Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - 6.34 GMT

Only 500 ex-LTTE cadres remain in custody

Eleven thousand five hundred ex-LTTE combatants out of the 12,000 surrendered or in the custody of the state have been reunited with their families after rehabilitation, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said. He said that out of the 500 that remained around 320 would be reunited with their families soon. Brigadier Wanigasuriya said that the main reason for the delay to reunite them with their families is that the vocational training courses they are following have not yet been completed. The Military Spokesman further stated that those rehabilitated ex-LTTE combatants were given vocational training of their choice. He added that they selected a variety of courses, including computer courses, beauty culture, tailoring, welding, motor mechanism etc. The Brigadier added that some selected vocational training courses were lengthy. He added that there are around 320 of them who had selected such long duration courses. Brig Wanigasuriya further stated that the 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants who surrendered or arrested by the Security Forces were given many other courses apart from the vocational training during the period they were being rehabilitated. Brigadier Wanigasuriya also said that there are around 180 ex-combatants who will have to face legal action for their direct involvement in crimes of grave nature.

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201209/20120930ltte_still_a_threat_india.htm Sunday, September 30, 2012 - 13.35 GMT

LTTE still a threat – India

The government of India says the defeated LTTE, is continued to be a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. Immediately after the assassination of the former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991, the Indian government, which had imposed the ban on the LTTE for the first time in May 1992, had been extending it every two years under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. As per the law, the Centre had issued a notification banning the organisation on May 14 for another period of two years. On Friday, Justice V.K. Jain, who constitutes the one-man Tribunal set up under the Act to go into the ban, conducted a hearing to decide its validity, states The Hindu. Filing an affidavit before the Tribunal, R.K. Suman, Director of Internal Security, Union Home Ministry said, “Though the LTTE has been decimated, there are reports to indicate that remnant LTTE cadres/leaders [are trying to] regroup and revive the organisation in Tamil Nadu and elsewhere in India.” He also said there were reports that the banned organisation was likely to revive with the assistance of Maoist organisations in the country. “The organisation is capable of garnering local support in Tamil Nadu and several others parts in South India on account of linguistic, cultural and ethnic affinity. The LTTE continues to look at Tamil Nadu as a base for anti-India activities. The Central government has information that the LTTE continues to be a threat to territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country,” the Ministry said. “The LTTE, even after its military defeat, has not abandoned its goal of achieving ‘Tamil Eelam.’ The remnants of the organisation have been clandestinely working by reviving [activities] locally and internationally and continue to propagate its agenda through various means.” Though the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko’s plea to implead himself in the hearing to oppose the ban was rejected by the Tribunal, he was allowed to place certain questions before it. Answering a question raised by Vaiko, Mr. Suman said various cases have been registered against pro-LTTE elements and supporters in the preceding 24 months. He was personally aware of four such cases. He also cited the MDMK as one of the organisations, listed as a supporter of the LTTE, The Hindu further said.

 

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/09/30/main_Editorial.asp

World leaders must translate words into action

US President Barack Obama last week called upon global leaders to rally against extremism. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week, Obama said that it was the obligation of all leaders to speak out forcefully against violence and extremism.

In his speech with reference to the US ambassador murdered in Libya recently, Obama called for worldwide efforts to eradicate global terrorism. Referring to the US envoy's killing in Benghazi on September 11 during protests sparked by an offensive video which hurt the religious susceptibilities of Muslims around the world, Obama challenged the UN to affirm that "the future will be determined by people such as Christopher Stevens, and not by his killers".

Meanwhile, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari defending his government's record against extremism said, "No country and no people have suffered more in the epic struggle against terrorism than Pakistan," at the UN General Assembly last week. "To those who say we have not done enough, I say in all humility: Please do not insult the memory of our dead and the pain of our living."

Speaking next to a photograph of his late wife - the former leader Benazir Bhutto, who was murdered by Islamic militants - the Pakistan President said regular US drone strikes against targets in his country made his task of "selling" the fight against terror to his people harder, as did the massive increase in Afghan drug exports since the US-led invasion.

The observations by the Presidents of the United States and Pakistan should be closely evaluated.

