http://khabarsoutheastasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/features/2012/12/19/feature-02

Sri Lanka tackles the threat of wartime mines

Though the country's conflict has ended, mines planted by Tamil Tiger militants continue to pose a threat. A successful clearing effort is eliminating the risk, however.

By Pradeep Seneviratne for Khabar South Asia in Colombo

Rajan Thangavelu is grateful to be home.

• A Sri Lankan army soldier stands next to a sign erected by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) to warn civilians about a mine-infested jungle near northeastern Mullaittivu on April 18th. Since crushing the Tamil Tigers in May 2009, army forces have worked with the international community to remove unexploded bombs and ordinance in the north. [Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP]

The displaced Kombavil Village farmer was able to return after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were defeated in 2009, bringing Sri Lanka's decades-long civil war to an end. He cleared wild shrubs from the land and rebuilt his house.
But the task of retrieving his cattle – who were roaming in a nearby jungle – proved to be more difficult, and even dangerous. The LTTE had planted anti-personnel mines and other explosive devices across the north.
Thankfully, the Sri Lankan army has cleared Thangavelu's farmland of mines, allowing him to resume his way of life.
"Now, I can cultivate my fields. Also, I go to the jungle area to herd back my cattle," Thangavelu told Khabar South Asia. "It is a major achievement. Agriculture and livestock industry are our livelihood. We wanted our fields to be cleared of mines."
Mines exact a brutal cost
Getting rid of the mines has been a formidable challenge, according to Army spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya.
"Even before the war ended, we carried out mine clearance work in areas [seized] from the LTTE. But it became an organised project only after the war was over," Wanigasooriya told Khabar.
"There are different organisations engaged in this task. We are happy about our contribution. We ended the war [and] now we help civilians return to their villages after making them mine-free," he said.
S. Rajeswaran, 55, is a Kopai farmer near Jaffna district who fell victim to an anti-personnel mine planted in his paddy field. On June 16th, 1996, an unsuspecting Rajeswaran accidentally stepped onto the explosive device, setting it off. He was rushed to Jaffna hospital, where surgeons amputated his left leg below the knee.
"Today, I have been fitted with an artificial limb. I can do normal work," Rajeswaran told Khabar. "Mine clearance is very important. Mine risk education is also very important. Even after de-mining operations are completed, there can be a few mines lying unnoticed. People have to be vigilant. I salute all those who do de-mining for us."
Monty Ranatunga, the Director of National Mine Action Centre, said the LTTE mined 2,061 sq km -- 90% in the north and the remaining 10% in Sri Lanka's eastern province. Established in 2002, the centre co-ordinates all mine-clearance operations.
Foreign groups such as HALO Trust (Britain), Swiss Federation of Mine Action, Danish Demining Group, Mines Advisory Group, Horizon and Sarvatra (India) have teamed up with the Sri Lankan Army for the cleanup, Ranatunga told Khabar.
"Already, we have completed de-mining in 95% of these areas. It means we are yet to de-mine a land area of 105 sq. kilometres," he said. "It will take at least another two years to complete work in these areas mostly covered by jungles."
Tamil National Alliance member lauds efforts
Tamil politicians in the north acknowledged the contribution to eradicate land mines made by the army with the backing of local and foreign organisations.
"They have done a great job. People's return to their villages has been facilitated by them in this manner," M.K. Sivajilingam, a local government member representing the Tamil National Alliance told Khabar.
Because many mines are located near homes, gardens and wells, educating schoolchildren about the danger is vital, according to Kilinochchi Government Agent R. Ketheeswaran.
"Unsuspecting children sometimes try to play with such devices probably lying in their home gardens in the former war zone," she told Khabar.

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Doctor_categorically_clears_allegations_of_abuse_on_Army_Tamil_woman_recruits_20121218_10

 

Doctor categorically clears allegations of abuse on Army Tamil woman recruits

The following is an interview in Tamil done by BBC's Tamil service correspondent Seevakan with Dr. Sivasubramaniyam Sivadas, the doctor who treated the 15 Army Tamil woman recruits who were admitted to the Killinochchi hospital recently.

