government of Sri Lanka to distort the real picture of what is
happening in the conflict areas.
Ethnic cleansing of Tamils and Singhalisation in the North East continues with foreign help. As part of
the ethnic cleansing, the murdering of religious leaders and laymen inside and outside places of
worship has also been taking place over the years.
3
So far more than 100,000 Tamils have been killed and more than 200,000 have been multiply internally
displaced. Another 600,000 or more Tamils have sought asylum in foreign countries.
Sirs / Mesdames, If we analyse respect for human rights by the government of Sri Lanka, the following
truth becomes crystal clear - Sri Lanka has a regular habit of pretending to take some action on the
massive human violations only a month before the beginning of the UN Human Rights' forums. These
hollow promises of action are intended to avoid or counter any criticism that may be made by these
forums, rather than to vigorously promote and protect human rights in real and effective terms.
Typical examples of this are the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry and an International
Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) in September 2006. We predicted the fate of the IIGEP
in our earlier reports.
It is well known that for the last twenty four years, the LTTE has been engaged in an armed struggle
with the support of the Tamils in exercise of their right to self-determination in the Tamil hereditary
regions.
After nearly a quarter century of armed conflict, there is a de-facto government in the Tamils' hereditary
region under the LTTE administration. It has been in existence for more than 15 years and it has its own
infrastructures - police and judiciary, Law College, Banking and Educational institutions, as well as
welfare centres for children, disabled people, elders and war victims. This has been well witnessed by
diplomats, dignitaries and VIPs.
Sirs / Mesdames, the reports of the UN Special rapporteurs, Special representatives of the UN
Secretary General and the Working groups and furthermore the statements by international NGOs to
every UN Human Rights forum clearly indicate that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka is far from
improving - in fact it is rapidly deteriorating.
As Sri Lanka is a signatory to various UN covenants and conventions, it has an obligation to maintain
international standards and to abide by iternational law.
In the past, UN action on various other country situations reminded us that "Naming and Shaming" is
one of the preventive techniques in the protection of human rights. Therefore the reports of the UN
dignitaries and other appeals, reports, joint-statements, interventions, written statements by various
NGOs to the UN Human rights forums must all be taken into consideration in this period to apply UN
action on Sri Lanka.
At this crucial situation, there is no doubt that International human rights law and international
humanitarian law are severely and massively violated by Sri Lanka. Considering these facts, the best
mechanism in hand which can be used, is to charge the President of Sri Lanka, the Commander-inChief of the Sri Lanka Security Forces and other Military officials with War Crimes and Crimes against
Humanity.
In addition, we urge this session to take immediate steps to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe that
is being deliberately inflicted by the government of Sri Lanka on civilians in the North East.
Sir, being the President of the 6th session of the Human Rights Council, you can see that the
international community is failing in its duties regarding Sri Lanka and that it is backing an aggressor
which is perpetrating war crimes and crimes against humanity against a people who have been
struggling for their Right to Self-determination for many decades.
We appeal to you to take immediate action during this session of the Human Rights Council.
Thank you,
Yours sincerely
S. V. Kirubaharan
General Secretary
4
History in a nutshell
1505
The Portuguese arrived in Ceylon during the existence of three sovereign kingdoms, one Tamil Kingdom
in Jaffna, and two Sinhala Kingdoms in Kotte and Kandy.
The island was divided into three kingdoms, a Tamil kingdom in the North East, the Kandy kingdom of the
highlands and the Kotte kingdom situated in the South.
1619
Tamil sovereignty ended in June when the Portuguese defeated the Tamil King, and the Jaffna Kingdom
became a Colony of the Portuguese.
1658
The Dutch arrived in Ceylon and the Jaffna Kingdom became a Dutch Colony.
1795
The British arrived in Ceylon and the Jaffna Kingdom became a British Colony.
1802
Ceylon became a British Crown Colony.
1833
For the first time in over 2,500 years of its recorded history, the entire island of Ceylon was brought
under a single administration based on the recommendations of the Colebrook-Cameron Report.
1862
Tamils from Southern India were brought as labourers to work in the tea plantations in the hill country by
the British. During the same period Tamil labourers from South India were taken to work in the sugar cane
plantations in South Africa, Mauritius and in many other British colonies.
1885
Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan Tamil leader called for increased representation in Legislative council for
Tamils.
1915
In June, Sinhala Buddhist-Muslim riots in Ceylon. Riots spread from the central province to the
western and northwestern provinces.
There were heavy casualties amongst the Muslims. According to available records, 36 Muslims
were killed and 205 Muslims were injured and raped. Nearly 85 mosques were damaged and more
than 4,075 Muslim-owned shops were looted by the Sinhala rioters.
1919
The Ceylon National Congress (CNC), the first full-fledged "Nationalist" political party was formed by a
celebrated Tamil, Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam.
1921
Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam quitted the CNC, denouncing it as a party representing mainly a
section of the Sinhalese.
1927-1931 Sir Ponnambalam Ramanathan and Sir Ponnambalam Arunachalam had talks with Sinhala leaders
when the Donoughmore Commission announced its recommendations in 1927. The talks ended in a
failure as the Sinhala leaders ignored the aspirations of the Tamils.
1944
The first Tamil political party, ―All Ceylon Tamil Congress-ACTC‖ was founded by G. G. Ponnambalam to
champion the cause of the Tamils against Sinhala Buddhist domination.
1947
The United National Party (UNP) was formed.
The first constitution of Ceylon was adopted by an Order in Council rather than by a Constituent Assembly.
It was known as the (Lord) “Soulbury Constitution” which remained in force until 1972.
1948
The British left Ceylon independence was granted to ―Ceylon‖ and the power to govern Ceylon was
handed over to the Sinhalese who were numerically superior.
After the stringent 15 November 1948 Citizenship Act and the laws of disenfranchisement were enacted
and adopted, the Tamils of Indian origin Tamils in the hill country (plantation Tamils) were deprived of
selecting their representatives to the Parliament. More than a million plantation Tamil workers were
rendered stateless.
1948-50 The Government launched massive Sinhala colonisation schemes in the Eastern province. Gal oya in
Batticaloa, Allai and Kathalai in Trincomalee were colonised under pretexts of development.
1949
Dissension with the ―Tamil Congress‖ party led to the formation of the “Tamil Federal Party” (FP) under
the leadership of S. J. V. Chelvanayagam.
1951
S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike broke away from UNP and forms the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).
5
1956
On 14 June S. W. R. D. Bandaranayake father of President Chandrika Kumaratunga proclaimed the
“Sinhala Only Act” which made the Sinhala language the only official language of Ceylon.
The peaceful Satyagraha campaign staged by the Tamils to protest against the ―Sinhala Only Act‖ at the
Galle Face Green, in front of the Parliament in Colombo was brutally savaged by Sinhalese thugs with the
connivance of government. The outbreak of first anti-Tamil riots in the island. More than 150 Tamils were
burnt or hacked to death and million rupees worth of properties belonging to Tamils were looted and
destroyed.
1957
Year
Killing
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
1956
150
20
300
3000
Soon after the ―Sinhala Only Act‖ was passed in Parliament, talks were initiated between the Prime
Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and the Federal Party leader S. J. V. Chelvanayagam.
On 26 July an agreement known as "Band Chieva" pact was signed between Bandaranayake and
Chevanayagam. This agreement was based on a quasi federal system devolving certain powers to the
Tamils in the North East provinces.
Within a week of signing the “Banda-Chelva” pact, it was unilaterally abrogated by the Prime Minister
Bandaranaike due to vehement protests staged by the UNP, Buddhist clergy and SLFP. J R Jeyawardena
of United National Party-UNP undertook a march to Kandy in protest against this pact.
1958
1965
Anti-Tamil pogrom broke out in the island. Many Tamils were massacred and million of rupees worth of
properties belonging to the Tamils were looted and destroyed.
Year
Killing
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
1958
355
100
350
35000
Dudley Senanayake leader of the UNP formed the government with the help of the Federal Party and
other parties.
Talks were held between the Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake and S. J. V. Chelvanayagam.
On 24 March, an agreement known as "Dudley-Cheva" Pact was signed between Dudley Senanayake
and S. J. V. Chelvanayagam.
The agreement was abandoned without being implemented due to opposition from the SLFP, the
Buddhist clergy, and UNP backbenchers.
1971
Armed revolution by the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna was suppressed by Srimavoa Bandaranayke.
Thousands of Sinhala JVP youths were killed.
Talks were held between various Tamils leaders and Srimavo Bandaranayake on constitutional
amendments.
No agreement was reached but the Sinhala leaders went ahead undeterred with their republican
constitution amending the minimum safeguards granted to Tamils by the earlier constitution.
1972
Ceylon became a ―Republic‖ on 22 May and Ceylon was officially renamed as the “Republic of SRI
LANKA”
The United Front government enacted a Sinhala-Supremacist "Republican Constitution" for the country,
which made Buddhism the state religion.
Formation of Tamil United Front (TUF) comprising Federal Party led by, S. J. V. Chelvanayagam, Tamil
Congress (TC) led by GG Ponnambalam, and Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) led by Savariamoorthy
Thondaman.
State discrimination against Tamil students' admission to Universities reached the peak with the
introduction of "Standardisation". University admission based on merit was abandoned deliberately to
stop Tamil students entering Universities.
A youth group comprising self-sacrificing and disciplined youths named Tamil New Tigers (TNT) was
formed by Mr. V. Pirabaharan to fight for the right to self-determination of the Tamils in the North East.
1974
On 10 January, Sinhalese Police unleashed an unprovoked violent attack on those attending the
th
prestigious “4 Tamil Research Conference” in Jaffna, leaving nine innocent civilians dead.
6
1975
On 5 May the Tamil New Tigers -TNT was renamed as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE. Mr. V.
Pirabaharan was named the Chairman and military commander of the LTTE.
1977
In July, Tamil United Liberation Front-TULF, contested and won overwhelmingly at the Parliamentary
election giving them a mandate to establish the “Right to Self-determination” of Tamil Eelam in the
North East. J. R. Jeyewardena of UNP became the Prime Minister, with a five-sixth majority in the
Parliament. The TULF became the major opposition party in the parliament.
Talks took place between Prime Minister J.R. Jayawardena and the Tamil United Liberation Front. No
agreement was reached. Anti-Tamil pogrom occurred immediately after elections in the areas where
Sinhalese were in the majority killing hundreds of Tamils.
1979
1981
Year
Arrest/Torture
Killing
1974
25
9
1977
45
150
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
15
90
35
15000
The government enacted the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), banning the Tamil militant
organisations. On 11 July, the Jaffna peninsula was brought effectively under martial law under Public
Security ordinance. Anti-Tamil pogrom broke out in the island. Many Tamils were killed and properties
belonging to Tamils were looted and destroyed.
Year
Arrest/Torture
Disap.
Killing
Rape
Injuries
1979
150
22
13
13
15
In June, another anti-Tamil pogrom was unleashed. Increased military repression in the North. The Jaffna
Public Library was burnt down by the Sri Lankan armed forces, allegedly under the direction of two
senior government ministers, Gamini Dissanayake and Cyril Matthew. 95,000 volumes of books including
numerous culturally important and irreplaceable manuscripts and the buildings were totally destroyed by
arson. The Jaffna city market, the office of the Tamils daily newspaper ―Eelanadu‖, the office of the political
party TULF, etc were burnt down by the Sri Lanka security forces.
Year
Torture
Disap.
Killing
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
1981
200
4
35
50
37
5000
1982
Government sponsored a Sinhala settlement in the Tamil populated Mullaitivu.
1983
Major anti-Tamil pogrom took place in July all over the island with the buoyed up support of the
government. During the four days riots, more than 6,000 Tamils were killed and over 250,000 were
rendered refugees. Thousands of Tamils fled the country and went to India and to Western countries.
Billions rupees worth of Tamils properties was looted and destroyed by the Sinhala rioters.
Between 27-28 July, fifty-three Tamil political prisoners were massacred inside the walls of the
Welikadai prison in Colombo by the Sinhala inmates. The government masterminded this massacre and
the Sinhala attackers were released from the prison and were rewarded with houses and properties in the
Sinhala settlements in the Tamil homeland.
Hundreds of youths joined the LTTE movement and the TULF Members of Parliament sought asylum in
India.
J. R. Jeyawardena‘s government enacts the 6th amendment to the constitution and rejected the right to
th
self-determination of the Tamil people in the island on 8 August. This amendment outlawed the mandate
voted by the Tamils in 1977 general election. The Sixth amendment and the Prevention of Terrorism Act in
1979 along with the Emergency Law provisions became the instruments through which repression was
unleashed on the Tamil people.
1984
Year
Arrest/Torture
Disap.
Killing
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
1983
1425
571
6000
750
3383
250000
At the beginning of EELAM WAR-I.
1985-87 State repression and counter attacks intensified in the North East resulting in all-out war between the Sri
Lankan state and the LTTE. LTTE effectively took control of the Jaffna peninsula and other Northern
areas.
7
1986
In November, talks between the LTTE representatives and President J. R. Jeyawardena took place
through the mediation of the Indian Prime minister in Bangalore, India.
1987
On the 29th July 1987, a peace accord known as “Indo-Lanka” pact was signed between Sri Lanka and
India. Even though this accord purported to bring an end to the island‘s ethnic crisis, it was signed by India
and Sri Lanka without any consultation with LTTE and the Tamils of the North East of the Island.
The LTTE‘s first public meeting was held in Suthumalai on 4 August 1987. The LTTE Leader Mr.
Pirabaharan‘s speech in this meeting became known as the “Suthumalai Declaration”.
1989
Talks between the LTTE the President Premadasa took place in Colombo. LTTE‘s chief negotiator Dr.
Anton Balasingham, Mrs Adel Balasingham and many other LTTE high-level leaders took part in the talks.
1990
At the beginning of EELAM WAR II. Hostilities broke out again between the Sri Lankan forces and the
LTTE. Economic blockade was imposed causing severe shortage of food and medicine in the North
1994
The People's Alliance led by Chandrika Kumaratunge won the Parliamentary elections with the pledge to
"end the war and bring peace". The LTTE unilaterally announced a temporary ceasefire to welcome
the change of government.
Talks between the LTTE and the PA government led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga commenced in
Jaffna. Kumaratunge won the Presidential election. LTTE chief negotiator Dr. Anton Balasingham, and
many other LTTE high-level leaders participated in the talks.
1995
On 5 January, the Government of Sri Lanka (President Chandrika) and the LTTE (Leader V.
Pirabahakaran) signed an agreement for cessation of hostilities. The Government announced lifting of
the economic embargo on some items only on paper, but the embargo continued. Later Chandrika
government argued that there was no such thing as an economic embargo in the Tamil region. This was
considered by civil society and the international humanitarian organisations as an ―Utter lie with hidden
agenda‖.
The LTTE gave a two-week ultimatum in March to the government to implement what they had promised
to the civilians. This ultimatum was later extended by another three weeks until April 19th. Talks ended in
failure.
Government launched a major offensive in July in several parts of the Jaffna peninsula after imposing a
press censorship. This was the beginning of EELAM WAR-III.
2001
The LTTE have announced unilateral cease-fires many a time. One lasted for four months. President
Chandrika‘s government refused to reciprocate the cease-fire declared by the LTTE and opted to continue
with its military agenda.
The Tamil political parties formed a front known as the ―Tamil National Alliance (TNA)‖ and contested the
Parliament elections in the North East on the 5th December 2001 and won in 16 electorates. TNA‟s
Election manifesto.
In December, the UNP government headed by the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe came into power
with the mandate for peace and negotiations with LTTE. The LTTE declared a one month cease-fire and
it was renewed. The government also declared one month cease-fire and renewed it.
2002
LTTE released 10 prisoners of war as a gesture of good will for peace.
The Norwegian government re-activated its peace role. The Norwegian delegation led by Deputy Foreign
Minister Vidar Helgesenand and Mr. Eric Solheim met with the LTTE chief negotiator Dr. Anton
Balasingham in London and the Prime Minister and other ministers in Sri Lanka.
On 21 February, an historic agreement, a “Memorandum of Understanding” was signed between Mr.
V. Pirabaharan, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE, and the Sri Lanka Prime
Minister Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe. This MOU was worked out under the facilitation of the Norwegian
government.
2003
As there is non implimentation of the out come of talks, in May, the peace talks between the LTTE and the
government Sri Lanka came to a halt.
In November, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) submitted its proposals for Interim SelfGoverning Authority – IGSA in the North East region to the Sri Lankan Government through the Norwegian
facilitators on November.
This proposal was totaly ignored by the Singhala leaders.
8
2004
In the General elections the political party "Tamil National Alliance (TNA)" won overwhelmingly in 22
electorates in the Tamil region, North East.
Their election manifesto stated, "Accepting LTTE‘s leadership as the national leadership of the Tamil
Eelam Tamils and the Liberation Tigers as the sole and authentic representatives of the Tamil people, let
us devote our full cooperation for the ideals of the Liberation Tigers‘ struggle with honesty and
steadfastness".
2005
In November, Mahinda Rajapaksa won the Presidential election with the support of the Sinhala extreme
political parties.
2006
In February, and October. 1st round of peace talks in Geneva was after two and a half years of interval.
As there is non implimentation of the agreement signed in the 1st round of peace talks in Geneva, once
again the 2nd round of peace talks came to a stalemate in October.
*****
PEACE TALKS BETWEEN
TAMIL AND SINGHALA LEADERS SINCE 1927
Year
Talks
1927-1931
Ramanathan brothers had talks with Sinhala leaders when the
Donoughmore Commission announced its recommendations
in 1927
1957
Sinhala Only Act.
Talks between S. W. R. D. Bandaranayake, Prime Minister and
S. J. V. Chelvanayagam was leader of Federal Party
Talks on Banda Chelva pact
1965
Talks between Dudley Senanayaka, Prime Minister and S. J.
