NPC: Vesak Time Appeal for Respect for Human Rights
May 15th, 2008
Full Text of National Peace Council of Sri Lanka Media Release:
The killing of Maheswari Velayutham takes away from the political community another strong personality who headed the Forum for Human Dignity and was also closely associated with the EPDP, a former Tamil militant organisation that is now with the government. She had escaped previous assassination attempts and was aware of the threats to her life, but this did not dissuade her from continuing her work for the rights of the people in Sri Lanka.The National Peace Council condemns the assassination of this activist who assisted victims of war and participated in programmes we organised and who shared her anguish about the war trap that the parties to the conflict were in. In addition, several accounts of human rights violations involving Tamils in the context of the war are being reported by the media.
A tragic example recently highlighted in the media is the rape of two teenage girls and the abduction of one of them in Kalmunai in the presence of their family on the day of the Eastern Provincial Council elections when the presence of security personnel in the area on guard duty was very high. The family alleges that armed men came in a white van who committed the crime on their children. When the mother went to the police station to make a complaint the police reportedly sent her away on the grounds that most officers were on election duty. Later that same night the men returned and took the elder girl away. She is missing since then. The report that the police refused to accept their complaint points to state culpability in the practice of impunity.
In addition, contradicting the claims that abductions and disappearances of Tamils in Colombo have come to an end is the disappearance and abduction in the heart of Colombo of Sinnathurai Varatharajan, a highly reputed tuition master from Jaffna and his cousin. They were allegedly taken away by armed men in uniform who came in a white van. Witnesses were told that they were being taken away for questioning, but they have not reappeared. The National Peace Council appeals to the government to ascertain their whereabouts and ensure their safe return to their families.
We also call on the government to re-organise the security apparatus so that human rights violations listed above do not take place with impunity. The Government should do away with the culture of impunity. It is the bounden duty of any state to protect all its citizens. The state by its failure to protect Tamil civilians may give a message to the world that it is the state of the ethnic majority and excludes the Tamils which can bolster the claim to a separate state among the International community.
Finally, we appeal to the government to immediately release senior journalist and human rights activist, J S Tissainayagam, who has now been in government custody for over-Mr Tissainayagam was detained on the allegation that he had connections with the LTTE. But so far the government has not charged him in a court of law. During the period of the Ceasefire Agreement and peace process from 2002-06, there were many, especially journalists, who made contact with the LTTE for legitimate and peaceful purposes.
As the country prepares to celebrate the holy day of Vesak, we cannot forget that Lord Buddha preached compassion and respect not only for human life but also for the lives of animals. May the spirit of compassion enter the hearts of our country’s decision makers, and may the wisdom of our religious tradition guide them to show their compassion to the victims of human rights abuses, and motivate to solve the country’s problems without harming the lives of innocent Tamil civilians.
Executive Director
On behalf of the Governing Council
National Peace Council of Sri Lanka
Entry Filed under: Press Statement
6 Comments Add your own
1. Ruwan Ranasinghe | May 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I wish Sinhalese would take a more proactive role in condemning human rights abuses by the Army and Police. Unfortunately, the tendency is to put the blame on the Tigers. For example, I have heard some argue that 2000 Tamils wouldn’t have been arbitrarily arrested if not for a suicide bomb. One should keep in mind, however, that 2000, or 200, or even 20 of the Tamils arrested were not responsible for the bomb going off. Arbitrary arrests and detention on such a grand scale shows nothing less than gross failure on the part of state mechanisms - e.g. the police and judiciary. Further, specifically targeting a specific sector of the population does in fact provides full justification for the armed struggle of the LTTE. It also invites international condemnation. Sinhalese need to keep in mind that it was this gradual erosion of civil rights which led to the ethnic conflict in the first place, and then, with the invariable economic decline, the migration of even Sinhalese to greener pastures.
2. samuel | May 15th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Maheswary Velautham killing is regrettable - but so are the killings, abductions & disappearances of many more tamils on a daily basis mostly in the government controlled areas.
