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Sri Lanka
Statement:2015
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Date
Incidents
January - 5 
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Sri Lankan government again to ensure a peaceful election that is inclusive of minorities, reports Colombo Page on January 6. Responding to a media query on the election violence in the run-up to the election Presidential election o
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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the Sri Lankan government again to ensure a peaceful election that is inclusive of minorities, reports Colombo Page on January 6. Responding to a media query on the election violence in the run-up to the election Presidential election on January 08, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said the Secretary-General's call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities is much more important now on the backdrop of the election violence. "Obviously, we've seen the recent events in Sri Lanka, even those today, and I think it makes the Secretary-General's call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities," Dujarric said. The UN Chief last month has called on Sri Lanka's Minister of External Affairs Prof. GL Peiris and reaffirmed the UN's continuous support for reconciliation, political dialogue and accountability as the country heads towards the election on 8 January 2015.
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January - 7 
On January 7, Sri Lanka's Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya said the Police are empowered to use maximum force if anyone tries anything unlawful at the polling stations during tomorrow's presidential election, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing, the Election Commissioner th
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On January 7, Sri Lanka's Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya said the Police are empowered to use maximum force if anyone tries anything unlawful at the polling stations during tomorrow's presidential election, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing, the Election Commissioner the Police had been given authority to use maximum power, even shooting a violator, if any one tries to intimidate or attempts to obstruct a voter using their right to vote. "Police could take such action if any one tries to grab ballot papers away," he said. The election chief expressed his confidence that the Presidential Election would be free and fair.
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January - 7 
On January 7, the Sri Lankan government said the United Nations (UN) recent call to the government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and inclusive, is "gratuitous and inappropriate," reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement on January 7, the External Affairs Ministry said Sri Lanka notes wi
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On January 7, the Sri Lankan government said the United Nations (UN) recent call to the government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and inclusive, is "gratuitous and inappropriate," reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement on January 7, the External Affairs Ministry said Sri Lanka notes with concern the recent remarks by the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the UN recalling the Secretary-General's call to the Government to ensure that the forthcoming Presidential elections are peaceful and inclusive. "The Spokesperson's comments are gratuitous and inappropriate," the statement said. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief, said the Secretary-General's call for reconciliation, political dialogue that much more important and also his call to the Government to ensure that the elections are peaceful and that they're inclusive, including for minorities. The Ministry statement pointed out that Sri Lanka has a vibrant tradition of democratic practice since 1931 and has been conducting elections at regular intervals, in a peaceful and orderly manner, while the electorate has continued to cast their vote freely, in large numbers. "In keeping with this decades-old tradition, the Presidential election of 2015 too is being held in a peaceful and orderly manner. The inclusiveness of the elections is guaranteed for all Sri Lankans and all minorities are equally facilitated to actively participate in the election process and exercise their franchise," the government said.
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January - 25 
Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said that there is no need to appoint new commissions with regard to the war in Sri Lanka and the national question, reports Colombo Page on January 26. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said that rather than appointing new commi
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Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said that there is no need to appoint new commissions with regard to the war in Sri Lanka and the national question, reports Colombo Page on January 26. TNA parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran said that rather than appointing new commissions, it is more important to enact the recommendations made by the committees that have been appointed so far. TNA has also said they do not expect a new Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to be appointed over the national issue. TNA is also a stakeholder of the National Executive Council (NEC) and is engaged in implementing the 100 day programme of the new Government.
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January - 28 
A Government spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne on January 28 said that Sri Lanka is planning an investigation into accusations of human rights abuses in the final stages of civil war amid international frustration at the failure to look into numerous civilian deaths, reports The Hindu. “We are thinking o
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A Government spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne on January 28 said that Sri Lanka is planning an investigation into accusations of human rights abuses in the final stages of civil war amid international frustration at the failure to look into numerous civilian deaths, reports The Hindu. “We are thinking of having our own inquiry acceptable to them to the international standards,” Rajitha Senaratne said in Colombo, referring to the United Nations (UN). “It will be a new local inquiry. If we need, we will bring some foreign experts,” he added. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had refused to cooperate with any UN investigation into claims the army committed atrocities in the civil war that ended in 2009. Newly elected President Maithripala Sirisena in the run up to the vote promised a new investigation under an independent judiciary, but rejected demands for an international inquiry. However, the Government sources said that this week, the President sent his senior adviser on foreign relations to meet UN officials to discuss the investigation. Rajitha Senaratne also said that the new Government was looking at releasing political prisoners, mainly suspected members of the defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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January - 28 
President Maithripala Sirisena on January 28 said more attention would be paid to national security and a well-structured plan would be implemented to ensure national security for the welfare of the country and the people, reports Colombo Page. The President said that every effort would be initiated
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President Maithripala Sirisena on January 28 said more attention would be paid to national security and a well-structured plan would be implemented to ensure national security for the welfare of the country and the people, reports Colombo Page. The President said that every effort would be initiated in strengthening the national security within the democratic framework according to the constitution. He added that precise understanding of issues that poses in various faces nationally and internationally has to be addressed in a constructive manner while formulating appropriate solutions. President requested the Security Council to submit new proposals and recommendations in addition to the programme now being implemented on national security as it the expectation of the government to implement a programme to strengthen national security locally and internationally.
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January - 28 
Spokesman of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, Rajitha Senaratne on January 28 has said that he has sought an inquiry into information that former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is using two serving army officers to train 400 soldiers to whip up a bogey about an Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) r
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Spokesman of the Sri Lankan Cabinet, Rajitha Senaratne on January 28 has said that he has sought an inquiry into information that former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is using two serving army officers to train 400 soldiers to whip up a bogey about an Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) revival in the run up to the April parliamentary elections, reports Colombo Page. Senaratne said that this army unit is being trained by two serving officers, Brig. Harendra Ranasinghe and Col. Mahinda Ranasinghe of the Army Training School. According to Senaratne, the idea is to get 400 Tamil speaking Sinhalese soldiers to go to the North in disguise and provoke the army. The ensuing clashes would help show people in the Sinhalese-speaking South, that the LTTE have become active in the Northern Province and that the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe Government is unable to tackle it. The LTTE-revival card could help former President Mahinda Rajapaksa win the elections. Senaratne said that to ensure national security, the Sirisena regime would rely on political engagement with the minorities and not on the military.
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January - 29 
Zee News on January 30 says that the new Government plans to return private land seized by the military in the civil war-ravaged north and release several hundred detainees in an apparent move toward reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils. Governemnt Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that the Gov
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Zee News on January 30 says that the new Government plans to return private land seized by the military in the civil war-ravaged north and release several hundred detainees in an apparent move toward reconciliation with ethnic minority Tamils. Governemnt Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that the Government of new President Maithripala Sirisena will ease its military presence, and that unlike the previous administration that was defeated in the January 8 election, does not believe military action alone can prevent a resurgence of the rebels. Rajitha Senaratne said, "We don't think you can stop an LTTE resurrection (just) with an army, so spending on security will be very moderate."
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February - 1 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 1 said that the new Government will investigate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activities over the past few years including its funding and alleged links it had with the previous Government, reports Colombo Gazette. He said that the Govern
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 1 said that the new Government will investigate the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activities over the past few years including its funding and alleged links it had with the previous Government, reports Colombo Gazette. He said that the Government wants to know what happened to the funds of the LTTE. He said “This is part of our probe on corruption. The former Government always accused us of having links with the LTTE but it was they who had links with the Tigers.” He said that investigations will include obtaining information on the LTTE ships, gold and money yet to be found even after the war. The Prime Minister said that the public in the North have said they have evidence to share over the LTTE and so that evidence will also be obtained. “This is a large scale investigation,” he added. Wickremesinghe also said that when the European court ruled in support of the LTTE the former Government did not take steps to assist the European Union (EU) to reverse the court ruling. He said “We have said we will assist the EU to ensure the ban on the LTTE in the EU remains”. He also questioned the previous Government’s failure to handover Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP to India. KP is wanted in India over the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
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February - 13 
President Maithripala Sirisena on February 13 told the diplomatic community in Colombo that if “credible and firm” evidence is found by the proposed inquiry into allegations that Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs) committed human rights violations during the fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tami
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President Maithripala Sirisena on February 13 told the diplomatic community in Colombo that if “credible and firm” evidence is found by the proposed inquiry into allegations that Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs) committed human rights violations during the fight against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), action would be taken against the guilty, reports Dawn. The President also invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to visit Sri Lanka. Sirisena said the Government needed time to bring about unity and reconciliation as it had assumed office only a month ago. Referring to Tamils living in the Northern Province, he said ‘doubts and mistrust’ between ethnic groups should be removed. He assured the Tamil community that land appropriated by the armed forces during the civil war would be returned, announcing the handover of 1000 acres in the Northern Province as a first step.
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February - 17 February - 19
Australian authorities on February 17 have returned four Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities in mid-sea, reports Colombo Page. The Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said on February 19 the Australian and Sri Lankan Governments have worked to
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Australian authorities on February 17 have returned four Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers to Sri Lankan authorities in mid-sea, reports Colombo Page. The Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton said on February 19 the Australian and Sri Lankan Governments have worked together again to disrupt a people smuggling venture. According to the Minister, a suspected illegal entry vessel (SIEV) carrying four Sri Lankan nationals was intercepted by Border Protection Command (BPC) North-West of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (a territory of Australia, located in the Indian Ocean) on February 9. The four Sri Lankan nationals were transferred at sea from a vessel assigned to BPC to Sri Lankan authorities last Tuesday (February 17), the Australian Minister said
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February - 21 
Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) C. V. Wigneswaran has expressed concern over the delay in releasing Tamil political prisoners by the Sri Lanka Government, reports Colombo Page on February 22. Wigneswaran told the New York Times that he fears the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremes
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Chief Minister of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) C. V. Wigneswaran has expressed concern over the delay in releasing Tamil political prisoners by the Sri Lanka Government, reports Colombo Page on February 22. Wigneswaran told the New York Times that he fears the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has refused to release prisoners because he does not want to anger the Sinhalese majority ahead of parliamentary elections. "I'm talking of a history of not living up to promises in the past. The prime minister wants to play for time because the elections are coming," he claimed. Meanwhile, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has alleged that a secret military camp, named Gota, in the naval base in Trincomalee was in operation and held 700 Tamils and 35 Tamil families, Colombo Page reports on February 21. TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran had told the BBC Sandeshaya that the Tamil people are of the belief that there were many more of such camps.
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February - 28 
Although there was no violence and there is an apparent reduction of threats against journalists in Sri Lanka after the January 8, 2014 election, significant challenges to press freedom are still remaining in Sri Lanka, an international media organization said, reports Colombo Page on March 1. The i
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Although there was no violence and there is an apparent reduction of threats against journalists in Sri Lanka after the January 8, 2014 election, significant challenges to press freedom are still remaining in Sri Lanka, an international media organization said, reports Colombo Page on March 1. The international media mission, which represents the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the International Press Institute and International Freedom of Expression Exchange, said the continued surveillance of journalists and media organizations in the north of Sri Lanka must cease. The mission said all journalists acknowledged there have been no cases of over violence since the January 8 elections and that there has been an apparent reduction in threats, but significant challenges to press freedom are remaining. These challenges include the self-censorship due to uncertainty about the political future of the country; restrictions on access to information; and continued surveillance and monitoring of journalists.
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February - 28 
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka, Ajith P. Perera said the domestic investigation into some of the allegations over the war will not be completed by September, 2015, reports Colombo Page on March 1. The Deputy Minister said that it will be difficult to complete the legal process before t
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Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka, Ajith P. Perera said the domestic investigation into some of the allegations over the war will not be completed by September, 2015, reports Colombo Page on March 1. The Deputy Minister said that it will be difficult to complete the legal process before the September sessions of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as only the structure and laws will be in place before September. The UNHRC has agreed to defer a report on Sri Lanka which was to be submitted to the Council during this month's (March) session to September.
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February - 28 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has expressed the party's lack of faith in a domestic probe into issues related to the war crimes, reports Colombo Page on March 1. On February 28 TNA leaders met with United Nations (UN) Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, who is currentl
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has expressed the party's lack of faith in a domestic probe into issues related to the war crimes, reports Colombo Page on March 1. On February 28 TNA leaders met with United Nations (UN) Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, who is currently in Sri Lanka, and discussed several issues including the proposed domestic investigation on the war promised by the new Government. TNA Spokesperson (Member of Parliament) MP Suresh Premachandran said that the TNA had informed Feltman that the party did not have faith in a domestic probe. Feltman however had told the TNA that the Government had given an assurance that the domestic probe will meet international standards. He had informed the TNA that the UN is willing to work with the new Government on the investigation and other issues.
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March - 1 
On March 1, Dahal said the opposition parties were ready to sit for talks if the ruling parties ensured the environment to promulgate the new constitution on the basis of a political consensus, according to Republica.
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On March 1, Dahal said the opposition parties were ready to sit for talks if the ruling parties ensured the environment to promulgate the new constitution on the basis of a political consensus, according to Republica.
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March - 1 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 1 said the accusations that Tamil youth were being held in secret detention camps were baseless, reports The Island. Wickremesinghe emphasised that all those who had been taken into custody were being held in legally run facilities and, therefore, all det
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 1 said the accusations that Tamil youth were being held in secret detention camps were baseless, reports The Island. Wickremesinghe emphasised that all those who had been taken into custody were being held in legally run facilities and, therefore, all detainees could be accounted for. He said instructions had been given for preparing a full list of persons in custody in a bid to dispel fears expressed in some quarters as regards secret detention camps. According to the report, the Prime Minister didn’t mince his words when he declared that those missing but not listed among those in government custody had either perished during the conflict or were now living overseas. Authoritative sources said that Sri Lanka’s efforts to track down missing persons living overseas hadn’t been successful due to Western countries’ refusal to cooperate. Sources said that a joint effort was needed to establish the whereabouts of those who had assumed new identities and citizenship in other countries.
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March - 3 
United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman, during an official visit to Sri Lanka said on March 3 that the global institution is encouraged by the Sri Lankan new Government’s commitment to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights and it is committed to assisting in th
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United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman, during an official visit to Sri Lanka said on March 3 that the global institution is encouraged by the Sri Lankan new Government’s commitment to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights and it is committed to assisting in the process of accountability and reconciliation in the island nation, reports Colombo Page. Jeffrey Feltman said the recent election of a new government has given Sri Lanka an historic opportunity to seize to address the accountability and bring the reconciliation to the island. The UN official, who arrived in the island on February 28 for a four-day official visit, said he had a series of positive, constructive discussions with the President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Acting Foreign Minister Ajith Perera, the leadership of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), Tamil National Alliance (TNA), and the diplomatic community in Colombo.
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March - 5 
In an interview ahead of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe said that Indian politicians might have developed “amnesia” over the fact that India had assisted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LT
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In an interview ahead of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe said that Indian politicians might have developed “amnesia” over the fact that India had assisted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) war of 2009, reports The Hindu on March 6. Lankan Prime Minister said “Without the help of India, President Rajapaksa could not have wiped out the LTTE. He got that help and he agreed to give concessions even beyond the 13th amendment ... But he did not do so ....”. Asked specifically about the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)’s denials of help to Sri Lanka, especially because of opposition from its alliance partner the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), he said, “Amnesia, you know is very common among politicians.” Wickramasinghe accused the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Government in the Northern Province and Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran of being “irresponsible” in passing a resolution for an international genocide investigation to look into allegations dating back to the 1970s. The Prime Minister said that in that case, not only would the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE had to be charged with killings, but so would the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) that went in to assist in the late 1980s. He said “Casualties took place under the Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs), the IPKF and also by the LTTE ... But to say that it was only the Government of Sri Lanka is wrong.”
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March - 10 
Housing and Samurdhi Minister Sajith Premadasa said that Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarians do not stand for a separate state and their purpose is to ensure fair and equal treatment for Tamils, reports Daily News on March 11. Minister Premadasa said some politicians make allegations agai
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Housing and Samurdhi Minister Sajith Premadasa said that Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarians do not stand for a separate state and their purpose is to ensure fair and equal treatment for Tamils, reports Daily News on March 11. Minister Premadasa said some politicians make allegations against the TNA claiming that they supported President Maithripala Sirisena during the Presidential election to divide the country. This is a political lie used to mislead voters, he said. The Minister said that “Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) activists in London protest against TNA MPs Sampanthan and Sumanthiran by burning their effigies. Even TNA MPs have accepted the unitary nature of the state.” "If Sampanthan and Sumanthiran wished to see a separate State and supported Maithripala Sirisena to fulfill this purpose, it is a big question for us as to why LTTE supporters in the United Kingdom (UK) are protesting against them? The cat is out of the bag and the truth is revealed. The TNA MPs do not demand for a separate state. They only want equal treatment for Tamils," said the minister. Minister added that according to the Constitution, no citizen should be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, sex, political opinion, place of birth or any such grounds and that every citizen has a right to be considered equal.
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March - 10 
Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman who visited Sri Lanka from February 28 to March 3, expressed confidence over Sri Lanka's efforts towards reconciliation and cooperation, reports Colombo Page. UN Political chief said on March 10 that following presidential e
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Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman who visited Sri Lanka from February 28 to March 3, expressed confidence over Sri Lanka's efforts towards reconciliation and cooperation, reports Colombo Page. UN Political chief said on March 10 that following presidential elections in January, a historic opportunity has now presented itself for Sri Lanka to set up a domestic process that is credible, accountable and up to par with international norms and standards for the benefit of the country's people, with the help of the wider international community. "The meetings and talks with the Government of Sri Lanka are so different than they used to be, so that leads us to greater expectations. There was suffering across all Sri Lanka, every community suffered and accountability must address the grievances in the North, but also allow that all [people] in Sri Lanka feel like all their concerns are being addressed," he said. Feltman said "without question" there still is distrust between groups, but all stakeholders must work together. He noted that he had heard skepticism, especially in the North of the country, on whether the Government will live up to its commitment. But nevertheless, he said, "I left with the confidence that the intention to do this is real. The UN stands ready to provide technical assistance, if it is needed. "This is important for the people of Sri Lanka," Feltman added.
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March - 12 
British writer-filmmaker Callum Macrae has urged Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to "show courage and commitment" in pushing Sri Lanka to address war crimes ahead of his visit to Colombo, reports The Times of India on March 13. Macrae said "(The Sri Lankan Government should) allow a genuine
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British writer-filmmaker Callum Macrae has urged Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to "show courage and commitment" in pushing Sri Lanka to address war crimes ahead of his visit to Colombo, reports The Times of India on March 13. Macrae said "(The Sri Lankan Government should) allow a genuinely independent international process of justice - something which can command support and trust of all communities of Sri Lanka." The filmmaker, who took the picture showing Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 'chief' Velupillai Prabhakaran's son eating a snack before he was shot dead and helped expose war crimes, said he wants to persuade Modi to intervene. Macrae recently released a Sinhala version of his award winning documentary, 'No Fire Zone' that has been nominated for the Emmy Award. India has refused visa to Macrae and certification for his film for screening, explaining in part it might "strain friendly relations with Sri Lanka". Macrae called New Delhi's attitude a cause of concern. "The refusing of a certificate on the openly political grounds...was a shameful episode - as was, quite frankly, the refusal to grant me visa,'' he said. "Now that both the Government in Sri Lanka and the Government in India have changed, I hope that the certification will be granted and that when I re-apply for a visa, it too will be granted.''
