http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=India_and_Sri_Lanka_must_seek_War_Crimes_against_Adele_Balasingham_for_fostering_LTTE_suicide_terrorism_20121231_04

India and Sri Lanka must seek War Crimes against Adele Balasingham, for fostering LTTE suicide terrorism

(By: Shenali Waduge)

Human Rights Watch expressed its unequivocal view that suicide bombing is a crime against humanity. HRW also claims that the political elites, commanders, and those that organize, facilitate, and encourage these suicide attacks are likewise guilty of conduct that offends against prevailing norms of international criminal law.

[Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Article 28(b), U.N.Doc. no. A/CONF. 183/9 (17 July, 1998), 37 I.L.M. 999]. In the words of Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, "[t]he people who carry out suicide bombings are not martyrs, they're war criminals, and so are the people who help to plan such attacks." - as such Adele Balasingham, a key member of the LTTE and head trainer of LTTE's female cadres needs to stand trial for her crimes against humanity. India and Sri Lanka need to step up demands from the UK Government for action.

LTTE has a habit of drawing attention. That attention has propelled the LTTE to be classified and viewed a level higher than other terrorist organizations and not many of them can pride in the ability to manufacture ready batches of girls with guns making themselves the fathers of modern-day suicide bombing willing to even export them. The new method of guerilla warfare was championed by the LTTE with their first suicide mission carried out in 1987 followed by several hundreds over the 3 decades of militant rule in a defacto area. LTTE accounts for 1/3 of all suicide attacks in the world. With the tiger leader treating himself as a demi-god it is no surprise that he would opt to instill the culture of sacrifice and martyrdom amongst his worshipping killer force. The female killer force was trained by none other than Adele Balasingham.

LTTE never kept its killing or killer trainings secret. In 2002 TIME magazine was given a first hand look at a female LTTE tiger base. Hundreds of international INGOs present in the North all had close links to the LTTE and cannot deny that they were aware of LTTE's recruitment of children. None cried foul or cared to even report to the UN or their Governments. A world that pays rigid attention to the words "human rights" - what stopped them from demanding why children were being manufactured into killers and told to commit suicide when caught? What have the international authorities mandated to protect children done except issue publications year in and year out while giving heartening speeches at annual conferences? What is stopping action against Adele Balasingham?

Unlike other terrorist organizations the LTTE has found fundraising and influencing through funds the perfect means to silence critics. The LTTE diaspora have infiltrated the weaknesses of western politicians and decision makers using the strength of dollars and pounds gained illicitly by fooling foreign citizens through LTTE scams, human smuggling and now bogus refugee which is becoming a growing nuisance.

Another word gaining fashionable prominence amongst international mouthpieces is "accountability" - accountability must rightfully start with those responsible for turning men, women and children into killers, kidnapping them from their parents, giving them training in arms, placing suicide vests on them, drugging them and brainwashing them into killing others and killing themselves - this is nothing any human being should feel proud of most of all Adele Balasingham, a nurse who is adopting euthanasia into terrorism and terrorists who she has trained. What critics need to first take note of is that a state military does not give orders to kill. Orders are given to only protect a nation's sovereignty and its people who pose a threat to that sovereignty. Therefore it is very important to differentiate orders from state military and those that terrorists give.

Whatever arguments given for the LTTE to exist or prevail, Adele Balasingham though spouse of the LTTE's theoretician was a nurse by profession, a woman from the West taking pride in training young girls as young as 10years to kill. She proudly hands the only piece of jewelry these LTTE women are likely to ever wear - a tag on wrist, neck and waist for identification purposes. Their only hairstyle is two plaits and the only songs these girls would ever sing were hosanahs of Prabakaran. Jump forward to post-conflict these rehabilitated LTTE females are now seen on the catwalk modeling fashion whilst some have taken up hairdressing and beauty culture. It is not difficult to understand what LTTE and Adele has denied these young females.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aqbj8PHTtHY#!

Adele was responsible for training, arming and tying a vile of cyanide around the necks of these innocent children. Orders were simple - if captured commit suicide by taking the cyanide. Terrorists giving such orders is excusable but a Western woman and a nurse at that is nothing compared to her parents being proud of their daughter training child soldiers. The UK authorities appear unconcerned about a war criminal living happily in Surrey after training thousands of young girls to their deaths. Of course, UK authorities have done little over the years to really clamp down on LTTE terrorism and one wonders why it would even allow its capital to be used as the international head quarters of the LTTE despite LTTE being banned in the UK. Why ban an entity as a terrorist organization if UK allows it to hold demonstrations, collect funds, influence its politicians, have them speak on LTTE stages....strange in deed.

The tragedy is that Adele and the LTTE were responsible for turning probably talented individuals into killers. Many of whom have committed suicide on the orders given. None of these Black Tigers had any evidence of psychological disorder nor were they mentally imbalanced. Therefore the accountability for denying them their youth falls at the feet of LTTE and Adele. Contrary to the promoted norm of self-sacrifice is the reality that these women suffered from peer pressure, social stigma and fear - this is what made the suicide service possible. A third of the LTTE comprised women and it is believed 6000 of them died in combat and Adele Balasingham is diretly culpa able for their deaths and the parents of these young girls should take legal action. LTTE has killed over 250 Tamil half of which have been killed during ceasefires. It has recruited close to 5000 Tamil children most of whom are from low-income, low caste families which is why not too many Tamils abroad or those living in Sri Lanka's south or Tamil politicians have cared to denounce recruitment of child combatants ever.

The LTTE's female military unit was headed by Adele Balasingham she christened them "Freedom Birds" - with no worries economically, socially, or politically, all these girls were focused towards was to kill. If these cadres had freedom why would there be any need to keep them under tight surveillance and accompany them even to the washroom and be severely punished for wanting to leave? The "freedom" LTTE has given Tamil women and in fact all of its cadres is by breaking their will to think, their ability analyze right from wrong and hypnotized them into killer machines. Once their natural thinking abilities have been broken it is easy for any group to have its followers function as zombies and remote controlled. The trust these young girls had placed in Adele was such that she was even refered to as "Aunty" - what aunty would lead children as young as 10 to their deaths?

Where is the "freedom" when anyone attempting to leave faces summary execution? When there are enough of men who desert the army, there are hardly a handful of surviving LTTErs who have managed to successfully flee the LTTE! Given the argument that these females or males for that matter have self- sacrificed their lives to free Tamils from the Sinhalese - the all important question is why are there no suicide attempts after the demise of the LTTE especially since there is a big hue and cry over "militarization" of the North? This categorically proves that Tamil women were misled to their deaths by a program enticing them to kill and be killed spearheaded by the LTTE and facilitated by Adele Balasingham. It is clear that LTTE suicide killers never functioned in a vacuum and as Simone de Beauvoir aptly says suicide bombers are not born they are made.

Proof of Adele Balasingham being a LTTE key member is given in the Norwegian Government website (SL) where she is a member of the LTTE delegation during the 2002 round the world peace talk sessions held in Thailand (3 sessions), Oslo, Germany and Japan.

http://www.norway.lk/Embassy/Peace-Process/peace/

If suicide bombers are made its relevance to terrorism is not far behind. Given the inaction of global authorities towards eliminating terrorism it is for us to accept that terrorism is today nothing but an international political tool used to manipulate and influence Governments. In Asia, terrorism is being used to Balkanize Asia. With LTTE's track record of assassinating 2 political leaders, the significance of Sri Lanka's President telling India that Sri Lanka saved India by eliminating the LTTE is something that carries a weight of meaning. It is in this backdrop that India needs to shower more gratitude than it currently does and a good start may be is for India to insist from UK Government for action against Adele Balasingham for war crimes.

