transcurrents

High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Sri Lanka bomb attack

The High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has strongly condemned the suicide bombing which killed a Government minister and at least 14 other people at the start of a marathon in Sri Lanka, on 6 April. She also extended her condolences to the bereaved families of the victims, as the funerals of the victims continued to take place on Thursday.

The bomb, which killed Highways Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, along with a former top marathon runner and the national athletics coach, as they were about to see off the runners in Weliweriya, also injured dozens of other athletes and onlookers.

“Such violence shows a complete disregard for the right to life and security of Sri Lankans, and breaches the most fundamental principles of international law,” Arbour said.

The attack is alleged to have been committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which has been accused of other recent attacks, including bombings of public transport and in other public places.

“I remind the LTTE and other armed groups that attacks which directly or indiscriminately target civilians are crimes under international law,” the High Commissioner said. “Violent attacks on people taking no active part in hostilities are strictly prohibited.” Such acts of violence also undermine efforts for a meaningful dialogue on improving the situation of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka, she said.

[UNHCHR Press Release]

8 comments April 10th, 2008

Churches damaged/destroyed by Aerial bombing and shelling in the North of Sri Lanka

Churches damaged/destroyed by Aerial bombing and shelling in the North of Island of Sri Lanka:

[Fully damaged = 93 Partially damaged =186 Minor Repair = 20]

Not all the Churches damaged and destroyed are included in this list. The real figure is higher.

Name of Church Parish Address A.G.A. Division Extent of the damage:

1.St. Liguri’s Church Chavakachcheri Parish Chavakachcheri Chavakachcheri Fully damaged

2.Our Lady of Lourdes Chavakachcheri Parish Madduvil Chavakachcheri Fully damaged

3.Atputha Matha Chavakachcheri Parish Navatkuli Chavakachcheri Partially damaged

4.St. Anthony’s Church Chavakachcheri Parish Kerathivu Road Chavakachcheri Partially damaged

5.Our Lady of Madhu Chavakachcheri Parish Navatkuli Chavakachcheri Partially damaged

6.St. Anthony’s Church Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Chunnakam Chunnakam Partially damaged

7.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Kulamangal Chunnakam Partially damaged

8.Our Lady of Miracles Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Mallakam Chunnakam Partially damaged

9.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Mallakam Chunnakam Fully damaged

10.St. Isidore’s Church Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Erlalai Chunnakam Partially damaged

11.St. Theresa’s Church Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Sooravathai Chunnakam Partially damaged

12.Pius The Xth Chunnakam Erlalai Parish Kadduvan Chunnakam Fully damaged

13.St. John the Baptist Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

14.St. Xavier’s Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

15.St. James’ Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

16.St. Anthony’s Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

17.St. Thomas’ Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

18.St. Lawrence’s Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

19.St. Mary’s Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

20.Our Lady of Fatima Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

21.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

22.St. Anthony’s Church Delft Parish Delft Delft Minor Repair

23.St. Mary’s Cathedral Cathedral Parish P.O.Box : 2, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

24.St. Sebastian’s Church Cathedral Parish P.O.Box : 2, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

25.St. Roche’s Church Cathedral Parish P.O.Box : 2, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

26.Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral Parish P.O.Box : 2, Jaffna Jaffna Minor Repair

27.St. Hichola’s Church Navanthurai Parish Navanthurai Jaffna Partially damaged

28.St. Mary’s Church Navanthurai Parish Navanthurai Jaffna Partially damaged

29.St. Sebastian’s Church Navanthurai Parish Oddumadam Jaffna Partially damaged

30.Our Lady of Good Health Navanthurai Parish Anjananthalvu Jaffna Partially damaged

31.Our Lady of Holy Rosary Navanthurai Parish Chippithurai Jaffna Partially damaged

32.Our Lady of Refuge Church O.L.R.Parish 4th Cross Street, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

33.St. Anne’s Church Pandianthalvu Parish Pandianthalvu, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

34.Christ the King Church Pandianthalvu Parish Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

35.Our Lady of Fatima Pandianthalvu Parish Koiathoddam Jaffna Partially damaged

36.St. Anthony’s Church Passaiyoor Parish Passaiyoor Jaffna Fully damaged

37.Our Lady of Holy Rosary Passaiyoor Parish Colombuthurai Jaffna Partially damaged

38.St. Joseph’s Church Passaiyoor Parish Valanpuram Jaffna Partially damaged

39.Church of Holy Reedemer Passaiyoor Parish Manianthoddam Jaffna Fully damaged

40.St. James’ Church Passaiyoor Parish Vasanthapuram Jaffna Fully damaged

41.St. Sebastian’s Church Passaiyoor Parish Uthyapuram Jaffna Fully damaged

42.St. Sebastian’s Church Passaiyoor Parish Mannithali Jaffna Fully damaged

43.St. Antony’s Church Passaiyoor Parish Mandaikallaru Jaffna Fully damaged

44.Joseph Vaz Shrine Shrine Kottaddy Panna Jaffna Partially damaged

45.St. James’ Church St. James’ Parish Gurunagar, Jaffna Jaffna Fully damaged

46.Our Lady of Miracles St. James’ Parish Gurunagar, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

47.St. John the Baptist Church St. John’s Parish Hospital Rd, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

48.St. Theresa’s Church St. John’s Parish Chundikuly, Jaffna Jaffna Partially damaged

49.St. Joseph’s Church Vaddakachchi Parish Vaddakachchi Karachchi East Partially damaged

50.St. Roche’s Church Vaddakachchi Parish Ramanathapuram Karachchi East Partially damaged

51.St. Paul’s Church Vaddakachchi Parish Kalmadhu Karachchi East Partially damaged

52.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Vaddakachchi Parish Mumykulam Karachchi East Partially damaged

53.Our Lady of Madhu Vaddakachchi Parish Iranaimaddu Karachchi East Fully damaged

54.St. Antony’s Church Vaddakachchi Parish Navatkudhu Karachchi East Partially damaged

55.St. Anthony’s Church Karaveddy Parish Vathiri Karaveddy Partially damaged

56.St. Mary’s Church Karaveddy Parish Karaveddy Karaveddy Partially damaged

57.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Karaveddy Parish Thannalai Karaveddy Partially damaged

58.St. Sebastian’s Church Karaveddy Parish Valvettithurai Karaveddy Partially damaged

59.Holy Redeemer’s Church Karaveddy Parish Cidupiddy Karaveddy Partially damaged

60.Sacred Heart Church Karaveddy Parish Varani Karaveddy Partially damaged

61.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Karaveddy Parish Saraiaddi Karaveddy Partially damaged

62.St. Mary’s Church Kayts Parish Suruvil Road, Kayts Kayts Partially damaged

63.St. Antony’s Church Kayts Parish Suruvil Road, Kayts Kayts Partially damaged

64.St. James’ Church Kayts Parish Suruvil Road, Kayts Kayts Fully damaged

65.St. Joseph’s Church Kayts Parish Suruvil Road, Kayts Kayts Partially damaged

66.St. Thomas Church Kayts Parish Eluvaithivu Kayts Minor Repair

67.St. Antony’s Church Kayts Parish Nainathivu Kayts Minor Repair

68.Our Lady of Good Health Kayts Parish Analathivu Kayts Minor Repair

69.St. Theresa’s Church Kilinochchi Parish Kili Kilinochchi Fully damaged

70.Infant Jesus Kilinochchi Parish 54th Mile Post Kilinochchi Fully damaged

71.St. Sebastian’s Church Kilinochchi Parish Parathipuram Kilinochchi Fully damaged