The doctor who treated the 15 Tamil army woman recruits who were admitted to Kilinochchi hospital after falling sick says 'none of them are sexually abused'

He said that he had began treating them only after authorities consented to his conditions to act according to his advice regarding the psychologically affected girls and that he should have liberty to speak personally with them.

Mr. Seevakan from the BBC contacted Dr Sivasubramaniyam Sivadas who treated these women and inquired into their present condition.

Dr Sivadas: There are 15 of them. Out of that 02 are admitted to the wards. The remaining 13 are kept in a room in the upper floor in order to be consulted by me. Many people requested me to see them. I clearly informed them about two matters. I will see them if only you accept my decision after I diagnose them. The other one is that I wanted to meet the patients personally.

After that one medical officer from the Army arrived. He contacted higher authorities and said 'that they are ready to accept my recommendations'. After that only I met all 15 girls personally.

BBC Seevakan: What type of illness did they have? How did they look ?

Dr Sivadas: They are like, what we call in our villages 'goddess dance' (possessed by god). They are also faced with the similar issue. One week back about 108 .. or 103 girls were recruited to the army. They are between 18 -25 years old. Out of them one girl a week ago had told another girl that while she was going to a distance place in the camp she felt that some shadow or someone was coming with her

The other girl has said that a lot of people had died in that area and that she might have been possessed by a lost soul. Only divine power will cure it. Otherwise nothing can be done, she has said'. The girl got frightened and fainted.

The other girl took to pose like a goddess and started to dance.

BBC Seevakan: That all fifteen had this type of illness or only these two?

Dr Sivadas: No no. It started from this two and slowly spread to all 15 in that camp.

Some are not making a big dance but some think that it is true. It can happen to them too like that stated to scared.

Few of them began to do 'cobra dance'

These phenomena can be commonly observed in Wanni. In my three and a half years of experience I have seen this type of collective hysteria...at least ten times I seen this collective hysteria.

One was among the child soldiers at Poonthodam camp. When 50 women were recruited to the garment factory 04 of them started dancing like snakes.

So for me it was not a big issue.

BBC Seevakan: Medically what you are guessing as the reason for this?

Dr. Sivadas: There are two minds, a deep and superficial one. 10 percent of our matters are decided in the superficial mind the rest 90 percent is decided in the deep mind.

In the deep mind ...if inner conflict arise ...means something unsolvable or matters which are complicated ...disturbs the deep mind... in many occasions they will express (it) in ways like this.

Commonly Tamil people call it as 'Kaali had arrived' (Being possessed by god Kali) and Singhalese people say 'Patthini dheyyo arrived.' (Possessed by god Patthini)

BBC Seevakan: For this mental state to happen to them, what was the reason you detected? While you talked to them were you able to uncover anything?

Dr Sivadas: All of them, for the majority this is the (only) job which give Rs.30,000 monthly salary, is an attractive job. They themselves willfully enrolled. Not like what is being said outside that they were forcefully recruited. While I freely talk to them I observed that they willfully joined.

Because they said 'we don't have a monthly income we drink only Kanjee (Porridge). That much of poverty is in Wanni. For us this job is a great gift,... because of that they went.

But after they joined they got inner conflict (in their mind) ..this contradicted their culture ..The life they lived in the last thirty years ...(They thought) I have to go because of the salary ..for income I have to do this...but my culture ..we as Tamils is this a right choice..

BBC Seevakan: But (you are telling) this is due to the inner conflict of mind. ..Possibility of any type of abuse committed to them after they joined the army .. May it be the reason?

Dr. Sivadas: I have completely seen all fifteen of them. The rest of 103 I went and saw in three camps that night. Nothing of this sort had happened to them.

Further while they did 'divine dance' not even a single army soldier or woman soldier had assault them.

