No democracy in Sri Lanka – TNA parliamentarian
[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 March 2009, 15:06 GMT]
“Abductions and other humanitarian violations in Colombo, the North and the East are escalating at an alarming rate which indicates that Sri Lanka is not a democratic country,” TNA member for Batticaloa district, Ms. K. Thangkeswari said speaking on the motion to extend the state of emergency for another month in Sri Lanka parliament, Wednesday. Another TNA MP, Sivanathan Kishore asked: “How can the International Community believe Sri Lanka government’s version of what is happening in Vanni is true when it has effectively expelled the international human organizations and media from there?"
“Most of the victims killed in the indiscriminate artillery shelling and aerial bombing by the government armed forces in Vanni are children and elderly. Pregnant mothers are also being killed; are these persons armed?” Sivanathan Kishore asked. “The government accuses the Liberation Tigers of conscripting children. This is a propaganda-loaded claim which the International Community takes for granted. How could the IC believe the government when they don't have international witnesses to monitor what is happening in Vanni now as all the humanitarian agencies and media have been expelled from Vanni by the government” he further questioned. Sivanathan Kishore told the House how the people in Vanni have to remain in the bunkers throughout the day fearing indiscriminate shelling and bombing, unable even to go out and bury their dead while the dead bodies are being dragged away by starving dogs. Sri Lanka armed forces have killed 70 civilians in November alone in Batticaloa district which has been confirmed by the public who witnessed before the inquiry commission appointed by the President of Sri Lanka, Thankeswary MP said.
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