72.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Kilinochchi Parish Viveknagar Kilinochchi Fully damaged

73.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Kilinochchi Parish Kanagapuram Kilinochchi Fully damaged

75.74.St. Mary’s Church Kilinochchi Parish Kanagapuram Kilinochchi Fully damaged

76.St. Antony’s Church Paranthan Parish Mullaithevu Road, Paran Kilinochchi Fully damaged

77.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Paranthan Parish Tharmapuram Kilinochchi Partially damaged

78.St. Antony’s Church Paranthan Parish Nallathannithoduvai Kilinochchi Partially damaged

79.Infant Jesus Paranthan Parish Visuvamadhu Kilinochchi Partially damaged

80.St. Sebastian’s Church Paranthan Parish Periyakulam Kilinochchi Partially damaged

81.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Paranthan Parish Mursamoddai Kilinochchi Fully damaged

82.St. Anne’s Church Paranthan Parish Elephant Pass Kilinochchi Fully damaged

83.St. Peter & Paul’s Church Paranthan Parish Visuvamadhu Kilinochchi Partially damaged

84.St. Mary’s Church Paranthan Parish Poonaithoduvai Kilinochchi Fully damaged

85.St. Mary’s Church Paranthan Parish Pepaipiddy Kilinochchi Partially damaged

86.Divine Mercy Paranthan Parish Peramathannaru Kilinochchi Partially damaged

87.Our Lady of Fatima’s Church Uruthirapuram Parish Uruthirapuram Kilinochchi Fully damaged

88.St. Anthony’s Church Uruthirapuram Parish Jayanthinagar Kilinochchi Fully damaged

89.St. Jude’s Church Uruthirapuram Parish Jayanthinagar Kilinochchi Fully damaged

90.St. Sebastian’s Church Uruthirapuram Parish Konavil Kilinochchi Partially damaged

91.St. Anthony’s Church Uruthirapuram Parish Unionkulam Kilinochchi Fully damaged

92.Christ the King Church Uruthirapuram Parish Oottupulam Kilinochchi Partially damaged

93.St. Joseph’s Church Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Atchuvely Kopay Partially damaged

94.St. Anthony’s Church Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Atchuvely Kopay Partially damaged

95.St. Rita’s Church Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Navakiri Kopay Partially damaged

96.Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Vasavilan Kopay Fully damaged

97.St. Mary’s Church Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Ottagapulam Kopay Fully damaged

98.St. James’ Church Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Palaly South Kopay Fully damaged

99.Holy Rosary Atchuvely/Palaly Parish Tholakatti Kopay Fully damaged

100.St. Anthony’s Church Manipay Parish Manipay Manipay Partially damaged

101.St. Anne’s Church Manipay Parish Manipay Manipay Partially damaged

102.Church of Holy Family Manipay Parish Malvam Manipay Partially damaged

103.Church of Holy Rosary Manipay Parish Uduvil Manipay Partially damaged

104.Church of Ascension Manipay Parish Madaththadi Manipay Partially damaged

105.St. Joseph’s Church Manipay Parish Aladi Uduvil Manipay Partially damaged

106.St. Anthony’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Thalaiyadi Maruthankerni Fully damaged

107.St. Philip Neri’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Champainpattu Maruthankerni Fully damaged

108.St. Anthony’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Vettilaikerni Maruthankerni Fully damaged

109.St. Mary’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Kattaikadu Maruthankerni Fully damaged

110.St. Mary’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Kudarappu Maruthankerni Fully damaged

111.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Thalaiyadi Parish Nagarkovil Maruthankerni Fully damaged

112.St. Nicholas Mirusuvil Parish Mirusuvil Mirusuvil Partially damaged

113.St. Mary’s Church Mirusuvil Parish Killaly Mirusuvil Fully damaged

114.St. Anthony’s Church Mirusuvil Parish Killaly Mirusuvil Fully damaged

115.St. Michael’s Church Mirusuvil Parish Killaly Mirusuvil Fully damaged

116.St. Thomas Church Mirusuvil Parish Killaly Mirusuvil Fully damaged

117.St. James’ Church Mirusuvil Parish Killaly Mirusuvil Fully damaged

118.St. Anthony’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Alampil Mullaithivu Fully damaged

119.St. Jude’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Nayaru Mullaithivu Fully damaged

120.St. Antony’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Thanniyootu Mullaithivu Partially damaged

121.St. Joseph’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Kulamurippu Mullaithivu Partially damaged

122.St. Theresa’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Mulliyavalai Mullaithivu Fully damaged

123.Annai Vellarnkanni Alampil/Mullaithivu Alampil Mullaithivu Partially damaged

124.St. Anthony’s Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Kepapulovu Mullaithivu Partially damaged

125.Christ the King Church Alampil/Mullaithivu Oddusuddan Mullaithivu Fully damaged

126.St. Peter’s Church Mullaithivu Mullaithivu Mullaithivu Fully damaged

127.St. Mary’s Church Mullaithivu Mullaithivu Mullaithivu Fully damaged

128.St. Jude’s Church Mullaithivu Selvapuram Mullaithivu Fully damaged

129.St. Isidore’s Church Mullaithivu Silavathai Mullaithivu Fully damaged

130.St. Anne’s Church Mullaithivu Silavathai Mullaithivu Fully damaged

131.Our Lady of Lourdes Mullaithivu Vattapalai Mullaithivu Partially damaged

132.Infant Jesus Mullaithivu Uddupukulam Mullaithivu Partially damaged

133.Annai Vellarnkanni Mullaithivu Deogunagar Mullaithivu Partially damaged

134.Our Lady of Lourdes Mullaithivu Pandarakulam Mullaithivu Fully damaged

135.St. Joseph’s Church Mullaithivu Muthaiyankaddu Mullaithivu Fully damaged

136.St. Jude’s Church Ariyalai Parish Ariyalai, Jaffna Nallur Fully damaged

137.Our Lady of Valankanni Ariyalai Parish Ariyalai, Jaffna Nallur Fully damaged

138.St. Sebastian Church Ariyalai Parish Poompukar, Jaffna Nallur Fully damaged

139.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Kopay Parish Thirunelvely Nallur Partially damaged

140.St. Mary’s Church Kopay Parish Kopay South Nallur Partially damaged

141.St. Joseph’s Church Kopay Parish Kopay North Nallur Partially damaged

142.St. Paul’s Church Kopay Parish Kokuvil Nallur Fully damaged

143.St. Benedict’s Church St. Benedict’s Parish Kachcheri Nallur Rd, Jaf Nallur Fully damaged

144.Our Lady of Good Health Mugamalai Parish Mugamalai Palai Fully damaged

145.St. Peter & Paul’s Church Mugamalai Parish Pulopalai Palai Fully damaged

146.St. Mary’s Church Mugamalai Parish Palai Palai Fully damaged

147.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Mugamalai Parish Iyakachchi Palai Fully damaged

