Tamils CanNot Rely on Sri Lanka’s Elusive Promises Any Longer

“They’re trampling on our graves with their boots,” lamented a Tamil woman named Kavitha, standing in ankle-deep mud at a former cemetery in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. The cemetery, where her brother and other fallen Tamil rebels were once laid to rest, has long been bulldozed, replaced by a sprawling military base. Scenes like this capture the anguish and betrayal felt by Sri Lanka’s Tamil community, who years after the civil war’s end, still face militarization, discrimination, and broken promises at the hands of the state. For decades, successive Sri Lankan governments have pledged reconciliation, justice, and equality for Tamils, only to renege repeatedly once international pressure waned. These hollow assurances – often given to "Delay or seek to gain support internationally" – have led to a pattern of deceit so routine that many observers label it “Ranil’s Fox Tactics", denoting the cunning, sly maneuvers used to dodge obligations.

Today, frustration in the Tamil homeland is at a fever pitch. Over 15 years since the war’s end, Tamil families are still searching for missing loved ones, political prisoners languish without trial, and the promised political settlement remains a mirage. Yet Colombo continues to stall and offer elusive promises instead of real change. The message from Tamils is clear: enough is enough. They can no longer trust the Sri Lankan government’s word – immediate international action is needed to ensure justice, rights, and a durable peace. This blog post unpacks the decades-long saga of broken commitments, the ongoing plight of Tamils, the legal obligations Sri Lanka has breached, and what the world must do *now* to hold Sri Lanka accountable. The tone is urgent, but also hopeful that with global support, the cycle of deception can finally be broken and Tamil aspirations realized.

Ranil’s Fox Tactics: The Pattern of Empty Promises

Sri Lanka’s leaders have mastered the art of saying one thing and doing another. “Ranil’s Fox Tactics” refers to the cunning strategy of delay and deception that Colombo has employed for years to placate Tamil demands and deflect international scrutiny. Rather than implementing real reforms, the government often strings along the Tamil community and global observers with empty promises, much like a sly fox evading capture. Key elements of Ranil’s Fox Tactics include:

Stalling with “Homegrown Solutions”:

Sri Lankan officials frequently ask for “time and space” to work out domestic solutions, only to use that time to pursue their agenda against Tamil interests. The Tamil National Alliance warned as early as 2012 that, given leeway, the government simply entrenches power at the center and silences Tamil voices despite assurances to the contrary. In short, delays are not used to make progress, but to stall and avoid accountability.

Making Commitments on the International Stage – Then Backtracking:

It is common for Colombo to pledge reforms in international forums and then quietly abandon them at home. For example, the government co-sponsored a UN Human Rights Council resolution in 2015 promising a hybrid court to prosecute war crimes, only to backtrack and reassure its Sinhala nationalist base that no soldier would ever be tried. Sri Lanka’s history is replete with such about-faces, from unfulfilled peace accords to ignored UN recommendations. As one analysis describes “defiance and delaying tactics” – asking for deadline extensions and offering *“lame excuses”* – have defined Sri Lanka’s response to its own commitments.

Doubling Messages for Different Audiences:

A core feature of these tactics is the government’s double-speak. Leaders tell the international community and Tamil representatives that they will pursue reconciliation and minority rights, yet simultaneously tell their Sinhala-majority electorate the opposite. For instance, even as the 2015 government spoke of accountability to the UN, it promised at home that “no Sri Lankan soldier will face a war crimes tribunal,” undermining the very justice process it agreed to. This duplicitous approach ensures no real change occurs, while keeping external critics at bay.

Creating Token Institutions to Mollify Critics:

Another sly maneuver is establishing commissions or offices to signal progress – without empowering them to achieve anything meaningful. The government set up bodies like the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and reconciliation commissions under international pressure, but Tamil families and activists widely reject these as window dressing. Indeed, the state continues to block or interfere with their work, and even opposes the UN’s ongoing evidence-gathering initiative on Sri Lankan war crimes. Such steps give an illusion of action while preserving the status quo.

These Ranil’s Fox Tactics have enabled Colombo to “escape its obligations by merely making empty promises of reform,” as Tamil leaders have lamented. The result is a cycle of impunity – Sri Lanka evades censure, no one is held accountable, and Tamil grievances fester. Recognizing this pattern is crucial: without external enforcement, promises made by the Sri Lankan state have proven to be worthless. Tamils have learned this through bitter experience, which is why they now insist that *international guarantors* oversee any future commitments. The world must not be fooled again by clever rhetoric – truth and accountability must be demanded, not just deferred with clever words.