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March - 12 
President Maithripala Sirisena on March 12, said that Sri Lanka does not want "any outsiders" in its domestic inquiry into alleged atrocities committed against the Tamil Tigers during the last stages of the country's civil war, reports DNA. "We are ready to get advice and their opinions for the inqu
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President Maithripala Sirisena on March 12, said that Sri Lanka does not want "any outsiders" in its domestic inquiry into alleged atrocities committed against the Tamil Tigers during the last stages of the country's civil war, reports DNA. "We are ready to get advice and their opinions for the inquiry, but I don't think we need any outsiders because we have all the sources for this," Sirisena said. This implies the United Nations (UN) investigators will not be able to participate in the domestic inquiry that the new government plans to set up within a month into the alleged war crimes committed during the nearly three decade-long military operations that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. Sirisena's comments came a day before Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's visit to the country, the first by an Indian premier in 28 years. Modi will also be the first Indian PM to travel to Jaffna in the Northern Province, the former bastion of The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He is also expected to press the new Government for an early reconciliation with the minority Tamils. Colombo Page adds that President Maithripala Sirisena said he hopes to set up a special investigative commission within a month to inquire into the alleged war crimes committed during the last phase of the country's civil war. President Sirisena said an investigative commission will be appointed legally and it will be tasked with identifying what needs to be done to probe the alleged violations. If the commission found anyone guilty of committing war crimes they will be punished according to the country's law, Mr. Sirisena said.
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March - 13 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on March 13, urged the Sri Lankan Government to ensure early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and to go beyond that when finding a political solution, reports Daily News. "We believe that early and full implementation of the
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka on March 13, urged the Sri Lankan Government to ensure early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and to go beyond that when finding a political solution, reports Daily News. "We believe that early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond it would contribute to this process," the Indian Prime Minister said at the Presidential Secretariat in the presence of the heads of the Sri Lankan Government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to the fallen soldiers of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Colombo on March 13, adds The New Indian Express. He laid a wreath at the base of the tall column on which was inscribed the names of all the 1,500 Indian soldiers who were killed in the operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) between 1987 and 1990.
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March - 14 
Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in an International Conference on Education in Dubai said that the whole country does not want an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed during the 26-year long war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terr
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Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga in an International Conference on Education in Dubai said that the whole country does not want an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed during the 26-year long war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists, reports Colombo Page on March 15. Kumaratunga has said that both the Sri Lankan people and its politicians found the calls for a United Nations (UN)-led international investigation "insulting" by implying that the country could not carry out its own. She said that Sri Lanka is united against an international investigation into alleged war crimes.
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March - 14 
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran said that the Indian PM Narendra Modi had "planted a very positive idea" in the minds of those at the Central Government in Sri Lanka, reports The Hindu on March 15. PM Narendra Modi’s address at the Sri Lankan Parliament on March 13 was a message to
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Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran said that the Indian PM Narendra Modi had "planted a very positive idea" in the minds of those at the Central Government in Sri Lanka, reports The Hindu on March 15. PM Narendra Modi’s address at the Sri Lankan Parliament on March 13 was a message to Colombo on the need for greater devolution of powers, said C.V. Wigneswaran. After his brief meeting with Modi, Wigneswaran said “I hope the Central Government will take it upon themselves to change the Constitution in such a way that more and more powers will be given to the periphery”.
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March - 16 
Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 16 said that livelihood development programmes should be implemented for the rehabilitated cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in order to secure their economic environment, reports Colombo Page. Following a special discussion headed b
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Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 16 said that livelihood development programmes should be implemented for the rehabilitated cadres of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in order to secure their economic environment, reports Colombo Page. Following a special discussion headed by the PM held at the Temple Trees in Colombo, the PM appointed a committee to explore and initiate programmes to create employment for the ex LTTE cadres. The committee comprises the officials of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. According to the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation report Sri Lanka has almost completed the rehabilitation of nearly 12,000 former cadres of LTTE. Currently, 49 hardcore LTTE cadres remain in detention centers.
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March - 17 
In a major reconciliatory move, President Maithripala Sirisena will be sending a circular to all institutions saying that there is no bar on singing the Lankan national anthem in Tamil language, reports Daily Mirror on March 18. He will thus be lifting an unofficial ban existing since 2010, when Pre
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In a major reconciliatory move, President Maithripala Sirisena will be sending a circular to all institutions saying that there is no bar on singing the Lankan national anthem in Tamil language, reports Daily Mirror on March 18. He will thus be lifting an unofficial ban existing since 2010, when President Mahinda Rajapaksa let it be known that Government will frown on singing the anthem in Tamil. Schools and other institutions, which were using the Tamil version of “Sri Lanka Matha, Apa Sri Lanka” since 1951, stopped doing so. Sirisena announced his decision to lift the language bar when the leader of the Democratic Peoples’ Front (DPF), Mano Ganeshan, raised the issue at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on March 17. “The President said that he would send a circular saying that there is no ban on singing the national anthem in Tamil. He also said that he would have the matter cleared by the National Security Council,” Ganeshan said.
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March - 17 
Visiting Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councilor Didier Burkhalter on March 17 told the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo that Switzerland is willing to open a new chapter in bilateral relation
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Visiting Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councilor Didier Burkhalter on March 17 told the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo that Switzerland is willing to open a new chapter in bilateral relations with Sri Lanka and ready to extend its full support for a national reconciliation programme, reports Colombo Page. Burkhalter said that the Swiss Government is very happy with the measures taken by Sri Lankan Government so far to build up national reconciliation and empower democracy in Sri Lanka. Burkhalter also met Tamil National Alliance (TNA) seniors R. Sampathan, and Member of Parliament (MP) M.A. Sumanthiran and discussed the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka.
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March - 18 
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera while presenting amendments to strengthen the laws to combat terrorist financing and money laundering combat in the Parliament on March 18 said that the Government will review the proscription of 16 Tamil Diaspora organizations and over 400 individuals by the pre
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Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera while presenting amendments to strengthen the laws to combat terrorist financing and money laundering combat in the Parliament on March 18 said that the Government will review the proscription of 16 Tamil Diaspora organizations and over 400 individuals by the previous Government, reports Colombo Page. Minister Samaraweera said that the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa Government banned Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora groups and individuals under the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1373 for their alleged links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). He said the Government took that measure to "build up the hysteria about the LTTE regrouping" in the run up to the presidential election. Minister said "However, most of the organisations listed may have merely been vocal proponents of Tamil rights. There was hardly any tangible evidence to link them to the LTTE. Some of the individuals listed had even been dead for some time." "Reviewing this list of individuals and entities is an important exercise at this juncture when the Government of President Maithripala Sirisena is seriously committed to expedite the reconciliation process," the Minister pointed out. Earlier, Sri Lanka on April 1, 2014 signed the UNSC Resolution 1373, which sets out strategies to combat terrorism and to control terrorist financing. With the signing of the Resolution 1373, the Rajapaksa Government banned the Tamil Tiger terrorist organization, LTTE and 15 other Tamil Diaspora groups that are alleged of having terror links and involved in reviving the terrorist movement in the country.
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March - 23 
The official said that the PCICMP report will be handed over to President Sirisena before the publication of the report of United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHGHR] Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) into alleged war crimes. It will be up to the President to decide
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The official said that the PCICMP report will be handed over to President Sirisena before the publication of the report of United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHGHR] Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) into alleged war crimes. It will be up to the President to decide whether to submit the report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), or to act according to a domestic legal framework, he added.
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March - 26 
Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe announced on March 26 that the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been appointed to lead a special Presidential Task Force to identify urgent reconciliation needs of the minority Tamil community, reports Colombo Page. PM Wickremasinghe at
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Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe announced on March 26 that the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has been appointed to lead a special Presidential Task Force to identify urgent reconciliation needs of the minority Tamil community, reports Colombo Page. PM Wickremasinghe at a special meeting with the heads of government and private sector media institutes at the Temple Trees said that a Secretariat on National Harmony has been declared open under the leadership of the former president Mrs. Kumaratunga. "We are focused in achieving communal and religious harmony," Wickremesinghe said. Wickremasinghe added that the major task entrusted to the Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation (PTFR) is to preserve the diversity of all ethnic groups. The PTFR would identify urgent reconciliation needs of the communities that require immediate solutions and would consider proposals from the public on the issues.
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March - 28 
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Ajith P Perera said that the EU had re-imposed the ban on the LTTE due to the positive diplomatic intervention of the Government, adds Colombo Page. However, the EU has not officially announced the decision to extend the ban.
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Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Ajith P Perera said that the EU had re-imposed the ban on the LTTE due to the positive diplomatic intervention of the Government, adds Colombo Page. However, the EU has not officially announced the decision to extend the ban.
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March - 28 
Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 28 said that the Europe Union (EU) has responded positively to the quest made by him to extend the ban on, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. The PM made this announcement when he met with the members of the three Armed Fo
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Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 28 said that the Europe Union (EU) has responded positively to the quest made by him to extend the ban on, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page. The PM made this announcement when he met with the members of the three Armed Forces and Police at the Defence Headquarters at Palaly at Jaffna in Northern Province. Accordingly, the EU will further extend the ban on LTTE, the PM said. Wickremesinghe assured the Security Forces (SFs) that his Government will not leave any room to sacrifice lives of armed forces and general public due to wrong decisions taken by the politicians.
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March - 30 
Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera on March 30 warned that there is a real danger that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could regroup and wage another war for an independent Tamil homeland, six years after they were militarily defeated, reports Colombo Page. Perera said that "Their fr
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Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera on March 30 warned that there is a real danger that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could regroup and wage another war for an independent Tamil homeland, six years after they were militarily defeated, reports Colombo Page. Perera said that "Their front organisations operate businesses abroad, they run petrol stations, supermarkets and have shipping companies." "Even though they have been defeated on the ground, there is a real danger of their trying to regroup," he said. His comments came after the Sri Lankan government pushed the European Union (EU) to again blacklist the LTTE. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Government said that a final decision has not yet been taken on lifting the ban on some diaspora groups or individuals listed by the former Government, reports Colombo Gazette on March 31. Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera said that the issue is sensitive and needs to be dealt with carefully and will also need the support of Parliament.
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March - 30 
Dismissing much-touted allegations that thousands had been still held on terrorism charges, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, on March 30 said that there were only 210 persons in custody, reports The Island. The minister stressed that nine held on terrorism charges had been given bail. Accord
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Dismissing much-touted allegations that thousands had been still held on terrorism charges, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, on March 30 said that there were only 210 persons in custody, reports The Island. The minister stressed that nine held on terrorism charges had been given bail. According to the minister, 134 persons had been remanded had 60 were under investigation and 25 held under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Of the total number, nine have been released on bail. Earlier, in the run-up to the January 8 Presidential election, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), overseas Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) groups and some civil society organisations accused the previous Government of holding thousands of political prisoners in secret detention camps. Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe denied the existence of secret detention camps in the country while asserting those who had been categorised as missing were either dead due to the conflict or living overseas. The previous Government on more than one occasion briefed the Geneva based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the release of over 11,000 ex-LTTE combatants following rehabilitation.
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March - 31 
The newly-appointed Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Krishantha de Silva said that Sri Lanka Army has not withdrawn the troops or camps in the North, reports Colombo Page on April 1. In an interview, the Army Commander has stressed that safeguarding territorial sovereignty was of paramount
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The newly-appointed Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Krishantha de Silva said that Sri Lanka Army has not withdrawn the troops or camps in the North, reports Colombo Page on April 1. In an interview, the Army Commander has stressed that safeguarding territorial sovereignty was of paramount importance and assured to take all measures to prevent the resurgence of militancy in the North. The Commander added that the President, who is Commander-In-Chief, and he, himself are committed to achieving national security. He assured that no military camps have been withdrawn to release land to the original owners in the North and East. Speaking of the reports that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is trying to make a comeback, the Army Commander said the Security Forces (SFs) are extremely alert and watching the situation "very carefully". "There will be zero tolerance of any acts of terror," he emphasized.
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April - 2 
Sri Lanka did not seize the opportunities that existed in 2009 after ending the war to bring the country together and has a chance now to achieve reconciliation, justice and true peace, said the United States (US) official Tom Malinowski on April 2, reports Colombo Page. However, the process will re
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Sri Lanka did not seize the opportunities that existed in 2009 after ending the war to bring the country together and has a chance now to achieve reconciliation, justice and true peace, said the United States (US) official Tom Malinowski on April 2, reports Colombo Page. However, the process will require, in part, "looking backward, to acknowledge the suffering of the innocent and account for the wrongdoing of the guilty, on every side," Tom Malinowski, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor said assuring the support of the US for the process. "The US will continue to encourage that process, because experience has taught us that no society can move forward by burying the past. But our greatest hope is that you will keep moving forward," he remarked. Malinowski made these observations while addressing the Forum on "Women's Role in Post-War Reconciliation" in Colombo in Western Province. The Forum was organized by the Association of War Affected Women, and the Cross Party Senior Women Politicians' Coalition.
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April - 3 
The new Sri Lankan Government has started a comprehensive investigation to determine whether arms and ammunition recovered from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were provided to terrorist organizations by the previous Government, reports Colombo Page on April 4. The Cabinet Spokesperson a
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The new Sri Lankan Government has started a comprehensive investigation to determine whether arms and ammunition recovered from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were provided to terrorist organizations by the previous Government, reports Colombo Page on April 4. The Cabinet Spokesperson and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne said on April 3 that the Government will probe whether the recovered LTTE arms have been provided to the Ukrainian rebels and the Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram in Nigeria. He said the previous Government has provided arms to a security institution which was allegedly involved in arms deals with a number of countries including Nigeria and the Government has received reports that the organization had exchanged arms in mid sea. The Minister said that the Government has suspicions as to whether they sold the LTTE weapons since the relevant officials in the Government have denied ever selling any state weapons. "However, the Defence Secretary has confirmed that these arms and ammunition do not belong to the Government. They must be arms and ammunition recovered from the LTTE during the last stage of war," the Minister speculated. He added that Government forces found a haul of weapons and ammunition and consignment of gold in various places in the North during the last few days of war. "The Government does not have a complete report about the weapons found from the LTTE during the last few day of war on terrorism," he said.
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April - 14 
Showing impatience over the slow pace of the ethnic reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on April 14 listed certain urgent tasks for the Sri Lankan Government to do, so that charges of human rights abuses and war crimes are meaningfully addressed, repo
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Showing impatience over the slow pace of the ethnic reconciliation process in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on April 14 listed certain urgent tasks for the Sri Lankan Government to do, so that charges of human rights abuses and war crimes are meaningfully addressed, reports Daily News. Pablo de Greiff, UNHRC Special Rapporteur for Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence has said in his report that Sri Lanka should take “immediate action” to clarify the fate of the disappeared; refrain from arbitrary detentions; address land issues; and put an immediate end to continuing forms of harassment, violence and unjustified surveillance of civil society and war victims, in particular women in the Eastern and Northern Provinces. “These cast a serious doubt on current efforts,” he said. In his report de Greiff said: “Serious consideration needs to be given to establishing transitional justice mechanisms that contribute to building lasting institutions and capacities, and which allow for effective implementation.” While accepting reparations as a form of transitional justice, he opposed “conditioning reparation benefits on the victims’ willingness to give up their rights to truth and justice.” “The initiatives must track violations wherever they occurred and independently of the identity or affiliation of the victims or the perpetrators,” de Greiff said.
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April - 15 
The wife of missing Sri Lankan journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, Sandya Eknaligoda said that she is not satisfied with the fresh probe that was launched by the new Government in to her husband's disappearance that took place in 2010, reports Colombo Page on April 16. Sandya has said that though the Go
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The wife of missing Sri Lankan journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, Sandya Eknaligoda said that she is not satisfied with the fresh probe that was launched by the new Government in to her husband's disappearance that took place in 2010, reports Colombo Page on April 16. Sandya has said that though the Government had previously promised to hand over the investigations to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), she has so far not been informed of any progress regarding the ongoing investigations. "However I still have hope that the Government would find out what happened to Prageeth before the end of this year," Sandya has further said. Prageeth Eknaligoda disappeared a few days prior to the Presidential election in 2010 and the case has been taken up in many international forums as well.
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April - 18 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP (Member of Parliament) M A Sumanthiran said that the TNA has no allegiance to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as it is not in favour of terrorism, reports Colombo Page on April 19. He said that "We do not have any allegiance to the LTTE nor are we committ
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP (Member of Parliament) M A Sumanthiran said that the TNA has no allegiance to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as it is not in favour of terrorism, reports Colombo Page on April 19. He said that "We do not have any allegiance to the LTTE nor are we committed to their ideology. We stand up for the rights of the Tamil people but we are not in favour of terrorism nor do we encourage it and everyone knows this." He also dismissed concerns over resurgence of the LTTE, saying it is an effort by political parties to create fear among the people. "But even if there is such a move the people will not allow it or support it as it is they who have suffered the most during the war. Therefore the people are quite steadfast in not allowing such terrorism to begin again as they know that they will be the ones that are worst affected," he added.
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April - 22 
The Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando vehemently rejected the allegations that the lands in Sampur in Trincomalee District have been given to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists, reports SLBC on April 23. The Governor pointed out that handing over the lands to their
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The Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando vehemently rejected the allegations that the lands in Sampur in Trincomalee District have been given to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists, reports SLBC on April 23. The Governor pointed out that handing over the lands to their original owners will never harm the security of the naval bases or naval jetty in Trincomalee. He said there is no truth in the speculation spread by some social media that the naval base in Sampur has been removed. The Government has taken measures to develop the Sampur navy training camp as a fully fledged navy training institute.
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April - 23 
President Maithripala Sirisena on April 23 defended the new Government’s policy of returning private land, once used by the Security Forces (SFs), to legitimate owners, especially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, where Tamils and Muslims are present substantially, reports The Hindu. Sirisena,
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President Maithripala Sirisena on April 23 defended the new Government’s policy of returning private land, once used by the Security Forces (SFs), to legitimate owners, especially in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, where Tamils and Muslims are present substantially, reports The Hindu. Sirisena, while addressing the nation through the electronic media, said “the 30 year conflict” [with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] should not raise its head again. “We have to ensure amity among all communities.” He said that a section of the media has been spreading falsehoods such as: the military has been removed from the North; their numbers have been reduced; that lands in Sampur had been given to LTTE terrorists; and that the Tamil and Muslim minorities have been given more rights than the Sinhalese. “These stories are being spread by extreme communalists. Please do not spread these false messages to the world,” he urged.