148.St. Anthony’s Church Mugamalai Parish Vannankulam Palai Fully damaged

149.St. Barbara’s Church Mugamalai Parish Ithavil Palai Palai Fully damaged

150.St. Sebastian’s Church Mugamalai Parish Puluveli Palai Fully damaged

151.Our Lady of Reparation Mugamalai Parish Palai Palai Fully damaged

152.St. Joseph’s Church Mugamalai Parish Eluthumadduval Palai Fully damaged

153.St. Mary’s Church Myliddy Parish Myliddy Palaly Fully damaged

154.St. Sebastian’s Church Myliddy Parish Palaly Palaly Fully damaged

155.Arokiamatha Myliddy Parish Palalythurai Palaly Fully damaged

156.St. Anthony’s Church Myliddy Parish Oorany K.K.S. Palaly Fully damaged

157.St. John the Baptist Church Myliddy Parish Veemankamam Palaly Fully damaged

158.St. Peter & Paul’s Myliddy Parish Tellipalai Palaly Fully damaged

159.St. Joseph’s Church Myliddy Parish Kankesanthurai-KKS Palaly Fully damaged

160.Church of Our Lady of Good V Myliddy Parish Kankesanthurai-KKS Palaly Fully damaged

161.St. Pius Church Myliddy Parish Tellipalai Palaly Fully damaged

162.St. Mary’s Church Myliddy Parish Mulavai, Myliddy Palaly Fully damaged

163.St. Thomas Church Point Pedro Parish Point Pedro Point Pedro Partially damaged

164.St. Anthony’s Church Point Pedro Parish Kaladdi Point Pedro Partially damaged

165.St. Mary’s Church Point Pedro Parish Thumpalai Point Pedro Partially damaged

166.Our Lady of Lourdes Point Pedro Parish Thumpalai Point Pedro Partially damaged

167.St. Joseph’s Church Point Pedro Parish Puloly South Point Pedro Partially damaged

168.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Point Pedro Parish Sakkodai Point Pedro Partially damaged

169.St. Anthony’s Church Point Pedro Parish Manatkaddu Point Pedro Partially damaged

170.St. Peter & Paul’s Church Point Pedro Parish Kudathanai Point Pedro Partially damaged

171.St. Sebastian’s Church Point Pedro Parish Katkovalam Point Pedro Partially damaged

172.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Point Pedro Parish Nadukudathanai Point Pedro Fully damaged

173.Church of Infant Jesus Point Pedro Parish Polikandy Point Pedro Partially damaged

174.St. Antony’s Church Jayapuram Jeyapuram Poonagari Partially damaged
St. Jude’s Church Jayapuram Raplaikadu Poonagari Partially damaged

175.R.C. Church Jayapuram Sekkalai Poonagari Partially damaged

176.Joseph Vaz Shrine Jayapuram Seemankundanu Poonagari Partially damaged

177.Sacred Heart Church Jayapuram Thapirai Poonagari Partially damaged

178.Our Lady of Refuge Church Jayapuram Poonagari Poonagari Fully damaged

179.Sacred Heart Church Jayapuram Annaivilunthanpalai Poonagari Partially damaged

180.R.C. Church Jayapuram Pallikudah Poonagari Partially damaged

181.St. Antony’s Church Jayapuram Kavtharimunai Poonagari Fully damaged

182.R.C. Church Jayapuram Nallur Poonagari Fully damaged

183.St. James’ Church Kumulamunai Nachchikudah Poonagari Partially damaged

184.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Kumulamunai Nachchikudah Poonagari Partially damaged

185.St. Anthony’s Church Kumulamunai Kumulamunai Poonagari Partially damaged

186.St. Thomas Church Kumulamunai Karadikundu Poonagari Partially damaged

187.St. Peter’s Church Kumulamunai Nochimunai Poonagari Partially damaged

188.Holy Sprit Church Kumulamunai Santhapuram Poonagari Partially damaged

189.Mulankavil Matha Church Mulankavil Mulankavil Poonagari Partially damaged

190.St. Antony’s Church Mulankavil 19th Mile Post Poonagari Partially damaged

191.St. Mary’s Church Mulankavil Nagapaduvan Poonagari Partially damaged

192.St. Mary’s Church Mulankavil Iranainagar Poonagari Partially damaged

193.Infant Jesus Chapel Mulankavil Mulankavil Poonagari Partially damaged

194.St. Anne’s Church Valaipadu Parish Valaipadu Poonagari Partially damaged

195.Christ the King Church Valaipadu Parish Kiranchi Poonagari Partially damaged

196.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Valaipadu Parish Veravil Poonagari Partially damaged

197.St. Jude’s Church Valaipadu Parish Palavi Poonagari Partially damaged

198.Our Lady of Lourdes Valaipadu Parish Valaipadu Poonagari Partially damaged

199.Infant Jesus Church Valaipadu Parish Kiranchi Poonagari Minor Repair

200.St. Anthony’s Church Valaipadu Parish Kiranchi Poonagari Minor Repair

201.St. Mary’s Church Valaipadu Parish Ilavankudah Poonagari Minor Repair

202.St. Mary’s Church Valaipadu Parish Iranaithivu Poonagari Fully damaged

203.Our Lady of Fatima Iranaippalai Iranaippalai Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

204.Our Lady of Refuge Church Iranaippalai Mathalan Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

205.Our Lady of Rosary Iranaippalai Valian Madam Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

206.St. Antony’s Church Iranaippalai Mathalan Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

207.St. Antony’s Church Iranaippalai Idaikadu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

208.St. Antony’s Church Iranaippalai Mullivaikal Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

209.St. Sebastian’s Church Iranaippalai Anadapuram Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

210.Infant Jesus Iranaippalai Iranaipalai Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

211.St. Joseph’s Church Puthukuddyiruppu Puthukuddyiruppu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

212.St. Antony’s Church Puthukuddyiruppu Malikaithivu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

213.St. James’ Church Puthukuddyiruppu Mongilkalaru Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

214.St. Jude’s Church Puthukuddyiruppu Suthanthirapuram Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

215.Christ the King Church Puthukuddyiruppu Udayarkaddu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

216.St. Mary’s Church Puthukuddyiruppu Devipuram Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

217.St. Anthony’s Church Puthukuddyiruppu Udayarkaddu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

218.Annai Vellarnkanni Puthukuddyiruppu Theravil Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

219.Annai Vellarnkanni Puthukuddyiruppu Manthuvil Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

220.Holy Face Church Puthukuddyiruppu Manthuvil Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

221.St. Eugene De Mazond Puthukuddyiruppu Kaiveli Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

222.Infant Jesus Puthukuddyiruppu Puthukuddyiruppu Puthukuddyiruppu Partially damaged

223.Church of our Lady of Refuge Annaikoddai Parish Anaikoddai Sandilipay Partially damaged

224.St. Peter & Paul’s Church Annaikoddai Parish Navaly Sandilipay Fully damaged

225.Sacred Heart Church Annaikoddai Parish Theverkaddu Sandilipay Partially damaged

226.St. Anne’s Church Ilavalai Parish Ilavalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

227.St. James’ Church Ilavalai Parish Ilavalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

228.St. Jude’s Church Ilavalai Parish Ilavalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

229.St. Cajetan’s Church Ilavalai Parish Marisankoodal Sandilipay Partially damaged

230.Our Lady of Lourdes Ilavalai Parish Poity Sandilipay Partially damaged

231.Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ilavalai Parish Sahayampuram Sandilipay Fully damaged

232.St. Francis of Assist Ilavalai Parish Valankadu Sandilipay Fully damaged

233.St. Rita’s Church Ilavalai Parish Ilavalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

234.St. Anne’s Church Ilavalai Parish Valithundal Sandilipay Fully damaged

235.St. Philip Neri’s Church Ilavalai Parish Pathavathai Sandilipay Partially damaged

236.St. Roche’s Church Ilavalai Parish Senthankulam Sandilipay Fully damaged

237.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Ilavalai Parish Mylankoodal Sandilipay Fully damaged

238.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Manipay Parish Anthiran Sandilipay Partially damaged

