A former member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group from 2010 to 2011, Sir Ronald Sanders, argues "it is time for the Commonwealth of Nations to suspend Sri Lanka from its councils", in an op-ed published in the Huntington News on Thursday.

See here for his full piece. Extracts published below:

"The Sri Lanka government has now seriously and persistently violated the principles to which every Commonwealth country has declared itself to be committed, and, according to the Commonwealth’s rules this is ground for suspension from its councils as a first step."

"Sri Lanka is an even bigger problem for the Commonwealth because it is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November.No time can now be wasted in deciding to shift the venue to another Commonwealth country."

"If Commonwealth Heads of Government turn-up in Sri Lanka, they would be sending an unacceptable signal to the world community that governments that violate human rights and the rule of law can do so without fear of censure.  If Heads go to Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth can discard its brand as a ‘values based association” and start looking for something else to justify its existence.  But, whoever remains in it, it would cease to be respected by the people of its own countries and the international community."

"In this connection, the government of Canada should be complemented for trying for over a year to restrain the government of Sri Lanka from its excesses and to hold it to account for human rights abuses arising from a war with the Tamil Tigers that ended in 2009.  The Sri Lanka government has refused to allow an independent inquiry into the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians during the conflict between government forces and the Tamil Tigers as well as a worsening human rights situation."

"Canadian Prime Minister  Stephen Harper has now indicated that his government wants Sri Lanka to be discussed at the next meeting of CMAG [Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group].  Both opposition parties in Canada have gone further calling on Harper to declare that he would boycott the CHOGM if it is held in Sri Lanka."

“Though it could not be pinpointed the visit instigated solely because of the impeachment, the latter played a bigger role in their basic needs expected to address. They will be focusing on the progress of reconciliation, improvement of human rights condition and democracy in the country. As far as their main target is carrying out background study in view of the UNHRC session in March”.

A central committee member of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Kandeepan Thangarajah, has been threatened by Sri Lankan security forces and paramilitary group EPDP over his presence at protests against sand mining. 

Speaking to local residents at the protest whilst Thangarajah was not present, Point Pedro police and members of the paramilitary group, EPDP, accused Thangarajah of instigating the protests and warned protesters that he would be arrested if the protests did not stop.

Meanwhile, Thangarajah's wife has reportedly been receiving several phone calls from a Sri Lankan Army Officer to her mobile phone.

In July last year, Thangarajah's home was attacked with stones and crude oil, shortly after he joined his local residents to protest against the sand mining.

Members of the Gurunagar Jaffna police force visited the TNPF Jaffna office on two separate occasions yesterday, asking questions about future protests.

On the first visit, the officers demanded to know if there were any protests planned in the near future, to which TNPF members reportedly replied no. Later in the day, the police officers returned asking whether the TNPF had been invited to partake in someone else's protest. It is not known which protest they were alluding to.

In their annual survey on political rights and civil liberties, Freedom House ranked Sri Lanka as “Not Free”, downgrading them significantly.
 
The report, entitled “Freedom in the World 2013”, stated that Sri Lanka suffered one of the biggest declines this year, losing 9 points from 2009.

The group cited “increasing corruption and an attempt to impeach the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court” as reasons for the country’s decline.

Sri Lanka’s press has already been deemed “not free” by the US-basad group.

The choice of Sri Lanka as British Airways’ top recommendation for travel in 2013 has been criticised as irresponsible and unethical by Labour MP Simon Danczuk.

Mr Danczuk discouraged travel to Sri Lanka in his blog for the Huffington Post, citing the denial of justice to his constituent Khuram Sheikh, who was murdered in 2011, and international concern over human rights violations.

See extracts below:

He was shot and stabbed by a gang of drunken thugs at a hotel overlooking white sands and an azure sea shimmering under the sun. Fringed by palm trees with a warm sea breeze coming off the Indian Ocean, his place of death seemed the perfect holiday, a veritable tropical paradise.

But scratch beneath the idyllic veneer and there is another side to Sri Lanka that you won't find mentioned in glossy holiday brochures. There is a hint of it, though, on the Government's travel advice page at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Here you'll find a warning that sexual attacks in Sri Lanka are increasing. Last year saw 700 child rapes in the first six-months alone with politicians from the country's governing party named as suspects in several cases.

It is not only irresponsible but unethical of BA to be promoting a country with an appalling human rights record that has shown little interest in investigating the murder of a British national at one of their leading resorts.

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The International Crisis Group has today released a report, accusing the Sri Lankan state of dismantling of its "independent judiciary system" and leaving "Sri Lanka's battered democracy on life support."

The report also noted that Sri Lanka's insistence of investigating its own shortcomings and war crime allegations, were made implausible as one of the last 'independent' institutions, the court, is dismantled.

See here for the TG view of Sri Lanka's previously 'functioning' independent judiciary system.

Highlighting Sri Lanka's violations of basic Commonwealth principles, the report asserted that member states should call on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to put Sri Lanka on the agenda, whilst shifting the location of the next Commonwealth heads of government meeting, which is currently set to take place in Sri Lanka.

