Shocking Video Evidence Confirms Tamil Genocide

An investigative video documentary aired by ABC’s Four Corners program last night showed convincing video evidence of executions, atrocities and the shelling of Tamil civilians during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka. Described by ABC as “one of the most confronting stories of war and conflict ever seen on Australian television”, this documentary confirms what the Tamil community has been stating for years – war crimes and a campaign of genocide was conducted by the Sri Lankan state against the Tamil people.

Sri Lanka’s military campaign against the Tamil Tigers which came to a bloody end on 18 May 2009, took the lives of up to 100,000 Tamil civilians. A report by a UN Expert Advisory Panel found credible allegations of war crimes and called for an independent international investigation into war crimes in the island. Sri Lanka however has vehemently opposed such an investigation.

Sri Lanka’s President is due to visit Perth for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting and with Sri Lanka competing with Australia to host the next Commonwealth Games, serious questions are being raised now of whether the island should be a member of the Commonwealth.

Furthermore, despite their counterparts in other western nations welcoming the findings of the report and backing the Panel’s recommendations, the Australian government has still not publicly commented on the report or on the issue of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

“With thousands of refugees from Sri Lanka arriving on our shores, our government fails to realise that Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses are affecting Australia too,” says Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “Our silence is helping the perpetrators escape with impunity,” she says.

Media contact:
Dr. Sam Pari, Spokesperson, Australian Tamil Congress – 0433 428 967

Ms. Varuni Bala, Australian Tamil Congress – 1300 660 629

Tamils Remember Loved Ones Two Years On

The Australian Tamil community will be mourning the loss of their loved ones and their homeland today, on the second anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s military campaign against the Tamil Tigers which came to a bloody end on 18 May 2009, took the lives of up to 100,000 Tamil civilians.

In April 2011, a report released by a UN Expert Advisory Panel found allegations of war crimes committed during the conflict in Sri Lanka to be credible, and called for an independent international investigation into war crimes in the island. Sri Lanka however has vehemently opposed such an investigation.

Despite their counterparts in other western nations welcoming the findings of the report and backing the Panel’s recommendations, to date neither Prime Minister Julia Gillard nor Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd have commented on the report.

“Two years on, Mr. Rudd has not broken his silence on the issue of war crimes in Sri Lanka,” says Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “With thousands of refugees from Sri Lanka arriving on our shores, he fails to realise that Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses is affecting Australia too,” she says.

Vigils and memorial events are planned in all major capital cities around Australia.

Media contact:
Dr. Sam Pari, Spokesperson, Australian Tamil Congress – 0433 428 967

Mr. Seran Sribalan, Australian Tamil activist – 0469 089 883

Tamils Hurt by Appointment of Alleged War Criminal as Diplomat,
Shocked at Government’s Continuing Silence on Sri Lankan War Crimes

The Australian Tamil community is shocked to hear that the appointment of an alleged war criminal as Sri Lanka's high commissioner has been approved by the Australian government.

Admiral Samarasinghe was a former Sri Lankan Navy commander. A report released a fortnight ago by a UN Expert Advisory Panel found allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka to be credible, and called for an independent international investigation into war crimes in the island. Sri Lanka however has vehemently opposed such an investigation. A fortnight later, Australia is yet to comment on the report.

The UN Expert Advisory Panel report outlines several war crimes, one of which includes the deliberate shelling near ICRC ships that were attempting to rescue injured civilians.

Despite their counterparts in other western nations welcoming the findings of the report and backing the Panel’s recommendations, to date neither Prime Minister Julia Gillard nor Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd have commented on the report.

“We are hurt and disappointed at Australia’s position on the issue of war crimes in Sri Lanka,” says Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “Sri Lanka’s human rights abuses are resulting in a humanitarian crisis at our doorstep with thousands of refugees arriving on our shores. If the US, UK and other western nations can comment on the Panel’s report, then why after a fortnight is our government silent when this issue affects us the most?” she asks.

Since the war ended in May 2009, Admiral Samarsinghe is the third former military officer to be posted overseas on a diplomatic mission.

Media contact:
Dr. Sam Pari, Australian Tamil Congress – 0433 428 967