'The three outsiders will need to take a view on what really happened in the closing stages of the war' - The Economist
A nasty row over a UN investigation panel
by The Economist
NEITHER Sri Lanka’s government, nor the United Nations seems ready to back down over an increasingly bitter dispute. This week a spokesman for Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, confirmed that a panel of three experts will be convened as planned to advise him on “accountability” for war crimes that were allegedly committed as Sri Lanka brought its civil war to a bloody end early in 2009.
'It remains unclear just what Mr Ban’s expert panel will actually do'
This is despite a fierce demonstration in front of the UN compound in Colombo, the capital, spearheaded by Sri Lanka’s housing minister, Wimal Weerawansa. He had called for a protest against Mr Ban’s experts. The government had earlier dismissed the panel as an interference in its internal affairs, but it also promised that such a siege would be avoided.
Nonetheless on July 6th police clashed with a mob, led by Mr Weerawansa, that tried to storm the UN compound. Shouting angry slogans, protesters burned an effigy of Mr Ban, called his advisers “idiots” and trapped some 200 staff, and their visitors. Those caught inside were escorted out by police eight hours later, to jeers.
The protest continued for much of the past week as loudspeakers blared and a black-shirted Mr Weerawansa launched a “fast-unto-death” while lying inside a shed across the road from the compound. He vowed that he would only be prepared to relent if Mr Ban scrapped his panel. The government preserved a curious position: somewhat disassociating itself from Mr Weerawansa, but rejecting his offer of resignation and saying that it would not quell his demonstration.
From New York Mr Ban issued a terse statement grumbling that the Sri Lankan authorities had failed in their duty to prevent disruption to the UN offices and adding that the UN Development Programme regional centre in Colombo would close (it had earlier been marked for scaling down).
Mr Weerawansa should fatten himself up now while he has the chance
In the end the siege was lifted and Mr Weerawansa gave up his fast (after 52 hours) once President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid a visit and offered him a glass of water. The UN has not caved in, but it remains unclear just what Mr Ban’s expert panel will actually do. His office says that it is not a war-crimes investigation but part of an internal process to advise the secretary-general. But if the three outsiders are to do that, they will need to take a view on what really happened in the closing stages of the war. Mr Weerawansa should fatten himself up now while he has the chance. - courtesy: The Economist -
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FROM THE ASHEN STREETS
The violent events of July 1983 are poignant for the entire Tamil population around the world. Tamils were systematically targeted with violence in Colombo and many other parts of Sri Lanka between July 24th and 29th, 1983. Tamil homes and businesses were burned, looted and destroyed. Tamil people were beaten, killed and burned alive. It was in no doubt an unforgettable and utterly dark period for Tamil people characterized by torturous beatings, extreme violence and indiscriminate killings. Fearing persecution, thousands of Tamils fled the island of Sri Lanka.
At a time when Sri Lankan Tamils were seeking refuge from the violence and political persecution of Sri Lanka’s Anti-Tamil Pogrom of July 1983, Canada opened its doors to provide a safe haven. Join these Canadians on July 23, 2010 as Canadian Tamil Congress presents “From the Ashen Streets”, commemorating the 27th anniversary of Black July. The night will feature a must see documentary by young Toronto directors, V. Aaraniyan, V. Aadhi and V. Aara. These brothers ventured to understand the lives and wounds left behind by the events of Black July through the experiences of six brave Tamil Canadians. Their stories provide a lasting impression on the resilience of the human spirit which lies within the Tamil community and a fresh perspective on the Sri Lankan narrative. It will be followed by a play from the Asylum Theatre Group which will illustrate the parallels between the haunting survivor experiences of Black July to recent events in the island of Sri Lanka.
In addition, the evening will showcase work from local artists, archived photographs and articles which poignantly chronicles the turbulent history of Sri Lanka up until the days of Black July.
Come join the Canadian Tamil Congress in remembering the unforgettable.
over 5000 innocent Tamils been killed.
Please visit www.blackjuly83.com for more information
Leaving Ban Ki Moon who represents UN ( I'm not sure SL regime backed Shasi Tharoor or Ban Ki Moon when Dhanapala pulled out ) a side, the facts are :
1. Weerawansa is a Minister and part of the MR regime and his own party and he helped to recruit Sinhalese youths for the armed forces to fight and win the war.