The calls for action against Adele Balasingham comes in the need to depart from thinking of terrorism or rather suicide terrorism along the lines of theoretical, ideological and political perspectives only.

Why has little prominence been given to the criminal side to suicide terrorism?

Suicide is being used as a strategy and form of protest cannot depart or hide from the fact that it is nothing more than mass murder, coercion towards death, destruction of life and intentional killing of others. Where can there be any legitimacy for such crimes under international or local laws? Is there a "just cause" in homicide? Terrorist organizations can call themselves what they like, they can have umpteen reasons to wage wars but they have no validity under international law or the law of the territory and representatives of international bodies must desist from misusing their office to promote their personal theories. All suicide bombings are crimes against humanity whatever ways Treaties describe them. No suicide bomber or its supervisor can be more important than the life or lives that they have intentionally planned and snuffed out. Suicide attacks fall into the category of murder with a mens rea - willingness to kill and willingness to die.

What LTTE and Adele Balasingham and all others international and local promoting and excusing LTTE terror all these decades have left the people of the north and north eastern regions of Sri Lanka is a legacy of violence and killing with impunity and that culture of habit is now being tested minus LTTE.

It is only a matter of time that the pieces of lies that made up the LTTE propaganda machinery duping people into giving money towards some "cause" for liberation from the Sinhalese would come to mean nothing other than filling one's own coffers and living it good on foreign soil. Raj Rajaratnam finds himself in prison and others are likely to follow with time. With LTTE fighting force gone, there is a scramble for the LTTE wealth and accusations are galore that Adele has part of those ill-gotten funds including millions of dollars from ransoms, scams and illegal businesses across the globe. Therefore, we want to know whether the mansion in Surrey is from those funds and why UK authorities does not wish to investigate? From the theatrics taking place it is our turn to ask for balcony tickets to watch LTTE representatives now scramble and scammer for supremacy fighting for leadership of the LTTE but the real catch is they are all fighting for that pot of wealth and care little for any Tamils in Sri Lanka. Greed will be the eventual downfall of the foreign LTTE.

For foreign governments to be concerned it is when they know that their names are associated with secrets they desire to keep hidden. Adele's safety is assured as long as she does not ruffle any State secrets. But that should not stop justice. She should not remain a free bird when she killed a lot of birds with freedom training to kill and commit suicide.

Adele Balasingham's war crimes cover 10,000 or more female LTTErs who had been trained to kill and to die when caught. It is time for justice for those crimes and parents of these dead girls can help build a case for which the UK Government must also take action without silently harboring a war criminal on UK soil.

"LTTE female child soldiers (virgin killers and Adela Balasingham)	"Marching Tamil children into an unrealistic war"

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Sri Lanka no longer in UN's review on Children and Armed Conflict

-The Ministry of Defence bears no responsibility for the ideas and opinion expressed by the numerous contributors to the "Opinion Page" of this web site-

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/12/30/fea03.asp

Extremist TN politicians and TNA support terrorist rump:

Signs of increasing LTTE activity in T’Nadu

By Manjula Fernando

Recent LTTE arrests in Tamil Nadu by its ‘Q’ branch sleuths revealed an ongoing attempt by the LTTE rump to target strategic locations here and have ignited fears in Sri Lanka that before long the country could be dragged into another cycle of violence.
The four men who were arrested were led by Suresh Kumar, 34, a former LTTE explosives expert. They were reportedly planning a revival of an LTTE youth group. A part of their plan was to target important installations in Sri Lanka.
An intelligece source who wished to remain anonymous owing to his official obligations said the LTTE is pumping money to extremist Tamil Nadu politicians and film industry personalities to get their support to create a haven to regroup.
“These people are trying to steal our smile and happiness and the peace we have enjoyed for three years, since the end of LTTE terrorism in May 2009,” he said.
“Their passion and sympathy towards the banned outfit may ultimately sound the death knell for Sri Lankans,” he warned.
The ‘source’ who is closely monitoring LTTE international activities alleged that V. Gopalasami alias Vaiko, Seeman, Nedumaran and M.K. Stalin, son of former TN Chief Minister Karunanidhi as well as a few other Tamil politicians and film personalities have received money and other forms of assistance from the LTTE.
“These extremist Tamil Nadu politicians are helping the LTTE to re-emerge in Tamil Nadu as a political organisation.”
But true to their name, the LTTE has been exploiting this opportunity to set up a number of training facilities. These centres also help carry out indoctrinations and explosives training. A few dozen Sri Lankan Tamils have been trained in these places so far. During 1983 to 1987 nine batches of new LTTE recruits underwent training in India, including T.Rajaratnam alias Dhanu, the Rajiv Gandhi assassin.
According to the Times of India, Suresh Kumar who has lost both his lower limbs in the battles in Sri Lanka and moves about in a wheelchair had headed an LTTE wing that made explosives during the time of terrorism.
“He specialised in making electronic circuits,” the newspaper said quoting a Q branch officer.
The four men, Suresh Kumar, Udaya Doss, 39, T.Maheswaran, 33 and K.Krishnamurthy, 29 were arrested in their rented house on Nallathambi Street near Pallavaram on December 19 on information shared by the Sri Lankan Army investigating the arrests of two Tamil men here. The two men had revealed that they were undergoing explosives training at an LTTE cell in Tamil Nadu under Suresh Kumar.
Suresh Kumar had trained Sri Lankan youth living in Tamil Nadu after they were befriended and brought to him by Krishnamurthy. They were later dispatched to Sri Lanka with bomb making material.
The intelligence official said this TN operation is spearheaded by LTTE leader Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyawan who is based in Norway. Nediyawan is operating through several front organisations including the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO), Tamil Coordinating Committee, Tamil Rehabilitation Organization and several other front, cover and sympathetic groups.
A former bodyguard of Prabhakaran, Nediyawan was the deputy to Castro who was the head of the LTTE international network. Nediyawan is under investigation by several governments for propaganda, fund-raising and procurement.
“The intention of Nediyawan is to recruit Tamil youth in Sri Lanka using the Internet and through personal contact, bring them to Tamil Nadu, train them and send them back to conduct acts of terrorism.”
He alleged, Nediyawan is also operating through the TNA. TNA is poisoning the minds of Tamil youth so that they will be vulnerable and ready for terrorist recruitment by Nediyawan. “The TNA is a very important link to the LTTE,” he said.
“The TNA led by some of its extremist politicians, is criticising, radicalising and militarising young Tamil minds. Nediyawan is exploiting this for his recruitment.” He alleged the TNA campaign is making the Tamil minds ripe for terrorist recruitment.
Speaking of the looming threat the source said the Sri Lankan authorities must double its efforts to engage the Indian Central and TN state governments to make them aware of the situation. The Government should also work with Norway to get an extradition order on Nediyawan and get his front organisations that are raising funds ‘big time’ in a number of foreign countries, especially Canada, France, the UK and Australia where the LTTE is officially proscribed. He said Nediyawan is also working through the Tamil media to influence the minds of Tamil youth and students. “The strategy for Government to prevent this is to build partnerships between Tamil schools in the North with Sinhala schools in the south and have exchange programs. The youth clubs in the North and South too can play a strategic role via robust exchange programs,” he said. The Indian central government and Tamil Nadu State government are now investigating these extremist politicians and a few others who have been actively supporting the LTTE.
The LTTE disrupted the traditional Tamil values of moderation, tolerance and coexistence. Tamil communalism was first introduced to Sri Lanka from Tamil Nadu in the 1940s and ‘50s. Until then Tamils in Sri Lanka lived in harmony with its Sinhalese neighbours. With the dismantling of the LTTE, Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamils together enjoyed the dividends of peace for the past three years. This is being disrupted by a few extremist politicians, and the LTTE activists operating overseas.
“The TN arrests that indicate the possibility of LTTE bombs going off in cities once again is a fear and feeling that no Sri Lankan not even Tamils would welcome because explosives cannot differentiate between ethnicities. They know to kill and kill all in range. And if the TN politicians and sympathisers believe that such acts would do good to Sri Lankan Tamils, their conscience must be checked”, he said.
The massive financial power the LTTE continues to possess has been the biggest catalyst for the organisation to re-emerge. It was said that the LTTE before 2009 raised US $ 200-300 million through illegal trades such as arms deals, drugs, human trafficking, money laundering and extortions as well as via charity.
The funds today are mostly funnelled from their sympathetic front groups operating in Western soil and are used extensively to politicise, radicalise and mobilize Tamil youth in Sri Lanka and revive terrorism, he said.
The source also claimed that former TN Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi’s Tamil Eelam Supporters’ Organization (TESO) is advancing the aims and objectives of the LTTE and has directly as well as indirectly facilitated LTTE revival in Tamil Nadu thus posing a threat to Sri Lanka’s security.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/12/30/fea01.asp

