Colombo, Sri Lanka: The conflicts in the North –East have not ceased despite appeals made by the pope and the United Nations Secretary General. Although a humanitarian problem has arisen in the North–East since Jaffna peninsula is cut off from the rest of the Island and a large number of people have been displaced from their homes, there is no genuine concern for the sufferings of the people.

Since there is no likelihood of any interaction between the LTTE and the government, no guarantee can be ensured to undertake humanitarian relief measures in the North-East.

In this background certain matters referred to in the report issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission become very significant. When killings were reported, no investigations had been made. Nor any International bodies were permitted to conduct necessary inquiries. In certain cases, the dead bodies had been burnt to destroy any clues.

International media complain that they are unable to visit the areas of conflict. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission and other international Organizations that were able to at least ascertain the number of persons dead or injured are unable to pursue their activities in the North-East. The killings of 17 employees of a French Non-governmental Organization and the failure to conduct inquiries into these killings only indicate disinclination to show respect for human lives and human rights.

The Commission has further stated that there is no atmosphere to stop the killings and the displacement of people.Actually, International community is helpless. It is unable to save the people from destruction. People long whether the International community can in any way help to save them from the present tragedy.

Asian Human Rights Commission has stated that a great responsibility lies on the UN to find ways and means of saving these people.

An English translation of editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily, based in Colombo

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