Statement by John Holmes to the UN Security Council
Briefing to the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka: Statement by John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Council on my recent visit to Sri Lanka.
As you know, the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka has deteriorated significantly over the last few months, in particular since the beginning of this year. As Sri Lankan Government forces have advanced deep into the Vanni area, which had been under the control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, almost all the civilian population has been progressively displaced along with the LTTE. They are now in a rapidly shrinking pocket of land, and are increasingly being squeezed into a narrow coastal strip of 14 square kilometers, declared a 'no-fire zone' by the Sri Lanka Government, as shown in the map that I have distributed. Many of these people have been displaced many times in recent months, and indeed over the years, but they now face very great danger from fighting between the Sri Lankan Government forces and the LTTE. And there is strong evidence that the LTTE are preventing them from leaving.
[John Holmes, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, urged that combatants ensure the safety of civilians during a press briefing in Colombo on Feb 21-pic by Amantha Perera-IRIN]
Estimates vary of the number of civilians trapped, from 70,000 according to the Government, through around 200,000 according to UN estimates, up to 300,000 or more according to Tamil groups. The number of casualties from the fighting, among whom we believe are many civilians, cannot be verified in the absence of independent sources, since humanitarian agencies and the media have no access to the area, but we believe dozens of people per day at least are being killed and many more wounded.
The physical condition of these civilians is also of increasing concern. Because of the fighting in late January, land convoys organized by the WFP were suspended, leaving only the Government Agents and the ICRC providing some relief supplies by sea. Food, medical supplies, clean water, sanitation facilities and shelter are now extremely short. The risks from hunger and diseases are growing rapidly, in addition to those from the fighting.
Mr. President, the purpose of my visit was to obtain first-hand information about the dire humanitarian situation of those trapped, to look at arrangements for taking care of those who manage to escape, and to promote compliance by all the parties with international humanitarian law and international principles and standards for treatment of the displaced. I had discussions with the highest levels of the Government, including the President. I also met opposition politicians, including the leader of one of the important Tamil political parties; the Co-Chairs, namely the US, Norway, Japan and EU, as well as a wider selection of donors; and UN Agencies, NGOs, the ICRC, and representatives of civil society.
An important part of the visit was to Vavuniya, just south of the formerly LTTE held area, where some 36,000 IDPs who escaped from the fighting have been accommodated in the last three weeks. I visited transit sites in a school and other local buildings, where temporary shelters and other facilities have been set up by the Government and local authorities, with the help of UN agencies, the ICRC and NGOs. I also visited a local hospital where some of the injured evacuated by sea from the Vanni pocket are being treated, and a large site to which the IDPs are gradually being moved - Menik farm - which has caused much controversy because of accusations that it is intended to house Tamil IDPs on a long term basis against their will. In both the transit site and Menik farm, basic needs such as food, shelter, clean water, sanitation and health care appeared to be being met, despite serious overcrowding in some of the transit sites. UN agencies and NGOs now have more or less free access to these sites, which is very important. But movement into and out of them is otherwise currently highly and unacceptably restricted.
Mr. President, I highlighted a number of key humanitarian issues with all I met. First and foremost, I expressed my extreme concern about the fate of the tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the Vanni pocket. I called on both sides to respect international humanitarian law, to ensure the protection of the civilians there, and to do everything possible to avoid further civilian casualties. This includes guaranteeing the safety and the security of a number of UN national staff and their dependents, and of NGO staff and their dependents, still trapped with the rest of the civilian population. I called in particular on the LTTE to let the civilian population leave freely, amid credible reports of shootings of some trying to flee, and to stop forced recruitment, especially of children. I also urged the Government to do all they could to make it possible for the civilian population to get out safely, including by means of agreement to a temporary halt to hostilities or a humanitarian corridor to allow people to leave, if this could be arranged and agreed, and in general to ensure a peaceful, orderly and humane end to the fighting. The risk of a very bloody end to this long running conflict is otherwise unacceptably high.
The Government assured me at every level that they have virtually stopped using heavy weapons because of their recognition of the need to spare the civilian population, who are of course their own citizens. It remains unclear how far this is the case in reality.
Secondly, I called upon both the Government and the LTTE to allow unhindered humanitarian access, to ensure that sufficient relief supplies are delivered into the Vanni pocket. Latest efforts by the Government in cooperation with the ICRC and WFP to ship food and medical supplies via the sea route are welcome. For example, on 26 February, 40 metric tonnes of food provided by WFP were delivered by a tugboat chartered by the Government. UN staff and dependents in the no-fire zone played a key role in its offloading and distribution. The next similar shipment by WFP is planned for this weekend. This is in addition to previous use of an ICRC-chartered passenger ferry, with a capacity of 10 metric tonnes, whose main task is to evacuate the wounded and other particularly vulnerable individuals. Since these evacuations started two weeks ago, nearly 2,000 people have managed to get out by this route. I repeat that recent supply deliveries are welcome, but to have any chance of meeting the most basic requirements of those trapped, such operations need to be scaled up much further.