239.St. Jude’s Church Manipay Parish Suthumalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

240.Our Lady of Madhu Manipay Parish Kadudai Sandilipay Partially damaged

241.Infant Jesus Manipay Parish Sanguvely Sandilipay Partially damaged

242.St. Thomas’ Church Mathagal Parish Mathagal Sandilipay Partially damaged

243.St. Anthony’s Church Mathagal Parish Mathagal Sandilipay Partially damaged

244.St. Sebastian’s Church Mathagal Parish Mathagal Sandilipay Partially damaged

245.Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Mathagal Parish Mathagal Sandilipay Partially damaged

246.St. Joseph’s Church Mathagal Parish Mathagal Sandilipay Partially damaged

247.Church of Our Lady of Fatima Panditheripu Parish Panditheripu Sandilipay Partially damaged

248.St. Anthony’s Church Panditheripu Parish Panditheripu Sandilipay Partially damaged

249.Church of Our Lady of Rosary Panditheripu Parish Panditheripu Sandilipay Partially damaged

250.St. Theresa’s Church Panditheripu Parish Sandilipay Sandilipay Partially damaged

251.St. John the Baptist Church Panditheripu Parish Periyavillan Sandilipay Partially damaged

252.St. Anthony’s Church Panditheripu Parish Periyavillan Sandilipay Partially damaged

253.St. Joseph’s Church Panditheripu Parish Alaveddi Sandilipay Partially damaged

254.St. Sebastian’s Church Panditheripu Parish Mahyapiddy Sandilipay Partially damaged

255.St. Mary’s Church Sillalai Parish Sillalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

256.St. James’ Church Sillalai Parish Sillalai Sandilipay Partially damaged

257.St. Francis De Sales Sillalai Parish Chankanai Sandilipay Minor Repair

258.Our Lady of Holy Rosary Sillalai Parish Moolai Sandilipay Fully damaged

259.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Amathipuram Parish Vanneri Rd,Amathipuram Thunnukai Partially damaged

260.St. Anthony’s Church Amathipuram Parish Skanthapuram Thunnukai Fully damaged

261.St. Mary’s Church Amathipuram Parish Vannerikulam Thunnukai Partially damaged

262.Our Lady of Miracles Amathipuram Parish Ponnagar Thunnukai Partially damaged

263.Arokiamatha Amathipuram Parish Arokianagar 8th Mile post Thunnukai Partially damaged

264.St. Joseph’s Church Amathipuram Parish Vannerikulam Thunnukai Partially damaged

265.Sacred Heart Church Amathipuram Parish Anaivilunthan Thunnukai Partially damaged

266.St. Agnes Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Mankulam Thunnukai Fully damaged

267.St. Joseph’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Muthayankaddu Thunnukai Fully damaged

268.St. Mary’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Pandiyankulam Thunnukai Fully damaged

269.Sacred Heart Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Chalampon Thunnukai Partially damaged

270.Sacred Heart Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Selvapuram Thunnukai Partially damaged

271.St. Sebastian’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Mallavi Thunnukai Partially damaged

272.Annai Vellarnkanni Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Vavunikulam Thunnukai Partially damaged

273.St. Antony’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Palaiadi Thunnukai Partially damaged

274.St. Antony’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Unit 2, Mallavi Thunnukai Partially damaged

275.St. Sebastian’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Thennyankulam Thunnukai Partially damaged

276.St. Mary’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Koodaikadudiakulam Thunnukai Partially damaged

277.Sacred Heart Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Kalvilan Thunnukai Partially damaged

278.St. Antony’s Church Mankulam/Mallavi Parish Unit 4 Thunnukai Partially damaged

279.St. Michael’s Church Urumpirai Parish Urumpirai Urumpirai Partially damaged

280.St. Henry’s Church Urumpirai Parish Julanoor Urumpirai Partially damaged

281.St. Peter’s Church Urumpirai Parish Punnalaikadduvan Urumpirai Partially damaged

282.St. Mary’s Church Urumpirai Parish Neerveli Urumpirai Partially damaged

283.St. Sebastian’s Church Kayts Parish Karompon Velanai Minor Repair

284.St. Mary’s Church Kayts Parish Suruvil Velanai Partially damaged

285.St. Anni’s Church Kayts Parish Thanuvil Velanai Partially damaged

286.Our Lady of Vellarnkanni Kayts Parish Karompon Velanai Minor Repair

287.Church of Christ the King Kayts Parish Melinchimunai Velanai Partially damaged

288.Church of Our Lady of Good V Mandaithivu Parish Chaddi Velanai Partially damaged

289.St. Peter’s Church Mandaithivu Parish Mandaithevu Velanai Partially damaged

290.St. John the Baptist Church Mandaithivu Parish Allaipiddy Velanai Partially damaged

291.Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mandaithivu Parish Mandaithevu Velanai Partially damaged

292.St. Philip Neri’s Church Mandaithivu Parish Mankumpan Velanai Partially damaged

293.St. Anthony’s Church Mandaithivu Parish Mankumpan Velanai Partially damaged

294.St. Peter & Paul’s Church Naranthanai Parish Naranthanai South Rd Velanai Partially damaged

295.Sacred Heart Church Naranthanai Parish Naranthanai Velanai Partially damaged

296.Our Lady of Lourdes Naranthanai Parish Naranthanai Velanai Partially damaged

297.Our Lady of Holy Rosary Naranthanai Parish Saravanai Velanai Fully damaged

298.St. Francis Xavier’s Church Naranthanai Parish Punguduthevu Velanai Partially damaged

299.St. Anthony’s Church Naranthanai Parish Naranthanai Velanai Partially damaged

Fully damaged = 93
Partially damaged = 186
Minor Repair = 20

Total = 299

[Submitted by: Dylan Ramsay]

19 comments April 10th, 2008

Court orders IGP to increase security to Mano

Court of Appeal today gave an interim order to increase Western Peoples Front Leader Mano Ganesan’s security to eight personnel with a security back-up vehicle. Security of Mano Ganesan MP was cut down by the government along with those of late parliamentarian T. Maheswaran and SLMC leader Rauf Hakeem MP immediately after the budget voting in the parliament. Mano Ganesan is the Convener of Civil Monitoring Commission which is very critical of the government’s human rights record. Ms. Hina Jillani, special representative of the UN secretary general for the defense of the human rights defenders had expressed her deep concern over the reduction of security to Mano Ganesan and had said in her letter to the government that ‘She is concerned for the life and security of Mr. Ganesan, which is more at risk without adequate security. The security reduction to Ganesan is linked to his high profile work against human rights violations and may be an attempt to curtail his HR work”.

Ganesan won the runner up award for his human rights campaign from the US department of state. Secretary of state Condeliza Rice made the relevant announcement in last December on the international human rights day December 10th. However Sri Lankan defense ministry headed by Gotabaya Rajapakse, himself a US citizen, reduced Ganesan’s security on December 18th.

Judges Sri Bhawan and Rohini Perera ordered the IGP to increase security as an interim measure and postponed further hearings for 3rd March.

10 comments February 14th, 2008

Tamil student among teammates killed at Fort Railway station

by K. Thirukumaran

“D.S. is a different kind of school. In fact, it is unique because here all ethnic and religious groups live under the same roof, in peace and harmony. This is exactly what the world requires. It is a global need which we practice at the college,” this is what Principal, Ashoka Senani Hewage, said about D.S. Senanayake College in a media interview in 2006.

This school community, is in an unbearable agony and grief stricken as seven of their students belonging to their baseball team and their coach died in the Fort Railway station bomb blast.