Historical Injustices and Broken Promises

To understand Tamil distrust, one must look at the historical record of Sri Lanka’s broken promises and systemic injustices since independence. The Tamil people, who hail from the island’s north and east, have faced marginalization and state violence for decades, despite numerous agreements and assurances that were supposed to address their grievances. Key historical milestones include:

Post-Independence Discrimination:

Upon gaining independence in 1948, Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) quickly abandoned the notion of equal citizenship. The new government passed discriminatory laws targeting Tamils, such as the 1948 Citizenship Act that denationalized up to a million Tamil plantation workers of Indian origin, and the “Sinhala Only” Official Language Act of 1956 that made Sinhala the sole official language. These acts effectively rendered Tamils second-class citizens in their own land. Notably, these policies violated even the minimal minority safeguards in the British-era constitution, demonstrating an early willingness to break principles of fairness.

State-Aided Demographic Change:

Throughout the 1950s–1970s, the government undertook schemes to alter the ethnic makeup of traditionally Tamil areas. Sinhala settlers were incentivized to move into the Eastern Province, diluting the Tamil-speaking majority. The effects were stark – between 1947 and 1981, the Sinhala population in the Eastern Province ballooned by 883%, far outpacing natural growth. Such colonization, backed by the state, upended local demographics and was aimed at undermining Tamil political strength in the North-East. Tamils saw this as a blatant breach of their rights and earlier assurances that their homeland and way of life would be respected.

Aborted Autonomy Agreements:

In response to Tamil protests against discrimination, Sinhala leaders initially entered into pacts to devolve power. The Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact of 1957 and the Senanayake–Chelvanayakam Pact of 1965 promised limited regional autonomy and recognition of Tamil language rights. However, both agreements were unilaterally abrogated under pressure from Sinhala extremists. Each time, Tamil leaders compromised for a peaceful solution, and each time the government withdrew its promise once hardliners objected. These betrayals deeply eroded Tamil faith in negotiated settlements – the message received was that even written agreements with Prime Ministers could be torn up if Sinhala nationalists protested loudly enough.

Constitutional Entrenchment of Inequality:

In 1972, Sri Lanka adopted a new constitution that entrenched majority supremacy. It declared Buddhism the state’s foremost religion and Sinhala the primary language, while scrapping previous minority protections. This was done without Tamil consent, effectively enshrining Tamil subordination in the supreme law. The promised inclusive Ceylon of independence thus morphed into a Sinhala-Buddhist nation-state where Tamils’ status as equal citizens was nullified. Peaceful Tamil opposition to these changes was met with apathy or repression, sending a clear signal that the political system would not honour Tamil rights.

Pogroms and the Turn to Armed Resistance:

Broken political promises often gave way to outbreaks of anti-Tamil violence. Major pogroms in 1958, 1977, and 1983 saw Sinhala mobs attack Tamil homes and lives with impunity. The worst was “Black July” 1983, when an anti-Tamil massacre in Colombo left thousands of Tamils dead or fleeing, after the government failed to control (and some allege, even stimulated) the violence. These atrocities convinced many young Tamils that peaceful appeals were futile, fueling the rise of Tamil militant movements, notably the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). A brutal civil war erupted in 1983, lasting 26 years. Successive governments promised at various times to address Tamil grievances – including through the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987, which led to the 13th Amendment on paper devolution – but failed to fully implement any meaningful power-sharing. The war raged on, marked by massive human rights violations on both sides.

War’s End and “No Fire Zone” Massacres:

The conflict climaxed in May 2009 when Sri Lankan forces defeated the LTTE. In those final months, tens of thousands of Tamil civilians perished as the military relentlessly bombarded designated “No Fire Zones” – supposed safe areas that instead became killing fields. Entire families were shelled or starved, hospitals were hit, and surrendering rebels were executed. The government promised to protect civilians, yet what unfolded in Mullivaikkal was described by many as a genocidal onslaught. This shocking violence was followed by mass detention of survivors in militarized camps. International outcry led President Mahinda Rajapaksa to assure the UN that he would pursue reconciliation and a political solution acceptable to Tamils. But once again, those words proved elusive. In the decade and a half since 2009, not a single soldier or official has been held accountable for the massacres; instead, suspected war criminals have been promoted, and the promised political solution has not materialized.