V. Chelvanayagam was leader of Federal Party
Talks on Dudley Chelva Pact
1971
Tamils leaders (TULF) and Srimavo Bandaranayake on
constitutional amendments
1977
J.R. Jayawardena and the TULF leaders
1978-1982
Many between TULF and JR
1985
Thimpu – LTTE was one of the parties
1986
LTTE & J. R. Jeyawardena Bangalore
1987
Indo-Sri Lanka accord (It was signed without the concern of
the Tamils)
1989-1990
LTTE & President Premadasa
1994-1995
LTTE & President Chandrika
2002-2003 May
LTTE & Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe
2006 February & October
LTTE & President Mahinda Rajapaksa
(see page 109 & 110)
9
COLONISATION
The following statistics show how the Sri Lankan governments and its destructive agents plundered and
robbed 50% of the ancestral lands of the Tamils of the Island of Sri Lanka. The author of this report is
Mr K. Sachithanandan. He was a lecturer at the University of Jaffna and adviser to the United Nations
on Food and Agriculture in twenty-three countries. Also appointed as a research officer in the Fisheries
Corporation in Colombo. (Report dated 1990)
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in the Eastern province
(Table is shown on a language basis)
Tamil
Speaking
99.24%
93.82%
93.89%
91.8%
93.4%
93.95%
87.8%
85.5%
79.25%
78.61%
74.4%
Year
1827
1881
1891
1901
1911
1921
1946
1953
1963
1971
1981
Sinhala
Speaking
0.53%
4.66%
5.06%
5.05%
3.76%
4.53%
9.87%
13.11%
19.9%
20.7%
24.92%
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in Batticaloa district
(Table is shown on language basis)
Until 1963 it includes Amparai district
Year
Tamil
Speaking
Sinhala
Speaking
1827
1881
1891
1901
1911
1921
1946
1953
1963*
1971
1981
99.62%
93.27%
93.2%
92.34%
92.95%
93.12%
92.55%
87.64%
95.6%
94.49%
95.95%
0.00%
4.75%
5.21%
5.21%
3.74%
4.56%
5.83%
11.52%
3.35%*
4.49%
3.21%
* Creation of Amparai district
Since 1963 - Tamil and Sinhala population in Amparai district
(Table is shown language basis)
(Amparai district was created in 1963)
Year
Tamil
Speaking
Sinhala
Speaking
1963
1971
1981
70.22%
69.47%
62.03%
29.34%
30.18%
37.64%
10
Since 1827 - Tamil and Sinhala populations in Trincomalee district
(Table is shown on language basis)
Year
Tamil
Speaking
Sinhala
Speaking
1827
1881
1891
1901
1911
1921
1946
1953
1963
1971
1981
98.45%
90.72%
91.44%
89.04%
90.54%
92.13%
75.09%
78.8%
79.25%
70.2%
65.38%
1.53%
4.21%
4.3%
4.22%
3.82%
4.38%
20.68%
18.22%
19.9%
28.8%
33.62%
In 1833 the Colebrook-Cameron Commission allocated approximately 26,500 sq.km as the Tamil
People‘s Ancestral Motherland.
In 1901 when the nine provinces came into being, the Tamil administration of the Northern and Eastern
Provinces measured approximately 19,100 sq.km Due to some of the area being incorporated into the
Sinhalese provinces the Tamil area had been reduced by approximately 7,500 sq.km.
After 1948 the government‘s settlement plan deprived the Tamils of 7,000 sq.km. in the Eastern
Province and 500 sq.km. in the Northern Province. Although the Tamils protested, the Colombo
administration ignored the Tamils and settled Sinhalese in these regions.
Approximately 7,500 sq.km of Tamil land was plundered by the Sinhala Government‘s Demarcation and
Resettlement Plan when it came into operation. This has been taking place over the last forty years.
Before 1833, 25% of Tamil speaking people occupied 35% of land, which was in their administration as
Tamil ancestral homeland. In 1901 this area shrunk from 35% to 29%.
Within 162 years the Sinhalese government under its crafty Demarcation and Resettlement Plan has
plundered 50% of the Tamil ancestral homeland and is still attempting to colonise more and more!
ETHNIC CLEANSING
On 7 June 2007
*
500 Tamils were forcefully expelled from the lodges in Colombo and sent out of Colombo to
Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya with Police escort
*
Further 400 are being detained in Police stations in Colombo.
Sri Lanka police send Tamils back to their villages
COLOMBO, June 1 (Reuters) - Ethnic minority Tamils staying in the capital Colombo "without a valid
reason" are being sent back to their villages in a bid to stamp out rebel attacks, Sri Lanka's police chief
said on Friday.
Hundreds of minority Tamils, many from poor rural areas, live in boarding houses in Colombo while they
work or search for jobs or seek employment abroad.
Many ethnic Tamils in Colombo complain they are being deliberately targeted by the security forces,
detained and searched as the state fights a new chapter of a two-decade civil war with the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
11
"Because there is no a special label to identify an LTTE terrorist and a civilian, we took the decision to
send them back to their villages after they finished their work here in Colombo," Inspector General of
Police Victor Perera told a news conference.
"Some people who have arrived in Colombo do not have a valid reason to stay," he added. "Anybody
can come to Colombo, there is no restriction. But they can't stay loitering in Colombo. We have decided
to provide transport facilities for them to go back to their own villages."
The move comes after two suspected Tamil Tiger bomb attacks in the capital in a week and a string in
recent months as a conflict that has killed nearly 70,000 people since 1983 deepens.
Officials suspect that Tiger cells are installed in the capital and seeking to stage attacks. But the
planned restriction on Tamils rang alarm bells.
"If a democratic society takes this course of action, it is unacceptable because it is clearly a serious
violation of their human rights," said Jehan Perera of the National Peace Council, a non-partisan
advisory group. "This is a very harsh decision."
"This is the first time such a thing has been spoken about officially, so it suggests the conflict is
deteriorating," he added. "This is a new low."
Fighting is now focused on the north after the military captured the Tigers' eastern stronghold, and a
string of land and sea battles has killed around 4,000 people since last year.
Ranil on forced eviction of Tamils
Daily Mirror, 8 June 2007 - Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, yesterday, compared the plight
of the Tamils under the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration, to that of the Jews in Germany during
World War 2 and of Black Africans, during the apartheid era in South Africa.
Speaking in Parliament on the government led eviction of Tamils in Colombo, Mr. Wickremesinghe said
that Jews and Black Africans had faced similar persecution in the past, at the hands of Germans and
Whites respectively.
He said the government‘s actions violated the Constitution, which clearly stated that all citizens of Sri
Lanka must be free from torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and had the right to free
movement and to choose their area of residence.
―We are also concerned about the security of the country. If the government suspects anyone they can
produce that person before a magistrate and remand the suspect, or release the person,‖ he said.
He noted that when people were evicted from the lodgings in such an arbitrary manner, they would
return in anger to blast bombs.
Mr. Wickremesinghe added that the situation would bring shame upon Sri Lanka at the European
Parliament sessions, and queried as to why the government was creating such a crisis for the country.
(Excerpt)
Send Tamils to India – UNP!
BBC Sinhala service, 8 June 2007 - Sri Lanka's main opposition party has requested the giant
neighbour to allow minority Tamils to settle in India. The United National Party (UNP) legislator
Lakshman Kiriella said the party urges India to allow Tamils to migrate until their safety is guaranteed by
the island nation.The UNP made the request after hundreds of Tamils were evicted from Colombo's
lodges by the police. (Excerpt)
Mahinda 'dividing' Sri Lanka
BBC Sinhala service, 8 June 2007 - Rights activists have accused of President Mahinda Rajapaksa of
working on an agenda to divide Sri Lanka between ethnic lines. Protesting the eviction of hundreds of
Tamils from the lodges in Colombo, they said Sri Lankan citizens should have the right to live where
they like irrespective of their ethnicity.
12
Siritunga Jayasuriya, chairman of Civil Monitoring Committee (CMC), told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri
Lanka authorities are trying to alienate Tamils community in Sri Lanka.
War on terror
President's Rajapaksa's administration, he said, is working on an agenda similar to that of President
Bush's War on Terror. Jayasuriya accused the authorities of trying to divide Sri Lanka. "President
Rajapaksa has put the first step towards dividing Sri Lanka into separate countries," Jayasuriya told
bbcsinhala.com. (Excerpt)
World War II
The leader of the Left Front, Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne, questioned under which regulations
authorities decided to deport Tamils from Colombo. He compared the eviction of Tamil lodgers to the
eviction of Jews by the Nazzis during the second world war. "The Tamils were taken away like animals
without offering any food or water," Dr. Karunaratne said. (Excerpt)
The United States condemns the forced removal of Tamils
June 8, 2007 - The United States condemns the forced removal of Tamils from Colombo. Such
measures violate the Sri Lankan Constitution‘s guarantee that every citizen has the right to freedom of
movement and choice of residence within Sri Lanka.
The United States understands and supports Sri Lanka‘s obligation to defend itself against terrorism.
But this action can only widen the ethnic divide at a time when important efforts are underway to reach
a national consensus to end Sri Lanka's nearly quarter-century old conflict.
We call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to stop the forcible removal of its citizens from Colombo, to
make public the destinations of those already removed, and to ensure their safety and well-being.
(The Embassy of the United States – Sri Lanka & Maldives, 8 June 2007)
Norway condemns enforced removal of Tamils from Colombo
09 June 2007 - The full text of the press release by Norweigian Embassy in Colombo concern the
forced evication of Tamils from Colombo :
"Norway condemns yesterday‘s sudden and enforced removal of civilian Tamils from their dwellings in
Colombo.
"The move by the Colombo police is a clear violation of international human rights law. The Government
of Sri Lanka has legitimate security concerns. Moreover, it has the right and obligation to take measures
to guarantee the safety of its population. However, such measures should not indiscriminately target
Tamils, or any other ethnic group, and should always be in accordance with international human rights
law.
"We urge the Government of Sri Lanka to cease any further enforced removal of Tamils from Colombo,
and to consider granting immediate permission to return for those already removed from the city. "
Canada condemns the forced removal of
citizens of Tamil origin from Colombo
10 June 2007
The Canadian High Commission's full text of the press release :
"Canada condemns the forced removal of citizens of Tamil origin from Colombo back to the conflict
zones in the north and the east".
"Whilst Canada acknowledges that the Sri Lankan government has the right and the duty to protect
itself and its citizens against potential terrorist attacks, such as the reprehensible bombings in Colombo
Fort and Rathmalana in recent weeks, the heavy-handedness of this sweeping action will only alienate
the vast majority of innocent Tamils and further complicate the search for a durable peace settlement ."
13
"Canada welcomes the stay issued by the Supreme Court which prevents further removals and notes
that President Rajapakse has directed that these people be returned to Colombo if they wish."
"Canada reiterates that there cannot be a military solution to the conflict that has besieged this Island
for more than 20 years and reaffirms the need for a political solution where the rights and aspirations of
all citizens of Sri Lanka can be respected."
Indian PM concerned over eviction of Sri Lankan Tamils
10 June 2007
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday expressed concern over the eviction of minority Sri Lankan
Tamils from the capital Colombo and hoped 'better sense will prevail' in the troubled nation.
'On attempt to expel Tamils from Colombo, Sri Lanka, we shared our anxiety with important world
leaders,' the prime minister said while returning from Germany where he attended the G8 Outreach
Summit.
'Hope better sense will prevail. It involves human rights of citizens,' added the prime minister, referring
to a pre-dawn raid by the armed police Thursday on the temporary lodgings of Tamils in Colombo and
forcing them go return to the northern and eastern provinces.
'I heard that this move has been stayed by their Supreme Court. We share the concern.'
(http://www.indiaenews.com/india/20070610/55516.htm)
BJP slams move to evacuate Tamils from Colombo
The Hindu – 10 June 2007
CHENNAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday condemned the Sri Lankan Government's move to
evacuate Tamils from Colombo.
Terming the move "human rights violation," BJP national vice-president S. Thirunavukkarasar said India
should join other countries in condemning the "evacuation."
The party, he said, also opposed sale of any type of arms to Sri Lanka as these would be used against
Tamils. (Excerpt)
Eviction is not „winning hearts and minds‟
By Shakuntala Perera
(Daily Mirror – 30 August 2007)
Nationalist politics invariably crossing over to various levels of extremism have always been the bane of
Sri Lanka. Such opportunist politics have always beein in the way of the country reaching its
development goals. It has more importantly been the biggest obstacle in the way of minorities receiving
their due. But, never in the history of this country has the situation dropped to the depths that they have
today.
Allegations of attempts to change the demography of the country, especially with regard to the
contentious Eastern and Northern provinces, increase at an alarming rate. Several development plans
of the government especially in the East is showing strong moves to this end.
The newly ‗liberated‘ Eastern province is today a volcano awaiting eruption. The political agendas of
various nationalist groups are threatening the peace of the province as never before. More seriously,
they are threatening the lives of innocent people caught in between.
Following the first movement of displaced persons, 6,000 families, approx 30,000 persons, took place in
April 2006 from the Trincomalee District to the Batticaloa District after the Mavil Aaru clashes between
the Government and the LTTE. The IDPs first moved from Trincomalee to Vaharai in the Batticaloa
district, then in late 2006 from Vaharai to Batticaloa. The third movement of persons was from West
Batticaloa to Batticaloa East.
14
The resettlement plans of the government are accused of attempts to ‗Sinhalise‘ the province. The
allegation is strongly contributed to by clear moves to cement the demands by religious foundations.
Both humanitarian agencies operating in the areas and the people left destitute confirm that
there were clear moves by certain political organizations to settle Sinhala families within Muslim
villages have only poured fuel to the sensitivities of the area. The anger rising out of the Muslim
community is not to be ignored. Such anger has the potential to grow in to militancy as we experience
with the LTTE. The frustrations growing out of the situation are not to be ignored.
The government by Gazette notification No 1467/3 Board of Investment of Sri Lanka Law No 40(1978),
declared a new High Security Zone covering Sampur and Muttur East on 16 February 2007. The
declaration of HSZ for an Economic Zone will lead to the displacement of thousands. The government
has reportedly already taken action to acquire land for relocation of said displaced families. Eastern
Security Forces Commander Parakrama Pannipitiya has been appointed as the Competent Authority for
the implementation of the regulations.
There are suspicions that ‘a new and trustworthy work force and new communities, most likely
Sinhala will be moved into Trincomalee, ‘dramatically impacting on the demography and the
ethnic balance in the Trincomalee District.’ Already local communities are expressing fears that their
areas are being marginalized and their needs and rights are being ignored in the proposed development
plans.
Moves under the BOI Trincomalee Development Plan, to establish a nature park and in Seenanveli,
north of Illankaiturai Muhattuvaram, a HSZ and a special fishing zone are not without their questionable
implications. The residents, most of them Tamils of Veddha descent, from about 8 villages, have been
transported and virtually dumped in the open. ‘They are prevented from going home on the pretext
of landmines while their meagre possessions have been reportedly looted by ‘Sinhalese’ from
the Mahindapura colony, acting allegedly in cooperation with the Army’. The army is also
engaged in constructing a Buddhist Temple, Samudragiri Vihara, in Seenanveli.
The Coalition of Muslims and Tamils for Peace and Coexistence (CMTPC) maintain the allegations
have a sound basis. They allege that the current development plan for Trincomalee or the soon to be
unveiled Eastern Development Plan has elements contributing to the mistrust. ‗This concern of minority
communities needs to be addressed and their fears allayed as speedily as possible‘ they maintain.
Certainly the eviction of 251 resettled farmers from Arafa Nagar on 10th, August, without prior
notice by the military, demonstrates that it is not purely security concerns that keep the Tamils
out of their lands. Such actions and in some instances obstacles placed in the way of resettlement are
prompted more by ethnic considerations than by security safeguards. These Muslim families who
earlier received the green light to rebuild their lives and continue farming from the security
forces were suddenly evicted. All hopes of bringing some normalcy to their hopeless lives were
short lived, they found. Five months to be exact.
A board declaring it a High Security Zone was erected on August 10, with a warning issued against
trespasses. Trespassers were threatened with death. It is such harsh decisions by the State that are
pushing the minority communities further and further awy from the Centre. These are far from the
ambitious plans that the government spoke about to ‘win hearts and minds’ of the liberated
people. In effect these and many other similar examples are pushing the people towards the LTTE.
There are serious questions raised if the demands of the LTTE are not justified. Pertinent questions are
being asked on the intentions of the government policy in this regard. The people want to know if
liberation from one terror group was only going to push them towards another dictatorial rule.
South Asians for Human Rights last week charged against the moves to Sinhalise the area.
‘Appointment of numerous Sinhala government officials to the Provincial Council in the East
after the de-merger of the Northern and Eastern province; establishment of Sinhala
resettlements in Ampara; and building Viharas in Pottuvil, a predominantly Muslim area. The
Muslim people, correctly, viewed themselves as being stuck between Sinhala and Tamil
nationalisms,’ they allege.
The concern of international communities can‘t be ignored in this scenario. Human rights violations,
what ever form they take must remain the necessary concern of the international stakeholders.
Attempts to antagonize them would not help the government in any way. The fact remains that all
democratic governments are accountable at some point. It is irrelevant what their interpretation of
liberation is. There is simply no justification for the human cost of the most ‗noble‘ of causes.
15
RECORDED FIGURES
ARRESTS, KILLINGS, DISAPPEARANCES, RAPES, DISPLACEMENTS AND
INJURIES IN THE NORTH EAST, COLOMBO AND OTHER REGIONS
(1956-2007 August)
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR
Email : [email protected] / [email protected]
Year
Arrest/Torture
Disap.***
Website : www.tchr.net
Killing
Rape
Injuries
Displaced
1956*
150
20
300
3000
1958*
355
100
350
35000
15
200
0
1960
60
1972
37
18
0
1973
35
24
0
1974
25
9
15
0
1977*
45
150
90
35
15000
1979
150
22
13
13
15
0
1981*
200
4
35
50
37
5000
300
1425
8257
3616
4675
2935
2460
4761
2555
3244
2835
2929
13363
3565
18870
5430
9382
16639
4217
182
16
22
16
177
1175
3368
0
571
203
246
178
1303
1253
1528
9381
1847
1780
676
536
934
1678
1463
1338
177
134
5
47
6000
872
777
889
3714
2929
1475
5798
4360
3769
2983
2470
3481
4074
4056
2161
1661
1573
88
32
45
87
243
1292
565
45
750
214
399
475
1257
1219
1031
816
751
691
410
424
779
894
811
342
339
336
131
21
4
10
45
85
30
22
3383
1720
1372
1560
8062
4502
2858
5601
4917
4020
2885
1663
5028
3265
1731
2909
1864
2442
120
101
52
61
338
2095
-----
0
250000
0
1000
0
297250
253000
0
78600
1500
0
0
0
500000
335000
255000
34500
51000
192000
67000
16959
0
0
0
279200
110000
116966
26840
56153
12597
(actual figures higher than documented)
63565
2780009
1982
1983*
1984
1985
1986
1987**
1988**
1989**
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007Aug.
Total
5
4
194
1064
316
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR Centre Tamoul pour les Droits de l'Homme
* = Communal riots
** = Indian Peace Keeping Forces - IPKF
*** = Only 2% of the disappeared have been found
16
JOURNALISTS AND OTHER STAFF
KILLED, ATTACKED AND HARASSED IN SRI LANKA
1990-2000
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
18/02/1990
International Press
Service
Abducted in and shot dead in Colombo
by the Sri Lanka military intelligence.