Prior to May 2009, Sri Lanka had been badly hit by terrorism and there were only a handful of friendly countries which supported Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's economy and day-to-day civilian life had come to a virtual standstill due to LTTE terror when President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected as the First Citizen on November 17, 2005.

The LTTE, for over two decades, had indiscriminately massacred thousands of civilians in massive bomb explosions targeting the public. The Tigers had shown no mercy in brutally assassinating hapless civilians belonging to all three communities - Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese. Property worth billions of rupees were destroyed as the LTTE also targeted economic hubs such as the country's only international airport and the Central Bank headquarters.

The so-called godfathers of human rights and those who had called themselves the leaders of the global battle against terrorism preferred to remain mum against the LTTE when Sri Lanka was at the receiving end.

But thanks to the few friendly countries which stood firmly by Sri Lanka, the LTTE was crushed militarily on May 18, 2009. Had it not been for President Rajapaksa's political sagacity and dauntless leadership, Sri Lanka would never have eradicated terrorism.

At the same time, all Sri Lankans will remember with profound gratitude the support extended by friendly countries. Pakistan was among the handful of those true and sincere friends who had come to our rescue when it mattered most. This is precisely why President Rajapaksa recently declared that Sri Lanka would never have eradicated terrorism had it not been for the support extended by Pakistan.

It is gratifying to note US President Obama's stand against global terrorism again. Soon after the 9/11 attack, the US declared a worldwide battle against terrorism. At the time, most Sri Lankans were certain that it would be extended to this part of the world as well.

Nevertheless, Sri Lanka was then compelled to lead its own battle against the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.

President Rajapaksa had told the UN General Assembly five years ago, that there can't be two types of terrorism, one for the West and another for this part of the world. He emblazoned that there are no good terrorists and bad terrorists and terrorism in any part of the world should be eradicated in similar manner.

President Rajapaksa called upon global leaders to rally against extremism and deadly terrorism, long before US President Obama did so at the UN General Assembly recently. The President not only said so but also set an example with his unmatched political leadership to the country's battle against terrorism and moreover inspired Sri Lanka's Security Forces for that memorable victory. Thus, Sri Lanka became the first country to eradicate terrorism.

In the event world leaders are sincere in their calls against terrorism, they should gladly use Sri Lanka's expertise and first-hand experience in annihilating the world's deadliest terrorist outfit. No other Army in the world has acquired such tremendous experience in guerrilla warfare and anti-terrorist strategies. If the UN and other world organisations which scream to the high heavens against terrorism are genuine in their calls, they should by all means grab Sri Lanka's experience to crush global terrorism.

Regrettably, what had transpired since Sri Lanka's Security Forces had eradicated terrorism a little over three years ago has been somewhat negative. Rather than hailing that great victory which rescued over half a million civilians in the world's largest human rescue mission, certain Western countries and some international organisations had attempted to level war crime allegations against the Security Forces which had achieved a unique feat in eradicating terrorism.

The US-led resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year only underestimates the Herculean efforts of the Security Forces who risked their life and limb to liberate thousands of civilians who had been held forcibly by LTTE terrorists as a human shield.

Strangely, some Western countries seem to be more interested in the human rights of terrorists than that of civilians who had been tortured and killed by the same terror outfit. If world leaders are really sincere in their calls for a global battle against terrorism, they would never support the LTTE rump in levelling war crime charges against Sri Lanka or its Security Forces purely for the 'sin' of eradicating the world's most brutal terrorist outfit which had only inflicted untold misery and agony on thousands of people, including its own community.

It is time that the world leaders translate their words into action and prove their integrity and sincerity in crushing global terrorism. Championing the human rights of terrorists would only support and encourage terrorist groups the world over.

The UNHRC, on principle, should only respect the human rights of civilians and not that of terrorists, either directly or indirectly. Any further action against a sovereign state such as Sri Lanka at the UNHRC would set a bad precedent and infuse fresh hopes for global terrorism.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/09/30/sec01.asp

 

Works clandestinely locally and internationally :

Rump LTTE leaders attempt to regroup in Tamil Nadu

Rump LTTE leaders and cadres are trying to regroup and revive the terror group in Tamil Nadu and other parts of India, Indian Union Home Ministry’s Director of Internal Security R.K. Suman disclosed on Friday.