Sri Lanka’s post-independence history is thus a graveyard of peace pacts, commitments, and assurances – all broken. Each betrayed promise deepened Tamil alienation and set the stage for the next crisis. From linguistic equality to regional autonomy to wartime protection of civilians, successive governments said what was needed to calm criticism, only to default later. This legacy has understandably left Tamils deeply skeptical of any new promises from Colombo. It also underscores why international guarantees are seen as essential, because domestic guarantees have proven worthless. As one Tamil commentary pointed out, these “stark reminders of disturbing ramifications of broken promises” have led to recurring conflict and suffering. If the cycle is to be broken, the pattern of Sri Lanka saying one thing and doing another must be confronted head-on.

Ongoing Plight of Tamils Today

Despite the war’s end in 2009, life for Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka’s north and east remains harsh and highly militarized. The absence of active combat has not translated into genuine peace or normalcy for the Tamil people. Instead, the Sri Lankan state continues to treat the Tamil homeland as conquered territory, imposing heavy military presence and depriving Tamils of their rights and dignity. Promises of change have yielded little on the ground. Some of the pressing issues Tamils face today include:

Military Occupation of Civilian Life:

To this day, Sri Lanka’s north and east (the traditional Tamil areas) are under what feels like military occupation. Over 15 years after the war, Sri Lankan troops remain deeply embedded in daily civilian affairs – far beyond any reasonable security need. Soldiers are seen supervising schools, running farms and shops, and “monitoring” cultural and religious events. Under the guise of development or charity, the military conducts activities that often intimidate locals. For example, army units run youth programs in Tamil schools and even tourism ventures on seized land. Tamil residents view this omnipresent military role as a form of control and surveillance, preventing them from exercising normal civic freedoms. The promised “demilitarization” of the north-east has simply not happened – in fact, Sri Lanka’s military budget doubled in the years after the war, suggesting no intent to scale back the army’s footprint.

Land Grabs and Homecomings Denied:

Large swathes of Tamil land remain occupied by the security forces. During and after the war, the military appropriated tens of thousands of acres of private and public land, displacing local populations. Many of those lands have not been returned, despite repeated announcements of releases. Even when land is released, it is often in poor condition – homes and farms are destroyed or filled with debris, making it hard for displaced families to rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, the military has built its own installations (and even business ventures like resorts) on some of the most fertile and scenic Tamil lands. Tens of thousands of war-displaced Tamils remain unable to return to their villages, and over 100,000 Tamil refugees are still languishing in India, unwilling to come home to an occupied homeland. Sri Lanka’s new president recently promised to finally return these lands, but Tamils recall that though such promises had been made before, they were never fully kept. Each delay breeds deeper mistrust.

Enforced Disappearances and Families in Agony:

One of the most painful legacies of the conflict is the fate of the disappeared. Thousands of Tamil youth (including former fighters who surrendered) vanished at the end of the war, and many hundreds more were “white vanned” (abducted) by state agents during and after the war. For years, *families of the missing have protested* continuously, demanding to know if their loved ones are alive or dead. Mothers and fathers have been burning tires on roadsides and holding vigils with photos of the missing for well over 2,000 days now, yet no answers have been provided. The government set up the Office on Missing Persons, but families have “unequivocally” declared they have no faith in it, seeing it as a toothless body that has failed to even name those disappeared, let alone hold perpetrators accountable. This endless wait for truth — a basic humanitarian demand — has turned hope into heartbreak. Every passing day without information is a cruel injustice to these families.

Political Prisoners and Draconian Laws:

Another ongoing injustice is the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) – a draconian law from the civil war era – to detain Tamils without charge or trial. Dozens of Tamil political prisoners arrested during the conflict (some as far back as the 1990s) *remain behind bars*, never convicted of any crime. Successive governments have promised to repeal or reform the PTA – even explicitly to the European Union in exchange for trade concessions – yet those promises to remained unfulfilled. In fact, arrests under PTA still occur; Tamils commemorating their war dead or vocalizing nationalist sentiments continue to be picked up as “terrorism” suspects. Just recently, a man was jailed under PTA for a Facebook post about a Tamil remembrance event. This climate of repression stifles free expression and dissent in the Tamil regions. While the rest of Sri Lanka moves on, Tamils live under laws reminiscent of emergency rule, with active militarization of policing and surveillance. The unity government of 2015 gained much international praise for pledging repeal PTA, but years later, those pledges lie by the wayside now that the government has secured its benefits from the West.