Thirdly, I emphasized to the Government at every level that the treatment of IDPs has to be in line with international standards and principles. I urged the Government to step-up capacity and arrangements for receiving IDPs in Vavuniya dramatically, especially by allocating additional land for temporary sites, in view of what I very much hope will be an imminent major influx of those currently trapped. I understand that, since my visit, an extra 250 acres have been cleared for temporary sites to accommodate 25,000 people. We expect another 400 acres to be allocated very soon. In addition, I urged the Government to move swiftly to eliminate progressively the military presence inside IDP sites, and to ensure increasing freedom of movement for the IDPs. I also raised specific concerns with the Government about the transparency of the initial security screening processes and about cases of family separation, and stressed the need for enhanced monitoring by the ICRC and UNHCR. I was assured by the Government that UNHCR can be present during the screening as the displaced leave the Vanni area, and that the Government will soon complete the registration of existing IDPs and distribute temporary ID cards, which will help to allow increasing freedom of movement. I understand that IDPs over 60 years of age have already been allowed to move out of the IDP sites to stay with relatives outside the camps where possible.
Fourthly, I reiterated the importance of the displaced being able to return to their places of origin as soon as possible. The Government, at every level, assured me that this was their firm intention, including the goal of returning 80 percent of the IDPs by the end of 2009, once the necessary de-mining is completed. I underscored the need to put to rest suspicions of wanting to manipulate the ethnic mix in the north or keeping IDPs in long-term camps against their will.
Finally, while not part of my humanitarian mandate, I urged the Government to take the historic opportunity to move swiftly, after the end of the fighting, to tackle underlying political issues, and move to a generally acceptable devolution settlement on a fully democratic basis.
Mr. President, I understand that there are continuing attempts via intermediaries to persuade the LTTE to let the civilians go and agree on a peaceful end to the fighting. I desperately hope these attempts will succeed very soon. I also urge the Government of Sri Lanka to hold back from any final military battle in order to allow time for the civilian population to get out safely, one way or another.
Mr. President, the Common Humanitarian Action Plan, or CHAP, 2009 for Sri Lanka was launched on 18 February, for a total amount of USD155 million. In order to accelerate humanitarian response by UN agencies in partnership with NGOs, I have released USD 10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund. The funds will be utilized for life-saving activities in the areas of protection, food, nutrition, health, shelter, water and sanitation, and emergency education. I appeal to the donor community to respond generously to the CHAP, in the light of the existing and future needs in this very worrying situation.
Mr. President, my visit to Sri Lanka was intended as a visible demonstration of the international community's high level of concern about the humanitarian consequences of the continuing fighting. I trust that my pleas to all parties to do all they can to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian law will not fall on deaf ears. The continuing close attention of the international community will be a very important part of this, including scrutiny of the implementation of the assurances given by the Government. I urge again all those with any influence on the positions of the LTTE to use that influence now to persuade them to let the civilian population go. There is no time to lose.
Thank you for your attention.
53 Comments
The futility of the "United Nations" is proved once and for all in the above speech. Does Mr. Holmes not realize that speaking to those who live and work under potential duress - whether they be from civil service organizations or even foreign NGO's and the like - is a fruitless exercise. Does Mr. Holmes not realize that 30,000 people are living in camps - at the mercy of armed thugs - with no access to outside observers? Does Mr. Holmes not realize that the Sri Lankan Constitution offers these people no rights whatsoever, simply because the Constitution is insignificant in comparison to the much vaunted Executive Presidency and "Prevention of Terrorism Act."? Mr. Holmes speaks of "devolution." Does he not realize that devolution is possible only in a democracy, not in a dictatorship where a single family is controlling 70% of the nations wealth... does he not realize that, having failed to come up with a comprehensive political solution to the Tamil Question in 60 years, it is unlikely there will ever be a political solution (other than a forced one)? I do not think Mr. Holmes is aware of these basic issues... therefore, the Tamils, as usual, must find other alternatives. That alternative must necessarily include armed struggle. Hopefully, all concerned Tamils will be aware of these article, and further extend their support to the LTTE.
Hmmm now at least UN SECURITY know the realaty of the war and civilian situvation who is doing what with civilian so let LTTE to free civilian to govenment area with out hold them and try to killing them when ever civilian try to flee.
The Shylocks want their pound of flesh - though it is in precious lives we have to pay; and we shall; to win our freedom.
Govt. bombing and terrorising to make the civilian flee. You say LTTE holding civilian. You mean Govt. doing the write thing and you want govt. to make arrange more place for the slaves.
Thanks.
God Bless You and your children
"Mr.Holmes,you are the first person in 30 years,I have come accross stated the true facts to the world after a visit to my poor country.Thank you and I take my hat off for you through gentleman.
You are a unique ambassador.
It is important to look into the humanitarian side even during war times because these will be remembered by the future generation for decades to come.what happened in 1983 has brought all of us Sri Lankans to this position. Are we creating another one where civilians lifes are at danger? All parties involved need to answer this .
I hope the International community will act asking LTTE to lay down their arms urgently.
