UN confirms sex charges-114 Lankan troops in Haiti involved in child abuse:
After an investigation into pending charges against Sri Lankan troops in Haiti, the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has concluded that ‘acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (against children) were frequent and occurred usually at night, and at virtually every location where the contingent personnel were deployed.’
“In exchange for sex, the children received small amounts of money, food, and sometimes mobile phones,” says the OIOS, the UN’s investigative arm. The charges of sexual exploitation have been made against 114 members of the Sri Lankan armed forces who were serving as peacekeepers in the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). They were part of a larger 950-member Sri Lankan contingent in the politically-troubled Caribbean nation. Virtually all of the 114 troops were repatriated last November on ‘disciplinary grounds’. The repatriation, described as one of the biggest single withdrawals of soldiers from a UN peacekeeping mission, was done in close cooperation with the Sri Lankan Government.
Three officers, a Lt. Colonel and two Majors who were Company Commanders, were withdrawn for failure to exercise command responsibilities in accordance with military norms and standards.
The OIOS says it is assisting in the pending legal proceedings initiated by the Sri Lankan Government, to ensure that all military members found guilty, according to the relevant laws of the country, ‘are held accountable for their actions.’ The UN says charges should include rape– because it involves children under 18 years of age– which constitutes a ‘war crime’ in the context of military conflicts.
The UN may also seek the assistance of the Government to help provide compensation to victims of the crime. Military Spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said “Investigations are still going on. Our team is also looking into it. If they are found guilty they will be punished accordingly,” [SundayTimes.lk]
March 27, 2008 at 11:21 pm
· Filed under Interview
Doing the same in North, just as in the East is the mistaken belief that is hovering major diplomatic, economic and militaristic burdens for the Government of Sri Lanka today, says Irasiah Ilanthirayan, the Military Spokesman of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Fighting a war for political reasons and unable pull out due to the fanfare shown at the start of the warfare is turning the Northern war front into a quagmire for Sri Lankan forces according to Irasiah Ilanthirayan.
The LTTE Military spokesman talked to the Australian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation on the prevailing conditions at the Vanni theatre of war.
[Irasiah Ilanthirayan]
Excerpts from his comments as follows:
“The war towards North that began on 15th of March 2007 in Vanni continues through this day. There is a vigorous war going on in several parts of Mannar and Manalaru.
The major thrust that was started in a similar manner on the 11th of October in 2006 in Killali, Mukamalai and Nagar Kovil areas have not advanced an inch. Attempts to advance from these areas are being made continuously. Under the guidance of our leader V.Pirapaharan, our Colonels and cadres are waging a vigorous fight utilizing the landscape and tactically appropriate ways to inflict casualties.
Mannar
There are several reasons for Sri Lanka armed forces to keep targeting the areas around Mannar. In accordance with their agenda, bringing the greater Mannar area under their total control and opening a land route along Mannar-Poonaryn is important for them.
There is a striving to gain politically as well by trying to push towards the holy shrine of Madhu in the meantime.
If a specifically named military operation is conducted consisting of a mission and goal, it will also have to spell out the time limitations to accomplish them. In order to avoid being entangled in such circumstances, vigorous attacks and tactics utilizing large number of forces are increasingly being carried out in those areas.
Through these attacks they may attempt, to capture places that they could mention; or to gain politically, by bringing the holy area of Madhu under control.
They have not announced a time frame under these circumstances, but the push towards capturing the greater Mannar areas and securing a land route along them is on.
The armed forces are using maximum strength in these operations. 57th and 58th divisions along with several sub forces, guard troops, special forces, and artillery units are being put into action with great anticipation. But the war is grinding on over years.
What is the result of this ‘serial’ operation? What are the loses to the armed forces during this war that has spanned over an year? And many analysts have began to look into what the implications will be from these.
Mannar is our soil. We will fight for it intensely. Operation is underway to open a land route to Jaffna and also political purposes. But Sri Lankan forces are in deep angst on the prospects of capturing these areas as time goes by.