Impunity for Atrocities – No Justice for Victims:

The deepest wound is the utter lack of accountability for the mass atrocities committed against Tamils. To this day, not a single Sri Lankan soldier or official has been prosecuted for the numerous war crimes and human rights abuses documented during the war – from the slaughter of surrendering fighters and civilians in 2009, to the assassination of Tamil journalists and aid workers, to the systematic torture and sexual violence against detainees. Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) identified serious incidents to investigate, yet successive regimes have failed to bring even “emblematic cases” to a conclusion. This includes cases like the murder of 5 Tamil students in Trincomalee (2006) and 17 aid workers in Muttur (2006) – well-known massacres with evidence pointing to security forces, but no convictions have ever resulted. As Human Rights Watch notes, even after UN reports compiled *overwhelming evidence* of wartime abuses, Sri Lanka has “failed to launch any credible accountability process.” Indeed, far from punishing perpetrators, the state has shielded them, invoking the heroism of the troops and touting a “war heroes” narrative. When pressed on justice, the government’s response has been denial and obstruction. It even threatened to jail people who allege war crimes by the military, and has vehemently opposed international efforts to investigate these crimes. For Tamil survivors, who continue to commemorate their dead each May and call for justice, this impunity is retraumatizing. It sends the chilling message that Tamil lives do not matter under Sri Lanka’s justice system. Many have thus lost faith that they will ever see justice done unless an external process compels it.

Cultural Suppression and Erosion of Identity:

Although outright fighting has ceased, the Tamil identity and heritage in Sri Lanka continue to come under subtle attack. The military and government authorities have engaged in acts that Tamils view as attempts to erase or assimilate their culture. For example, Tamil war memorials and cemeteries were bulldozed at the war’s end, and to this day Tamils struggle to even hold memorial ceremonies without surveillance or intimidation. In many Tamil towns, the state has erected new Buddhist stupas and Sinhalese statues, often in areas with few local Buddhists – a move seen as symbolic assertion of Sinhala-Buddhist dominance. Meanwhile, *Tamil language rights* – though nominally recognized – are often ignored in practice by state agencies, and Tamils frequently must navigate government services in Sinhala. The cumulative effect of these policies is an intent to dilute the distinct Tamil character of the north-east. It leaves young Tamil generations feeling like strangers in their ancestral land, and older generations fearing that their people’s history and sacrifices are being deliberately wiped away.

In sum, the daily reality for Tamils in Sri Lanka is far from the picture of national reconciliation that Colombo likes to paint. The war did not bring a just peace – it brought a militarized ‘victor’s peace’ where Tamils remain under the heel of the state that defeated them. Basic needs for truth and security are unmet, and promises of reform have proven to be lip service. It is little wonder that Tamil youth continue to protest, Tamil mothers continue to weep with photos of their disappeared sons, and Tamil politicians continue to call foul at the U.N. If one visits the Tamil homeland today, the overwhelming sentiment is one of *abandoned hope and simmering injustice*. And yet, the community remains resilient, commemorating their losses, documenting abuses, and appealing to the world’s conscience. The endurance of Tamil civil society in the face of these challenges is itself a sign of hope that one day they will be heard. But that hope hinges on the international community taking principled action, rather than accepting Colombo’s narrative that “everything is fine now.”

Broken Commitments and Legal Obligations Breached

Sri Lanka’s failure to honor its obligations is not just a moral or political issue – it is also a breach of legal commitments. Over the years, the government in Colombo has formally agreed to various treaties, accords, and resolutions that carry clear duties to address Tamil rights and grievances. In each case, those duties have been neglected or outright violated. Here are some of the key commitments Sri Lanka has failed to uphold:

Power-Sharing and Devolution (13th Amendment):

All the way back in 1987, under Indian mediation, Sri Lanka enacted the 13th Amendment to its Constitution as part of the Indo-Lanka Accord. This amendment was supposed to devolve power to provincial councils – including Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern provinces – giving them a degree of autonomy over local affairs. Successive Sri Lankan leaders, including the current regime, have repeatedly assured India and the UN that the 13th Amendment will be fully implemented “and built upon for a lasting political solution". Yet to this day, key provisions of the 13th Amendment remain unimplemented: for instance, provincial councils have never been granted control over land and police as the law envisaged. Furthermore, the north and east provinces, which Tamils consider their joint homeland, were temporarily merged under the accord but later de-merged, dashing Tamil hopes for a unified region. In practice, real devolution has been stonewalled, keeping power centralized in Colombo. By failing to deliver the autonomy it codified in its own constitution, Sri Lanka stands in breach of both its domestic law and its bilateral promises to India. Each government since 1987, whether overtly or quietly, has reneged on this obligation, treating Tamil political rights as negotiable or expendable.

