Sri Lanka’s main Tamil opposition party, the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK), has expressed deep disappointment with the Government’s stance on accountability and reconciliation, following remarks made by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath at the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Monday (08).
Issuing a statement, the ITAK, which represents the Tamil-majority North, accused the Government of failing to make meaningful progress on a host of long-standing issues.
The party pointed to the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) despite amendments, the absence of an internal accountability mechanism, and the delay in repealing the controversial Online Safety Act.
The ITAK also raised concerns over the discovery of skeletal remains at Chemmani in Jaffna, now numbering 240, which it says provides clear evidence of genocidal intent and possible extra-judicial killings.
The party slammed the Government for failing to enlist international expertise to identify the victims, citing a lack of local forensic capacity.
It also condemned the Government’s postponement of Provincial Council elections, accusing it of using the delimitation process as a delaying tactic.
ITAK urged the NPP administration to support a Private Member’s Bill tabled by its MP, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, aimed at ensuring the immediate conduct of the polls.
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