14/05/1999
15/07/1999
21/07/1999
Richard de Zoysa (journalist
for UN funded Rome based
agency - IPS)
Sri Lal Priyantha
Ten journalists
Several journalists
07/09/1999
Rohana Kumara
Lakbima
Freelance & News
Freelance & News
Papers
Editor-Satana
27/09/1999
02/11/1999
03/04/2000
20/10/2000
Susannah Price (British)
Nadarajah Atputharajah
Aiyathurai Nadesan
Mylvaganam Nirmalarajan
BBC
Thinamurusu
Virakesari
BBC & IBC, UK
Arrested by the Police
Assaulted by the Police
Victims of violence by PSD (Presidential
Security Division)
Shot dead in suburb of Colombo believed
to by the PSD
Received death threats by telephone
Shot dead by EPDP in Colombo
Grenade attack at his home in Batticaloa
Shot dead at his home in Jaffna by
EPDP
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2001
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
02/01/2001
N. Thiruchelvam
Lake House
Arrested and tortured in Colombo
20/01/2001
M. Vithiyatharan
Editor-Uthayan
Arrested by Police in Jaffna
21/03/2001
A. Fasmi
Thinakural
Arrested by Sri Lanka Army in Mannar
16/04/2001
Marie Colvin (American)
Sunday Times UK
Shot and injured by Sri Lankan army
23/05/2001
Office of the weekly
Athavan
Hit by a lobbed smoke bomb
07/06/2001
Pirabaharan
Freelance
Attacked by gangsters in Bogawantala
17/06/2001
Dharmaratnam Sivaram
Freelance
17/07/2001
Aiyadurai Nadesan
Virakesari
Two armed men entered the house,
looking Sivaram.
Interrogated by the Army in Batticaloa
03/08/2001
A. Manoharan
Lake House
Received death threat
26/12/2001
Dharmaratnam Sivaram
Freelance
26/12/2001
M. Wijetharan
Thinakathir
Beaten with clubs and knives in
Batticaloa
Beaten with clubs and knives in
Batticaloa
17
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2002
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
06/01/2002
Assif Hussein
Sunday Observor
30/01/2002
Ranjan Jayakody
TV channel ITN
01/02/2002
Ervin de Silva
Divaina
30/03/2002
Sarath Chinthaka
Daily Mirror and
Lankadeepa
07/04/2002
Sunil S. Thanthrige
H.R. Perera
Lankadeepa
Daily Mirror
22/04/2002
Buddhika Weerasinghe
Freelance
26/06/2002
P. Sathsivanamdam
BBC & Virakesari
Assif Hussein was warned for writing an
article about the Buddhist temple in
Kandy
Attacked while he was reporting on an
irrigation project in the northern town of
Gampaha
Attacked by two army deserter and a
policeman for written a report exposing a
local case of corruption.
Three armed, masked men believed to
be security forces, entered the home
forcefully and threatened his wife, who
was alone in the house with a child demanding the recording of a
controversial speech by President
Kumaratunga. As they couldnt find the
cassette, they broke a cupboard, took a
dozen cassettes and a recorder, and
threatened to kill Chinthaka.
An angry crowd of demonstrators
attacked dashing their cameras to the
ground.
Police threatened five reporters who
were covering a demonstration outside
the prime minister‘s residence in
Colombo
Armed men attacked his house in Muttur
00/06/2002
A.J.A. Abeynayaka
Divaina
00/06/2002
Senathirajah
Jeyanandamoorthy
Nishanta Kumara
Virakesari &
Tamilnet
Ravaya
02/09/2002
Chandramorgan &
ABC Radio Correspondent
Valampuri
ABC Radio
03/11/2002
Malini Herath
Dinamina
24/11/2002
Sandhya M. Weeratunga
Rukmal Gamage
Dinakara
Dinakara
10/07/2002
18
Believed to Police prowled around his
home iring shots in the air, on several
occasions. This harassment was due to
his reporting against Kadana police.
Journalist neighbour's home was set on
fire. Believed to a wrong target
Three men, including a member of the
ruling UNP known as Sanil, attacked and
threatened him with a knife - one asked if
he was the human rights "dog" who was
trying to send his brother-in-law to prison.
Attached by while they took photographs
of the police using tear gas on a crowd of
demonstrators.
Thugs attacked the home
Received telephone threats after their
newspaper carried a report about a
government minister. Thugs attcked
Dinakara‘s vehicles driver on 26
November, and asked about the
journalists.
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
03/12/2002
Wijitha Ranaweera
Roshan Garusingha
Jagath Kalansooriya
Dinamina
Lakbima
TV station ITN
10/12/2002
Velupillai Thavachelvam
UK-based
IBC Tamil Radio
Attacked while covering their use of
violence by the supporters of a local
leader of the ruling party to disrupt a local
election. Ranaweera and Kalansooriya
were hospitalised.
Police attacked while covering a protest
in Nelliady, Jaffna against the EPDP
presence in the peninsula. He was
admitted to hospital in Point Pedro.
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2003
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
07/01/2003
S. Jayananthamoorthy
Virakesari
Grenade attack at his home in Batticaloa
24/04/2003
Asoka Fernando
Sunday Leader
07/05/2003
Ponnaiah Manikavasagam
10/05/2003
Ponnaiah Manickavasagam
BBC Tamil
Service
BBC - Tamil
Threatened by a priest while covering a
visit to Gangarama temple in Colombo
EPRLF (V), a paramilitary group threaten
to kill
Received death threats in Vavuniya
00/06/2003
Poddala Jayantha
Silumina
27/07/2003
Lasantha Wickrematunga
01/08/2003
Lasantha Wickrematunga
29/10/2003
Athula
Editor –
Sunday Leader
Editor – Sunday
Leader
Hiru FM radio
08/11/2003
Paul Harris
19/11/2003
Velupillai Thavachelvam
Daily Telegraph,
UK and Jane‘s
Review
UK-based
IBC Tamil Radio
19
Received death threats for reporting on
corruption
Minister of Fisheries Mahinda Wijeskera
had threatened to kill him.
A Minister threatened to kill him
Wounded when Sinhala-Tamil cultural
festival attacked
Forced to leave the country because the
authorities refused to renew his visa.
Military intelligence personnel detained
him at the Muhamalai checkpoint in
Jaffna.
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2004
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
00/02/2004
S. Sivapalan
S. Manoharan
Thinakural
03/05/2004
Dharmaratnam Sivaram
Freelance
Beaten with batons by police as they
were covering an incident in Manipay.
Their accreditation, was taken from them.
Their notebooks and cameras were
destroyed.
Police raided him in Colombo
31/05/2004
Aiyathurai Nadesan
16/08/2004
Kandasamy Iyer
Balanadarajah
Udaya Kumara Abeyratne
Virakesari &
IBC Radio, UK
Thinamurasu.
12/10/2004
Namathu Eelanadu
Divaina
25/10/2004
Frederica Jansz
Heshani Edward
Sunday Leader
Freelance
29/10/2004
Yamuni Rashmika
Atula Vithanage
Lanka
Radio Hiru FM
24/12/2004
Kithsiri De Mel
Daily Mirror
Shot dead by paramilitary working with
Sri Lankan military
Shot dead in Colombo while on his way
to work
Attacked by members of a Pentecostal
church near Colombo
Attacked while investigating the alleged
implication of telecommunications tycoon
Thilanga Sumathipala
Both injured during an attack by
members of the ultra nationalist party,
Sihala Urumayah
Attacked while photographing clashes
between police and a crowd in funeral of
Buddhist monk.
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2005
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
28/04/2005
Dharmaratnam Sivaram
12/08/2005
Mr & Mrs Selvarajah
Freelance:
Tamilnet, Daily
Mirror,Virakesari,
SLRC
23/08/2005
Y Premachchandran
Sudar Oli
29/08/2005
D. Selvarathnam – Secuirty
Guard
S. A. Dias, publication
manager
Ranee Mohamed,
Berty Mendis
Namathu Eelanadu
Sudar Oli
Abducted and shot dead in Colombo by
the paramilitary working closely with Sri
Lankan military intelligence.
Shot dead in Colombo in their travel
agency
Attacked by JVP while photographing a
JVP protest rally
Two grenades were thrown at the
building and watchman was injured
Dias was assaulted and the printing
press was set on fire
Assaulted with batons and swords
16/10/2005
01/11/2005
15/12/2005
17/12/2005
19/12/2005
22/12/2005
B. Parathipan, a lawyer renowned journalist
Kulukulan
Prameshwaran
T. Sabeswaran
Winston Jeyan
J. Jerad
K. Navarathnam
Sunday Leader
Sunday Leader
Namathu
Eelanadu
Thinakkural
Thinakkural
Thinakkural
Thinakkural
Thinakaran
Namathu Eelanadu
Thinakkural
20
Army officers searched the office in
Jaffna interogated several staff.
Held in custody overnight after being
stopped at a Colombo checkpoint.
Assaulted by members of the security
forces, their quipments were also
damaged
Newspaper deliveryman was shot dead
by Sri Lanka security forces
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2006
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
24/01/2006
Sudar Oli
Shot dead in Trincomalee by paramilitary
forces working with the Sri Lanka Army
Shot dead in "Uthayan" office in Jaffna
by EPDP members. Office and
computers were badly damaged
All have received death threats for
meeting LTTE political wing
01/07/2006
Subramaniyam
Sugirdharajan (SSR)
Suresh Kumar - Marketing
Manager
Ranjith Kumar
Sunanda Deshapriya
Sitha Ranjanee
Poddala Jayanthe
Dharmasiri Lankapeli
Prasanna Fonseka
Lakmal Silva,
24/07/2006
Mariathas Manojanraj
25/07/2006
M. Yahoob -
07/08/2006
Group of journalists, including
some from the BBC
Newspaper
distributor
Newspaper
distributor
Journalists /
International
reporters
15/08/2006
Sathasivam Baskaran
18/08/2006
Uthayan (News paper in Jaffna)
20/08/2006
Sinnathamby Sivamaharajah
Managing Director
Namathu Eelanadu
and form MP
22/08/2006
Sudar Oli group
Withdrawn the police protection assigned
by the President Rajapaksa
29/08/2006
Vithyatharan – Editor
M. Saravanabavan,
Managing Director
Nadarajah Guruparan
Tamil radio station
Sooriyan
01/09/2006
Ms Thavarajah Thavamni
07/09/2006
Uthayan (News paper in
Jaffna)
Rajpal Abenayaka
Maharaja
Television (MTV)
Uthyan
Kidnapped in Colombo by the
paramilitary working with the Sri Lankan
military. Due to international pressure he
was released after 25 hours
Sri Lanka military intelligence has
kidnapped her and released after 15 hrs.
EPDP gunmen continue to threatened
the journalists of Uthyan
Dismissed for writing about the
comments that the President Rajapaksa
made to Sri Lankan diplomat
Paramilitary group with working Army
burned 15,000 copies of news paper! All
three news papers banned by the
paramilitary in the East.
Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, accused
the Sinhalese section of the BBC World
Service a reporter for the British radio of
being "payroll" in the Tamil Tigers!
02/05/2006
16/05/2006
17/10/2006
22/10/2006
Virakesari, Thinakural and
Sudar Oli (News papers)
??/10/2006
Sinhalese section of the BBC
World Service
Uthayan
)Free Media
)Movement
Journalists Assoc.
Fed.of Media Empl
Journalist
Freelance
Driver - Sudar Oli
press group
Uthayan
Editor, Sunday
Observor, Laka
House
News papers
BBC World
service
21
Killed by the Sri Lanka Army
Killed in Jaffna in a mine that was set off
by EPDP
Paramilitary group threatening to kill him
for distributing news papers in Batticaloa.
Reporters were barred from Muttur
reporting on the killing of 17 Tamil
employees of the French NGO Action
contre la Faim who were killed by the Sri
Lanka army on 5 August 06.
Shot dead in Jaffna by EPDP
Four EPDP member set fire to the press
causing serious damage to the
publishing house
Shot dead at his home in Tellipalai,
Jaffna by EPDP
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
??/11/2006
George David
Threatened by soldiers in Trincomalee.
06/11/2006
Publish the information only
after the police investigation
Reuters and the
broadcast group
Sirasa
To all media
26/11/2006
Munusamy Parameshawary
"Mawbima"
Sinhalese weekly
27/12/2006
Lasantha Wickremathunga
Editor - Sunday
Leader
00/12/2006
3 state media journalists
State media
00/12/2006
Iqbal Athas
Sunday Times
00/12/2006
Rohitha Bashana
Abeywardena
Journalist "Hiru"
00/12/2006
Auruddha Lokuhapuarachchi
Reuters
According to the state media - Daily
News, the IGP Victor Perera wants the
media to publish the information on
kidnapping of Tamils, only after the
police investigation was completed!
Arrested by the Sri Lanka Police and
released after four months without any
charge – 22 March 07.
Threatened to be arrested for revealing
information on luxurious bunker was
being built for President Rajapaksa
Summoned for questioning by the Police
Forced to censor his articles on security
issues!
Threatened by the authority for covering
the plight of Tamil residents in the North
East.
Threatened for covering the plight of
Tamil residents in the North East.
Journalists and other staff killed, attacked and harassed in Sri Lanka - 2007
Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR / Centre Tamoul pour les Droits des l'Homme, France
(many more to be included)
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
05/02/2007
Nihal Serasinghe
Lalith Seneviratne
Sisira Priyankara
15/02/2007
Subramaniam
Ramachandran
All three working
trade union
monthly news
paper "Akuna"
Thinakural and
Valampuri
All three kidnapped from three different
locations in Colombo by the unknown
people and then handed over to the
Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
Kidnapped by EPDP who work closely
with Sri Lanka army. On 22 March, Army
admitted of holding him.
24/02/2007
TV channels and other media
were urged
All media
President Rajapakse and his brother
Gotabaya Rajapakse, urged TV channels and
other media to put out a programme accusing
"Mawbima", and its owner Tiran Alles. Also
former ministers Sripathi Sooyaaracchi and
Mangala Samaraweera, were accused of
using the newspaper to plot against
government.
26/02/2007
Dushantha Basnayake
Arrested by the Sri Lanka Police
08/03/2007
Tiran Alles
Financial director
"Mawbima"
Chairman of
"Standard" &
Government frozen the a Newspapers
Private Ltd.
"Mawbima"
06/04/2007
Threat to the journalists by
the Health Minister
newspapers Ltd.
Cabinet Minister
22
Health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva
said publicly that journalists were
behaving like ―mad dogs‖ and should be
―vaccinated‖ as dogs were against
rabies.
Date
Name of victim
Reporting for
Incident
17/04/2007
Champika Liyanaarachchi
Editor –
"Daily Mirror"
Defence Secretary, younger brother of
the President Rajapaksa threatened to
"exterminate" a journalist on the
newspaper, for writing articles about the
plight of civilian victims of the war.
29/04/2007
Selvarajah Rajivarman
Uthayan
15/05/2007
Sonali Samarasinghe
13/06/2007
Tiran Alles
19/06/2007
Attack on Press Freedom
Editor –
"Morning Leader"
Chairman of
"Standard" &
"Mawbima"
newspapers Ltd.
Tamilnet
02/08/2007
Sahathevan Nilakshan
Trainee journalist
15/08/2007
Kalimuttu Palamohan (KP
Mohan)
Thinakural Tamil
Daily
15/08/2007
Iqbal Athas
Sunday Times
Defence
correspondent and
assistant editor
18/08/2007
Iqbal Athas
Sunday Times
19/08/2007
Iqbal Athas
Sunday Times
British High Commissioner, Dominick
Chilcott in Colombo, who went to the
Daily Mirror offices to express his
solidarity to Editor was summoned to the
office of the Defence Secretary.
Shot dead by EPDP In Jaffna
Questioned by by law enforcement
authorities
Arrested by the Police. Considered as
taking revenge on Tiran Alles by
Rajapaksa's family
Sri Lankan authority blocked access
within Sri Lanka to TamilNet, a website
hosted in Norway.
A journalism student and editor of a
publication linked to a student union was
shot dead by EDP cadres who work with
Sri Lanka military intelligence.
Attacked with lethal acid thrown at his
face and chest. On 28 June, he was
hospitalised for a week after being
attacked by Air Force personnel
in Colombo
Defence Ministry withdrew special
Police protection which was given since
1998. The police protection given after a
series of threats by members of security
forces.
The static guard outside my house was
removed
State backed demonstration outside his
house at Wijerama junction .
All the windows tinted, a green double
cab parked just beyond the guard point
down his resident – he may even get
abducted
"......a government becomes uncomfortable,
is that you are a LTTE sympathiser"
Iqbal Athas, Defence Correspondent and Consultant Editor of Sunday Times,
"...................The most common bogey that they use when a government becomes uncomfortable, is that you are a
LTTE sympathiser. When governments are in opposition I am their darling and then when they come into power
they feel uncomfortable when I report certain things. .. " (Athas, in an interview to " The Nation" 2 Sep. 2007)
Journalists were behaving like “mad dogs”
Health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva
Health minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said publicly on 6 April 2007, that journalists were behaving like “mad
dogs” and should be “vaccinated” as dogs were against rabies. (Excerpt - Reporters Without Borders, 13 April
2007)
23
HUMANITARIAN WORKERS
46 HUMANITARIAN STAFF KILLED IN SRI LANKA
BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND THE PARAMILITARY
SINCE JANUARY 2006
(Listed by organisations in alphabetical order)
No.
Name
organisation
date
12345678910 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19202122 2324252627 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 -
Mr. Primus Anandarajah
Mr. Matahavarasa Ketheeswaran
Mr. G. Sreethraran
Mr. Narmathan
Mr. R. Arulraj
Mr. P.Pratheeban
Mr. M. Rishikeshan
Mr. Y Kodeeswaran
Ms. K.Kovarthani
Ms. S.Romila
Ms. V.Kokilavathani
Ms. G. Kavitha
Mr. S. Ganesh
Mr. Abdul Latif Mohamed Jauffer
Mr. A. Jaseelan
Mr. K. Koneshwaran
Mr. Muraleetharan
Mr. Arumainayagam Alloysius
Mr. Sivarasa Vimalarasa
Mr. Thambiah Tharmasiri
Mr. Narayanamoorthy Kandeepan
Mr. Nagarasa Narenthiran
Mr. C. Rajendran,
Mr. Subramaniam Parameswaran
Mr. Gunaratnam Logithas
Mr. Charles Huston Ravindran
Mr. Rasiah Muraleeswaran
Mr. Pathmanathan Shanmugaratnam
Mr. Selvendra Pradeepkumar
Mr. Sinnarajah Shanmuganathan
Mr. Karthigesu Chandramohan
Mr. Mohamed Z. Mohamed Rizvi
Jeyaruban Gnanapragasam
Nagarasa Thavaranjitham
Mr. Kasinathar Ganeshalingam
Mr. Thangarasa Karthirkamar
Ms Thanushkodi Premini
Mr. Thamiraja Vasantharajan
Mr. Shanmuganathan Sujendran
Mr. Kailyapillai Ravinthiran
Mr. Arunesara Satheeskaran
Mr. Krishnapillai Kamalanathan
Mr. Muthuraja Aruleswaran
Mr. P. Jestly Julian
Mr. Ratnam Ratnarajah
Mr Ragunathan Ramalingam
Action Contre La Faim (ACF)
-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-dododododoDanish De-mining Group – DDG
dododoHalo Trust
do
do
do
do
Housing devel. for tsunami victims
HUDEC
doICRC
doMethodist Community Org.(UMCOR)
Norwegian Refugee Council
Sri Lanka Red Cross
Tamil Rehabilitation Org.(TRO)
dododododododo
do
UN agency UNOPS
World Bank assisted (NEIAP)
World Concern Devel. Org.
