Address by Hon Rohitha Bogollagama, MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka on “A people’s mandate for democracy over terrorism in the east of Sri Lanka” – Carlton Club, London – 9 June 2008

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am delighted to be at the Carlton. As an overseas member I come here regularly during my visits to London. It is always a wonderful opportunity to meet up with my Tory friends on these occasions. My links with the Conservative party dates back two decades when I did a brief internship at its headquarters. Indeed I am very much aware that there are many friends of Sri Lanka among you. I cannot forget your generosity following the tsunami disaster in 2004 when you were generous enough to contribute as much as £27,000 for livelihood support, reconstruction and rehabilitation. This outpouring of assistance was a good testimony of our friendship. I believe Sri Lanka shares some historic links with this club. If I remember correctly Viscount Soulbury who was a Governor General of the then Ceylon, was a past chairman of this club.

Ms.Carole Vann, Editor-in-chief
Human Rights Tribune
InfoSud
Rue du Valais 9
1202 Genève

10th June 2008

Dear Madam,

I read with some surprise the article by Isolda Agazzi, under the delightful headline ‘UN wimps out on Sri Lanka’, which appeared in your journal on June 6th. Admittedly the article was translated from the French, but from what appeared it would seem that your writer’s concern for facts and rationality are deficient.

Invited by the Secretariat of the Youth Employment Network (YEN), Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Youth Affairs, Sri Lanka, is presently in Geneva (Switzerland) to attend the 3^rd YEN Lead Country Meeting. The meeting titled Establishing Benchmarks for successful Youth Employment Policies and Programs, is organised by the YEN Secretariat of the ILO United Nations, ILO and the World Bank and is held today (10^th June 2008 )at the ILO head quarters in Geneva.

The Executive Director
Freedom House
1301 Connecticut Ave. NW Floor 6
Washington, District of Columbia  20036
USA

Fax: 202-293-2840

10th June 2008

Dear Sir,

I write with reference to your recent report on Sri Lanka. Though most of it was balanced, and made clear the difficulties the government has in dealing with a forceful terrorist group, there were a few errors of face that should be corrected, whilst some nuances could be adjusted to better represent the actual situation.

The Sri Lanka Army's ongoing operation into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) heartland Wanni will be reinforced by two new divisions; the 61 division and the Task Force 2. With the inclusion of new divisions, the total number of SLA divisions taking part in the operation has risen to 7; 53, 55, 57, 58 (TF1) 59, 61 and TF2.

Right of Reply exercised by the Sri Lanka delegation at the general debate on Item 4: Human Rights Situations that require the Council’s attention.

“Mr. President, let me first refer to the references made by Slovenia, on behalf of the EU and other EU countries, the Netherlands, France and the UK. My Ambassador, two days ago, advised the EU with an appropriate biblical quote to point its searchlight inwards before reaching outwards. However, the words of wisdom in Mathew 7:3 do not seem to have had their desired effect.  

The statement by Mr. Mano Ganeshan, of the Western People’s Front, calling on the Tamil people of the north and east to keep out of Colombo is unwarranted and appears intended to drive unwarranted fear among the Tamil people, states the Presidential Secretariat.

“It is regretted that Mr. Ganeshan, by this statement, has thought it fit to create unnecessary fear among the Tamil community, which by design or not, can only further the cause of those seeking to promote communal hatred,” the Presidential Secretariat adds.

by Jérôme Pierrat (June 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian)

To finance their troops, the Tigers are mainly relying on a Diaspora dispersed among the USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and France, which became one of their most important back up. Indeed, at the beginning of the revolt and above all after the anti-Tamil riots of 1983, many inhabitants of the North and of Colombo fled from the country. What was first a problem for the Tigers, who feared they could not recruit any combatants anymore, turned to their own advantage when they started imposing their revolutionary tax on these exiles. To do so, the movement established a very structured system.

"I ask all political parties including the opposition, and various other organizations not to betray the victory we have won as a nation. If anyone tries to destroy this, it would amount to destroying a great mansion built upon the aspirations of the people," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his address at the National War Heroes Day celebrations at Sri Jayawardenapura - Kotte, today (June 07).

17 terrorists killed, over 35 wounded: Troops force into LTTE defences in Welioya  

At least 17 terrorists were killed and more than 35 wounded on Sunday (June 8) as Army infantry and armour battalions forced into LTTE bunker positions located North of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa at Welioya during a multi-pronged offensive launched since the morning hours.

Sri Lankan military formations broke into LTTE defences in multi-pronged offensives launched at the Wanni battle theatre in Mannar, Vavuniya and Welioya yesterday (June 7), claiming that at least 27 terrorists were killed, over 20 wounded during the intense fighting. According to reports received a soldier has also laid his life and another 21 wounded, with many casualties caused due to AP mines and IED explosions, security sources said.