Genocide is the ultimate crime under international law, a crime against
humanity. Bringing forward charges of genocide is a grave accusation. In the
case of Sri Lanka, which ratified the
Genocide Convention in 1950, these charges have been brought forward by
Tamils against members of the Sinhalese majority, in particular members of
successive governments. This study will not set out to determine individual
guilt since this would require a thorough judicial investigation. Rather,
based on the legal definition of genocide and on sociological approaches on
the genocidal process and the so called genocidal society, it will focus on
two inter related issues.
Firstly, what characterises a society in which genocide is likely to occur
and can Sri Lanka be described as being such a society. Secondly have there
been acts of genocide
in Sri Lanka, and if so, who has been responsible for these as evidenced
on a prima facie basis. This examination, while not ignoring the issue of
punishment, will be focussing on the prevention of genocide. In this regard,
enforcement mechanisms provided under the Genocide Convention and their
effectiveness will be scrutinised. Finally, based on the findings of this
study, a strategy will be developed with a view to prevent acts of genocide
taking place in Sri Lanka in the future.
