SRI LANKA: Action on Human RightsDuring the height of the civil war in Sri Lanka, local YMCAs in affected and other areas had established and run Human Rights and Legal Aid Centres supported by the Asia and Pacific Alliance and local donor Agencies. The existing centres now concentrate on forming citizens' forums for human rights. They have become a rallying base for people of different faiths and political views to become more deeply aware of the issues pertaining to Human Rights in order to respond in an informed manner as citizens. The Citizen's Forums for Human Rights enable YMCAs to intensify the work being carried out by Human Rights and Legal Aid Centres. During last four years, the Sri Lankan YMCA has been able to develop six human rights awareness and legal aid centres based in YMCAs in Jaffna, Vavunia, Kalmunai, Kurunegala, Galle, and Kandy. A case handled by Kandy YMCA was unique as it involved an important national issue. On 13 th January 2002, a Colombo Intercity train which left from Kandy Station figured in an accident. The train started coming downhill for half an hour and the passengers felt it was moving beyond its normal speed. The passengers, mostly going to Colombo to attend to some matters during the day, were helpless and screaming. Suddenly at a curve, the carriages went off the rails and crashed into a nearby paddy field. The accident resulted in 15 deaths and over 100 were seriously injured with some facing permanent disability. The government appointed a special inquiry committee that suggested technical malfunction as the cause of the accident, as the brakes did not respond when the train was coming down hill. Then, the Government ordered a full-scale inquiry to determine the detailed trouble with the train's engine. However, the Railway Department played down the investigation and had even returned the same engine to normal use within weeks after the accident. The public raised its suspicion on the credibility of the inquiry which was yet to be published. Further, the authorities tried to close the case with unreasonable compensation to the next of kin of the victims. Some of the victims sought the support of the YMCA Human Rights and Legal Aid Centre. The YMCA then obtained the necessary to assist them. Subsequently, the YMCA arranged a meeting with the victims attended by 55 persons injured or the next of kin of those who had died. They decided to file individual compensation claims according to the nature of injuries for 43 injured persons, 7 deaths and 6 totally disabled. The YMCA finalised the Case and 7 senior lawyers agreed to appear on behalf of victims advised by Member of Parliament and a Magistrate. The Lawyers consented to appear free of charge on behalf of the YMCA. The Case was filed at the District Courts where the incident took place on 8 January 2004, naming the driver, guard, Railway Department / Authority as Respondents. The media, both electronic and print, gave wide publicity on the day they filed the Case and the respondents are expected to file their Submissions. The above, is another contribution the Human Rights and Legal Centre to seek Justice for people. Contact Person: Chrisantha Hettiaratchi |
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