United Nations Human Rights Council Resolutions:

Sri Lanka’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) are a striking case of broken promises on the world stage. In October 2015, Sri Lanka co-sponsored UNHRC Resolution 30/1 – an unprecedented move where the government voluntarily agreed to a comprehensive agenda for post-war accountability and reconciliation. This included establishing a hybrid judicial mechanism with international judges to try war crimes, setting up a truth commission, ensuring reparations, and replacing repressive laws like the PTA. At the time, international observers applauded Sri Lanka’s apparent willingness to confront the past. However, nearly *eight years later*, not a single item in that agenda has been fully delivered. Instead, the initial enthusiasm gave way to delay and denial. By 2019, a new administration outright withdrew from the resolution, calling it an affront to sovereignty. Even the earlier “unity government” dragged its feet and declared that no military personnel would be punished, effectively nullifying the core of the agreement. This flip-flop amounts to a breach of faith with the UNHRC and the nations that trusted Sri Lanka’s word. The country also walked back on commitments to allow international participation in any accountability process, with the president publicly repudiating that idea. As a result, the UNHRC has had to shift tactics – instead of a cooperative process, it created a special mechanism to collect evidence of crimes in Sri Lanka, anticipating future prosecutions outside the country. Colombo’s non-compliance with Resolution 30/1 and subsequent resolutions has been so egregious that human rights advocates warn it “makes a mockery of its international commitments.”

Domestic Commissions and Inquiries:

Sri Lanka has set up numerous domestic commissions to address Tamil issues – from the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in 2010, to various presidential commissions on missing persons and land issues. The government formally accepted many recommendations from these bodies (and in the case of LLRC, even faced a UNHRC resolution urging their implementation). Yet none of the meaningful recommendations (such as prosecuting emblematic human rights cases or curbing military businesses) have been acted upon. This violates the government’s undertaking to its own citizens and to international partners that it would follow through. Each unimplemented report sits as evidence of breached promises. The few steps taken, like establishing the OMP, were done under international pressure and remain ineffective. Sri Lanka’s continued impunity for even well-documented crimes flouts its obligation under basic principles of justice and specific assurances it gave at forums like the UNHRC. The High Commissioner for Human Rights reported in 2021 that Sri Lanka had “largely closed the possibility of genuine progress” via domestic processes, acknowledging that Sri Lanka had reneged on creating a credible judicial mechanism as pledged.

Human Rights Treaties and Obligations:

Sri Lanka is a party to key international human rights treaties – including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture – which legally obligate it to protect the rights of all citizens and punish abuses. The ongoing reports of torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary detention of Tamils show a stark breach of these obligations. For instance, even as late as 2017, investigations by the Associated Press uncovered ongoing torture and rape of Tamils by security forces, which violates the Convention Against Torture that Sri Lanka ratified. The fact that such practices continue with impunity demonstrates the government’s failure to uphold basic human rights commitments. Moreover, Sri Lanka has ignored calls by the UN Committee Against Torture and others to repeal abusive laws like the PTA or to safeguard minority rights, putting it in violation of its treaty pledges. Each time Sri Lanka attends a UN review (such as the Universal Periodic Review), it makes lofty promises about improving human rights, but the lack of action translates into yet more broken commitments on record.

In summary, Sri Lanka’s ledger of commitments vs. compliance is deeply troubling. From constitutional provisions to international resolutions, the government’s word has not been kept. This pattern not only harms the Tamil community, but also undermines international law and trust. As the Tamil National Alliance warned, if the international community fails to hold Sri Lanka to its word, it sets a “dangerous precedent of ... impunity” where any government can dodge obligations by pretending to cooperate and then doing nothing. The principle of complementarity in justice – that if a state will not deliver justice, the international system must – now squarely applies in Sri Lanka. Tamils point out that they were patient for years, watching successive administrations make pledges and break them. Now, having exhausted domestic avenues, they rightly assert that Sri Lanka’s obligations must be enforced from outside. Colombo’s legal and moral default on its promises gives the world not only a justification, but a *duty*, to step in on behalf of the long-suffering Tamil people.