Among the student teammates who died is Rajarathnam Rathiswaran, a GCE O/L student from the Tamil medium at D.S.

[Rathiswaran's mother-pic:daily mirror.lk]

D.S., the Gregory’s Road school, opening its doors on February 10th, 1967 is a beacon of learning in Sri Lanka’s three mediums of instruction and a model to be emulated all over the country. No public educational institution has ever newly opened doors offering instruction in Sinhala, Tamil and English mediums for several decades prior and never since then in Sri Lanka, and to rise in such prominence in learning, sports and student discipline.

Founding of D.S. was a vision of then Education Minister I.M.R.A. Iriyagolla, during the Premiership of Dudley Senanayake. And largely realised during the tenure of founding Principal Ralph I. T. Alles, who was assisted by enthusiastic teachers and parents. They laid the groundwork-to show what is possible in Sri Lanka-an institution of learning that prides model harmony among all of Sri Lanka’s ethnicities. And even the agony of the Fort blast too embodied this hallmark.

“This is the first time in the history of the school that we have experienced such heartbreak. All activities in the school have come to a standstill as we are trying to get over this shock and heartbreak,” said the principal to The Morning Leader of Feb 6th.

[Vasantha Rajarathanam mourns with other relatives over the body of her son Rajarathanam Rathiswaran during his funeral at the family residence in Colombo February 5, 2008-Reuters Photo via Yahoo! News]

The newspaper further said:

“Family members of Rajarathnam Radeeswaran, the GCE O/L student from the Tamil medium who died along with his other team mates have stated that they have lost the only ‘winner’ in their family. The family living in the less developed Sri Dharmarama Road, Dematagoda had many dreams and hopes about their son, Rathiswaran, who excelled both in studies and sports. Rathiswaran had confided to a friend that it was his dream to pull his family out of poverty, someday.”

Other teammates perishing with Radeeswaran – Kolitha Kumara Mahamudalige (20), of Hokandara, Vimukthi Sajan Thewarpperuma (19), of Kalutara North, Supun Hallala (17) of Angoda, Dinuth Priyasanka (17) of Agalawatta, Thiwanka Thisera (18) of Dehiwala and Eranda Chaturanga (22) of Colombo 7, and their coach, Malinda Arumadura.

Six of the team had died on the spot at the Fort railway station in the afternoon of Sunday, February 3, while the other two had later succumbed to their injuries. Fourteen people died in the explosion-among them are two 12 year old students, one from Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala and another from Seeduwa. A railway worker and a police sergeant too died in the blast.

25 comments February 6th, 2008

Dayan Jayatilake Elected Chair of Anti-Racist UN Working Group

At a time when charges are being made in various circles that xenophobic and racist tendencies are on the rise in Sri lanka, a UN body has elected a Sri Lankan envoy to the UN as its new chairperson.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations at Geneva, H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka was elected by unanimous acclamation as the Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.

Ambassador Jayatilleka’s candidature was presented by the Asian Group, on the initiative of the African Group and supported by the Latin American Group (GRULAC).China introduced the nomination, which was seconded by Egypt on behalf of the African Group.

Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/68, created the IGWG to follow up on the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in South Africa in 2001.

The mandate of the IGWG was to: “(a) Make recommendations with a view to the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; (b) Prepare complementary international standards to strengthen and update international instruments against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all their aspects.”

The IGWG has devoted an important part of its mandate to discussions on the following questions: (i) are there gaps in the legal framework for countering racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (ii) if so, how are they to be filled and by what.

At its fourth session (Geneva 16 – 20 January 2006), the IGWG “identified and/or considered” certain specific areas of substantive and procedural gaps and recommended that with regard to procedural gaps, CERD is to be requested to conduct a further study on possible measures to strengthen implementation through additional recommendations or the update of its monitoring procedures.

Regarding the substantive gaps, OHCHR selected five highly qualified experts to study the content and scope of the substantive gaps in the existing international instruments to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Following the submission of the two studies on complementary international standards, by the experts (A/HRC/4/WG.3/6) and the CERD (A/HRC/4/WG.3/7) the Human Rights Council created an Ad-Hoc Committee on the Elaboration of Complementary International Standards (HRC Decision 3/103 of 8 December 2006).

Hence, the fifth session of the IGWG marked the conclusion and closure of the Working Group’s debates and deliberations on the question of complementary international standards.

During the first part of the sixth session of the HRC, on 25 September 2007, the Chair of the IGWG transmitted the report of the five experts to the AD-Hoc Committee. In a letter date 25 October 2007, the Chair of the IGWG informed the Chair of the Human Rights Council (Doru Romulus Costea) of his resignation as Chair of the IGWG.

Given that the Chair resigned immediately after the session of the IGWG, the regional coordinators met three times in light of the facts that; (i) Human Rights Council decision 3/103 of recommended that the 5th session of the IGWG marks the conclusion and closure of the latter’s debates and deliberations on the question of complementary international standards; (ii) the IGWG does not have a chair to stir its work; and (iii) that the IGWG is to contribute to the Durban Review Conference to be held in 2009.

The coordinators did not reach consensus as to the programme of work of the IGWG for its sixth session. It was expected however that during the session, the IGWG would be electing a Chair and that the programme of work will be discussed.

This expectation was met during Durban – 2 when Ambassador Jayatilleke was elected unanimously as chairperson.

32 comments January 22nd, 2008

Stop punishing Tamils collectively for LTTE misdeeds

BY Rt. Rev DULEEP DE CHICKERA

Colombo’s Angilican Bishop Rt. Revd. Duleep de Chickera said in a statement yesterday that something sinister was going on in Jaffna and that itappeared some authorities were trying to punish the Tamil People collectively for the misdeeds of the LTTE.

He further urged the Government to turn the current negative trends around and ensure the rights, safety and welfare of all Sri Lankan citizens of Jaffna.

The Bishop’s statement is as follows:

“The trials and tribulations that the people of Jaffna face have been further aggravated over the recent couple of months. Residents now receive threats over the telephone calling for the payment of large sums of money into certain Bank accounts. The callers’ numbers as well as the Bank
account numbers are known.

The Security Force Commanders must be commended for certain steps taken to reassure the people and also to probe these incidents. Some persons are believed to have been taken in for questioning as well and this too must be commended.

“It is possible that those responsible for these extortion demands are a mix of political para-military groups and anti social elements who exploit the climate of fear and intimidation that prevails in the Peninsula.

Given the evidence and the tight security controls in the Peninsula the Government of Sri Lanka can and must put an immediate stop to this harassment. If not, its continuation will further alienate the people of Jaffna, further spread lawlessness and further embarrass the Government of
Sri Lanka.

“Arbitrary extra judicial killings, almost on a daily basis, continue to paralyse Jaffna society. Responsible sources and groups have compiled statistics and reported consistently on these killings. It is hard to explain how these killings can occur, given the current security control the Sri Lankan security forces have in Jaffna. Something very sinister is clearly happening in the Peninsula.

“Local sources say that most persons killed this way have had some past or present connections with the LTTE or are suspected of having connections.
If this is the case, they must then be arrested and dealt with under the law. The Government of Sri Lanka should also consider offering an amnesty. Such an amnesty will bring better results if representatives of Jaffna’s civil society serve on an Amnesty Commission. Representatives of a group
of former Security Service Commanders who have organized themselves to work for peace could also serve on this Commission.

If planned with sensitivity and vision an amnesty will provide a much more civilised and just option to assassination or surrender to a Magistrate and ending up in the overcrowded Jaffna remand prison.

