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Accountability issues: Gajendrakumar’s party irked by Geneva Core Group’s failure
Jaffna-based Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) has reiterated its demand for Sri Lanka to be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The TNPF raised the issue in a letter addressed to the Heads of Missions in Geneva of the UNHRC Core Group on Sri Lanka.
The TNPF criticised previous UN HRC resolutions as ineffective, stating that they have failed to deliver justice for Tamil victims.
The letter, signed by TNPF President Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam MP, and General Secretary S. Kajendren, rejected the Core Group’s response to Sri Lanka’s proposal for domestic mechanisms. The TNPF warned that the current administration, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has made it clear that it would not prosecute perpetrators of war crimes.
The TNPF outlined how the NPP government has categorically dismissed international accountability mechanisms, echoing the policies of its predecessors. The letter highlighted that since at least 27 August 2024, President Dissanayake has repeatedly assured the Sinhala electorate that “no one will be punished for IHL (International Humanitarian Law) or Human Rights law violations that took place during the war.”
Instead, the government has insisted on so-called “truth-seeking” mechanisms, which, the TNPF states, are designed to avoid prosecution rather than ensure accountability. The letter warned that any domestic initiative under the current administration will not hold perpetrators accountable—a strategy that has been used repeatedly to delay and deny justice to Tamil victims.
“This context makes it abundantly clear that the present government, like its predecessors, will never willingly prosecute perpetrators,” the TNPF wrote, reaffirming that Tamil demands for justice and non-recurrence remain unmet.
The TNPF also rebuked the UNHRC Core Group’s continued failure to push for meaningful action against Sri Lanka. The letter stressed that the approach taken in previous resolutions—which focus on engagement and domestic mechanisms—has only allowed Sri Lanka to buy time and avoid accountability.
The Core Group, which includes Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom, has once again welcomed superficial measures taken by Sri Lanka, including so-called “initial steps” such as returning small plots of land, lifting roadblocks, and allowing memorialisation. However, these actions come as tens of thousands of Sri Lankan troops continue to occupy Tamil land, engaging in surveillance, intimidation, and the suppression of Tamil civil society.
The TNPF made it clear that a new resolution in line with past ones cannot be sustained in the name of accountability. Instead, they demanded a radical shift in the UNHRC’s approach:
“A new resolution consistent with the matters pointed out in this letter and specifically, a referral of the situation in Sri Lanka to the ICC, and other international fora, is fundamental if the resolution is to have the consent of the Tamil victims.”
This demand reflects the growing frustration among Tamil political leaders, civil society, and victims’ families over the continued failure of the international community to deliver justice more than 15 years after the Mullivaikkal genocide, the TNPF said.
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Landslide RED warnings continue to be in force for the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The RED Landslide Early Warnings issued by the Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organization [NBRO] to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara Eliya have been extended until 1600hrs today [06th December 2025]. Landslide Early warnings have also been issued to the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Matara, Monaragala and Ratnapura,
Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Gangawata Korale, Deltota, Doluwa, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Akurana, Udunuwara, Panvila, Pathadumbara, Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Ududumbara, Poojapitiya, Harispattuwa and Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Deraniyagala, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Yatiyanthota and Aranayaka in the Kegalle district, Narammala, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Rideegama and Polgahawela in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ukuwela, Pallepola, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Yatawatta, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district, and Nildandahinna, Walapane, Hanguranketha and Mathurata in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II AMBER warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Passara and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Kothmale East in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Godakawela and Kolonna in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka and Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Elpitiya and Yakkalamulla in the Galle district, Mirigama, Attanagalla and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Horana in the Kalutara district, Athuraliya and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Bibile and Medagama in the Monaragala district, and Kiriella, Nivithigala, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Pelmadulla, Elapatha, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Ratnapura and Kaltota in the Ratnapura district.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.
“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.
The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.
“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.
She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.
“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.
Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).
His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.
The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.
Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.
With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.
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