Urgent Policy Recommendations for International Action

The situation in Sri Lanka has reached a point where international intervention is imperative. The Tamil community cannot endure more empty promises, and the Sri Lankan state has proven unwilling to reform on its own. To prevent further abuses and finally bring about justice and peace, the global community – including governments, international organizations, and civil society – must take urgent, concrete actions. Below are key policy recommendations that emerge from the analysis of Sri Lanka’s history and the needs voiced by Tamil representatives:

1. International Justice and Accountability Initiatives:

The pursuit of accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka should no longer be left to Colombo. UN bodies and influential states should work to refer Sri Lanka to an international judicial mechanism – whether that be the International Criminal Court (ICC) or a special ad-hoc tribunal. In the meantime, countries should actively use universal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute Sri Lankan war criminals who set foot on their soil. This is crucial because Sri Lankan courts have demonstrated no willingness to deliver justice for Tamil victims. As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has noted, domestic avenues are closed, so “international action to ensure justice for international crimes” is the logical next step. Additionally, the UN Human Rights Council’s Sri Lanka Accountability Project – which preserves evidence for future trials – should be renewed and strengthened. Sri Lanka must know that the world is watching and collecting the proof, ready to act on it. Ending the longstanding impunity will not only bring justice to victims but also send a powerful message to Sri Lanka’s leaders that human rights violations carry consequences.

2. Targeted Sanctions and Conditional Engagement:

The international community should adopt a policy of no impunity in engagement. This means imposing targeted sanctions (such as travel bans and asset freezes) on military officials and political leaders credibly accused of serious abuses. A start has been made – for example, the United States has already barred certain top commanders from entry – but more countries should coordinate to make Sri Lankan war criminals unwelcome globally. In parallel, all economic aid, loans, and trade benefits to Sri Lanka should be made conditional on tangible human rights progress. As it stands, Sri Lanka has often been *rewarded* despite backsliding – for instance, receiving an EU trade concession (GSP+) after promising reforms, which it then failed to deliver. This pattern must end. International financial institutions and donor governments should link assistance to benchmarks like releasing political prisoners, returning occupied land, reducing troop levels in Tamil areas, and prosecuting at least some emblematic rights cases. If Sri Lanka balks, funds should be withheld. “Gentle prodding with no consequences,” as one advocacy group observed, has only encouraged Sri Lanka’s foot-dragging. It is time to replace gentle prodding with firm conditions – and to follow through on penalties if they are not met. Sri Lanka’s leaders must recalculate their incentives, understanding that they stand to lose international legitimacy and resources by perpetuating injustice.

3. Support for a Political Solution and Tamil Self-Determination:

Beyond addressing past crimes, the international community should help resolve the underlying political conflict between the Tamil nation and the Sri Lankan state. A genuine political solution – one that grants Tamils meaningful autonomy and control over their affairs – is essential for lasting peace. Global and regional powers should press Sri Lanka to restart negotiations with Tamil representatives for a federal constitutional arrangement or another form of self-rule that Tamils desire. This process needs international mediation or facilitation to succeed, given the deep mistrust. One idea is to have a UN special envoy, or a contact group of nations oversee talks on Sri Lanka’s constitutional reform, to ensure Tamils’ proposals are fairly considered and agreements are kept. The implementation of the existing 13th Amendment could be a baseline, but the solution should go well beyond that (as even promised by Sri Lanka to India) to ensure Tamil areas have autonomy over land, law enforcement, education, and culture. The principle of self-determination – as enshrined in the UN Charter – should guide these efforts, meaning the Tamil people’s wishes for their political future must be ascertained and respected. Some advocates call for a referendum in the north-east to let Tamils choose their destiny; at minimum, their elected representatives’ consistent demands for a federal structure should be heeded. International guarantors may be required for any agreement so that Sri Lanka cannot renege as it did in the past. As PEARL, a Tamil advocacy group, noted, permissiveness toward Sinhala-Buddhist nationalism has only fed Sri Lanka’s intransigence – the antidote is a concerted international push to address Tamil political rights directly. A just political solution, guaranteed by the world, will ensure that Tamils can finally live in dignity and security within Sri Lanka, and it will remove a major source of instability in the region.