04/08/2006
-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do23/07/2007
19/06/2007
11/01/2006
-do09/02/2007
09/01/2007
04/01/2007
04/02/2006
15/11/2006
08/07/2006
10/04/2006
-do1/06/2007
-do06/08/2007
15/05/206
20/08/2006
29/01/2006
-do30/01/2006
-do-do-do-do02/07/2006
24/03/2007
24/08/2006
26/05/2006
11/09/2006
24
HUMANITARIAN STAFF INJURED
BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY IN THE RECENT PAST
Name
incident
date
organisation
A Serbian aid worker
Injured
21/05/2006
Non-violent Peace Force group
Mr. Thangarasa Mukunthan
Injured
12/06/2006
White Pigeon, Jaffna
Mr. Anthonio Mahalucgs
Injured
13/06/2006
Mercy Corps
Army
assault
18/07/2006
Tamil Rehabilitation Org.(TRO)
Philippine national
Mr. Kanthasami Sivasuthan
ATTACKS ON NGO OFFICES
BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY IN THE RECENT PAST
Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – 14 August 1997
Sri Lankan Airforce dropped two bombs towards 5 km southeast of Mallavi, where MSF has
rehabilitated a hospital and provides gynecological, pediatric, and nursing care.
National Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka - 22 January 2002
Sri Lankan Police officer, Mr. Ranman Kodithuwakku (A.S.P) behaved arrogantly and intimidated the
NHRC officer and challenge the authority of the Commission, claiming that it had no right to investigate
his affairs.
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission - SLMM, Batticaloa – 15 January 2006
An unoccupied vehicle parked in the compound of the SLMM was bombed.
Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission - SLMM, Trincomalee – 18 January 2006
Due to increasing violence, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission - SLMM is suspended its operations in the
northeastern Trincomalee district.
Inter SOS, ZOA and Non-Violent Peace Force – 21 May 2006
Grenades were lobbed at the offices of three international non-governmental organizations, in
government controlled Muttur. One foreign representative of the Non-Violent Peace Force and a local
worker were injured in the grenade attacks.
Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) - 24 August 2006
Jaffna office of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation was looted and burned by armed men. Intruders
forced a night watchman to leave the office and then destroyed computers, files and other equipment
before setting the building on fire.
Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) - 4 September 2006
Sri Lankan government has frozen the bank accounts of Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO).
Action Contre La Faim (ACF) – 7 September 2006
Following the murders of 17 of its staff members, ACF has announced it will be suspending
reconstruction work in Sri Lanka. The organization will maintain a reduced presence in the country.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – 30 September 2006
"On Saturday September 30 around 11p.m. a grenade exploded in front of the ICRC, Jaffna office. The
explosion caused only material damage to the building.
Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) – 30 September 2006
Since the September 30, false allegations have been leveled in the Sri Lankan media accusing MSF
teams of participating in the conflict. Simultaneously MSF received a letter from the government
canceling their existing visas and asking them to leave the country.
The Australian Red Cross – 18 October 2006
The Australian Red Cross announced it was temporarily suspending field activities in and around
Jaffna.
25
KILLING OF RELIGIOUS DIGNITARIES AND LAYMEN
BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY
Name
Place of incident
Date
A Hindu priest burnt alive by rioters
Kalutara, South of Sri Lanka
1958
Rev Fr. Mary Bastian
Vankalai-Mannar
05/01/1985
Rev Jeyarajasingham and
his wife were found hacked to dead
Murunkan-Mannar
Feb 1985
Fr Wenceslaus
Tholagatty-Jaffna
1986
Fr Chandra Fernando
Batticaloa
1988
Fr Herbiet
An American Jesuit priest
Fr Selvarajah
Eravur-Batticaloa
1990
Sorikalmunai-Amparai
1990
Rev Inasi Arulpalan
Konnavil-Kilinochchi
25/08/1997
Ms Sarathambal Saravanbavanantha- Pungudutivu, Jaffna
28/12/1999
Kurukal - of a Hindu Brahmin family gang-raped and murdered Sri Lankan Navy soldiers
Varatharaja Kurukkal Harihara Sarma
Kodikamam-Jaffna
14/11/2004
Sabanatha Sarma
Maruthanamadam-Jaffna
14/09/2005
Five people killed inside the Mosque
Akkaraipattu Grand Mosque
18/11/2005
Buddhist monk Ven. Nanda Rathan
Mahadivulwewa-Trincomale
13/05/2006
Hindu priest Venkata Krishna Sharma Kaithady Bridge - Jaffna
26/05/2006
Rev Fr. T. Nihal Jimbrown
Allapiddy-Jaffna
20/08/2006
W Winsan Vimalathas
Fr Nihal Jimbrown's helper
Allapiddy-Jaffna
20/08/2006
Hindu priest, Selliah Parameshwaram Sandiweli-Batticaloa
07/02/2007
Pastor Victor Emmanuel Yogarajan
along with his two sons and a friend
Negombo
01/03/2007
Ratnasabapathy Aiyar Somaskantha
Velanai, Jaffna
30/04/2007
Mawlawi Rafeek
Muslim religious leader
Ninthavoor-Amparai
11/08/2007
Arrest & injury
Hindu priest Ragupathy Sarma
and his wife
Modera Kaliamman temple,
Colombo - Arrest
Feb 2000
Hindu priest Kothandathas
Selva Vinayagar temple,
Kandy - Arrest & torture
August 1999
The chief Hindu priest of AnnapaniHindu temple
Ariyampathi in Batticaloa
Injured by a gun shot
24/04/2005
Hindu priest Bala JegadeeshwaraGurukkal
Pettah, Colombo
Arrest & torture
14/10/2006
The chief Hindu priest and the )
Temple Trustee Board Chairman )
Velanai, Perunkulam
03/05/2007
Muththumaariamman, Jaffna
Arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy
26
RECENT KILLING OF ACADEMICS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS
BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY
Name
place of incident
date
Mr Kumar Ponnambalam
Leading Lawyer – President Council
Colombo
05/01/2000
Mr. Ariyanayagam Chandra Nehruex-Parliamentarian
Welikanda, Polanaruwa
07/02/2005
Mr Joseph Pararajasingham - Parliamentarian
St Mary's church, Batticaloa
25/12/2005
Mr Vanniasingham Vigneswaran
(inteded to replce the Mr Pararajasingham)
Trincomlee
07/04/2006
Pon. Ganeshamoorthy
Kankesanturai, Jaffna
04/08/2006
Mr S Sivamaharajah – ex-Parliamentarian
Jaffna
20/08/2006
Mr Nadarajah Raviraj - Parliamentarian
Colombo
10/11/2006
Colombo
15/12/2006
General Manager of Peoples Bank
Dr. Bala Sugamar – Dean, Arts Fac– Eastern University
Prof S Raveendranath
Vice-Chancellor, Eastern University, Batticaloa
DEATH THREATS TO PARLIAMENTARIANS BY
THE SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY
Mr S. Jeyanandamoorthy, M.P.
19/11/2006
Batticaloa District
Mr T Kanagasabai, M.P.
19/11/2006
Batticaloa District
Ms Thangeswari Kathiraman, M.P.
19/11/2006
Batticaloa District
Ariyanethran, M.P.
19/11/2006
Batticaloa District
Mr K. Pathmanathan, M.P.
19/11/2006
Amparai District
Mr C. Chandranehru, M.P.
19/11/2006
National List
Mr. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, M.P
02/05/2006
Jaffna
Mr. Selvarajah Kajendren, M.P
13/05/2006
Jaffna
Mr. Sivanathan Kisshor, M.P.
29/10/ 2006
Vavuniya
27
MASSACRES AND KILLINGS OF TAMILS
BY SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES AND PARAMILITARY SINCE 1956
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR/CTDH
Email : [email protected] / [email protected]
(in date sequence)
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
10/06/1956
Amparai
150
10/01/1974
World Tamil Research Conference
09
01/06/1981
Jaffna Town
04
24/07/1983
Thirunalveli
+25
1983
Anti-Tamil pogrom
+5000
25&27/07/1983
Welikadai Prison
53
June 1983
Pullumalai
26
28/03/1984
Chunnakam Market
09
16/09/1984
Point Pedro – Tikkam
16
01/12/1984
Othiuyamalai
32
02/12/1984
Kumulamunai
7
04/12/1984
Nanaddan Manthai
45
01/01/1985
Killiveddi
10
16/01/1985
Mulliyavalai
17
25/01/1985
Kilinochchi Railway Station
12
30/01/1985
Vaddakandal??
70
21/04/1985
Puthukudiyiruppu
32
15/05/1985
Kumuthini Boat
42
17/05/1985
Narpaddimunai
23
03/06/1985
Muttur-Killiveddi
35
14/06/1985
Muttur-Killiveddi (includes 15 villages)
115
16/09/1985
Nillavelli
29
02/10/1985
Piramanthanaru
11
26/10/1985
Kaddaiparichan
25
11/11/1985
Kanthalai massacre
06
27/11/1985
Sampur, Muthur
22
12/11/1985
Thamplalakamam
35
06/01/1986
Vankalai Church
08
19/02/1986
Udumpankulam
66
20/03/1986-
Eedimurichchan
20
19/02/1986
Akkaraipattu
102
08/05/1986
Pullumalai
69
29/05/1987
Alvai Temple
40
04/06/1986
Anandapuram Shelling
05
10/06/1986
Mandaithivu Sea
32
26/06/1986
Sampalthivu
15
28
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
28/06/1986
Paranthan
07
28/06/1986
Thamplalakamam (Forest)
34
09/07/1986
Mullipothanai
11
16/07/1986
Peruveli Mallaikaithvu Refugee Camp
44
17/07/1986
Thanduvan
17
17/07/1986
Pullumalai
08
12/10/1986
Adampan
20
10/11/1986
Pullumalai
103
31/12/1986
Pankulam
08
26/04/1987
Paddithidal
17
28/01/1987
Mahiladythivu-Kokadicholai
27/05/1987
Thonni Thaddamadhu
10
15/12/1987
Kokkilai – Kokkuthouvai
131
11/02/1990
Fancy House Kalmunai
111
12/06/1990
Karathivu Refugee camps
35
13/06/1990
Ninthavoor
64
24-25/06/1990
Akkaraipattu Methodist Church
(Prawn farm)
137
>
Alayadivempu Thirunavukkarasu Vidyalam >
104
30/06/1990
Pottuvil
132
20/06/1990
Veeramunai (Temple)
56
28/06/1990
Samanthurai Malaikaddu
37
29/06/1990
Kondaivedduvan
56
04/07/1990
School at Karathivu
12
10/07/1990
School at Karathivu
11
16/07/1990
Army from Malwathai camp
08
26/07/1990
Vedduvan army camp
08
08/08/1990
Malwathai
08
11/08/1990
Mandoor
18
12/08/1990
Konddavedduvan
30
18/07/1990
Chavalkkadai
32
08/07/1990
Central Camp
18
02/08/1990
Adapallam
05
06/08/1990
Thiralkkerni
54
16/09/1990
Chavalkkadai
4
22/09/1990
Ninthavur, Thiraikerny and Adapallam
45
21/11/1990
Adapallam
10
23/05/1990
Vantharamullai
226
09/07/1990
Pullumalai
55
20/07/1990
Sithanddy
80
24/07/1990
Paranthan
10
27/07/1990
Sithanddy
57
29
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
23/08/1990
Mandaithivu
20
29/08/1990
Nelliyadi Market
16
05/09/1990
Vantharumoolai
138
05/09/1990
Vantharumoolai-Kondayankerny camp
48
10/09/1990
Sathurukoddan Depot
184
1990
Disappearances
+1000
(During Col. Thenekoon’s tenure)
27/111990
Oddisuddan
12
30/01/1991
Puthukudiyiruppu junction bombin
28
17/02/1991
Vankalai
05
28/02/1991
Vaddakachchi
09
13/03/1991
Trincomalee (Iruthayapuram)
1
12/06/1991
Mahiladythivu-Kokadicholai
132
04/12/1991
Uruthirapuram
11
18/05/1992
Vattapalai
15
30/05/1992
Tellipalai Temple
10
09/08/1992
Mylanthanai - Punanai
36
02/01/1993
Massacre in the Killaly sea(I)
52
02/01/1993
Massacre in the Killaly sea(I)
52
18/09/1993
Maaththalan
20
28/09/1993
Chavakachcheri – Sangathanai
28
13/11/1993
Kurunagar Church
12
05/12/1993
ICRC refugee camp – Jaffna
40
18/02/1994
Chundikulam
10
18/04/1995
Nachchikuda Massacre
30
30/06/1995
Pendukalchenai
15
09/07/1995
Navaly St. Peter's Church Massacre
165
July-Aug 1995
Bolgoda Lake - Colombo
27
22/09/1995
Nagar Kovil School Children Massacre
71
11/02/1996
Kumarapuram Massacre
24
18/02/1996
Poonaithoduvai in Kilinochchi
11
03/03/1996
Muthumariyamman Temple – Jaffna
07
16/03/1996
Nachchikuda
16
20/04/1996
Massacre in the Killay Sea (II)
42
11/05/1996
Sithandi, Kaluvenkerni
18
17/05/1996
Thambirai Market
07
03/06/1996
Puttur – Jaffna
08
24/07/1996
Mallavi Town - Mallavi, Vanni
09
31/07/1996
Puthukudyiruppu – Kilinochchi
10
25/09/1996
Vavunikulam
04
25/09/1996
Kilinochchi town – Kilinochchi
05
30
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
25/09/1996
Puthumurippu – Kilinochchi
05
26/09/1996
Vavunikulam – Kilinochchi
04
27/09/1996
Konavil – Kilinochchi
04
29/09/1996
Akkarayan – Kilinochchi
04
1996-1997
Mass Graves including Chemmani
+800
29/01/1997
Ponnalai Bridge in Jaffna
09
13/05/1997
Mulliavalai
10
15/08/1997
Vavunikulam Church
15
08/06/1997
Mankulam
07
05/07/1997
Pannankandy
06
17/07/1997
Nedunkerni – Vanni
08
11/08/1997
Mullaitivu (Manthuvil)
40
15/08/1997
Vavunikulam - Church – Vanni
09
24/09/1997
Amparai
8
25/11/1997
Visuvamadhu
06
11/12/1997
Market Place in Batticaloa
05
12/12/1997
Kalutara Prison
03
1996-1998
Mass Graves in Killinochchi
179
27/01/1998
Jaffna Coast – Jaffna
09
01/02/1998
Thampalakamam
08
26/03/1998
Vaddakkachchi in East Paranthan
08
10/06/1998
Suthanthirapuram in Mullaitivu
32
12/09/1998
Pullumalai
14
18/01/1999
Pullumalai
13
15/09/1999
Puthukudiyiruppu - Mullaitivu
22
20/11/1999
Maddhu church – Mannar
38
23/01/2000
Kunjukulam
05
05/04/2000
Chempiyanpattu
04
17/05/2000
Batticaloa (near Buddhist temple)
19
19/05/2000
Kaithaddy (Home for the aged)
15
22/09/2000
Bay of Trincomalee
06
02/10/2000
Poarnagar, Ichilampathai, Muttur
07
04/10/2000
Muttur (Poomarathaddysenai)
08
25/10/2000
Bindunuwewa detention Centre
28
19/12/2000
Mirusuvil
08
24/09/2001
Irupalai Junction-Kopay
06
04/01/2003
Addalaichenai
2
25/12/2005
Pesalai
04
02/01/2006
Dockyard Rd
05
29-30/01/2006
Welikandai, Polanaruwa
07
18/04/2006
Vatharavathai
05
31
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
24/04/2006
Muttur East
15
04/05/2006
Nelliyadi Junction
07
13/05/2006
Allaipiddy Junction
09
13/05/2006
Puliyankoudalai, Kayts
03
07/06/2006
Nedunkal, Vadamunai
10
09/06/2006
Vankalai
04
27/06/2006
Mylambaveli
03
05/08/2006
Muttur (ACF humanitarian workers)
17
08/08/2006
Pandarakulam
05
13/08/2006
Allapiddy – Mankumpan
40
30/08/2006
Vavuniya Town
16
14/08/2006
Vallipuram
55
28/08/2006
Sampoor
21
02/11/2006
Kilinochchi Hospital area
05
08/11/2006
Kathiraveli
40
18/11/2006
Thandikulam
05
09/12/2006
Vammivedduvan, Patchenai
15
02/01/2007
Padakuthurai
15
16/01/2007
Kurumankadu
04
29/03/2007
Sithandy
08
07/04/2007
Vavuniya-Mannar Road
06
01/09/2007
Paasiththen'ral - Musali
12
(Many more to be included)
KILLINGS BY THE IPFK IN THE NORTH EAST
1987
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
1988
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
1989
3714
1303
2929
1253
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
Total Killings
Total Disappearances
32
1475
1528
8118
4084
MASSACRES AND KILLINGS OF TAMILS BY THE SRI LANKAN SECURITY FORCES
Tamil Centre for Human Rights - TCHR/CTDH
Email : [email protected] / [email protected]
(in district sequence)
AMPARAI DISTRICT
Date
10/06/1956
17/05/1985
19/02/1986
19/02/1986
11/02/1990
12/06/1990
13/06/1990
20/06/1990
28/06/1990
29/06/1990
04/07/1990
10/07/1990
16/07/1990
26/07/1990
08/08/1990
11/08/1990
12/08/1990
24-25/06/1990
30/06/1990
18/07/1990
08/07/1990
02/08/1990
06/08/1990
16/09/1990
22/09/1990
21/11/1990
24/09/1997
04/01/2003
Place of incident
Amparai
Narpaddimunai
Udumpankulam
Akkaraipattu
Fancy House Kalmunai
Karathivu Refugee camps
Ninthavoor
Veeramunai (Temple)
Samanthurai Malaikaddu
Kondaivedduvan
School at Karathivu
School at Karathivu
Army from Malwathai camp
Vedduvan army camp
Malwathai
Mandoor
Konddavedduvan
Akkaraipattu Methodist Church
>
Alayadivempu Thirunavukkarasu Vidyalam >
Pottuvil
Chavalkkadai
Central Camp
Adapallam
Thiralkkerni
Chavalkkadai
Ninthavur, Thiraikerny and Adapallam
Adapallam
Amparai
Addalaichenai
No. Killed
150
23
66
102
111
35
64
56
37
56
12
11
08
08
08
18
30
104
132
32
18
05
54
4
45
10
8
2
7000 widows in Amparai
(Many more to be included)
BATTICALOA DISTRICT
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
June 1983
08/05/1986
16/07/1986
17/07/1986
10/11/1986
28/01/1987
27/05/1987
23/05/1990
09/07/1990
20/07/1990
