It appears that the report released by SLMM chief pertaining to the killing of 17 employees of an NGO in Muthur has perturbed the Sri Lankan government. It has belatedly dawned upon the government that it should take remedial measures following waves of condemnation of violence in the island by the international community. It is only now the government is striving to make amends.

The announcement made by President Rajapakse through the state media that his government would invite an international, independent commission to investigate into killings, abductions and disappearances has to be viewed in that light.

There are charges of involvement by Sri Lankan security forces and the intelligent groups in the acts of violence such as killing of five innocent students at Trincomalee, assassinations of Suhirtharajan, media person whose photo evidence was aworry to the state, V.Vigneswaren, President of the Trincomalee People`s Front , Joseph Pararajasingam, Member of Parliament, the disappearances of 8 Tamil youths in Manthuvil, murders in Allaipitty and Vankalai and the attack on Uthayan office and Stores.

Many months have rolled by since these acts of violence took place. The question that arises in the minds of the victims of these acts of violence is that what purpose such a commission of inquiry would serve when investigations are undertaken so belatedly after the clues are lost or destroyed.

On the one hand the perpetrators of violence were not brought to book and on the other hand the government did not take appropriate steps to curb such violence. Therefore people can have no trust in the leadership of President Rajapakse that there would be a fair inquiry.

For example when 5 innocent Tamil students were killed mercilessly on January 2nd in Trincomalee, instead of ordering an investigation and arresting the suspects, certain authorities issued statements distorting the facts. No action has so far been taken against even one official for the distorted version instead the suspects move freely. It is because of such acts that Tamils are compelled to take law into their own hands.

The government has not given any indication whatsoever that any excesses by the security forces against innocent Tamil civilians will be dealt with severely. Instead by trying to deny, justify or fail to take action, the government has given wrong signal to the wrong doers.

The truth is there is no dedication on the part of the government to put an end to unlawful acts and violations of human rights.

An English translation of the Editorial in Uthayan, a Tamil daily, based in Jaffna

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