Sri Lanka expels UN official

Over the weekend, it was reported that Sri Lanka had cancelled the visa of James Elder, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson in Sri Lanka, for comments he had made earlier this year during the goverment’s war with the opposition Tamil Tigers.  Mr. Elder had regularly expressed concern about civilians caught in the conflict and more recently about issues such as malnutrition among children in the camps for displaced civilians.  UNICEF defended Mr. Elder’s earlier comments and said it was very concerned about the Sri Lankan government’s decision.  U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement today through his spokesperson expressing regret for the government’s decision and saying that he would personally raise the issue with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Yesterday, the Sri Lankan government said that it was reviewing its decision in Mr. Elder’s case.

Amnesty International has reported how freedom of expression has been under severe restriction in Sri Lanka.  I hope the Sri Lankan government reconsiders its decision in Mr. Elder’s case, so he doesn’t become one more example of the dangers of speaking out in Sri Lanka.

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81 thoughts on “Sri Lanka expels UN official

  1. those who remain ignorant when monster attack others will face same by monster at that time little can be done.

    therefore IT IS NOT TOO LATE YET TO USE FORCE AGAINST SRILANKA before Srilanka become great threat to India, and other democraties

  2. those who remain ignorant when monster attack others will face same by monster at that time little can be done.

    therefore IT IS NOT TOO LATE YET TO USE FORCE AGAINST SRILANKA before Srilanka become great threat to India, and other democraties

  3. Mr. Ban is issuing statements after statements when President Rajapakse maintains 'Zero Civilian Casualty'.
    Mr. Ban is suspected to be allying with Rajapakses and China which caused a mass slaughter of tamils.
    Sri Lankan government is now protesting the video on extrajudicial killings of tamils in every possible avenues to support 'Zero Casulaties' in the war without witness.

    Jonathan Miller says that he watched the video with a Sri Lankan right-minded Sinhalese leading HR activist who provided forensic insights on authenticity before released.

  4. Mr. Ban is issuing statements after statements when President Rajapakse maintains ‘Zero Civilian Casualty’.
    Mr. Ban is suspected to be allying with Rajapakses and China which caused a mass slaughter of tamils.
    Sri Lankan government is now protesting the video on extrajudicial killings of tamils in every possible avenues to support ‘Zero Casulaties’ in the war without witness.

    Jonathan Miller says that he watched the video with a Sri Lankan right-minded Sinhalese leading HR activist who provided forensic insights on authenticity before released.

  5. "…Mr Elder had offended and embarrassed Sri Lanka and, in the process, breached the UN mandate by suggesting children locked up in the country's refugee camps were dying of malnutrition," Dr Kohona said. Mr Elder’s statement was solely based on unauthenticated stories furnished by propaganda units of pro-LTTE front organizations and websites…"

    So did he or he did not breach the UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country? It appears that he did breach the mandate. Since AI clearly supports the rule of law, I expect a statement from AI supporting the SL govt's decision to expel Mr Elder.
    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2519

  6. "…Mr Elder had offended and embarrassed Sri Lanka and, in the process, breached the UN mandate by suggesting children locked up in the country's refugee camps were dying of malnutrition," Dr Kohona said. Mr Elder’s statement was solely based on unauthenticated stories furnished by propaganda units of pro-LTTE front organizations and websites…"

    So did he or he did not breach the UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country? It appears that he did breach the mandate. Since AI clearly supports the rule of law, I expect a statement from AI supporting the SL govt's decision to expel Mr Elder.
    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2519

  7. "…Mr Elder had offended and embarrassed Sri Lanka and, in the process, breached the UN mandate by suggesting children locked up in the country's refugee camps were dying of malnutrition," Dr Kohona said. Mr Elder’s statement was solely based on unauthenticated stories furnished by propaganda units of pro-LTTE front organizations and websites…"

    So did he or he did not breach the UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country? It appears that he did breach the mandate. Since AI clearly supports the rule of law, I expect a statement from AI supporting the SL govt's decision to expel Mr Elder.
    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2519

  8. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 16, 5:50 P.M., I would make the following points:
    1. The comment asserts that there is a "UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country." It appears from the comment that the evidence in support of the existence of this "mandate" is a quote from a Sri Lankan government official (who had once been a UN official) as reported in The Australian.
    2. The comment also asserts that Mr. Elder breached this "mandate" in his statements on Sri Lanka. Again, it appears from the comment that the evidence in support of this conclusion is statements made by the Sri Lankan government official as reported in The Australian.
    3. My blog post above provides links to statements made by the head of UNICEF and by a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, both of which are supportive of the statements which Mr. Elder had made.
    4. Accordingly, it appears that the head of UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General are not in agreement with the conclusions reached by the Sri Lankan government official or Mango's comment; otherwise, I do not see how they could have made the statements they did.
    5. I have not independently researched whether there is such a "mandate" as described in Mango's comment, nor whether (assuming there is such a "mandate") Mr. Elder's statements breached such "mandate." Given the statements made by the head of UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General, I find it unlikely that any such research would lead to the conclusions suggested by Mango's comment.
    6. I note that a UN official is currently visiting Sri Lanka according to reports, and that one of the topics for discussion with the Sri Lankan government is the expulsion of Mr. Elder. I hope that we may soon hear that the Sri Lankan government has reconsidered its decision in Mr. Elder's case.

  9. “…Mr Elder had offended and embarrassed Sri Lanka and, in the process, breached the UN mandate by suggesting children locked up in the country’s refugee camps were dying of malnutrition,” Dr Kohona said. Mr Elder’s statement was solely based on unauthenticated stories furnished by propaganda units of pro-LTTE front organizations and websites…”

    So did he or he did not breach the UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country? It appears that he did breach the mandate. Since AI clearly supports the rule of law, I expect a statement from AI supporting the SL govt’s decision to expel Mr Elder.

    http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26041546-2703,00.html

  10. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 16, 5:50 P.M., I would make the following points:
    1. The comment asserts that there is a “UN mandate about its officials not interfering in the internal affairs of their host country.” It appears from the comment that the evidence in support of the existence of this “mandate” is a quote from a Sri Lankan government official (who had once been a UN official) as reported in The Australian.
    2. The comment also asserts that Mr. Elder breached this “mandate” in his statements on Sri Lanka. Again, it appears from the comment that the evidence in support of this conclusion is statements made by the Sri Lankan government official as reported in The Australian.
    3. My blog post above provides links to statements made by the head of UNICEF and by a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, both of which are supportive of the statements which Mr. Elder had made.
    4. Accordingly, it appears that the head of UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General are not in agreement with the conclusions reached by the Sri Lankan government official or Mango’s comment; otherwise, I do not see how they could have made the statements they did.
    5. I have not independently researched whether there is such a “mandate” as described in Mango’s comment, nor whether (assuming there is such a “mandate”) Mr. Elder’s statements breached such “mandate.” Given the statements made by the head of UNICEF and the UN Secretary-General, I find it unlikely that any such research would lead to the conclusions suggested by Mango’s comment.
    6. I note that a UN official is currently visiting Sri Lanka according to reports, and that one of the topics for discussion with the Sri Lankan government is the expulsion of Mr. Elder. I hope that we may soon hear that the Sri Lankan government has reconsidered its decision in Mr. Elder’s case.

