Video: Parliamentary debate on deterioration of human security in the North of Sri Lanka
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A parliamentary debate on deterioration of human security in the Jaffna Peninsula, North of Sri Lanka, was held on 20 January. Early media coverage of the debate suggested the government was playing down concerns over the deterioration of human security, and heated exchanges between government and opposition MPs. The number of reports on murders and abductions in the Northern Province just over the past month suggest a disturbing breakdown in the rule of law. Networking for Rights (NfR) in a statement expressed “serious concern” about the deterioration of the law and order.
“The series of killings that have taken place during the last few weeks in the Jaffna Peninsula raises the question whether death squads have been reactivated in the Jaffna Peninsula.”
Groundviews received the video of the parliamentary debate today. The debate is oftentimes interrupted by the characteristic shouting and inflammatory remarks across benches. This video captures the submissions by the TNA and UNP, plus responses by Government and reveals partisan faultlines and differences in perception that colour post-war Sri Lanka’s appreciation of human security, the rule of law and indeed, democracy.
The violent situation is left at the door of EPDP. As a result of investigation should that be case the leader of EPDP and his cronies have to be brought to book. It will do well for Sumenthiran MP to bring forward the issue of LTTE at its last stand in the war have kept human shields of Tamils. All things being equal, there might be found that the war crimes have been committed by both parties.
According to the latest news form people living in Jaffna, the Army closes small camps close to main road and opening up small camps inside the villages away from main roads, people are panic as this kind of hidden camps will increase rapes and disappearances.
It is inexplicable why the army and police do not disarm the guntoting paramilitary groups.Many have been arrested but there are no reports on whether they were investigated for posession of arms and where they obtained them.In the south, there are many reports of police taking suspects to places where they had hidden arms.
Recently the governer was reported to have admitted that the temple priest and his two sons had been shot by guns obtained from the army.
But there the matter ended – no investigation as to how civilians obtained guns from the army to commit crimes.
Only a few of those arrested were reported to have been produced before a magistrate and remanded, but released soon on bail and this appears to be the end of the matter.
All this appears to support the contention that the police and armed forces turn a blind eye to the crimes perpetrated by paramilitaries, as they are members of a group from a political party which supports the government.
There is a Mafia in Jaffna. That is under the wings of the state. Everyone knows who the godfather is. The pseudo-democratic processes cannot touch this Mafia which is actually operating island wide. All the shouting in the parliament is just for the consumption of the insensitive public.
The Govt of India in N.Delhi and T.Nadu and USA, H.Right groups world wide and Icc should be informed accordingly and request for constructive and effective action against GOSL.