Ruki Fernando

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

“Pursuit of Truth is a necessary to promote justice, healing & unity”
“All must be free to express their concerns, needs, aspirations & fears”
Pope Francis arrival address in Sri Lanka – 2015

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#TamilGenocide is not new word in #lka
2022 North – East (Catholic) Bishops Council asked to honour May 18 in memory of those killed in the genocide perpetrated by (Sri Lankan) State & its military machinery
2015 Northern Provincial Council passed a resolution on #TamilGenocide

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Important for Sinhalese such as #FrJudeKrishantha & others to listen to Tamil experiences, grievances, aspirations, dialog with compassion & sensitivity
Than rushing to condemn & complain against those like #FrJeevanthaPeiris who has done that for years

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

President AKD @anuradisanayake (JVP leader) due to speak at #MayDay event in #NuwaraEliya tomorrow 01May. Below some meaningful things he could say (source: anonymous) that would give hope to historically oppressed #Malaiyaha community, who had contributed much to #lka economy

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Not quite the "Island of Peace" @NewsfirstSL has been promoting during
#PeaceWalk #WalkForPeaceSriLanka ?

Especially when inmates under judicial custody in closed state institutions, with strict security protocols gets killed regularly & no one is held accountable.....

[Newsfirst.lk Sri Lanka @NewsfirstSL]

Jailer and Two Prison Guards Arrested Over Inmate’s Death at Magazine Prison

Details:https://t.co/F70yXvZgDi

#NewsFirst #NewsFirstEnglish #SriLanka #Colombo #MagazinePrison #BorellaPolice #PrisonReform #InmateDeath #LawEnforcement #BreakingNews #JusticeSystem #News1st

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#PeaceWalk #WalkForPeaceSriLanka
My reflections:
"Despite limitations so far, the walk has the potential to make a contribution towards a sustainable peace with justice through proactive, symbolic and substantial initiatives in Colombo, the seat of political and economic power"

[Groundviews @groundviews]

Walk for Peace: The Uncertain Potential of a Significant Moment by Ruki Fernando

Read the full article here:
https://t.co/ceoOTZzc0d #SriLanka #Governance #peace

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#EasterAttacks 7 yrs aft - things Govt cud do
1 Clarify exact no dead
2 Support for all affected (reparations)
3 Publish all reports
4 Remove Aruna Jayasekera from Deputy Minister of Defense
5 Facilitate fair, transparent trials
6 Investigate areas not adequately investigated

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Upholding international law must not be selective, rhetorical. It must be through consistent, firm, principled legal & political action. Especially against alleged war criminals when credible evidence is presented through formal complaints. And not by deporting asylum seekers

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Si Lanka must investigate complaint against alleged Israeli / US war criminal by @HindRFoundation & consider arrest & prosecution based on evidence. He must be deported if in #lka. No Israeli soldiers should be allowed enter #lka @anuradisanayake @HMVijithaHerath @BimalRathnayake

[The Hind Rajab Foundation @HindRFoundation]

🚨🇱🇰The #HindRajabFoundation has filed a complaint in Sri Lanka against Jake Burkons, an American/Israeli soldier in Israel’s 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion.

Evidence links him to controlled demolitions of civilian buildings in Khan Younis.
More info ⬇️
https://t.co/86pskUG0wB

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#PTA has detained countless innocent persons for years, with no acknowledgement, apology, compensation & accountability for those responsible. @anuradisanayake promised to abolish PTA & release political prisoners, continued this. My article lists 13 examples + my own experience

[Groundviews @groundviews]

PTA and PSTA: A License to Detain Innocents at Executive Convenience by Ruki Fernando

Read the full article here:
https://t.co/sGqqEdKWM7 #SriLanka #HumanRights #Justice #Governance

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Cant help wondering whether Katunayake airport will join list of airports where refugees have lived for prolonged periods, such as Iranian refugee Mehran Karimi Nasseri, leading to books like "Terminal Man" & films like "The Terminal" & "Lost in Transit"

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Sri Lanka is threatening to deport a Pakistani #BlasphemyLaw victim, seeking asylum with @Refugees Sri Lanka. Violates principle of non-refoulment & UNHCR – SL Govt agreement of ��unimpeded access at all times to UNHCR”. Victim & wife stuck at Katunayake airport for 3 nights

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

I & others had contacted many Govt Ministers & officials in @anuradisanayake government, but not yielded any results. Have also informed @Refugees Sri Lanka, @UNHumanRights @HRCSriLanka & hoping they can help resolve this

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Pakistani Supreme Court has pointed to lack of evidence in this case, that offenses are serious with death penalty & need for utmost care to prevent injustice. Also that false, mischievous allegations are common & reminded of mobs killing accused even before being adjudged guilty

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Lessons fm judgement:
There must be BASIS "reasonable suspicion" for arrests
#PTA cant be used against suspects of ordinary crimes
"Vague allegations of terrorist acts or threats to public order thats unsubstantiated, unexplained, inadequate" cannot justify arrests under #PTA

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#SupremeCourt has decided yesterday theres no legal basis for "drastic measure of arrest & detention under #PTA" of former student leader (#IUSF) & Aragalaya activist  #WasanthaMudalige, after detailed examination of police reports. Reinforces Wasantha was never a terrorist

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Judgement says his rights to equal protection of law (12-1)  & not to be arbitarily arrested (13-1) were violated. But no compensation awarded, despite suffering #WasanthaMudalige underwent & chilling impact this #PTA arrest had on dissent, free expression, assembly in #lka

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Encouraging & inspiring to see young students organizing & attending this. It was held @CfPS Law School. Hoping they will continue to accompany, support, protect refugees

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

Today, Intl Womens Day, i joined an event abt refugees in #lka
"Survival is not end goal – dignity is. Today by speaking here, I choose dignity. I'm proud to stand here – not just as a refugee – but as proof that even after loss, life can grow again"
(Pakistani female refuge)

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

If the draconian & deeply flawed Prevention of Terrorism Act (#PTA) & Detention Orders (DO) which have been routinely abused by all govts incl #NPP & @anuradisanayake will be used, it will undermine credibility of investigations & prosecution of #Sallay & any others

[Ruki Fernando @rukitweets]

#SureshSallay arrest for #EasterAttacks aft nearly 7 yrs is welcome. He's not an accused in ongoing special trial at bar & this shows inadequacies in investigations, prosecutions & trials so far. Hoping for solid prosecution against him & fair trial without undue delay or haste