The Diaspora of Sri Lankan Tamils that the Tigers facilitated, and which they still control through front organizations, will become their key asset. The organized criminal empire of the LTTE among the Diaspora communities has been carefully focused on supporting the Tigers on Sri Lanka. Police officers in Western Europe, Canada, Australia and US who monitor Tamil organized crime have seen little sign of pro-Tiger community leaders living the high life usually associated with organized crime leaders. But narcotics, "War-Taxes", smuggling, and other enterprises generate a lot of money and pay for the Tiger's political apparatus. Those activists are unlikely to want to seek honest work.
Last two lines of his statement: ( " I urge again all those with any influence on the position ot the LTTE to use that influence now to pusuade them to let the civiians population go. There is no time to lose") are the essence of his visit. This is what Ihave been telling various organizations including Canadian politicians specially Liberal Party Memebers of the parliament who have a history of sympathy towards Tamils who have sympathy towards LTTE.
I made the same request to Tamil Nadu Govt in India.
If anybody wants to help Tamils they should help Sri lankan Govt to eliminate LTTE now. That is the only way that helps Tamil people to regain their lost life.
Sir Holmes haven't seen their original houeses. It was a weakness of his investigation. The houses they live and facilities are very much above their own. However, own place is a palace for any one. So, we should let them go to their own houses. While they are in these temporary houses, the Military should be there, because nasty LTTE can do something to destroy all this good work. So, please don't act like LTTE, or represent that brutal group and ask Army to leave the area.
Thanks
Based on this report world should know that U.N should take care of IDPs to to ensure the international standard. I am just wondering why verbal assurance from the Government of Sri Lanka is important since there is no guarantee for that assurance. Since many governments are with Sri Lankan government, it is their responsibility to get the political solution from the Sri Lankan government and to present it to the Tamil people. Am I wrong to think so?
UN Under Secretary john Holems has taken a very unbias look at the situation in Sri lanka, and I thank him as a former UN Consultant, for his straight forth presentation to UN. As said by him at the end of his submission it is time for the LTTE supporters and friends in high places to urge the LTTE and Prabakaran to let go the poor innocent people and face the Sri Lankan Army or let down their Arms and surrender to seek natuarl justice due to them.
He is hiding the important facts. His statement is a carefully crafted statement to assign blame between the govt. and LTTE and to imply govt. is responsible for the current situation.
The main facts this guy is hiding are
(1) The LTTE is forcefully keeping close to 80,000 people and deliberately exposing them to battle and possible death.
(2) LTTE is even keeping the UN staff hostage and not allowing them to go free.
As expected these fly by night falsehood mongers has given a slanted version of the FACTS to denigrate Sri Lanka's name.
Why is the UN helping a rogue state to uproot the people from their homes?
Sri Lanka has failed to live upto the promises of upholding human rights.
Even the HRW described the camps are nothing but "internment camps". Why would anyone want to leave their homes and move into the hands of a governemnt committing genocidal acts against Tamils?
At least somebody acknowledges that the civilians are not "trapped" in war, but HELD by LTTE. LTTE has done a lot of damage to Tamil people in Sri Lanka. It is time to eliminate terrorism and bring those areas that were under LTTE control from the horror of violence and poverty back to normal.
Srilanka a terrorist country, where more than 80000 with corps buried, or burnt alive or dissappered. lots and lots named as tigers and gets arrested, murdered, woman and including underaged gals in mass amount getting rapped and murdered, in out of prisons. more than 80000 dead, continuing to die, of these bomb, churches/temples, schools , hospitals, in no fire zone area.
Blocking all international community from going to the affected area to hide the truth. bombing media from preventing from exposing the truth, journalists, and humanatarian aid personals, minority politicians murdered these ruthless, barbarians of the government forces continue to murder in mass amount, children with amputed legs, hands, with shattered body parts all over the place. blocking all medical aids and innocents including children getting their body parts amputed due to lack of medicines., food, to the affected area.
These srilankan army forces were trying to solicit underage gals in Haiti when they went as peace keepers and got caught by the media. they thought they could get away like the do in there homeland. these evil forces even don t mind killing their own kids to hide the truth. Lots of their own people, journalists murdered who were exposing the truth. Lot of journalist live in fear, and most left country due to death threats by these government forces. Governments who give criminals high posts / in their group/law enforcement so to hide all criminal/genocide against a race.
Government forces continue to buy weapons from terrorist countries from the donated money which were for the affected area people for the purpose of slaughtering /wiping out whole race. Childrens continuing to die of these ruthless government force, harrassements, abductions. Rape, medial reasons(amputed body parts, no medial aids), no food, loneliness as their parents abducted and murdered, alteast now international community is now coming to know the truth, government cannot hide crimes any longer.
It is a great pleasure to comment on this speech not because of Srilankan sihalees but as a human being.
While I was reading this article I got tears because as a world reputed organization understood the reality in Srilanka. We Srilankan either Sinhala Tamil or Muslims are very much frustrated with this bloody war created by LTTE with the help of INGO and NGO today you have witnessed the ground reality.
