Amnesty International South Asia has warned that Sri Lanka’s failure to deliver credible investigations into wartime abuses continues to undermine reconciliation and durable peace, in a statement marking the 17th anniversary of the end of the armed conflict.
“The commemoration underscores the continued and urgent need for truth, justice, and reparations for the credible allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed during the conflict, as documented by United Nations investigations,” the organisation said.
The group noted that despite pledges by successive governments, including the current administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, “entrenched impunity” persists and survivors remain without redress. Amnesty stressed that accountability is essential both for reconciliation and for Sri Lanka to meet its obligations under international law.
Thousands of Tamil survivors and families gathered at Mullivaikkal today to remember those who died in the closing phase of the war, with community representatives reiterating that meaningful engagement with the government depends on addressing longstanding grievances and securing accountability for past abuses.
“We stand in solidarity with their pursuit of justice,” Amnesty International South Asia said.
The commemoration runs in parallel with the state-led National Victory Day ceremony at Battaramulla on May 19, which the Ranaviru Seva Authority says will for the first time include Tamil and Muslim war hero families from the Northern and Eastern provinces. The war ended on May 18, 2009 with the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran at Nandikadal lagoon, closing three decades of armed conflict.
Sources: Newswire.
