Author: TELO Admin

Muslims in Sri Lanka will make an urgent appeal to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to find a suitable land for the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims, instead of burying them in the island of Iranaitivu, in the Gulf of Mannar, stating it was not a practical solution to bury the victims there.

The Daily Mirror learns that the trustees of the Maradana mosque have written to the Director General of Health, Dr. Asela Gunawardena requesting the Kupiyawatta Muslim burial ground in Colombo to be utilized for the burial of COVID-19 dead as a ground water table test report was carried out recently by the Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya, where it was determined that the water table was detected at a depth of 2.5 to 3 meters which is suitable for COVID-19 deceased burials according to the Health Ministry’s expectations.

In the letter, a copy which was seen by Daily Mirror, the trustees have also confirmed that if permission is granted for burials in the Kupiyawatta burial grounds, any additional guidelines issued by the Health Ministry would be complied with when undertaking the burials.

An official from the trustee board said this ground water table report had been handed over to the Health officials as soon as the report was received, but there had been no word from the authorities who he claimed even failed to discuss it or table it at the task force meetings with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

On Monday, the trustees of the mosque handed over the letter, addressed to the Director General of Health along with the ground water report, to Temple Trees, in an urgent attempt to seek Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s intervention.

A letter will also be sent to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this week, attaching the ground water table report, urging him to reconsider and grant permission for burials in the Kupiyawatta grounds.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka Islamic Center, Mohammed Hussain told Daily Mirror that while they will make an urgent appeal to the President and Prime Minister, if necessary they will also go to the OIC and World Muslim Council urging for a suitable land to be allocated.

He said it was disappointing that the groundwater level report conducted by the University of Peradeniya on the Kupiyawatta burial ground was not even tabled at any official discussions and urged for immediate redress. “We will not protest but we appeal the government to reconsider,” he said.

The Iranaitivu Island which is located in the Gulf of Mannar is located 10 kilometers away from the mainland and requires a boat to access it. Presently 12 to 15 families are residing on it and it also has a navy facility.

Once the fresh guidelines are issued by the Director General of Health, the navy’s assistance will be sought to transport the bodies on to the island from the mainland.

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said the families residing there will continue and things will be organized once the fresh guidelines are issued by the Health Ministry.

Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror that the idea to select Iranaitivu Island was made by the expert committee, taking into consideration all the scientific criteria as well as the new strains of the COVID-19 virus.

Rambukwella dismissed claims that it was a political decision stating that the decision was made by the experts and not politicians.

He said a special vehicle which will include a container with a freezer, and where the driver’s compartment will also be seperate, will be utilized to transport the bodies on the long journey, from hospitals and two family members will be able to attend the funeral and give the victims a dignified burial. All health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry will be followed.

Rambukwella said that all suggestions over the land, which came in from the Muslim community was also taken into consideration.

Meanwhile the inhabitants of Iranaitivu Island will launch a protest on the island today against the government’s decision to bury the COVID-19 dead there.

I am writing to thank you for your statement on 5 February continuing to draw attention to the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Victims in Sri Lanka desperately need your help to ensure accountability. I write to you here about the Trinco 5 case — an emblematic example of impunity. I would like this statement read out when you have your meeting on victims’ rights on 1 March 2021.

My beloved son Ragihar was murdered by Sri Lankan forces on 2 January 2006. Since that terrible day I have campaigned for the truth about what happened.

The last time I heard from my son, Ragihar, was a mobile phone message. It just said “DAD”. That was 2 January 2006. My son was a good boy and was celebrating finishing his exams with friends on the Trincomalee beach. That day I heard a bomb blast on the beach and 3 of my other sons returned home immediately. Ragihar did not. Within minutes of the explosion I got a call from him which said “Daddy, the forces are surrounding me”. He meant the security forces. That was all he said. Then there was silence – just the last unfinished text.

I immediately rushed to the scene but was blocked by Navy guards who wouldn’t let me through. I heard voices crying in Tamil “Help us! Help Us! But I couldn’t see properly as the lights where my son had been sitting near the Gandhi statue had purposefully been turned off. I then heard gunfire and lights go down near the statue.

Because I’m a medical doctor who had treated the Navy I was able to get access to the mortuary. I wanted to know if one of the bodies taken was my son. When I entered, the first body | saw was my beloved Ragihar. He had five gunshot wounds.

While I was there a police officer wanted me to sign a statement saying my son was a Tamil Tiger. If I agreed, they would release his body immediately. I refused. My son was a caring person. Ragihar was a good student, a table tennis and chess champion and a coach.

The government claimed my son was killed in a grenade attack. But 3 of the bodies I saw in the mortuary had head wounds showing they had been shot in the back of the head. I have photographs and the doctor’s report confirms this. The entry hole was small and the exit wound was big indicating the boys were shot at very close range. They were executed — 5 young men whose whole lives were ahead of them.