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April - 26 
Sixty percent of the people who had appeared before the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (PCICMP), blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the disappearance of their kith and kin, PCICMP Chairman, Retired Justice Maxwell Paranagama, said
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Sixty percent of the people who had appeared before the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (PCICMP), blamed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the disappearance of their kith and kin, PCICMP Chairman, Retired Justice Maxwell Paranagama, said on April 26, reports The New Indian Express. He said that “Thirty percent of the complaints were against the Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs), 10 percent against the other (non-LTTE) Tamil militant groups, and 5 percent were against unidentified elements.” A total of 2500 people from the Northern and Eastern Provinces had appeared before the commission. There were 16,000 complaints from civilians and 5600 from the SFs. Paranagama added that “However, the blame figures varied from district to district. In Kilinochchi, 85 percent of those who deposed blamed the LTTE. In Mullaitivu, 80 percent blamed the LTTE. In Jaffna, people blamed the LTTE and the SFs equally (50:50). In the Eastern Province most of the complaints were against the SFs. The Karuna group (a breakaway group of the LTTE), was also blamed to an extent in the East.” Some of the cases have been referred for action and some for further investigations, he said. The Commission has submitted its interim report to President Maithripala Sirisena. The Government has asked the panel to continue its work as it is also investigating allegations of war crimes.
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May - 2 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 2 called for a special arrangement to ensure that Tamil speaking people would retain the same number of seats regardless of drastic drop in the number of electors over the years due to them fleeing the country or moving to Districts outside the Northern Province,
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on May 2 called for a special arrangement to ensure that Tamil speaking people would retain the same number of seats regardless of drastic drop in the number of electors over the years due to them fleeing the country or moving to Districts outside the Northern Province, reports The Island. TNA Member of Parliament (MP) M.A. Sumanthiran said that their support for the proposed 20 Amendment to the Constitution would entirely depend on guarantee that the existing 160 electorates would remain intact. The MP insisted that the electoral reforms couldn’t be finalized at the expense of Tamil speaking people. The MP insisted that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)’s push for an agreement on electoral reforms wasn’t realistic therefore those spearheading talks on the 20 Amendment should be mindful of their concerns.
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May - 4 
Chairman of the Presidential Commission Investigating Cases of Missing Persons (PCICMP) retired High Court Judge Maxwell Paranagama said that four teams will be appointed to the PCICMP to conduct investigations into future deliberations, reports Colombo Page on May 5. He said the appointments were i
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Chairman of the Presidential Commission Investigating Cases of Missing Persons (PCICMP) retired High Court Judge Maxwell Paranagama said that four teams will be appointed to the PCICMP to conduct investigations into future deliberations, reports Colombo Page on May 5. He said the appointments were in accordance with the recommendations made in the interim report that was submitted to the President Maithripala Sirisena. These four teams will investigate about 16,000 complaints, according to the Chairman. The three-member Commission, comprising Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama as Chairman, Mrs. Priyanthi Suranjana Vidyaratne and Mrs. Mano Ramanathan, had been given the authority to conduct inquiries and investigations into the alleged abductions or disappearances occurred from1983 to 2009 and submit a report to the President.
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May - 7 
Sri Lanka's new Government on May 7 said that a domestic mechanism will be in place by September to probe into the alleged human rights violations during the final stages of decades-long war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Press Trust of India. Foreign Affairs Minister Mang
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Sri Lanka's new Government on May 7 said that a domestic mechanism will be in place by September to probe into the alleged human rights violations during the final stages of decades-long war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Press Trust of India. Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that the domestic mechanism with foreign technical expertise to probe into the allegations of war crimes will be in place when next United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session will meet in Geneva in September. "All I can say is that we will have a domestic mechanism in place in time when the 30th session of UNHRC commences in September," Samaraweera said in Colombo. "We promised the people a domestic mechanism to look into human rights violations. There is a timeline for its setting up. We do have a timeline, we are working according to a timetable even now. I think we will be able to meet the timeline," he added. Colombo Page adds that the Foreign Minister's statement comes days after United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry urged Sri Lankan leaders to "find truth wherever it may lead." During his brief visit to Colombo on May 2 when he was briefed on the steps being taken by the Government to promote reconciliation and address post conflict issues including missing persons, detainees and accountability, the top US official emphasized that Sri Lanka must find its own solutions to national issues. Appreciating the many positive steps that have already been taken by the Government, the Secretary offered US technical assistance for the measures, as required. The new Government is of the view that since Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the Rome statute on international jurisdiction to war crimes, the island would execute justice through its national independent judicial mechanism. However, the new Government's call for a domestic mechanism rather than an international probe has not found favour with the Tamils. They claim to have no faith in the domestic investigation based on past experiences going slow on them and producing nothing meaningful.
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May - 7 
The Governor of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, Austin Fernando has strongly refuted criticism made in certain quarters about the Colombo’s decision to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), mostly Tamils, in Sampur town in Trincomalee District, reports The Hindu on May 8. According to the Gove
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The Governor of Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province, Austin Fernando has strongly refuted criticism made in certain quarters about the Colombo’s decision to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), mostly Tamils, in Sampur town in Trincomalee District, reports The Hindu on May 8. According to the Governor, critics of the Government sought to portray the move as one being carried out at the behest of Indian Government or as “sell out to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)” or “politically motivated.” He added that of 1,272 IDP families, 447 families were resettled, “all during the previous [Mahinda Rajapaksa] government,” and the remaining 825 families would be covered once the Naval Recruit Training Centre is relocated in six months.
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May - 8 
Smaller political parties in Sri Lanka, which represents minority communities have expressed their opposition to the proposed 20th amendment to the constitution which incorporates reforms to the electoral system, reports The Hindu on May 9. “We are opposed to the move of bringing electoral reforms a
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Smaller political parties in Sri Lanka, which represents minority communities have expressed their opposition to the proposed 20th amendment to the constitution which incorporates reforms to the electoral system, reports The Hindu on May 9. “We are opposed to the move of bringing electoral reforms as an urgent bill. We are for reforming the system but we want the next election to be held under the existing system of proportional representation,” said Mano Ganesan, a leader of a Tamil political party. Tamil and Muslim minority political parties and the third largest majority Sinhala party, Janathā Vimukthi Peramuṇa (JVP) have held talks on the proposed 20th amendment which is likely to be presented in parliament on May 19. Under the new system, there would be more seats in Parliament than the current 225.Political parties are yet to agree on the new system.
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May - 8 
State Minister of Defence Dinendra Ruwan Wijewardene on May 8 said that the language barrier between the Sinhala and Tamil communities was one of the reasons for the prolonged ethnic conflict that had plagued the nation for three decades, reports Colombo Page. While speaking at a ceremony held at th
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State Minister of Defence Dinendra Ruwan Wijewardene on May 8 said that the language barrier between the Sinhala and Tamil communities was one of the reasons for the prolonged ethnic conflict that had plagued the nation for three decades, reports Colombo Page. While speaking at a ceremony held at the Security Forces Headquarters in Jaffna to award certificates to Sri Lanka Army personnel who completed a Tamil language proficiency course conducted by the Army, Minister Wijewardene said both the Sinhala and Tamil communities should learn each other's languages in order to develop better understanding with each other. The unawareness of languages between the Northern and Southern communities was one of the reasons that led to the rift between the two communities and some extremist forces within these communities took it to their advantage and as a result the nation lost many invaluable lives and resources, the Minister added.
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May - 9 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan on May 9 said that the Tamil people should be given a suitable political solution soon, reports Daily News. Sampanthan further said that “They (Tamils) should also be given equal rights and Tamil people had complete confidence in present President M
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Leader R. Sampanthan on May 9 said that the Tamil people should be given a suitable political solution soon, reports Daily News. Sampanthan further said that “They (Tamils) should also be given equal rights and Tamil people had complete confidence in present President Maithripala Sirisena.” Sampanthan said "President Sirisena should convince his electorate that Tamils in the North should be given their lands. We have never asked to divide the country. We have very clearly said that a political solution should be formulated through a local process”. The TNA Leader also added that his party was ready to negotiate with the present Government in this regard.
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May - 12 
Some Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) on May 12 announced that the period May 13 to 19 would be marked as ‘Tamil Genocide Week’ and began commemorating the dead with a function in Mullavaikkal in Mullaitivu District where the final battle was fought in 2
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Some Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) on May 12 announced that the period May 13 to 19 would be marked as ‘Tamil Genocide Week’ and began commemorating the dead with a function in Mullavaikkal in Mullaitivu District where the final battle was fought in 2009, reports Daily Mirror. The military defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on May 19 (2009) - which is marked and celebrated as Victory Day in the country. TNA NPC member M.K. Sivajilingam said “We lit lamps and offered floral tributes at a small function in Mullavaikkal in Mullaitivu District. This week we will have commemorations throughout the North. We requested the party hierarchy to hold the main function on May 19.” He also said that he was backed by a few other members of the TNA in this exercise. However, it is learnt that the TNA, as a party, has not organised any such commemoration.
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May - 13 
Minister for Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M. Swaminathan said that only 35 percent of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu (India) are willing to return to Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Swaminathan, who received 65 Tamil refugees on their arrival at the Ba
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Minister for Resettlement, Reconstruction and Hindu Religious Affairs, D.M. Swaminathan said that only 35 percent of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu (India) are willing to return to Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. Swaminathan, who received 65 Tamil refugees on their arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on May 13, said that of most of about 100,000 refugees in Tamil Nadu had got jobs there, married had children. "Not all of them will come here. It is all rubbish", he said. The Minister added that earlier, those returning to Sri Lanka had to face interrogation that would go on for four to five hours. "The refugees were scared of interrogation" and this was "the basic problem" that came in their way to return home. "We are trying to reduce its duration of to the extent possible," he said. Emphasizing that his Government would welcome all those refugees who were willing to return, Swaminathan noted that some of the returnees had Indian passports and they can come back to Sri Lanka under the dual citizenship system. He urged those refugees who were planning to return to tell his Ministry in advance so that facilities could be provided on their return.
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May - 13 
Sri Lankan Government on May 13 warned that any attempt to commemorate Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the sixth anniversary of the end of the three-decade long civil war will not be condoned, reports Business Standard. Senior Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that "Anyone trying to commemor
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Sri Lankan Government on May 13 warned that any attempt to commemorate Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the sixth anniversary of the end of the three-decade long civil war will not be condoned, reports Business Standard. Senior Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that "Anyone trying to commemorate the LTTE which was a terror group will not be approved by the government. There are elements who want to misuse the new democratic freedom in the country to show that terrorism could rise its head again." The Government's response came as some members of the Tamil-controlled Northern Provincial Council (NPC) on May 12 inaugurated a week-long commemoration of the Tamils who died in the final battle with the army in 2009. However, M K Shvajilingam, a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member dismissed the accusations that he was commemorating the fallen LTTE members.
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May - 14 
According to Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lankan Government is planning to set up a commission to probe the killing and disappearances of media persons in the past, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 14 said that during a recent discussion he had wi
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According to Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Sri Lankan Government is planning to set up a commission to probe the killing and disappearances of media persons in the past, reports Colombo Page. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 14 said that during a recent discussion he had with media personnel and other stakeholders, it was decided that such a commission should be established in consultation and concurrence with media groups, civil society organizations and other relevant partners. The PM noted that the harassment and intimidation on media institutions and journalists which prevailed in the past have stopped under the 'good governance' established since President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office. PM also said he expects the media to make written submissions over the past incidents of attacks on media personnel and institutions.
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May - 14 
Sri Lankan Government on May 14 reiterated that Sri Lanka has not faced pressure from the Tamil diaspora after the January 8, 2015 Presidential elections, reports Colombo Page. Cabinet spokesman and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne said that earlier there were reports
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Sri Lankan Government on May 14 reiterated that Sri Lanka has not faced pressure from the Tamil diaspora after the January 8, 2015 Presidential elections, reports Colombo Page. Cabinet spokesman and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne said that earlier there were reports of the diaspora staging protests in foreign countries against Sri Lanka. However, as the country prepares to commemorate six years since the end of the war, Senaratne noted that the diaspora has gone silent since the Government is addressing the concerns of the Tamils. The Minister said that “Earlier the media reported on the Tamil diaspora protesting near the UN and other places. Now we don’t see such media reports”. He said that he did not feel events held in the North this week to commemorate the victims of the war was a commemoration of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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May - 14 
Supporting the Government’s position, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader M.A. Sumanthiran said that “TNA, even in 2010, a year after the end of the War, had called upon people to remember the dead without any reference to the LTTE or religion. Its point was there should be “no sense of triumph
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Supporting the Government’s position, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader M.A. Sumanthiran said that “TNA, even in 2010, a year after the end of the War, had called upon people to remember the dead without any reference to the LTTE or religion. Its point was there should be “no sense of triumphalism” but a “feeling of regret and sadness”, adds The Hindu.
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May - 14 
The Member of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) and former Member of Parliament (MP) M.K. Shivajilingam said that as part of the “genocidal week,” beginning on May 12, he took part in functions in Mullivaikkal, Trincomalee and Point Pedro in the last three days to pay homage to all those who die
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The Member of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) and former Member of Parliament (MP) M.K. Shivajilingam said that as part of the “genocidal week,” beginning on May 12, he took part in functions in Mullivaikkal, Trincomalee and Point Pedro in the last three days to pay homage to all those who died in the War” “The dead included those who belonged to the LTTE,” said Shivajilingam, who is the national organiser of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), now a political party.
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May - 14 
The Minister also invited Northern Provincial Councilors (NPC) to attend the “Remembrance Day” functions which will be held next week in Southern Province. “We are inviting all. We’ll see whether they are coming,” Rajitha Senaratne said.
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The Minister also invited Northern Provincial Councilors (NPC) to attend the “Remembrance Day” functions which will be held next week in Southern Province. “We are inviting all. We’ll see whether they are coming,” Rajitha Senaratne said.
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May - 17 
A London-based Tamil diaspora group, Global Tamil Forum (GTF) hailed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena as an "emerging patriot and statesman" by "word and example", reports Colombo Page. GTF President Father S.J. Emmanuel in his message to mark May 18, the day Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs
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A London-based Tamil diaspora group, Global Tamil Forum (GTF) hailed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena as an "emerging patriot and statesman" by "word and example", reports Colombo Page. GTF President Father S.J. Emmanuel in his message to mark May 18, the day Sri Lankan Security Forces (SFs) ended the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism six years ago said that President Maithripala Sirisena, by word and example, is appealing to all to put the country and the people before political parties and seek a peaceful coexistence of all peoples. "The new government and the progressive forces from all communities are identifying some root causes which ruined the county in the past and are able to identify the fundamentals for a peaceful coexistence of all," the GTF President said recalling that some of President's predecessors have publicly made serious and erroneous remarks about the Tamils. He also praised the current Government for toning down the marking of May 18 as a ‘victory day’ for the majority Sinhalese and instead allowing a commemoration of all the fallen in the war. "It is a welcome move, a distant silver-line at the end of the tunnel, or at least as a first step, on the long road to achieving a peaceful future," the GTF leader said.
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May - 17 
Despite the ban on pro-LTTE commemorations in Mullaitivu District, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - controlled Northern Provincial Council (NPC) intends to have a function in the North on May 18 to pay to tribute to those who lost their lives, party officials said on May 17, reports Daily Mirror.
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Despite the ban on pro-LTTE commemorations in Mullaitivu District, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) - controlled Northern Provincial Council (NPC) intends to have a function in the North on May 18 to pay to tribute to those who lost their lives, party officials said on May 17, reports Daily Mirror. TNA MP (Member of Parliament) Suresh Premachandran said that the NCP organized event was originally to be conducted in Mullivaikkal, the area where the last battle was fought between the LTTE and the Security Forces (SFs) on May 18, 2009 ending three decades of war. The venue had to be changed following the court order that banned any form of LTTE commemoration in the area, he added. He also criticised the Government for not allowing such functions.
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May - 18 
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while attending a commemoration on May 18 accused the Sirisena Government of forgetting the troops who were responsible for the crushing the LTTE’s 30-year campaign, adds The Hindu. “Please take revenge from me, put me in jail, but do not forget the heroic forces,
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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, while attending a commemoration on May 18 accused the Sirisena Government of forgetting the troops who were responsible for the crushing the LTTE’s 30-year campaign, adds The Hindu. “Please take revenge from me, put me in jail, but do not forget the heroic forces,” Rajapaksa told the gathering.
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May - 18 
On the request of Mullaitivu Police, the Mullaitivu Magistrate Court on May 16 issued an order banning people from holding any Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commemoration events or remembrance events in the Mullaitivu Police Division in Mullaitivu District of Northern Province for 14 days
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On the request of Mullaitivu Police, the Mullaitivu Magistrate Court on May 16 issued an order banning people from holding any Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commemoration events or remembrance events in the Mullaitivu Police Division in Mullaitivu District of Northern Province for 14 days starting from May 18, reports Colombo Page. Police have sought the court order after learning that Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) was planning to hold an LTTE-remembrance event at Mullivaikal in Mullaitivu District on May 18.
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May - 18 
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its several affiliates have called for more dialogue and discussion on improving working conditions for journalists in Sri Lanka if the country is to rebuild a strong, robust and professional media industry in the country, reports Colombo Page on
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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its several affiliates have called for more dialogue and discussion on improving working conditions for journalists in Sri Lanka if the country is to rebuild a strong, robust and professional media industry in the country, reports Colombo Page on May 19. In a statement on May 18, the media organizations highlighting some of the obstacles preventing journalists from joining and being active in unions said further support was needed for journalists in exile trying to return. They said further work was still urgently needed to ensure the media industry in Sri Lanka to grow and thrive. The media group also asked the Government to create an independent Commission of Inquiry with a mandate and adequate powers to investigate past killings and disappearances of media workers, threats and attacks on journalists and media outlets and to ensure prosecution of those responsible and pay compensation to the victims and their families.
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May - 18 
The President of the TNPF Gajan Ponnambalam in a Twitter message said that the Police have obtained a ban on the "Tamil Genocide Remembrance Event" organized for Monday (May 18) in Mullivaikal. In another Twitter message Ponnambalam said the Police told him that another organization wants to commemo
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The President of the TNPF Gajan Ponnambalam in a Twitter message said that the Police have obtained a ban on the "Tamil Genocide Remembrance Event" organized for Monday (May 18) in Mullivaikal. In another Twitter message Ponnambalam said the Police told him that another organization wants to commemorate the same event in Mullaitivu which might cause a breach of peace. However, the Police have not answered when he queried whether the other organization has also been banned from commemorating the event.
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May - 18 
The Hindu adds that in a function organized at the Mullivaikkal beach in Mullaitivu District, Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran urged that the Sri Lankan Government and international community to take a decision on the Tamil question. He said, “This in turn could usher in peac
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The Hindu adds that in a function organized at the Mullivaikkal beach in Mullaitivu District, Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran urged that the Sri Lankan Government and international community to take a decision on the Tamil question. He said, “This in turn could usher in peace and dignity among various communities in Sri Lanka.”. “The environment is now much more positive. Without delay, we must work towards the all important goal of maximum devolution for the Tamil speaking people,” he added.