  11. Hi Jim,

    Thanks for your considered reply. It repeats my point precisely. Under what conditions are UN officials posted to countries and do they have a duty to not interfere in the internal affairs of that country? My guess is that they must be under certain strictures.

    In Elder's case, his assertion about 'malnutrition' in camps was countered by the simple fact that (as sad as it is) the level of malnutrition is no worse than that prevailing in certain poorer parts of the country. This was supported by the WHO.

    The utterings of UN officials do not, yet, conform to the doctrine of infallibility. Until they do, and due to proven instances of some UN staffers supporting the LTTE, James Elder has to obey SL's laws. A kind of 'my house, my rules'.

    If he doesn't like it, he can resign and join the 'Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam' of whatever they currently call themselves.

    p.s. If Elder really cared about the children, he should be using the UN's moral authority, to press for the immediate extradition of Adele Balasingham from the UK to SL. I'm sure you know, 'Aunty Adele' (the female Pied Piper of LTTE child soldiers) was seen garlanding LTTE child combatants with cyanide capsules during their induction ceremonies and assisted with their recruitment into the LTTE.

  12. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 17, 6:49 A.M., I'm sorry if I hadn't made myself clear earlier. I do not accept as true the assertions made by the Sri Lankan government with respect to Mr. Elder's comments. It is to be expected that anyone being criticized would not welcome such criticism. The Sri Lankan government has the power to expel UN officials working in their country. Given that Mr. Elder's superiors at the UN have publicly supported him in response to the Sri Lankan government's expulsion, I think those arguing in favor of the Sri Lankan government's position (i.e., that Mr. Elder has acted in a way meriting expulsion) still have the burden of proving their point. Simply guessing or relying on the Sri Lankan government's statements is not persuasive, at least to me.

  13. Hi Jim,

    But your position is that the utterances of UN officials are to be believed and those of SL govt, dismissed. Now, I grant you, both organisations have a proven record of duplicity. So why favour one over the other?

    For the UN's support of James Elder to be credible, they would have to show the following:
    1. The terms of this post-holder's tenure in SL.
    2. His ability to criticise the actions of the host government.
    3. Criticism to be fact-based rather than re-hashing accusations generated by pro-LTTE organisations.

    If the UN & Elder are so certain of their case, let this information be placed in the public domain. After all, they have nothing to hide, do they?

  14. Hi Jim,

    Thanks for your considered reply. It repeats my point precisely. Under what conditions are UN officials posted to countries and do they have a duty to not interfere in the internal affairs of that country? My guess is that they must be under certain strictures.

    In Elder’s case, his assertion about ‘malnutrition’ in camps was countered by the simple fact that (as sad as it is) the level of malnutrition is no worse than that prevailing in certain poorer parts of the country. This was supported by the WHO.

    The utterings of UN officials do not, yet, conform to the doctrine of infallibility. Until they do, and due to proven instances of some UN staffers supporting the LTTE, James Elder has to obey SL’s laws. A kind of ‘my house, my rules’.

    If he doesn’t like it, he can resign and join the ‘Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam’ of whatever they currently call themselves.

    p.s. If Elder really cared about the children, he should be using the UN’s moral authority, to press for the immediate extradition of Adele Balasingham from the UK to SL. I’m sure you know, ‘Aunty Adele’ (the female Pied Piper of LTTE child soldiers) was seen garlanding LTTE child combatants with cyanide capsules during their induction ceremonies and assisted with their recruitment into the LTTE.

  15. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 17, 6:49 A.M., I’m sorry if I hadn’t made myself clear earlier. I do not accept as true the assertions made by the Sri Lankan government with respect to Mr. Elder’s comments. It is to be expected that anyone being criticized would not welcome such criticism. The Sri Lankan government has the power to expel UN officials working in their country. Given that Mr. Elder’s superiors at the UN have publicly supported him in response to the Sri Lankan government’s expulsion, I think those arguing in favor of the Sri Lankan government’s position (i.e., that Mr. Elder has acted in a way meriting expulsion) still have the burden of proving their point. Simply guessing or relying on the Sri Lankan government’s statements is not persuasive, at least to me.

  16. Hi Jim,

    But your position is that the utterances of UN officials are to be believed and those of SL govt, dismissed. Now, I grant you, both organisations have a proven record of duplicity. So why favour one over the other?

    For the UN’s support of James Elder to be credible, they would have to show the following:
    1. The terms of this post-holder’s tenure in SL.
    2. His ability to criticise the actions of the host government.
    3. Criticism to be fact-based rather than re-hashing accusations generated by pro-LTTE organisations.

    If the UN & Elder are so certain of their case, let this information be placed in the public domain. After all, they have nothing to hide, do they?

  17. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 17, 10:02 A.M., I would note:
    1. I don't agree that the UN has a "proven record of duplicity." That charge should be supported by evidence if it's to be believed.
    2. The burden should be on the Sri Lankan government to prove that Mr. Elder has merited expulsion; it shouldn't be on the UN or Mr. Elder to prove the converse. I assume the Sri Lankan government has the power to expel Mr. Elder without having to prove anything to anyone; if my assumption is correct, the fact that they can expel him does not mean that he has actually done anything inappropriate in keeping with the responsibilities of his position.

  18. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 17, 10:02 A.M., I would note:
    1. I don’t agree that the UN has a “proven record of duplicity.” That charge should be supported by evidence if it’s to be believed.
    2. The burden should be on the Sri Lankan government to prove that Mr. Elder has merited expulsion; it shouldn’t be on the UN or Mr. Elder to prove the converse. I assume the Sri Lankan government has the power to expel Mr. Elder without having to prove anything to anyone; if my assumption is correct, the fact that they can expel him does not mean that he has actually done anything inappropriate in keeping with the responsibilities of his position.

  19. Jim,

    A quick glance at your in-house library should provide you with plenty of evidence of UN duplicity. For those with short attention spans, here are a few examples of UN duplicity.

    How about the Iraq 'Oil for Food' affair, Rwanda, UNRWA Hamas employees and Holocaust Denial, Gordon Weiss and Navi Pillay using LTTE sourced casualty figures as 'UN authorised' figures, Vijay Nambiar's calls to KP (an Interpol-wanted terrorist) from CMB, Srebrenica (you'll remember the French UN General's love-in with Mladic), UNIFIL assisting Hezbollah during the recent Lebanon war and finally, "…UN Resident Coordinator admitted, when he acknowledged that UN awareness that the LTTE was recruiting one person per family was not expressed publicly in 2007 – and when it was raised to 2 in 2008, there was an even more deafening silence".