“A University Professor recently indicated that some forces in power seem to believe that Tamils must be punished collectively for the misdeeds of
the LTTE. In the name of God and our common humanity, such collective intimidation and punishment of the Tamils as an ethnic group must stop.

There comes a time when people and leaders are exhausted of violence and oppression and feel the urge to turn away from conflict and confrontation.
It has been a long overdue right of the people of Jaffna to be able to return to normalcy.

The Government of Sri Lanka must now turn the current negative trends around and ensure the rights, safety and welfare of all Sri Lankan citizens of Jaffna.

This is best done through the strengthening of civil governance, infrastructures, the development of trade, industry, farming and fishing; and public amenities and welfare measures such as education, health and transport. This can be done while security measures are still in place; but the threat to life and harassment and deprivation must stop.

May the God of order, dignity and freedom forgive us and nourish us.”

December 21st, 2007

“No” to UN Human Rights Office but “Yes” to Expanded UN Role in Sri Lanka

In a highly critical speech to the Human Rights Council on Tuesday [Dec. 11] the High Commissioner Louise Arbour, highlighted Sri Lanka’s failure to address a raft of human rights abuses. She is pushing to set up a UN human rights office on the island a move that Sri Lanka has categorically rejected, as explains Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka to Carole Vann and Claire Doole of Infosud.

Carole Vann, Claire Doole/Infosud-Following her visit to Sri Lanka in October, the top UN human rights official, Louise Arbour has taken the government to task for failing to adequately investigate an alarming number of abductions and disappearances over the past two years, and for a lack of safeguards for those detained under emergency regulations. On Tuesday she also expressed her concern at human rights abuses committed by the Tamil Tigers. The Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Dayan Jayatilleka, rejected the allegations against the government, citing the mitigating circumstances of the civil war.

Louis Arbour says you have failed to adequately investigate an alarming number of abductions and disappearances over the past two years, is she correct?

When we invited her we did not expect a whitewash. We are not smug about the situation in Sri Lanka but I must stress this is taking place against the backdrop of a war. If there was no war there would be no human rights violations. It is a relative judgment because in most places of the world investigations like this happen after the war is finished through Truth and Reconciliation Commissions. We on the other hand are investigating while the conflict is raging and I don’t think we have not been given enough credit for that.

Why has the special Commission of Inquiry appointed by the President more than a year ago to investigate high profile killings and disappearances not yet completed any of its cases?

It has been almost a year but in comparative terms it is not too bad. Even in post conflict situations it takes Truth Commissions many years to get to the bottom of things, as we have seen in South Africa. Just look how many decades it took the British government to investigate “the bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland. However we are not shutting the door. We do have a capacity problem and we have asked for international assistance.

So if there is a capacity problem, why do you not accept the establishment of a UN human rights office as proposed by the High Commissioner?
This is not about capacity. It is about substituting and supplanting national institutions with international ones. We want an expanded role for the senior human rights advisor attached to the UN country team in Sri Lanka with an expanded staff. We don’t want to go it alone but we are not going to permit institutions that have taken decades to set up to be supplanted by non Sri Lankan agencies. Allowing UN monitoring missions and an extended UN field presence to go wherever they like in the country is not in keeping with our laws. We don’t want to be preached at by countries whose own human rights records are far from perfect.

Is the creation of an office a non-starter then?

Well (smiles), my rhetorical question is which part of the word ‘no’ do you not understand? We don’t feel the need to prove anything to the UN Human Rights Commissioner or to the EU. Due to our colonial history we are very sensitive to any large international presence and frankly, we are not going to allow large numbers of mediocre foreigners, many of whom have dodgy connections with western intelligence agencies to fan out over our country. We will take such suggestions for a UN Human rights office more seriously when international bodies become far more representative of the world at large, have transparency of funding, and agendas are not donor driven.

How do you feel about the increased scrutiny that Sri Lanka has come under by the Human Rights Council this year?

We have only come under scrutiny by the EU and the office of the High Commissioner. Western governments need to put their houses in order before they criticise us. In fact at this Council we have the overwhelming support of the majority of members who believe that it is national governments not international institutions that are best placed to deal with human rights issues.

10 comments December 12th, 2007

Bombs in Colombo and Kilinochchi and Arrests

Text of speech by Mano Ganesan MP in the parliament:

Bombs in Colombo and Kilinochchi and Arrests, all are parts of the same political problem:

Minister Hon. Jeyaraj Fernandopulle spoke about the recent bomb blasts in Colombo. At the very inception I wish to state categorically that my party Western Peoples Front very strongly condemn the bomb attack at Hon Minister Douglas Devananda’s office in Colombo and the bomb blast attack at a departmental store in Nugegoda, south of Colombo. This is my very strong position without a debate. I believe not only me but my other Tamil parliamentary colleagues here today are also stand by this position.

But this does not end here.

I also equally condemn all mine blast and attacks in Vanni and Kilinochchi. We express sympathy to all sufferers. But what are you (referring to the government benches) doing? You get up and talk only when there is a bomb attack in Colombo and south. You do not bother about the attacks and subsequent civilian deaths in Vanni. Recent attack in the south has occurred after a very long time. It had happened before frequently but now it is after a very long time where there are civilian casualties. But look, such attacks and deaths are daily occurrences in Kilinochchi and Vanni to which you do not bother.

Hon. Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle is putting the Guerilla organisation in par with the government. LTTE is yet a Guerilla movement. It is not a government. But you are a government. I want you to realize this. I want you to behave as a government.

I for sure wanted to talk about the political dimension of all these violent occurrences. These are of acts of political terrorism. You have no answer for political terrorism. You have only the war agenda. You have virtually closed all doors leading to the political solution. What have you done to the APRC (All Party Representative Committee)? You have suspended it. And before it, you destroyed the agreement reached between your own ruling party and the main opposition UNP. And what’s’ more, you rejected the ‘majority report’ put out by the very committee appointed by the president. The expert’s committee report was excellent to be the basis for the talks.

I heard what Hon. Anurakumara Dissanayake spoke today for his party, the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). He condemned the indiscriminate arrests. It is good. But they can’t escape by stating this. They are the people on whom lot of blame pinned on. They block the way by opposing the concept of political power sharing. Don’t you want to agree with the concept of political power sharing? Doesn’t Hon. Minister Chandrasekaran want power sharing? Doesn’t Hon. Minister Ferial Ashruf want power sharing? They are parts of the government. You cannot defeat any terrorism without moving politically. You are not moving politically and therefore punishing the innocent Tamil civilians. You are to be blamed. Please understand this.

Why talk about LTTE leader Mr. Prabakaran? You have Hon. Minister Douglas Devananda with you. You have Mr. Anandasankari with you. Can you first listen to them? They are also for political solution through sharing political power. You are a set of people who cannot satisfy the very people with you. Then why talk about people in Kilinochchi and Vanni? Why talk about Mr. Prabakaran?

I am hurt. I am sad. I talk for my people. When my people are arrested indiscriminately this way, insulted this way, abducted this way, it hurts us. It is the fact. We term this operation as ‘Operation Carpet Arrest’. Tamils were arrested when they did not pose national identity cards and police registration documents. That was the scenario earlier. But now you are arresting even the people who pose all such documents. Sinhalese were identified and arrested in late eighties in this country. I just discussed this fact with Hon. Lalkantha (JVP parliamentarian). Now it is our turn. But the Tamils are being taken in for being Tamil. A Tamil is arrested for being a Tamil. Ministerial defense spokesman Minister Kheliye Rambukwella confesses to the BBC world Radio Sinhala service yesterday (02nd December, 2007) night that those who were taken to Boosa detention camp are not confirmed terrorists. He says that they were taken on general basis for questioning. He accepts that Tamils with valid identity documents were taken to Boosa detention camp. Then what is this arrest operation? You arrest people first and look for reasons next. You arrest Tamils without any credible information and evidences. This is ridicules. I cannot accept this under any circumstances.