In these areas, in accordance with the prevailing conditions we employ several tactics by going forward and backward; such as attacking sideways after allowing to advance and attacking by intervening the moving forces.
The forces may arrive at Madhu tomorrow. The following day we will be in Mathawachchi. This is a rotating aspect. What losses will the forces encounter on every inch they advance.? Our cadres carryout their maneuvers in this war, by grasping the befalling realities when the Sri Lankan forces feel for their losses in the battlefield.
The Sri Lankan military base in Anuradhapura is being used as the command center for these continuous operations.
As I said earlier there are several reasons for these operations. Even though there is no clear vision, there are compelling political reasons. There are no accomplished victories to speak of and politics is preventing to curtail the operation that began with much fanfare. This is what the Mannar battlefield is today. They have fallen into a quagmire.
When Mahinda Rajapakse came to power, war was a sub text. But now it has taken full embodiment of his administration. His early dazzle was that over powering the Tigers will be easy. But Rajapakse has repeated the same historical mistakes made by previous Presidents and Armed Forces Generals.
With the set time frames within only them and not in the limelight, operations are being carried out by playing a mere numbers game. The same errors were made previously in the math of the war.
Propagandas trumpet that hundreds of Tigers are dying while just a few government soldiers are getting wounded. They are unable to avoid this. Propaganda is a tool to deflate and distract the feelings on inflation, distrust over the Rajapakse brothers and resulting confusions and mistrust of the government in the South when the truth of the war zones creeps amidst the iron clad on the media.
Manalaru
As in Mannar, the Armed Forces are attempting to advance in Manalaru as well. But we have very strong defense structures there. And like Mannar, Manalaru is also our heartland. Our forces are engaged in two types of warfare there.
It is a suitable terrain for conventional as well as guerilla warfare. The Sri Lankan forces are stuck there too without moving forward.
Mukamalai
As far as the Northern battlefront is concerned, skirmishes in Mukamalai, Kilali and Nagarkovil are of continuous daily occurrences. They are unable to inch forward while facing casualties here too.
Amidst this, they have built up the troop strength in the peninsula. This is due to their fear that the Tigers may land there and launch attack anytime. This is why their most trusted 53rd division elite forces are stationed there. Some support guard troops are also accompanying them.
The Air Force base is nearby. With this facility they could transport the wounded and attend to other logistics faster. But they are unable to do much with all these capabilities.
Success and failure in a battlefield is determined by meeting set goals. Since 2006, we have been succeeding on the warfare of attacking, upon cutting short the advancement of troops in the Northern front.
East
The situation of the Sri Lankan armed forces is like ‘Thinking of unhusked rice and pounding the mortar’. Even the international watchers of this conflict are now saying this. Those who invested believing in the tactics of the Sri Lankan Army are now questioning the results. Part of this development is what has led to President Rajapakse and Military Generals to now say that time limits cannot be imposed on winning the Tigers, as previously thought of.
As far as the East is concerned our need is to wage a fight with intense. Within that limit we are managing to fight a war. This situation has forced the government to station troops there.
When armed forces have to be deployed elsewhere as new fronts open far from the East, government is facing the necessity of replacing them.
Doing the same in North, just as in the East is the mistaken belief that is hovering major diplomatic, economic and militaristic burdens for the Government of Sri Lanka today. And the battle front is turning towards our favour at this critical juncture.
The Sri Lankan Armed forces have come to know of the intensity of our attacks over numerous times. For example, our attacks on the Anuradhapura and Katunayake Air Force bases are of one kind. Then there is ‘Unceasing Waves’. And there is another kind, in which our fight back against ‘Agni Kela’ stands proof of the parity of our forces on the balance of militaristic strength.
When such reality prevails, international analysts are vociferously pointing out to the Sri Lankan government the larger reality, that the Tigers have not lost their capability to carry out such attacks. Have you done anything to change the attack capabilities of the Tigers is what these analysts are asking the government.
