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Thursday, 24 January 2008
1987 pact with India to be implemented: Sri Lanka
By P.K. Balachandran, Colombo , Jan 24 : Sri Lanka said Thursday that the recommendations of an all-party panel on devolution of power to the provinces reflected a collective resolve to fully implement the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987
"It is a fact that after 20 years the present formulation will see the letter and spirit of the agreement of 1987 being fully implemented in the areas it was intended to serve," Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said here.
"What is most significant about the present consensus is that political parties, both in the north and the south, have demonstrated a spirit of political flexibility in extending their cooperation to the proposals," he told reporters.
The All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) submitted a report to President Mahinda Rajapaksa Wednesday, recommending full implementation of the 13th amendment of the constitution that was based on the 1987 India-Sri Lanka pact.
The 13th amendment had created provincial councils enjoying a modicum of power devolved from the central government. But the provincial council of the north-eastern province, inhabited predominantly by Tamils and Tamil-speaking Muslims, ceased to exist in 1990, thus creating a grievance among the minorities.
The foreign minister said that the APRC's report stood out for three things: the recommendation to set up an Interim Advisory Council for the northern province; for seeking elections to a full-fledged provincial council in the east; and the call for the full implementation of the constitutional provisions for the use of Tamil, one of the official languages of the country.
The Advisory Council would consist of people from the civil society and leading figures from various walks of life and those with knowledge of the area. It will be temporary till elections are held to pick a new council.
The minister said that all previous attempts to resolve the dragging ethnic dispute had failed because there was no collective resolve over power sharing.
He claimed that there was consensus on the APRC's bid to fully implement the power-sharing system as envisaged in the 13th amendment of the constitution.
"Even those who opposed the amendment when it was passed are now operating within the provincial councils system, fighting for elections and taking part in provincial governance," he said.
Although President Rajapaksa is yet to say he has accepted the APRC's recommendations, the minister spoke as if the president had already accepted them.
Asked if Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabhakaran would be included in the Advisory Council, Bogollagama said: "He qualifies to the extent he is a citizen of Sri lanka and has knowledge of the area. But he would have to give up violence and terrorism first."
But the minister ruled out a merger of the northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.
Source: newkerala.com
India welcomes Sri Lanka report on devolution
New Delhi, Jan 24 (IANS): India Thursday hailed as a "welcome first step" a report submitted to the Sri Lankan government suggesting devolution for that country's provinces.
The external affairs ministry said to the extent the proposals of the All Parties Representative Committee (APRC) contributed to a settlement acceptable "to all communities within the framework of a united Sri Lanka", they "are a welcome first step".
The APRC had presented an interim report on a devolution package for the island's provinces which Colombo said would be in keeping with the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord.
The long-awaited APRC report was submitted to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse Thursday.
"The government of Sri Lanka has been good enough to share with us the interim steps recommended by the APRC for implementation of devolution provisions and official language provisions of the Sri Lankan constitution," said ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna.
Sarna added that India would "continue to work with Sri Lanka and its people to bring about ... a settlement of the issues in Sri Lanka".
16 bodies found at Kabethigollawa
16 bodies have been found in a garbage pit in Kiriketuwewa area at Kabethigollawa. The bodies had their hands tied behind say reports from the police.
The bodies have been found when Kabethigollawa Police carried out a search operation in the area on information received from a civilian.
However, when ‘Lankatruth’ inquired regarding the incident a police spokesman said it was too early to give any further information regarding the incident.Source: Lankatruth
Ex-S.Lanka Tiger awaits UK ID fraud sentence
By Peter Apps
LONDON (Reuters) - Renegade ex-Sri Lankan Tamil Tiger rebel Karuna Amman has pleaded guilty to identity document fraud in Britain, court officials said on Thursday, as rights groups push for him to be charged with war crimes.
Karuna was the eastern commander for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) until he split from the mainstream rebels in 2004. Since then analysts say his fighters have been backing the government and attacking their ex-comrades.
British officials say they have asked the Sri Lankan government how Karuna -- real name V. Muralitharan -- was able to acquire an apparently genuine Sri Lankan diplomatic passport in a false name after his new group the TMVP split and ousted him last year.
The Sri Lankan government has denied any knowledge of how Karuna, arrested in London by British police and due to be sentenced on Friday, obtained the documentation.
Officials at Isleworth Crown Court told Reuters he had pleaded guilty at a lower, magistrates court before Christmas to charges under the Identity Cards Act. He could face up to two years in prison, a fine or both.
"He will be sentenced tomorrow," an official said.
Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accuse Karuna of massacres, hostage-taking and child soldier recruitment, both before and after his split, while his attacks were seen as a factor in the collapse of the island's 2002 ceasefire and renewal of civil war in 2006.
They hope to persuade Britain's Crown Prosecution Service to charge him with torture or other war crimes charges, and hope witnesses will be more likely to testify if they know he is already in prison.Karuna and his group has always denied abuses, saying the mainstream Tigers might be carrying them out in their name to blacken their image. The government and Karuna deny links, despite numerous accounts of troops and his fighters together.