Sometimes if they had assaulted these girls they might not continue in the army. But without assaulting them they brought them there (to the hospital) and (got them) admitted.

One thing they (girls) pleaded and begged me saying, 'Sir please safeguards us from the allegation of sexual abuse, Please salvage us from this dirt, Daily, we listen to the news and got to know (about this allegation). Please inform to the world that nothing (happened) like that. Please tell the world that we are not having any serious mental illness. No sexual abuses were committed to us.'

In my point of view, I personally worked in Wanni for the last three and a half years. I've worked with many ex -combatants. I will say this is not a sexual abuse. Rather than that this is 'media abuse' or 'political abuse'

BBC Seevakan: All right. What type of treatment are you giving them?

Dr Sivadas: We usually explain to them that this type of incident happened because of problems in their mind and not because of a god or devil possessing and doing it.

BBC Seevakan: So now you are saying that their situation is settled down?

Dr Sivadas: Well settled. I promise to meet them after one week. ..I am not going to be the person who assists them to join in the army. Because basically as a person who believes on Tamil nationalism my opinion is 'government should not do these types of work (recruitment) this much sooner'

But I have a necessity to proof as a medical officer working in Wanni or as a specialist that they (girls) are not affected. They don't have any mental disorders. They are not sexually abused.

The full interview of Dr Sivasubramaniam Sivadas who is working as a mental health specialist in Vavuniya hospital can be heard on www.bbctamil.com

 

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Tigers_in_sheep_s_clothing_Not_all_asylum_seekers_are_who_they_claim_to_be_20121217_03

'Tigers in sheep's clothing': Not all asylum-seekers are who they claim to be

(By: Bandula Jayasekara)

• There is a misconception among some Australians regarding the issue of Sri Lankan asylum-seekers because of a misinformation campaign carried out by parties with vested interests.

Bandula Jayasekara

I am given to understand that some Australians sympathize with the asylum-seekers without having a clear picture of the situation. However, their sympathy would be in the interest of only the minority of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam supporters, who have a long-term agenda in Australia and other Western countries. Bandula Jayasekara

There are many concerns about remnants of the LTTE (the terrorist group that tried to divide Sri Lanka through a violent struggle) still engaged in human smuggling. For a long time, these groups have operated beyond the shores of Sri Lanka, carrying out aggressive fundraising campaigns and engaged in human smuggling and transnational crimes.

They continue to do so. It is apparent that this pro-LTTE lobby wants to enter Australia, having penetrated into Canada and Britain. Its long-term plan is to have a voice in Australian politics, so as to lobby and tilt the balance in its favour. So far it has failed. However, it believes it important to create that base in Australia, an important English-speaking country.

I am of the view that Australia should look seriously at proscribing the LTTE and thereby preventing easy access to these LTTE remnant bodies, which pose a threat to Australian security.

As the former Consul General to Toronto in Canada, I have experienced first-hand how these groups interrupted the daily lives of Canadians with their violent methods. Their increased activities after the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka in 2009 may breed terrorism on Australian soil.

They also are determined to create disharmony among minority groups and the peace-loving Sri Lankan expatriate community here that has contributed to the betterment of Australia as a multi-cultural country.

LTTE remnant groups carry out people-smuggling operations for profit and to find a passage for their foot soldiers to settle elsewhere. They also mislead other innocent and poor Sri Lankans by portraying Australia as a promised land that welcomes everyone with open arms, providing them with shelter and a substantial living allowance. They tell them it is an easy task to become a citizen of Australia.

These groups coach prospective asylum-seekers on what they should say when their boats are intercepted. At times they even have a spokesman in the group. They say they were harassed and tortured in Sri Lanka, and would be harassed and tortured if the Australian authorities were to send them back. These groups have well-oiled machinery and the support of 'refugee councils' and refugee lawyers. It is a very profitable business, sugar-coated with the sympathy of unsuspecting Australians; sometimes even the media and other people are not aware of the racket.

