Action Alert ArchiveUphold humanitarian work by TRO-USA for tsunami survivorsJanuary 22, 2006 It has been over a year since the tsunami struck the North-Eastern and Southern coasts of Sri Lanka. Though the mainly Tamil speaking regions of Northeast Sri Lanka sustained 70% of the deaths and destruction, according to a World Bank assessment, it has yet to receive a similar proportion of aid for rehabilitation. After months of negotiations between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which controls most of the North-East, and the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), a mechanism was signed to equitably distribute international aid throughout all affected areas and rehabilitate the devastated areas of the North-East. Unfortunately, religious extremists revolted against aid going to non-government areas and the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka succumbed and suspended the implementation of this agreement. The Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) is the largest and most efficient non-governmental organization in the North-East, and has worked to provide urgent assistance to war refugees over the last two decades. TRO is a registered charity with the government of Sri Lanka and is a four-star rated tax-exempt organization in the USA, according to the independent nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. After the tsunami, TRO strove diligently to fill the gap left by the GoSL and international organizations and provided desperately-needed food and shelter for thousands. TRO productively utilized the resources provided by the Tamil diaspora, international NGOs, foreign governments and thousands of other concerned Americans to bring relief to those suffering in North-East Sri Lanka. TRO’s effectiveness was recognized by an award from former President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and praise from local and international media, organizations and dignitaries. Sri Lanka’s new president Mahinda Rajapakse was elected on the basis of an uncompromising stand towards the political resolution to the nearly twenty-five year old civil conflict in Sri Lanka. He even pledged not to resurrect any type of joint-mechanism to distribute tsunami relief throughout the country. Now, his government is attempting to prevent TRO from receiving vital funds for its humanitarian work. Because TRO operates in the North-East and its supply chain is routed through Sri Lanka’s capital, its funds are closely and regularly scrutinized by the government. None of these investigations have yielded findings other than further proof that TRO diligently works to improve the lives of those suffering in Sri Lanka. The groundless claims by Sri Lanka’s new Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera, during his recent to visit to Washington to slander the TRO should be contrasted to ground realities: TRO is the lifeline for Tamils in Northeast Sri Lanka, abandoned by the Sri Lankan government and much of the international community. Please do not allow the U.S. government to succumb to the efforts of Sri Lanka’s anti-minority administration to curtail the functioning of TRO-USA. This will brutally cut off minority communities from vital assistance and extinguish the lives and hopes of thousands. |
|
Jun 20, 2008 - Aftenposten
Peace brokers from around the world will once again gather for the annual Oslo Forum next week, to swap experience in conflict mediation. Participants include Mohammad Khatami, former president of Iran; Jonathan Powell, former chief of staff for ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Gareth Evans, president of the International Crisis Group. Read this article
As Sri Lanka's civil war escalates, so do attacks on its journalists
Jun 19, 2008 - AP
With civil war raging in Sri Lanka, the journalists trying to cover the conflict find themselves increasingly under siege. They have been hounded by the government, attacked by unknown assailants and accused of aiding the rebels. Many reporters have been arrested or fled the country, while others have resorted to self-censorship, journalists said.Read this article
Review of Sri Lanka under the Universal Periodic Review
Jun 14, 2008 - Amnesty International
Themes raised by member states participating in the review of Sri Lanka under the UPR dialogue included concerns related to the lack of protection of civilians caught in the internal conflict; enforced disappearances, unlawful/extrajudicial killings; torture and other forms of ill treatment, threats to freedom of expression, the need to strengthen national human rights institutions, attacks on dissent and ongoing impunity for human rights violations.
Read this article
Press freedom in Sri Lanka continues to deteriorate
Jun 13, 2008 - CPJ
The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by government’s policies toward journalists who write critically about the conflict between Sri Lanka’s military forces and Tamil secessionists. We have seen an increase in harassment, intimidation, and detention of reporters, many of whom are columnists in senior positions with well-established careers.
Read this article
S.Lanka says peace brokers can't visit rebel area
Jun 12, 2008 - Reuters
Sri Lanka has refused requests by Norwegian peace mediators to visit rebel territory, and said fresh peace talks hinged on Tamil Tiger guarantees to lay down arms and stick to a negotiation timetable. Nordic ceasefire monitors quit the country this year after the six-year Norway brokered truce disintegrated.
Read this article