Col R Hariharan
Battling Channel 4:
It appears Sri Lanka is not in a mood to allow the ‘Channel 4 execution video’ controversy to die down. An official briefing was organised for diplomats to prove the video was a doctored one with malefide intentions. The diplomatic briefing was carried in the www.defence.lk official website of the defence ministry with the ominous caption “Rebut or Regret.” While the government was said to be thinking of suing Channel 4, the TV channel also appeared to be in no mood to relent. On September 7 it screen on yet another video allegedly taken by mobile phone camera showing the appalling conditions in which the displaced Tamils are living in the temporary camps in Vanni. The video said to have been taken by a group calling itself War Without Witness is likely to further heat up the confrontation.
Moreover, this confrontation could add fuel to the continuing polemical relations between Sri Lanka and UK. The deteriorating state of relations was evident when the media reported that Dr Palitha Kohona, Foreign Secretary, was not issued a visa by the British High Commission in Colombo for reasons not known. According to the report, the British wanted the Foreign Secretary to come in person to collect the visa!
International ripples on Tissanayagam conviction
As expected the conviction of Tissanayagam has continued to cause adverse international reaction particularly in India and the western world. The pressmen in Chennai had protested against the conviction and wanted him released. Guardian and the Boston Globe have written about it; the UN has also made noises about it. Arrest and subsequent release of three journalists of the pro-JVP ‘Lanka’ on bail has further focused on the perilous state of media men. They also face possible terrorism charges.
However, no change is visible in the mood of the government and the Tissanayagam story is likely to be kept alive. And Sri Lanka appears to be in no mood to change its hostile attitude towards free press. This has also highlighted the continued use of draconian provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act against media men although the war is over.
Parliamentary elections (amendment) Bill:
The Supreme Court has ruled that some clauses in the Parliamentary elections (amendment) Bill would require to be passed by parliament with a two thirds majority. The opposition UNP, TNA, and the SLMC had challenged the Bill which, proposes to outlaw parties signifying religious or communal identity, in the Supreme Court. The court had held that sub section 7(5) (6) and the words that signify ‘any religion or community’ in sub section 7 (6) and 9 (3) of the Bill in their present form were inconsistent with the Constitution.
After the end of 20 years of shooting war, ethnic reconciliation process is yet to start. In this environment the proposed enactment is likely to face two problems. Increase in the feeling of insecurity of minorities, who want structural changes in the constitution not implemented so far; The provisions of new bill are likely to affect parties with large minority following than large national parties which also have an ethnic veneer under the skin. Secondly, the ruling UPFA coalition does not enjoy two thirds majority and opposition parties are unlikely to extend their support to see the bill through. So the UPFA coalition has the option of keeping it in suspended animation to pass the bill in its present form when it musters adequate support in a new house or amend the bill as directed by the Supreme Court.
Continuing stand off with UN
Sri Lanka revoked the visa of .James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF in Sri Lanka and expelled him for what the Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona termed as spreading Tamil Tiger propaganda. UNICEF promptly denied the allegations. During the final stages of the war, Elder was accused of spreading news of exaggerated casualties among people trapped in the war zone due to Sri Lankan artillery shelling.
Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary-general strongly regretted the decision of Sri Lanka to expel Elder. According to U.N. spokesman Ban would raise the issue with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the earliest opportunity. This is only the latest episode in the on going stand off between UN agencies in Sri Lanka and the government. It came about due to the UN agencies’ strong criticism of Sri Lanka’s handling of human rights and humanitarian issues during the last few years.
Death of Prabhakaran & Pottu Amman:
Sri Lanka has not yet issued the death certificates of Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman to India which had requested for them. The two were indicted in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the death certificates would enable the removal of their names from the list of absconding accused.
In this context it is significant that on September 9 the Colombo High Court has allowed the dropping of the names of Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman from the indictment in the Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar assassination case.
(Col. R Hariharan (retired) is associated with the South Asia Analysis Group and the Chennai Centre for China Studies. E-mail: colhari@yahoo.com )
Courtesy: www.southasiaanalysis.org
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