4. Continued Human Rights Monitoring and Protection of Tamil Civilians:

While working toward long-term solutions, the international community must also provide immediate protections and monitoring for Tamils on the ground. This could involve expanding the mandate of the United Nations presence in Sri Lanka (for example, giving the UN country team or an OHCHR office more oversight capabilities in the north-east), or establishing an international human rights monitoring mission that can freely travel to Tamil areas and report on abuses. Sri Lankan authorities have opposed outside scrutiny, but the world should insist on it as a safeguard, especially as Sri Lanka has declared there will be no foreign judges in any process. Moreover, countries receiving Tamil refugees should ensure they are protected and not forcibly returned to Sri Lanka while the risk of persecution remains high. Tamil activists and journalists, who face threats in Sri Lanka, should be offered protection and asylum when needed. The goal should be to create a climate where Tamil civilians feel seen and supported by the international community, lessening their vulnerability to state reprisals. Human Rights Watch recently emphasized the importance of renewing the UNHRC’s evidence-preservation mandate – indeed, sustained international oversight is vital until Sri Lanka demonstrates credible change. Diplomatic missions in Colombo, too, can play a role by regularly visiting the north-east, meeting with victim groups, and publicly spotlighting their plight. International attention is a shield for the oppressed; it must not waver.

These recommendations boil down to a core principle: the age of trusting Sri Lanka’s “elusive promises” is over. The situation demands a shift from rhetoric to action – with clear consequences laid out for non-compliance, and clear support extended for genuine change. Sri Lanka is at a crossroads where it must choose to reconcile with its Tamil citizens or face growing international isolation. By taking the above steps, the world can significantly influence that choice. It can help tip the balance in favor of justice, accountability, and a fair political settlement, rather than letting Sri Lanka continue on its current path of authoritarian ethnonationalism. Crucially, these actions will restore Tamil confidence that the international community has not abandoned them. As things stand, many Tamils feel betrayed not just by Colombo, but also by global powers that, in their view, have prioritized geopolitical or economic interests over Tamil rights. By robustly acting on these recommendations, the international community can begin to repair that trust and fulfill its responsibility to prevent further atrocities. It is a matter of life, liberty, and identity for the Tamil people.

Conclusion: A Future Built on Accountability and Hope

The story of Sri Lanka’s Tamils is a cautionary tale of trust broken repeatedly. For over 70 years, this community has been promised equality, security, and recognition – only to see those promises to evaporate, replaced by new forms of oppression. Now, at a critical juncture, the world must heed the lessons of the past. Tamils can no longer rely on Sri Lanka’s word alone, and truthfully, nor should the international community. Instead, *actions* must replace words: sincere actions by global actors to hold Sri Lanka accountable, and genuine actions by Sri Lanka to address the grievances of Tamils if it wishes to regain credibility. The urgency cannot be overstated. With each passing year, survivors age and evidence of past crimes deteriorates; with each broken promise, desperation grows among Tamil youth who see no future within the current system. There is a real risk that without justice, history could repeat itself in cycles of unrest or even violence. Conversely, with timely international intervention, there is hoped to finally turn the page.

The picture is not entirely bleak. The Tamil community – both in Sri Lanka and across its far-reaching diaspora – remains determined and resilient. They have kept their struggle alive through peaceful protests, documentation efforts, and appeals to international law. Their perseverance is a beacon of hope that one day they will secure their rights. Moreover, around the world, awareness of Sri Lanka’s human rights record is growing. Influential voices, from Human Rights Watch officials to parliamentarians in various countries, are speaking out in solidarity with Tamil calls for justice. In the halls of the UN, the need for an international approach to Sri Lanka has been recognized like never before. These are positive trends that need to be amplified. If the recommendations outlined above are pursued, we could finally see war criminals held to account, political prisoners freed, soldiers leaving schoolyards, and Tamil mothers receiving the answers they so deserve. We could see a new social contract in Sri Lanka where Tamils are not just a defeated minority, but equal stakeholders in a multi-ethnic nation – or free to determine their political future if equality continues to be denied.

Change of this magnitude will not come easily. It will require sustained pressure and principled leadership from the international community, and courageous introspection by Sri Lanka’s leaders and citizens. Yet, history shows that even the most entrenched conflicts can find resolution when justice is placed at the center – be it through international tribunals, truth commissions, or negotiated autonomy. Sri Lanka could follow the path of South Africa (where global pressure helped end apartheid and usher in power-sharing) or East Timor (where international intervention allowed a persecuted community to eventually exercise self-determination). The common thread in those examples is that the world did not look away. So let it be with Sri Lanka: the world must not look away from the Tamil struggle. The cost of inaction – more resentment, more instability, and the moral stain of allowing abuse to go unchecked – is far too great.

