Elders criticize Lanka

3 August 2010 02:12 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A report launched on Sri Lanka by The Elders, an influential group of global leaders has highly criticized the Sri Lankan government and stated that meaningful progress on reconciliation in the island is still desperately needed .

The report by The Elders - a group of leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007 to address major causes of human suffering was launched today.

The report says that the government's "clampdown on domestic critics and its disdain for human rights deserves a far tougher response".

It added there was a "deafening global silence" to Sri Lanka's "worrying approach to human rights, good governance and accountability", which may encourage other states to act in a similar way.

The report said that the government's persecution of its critics was "terrifying".

An MP from the governing coalition, Rajiva Wijesinha, said that retired elders were "simplifying and preaching" instead of making recommendations to build on the positive change.

He said there was no lack of dissent and criticism - and this was seen daily in newspapers and the parliament.

Former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari said he is sad that post-war Sri Lanka has not improved "to the extent that one would have hoped".

In an interview with BBC Sinhala, he said there should be more transparency and a climate which allowed "proper media reporting".

Mr Ahtisaari said the announcement by the government that it was setting up a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to look into alleged human rights abuses at the end of the war in May 2009 - rather than work with a UN panel looking into the same issues - was not satisfactory.

"If you look at previous examples of special commissions in Sri Lanka, one has to be sceptical," he said.

"Over the last 30 years the reports of other commissions similar to this have not even been made public. So this effort leaves much to be desired."

The Elders group is chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and has former Irish President Mary Robinson, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi and former US President Jimmy Carter among its members, in addition to Mr Ahtisaari.

They have contacted the government of Sri Lanka and officials around the world to express their concerns about "alleged violations of international humanitarian law and the need for actions that promote sustainable peace and reconciliation in the country".

The government argues that Tamil Tiger remnants, both at home and abroad, still pose a threat to national security. (BBC Sinhala)

Comments - 35

MaPer Wednesday, 04 August 2010 04:21 AM

The point is MR, Basil & Gota are not elders - they are forever young!

Amal Perera Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:14 PM

Ok! Now Hon. Mandela is going to be a 'conspirator' 'LTTE puppet' in the eyes of the government and its supporters!

Tom sam USA Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:15 PM

When the Elders speak, THE WORLD LISTENS.
They are not a bunch of clowns and thugs who run the sinking lanka.
Long live Tasmils of ElNKAI AND THEIR PRISTINE TRADITIONS.

Ru ru Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:17 PM

Colonials???? mate he is a black southafrican guy....

Ruwan Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:30 PM

This was started by Mandela .But now he is not there .Only some western preachers are there.Why dont they issue anything about Wikileaks and threats the journalist faces from CIA.

The Liberal Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:44 PM

Madela, Tutu are colonialists?...hmmm with ur intellect no wonder u r supporting the government

DON Tuesday, 03 August 2010 06:18 PM

We don't care about the opinion of 'elders,' clergy, or any international body. We want only $$$ as aid!

vani Tuesday, 03 August 2010 08:36 PM

Take corrective action!

AAn Balan Wednesday, 04 August 2010 04:21 AM

Elders are silent on international weapon suppliers.

Amal Perera Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:13 PM

Ok! Now Hon. Mandela is going to be a 'conspirator' and an 'LTTE puppet' in the eyes of the government and its supporters!

Ruwan Ferdinandez Wednesday, 04 August 2010 04:39 AM

If Mandela was involved in this sinful act, it's sad. Mandela was an armed gangster before he was jailed and made a hero. Tutu and he should know there is plenty to write several reports of this nature in Africa before talking about Sri Lanka. For Mary Robinson, Ahtisaari lot, they will do whatever to block potential contenders to make sure all of them get Nobel prizes.

TMA Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:04 AM

Now Mandela is a Tiger. Who else? hahaha

TMA Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:05 AM

So is dear Venezuela

Ruki Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:23 AM

When the likes of Tutu, Mandela and Carter speak, we better listen as opposed to putting our heads further into the sand.

Ruwan Ferdinandez Wednesday, 04 August 2010 05:25 AM

Listen to Carter? Not even Americans or even his family do that.

Partheeban Wednesday, 04 August 2010 07:44 AM

Mandela and Tutu are elders of integrity. It makes me wonder whether Elders as a group has become tools in the western trade box. SL must improve its human rights record.

Channa Wednesday, 04 August 2010 09:32 AM

Go to South Africa and see for yourself how the LTTE is collecting money...In the Land of the "ELDERS"

Kalu Sudda Wednesday, 04 August 2010 10:53 AM

Elders please note cemetaries are not full yet.

Gayan Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:15 PM

Elders must be thinking this is the 19th century where colonials dictated terms for sovereign states.

RZM Tuesday, 03 August 2010 02:25 PM

Ekders are correct. Whatever said and done, no meaningful steps are taken by the government

Mans Tuesday, 03 August 2010 02:27 PM

Mandela, before you preach to others please checkout your own backyard, where you have drog lords, rapists, murderers, uneducation, poverty, voodoo killers/rapists etc etc. Sri lanka is million times better than your own backyard though we have some solveable issues.

Tharma Tuesday, 03 August 2010 02:29 PM

Will these elders tied to a magon tree?

Palitha Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:02 PM

What are these old people talking? Our MR Raja knows how to rule better. See an example, "Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva tied a Kelaniya Pradeshya Sabha official to a mango tree"

Jagath Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:03 PM

The latest H/R violation is tieing up Govt. officials to trees.

Channa Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:11 PM

The Elders..... Pls remember South Africa is also the home for LTTE Fund raisers.......

LordNelson Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:13 PM

One can clearly see the shifting of international view with respect to SL affair. US & West were against for long time. UN is strongly against, Recently NAM stepped back, Japan is slowly going negative, China is not that supportive now as they did before. Rusia still makes a comment or two in favour of SL. Elders, youngers middle ages......increasing the distance !!! Finally Iran, Burma, Libya, North Korea...?? World discarded entities who can just bark but nothing else.

Its great for many of us to hear our leaders attack & insult the others. But who will feed the families of job-loss?

There is a little margin between Heroic & Stupidity.
SL government is a living example!!

Lankan Lion Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:14 PM

100% agreed with the opinion expressed by The Elders. Instead this opinion to be an eye opener to our war mongers and their ardent goons, they going to brand The Elders members as LTTE sympathisers.

local boy Tuesday, 03 August 2010 02:22 PM

elders pocket must be full of $$$$

Mahesh. Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:15 PM

Well Said Now Someone from government will say Even Nelson mandela is pro western. I immensely respect Mandel for his approach towards national harmony between blacks and whites. We have opportunist such as MR and brothers not true visionary honest leaders.

Lankan Lion Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:16 PM

I guess people like you should be given Mervyn's punishment. This society will not be civilised as long as people like you are allowed to move around freely in this society.

Ramana Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:44 PM

Whoever says whatever our great MR will do whatever he wants because he is the superpower in the world.

Ramesh Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:54 PM

yes... SL have solvable issues... but we will not solve it and make SL like Africa... with the people like Vermin, WW etc.....

Rattapakse Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:54 PM

Don't waste your time sir, we are busy watching our jester Dr Mervin's act of the day.

LondonLankan_DT Tuesday, 03 August 2010 03:56 PM

so because there is somewhere worse, we should not attempt to be better? maara logic. dont pat yourself on the back too hard, you might break your spine.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 03 August 2010 04:00 PM

Now there is an important mission for our hero Weerawansa to castigate "The Elders" and for doctor Maravin to threaten them with tying to Mango trees. Sometimes one wonders : are we really a civilised nation?

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Elders criticize Lanka

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