    My particular favourite is in 2007 when UN officers in Colombo misled Kofi Annan to issue a condolence message when an LTTE area leader called Kaushalyan was killed. Shall I continue?

    A reasonable person can now agree that the UN has a proven record of duplicity.

    The burden of proof should be on both parties prove that each did the correct thing (or not) by expelling Elder. If the UN disagreed with the grounds for his expulsion, they should show reasons, rather than simply saying that they support his position. Perhaps you could ask the UN for a statement indicating the terms of reference under which Elder was posted to SL?

    Are senior UN civil servants posted to countries allowed to criticise the host government or get involved with that country's internal politics?

  20. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 18, 3:06 A.M., I do not agree that the burden of proof is on both parties. Only if the Sri Lankan government first makes a case in support of its position, then the UN would be expected to justify its position in support of Mr. Elder. Anyone can make a charge at any time against anyone; that doesn't require the person being charged to have to prove their innocence.

  21. Jim,

    A quick glance at your in-house library should provide you with plenty of evidence of UN duplicity. For those with short attention spans, here are a few examples of UN duplicity.

    How about the Iraq ‘Oil for Food’ affair, Rwanda, UNRWA Hamas employees and Holocaust Denial, Gordon Weiss and Navi Pillay using LTTE sourced casualty figures as ‘UN authorised’ figures, Vijay Nambiar’s calls to KP (an Interpol-wanted terrorist) from CMB, Srebrenica (you’ll remember the French UN General’s love-in with Mladic), UNIFIL assisting Hezbollah during the recent Lebanon war and finally, “…UN Resident Coordinator admitted, when he acknowledged that UN awareness that the LTTE was recruiting one person per family was not expressed publicly in 2007 – and when it was raised to 2 in 2008, there was an even more deafening silence”.

    My particular favourite is in 2007 when UN officers in Colombo misled Kofi Annan to issue a condolence message when an LTTE area leader called Kaushalyan was killed. Shall I continue?

    A reasonable person can now agree that the UN has a proven record of duplicity.

    The burden of proof should be on both parties prove that each did the correct thing (or not) by expelling Elder. If the UN disagreed with the grounds for his expulsion, they should show reasons, rather than simply saying that they support his position. Perhaps you could ask the UN for a statement indicating the terms of reference under which Elder was posted to SL?

    Are senior UN civil servants posted to countries allowed to criticise the host government or get involved with that country’s internal politics?

  22. Hi Jim,

    So we agree that the UN is a proven duplicitous entity; as bad as if not worse than the SL govt. Excellent.

    The SL govt appears to have made their case that Elder had exceeded his brief, broke agreements and MOUs etc about how senior UN staffers should act in their host countries.

    Surely it is for the UN to show that he did not exceed his brief, break agreements, MOUs etc.

    Are you sure you meant to write "Anyone can make a charge at any time against anyone; that doesn’t require the person being charged to have to prove their innocence."

    Well, I trust the SL govt will use your excellent logic to reject all and any charges made by AI regarding all and any aspects of HR abuses in SL, whether legitimate or not.

    Hmmm… Perhaps you may need to re-evaluate your contention.

  23. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 18, 3:06 A.M., I do not agree that the burden of proof is on both parties. Only if the Sri Lankan government first makes a case in support of its position, then the UN would be expected to justify its position in support of Mr. Elder. Anyone can make a charge at any time against anyone; that doesn’t require the person being charged to have to prove their innocence.

  24. Hi Jim,

    So we agree that the UN is a proven duplicitous entity; as bad as if not worse than the SL govt. Excellent.

    The SL govt appears to have made their case that Elder had exceeded his brief, broke agreements and MOUs etc about how senior UN staffers should act in their host countries.

    Surely it is for the UN to show that he did not exceed his brief, break agreements, MOUs etc.

    Are you sure you meant to write “Anyone can make a charge at any time against anyone; that doesn’t require the person being charged to have to prove their innocence.”

    Well, I trust the SL govt will use your excellent logic to reject all and any charges made by AI regarding all and any aspects of HR abuses in SL, whether legitimate or not.

    Hmmm… Perhaps you may need to re-evaluate your contention.

  25. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 18, 12:23 P.M., I would say:
    1. I'm sorry if my earlier response was misconstrued. I don't agree that the UN has a "proven record of duplicity." Many of your examples appear to be charges made by the Sri Lankan government; if so, it appears to be a curious source to be using.
    2. I'm not withdrawing my earlier comment about the burden of proof. The Sri Lankan government should prove its case against Mr. Elder. As for AI's human rights work, read our reports. We don't publicly disclose our research sources for obvious reasons. If our work was shown to be without substance, our reputation would reflect that and our reports would be ignored. But they're not, as evidenced in part by all these blog discussions. As for the Sri Lankan government rejecting our reports because of my comment, I'm sure you know that the Sri Lankan government has not needed my comment to reject our reports in the past. It's to be expected that governments violating human rights would try to conceal what they're doing, including rejecting our reports.

  26. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 18, 12:23 P.M., I would say:
    1. I’m sorry if my earlier response was misconstrued. I don’t agree that the UN has a “proven record of duplicity.” Many of your examples appear to be charges made by the Sri Lankan government; if so, it appears to be a curious source to be using.
    2. I’m not withdrawing my earlier comment about the burden of proof. The Sri Lankan government should prove its case against Mr. Elder. As for AI’s human rights work, read our reports. We don’t publicly disclose our research sources for obvious reasons. If our work was shown to be without substance, our reputation would reflect that and our reports would be ignored. But they’re not, as evidenced in part by all these blog discussions. As for the Sri Lankan government rejecting our reports because of my comment, I’m sure you know that the Sri Lankan government has not needed my comment to reject our reports in the past. It’s to be expected that governments violating human rights would try to conceal what they’re doing, including rejecting our reports.

  27. Dear Jim,

    I only used a few examples of UN duplicity in Sri Lanka. The non-Sri Lankan examples are far more impressive and proven beyond reasonable doubt. Are you seriously going to deny UN duplicity in the 'Oil for Food' scheme or Bosnia or Rwanda?

    Either Annan sent condolences on Kaushalyan's death or he didn't. We know that he did. Absolutely no room for debate. Even Tamilnut mentions it 🙂 And Kaushalyan was the LTTE commander for the East and not some obscure LTTE pen-pusher working for the Eelam Agricultural Team.

    I recall another case: Tamil Centre for Human Rights (TCHR), an LTTE front, was accorded UN recognition as an NGO.

    Are you still going to maintain your stance that the UN is not a duplicitous organisation?

    On the 'burden of proof' issue, I'm only asking that you be consistent. Since both parties are duplicitous, we cannot accept the bona fides of either party in relation to Elder's case. So far SL has made assertions/allegations. The UN has not disproved these assertions/allegations other than a statement of support for Elder. [see my previous comments above].