We need peace, world need peace, please help to the Srilankan government to rescue this innocent Tamil people, they are our brother and sisters, together we can prove to the world who the Srilankan are.
Thanks to you again for your unbiased comments in front of whole world.
Sir Holmes, A big thank you 4visiting the north and letting the people know of the situation. Facts are stubborn but its the LTTE that many feel must lay down arm first and let civilians go to safety. Then its a matter of seeing how gosl reacts. Criticism and action or praise with reward should be cosidered after that. Right now International pressure should be on the terrorists and not on those fighting to eradicate terrorism.
Finally, the world full of make believers can now shut up and accept the ground reality in Sri Lanka. This statement clearly debunk HRW version of events which was full of innuendos and bigotry against the Sinhala Buddhists. Can you imagine 200,000 people cramped into 70 sq.km of sandy beaches? Come on HRW, get the figures right. The UN now says it is about 80,000 left with LTTE and most of them are LTTE Mahaveer families not willing to leave the LTTE.
No doubt, Sir Holmes wasn't for sale for the Eelamists to pour their crocodile tears and he truly delivered the fairness of the situation. Yes, all Lanka governments are lethargic slow to react to any crisis. You saw how they reacted to the Tsunami. I am sure the int. pressure will now force them to expeditiously look after these poor Tamils, most happen to be innocent victims of Tamil terror adventure.
Dear Mr. John Holmes, Under Secretary General UN Humanitarian Affairs,
Please ask Sri Lanka government to allow you to visit the Vanni directly - do not allow a rogue state like Sri Lanka to intimidate the world humanitarian community
Even the Sihalese People will no doubt agree that this country is ruled by a set of thugs headed by Mahinda.The Tigers are from the Tamil community fighting for the just rights of Tamils for over 03 decades. They also as a group committed certain blunders in the past.However,they truly represent the aspirations of tamils.It is ably evidenced by the protest marches organised by tamils in many countries. Mahinda and his brothers(Mostly Uneducated/Super market security Guards)under the cover of a government engaged in genocide.
Hats off to Sir Holmes for revealing the facts! Tamil racism existed well before the unfortunate 1983 Black july (started with Chelvanayagam in sixtees). These LTTE tribalists are shrewd enough to use any excuse to whitewash their 'just strugle', which in fact is based on their mythical tamil kingdom. LTTE have always been pushing and shoving the SL Govt during last ceasefire, but started crying 'Genocide' once hit back.
SL govt applied the same force in the south when singhala terrorism (JVP) in where over 75,000 singhala youth got killed during 72 and 89, but we didn't hear anything from HRW. How come its 'Genocide'and 'Racism' only when the terrorists happen to be tamils? Is it because they consider themselves a super intelligent race, who strongly refuse to ascimilate with other ethnic groups in SL and India, at the same time demanding better opportunities than the majority?
As the previous commentator Buddhi has most wisely, as his name implies, pointed out, the very essence or the crux of Under Sec.,Gen Holmes'analysis of the immediate cause for the current humanitarian emmergency in the North of Sri Lanka is contained in the LAST TWO sentences of his submission.This is the inescapable and honest truth no matter what anyone else might wish to say.The investigation has been made by the right international organ and at the highest level.People who have a vested interest, inclusive of some politicians in various countries wanting to use the current situation in Sri Lanka to win votes or to do favours for interested sub groups, have no choice now but to accept Sir Holmes' report as an unbiased and objective an analysis as one could get ,and act on it rather than on unsubstantiated information and partisan propaganda.We all know what happened in the Saddam Hussain saga of lies and deceit.Having said that it is also absolutely necessary in my own view, for the Sri Lankan government to give an assurance that if the civilians are released that the Army will not go for the LTTE jugular.I strongly believe the LTTE heirarchy should be spared to join with other Tamil leaders to paticipate in negotiations for peace with a condition that all arms and ammunition in their control be placed in trust with an honest broker(not Norway,ofcourse)and also with representatives of the the Sri Lankan Tamil diaspora joining the peace talks through the auspices of the governments where they have aquired citzenship or permanent residence.This way all Tamil people inclusive of LTTE sympathisers will have the confidence that any peace negotiations will be representative of all views and not only of those who toe the government line.In any event, let us all irrespective of to which race or creed we belong whole-heartedly wish and pray for peace. Aren't we all tired of this blood shed and misery?Sri Lankans deserve peace and happiness after all these years.We must not let this opportunity go begging.
Dear Sir John Holmes,
You have illustrated that the Knight honorific "Sir" in front of your name is truely deserved.
You are a true gentleman and not like many people who is shedding crocodile tears at this very last moment to give oxigen to the notorious LTTE terrorist by exaggerating the "hummanitarion issues" in the North before the outpit disappears from the map of Sri Lanka in the coming days.
Thank you very much for exposing the world about the true nature of most baberic tamil terrorist outpit-LTTE and giving the true facts.