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May - 19 
President Maithripala Sirisena, while addressing the ‘War Hero’s Day’ celebrations at the coastal town of Matara in Southern Province on May 19 said that achieving national reconciliation with the minority Tamil community is a priority for the new Sri Lankan Government and winning hearts and minds i
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President Maithripala Sirisena, while addressing the ‘War Hero’s Day’ celebrations at the coastal town of Matara in Southern Province on May 19 said that achieving national reconciliation with the minority Tamil community is a priority for the new Sri Lankan Government and winning hearts and minds is more important than reconstructing war-devastated buildings, reports The Hindu. Attending the celebrations as the country marked the 6th anniversary of the end of the conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that killed over 40,000 persons, Sirisena said that “National reconciliation build on mutual trust, confidence and respect of all communities is my government’s policy.” Sirisena, however, pledged the Government’s support for the military. “I have the fullest confidence in you (the troops) to safeguard the security of our motherland,” he said, accusing his rivals of spreading “false propaganda” against the Government. He also assured that he would not allow the LTTE to raise its head again.
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May - 19 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 19 praised the efforts of the country's soldiers for defeating the armed movement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), stating that "war heroes who eliminated terrorism that engulfed our country for a longtime laid the basic foundation to build nat
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on May 19 praised the efforts of the country's soldiers for defeating the armed movement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), stating that "war heroes who eliminated terrorism that engulfed our country for a longtime laid the basic foundation to build national unity and harmony", reports defence.lk. While speaking at a commemoration function, recently renamed as 'Armed Forces Day' in Matara in Southern Province, the Prime Minister said "We should remember with gratitude and respect our men and women who laid their lives in combating terrorism, peace keeping and humanitarian operations across the world and the ones who became disabled while doing their duty diligently."
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May - 20 
State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardena on May 20 strongly rejected the allegation made by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition MPs (Member of Parliament) who had stated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) flag was hoisted in parts of the Northern Province on May 18
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State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardena on May 20 strongly rejected the allegation made by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition MPs (Member of Parliament) who had stated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) flag was hoisted in parts of the Northern Province on May 18 when Sri Lanka commemorated the sixth year of defeating LTTE terrorism, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said that "Report received from intelligence agencies state no such incident being staged in the Northern or Eastern Provinces. These rumors are spread by certain persons with vested interests, media sources and social web sites to achieve their own political agendas." He also said no incidents of this nature had been reported from the region and this reflects the disapproval of the people of the North and East in the resurgence of terrorism. The Minister requested the people to be vigilant about campaigns carried out by certain social media websites using media reports and video clippings of recent LTTE commemorative events held in some countries including South India.
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May - 24 
President Maithripala Sirisena on May 24 said that Sri Lankan Government plans to devise a comprehensive national security plan covering all aspects of necessary areas of security in the country, reports Colombo Page. During an observation visit to the Security Forces Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) in
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President Maithripala Sirisena on May 24 said that Sri Lankan Government plans to devise a comprehensive national security plan covering all aspects of necessary areas of security in the country, reports Colombo Page. During an observation visit to the Security Forces Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) in Welikanda in Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, the President said that national security plan has already been taken up in the National Security Council and will be finalized shortly with the support of tri-services after consultations. Report added that the Lankan Government is of the view that although Sri Lanka today has no immediate requirement for offensive military operations, security measures must be in place to prevent any resurgence of terrorist activity and to secure the peace the country achieved in 2009 after a three-decade long war with the Tamil terrorist group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Highlighting few of the projects that have been implemented for the greater benefit of the Security Forces (SFs) at all levels Sirisena assured that all aspects of welfare and facilities of the tri-service personnel will be looked after to ensure all possible assistance for the troops to lead comfortable lives.
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May - 26 
Sri Lanka's wartime Army chief, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that his conscience is clear and he would welcome a war crimes investigation to prove his innocence, reports Colombo Page on May 27. In an interview, he said "The allegations are there, we have to clear our name." While accepting that
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Sri Lanka's wartime Army chief, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said that his conscience is clear and he would welcome a war crimes investigation to prove his innocence, reports Colombo Page on May 27. In an interview, he said "The allegations are there, we have to clear our name." While accepting that some crimes occurred during the war, Fonseka insists that these were acts of individual offenders, and not systematic. "The army as a whole, I can give the assurance that we never committed war crimes," he said. "There were no rapes, no torture during my command during the war. I know there have been a couple of allegations. But there should not be reason to try to declare war against the media or against the international community. We can clarify it," he added. General Fonseka was the head of the Sri Lankan Army that defeated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May 2009, ending Sri Lanka's 26-year long civil war. After the war, a United Nations Secretary General's panel of experts reported that both Government forces and the LTTE had potentially committed serious human rights violations in the final stages of the war.
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May - 29 
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 29 expressed fears about the possibility of a revival of the defunct terrorist organization, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in the country, reports Colombo Page. While speaking to media in Anuradhapura in North Central Province, he said that "I hav
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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May 29 expressed fears about the possibility of a revival of the defunct terrorist organization, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in the country, reports Colombo Page. While speaking to media in Anuradhapura in North Central Province, he said that "I have a suspicion that we may return to see terrorism. We don't want to see that happening we want everyone to live in peace and harmony." Rajapaksa also accused President Maithripala Sirisena of relaxing security in the North to cater to the demand of the Tamils in the Northern Province to demilitarize the former conflict-affected areas. Report also adds that according to political observers, raising fears of an LTTE revival could help the former President, who plans to contest parliamentary polls to make a political comeback, to win the elections. Rajapaksa loyalists in the former ruling party, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) are leading the campaign to get him appointed as the Prime Minister. However, the Government has assured that it will never allow the terrorist group to revive in the country and condemned those trying to raise fears for political mileage.
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May - 29 
President Maithripala Sirisena on May 29 said that he has already instructed the relevant authorities to reopen files relating to the abductions and assassinations of journalists during the past few years, reports Daily News. The President, while handing over a cash grant to Sandiya Ekneligoda, wife
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President Maithripala Sirisena on May 29 said that he has already instructed the relevant authorities to reopen files relating to the abductions and assassinations of journalists during the past few years, reports Daily News. The President, while handing over a cash grant to Sandiya Ekneligoda, wife of missing journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda at the Sri Lanka Bar Association Auditorium in Colombo, said that "Impartial, methodical and justifiable investigations will be carried out in to the abductions of journalists, since the government strongly believes that the rule of law should be protected. Accordingly, investigations will be carried out promptly and recommenced into all suppressed misconducts." Sirisena added that the Government has clearly understood that it is duty bound to establish justice for the victimized journalists. He noted that the Government opened doors for good governance after January 8.
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May - 30 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, M. A. Sumanthiran has said that discussions are underway with the Sri Lankan Government authorities to get 278 Tamil political prisoners released, reports Colombo Page on May 31. According to Sumanthiran, the TNA is in discussions with the Justice Minis
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, M. A. Sumanthiran has said that discussions are underway with the Sri Lankan Government authorities to get 278 Tamil political prisoners released, reports Colombo Page on May 31. According to Sumanthiran, the TNA is in discussions with the Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe on the procedural methods and the priority categories of prisoners to be released. He said that many prisoners have not been served any indictments but arrested on mere suspicion, while many others have been arrested for minor offences. After compiling the details on the prisoners, the TNA already had held talks with President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe and the party is hopeful of finalizing the arrangements for the release of the prisoners at the next round of talks with Minister Rajapakshe.
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June - 2 
The United States (US) on June 2 said that President Maithripala Sirisena had moved Sri Lanka away from divisive politics and crony capitalism toward a new path of reconciliation, reports Daily Mirror. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard
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The United States (US) on June 2 said that President Maithripala Sirisena had moved Sri Lanka away from divisive politics and crony capitalism toward a new path of reconciliation, reports Daily Mirror. The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard E. Hoagland said that “Democratic elections have brought about a sea-change in US- Sri Lanka relationship, where the new President has moved the country away from divisive politics and crony capitalism toward a new path of reconciliation and inclusive development.” Speaking at the Washington International Business Council, he said “This new path will be a boon for the Sri Lankan people, as well as U.S. interests. We can now work together with Sri Lanka to promote good governance and human rights abroad, as well as improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean”.
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June - 6 
Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said that a final decision on an independent mechanism to address issues of missing persons and alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law will be taken after discussions with all concerned, including civil society and victims, rep
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Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said that a final decision on an independent mechanism to address issues of missing persons and alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law will be taken after discussions with all concerned, including civil society and victims, reports The Sunday Times on June 7. All international partners, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, appreciate that, for any mechanism to succeed, all those concerned must be consulted, said Mahishini Colonne, who also heads the Foreign Ministry’s UN Division. She said such mechanisms must be evolved through mindful and careful deliberation as opposed to being rushed. She added that the lack of “mindful and careful deliberation” was the reason for the failure of many past mechanisms.
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June - 6 
In an interview, Northern Provincial Council (NPC) member Ananthy Sasistharan, wife of a senior functionary of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed that her husband, Sasistharan alias Elilan surrendered to the Sri Lankan forces on the advice of Indian Member of Parliament (MP), Kanimo
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In an interview, Northern Provincial Council (NPC) member Ananthy Sasistharan, wife of a senior functionary of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) claimed that her husband, Sasistharan alias Elilan surrendered to the Sri Lankan forces on the advice of Indian Member of Parliament (MP), Kanimozhi belonging to Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), reports Daily Mirror on June 7. Ananthy said that “it was after his conversation with Ms. Kanimozhi in Mullivaikkal at about 8 p.m. on May 16, 2009, my husband chose to surrender himself to the forces. This is not the first time that I am saying this. So far, there has been no response from the other side. It is time Karunanidhi Ayya and Ms. Kanimozhi break their silence and tell the world who were all behind the entire episode.” When asked if her husband had any other option, she said, “He might have taken cyanide pills as he had two.” However, she said she was not aware of the instructions of the LTTE to its members in such an eventuality.
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June - 7 
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader, K.D. Lalkantha on June 7 visited the Sampur area in the Trincomalee District in Eastern Province on a fact finding mission, reports Colombo Page. Lalkantha said that the visit was aimed at inspecting the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) yet to
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Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader, K.D. Lalkantha on June 7 visited the Sampur area in the Trincomalee District in Eastern Province on a fact finding mission, reports Colombo Page. Lalkantha said that the visit was aimed at inspecting the plight of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) yet to be resettled in Sampur and the obstruction posed by the proposed coal power plant. He explained that the people possess the right to return to their original lands in Sampur and that authorities should be mindful of the environment and health hazards posed by the proposed plant. He added that the relevant surveys, studies and reports on the coal plant had been prepared before the people started to return to their original lands in Sampur.
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June - 7 
Meanwhile, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko alleged that the removal of the statue that had been installed by Poigainalllur Tamils may have been the handiwork of the Tamil Nadu State Government, as it had removed banners with Prabakaran’s photo on an earlier
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Meanwhile, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko alleged that the removal of the statue that had been installed by Poigainalllur Tamils may have been the handiwork of the Tamil Nadu State Government, as it had removed banners with Prabakaran’s photo on an earlier occasion, reports Colombo Gazette on June 8. Vaiko also demanded that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) to revoke the ban on the LTTE, as he claims it was an organisation that fought for the freedom of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
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June - 8 
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran on June 8 said that the people in the North would be happy if the Armed Forces were withdrawn from the Province, reports Colombo Page. He has attributed this sentiment to several allegations leveled against the Army. According to the Chief Minister,
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Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran on June 8 said that the people in the North would be happy if the Armed Forces were withdrawn from the Province, reports Colombo Page. He has attributed this sentiment to several allegations leveled against the Army. According to the Chief Minister, there had not been problem about the use of heroin in the Province before 2009 during the reign of the terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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June - 10 
Emphasizing that the Sri Lanka Police continue to maintain security in Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Army affirmed on June 10 that there is no military administration whatsoever in the Northern Provincial capital, Jaffna, reports Colombo Page. Security Forces (SFs) Commander in Jaffna Major General Nandana
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Emphasizing that the Sri Lanka Police continue to maintain security in Jaffna, the Sri Lanka Army affirmed on June 10 that there is no military administration whatsoever in the Northern Provincial capital, Jaffna, reports Colombo Page. Security Forces (SFs) Commander in Jaffna Major General Nandana Udawatta said that the military is not involved in civilian administration and there was no security threat to the Jaffna peninsula after the Presidential Election held on January 8, 2015. He denied the reports that extra troops had been sent to Jaffna following the recent incident of rape and murder of school girl Sivaloganathan Vithiya, which triggered violence in the area. The commander also said that 19,159 acres of Government and private lands in the Jaffna Peninsula occupied by the military including 6,258 acres of land in the Palaly high security zone have been released. He added that most of the owners of the released lands are in the overseas. Udawatta noted that in 1996 an extent of 11,600 acres of land was in the custody of the Palaly high security zone. It has been reduced to 5,371 acres now. The number of army camps in the peninsula has been reduced to 93 from 151 but the camps have not been withdrawn from strategic areas which could bring about a risk to national security, he said.
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June - 11 
Minister of Power and Energy and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said on June 11 that the cabinet paper submitted to grant Government compensation for injured Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists had to be withdrawn after he protested against it, reports
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Minister of Power and Energy and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said on June 11 that the cabinet paper submitted to grant Government compensation for injured Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists had to be withdrawn after he protested against it, reports Daily Mirror. Minister Ranawaka said “Some ministers submitted a cabinet paper proposing that the injured LTTE terrorists should be compensated by the government. I strongly objected it and it had to be withdrawn.” He also said that JHU was strongly opposed to hosting a festival of Diaspora as claimed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and that hosting such a discussion would instigate racisms and terrorism. “There has been no discussion within the government about this. We do not think hosting such a discussion with organizations banned by the defense ministry through a gazette notification would ensure peace in the country. It is an instigation of terrorism,” Ranawaka said. He added, if this issue was to be resolved, those Tamil Diaspora organizations should accept the unitary state of the country and that such issues could not be resolved holding discussions while they were still stick to Tamil Eelam and added that it was done to achieve petty political ends.
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June - 12 
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera on June 12 told the Parliament that the once anti-Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora is likely to issue a statement renouncing violence and separatism, reports Colombo Page. Samaraweera said "As a result of our discussions (in London last weekend), and our eff
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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera on June 12 told the Parliament that the once anti-Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora is likely to issue a statement renouncing violence and separatism, reports Colombo Page. Samaraweera said "As a result of our discussions (in London last weekend), and our efforts, it is most likely that the Diaspora groups which were previously hostile to Sri Lanka, would issue a declaration renouncing violence and commit themselves to working towards a united, undivided Sri Lanka." Samaraweera was giving a detailed answer to the Leader of the Opposition, Nimal Siripala de Silva, who had asked a number of questions pertaining to the meeting with the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and a few Western peaceniks. Samaraweera denied that the issue of lifting the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was discussed. He also denied that there was any discussion on "war crimes" and the proposed domestic mechanism to investigate charges of war crimes.
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June - 15 
Human Rights Watch (HRW), delivering a statement at the 29th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on June 15 in Geneva said that Sri Lanka should include a majority of international judges or prosecutors in the domestic mechanism it intends to establish to address the accountab
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Human Rights Watch (HRW), delivering a statement at the 29th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on June 15 in Geneva said that Sri Lanka should include a majority of international judges or prosecutors in the domestic mechanism it intends to establish to address the accountability issue, reports Colombo Page. The HRW further said that in establishing a domestic mechanism, Sri Lanka should ensure genuine consultations with those affected by the violations and take immediate steps towards resolving key outstanding issues.
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June - 16 
Army on June 16 denied media reports which said that 59 Army camps in Jaffna District of Northern Province have been closed since January 2015 after the new Government was established, reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement, the Army Headquarters categorically denied the reports to the effect tha
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Army on June 16 denied media reports which said that 59 Army camps in Jaffna District of Northern Province have been closed since January 2015 after the new Government was established, reports Colombo Page. Issuing a statement, the Army Headquarters categorically denied the reports to the effect that 59 Army camps have been closed down in Jaffna since January 2015 and gave an account on the factual position in its correct perspective.
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June - 17 
Meanwhile, responding to the statement of HRW, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the International Community must keep confidence in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page on June 18. He assured that the domestic inquiry would be a credible mechanism acceptable for the international as well
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Meanwhile, responding to the statement of HRW, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the International Community must keep confidence in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page on June 18. He assured that the domestic inquiry would be a credible mechanism acceptable for the international as well as the local community. He further said that the Sri Lankan authorities are in constant touch with the relevant global agencies and organizations in constituting the panel for a credible investigation.
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June - 20 
Foreign Affairs Minister, Mangala Samaraweera on June 20 said that Sri Lanka failed to seize the opportunity presented by the end of the Eelam War-4 in May 2009 to achieve meaningful reconciliation and consolidate peace, reports Colombo Page. He said the new Government has taken several important st
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Foreign Affairs Minister, Mangala Samaraweera on June 20 said that Sri Lanka failed to seize the opportunity presented by the end of the Eelam War-4 in May 2009 to achieve meaningful reconciliation and consolidate peace, reports Colombo Page. He said the new Government has taken several important steps during the past five months to correct past mistakes and fulfil people's aspirations of strong and independent democratic institutions, freedom of expression, the rule of law, good governance and the promotion and protection of human rights. He further said the new Government is pursuing reconciliation and development which is essential for the nation's long-term stability, development and prosperity.
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June - 21 
State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene on June 21 said that the present regime will never do anything which is harmful to the national security, reports Daily Mirror. The State Minister said there is no truth in the statements that are being made by the Opposition that the Liberation Tigers of
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State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene on June 21 said that the present regime will never do anything which is harmful to the national security, reports Daily Mirror. The State Minister said there is no truth in the statements that are being made by the Opposition that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is raising its head in the North because of certain actions by the present regime. Wijewardene said “United National Party (UNP) led Governments too fought the LTTE in the past, even the late President D. B. Wijetunga was able to wipe out the terrorists from the East and we too are capable of stopping them in the event they try to regroup.”
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June - 22 
Meanwhile, the Council of the European Union (EU) while releasing the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2014 in Luxembourg on June 22 said that it was not possible to hold sessions of the established human rights dialogues with Sri Lanka in 2014, reports Colombo Page. Th
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Meanwhile, the Council of the European Union (EU) while releasing the EU Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World in 2014 in Luxembourg on June 22 said that it was not possible to hold sessions of the established human rights dialogues with Sri Lanka in 2014, reports Colombo Page. Throughout the year, the EU however, maintained a constant dialogue with civil society organizations in the country.