Analysts say his group was valuable in assisting the military in evicting the LTTE from the island's east.
Both the mainstream Tigers and government have become increasingly internationally isolated, with diplomats aghast after the government unilaterally withdrew from the Norwegian-brokered truce earlier in January.
The war has since further escalated and few see an end in sight as the death toll rises above 70,000 on an island still recovering from the 2004 tsunami.
Source: ReutersAPRC recommends maximum devolution of powers to Tamils
An all-party peace panel in Sri Lanka has recommended maximum devolution of powers to Tamils in northern and eastern provinces while addressing the problems of Sinhala minorities in these areas.
The All Party Representative Committee (APRC) headed by Tissa Vitharna submitted its much-awaited report to President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday.
It recommended that special arrangements are necessary to permit maximum devolution of powers to the Northern and Eastern provinces under the 13th amendments that calls for setting up of autonomous provincial councils.
Giving details of the report, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told reporters today the government would not hesitate to undertake any kind of expenditure to implement the proposals that would initially come in the form of an Interim Advisory Provincial Council for the North and Eastern Part of Sri Lanka.
"We (Sri Lanka) are more than 20 billion rupee economy. Funds will never be a problem for implementing the proposals," he said in reply to a question.
"The APRC recommendations also seek to overcome existing shortcomings, especially through adequate funding of the Provincial Councils by the government," he told a crowded press conference here.
Taking into consideration the existing conditions in the Northern Province, an alternative arrangement there is to be made to enable people to enjoy the fruits of devolution, he said.
The committee recommended establishment of an Interim Council as a temporary measure for the Northern Province, reflecting the ethnic character of the province to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his executive powers until the elections are held.
The APRC recommendations included recruitment of Tamil speaking police officers and taking steps to recruit interpreters and translators for facilitating other relevant facilities in the courts of law in sufficient numbers.
They also included recruitment of staff and procurement of equipment to enable Tamil speaking people to transact business in public bodies in their own language.
According to the APRC report, similar steps are to be taken to address the problems of the Sinhala minorities in the North and the East of Sri Lanka.
The committee said it is of the view that conditions in the eastern Province are conducive to holding elections to the Provincial Council and that the polls should be held immediately.
On elections in the LTTE-dominated north, the report said conditions there are far from being peaceful.
"A free and fair elections in the North will not be possible in the near future. Hence an alternative arrangement is required in the Northern Province to enable the people there to enjoy the fruits of devolution.
"As it is not possible to hold elections in the North, the President could make appropriate order to establish an Interim Council for the Northern Province in terms of the Constitution," it said.
The APRC report said the proposed Interim Council for a Province should consist of individuals who have political experience and an abiding interest in the development of the province and in its people and be acceptable to the people of the province.
Sri Lanka asks Prabhakaran to give up arms
Buoyed by the recent military success against the Tamil Tigers, Sri Lankan government on Thursday asked the elusive LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran to lay down arms.
"Wherever Prabhakaran is, he will be knowing about the all party representative committee (APRC ) recommendations that have called for an interim council for north as a temporary measure until the elections are held there. He should lay down arms," Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told reporters.
Bogollagama said the security forces had achieved a major success in their battle against the Tiger rebels in the island`s restive northern region.
Earlier, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse had said the APRC recommendations were not meant for "terrorists."
The Foreign Minister, who was briefing the media persons after his discussions with heads of missions on the interim report on devolution proposals which was submitted to Rajapakse yesterday, said the APRC under the chairmanship of Tissa Vitarana will continue to work on the recommendations.
The APRC was set up in 2006 and held about 60 meetings before finalising the interim package recommending setting up of autonomous provincial councils in north and eastern part of the country.
Replying to a question, Bogollagama said the Sri Lanka donor co-chairs group -- Norway, US, EU and Japan -- and the heads of missions including from India were supportive of the proposals when he provided details to them about the APRC recommendations.
Source: ZEE NEWS
Sri Lanka unveils peace plan; analysts lukewarm
(Reuters) - A home grown peace plan aimed at giving more autonomy to Sri Lanka's war-torn north and east was officially unveiled on Thursday, but its proposals have already been rejected by Tamil Tiger rebels and left analysts lukewarm. The All Party Representative Committee's (APRC) so-called "devolution proposals", which have been in the making for nearly two years, call for more regional autonomy to territories where rebels have been fighting an independence war for 25 years. While analysts said they were disappointed with the proposals, they were encouraged the government still appeared to be seeking a political solution to the 25-year civil war which pits minority Hindu Tamils against the majority Sinhalese Buddhists. "It will be no different from the system that already exists," said Jehan Perera, an analyst with the non-partisan advocacy group, the National Peace Council. "But, if the government sincerely implements (the proposals), then it will be a positive sign that the government is keen on solving problems through political means rather than military means." The government in 1987 decided to move towards a power sharing agreement in areas controlled by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but never actually conceded any power. The APRC's proposals were the latest reincarnation of that plan, but despite its' lofty name, the committee credibility problems by excluding the LTTE from the outset, and suffered further when most opposition party members walked out. While full details of the proposals are still to be revealed, it recommends the full implementation of the 1987 plan -- which was written into the constitution. President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would fully implement the recommendations, but his stance of dealing with terrorism would not change. Analysts expect the war, which has killed around 70,000 people since 1983, will grind on for years. (Reporting by Ranga Sirilal and Shihar Aneez; Editing by David Fox)
Source: Reuters
Batticaloa election is an opportunity to elect first Tamil Governor! – US Ambassador
The upcoming elections for local council seats in Batticaloa mark a very important opportunity to give the Tamils the opportunity to have their first elected Governor,” says US Ambassador for Sri Lanka Robert O Blake.