27/07/1990
05/09/1990
Pullumalai
Pullumalai
Peruveli Mallaikaithvu Refugee Camp
Pullumalai
Pullumalai
Mahiladythivu-Kokadicholai
(Prawn farm)
Thonni Thaddamadhu
Vantharamullai
Pullumalai
Sithanddy
Sithanddy
Vantharumoolai
26
69
44
08
103
137
10
226
55
80
57
138
33
Date
05/09/1990
10/09/1990
12/06/1991
09/08/1992
30/06/1995
11/05/1996
11/12/1997
12/09/1998
18/01/1999
17/05/2000
07/06/2006
27/06/2006
08/11/2006
09/12/2006
29/03/2007
Place of incident
Vantharumoolai-Kondayankerny camp
Sathurukoddan Depot
Mahiladythivu-Kokadicholai
Mylanthanai - Punanai
Pendukalchenai
Sithandi, Kaluvenkerni
Market Place in Batticaloa
Pullumalai
Pullumalai
Batticaloa (near Buddhist temple)
Nedunkal, Vadamunai
Mylambaveli
Kathiraveli
Vammivedduvan, Patchenai
Sithandy
(Many more to be included)
No. Killed
48
184
132
36
15
18
05
14
13
19
10
03
40
15
08
TRINCOMALEE DISTRICT
Date
01/01/1985
03/06/1985
14/06/1985
16/09/1985
26/10/1985
11/11/1985
12/11/1985
27/11/1985
26/06/1986
28/06/1986
09/07/1986
31/12/1986
26/04/1987
1990
13/03/1991
11/02/1996
01/02/1998
22/09/2000
02/10/2000
04/10/2000
02/01/2006
24/04/2006
05/08/2006
28/08/2006
Place of incident
Killiveddi
Muttur-Killiveddi
Muttur-Killiveddi (includes 15 villages)
Nillavelli
Kaddaiparichan
Kanthalai massacre
Thamplalakamam
Sampur, Muthur
Sampalthivu
Thamplalakamam (Forest)
Mullipothanai
Pankulam
Paddithidal
Disappearances
(During Col. Thenekoon’s tenure)
Trincomalee (Iruthayapuram)
Kumarapuram Massacre
Thampalakamam
Bay of Trincomalee
Poarnagar, Ichilampathai, Muttur
Muttur (Poomarathaddysenai)
Dockyard Rd
Muttur East
Muttur (ACF humanitarian workers)
Sampoor
(Many more to be included)
34
No. Killed
10
35
115
29
25
06
35
22
15
34
11
08
17
+1000
1
24
08
06
07
08
05
15
17
21
MULLAITHIVU DISTRICT
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
01/12/1984
02/12/1984
15/12/1987
16/01/1985
21/04/1985
17/07/1986
27/111990
30/01/1991
18/05/1992
18/09/1993
25/09/1996
15/08/1997
13/05/1997
08/06/1997
17/07/1997
15/08/1997
11/08/1997
25/11/1997
26/03/1998
10/06/1998
15/09/1999
14/08/2006
Othiuyamalai
Kumulamunai
Kokkilai – Kokkuthouvai
Mulliyavalai
Puthukudiyiruppu
Thanduvan
Oddisuddan
Puthukudiyiruppu junction bombin
Vattapalai
Maaththalan
Vavunikulam
Vavunikulam
Mulliavalai
Mankulam
Nedunkerni – Vanni
Vavunikulam - Church – Vanni
Mullaitivu (Manthuvil)
Visuvamadhu
Vaddakkachchi in East Paranthan
Suthanthirapuram in Mullaitivu
Mullaitivu
Vallipuram
(Many more to be included)
32
7
131
17
32
17
12
28
15
20
04
15
10
07
08
09
40
06
08
32
22
55
VAVUNIYA & MANNAR DISTRICT
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
04/12/1984
30/01/1985
06/01/1986
20/03/198612/10/1986
17/02/1991
18/04/1995
16/03/1996
20/11/1999
23/01/2000
25/12/2005
09/06/2006
08/08/2006
30/08/2006
18/11/2006
02/01/2007
16/01/2007
07/04/2007
01/09/2007
Nanaddan Manthai
Vaddakandal
Vankalai Church
Eedimurichchan
Adampan
Vankalai
Nachchikuda Massacre
Nachchikuda
Maddhu church – Mannar
Kunjukulam
Pesalai
Vankalai
Pandarakulam
Vavuniya Town
Thandikulam
Padakuthurai
Kurumankadu
Vavuniya-Mannar Road
Paasiththen'ral - Musali
45
70
08
20
20
05
30
16
38
05
04
04
05
16
05
15
04
06
12
(Many more to be included)
35
KILINOCHCHI DISTRICT
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
25/01/1985
02/10/1985
04/06/1986
28/06/1986
24/07/1990
04/12/1991
28/02/1991
18/02/1994
18/02/1996
20/04/1996
17/05/1996
24/07/1996
31/07/1996
25/09/1996
25/09/1996
26/09/1996
27/09/1996
29/09/1996
05/07/1997
1996-1998
02/11/2006
Kilinochchi Railway Station
Piramanthanaru
Anandapuram Shelling
Paranthan
Paranthan
Uruthirapuram
Vaddakachchi
Chundikulam
Poonaithoduvai in Kilinochchi
Massacre in the Killay Sea (II)
Thambirai Market
Mallavi Town - Mallavi, Vanni
Puthukudyiruppu – Kilinochchi
Kilinochchi town – Kilinochchi
Puthumurippu – Kilinochchi
Vavunikulam – Kilinochchi
Konavil – Kilinochchi
Akkarayan – Kilinochchi
Pannankandy
Mass Graves in Killinochchi
Kilinochchi Hospital area
(Many more to be included)
12
11
05
07
10
11
09
10
11
42
07
09
10
05
05
04
04
04
06
179
05
JAFFNA DISTRICT
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
10/01/1974
01/06/1981
24/07/1983
28/03/1984
16/09/1984
15/05/1985
10/06/1986
29/05/1987
23/08/1990
29/08/1990
30/05/1992
02/01/1993
28/09/1993
13/11/1993
05/12/1993
09/07/1995
22/09/1995
03/03/1996
03/06/1996
29/01/1997
1996-1997
27/01/1998
05/04/2000
19/05/2000
19/12/2000
24/09/2001
18/04/2006
World Tamil Research Conference
Jaffna Town
Thirunalveli
Chunnakam Market
Point Pedro – Tikkam
Kumuthini Boat
Mandaithivu Sea
Alvai Temple
Mandaithivu
Nelliyadi Market
Tellipalai Temple
Massacre in the Killaly sea(I)
Chavakachcheri – Sangathanai
Kurunagar Church
ICRC refugee camp – Jaffna
Navaly St. Peter's Church Massacre
Nagar Kovil School Children Massacre
Muthumariyamman Temple – Jaffna
Puttur – Jaffna
Ponnalai Bridge in Jaffna
Mass Graves including Chemmani
Jaffna Coast – Jaffna
Chempiyanpattu
Kaithaddy (Home for the aged)
Mirusuvil
Irupalai Junction-Kopay
Vatharavathai
09
04
+25
09
16
42
32
40
20
16
10
52
28
12
40
165
71
07
08
09
+800
09
04
15
08
06
05
36
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
04/05/2006
13/05/2006
13/05/2006
13/08/2006
Nelliyadi Junction
Allaipiddy Junction
Puliyankoudalai, Kayts
Allapiddy – Mankumpan
(Many more to be included)
07
09
03
40
COLOMBO AND OTHER DISTRICTS
Date
Place of incident
No. Killed
1983
25&27/07/1983
July-Aug 1995
12/12/1997
25/10/2000
29-30/01/2006
Anti-Tamil pogrom
Welikadai Prison
Bolgoda Lake - Colombo
Kalutara Prison
Bindunuwewa detention Centre
Welikandai, Polanaruwa
+5000
53
27
03
28
07
(Many more to be included)
KILLINGS BY THE IPFK IN THE NORTH EAST
1990
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
1991
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
1992
3714
1303
2929
1253
Indian Peace Keeping Force – IPKF
Killings
Disappearances
1475
1528
Total Killings
- 8118
Total Disappearances - 4084
37
MILITARY OCCUPATION OF
TAMIL CIVILIAN DWELLINGS/LAND, SCHOOLS, PLACE OF WORSHIP
AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS IN THE NORTH EAST
(Locations under occupation / vacated and established camps, etc)
(REPORT DATED - SEPTEMBER 2002)
AMPARAI DISTRICT – (Division 1)
Locations under occupation
GS Division
Pottuvil
Kiddanki
Rotai
Sakamam
Thandiyadi
Places of
worship
Schools
Civilian
Dwellings/
Lands
Irrigation Dep.
Irrigation Dep.
Irrigation Dep.
Irrigation Dep.
Irrigation Dep.
Public Library,
Hospital Building
Pillaiyar Temple
Akkaripattu
Thirukovil
Hospital building
09 Civilian
dwellings
Pradesha Sabha
building
Public Library
Karaithivu
Kanchirankudha
Kannakipuram
Savalakadai
Public
buildings
Murukan Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Neelavanai
Sorikalmunai
Vishnu Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Thandiyadi
Kanchirankudha
Kannakipuram
Paanamai
GTM School
GTM School
GTM School
GTM School
BATTICALOA DISTRICT – (Division 1)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilians
Dwellings/
Lands
Batticaloa city
Urban Council
building
Sribala Building
Batticaloa city
Rest House
building
Civilian dwellings
of Vavikarai
Veethy
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
38
Public Library
YMHA Building
Agricultural
Office, Forest
Dept.
Judge‘s
Residence,
Railway Station
Public Service
Buildings
Womens‘ Society
Childrens‘ Park
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Weber Stage,
Play Ground
Batticaloa city
01 Civilian
dwelling
Puthur
Valaiyiravu
Madathu Pillaiyar
Temple
Primary School
Mugathuvaram
Kalladi
Civilians
Dwellings/
Lands
Kankani Pillaiyar
Temple
Irrigation Dept.
Manjaththodhuvai
01 Civilian
dwelling
02 Civilian
dwellings
01 Civilian
dwelling
Rural
Development
Society
Weaving Centre
Araiyampathy
Alayampathy
Locations vacated by Sri Lankan military in compliance with the CFA
Puthur
Vallaiyiravu
Araiyampathy
Alayampathy
Vickneshwara Vidyalay
MTMS
Mariyaman
Temple
Peichiyamman
Temple
BATTICALOA DISTRICT – (Division 2)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Puthukudiyiruppu
Housing scheme
common hall
Rural
Development
Society
Weaving Centre
Divisional
Secretariat
building
Post Office
building
Courts building
Wokers Welfare
Centre building
Hospital Quarters
Irrigation Office
Quarters
Kurukkal Madam
Settypalayam
Settypalayam
Kaluwanchikudy
Kaluwanchikudy
Kaluwanchikudy
Kaluwanchikudy
Kaluwanchikudy
Kaluwanchikudy
Mandur
Primary School
Mandur
Weaving Centre
Public Playground
Pradesha Sabha
building
Village
Development
building
Rural
Development
Society
Mandur
Mandur
Mandur
Thuraineelaavanai
Thuraineelaavanai
Public Library
39
Civilian
Dwellings/
Lands
01 Civilian
dwelling and
adjoining land
03 Civilian
dwellings
67 Civilian
dwellings
11 Civilian
dwellings
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Settypalayam
Kaluwanchikudy
Thuraineelaavanai
Periya Kallaru
Kannaki Amman
Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Kannaki Vidyalayam
Vinayakar Vidyalayam
Methodist Mission Scho
BATTICOLOA DISTRICT – (Division 4)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/
Lands
01 Civilian
dwelling
01 Civilian
dwelling
Pillaiyarady
Mayilampaveli
Sathurukondan
03 Civilian
dwellings
Chenkalady
Community
needle work
centre
Kommantturai
20 Civilian
dwellings
Kommanthurai
Morakattanchenai
50 Civilian
dwellings
Pillaiyar Temple
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Pillaiyarady
Kurumanvelli
Kurumanvelli
Kurumanvelli
Mamankam
Komamthurai
Komamthurai
Pillaiyar Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Mariyaman
Temple
Peichiyaman
Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Kalidevy Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Komamthurai
Murakottanchenai
Vinayakar Viddiyalayam
Iramakirushnamishan
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Vantharumoolai
Pillaiyar Temple
Mavady Vempu
Santhivelli
Kiran
Karuvakeni
Kalkudah
Kalkudah
Pillaiyar Temple
Catholic Church
Hindu Temple
Schools
Public
buildings
Houses/
Lands
04 shops and,
Land
01 coconut grove
01 Lodge
01 Land
Petrol Station
Post Office
Rest House
Kalmadhu
Irrigation Office
Valaichchenai
Valaichchenai
Hospital
Harbour building
Paper factory
quarters
Valaichchenai
Iruthayapuram
01 Jesuit
Father‘s coconut
grove
02 buildings
01 dwelling
40
BATTICALOA DISTRICT
Public thoroughfare under Military occupation
G.S Division
Public thoroughfare
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Batticaloa city
Valaiyiravu
Periya Urani
Sathurukondan
Kaluwanchikudy
Kurumanvelli
Mandur
2nd Lakeside Road
Saple Road
3rd Cross Road
Yard Road
Palaiyawaady Road
1st Lakeside Road
Rice Mill Road
Pallikudah Road
Inner Road
Main Road
Thurai Road
Main Road
TRINCOMALE DISTRICT – (Division 1)
Locations under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Pankulam
Auvaiyar Mixed School
Pankulam
Nochchikulam Tamil
Mixed School
Pankulam
Muthalikulam GTMS
Pankulam
Panmathavachchi
GTMS
Pankulam
Nallakudiyaru GTMS
Pankulam
Noddavan Muslim
School
Thampalakamam
Muthunakar Muslim
School
Pudavaikaddu
Illantaikulam GTMS
Public
buildings
Locations established army camps in close vicinity
Thampalakamam
Library
Thampalakamam
Pradesha Sabha
buildings
Thampalakamam
Sub-Post Office
Thampalakamam
Telecom building
Thampalakamam
Railway Quarters
Sampalthivu
Murukan Temple
41
Civilian
Dwellings/
Lands
TRINCOMALE DISTRICT – (Division 1)
Locations under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
China Bay
Albuckan Vidyalayam
Kuchchavelli
Iranaikeni GTMS
Kuchchavelli
Vivekaanantha Vidyala
Kuchchavelli
Ansar Muslim Vidyalay
Irakandy
Alikamha Muslim
Vidyalayam
Alles Garden
Bharathy GTMS
Pankulam
Roddavelle Muslim
Vidyalayam
Kanniya
GTMS
Nilavelli
MMV
Public buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/ Lands
01 Family‘s Land
Pradesha Sabha
Office
Locations established Army camps in close vicinity
Pradesha Sabha
building
Lingapuram
Kuchchavelli
Roman Catholic
Church
Paddy Store
Irakkandy
MPCS
Nilavelli
Agricultural Dept.
tax office
Nilavelli
MPCS
Paalathadichenai
Pillaiyar Temple
Thanganagar
Pillaiyar Temple
Locations under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Alles Garden
Mallikaithivu
Public
buildings
Bharathy GTS
Thennamaravaady
Paalampoddaru
Schools
GTS
Pathinyamman
Temple
Primary School
Alankeni
Village Council Bldg
Thiriyai
MMV
Thiriyai
Kallam Pathalai GTMS
42
Civilian
Dwellings/
Lands
VAVUNIYA DISTRICT
– (VENKALACHCHEDDIKKULAM DIVISION)
Locations under occupation
GS division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Mankulam Neriyakulam
Rural Clinic
Kurukkal Puthukkulam
Ayurveda Clinic
Cheddikulam
Railway Station
Pavatkulam
Parayanalankulam
G.S.Office
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
03 Family Dwellings
Adjoining
Temple &Land
Kurukkal Puthukkulam;
01 Family Dwelling
Erukkalankal
Poovarasankulam
01 Family Dwelling
Kannatti
01 Family Dwelling
Sooduvaiththapulavu
02 Family Dwellings
Ganesapuram
Pillayar Temple
Ganesapuram
Barbed wire
fence around
Velankanni
Church
Periyanochchikkulam,
Neriyakulam
01 Family land
Mukaththankulam
02 Family lands
Musalveethy, Cheddikulam
02 Family lands
Locations established Army camps in close vicinity
Pavatkulam
Weaving Centre
Pavatkulam
Mobile
Dispensary
Parayanalankulam
M.P.C.S.
Kallaru
Paddy
MarketingBoard
Periyakaddu
StAnthonyChr
VAVUNIYA DISTRICT – (Vavuniya Division)
Locations under occupation
GS division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Community
Centre
Asikkulam
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
01 Family Dwelling
Thandikulam
15 Family Dwellings
Thonikkal
Ramya House Estate of
Mr. Vijayaratnam
Pampaimadu
M.P.C.S
Pampaimadu
Pradesa Sabha
Office
Pampaimadu
Agrarian Services
Centre
Pampaimadu
Forest Dept.
Nursery Centre
Nochchimoddai
43
03 Family Dwellings
07 Family Dwellings
Places of
worship
GS division
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
Moonrumurippu
M.P.C.S
19 Family Dwellings
Chekkadippulavu
R.D.S.
01 Family Dwelling
Poovarasankulam
R.D.D. Building
08 Family Dwellings
Velankulam
G.T.M.S
Koyilpuliyankulam
G.T.M.S
Madukkulam
G.T.M.S
Nelukkulam
02 Family Dwellings
Paddy Marketing
Board
V avuniya Town
Paddanichchi Puliyankulam
07 Family Dwellings
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Eachchankulam
G.T.M.S
Palamoddai
High Security
zone
Paranaddakal
High Security
zone
Arumugaththan
Puthukkulam
High Security
zone
Chemamadu
High Security
zone
Omanthai
High Security
zone
Rambaikkulam
High Security
zone
MANNAR DISTRICT
- (MANNAR DIVISION)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Talaimannar
Schools
Pier R.C.T.M.S
Public
buildings
Workers co-op
Society
Pesalai
Cemetery (Portion)
Mannar
Dist. Co-op Board
Mannar
Kachcheri Resta
Mannar
Kachcheri Vehicle
Park
Mannar
Kachcheri
Accountant‘s
Quarters
Mannar
Food controller‘s
Quarters
Mannar
National Co-op
Council Kachcheri
Sunnyvillage
Electricity Board
Pallimunai
Port Cago Corpn.
Pallimunai
Fish Market
Locations vacated in compliance with the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA)
Erukkulampiddy
Mosque
Erukkulampiddy
Muslim M.V.
Mannar
Sinhala M.V.
Talaimannar
Pier Velankanni
Church
44
Civilian Dwellings
/ Lands
35 Family Dwellings
(Living in Kalpitiya)
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Talaimannar
Thallady St.