2. Weeravasa's resignation was not accpeted ( in a civilised world the media should publish both his resignation letter and the reply by MR for all citizens to know whether they voted for patriots like Champika, Wimal Weerawansa, Rajapakses, Douglas, Karuna,Baduddin who are with MR regime or voted for unpatriots like Ranil, Hakeem, Mano, Mangala, Jayalath, Sampanthan, Ponnampalam, Sivajilingam who are not with the regime ) by the President
3. Weeravansa was on phone with Gotha when there was a clash between the police and the non violent ( ???) protesters led by Weeravansa preventing UN staff leaving the premises. ( This reminds me when Karuna of TN was arrested and carried away by the police during jayalitha's rule in TN. Karuna did a drama with his verbal skills and the media coverage on SUN TV was good )
4.Mahinda and Gotha and other personnel from the regime personally visted the site to interact with Weeravansa just before the fast was called off.
5, Weerawansa vowed that his fast un to death will not cease until Ban cancels the 3 man committee or Weeravansa's death due to his fasting or something to that effect( Many around the world saw on TV how Karuna of TN did a fast un to death and called it off within a day in collabration with New Delhi.
So many of the enlightend or latteral thinking global citizens can see a similar pattern to that of the TN political jokers is entrenched in SL politics as well.
But for me who have never been to India the frightening pattern authentic to SL still lurking over the Tamils : That pattern I saw from JR Jeyawardne - Cyril Mathew dynamics
has remerged from MR regime - Wimal Weerawansa dynamics even though JHU leaders have condemned the antics of Wimal Weerawansa in front of UN office in Colombo.
The patterns are important whether you are from the NE of SL or from the Upcountry of SL. The patterns of the 1947/48 Ceylon Citzens Bill, state colonisation bills under development schemes,Sinhala only Bill, JR- Buddharahita Kelaniya - Kandy march, Elimination of SWRD by a Buddhis Monk, Local Council bill and dudleyge bade masala vade reaction, 1977 programme backed by regime members, 1983 programme backed by state leader, and so on and on will continue in one form or the other unless a permanent
politcal solution with a new constitution to devolve power come into force.
When these type of patterns have become part of the DNA of the leaders from the majority the misery continues for the majority of the ordinary people from all the ethinic groups who are part of multi ethinic SL
Winner takes it all or survival of the fittest may work very well in South East Asian countries or else where in Asia but in SL it will never work in the medium to long term.
It is indeed a good analysis by the econmist.
"Mr W must fatten himself now that he has the chance"??? The Economist does understand - some would even say represent - the thinking of the captains of the Western world. The entire poorly-orchestrated fiasco makes one feel those who run the ship of state entertain genuine fears the outside and more influential world - whose necessary friendship and support they lost due to poor state-craft - are gathering forces to strike back. BKM may have given indications he is there for them (for a price??) but there appear to be forces out in that part where BKM's influences are eclipsed.
The China-Iran insurance does not appear to offer guarantees for the protection and safety of Sudan's al-Bashir who is on the 2nd Red Notice. After decades of belligerance and finger-pointing Libya's Qaddafi did an about-turn and is still around. Iraq's Saddam Hussain figured he can keep two worlds to collide while he will watch the show from the sideline - but he miscalculated. China jettisoned doctrinaireal considerations and decided to play ball with the "rapacious" West - and has succeeded in lifting its recent-poor State to an industrial-agricultural power-house that will in all probability lead the world as the strongest economic power from the mid-21st century. What the MR regime needs is at least a modern Machiavelli within their ranks to save the day. It is difficult to see one around the motley low-IQ crowd that sorrounds them. WWs theatrical antics are a poor replica from our side to the oncoming David and Goliath saga, where the chips are loaded in David's favour.
ISS
WHO CARES WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE WAR....? Really? Its OVER and every (except the LTTE and their SUPPORTERS) are better off for it.
Our Country is Better off and that is what counts... THAT IS ALL THAT COUNTS. Why is the INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY so bothered? What difference does it make to them how we conducted it? How We DISPOSED of our ENEMIES is OUR BUSINESS and of no REAL concern to anyone else...PERIOD.