LLRC: 2nd day in Trincomalee District

202 Complains from Muttur. People criticize UN and INGOs.

by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon

(December 05, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka Guardian) There was a heavy emphasis on land issues during the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) session at Muttur yesterday (December 4.) Furthermore many displaced individuals from adjoining Sampur raised many questions not only about government responsibility but also the inaction of other relevant institutions, including international NGOs and UN said in a press release by Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon, the Executive Director of Center for Human Rights (CHR) Sri Lanka.

Altogether 202 submissions were collected at Muttur, 93 complaints on missing persons, 60 on detainees, 19 relating to abductions and 40 other complaints, mostly on land issues. It is the first time that such a high number of submissions on land issues were presented to the LLRC, however it is not surprising considering that thousands lost their property with the establishment of an High Security Zone (HSZ) at adjoining Sampur.

Centre for Human Rights (CHR) is pleased to note that there were considerable public participation at both sessions held in Trincomalee and urges the LLRC to do everything possible to turn the enthusiasm of the people to trust by taking swift and positive action.

In addition the LLRC allocated six hours for the people to give oral submissions and CHR commends this decision. CHR had been requesting in public, the commission to reserve more time for the ordinary citizens who have lost their loved ones/property to express their grief and concerns to an official that they believe have the power to resolve their issues.

The sessions at Trincomalee shows that there are lots of issues that needs to be addressed immediately and that authorities, NGOs and international community including UN, seem to have forgotten the East and have focused all their energy, resources and attention to Vanni. There are serious concerns regarding land issues and whether the government and other related INGOs are properly carrying out their mandate and the LLRC’s proposed visit to Ampara next month would most likely provide more points to ponder.