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June - 23 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told Parliament on June 23 that the Government has not made any decision to withdraw military camps from war-torn north and east, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said the decision to withdraw camps is left for the Army to take and when such decisions
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told Parliament on June 23 that the Government has not made any decision to withdraw military camps from war-torn north and east, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said the decision to withdraw camps is left for the Army to take and when such decisions are made Parliament would be informed. Responding to a query by opposition concerning the military camp at Sampur in Trincomalee District of the Eastern Province, the Prime Minister said the withdrawal of the Sampur camp had been done on the basis of a decision taken by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government.
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June - 29 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) asked the Government to release Tamil political prisoners before holding a festival for Tamil diaspora, reports Colombo Page on June 29. Former TNA parliamentarian from Batticaloa District, P. Ariyanenthiran said that the Tamils cannot accept holding a festival for the
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) asked the Government to release Tamil political prisoners before holding a festival for Tamil diaspora, reports Colombo Page on June 29. Former TNA parliamentarian from Batticaloa District, P. Ariyanenthiran said that the Tamils cannot accept holding a festival for the Tamil diaspora before the Government takes measures to release the Tamil political prisoners in jail.In order to encourage Tamil diaspora members to engage and contribute to efforts in Sri Lanka, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has proposed to organize a diaspora festival in Colombo later this year.
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July - 11 
N.Vithyatharan coordinator of Crusaders for Democracy (CFD), an organization of ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre and their supporters on July 11 said that CFD will be putting up ten former LTTE militants in the Jaffna-Kilinochchi electoral District for the August 17 Parliamentary ele
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N.Vithyatharan coordinator of Crusaders for Democracy (CFD), an organization of ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadre and their supporters on July 11 said that CFD will be putting up ten former LTTE militants in the Jaffna-Kilinochchi electoral District for the August 17 Parliamentary elections as Independents, reports Indian Express. Vithyatharan said that following the rejection of their applications by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), CFD decided to put its candidates up as Independents.
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July - 21 
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 21 denied allegations that he gave money to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), saying the ruling coalition leaders have been trying to “mislead voters” ahead of the parliament elections next month, reports The Indian Express. Dismissing
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Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on July 21 denied allegations that he gave money to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), saying the ruling coalition leaders have been trying to “mislead voters” ahead of the parliament elections next month, reports The Indian Express. Dismissing the allegations made by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the former President’s office in a statement said, “Firstly, former president Rajapaksa did not give money to the LTTE. On the contrary, it was he who defeated the LTTE. Secondly, no Presidential Commission has recommended that Rajapaksa be deprived of his civic rights. Thirdly a Presidential Commission of Inquiry cannot deprive anybody of his civic rights unless parliament passes a resolution to that effect with a two thirds majority.”
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July - 23 
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said on July 23 that the Prime Minister at the cabinet briefing on July 22 has instructed the security authorities to arrest the family members of the slain IS member, and question them to find out whether they also have any connections to the militants a
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Cabinet Spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne said on July 23 that the Prime Minister at the cabinet briefing on July 22 has instructed the security authorities to arrest the family members of the slain IS member, and question them to find out whether they also have any connections to the militants and whether he was a part of a Jihadi network in Sri Lanka. The Inspector General of Police has also instructed Central Province Police authorities to conduct investigations into the slain ISIS militant.
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July - 23 
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was always an obstacle to reach a peaceful solution to the national issue, reports Colombo Gazette on July 24. Samaraweera said that the terrorism the LTTE unleashed, even against the Tamil people, resulted in
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Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was always an obstacle to reach a peaceful solution to the national issue, reports Colombo Gazette on July 24. Samaraweera said that the terrorism the LTTE unleashed, even against the Tamil people, resulted in the Tigers being proscribed in many countries. He said the solution to the national question is not a separate state as the LTTE mistakenly believed, but a solution which can address the genuine grievances of the Tamil people within a united and undivided Sri Lanka.
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July - 23 
Sri Lanka's Muslim clerics' organization, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) on July 23 announced that it vehemently denounces terrorist activities and violence unleashed by the Islamic State (IS), reports Colombo Page. The President of the ACJU, Ash Sheikh Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwie said “We condemn in
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Sri Lanka's Muslim clerics' organization, All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) on July 23 announced that it vehemently denounces terrorist activities and violence unleashed by the Islamic State (IS), reports Colombo Page. The President of the ACJU, Ash Sheikh Mufthi M.I.M. Rizwie said “We condemn in unequivocal terms all forms of violence and extremism. The ISIS is a violent extremist organization which acts against the fundamental teachings of Islam.”
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July - 23 
The Sri Lankan Army on July 23 said that its involvement in the Northern Province is limited “only to demining, construction works and infrastructure development in connection with the resettlement of people”, reports The Hindu. Responding to a questionnaire sent by The Hindu last month on the statu
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The Sri Lankan Army on July 23 said that its involvement in the Northern Province is limited “only to demining, construction works and infrastructure development in connection with the resettlement of people”, reports The Hindu. Responding to a questionnaire sent by The Hindu last month on the status of the Army’s presence in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, it said: “We have almost totally disengaged [ourselves] from non-military activities.” On a question about the Army’s plan to close down camps in the North, it said since the end of the “humanitarian operation” [that’s how the Eelam War IV is called in the Army’s parlance] in May 2009, the deployment of troops had been “regularly reviewed” based on “threat assessment, national security concerns and strategic implications”. Accordingly, troop deployment had been “readjusted on several occasions. This is a continuous process and the number of troops and bases will be in accordance with the national security concerns.”Earlier, the Oakland Institute, a United States (US)-based policy think tank, reported the Army has “expanded” itself into “non-military activities” and is “engaged in large-scale development, construction projects and business ventures”.
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July - 25 
Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in its manifesto released on July 25 reiterated its demand for a power sharing arrangement in a unit of a re-merged Northern and Eastern Provinces under a federal structure as it existed earlier, reports Colombo Page. The TNA said the Tamil
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Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in its manifesto released on July 25 reiterated its demand for a power sharing arrangement in a unit of a re-merged Northern and Eastern Provinces under a federal structure as it existed earlier, reports Colombo Page. The TNA said the Tamil People are entitled to the right to self-determination and the Tamil Speaking Northern and Eastern Provinces are the historical habitation of the Tamil People and the Tamil Speaking Peoples. The coalition of four Tamil parties noted that the Tamil speaking Muslims in the two provinces will be entitled to be beneficiaries of all power-sharing arrangements in the North-East. "This will no way inflict any disability on any People," the manifesto noted.
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July - 26 
At least one other Sri Lankan, going by the ISIS nom de guerre Abu Dhujaana Seylani, is also thought to be with ISIS in Syria, adds The Nation. The intelligence official however, noted that ISIS sympathizers within the country at present was a ‘very small element’, but cautioned that if the group wa
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At least one other Sri Lankan, going by the ISIS nom de guerre Abu Dhujaana Seylani, is also thought to be with ISIS in Syria, adds The Nation. The intelligence official however, noted that ISIS sympathizers within the country at present was a ‘very small element’, but cautioned that if the group was allowed to develop, it could pose a serious national security threat. The source also confirmed that ISIS had mainly been using social media to lure young recruits from Sri Lanka to its cause. Some of these people are thought to have made their way to Syria afterwards, where ISIS has established its so-called ‘Caliphate’, which also includes parts of Iraq. “While we are currently trying to track these individuals both here and abroad, there needs to be a long-term strategy and coordination at international level to counter the threat,” the official said.
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July - 26 
Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on July 26 demanded that the country frame a new Constitution to address a host of issues it’s grappling with, including the Tamil question, reports The Hindu. R. Sampanthan, leader of the TNA, said that “everybody wants a new Constitution.
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Sri Lanka's main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on July 26 demanded that the country frame a new Constitution to address a host of issues it’s grappling with, including the Tamil question, reports The Hindu. R. Sampanthan, leader of the TNA, said that “everybody wants a new Constitution. Even the Sinhalese leadership wants a new Constitution. There are many matters that, to me, [call for] a new Constitution.” Elaborating further, Sampanthan, who is contesting from the Trincomalee electoral District in the Eastern Province, said “There is a view in the country that the 1978 Constitution has outlived its period.” A new Constitution should address not only the Tamil question but also other issues such as electoral reforms, human rights, corruption, right to information and public procurement, he added.
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July - 29 
Minister for Energy and Power and the leader of Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Patali Champika Ranawaka on July 29 called upon Sri Lankan Tamils to integrate themselves with the majority Sinhalese community, reports The Hindu. Ranawaka said the 30-year-old Ealam War has deteriorated the socio-economic
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Minister for Energy and Power and the leader of Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), Patali Champika Ranawaka on July 29 called upon Sri Lankan Tamils to integrate themselves with the majority Sinhalese community, reports The Hindu. Ranawaka said the 30-year-old Ealam War has deteriorated the socio-economic development of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Contrasting the case of the Tamils with those of plantation workers of Indian origin and Muslims, Ranawaka said the other two communities had progressed well because “they simply integrate [themselves] with the Sinhalese.” He added that if the Tamils followed suit, “they can [also] achieve a lot.” Describing the Sri Lankan society “as a compassionate society”, he said that “our country is based on Buddhist philosophy, which teaches us that all people, all human beings are equal. No caste or no creed.” Calling the present political climate “very peaceful”, the Minister asserted that the Government machinery, including the state media, were now “totally free”.
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July - 30 
Sri Lankan Government on July 30 refused to comment on a document a British television station claims could undermine international investigations into the war, reports Colombo Gazette. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said the Government was aware of the British Channel 4 News report
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Sri Lankan Government on July 30 refused to comment on a document a British television station claims could undermine international investigations into the war, reports Colombo Gazette. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mahishini Colonne said the Government was aware of the British Channel 4 News report on the document but will not comment on such media reports. Channel 4 News reported this week that it has been supplied with the leaked United Nations (UN) document which it claim could pre-empt and undermine September’s Human Rights Council discussion on a UN’s long-awaited investigation into crimes committed at the end of Sri Lanka’s 26-year civil war. According to the UN tens of thousands of Tamil civilians died in the closing stages of the Sri Lankan military’s war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The UN says most of those civilians died in government shelling as they were crammed into ever-diminishing “No Fire Zones” – though the LTTE cadres are also alleged to have committed grave abuses including suicide bombings and the use of human shields. Channel 4 News said the document appears to be have been created by the UN in conjunction with the Sri Lankan Government, and outlines plans to set up a purely domestic inquiry into human rights violations – with technical support from the UN. However, the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) chief minister, CV Wigneswaran, told Channel 4 News that the UN had not even consulted them in this regard.
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July - 31 
Nations (UN) Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric on July 31 said that it was exploring the provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance to Sri Lanka at the request of the Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran, reports Colombo Page. The spoke
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Nations (UN) Spokesman for the Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric on July 31 said that it was exploring the provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance to Sri Lanka at the request of the Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran, reports Colombo Page. The spokesman said "In this regard, we're exploring provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance at the request of the Chief Minister, also including the support of the Northern Province to bolster citizen confidence in the peace process,"
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August - 2 
Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that Government has taken measures to restore provision of electricity connections free of charge to 20,000 resettled families in the North and East, reports Colombo Page on August 3. At present, 796,342 people from 232,828 families have been resettled in the
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Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said that Government has taken measures to restore provision of electricity connections free of charge to 20,000 resettled families in the North and East, reports Colombo Page on August 3. At present, 796,342 people from 232,828 families have been resettled in the Northern and Eastern Provinces after the end of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist war in 2009. The provision of access to electricity, water, sanitation etc. to resettled families is a responsibility of the Government. The Government will also grant an additional allocation of SLR 105 million to facilitate free domestic power supply connection to 5,000 resettled families this year.
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August - 3 
Major political parties in Sri Lanka have completely rejected the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s demand for federalism, reports The Hindu on August 4. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)-led United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA); United National Party (UNP)-led United National Front for Good Gover
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Major political parties in Sri Lanka have completely rejected the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s demand for federalism, reports The Hindu on August 4. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)-led United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA); United National Party (UNP)-led United National Front for Good Governance and the Janatha Vimukthi Perumana (JVP) have, in unison, said the demand, if accepted, would lead to division of the country. Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, general secretary of the SLFP said, “Certain terms” will be interpreted to convey “different meanings” in Sri Lanka. Federalism is one of them and “if you say federalism, people would think you are for separatism”, he added. Earlier, TNA has stated in its manifesto that power sharing arrangements must be established based on a federal structure, as they existed during the merger of Northern and Eastern Provinces. At the time of the manifesto’s launch, the Alliance leader R. Sampanthan had expressed hope that the major political parties in the country would accept the demand.
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August - 4 
The Crusaders for Democracy, a group of former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on August 4 urged the Sri Lankan Government to “honour its commitments” made in the past at the international level on the Tamil question, reports The Hindu. The group in its election manifesto, re
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The Crusaders for Democracy, a group of former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on August 4 urged the Sri Lankan Government to “honour its commitments” made in the past at the international level on the Tamil question, reports The Hindu. The group in its election manifesto, released in Jaffna on August 4, said that according to the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord and the Oslo Communique of December 2002, the Sri Lankan Government had agreed to the concepts of federalism and internal self-determination, besides recognizing the Northern and Eastern Provinces as areas of historical habitation of Tamil speaking people. The manifesto wanted the creation of a mechanism that would facilitate self-rule of Tamils. N. Vithyatharan, coordinator of the group said that there was nothing new in the demands of the group. Everything was based on what the Sri Lankan Government had accepted. “We want them only to fulfil what they had promised at the international fora,” he said. While adhering itself to an undivided Sri Lanka, the group of former militants resolved that it would strive to achieve its goals through “peaceful and non-violent means”, Mr. Vithyatharan added.
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August - 4 
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera in a statement said it is clear that from the statements being made by Mahinda Rajapaksa, that the former president has amnesia since he has forgotten the past and asked the former leader to come up with a more intelligent slogan than racism and Li
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The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera in a statement said it is clear that from the statements being made by Mahinda Rajapaksa, that the former president has amnesia since he has forgotten the past and asked the former leader to come up with a more intelligent slogan than racism and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to address the people, reports Colombo Page on August 5. The Minister said the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken the racism as his main slogan for each and every election held after 2005 but the people rejected this main theme on the 8th of January this year. Now he has forgotten that and is continuing to follow the same theme even during this election campaign, Perera pointed out. According to Rajapaksa if the LTTE was eliminated in 2009, Deputy Minister Ajith Perera questioned why he talks about LTTE raising its head again. He said the thirty year long war is like the beggar's wound to Rajapaksa. Perera said the most important fact that Rajapaksa has forgotten is the friendship he had with the LTTE. Rajapaksa had a very friendly relationship with LTTE, the Deputy Minister said. He reminded that Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman who is allegedly responsible for killing 600 Police officers and the murder of Bhikkus (Buddhist monk) at Aranthalawa was appointed as a Vice President of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Perera also reminded that it was Mahinda Rajapaksa who directly gave Velupillai Prabhakaran a grant of LKR 800 million through Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA); as a result of which Mahinda Rajapaksa with Prabhakaran's blessings won the Presidential election in 2005. If not for this gesture on the part of Prabhakaran, Mahinda Rajapaksa would have not become the President of this country, Perera said.
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August - 6 
Prime Minister (PM) and leader of the ruling United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 6 assured the people of Sri Lanka not to fear over a resurgence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as the country would be safeguarded with an excellent defense minister under a fut
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Prime Minister (PM) and leader of the ruling United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 6 assured the people of Sri Lanka not to fear over a resurgence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as the country would be safeguarded with an excellent defense minister under a future UNP Government, reports Colombo Page. Wickremesinghe said that the defense minister under a future UNP government will be President Maithripala Sirisena, who is the commander-in-chief. He said the people should not worry about the resurgence of LTTE, since if the UNP wins the parliamentary elections on August 17 national security would continue to be new Government's main focus. The PM recalled that the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa claimed that he eliminated the terrorism but now says the LTTE is reviving. He asked how that can be possible if the LTTE was eliminated.
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August - 9 
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 9 denied allegations that he had given the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) money in 2005 in order to win the then Presidential election, reports Colombo Gazette. In 2005 the LTTE had prevented the people from taking part in the elections, which al
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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on August 9 denied allegations that he had given the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) money in 2005 in order to win the then Presidential election, reports Colombo Gazette. In 2005 the LTTE had prevented the people from taking part in the elections, which allowed Rajapaksa to win with the support of the Sinhala votes in the South. Rajapaksa said that if he had given money to the LTTE he would not have taken much effort to try to defeat them. He said that if LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was alive today he would ask him if the story was really true. The former President also said that it was no secret who gave arms to the LTTE to defeat the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) and who really funded the LTTE. Rajapaksa also said that the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is confident of winning the August 17 Parliamentary election and he is confident of being made the next Prime Minister.
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August - 9 
Meanwhile, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) member and United National Front for Good Governance Parliamentary candidate Champika Ranawaka on August 9 said he is ready to expose former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on some deals he had allegedly made with the LTTE through South Africa, reports Colombo Gazet
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Meanwhile, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) member and United National Front for Good Governance Parliamentary candidate Champika Ranawaka on August 9 said he is ready to expose former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on some deals he had allegedly made with the LTTE through South Africa, reports Colombo Gazette. Ranawaka also challenged Rajapaksa to face him in an open debate on claims Rajapaksa never gave funds to the LTTE. Ranawaka said that Rajapaksa is already under investigation over funds diverted to the LTTE through the Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA). “We will be taking legal action against Rajapaksa in future in relation to this incident,” he said. Ranawaka also insisted that there is no chance of the LTTE regrouping in Sri Lanka and that the security forces will ensure the security of the country.
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August - 10 
Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader Champika Ranawaka said that the Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had allegedly given the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) over LKR 169 million to win their support at the 2005 Presidential election, reports Colombo Gazette on August 11. Rana
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Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) leader Champika Ranawaka said that the Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had allegedly given the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) over LKR 169 million to win their support at the 2005 Presidential election, reports Colombo Gazette on August 11. Ranawaka said that he has all the evidence, including documents, to back the allegations. Ranawaka revealed the names of LTTE members who a businessman had met on behalf of Rajapaksa to seal the deals in the guise of tsunami relief. Ranawaka claimed that during discussions Basil Rajapaksa had with one LTTE negotiator identified as Emil Kanthan at the businessman’s office, Basil Rajapaksa had told Emil Kanthan that “What Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wants is a boycott of voting in the North, and the PM wants to know what the LTTE would like to have in return.” In reply at a later date Emil Kanthan had said that the LTTE wants to purchase some boats and requested for a sum of LKR 180 million from Basil Rajapakse. Ranawaka claimed that Basil Rajapakse agreed immediately to provide the said amount of money and on a later day Basil Rajapaksa came with a number of large travelling bags to meet Emil Kanthan at the businessman’s office to seal the deal.
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August - 10 
Sri Lanka Police said there is a decline in the number of election law violations in this election compared to the previous elections, reports Colombo Page on August 11. According to the Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ruwan Gunasekara, from June 26 to till noon Monda
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Sri Lanka Police said there is a decline in the number of election law violations in this election compared to the previous elections, reports Colombo Page on August 11. According to the Police Media Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ruwan Gunasekara, from June 26 to till noon Monday (August 10) 197 incidents of election law violations have been reported to the Police and the Police had arrested 444 suspects in connection with those incidents. However, the election monitor People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said it has received 915 complaints of election law violations and election violence incidents in the run up to the general elections next week.