Your effort will help Sri Lanka in resolving the the current issues. We appreciate your effort in this regards.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Holmes,
My hat off for expose actual situation in srilanka. Your statement is neutral and factually discribed the situation.
Tamils expacts who dreams for seperate country are funding war in srilanka. Countries that promote terrorism, (ex Switzerland, Norway) are backing for this process. tamils will not displace in srilanka as srilankans are born to help,world best hospitality, non- racism and multi ethnic country.
Hopefully the world will now realise that there is no so called 'Genocide' happening in Sri Lanka.
If the LTTE can be persuaded to release the civilian hostages they have, the war will soon end. It is questionable that the UN will have any influence over the LTTE to do this.
It is fair for the SL forces to control entry and exit into camps to stop suicide bombers from getting in as we have already seen but they should allow more reporters so that the process can be more transparent.
All the LTTE Tiger supporters outside Sri Lanka who have never visited the country for many years, and were spreading falsehood in support of LTTE, to hoodvinck the International Community are up against Dr. Holms, as he saw and heard the truth (from the very people LTTE are supposed to be protecting) and conveyed the true situation in Sri Lanka to the UN.
the tamil community as a whole will never beleive anything anybody say because these crooneys cannot go to these areas and see for themslves, they are brainwashed by Tiger propoganda and dont like to accept facts. this fool Prabakaran has given them a dream of Tamil Elam which is a joke, we lived with ancestors and ancestors of Tamil people, what about the Tamil people living in other parts of the counrty are they not happy, its the tamils who are racial and not the sinhalese, the person who writes this is a muslim, come on tamil be patriotic
During the last 21/2 years of operations, the govt forces have been able not only to capture around 15000 sq km land areas from LTTE but rescued lacks of tamil speaking people living in eastern and northern six districts. Hovever LTTE has been able to get some 100,000 civilians pushed deeper into their areas and now trapped in Puthukudiyiruppu area . Therefore his statement
"...almost all the civilian population has been progressively displaced along with the LTTE." is factually in correct and mis leading. Even the Govt. media is pre occuppied with the current scenario and seems to have fogotten or overlooked this important fact when it comes to correcting the picture.
on the other hand we must thank him for trying to present a balance report and espeacially his comments abouts IDPs future welfare etc. It is reported in the media today that our Attorney General MR Mohan Pieris himself has visited Manicfarm IDP yesterday
jayampathy molligoda
Dinesh, Marlene and the others
Is there any futility in a strugle for a separate homeland in the confines of Srilanka ? through a political solution yes other than that it is just a dream due to the existing balance of the population between the Sinhalese & the Tamils.
The fact that the country is run through a dictatorship is understood by everyone not just you. However you have to comprehend to the fact that the military is surely trying ( I will not say that there are many hurdles to overcome when the civilian population is mixed with the LTTE??? u decide why there is a mix! Is it there Kith n Kin who are fighting? ) to avoid civilian casualties in this war effort.
I would like to know if you have ever seen the the ground reality like you say ??? Have you ever been to Vavunia ATLEAST?? the IDP camps ?
It is certainly a sorry state of affairs when you see the displaced civilians, but this has been brought about through your own LTTE and ppl like you who fund the LTTE through the Tamil diaspora who live in there dreamland.
Finally it would be best that this dictatorship is over thrown when this war is over and a final political solution is brought about to settle the issue, maybe this is my dream just like yours.
Just remember that if the country is divided into two and the the borders are demarcated this will be another Pakistan/India Kashmir, the next thing you know it will be a war against two countries.
So John Holmes has made his Statement to the UN Security Council.
Did he have to visit Lanka at all to repeat the GOSL propaganda that the LTTE is forcibly holding civilians?
Fighting the massively armed GOSL forces who out number thm by far, yet managing to control all those civilians at the same time??
John Holmes claims to have come to get "first-hand information".
But who gave him this so called "first-hand information"?
Does he know any Tamil to speak to any IDP's? Or was someone 'translating' for him?
Who gave him the numbers?
As I mentioned earlier in another post John Holmes is paid, fed, entertained and he knows what needs to be said!
I read the report/speech with interest, the facts found during Mr. Holmes visit to Vanni and the humanitarian camps have been presented giving a bleak picture. I believe this is not true as reported, e.g. the children who were interviewed by the Al Jazera reporter say that they are very happy in their camps, children provide an unbiased view than adults.
It is regret to note that Mr. Holmes has failed to attack/criticise the LTTE in the strongest terms of the terrorist acts and for not allowing civilian to leave from the war zone, but instead in many paragraphs he has urged the government to abide by the UN convention and comply accordingly.
Mr. Holmes should understand that Sri Lanka no longer trust any foreign agencies, in the past they have supported LTTE directly, providing multitude of facilities to build military capabilities to create an EELAM. Therefore foreign NGOs advice and their participation will worsen the situation. We have come to the last stage of war, relaxing military operation for the sake of civilians (who are detain by the LTTE), will stretch the suffering of the entire nation- fear of air attacks, suicide attacks, bomb threats targeting civilians and economic target etc. Mr. Holmes, you should weigh every aspects of the war and should not take a narrow view of the northern humanitarian issue.