    But your position alternates between allowing no burden of proof in some cases and absolute burden of proof in others. You can have it both ways, but for the purposes of this case, it doesn't look very .. clear.

    I think the SL govt has more urgent matters than following this blog discussion — and in case you were wondering, I have no connection to any SL govt organisation. Just an ordinary person, disgusted by the tainted West using HR angle to attack SL immediately following the annihilation of the LTTE. A victory that would not have been possible without HR abuses.

    On a slight digressions, almost 100+ people murdered in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Chechnya & Iraq over the last few days. Interestingly, none, (thankfully) in Sri Lanka. If the LTTE were still in existence that miserable total would almost certainly contain deaths from Sri Lanka.

  28. Dear Jim,

    I only used a few examples of UN duplicity in Sri Lanka. The non-Sri Lankan examples are far more impressive and proven beyond reasonable doubt. Are you seriously going to deny UN duplicity in the ‘Oil for Food’ scheme or Bosnia or Rwanda?

    Either Annan sent condolences on Kaushalyan’s death or he didn’t. We know that he did. Absolutely no room for debate. Even Tamilnut mentions it 🙂 And Kaushalyan was the LTTE commander for the East and not some obscure LTTE pen-pusher working for the Eelam Agricultural Team.

    I recall another case: Tamil Centre for Human Rights (TCHR), an LTTE front, was accorded UN recognition as an NGO.

    Are you still going to maintain your stance that the UN is not a duplicitous organisation?

    On the ‘burden of proof’ issue, I’m only asking that you be consistent. Since both parties are duplicitous, we cannot accept the bona fides of either party in relation to Elder’s case. So far SL has made assertions/allegations. The UN has not disproved these assertions/allegations other than a statement of support for Elder. [see my previous comments above].

    But your position alternates between allowing no burden of proof in some cases and absolute burden of proof in others. You can have it both ways, but for the purposes of this case, it doesn’t look very .. clear.

    I think the SL govt has more urgent matters than following this blog discussion — and in case you were wondering, I have no connection to any SL govt organisation. Just an ordinary person, disgusted by the tainted West using HR angle to attack SL immediately following the annihilation of the LTTE. A victory that would not have been possible without HR abuses.

    On a slight digressions, almost 100+ people murdered in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Chechnya & Iraq over the last few days. Interestingly, none, (thankfully) in Sri Lanka. If the LTTE were still in existence that miserable total would almost certainly contain deaths from Sri Lanka.

  29. In response to Mango's comment of Sept. 19, 3:42 A.M., I would make the following points:
    1. Determining whether the UN is "duplicitous" as you assert would take an impartial observer some considerable time. Your assertions would be more believable if they were supported by evidence from other parties than yourself. I see that entire discussion as being somewhat off the point of my blog entry; if you wish to pursue it in a separate blog, that might be more appropriate.
    2. Your position that the UN as a body is "duplicitous" and that therefore any allegation by the Sri Lankan government against the UN must be defended by the UN is open to question. If you or the Sri Lankan government wish to have an allegation taken seriously, it should be more detailed and backed by evidence. In this instance, certain charges are being made about statements made by Mr. Elder. Those statements should be provided. The charge that Mr. Elder was simply repeating statements by the LTTE should also be supported by evidence of the LTTE statements.
    3. Of course, one other imbedded assumption in the Sri Lankan government's charge against Mr. Elder is that if human rights abuses are reported by two separate parties at or around the same time, one party is just repeating the other party's statements. That assumption can be and should be questioned.

  30. In response to Mango’s comment of Sept. 19, 3:42 A.M., I would make the following points:
    1. Determining whether the UN is “duplicitous” as you assert would take an impartial observer some considerable time. Your assertions would be more believable if they were supported by evidence from other parties than yourself. I see that entire discussion as being somewhat off the point of my blog entry; if you wish to pursue it in a separate blog, that might be more appropriate.
    2. Your position that the UN as a body is “duplicitous” and that therefore any allegation by the Sri Lankan government against the UN must be defended by the UN is open to question. If you or the Sri Lankan government wish to have an allegation taken seriously, it should be more detailed and backed by evidence. In this instance, certain charges are being made about statements made by Mr. Elder. Those statements should be provided. The charge that Mr. Elder was simply repeating statements by the LTTE should also be supported by evidence of the LTTE statements.
    3. Of course, one other imbedded assumption in the Sri Lankan government’s charge against Mr. Elder is that if human rights abuses are reported by two separate parties at or around the same time, one party is just repeating the other party’s statements. That assumption can be and should be questioned.

  31. I do admire the PROFESSIONALISM of many journalists of the leading media AND THE EXPERTS who reviewed the GSP+ for Sri Lanka. The underestimation of the barbarism of Sri Lankan State Terrorism is also quite understandable since neither independent media nor independent aid agencies are allowed to the war zone even after many months of the "victorious ending " of the war. Knowing the environment of these journalists and experts, one cannot expect even their imaginative minds to extrapolate and reach the conditions in Sri Lanka unlike those of us who suffered at the hands of GOSL. So I salute the journalists and experts for saying the truth as they see it and my feelings are like the praise by Karl Marx of the British Professional Class of his times. I have reasons to believe that the Professional Class of UK in particular and the West in general continue to exercise their independence. BUT LIKE MARX, I am not an apologist of the RULING CIRCLES. For that matter, the ruling circles of Sri Lanka's new friends are no better. Who would expect China to follow Mao's Thinking? The Ruling circles of the world believe that the continuation of the PRESENT WORLD ORDER is in their interests AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, NOR ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLES, and NOR ABOUT THE WORSENING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. The GSP+ was to have been reviewed long before the war against LTTE was scorching up BUT the ruling circles of Europe who preferred the destruction of the LTTE (not because it was a terrorist organization but because it was a liberation force) continued with the GSP+ PENDING REVIEW while banning the LTTE and coercing the Tamil Diaspora in so many ways. The story is same with all the Western governments. I know of a Foreign Minister who would not open his mouth against Sri Lanka but demanding that the Diaspora to restrain the LTTE! I will not be surprised if the GSP+ follows the same route as the IMF loan. Now what is happening in Sri Lanka is a scramble to share the spoils by the powers of the WORLD and IMF loans, GSP+ and the like are tools in this game. None of these powers are concerned about the human rights of the prisoners of war behind neither the barbed wires nor the Tamils living in the open prisons of the Tamil homeland

  32. The AIADMK(India) threatened to launch a mass agitation along with like-minded parties if the Union ( Indian) government failed to press the international community to force the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the (Human) rights violations against Tamils on its land.

    In a statement here, party general secretary J Jayalalithaa said that the AIADMK and people of Tamil Nadu expect the Centre to raise its voice against the human rights violations in the refugee camps in Sri Lanka.

