Sri Lanka: Dark Side of PTA

Change but No Change in Sri Lanka

Statement to mark one year since the issuing of the gag order,
travel restrictions and TID investigation against Sri Lankan human rights defender
Ruki Fernando
( March 22, 2015, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The 21st March 2015 will mark one
year since a court order restricting the freedom of expression on leading Sri Lankan
human rights defender and writer, Ruki Fernando was obtained by the Terrorist
Investigation Department (TID). Such restriction on freedom of expression of a prolific
writer and commentator on human rights issues such as Ruki, is unprecedented in
recent Sri Lankan history.

Ruki and another colleague were arrested on 16th March 2014 during a fact finding
mission to the war ravaged Northern part of the country. Both were released on 19th
March 2014 after massive national and international outrage. Immediately after his
release, Ruki gave interviews to local and international media. As a result of this, he
faced intimidation after his release and a fresh investigation was launched against him
by the TID. The TID also obtained Court Orders restriction Rukis overseas travels and
freedom of expression, and also confiscated communication equipment , all of which
are effective till today.
Rukis arrest had resulted in him being branded a traitor and terrorist supporter by
some media and Sinhalese nationalist groups, and the restriction on freedom of
expression had made it difficult for him to respond to such accusations and
defamation and defend himself. His human rights work locally and internationally as
well as personal life has been constrained by the need to go to courts each time he
needs to travel overseas. Even after obtaining court permission, he was compelled to
miss a flight when he was travelling overseas for a human rights conference and he had
faced delays, humiliation on other occasions he was travelling overseas for human
rights work, due to being stopped and questioned by the Immigration and State
Intelligence Service officers.
It is now more than 4 months since Rukis lawyers had made verbal and written
submissions to the Attorney Generals Department about the closure of the case and
lifting of the restrictions . There has been an indication of readiness to lift the travel
restriction. But the Attorney Generals Department and the TID has refused to close
the investigation, return the confiscated equipment and lift of the gag order.
This clearly indicates the continuing anti human rights and media freedom mind-set
of the security establishment and the insensitivity of the new political leadership
towards same. It shows that HRDs released from detention can be subjected to
continued harassments and restrictions, despite the new political leadership in Sri
Lanka. The conditions imposed on Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, a woman HRD released
on bail on 10th March 2015 after 362 days in detention, reaffirms this.
We the undersigned fully endorse and look forward to the day when all human
rights defenders and dissenters can be free from accusations of supporting terrorism
and are able enjoy their rights to express themselves and travel freely (as said by
Ruki ).
Signatures:
Individuals
1. Ainslie Joseph Convener/Chief Animator, Christian Alliance for Social Action
(CASA)
2. Amal de Chickera

3. Anberiya Hanifa
4. Anthony Jesudasan
5. B. Gowthaman
6. Balasingham Skanthakumar
7. Brito Fernando
8. Budi Tjahjono
9. Chamila Thushari
10. Damaris Wickremesekera
11. Deanne Uyangoda
12. Dr. Cheran Rudhramoorthy
13. Dr. Leonie Solomons Executive Director, Language Matters
14. Dr. Muhammad Muzzammil Cader Convener, Peoples Movement for NonViolence
15. Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives
(CPA)
16. Dr. Richard Perera
17. Dulan de Silva
18. E.M. Bandara Menike
19. Emil van der Poorten Community Activist seeking to uphold basic human rights
20. Faizun Zackariya Citizens Voice for Justice and Peace
21. Freddy Gamage Editor, Meepura Newspaper
22. Gajen Mahendra
23. Gamini Viyangoda
24. Godfrey Yogarajah Executive Director, World Evangelical Alliance Religious
Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)
25. Herman Kumara Convener, NAFSO
26. Ian Ferdinands
27. Indika Udugampola
28. Jake Oorloff
29. Jayampathi Bulathsinhala
30. Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala
31. Joanne Senn
32. Joe William
33. Jovita Arulanantham
34. K. Guruparan Attorney-at-Law
35. Kalani Subasinghe
36. Kelly Senanayaka
37. Krishan Rajapakshe
38. Krishna Subramaniam
39. Kusal Perera Journalist
40. Laaurence KWARK

41. Lesley Sirimane

42. M. Nilashani
43. M.M. Rahman Journalist, Mannar
44. Manjula Wediwardana
45. Marianne Johnpillai
46. Marisa de Silva
47. Melani Manel Perera Journalist
48. Melisha Yapa
49. Menaha Kandasamy Red Flag Womens Movement
50. Michaela Told
51. Monica Alfred
52. Nadarajah Gurupararan
53. Nalini Ratnarajah Women Human Rights Defender
54. Nicola Perera
55. Nilantha Ilangamuwa Journalist & Editor of Sri Lanka Guardian
56. Nilshan Fonseka
57. Nimal Perera CSM
58. Nimalka Fernando
59. Nirmala Rajasingam
60. P. Selvaratnam
61. P. Vijayashanthan Theatre Activist
62. P.N. Singham
63. Paba Deshapriya
64. Padmi Liyanage
65. Philip Setunga
66. Poddala Jayantha
67. Prof. Ajit Abeysekera
68. Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda University of Colombo
69. Prof. Jayantha Seneviratne University of Kelaniya
70. R.M.B Senanayake Retired C.C.S
71. Rajany Chandrasegaram
72. Ranjith Henayakaarachchi
73. Rasika Manobuddhi
74. Ravindra Chandralal
75. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph Bishop of Mannar
76. Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos
77. Rev. Fr. Sherard Jayawardane
78. Rev. Fr. T. L. R. Dominic
79. Rev. Jason J. Selvaraja Assembly of God, Chavakachcheri
80. Rev. Sr. Anne Perera- HF CSM
81. Rev. Sr. Deepa Fernando HF

82. Rev. Sr. Nichola

83. Rev. Sr. Noel Christine Fernando SCJM, Sri Lanka
84. Rohini Hensman Writer and Independent Scholar
85. Ruwandi Silva
86. S. R. Perera
87. S.C.C. Elankovan
88. Sampath Samarakoon
89. Senaka Wattegedara
90. Shantha D. Pathirana Human Rights Defender
91. Shreen Saroor
92. Sivasamy Sivarajan
93. Sunanda Deshapriya
94. Sunil Jayasekara
95. Suren D. Perera
96. T. Mathuri Attorney-at-Law
97. Tanuja Thurairajah Researcher
98. Tejshree Thapa
99. Udaya Kalupathirana
100. Udaya R. Tennakoon
101. V. Sanjeev
102. Visaka Dharmadasa
Organizations
103. Association of War Affected Women (AWAW)
104. INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre
105. National Peace Council (NPC)
106. Rights Now Collective for Democracy
Posted by Thavam