SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka marks third anniversary of the end of the war against Tamil Tiger rebels with a military march through Colombo

Record ID: 860622

  • Title: SRI LANKA: Sri Lanka marks third anniversary of the end of the war against Tamil Tiger rebels with a military march through Colombo
  • Date: 20th May 2012
  • Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (MAY 19, 2012) (REUTERS) CEREMONIAL ESCORT
  • Embargoed: 4th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sri Lanka
  • City:
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: Conflict,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4RMCGXA82QZUL6W3MMLKB5AO2
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Sri Lanka on Saturday (May 19) marked the third anniversary of the end of the war with Tamil Tigers.
    Tens of thousands of civilians were killed in 2009 in the final months of Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war, a United Nations panel said last year, as government troops advanced on the ever-shrinking northern tip of the island controlled by Tamil forces fighting for an independent homeland.
    The U.N. panel said it had "credible allegations" that Sri Lankan troops and the Tamil Tigers both carried out atrocities and war crimes, and singled out the government for most of the responsibility for the deaths.
    Sri Lanka has acknowledged that some civilians were killed in the last months of the offensive, but says the numbers cited by the U.N. panel are vastly exaggerated. The U.N Human Rights Council has said the country should ensure government troops who committed war crimes towards the end of its war against Tamil rebels are brought to justice.
    Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the nation said they were carrying out the recommendations of a local panel, the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
    "We appointed the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with great expectations of bringing about reconciliation among communities. We are already carrying out what we can agree to and can implement among the recommendations of the LLRC. This is not due to any pressure from anyone. We will not abandon our responsibilities. I believe the countries of the world should understand this when they see the service we have done in three years to the Tamil people of the North, whose freedom we have restored. Therefore, we cannot allow this report of the commission appointed to bring about reconciliation among people to be used to create divisions among people," he said.
    The military sealed off the capital's colonial-era Fort district along the waterfront for a show of military might and celebration of victory in a war long viewed as un-winnable, which Sri Lanka declared won on May 19, three years ago.
    Tanks and armoured cars rolled across the Galle Face Green, while soldiers marched before assembled politicians and diplomats as part of the day's events.
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