Christian Human Rights activist arrested at Katunayake
Mr. Santha Fernando (63) Executive Secretary Commission for Justice and Peace –National Christian Conference ( former Secretary APAY, member of IDC , APRRN and NCC Sri Lanka National Board member National YMCA) has been taken in to Custody at Colombo International Air Port on 27th march 2009. He was handed over by Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) of Sri Lanka. Mr. Fernando has served as the secretary of CJP-NCC SL for four years.
He was arrested after airport security found some documents related to conflict in Sri Lanka in his hand luggage. According to unconfirmed reports documents he had in his possession were on humanitarian crisis in Vanni, downloaded form the internet. He was on his way to attend a two day workshop organized by Delhi based The Other Media group on Sri Lanka situation.
The work shop was held on 28/29th in Delhi. Santha’s Wife was asked to come to the police section where he is held. A lawyer who visited the police section was informed him that they will let him know by two or three days time where they will allow lawyers to visit him. They only allowed family members to visit him. Upto now no lawyer has been allowed to visit him.
A lawyer has contacted the Director of the unit and raised concerns over his age and health and they informed the lawyer that he is well looked after.
It is understood that Ministry for Defence (MOD) has issued a detention order for 30 days to keep Mr. Santha Fernando in the TID.
Dr. Vickramabahu Karunarathne, General Secretary of NSSP has called for the immediate release of Santha Fernando, Executive Secretary Commission for Justice and Peace –National Christian Conference:
Release Christian Council Secretary Shantha Fernando immediately
Social activist, Human Rights campaigner and the General Secretary of National Christian Council is detained by the Terrorist Investigation Department claiming to be a “LTTE terrorist”. This incredible action of the government displays the callous attitude of the government towards local Christian society and the international Christian community. The government in a most high handed manner stopped this reputed Christian leader from participating in a democratic conference to be held in New Delhi. Clearly the government is afraid of the truth about human sufferings in Lanka.
We demand that the government release Mr. Shantha Fernando immediately and make a public apology to the world Christian community.
Dr. Vickramabahu Karunarathne
President, Left Front
General Secretary
Nava Sama Samaja Party
30 March 2009
4 Comments
First Tigers, then Tamils and Muslims finally the Christians so that MR can declare Sri Lanka a Sinhala Buddhist undemocratic republic of (one and only) Sri Lanka in the whole world. Who knows he may be even nominated for Nobile peace prize when he finished his master plan. What is the IC doing? They are seems to be sleeping.
Christianity,Islam,Hindu or whatever,terrorism has no religion
Gayan, what about state terrorism under the name of democrazy. He too will meet the same fate as Tigers for all the killings and bombing of innocent Tamils under the falls pretex. One day the truth will be out and MR and his stooges then will have face justice.
I have written earlier Sinhala Christians feel they are 2nd class citizens and live in fear and uncertainty as the Tamils. Shantha Fernando's rights are enshrined in the Constitution - but are as meaningless to him as to millions of Lankan Tamils. I am glad my friend Dr Wickramabahu Karunaratne is once more fearly speaking out in the cause of justice. It is sad this should happen in the tenure of my other friend MR who did so many visits to Geneva and elsewhere to uphold the Constitutional rights of the Sinhalese, Tamils and others during Premadasa's time. These, arguably in worst form, are being trampled so brutally today when he is at the height of his power. I can do no more but pray for Shantha and hope no harm will come to him. He must not suffer the fate of young Tissanaiyagam whose rights remain unlawfully violated. Here's hoping both will be restored to their respective families soon. Incidentally, looks like Gothabaya is out to take revenge on the Tamils as I read that the Police calls for electronic registrations are on
though - they were halted on protests made. I request the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka to pressure the government to remove this fascistic requirement.
Tamils fear the underlying objective is to get data as to their exact residences so that the "needful" can be done - as in 1983 - if the international community takes action against MR's Govt. Gothabaya is taking this as a personal vendetta for the attempt on his life by suspected LTTEers.
Innocent Tamil people should not be made to suffer for this.
Ilaya Seran Senguttuvan