That evening I made a decision. I would challenge the authorities to tell the truth. I had seen Sri Lanka’s Special Task Forces near the scene and wanted them to be investigated.

From the moment I spoke out I received death threats. My other sons were also threatened. The journalist Mr Sugirdharajan who came with me to the mortuary to take photos was gunned down a few weeks later. His photos disproved the army’s claim that the students were killed in an explosion. A Buddhist priest who condemned Ragihar’s murder was also killed. It was simply too dangerous for me and my family to stay in Sri Lanka. With heavy hearts we left in December 2006. We lost our friends, medical practice and property. But our biggest loss is Ragihar.

As a father it is my duty to search for the truth. I have given video testimony to a Commission of Inquiry that was set up by former President Rajapaksa to investigate my case more commonly known as the ‘Trinco 5’ case.

Nothing came of these efforts. The government showed a lack of political will to acknowledge the role of the security forces. I could not stand idly by and decided to take my search for truth to the Human Rights Council in Geneva lobbying UN member states to ask Sri Lanka to tell the truth.

The Trinco 5 case has been included in the 2015 OISL report on Sri Lanka as an emblematic case of impunity or in simple language — a state cover up. 15 years on, the case remains stalled. It was proceeding as a non-summary case in a Magistrate’s Court in Trinco but on 3 July 2019, the 13 Special Task Forces suspects were apparently released.

How can the government fail to effectively investigate this case? This is a very serious murder case. The doctor’s report from the mortuary acknowledges the gunshot wounds. I cannot have any trust in the Sri Lanka criminal justice system if they can’t offer families like mine some answers.

The government claims the case stalled due to the inability to track down witnesses abroad but a serious murder case like this deserves proper investigation and a number of witnesses in Sri Lanka could still be interviewed. The Trinco 5 killings have been covered up because the security forces were involved.

Before Ragihar died, he cried out to me for help… when justice is served — when Sri Lanka finally tells the truth about what happened to my son — then we can say that Ragihar’s call for help has finally been heard. The Trinco 5 case is a litmus test of whether the Sri Lankan justice system is fit for purpose, In the absence of viable domestic avenues in Sri Lanka for accountability the United Nations Human Rights Council must adopt a robust resolution on Sri Lanka.

Please join me in asking the Sri Lankan government to ensure the Trinco 5 case is properly investigated.

( The statement made by Dr. Manoharan at a side event under the theme of “Sri Lanka: It is time for action to halt the rollbacks on human rights and ensure accountability” by UN Special Procedures)

Chinese Permanent Representative in Geneva Ambassador CHEN Xu on Thursday extended China’s strong support to Sri Lanka in his official statement in the interactive dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka during the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council.

The full text of the statement is as follows:

“As a friendly neighbour of Sri Lanka, China sincerely hopes that Sri Lanka maintains political stability, ethnic solidarity and national unity, and wishes Sri Lanka greater achievements in its national development. We commend the Government of Sri Lanka for its efforts to actively promote and protect human rights, advance sustainable economic and social development, improve people’s living standard, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, advance national reconciliation and combat terrorism.

It is the consistent stand of China to oppose politicisation and double standards on human rights, as well as using human rights as an excuse for interfering in other countries’ internal affairs. We are concerned about the clear lack of impartiality shown in the OHCHR’s report to this session on Sri Lanka and express our regret over the failure of the OHCHR to use the authoritative information provided by the Sri Lankan Government.

The so-called ‘preventive intervention’ and the proposed targeted sanctions contained in the OHCHR’s report are clear interference in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka and exceed the mandate of the OHCHR. We hope that the HRC and the OHCHR will strictly follow impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicisation principles, respect the sovereignty and political independence of all nations, respect the efforts of the nations for the protection and promotion of human rights, advocate constructive dialogue and cooperation, and abandon the practice of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and exerting political pressure.”

Prior to the opening of the 46th Session of the UNHRC, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, requesting China’s understanding and assistance with the resolution. On 24 February, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena also made a telephone call to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, seeking continued solidarity and support.

Wang Yi reiterated that China is willing to unswervingly support Sri Lanka in order to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, the basic norms governing international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, including non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal to develop the West Container Terminal of the Colombo Port on a Build, Operate and Transfer basis for a period of 35 years as a public-private partnership with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ Consortium) and its local representative John Keells Holdings PLC and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told reporters on Tuesday (02), while India has named Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ Consortium), which was earlier nominated to invest in ECT, Japan is yet to respond.

According to a document taken up for discussion at the cabinet meeting on the 01st of February, it was noted the WCT investment plan should be one similar to that of CICT or Colombo International Container Terminal.