    If the Centre does not act immediately, “the AIADMK, along with like-minded political parties, will be forced to launch a mass agitation to focus world vision on the brutal civil liberties violations in Sri Lanka.”

    The former chief minister said “The gruesome footage, reportedly filmed by a soldier on a mobile phone camera, reinforces my earlier claim that civil liberties are non-existent in Sri Lanka and that the Tamil population there is subject to barbaric atrocities at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army.”

    “Sri Lanka claims to be a democratic country, where the rule of law prevails. No democracy sanctions this sort of summary mass execution, where human dignity is wantonly trampled upon,” she added.

    “Even assuming that the persons being shot dead in the footage telecast were LTTE activists, executing them summarily without a trial is barbaric, inhuman and contrary to civilized norms. It also violates international law relating to treatment of prisoners of war.”

    Slamming the DMK government, she said “As such, the AIADMK does not expect the DMK government to even make a whimper of protest against the atrocities being perpetrated upon the Tamil people.”
    http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Tit

  33. I do admire the PROFESSIONALISM of many journalists of the leading media AND THE EXPERTS who reviewed the GSP+ for Sri Lanka. The underestimation of the barbarism of Sri Lankan State Terrorism is also quite understandable since neither independent media nor independent aid agencies are allowed to the war zone even after many months of the “victorious ending ” of the war. Knowing the environment of these journalists and experts, one cannot expect even their imaginative minds to extrapolate and reach the conditions in Sri Lanka unlike those of us who suffered at the hands of GOSL. So I salute the journalists and experts for saying the truth as they see it and my feelings are like the praise by Karl Marx of the British Professional Class of his times. I have reasons to believe that the Professional Class of UK in particular and the West in general continue to exercise their independence. BUT LIKE MARX, I am not an apologist of the RULING CIRCLES. For that matter, the ruling circles of Sri Lanka’s new friends are no better. Who would expect China to follow Mao’s Thinking? The Ruling circles of the world believe that the continuation of the PRESENT WORLD ORDER is in their interests AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, NOR ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLES, and NOR ABOUT THE WORSENING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. The GSP+ was to have been reviewed long before the war against LTTE was scorching up BUT the ruling circles of Europe who preferred the destruction of the LTTE (not because it was a terrorist organization but because it was a liberation force) continued with the GSP+ PENDING REVIEW while banning the LTTE and coercing the Tamil Diaspora in so many ways. The story is same with all the Western governments. I know of a Foreign Minister who would not open his mouth against Sri Lanka but demanding that the Diaspora to restrain the LTTE! I will not be surprised if the GSP+ follows the same route as the IMF loan. Now what is happening in Sri Lanka is a scramble to share the spoils by the powers of the WORLD and IMF loans, GSP+ and the like are tools in this game. None of these powers are concerned about the human rights of the prisoners of war behind neither the barbed wires nor the Tamils living in the open prisons of the Tamil homeland

  34. The AIADMK(India) threatened to launch a mass agitation along with like-minded parties if the Union ( Indian) government failed to press the international community to force the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the (Human) rights violations against Tamils on its land.

    In a statement here, party general secretary J Jayalalithaa said that the AIADMK and people of Tamil Nadu expect the Centre to raise its voice against the human rights violations in the refugee camps in Sri Lanka.

    If the Centre does not act immediately, “the AIADMK, along with like-minded political parties, will be forced to launch a mass agitation to focus world vision on the brutal civil liberties violations in Sri Lanka.”

    The former chief minister said “The gruesome footage, reportedly filmed by a soldier on a mobile phone camera, reinforces my earlier claim that civil liberties are non-existent in Sri Lanka and that the Tamil population there is subject to barbaric atrocities at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army.”

    “Sri Lanka claims to be a democratic country, where the rule of law prevails. No democracy sanctions this sort of summary mass execution, where human dignity is wantonly trampled upon,” she added.

    “Even assuming that the persons being shot dead in the footage telecast were LTTE activists, executing them summarily without a trial is barbaric, inhuman and contrary to civilized norms. It also violates international law relating to treatment of prisoners of war.”

    Slamming the DMK government, she said “As such, the AIADMK does not expect the DMK government to even make a whimper of protest against the atrocities being perpetrated upon the Tamil people.”
    http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Tit

  35. The AIADMK(India) threatened to launch a mass agitation along with like-minded parties if the Union ( Indian) government failed to press the international community to force the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the (Human) rights violations against Tamils on its land.

    In a statement here, party general secretary J Jayalalithaa said that the AIADMK and people of Tamil Nadu expect the Centre to raise its voice against the human rights violations in the refugee camps in Sri Lanka.

    If the Centre does not act immediately, “the AIADMK, along with like-minded political parties, will be forced to launch a mass agitation to focus world vision on the brutal civil liberties violations in Sri Lanka.”

    The former chief minister said “The gruesome footage, reportedly filmed by a soldier on a mobile phone camera, reinforces my earlier claim that civil liberties are non-existent in Sri Lanka and that the Tamil population there is subject to barbaric atrocities at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army.”

    “Sri Lanka claims to be a democratic country, where the rule of law prevails. No democracy sanctions this sort of summary mass execution, where human dignity is wantonly trampled upon,” she added.

    “Even assuming that the persons being shot dead in the footage telecast were LTTE activists, executing them summarily without a trial is barbaric, inhuman and contrary to civilized norms. It also violates international law relating to treatment of prisoners of war.”

    Slamming the DMK government, she said “As such, the AIADMK does not expect the DMK government to even make a whimper of protest against the atrocities being perpetrated upon the Tamil people.”
    http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Tit

  36. The AIADMK(India) threatened to launch a mass agitation along with like-minded parties if the Union ( Indian) government failed to press the international community to force the Sri Lankan government to put an end to the (Human) rights violations against Tamils on its land.

    In a statement here, party general secretary J Jayalalithaa said that the AIADMK and people of Tamil Nadu expect the Centre to raise its voice against the human rights violations in the refugee camps in Sri Lanka.

    If the Centre does not act immediately, “the AIADMK, along with like-minded political parties, will be forced to launch a mass agitation to focus world vision on the brutal civil liberties violations in Sri Lanka.”

    The former chief minister said “The gruesome footage, reportedly filmed by a soldier on a mobile phone camera, reinforces my earlier claim that civil liberties are non-existent in Sri Lanka and that the Tamil population there is subject to barbaric atrocities at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army.”

    “Sri Lanka claims to be a democratic country, where the rule of law prevails. No democracy sanctions this sort of summary mass execution, where human dignity is wantonly trampled upon,” she added.

    “Even assuming that the persons being shot dead in the footage telecast were LTTE activists, executing them summarily without a trial is barbaric, inhuman and contrary to civilized norms. It also violates international law relating to treatment of prisoners of war.”