Anthonys Chur
Konarpannai
Mosque
Post Office
MANNAR DISTRICT
- (NANATTAN DIVISION)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Kaddayadampan
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
Muluvarayan School
08th MilePost
M.P.C.S. Branch
08th MilePost
Fuel filling Station
08th MilePost
Rural Bank
09th MilePost
Whole Sale Store
Uyilankulam
Pradesha Sabah
Branch
Uyilankulam
Agricultural
Extension Centre
Uyilankulam
Irrigation Dept.
Bungalow
Murunkan
Post Office
Murunkan
Agricultural
Research Dept.
Murunkan
MPCS. Nanattan
Murunkan
Nanattan MPCS
Br. -01
SooriyaKaddaikkadu
Nanattan MPCS
Br. –02
Nanattan
Public Liberary
Chemmantivu
Irragation Dept.
Murunkan
Milk Collection
Centre
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Parappankandal
Holy family
Convent
08th Mile Post
Manthai MPCS
MANNAR DISTRICT - (Madhu Division)
Locations still under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
Agricultural
Extension Centre;
Iranai iluppankulam
Pallavarayankaddai
(F.D.L.)
Hindu Temple
Kaddayadampan TMS
60 Family Dwellings
Poomananthal (F.D.L.)
Hindu Temple
Poomananthal TMS
150 Family Dwellings
45
MANNAR DISTRICT - (Adampan Division)
Locations still under occupation
GS division
Thiruketheeswaram
Places of
worship
Hindu Temple
Schools
Gowry Ambal School
Public
buildings
Hospital
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
400 Family Dwellings
PeriyaNavatkulam
350 Family Dwellings
Nagathalvu
250 Family Dwellings
Thiruketheeswaram
Manthai West
MPCS HQ
Thiruketheeswaram
Manthai West
MPCS Store
Thiruketheeswaram
Rural Bank
Thiruketheeswaram
Rice Mill
Thiruketheeswaram
MPCS Branch -01
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Valikamam East Division)
Locations under occupation
GS Division
Achchelu
Achchelu
Achchelu
Achuveli
Siruppiddy
Puttur
Places of worship
Schools
Meenaachchiamman
temple
Pillaiyar temple
Kannakaiamman temple
Valalai
Valalai
Valalai
Valalai
Houses/Lands
M.P.C.S
Sub-post office
M.P.C.S
Community centre
Primary health
centre
Funeral rites hall
RuralDeve.Soc
Vatharawatti
Kopay
Neerveli
Valalai
Public
buildings
Pechiamman temple
Sittivinayagar temple
Neerpiddi murugan
Temple
St. Emilion Church
28 dwellings
12 dwellings
29 dwellings
33 dwellings
10 dwellings
30 dwellings
5 shops
14 shops
46
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Valikamam West Division)
Places under occupation
GS Division
Places of worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Tiruvadinilai
Hindu primary
school
Chankanai
5 dwellings
Naganathan
hospital
Predesha sabha
shop complex
Velavan
fishermen co-op
Chankanai
Chankanai
Chankanai
Vaddukkoddai
Ponnalai
Ponnalai
Houses/Lands
6 dwellings
3 dwellings
Paraddaippillaiyar
temple
Locations established Army camps in close vicinity
Chankanai
Ponnalai
Ponnalai
Co-op hospital
Varadarajaperumal
temple
Tiruvadinilai Siva
temple
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Valikamam Division)
Places under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Columbuththurai
Thuraiyappa
Vidyalayam
Muslim college
Jaffna town
Jaffna town
Jaffna town
Jaffna town
Jaffna town
Jaffna town
Punnalaikkadduvan
Mathagal
Mathagal
Mathagal
Vasavilan
Mulanai
Anaikkoddai
Navaly
Sandilipay
Masiyappiddy
Vadaliyadaippu
Public
buildings
St. Lourdes church
Sampil
Soosaiyappar
church
Iyanar temple
NunasaiMurugan
Civilian
Dwellings/Lands
Co-op building
30 shops
Ice factory
BMC
Library
Market Bldg.
TB sanatorium
Subash hotel
Gnams hotel
Asoka hotel
G.T.M.S
Saiva Thamil
vidyalaiyam
Punnalaikkadduvan
Mathagal
Schools
04 Cdwellings
Nunasai vidyalaiyam
Hindu
cemetery
5 dwellings
Soosaiyappar
Mahavidyalayam
M.P.C.S
5 dwellings
Post office
Pre-school
M.M.V
14 dwellings
9 dwellings
34 dwellings
2 dwellings
1 dwellings
3 dwellings
47
Places vacated symbolically but established camps close- by
7 dwellings
Periyavilan
Punnalaikkadduvan
Aayatkadavai
Pillaiyar
Tellippalai
Union College
S.J.V selva
Pre-school
Tellippalai
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Vadamaradchi Division)
Places under occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
Dwellings/ Lands
Point Pedro
Karaveddi
Alvai
Polikandy
78 dwellings
19 dwellings
2 dwellings
3 dwellings
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Point Pedro
Vallipuram Alvar
temple
Uthayasooriyan
Primary school
Point Pedro
Sinnaththambi
Mahavidyalayam
Karaveddi
Alvai
Uthayasooriyan
community centre
Fisherman Co-op
society
Imayanan community
centre
Maali santhi temple
Locations established Army camps in close vicinity
Point Pedro
Girls‘ high school
Point Pedro
Hartley college
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Islands Division)
Places under occupation
GS Division
Karainagar
Karainagar
Karainagar
Karainagar
Karainagar
Karainagar
Kayts
Kayts
Kayts
Kayts
Kayts
Places of
worship
Schools
Harbour Pillaiyar
Harbour Vairavar
temple
Koddai Muniyappar
temple
Paruthiyadaippu
Palakkadu Rajeswari
Amman temple
Neelakkadu St.
Antonys Church
Neelakkaadu Shipyard
01 Shop
Thoppukkadu M.P.C.S
Lighthouse quarters
Cey-Nor harbour
passenger' rest
Thoppukkadu Marai
Ganasampanthar
vidyalaiyam
G.T.M.S
R.C. Boys‘ school
St. Emilion Undinnar
college
Harbour building
Filling station M.P.C.S
Circuit Education Office
Koddaiambal
passengers‘ rest
St. Lourdes Church
Eluvaitivu
Paruthiyadaippu
Civilian
dwellings
/Lands
Oori RDS
Analativu
Naranthanai
Public buildings
48
St. Fatima community
centre
Oorun cemetery
3 civilian shops
GS Division
Places of
worship
Pungudutivu
Balasubramanyam
temple hall
Pungudutivu
Malaiyadi Naachiyar
temple
Mandaitivu
Velanai
Velanai
Velanai
Schools
Public buildings
Civilian
dwellings
/Lands
Mahavidyalaiyam
6 civilian shops
R.C.T.M.S
Sivappirakasa
vidyalayam
52 civilian
dwellings
3 civilian shops
52 civilian
dwellings
Iyanar vidyalayam
Central College
Vaidilingam
Thuraisamy M.V
Velanai
Locations vacated in compliance with the CFA
Karainagar
Oori Murugan temple
Karainagar
Oori Annamal temple
Karainagar
Karainagar
Oori G.T.M.S
Thoppukkadu Marai
Ganavairavar
vidyalaym
Thoppukkadu
Murugan temple
Thoppukkadu
Saraswathy temple
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Kayts
St. Anthonys church
Kayts
Ganavairavar temple
St. Anthonys college
Emilianus technical
college
JAFFNA DISTRICT - (Thenmaradchi High Security Zone)
Places under military occupation
GS Division
Places of
worship
Eluthumadduval
Eluthumadduval
Eluthumadduval
Eluthumadduval
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Maravanpulavu
Kalyanakkulam
Pillaayar temple
Thurkaiyamman
temple
Ottuveli Murugan
Ottuveli Veerapathrar
Ottuveli Naachimar
Nanthivinai Pillaiyar
Vallikkulam Pillaiyar
Palaiya Muthumari
Puthiya Muthumari
Pulakkaddu Vairavar
Savarakarai Pillaiyar
Thoppuppillaiyar
Kanakathoor Pillaiyar
Manatkadup Pillaiyar
Karampan
Pillaiyar temple
Karampan
Karampan
Muhamalai
Siravil Pillaiyar temple
Vairavar temple
Christian Church
Manikap Pillaiyar
temple
Eluthumadduval
Eluthumadduval
Muhamalai
Muhamalai
Kalliththidal
Periyathampiran
Vallimunai Pillaiyar
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
dwellings
/Lands
Community centre
RDS
19 civilian
dwellings
Railway station
building
49
GS Division
Thanangkilappu
Thanangkilappu
Thanangkilappu
Places of
worship
Schools
Arukuveli Pillaiyar
Mathvilkulam Pllaiyar
Kanakathoor Pillaiyar
Public
buildings
RDS
M.P.C.S
Koyilakkandy
Gnanatheepan
community centre
Madduvil
Navatkuli
Maruthavil
Thanangkilappu
Thanangkilappu
Thanangkilappu
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kilali
Kanthasamy temple
Velankanni Church
Community centre
Pradesha sabha
Public library
Post office
Railway station
Fertiliser store
Fishermen society
building
Viththaka Pillaiyar
temple
Iyanar temple
Veerapathirar temple
Avinavairavar temple
St. Anthonys Church
Mahta Church
Thommaiyappar
Saveriyar Church
Santhiyamayar Church
Viyakula Mahta
Church
Saraswathi
Vidyalayam
Sarasalai
Pradesha Sabha
building
Vempirai
Manthuvil
Govt. Fertiliser
store
Varani
Kodikamam
Aavaranchaddi
Murugan temple
Meesalai
RDS building
Cooperative credit
society
M.P.C.S
Library
RDS
Pradesha Sabha
building
Meesalai
Meesalai
Meesalai
Meesalai
Chavakachcheri
town
Chavakachcheri
town
Kaithadi
Kaithadi
Kaithadi
Kaithadi
25 civilian
dwellings
2 civilian shops
21 civilian
dwellings
33 civilian
dwellings
3 civilian dwellings
Thanikasalam
civilian building
8 civilian dwellings
15 civilian
dwellings
20 civilian
dwellings
42 civilian
dwellings
Virumar temple
Puthiya Perumpadi
Amman
Palaiya Perumpadi
Amman
Annamalai temple
Vairavar temple
11 civilian
dwellings
18 civilian
dwellings
Karampan Kurichchi
Koyilakkandy
Koyilakkandy
Koyilakkandy
19 civilian
dwellings
12 civilian
dwellings
4 civilian dwellings
15 civilian
dwellings
Kadatkarai Amman
Muniyan temple
Vairavar temple
Usan
Usan
Mirusuvil
Mirusuvil
Mirusuvil
Mirusuvil
Mirusuvil
Civilian
dwellings
/Lands
50
Places of
worship
GS Division
Koyilakkandy
Koyilakkandy
Sarasalai
Vempirai
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Schools
Public
buildings
Civilian
dwellings
/Lands
Nachchimar temple
Vinayagr temple
Veerakali Amman
Kaladdi Pillaiyar
Thalaiyadi Pillaiyar
Teruvora Pillaiyar
Kolam Amman temple
Ariyankaddu Pillaiyar
Kumaveli Pillaiyar
Valathi Vairavar
Puliyanththidal
Kanthasamy temple
Muthumari Amman
Manatpiddy Sadaththai
Pillaiyar
Thikkil Kanthasamy
Aaladi Kanththasamy
Thimpuvil Pillaiyar
Kaddukanthasamy
Kalvalai Pillaiyar
Nagathampiran temple
Manthuvil
Manthuvil
Chavakachcheri
Karamban Kuruchi
Iyatralai
Iyatralai
Iyatralai
Iyatralai
Thavalai
Locations vacated but established camps in close vicinity
Chandramouleesa
Vidyalayam
Mahavidyalayam
Sri Parasakthi
Vidyalayam
Sri Ganesha
Vidyalayam
G.T.M.S
Sakalakalavali
Vidyalayam
G.T.M.S
G.T.M.S
Ramanathan
Vidyalayam
R.C.T.S
Madduvil
Navatkuli
Maruthavil
Eluthumadduval
Eluthumadduval
Maravanpulavu
Karamban
Thanankilappu
Usan
Mirisuvil
Chavakachcheri
town
Mesalai
Aavaranchaddi
Murugan temple
R.C.T.S
Uluththampulavu
Vinayagar temple
Veerasingam M.V
Varany
M.V
Thirunavukkarasu
M.V
G.T.M.S
Kalaivani Vidyalaya
Kodikamam
Ottuveli
Kaithadi
SCHOOLS AND TEMPLES WITHIN THE HIGH SECURITY ZONE IN VALIKAMAM NORTH
SEPTEMBER 2002
(High Security Zones are effectively under Army occupation)
SCHOOLS within the High Security Zone in Valikamam North
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Schools
Location
Saivathamil Vidiyalayam
GTM School North
GTM School South
Naguleswara Mahavidyalayam
RCTMS
RCTMS
Subramaniyam Tamil Vidiyalayam
Veemamkamam MMV
Gnanothaya MV
GTM School
Kollankalladdi
Ampanai
Ampanai
Keerimalai
Valathoondal
Marisankoodal
Marisankoodal
Mavattapuram
Myliddy
Varuthalaivilan
51
No
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
Schools
Location
Ponparamanantha Vidiyalaya
Thanthai Chelvanayagam Primary School
Union College
RCTM School
AMTM School
RCTM School
RCTM School
Kalaimahal Vidyalayam
Nadeswara College
Nadeswara Junior School
RCTM
KKS Mahavidyalam
Vikneswara Viddiyalam
Ganesha Vidyalayam
Unior Viddialayam
Sithivinayagar Vidiyasalai
GTM School
GTM School West
Teachers Training College
Put Vellupillai Vidiyalayam
Sinhala vidyalaya
Myliddy Sivgurunatha Vidiyalayam
ACTMS
GTM School
Mahajana College
MMV
Kurumpasiddi
Tellippallai
Tellippallai
Vasavilan
Kattuvanpulam
Vasavilan
Myliddy
Myliddy
KKS
KKS
KKS
KKS
KKS
KKS
Urani
Palaly
Palaly
Palaly
Palaly
Vasavilan
KKS
Valligamam North
Varuthalaivillan
Odahappulavu
Tellipalai
Vasavilan
No
TEMPLES WITHIN HIGH SECURITY ZONE IN VALIKAMAM NORTH – SEPTEMBER 2002
Temples
Location
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
Ilupaiyaddi Gnana Vairavar temple
Narasinka Vairavar Temple
Rajarajeswari Amman Temple
Muthumariaman Temple
Annamar Temple (Old)
Annamar Temple (New)
Murugan Temple
Kootathar Temple
Gnavairavar Temple
Sadasapai Gnanavairavar Temple
Gnavairavar Temple
Veerapathirar Temple
Veerapathirar Temple
Poothavarayar Temple
Amman Temple
Kilanai Vairavar Temple
Nagathampiran Temple
Theerthakarai Pillayar Temple
Narayanar Temple
Muthmariamman Temple
Kasivisuvanathar Temple
Kondaladi Vairavar Temple
Lingkeswarar Temple
Murugan Temple
Veerapathirar Temple
Sithivinayagar Temple
Narasinga Vairavar Temple
Nachimar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Kannahai Ammal Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Sudalaivairavar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Mahamari Amman Temple
Gnavairavar Temple
Puvanesvari Ampal Temple
Arasanaladi Pillaiyar Temple
Mariymman Temple
Sudalai Vairavar Temple
52
Ilavali North
Kavunavathai, Karukampanai
Karukampanai KKS
Natholai Ilavalai
Koovil Keerimalai
Koovil Keerimalai
Vasanthapuram, Elavalai
Singathinkadu Vasnthapuram Elavalai
Potkalathambai, Vithagapuram
Sadasapai, Tellippallai
Villisutti, Tellippallai
Alavetti, Tellippallai
Villisutti, Tellippallai
Kollankalati, Pannalai
Attamattai, Pannalai
Kollankalati, Pannalai
Mavaikallati, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Keerimalai, Tellippallai
Tellippallai, Government hospital
Mullathanai , Tellippallai
Mullathanai , Tellippallai
Nallainainar Koviladi
Tellippallai
Thampothanai, Tellippallai
Killanai,Tellippallai
Killanai, Tellippallai
Kothiyalladi, Tellippallai
Vannamatharai, Tellippallai
Tellippallai
Vailapathi, Tellippallai
Union College Tellippallai
KKS Rd, Celvapuram
Periya Mathvadi, Tellippallai
Keer;malai Rd, Tellippallai
No
Temples
Location
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101.
102.
103.
104.
105.
106.
107.
108.
Saudai Pillayar Temple
Periya Thampiran Temple
Karuppanikothai Vairvar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Saudai Vairavar Temple
Muthu Vairavar Temple
Mampirai Vairavar Temple
Mankollai Vairavar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Anantha Pillaiyar Temple
Narasinka Vairavar Temple
Muthumariyamman Temple
Veerapathirar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Goodshed Pilaiyar Temple
Muthumariyamman Temple
Rameswari Amman Temple
Kurunathasami Temple
Kaali Temple
Muthumari Amman Temple
Thalayakitti Vairavar Temple
Sullampathai Vairavar Temple
Keniyadi Gnana Vairavar Temple
Muthumariyamman Temple
Iyannar Temple
Katthota Pillayar Temple
Katthotta Vairavar Temple
Vallamari Vairavar Temple
Thanneerthal Vairavar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Kaali Amman Temple
Pechi Amman Temple
Pillayar Temple
Nachimar Temple
Munniyappar Temple
Gnana Vairavar Temple
Sri Muthumariyamman Temple
Thuraiyittiyattai Gnana Temple
Soolavathai Veerapathirar Temple
Mavadi Vairavar Temple
Gnana Vairavar Temple
Narasinka Vairavar Temple
Maruthadi Vinaygar Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Annamar Temple
Kannessaiar Ninaivalayam
Muthumariyamman Temple
Sithivinayagar Temple
Muthaliyar Vairavar Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Muthumariampal Temple
Kaali Amman Temple
Sri Murugan Temple
Annamar Temple
Pillaiyar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Kannahaiamman Temple
Vairavar Temple
Mannaiudaia Amman Temple
Vannaiar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Kollviyakallati, Vinayagar Temple
Sri Murugan Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Sripathirakaali Amman Temple
Parasakthi Amman Temple
Theviakollai amman Temple
Muthumari Amman Temple
Mavitapuram, Tellippallai
Mavitapuram, Tellippallai
Mavitapuram, Tellippallai
Pothanai, Mavittapuram
Saudai, Mavitapuram
Mavittapuram, Tellippallai
Mampirai, KKS
KKS East
KKS Cement factory
Kayathurai, KKS
KKS, Centre
KKS, Centre
KKS,Centre
KKS, Centre
KKS Centre
Muthalivalavu,KKS
Koovalar, KKS South
KKS South
KKS South
KKS South
Pallai Veemankamam North
Veemankamam South Tellippallai
Dutch Rd,Mavittapuram, Tellippallai
Pallai, Veemankamam, Tellippallai
Kattuvan, Tellippallai
Kattuvan, Tellippallai
Kattuvan, Tellippallai
Kattuvan, Tellippallai
Kattuvan, Tellippallai
Oorankunai, Kattuvan
Oorankunai, Kattuvan
Kattuvan Tellipallai
Kattuvan West, Tellipallai
Kattuvan West, Tellipallai
Kattuvan West, Tellipallai
Kattuvan West, Tellipallai
Myliddi,South, KKS
Myliddi,South, KKS
Myliddi,South, KKS
Myliddi,South, KKS
Myliddi,South, KKS
Myliddi,South, KKS
Varuthalivillan, Tellippallai
Peedarathannai, Varuthallaivilan
Varuthalivillan, Tellippallai
Varuthalivillan, Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti, Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti, Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti, Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti East , Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti East , Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti East , Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti East , Tellippallai
Kurumpasitti East , Tellippallai
Mannampirai, Vasavilan West
Vasavilan West, Vasavilan
Ward 1, Vasavilan
Ward 1, Vasavilan
Ward 1, Vasavilan
Ward 1, Vasavilan
Vasavilan West, Vasavilan
Myliddiy, North, Myliddi
Myliddy, North, Myliddi
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
53
No
Temples
Location
109.
