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Alleged war crimes: GTF asks UNHRC to extend ‘accountability project’

Published

1 year ago

2024/10/9

Suren Surendiran

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has urged the UN to extend what it called Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP) and transmittal of report to all relevant UN bodies for further action.

Welcoming the recent report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on the “Situation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka” and the subsequent dialogue at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran yesterday (08) issued the following statement: Volker Turk’s report highlights ongoing human rights abuses and calls for national and international actions to advance accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

High Commissioner Turk’s report highlights persistent human rights violations in the Tamil-majority North and East, including harassment of civil society activists, journalists and relatives of the forcibly disappeared, and arbitrary police actions, such as land seizures and obstruction of memorialization efforts for victims.

The report’s findings regarding the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), despite the assurances from the government of enforcing a moratorium, is deeply worrying. Reportedly, at least 46 arrests were made under PTA in the past 18 months, and an alarming 2,845 cases of torture, 21 cases of extrajudicial killings and 26 cases of deaths in custody occurred around the same period.

The report is damning on the performance and inadequacies of the Office of Missing Persons (OMP). Despite the fact that there are tens of thousands of missing people, the OMP has confirmed only one death and four disappearances, and has been criticized for not using all its investigative powers, but retraumatizing victims by calling for more information with the focus on closing their files.

Mass graves is another area that got the High Commissioner’s attention. Despite the fact that several mass graves have been accidently discovered and partially exhumed over past decades, the report states that hardly any remains have been identified and returned to the families. On this the High Commissioner recommends allocating sufficient financial, human and technical resources to conduct exhumations in line with international standards and encourages the Government to seek international support.

In this context, GTF commends the High Commissioner’s office for its groundbreaking May 2024 report, “Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka” which emphasizes the long-standing demands of the families who have waited decades for truth and justice for their missing loved ones. The High Commissioner remarked that the government owes these families the truth, and investigating these crimes fully is critical not only for the families but for the healing of the Sri Lankan society as a whole.

After decades of waiting for truth and justice there is a sense of despair among the community of victims. The reflection of this can also be seen in the High Commissioner’s report, as it addresses “further options for advancing accountability”, “complementary strategies from the international community to help break the cycle of systematic impunity”, and using all forms of jurisdiction, including under accepted principles of extraterritorial and universal jurisdiction.

The crucial step that makes any of that possible is the successful completion of the Sri Lanka Accountability Project (SLAP), and in alignment with the appeals from organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, GTF urges UNHRC Member States to extend the mandate of SLAP for a meaningful period, and for the UN Secretary General to ensure this vital work is protected from budgetary constraints.

It is important that at the conclusion of this project, the High Commissioner transmit its findings to all the relevant UN bodies and the UN Secretary General for appropriate action, along the lines of UN’s handling of COI and Special Rapporteur reports on North Korea and Myanmar. Such an action will ensure continuity of this decade long process and oversight at the highest international level. GTF believes sustained international attention and meaningful actions are crucial for Sri Lanka to achieve true accountability, justice and reconciliation for all its people.

GTF has congratulated the newly elected President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and shares the optimism that his administration will foster good governance, combat corruption and end impunity. Sri Lanka has been plagued by impunity for decades – whether for economic crimes or for serious human rights abuses. We have no doubt impunity will truly end only when it is defeated in all its manifestations.

GTF calls on the new government to work closely with the UN system, the international community, and the people of Sri Lanka from all communities to achieve its lofty goals, and for the international community to support Sri Lanka in its difficult journey. GTF will do its part in contributing towards this transition.”

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SJB: China, India taking advantage of Lanka’s unregulated oil market

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ananda Palitha

… questions why the price of a by-product like kerosene was jacked up

China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group) and Indian Oil Corporation Lanka (IOC PLC) have increased the prices of certain products significantly more than the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). However, the fourth player in the market R.M. Parks, a US company in collaboration with Shell that launched operations here in late February last year, has increased its prices in line with Ceypetco.

Convener of the Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance, Ananda Palitha, yesterday (23) told The Island that foreign players had immensely benefited from the latest price revision at the expense of Sri Lankan consumers.

