Govt 1 Nov began impeachment proceedings against Supreme Court Chief Justice, accused of financial misconduct and conflict of interest. Chief Justice mounted strong rebuttal, supported by unusually strong and widespread opposition to govt move from lawyers, rights groups, Christian and Buddhist religious leaders, opposition parties and leftist members of UPFA coalition; many alleged impeachment politically motivated. Speaker of Parliament 29 Nov rejected Supreme Court summons issued to parliamentary panel looking into impeachment charges. U.S. condemned impeachment; Commonwealth Sec-Gen 15 Nov expressed concern, called on govt to respect independence of judiciary. UN HRC 1 Nov reviewed govt human rights record under Universal Periodic Review process; govt 5 Nov rejected unusually high number of states’ recommendations. Military 27 Nov violently dispersed Jaffna student protests on traditional “heroes day” for LTTE fighters. Civil society groups protested govt plans to post Shavendra Silva, allegedly involved in war crimes and currently Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Rep to the UN, as deputy high commissioner to South Africa.

Defence minister Rajapaksa mid-Oct repeatedly called for national referendum to abolish 13th amendment to constitution which grants limited devolution of power to provinces, angering Indian govt. Bill to expand powers of economic development ministry at expense of provincial councils awaiting Supreme Court judgment on constitutionality. Judicial Services Commission secretary assaulted 7 Oct, prompting strike by jurists protesting increasing govt attacks on independence of judiciary. Leading opposition politician Sarath Fonseka 18 Oct held first political rally since release from jail; main opposition UNP prevented members from attending. Defence ministry 17 Oct announced release of Tamil Tiger leader Selvarasa Pathmanathan, detained since Aug 2009 and wanted in India for assassination of former PM Rajv Gandhi. University teachers 11 Oct ended 3-month strike calling for increased public funding of education, higher wages and end to politicisation of universities. Hundreds of Buddhist monks, supporters, marched 4 Oct in Colombo to condemn attacks on Buddhists in Bangladesh.

Govt won nearly 60% of vote in 8 Sept provincial council elections in N Central, Sabaragamuwa provinces; opposition candidates won over two thirds of Eastern province vote, with Tamil National Alliance (TNA) doing well; but govt secured control of council after Muslim Congress agreed to rejoin UPFA coalition. Polls criticised by monitors for widespread abuse of state resources, violence by UPFA members. Supreme Court 17 Sept ruled govt’s bill to establish Department of Divineguma Development must be approved by all 9 provincial councils before being tabled in Parliament. Senior govt ministers joined 18 Sept public protests against judgment; govt media attacked chief justice; president attempted to summon Judicial Services Commission (JSC). JSC issued 18 Sept statement criticising intimidation of judiciary by govt media. University teachers completed 100 mile protest march to capital, as their strike entered 3rd month with no sign of resolution. Head of teachers union reported receiving death threats; leader of JVP- affiliated student union arrested, jailed 20 Sept after leading protest supporting strike. U.S. Asst Sec State Blake visited mid-month, called for “accelerated progress” on LLRC report implementation including demilitarisation of North, resumption of TNA-govt talks on devolution, prosecution of rights violations.

Govt minister Rishad Bathiudeen appeared in court 27 Aug to answer charges he threatened local Tamil magistrate in Mannar, granted bail. Second Tamil prisoner died mid-Aug from injuries received when security forces took back control of Vavuniya prison following July protest. Election monitors throughout month reported abuse of state resources, violence by parties associated with ruling UPFA coalition in campaign for Sept provincial council elections; incidents included 12 Aug attack on mosque in Batticaola district reportedly by members of pro-govt TMVP. Govt announced closure of most universities as teachers strike entered second month. President Rajapaksa, senior govt officials early Aug met with South Africa govt delegation to discuss possible assistance in reconciliation efforts.

Lawyers, judges, court officials 20 July boycotted courts following attack on Mannar magistrate’s court by protestors,alleged intimidation of judge by senior govt minister. Journalists, activists, opposition leaders 12 July protested media intimidation after Defence Secretary Rajapaksa threatened Sunday Leader editor with death, legal action. U.S., EU, rights organisations 1 July condemned police raid on 2 opposition websites, arrest of staff; govt announced regulation, censorship measures including new powers to fine, imprison staff. Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) 17 July held protest in Jaffna over June killing of Tamil prisoner, hospitalisation of others following prison protests. 4 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members including Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha sacked following allegations of involvement in wave of sexual assaults against women, children. University teachers 4 July went on strike to demand increased govt funds for education. Allegations emerged mid-month of state involvement in facilitating outflow of Tamils seeking asylum from N, E. Govt mid-month announced 8 Sept date for provincial council elections in Eastern, North-Central, Sabaragamuwa provinces; President Rajapaksa 11 July said elections for northern provincial council to be held Sept 2013.