Tiger operatives indicted in US Court under Material Support Law

by Daya Gamage

The Federal Court in Brooklyn

Piratheepan Nadarajah (36) and Suresh Sriskandarajah (32), two alleged operatives of Sri Lanka's now defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a US-designated foreign terrorist organisation, referred to as the Tamil Tigers, were arraigned last Thursday before the United States Magistrate at the Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York following their extradition from Canada.
The two men, who were born in Sri Lanka and became naturalised Canadian citizens, had been sought by the United States since 2006. Each has been charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Tamil Tigers, a law that was upheld by the US Supreme Court last year when LTTE operatives in the US challenged it, after their separatist military movement was defeated three years ago after more than 25 years of insurgency.
The men’s fight against extradition ended this month after the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed their appeals, clearing the way for them to be sent to the United States.
The two Tamil-Canadians pleaded not guilty to criminal charges before a Brooklyn judge on Thursday, years after US prosecutors first accused them of ties to the Sri Lankan terrorist organisation, the Tamil Tigers.
A decade ago, the Tamil Tigers were on their way to carving out a separate state within Sri Lanka. But the guerrillas’ continued use of suicide bombings, child soldiers and political assassinations led the Canadian, US and European governments to blacklist the movement as terrorists – and take steps to cut them off from their supporters in the global Tamil refugee Diaspora.
The 26-year-old conflict ended in 2009 when the Sri Lankan Government Army vanquished the Tigers.
In 1997, the LTTE was designated by the US State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and therefore may not legally raise money or procure equipment or materials in the United States.
In 2006, US prosecutors first alleged that Sriskandarajah and Nadarajah were Canadian cogs in the Tigers’ global procurement machine.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said Nadarajah and several co-conspirators had engaged in negotiations in 2006 with an undercover FBI agent to buy 20 SA-18 heat-seeking missiles, 10 missile launchers and 500 AK-47 assault rifles.
The other defendant, Suresh Sriskandarajah, assisted Tamil officials in researching and acquiring aviation equipment, submarine and warship design software and communications equipment, a criminal complaint charged.

Part of cycle

Loretta E. Lynch, the United States attorney in Brooklyn, said the defendants “were part of the cycle of sophisticated arms and large sums of money that fuelled” the Tamil Tigers, an organisation that authorities said had used suicide bombings and political assassinations. Nadarajah and Sriskandarajah were both wearing khaki jumpsuits and were cuffed at the ankles when they entered not-guilty pleas before Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom. A bail hearing was set for January 9.
Nadarajah is charged with conspiring and attempting to acquire $1 million worth of anti-aircraft missiles, missile launchers and other military equipment, and conspiring and attempting to provide material support to the LTTE. Sriskandarajah is charged with conspiring to provide material support to the LTTE and dealing in the property of a especially designated terrorist group. At the request of the United States, Nadarajah and Sriskandarajah were previously arrested in Canada with a view to extradition, pursuant to warrants requested in the Eastern District of New York.

An LTTE bombing in Colombo

As detailed in the superseding indictment and other court filings, between July 1, 2006 and August 19, 2006, Nadarajah and several co-conspirators engaged in negotiations with an undercover FBI agent to purchase and export $1 million worth of high-powered weapons and military equipment for the LTTE, including 20 SA-18 heat-seeking, surface-to-air, anti-aircraft missiles; 10 missile launchers; and 500 AK-47s.
Nadarajah and his associates attempted to acquire these weapons at the direction of senior LTTE leadership in Sri Lanka, including Pottu Amman, then the LTTE’s chief of intelligence and procurement and the top deputy to then-LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The anti-aircraft weapons were to be used by the LTTE to shoot down Kfir aircraft used by the Sri Lankan military.
As detailed in the superseding indictment and other court filings, between September 2004 and April 2006, Sriskandarajah and several co-conspirators assisted a principal LTTE procurement officer to research and acquire aviation equipment, submarine and warship design software and communications equipment.
Sriskandarajah used students as couriers to smuggle prohibited items into territory in Sri Lanka then controlled by the LTTE. Additionally, Sriskandarajah helped the LTTE launder its proceeds in the United States and elsewhere.

Weapons and equipment

“As alleged, these two defendants were part of the cycle of sophisticated arms and large sums of money that fuelled their terrorist organisation. As Tamil Tiger operatives, the defendants were bent on procuring high-powered weaponry and high-tech equipment and designs for the LTTE, an organisation that has waged a long-standing war of terror using suicide bombings that often targeted innocent civilians.
They would stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even using students to smuggle prohibited items into Sri Lanka,” stated United States Attorney Lynch. “Thanks to the combined efforts of our law enforcement partners in the United States and abroad, there is no safe haven for supporters of terrorist groups like the LTTE.”
“The defendants allegedly set out to provide material support for high-level members of the LTTE, a known terrorist organisation responsible for civilian massacres and other heinous crimes, by attempting to use our country and its resources as a gateway for criminal behaviour.
But after more than six years of fighting their extradition to the United States, they will finally face the justice they couldn't evade.
This serves as a fine example of how our law enforcement partners both here and around the world are successfully combining their efforts against terrorists and terrorist groups alike,” stated Assistant Director in Charge Venizelos.
“The subjects in this case attempted to exploit perceived vulnerabilities in the United States to provide material support to a violent terrorist organisation. Although their immediate goal was not to do harm to the United States, political motivations can and do quickly change, and it’s important that law enforcement be steadfast in its pursuit of terrorism regardless of ideology,” stated Special Agent in Charge Ward.

