Current Context/ Political Drama this week

So anyway, less background more current. That last post was sort of an attempt to explain why things have been so crazy in the weeks since I've gotten here. As of late, the UN has put some pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka to submit to an investigation of war crimes for the events of the final months of the war. The United States sent a panel to interview and question people. Samantha Power, the leading genocide expert in the United States was here. This was a huge deal (SIPA people understand) but her visit got little to no mention in the press, which is mostly government owned and controlled. At the same time the North province has been cut off for foreigners. I can only gain access with special permission from the ministry of defence. There is no likelihood of that, and I'd normally flaunt the rules and charm my way past, but in this case, if you get caught you're probably jailed forever. There will be no visits to the northern province for me this summer!

The European Union also put pressure on the government via a trade deal. The trade deal, known as the GSP came with a list of agreements. This time the agreements had everything to do with war victims and lists of dead combatants. Let's just say that this 17 point list was not well received, in fact it was rejected by the government.


The government sees itself as victors in a war on terror and their ends justify whatever means they used. Rajapaksa, the president says that he wants to protect the dignity of the war heroes. That pretty much means the government will not tolerate any sort of inquiry or questioning from anyone. Yes, it makes them look like they have a huge amount of things to hide. I know. But SL sees it as an attack on their sovereignty. A comparison to the United States is usually made, where the US would never submit to an inquiry in the international criminal court for any accusations for events in Iraq, Gauntanamo or Afghanistan. I understand and agree with the reality of that sentiment, but it doesn't make the situation any better.

So this brings us to last week. Last week was particularly dramatic as the UN continued to push for a panel. In this time, one parliament member suggested that Sri Lankan citizens storm the UN to show their contempt for the panel. Over the weekend the minister backtracked and said that it was not to be taken as a threat. Well, people prepared themselves and "besieged" the UN office, blocking all the workers in it. They set up a stage in front of the office. Police officers looked on, all but condoning this crowd burning a Ban Ki Moon in effigy with posters that said "Ban Ki Pimp, US Puppet, Ruiner of the UN." Harsh words, also many parliament members were protesting. The UN had to shut down operations for several days. In that time Wimal Weerawansa, the minster of Housing, and a very popular parliament member announced he would fast unto death to get the United Nations to drop the panel.
So imagine a man dramatically laying on a bed, refusing food and water for two days, in the street outside the UN compound with tons of cameras and press around. Total farce. The government promised no harm would be done to UN employees but made no efforts to try to stop or break up the protests. This went on for 5 days straight. The hunger strike lasted about 2 days.

Disclaimer- these crowds were nonviolent, and I was banned from seeing the protests by my office.

So there it stands, the political drama of the week.