111.
112.
113.
114.
115.
116.
117.
118.
119.
120.
121.
122.
123.
124.
125.
126.
127.
128.
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
134.
135.
136.
137.
138.
139.
140.
141.
142.
143.
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
Puvanesvari Amman Temple
Kattaikadu Vairavar Temple
Thirupoor Pechiamman Temple
Poothvarayar Temple
Vadaprumparppu Pillayar Temple
Maruthaddi Pillayr Temple
Puthukinnatru Vairavar Temple
Sangvathai Mannika Pillayar Temple
Mailuvakattai Pillayar Temple
Thopu Pillayar Temple
Kondaladi Vairavar Temple
Kothavathi Vairavar Temple
Munniyappar Temple
Mailodai Vairavar Temple
Navalady Vairavar Temple
Sri Murugan Temple
Vinayagar Temple
Pillayar Temple
Pillayar Temple
Thurkai Amman Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Sri Murugan Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Nadarajar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Kaali Temple
Vairavar Temple
Vairavar Temple
Kannahai Amman Temple
Muthliyar Vairava Temple
Kenniyaddi Murugan Temple
Pathirakalli Amman Temple
Periyathmpiran Temple
Rajarajeswari Amman Temple
Vairavar Temple
Thakanarodai Pillayar Temple
Kothiyal Amman Temple
Annamar Temple
Periakalatti Gnana vairavar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Gnanavairavar Temple
Senchalana Gnanavairavar Temple
Aathi Vairavar Temple
Pulliyadi Vairavar Temple
Veelvaisoolampathai Gnanavairavar Temple
Pallai Vairavr Temple
Muddimannar Raja Temple
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Myliddy North, Myliddy
Thyiddy East, Thyiddy
Kannayavil, Thyiddi
Myliddythurai South
Thyiddy South, Thyiddy
Kuruthu Rd, Thyiddy
Thuyilidai, Thyiddy
Myliddy Coast
Veeramanikathevanthurai, Myliddy
Palaly South, Vasavilan
Palaly South, Vasavilan
Palaly South, Vasavilan
Palaly South Vasavilan
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly East, Palaly
Palaly North, Palaly
Palaly Northwest, Palaly
Palaly Northwest, Palaly
Palaly Northwest, Palaly
Thanthai Chelvapuram
Kavunavathai, Tellippallai
Kudavathannai, Amppannai
Thanthai Chelvapuram, Tellippallai
Thanthai Chelvapuram, Tellippallai
Thanthai Chelvapuram, Tellippallai
Soolampathai, Tellippallai
Thanthai Chelvapuram, Tellippallai
Thanthai Chelvapuram, Tellippallai
CFA
GS Division
= Ceasefire Agreement
= Gramasevaka Division
CHURCHES DAMAGED/DESTROYED BY AERIAL BOMBING AND SHELLING IN THE NORTH
http://www.tchr.net/religion_churches.htm
DAMAGE CAUSED TO HINDU KOVILS (TEMPLES) IN THE NORTH-EAST
http://www.tchr.net/religion_temples.htm
54
ANNEXES
ARE THE TAMIL PEOPLE NOT AS
FASHIONABLE AS THE BOSNIANS?
by Karen Parker
"It would seem to International Educational Development that the Tamil people are not viewed as
worthy of attention and this must be viewed as rank and despicable discrimination. What other
conclusion is possible when in the face of this long and protracted war, neither the Commission nor the
Sub-Commission has issued a resolution since 1987? Have these bodies not paid any attention to the
reports of the Commission's Working Groups and Rapporteurs? Are these bodies unaware that Sri
Lanka is just behind Iraq in disappearances and that almost all the disappeared are Tamils? "
"Are the Tamil people not as fashionable as the Bosnians? Is the fact that the Tamil people are
historically Hindu a problem, seeing that so few other countries are Hindu? Is it because certain foreign
powers have such an interest in Trincomalee harbour (in the Tamil areas) for their geo political control of
the region? Why is it that the international community imposes sanctions on the Republic of Yugoslavia
because of the practically identical situation in Kosovo and says not a word about Sri Lanka?" (In a
Statement by Karen Parker – The chief delegate of the International Educational
Development/Humanitarian Law Project in the 50th session of the UN Sub Commission on
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities - 5 August 1998)
UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
61st SESSIONS MARCH/APRIL 2005
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR THE RIGHTS AND LIBERATION OF PEOPLES – LIDLIP
Oral Intervention by Verena Graf, Secretary General of the International League for the Rights and Liberation
of Peoples, NGO with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations, under agenda (item 5) on the right of
peoples to self-determination and its application to peoples under colonial or alien domination or foreign occupation,
18 March 2005
"The hopes for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Sri Lanka in the wake of the ceasefire agreement of February
2002 between the then government and the LTTE as sole authentic representative of the Sri Lankan Tamils have
largely proved illusory.
"Long before disaster struck the island on December 26, 2004, negotiations had been suspended, cooperation
largely ceased in the face of the continued occupation of huge tracts of land in the North East by the Sri Lankan
army in the name of 'high security zones', of hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons
waiting in vain to be able to return to their homes, of lack of investment for the reconstruction of the destroyed
countryside.
"The new government that came to power in 2004 has not advanced the peace process, on the contrary it contains
parties totally opposed to any negotiated settlement. If anything, the tsunami that has particularly affected the coastal
areas in the North East, already suffering from war related destruction and very poor in comparison to the rest of
country, has worsened the situation.
"While it galvanised the common people of all communities to come to each others help, the government did not
follow suit. Instead of a joined effort at reconstruction and national integration the international aid has been
instrumentalised for political purposes.
In the name of relief measures, the distribution of aid and the planning for reconstruction have been highly
centralised in the president's office and handpicked committees at the expense of the immediate victims, including
local NGOs or the Tamil Rehablitation Organisation working in the LTTE controlled areas.
"International media accounts as well as local parliamentarians have complained of government inefficiency, if not
outright discrimination of the people in the North East, that includes Tamils and Muslims.
103
More over, emergency regulations have been reintroduced, and the army put in charge of the welfare centers.
Following the most recent official arms` purchases or the government`s refusal to allow the UN Secretary General in
early January to visit LTTE controlled areas devastated by the tsunami, have further raised suspicion that the
government`s true intentions aim not just at isolating the Tamils and their leaders but to use the catastrophe to
change the balance of forces on the ground and to effectively renounce any negotiations.
"In the Norwegian facilitated peace talks, the LTTE had agreed to renounce for the time being the Sri Lankan Tamils'
right as a nation for an independent homeland Tamil Eelam and to explore the possibilities to redress decades of
collective discrimination within the frame-work of large-scale internal autonomy.
"The developments during the last three years compounded by the post- tsunami experiences raise the
specter that time is running out; that there is no hope for the Tamils within a united Sri Lanka, that their only
chance lies in fighting for external self-determination."
UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
61st SESSIONS MARCH/APRIL 2005
International Association of Democratic Lawyers - IADL
Oral intervention made by Deirdre McConnell, International Association of Democratic Lawyers under Agenda
Item 9: Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, 22 March 2005
Mr Chairman,
General Assembly resolution 32/130 states that in approaching human rights questions within the United Nations
system, the international community should accord priority to search for solutions to mass and flagrant human rights
violations.
In the island of Sri Lanka, the Tamil people‘s human rights and fundamental freedoms have been violated for more
than fifty years. Since 1948, legislation has denied the rights of Tamils, in citizenship, language, education, religion,
land and other areas.
In the 1950s and 60s the Tamil people‘s non-violent struggle for equality, justice and dignity was crushed by violent
military repression, followed by horrific pogroms of genocidal proportions in which thousands of Tamils were killed.
These persistent attacks on the Tamil community eventually gave rise to armed conflict.
During twenty years of war over 79,000 Tamils have been killed or ―disappeared‖; 500,000 have sought political
asylum in Europe and other countries and 2375 buildings of religious places of worship have been destroyed in the
North East, the traditional Tamil homeland area, in aerial bombings and artillery shelling by military forces.
Rape and murder used as a weapon of war systematically by regular armed forces, with impunity, has inflicted
horrendous suffering on thousands of Tamil women.
There have been no independent inquiries into any of the above endemic and chronic violations against Tamils,
despite repeated calls by human rights organisations.
Mr Chairman,
The alleviation of the suffering of the Tamil people, thereby creating conditions of normalcy in which peace talks
could begin, is central to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) between the
government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam signed more than three years ago, with the
facilitation of the Royal Norwegian Government.
It is sad to note that although the ceasefire has created normalcy in the seven Southern provinces, normalcy does
not exist for the people in the North East.
In breach of CFA article 2.1 and 2.5 people are harassed at checkpoints in the NorthEast. Over the last year the
incidence of harassment, rape and sexual assault of Tamil civilians by regular armed forces has increased.
Violating CFA article 2.2, the army continue to occupy temples and churches in the North East; violating article 2.3
school buildings are still occupied by the Sri Lanka army. In a few cases, the army has withdrawn, but ―High Security
Zones‖ have been immediately built nearby.
Many people in civil society are asking, “ „Security‟ – for whom? Certainly not the security of local Tamil
people‖. The situation of IDPs remains critical, they are prevented from resettling in their own homes due to these
militarised zones.
Fishermen are still severely restricted in pursuing their livelihood, they are persistently harassed and intimidated by
Navy and armed forces.
104
In violation of article 1.8 of the CFA, the government has not disarmed paramilitaries nor ensured they leave the
North East. On the contrary, these paramilitaries working with the Sri Lanka armed forces have been responsible for
recent assassinations in the East, of human rights activists and political leaders and activists, causing terror and
destabilisation.
Mr Chairman,
It was the coastal parts of the North East which were the worst affected when the disastrous tsunami recently struck
the island on December 26 last year. The majority of the casualties were Tamils from the North East. 24,500 Tamil
people were killed by the tsunami and 10,000 are missing; nearly 700,000 Tamils were displaced and over 120,000
houses in Tamil areas were completely damaged.
Mr Chairman,
The authorities prevented the UN Secretary General from making a humanitarian visit, which he requested, to the
North East, the areas in the island most affected by the tsunami. This is a serious violation of the UN Charter,
Chapter XV Article 100 by the Sri Lankan government.
In conclusion, this Commission has the capability, the ability and the authority to immediately send a mission to Sri
Lanka and ensure that in the affected areas the victims of these human rights violations receive redress. We urge
the Commission to take urgent action.
UN SUB COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION
& PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
58th SESSIONS - AUGUST 2006
International Educational Development
Oral intervention made by Karen Parker, International Educational Development under Agenda Item 2 at SubCommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 58th Session, 14 August 2006
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
Fifty-eighth session
Agenda item 2
Statement of International Educational Development, Inc.,
While we welcome the action undertaken by the Human Rights Council in regards to attacks on protected facilities
and persons under the Geneva Conventions and humanitarian law as a whole in Lebanon, the Council has not called
for action regarding several other conflicts in which targeting of protected facilities and persons is equally serious.
One of these is the conflict in Sri Lanka, where since the elections in November there has been the worst levels of
fighting since the 2002 Cease Fire Agreement. In the past few weeks, the level of fighting has increased
dramatically, as have the numbers of military operations of the government armed forces flagrantly targeting
protected facilities and persons.
For example, on 6 August 2006 17 humanitarian aid workers from the French NGO Action Contre le Faim were
brutally massacred in the government-controlled areas in Trincomalee, prompting 3 independent experts of the
Council (H.Jilani, human rights defenders; P. Alston, extrajudicial, arbitrary and summary executions; J. Ziegler, the
right to food) to issue a press release on 11 August 2006 in which they state: ―the deliberate targeting of
humanitarian workers is a serious violation of the basic principles of international and humanitarian law and the
Declaration of Human Rights Defenders.‖ Also on 6 August 2006, several members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring
Mission narrowly escaped attacks from the government forces in Maavil Aaru. On 9 August 2006 government forces
attacked an ambulance belonging to Nedunkerni hospital killing a doctor, 2 nurses and the driver. On 14th of August,
the government forces deliberately bombed a girl‘s orphanage killing 60 girls and wounding 120 who were between
the ages of 15 and 18. An attack on St. Philip Mary church in Allaipiddy left 15 dead and more than 100 injured.
Since the renewed fighting, there are more than 100,000 newly displaced, many without food or water. UNICEF and
the UNHRC report the continued blockage by the government forces of urgently needed aid to the rapidly increasing
numbers of displaced, prompting the UN officer in Sri Lanka to express concern. UNHCR reports that of the over
40,000 newly displaced in Muttar, more than half are women and children, but in a statement on 8 August 2004
indicated they were not allowed access.
The situation of Tamil civilians is made much worse because so many Tamils are still displaced by the Tsunami and
because most of the international aid raised on their behalf was not allowed to be delivered. For example, the
American Red Cross, that received hundreds of thousands of $$US for Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, was told by US
authorities that they could not distribute it in the Tamil areas.
105
The Sri Lankan government also severely restricted aid to the Tamil Tsunami victims, only allowing aid raised by the
Tamil diaspora and then restricting that as well. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of Tamil refugees who have
sought and obtained asylum outside of Sri Lanka, the current figures of internally displaced indicates nearly 1/3 of
the entire Tamil population is displaced or in exile.
We have long indicated to the Sub-Commission that the United States geopolitical interests in ports and airfields in
the Tamil areas has been a major impediment to resolving this long conflict and we invite you to consult our written
statements in this regard that we submitted to both the Sub-Commission and the Commission. In light of this we
were alarmed by recent pronouncements in Colombo and elsewhere by high State Department officials: in our view
the US has given the government of Sri Lanka a ―green light‖ to undertake actions that violate humanitarian law
under the pretext that due to the unabated demonization of the Tamils by Sri Lankan and US authorities, no one will
dare defend them, and in any case, no one will be able to do anything about it.
However, because now the UN independent experts, UNICEF and UNHCR have spoken up, and because the UN is
in a process to reform its work, we hope that the Sub-Commission, which as rightly undertaken to address attacks
against medical and other protected persons in time of war, will inform the Council of its concerns regarding Sri
Lanka and the situation of the Tamil people and will request that the Council act. (Excerpt)
UN SUB COMMISSION ON THE PROMOTION &
PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
58th SESSIONS - AUGUST 2006
Interfaith International, Geneva, Switzerland
Oral intervention made by Deirdre McConnell, Interfaith International, Geneva, Switzerland, under Agenda item
5(a) Racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia
Mr Chairperson,
Interfaith International is happy to note that the Sub Commission has prevention of discrimination as one of its
agenda items, especially at a crucial time of this august forum.
In today‘s world various types of discrimination have paved the way towards Civil war, Ethnic Conflict, Armed
conflict, and so on. Many of these conflicts, fought in exercise of the Right to self-determination, have as their
ultimate goal, a durable solution to the political problems which are based on discrimination and xenophobia.
In the past, this august forum has heard much about the discriminatory application of law and practise of the Sri
Lanka government against the Tamil people, therefore we do not need to go into much detail.
Since Independence, Sinhala dominated governments brought much systematic discriminative legislation against
Tamil people.
As soon as Sinhala leaders obtained power in 1948, the Tamils working on the tea plantations were disfranchised
and their citizenship was denied. A one language Act (Sinhala only) was forcefully introduced by the Sinhala
politicians and nine (1956, 1958, 1961, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1981, 1982 and 1983) state sponsored anti-Tamil
pogroms destroyed the economy and the cultural heritage of the Tamil people. In the meantime, the Tamil politicians
of the day protested - against these denials of political rights, Sinhala colonisation in the Tamil regions and
destruction of Tamils properties, demanding justice, by non-violent methods, for nearly thirty-five years.
However these struggles in and outside of the parliament were continuously suppressed by the Sri Lankan security
forces made up of 95% Singhalese. In 1972, discrimination in the education system (standardisation) where Tamil
students had to gain more marks than the Singhalese students for University entrance, gave birth to the Tamils‘
militancy in the island.
During this period, in the 1977 general elections, the Tamil people in the North East overwhelmingly voted to
exercise their right to self-determination. As the Singhala dominated government ignored this democratic mandate
and continued to implement their racist policies, an armed conflict was born in the island in 1983.
After a long struggle and massive civilian casualties, a defacto government covering 70% of the Tamil hereditary
land has been in existence, that is, for the last 15 years. Since 2002, this has been well acknowledged by many
foreign dignitaries and diplomats who have visited the NorthEast.
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The Tsunami natural disaster which struck mostly the Tamils areas, caused severe casualties to the Tamil people.
Again the people in the North East received discriminatory treatment by the Sri Lankan government. The aid which
was sent by the international community was never distributed equally and even the P-TOMS Post-Tsunami
agreement for reconstruction of the Tsunami affected areas was blocked by the Sinhala judges in the South.
Mr Chairperson,
It is now four and a half years since the Ceasefire Agreement was signed between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam - LTTE and the government of Sri Lanka. There are still 800,000 internally displaced people who are
prevented from resettling due to the Sri Lankan military occupation of their land.
The current situation in the island is alarming, human rights violations over the last 10 months have increased
disturbingly. A further 60,000 displaced people in the Trincomalee area are being denied food and aid in an embargo
imposed by the government. More than 700 Tamil civilians have been killed by the security forces and the
paramilitaries working with them since November 2005. In the last week it appears that once again the government
has declared war on the Tamil people. The ceasefire agreement has been violated several times, especially since
last April with the beginning of Aerial bombardment of Tamil areas by the Sri Lankan air force.