Incidents involving LTTE outside Sri Lanka 2012

LTTE child soldiers

November 23: A local court in Chennai, Tamil Nadu closed a criminal charge filed against slain LTTE chief Prabhakaran, pending before it for many years. The VII Additional Sessions Judge (In charge) Kaliamoorthy declared the charge as “abated,” following the Crime Branch-CID request to close it on the ground that Prabhakaran's body was recovered from the Nandikadal area of Sri Lanka in 2009.
November 13: Two Sri Lankan men were charged with the murder of Parithy, a former ‘commander’ of the LTTE in Paris. The two suspects, both born in Sri Lanka in 1979, were arrested on November 11 and are being held in custody in Paris. One of them is suspected of ordering the murder and the other of carrying out the hit on the Sri Lankan-born French national. They have been charged with murder and immigration offences.
November 8: A prominent LTTE leader and leader of the Pro-LTTE TCC Nadarajah Matheenthiran alias Parithy was killed in Paris, France, as a result of internal rift. Police said that Parithy belonged to the LTTE's Nediyawan faction. Since the death of Prabhakaran, an internal rift occurred between LTTE Europe Leader Nediyawan and V. Rudrakumaran who was also a prominent LTTE leader based in the USA.
October 28: An Australian report said that former LTTE combatants wanted for their crimes in Sri Lanka are being funded to migrate to Australia as asylum seekers by former members of the terrorist group who have already migrated to Australia. The report said that six former combatants who posed as asylum seekers were arrested leaving Sri Lanka this year, with another six people who were apprehended as alleged smugglers.
June 17: The Belgium Government said that it would continue to remain vigilant against any activities by the LTTE on its soil.
June 11: Swiss prosecutors have planned to interview the head of finance of the LTTE who is imprisoned in the Netherlands. They have also planned to question some 25 senior ranked LTTE members; some of whom are currently imprisoned in Sri Lanka. They are investigating into suspected money laundering by 12 members of the Swiss LTTE to the Netherlands and Sri Lanka. The prosecutor office suspects that the Tamils used fake pay slips of Sri Lankans resident in Switzerland to obtain loans of $73,000 - $104,000.
June 6: Swiss Director of Prosecutions revealed that the LTTE had taken fraudulently substantial funds as loans from financial institutions on the basis of false documents, reports Lanka Web. It was also revealed that these funds were channelled to the LTTE for purchase of arms through S. Ramachandran, a leader in the LTTE overseas front.
June 4: British Sri Lankans in London held a peaceful demonstration against violent methods adopted by the LTTE rump in UK.
May 11: A United States Federal Judge in New York sentenced a top Tamil Tiger, who pleaded guilty to terrorism charges, to time served in jail and freed the man. The defendant, Karunakaran Kandasamy (55), had pleaded guilty to, among others, a charge of conspiring to provide material support to the LTTE.
April 30: The United States Department of Justice seeks a 15-year prison sentence for a Canadian Tamil man who pleaded guilty in a United States district court to charges of conspiring to provide material support to the LTTE, a proscribed organisation in the US. Mylvaganam, a Canadian citizen who previously lived in the US, was arrested by Canada's RCMP officers in Toronto and extradited to the US in 2009, following his indictment in the Eastern District Court of New York. He pleaded guilty on February 8, 2012 to conspiring to procure sophisticated technology, including submarine design software and night vision equipment for the LTTE in 2006. Mylvaganam faces a maximum term of 15 years’ imprisonment.
March 10: Sri Lanka's ambassador to Germany, Sarath Kongahage, said that the LTTE and its sympathisers are fast fading in Germany. Several attempts made by them to raise funds by holding campaigns have failed. The Sri Lankan community in Germany is around 60,000.
March 9: Media spokesperson for Sri Lankan Australians in Melbourne, Nagesha Wickramasuriya said that separatist activists and LTTE supporters are attempting to lobby support from federal Parliamentarians in Australia into making a statement and to pressurise the UNHRC to take action against Sri Lanka.
March 8: Activists of various pro-LTTE movements disrupted an international conference and forced the organisers to send away a Sri Lankan academic. The members of Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam May 17 Movement, Sri Lankan Tamils Protection Federation, as well as MDMK cadre barged into the conference venue at Manonmaniam Sundaranar University (MSU) in Tamil Nadu and protested against the participation of Jeeva Niriella, faculty of law, lecturer, University of Colombo. This is the second such incident of a Sri Lankan visitor facing a protest by pro-Tamil outfits. In January this year, Thirukumaran Nadesan, husband of Nirupama Rajapaksa, suffered an even harsher treatment when slippers were hurled at him in Rameswaram where he visited to offer prayers in the temple.
January 16: A suspected sympathiser of the LTTE was arrested by Kochi city Police from Chengalpettu in Chennai in connection with a human trafficking case involving Sri Lankan Tamils.
January 15: The US granted President Mahinda Rajapaksa immunity from a law suit filed in a US court against him by the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora. The US filed a “Suggestion of Immunity” at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia on January 13 for President Rajapaksa, recognising him as the “sitting head of state of a foreign state.”
The External Affairs Ministry has directed the country's missions in Europe to keep a close watch on the activities of LTTE front organisations in their respective countries.
January 3: The French Ambassador confirmed the publication of 360 stamps by La Poste. However, after the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed La Poste that the LTTE is a terrorist group banned by the EU in 2006, the mail service has assured that no such stamps will be printed further. Peiris urged the French Government to ensure that publications like the four stamps issued by La Poste of France, depicting images related to the LTTE, including its insignia, should not happen and their publication be cancelled.

