Wide Angle focuses on Batalanda Report and Political Power Plays
- CNL Reporter
- March 17, 2025
- Weekly Political Review
- Batalanda, Ranil Wickramasinghe, Weekly Political review
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Weekly political Review
Political Storm of Accountability and Impunity in Sri Lanka
By Rohana Jith
The recent debate surrounding the Batalanda Housing Scheme and its associated atrocities sheds light not only on the historical actions of the United National Party (UNP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) but also on the deeper issue of entrenched impunity in Sri Lankan politics. Despite the transition to the National People’s Power (NPP) Government, now led by a rebranded JVP, accountability remains an elusive goal. This discussion underscores the political challenge of addressing state-sanctioned violence, particularly when the responsible parties continue to hold power.
The Batalanda atrocity, which involved the torture of suspected JVP insurgents during the 1987-1989 uprising, remains one of the most brutal examples of state-led violence in modern Sri Lankan history. However, the issue extends beyond the specific crimes committed during the insurrection and reflects a more pervasive problem within the country’s governance: the lack of true accountability. Political groups, including the NPP and the UNP, continue to evade responsibility for both past and present abuses, a reality that has endured for decades despite numerous inquiries into state-sponsored violence.
A significant question arises: What do the current NPP Government and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe have in common in relation to the Batalanda issue? Both parties have maintained that the Batalanda Commission of Inquiry Report must be formally “tabled” in Parliament before any action can be taken. This has led to growing calls for the government to act on the report, particularly concerning the atrocities committed during the JVP’s second insurrection under the UNP government.
The revelation of the Batalanda Commission report, which had been kept hidden under five consecutive presidents since 1994, gained attention after an interview with former President Wickremesinghe on Al Jazeera. This disclosure triggered renewed calls for justice, especially regarding the report’s findings on human rights violations. In response, the JVP/NPP Government tabled the report in Parliament last week, promising to take appropriate action. However, this presents a significant challenge, as some individuals accused of involvement in these atrocities are now members or supporters of the NPP. Many of these individuals are prominent figures in the NPP’s campaigns, complicating efforts to hold them accountable.
During the election campaigns of the previous year, the JVP/NPP sought to distance itself from its past, presenting a new direction for the party. Yet, Wickremesinghe’s interview has reignited discussions about his role in the crackdown on the JVP during the late 1980s. The interview has also brought to light the painful history that the JVP, despite its efforts to move past it, cannot escape.
One of the main issues that has emerged from the Batalanda report saga is the involvement of Wickremesinghe. In his interview, he was caught off guard by questions about the report. While some have defended his conduct, claiming that the interview was a premeditated attack orchestrated by Al Jazeera, it is clear that Wickremesinghe’s team failed to properly prepare for the interview. The lack of arrangements to record the interview separately from Al Jazeera also proved to be a mistake, leaving Wickremesinghe without the ability to release the full unedited interview, which he claims lasted for two hours. His office has since requested the full, unedited version of the interview from Al Jazeera.
Wickremesinghe has often opted to give interviews to foreign media outlets rather than local ones, which has occasionally left him vulnerable to aggressive questioning. This most recent interview has emphasized the importance of being properly prepared for international interviews, especially when discussing sensitive topics such as the Batalanda report.
Alongside the focus on Wickremesinghe, there have also been calls for the JVP/NPP Government to act on the Batalanda Commission’s findings and address the assassination of the JVP’s founder, Rohana Wijeweera. However, the response from opposition parties, including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), has been largely muted. Senior lawyer Shiral Lakthilaka has pointed out that Wickremesinghe’s civic rights cannot be revoked based on the Batalanda report, as no provision exists in the Commissions of Inquiry Act to do so. However, if there is a desire to remove his civic rights, a new commission must be appointed under the Special Presidential Commissions of Inquiry Act, which could recommend such action based on gathered evidence.
The ongoing discussion surrounding the Batalanda report is likely to have wider implications, potentially implicating numerous individuals in human rights violations. While the report has brought renewed attention to Wickremesinghe’s past, there are also moves by some opposition parties to expose atrocities committed by the JVP during the 1987-1989 insurrection. These developments have intensified the already complex political environment in Sri Lanka.
The Batalanda report, which had been hidden for over 25 years, was finally tabled in Parliament by Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Rathnayake, on March 14. Rathnayake stated that the report would be handed over to the Attorney General, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) would appoint a committee to determine the appropriate course of action. A two-day debate on the report is scheduled to take place in Parliament. The emotional reactions of some ruling party MPs, including the Speaker, as Rathnayake read a statement on the disappearances and killings of the 1987-1989 period, highlighted the emotional weight of this issue.
In response to the Batalanda report, former President Wickremesinghe has announced that he will make a special statement addressing the facts and recommendations contained in the report. This is expected to be a key moment in the ongoing controversy, with Wickremesinghe seeking to clarify his position and actions.
Amidst the Batalanda report controversy, another issue has emerged involving suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. The government has faced questions about why Tennakoon has not been arrested, despite having an active warrant for his arrest related to a shooting incident. There are also allegations that Tennakoon had operated a paramilitary group using police officers to resolve personal conflicts. The government now faces the challenge of dealing with this issue, while some opposition parties claim that deals within the government have prevented Tennakoon’s arrest.
In the midst of these political challenges, the government has shown a willingness to collaborate with opposition members, such as offering SJB MP Jagath Withana a role in transforming state-owned institutions like the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). The SJB, however, has indicated that it will contest the upcoming Local Government elections under its own symbol, while remaining open to post-election alliances.
In conclusion, the ongoing saga of the Batalanda report highlights the deep-seated political issues in Sri Lanka, including the lack of accountability for past atrocities. As the government grapples with both historical and contemporary issues, including the Batalanda atrocities and the role of former leaders, the political landscape in Sri Lanka remains as tumultuous as ever.
