TGTE strongly condemns the siege of the United Nations office in Sri Lanka

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) strongly condemns the siege of the United Nations office in Sri Lanka led by a senior cabinet member who is also a close ally of the Sri Lankan President. The Sri Lankan police response to this aggressive demonstration is in stark contrast to the brutal force it used against peaceful anti -government demonstrations in the past. Sri Lankan security forces are engaged in holding tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in internment camps, while the UN staff that cared about those in the camps are being threatened in this manner.

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Sri Lanka Perspectives – June 2010

By Col R Hariharan

India-Sri Lanka relations

India and Sri Lanka signed seven agreements during President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi from June 8 to 11, 2010. The maiden visit after his re-election may be considered a success for the President as India barely touched upon sensitive issues like the UN advisory panel on human rights violations during the war and devolution of powers to Tamil minority in the interactions with the President and his delegation.

Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement that “a meaningful devolution package, building upon the 13th Amendment, would create the necessary conditions for a lasting political settlement” showed by and large India had accepted the Rajapaksa approach. India’s stress on rehabilitation issues of Tamils would indicate that its continued focus on this aspect rather than on resuming a dialogue on ethnic issues. The allocation of Rs 1000 crores as assistance to build 50,000 houses for people displaced due to the war and other assistance to improve communication and other infrastructure illustrate this.

TGTE urges UN not to be intimidated by the siege

TGTE strongly condemns the seige of the United Nations office in Sri Lanka led by a senior cabinet member who is also a close ally of the Sri Lankan President. The Sri Lankan police response to this aggressive demonstration is in stark contrast to the brutal force it used against peaceful anti-government demonstrations in the past, a media release by V.Rudrakumaran, Interim Chief Executive of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam said. Adding further the statement said that Sri Lankan security forces are engaged in holding tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in internment camps, while the UN staff who cared about those in the camps are being threatened in this manner.

TGTE challenges the Government of Sri Lanka to act responsibly by taking all necessary  steps to allow the UN to function smoothly and to fully cooperate with the UN panel.  Sri Lankan government cannot escape its responsibility for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes by using intimidation and threat.

TGTE urges the UN not to be intimidated by this “hostage” politics of the Sri Lankan government and to proceed as planned for the panel to investigate genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. We are prepared to offer full assistance and cooperation to the work of the UN panel.