2011

October 21: A Dutch court convicted and sentenced five Dutch citizens of Sri Lankan Tamil origin, accused of extorting money from other Dutch Tamils to fund terrorist activities.
September 30: Sri Lankan-born American hedge fund founder Raj Rajaratnam, who was found guilty on all counts in the high-profile insider trading trial and awaiting sentencing in the United States, also financed the LTTE, in its decades-long terrorism.
September 28: Dutch prosecutors trying five Sri Lankan Tamil nationals (who are all naturalised Dutch citizens now), accused of extorting money from other Dutch Tamils in the Netherlands, are seeking long prison terms. The prosecutors have demanded sentences ranging from 10 to 16 years for the five ethnic Tamils accused of organising illegal lotteries and extorting cash from Tamils in the Netherlands with all proceeds going to the LTTE, to finance its terrorism.
Nine persons who were arrested in Kerala in India on September 26 on the charge of cheating 34 Sri Lankans at refugee camps in Tamil Nadu are suspected by the Police to have links with the LTTE.
September 27: A senior American counter-terrorism official warned Canadian authorities that two Sri Lankan migrants who arrived off the British Columbia Coast in 2009 aboard a smuggling ship were suspected cadre of the militant outfit LTTE.
September 17: A domestic Dutch criminal court, trying five Sri Lankan Tamils for supporting Sri Lanka's defeated Tamil Tiger terrorist outfit, will screen Britain's Channel 4 documentary ‘Sri Lanka's Killing Fields’ on a request made by the defence counsel.
August 27: Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the European Union (EU) Ravinatha Aryasinha said that the EU was yet to respond to a request from Sri Lanka on listing LTTE front organisations in Europe as terrorist entities.
August 23: Prof Rohan Gunaratne, a specialist in terrorism research, while addressing the fifth annual symposium of the Sir John Kotalawela Defence University, said that despite the LTTE being wiped out in Sri Lanka, their international presence still posed a threat to the country.
August 18: The overseas cadre of LTTE continued to procure weapons while the LTTE Diaspora continued to support the organisation financially, a report released by the (US) Department of State said. It said that despite its military defeat in Sri Lanka at the hands of Government Forces in May 2009, the LTTE's international network of financial support persists.
August 1: The Sri Lankan Government updated a request to the EU to list front organisations of the LTTE as terrorist entities.
July 27: Radio Netherlands claimed that Rehabilitated (LTTE) cadre are ready to fight again if life doesn't improve.
July 21: Minister of Human Resources D.E.W. Gunasekera said that international groups looked at the situation in the country from the viewpoint of the LTTE.
June 16: In the wake of a documentary aired by Britain's Channel 4, the United Nations renewed its call for Sri Lanka to investigate the alleged violations of human rights during the last phase of the three-decade long conflict with the LTTE militants.
June 15: Following the broadcasting of a documentary by the Channel 4 television, the United Kingdom pressed Sri Lanka to investigate the alleged war crimes or face an international inquiry.
A team of Dutch officials investigating the financial network of the LTTE leaders in the Netherlands arrived in Sri Lanka to interrogate former and current LTTE leaders in the country.
May 25: Dutch authorities investigating the financial network of the LTTE leaders in the Netherlands plan to interrogate former and current LTTE leaders in Sri Lanka and are in the process of seeking permission from the Sri Lankan authorities.
May 21: A Norway-based leader of the LTTE, Perinpanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyawan, was arrested by the Netherlands Police and produced in a court in Oslo in Norway.
April 7: Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) asked the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to deport a Sri Lankan Tamil migrant for his role in the human smuggling operation that brought hundreds of Tamil refugees to Canada aboard the Thai cargo ship MV Sun Sea in August 2010.
March 17: Canadian authorities ordered the deportation of a Sri Lankan Tamil migrant who had entered Vancouver in August 2010 aboard the Thai ship MV Sun Sea on the charge of being a member of the militant outfit LTTE.
February 25: The Canadian Government is mulling over the confiscation of all LTTE banking and fund-raising activities in Canada. Minister for External Affairs G.L. Peiris said that Canada was already in the process of crafting the necessary legislation. The Minister said that Jason Kenny, a Canadian Minister had taken the lead in this respect.
February 13: Central intelligence agencies communicated specific inputs to the Tamil Nadu Police that suspected LTTE cadre are conspiring to carry out attacks on VVIPs during forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.

Courtesy: Asian Tribune

 

J

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/12/30/main_Editorial.asp

RENEWED HOPE IN THE NEW YEAR

The New Year is almost upon us. There will be a myriad of New Year greetings with inspiring verses as the 2013 New Year dawns at midnight tomorrow. But could those wishes be made a reality?
It has been customary, over the years, to extend New Year greetings. However, the time has now come for us to ponder whether these greetings are confined to mere words. In the New Year, people across the globe would wish one another happiness, peace and prosperity.
We could make this wish a reality by living in peace and amity with one another and respecting each other's beliefs, customs and traditions.
As another year draws to a close, it's time to take stock of our achievements and failures during 2012 and face life's challenges in 2013. As usual, people approach the dawn of a New Year with renewed hope, expectations and set goals for a better tomorrow.
Unfulfilled expectations and aspirations impel some of us to dispel such yearnings with a certain degree of scepticism. Sri Lankans prayed for peace until 2009. This had been their fervent wish and hope in every New Year thought and greeting.
With the dawn of peace in May 2009, thanks to the supreme sacrifices of the Security Forces and President Mahinda Rajapaksa's perspicacity, the wish that had been made for over two decades is no more. National reconciliation and economic prosperity have taken centre stage with the end of terrorism.
Let us, therefore, renew this pledge in the New Year and act with resolve and determination to realise this hope so that we could give a better meaning to the hard-earned peace. In doing so, we may face stiff challenges and simultaneously make huge sacrifices to achieve economic prosperity under one banner.
It was only a little over seven years ago when President Rajapaksa was entrusted with the gigantic task to take Sri Lanka forward. At the time when he was first elected President on November 17, 2005, most people were firmly convinced that he was the only leader who could usher in peace.
In the first three-and-a-half years in office, he accomplished that magnificent task, thus fulfilling the expectations of all Sri Lankans. The path to peace was certainly no easy task. Perhaps, peace at any cost would not have been that difficult. This is precisely why the Tiger cohorts and a section of the Tamil Diaspora are still attempting to take Sri Lanka to task, as they thrive on terrorism.
Achieving national reconciliation and marching towards economic prosperity as one nation could be a more arduous task. Nevertheless, it could be achieved if all of us stand united and do our part.
Everybody has the requisite strength and courage to fulfil this aim and promote harmony and unity and live as one family and one nation in the coming years.
As we usher in the New Year with our associates and loved ones, we should pause for a while to spare a thought for the thousands of Security Forces personnel who are on duty round the clock to protect the hard-earned peace. The guardian angels of our nation are not as fortunate as us to frolic in the New Year with their loved ones.
What is more - they spend sleepless nights in camps, keeping a vigilant eye and lending a helping hand to scores of Northern civilians who are now rebuilding their lives which had been adversely affected due to LTTE terror. Irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliations, the Security Forces have made a praiseworthy effort in promoting national reconciliation by helping the Tamils in the North and the East to begin a new lease of life.
Hence, our New Year thoughts should be focused on those brave soldiers. After all, it was due to their courage, dedication and sacrifice that we enjoy this unbridled freedom today. These true heroes would continue to protect us in the new year too.
Terrorism which destroyed community life and jeopardised the economy over the past three decades is now a thing of the past. It is appropriate, therefore, that we remember the brave sons of our soil who sacrificed their lives to protect the territorial integrity of our motherland and usher in lasting peace.
Having set new world standards in eradicating terrorism and resettling displaced persons, the hope and wish of Sri Lankans is that their counterparts in countries affected by terrorism too would soon breathe some fresh air and enjoy the same freedom as us.
Terrorism, no doubt, plagues the whole world. Some countries which fostered terrorism are now having second thoughts. Hence, the foremost wish of people the world over is to wipe out the scourge of terrorism and foster lasting peace that would enable all nations to live in peace and harmony.
The international community living in an era of globalisation yearns to dispel war and promote peace and harmony. For this, there should be a spirit of camaraderie. Therefore, it is the bounden duty and responsibility of world leaders to create a just society where people can live sans fear and suspicion.
Sri Lankans enter a crucial phase in nation-building. It is our earnest hope that the international community would view Sri Lanka's developments positively. They should desist from trying to level war crime charges against Sri Lanka as this would support terrorism indirectly. If the international community is keen on the well-being of those in the North and the East, they should support the Government in its development drive in those areas. The Australian Government's move to work closely with Sri Lanka to check the inflow of illegal migrants, mostly Tamils, is commendable, to say the least. The migrants' attempt to project a gloomy picture in seeking political asylum has been foiled and the Australian Government has quite rightly identified them as economic migrants and are sending them back.
The year 2013 will be a significant milestone for Sri Lanka as Colombo will host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Despite Canada's stance to skip the Colombo summit, Australia has set a good example - its Foreign Minister recently announced in Colombo that Australia would extend both political and technical support for the 2013 CHOGM.
The observations by Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr are indeed food for thought for those countries which continue to point an accusing finger on the human rights of terrorists killed during their battle against Sri Lanka's legitimate army. As Carr had quite rightly said, the international community must work closely with Sri Lanka. On his recent tour to Sri Lanka, Minister Carr said that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) is the "best instrument" to address human rights' issues. Hence, those leaders who had supported the US-led Resolution against Sri Lanka must visit the country and get first-hand experience on the manner in which Sri Lanka treats Tamils who had been liberated from the jaws of LTTE terror.
Sri Lanka, will, no doubt take a giant leap forward in 2013 towards its goal of becoming the Wonder of Asia. INGOs with vested interests would not have a ghost of a chance to harm Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time, those local and foreign elements which day-dream of a regime change in Sri Lanka will have to bide their time for many moons as the masses would continue to repose implicit faith in President Rajapaksa and the UPFA Government.
People from all walks of life can look forward to the New Year with great expectations. The Government has a big responsibility to satisfy their aspirations and build a country on the correct economic path.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/12/30/new05.asp