Alleging that Sinopec and Lanka IOC PLC had become a law unto themselves, Palitha pointed out that the failure on the part of successive governments to establish an Independent Commission and Regulatory Authority for the petroleum sector had allowed Ceypetco and all foreign players to do as they please. Palitha said that in the absence of proper regulatory mechanism, CPC/Energy Ministry should ensure genuine competitiveness in the market.

Palitha said that the NPP government had exploited the ongoing Middle East war to earn unconscionable profits at a time the economy was reeling under the impact of the Hormuz Strait blockade. According to him, all four players increased Auto Diesel by Rs. 79 to Rs. 382 per litre, and Octane 92 Petrol by Rs. 81 to Rs. 398 per litre, while Sinopec and Lanka IOC PLC price list differed in respect of other products. At most filling stations Octane 92 was not available and only higher priced Octane 95 petrol was available.

Pointing out that since the eruption of the Middle East conflict, on 28 February, the NPP had twice increased fuel prices on 09 and 22 March, Palitha said that the government could have cushioned the impact by lowering taxes imposed on crude oil and refined petroleum products. Instead, the latest price revisions resulted in further increase of customs duties, VAT and Port and Airport Development Levy. Additional duties often apply, such as a surcharge tax, on diesel and petrol.

Since the entry of Lanka IOC into the market in 2003, Sinopec in 2023 and R.M. Parks in 2025 eroded the CPC share and, at the moment, it was down to about 57%, and the private players accounted for the rest. Palitha placed the number of filling stations players authorised to operate at Ceypetco (836), Lanka IOC (274) and Sinopec and R.M. Parks 150 each.

Palitha said Lanka IOC has increased Petrol Octane 95 to Rs. 487 a litre whereas the CPC priced the same at Rs. 455) a litre. Lanka IOC and Ceypetco have priced a litre of Super diesel at Rs. 572 and Rs. 443, respectively.

LIOC has also revised its premium fuel categories, with Xtra Premium Petrol priced at Rs. 465, Xtra Mile at Rs. 551, and Xtra Green Diesel at Rs. 588.

Claiming that the government had twice increased the prices of old petroleum stocks, procured at a maximum USD 70 a barrel, weeks, if not months, before the new war, Palitha found fault with the Opposition for not launching a sustained campaign against the exploitation of the public. Palitha said that the increase of a litre of kerosene by Rs. 13 on 09 March and Rs. 60 on 22 March was unjustifiable. “The people do not know that kerosene is a by-product in the process of refining crude oil. Sapugaskanda produces LPG, naphtha, petrol, diesel, kerosene and furnace oil.”

The price of a litre of kerosene to had been increased to Rs 255, Palitha said, adding that it could have been provided to the needy at a much lower rate. If those who represent Parliament bothered to study the issues at hand, they would be able to challenge the government on this disgraceful manipulation of the entire country, he said.

Palitha said that the Parliament owed an explanation as to why the Commission to regulate the oil trade hadn’t been appointed and whether some interested parties financially benefited at the expense of the country.

Palitha said that the introduction of the QR code to control fuel sales and the increase of the fuel quota last Sunday night had been used to deceive the public when those in power and their friends in the industry made money at the expense of the public.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

News

SL to redevelop Trinco tank farm expeditiously

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/24

Sahan Weerasooriya

Vijitha Herath

Sri Lanka is planning to fast-track the redevelopment of the Trincomalee oil tank farm as a long-term solution to its ongoing energy crisis, with backing from India and the United Arab Emirates, The Hindu has reported.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the project, which involves restoring World War II-era oil storage facilities in the eastern district, is seen as a “permanent solution” to managing fuel supply challenges.

“Temporary solutions are not sustainable. We need a long-term strategy to deal with oil storage and distribution, given the global energy situation,” he told The Hindu.

The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2025 between Sri Lanka, India, and the UAE to develop Trincomalee as a regional energy hub.

Despite previous delays spanning decades, the project has gained renewed urgency amid the current global energy crisis, which has disrupted supply chains and driven up fuel costs.

Sri Lanka has already submitted a concept proposal to its partners, while technical aspects are being reviewed by the Energy Ministry before moving to the tender stage, according to the report.

The renewed push also marks a notable policy shift, as the ruling administration, led by the National People’s Power, had previously opposed Indian involvement in the project.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western, North-central provinces and in Mannar and Vavuniya districts

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/24

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 3.30 p.m. on 23 March 2026, valid for 24 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western, North-central
provinces and in Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.