Northern provincial council elections held 21 Sept: Tamil National Alliance (TNA) won 30 of 38 seats, nearly 80% of vote, with high turnout despite pre-poll violence and intimidation of TNA candidates by military. Commonwealth Election Observer mission 23 Sept expressed concern over heavy military involvement in electoral process. Fears of deepened ethnic polarisation after strongly nationalist rhetoric from TNA campaigners and govt, which repeatedly accused TNA of continuing Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) quest for separate state. Polls also held in central and NW provinces where President Rajapaksa’s United People’s Freedom Alliance won large majorities. Indian govt 24 Sept welcomed elections, called on Rajapaksa to implement fully and go beyond devolution of power under 13th amendment. Supreme Court 26 Sept ruled powers over land belong to central govt, not provinces; TNA 29 Sept said judgment does not conform with previous rulings.

At least 3 killed, many injured, several journalists attacked 1 Aug when army dispersed protest in Colombo; protesters reportedly chased and beaten in local Catholic church prompting condemnation by Catholic archbishop who called for independent investigations. Army’s actions strongly and widely condemned, including among Sinhalese. Opposition 14 Aug staged rally protesting violence; Defence Sec Gotabaya Rajapaksa accused opposition of using deaths to tarnish army’s reputation; military announced inquiry into deaths. Militant Buddhists 10 Aug attacked mosque in Grandpass area of Colombo, prompting protests and communal clashes between Muslims and Buddhists in Grandpass district injuring at least 12. Govt’s Muslim ministers 11 Aug issued unprecedented joint statement condemning police inaction and calling for president to take action to halt anti-Muslim campaign. Campaigning for 21 Sept provincial council elections began: intra-party violence seen in north-central and central provinces; scattered attacks on opposition campaigners in northern province. Govt 13 Aug appointed presidential commission of inquiry into war-time disappearances in north and eastern provinces. Visiting UN human rights chief Pillay 27 Aug met families of missing and disappeared in north and east; 31 Aug said “deeply concerned” that country “showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction”.

President Rajapaksa 5 July formally set in motion steps towards Sept elections to northern provincial council; Tamil National Alliance (TNA) 15 July announced retired Supreme Court justice C. V. Vigneswaran as candidate for northern province Chief Minister. Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) 16 July decided to contest northern provincial council elections alone rather than ally with TNA. Under intense pressure from Indian govt, Rajapaksa postponed planned 19th amendment to constitution that would reduce provincial powers, established Parliamentary Select Committee to consider changes to 13th amendment on provincial powers, excluding SLMC. Sri Lanka nationalist Federation of National Organisations 29 July staged protest outside Indian embassy in Colombo against perceived Indian interference. President’s brothers Gotabaya (Defence Secretary) and Basil Rajapaksa (Economic Development Minister) reiterated position that power over police and land will not be devolved to northern province despite being mandated by 13th amendment. Anti-Muslim campaigning by Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) and other radical Buddhists continued, including attack on Muslim prayer centre in Mahiyangana 16 July. Gotabaya Rajapaksa 4 July admitted close ties to BBS leaders. Govt 5 July arrested 12 police officers for Jan 2006 murder of 5 Tamil students in Trincomalee; senior police official suspected of planning killings not arrested, no indictments filed.

Doubts over date of northern provincial council elections, long-promised for Sept, grew after govt announced parliamentary select committee (PSC) to meet 9 July to discuss constitutional changes to provincial power and cabinet 13 June fast-tracked legislation to remove right of provinces to merge. Tamil and Sinhala opposition parties to boycott PSC; hardline Sinhala nationalist coalition partners launched campaign to either repeal 13th amendment or significantly cut back provincial powers. Indian govt 19 June publicly warned Sri Lankan govt not  to weaken 13th amendment on provincial powers following visit  by Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leaders to Delhi. Opposition United National Party (UNP) early June released discussion paper outlining new constitution, including end to executive presidency, preservation of provincial powers under 13th amendment, restoration of independent commissions for human rights and police. Govt scrapped proposed “code of media ethics”, including draconian limitations on independent reporting, after widespread criticism. Govt mid-month announced establishment of committee to investigate activities of NGOs critical of govt; director of Sri Lankan office of German NGO Friedrich EbertStiftung arreste 13 June; director of Friedrich Naumann Stiftung questioned by police, prevented from leaving country following late-May workshop with opposition leaders.* Muslim-owned shop attacked 18 June in Tangalle town, reportedly by militant Buddhist group Sinhala Ravaya; Sinhala Ravaya members 17 June reportedly assaulted  and detained group of Jehova’s Witnesses.

Preparations for Sept northern provincial council elections continued though date not yet set. Indian FM Kurshad 17 May warned Sri Lankan govt against constitutional changes that would weaken provincial powers. Harassment of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) activists ongoing: police early May questioned Tamil National People’s Front leader Gajen Ponnamblam; house of Federal Party (ITAK) leader C.V.K. Sivagnanam attacked 7 May. Tamil nationalist bishop of Mannar Rayappu Joseph mid-May called unity meeting, failed to quell tensions within TNA. Govt critic and Muslim politician Azath Salley arrested 2 May under Terrorism Act following comments that ongoing attacks on Muslims could provoke violent retaliation; President Rajapaksa 10 May ordered Salley’s release following strong international and domestic criticism. Buddhist monk 24 May self-immolated in protest at halal cattle slaughter and Christian conversions of Buddhists. Fourth anniversary of end of civil war marked 18-19 May with military-dominated govt celebration in Colombo; over a dozen activists arrested in Mannar for involvement in banned commemorations of Tamils killed in war. More than 1,000 Jaffna residents filed lawsuits to block govt seizure of their land for military base; army 22 May claimed military camps in Jaffna to be consolidated from 17 to 3.