Addressing a public function held in Batticaloa on Wednesday the US Ambassador said free & fair elections cannot be held in Batticaloa as one party is allowed to bear arms.
If one party was allowed arms and threaten and intimidate other parties and other contestants free and fair elections cannot be held said the US Ambassador. He said US was working with the government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations to help establish and reconstruct whole of east particularly Batticaloa but allowing paramilitary groups to act freely in the East had discouraged prime investment that was badly needed to help the reconstruction process in the province.
SRI LANKA: UN human rights commissioner in the firing line
Protests in front of the UN compound in Colombo usually call for more assertive action by the world body, but this week was different: The People's Liberation Front (PLF), the second largest opposition party, held a demonstration calling on UN Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour to mind her own business, and her language. The PLF's criticism of Arbour stems from comments she made in recent speeches that human rights violators in Sri Lanka, even those in senior government posts, could be charged in international criminal courts. "The high commissioner warned that violations of these rules by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command," the UN said in a statement on 15 January. Arbour's statement reflects her concern over the possibility of increased civilian casualties with the end of the ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers on 16 January. The PLF and other groups, including the pro-government National Patriotic Movement (NPM), said they took Arbour's comments as a veiled threat to discourage military operations by government forces to dislodge Tamil Tigers from areas under the latter's control in the north. "Arbour directly threatens the political and military leaders who are involved in taking measures for national security," the National Patriotic Movement (NPM) said in a statement on 18 January. "What she says in diplomatic language is that if anyone takes steps to liberate the Wanni and Killinochchi areas [under Tiger control] they would be branded as war criminals and brought before international law. This is clearly a threat." The PLF also came out strongly against Arbour's statement and said it was "international terrorism" to attempt to influence the actions of a democratically elected government. "If any politician or military officer is taken before international law for taking decisions on behalf of the motherland," PLF leader Somawansha Amarasinghe said on 16 January, "they would have to take them over our dead bodies." The NPM warned such statements could endanger the lives of UN staff and requested UN officials to be more careful. "We also call upon all responsible officials of the UN in Sri Lanka, considering the safety of the employees of the UN and its assets, to refrain from making such utter[ly] foolish statements that would enrage the people in this country," it said. Government reaction The government reaction to Arbour's statement has been more measured. Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the decision to pull out of the ceasefire was taken after lengthy deliberation and the government would not condone or support rights violations by its forces. "As in the past, even at the cost of delay in the implementation and successful completion of military operations, the government will take all necessary and meaningful measures to avoid civilian casualties and hardships to civilian populations," Saramasinghe said in a statement on 16 January, adding, "the government is compelled to indicate to the UN high commissioner for human rights that it considers her statement on the end of the CFA [ceasefire agreement] containing warnings on 'individual criminal responsibility' as being untimely, inappropriate and unacceptable." Sri Lanka's Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva called Arbour's comments gratuitous and biased. "The high commissioner has once again proven one point - how unqualified the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is in monitoring and reporting human rights in Sri Lanka as an independent actor," it said on 17 January. The government has had a long-running disagreement with Arbour, who visited Sri Lanka in October 2007, over the latter's proposal to set up a field presence of the high commissioner's office in Sri Lanka to monitor and report on abuse. Civic groups speak out Civic groups in Colombo see the latest attack on the UN official as an extension of recent efforts by political groups and sections of the media to discredit international agencies, including the UN. A group of 13 national organisations including the Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Law and Society Trust and the Free Media Movement have banded together to defend Arbour and others who have come under criticism for advocating international human rights monitoring. They said attacks like the recent one on Arbour could hamper assistance to the most needy in Sri Lanka and endanger the lives of humanitarian workers even more. "Where it concerns the war-affected civilian population in the north and east, it is the humanitarian organisations that have often been the main source of institutional solace to the people," they said in a statement on 17 January. "Over the last two years humanitarian agencies have faced multiple incidents of violence, including killings and disappearances of humanitarian staff, attacks against offices and vehicles, and threats and intimidation, which has made working in Sri Lanka all the more challenging."
Source: Reuters
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