CENWOR letter regarding violence against women (Sri Lanka) Tue, 8 Feb 2000 04:21:34 -0500 Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Thu, 3 Feb 2000 23:30:15 -0600 (CST) Grassroots Media Network 21st January, 2000 H.E.Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Presidential Secretariat Colombo 01 Your Excellency, As a women's group that is concerned with the ugly and continnuously increasing incidence of violence in Sri Lanka, we request the authorities to take immediate steps to address the following matters. (1) H.E.President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga has ordered an immediate investigation into the gang rape and murder of Ms. Sarathambal of Pungudutivu. Yet no action to conduct an investigation appears to have been taken. We call for an immediate investigation and report on this case, using law enforcement agencies from another area, to ensure impartiality and credibility to the process. (2) The Sarathambal case is similar to the one perpetrated against Krishanthy Kumaraswamy. We request the Service Commanders to inform the public of preventive measures being taken to ensure that such acts of violence are not perpetrated by the service personnel. We call for in particular, linkages between the Kotalawela Defence Academy and the Human Rights organisations to ensure that the subject of violence against women is introduced into the training of military personnel. Yours faithfully, Prof. Swarna Jayaweera Co-ordinator On behalf of the Board Members of CENWOR Dr. Wimala de Silva Ms. Kiran Dhanapala Mrs. Malsiri Dias Prof. Savitri Goonesekere Dr. Kumari Jayawardena Prof. Swarna Jayaweera Ms Kala Peiris Ms.Kala Peiris Dr. Gameela Samarasinghe Ms. Thana Sanmugam Prof. Priyani de Soysa Ms. Leelangi Wanasundera Ms. Kamalini Wijayatilake cc. Commander, Sri Lanka Army Commander, Sri Lanka Navy Commander, Sri Lanka Air Force Inspector General of Police Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence The Minister, Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, & National Integration Deputy Minister, Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, & National Integration Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, & National Integration 21st January, 2000 H.E.Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaranatunga President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat Colombo 01. Your Excellency, As a women's group that is concerned with the ugly and continuously increasing incidence of violence in Sri Lanka, we request the authorities to take immediate steps to address the following matters. Sri Lanka witnessed in the year 1999, the phenomenon of women voters and party activists being stripped in election related violence. We call upon all General Secretaries of political parties to monitor the conduct of campaigns of all electorates to prevent such acts of violence. For over 60 years, women have executed their right to political participation without facing these acts of humuliation and violence. Preventive and punitive measures from within the administration of political parties should be taken to ensure that supporters and organisers understand that such behaviour is not acceptable. We call for a strong commitment in this regard from all political parties and their leaders before the next General Election. Yours faithfully Prof. Swarna Jayaweera Coordinator On behalf of the Board Members of CENWOR Dr. Wimala de Silva Ms. Kiran Dhanapala Mrs. Malsiri Dias Prof. Savitri Goonesekere Dr. Kumari Jayawardena Prof. Swarna Jayaweera Ms Kala Peiris Ms.Kamala Peiris Dr. Gameela Samarasinghe Ms. Thana Sanmugam Prof. Priyani de Soysa Ms. Leelangi Wanasundera Ms. Kamalini Wijayatilake cc. Secretary, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi Secretary, Eelvar Democratic Front Secretary, Eelam People's Democratic Party Secretary, Eelam People's Revolutionalry Liberation Front Secretary, Eelam National Democratic Liberation Front Secretary, United Lalith Front Secretary, United Socialist Alliance Secretary, Upcountry People's Front Secretary, The National Union of Workers Secretary, Jatika Vimukthi Peramuna Secretary, People's Liberation Solidarity Front Secretary, National Unity Alliance Secretary, Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation Secretary, Tamil United Liberation Front Secretary, Desha Vimukthi Janatha Pakshaya Secretary, New Left Front Secretary, Nava Sama Samaja Party Secretary, People's Alliance Secretary, Democratic United National Front Secretary, Democratic Workers' Congress (P Wing) Secretary, Democratic People's Liberation Front Secretary, People's Freedom Front Secretary, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna Secretary, Muslim United Liberation Front Secretary, Ceylon Workers' Congress (P Wing) Secretary, Lanka Sama Samaja Party Secretary, The Liberal Party Secretary, People's Front of Liberation Tigers Secretary, Sri Lanka Freedom Party Secretary, Sri Lanka Progressive Front Secretary, Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya Secretary, Sri Lanka Muslim Katchi Secretary, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Secretary, All Ceylon Tamil Congress Secretary, Sinhalaye Mahasammatha Boomiputhra Pakshaya Inspector General of Police The Minister, Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs, & National Integration ===== Center for Justice and Peace in South Asia Centre pour la justice et paix en Asie sud An advocacy group for Indigenous and Minority Rights ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytfem-02.08.00-04:21:34-12343