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August - 13 
Sri Lankan Government on August 13 insisted that there is no room for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to regroup in Sri Lanka and that the unity of the country will be maintained, reports Colombo Gazette. Power and Energy Minister and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Champika
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Sri Lankan Government on August 13 insisted that there is no room for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to regroup in Sri Lanka and that the unity of the country will be maintained, reports Colombo Gazette. Power and Energy Minister and Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said that the current Government does not have double standards on the LTTE like the previous regime. He said that the former Government had maintained ties with the LTTE both during and after the war but the current Government has no ties with the rebels. “We will not leave room for democracy to be threatened. We are actually going through a new stage of democracy in the country and we will not allow that process to be harmed. We give a firm assurance on National Security,” he said.
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August - 14 
President Maithripala Sirisena on August 14 said a new constitution will be presented after the upcoming Parliamentary Elections to abolish the remaining powers of the executive presidency, reports Colombo Page. The President made this announcement during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat wi
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President Maithripala Sirisena on August 14 said a new constitution will be presented after the upcoming Parliamentary Elections to abolish the remaining powers of the executive presidency, reports Colombo Page. The President made this announcement during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat with the European and Commonwealth election observers who are in the country to observe August 17’s Parliamentary Elections. He explained that the wide executive powers brought a disaster to the country during the past ten years and he came into power to abolish the powers of the executive presidency. He stressed that he will abolish the remaining powers of the executive presidency, which are challenging to democracy and freedom of the people, in the new constitution which will be presented after the Parliamentary Elections.
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August - 17 
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has accepted that his party has lost in the parliamentary elections held Monday (August 17) but has said that he would work as an opposition member of parliament, reports Colombo Page. "My dream of becoming prime minister has faded away. I am conceding. We have los
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Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has accepted that his party has lost in the parliamentary elections held Monday (August 17) but has said that he would work as an opposition member of parliament, reports Colombo Page. "My dream of becoming prime minister has faded away. I am conceding. We have lost a good fight," Rajapaksa said. The former President has reportedly accepted that United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) had lost the election even before Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya could announce the final results. He has pointed out that the UPFA has won eight Districts out of the 22 and the Government party United national Party (UNP) has gained 11 Districts. The remaining three Districts have been secured by the Tamil national Alliance (TNA).
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August - 17 
Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena said without a doubt the 2015 General Election on August 17 was the most peaceful election in the recent history of the island nation, reports Colombo Page. In a special statement issued after the conclusion of the polls, President Sirisena said he believes
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Meanwhile, President Maithripala Sirisena said without a doubt the 2015 General Election on August 17 was the most peaceful election in the recent history of the island nation, reports Colombo Page. In a special statement issued after the conclusion of the polls, President Sirisena said he believes the changes brought in by him after his election in January this year for the good governance was the reason for the peace prevailed during the pre-election period and the polls. Recalling the attack on him at a meeting in Pelmadulla (Sabaragamuwa Province) during the presidential election campaign in January and other attacks on the election meetings and shootings, the President said the people remember how the former Government abused the power and misused state properties.
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August - 17 
Meanwhile, The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) that was in Sri Lanka to monitor the parliamentary elections held on August 17 said the election was well-administered and genuine although the campaigning was restricted with excessive rules, reports Colombo Page. Chief Observer of
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Meanwhile, The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) that was in Sri Lanka to monitor the parliamentary elections held on August 17 said the election was well-administered and genuine although the campaigning was restricted with excessive rules, reports Colombo Page. Chief Observer of the EUEOM Cristian Preda said during the presentation of the preliminary report at a press conference in Colombo on August 19, that the Commissioner of Elections and his staff administered the elections in a transparent and impartial manner, demonstrated strong leadership, and enjoyed the confidence of all stakeholders.
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August - 18 
Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe will be sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister on August 20, returning to the office for a fourth term after his party won the closely contested general election, reports The Times of India on August 19. Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) coalition won 10
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Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe will be sworn-in as Sri Lanka's new Prime Minister on August 20, returning to the office for a fourth term after his party won the closely contested general election, reports The Times of India on August 19. Wickremesinghe's United National Party (UNP) coalition won 106 seats in August 17 parliamentary election, just 7 short of a simple majority in the 225-member assembly but enough to form a Government. "We will also form the Cabinet thereafter," former finance minister Ravi Karunanayake said.
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August - 18 
Inspector General of Police (IGP) N K. Ilangakoon on August 18 said the Police arrested 48 suspects and seized 18 vehicles in connection with election violence on the day of election; however, the August 17 general election was relatively peaceful, reports Daily News. He said that some of those arre
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Inspector General of Police (IGP) N K. Ilangakoon on August 18 said the Police arrested 48 suspects and seized 18 vehicles in connection with election violence on the day of election; however, the August 17 general election was relatively peaceful, reports Daily News. He said that some of those arrested were released on Police bail and some were produced before Magistrate’s Courts. “Since 2012, there have been 11 elections including nine Provincial Council elections, one Presidential election and the one which just concluded. The General election 2015 was the most peaceful of all,” he added. Addressing a media briefing at the Police Headquarters, Ilangakoon said there were no serious incidents reported on election day.“Only minor incidents were reported,” he said.
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August - 18 
Meanwhile, The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) decided to support the UNP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the Parliament election in Sri Lanka, reports The Hindu on August 19. TNA leader R. Sampanthan said “In the process, we also expect resolution to the national question in a manne
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Meanwhile, The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) decided to support the UNP, which has emerged as the single largest party in the Parliament election in Sri Lanka, reports The Hindu on August 19. TNA leader R. Sampanthan said “In the process, we also expect resolution to the national question in a manner acceptable to all people.” The verdict of people in the Northern and Eastern Provinces had demonstrated “beyond question” that the TNA was “the true representative of Tamils,” he added.
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August - 19 
Ranil Wickremesinghe on august 19 said that his Government would arrive at a consensus and build a framework "through which we will do our politics", reports The Hindu. Addressing the media at his official residence, Wickremesinghe said his government would not allow anyone to indulge in divisive
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Ranil Wickremesinghe on august 19 said that his Government would arrive at a consensus and build a framework "through which we will do our politics", reports The Hindu. Addressing the media at his official residence, Wickremesinghe said his government would not allow anyone to indulge in divisive politics. “Let’s work together. I don’t think anyone can opt out [of the task of working together] or go back to divisive politics. We will not allow that”, he said.
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August - 22 
A day after he assumed office, Sri Lankan Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 22 said that he is confident and hopeful that the political situation in Sri Lanka following the August 17 General election, although complex, is favourable for forging an enduring political solution to the
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A day after he assumed office, Sri Lankan Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe on August 22 said that he is confident and hopeful that the political situation in Sri Lanka following the August 17 General election, although complex, is favourable for forging an enduring political solution to the Tamil question, reports The Hindu. Noting that the two main national parties, his United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) were “the three key players” in formulating the proposals for an enduring solution, he said he had “tried to keep the UNP position flexible so that we can bridge the differences.”
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August - 23 
Selvam Adaikkalanathan, who was elected to Parliament on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) ticket, on August 23, said that his party intended to function as the main opposition in Parliament, reports Daily Mirror. He said the two main parties had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on formi
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Selvam Adaikkalanathan, who was elected to Parliament on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) ticket, on August 23, said that his party intended to function as the main opposition in Parliament, reports Daily Mirror. He said the two main parties had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on forming a national unity Government and therefore his party would be eligible to be the main opposition. The TNA won 16 seats in parliament from the electoral districts in the North and East.
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August - 24 
The Presidential Commission Investigating Cases of Missing Persons (PCICMP) in Sri Lanka will hand over its second interim report to the President this week, reports Colombo Page on August 25. The Chairman of the Commission, Maxwell Paranagama will hand over the second interim report to President Ma
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The Presidential Commission Investigating Cases of Missing Persons (PCICMP) in Sri Lanka will hand over its second interim report to the President this week, reports Colombo Page on August 25. The Chairman of the Commission, Maxwell Paranagama will hand over the second interim report to President Maithripala Sirisena on August 28, President's Media Division said. Paranagama said that the first interim report was handed over to the President on April, 10 and that the Government had taken steps to implement its recommendations. He also said the suspects named before the Commission during the public hearings had been referred to the Attorney General for appropriate action.
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August - 25 
The United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski on August 25 said the US will standby Sri Lanka and support the new Government to continue its forward looking agenda for the progress, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing in Colo
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The United States (US) Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski on August 25 said the US will standby Sri Lanka and support the new Government to continue its forward looking agenda for the progress, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, after a meeting with Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Tom Malinowski said the US has seen steady progress towards the forward looking agenda of this Government. He said the message sent by the Sri Lankans twice this year that they support change is the most important.
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August - 26 
A leading election monitor in Sri Lanka, Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CaFFE) on August 26 urged the Sri Lankan Government to abolish the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. The election watchdog emphasizing the need to abolish the PTA, which is "one of the mos
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A leading election monitor in Sri Lanka, Campaign for Free and Fair elections (CaFFE) on August 26 urged the Sri Lankan Government to abolish the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. The election watchdog emphasizing the need to abolish the PTA, which is "one of the most draconian legislations" in Sri Lanka, said revoking the PTA is the first step to create a civilized country. CaFFE Executive Director, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that the PTA does not tally with the aspirations of a civilized nation. Tennakoon added that the PTA was used not only against terrorist suspects but also to suppress a significant number of political activists, human rights activists, student, and trade union activists. He noted that one of the main reasons that Sri Lanka was plagued with allegations of human rights abuses was the cruel treatment of those detained under PTA laws. Those detained were held ignoring judicial procedures and in many occasions detainees were not given access to legal aid, he said. The PTA was also used by Security Forces (SFs), paramilitary groups and Police to circumvent civilian law.
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August - 26 
A resolution calling for international intervention to probe alleged war crimes, moved by a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member at a meeting of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) on August 25, fell through, reports The Hindu. “I am clueless as to why the TNA members do not want to support it, wh
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A resolution calling for international intervention to probe alleged war crimes, moved by a Tamil National Alliance (TNA) member at a meeting of the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) on August 25, fell through, reports The Hindu. “I am clueless as to why the TNA members do not want to support it, when the TNA’s position favours even an international investigation mechanism into alleged war crimes,” M.K. Shivajilingam said on August 26. He said he had wanted the United Nations (UN) to provide technical assistance to Sri Lanka to find a negotiated political solution
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August - 26 
Sri Lankan Commander of Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva on August 26 said that although Sri Lanka is now a peaceful country, national security is the priority for the Sri Lanka Army as there could be a threat to national security at any moment, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Sri Lanka i
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Sri Lankan Commander of Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva on August 26 said that although Sri Lanka is now a peaceful country, national security is the priority for the Sri Lanka Army as there could be a threat to national security at any moment, reports Colombo Page. He said, "Sri Lanka is now one of the most peaceful countries but we all have to be alert to global threats, be it drug peddling, human trafficking, manmade and natural disasters, terrorism or whatever it is. It could become a threat at any moment." He added that the Sri Lankan armed forces have proved beyond doubt that they are professionally skilled and qualified to take on any challenge.
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August - 27 
Leaders of two minor Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka have expressed their support to the National Government formed by the two major political parties United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), reports Colombo Page on August 28. Leader of upcountry Tamil party Ceylon Work
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Leaders of two minor Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka have expressed their support to the National Government formed by the two major political parties United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), reports Colombo Page on August 28. Leader of upcountry Tamil party Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Arumugam Thondaman and leader of Jaffna-based Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) Douglas Devananda have decided to extend their support to the National Government.
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August - 27 
Former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on August 27 said that previous administration of Sri Lanka did not seize the opportunity to fully implement the United Nations (UN) resolution presented by the country to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2009, reports Colombo Page. Samarasinghe
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Former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on August 27 said that previous administration of Sri Lanka did not seize the opportunity to fully implement the United Nations (UN) resolution presented by the country to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2009, reports Colombo Page. Samarasinghe said previous administration failed to prove Sri Lanka's diligence in implementing the resolution adopted in 2009 at the UNHRC. If Sri Lanka took steps to fully implement the 2009 resolution, which supported the reconciliation, then it would have been difficult for the UN to adopt the 2012 and 2013 resolutions against Sri Lanka, he pointed out. However, Sri Lanka now has received another opportunity next month to move a similar resolution in the UNHRC supporting the reconciliation process in the country. Samarasinghe added that if it is possible to launch a programme that will not lead to the creation of an extremist organization such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), there is a possibility of providing a better country to the people.
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August - 28 
Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar while addressing the passing-out parade of a new batch of Pakistan Rangers soldiers on August 7 reiterated his trust in the Pakistan Rangers and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) leading the Karachi operation, which he said, was “apolitic
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Karachi Corps Commander Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar while addressing the passing-out parade of a new batch of Pakistan Rangers soldiers on August 7 reiterated his trust in the Pakistan Rangers and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) leading the Karachi operation, which he said, was “apolitical, indiscriminate and free of any compromise” aimed at bringing Karachi to normality, reports Dawn. “Karachi operation is apolitical. It is indiscriminate and free of any compromise and pressure. Terrorists, their aides and facilitators are targets of the operation. We will not leave any stone unturned to achieve these targets,” he said. The fresh move by the military establishment to assert its support for the Karachi operation and institutions behind the campaign has come amid gradually improving law and order situation in the metropolis.
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August - 28 
Tamil political parties in Tamil Nadu (India) have strongly condemned the United States (US) for supporting Sri Lanka to conduct a domestic inquiry into the alleged war crimes, reports Colombo Page on August 29. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M. Karunanidhi and Paattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) f
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Tamil political parties in Tamil Nadu (India) have strongly condemned the United States (US) for supporting Sri Lanka to conduct a domestic inquiry into the alleged war crimes, reports Colombo Page on August 29. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M. Karunanidhi and Paattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss have strongly criticized the US Government's decision to support the new Sri Lankan Government's plans for a local inquiry.
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August - 29 
Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Eastern Commander and former Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias Karuna Amman claimed, in an interview with an Indian TV channel, that the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, committed suicide by shooting himself with a firearm, reports
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Former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Eastern Commander and former Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias Karuna Amman claimed, in an interview with an Indian TV channel, that the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, committed suicide by shooting himself with a firearm, reports News First on August 30. Responding to a question made by a reporter during the interview, Muralitharan also revealed that Prabhakaran’s wife and the daughter were killed by shell-fire during the final stage of the war. While praising Prabhakaran for his war strategies, Muralitharan, however, asserted that the LTTE was defeated owing to its unsuccessful war tactics. “If the LTTE had fought a guerrilla battle, it would not have lost,” he added.
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August - 29 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R. Sampanthan said that his party can take an official stand on the latest United States (US) policy of supporting Sri Lanka to institute a domestic mechanism to investigate the alleged war crimes, only after reading the report of the United Nations (UN) Office
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R. Sampanthan said that his party can take an official stand on the latest United States (US) policy of supporting Sri Lanka to institute a domestic mechanism to investigate the alleged war crimes, only after reading the report of the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), reports Colombo Page on August 30. Indicating a major shift in policy towards Sri Lanka, the US last week expressed support to the new Government of Sri Lanka to conduct its own domestic probe into the alleged war crimes. According to Sampanthan the US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Nisha Biswal's declaration in Colombo last week that the US will support a domestic mechanism, did not signify departure from previous policy. "The US has always talked about a domestic investigation and an international investigation," he has pointed out. The OHCHR report is expected to be presented to the Sri Lankan Government soon for its comments and the report will be submitted on September 30 to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) at its 30th session in Geneva from September 14 - October 2.
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September - 4 
The main opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said on September 4, it hoped to hold talks with the government on resolving the national question no sooner Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe returns from his upcoming visit to India, reports Daily Mirror. TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran told that o
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The main opposition Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said on September 4, it hoped to hold talks with the government on resolving the national question no sooner Prime Minster Ranil Wickremesinghe returns from his upcoming visit to India, reports Daily Mirror. TNA Spokesman M.A. Sumanthiran told that one of the stated objectives of the national unity government was the resolution of the national question. “We will talk to the government straightaway with a view to resolving the long outstanding matter,” Sumanthiran said and added that the Tamil people were happy with the appointment of TNA leader R. Sampanthan as the Opposition Leader of Parliament.
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September - 5 
Propaganda Secretary of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Mohamed Muzammil on September 5, said, that by appointing Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian R. Sampanthan as the Opposition leader, the government had given undue recognition to the separatists, reports The Island. Muzammil, addres
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Propaganda Secretary of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Mohamed Muzammil on September 5, said, that by appointing Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian R. Sampanthan as the Opposition leader, the government had given undue recognition to the separatists, reports The Island. Muzammil, addressing a news conference at the party head office at Battaramulla, Colombo, said: "The national government has removed the check point at Omanthai and the High Security Zone as well as the Sampur army camp while releasing the LTTE suspects who were in remand." Those who pretend to be patriots and defenders of the country on political platforms and in TV talk shows in the run-up to the election like Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Patali Champika Ranwaka were today silent about threats to national security, he alleged. He also warned that the government was paving the way for separatism by yielding to the demands of those who were campaigning for it.
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September - 6 
Addressing a media briefing in Batticaloa District on September 6, former Chief Minister of Eastern Province and the Leader of Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan said that an international investigation into the alleged crimes committed during the
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Addressing a media briefing in Batticaloa District on September 6, former Chief Minister of Eastern Province and the Leader of Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan said that an international investigation into the alleged crimes committed during the 30-year war is not needed, reports Colombo Page. Pillayan said a domestic mechanism is appropriate as there is a change in the governance. "LTTE has also committed serious war crimes. And the Tamil people also have allowed them the opportunity to commit crimes," BBC Sandeshaya quoting the former LTTE leader said.
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September - 6 
Sri Lanka will maintain the close relationship with China that provided strong support to help Sri Lanka end its 30-year civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in May 2009, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka said, reports Colombo Gazette on September 7. “Without China’s support
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Sri Lanka will maintain the close relationship with China that provided strong support to help Sri Lanka end its 30-year civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in May 2009, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka said, reports Colombo Gazette on September 7. “Without China’s support we would have not been able to finish the war, basically,” Fonseka told Xinhua in an interview. China is one of Sri Lanka’s oldest and strongest friends and the nation provided assistance and support to end the civil conflict, said Fonseka, who took the post of army commander in 2005 and led the island nation’s forces to conduct victorious campaigns against the LTTE rebels ending the civil war. “With China we have had a historic relationship. So I think we must maintain that relationship and we will not forget what China has done for our country,” Fonseka said.