A soldier helping an elderly woman during the humanitarian operation in 2009

Lanka's navy takes great pains and spends a considerable sum of money, fuel and manpower as it continues to prevent these operatives. For the benefit of Australians I would like to explain what happens when the Sri Lankan navy intercepts their boats. First, those on board are arrested and produced before a magistrate as people who have violated the immigration laws of Sri Lanka. Later they are fined and released. However, the few who are unable to pay the fines immediately stay on remand until a relative or a friend pays the fine and secures their release.

When prospective asylum-seekers are returned from Australia, the Criminal Investigation Department of Sri Lanka questions them, obtains a statement from them and subsequently releases them without much delay. Sri Lanka does not have the facility to keep them in detention centres. With the help of failed asylum-seekers, Sri Lankan authorities try to find the operators and agents who dupe them in order to pursue legal action against them.

I can say with authority that Sri Lanka does not persecute the failed asylum-seekers. I request Australians not to be hoodwinked by the LTTE remnant groups. I also would urge the Australian public to be mindful of the lawyers and lobby groups who have an interest in this lucrative and political business.

Australians also must look carefully at the groups that have called for a boycott of the Sri Lankan cricket tour. They are the Tamil Refugee Council and the Refugee Action Collective in Victoria. One does not have to think much to understand their motive after my explanation here. It is with great sadness I note the attempts to tarnish the image of innocent, right-thinking, honourable Sri Lankan Tamils who are not a party to this campaign by groups with vested interests. The world must be reminded that the ruthless LTTE leadership and associated terrorists wiped out moderate Tamil leaders and held innocent Tamils behind iron curtains until they were rescued by the Sri Lankan Security Forces.

Sri Lankan authorities, with the help of their Australian counterparts in Colombo, are carrying out a public awareness campaign in selected areas of the country about the status quo. They use loudhailers, distribute leaflets and explain to people the consequences of getting duped by LTTE remnant groups and others associated with them. The leaflets explain that people should not fall prey to these groups and that they will be returned if they make any attempts to enter Australia through illegal means.

Sri Lanka and Australia have worked together in regional forums, such as the Bali Process on Human Trafficking, People-Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime and the ASEAN Regional Forum. These interactions have been mutually beneficial in curtailing illegal migration and improving security in the Indian Ocean region.

Sri Lanka welcomes the visit of Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr at this important juncture. Carr's visit to Colombo and the launch of the joint working group on people-smuggling and transnational crime will provide a solid foundation for co-operation between the two countries in preventing people-smuggling and related activities and will also help improve bilateral relations.

(Bandula Jayasekara is the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Sydney)

Courtesy: The Australian

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201212/20121220ltte_operative_arrested_tn.htm Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 05.18 GMT

LTTE operative, 3 others arrested in TN

Tamil Nadu 'Q' branch on Wednesday arrested a key LTTE operative and electronics expert and three men he had recruited in a plan to revive the banned organisation. Investigators made the arrests in information from the Sri Lankan army who recently apprehended two Sri Lankan Tamils on suspicion of attempting to rebuild the outfit. During questioning the men told Lankan officers about an attempt to regroup the LTTE by remaining members who are enlisting Sri Lankan Tamils in the state sympathetic to the Eelam cause. Part of the plan involved targeting important installations in Sri Lanka with bomb attacks. A 'Q' branch police officer said the arrested Sri Lankan Tamils told Lankan forces that they were part of a mission to create a new " youth group" against the Sri Lankan government. "They informed Lankan officers about a key operative in Chennai imparting training for them. Police teams led by a deputy superintendent of police surrounded the house on Nallathambi Street in Pammal near Pallavaram, where they were informed that suspects had been staying. They stormed the house and apprehended S Suresh Kumar, 34, D Udaya Doss, 39, T Maheswaran, 33 and K Krishnamurthy, 29. Pammal. Two of the men came to Tamil Nadu as refugees in 2001 and 2003, and the others as the war was in its final stages in 2009," the officer said. As an electronics expert, Suresh Kumar headed a LTTE wing that made explosives. "He specialised in making electronic circuits," the officer said. "We recovered two laptops, incriminating documents, wires, cables and electronic circuit boards and panels from the house." Investigators said Krishnamurthy, who supplied water cans in the locality, befriended Sri Lankan Tamils and took them to Suresh Kumar. The former LTTE operative trained them to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and electronic circuits for a variety of bombs. During questioning, the arrested men said they had taken the house in Pammal on rent more than two months ago. Doss was a carpenter and Maheswaran a photo editor. Suresh Kumar trained Sri Lankan Tamils and sent them to that country with bomb-making material. The arrested men were produced before a magistrate's court in Tambaram.