[Mano Ganesan MP]

Can you sight me any clause in the Emergency regulations or Prevention of Terrorists Act where there it is possible to arrest anybody without any evidence? Where such clauses prevail in the constitution of Sri Lanka? This is not acceptable under any law. This contravenes all international law. That is why we are making complains with the international community. When we go to international community you make noises. But you contravene accepted norms and violate human rights of my people and expect me to keep quit. No, it can’t happen that way. Nobody can stop us from talking to the international community. Civil Monitoring Commission will keep the international community informed on all these human rights violations.

26 comments December 3rd, 2007

Observations on the LTTE Leader’s Speech

By Dr. S. Chandrasekharan

The annual Heroe’s Day speech of Prabakaran, the LTTE leader on 27 November 2007, that was being looked forward to, as LTTE’s assessment of the situation and its future plans, contained many nuances, but no surprises.

The main focus of the speech was directed to the international community with an appeal to cease giving military and economic aid to the Sri Lankan government and accept the right to self determination and the sovereignty of the Tamil Nation.

My observations on the speech are

1. The address has more political content than the earlier ones and the first one after Balasingham’s death whose input could be seen in the earlier speeches but not this time. The first few paragraphs give the historical and the international setting of the Tamil struggle.

2. Indian intervention then was termed as part of one of its ‘regional expansion’. This shows that the LTTE did not understand then nor now of Indian sincerity and its efforts to find a reasonable solution. It is conceded that the security aspects of the Indo Sri Lanka could have been avoided but yet the main accord did provide for the first time Indian guarantees of devolution to meet the aspirations of the Tamils. The 13th amendment was not the best of the document but it could have been the beginning to be built upon. It is true that the implementation of the 13th amendment was “blocked by the chauvinistic Sinhala State” as mentioned in the speech, but the LTTE was equally responsible in preventing its implementation ( recall their booklet- “13th Amendment-an autopsy”). The LTTE took upon India which is not a small power and without whose support there could never be a solution. Many well wishers of the Tamil cause in India were aghast when the LTTE sought support from the very Sinhala nation for their arms, equipment and support in fighting the IPKF! If today we see not much of a stir over the killing of Tamil Chelvan in India, the LTTE should have an introspection and see what had alienated India that it does not want to get involved at all on the Tamil question when the Tamil areas in the east have been ravaged and civilians are getting killed everyday due to aerial bombing.

3. It is good to see the mention of the Tamil Diaspora and its value. The term used should have been “Sri Lankan Tamil Expatriates” who have steadfastly supported the movement and the bulk of them still have faith, admiration and hope that the LTTE will one day bring justice to the Tamils. What I have seen before and see even now is the lack of ‘political finesse’ of the LTTE and their over dependence on the military aspects of their struggle. It is time they let the expats do the home work to bring an end to the war with a solution that could be acceptable to all stake holders. Again the Tamil National Alliance despite doubts about its credibility did try its best to put a political “face” on behalf of LTTE. It was however never allowed to think or work independently and the LTTE leadership is responsible for marginalising this entity which in the beginning showed great promise.

4. It is also true( as pointed out in the speech) that Rajapakse government has shut fast the door for peace and it appears to be confident of a military solution. It is also true that they have been considerably helped by many of the countries in providing equipment, weapons and training that is having an impact on the ground. The LTTE appears to be most vulnerable to aerial attacks and big bombs and high explosives are being used. The lethal nature of the bombs could be gauged from the fact that TamilChelvan and five others who were in a bunker were asphyxiated by a very heavy bomb that hit directly and destroyed the entrance. It is important for both sides to realise that there is no military solution. The seeming military advantage the Sri Lankan Security Forces have now is mainly due to the air superiority and if the LTTE gets hold of a few SAMs, the military balance will be restored!

5. I mention this because, sensing victory, the Rajapakse government is dragging its feet on the recommendations of the Vitharana report, Report A etc etc. The All Party Committee it seems has gone on a “holiday” as the LTTE leader has mentioned. Going back, it should be clear to all that the Sri Lankan government has never specifically put forward a clear and specific devolution package except the District Development councils suggested in the Thimpu I talks and the 13th amendment which at any rate was an Indian enforced one. The Sri Lankan Government never responded to ISGA proposals of the LTTE. The ISGA had many objectionable portions but these were never discussed. Till today there has not been any counter proposal. The international community should note this point.

6. Mention is made of Sinhalisation of the east which all reports indicate are true. Names are being changed and the beautiful area of Sampur and Mutur have been made high security zones. A generally peaceful area of Batticola is now one vast refugee camp as the people there have nowhere to go But does this not indicate the failure of the LTTE to protect its own people? In the Sudumalai speech, Prabakaran indicated that the responsibility of protecting the Tamils had been given to India and yet on a messy and in my view avoidable incident ( the Indian side is more to blame) the whole scenario changed!

7. Three of the four Thimpu principles are once again emphasised and any final solution will have to take into account in some form or other, the issues relating to Tamil Home land, the Tamil Nation and the Tamil Right to self determination. Balasingham’s earlier conceptualisation of “internal self determination” unlike ‘external determination’ has now been given up.

8. The Co-chairs have been accused of having failed in their responsibility. Akashi’s efforts in running from place to place have been in vain and there is yet no coordinated and concerted call for enforcing a cease fire by the international community. Cease fire and Peace Process are dead for all practical purposes.

9. Finally, there is a warning to the Sri Lankan government that it had spread its feet “too wide” and will be forced to face serious consequences of its misguided ambitions.

The LTTE’s position since the loss of the east has hardened with no chance of coming to the negotiating table in the near future. Its tactics will change and more incidents in the south could be expected. Douglas Devananda escaped another effort of a suicide bomber and there was an IED explosion in the outskirts of Colombo killing innocent civilians two days ago This is probably in retaliation to the bombing on the day of the speech when many civilians were killed in the LTTE controlled area.

If the LTTE wants the international community to understand them and help them, they should first stop the politics of assassination. Douglas is just a tiny cog in the big wheel of Tamil nationalism and his elimination is not going make the situation easier even for the LTTE.

Prabakaran has always maintained that the “Sinhala Nation” can never be trusted and will never yield any space to the Tamils to meet their aspirations. The Sri Lankan Government is doing its best to prove this point. It is still not too late for the Sri Lankan government to gives up its military option and go for a generous political package no matter what the JVP or the JHU has to say on this issue.

Till that time, the violence that has now been unleashed will keep spiralling and may get out of hand if saner voices do not intervene. [saag.org]

25 comments November 30th, 2007

UNICEF In Sri Lanka: In The Eye of a Political Storm

by SHANIKA SRIYANANDA

Confronted with a serious accusation levelled by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) that the United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF) have a hand in a secret plot to supply ‘Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) to the LTTE terrorists, the government has commenced investigations to probe into the allegation.

While urging the government to send the LTTE-friendly UNICEF officials home, the JVP also insists the government to shut down the UNICEF office in Kilinochchi temporarily to put a stop to all communication between the two of its offices in Colombo and Kilinochchi.