    Slamming the DMK government, she said “As such, the AIADMK does not expect the DMK government to even make a whimper of protest against the atrocities being perpetrated upon the Tamil people.”

    http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Jaya+threatens+massive+agitation&artid=ux2vdQtiHc4=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=EL7znOtxBM3qzgMyXZKtxw==&SEO=AIADMK+general+secretary+J+Jayalalithaa

  37. Hi Jim,

    I'm only making the point about UN duplicity to prove that both parties are duplicitous and not to derail the thread. The instances I've mentioned are well proven including the UN's own reports and statements given by senior military officials serving under the UN flag in Bosnia and Rwanda. The Kaushalyan incident is not refuted by anyone and will not disappear into an Orwellian memory hole. This is not to assert that the UN is duplicitous in all circumstances in all conflicts.

    I agree with you that the SL govt should give more detailed info regarding Elder's terms of reference concerning his posting to SL. Perhaps they do not wish to embarrass the UN, given that the SL govt also requires the UN's assistance in helping to solve the IDP crisis. Similarly, if the UN really wanted to prove Elder's impartiality and purity, it could've released his terms of posting to SL etc. They've conspicuously not done this.

    Elder's statements about 'starvation', directly refuted by the WHO were in line with similar statements being made by LTTE supporters, NGOs and INGOs supportive of the LTTE, sailing under the HR banner.

    Given that AI is an important organisation regarding these matters, perhaps you could determine the veracity of these claims and counter-claims by asking the UN for Elder's terms of reference.

  38. Hey Mango,

    I have realized a crazy truth in this blog entries of Amnesty.

    They have only one mission – Disgrace the SL government. And to do so, they have a few henchman around by the names of Silva, Alfonso and Vanni. I don't see much people writing opposing comments here nor them surviving for long because they get blocked where as the "Mango Friends" of the site could remain immaterial of any filth they publish.

    We all know how plenty of evidence has been recovered of the NGO's that operated in the North during the past helping the LTTE and getting paid by the LTTE. We know how top government officials from many countries got paid by the LTTE to be their mouth piece.

    I think it is high time that everyone realize that We do what we want as we have a democratically elected government and it is safe to say that the majority of people endorse the president. However, this doesn't mean that the SL public would give immunity to the government. I am sure that the SL public is intelligent enough to change when required.

  39. Hi Jim,

    I’m only making the point about UN duplicity to prove that both parties are duplicitous and not to derail the thread. The instances I’ve mentioned are well proven including the UN’s own reports and statements given by senior military officials serving under the UN flag in Bosnia and Rwanda. The Kaushalyan incident is not refuted by anyone and will not disappear into an Orwellian memory hole. This is not to assert that the UN is duplicitous in all circumstances in all conflicts.

    I agree with you that the SL govt should give more detailed info regarding Elder’s terms of reference concerning his posting to SL. Perhaps they do not wish to embarrass the UN, given that the SL govt also requires the UN’s assistance in helping to solve the IDP crisis. Similarly, if the UN really wanted to prove Elder’s impartiality and purity, it could’ve released his terms of posting to SL etc. They’ve conspicuously not done this.

    Elder’s statements about ‘starvation’, directly refuted by the WHO were in line with similar statements being made by LTTE supporters, NGOs and INGOs supportive of the LTTE, sailing under the HR banner.

    Given that AI is an important organisation regarding these matters, perhaps you could determine the veracity of these claims and counter-claims by asking the UN for Elder’s terms of reference.

  40. Hey Mango,

    I have realized a crazy truth in this blog entries of Amnesty.

    They have only one mission – Disgrace the SL government. And to do so, they have a few henchman around by the names of Silva, Alfonso and Vanni. I don’t see much people writing opposing comments here nor them surviving for long because they get blocked where as the “Mango Friends” of the site could remain immaterial of any filth they publish.

    We all know how plenty of evidence has been recovered of the NGO’s that operated in the North during the past helping the LTTE and getting paid by the LTTE. We know how top government officials from many countries got paid by the LTTE to be their mouth piece.

    I think it is high time that everyone realize that We do what we want as we have a democratically elected government and it is safe to say that the majority of people endorse the president. However, this doesn’t mean that the SL public would give immunity to the government. I am sure that the SL public is intelligent enough to change when required.

  41. Hi Avichara,

    Info from KP's interrogation/debrief combined with analysis of the LTTE's documents captured from their HQ should yield an absolute treasure trove of who in the West, (including politicians, media and HR organisations) helped the LTTE. If SL gov can prove that the LTTE's 'useful idiots' got paid with LTTE funds….

    I imagine there are a few nervous people in the West trying to destroy the evidence. No-one, least of all, LTTE's Western supporters, imagined that KP would captured in that flawlessly executed extraction.

    Hot News for Eelamists and their supporters!! Norway, Solheim helped establish LTTE-Eritrea links for arms deals
    http://www.island.lk/2009/09/28/news1.html

    Well, well, well…

  42. Hi Avichara,

    Info from KP's interrogation/debrief combined with analysis of the LTTE's documents captured from their HQ should yield an absolute treasure trove of who in the West, (including politicians, media and HR organisations) helped the LTTE. If SL gov can prove that the LTTE's 'useful idiots' got paid with LTTE funds….

    I imagine there are a few nervous people in the West trying to destroy the evidence. No-one, least of all, LTTE's Western supporters, imagined that KP would captured in that flawlessly executed extraction.

    Hot News for Eelamists and their supporters!! Norway, Solheim helped establish LTTE-Eritrea links for arms deals
    http://www.island.lk/2009/09/28/news1.html

    Well, well, well…

  43. Hi Avichara,

    Info from KP's interrogation/debrief combined with analysis of the LTTE's documents captured from their HQ should yield an absolute treasure trove of who in the West, (including politicians, media and HR organisations) helped the LTTE. If SL gov can prove that the LTTE's 'useful idiots' got paid with LTTE funds….

    I imagine there are a few nervous people in the West trying to destroy the evidence. No-one, least of all, LTTE's Western supporters, imagined that KP would captured in that flawlessly executed extraction.

    Hot News for Eelamists and their supporters!! Norway, Solheim helped establish LTTE-Eritrea links for arms deals
    http://www.island.lk/2009/09/28/news1.html

    Well, well, well…

  44. Exactly !!

    And sad that Amnesty is not looking at the story in depth before they start any campaign….

  45. Amnesty's position is that they're looking at SL HR abuses and any Norwegian complicity in LTTE HR abuses is well… just too complicated! 🙂

    If Solheim is implicated in this LTTE/Eritrea link, this is extremely serious. It means a senior diplomat of a UN member state & NATO (Norway) assisted a banned terror group (LTTE) to forment violent secessionist rebellion, ethnic cleansing and terror in another UN member state, (SL).

    Could this be classified as an Act of War? Further, Solheim's material support of the LTTE would mean he's implicated in the LTTE's crimes. What's Norwegian for 'quick, burn the papers and bank accounts'?