No child soldiers in Lanka - UN closes dossier

by Manjula Fernando

The United Nations Security Council Working group on Children and Armed Conflict closed its dossier on Sri Lanka after deciding that children in armed conflict is no longer an issue here.
The Working Group had adopted the ‘Draft Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka’ on December 19, 2012 and were convinced that there were no child soldiers in the country.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Palitha Kohona in an email to the Sunday Observer yesterday said, ”Another reminder of a sad part of our recent history is now behind us.”
Prior to adopting the Draft Conclusions, the Working Group had considered the report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka, and its recommendations in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009).
The Sri Lankan mission had engaged a range of entities over the months on this issue. “This required continuous engagement with the UN Secretariat, members of the Security Council and other actors by the Sri Lanka’s Permanent Mission,” Dr. Kohona said adding that there were efforts by certain elements at the Secretariat to keep Sri Lanka on the annex on the basis of ‘four children’ unaccounted for in the Eastern province.
The Sri Lankan mission had resisted this move with ‘tremendous effort’.
“The fact that there were hundreds, sometimes thousands, of children in armed combat in other parts of the world seemed to concern some of them less.”
In his opening remarks, Chair of the Working Group, Ambassador Dr. Peter Wittig, the Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, said that this would be the last time Sri Lanka will appear before the Security Council on the issue of children and armed conflict and congratulated Sri Lanka on its success.
The SL Permanent Representative said the representations to get Sri Lanka off the list had been constantly made for the past three years, including representations to the Special Representative to the Secretary General who at the time was Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy.
Sri Lanka’s rehabilitation and reintegration of former child combatants as well as the delisting of the TMVP and the Iniya Bharathi Faction from Annex II (Naming and Shaming List) of the Secretary- General’s annual report had contributed to this positive outcome.
The UN in June this year delisted Sri Lanka from the United Nations Secretary-General’s ‘List of Shame’ that lists countries where children are involved in armed conflict saying that the island nation “successfully completed Security Council-mandated programs to end the recruitment and use of children.”
 

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Kilinochchi_mass_celebrates_Christmas_20121224_02

Last modified on: 12/24/2012 1:07:02 PM

Kilinochchi mass celebrates Christmas Kilinochchi dwellers celebrated the Christmas replete with cultural events, Christmas carols, musical show and pyrotechnics recently in view of Christmas season. The Christmas celebration was a brainchild of Security Forces Headquarters Commander (Kilinochchi) and selected students in the region were gifted 200 scholarships each worth of Rs. 10000.00. Mainly the most prominent events in the occasion were the exhibit of the highest Christmas tree of 80 ft and the Christmas carols sung by the recently joined Tamil woman soldiers. The Kilinochchi mass were much enjoyed and celebrated the birth of the 'Jesus'. The event was highly praised by the communities in the region. Mannar Archbishop Most Rev. Rayappu Joshap, Jaffna Archbishop Most Rev. Thomas Soundaranayagam, South Indian Archbishop (Jaffna) Most Rev. Daniel Thayagaraja, Members of Parliament, DIG (Kilinochchi), state officials and a large gathering were present at the event.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/12/25/fea01.asp

 

 

 

Reconstruction and resettlement in the Northern Province:

‘A Sri Lankan success story’

S B Divaratne Secretary, Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security - Northern Province

The most recent experience and what may be termed ‘a Sri Lankan success story’ is what took place in the aftermath of the biggest operation launched by the Sri Lanka Security Forces in May 2009 that ended the near thirty years armed conflict in the country involving a group – the LTTE. The first step was the establishment and handling of reception centres which received the displaced civilians, administration of those who arrived at the reception centres, the establishment and management of secure relief villages for the internally displaced persons followed by the implementation of a master plan for the reconstruction of the Northern Province and the return and resettlement of the IDPs to their own homes is an experience Sri Lanka can be proud of.

S B DIVARATNE

The immediate challenge for the government of Sri Lanka was to look after the displaced civilians numbering over 250,000. The territory had been in the control of LTTE for nearly a quarter of a century and had to be made secure to ensure safety. It was also necessary to be alert to the probability of LTTE cadres attempting to evade capture by posing as IDPs. The identification of such persons became complicated since they were mingling with the IDPs. Quick action was required to put in place necessary arrangements to care for the displaced. Considering the very real security threat, accommodating the IDPs in the relief villages was the most efficient and safe option.

From mid 2008 civilians from LTTE controlled areas were entering government controlled areas. The government anticipated large exodus of people from the LTTE controlled areas when it defeats the LTTE and was preparing to locate them in suitable areas. The idea of keeping IDPs in one area with all necessary facilities was conceptualized as the number of people fleeing out of LTTE controlled areas had increased since 2008. By the end of 2008 there were nearly 48,000 IDPs accommodated in several welfare centres in Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya districts. It was decided that the location chosen should be in an area which could provide basic facilities and not far from a township, so that anyone could get there within a short space of time. Facilities considered necessary included sufficient accommodation, food, health services, water, transport, and most importantly protection of IDPs from any probability of threat.

Having taken all those necessities into consideration, the area known as ‘Menik Farm’ was selected as the suitable location to accommodate IDPs. It is only 22Km away from Vavuniya town and accessible from Vavuniya in 30-40 minutes. The large extent of land in Menik Farm avoided congestion and in turn was conducive to prevent communicable diseases. By the time the mass exodus of displaced civilians commenced 85-100 acres of land in Menik Farm had been cleared and semi permanent shelters had been constructed and further 900 acres had been identified for clearance to establish sufficient number of relief villages. The Sri Lanka Armed Forces, particularly the Sri Lanka Army took the lead role, in this emergency humanitarian effort.

Training for Northern youth

The influx of IDPs was about 80,000 per day towards the last stages of the operation. Sri Lanka was able to cope with the arrival of 80,000 people on the first day and another 100,000 in the week that followed. Immediately upon arrival in the government controlled areas the civilians had to be provided with food and shelter and if required medical attention.