Anti-Muslim campaign led by militant Buddhists Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS, Buddhist Power Force) continued unchallenged by police. President Rajapaksa 17 April met with Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) ambassadors after OIC expressed concern over rising attacks, anti-Muslim rhetoric. Pressure on Tamil media and politicians increased in run-up to expected Sept northern provincial council elections: offices of Uthayan newspaper attacked twice, injuring staff and damaging equipment. Tamil National Alliance (TNA) 29 April began campaign in Jaffna protesting ongoing military land seizures in north. Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Commonwealth Legal Education Association and Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association 16 April called for Sri Lanka to be suspended from Commonwealth, expressing grave concerns over impeachment of chief justice and other assaults on rule of law. Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group met 26 April, took no action despite strong push from Canada; Canadian FM Baird said govt “appalled” Sri Lanka will be allowed to host Commonwealth heads of govt meeting in Nov.

UN HRC 21 March approved resolution calling on Sri Lanka to properly investigate war crimes allegations, implement reforms recommended by its own reconciliation commission; U.S. officials 22 March hinted they might press for international investigation if govt does not conduct “independent and credible” inquiry. Thousands demonstrated in Tamil Nadu, India, for strong action at HRC. Minister of Youth Affairs Dalas Alahapperuma 22 March said UN HRC being used by “imperialists” to divide Sri Lanka. Former army chief Sarath Fonseka 20 March said he would answer allegations of involvement in war crimes. Defence Sec Gotabaya Rajapaksa 9 March expressed support for radical Buddhist Power Force, whose protests led Muslim clerics to cease practice of labelling foods as “halal”. Mob reportedly led by Buddhist monks 28 March attacked Muslim-owned store in Colombo.

UNOHCHR 11 Feb issued report criticising govt failure to implement recommendations of March 2012 Human Rights Council resolution or address war crimes allegations and calling for “independent and credible international investigation”. Human Rights Watch accused govt forces of sexual violence against Tamils in custody 2006-2012. Journalist Faraz Shauketaly, working for Sunday Leader, paper critical of govt, shot 15 Feb by unidentified gunmen at his home near Colombo; UN human rights chief Pillay said she was “deeply disturbed” by “attempted assassination”, called for investigation. Govt mid-Feb dismissed as propaganda pictures appearing to show LTTE chief Prabhakaran’s son killed in army custody; photos reignited calls in India for investigation into alleged war crimes at civil war’s end. Large rally 17 Feb by extremist “Buddhist Power Force” calling for laws to curb Muslim influence in Sri Lanka; threats and attacks against Muslim businesses reportedly on increase.

President Rajapaksa 13 Jan ratified parliament’s 11 Jan vote finding Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake guilty of misconduct, finalising her impeachment and marking unprecedented break with constitutional procedures; impeachment occurred despite Parliamentary Select Committee that heard case being declared unconstitutional in 3 Jan Supreme Court ruling. Govt supporters 10 Jan violently dispersed demonstration against impeachment, police failed to intervene; paramilitary police 15 Jan blocked Bandaranayake’s access to office at Supreme Court. Rajapaksa 15 Jan appointed former attorney general and presidential adviser Mohan Peiris as Chief Justice; ceremony boycotted by majority of senior lawyers. U.S., UK, Canada, EU, UNOHCHR and Commonwealth Sec Gen condemned impeachment, called for respect for rule of law. Parliament 22 Jan passed law extending police detention powers from 24 to 48 hours sparking protests in Colombo. Opposition members, journalists and activists 29 Jan demonstrated in Colombo against attacks on media. Anti-terrorist police continued series of raids targeting northern Tamil politicians and civil society activists; Tamil National People’s Front officials questioned in Jaffna; explosives and illegal pornography allegedly discovered 19 Jan in TNA parliamentarian Sivagnanam Sritharan’s Kilinochchi office; TNA officials claim evidence planted.

Parliament Select Committee 8 Dec found Chief Justice Bandaranayake guilty of financial misconduct, abuse of power. Court of Appeal 21 Dec summoned parliament speaker, Select Committee members to appear in Jan to respond to Bandaranayake’s suit to overturn ruling; court asked parliament to refrain from impeachment vote until final court judgment. Govt 28 Dec announced impeachment debate to be held 10-11 Jan 2013; Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa 29 Dec said foreign and local elements using judiciary in attempt to destabilise country and govt. Bar Association, religious leaders called on govt to abandon impeachment; Commonwealth Secretary-General, U.S., EU expressed concerns, called on govt to respect independence of judiciary. Lawyers protested two violent attacks on lawyers opposed to impeachment. 4 Tamil university students sent to govt “rehabilitation” centres for alleged support for LTTE following public commemoration of Tamil war dead; Jaffna University shut down in protest at arrests, military harassment.