Addressing the upcoming session at the Human Rights Council (HRC), the report urged member states to work towards a strong follow up on last year's resolution, and call for an independent investigation into all credible allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, following the Sri Lankan government's failure to implement significant portions of the recommendations made last year.

The report went on to outline the ICG's conclusions, which echoed the longstanding Tamil civic society rhetoric, regarding the demeanour of the Sri Lankan government.

"There have been no credible investigations into war crimes, disappearances or other serious human rights violations;"

"No independent institutions for investigation or accountability have been established; instead the regime has dismantled the last traces of judicial independence through its assault on the chief justice;"

"Rather than moving towards a lasting and fair constitutional settlement of the ethnic conflict through meaningful power sharing, the president and his brothers have expressed their intention to repeal or weaken the already limited provincial powers granted under the 13th Amendment."

"Despite the council many others calling for the demilitarisation of the Tamil-majority northern province, the Sri Lankan military continues to control virtually all aspects of life in the north, with the civil administration intimidated and sidelined."

"The government has cracked down hard on Tamil protest in the north, wit peaceful demonstrations disrupted by the military, students arrested on the groundless charges of working with the LTTE and other forms of dissent denied."

The post mortem examination of the dead body of an elderly Tamil woman reveals that she was murdered before her body was dumped.

The body, found in a well in Jaffna, was indentified as that of 78 year old Pushpam by her children.

The Sri Lankan Air Force has opened a kindergarten for Tamil children in Batticaloa.

A report on the Defence Ministry’s website says that the pre-school will be run by “qualified personnel of the SLAF who have undergone specialised training in language and Pre-School teaching”.

The report further says that the SLAF has undertaken a number of community development projects in the northeast of the island, including the conducting of free medical clinics, construction of school building and operation of pre-schools.

Members of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) provided flood relief to residents affected by the heavy rains and floods in Mannar.

Members, including Selvarajah Kajendran, Sathiyaseelan, Sivapaatham Kajendrakumar, Krishnagopal and Benedict, distributed the flood relief items comprising of donations by an Oslo based Tamil diaspora organisation.

Several Canadian MPs have extended their Pongal wishes to the Tamil community in Canada.

Minister Jason Kennedy, the leader of the opposition Tom Mulcair, NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak were amongst those who sent their wishes.

See below for statements and extracts.

Leader of the NDP Tom Mulcair

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kennedy

“This day of gratitude is celebrated by all those in the Tamil community around the world in the company of friends and family. For all Canadians, Thai Pongal provides an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that Canada’s Tamil community has made to our country’s rich and diverse heritage. I offer my best wishes to all those celebrating Thai Pongal.”

Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak

“Many of our friends in the Tamil-Canadian community will gather with loved ones this week to observe the festival, which traditionally gives thanks for a plentiful harvest.

“Whether you celebrate in your home or at temple, this is a time to look forward to new beginnings and what this year has to offer.

“In Ontario, it’s also an opportunity for us to recognize the numerous achievements of our Tamil-Canadian community.

“You are outstanding leaders, whether in business, the public service or the community. You’ve set up successful companies, creating jobs for countless people. You’re raising families and giving back to the community – teaching younger generations how to be exceptional citizens.

“Given the hardships that so many Tamil-Canadians faced just to come to our country, these truly are achievements for which we should give thanks.

NDP MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan

"I extend my warmest Pongal greetings to all Canadians of Tamil heritage who are celebrating the birth of the month of Thai with their families and friends. As the Tamil saying goes: “When Thai is born, new beginnings are born.”

"On behalf of the entire New Democrat caucus, I wish everyone celebrating Thai Pongal a joyful harvest festival.

Liberal leader Bob Rae

“With its long and cherished traditions, Thai Pongal is an occasion to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of Tamil Canadians across the country. The achievements and deep commitment to community by generations of Tamils here in Canada continue to enliven the cultural diversity of our great country.

"On behalf of the Liberal Party of Canada and our Parliamentary Caucus, allow me to extend my warmest Pongal wishes to everyone for a wonderful Thanksgiving.”

Commenting on the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the spokesperson for the US State Department, Victoria Nuland, said:

"We are deeply concerned about the impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake. The impeachment proceedings against her were conducted, as you know, in defiance of the Supreme Court order. And from our perspective, this impeachment raises serious questions about the separation of powers in Sri Lanka, which is a fundamental tenet of a healthy democracy. Throughout these proceedings, we’ve repeatedly conveyed to the Government of Sri Lanka our concern that there was a lack of due process, and we’ve also made very clear our view that actions undermining an independent judiciary would impact on Sri Lanka’s ability to attract foreign investment."

"I would also note that we weren’t alone in our concern. The United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations have all issued statements expressing strong concerns about this process."

Asked whether she believed Sri Lanka was moving towards an authoritarian regime, Nuland said:

"Look, we think that there are serious questions about the health and future of Sri Lanka’s democracy and that they really need to roll up their sleeves and work on it."