[BBC News footage on the recent sinking of Sri Lanka boat off Mullaithivu seas]
Mullaithivu Black Tiger Attack
I cannot say anything in detail on the attack on the seas of Mullaithivu a few days ago. The fallout from this attack is huge for the government. We have brought this sea lane under our control, which is also the distribution route to the Sri Lankan armed forces in the North.
The Black Tigers have again challenged the notion of maritime sovereignty of the government of Sri Lanka. The questionable status of Sri Lankan maritime waters sovereignty is lingering in the international arena today.
The Sri Lankan government has vast militaristic resources and we cannot match those. But our determination is greater than that of the Sri Lankan forces. They go through a lull in the war as they don’t have justness to wage this war.
The armed forces are now aimless. They distrust the task at hand. They are depressed and in deep angst. In these circumstances their determination is dented; their will is getting destroyed.
[This report is a translation of an article that appeared in the Sri Lanka Tamil Daily Thinakkural]
“This is a serious issue and the Centre must register a strong protest with the Sri Lankan government,” V. Narayanasamy (Congress) said at the Indian Upper House (Rajya Sabha) recently. Mr. V. Narayanasamy was expressing serious concern over the killing of a fisherman and arrests of a few others by the Sri Lankan Navy recently, and urged the Government of India to take back the Kachatheevu island from Sri Lanka so that fishing could be made safer and easier for Indian fishermen. He stated that Kachatheevu was given to Sri Lanka under an international agreement, but Mr. Narayanasamy said the time has arrived for it to be taken back to safeguard Indian fishermen.
Demanding that the Coast Guard should ensure the fishermen’s safety and prevent them from straying into international waters, Communist Party of India leader D. Raja said: “They have the right to dry their nets on the island and visit the church there, and if the Sri Lankan government does not allow this, India should take back the island.”
The demands were supported by all the MPs, including the AIADMK and DMK members.
Besides stationing the Coast Guard at Rameswaram and Tuticorin to effectively patrol maritime borders, Mr. Narayanasamy demanded that the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen to Kachatheevu be immediately restored.
In a report by Dinamani newspaper in Tamil Nadu Sunday Mar 23, A Congress leader in Tamil Nadu and Indian Upper House (Rajya Sabha) Member of Parliament, Sudarsana Natchiappan has said that the Indian Government was taking steps to take back Kachatheevu. Mr. Natchiappan was participating in the 66th state executive committee meeting of the Human Rights Division of the Congress Party at Raameasvaram.
The Feast of Saint Anthony, normally celebrated in March in Kachatheevu, a remote island off the Jaffna peninsula was canceled again this year. The governments of both Sri Lanka and India, citing increased hostilities, have banned travel to the island. Pilgrims have expressed disappointment on the travel ban. The shrine is a miraculous church, says Gregory Philip Ferminus, 68, who coordinates the Centre for Performing Arts, a well-known Church-run art center in Jaffna.
March 22, 2008 at 3:50 pm
· Filed under Photo Essay
Annual March Pongkal festival at the historic Naagathambiraan Temple in Puliyampokkanai near Kilinochchi was held Friday March 21st and continued throughout night to early hours Saturday morning, sources in Vanni said.
Thousands from Vanni attended the event, but sources said, with travel ban through A9 from the north through Mukamaalai, and from the south via Oamanthai, the number of devotees attending the festival was significantly lower than the past years.
Heavy rains through much of the week did not affect the devotee turnout from areas across Vanni, temple administrators said.
Devotees annually flock to the temple to fulfil the vows, imposing on themselves peculiar forms of penance including Kaavady, and fire walking, to propitiate the Cobra god of the temple.
Devotees from Mannar, Jaffna and other Sri Lanka Government controlled areas were notably absent this year due to travel restrictions.