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September - 7 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) wants an international court to try cases of war crimes identified by the investigations conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner's Investigation for Human Rights on Sri Lanka (OISL) and not another international "investigation", senior TNA leader, Mavai Sen
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) wants an international court to try cases of war crimes identified by the investigations conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner's Investigation for Human Rights on Sri Lanka (OISL) and not another international "investigation", senior TNA leader, Mavai Senathirajah, clarified on September 7, reports Colombo Page. Speaking about the popular Tamil demand for an "international investigation", the Jaffna District Member of Parliament (MP) said that the investigation conducted by the OISL following the March 2014 resolution of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), was an international investigation. "As such, there is no need for another international probe," Senathirajah said. The report of the OISL is expected at the end of this month. The High Commissioner's office had conducted it under the supervision of distinguished persons. "What is needed now is a judicial follow up, and this has to be an international court with the involvement of foreign judges, Senathirajah said.
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September - 10 
Sri Lanka's Attorney General (AG) Y J W Wijayatilake clarified that the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, has not been exonerated of charges of terrorism, though, investigations into 46 of the 193 cases against him had revealed t
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Sri Lanka's Attorney General (AG) Y J W Wijayatilake clarified that the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) international wing leader, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, has not been exonerated of charges of terrorism, though, investigations into 46 of the 193 cases against him had revealed that he had no role to play in those acts of terrorism, reports Colombo Page on September 11. In a statement published in the state-owned Daily News, Wijayatilake said in a Writ Application filed in the Court of Appeal, 193 cases of terrorism in which KP was allegedly involved were cited. Out of these 193 cases, 46 had been investigated and no evidence was found to implicate KP in them. This was told to the court. Since there were many cases to be investigated, the Attorney General's office did not say that KP had been "exonerated", Wijayatilake said.
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September - 20 
The independent Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) says pursuing cases against former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders who worked closely with the Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa government will be important to address Sinhalese perceptions that accountability is biase
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The independent Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) says pursuing cases against former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leaders who worked closely with the Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa government will be important to address Sinhalese perceptions that accountability is biased against the military, reports Colombo Page. Releasing a statement on the Report of the United Nations (UN) Investigation on Sri Lanka on September 20, the ICG said it is important to pursue cases against LTTE leaders such as K. Pathmanathan ("KP") and V. Muralitharan ("Karuna"), and any other senior LTTE leaders who may be overseas to address the Sinhalese community's concerns on an investigation by the UN Human Rights Chief proposed "Hybrid Court". The Group said the report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on its Sri Lanka investigation (OISL) is a "compelling examination" of the abuses committed by all sides during the lengthy civil conflict and the steps required to pursue justice, accountability and reconciliation as part of democratic recovery.
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September - 21 
Former Commander of Sri Lanka Army Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who led the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), says the Army saved the Tamil civilians and it was LTTE which targeted the civilians and killed them, reports Colombo Page. "It was the LTTE which fired on civilians
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Former Commander of Sri Lanka Army Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who led the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), says the Army saved the Tamil civilians and it was LTTE which targeted the civilians and killed them, reports Colombo Page. "It was the LTTE which fired on civilians trying to flee to the army-controlled lines and killed them. The Lankan armed forces on the other hand had a policy of welcoming them and providing them safe shelter," Fonseka told Indian Express on September 21. "We were constantly telling the civilians to come out, assuring them that they will be well treated and looked after. With the result, people kept coming out," he said. According to Fonseka, civilians had begun heeding the army's call from 2008 onwards. "In the beginning, they came in trickles. Over time, 50,000 had crossed over. However, the mass exodus started in April 2009. On April 19, 150,000 had crossed over braving LTTE bullets. On May 14, 2009, 85,000 had quit the LTTE controlled zone. And on May 19, the war ended," Fonseka said.
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September - 22 
Germany is ready to help Sri Lanka investigate alleged atrocities during its civil war, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on September 22, reports Colombo Page. Steinmeier made the announcement after talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera, in Colombo.
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Germany is ready to help Sri Lanka investigate alleged atrocities during its civil war, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on September 22, reports Colombo Page. Steinmeier made the announcement after talks with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Mangala Samaraweera, in Colombo.
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September - 22 
On September 22, former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon the Government to reject the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Investigation on Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. In a statement to media, the former President and current
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On September 22, former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa called upon the Government to reject the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Investigation on Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. In a statement to media, the former President and current parliamentarian said his government did not cooperate with the OHCHR investigation for many reasons, mostly because it was instituted outside the established procedure of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Rajapaksa elaborated that the usual procedure was for the President of the UNHRC to appoint a three-member independent panel to carry out the investigation after the relevant resolution is passed in the Council but the investigation on Sri Lanka was not carried out by an independent Commission of Inquiry but for the very first time, by the OHCHR.The report of the OHCHR investigation was presented to the UNHRC in Geneva by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein on September 16th.
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September - 22 
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 22, reiterated that there will be no international mechanism to investigate the alleged war crimes and a tribunal should be carried out under a domestic system and not through a mechanism designed by an outside person or entity, reports Co
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Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 22, reiterated that there will be no international mechanism to investigate the alleged war crimes and a tribunal should be carried out under a domestic system and not through a mechanism designed by an outside person or entity, reports Colombo Page. Giving a special statement in Parliament in Colombo, Wickremesinghe also reiterated that the local mechanism will not include any international partners or interference. It should cover a broad scope, encompassing all parties, he said. Wickremesinghe also stressed that steps will be taken to eliminate racism and religious differences in the local ruling mechanism. He said the present government is committed to serve all citizens and all communities without making any differences.
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September - 24 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 24 announced that Sri Lanka will co-sponsor the US draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said that the Permanent representative in Geneva has already handed in the relevant documentation in this regard to
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 24 announced that Sri Lanka will co-sponsor the US draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said that the Permanent representative in Geneva has already handed in the relevant documentation in this regard to the Council. The Prime Minister also announced that the Government had agreed to implement a political solution to the island's ethnic problem and bring the necessary constitutional measures to address the issue. "We can face the future without fear," the Prime Minister said.
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September - 24 
The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Sri Lanka wants to investigate war crimes committed on both sides during the country's long and bloody civil war without international help, but there is simply no evidence that Sri Lanka has the ability or the political will to do so, reports Co
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The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Sri Lanka wants to investigate war crimes committed on both sides during the country's long and bloody civil war without international help, but there is simply no evidence that Sri Lanka has the ability or the political will to do so, reports Colombo Page. "Against a decades-long backdrop of politically motivated interference and inaction on justice issues, there is simply no basis - whatever the sincerity of top officials - to be confident of Sri Lanka's ability to deliver justice without a significant international role," HRW's Geneva Advocacy Director John Fisher said in a statement.
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September - 26 
Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 26 met President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly in New York and asked Sirisena to advance the dialogue on a political settlement in the island nation, reports Colombo Page. Welcoming the
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Meanwhile, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on September 26 met President Maithripala Sirisena on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly in New York and asked Sirisena to advance the dialogue on a political settlement in the island nation, reports Colombo Page. Welcoming the High Commissioner for Human Rights' recently released report on Sri Lanka, the Secretary-General said he was pleased with the Government's positive and constructive engagement with the UN on the report, and he hoped that the President would implement its recommendations.
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September - 27 
President Maithripala Sirisena on September 27 promised that his Government will take steps to strengthen the freedom, democracy and human rights in the country by introducing a new Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The President made the observations after engaging in religious observances at the
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President Maithripala Sirisena on September 27 promised that his Government will take steps to strengthen the freedom, democracy and human rights in the country by introducing a new Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The President made the observations after engaging in religious observances at the New York Buddhist Temple. He also said that he will use the power given to him by the people for the betterment of the country and its people.
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September - 27 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 27 said that Sri Lanka will seek the consultations of foreign judges and lawyers for the domestic mechanism to probe the alleged rights violations during the military conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) within the legal framework
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 27 said that Sri Lanka will seek the consultations of foreign judges and lawyers for the domestic mechanism to probe the alleged rights violations during the military conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) within the legal framework allowed by the Constitution, reports Colombo Page. The PM said his Government could only act within the framework of Sri Lanka's Constitution and it does not allow foreign judges to operate in the country but they can assist the investigations.
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September - 28 
Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Construction Sajith Premadasa at a media briefing at his Ministry on September 28 said that Sri Lanka aims to complete the construction of 50,000 houses initiated under the 100-day program and constructions work on 38,000 houses have commenced, reports Colombo Page
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Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Construction Sajith Premadasa at a media briefing at his Ministry on September 28 said that Sri Lanka aims to complete the construction of 50,000 houses initiated under the 100-day program and constructions work on 38,000 houses have commenced, reports Colombo Page. The work is being conducted to complete construction of 10,000 houses selected from each of the 25 districts for low income families will be chosen. The Government has allocated SLR 50 million for the purpose, the Minister said.
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September - 28 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 28 said that his Government is ready to implement internationally accepted laws in accordance with the Constitution respecting the public supremacy and safeguarding national sovereignty, reports Colombo Page. He said the Government took measures to pr
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 28 said that his Government is ready to implement internationally accepted laws in accordance with the Constitution respecting the public supremacy and safeguarding national sovereignty, reports Colombo Page. He said the Government took measures to protect country's supremacy while averting an international probe on war crimes and the country's sovereignty is guaranteed again by formulating a domestic mechanism under the provisions of the Constitution. The Prime Minister also noted that if the foreign judges are attending to the probes they will have to work in accordance with the Sri Lanka's law and hierarchies.
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September - 30 
European Union (EU) on September 30 said that it will continue to support Sri Lanka as the country looks to work in partnership with the international community to implement its commitments and moves forward on the path of reconciliation, justice, and progress on human rights, reports Colombo Page.
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European Union (EU) on September 30 said that it will continue to support Sri Lanka as the country looks to work in partnership with the international community to implement its commitments and moves forward on the path of reconciliation, justice, and progress on human rights, reports Colombo Page. "As a first step, we will closely engage with the government of Sri Lanka to further strengthen the dialogue on governance, rule of law and human rights," the EU said addressing the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva after the High Commissioner for Human Rights presented the report on Sri Lanka.
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September - 30 
High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on September 30 expressed hope that Sri Lanka can finally break the cycle of impunity that for so long stained its past but cautioned that it will require a comprehensive approach, reports Colombo Page. "This is a time of tremendous hope. Sri
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High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on September 30 expressed hope that Sri Lanka can finally break the cycle of impunity that for so long stained its past but cautioned that it will require a comprehensive approach, reports Colombo Page. "This is a time of tremendous hope. Sri Lanka can finally break the cycle of impunity that for so long wracked its past. This will require more than prosecuting a few emblematic cases, but rather a comprehensive approach," he said.
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September - 30 
Meanwhile, responding to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on "promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" presented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on September 30, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to
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Meanwhile, responding to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on "promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" presented by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on September 30, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha said the OHCHR report and its recommendations including the new mechanisms that are envisage to be set up, will receive due attention of the relevant authorities, reports Colombo Page. He further said that Sri Lanka has already taken and intends to take steps in achieving reconciliation and upholding of human rights including the mechanism for truth seeking, justice reparations and non-recurrence through consultations with all stakeholders.
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September - 30 
President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing the 70th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 30 said “Our new vision for the country involves achieving the twin objectives of sustainable development and reconciliation,” reports Daily News. "A fundamental requirement in th
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President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing the 70th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 30 said “Our new vision for the country involves achieving the twin objectives of sustainable development and reconciliation,” reports Daily News. "A fundamental requirement in this context is dealing with the past honestly and building a modern Sri Lankan Nation. In dealing with the past, we will follow a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence," he added.
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October - 1 
assuring its commitment to implement the provisions of the resolution, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha on October 1 said that Sri Lanka is pleased to join as a co-sponsor of the resolution, reports Colombo Page. He said Sri Lanka is committed t
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assuring its commitment to implement the provisions of the resolution, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha on October 1 said that Sri Lanka is pleased to join as a co-sponsor of the resolution, reports Colombo Page. He said Sri Lanka is committed to implement the provisions of the resolution in a manner that its objectives are shared by the people and all stakeholders in the country, for their benefit. "We are eager to commence wide ranging consultations for this purpose as soon as possible in a manner to expand the ownership of its content by all stakeholders," he said.
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October - 2 
President Maithripala Sirisena, after arriving home after address the 70th UN General Assembly, on October 2 said that his Government's policy is to have a domestic mechanism in accordance with the country's Constitution to look in to human rights allegations, reports Daily Mirror. President Sirisen
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President Maithripala Sirisena, after arriving home after address the 70th UN General Assembly, on October 2 said that his Government's policy is to have a domestic mechanism in accordance with the country's Constitution to look in to human rights allegations, reports Daily Mirror. President Sirisena said “We did not achieve this under any pressure, stress or arm twisting. We told the global community in no uncertain terms that an international probe was unacceptable to us. We also told them that we were ready for a domestic probe within the constitutional framework of Sri Lanka. There will be no orders, no decrees in this exercise from any one. Therefore, Sri Lanka now can face the challenges and charges against her in a positive and optimistic frame of mind.”
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October - 4 
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on October 4 urged the Government to protect the human rights of its citizens and conduct a credible domestic inquiry into the allegations of human rights abuses during the war to prevent further intervention by t he international community into the country's domestic
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Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on October 4 urged the Government to protect the human rights of its citizens and conduct a credible domestic inquiry into the allegations of human rights abuses during the war to prevent further intervention by t he international community into the country's domestic affairs, reports Colombo Page. Addressing a media briefing, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said some of the proposals in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on Sri Lanka pose some dangers to the country.
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October - 7 
Janatha Sevaka Pakshaya (JSP) General Secretary Somawansa Amarasinghe on October 7 said that all political parties should reject the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution in order to prevent Sri Lanka from becoming a colony again. Amarasinghe said that no international organizations
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Janatha Sevaka Pakshaya (JSP) General Secretary Somawansa Amarasinghe on October 7 said that all political parties should reject the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution in order to prevent Sri Lanka from becoming a colony again. Amarasinghe said that no international organizations, not even the UNHRC has a right to intervene into the internal affairs of a particular country and said it could only offer to provide assistance to countries in developing human rights. “This is a clear threat to our sovereignty and integrity as we are capable of conducting a domestic probe. The US, motivated by separatists, only wants to reap certain benefits from bringing the resolution. If this resolution was implemented, it will be a victory to the separatist elements,” he said.
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October - 11 
Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa said that the Government is to abolish the Missing Persons Commission and replace it with a new commission to continue its procedures, reports . He said “The international community has no confidence in the Missing Persons’ Commission so it will be abolished. Even
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Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa said that the Government is to abolish the Missing Persons Commission and replace it with a new commission to continue its procedures, reports . He said “The international community has no confidence in the Missing Persons’ Commission so it will be abolished. Even locally, most of the people are not happy with the Commission and they have no faith in the process. However, we will not abandon the procedure. We will go ahead with the procedure with a commission which will be more effective.”
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October - 12 
Ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo launched a hunger strike on October 12 urging the authorities to release them. Prisons Commissioner General Rohana Pushpakumara said that there were 201 ex-LTTE cadres detained at the prison and nearly 150 o
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Ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo launched a hunger strike on October 12 urging the authorities to release them. Prisons Commissioner General Rohana Pushpakumara said that there were 201 ex-LTTE cadres detained at the prison and nearly 150 of them were refusing to take their food and were remaining inside their cells. He said he had received a letter signed by the inmates to be handed over to President Maitripala Sirisena asking that they be released. Mr. Pushpakumara said he would hand it over it to the President.
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October - 14 
Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said there are no political prisoners held in any of Sri Lanka's prisons and it is up to the Government to take a decision regarding the prisoners engaged in a hunger strike demanding their release, reports Colombo Page. He further said that there are 225 Liber
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Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said there are no political prisoners held in any of Sri Lanka's prisons and it is up to the Government to take a decision regarding the prisoners engaged in a hunger strike demanding their release, reports Colombo Page. He further said that there are 225 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects held in the prisons currently. Some of them are already serving sentences and others are awaiting court action, according to the Minister. He added that the all these suspects have charges against them relating to bombings and killings.
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October - 14 
President Maithripala Sirisena promised to look into the issues faced by a group of Tamil prisoners who are currently on a hunger strike at the main prison in Colombo. The President has given this assurance when National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganesan raised the issue at the cabinet meeting. The Pre
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President Maithripala Sirisena promised to look into the issues faced by a group of Tamil prisoners who are currently on a hunger strike at the main prison in Colombo. The President has given this assurance when National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganesan raised the issue at the cabinet meeting. The President has said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Law and Order Minister Thilak Marapana and Minister Ganesan should meet the Attorney General and discuss the issue and submit a report to the President. The President has said that he would arrive at a decision after perusing the report.
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October - 18 
Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Wimal Weerawansa on October 18 charged that the Government was planning to produce former LTTE members, who are to be released from prisons in the near future, as witnesses against the armed forces for the proceedings of the proposed Hybrid Court, reports Daily
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Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Wimal Weerawansa on October 18 charged that the Government was planning to produce former LTTE members, who are to be released from prisons in the near future, as witnesses against the armed forces for the proceedings of the proposed Hybrid Court, reports Daily Mirror. The National Freedom Front (NFF) leader said “All arrangements are being done by the Maithri-Ranil coalition government to make our forces guilty as war criminals in the Hybrid War Crimes Court proceedings. Was this the change our people wanted and what they voted for?”
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October - 20 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 20 tabled the resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as well as the Udalagama and Paranagama Commission Reports in Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government will debate on th
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Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on October 20 tabled the resolution adopted at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as well as the Udalagama and Paranagama Commission Reports in Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government will debate on the UNHRC resolution after tabling the reports. The report of Maxwell Paranagama, deals with issues related to violation of the International Humanitarian Law or War Crimes allegedly committed by both parties and the recommendations to prevent a repetition. The report of the commission headed by retired justice Nissanka Udalagama probes the killings of 17 NGO workers just months before the commencement of the final phase of war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2006 and the killing of five students in Trincomalee.
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October - 21 
President Maithripala Sirisena during a meeting with a group of representatives of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace Summit on October 21 at his official residence, seeks assistance from the religious leaders for reconciliation program, reports Colombo Page. He said "Assistance from all religio
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President Maithripala Sirisena during a meeting with a group of representatives of the World Alliance of Religions' Peace Summit on October 21 at his official residence, seeks assistance from the religious leaders for reconciliation program, reports Colombo Page. He said "Assistance from all religious leaders is essential to accomplish the program carried out by the government to build peace and reconciliation among different communities in Sri Lanka."
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October - 22 
Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne on October 22 said that the Government has taken steps to accelerate the judicial process regarding the suspects remanded for their involvement in terrorist activities during and after the conflict, reports Colombo Page. He said that considering the proposal m
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Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratne on October 22 said that the Government has taken steps to accelerate the judicial process regarding the suspects remanded for their involvement in terrorist activities during and after the conflict, reports Colombo Page. He said that considering the proposal made by Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs D.M. Swaminathan, the Cabinet of Ministers have requested the Minister of Justice to present the recommendation on accelerating the judicial procedures on these detainees to the Cabinet of Ministers.