According to that plan, China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited has an 85% stake in CICT while the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has a 15% stake in it.

“Page 58 of the policy statement of the government, very clearly states the west terminal will have a public-private partnership with foreign partners, if required,” said Minister Rambukwella.

Though it is yet to be constructed, the long-term development plan of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) for the West Container Terminal includes the establishment of two floating LNG storage facilities.

India’s Adani Group already has a business named Adani Total Gas Limited which operates wide pipeline system supplying natural gas to most parts of India.

Adani Gas Ltd is involving another gas pipeline system with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, according to the company website.

The world war-era oil storage facility in Trincomalee is currently with the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and it is also proposed for a joint venture across 100 acres of land for a bunkering facility for South Asia close to the storage facility.

The West Container Terminal will be of paramount importance for Sri Lanka’s future economy with respect to multiple business opportunities including transshipment of cargo.

The West Container Terminal (WCT) at the Colombo South Port will be developed by India’s Adani ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ Consortium).

The Cabinet has approved a proposal to develop the WCT as a Public- Private Limited Company in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and APSEZ Consortium.

The WCT will be developed under a Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) basis for a period of 35 years as a Public- Private Partnership with the Adani Group.

A proposal submitted by the Minister of Ports and Shipping to develop the WCT in partnership with the Adani Group and its local representative John Keells Holding PLC, and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority has been approved by the Cabinet.

A Cabinet appointed Negotiation Committee and a Project Committee will be appointed to evaluate the proposals submitted in this regard.

The Government had also called on the Japanese Government to collaborate in the development project.

The BOT plan approved by the Negotiating Committee was forwarded to the High Commission of India and the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka requesting for investors to be nominated to the project.

A proposal presented by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited has been approved by the Indian High Commission of Sri Lanka.

However, the Japanese Government is yet to name an investor.

The Cabinet appointed Negotiating Committee has presented its recommendation based on the discussions held between the two parties.

Days after the Muslims made an appeal to the visiting Pakistan leader, uncertainty looms over Sri Lanka as it has put on hold the reversal of a controversial mandatory order to cremate the bodies of all those who died of Covid-19.

On Thursday, the government announced the reversal of the forced cremation policy that gave much pain to Muslims. However, the Director General of Health Dr Asela Gunawardena told journalists in Colombo that the guidelines for burials will not be ready until next week.

Local protests, international pressure and a visiting Pakistan Premier striking an apparent deal with the Rajapaksa regime forced the government to pull back.

A passionate letter from the Muslim Left Front (MLF), handed to the Pakistani High Commission in Colombo, on Wednsday (24) expressed the concerns of the Muslim community, while coming out strongly that Pakistan should not support the Sri Lanka government at the top UN rights body currently in session at a cost to the Tamils who have suffered immensely during the war and its aftermath.

The letter reflects the anxiety of many that Muslim burial rights might be granted upon the request of PM Imran Khan to negotiate a deal supporting Sri Lanka government efforts to reject an upcoming resolution at the UNHRC session in Geneva.

‘Not the act of a friend’

“This would not be the act of a friend to the people of Sri Lanka and come at the cost of the Tamil Community’s legitimate struggle to hold the state accountable for the heinous crimes committed against them”, the letter said.

It further stated, “Like Muslims, Tamils have been facing many challenges under successive regimes, especially the victims and family members of the enforced disappeared who have been demanding truth and justice”.

Recently Tamils and Muslims expressed their solidarity during the Pottuvil to Polikandy (P2P) rally seeking the global attention to their rights.

Raising concerns about continuous land grabbing, lack of accountability for war crimes, forced disappearance along with the cremation of those dead due to Covid-19 infection were among key points raised during the 5 day long P2P rally in the first week of February.

The MLF in their letter has highlighted the failure of the domestic justice for both Muslims and Tamils. This they say have prevented reconciliation in Sri Lanka and stopped the nation from moving forward towards a stable and secure future.

Whilst it is widely discussed that Sri Lanka sought the support of Pakistan to lobby the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to vote in its favour in the UNHRC session, the OIC Secretary-General in his address expressed their deep anguish against Sri Lanka.

“The OIC is concerned with the situation of Muslims in Sri Lanka as they are denied the rights to bury the bodies of virus victims,” said Yousef Al Othaimeen of Saudi Arabia. urged the Sri Lankan government to take swift action to guarantee and respect the right of burial of the Muslim community.

And this seems to have sent the Rajapaksa regime into panic mode and agreeing to bury those dead due to Covid infection.

Now that the ‘burning issue’ of forced cremation has been put on hold, the other issues faced by the Tamil and Muslim communities continue.

On March 22, the UNHRC is to vote on a resolution promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka submitted by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

Source:JDS