Kaavady, a form of penance
Naagathambiran temple literally means the temple of the Cobra or of the Naagar who are considered by some as the forerunners of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. [Pic: Sankathi, Reported by TamilNet]
March 21, 2008 at 12:51 pm
· Filed under Photo Essay
Holi, Celebrating everlasting love, life and joy in colours
by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai
[HumanityAshore.com] Holi-the Festival of Colours, is one of the major festivals in India. It signifies the end of winter and welcoming the spring. People smear each other with coloured powder and splash with water. The colours are traditionally made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi and Bilva and various other medicinal herbs. It is believed that, smearing with coloured powder has medicinal significance. People also believe that the bright colours represent energy, life and joy. It is originally known as “Holika”, an ancient festival of India. This is a festival that is as much a gateway to celebrate the arrival of spring as much as it is a way to celebrate the season of love.
Trees wrapped with cotton sarees
There are many legends given as reason for celebrating Holi. One among many stories is a story of everlasting love between Lord Krishna and Radha. Krishna, being the mischievous child of Yasotha, was a prankster and was also the creator of many legends for himself. He once asked his mother-why is Radha fair and he is dark in complexion. Mother Yasotha replied to him saying-If you are so much jealous of Radha’s colour then go and put dark colours on her and she will also turn dark like you . Lord Krishna went ahead and smeared colours on Radha. Since then each lover usually puts colour on his or her beloved to pay homage to Lord Krishna.
In the state of Tamil Nadu, people worship Lord Kaamathevan for his supreme sacrifice on the occasion of Holi. People know Holi by three different names-Kaman Pandigai, Kamavilas, and Kama Dahanam. People of Tamil Nadu have great faith in Lord Shiva and Lord Kaamathevan. The story is that, Lord Shiva went into deep meditation after the death of his consort-Sati. Due to Lord Shiva’s indifferent attitude, Gods became tensed and worried. And the daughter of the mountains- Goddess Parvathi started to meditate to get Lord Shiva as her husband.
The Gods sought help of Lord Kaamathevan in order to get Lord Shiva back to his original state. Kaamathevan is a God of Love. He was well aware of the repercussions of such act, but Lord Kaamathevan agreed to help. Lord Kaamathevan shot his powerful arrow on Lord Shiva, while he was meditating. Enraged Lord Shiva opened his third eye and burnt Lord Kaamathevan into ashes. However the arrow had the desired effect and Lord Shiva agreed to marry Parvathi.
But Lord Kaamathevan’s wife- Rathi felt very sad, and she told her sad story to Lord Shiva and requested him to revive her husband-Lord Kaamathevan.
Lord Shiva listened to her story and agreed to her request.
In Tamil Nadu songs are sung on Holi day depicting Rathi’s extreme sorrow. People offer sandalwood to Lord Kaamathevan to ease the pain of burning. People also believe that, Lord Kaamathevan was revived on the day of Holi, and celebrate the festival in his name. It’s the celebrated season of love.
This is a colourful festival celebrated with much joy and fervour all over North India. White colour dresses are preferred to be worn on Holi day. Folk songs and dance are also important feature of the festival.
Holi festival will be celebrated on the 22nd of March this year.