“The LTTE, even after its military defeat, has not abandoned its goal of achieving ‘Tamil Eelam.’

The remnants of the organisation have been clandestinely working by reviving activities locally and internationally and continue to propagate its agenda through various means,” Suman told a Court in Chennai on Friday.

Citing reports that the banned outfit was likely to revive with the assistance of Maoist organisations, the affidavit stated that the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) remains a threat to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India, the Hindu said.

“The Central Government has information which indicates that the LTTE continues to be a threat to the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. The LTTE continues to look at Tamil Nadu as a platform for its anti-India activities,” Raman said in an affidavit filed before the Tribunal, headed by Justice V.K. Jain deciding on the validity of the ban on the LTTE.

“Though the LTTE has been decimated, there are reports to indicate that the remnant LTTE cadres/leaders are trying to regroup and revive the organisation.

The organisation is capable of garnering local support in Tamil Nadu and several others parts in South India on account of linguistic, cultural and ethnic affinity,” the affidavit said.

The central Government of India extended the LTTE ban in July 2012 citing that it was necessary to declare the group as an ‘unlawful association’ since it continues to adopt a strong anti-India posture and poses a grave threat to the security of its citizens.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/10/01/news01.asp

Lanka gets thumbs-up on Human Rights

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

* Favourable responses from UN member countries

* Sharp increase in foreign investment expected once UPR is over

Sri Lanka's Human Rights record has been described by member countries of the UN as having reached an "ideal" position to be identified with international Rights standards, representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, former Attorney General Mohan Peiris said yesterday.

He said only a very few countries have reached this level in terms of Human Rights development in recent times.

Peiris said during meetings held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 21st United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, Western countries praised Sri Lanka's Human Rights performance.

"They said Sri Lanka is well on the road to reaching international Human Rights standards with the the rapid progress it made in achieving Human Rights goals."

Asked if this progress could have a positive effect on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Sri Lanka by the UN Human Rights Commission, Peiris said they have been getting favourable responses from UN member countries since the country's National Report on Human Rights was sent to the UN Human Rights Council.

"Many countries, especially those of Europe have told and communicated to us that they will support Sri Lanka on a large scale with the country's restored peace, law and order and Human Rights conditions," he said.

"We expect that there will be some sharp increase in foreign investments once the UPR is over," he said.

The Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review on Sri Lanka will be held next month. It will be supervised by the troika, Benin, India and Spain, tasked to conduct the process.

Peiris said they are preparing to participate in the UPR.

"We are going to present our progress made in the fields of resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons, reduction of war detainees, process of demining, housing programmes for those affected by the war, dissemination of information technology and English education in the North, the implementation of the government's trilingual policy and also the National Action Plan on Human Rights," he said.

'The Council will be briefed on the restoration of civil administration in the North and East in particular, how that elections have been held peacefully in these provinces among other things," Peiris said.

He said it is likely that UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay will pay her promised visit to Sri Lanka after Sri Lanka has been reviewed at the UPR in November.

'Uttama Pooja Tribute' medals awarded for 'Rana Viru' families - Matara

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the chief guest at the 'Uttama Pooja' felicitation ceremony held at the Mahinda Wijesekara Grounds in Matara Fort, Matara today (27th September).

The 'Uttama Pooja' is a brainchild of the Secretary Defence and has been initiated to pay tribute to the families of the brave men and women of the Sri Lanka armed forces and police who made the ultimate sacrifice in safe guarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the motherland.

Secretary Defence speaking at the event said that the government has initiated numerous welfare programmes for war heroes and the 'Seva Vanitha' units of tri forces and police have contributed immensely towards implementing these programmes. Paying tribute to the war heroes the Secretary Defence said that their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and safeguarding the motherland will never be forgetting. He thanked the families of war heroes for the commitment and courageous support they have shown to the war heroes involved in national service.

Speaking further the Secretary said that hundreds of 'Ranaviru Houses' have been built for war heroes and their families. The government has established 'Mihindu Seth Medura', healing home for war heroes and 'Abimansala', wellness resort to ensure the welfare of the disabled security forces personnel and the Defence Services Schools dedicated for the education of the children of security forces personnel he added.