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201212/20121220more_ex_ltte_combatants_be_reintegrated.htm Thursday, December 20, 2012 - 05.16 GMT

More ex-LTTE combatants to be reintegrated

The Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms has made arrangement to release another batch of former combatants of LTTE to the society ahead of the holidays. The office of Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Brigadier Darshana Hettiarachchi has taken measures to integrate 28 former LTTE cadres who have completed the rehabilitation program at the Maradamadu and Poonthottam rehabilitation centers in Vavuniya. Another batch of 48 ex-fighters will be released on Christmas Eve and on December 30. According to the Brigadier Hettiarachchi 770 former LTTE cadres are currently being rehabilitated at the rehabilitation centers and authorities expect to release another 300 in January next year. The former LTTE cadres undergoing rehabilitation at the Maradamadu and Poonthottam centers in Vavuniya and Kandalkadu and Senapura in the East receive vocational training during their rehabilitation program to learn skills that could find them employment once they are reintegrated into the society.

 

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Time_out_from_Training_20121220_08

Time out from Training

By Camelia Nathaniel

The first group of Tamil girls recruited by the Army were taken on a two day excursion to Trincomalle on 13 and 14 of December. Contrary to numerous views expressed alleging that these girls were being recruited by force by the army and that they were very unhappy, the girls were seen enjoying themselves and having fun during their trip. The group of 96 girls of the 103 recruits visited the Frederic Fort beach, the Koneswaran Temple, the Kinniya bridge, the Nilaweli beach, the hot water springs and the Green Ocean ship during their tour. Three of the recruits were unable to join the others on the excursion as they were sitting for their O/L examinations, while four others were ill.

Ever since their recruitment to the army there have been numerous allegations that the girls were recruited forcibly, and were deeply depressed and their parents worried about the plight of their children's future.

The Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (6 SLAWC) enlisted the first-everbatch of 109 Tamil girls from Kilinochchi to the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force during a landmark ceremony at its headquarters at Bharathipuram, Kilinochchi on 17 November.

The 109 female recruits commenced their initial period of training thereafter at Kilinochchi itself at the Advanced Infantry Training School subsequent to enlistment to the 6 SLAWC of the Volunteer Force, managed by the 57 Division Headquarters.

According to the army upon completion of their initial period of training, these woman soldiers are to be deployed in the Kilinochchi area to assist in civil-military coordination work and other related administrative matters.

However due to various reasons and incidents that followed, of the initial 109 recruits six of them opted to leave the army, while the rest of them have continued their training program.

There have also been allegations by a Tamil political party that the Army did not allow parents to see their children who were undergoing their training at the Advanced Infantry Training School in Killinochchi on 09 December.

Responding to these allegations the Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that during training anywhere in the Military the trainees are allowed to have visitors only at a specified time, once a week, without disturbing the training program. "If we allow visitors to come everyday and at any time, we will not be able to conduct any meaningful and disciplined training program. In this case the specified time for visitors is between 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Similarly on Sunday, 9 Dec many visitors of trainees came during the specified time and they were given free time without any interference," he said.

The spokesman further added that however this is not a special condition only applicable to these trainees. "The Army treats all trainees equally and this rule of having visitors only one day during a specified time period is common to all those who are undergoing basic training in the military and it is part of the process of transformation of a civilian into a military professional," he noted.