  46. Hi Avichara,

    Info from KP’s interrogation/debrief combined with analysis of the LTTE’s documents captured from their HQ should yield an absolute treasure trove of who in the West, (including politicians, media and HR organisations) helped the LTTE. If SL gov can prove that the LTTE’s ‘useful idiots’ got paid with LTTE funds….

    I imagine there are a few nervous people in the West trying to destroy the evidence. No-one, least of all, LTTE’s Western supporters, imagined that KP would captured in that flawlessly executed extraction.

    Hot News for Eelamists and their supporters!! Norway, Solheim helped establish LTTE-Eritrea links for arms deals

    http://www.island.lk/2009/09/28/news1.html

    Well, well, well…

  47. Exactly !!

    And sad that Amnesty is not looking at the story in depth before they start any campaign….

  48. Amnesty’s position is that they’re looking at SL HR abuses and any Norwegian complicity in LTTE HR abuses is well… just too complicated! 🙂

    If Solheim is implicated in this LTTE/Eritrea link, this is extremely serious. It means a senior diplomat of a UN member state & NATO (Norway) assisted a banned terror group (LTTE) to forment violent secessionist rebellion, ethnic cleansing and terror in another UN member state, (SL).

    Could this be classified as an Act of War? Further, Solheim’s material support of the LTTE would mean he’s implicated in the LTTE’s crimes. What’s Norwegian for ‘quick, burn the papers and bank accounts’?

  49. Mango !

    I wonder if proven beyond doubt, whether the GOSL could take Solheim to one of these International courts AI is talking of ???

    How about Takin Eritrea to the HR council for supporting Terrorism ??

    We know how America came down on Iraq just because they suspected Iraq of supporting Taliban and the pressure they put on Pakistan and Afghanistan – Will America go to war with Eritrea too ?? Or Will they support us along with the Western Front if Sri Lankan declares war against Eritrea ??

    James Elder has been thrown out of Kenya too – wonder why ??

  50. Mango !

    I wonder if proven beyond doubt, whether the GOSL could take Solheim to one of these International courts AI is talking of ???

    How about Takin Eritrea to the HR council for supporting Terrorism ??

    We know how America came down on Iraq just because they suspected Iraq of supporting Taliban and the pressure they put on Pakistan and Afghanistan – Will America go to war with Eritrea too ?? Or Will they support us along with the Western Front if Sri Lankan declares war against Eritrea ??

    James Elder has been thrown out of Kenya too – wonder why ??

  51. Sri Lanka is a Gulag Island

    Unlawful imprisonment of 300 000 innocent Tamil civilians in concentration camps is one of the reasons why i think that Sri Lanka is a gulag island
    The concept of the gulag ever since Alexander Solzhenitsyn used it in his book “Gulag Archipelago” (1918 – 1956), has come to mean a particular system of repression imposed within a whole country which has some definite characteristics. These characteristics may be described thus:

    1.The loss of the meaning of legality within a particular country.
    2.A predominant position played by a security apparatus which can virtually do whatever function relating to life and liberty of citizens without being bound by any rules.
    3.The emergence of a propaganda apparatus which is not bound by any rules relating to truth or falsehood; in fact, the meaning of any distinction between truth and falsehood disappears.
    4.The emergence of a superman controller who manipulates all the three elements mentioned above in any way that he wishes.
    5.A doomed citizenry who keep on believing that nothing has really changed while, in fact, everything has changed and who are unable to control their own destinies in any significant manner. One particular section of citizens may by suffering the worst at a particular time, but, in fact, the entire population of the country is affected more or less with the same degree of intensity but at different times.
    The position on which this article is based is that Sri Lanka is now such a gulag. All the above mentioned characteristics are now quite prominently visible within Sri Lanka. However, a phantom limb complex still continues to exist. The people wish to believe that the old legal system and the social system are still intact despite of some unhappy new aspects that cannot be denied.

  52. Aaaaa… mmmm… Gardin – I think you are still in Wonderland !

    Sri Lankan does not have any of what you have mentioned in your post. It was true about 5 months back in the northern region when it was under LTTE’s Prabhakaran’s control. But now the whole Island is peaceful and ruled by a democratically elected government and an executive president whom the majority of the people love !

    If having 300,000 is illegal, the country’s judiciary system (which is decedent of the English Judiciary) will take necessary steps to prevent having them. It is strong enough to send corrupt Army Officials, Politicians and Policemen to Jail and is an independent body which even ruled against presidential orders.

    The general elections and the presidential elections are on it’s way – few more months. You will definitely realize to yourself whether the country is democratic or not !

    All we know is that we are living in a trouble free country after almost 1/2 of a century !!

  53. Over 300,000 innocent Tamil civilians are imprisoned in concentrations camps in Sri Lanka and a leading human rights defender had received a death threat for his advocacy with the European Union. Against this backdrop, the International Movement Against all Forms of Discrimination and Racism wished to remind the members of the Council, the concerned Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General and other international institutions, of the various commitments and pledges given by the Government of Sri Lanka. It also called on the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate investigations of all allegations that had been revealed by various media institutions regarding extra-judicial killings. Finally, the International Movement Against all Forms of Discrimination and Racism wished to point out that the implementation of the 13th and 17th amendment was still outstanding and national legislation had not come into effect.

  54. Sri Lanka is a Gulag Island

    Unlawful imprisonment of 300 000 innocent Tamil civilians in concentration camps is one of the reasons why i think that Sri Lanka is a gulag island
    The concept of the gulag ever since Alexander Solzhenitsyn used it in his book “Gulag Archipelago” (1918 – 1956), has come to mean a particular system of repression imposed within a whole country which has some definite characteristics. These characteristics may be described thus:

    1.The loss of the meaning of legality within a particular country.
    2.A predominant position played by a security apparatus which can virtually do whatever function relating to life and liberty of citizens without being bound by any rules.
    3.The emergence of a propaganda apparatus which is not bound by any rules relating to truth or falsehood; in fact, the meaning of any distinction between truth and falsehood disappears.
    4.The emergence of a superman controller who manipulates all the three elements mentioned above in any way that he wishes.
    5.A doomed citizenry who keep on believing that nothing has really changed while, in fact, everything has changed and who are unable to control their own destinies in any significant manner. One particular section of citizens may by suffering the worst at a particular time, but, in fact, the entire population of the country is affected more or less with the same degree of intensity but at different times.
    The position on which this article is based is that Sri Lanka is now such a gulag. All the above mentioned characteristics are now quite prominently visible within Sri Lanka. However, a phantom limb complex still continues to exist. The people wish to believe that the old legal system and the social system are still intact despite of some unhappy new aspects that cannot be denied.

  55. Aaaaa… mmmm… Gardin – I think you are still in Wonderland !

    Sri Lankan does not have any of what you have mentioned in your post. It was true about 5 months back in the northern region when it was under LTTE’s Prabhakaran’s control. But now the whole Island is peaceful and ruled by a democratically elected government and an executive president whom the majority of the people love !

