In addition there have been reports that the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives and joint convenor of the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence, Dr Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu and Secretary of the Free Media Movement Sunil Jayasekera figure in a list of civil society activists who are said to be supportive of the political opposition. All these organizations and the persons named have worked with the National Peace Council as part of its own mandate to foster ethnic harmony, respect for human rights and national reconciliation in the country.

We are concerned about reports on Mr Weliamuna. During the last few weeks there have been several state media allegations against the Sri Lankan branch of Transparency International. There were publicized reports about the misuse of funds which the organization has publicly claimed as completely fabricated and false. We note that on the 27th September, 2008 two grenades were thrown at the house of Mr Weliamuna. One exploded and damaged the building. The other was found inside the property. If it had exploded it could have seriously harmed Mr. Weliamuna and his family. There was a serious outcry locally by the Bar Association and human rights organizations, including the National Peace Council. However, there were no serious investigations appear to have been taken into the attack and as far as we are aware no one was has been arrested.

As a civic organization we believe in the right of such organizations to critique social and political institutions, and to point out injustices that are not being addressed and need to be corrected. Criticisms of this nature need to be taken in the spirit in which they are made in order to help eliminate corruption, promote respect for human rights and democratic governance. Sri Lanka has subscribed to the UN Declaration and international human rights covenants. The right to dissent and the freedom of expression and human rights are also enshrined in our own Constitution. We expect any government to abide by the Constitution. Further, promoting good governance is not only the responsibility of the government but also the duty of every Sri Lankan citizen. This is the duty that is being performed by the organisations and activists who have been targeted for attacks.

Sri Lanka and the people of our country stand s to lose if human rights violations are countenanced by the authorities. In February this year, the European Union confirmed the suspension of the GSP+ tariff concession to Sri Lanka on the grounds of the government's non-compliance with human rights and good governance requirements. This has been followed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon's announcement that he will set up an expert committee to advice him on Sri Lanka's human rights situation which has drawn sharp criticism from the Sri Lankan government. Criticizing the European Union or the United Nations and the international community will not be helpful for Sri Lankans in the long term even though some pre-election mileage may be gained by such statements made by some Government spokespersons.

The Attorney General has been cited in media reports asking journalists in voluntary exile to return home. While this is a positive statement, the National Peace Council calls upon the government to set the record straight about the purported list and the threat to Mr Weliamuna and others who campaign for freedom of expression, human rights and combating corruption in public life. and ensure their safety so that they do not have to flee overseas.

Governing Council