In an interview the ‘Sunday Observer’ Gordon Weiss, UNICEF spokesman said that the allegation was baseless and the MRE, in question were not just snacks, but for their staff consumption in an emergency. ” The UNICEF is confident that the government would not close the Kilinochchi office as that is the only link to provide humanitarian assistance for children trapped in uncleared areas.

Following are the excerpts:

Q: The UNICEF is facing a serious allegation that it had brought food for the LTTE. What have you to say about this accusation?

A: It is not true. And they are not combat rations and the MRE is convenient because of its packaging which helps to keep the food for a long period of time. These are commonly used by humanitarian agencies around the world. These should be kept in every UN office in Sri Lanka, whether it is in Colombo or Galle or Jaffna. There should be enough food for every UN staffer in an emergency such as tsunami, earthquake or flood or a some sort of man made disaster. It is a standard operational thing and we have been practising this because we have to abide by the guidelines stipulated by the UN Security Services in New York. According to certain guidelines we have to have enough food in all our UN office premises to face an emergency.

It is a baseless allegation. This allegation is that the UNICEF purchased combat rations to supply the LTTE. This is wrong. Even we maintain an emergency stock of MRE in our Colombo office.

Q: For how long the MRE is sufficient?

A: Every UN office need to have a stock of food, enough for three days. It is a security measure. No one would eat MRE when they can eat rice and curry. So we do not consume them unless there is an emergency.

Q: Who is Jannifer Taylor and her involvement in bringing MRE?

A: She is the Operations Officer of the UNICEF. The UNICEF purchase MREs on behalf of the 12 UN agencies including ILO, FAO, UNDP, OCHA, WFP, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. All these agencies have dry rations in their offices around Sri Lanka. The UNICEF’s job is on behalf of those UN agencies to purchase MREs for them and not only for UNICEF alone.

Q: Are there MREs in the North and East? What is the necessity of sending these food items for them?

A: These are not snacks. It is only in the event of an emergency when the food become scarce we need to have something in reserve. These are not food for soldiers. This is the normal procedure of all the humanitarian agencies throughout the world.

This is a part of the security measures as we travel long distances and work in combat areas often. The UN is extremely strict about its security because of a very costly insurance scheme.

If we get killed its costly for the insurance company; so these companies insist on a whole series of requirements – the MOSS requirements – stipulated by the UN Security Service. We are working in Wanni and we are strict about our security.

Q: To which UNICEF office are these MRE schedule to be distributed?

A: The whole consignment is for the 12 UN agencies and I am told that the portion of the REM of the UNICEF is to distribute in Colombo and Galle UNICEF offices but not our offices in the Wanni.

Q: Why are UN tags not seen on these MRE packets in this consignment?

A: These are commercially purchased. So there is no special requirement to have a special tag as these are for the UN offices and not humanitarian aid. If we are going to distribute these we would stamp them. These are simply the food stocks that should be kept in UN offices.

Q: But if these MRE are for UN officials and not combat rations, why they are in camouflage cover?

A: I have not seen the packets yet but they come via a military supplier. We buy utensils and tents from military suppliers.

Q: Is this supplier supplying MRE regularly?

A: They come from a different supplier. This particular supplier was used because he happens to be used by the Department of Peace Keeping operations in New York. So we are using their purchasing guidelines with this particular company because they were purchasing their stuff through the same company. It’s a matter for us to purchase things easily.

Q: Are there any UNICEF officials, whose service is withdrawn from the North and the East?

A: No. Why would we withdraw the UNICEF staff. We are working in all sort of conflict areas around the world. That’s when we are required.

Q: How does the UNICEF see the ban on TRO?

A: We have stopped working with the TRO from early 2006 and we do not have any association with the TRO. We are not working with the TRO and the ban will not affect our humanitarian work in the North and the East.

Q: Do you have any details about the children in Wanni?

A: There are still children recruited by the LTTE. The LTTE earlier this year said that they were not going to recruit any children were born after 1st January 1990. This means that still they have 17-year-olds, who we regard as children, in their armed forces. So the LTTE as far as we are concerned is contravening the domestic law and international law by still having under-aged children in the organisation.

Q: Does the UNICEF taken this situation about children into the international agencies?

A: Well, we have done the only action that the UNICEF can do. It is the negotiation with the LTTE to release these children and we have been doing it for many years with a greater and lesser degrees of success. But there had been instances where children had been released. But the fact is that still there are children, under 18-years, in the LTTE.

At the Oslo round of Peace Talks in November 2002, UNICEF was given a mandate to monitor child rights violations of the ceasefire agreement. As part of this mandate UNICEF compiles and verifies data on child recruitment, as reported usually by family members, and makes this information available regularly to partners, working with them to advocate against child recruitment.

According to UNICEF data-bases, as of 31 October 2007, there were 1448 outstanding cases of under-age recruitment by the LTTE. Of these, 290 were under the age of 18, and 1158 were recruited while under 18, but have now passed that age.

As of 31 October 2007 there were 223 outstanding cases of underage recruitment by the Karuna group. Of these, 169 are under the age of 18, and 54 were recruited while under 18, but, have now passed that age. UNICEF continuously checks its database on underage recruitment to ensure its accuracy. UNICEF only withdraws recruits from its database when it is able to verify their release through an official letter of release, or by establishing that the child is reunited with his or her parents. UNICEF estimates that its database only reflects a third of the actual number of children recruited.

Q: Are you going to negotiate with the LTTE in the future to release these child soldiers? What was the respond from the LTTE earlier?

A: The response from the LTTE and the TMVP with regard to the issue of underaged soldiers are just promises. Promises being broken and deadlines were passed without being fulfilled. We have stated publicly that the UNICEF consider when a deadline passes or promises are not fulfilled that is a bad sign. We have said quite insistently. But we are a humanitarian organization and are not empowered to into the LTTE camps and take the children out. We rely on negotiations. There are lots of actions in the Security Council these days on child recruitment.

Q: The JVP insists on the closure of the UNICEF office in Kilinochchi. What is your comment?

A: Whatever happens in Kilinochchi we will continue to fight to release the children in the LTTE regardlessly. Regarding shutting down the UNICEf office there, I am doubt that the government is in favour of that because we work with the Government Agent there in very specific programs to reach children. Otherwise we would not be able to carry out humanitarian work for children in Wanni if we do not have an office in Wanni. We usually work in conflict areas in 160 countries but never withdrawn our offices due to dangerous situations in these countries. Under humanitarian principles the UNICEF is there to provide humanitarian assistance when they need.

Q: How far is the UNICEF confident that your officers are not helping the LTTE?

A: We are confident that our officers are not helping any terrorist organisation in the country. When taking about helping it is channelling money and supplying goods to the LTTE. We are confident that our system is secure.

Last week at the CCHA, where the Ministry officials and the UN agencies get together to discuss our work we informed the government about our decision to carry out a full audit on our programs and the relationship with the TRO. It will begin next week and will present the outcome to the government soon.

Q: But in some occasions the military has found some equipment with the UNICEF logos in the LTTE camps, which were captured by the armed forces. How these stuff went to the LTTE’s hands?

A: Well. It is quite normal when shifting lines of confrontation. The humanitarian assistance given to civilians are forced to move as a result of fighting and they are crossing the frontlines.

We cannot stop the armed people taking humanitarian assistance given to civilians. This is the issue of every humanitarian organisation.
COURTESY:SUNDAY OBSERVER

3 comments November 27th, 2007