Thereafter they had to be provided transportation to safe areas. This, invariably, took a day or two. However, within 5-7 days time, IDPs were processed and accommodated. Family members being accommodated together as far as possible. Until sufficient accommodation was made available, the government took all government schools and institutions in Vavuniya District with large buildings and accommodated IDPs in the 28 centres and thereafter transferred them to the relief villages set up in Menik Farm.

Management of Relief Villages

Administrative arrangements – The government took over the responsibility for the management of the welfare villages and took full control over all activities and its efforts were adequately supported by UN agencies and INGOs. The contribution of the Sri Lanka Army in overall management, supervision and maintenance of security has been a major contributory factor for the efficient and successful management of the relief villages.

Security Forces personnel engaged in demining activities. File photo

A National Co-ordinating Committee headed by the Ministry of Resettlement supervised the management of relief villages. In addition, a District Committee headed by the Government Agent of Vavuniya was also established. For the management of relief villages, the government appointed a Steering Committee headed by a senior Minister, assisted by the Armed Forces and various line ministers.

A competent authority (Retired Major-General of Sri Lanka Army) was appointed to be in charge of overall activities. He was supported by a Chief Co-ordinating Officer appointed for each relief village. For operation of the relief villages, four Government Agents from other districts were appointed as liaison officers to support the Competent Authority and the Management Committee. The respective line ministries providing essential services including health, education, water supply and electricity were given responsibility for distribution and maintenance of services.

Altogether six villages were set up in Menik Farm, where nearly 222,000 IDPs were housed. Facilities available in relief villages took various forms depending on the number of families accommodated in each village. In some relief villages there were three referral hospitals. In addition, primary healthcare centres, schools, primary schools, community kitchens, tube wells, water tanks, vocational training centres, welfare shops, banks and post offices were established. Places of religious worship for all religions were also established.

Many organizations and individuals from the rest of the country, spontaneously and overwhelmingly responded by making donations of water, food and non-food items to the relief villages.

Policy for Resettlement

The resettlement policy envisaged the following:

* That the resettlement process is voluntary

* That the IDPs should be resettled in their original places of habitation

* That the process should be dignified and safe

* That Sri Lanka Army to be a partner of the resettlement process

* That it involves informed choice of the displaced family/persons through facilitation of ‘go and see visits’ prior to resettlement

* That the provision of housing or assistance of shelter, livelihood development be made to the resettled families.

Strategy for Resettlement

Considering the gravity of the situation and the need for a rapid resettlement programme and its efficient implementation, the President appointed a Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province (PTF) in May 2009 under the Chairmanship of Basil Rajapaksa, Minister for Economic Development. The mission of the Task Force was to formulate a strategic framework for the revitalization of the Northern Province and to implement a rapid resettlement and recovery programme.

In view of the magnitude of the task, the PTF developed a three-prong approach for resettlement and reconstruction of a 30-year war-torn Northern Sri Lanka and has given full attention to its implementation using domestic resources as well as external assistance. These were:

* Providing relief and humanitarian assistance for the resettled people and restoration of basic infrastructure in the cleared area

* Early recovery process to support returnees to recommence their economic activities.

* Development of much needed major infrastructure and revival of the Northern Region for sustainability and stability.

The programme that envisaged this three-pronged approach was aptly named Uthuru Vasanthaya (Vadakkin Vasantham) which consist the following:

* Formulation of a Master Plan - Uthuru Vasanthaya to facilitate resettlement, development and reconstruction of the Northern Province.

* Launching of a 180-Day Accelerated Programme to implement a rapid resettlement programme and an early recovery process.

The objectives of the 180-Day Programme includes identification of priorities through well co-ordinated plans, enlisting support from Line Ministries to undertake activities that are required to create a conducive environment and plan out different phases of resettlement.

Each district of the Northern Province had its own programme that set out work to be undertaken as priority during the 180-Day Programme. This included access to services, roads, electricity, safe drinking water and sanitation, improvements to basic infrastructure including minor irrigation, health and education, livelihood development, etc.

A team of officials were appointed to visit the areas to assess the damage and prepare tentative estimates and to identify fund requirements. Thereafter, priorities were identified for immediate rehabilitation. Technical capacities of Government Instructions were utilized to complete such rehabilitation work. Funds available under ongoing projects were utilized to complete such work. Launching of the 180-Day Programme brought about total solutions required for rapid resettlement and early recovery process.

Challenges for Resettlement

Demining –

The most formidable challenge faced by the GoSL in post-conflict reconstruction efforts was in the field of demining operation. In order to meet these requirements, the Humanitarian Demining Unit (HDU) under Sri Lanka Army was set up. The Sri Lanka Army contributed greatly in the demining operations, in addition to the work of several donor funded mine action agencies. In order to support the mine action programme, the Cabinet officially approved the establishment of a National Mine Action Co-ordinating Body with UNDP assistance. The demining process included technical and non-technical survey. Demining operations were prioritized to facilitate rapid resettlement. Firstly, battle area and subsequently areas required for resettlement of people, land where people conduct their livelihood activities, land giving access to schools, hospitals and land with essential infrastructure that required rehabilitation were taken up as priorities.

Sri Lanka achieved an impressive record in demining operation having cleared 1,319 sq. km. out of confirmed hazardous areas of 1,419 sq. km in the North. Sri Lanka Army deserves major credit for this remarkable achievement.

Restoration of basic infrastructure –

Prior to commencement of the resettlement, the GoSL spearheaded a rapid rehabilitation of infrastructure through its 180-Day Programme. Initially, priority was given to essential infrastructure. The priorities were determined by the government to ensure effective delivery of services to the displaced civilians upon resettlement. State institutions were utilized to complete the restoration. Even in this endeavour SL Army played a pivotal role in spearheading an urgent rehabilitation programme. The Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development (presently the Ministry of Economic Development) spent nearly Rs 4.4 billion (US$ 39.63 million) for rehabilitation of infrastructure identified as priorities.

Prior arrangements for resettlement –

The procedure for resettlement was adopted whilst the IDPs were in the relief villages. Based on the collection of data of each family including their native places, the District and Divisional lists based on the above data were prepared by the district officials. Arrangements for IDPs to go and see by making visits to their places of origin were also made prior to resettlement. This was planned to avoid fear and tension in the minds of IDPs when they are resettled in their places of origin soon after the traumatic experiences they had undergone. The government took special action to ensure that basic facilities were available when the people were resettled.

A comprehensive mine risk education programme supported by UNICEF/UNDP was conducted by the security officials in relief villages prior to resettlement and subsequently at transitional shelters. Transportation of IDPs to transitional shelters was co-ordinated by the Security Forces. As the Civil Administration was just being re-established, Army officials at the ground supported the Civil Administration to strengthen its capacity in handling the resettlement process.

To be continued

 

 

SL and Australia set up unit to check people smuggling and transnational crime :

Visible links to terrorism by human smugglers -Australian FM Sen. Bob Carr

By Ranil Wijayapala

The visit of the Australian Foreign Minister, Senator Bob Carr, at a time Sri Lanka and Australia engaged in the massive task of controlling hundreds of boat people reaching Australia as illegal immigrants, provided a good forum for the two stakeholders to sit and discuss the matter at length, while laying a strong foundation to continue the relationship between the two countries as friendly nations in the future, Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Australia, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe said.