Many LTTE supporters here do not agree to these observations.But they are the very same people who wanted the UN to go in and see the situation. Unfortunately for them the UN did not see what the Tamil diaspora wanted to it to see. The UN saw the reality, what the government was saying all these times,that the LTTE has to release these innocent tamils. After the war the tamil diaspora will go on agitating for 'ealam', the utopia. 90% of the tamils live mainly in the south and they do not crave for any Ealam. Only the expat tamils who used the free education and other free services the government offered and then went to the west for better life without serving the motherland. They are willing to learn Norwegian, German and French and all other languages as their adopted countries force them to do but are reluctant to learn the language of their mother country. They have no right even to talk about the country!
Thanks for the true facts.What about all the innocents killed by LTTE suicide bombings?LTTE brain washed Tamils to be suicide bombers and killed many innocent civilians and chased away all the Muslims and Singhalese from their areas but live peacefully in the south with Singhalese and Muslims.This is called Ethnic cleansing by LTTE of Singhalese and Muslims.Most Tamils forget or do not want to mention these facts.More than 94000 Muslims were chased giving them only 24 hours time to leave!Hey You Tamils forgot about Temples and Mosques killings of innocent praying people with the support of Indian RAW? You LTTE supporters are double standard brain washed lot.
SLA is at least protecting the IDP's. Not much can be said about the LTTE who's taking the tamil people as human shields around with them. It is the responsibility of the "Sole Representative of the Tamil People" to protect the tamil people not use them as human shields. When one call calls himself the "Sole Representative of the Tamil People" and the rest of the Diaspora give credence to that, it is he (Prabakaran) who should be held responsible. I'm glad for a change, the international community is not biting into the LTTE propaganda.
John Holmes's speech to the UN reminded me of Neville Chamberlain's "peace in our time" after his meeting and agreement with Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leader stated in the agreement: "We are determined to continue our efforts to remove possible sources of difference and thus to contribute to assure the peace of Europe."
A year later Hitler invaded Poland.
For John Holmes to trust the assurances of the current Sri Lankan government shows a remarkable level of naivety for such an experienced diplomat.
He should have asked himself the following.
* Why are journalists critical to the government being killed in Colombo? Is this a sign of a government to be trusted?
* Why were all NGOs asked to leave the Vanni? Is this a sign of a caring government?
* Why are no journalists being allowed into the war zone to establish the true facts? If the real villains are the LTTE what does the government have to fear?
* Why would Tamil civilians have to fear from the government? The history of army atrocities against Tamil civilians over the last 50 years (without a single prosecution and tacit government approval) should have given him the answer.
History will assign to John Holmes the reputation he rightly deserves. In the meantime, the blood of many innocent Tamil is on his hands.
Segaran
Sir Holms, I have never beleive, that kind of present minded report from International Organization untill see your statement today. Unfortunately most of the NGO cheaters & few of Tamil LTTE supporters never known about current deal of the legitical government of sri lanka & most dangerous terrorist group in the world.
Roshan
In these tsransition camps all IDP's needs to be accounted for & the SL govt. has taken full responsibilty for each of them.Dont you all tell me that LTTE would protect them when they themselves are on the run for their dear lives.
If you guys concerned about the LTTE's survival then have the guts to tell it so.pls do not pawn the lives of your fellow brotheren to safeguard a bunch of goons who thrive on Vanni Tamils misery. call a spade a spade like Mr. John Holmes did!
Even now some people do not trust the report of Holmes. It is clear the culprit is LTTE who prevents leaving civilians in the LTTE held areas. It is clear this ruthless organization forcibly recruites innocent civilians for its military activities. Many tamils living in foreign countries encourage LTTE to continue the war in SL thinking that it will help to bring hier friends and relatives to those contries as political refugees. GOSL must introduce strong measures to capture those culprits when come or visit to Sri Lanka.
THE LTTE MUST OFFER TO LAY DOWN THEIR WEAPONS TO A NEUTRAL ARMED INTERNATIONAL PEACE KEEPING FORCE ON THE CONDITION THAT SUCH A FORCE WOULD MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE NORTHEAST AS UNDERTAKEN BY THE CO-CHAIRS/UN/COMMONWEALTH FORCE/INDIA.
AT THIS STAGE, WITHOUT MAKING SUCH AN OFFER AND HOLDING ON TO THEIR WEAPONS, THE LTTE INDIRECTLY ASSISSTS MAHINDA WITH HIS ACTS OF GENOCIDE IN VANNI.
Dear All,
Lets remember both sides has lost the war. Only winners are arm dealers.
Looking at what is left in Vanni, LTTE has failed to take care of our people used all resources not in inveting on our prople but to spend on Arms and so many has lost lives. Enough is enough.!
Unless Govt accepts they also has lost on the Sri Lankan lives and offer reasonable solution to the people and let our people mind our business and develop our areas, I want to tell u, its matter of time another war will start.!
Sara.
