CHR REPORT on LLRC Session in Mannar District

8/8/2019 CHR REPORT on LLRC Session in Mannar District

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CHR Sri Lanka report on LLRC Mannar Sessions:

Oscillation between Hope and Hopelessness

Over 1000 people gave evidence before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)

in Mannar, from January 8-9, 2011. Centre for Human Rights (CHR) is convinced that this

enthusiastic public participation shown by the affected, as a clear indication and desire forreconciliation, as well as their need for assistance. Around 600 submissions were presented duringthe session at Manthai West AGAs Office, the highest number during any session to date.

However, during these

sessions there were severalincidences which clearly

dampened peoples moodand undermined the efforts

of the commission.

Subsequently, military

personnel visited the

Manthai West AGAs

Office and

Periyapandivirichchan

AGAs office on the day of

the sessions, and questionedthe LLRCs staff; about

their visit and the same

officials photographed the

Commissioners and those

who had arrived to give

evidence.

Session at the Mannar DS Office:

The session which was scheduled to begin at 9.30 am on January, 8 commenced only at 10.30 am.

CHR representatives noted that there werent adequate seating available and most of the people havebeen exhausted after travelling a long distance and were sitting on the ground. 430 submissions were

presented in the session at Mannar DS.

Bishop of Mannar, Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph and many other religious and community leaders gave

evidence before the LLRC. Both local and foreign media were eager to cover the session and gave

prominence to these dignitaries submissions. As the prominent figures made extensive

presentations, the ordinary citizens who were directly affected by the war and were desperate to talk

to the commissioners were forfeited their allocated time, as CHR has pointed out earlier.

Chairman of the LLRC spoke about there interim report in

which they had recommended certain methods to address the

issues of the people. Although, this notification made in

English would have been of extreme importance to the people,

his speech, was NOT translated into Tamil. Further, it is to be

noted that the overwhelming majority of those present do not

understand English.


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Session at the Manthai West AGAs Office:

This was the second session of the day and commenced around 3 pm. By this time, the

Commissioners too have been exhausted as much as those who have travelled from far, as appear in

the picture below. When the LLRC staff arrived at the premises there were over 200 people waitingat the AGAs office while another 400 people were waiting outside the AGAs office premises,impatiently until their turn come. All in all 600 submissions were presented in the session.

At this juncture, a lieutenant of the Sri Lanka Army approached the LLRC staff and asked them

whether they have Minister of Defense (MoD) clearance to visit the AGAs Office. When the

session began, over 600 people entered the AGAs

office and there were no adequate seating provided

by the authorities.

Although, during previous sessions refreshments

were provided for those who come to give

evidence, nothing of that nature had beenorganized this time and most people didnt evenhave water. Since the session was limited to two

and a half hours the majority of the people did notget a chance to speak before the Commission, due

to the fact of shortage of time, and they had tocontend with handing over written submissions to

the LLRC Secretariat.

Most of the complaints were focused on detention of family members by security forces. Numerousrequests were made to prosecute them or release them, in order that they could unite with their

families. Most of the people wanted to know whether those who have disappeared were dead or

alive, the confirmation of such knowledge would give them closure. But this would enable them to f

obtain death certificate, which is vital aspect of sought out major civilian issues.

Unlike the star studded Mannar DS session, there were only a handful of provincial reporters and

representatives of two Civil Society organizations.

Session at Periyapandivirichchan AGAs Office, Madu

The session was scheduled to start at 9 am but it began only at

10.45. Around 10.15 am a group of army officers arrived at the DS

Office and recorded the names of the LLRC staff and others from

outside the area. Another officer took photos of the LLRCCommissioners and those who had come to give evidence. 126submissions were presented at Periyapandivirichchan AGAs

Office, (50 on disappearances, 65 on detention and 11miscellaneous.)

One of the outstanding issues in the area could be attributed to transport, in the area which has

minimal public transport. Some had arrived to give submission from over 30 kilometers from theAGAsOffice spending the equivalent of a labourers four day salary. 126 made submissions and

they drew the Commissions attention to matters given below:


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1. Developing infrastructure including roads and hospitals and providing the displaced withpermanent houses.

2. Reveal / Demand what happened to the LTTE leader of Mannar Anthony Rayappu aka Jaanand 40 other LTTE members who surrendered to the army.

3. Extend the Rs 25 000 given to those who are resettled, and to those who are returning toMannar from their relatives, majority of such persons are Sinhalese.

4. Redistribution of vehicles, left behind during the retreat to Mulativu to their owners in anycondition.

5. Create a programme to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of those who weredisabled by the war.

6. There are a large number of unfilled vacancies for Public Health Inspectors, Agriculture andLand Officers and Grama Niladaris, who are of great importance to these people. Thesevacancies must be filled immediately.

CHRs Observations and Recommendations

The LLRC did not have adequate time

to cover all areas in Mannar and CHR

feels that they should visit the area

again and meet others who were not

able to appear before the Commission.

1. Provide basic facilities for thosewho come to give submissions

(water, seating etc)

2. Better coordination between theLLRC and the local public

administrative officers to prevent

any misunderstandings and ensure

a free and confidence building environment where people do not fear future persecution.

3. Reserve adequate time for those who come to give evidence4. Immediately notify the relevant authorities about the complaints, suggestions and requests

received during outstation sessions.

Rajith Keethi TennakoonExecutive Director/CHR Sri Lanka 17.01.2011

Documents

CHR REPORT on LLRC Session in Mannar District