Statistics on deaths during the war:  Department of Census and Statistics Sri Lanka 

The Census and Statistics Department of Sri Lanka released an official report on the deaths occurred in the five districts of Northern Province for the last four years of the war that ended in May 2009.  In 2009, a total of 7,934 died due to 'other deaths' and 2,523 died natural deaths.


Download EVE-2011 Full Report

Media Release: Ambassador Maj. General Silva has not been charged before any court of law by any credible authority

On Tuesday (21^st February 2012) evening, Madame Louise Fréchette, Chair of the Senior Advisory Group to consider rates of reimbursement to troop-contributing countries (SAG) asked Ambassador Maj. General Shavendra Silva, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, who is the representative of the Asia Pacific Group in the SAG to meet her. She had brusquely informed him that she will not let him enter the room where the discussions of the SAG were being held and will have him removed from the room, should he insist on coming into the room. She, of course, could not carry out this threat. Ambassador Silva participated in the meetings. Previously, he participated in the initial meetings of the SAG held on 19 and 20 January 2012. 

The approach of Madame Fréchette, who was once a very senior officer of this Organization was outrageous and high handed given that the United Nations is an Organization of Member-States governed by hallowed rules, regulations and etiquette. To make matters worse, she has actually said, “You may have been nominated by the Asia Pacific Group, but I will decide whether you participate or not”. Such an intolerant and superior attitude is fundamentally unacceptable in an organization which is representative of the entire international community. She was also observed trying to convince other members of the SAG individually to exclude Ambassador Silva, an act totally inconsistent with her role as Chair. 

Ambassador Maj. General Silva was appointed as a member of the SAG in accordance with GA resolution 65/289 and pursuant to the decision taken by the Asia Pacific Group after lengthy consideration. Accordingly, the Chair has no right to usurp authority to exclude Maj. General Silva from the SAG, contrary to the normal practice of the United Nations. Ambassador Silva has not been charged before any court of law by any credible authority and to seek to exclude him from a position in the UN is unfair and contrary to the principles of the United Nations- a public lynching without trial. 

Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations
New York

23 February 2012

SL rejects misleading and unethical communication allegedly sent by US

Sri Lanka strongly reject a statement sent to the missions in Geneva purportedly by the United States to garner support for a resolution backed by the US and Western countries against Sri Lanka. Read more...

The Geneva Carnival is on

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The XIX Session of the UN Human Rights Council opens on 27 February 2012 and is due to end on 23 March 2012. I have no intention of scoffing at human rights or being dismissive of the need to have international mechanisms in place to deal with serious violations of human rights. No fair-minded person should have any objections to the respect for human rights being accorded high priority at all levels – national, regional and global.  However, what is happening in Geneva in the name of human rights is quite curious, to put it mildly. Read more....

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GoSL won’t negotiate with US on HR Resolution – GL 

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War crimes did not take place in Sri Lanka; Opposition Leader

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He further stated that he does not accept the fact that war crimes have taken place in the country.