This UN envoy, if he was genuinely interested in ascertaining the truth of the situation now in the conflict areas,should have interviewed those most affected by the conflict, namely, the civilians, in private, in the absence of army men/women, police, state officials & politicians, assisted by an accredited UN interpreter and all testimony recorded on video by UN cameramen.
This he failed to do and says that he has "accepted the 'assurances' of the government" and says that he has "stressed the need for 'enhanced monitoring by ICRC and UNHCR'" but has not insisted on this,and has not recommended same to the UN.
How credible can his report be ?
sir your comment,regarding ,srilanka.
40 metric tons food enough for how maney days.then 10 metric tons , how maney days, please answer, you want the civilean to go to safe place government control area, they will ket killed it has happend, only safe p advised to go govment area, 130 raped, 180 shot and killed by srilthe open prision, you like this , , parker lady human right report few days before, human treated like animals, you admitt. god bless you ,
We Tamils now know that you can’t get justice even from the highest and most venerated assembly of nations of the world, the UN. (The Russian, Vietnamese and Japanese objections are proof of that). The confirmation of this was when John Holms said the war has to finish before a political solution can be discussed. (Did they call him a “white Tiger” once? But this tiger unlike the real Vanni tiger can be turned!)
What he is saying is that the 30 year armed struggle that sacrificed 25,000 Tamil fighters was meaningless and the Tamil saviours LTTE should be finished off and the Tamils made naked before anything else.
Tamils are by now used to injustice upon injustice being heaped on them. But the world is yet to realise that the new Tamil spirit will not cow down like before. The struggle will reach new heights to overcome and teach these barbarians the force of righteousness.
Just a fraction of goons motivated by politicians with vested interets started the Black July 1983.
This was the only time SL ( at least a minusscle of sinhalese) committed " genocide " against Tamils. Majority of moderate sinhalese like me protected many tamil friends, with whom we have lived side by side for years. Ww visited them in the refugee camps, took their valubles for safekeeping, and protected them from harm, and treated their injuries and saved their livs in hospials where we worked.
Most of these people who left SL taking advantage of the prvailing situation , are in the so called " Diaspora " fuelling and funding the racial hatred in SL for the last 30 years. But deep in their heart, some of them will still remember the good times they had with their sinhala friends, in the towns, villages,schools, universities etc, and should feel ashamed of accusing ALL sinhalese of heinous crime of genocide.
After 1983, NO sinhalese committed tamil genocide. But the Tamils did. Those who did not take part it in directely, funded it. and kept silent about it.
Hundreds of suide bombs killed thousands of innocent civillians including my brother. All venerated places of worship were bathed in blood. Clergy killed. All north and east was ethnically cleansed of sinhalese, while the Tamils enjoyey their life anyhere in SL living with the sinhalese. But NO sinnhalese retaliated.
Where is this genocide ? out of 12% of tamils, majority live outside the LTTE controlled areas, enjoying the freedom. What has the LTTE done with billions of dollars pumped by the diaspora, TRO and INGO and NGO, to the liberated people in LTTE controlled areas. ? a single road paved ? A single functioning school? A single blade of paddy ? Now the liberators are hiding behind the "liberated" to save their own skin. They even blasted the kind hands which fed them at Wishwamadu camp.
Come out of your dream . Think about the country which gave you free education and proffessional qualification. You know, there was NO descrimination against you when you lived in SL, any different to the descriminatin you get as a 3rd class citizen whereever you live.
Stop sending money to LTTE, to turn SL childre to suicide bombers, while your children are safe.....Try to wn the hearts and minds of the sinhalese who have suffered and suffred under the brutal LTTE, powered by your funds...
Mr. Holmes,
The tour you received from SL Government is a well choreographed one. The Tamils in the detention camps are forced to tell lies by the SL army. If they speak the truth, you know what will happen to them after you leave. All the so called facts you received from SL government are purely fictional which only serve against Tamils and the LTTE. If you want the truth you have get an independent tour without Army escort into the Vanni. Otherwise the information you gathered is useless.
Mr.Holmes having received an orchestrated visit knows exactly what is going on,he is no novice.This is the man who spoke with a great understanding of the LTTEs struggle one time,why the change of a political stance against the LTTE now?
In the recent briefing at the UN he had been told to shut up with regards to politics but to talk only about human rights and suffering, WHY?
Mr. Holms " The White Tiger" had been taken for a ride by the SL. Govt. he was taken in the company high ranking stooges, was fed with lies, lies & lies of the situation, conducted on a tour of places which the Govt. wanted hin to see & allowed to talk to people whom the Govt. assigned and above he was the guest of of the most worst, unscruplus Govt. in the whole world.
Mr. Holms " The White Tiger " must know for sure all what he heard, saw & reported are false, lies, lies & nothing but lies. Mr. Holms, please touch ur heart & see how fast its beating after reading what I have said, u will not sleep in peace but in pieces within your self. Life is Short Mr. Holms , do good when you are, u will be answerable to the all Mighty God.
