Colombo urged to delegate Rights cases to Provincial Courts

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 December 2003, 20:19 GMT]
Leading human rights activist Mr. Kasinathar Sivapalan Saturday appealed to the Sri Lanka government to transfer the jurisdiction of inquiring into fundamental and human right applications from Colombo Supreme Court to the provincial high courts. “Ordinary citizen should be given easy access to obtain relief where he or she lives,” said Mr.Sivapalan addressing the Universal Human Rights day celebrations held Saturday at the Trincomalee Hindu Cultural Hall.

A student with makeup to participate in a play, lights the traditional oil lamp

Attorney-at-Law Mr.Sivapalan who is also the Chairman of the Eastern rehabilitation Organization (ERO) made the welcome address.

The chief guest was the Eastern High Court Mr.S.Paramarajah and the guests of honour were the Provincial Education Ministry Secretary Mr.R.Thiagalingam, Provincial Social Services Department Director Ms N.Ranjani and Trincomalee Additional Government Agent Mr.V. Singarayer.

Mr.Paramarajah first inaugurated the celebration by lighting the traditional oil lamp.

The UHR day celebrations were organized by a group of international agencies including UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDP, HRCSL, CHA.DRC, USAID and local institutions, Legal Aid Foundation and ERO, sources said.

L-R) High Court Judge Mr.Paramarajah, Attorney-at-Law Mr.M.K.Sellarajah, Attorney-at-Law Mr.Sivapalan, Additional Government Agent Mr.Singarayer, Provincial Education Ministry Secretary Mr.Thiakalingam and Human Right Commission Trincomalee regional co-ordinator Ms Mathiaparanam at the HRC stall in the hall where the HR day celebrations were held

Judge Mr.Paramarajah said an awareness campaign on human rights and fundamental rights should be held at grass root level. He was glad to note that this year the organizers had conducted art competitions to mark the Universal Human Rights day in rural areas of the district. Each and every one should respect other man’s human and fundamental rights while safeguarding theirs, the Judge said.

Mr.Sivapalan further stated that as the ceasefire agreement entered 655th day Saturday hundreds of internally displaced have still been deprived of their birthright to return to their own lands, in the name of high security zones and even parliamentarians are not allowed to return to their homes.



Section of the crowd attending the HR celebration

Artwork of student competitors

Artwork of student competitors at display