A Holi celebration was held at the South Lawns of Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo on March 4th 2007:
It’s a joyful occasion for people of all ages
The spirit of Holi is colour
The colours recall the secret of life
Vibrant colours are smeared with love and laughter on loved ones
Rich and vibrant colours are used on this day
Holi comes alive with the colours of “Gulal” (cloured powder)
Kids love the festival
High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Shri Alok Prasad is welcomed by the Press and Information Officer of High Commsion of India Nagma Malik to the festival
A festival-goer is trying to smear the Sunday Times photograpghr Manoj Ratnayake with colours
Spring is the season for rejuvenation, rebirth and rejoice
People used to prepare holi colours at home earlier by using flowers blossomed on Tesu tree
It’s the most colourful festival of Hindus
The festival is full of feelings and movements
Colours denote passionate pulse of life
Nobody escapes
Expatriate kids enjoying Holi
Sri Lanka’s former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga at the festival
High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Shri Alok Prasad and Deputy High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Shri A. Manickam are seen enjoying the festival
Drenched in the ‘Holi’ spirit to the core, they spared none
A very exuberant festival, with dancing, singing, and throwing of paint
Spicy savoury for festival-goers
The riot of colours follows a revelry of colour play
A Bhangra dance programme by a ten-member Bhangra troupe led by Ms. Sukhvir Kaur from Punjab perfoming at Holi festival in Colombo
Water is splashed towards the end
Fast beat of Bhangra kept the floor dancing
Friends greet and smear each other
Performing Bhangra dancer from Punjab
Punjabi drummer performing at the festival
Festival-goers dance along with the Bhangra dancers
Holi is a joyous, fun filled festival
__________________________________________
Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com
Annual Fest On Isolated Island Cancelled Again In War-Torn North
JAFFNA, Sri Lanka (UCAN) — The Feast of Saint Anthony is an opportunity to meet and pray together for Tamil fishermen and their families on both sides of the Palk Strait that separates Sri Lanka from India.
The festival is normally celebrated in March on a deserted island off the Jaffna peninsula, but the governments of both Sri Lanka and India, citing increased hostilities, have banned travel to the island this year.
“We tried reasoning with the state, but finally dropped the idea since state forces do not allow anyone, even pilgrims, to enter the island,” Father Justin B. Gnanapragasam, vicar general of Jaffna diocese, told UCA News on March 3.
The feast honoring the guardian of fishermen officially falls on June 13 but is observed in the first week of March due to calmer seas. This is the second consecutive year it has been banned for Sri Lankans and the first for Indians.
The pilgrimage to the Saint Anthony shrine on Katchatheevu Island, about 70 kilometers southwest of Jaffna City, has a checkered history. From 1983 to 2002, the Sri Lankan government prohibited people from visiting the island due to the conflict between the Tamil rebels and the state. A ceasefire in 2002 allowed a temporary revival, but the ban was reinstated four years later.
“They imposed a fishing ban on Jaffna peninsula, and barred any subsequent movement in the sea as of August 2006,” Father Gnanapragasam pointed out to UCA News. He said the government imposed the restriction due to heavy fighting with Tamil rebels. “Fishermen are allowed to fish only during daylight, no more than two kilometers from the beach,” he added.
According to media reports, installation of a regional underwater defense system further influenced the government decision. The Sri Lankan navy set it up between Katchatheevu and other small islands around the peninsula to check arms smuggling and the movement of “Sea Tigers,” a unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Sinhala-led government has been battling for more than 25 years against the LTTE struggle for a separate homeland.
The highlight of the weeklong festival on the island was a “get-together” of Indians and Sri Lankans of various faiths without the need for visas or other documents. Pilgrims coming to see relatives and friends camped on the island and exchanged goods from both countries. The two-day festival ended with Mass.
“In 2006, some 2,000 pilgrims from India attended,” Father S. Roy Ferdinand, in charge of St. Anthony’s shrine on the island, told UCA News by phone. “From the Sri Lankan side, some 50 people came, including priests and officials who coordinated the festival,” said Father Ferdinand, parish priest of St. John’s Church in Delft, a larger island northeast of Katchatheevu in the Palk Strait.
The shrine is a “miraculous” church, says Gregory Philip Ferminus, 68, who coordinates the Centre for Performing Arts, a well-known Church-run art center in Jaffna. He told UCA News today’s younger people are unlucky because they cannot make the journey to the island and pray with Indian Catholics.
Thangaraja Sebastiampillai, a poor 47-year-old Tamil fisherman, told UCA News he was disappointed, because “I had planned to attend the festival and meet my nieces.” His nieces had fled to India due to the war, he explained, and he cannot afford the air ticket to visit them there.