Sir John Holmes,
Well done Sir and thank you for your fearless comments. You have done a wonderful job while fulfilling the purpose of your visit to the war torne areas in Sri Lanka. Did you see any protracted Muslim IDPs of the Norther Province, who were forcibly eveicted and ethnic cleansed during 1990 by the same LTTE within two hours from their traditional home lands? Present calamity of Tamil community is a retribution from the divine power. We really regret from the bottom of our hearts for their plights. Nevertheless, Tamil IDPs should be treated according to the recommendations of UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement(1998). You should have given some credit to Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen MP, Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services, who is doing the top most, impartial and indiscriminate services to these Tamil IDPs being an IDP himself.
Best regards
Roshan Marikkar
Colombo
01.03.2009
Rt. Hon'ble Sir John Holmes:
We were encouraged on learning you are due here on a "fact-finding" mission simply because of the tremendous impression the other bearing your name - Sherlock Holmes - has left on the world centuries back. I liked the chap so much everytime I hit blighty I reverentially visit that worshipful tube station -
Baker Street with the ceramic figure of the 'tec and all that on the walls - and Holmes' office in the street. But I am afraid MR's Govt has taken you to one right royal ride this time. While thousands have died and tens of thousands are starving in the Wanni you have given these guys a "Clean Certificate"
We even learn Rishard Badurdeen - that youngish looking Minister who is always
in 3-piece suit since he joined the govt - even conned you by mis-translating when a Tamil woman complained to you saying she was taken by army men.Rishard, true to his colours, is reported to have told you she was taken by the LTTE. Nowhere in your report did I find any reference to the crimes, enormous sufferings, shortage of food/medicine, famine of the Tamil people that fills our independent Press.
I am sorry - but even if they had sent someone like that chap Watson his report would have been more faithful to the actual sufferings of the Tamils - even elementarily. No wonder Michael Ignatieff, the Canadian Opposition Leader
has asked (Feb 27) your Boss Ban Ki Moon to send another senior representative. Or was your current white-wash report given because the Sinhala supremacists made
things really bad for you the last time you were here? Too bad, Shirley Holmes -with Watson faithfully by his side, must be twisting in their respective
graves.
ISS
I read all the comments. Some have queried whether Mr.Homes met the IDPs personally. I understand that when Mr. Holmes visited Vavuniya where the diplaced are camped, translation was given by a Minister only briefly. Most part of the translation was done by the Government Agent, who is also a Tamil lady.
At the camps Mr.Holmes met the IDPs privately and the translation was done by UN Staff members. Further, he had met a large audience consisting of the staff of the Government agent office, INGO, NGO, UN agecies etc. Therefore, there cannot be any doubt about collecting the real facts. Here the question of diaspora arises. It is a well known fact that they provide fund and open support to LTTE. Although they shed crocidle tears for the Tamils in Sri Lanka, their own children can't speak and study in Tamil in countries where they live. They are not prepared to come to Sri Lanka as they left the country seeking green pastures. Even the Tamil Eelam is establsihed they would not come.
At last, I would say that while the government is taking military action to wipe out the LTTE, it also need to find a political solution to the problem so that the IDPs could return to their homes and lead a peaceful life.
This conflict has been going on for many many years. In those years many have lost their lives. Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, aid workers and countless others. Why is the UN STILL writing about this conflict to each other?
Why have you not yet done the tasks which you have been empowered to do by the nations?
Resolve conflict, create peace??!.
I am bored of all these talks (you’ve been doing them for a while). DO SOMETHING TO SAVE SRI LANKA. Stop propagating animosity between the ethnic groups.
I am getting more and more bored, frustrated and annoyed at this bloggers. How much praise are we going to give the UN for stating the obvious? Do Sri Lankans not know that civilians are getting killed? So, is it worth our effort to glorify somebody who has pretty much said ‘the situation is bad, people are dying?’ Is this a new revelation?
I will be happy to praise and thank anyone who is actually worthy of it. And I would like nothing more than to do so.
I ask the UN:
What are your objectives in relation to Sri Lanka?
What is the plan to restore peace and stop the war in Sri Lanka?
I want to hear some concrete resolution objectives which work.
Or are you going to implement similar mythic peace deals that you have done in the past? Or is it going to similar to the temporary peace deals?
Do you not know the definition of ‘peace’?
I also want to know - what does the UN actually do now? I mean, people are still starving; many African countries are still in conflict (as they have been for years); the environment is in shambles. All under the guiding light of the UN saviours. It seems to be that the UN is having problems uniting a country the size of a peanut, let along ‘nations’.
What have you done, with all your might and power to do the jobs that the nations have empowered you to do? Do you take your job seriously? Because it’s a serious job.
Prove your worth.
Peace
Sir John Holmes and most of you writing on this blog
Pls do not fuel hatred among Srilankan communities, which is very well handled by successive Sinhala governments. We do not want any more actors within or from outside Srilanka for mere statement diplomacy. Every Srilankan Sinhalese, Eezham Tamils and all other citizens of this island want to stop the war and restore peace in this beautiful island. We want firm action in deed not words to bring peace