The Kalmunai incident and other incidents cited above are indicative of the impunity which prevails, but this is totally ignored by the government of which the EPDP is a partner.
Vesak is one of the 13 poya days which are ignored by many buddhists. The buddhist clergy themselves are militant and crying for the elimination of the LTTE by killing all members of the organisation.
The above appeal will have no effect whatsoever on the government.
3. A.Rajasingam | May 15th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
The murder of Ms.Maheswary Velautham is the recent record of the LTTE, demonstrating that it continues to resort to cowardly acts of terrorism. One can understand that it is the outcome of a destructive society created by the LTTE. It is purely the question of her attachment to the Hindu Religious affairs and Social Services to the displaced people. She was deeply involved with the Chinmaya Mission and on several occasions she informed me that she would like to engage herself in religious activities.
She did not show any discrimination towards any youths wandering in the jail. Especially when the suspects involved in the Chandrika attempted murder case were languishing in jail, none of the LTTE lawyers came forward to look into the interests of these suspects. But it is Ms.Maheswary Velautham who came forward to move for a Bail Application for these suspects in spite of the threats to her life. Apparently the Tamils saw a fearless figure during the Chemmani investigation when a heated argument ensued between the State Counsel and herself. Her main motive was to see that these misguided youths be rehabilitated and lead a fresh life.
Similarly she had sent so many cases to us for their release. Having done so much for the youths, it is regret to note that the LTTE has shown their ingratitude towards her by killing her. She found more jobs for the womenfolk. Services to the poor was in her blood. Having done so much for the youths, it is regret to note that the LTTE has shown their ingratitude towards her by killing her at a time when she went to see her mother who was in coma at her mother’s house. Her contribution to mankind was certainly better than a number of politicians. What has the LTTE achieved during the 32 years of growth other than murdering the moderate Tamils, politicians, professionals, academics and government servants. The LTTE is reputed for murdering ladies (another instance of Mrs.S.Yogeswaran) who have come forward to offer services. The LTTE must show its talent with words against a non-combatant and not with guns. Similarly the government should respect all its citizens, but it is the duty of every citizen and politicians to co-operate with the government in identifying the trouble makers. However, since the terrorists had already infiltrated into all government offices and also since some politicians have secret links with the terrorists, it is a difficult task for the government to identify the real terrorists. In a country like Sri Lanka, where politicians are criminalized and criminals are politicized, an appeal to respect for Human Rights appears to be blowing on deaf ears. It is immaterial whether it is a Vesak Day or a New Year Day or Pongal, etc., as both parties to the conflict are thirsty for power. It appear it will take another one full year or so until they are tired and short of man-power.
4. Colin Silva | May 16th, 2008 at 1:37 am
60 Vesaks since independence of that 30 is Vesaks violent conflict. Respect for Human Rights cannot be limited ceremonial observance. We had enough and enough is enough must be the theme. Let us put an end to HR violations once and for all.
The government must be the first to come under severe scrutiniy.
5. Naga UK | May 17th, 2008 at 11:27 am
#1 Ruwan
My sentiments too. But one correction. Sinhalese are not bad or even Sinhalese Politicians that bad. They have got into a stride it is not possible to retract unless some specials measures are taken. The same is true for LTTE. Who is looking after who’s interest is not clear for the common man.
6. Ruwan Ranasinghe | May 19th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Naga UK:
Political reform will not occur in Sri Lanka, at least as far as the South is concerned, unless Sinhalese take the initiative. Lack of leadership, as you mention, is not an excuse. Sinhalese are the ones with the voting power; as corrupt as the present administration, it could not be elected without the consent of the majority. In the UK, the British National Party (BP) enjoys very little popular support. This is how it is in the West; the anti-immigration, often openly racist nationalist parties do not have any clout in mainstream politics. Even if the Caucasian voters are themselves anti-immigrant or some such thing, they understand the price of nationalism & racism: unfavorable economics and poor international relations. It is this liberal tendency which has evaded the majority of Sinhalese in Sri Lanka.
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