2 killed, 4 injured in 15 June gunmen attack on JVP party meeting in Hambantota; JVP leaders blamed govt for attack; politically-connected underworld gang-leader identified as chief suspect surrendered to police; attack denounced by UNP and civil society as evidence of institutionalised impunity for rights violations and collapse of law and order. Security forces blocked, disrupted protests by Tamils displaced by military land seizures in North. President Rajapaksa’s planned 6 June speech to Commonwealth Economic Forum, London, cancelled due to security concerns following demonstrations. Ex-army commander Sarath Fonseka 14 June reiterated plan to run in next election. Indian National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon 29 June met President Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, urged serious efforts to renew negotiations with TNA, improve conditions in North. Police 29 June raided web newspaper offices, arrested 9 journalists.

3rd anniversary of end of civil war commemorated 18-19 May, President Rajapaksa announced govt implementing some LLRC recommendations, would not be dictated to by outside powers. FM G.L. Peiris 18 May met U.S. Secretary of State Clinton during Washington visit, said inquiry into limited set of alleged war crimes by security forces had begun, but presented no concrete plan for accountability or implementation of LLRC. Govt 24 May announced establishment of new courts to accelerate trials of Tamil civil war suspects. Former army chief and Democratic National alliance leader Sarath Fonseka released 21 May follow- ing presidential remittance of sentence, terms of release bar him from political office for 7 years. Govt 13 May announced plans for Sept provincial elections in North Central, Sabaragawumuwa and Eastern provinces, but not North. Canadian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka called for full investigation amid allegations of military involvement in early May murder of Canadian citizen of Tamil origin, Kilinochichi.

Govt 22 April ordered removal of mosque in Dambulla following 19 April firebombing, 20 April protest led by Buddhist monks alleging mosque illegally built in area sacred to Buddhists; umbrella Muslim group said attack attempt to damage peaceful co- existence. “White van” abductions continued: 2 lead JVP-splinter group activists kidnapped 6 April, 3 days before launch of their new Frontline Socialist Party, released after 4 days, one deported to Australia. Indian parliamentary delegation visited 16-21 April, met with broad range of govt, party, civil society members, toured N and E, called for rapid progress on political settlement with Tamil parties, improved conditions for resettled population and return to civilian rule in N; govt rejected call to withdraw troops from N. Govt early April rejected calls for implementation of March’s HRC resolution, LLRC recommendations. Reported UN discovery of cluster bombs in N appeared to confirm use during civil war.

UN HRC 22 March, despite aggressive lobbying by Sri Lankan govt, approved U.S. resolution calling for implementation,of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations and for govt to address international law violation allegations; govt late March announced intention to close several embassies in Europe. OHCHR 23 March condemned harassment and intimidation of Sri Lankan human rights activists, warned of future govt reprisals and called on govt to protect human rights defenders. Month saw continued reports of abductions including attempted abduction of local Colombo politician, allegedly by army soldiers; soldiers briefly detained, army said politician’s identity mistaken, soldiers looking for army deserters.

EU 23 Feb criticised Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission shortcomings, called for full implementation of recommendations, further action on accountability, following similar position taken by U.S. mid-Feb. U.S.-drafted resolution calling on govt to implement LLRC recommendations, initiate “credible and independent investigations and prosecutions” of those responsible for war crimes presented to HRC session beginning 27 Feb. Army 15 Feb announced appointment of 5-member court of inquiry into war crimes, widely seen as delaying tactic before HRC session. Govt also facing serious domestic pressure: month saw series of strikes over economic hardship by students, bus owners, electricity workers. One fisherman shot dead by police in 15 Feb protest over fuel price hike in Chilaw town; police used tear gas, water cannons to disperse peaceful opposition protests in Colombo. Abductions and enforced disappearances continued: Tamil businessman abducted 11 Feb 2 days before due to appear in court to testify to govt torture, arbitrary detention.