In conclusion, the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka is an urgent human rights crisis that has lingered in the shadows for too long. But it is also a solvable crisis. The cries of “*no more broken promises!*” coming from Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and the Tamil diaspora can be answered with a resolute international response. If we act now, with urgency yet guided by hope, we can help secure a future where Sri Lanka’s Tamil community no longer has to live in fear and injustice. A future where accountability heals the wounds of the past, and a fair political arrangement ensures dignity and security for generations to come. The road ahead requires commitment and courage – but the reward is a lasting peace and reconciliation that has eluded Sri Lanka for far too long. It is a goal worth every effort. The time to act is now.

 Call to Action: How You Can Support Sri Lankan Tamils

You have read about the challenges and injustices facing the Tamil community in Sri Lanka – now it is time to turn awareness into action. Each of us in the international audience can play a part, however small, in supporting the Tamil struggle for justice and equality. Here are concrete ways you can help:

Spread the Word:

Share this article and other credible information about Sri Lanka’s human rights issues with your friends, family, and social networks. Raising awareness is the first step to mobilizing support. Use social media, blogs, or community events to discuss the Tamil plight. When more people know the truth, pressure builds on governments to respond.

Contact Your Representatives:

If you live in a country with diplomatic or trade ties to Sri Lanka, write to your elected officials asking them to prioritize human rights in Sri Lanka. Urge them to support international accountability measures (like an ICC referral or targeted sanctions) and to condition any aid or trade benefits on Sri Lanka’s human rights compliance. Policymakers do take note of constituents’ concerns – your voice can influence your country’s foreign policy.

Support Human Rights Organizations:

Consider donating to or volunteering with organizations that are working on Sri Lanka’s human rights and justice issues. Groups like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, PEARL (People for Equality and Relief in Lanka), and others consistently advocate for Tamil rights and needs. Your support helps them continue research, advocacy, and on-the-ground assistance for victims. Even a small donation can be effective in sustaining these efforts.

Sign Petitions and Participate in Campaigns:

Join global and local campaigns that call for action on Sri Lanka. This could mean signing petitions (for example, petitions urging the UN to act on Sri Lankan accountability, or calling on tech companies to not enable censorship of Tamil voices), writing open letters, or participating in peaceful demonstrations. Tamil diaspora communities often organize memorial events, awareness webinars, and protests (such as those on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day highlighting Tamil oppression) – lending your presence or support to these shows Tamils that they are not alone.

Amplify Tamil Voices:

Follow Tamil activists, journalists, and community leaders on social media and amplify their messages. Where possible, center Tamil voices in any discussion about Sri Lanka – retweet their statements, share their articles, invite them to speak in forums your part of. This helps ensure that the people affected are heard directly. It also counters the Sri Lankan government’s propaganda by providing first-hand perspectives. Use hashtags and tags strategically (for instance, #TamilRights, #JusticeForTamils, #SriLanka) to increase visibility.

Encourage Media Coverage:

Write to news outlets or journalists and encourage them to report on the ongoing situation in Sri Lanka’s north-east. Mainstream media attention can put a spotlight on issues like the Tamil families of the disappeared, or the upcoming sessions at the UNHRC on Sri Lanka. If you notice a lack of coverage, send polite requests for more investigative pieces or opinion columns on these topics. When media covers a story, it often compels officials to respond.

Solidarity and Vigilance:

Lastly, stand in solidarity with the Tamil people’s quest for justice in your everyday conversations and communities. Condemn racism and hate when you encounter it. Draw parallels to other struggles for justice to help people empathize – for example, connect the Tamil struggle with other global fights against discrimination and impunity. By creating an environment of solidarity, you help maintain international vigilance so that Sri Lanka’s government cannot quietly return to old tactics without public outcry. Remind others that human rights are universal – the Tamils’ suffering is a matter for humanity, not just an “internal issue.”

Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement for change. The Tamil community has shown remarkable resilience and courage; now it falls to us around the world to echo their call and insist on justice. Let us use our voices, platforms, and resources to ensure that Sri Lanka’s leaders know the world is watching and that we demand progress. By taking the steps above, you become part of the solution – part of the global chorus saying *“no more elusive promises – it’s time for real justice and equality for Tamils.”* Together, we can help pave the way for a Sri Lanka that truly honors all its peoples and finally closes the chapter on decades of suffering.

Your support and action could help prevent the next generation of Tamils from inheriting the same injustices. Stand with Sri Lankan Tamils today – in solidarity, in advocacy, and in hope for a better tomorrow. Every voice counts in the struggle for human rights.

With utmost respect,

Wimal Navaratnam
CAO-ABC Tamil Oli
Human Rights Activist
Email: tamilolicanada@gmail.com