Open Letter to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
Subject: Illegal Cultural Destruction and Land Acquisition in the North-East Tamil Territory – Violation of International Law
Honorable President,
We, Representatives of the US Tamil Diaspora, address this letter to you to immediately halt the ongoing Sinhala Buddhist constructions based on the Mahavamsa in the Thaiddy and Kurunthur areas of the North-East Tamil Territory.
We clearly state that these actions are historically wrong, legally illegal, and contrary to United Nations (UN) international law.
Historical and Cultural Background
Before the creation of the Sinhala national identity, the Buddhist tradition in the North-Eastern region existed within a Tamil cultural background. Presenting the structures being built in those areas today as “Sinhala Buddhist heritage” is a distortion of history and is contrary to the truth.
Violation of International Law – UN Special Articles
1. Right to Self-Determination
ICCPR – Article 1 (Article 1)
Peoples have the right to self-determination over their land, resources and culture.
These constructions, which are taking place on the land of the Tamil people without their consent, violate this article.
2. Cultural and Religious Rights
ICCPR – Article 18 (Freedom of Religion)
ICCPR – Article 27 (Cultural Rights of Minorities)
The forcible imposition of a single national-religious identity, erasing the cultural and religious background of the Tamil people, is contrary to these articles.
3. Rights of Indigenous Peoples
UNDRIP – Articles 8, 11, 12, 26
- Article 8: Prohibition of cultural destruction or forced cultural assimilation
- Article 11: Right to the protection of cultural heritage
- Article 12: Protection of religious sites and traditions
- Article 26: Rights to ancestral lands
The construction work taking place in Thaidi and Kurundur violates all these articles.
4. Forcible occupation of land
ICESCR – Article 11 (Real standard of living)
Fourth Geneva Convention – Article 49
The military occupation of civilian territory, the alteration of settlement areas and the alteration of cultural landscapes are also contrary to the laws of war.
Our demands
- Immediately halt all construction in the Thaidi and Kurundur areas
- Return the acquired Tamil lands to their rightful owners
- Conduct an independent international investigation into these actions
4. Respect the history, culture and identity of the Tamil lands of the North-East
Concluding remarks
History cannot be created in concrete.
Religion cannot be imposed by force.
Peace cannot be built on stolen lands.
It is your responsibility to uphold law, truth and justice.
Sincerely,
United States Tamil Diaspora Representatives in Solidarity with the Tamil People of the North–East
Kind regards,
Company / Team