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October - 22 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Mavai Senathirajah on October 22 said that his party would be compelled to form a separate Tamil State with the help of the international community if any party resolved to form a Sinhala dominated state, reports Daily Mirror. He said so in Par
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament (MP) Mavai Senathirajah on October 22 said that his party would be compelled to form a separate Tamil State with the help of the international community if any party resolved to form a Sinhala dominated state, reports Daily Mirror. He said so in Parliament in response to a comment by MP Wimal Weerawansa that people should come together to safeguard the Sinhala identity and the sovereignty of the state. “Statements such as these will push the Tamils towards separatism,” said Mr. Senathirajah.
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October - 23 
The Sri Lankan Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that only the local extremists and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers are against the domestic mechanism proposed in the United Nations (UN) resolution on Sri Lanka adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Ge
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The Sri Lankan Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that only the local extremists and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathizers are against the domestic mechanism proposed in the United Nations (UN) resolution on Sri Lanka adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva last month (September), reports, colombopage.com on October 23. Participating in the parliamentary debate on the Geneva proposals, the PM said the initiatives, commenced by the Government, aim to unify all communities and heal broken hearts. The Government's programme strives to propagate love and compassion in place of anger and hatred and also aim to consolidate democracy in the country, he added.
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October - 25 
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 25 said that his Government had built a safety bunker under President’s House to shield VIPs from potential Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) air strikes, reports Daily Mirror. Mr. Rajapaksa said even the LTTE leader built and lived inside a massiv
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Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 25 said that his Government had built a safety bunker under President’s House to shield VIPs from potential Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) air strikes, reports Daily Mirror. Mr. Rajapaksa said even the LTTE leader built and lived inside a massive bunker complex during the war to protect him from the military offensives. Therefore we also did the same thing to protect ourselves from terrorist attacks. This is not a new thing; Temple Tree also has an underground bunker for security reasons, he said.
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October - 26 
President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing the Colors Awarding Ceremony of Army held at Army Headquarters in Panagoda town in Western Province on October 26 vowed to protect security forces while facing allegations of right violations during the last phase of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eela
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President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing the Colors Awarding Ceremony of Army held at Army Headquarters in Panagoda town in Western Province on October 26 vowed to protect security forces while facing allegations of right violations during the last phase of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) war, Colombo Page. The President said "I will not let the quality and standards of the Armed Forces deteriorate in any way, nor would I allow any forces to degrade the image of the hard-earned dignity of the Sri Lankan armed forces, instead all possible support would be extended to enhance quality, professionalism and skills among our servicemen."
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October - 29 
President Maithripala Sirisena held a special discussion with religious leaders of all faiths to discuss Geneva Proposals and its challenges, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on October 29, reports Colombo Page. The President proposed to set up a committee representing all religions to ove
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President Maithripala Sirisena held a special discussion with religious leaders of all faiths to discuss Geneva Proposals and its challenges, at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on October 29, reports Colombo Page. The President proposed to set up a committee representing all religions to overcome the existing challenges and agreed to set up an All Religious Committee comprising 25 members. The religious leaders expressed their blessing for the initiatives taken by the President and the Government to build the national and religious reconciliation in the country and said that it is an exemplary initiative to the whole world.
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October - 31 
Law and Order and Prison Reforms Minister Tilak Marapana while addressing a ceremony near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna District on October 31 said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) detainees could be released before the Deepavali festival on November 10, reports Daily Mirror. He said t
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Law and Order and Prison Reforms Minister Tilak Marapana while addressing a ceremony near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna District on October 31 said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) detainees could be released before the Deepavali festival on November 10, reports Daily Mirror. He said that the country’s prisons had about 18,000 detainees, but most of them were not those who should have been detained. Several of them had been put in the jail for minor offences or for want of legal aid. He stressed the need to focus special attention on them.
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November - 1 
Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, who was Special Commander of the LTTE in Batticaloa and Ampara Districts, said that the rift between him and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran took place in December 2002 when the LTTE chief accused him of "betrayal" of the kind Mahendrarajah alias M
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Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, who was Special Commander of the LTTE in Batticaloa and Ampara Districts, said that the rift between him and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran took place in December 2002 when the LTTE chief accused him of "betrayal" of the kind Mahendrarajah alias Mahattaya was accused of in the early 1990s, reports Daily News on November 2. Mahattaya was later executed. Prabhakaran was livid with Karuna for persuading his chief negotiator, Anton Balasingham, to sign the December 5, 2002 "Oslo Declaration" which had committed the LTTE to "exploring the possibility of finding a political solution based on a federal structure within a united Sri Lanka." Defending his action, Karuna said that he supported the signing of the Declaration only to "save the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam from isolation" by the international community which had become hostile to armed movements following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack in New York.
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November - 2 
V. Anandasangaree, the leader of Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) appealed to President Maithripala Sirisena for the immediate release of over 200 Tamils, who have been detained in the country's jails since the end of the war in 2009, reports Colombo Page on November 3. The TULF leader in a lett
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V. Anandasangaree, the leader of Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) appealed to President Maithripala Sirisena for the immediate release of over 200 Tamils, who have been detained in the country's jails since the end of the war in 2009, reports Colombo Page on November 3. The TULF leader in a letter addressed to the President said media reports have said that 90 percent of the detainees have admitted their guilt. He said his "frank opinion" is that all of them should be unconditionally released because the entire Tamil community is of the understanding that this is a part of the deal the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had with the Government. "The entire Tamil community will get disappointed if they are not released," Anandasangaree said.
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November - 11 
Minister of National Dialogue, Mano Ganeshan on November 11 said that that Government is considering a proposal to release the 217 Tamils currently in detention under the PTA after putting them through a program of rehabilitation, reports Daily News. He said “As a leader of the Tamil Progressive All
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Minister of National Dialogue, Mano Ganeshan on November 11 said that that Government is considering a proposal to release the 217 Tamils currently in detention under the PTA after putting them through a program of rehabilitation, reports Daily News. He said “As a leader of the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA), I will not be happy till all the 217 are pardoned and released. But we have to move step by step taking into account the strength of those forces in the country which are aligned with Mahinda Rajapaksa and which are using the prisoner release issue to tarnish the image of the Sirisena government. It is hoped that the proposal to release the detainees after rehabilitation will be accepted by all, just as the release of 12,000 LTTE cadres by the Rajapaksa government was.”
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November - 11 
President Maithripala Sirisena at a special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on November 11 said that the Government gives priority to the resettlement process for the displaced persons in the North and the East and stressed the need to provide solutions to the matters regarding the r
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President Maithripala Sirisena at a special discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on November 11 said that the Government gives priority to the resettlement process for the displaced persons in the North and the East and stressed the need to provide solutions to the matters regarding the resettlement, reports Colombo Page. The President meeting with the relevant Ministers and Government officials gave instructions to schedule the meeting of Resettlement Committee comprising the Governors of Northern and Eastern provinces, within the next two weeks to look into matters pertaining to each area. The President further instructed the relevant persons to not only depend on reports of Divisional Secretaries but to discuss matters relating to divisional levels and suggest proposals at the National Committee headed by the Resettlement Minister and to submit a proposal for solutions to him.
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November - 16 
The Council of European Union (EU) in a statement on November 16 encouraged the Government to take early steps to build the confidence of communities, including releasing the identity of the detainees and accelerating their prosecution or release, repealing the PTA, reports Daily Mirror. The stateme
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The Council of European Union (EU) in a statement on November 16 encouraged the Government to take early steps to build the confidence of communities, including releasing the identity of the detainees and accelerating their prosecution or release, repealing the PTA, reports Daily Mirror. The statement said “The Council encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to take early steps to build the confidence of communities, including releasing the identity of the detainees and accelerating their prosecution or release, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, calibrating the military presence according to identified security needs and returning land sequestered by the military to its rightful owners. Further action is also needed on a number of human rights concerns, including sexual and gender based violence, torture and the protection of persons belonging to religious, ethnic and other minorities, Human Rights Defenders and journalists.”
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November - 19 
Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka on November 19 said that the Government will launch special projects to improve the living conditions of the people in the war-ravaged Northern Province, mainly in the islets off the Jaffna peninsula, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said the cabinet of minist
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Media Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka on November 19 said that the Government will launch special projects to improve the living conditions of the people in the war-ravaged Northern Province, mainly in the islets off the Jaffna peninsula, reports Colombo Page. The Minister said the cabinet of ministers has granted approval to a proposal submitted to the cabinet by Minister of Rehabilitation and Resettlement D.M. Swaminathan to implement 10 projects to upgrade the living status of these communities. There are more than 15 islands including Delft, Pungudutivu, Nainativu, Analaitivu and Mandaitivu around the Jaffna peninsula in the Northern Province. People are residing in six of these islands and 15,000 families in total live in these islands. They have to spend lot of money and time for travelling to the mainland due to the existing inefficient transportation, which is mainly by boats. The proposed projects include upgrading the transport system in these areas for families to travel from the islands to the mainland.
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November - 19 
The Chairman of Presidential Commission to Inquire into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (PCICRMP) Maxwell Paranagama said that the PCICRMP is studying the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGEID) preliminary report of secret underground detention center i
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The Chairman of Presidential Commission to Inquire into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (PCICRMP) Maxwell Paranagama said that the PCICRMP is studying the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGEID) preliminary report of secret underground detention center in Trincomalee Naval Base, reports Colombo Page on November 20. He told that none of the witnesses who appeared before the commission's sittings complained about the existence of a torture chamber in the Trincomalee Naval Base.
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November - 20 
Minister of Prison Reforms D. M. Swaminathan on November 20 said that the Attorney General's Department will complete formalities to release 20 more Tamil prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. The decision to release another 20 suspects was taken follo
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Minister of Prison Reforms D. M. Swaminathan on November 20 said that the Attorney General's Department will complete formalities to release 20 more Tamil prisoners detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reports Colombo Page. The decision to release another 20 suspects was taken following the talks held on November 20 between the Minister of Prison Reforms and the Attorney General. The 20 suspects will be sent to the Rehabilitation Centre Poonthottam Vavuniya at the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation for one year to undergo rehabilitation and receive vocational training. The first six months of the program would involve psychosocial training, followed by a vocational course to help the rehabilitated persons fend for themselves and lead normal lives.
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November - 23 
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on November 23 said that reconciliation will bridge Tamil-Sinhalese gap, reports Daily Mirror. She said “There is a huge gulf between Tamils and Sinhalese. There are schools for all communities and there are also schools of different communities. M
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Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga on November 23 said that reconciliation will bridge Tamil-Sinhalese gap, reports Daily Mirror. She said “There is a huge gulf between Tamils and Sinhalese. There are schools for all communities and there are also schools of different communities. Many Tamils do not speak Sinhalese and vice-versa. Earlier, English was not encouraged or rather downgraded in the country. Unlike India, there was no link language.” The reconciliation exercise would go a long way in establishing harmony, she said about the recently started process.
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November - 24 
National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganeshan said that a legal snag is virtually delaying the release of the remaining Tamil detainees in prisons who were taken into custody in the aftermath of war, reports Daily News on November 25. He said “Suspected LTTE members having more than one case against them
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National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganeshan said that a legal snag is virtually delaying the release of the remaining Tamil detainees in prisons who were taken into custody in the aftermath of war, reports Daily News on November 25. He said “Suspected LTTE members having more than one case against them is the reason for the delay in qualifying them for rehabilitation. A prisoner might be qualified for rehabilitation and release in one case, but, not in another. The prisoner will have to inform the courts about his desire to go for rehabilitation programmes referring to all the cases that he is alleged to be involved in.”
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November - 24 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesman MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that only three of the 20 LTTE detainees who were slated to undergo rehabilitation prior to release are eligible for rehabilitation, reports Colombo Page on November 25. He told that most of the 20 detainees have more than one case aga
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA) spokesman MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that only three of the 20 LTTE detainees who were slated to undergo rehabilitation prior to release are eligible for rehabilitation, reports Colombo Page on November 25. He told that most of the 20 detainees have more than one case against them and a few have already served their term and are due for full release anyway.
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November - 25 
Police Media spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that since LTTE is a banned terrorist organization, any activity related to the outfit is illegal under the terrorism prevention laws of the country, reports Colombo Page on November 26. He said that anyone celebrating the banned terrorist group or th
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Police Media spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that since LTTE is a banned terrorist organization, any activity related to the outfit is illegal under the terrorism prevention laws of the country, reports Colombo Page on November 26. He said that anyone celebrating the banned terrorist group or the leader will be considered as an act of terrorism and a crime, he added.
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November - 27 
The military spokesperson Brigadier K.J. Jayaweera on November 27 said that Sri Lanka's military is ready to assist the Police at any time to maintain law and order and safeguard peace, reports Colombo Page. He said that the three armed forces have been kept ready in the camps assist the Police when
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The military spokesperson Brigadier K.J. Jayaweera on November 27 said that Sri Lanka's military is ready to assist the Police at any time to maintain law and order and safeguard peace, reports Colombo Page. He said that the three armed forces have been kept ready in the camps assist the Police whenever necessary to ensure that law and order is maintained, and peace is prevailed if the prevailing peaceful situation comes under threat. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense alerted the public not to be misled by the rumors and false claims that national security is under threat.
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December - 1 
Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga while addressing a media briefing on December 1 at the head of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation which has been established to lead, facilitate, support and coordinate matters related to national unity and reconciliation in Sri Lanka said that th
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Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga while addressing a media briefing on December 1 at the head of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation which has been established to lead, facilitate, support and coordinate matters related to national unity and reconciliation in Sri Lanka said that the Government will set up a special war crimes court soon to probe the alleged war crimes committed during the last stage of the three-decade long ethnic war, reports Colombo Page. She said, "Enormous amount of work has been done and the special court should start its work by the end of this month or by early January."
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December - 1 
Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Adam M.J. Sadiq while addressing the 20th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention in Hague, Netherlands on December 1 urged the international community
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Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Adam M.J. Sadiq while addressing the 20th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention in Hague, Netherlands on December 1 urged the international community to stand firm and united in combating terrorism, reports Colombo Page. He said "While unreservedly condemning the recent cold-blooded terror attacks in Paris and elsewhere in the world, Sri Lanka which lost thousands of innocent lives and suffered wanton damage and destruction of property, due to terrorism, calls upon the international community to stand firm and united in combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, irrespective of the source or target of this evil menace."
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December - 2 
Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) of Police said that it will take action to charge five former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects in the Supreme Court for engaging in terrorist activities, reports Colombo Page. The TID said five out of ten LTTE suspects, who have been arrested f
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Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) of Police said that it will take action to charge five former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects in the Supreme Court for engaging in terrorist activities, reports Colombo Page. The TID said five out of ten LTTE suspects, who have been arrested for involvement in terrorist activities and in remand custody, will be indicted in the Supreme Court.
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December - 8 
State Minister for Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene on December 8 defended the de-listing of the several Tamil diaspora groups and individuals earlier accused of having terror links, saying that delisting was done after a thorough study, reports Colombo Page. He said that the Government took the measure t
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State Minister for Defense, Ruwan Wijewardene on December 8 defended the de-listing of the several Tamil diaspora groups and individuals earlier accused of having terror links, saying that delisting was done after a thorough study, reports Colombo Page. He said that the Government took the measure to de-proscribe the groups and individuals following a comprehensive study conducted on those by a high-level committee.
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December - 10 
Military spokesperson Jayanath Jayaweera on December 10 said that the former war torn areas will be cleared of mines soon as only 64 acres of land now remained to be cleared, reports Colombo Page. He said that following the end of the 30-year civil war between Government troops and Liberation Tigers
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Military spokesperson Jayanath Jayaweera on December 10 said that the former war torn areas will be cleared of mines soon as only 64 acres of land now remained to be cleared, reports Colombo Page. He said that following the end of the 30-year civil war between Government troops and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels in 2009, 2,064 acres of land in the country had to be cleared from landmines and explosives which had been buried by the rebels. The army, together with demining agencies, has to date cleared 2,000 acres of land, mostly in the nation's north and east and operations are ongoing to clear the remaining 64 acres.
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December - 10 
Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha speaking at the plenary session of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies on December 9 in Geneva said that there is a renewed political commitment and will in Sri Lanka to s
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Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha speaking at the plenary session of the 32nd International Conference of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies on December 9 in Geneva said that there is a renewed political commitment and will in Sri Lanka to strengthen the national compliance with the International Humanitarian Law (IHL), reports Colombo Page.
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December - 15 
The United States (US) Under Secretary of State (Designate) for Political Affairs, Ambassador Thomas Shannon, on December 15 said that Sri Lanka's success in rebuilding the country and reconciliation with people will be an example to the rest of the world, reports Colombo Page. Ambassador Tom Shanno
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The United States (US) Under Secretary of State (Designate) for Political Affairs, Ambassador Thomas Shannon, on December 15 said that Sri Lanka's success in rebuilding the country and reconciliation with people will be an example to the rest of the world, reports Colombo Page. Ambassador Tom Shannon visited the port city of Trincomalee in the Eastern Province as part of continued US engagement with all of Sri Lanka and met with Government officials and civil society leaders to discuss the development and progress of US funded projects and importance of human rights and transitional justice for reconciliation.
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December - 23 
Catholic community on December 23 assured its full support to the measures taken by the President, Maithripala Sirisena to build the peace and reconciliation in the country, reports Colombo Page. Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcom Ranjith participating at an event to celebrate the Christmas at P
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Catholic community on December 23 assured its full support to the measures taken by the President, Maithripala Sirisena to build the peace and reconciliation in the country, reports Colombo Page. Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcom Ranjith participating at an event to celebrate the Christmas at President's House said that his blessings are always with the President. The Archbishop recalled the Christian teaching of love and peace and said that all should unite for peace at this Christmas irrespective of whether Sinhalese, Tamil or Muslim.
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December - 24 
President Maithripala Sirisena on December 24 said that the Muslim community can contribute significantly to the efforts of Government for reconciliation among all communities, reports Colombo Page. He said "I trust those who follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, in Sri Lanka, can make a signifi
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President Maithripala Sirisena on December 24 said that the Muslim community can contribute significantly to the efforts of Government for reconciliation among all communities, reports Colombo Page. He said "I trust those who follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, in Sri Lanka, can make a significant contribution to building a nation rich in tolerance, understanding and reconciliation, which will strengthen the efforts to take the country on the forward march to progress."
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December - 31 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA)leader R. Sampanthan in his New Year message said that Sri Lanka has an enormous task of achieving a meaningful solution to the national question, reports Colombo Page on January 1. He said "As a country, we have the enormous task of achieving a meaningful solution
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Tamil National Alliance (TNA)leader R. Sampanthan in his New Year message said that Sri Lanka has an enormous task of achieving a meaningful solution to the national question, reports Colombo Page on January 1. He said "As a country, we have the enormous task of achieving a meaningful solution to the national question, beneficial development and lasting peace and reconciliation. It is through solidarity that we can build a prosperous country while acknowledging the ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and other unique features of each community."
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