Secretary Defence also praised the role played by the security forces in demining the former conflict zone which has enabled the speedy resettlement all IDPs.

1773 medals were presented to the family members of 1213 fallen war heroes who were from the Matara district. Out of the 1213 fallen war heroes 1064 were from the Army, 71 from Navy, 04 from Air Force and 74 were from the Sri Lanka Police.

The Chairperson of the Ranaviru Seva Authority Mrs. Padma Wettawa, Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Mr. S Hettiarachchi, Military Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Defence Major General (Retd) Palitha Fernando, Security Forces Commander (South) Major General SR Manawaduge, Southern Naval Commander Rear Admiral WMLTB Ilangakoon, Director welfare of the Sri Lanka Air Force Air vice Marcel WA Silva, District Secretary of Matara Mrs. K.W Athukorala, senior security forces personnel and a large number of members of war hero families were present at the occasion.

 

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=President_reviews_Northern_resettlement_20120925_04

President reviews Northern resettlement

Resettlement of all IDPs complete

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa accompanied H.E. the President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a visit to Mullaitivu today (25th September). The President was there to attend to a series of functions organized to coincide with the final resettlement of the remaining IDPs in the Mullaitivu district.

The President attended a meeting at Vellamullivaikkal in Pudukkudiruppu where a large number of resettled people had gathered to pay their gratitude to the President. The President made the visit especially to look into the progress of the government's multi faceted integrated development activities and public welfare programmes carried out in the area.

Speaking at the event the President said, all should get together irrespective of race and religion and work towards the development of self and the country. He went on to say that the resettlement has been completed and houses for those who are yet to receive houses will be provided with houses through the security forces and other relevant authorities.

The President added that the government is committed in providing assistance in order to develop the north on par with that of other parts of the country. Special assistance programmes have been facilitated to uplift the living standards of the farming and fishing communities and that of people involved in cottage industries he said. He also said that measures will be taken to provide jobs to the unemployed and upgrade educational facilities for the children.

The president distributed gifts packs including dry ration and home appliances to the people. He also gave away self employment loans to deserving individuas. During the function the President was also treated to a lovely performance by some school children. He also took time to pose for photos with the children.

Hon. Ministers Douglas Devananda, Rishad Badiuddin, Gunarathna Weerakoon, Namal Rajapaksa MP, President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Commander of the Army, Inspector General of Police and a large number of government officials and civilians were present at the function.

The President also declared open the New District Secretariat building of Maritime Pattu division of Mulaitivu. Established to streamline the civil administration of the area the new District Secretary office will also greatly benefit the resettlement assistance and development activities currently in progress.

The resettlement of the last batch of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)s has been completed today. A total of 1186 persons from 361 families were thus resettled on 24th September. Sri Lanka is possibly the only country in the world to have successfully resettled more than 295,000 IDPs within a short period of three years from the time they were rescued by the armed forces in a humanitarian rescue operation in May 2009.

Even though the resettlement is complete the military would continue to assist the resettled people to build their houses and commence their livelihoods. The government has spent US$ 360 million to resettle the 98 percent of the 290,000 IDPs housed in welfare centers at the end of May 2009 when the 30-year armed conflict against the Tamil Tiger terrorists in the North and East came to an end.

Major infrastructure development projects were initiated with the completion of demining work in the former theatre. The development of the road network enabled the free movement of man and machinery. The lifting of travel restrictions and the reducing of high security zones brought a sense of security among the civil populace. The security forces joined hands with the other state actors involved in the northern development to help the people to begin life afresh.

The north is now connected to the national grid. There will be uninterrupted electricity supply to the peninsula after 25 years. The Jaffna Peninsula is to be linked by way of 33KW transmission line from the Kilinochchi substation and construction of another 132KW transmission line from the Killinochchi substation to Chunnakam in Jaffna is in progress under the second stage of the project.

The government's ambitious development drive has finally bearing fruit. The Northern Province recorded an unprecedented economic growth during the last year. Tourism is booming with thousands of local and foreign tourists visiting the north. Reputed business houses and conglomerates are rushing in to set up branches in Jaffna and elsewhere in the peninsula. The security forces have ensured the security of the north and with the current development pace it will reach national standards in the near future. For the people of the north future is bright and well.