On Monday 14 August 2006, sixty-one school girls were killed and 129 seriously injured in the brutal and callous
deliberate bombing of a children‘s home in Mullaitivu in broad daylight, by the Sri Lanka Air Force. Soon after this
bombing the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), and UNICEF personnel, visited the spot and confirmed that it is
a children‘s home known as Sencholai and not a military installation as claimed by the Sri Lanka Government.
The shelling and bombings from land, air and sea by the Sri Lankan security forces in the Tamil regions have caused
severe destruction to Tamil homes and lives, property, public buildings, and cultural places. These and many other
actions of the Sri Lanka government are persistently in serious breach of the Geneva Conventions.
On Saturday 5th August, 17 Tamil humanitarian workers, from the French International Non-Governmental
Organisation Action Contre la Faim, were massacred at point blank range by government security forces. UN VIPs in
the field of human rights, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Hina
Jilani; the Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, arbitrary and summary executions, Prof Philip Alston and the Special
Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Jean Ziegler, jointly made a statement on 11 August, expressing serious concerns
and calling for a vigorous independent investigation to be held and the perpetrators to be brought to justice. They
urged the government to render the findings public.
Attacks on Tamil journalists, parliamentarians and human rights defenders have escalated. Journalists following up
human rights violations have been killed with impunity, by the security forces. Those defending Civil and Political
rights and those defending Economic, Social and cultural Rights are also being killed by the Sri Lanka armed forces.
In a stark incident on 06 August 2006 the SLMM was nearly bombed by the government Air Force which attacked,
despite an agreement being in progress concerning the irrigation issue in Trincomalee. This shows how the
international monitors are being treated.
When speaking from Colombo about the killing of the 17 humanitarian workers, the SLMM Head, Maj. Gen. Ulf
Henricsson, told Reuters on 11 August:
"I have experienced this in the Balkans before. When you're not let in, it's a sign that there's something they want to
hide. You have a lot of time to clear it up"……….."They are denying us access to the whole area, so we cannot
monitor. There were journalist trips arranged to Muttur last Saturday and Sunday. That was possible, but we had no
access. Why? For security reasons? Of course not. There are other reasons. I have recommended to the facilitator (Norway) to at least consider a withdrawal."
SLMM‘s monitors say there is evidence that Sri Lankan troops have been involved in extrajudicial killings of Tamils in
the North and East. According to information coming out of the latest fighting in Jaffna, the Tamil people are being
prevented from fleeing to safety, by the Sri Lanka security forces.
Mr. Chairperson,
The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka started because of the Sri Lankan government‘s discriminatory policies and refusal to
accept the Tamils as equal citizens of the island.
The present attitude of the Sri Lanka government clearly indicates that this is a war of aggression with destructive
and genocidal intent against the Tamil people in the island.
We appeal to the dignitaries and members of civil society internationally to monitor and pressurise the Sri Lankan
government not to carry out genocidal attacks on the Tamil people.
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UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
61st SESSIONS MARCH/APRIL 2005
International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR)
Oral intervention made by Ayako SHIOTA, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and
Racism (IMADR) under Agenda Item 9: Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any
part of the world, 23 March 2005
Mr chairperson,
It is of utmost importance that post-tsunami rebuilding and relief activities of all governments in Asia respect human
rights. We urge the governments to consult the displaced and the affected and to involve them in planning their
lives, livelihood and housing.
In addition to the discrimination we have referred to earlier, the Sri Lankan government has failed to consult the
IDP's in the rebuilding process. We view with grave concern the introduction of the State of Emergency in Sri Lanka
and the presence of military along the buffer zone demarcated by the government. Those returning back home
have been chased away and the tents and temporary shelters removed by the police and armed forces. This is a
grave violation of human rights and dignity of the IDPs in all the provinces.
The present rebuilding activities of the Sri Lankan government is exacerbating the ethnic differences. The remote
villages in the Eastern province received the rations only in mid March. Many of the displaced up to date have not
received the monthly allowance. No major construction activities have commenced to rebuild hospitals, schools,
and roads in any of the affected provinces.
The affected communities have expressed its appreciation to the international and local NGOs more than its
government - that failed to effectively address their needs. The affected people in the South and Eastern provinces
have held several demonstrations demanding effective interventions from the government in the recent weeks.
It is not possible for Sri Lanka to achieve the Millennium Development Goal without resolving the ethnic conflict.
Furthermore, the rule of law situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating. The political prejudice reflected in the recent
judgement given against the former Minister S.B.Dissanayake, is the clear demonstration of this fact. Torture ,
police brutality, and killing of witnesses, of important cases have increased.
*****
GOVERNMENT HAND IN ABDUCTIONS RACKET BARED
The Sunday Leader – 26 August 2007
By Rupert De Alwis Seneviratne
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Air Force Sergeant Deshapriya spills the beans
STF, Army, SLAF, Navy and Police personnel in abduction team with Karuna
Forces team accused of taking 10% of ransom through Gajanayake
Rs.18,000 paid as rent for safe house in Gothotuwa, 200 metres from IDH
Two Muslims murdered believing they were Tigers
Move to implicate Mangala over stolen vehicle as diversion
Karuna Group used to identify Tiger suspects in Colombo
Abducted businessmen taken to Karuna camp in Welikanda
CID investigations into the diabolical abduction racket that has gripped the capital city and its suburbs since early
last year, have revealed details which allegedly link the hawkish Rajapakse government to the dreaded 'white van
snatch.'
The CID on June 21, took into custody former Sri Lanka Air Force Squadron Leader, Nishantha Gajanayake in
connection with the multi-million rupee abduction for extortion scam, a man closely connected with Karuna Amman
and his band of men.
It was in fact senior UNP MP Lakshman Seneviratne who first revealed details of Gajanayake's connection with the
abduction-extortion racket when he raised the matter in parliament on June 6.
Gajanayake revealed
He told the House that Gajanayake operated with the blessings of the defence establishment and was occupying
Room No. 706 at the Holiday Inn and 'conducting his business' unknown to the management of Holiday Inn.
Ironically, even though the government was denying the abductions and berating Seneviratne for misleading
parliament on the one hand, given the international backlash it would trigger, the government could not turn a blind
eye to the abject fear that gripped Colombo on the other.
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The country, mind you, was gruesomely recording up to six abductions and killings per day.
Gajanayake arrested
Meanwhile, three days after Seneviratne's statement in parliament and even as a defensive No Confidence Motion
against Seneviratne had been lodged by a government shaken at its core, Gajanayake was taken into custody. It is
then that the whole plot involving the forces personnel and the Karuna Group began to unravel.
Certainly, that unlawfully armed Karuna cadres and government security forces personnel, walk hand in hand in the
east, liberated or otherwise, is a well established fact.
Evidence that has now surfaced brings to light an alleged close and malfeasant connection between security forces
personnel and the Karuna Group in the ransom and murder racket in Colombo as well.
But for a government under siege over gross human rights violations, economic disaster and political upheaval,
desperate and underhand measures are now afoot to stem the embarrassment in the face of such details coming to
light. (Excerpt)
Cafe d‟ APRC
Daily Mirror, Colombo – 27 July 2007
The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) reminds one of a sunny Parisian cafe where a bunch of retired
bored men and women gather to engage in casual deliberations about various political issues, and, in the
meantime, enjoy a good cup of coffee. President Rajapaksa set up the APRC six months after assuming power
with the express wish of finding a political solution to the decade old ethnic problem. Irrespective of whether it is a
Trojan horse or a genuine one, the president‘s choice of the jockey, Prof. Vitharana, is commendable. Though the
APRC was set up by the Government with the participation of other political parties, there is hardly any evidence to
prove that the government or its ministers are enthusiastic about it - with the exception, of course, of the leader of
the Lanka Samasamaja Party, Prof. Tissa Vitharana and the members of the international community.
Despite endless criticism, some analysts tend to believe that the APRC is perhaps the final glimmer of hope for the
desperate situation in the country. It may not be the most desired route to take but surely it is the only presently
available one. Speaking at the ―Nagenahira Navodaya‖, a function organised by the Government to celebrate the
recapturing of Eastern province, President Rajapaksa reminded us that he established the APRC so that all parties
could come together to formulate a political solution to the burning ethnic problem.
However, what we are interested in and would like to discuss in this article is to inquire into the possibility of
receiving mass support for a constitutional change that would give equality and justice to everyone irrespective of
their ethnicity, religion and region. In order to make this inquiry into such public attitudes on the APRC and the other
related issues, the authors used data from the latest Peace Confidence Index (PCI), publish by Social Indicator, the
survey research unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives.
The results of the PCI survey of February 2007 show that it is only 14% of the Sinhala community who are aware
about the APRC even after six months of its existence. Levels of awareness amongst the same group regarding the
APRC‘s majority and minority reports were even lower. We are certain that if one conducted a survey awareness of
the happenings of some of the Sinhala dubbed Indian teledramas, one would see two to three times the amount of
awareness than the APRC, a mechanism that has been setup to design the future of the country.
It is hard not to believe that this is what the Government wants. If one analyses most of the speeches of
Rajapaksa and his ministers, it is quite clear that war and military victory is the message for the local
audience while peace process, APRC and political solution are is just the window display for the
international audiences. (Excerpt)
The APC smokescreen
The Morning Leader – 22 August 2007
There was scepticism in the air both amongst hawks and doves when President Mahinda Rajapakse announced
his proposal for the establishment of an All Party Conference to resolve the Tamil problem which had dragged on
for well over half a century. Firstly, it had been attempted before and failed. Secondly with public opinion torn
asunder under the conditions that existed, it was impossible to work a common formula that could have brought the
warring parties together. That seems to be the scenario even now as the APRC — the committee appointed to
work out a formula by the APC — meets today for the 50th and presumably the final time.
The diligent professor of virology, Tissa Vitharana has been working hard to bring together all the racist,
cantankerous, humanitarian, belligerent, utopian and opportunistic ideas together and make some sense out of it,
but try as he may, he will find controlling viruses is easier than bringing order to our political viruses.
The latest threat emanating is from the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) which unleashed a barrage against Vitharana
saying that the APRC proposals for devolution of power was a move to impose a federal system even exceeding
the parameters for devolution in the Indian and US constitutions. That the JHU should object to any form of
federalism should not come as a surprise. It is a fundamentalist party committed to a Sinhala Buddhist state even
though its fundamentalism has varied in certain instances such as in the purchase of duty free luxury cars.
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The problem appears to be in the alliance between the JHU and the ruling party the SLFP. The senior partner of
the alliance, the SLFP does not seem to have any control or influence over its junior ally. Is the tail wagging the
dog? The JHU proposals will be included as a separate annexure in the final document it has been reported. What
form the final report will take or its main recommendations will be are not known.
There is quite a lot of confusion on where President Rajapakse and his party stand with regard to the APC and
APRC. After the creation of the APC Rajapakse has been maintaining an aloofness from the APC, letting it pick up
its own steam. But that should not be the attitude because an organisation such as this needs leadership, if it is to
build up a consensus. After quite a while, the SLFP submitted its own proposals to the APRC which instantly
became a standing joke among those involved. The SLFP proposed district level devolution which had been
proposed years ago and rejected by Tamil parties including the LTTE. The proposal appeared ridiculous
because after six rounds of negotiations with the participation of donor countries, a federal solution was agreed
upon that was later rejected by Pirapaharan. In this context where would the district level proposal take us?
The basic question is: Does President Rajapakse consider the APC as an instrument that would resolve the
problem? By putting out a mild and innocuous proposal he is covering his back. He wants the UNP Leader Ranil
Wickremesinghe to stick his neck out and risk the wrath of the Sinhala electorate. But Wickremesinghe had done
precisely that. At the presidential election he stood for a federal solution while Rajapakse along with the JVP and
JHU beat the war drums on a unitary state and won the election in connivance with the LTTE.
Will President Rajapakse‘s sole contribution to the APC be the district council level proposal and after that will he
watch matters take its course? With none of the MPs of the Tamil National Alliance, the proxies of the LTTE,
participating in the APC, will such outdated proposals such as district level devolution have any bearing on the
resolution of the problem?
President Rajapakse‘s disinterest in the APC had made critics wonder whether this is a smokescreen for him to get
over his immediate problems. With the donor nations breathing down his neck to produce a set of proposals that
could satisfy the aspirations of the Tamil minority, was this his way of buying time? While the APRC was meeting
over and over again while splitting hairs, he launched his military offensives in the east and now claims that the
east is under his control.
Defence analysts say that he now intends warring in the Wanni and destroying Pirapaharan‘s empire. If those are
his intentions these APRC talks are mere eye wash. His JHU and former close allies, the JVP want him to war in
the Wanni.
Besides Rajapakse cannot summarily dismiss the monks‘ concerns. He depends on them and even the JVP –
which threatens to do many things to the government but pulls back its actions — for his parliamentary majority.
The fall out of the much ballyhooed APRC after its last meeting will be watched by all. (Excerpt)
Long walk to freedom
By Nikhil Mustaffa
Daily Mirror, 1 September 2007
Post independence governance
The working of this constitution had a balance of representation of the ethnic communities in Parliament. In 1948 at
Independence the Tamils had 33% of the voting power in the legislature. Upon the disenfranchisement of the estate
Tamils in 1950, this proportion dropped to 20%. The Sinhalese obtained more than 2/3 majority in Parliament
making it not possible for Tamils to exercise an effective impact on Sinhalese policies affecting them.
The result was that the two main Sinhala-led political parties had to compete for a majority in Parliament by
obtaining the support of the floating vote in the Sinhala electorate. The deciding issues at elections became the
ones which appealed to the Sinhala voters. This became clear in later times when the winning UNP, a Sinhala
party, could obtain over 2/3 majority in Parliament, as in 1977.
Emergence of violence and breakdown of trust
On 6 June 1956 when he proposed the ‗Sinhala Only‘ bill in Parliament, the Tamils MPs belonging to the Federal
Party staged a Gandhian fashion seated non violent protest against it in the Galle Face Green. While the Prime
Minister was addressing Parliament, armed Sinhala gangs broke up the protest, even throwing some protestors into
the nearby Beira Lake. State policemen stood by watching without any action. Riots then broke out throughout Sri
Lanka where Tamils were assaulted, homes, shops and property burned. In 1956, 150 Tamils were murdered in
this violence.
Due to public pressure by some Sinhala groups, the Prime Minister tore up the B-C Pact (Banda-Chelva pact) he
had made with the Federal Party leader Mr. S.V. Chelvanayakam in 1957. This led to much frustration among the
Tamil people. The situation was worsened when there was more widespread violence throughout the country in
1958, when another 150 – 200 Tamils were murdered and 25,000 Tamil refugees were relocated in the North.
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The UNP opposed the B-C pact aimed at setting up Regional Councils in Sri Lanka (a concept that the young Mr.
Bandaranaike had written about in 1920s and proposed in the State council in 1940s). It is important to recall that
this was the beginning of ethnic violence in modern times.
The story of violence against the Tamils, with the connivance of the Sri Lankan state, continued into the 1970s with
the killing of eleven Tamils at the 4th International Tamil Conference in Jaffna in January 1974. The state tolerated,
if not sponsored violence of 1977, 1979 and 1981, including the destruction of the prestigious Jaffna public library
with its 95,000 volumes, said to be by a group of 200 policemen from 31st May to 2nd June 1981.
During this period there were other policies such as the standardization of marks for admission to university
education. The qualifying mark for admission to the medical faculties was 250 (out of 400) for Tamil students,
whereas it was only 229 for the Sinhalese, even if they sat for the examination in English.
The worst violence was in Black July 1983, when 3,000 Tamils were killed. It is estimated that since then about
300,000 Tamil have migrated abroad to receiving countries such as Canada and Australia.
The Tamil political parties opted for Tamil Eelam after the 1972 Constitution was passed by the Sri Lanka
Parliament, against their wishes. This Constitution dropped the safeguards (Section 29) against discrimination of
minorities and in the appointments to the public service.
The LTTE emerged as a fighting force mainly after these experiences of state related violence and discrimination.
What needs to be noted is some of the historical facts which can so easily be forgotten. The speaker went onto
prescribe possible options which should be exercised to bring about a stable SL. He quoted Jaydeva Uyangoda
from a one text initiative contribution where it had been said,‘ A politically stable Sri Lanka requires I think at least
four pre-conditions.
One, a negotiated political settlement of the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict leading to, a radically restructured Sri Lanka.
I think the reconstitution of the Sri Lankan State, in order to make a transition from a ‗post colonial conflict defiant
State‘ to a ‗post conflict State‘.
The second prerequisite is de-militarizing the ethnic conflict and de-linking the ethnic conflict from War and
Violence, and that is fundamental.
Thirdly, it is important to think about a process of economic and social reconstruction, and there, we have to learn
a lot of lessons from the 2002/3 Peace Process; how to link a Peace Process with an economic and social
reconstruction initiative.
Fourthly, intercommunity reconciliation; the ethnic war in the past 25 years has redefined ethnic relations,
community relations, in an adversarial manner.‘
He went onto quote, Bishop Duleep Chickera in a recent call where he had spoken of, ―War can never be right… If
we can initiate negotiations on our own, then we must do so immediately. To claim to know the path ahead and
watch the country plunge into a precipice without turning for help is perhaps the most serious breach of democratic
trust.‖ This being the central call in the title of the column today.
During question time the work of the third sector came under scrutiny. The leading lights being Sarvodaya, Center
for Society, MARGA and ICES, SSA in the 70‘s, 80‘s. Followed by NPC, CHA, SEWALANKA, CPA and the new
entrant from Europe FCE. The leadership of these organizations were the elite from Colombo. Scores more were
working largely unknown nationally in many parts of our country. They have been joined by the Second sector,
being the community in business.
Did the third sector represent mass movements? No. If so when the first sector meets with the third sector what
happens? Mostly, ideas, proposals, brokering meetings/dinners with a few Ambassadors, discussions in global
capitals. Results in changes in electoral fortunes for first sector politicians? Not at all. In such a situation a lot of
cake, pastries, fine food, coffee, wine is consumed, dates for next meetings discussed and the caravan rolls on.
The fundamental deficits in governance, the obligations the Bishop reminded us of, the State Jayadeva
recommends awaits more successful attendance. The cynical use of power continues unabated.
With these thoughts this columnist eased himself out of the residency picked up a few goodies at a bookstore,
chocolates, biscuits, magazines and waited for the 3a.m. to 8a.m. to finally 9.45 am to take off to Colombo. Enroute
The Daily Mirror had got all bright and breezy with its lead story of how Mahinda with his dainty frame had set foot
on the moon and taken a gigantic step for dignity of all minorities with other governmental colleagues by saying
pedigree etc was not necessary we only want to know what kind of Sri Lankan you were when registering with the
police. Reading it one wanted Mahinda to set foot on many more planets. Except by afternoon one heard of the
ruddy smart alecs in Jaffna who have started issuing Amy id’s to everyone above 10 years! Pray one needs
a very strong drink because as that busy body said, have we not created enough mutinies so far for God sake.
(Excerpt)
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