It is also noted that the LLRC in their report had made observations that only few Tamils are serving in the Army and hence the Tamils perceive the Army as a Sinhalese Army. They also made recommendations to absorb ex LTTE cadres if that would be feasible. Brigadier Wanigasooriya added that the Army was among the first State agencies which had taken note of the LLRC Report and in order to implement the LLRC recommendations, the army had decided to recruit Tamils, both male and female, from the North to the Army.

In spite of the many allegations and speculation that these Tamil female recruits are unhappy and unwilling to wear the military uniform and be part of the army, they seemed to be quite relaxed and in good spirits during their outing to Trincomalee last weekend.

Speaking to Ceylon Today during their excursion the girls said that they had no issues with their training and they were really enjoying their time at the camp and especially during their excursion.

Nirmala Devi who is one of the new recruits said "This trip is very good and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We were all able to see many places of interest that we otherwise would not have had the privilege of seeing and had not even dreamed of seeing in the past. We visited a ship and that was a novel experience for us. We also visited the Devalaya and temple and had a grand time at the beach with all the other girls and our senior officers who accompanied us on this excursion," she said.

Commenting on the numerous speculations and allegations that these girls are not treated properly and about them being unhappy in the army, she said "That is totally not true, and we are really happy here. There have been many rumours spread about us being unhappy and some of the parents got worried, and some of the girls had to leave due to this. However I must say that all that is totally false and we are certainly not unhappy as you can obviously see," she added.

Devi also said that the stories spread about them being unhappy is totally fabricated for various reasons. "These are baseless speculations, which are all false, and we are all very happy and having a good time," she said.

Another recruit Sathyanathan Cristilla Told Ceylon Today that its been around a month since they began their training in the army and contrary to speculations they had all joined voluntarily. "After our training period is over we will be assigned civil duties in our respective areas. We are all aware that we have to undergo the initial training period and after that we will be assigned to the clerical and civil duties in our respective areas. We are enjoying our break and this excursion, and it is a great privilege to be able to see these parts of our country without any fear," she said.

 

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Serving_the_people_20121220_04

Serving the people

North and East education revival continues

Students of Balayawewa and Janakapura schools in Welioya (Mullaithivu) were gifted with gift packs each worth of Rs 2,500 recently. The gift packs include of school uniforms, shoes, socks and books.

Security Force Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ-W) in collaboration with well-wishers organized the event. Military officers, Chairperson of DSI, officials of Ceylinco Group, and well-wishers were present at the occasion.

English - Tamil dictionaries worth of over Rs. 230,000.00 were distributed among 176 students of Sundarapuram Saraswathi Vidyalaya in Vavuniya. A Canadian national had facilitated this donation in order to uplift the English language skills among the students. Six scholarships were also awarded to the deserving students at the function organized by the 611 Brigade Headquarters

Commander SFHQ (W), General Officer Commanding 61 Division, 611 Brigade Commander, students, parents, education officials and well-wishers were present at the occasion.

Meanwhile Security Forces Headquarters Killinochchi (SFHQ-KLN) held a function to award scholarships to 185 students at the Advance Infantry Training School (Kilinochchi)

140 students got through the Grade 5 scholarship exam and 25 students who passed the G. C. E. (O/L) exam were awarded with financial assistance.

SFHQ-KLN Commander, Government officials, students, teachers and parents were present at the event.

As an act of compassion security forces personnel gifted a solar powered lamp to a deserving GCE O/L student. Gnanabalasinham Ramsika of Ketpeli had lost her father is sitting for the GCE O/L exam this year. Their village is yet to get electricity. Under the patronage of the 10 SLNG Commander the donation was organized. 250 families of the Sambavalai, Kodikamam village were gifted with Solex Electric Torches by security forces in order to assist their livelihood.

The efforts taken by the security forces to uplift the education and livelihood of people of the North and East have come under immense praise by the local communities. Security forces have initiated a number of such welfare project to assist the northern masses.