    If having 300,000 is illegal, the country’s judiciary system (which is decedent of the English Judiciary) will take necessary steps to prevent having them. It is strong enough to send corrupt Army Officials, Politicians and Policemen to Jail and is an independent body which even ruled against presidential orders.

    The general elections and the presidential elections are on it’s way – few more months. You will definitely realize to yourself whether the country is democratic or not !

    All we know is that we are living in a trouble free country after almost 1/2 of a century !!

  56. Over 300,000 innocent Tamil civilians are imprisoned in concentrations camps in Sri Lanka and a leading human rights defender had received a death threat for his advocacy with the European Union. Against this backdrop, the International Movement Against all Forms of Discrimination and Racism wished to remind the members of the Council, the concerned Member States, the United Nations Secretary-General and other international institutions, of the various commitments and pledges given by the Government of Sri Lanka. It also called on the Sri Lankan Government to facilitate investigations of all allegations that had been revealed by various media institutions regarding extra-judicial killings. Finally, the International Movement Against all Forms of Discrimination and Racism wished to point out that the implementation of the 13th and 17th amendment was still outstanding and national legislation had not come into effect.

  57. These weasel words from the "IMADR" tell us everything about their LTTE-appeasing outlook.

    "The .. (IMADR) expresses its deepest regret toward the fact that the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has officially reached an end by the use of force and not through political and peaceful means. IMADR expresses its condolences to all the victims of the war, in particular the civilians who lost their lives, and their families." http://tinyurl.com/y9f2ktk

    They of course cannot admit that the military solution was the only remaining option available against the racism and fascism of the LTTE, after the various peace circuses had done their work in allowing the LTTE to build up their war-making potential during the many ceasefires in SL. The SL representative of IMDAR, Nimalka Fernando, is a well known LTTE appeaser.

    There's a very funny smackdown of Nimalka by Prof. Wijesinhe, during her performance at the 'World Conference Against Racism' in 2009. http://tinyurl.com/ycwzd8c

  58. These weasel words from the "IMADR" tell us everything about their LTTE-appeasing outlook.

    "The .. (IMADR) expresses its deepest regret toward the fact that the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has officially reached an end by the use of force and not through political and peaceful means. IMADR expresses its condolences to all the victims of the war, in particular the civilians who lost their lives, and their families." http://tinyurl.com/y9f2ktk

    They of course cannot admit that the military solution was the only remaining option available against the racism and fascism of the LTTE, after the various peace circuses had done their work in allowing the LTTE to build up their war-making potential during the many ceasefires in SL. The SL representative of IMDAR, Nimalka Fernando, is a well known LTTE appeaser.

    There's a very funny smackdown of Nimalka by Prof. Wijesinhe, during her performance at the 'World Conference Against Racism' in 2009. http://tinyurl.com/ycwzd8c

  59. These weasel words from the "IMADR" tell us everything about their LTTE-appeasing outlook.

    "The .. (IMADR) expresses its deepest regret toward the fact that the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has officially reached an end by the use of force and not through political and peaceful means. IMADR expresses its condolences to all the victims of the war, in particular the civilians who lost their lives, and their families." http://tinyurl.com/y9f2ktk

    They of course cannot admit that the military solution was the only remaining option available against the racism and fascism of the LTTE, after the various peace circuses had done their work in allowing the LTTE to build up their war-making potential during the many ceasefires in SL. The SL representative of IMDAR, Nimalka Fernando, is a well known LTTE appeaser.

    There's a very funny smackdown of Nimalka by Prof. Wijesinhe, during her performance at the 'World Conference Against Racism' in 2009. http://tinyurl.com/ycwzd8c

  60. These weasel words from the “IMADR” tell us everything about their LTTE-appeasing outlook.

    “The .. (IMADR) expresses its deepest regret toward the fact that the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) has officially reached an end by the use of force and not through political and peaceful means. IMADR expresses its condolences to all the victims of the war, in particular the civilians who lost their lives, and their families.” http://tinyurl.com/y9f2ktk

    They of course cannot admit that the military solution was the only remaining option available against the racism and fascism of the LTTE, after the various peace circuses had done their work in allowing the LTTE to build up their war-making potential during the many ceasefires in SL. The SL representative of IMDAR, Nimalka Fernando, is a well known LTTE appeaser.

    There’s a very funny smackdown of Nimalka by Prof. Wijesinhe, during her performance at the ‘World Conference Against Racism’ in 2009. http://tinyurl.com/ycwzd8c

  61. I find the expulsion James Elder, a member of the Unicef is appalling. The right to freedom of speech is so obviously ignored in this militaristic country of Sri Lanka that people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime have been bullied to the point where they are no longer welcome in the country. Apparently, challenging the official government figures is terrorism and there is no room for debate.

    People like James Elder, should be heralded as heroes !!

  62. I find the expulsion James Elder, a member of the Unicef is appalling. The right to freedom of speech is so obviously ignored in this militaristic country of Sri Lanka that people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime have been bullied to the point where they are no longer welcome in the country. Apparently, challenging the official government figures is terrorism and there is no room for debate.

    People like James Elder, should be heralded as heroes !!

  63. "…people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime.." You do mean the people who have emnacipated the entire country from under the shadow of LTTE-inspired murderers, suicide bombers?

    I also found it appalling that anyone sensible person could support the LTTE.

  64. “…people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime..” You do mean the people who have emnacipated the entire country from under the shadow of LTTE-inspired murderers, suicide bombers?

    I also found it appalling that anyone sensible person could support the LTTE.

  65. "…people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime.." You do mean the people who have emancipated the entire country from under the shadow of LTTE-inspired murderers, suicide bombers?

    I also found it appalling that anyone sensible person could support the LTTE.

  66. Mr Elder was not LTTE. He had called on the Government to lift tight restrictions on access for humanitarian groups to about 300,000 mostly Tamil refugees, who fled their homes and are now being forcibly held in internment camps.
    In June he told The Australian newspaper: “The nutritional situation of children [in the camps] is a huge concern for Unicef, and restrictions on access hinder our ability to save lives.”
    James Elder has been Unicef’s voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable.

  67. “…people who are dedicating their lives to emancipating those under this regime..” You do mean the people who have emancipated the entire country from under the shadow of LTTE-inspired murderers, suicide bombers?

    I also found it appalling that anyone sensible person could support the LTTE.

  68. Mr Elder was not LTTE. He had called on the Government to lift tight restrictions on access for humanitarian groups to about 300,000 mostly Tamil refugees, who fled their homes and are now being forcibly held in internment camps.
    In June he told The Australian newspaper: “The nutritional situation of children [in the camps] is a huge concern for Unicef, and restrictions on access hinder our ability to save lives.”
    James Elder has been Unicef’s voice advocating on behalf of those who do not have a voice — children and the most vulnerable.

Comments are closed.