Australian Foreign Minister Bov Carr and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa exchange mementos

Admiral Samarasinghe who was directly engaged in bilateral talks between the two countries during the Australian Foreign Minister’s three day visit, in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the Australian Foreign Minister’s visit and the inauguration of the Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime will help the two countries to positively engage in the issue of illegal immigrants to Australia.

He said the main purpose of the Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr’s visit to Sri Lanka was to thank the Sri Lankan government for the efforts it has taken in support of the Australian government to tackle a major national issue affecting Australia due to illegal boat arrivals.

The High Commissioner said although Sri Lanka is highlighted in the media on boat arrival issues in Australia it is not restricted to Sri Lankans.

“Actually Sri Lankans represented about 10 to 15 percent at the beginning but in the recent past the numbers have increased. However, due to this situation, on the suggestion of our External Affairs ministry on my recommendation, proposed a joint mechanism to share all stakeholders of both the Sri Lankan and Australian government to meet and sit down in a forum and discuss the issue”, he added.

As a result of this initiative both governments agreed to establish a joint working group titled Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime which covers areas of border protection, law enforcement and sharing intelligence on the issues.

“We proposed the Secretary, Ministry of Defence Sri Lanka and the Secretary, Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship from Australia to co-chair the joint working group”, he said.

Officials from the Attorney General’s Department, Border Protection and Customs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Australian Federal Police, Australian National Intelligence represented Australia while Sri Lanka was represented by the Ministry of Justice, Criminal Investigation Department, and Customs Department.

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe

‘To inaugurate the Joint Working Group External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris invited Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr who accepted the invitation’ the High Commissioner said.

It was led by Martin Bowles Secretary to the Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship, Australia while Sri Lanka was led first by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and continued by External Affairs Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Ms. Kamalini de Silva and Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage.

The Australian side specifically thanked the Sri Lanka Navy for stopping the boats which would have otherwise entered Australia.

Sri Lanka Navy have prevented almost three to four thousand people in a number of boats heading towards Australia, which is s tremendous achievement.

Bob Carr during the discussions emphasided that people will not get any opportunity to step into Australia if they come by boat.

“It was a clear message and he said the majority coming there are economic migrants. He said in a bid to discourage boat people, 800 have already been sent back home. It is a significant amount, out of which 120 are voluntary returnees. This gives a clear message if you go to Australia in a boat either you end up being returned or you have to go Nauru or Manus or any other island for processing. Especially people who came after August 2012 will be subjected to processing in the islands”, he said.

“Bob Carr said there are visible links to terrorism by human smugglers. It is something the people are watching and both sides agreed to cooperate in this regard”, the High Commissioner said.

“The discussions enabled an annual dialogue to discuss matters of mutual interest focused particularly on addressing the root causes, strengthening security and law enforcement co-operation, training and capacity building and public awareness campaigns to combat people smuggling”, he added.

The Australian Minister has discussed a four-point plan to curb people smuggling from Sri Lanka to Australia at the Joint Working Group meeting. The plan included intelligence sharing with Sri Lanka on smuggling operations, assistance to Sri Lankan Navy on-water activities, and AU$ 45 million aid in the next five years to rebuild Sri Lanka in a bid to reduce people smuggling.

Australia has agreed to work closely with the defence establishment of Sri Lanka to strengthen the established links on law enforcement co-operation in combating transnational crime and pledged further training opportunities for mid-career officers in the armed forces of Sri Lanka.

“All these are indications that Australia is engaging Sri Lanka more positively now. The joint working group meeting means that we will have periodical meetings of the two groups of officials both in Canberra and Colombo”, the High Commissioner said.

The Australian Foreign Minister also met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and had a cordial discussion.

“He said they were close friends and would support Sri Lanka to face any challenges.

The Foreign Ministers of the two countries met on December 16 at the Ministry of External Affairs in Sri Lanka and the participation was extensive on the Sri Lankan side.

Issues relevant to people smuggling, the Commonwealth Head of Government Meetings in 2013, bilateral foreign affairs and trade, investment opportunities, export, education and health were discussed in the forums.

“There was a spirit of friendship in all the discussions and it was the highlighting factor because the two countries discussed issues as friends, the High Commissioner said.

When Senator Bob Carr called on the Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, he agreed on trade engagement through visits by investment and trade delegates between the two countries to bridge any trade imbalance.

During the discussion Sri Lanka explained that the Lonely Planet, World Renowned Research Agency in Australia established in 1972, has selected Sri Lanka as one of the top ten countries of tourist destination for year 2013.

“It is a huge achievement for Sri Lanka because it reflects President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s vision to develop Sri Lanka after the conflict, the High Commissioner said.

Australian tourists to Sri Lanka have increased this year as mentioned by Minister Basil Rajapaksa, by 21 percent.

Minister Bob Carr also met Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who explained in detail how the LTTE terrorists progressed from the 1970’s as a bunch of terrorists who first wanted to separate the country and Indian connection, how the IPKF came in and changed their tactics because they wanted a separate state.

Australia has agreed to work closely with the defence establishment of Sri Lanka to strengthen the established links on law enforcement co-operation in combating transnational crime and pledged further training opportunities for mid-career officers in the armed forces of Sri Lanka.

Senator Carr’s discussions with the government ministers and senior officials also focused on next year’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo. During the high profile visit by the Australia Foreign Affairs Minister, Australia made a commitment on the education sector to grant 34 million Australian dollars to support the education system in Sri Lanka.

“The money will be shared by the Government of Sri Lanka. Normally Australia channels aid through other donor agencies.

This time they granted 34 million dollars as well as released the balance two million dollars they committed for the de-mining process out of the 20 million they agreed at the beginning”, the High Commissioner said.

Bob Carr during his three day tour met the civil society in Colombo and visited the Australian aided projects in Galle. He also visited the Southern Naval Command and met the Commander of the Southern Naval Command Rear Admiral Illangakone.

The High Commissioner said the last few weeks saw an increase in the bilateral relationship between the two countries as there was an international conference, Network for Asia Pacific Schools of Public Administration and Governance which was attended by India, Pakistan, Nepal, Australia, Thailand and Korea.

The conference was inaugurated by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Austrailia’s Monash University Deputy Vice Chancellor and 15 professors took part as coordinators with SLIDA under the Ministry of Public administration.

“It was another step in the right direction and they are academics we need because Monash University is one of the worlds famous universities and they partner with us.

As a result we receive assistance of the Australian Aid Programme and Australian aid through the Monash university. Public servants, Government Agents, Additional Secretaries and District Secretaries go through a period of SLIDA where Monash university lecturers come and lecture in Sri Lanka”, he said.

The High Commissioner said that Sri Lanka Navy’s engagement with Australia is extensive and on his request the Australian Navy Chief decided to grace Galle Dialogue organised by the Sri Lanka Navy on December 8 and 9.

The Galle Dialogue was started in 2010 with only 10 countries and participation increased to 17 last year. This year it reached 29 countries.

“Therefore this week we had about 50 Australians in Sri Lanka. I believe it will lay a good foundation for the two countries to further enhance the relationship, the High Commissioner said