The second Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) insurgency from 1986 to 1990 represents one of the darkest chapters in Sri Lanka's modern history. During this turbulent period, the legal profession faced unprecedented violence, with numerous lawyers becoming victims of both state forces and insurgent groups. This comprehensive record documents the tragic loss of legal professionals who paid the ultimate price during these years of civil unrest.
The Scale of Violence Against Legal Professionals
According to records compiled by Dharman Wickremaratne, the second JVP insurgency resulted in the deaths of 15 human rights lawyers. This systematic targeting of legal professionals reveals the complex nature of the conflict and the dangerous environment in which lawyers operated during this period. The victims came from different backgrounds and represented various causes, but all shared a commitment to upholding justice and human rights in an increasingly volatile political climate.
The distribution of responsibility for these killings paints a troubling picture of violence from multiple sources. Government security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups were responsible for eight of these deaths, while JVP insurgents killed seven lawyers. This pattern demonstrates how legal professionals found themselves caught between opposing forces, targeted by both state and non-state actors for their work in defending human rights and civil liberties.
Violence in the Northern Province
The violence against lawyers extended beyond the JVP insurgency to include the ongoing ethnic conflict in the north. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) killed five lawyers in the Northern Province during this period. These victims included A. Amirthalingam, Kandasamy Annamale, Padmanathan, T.C. Vimudas, and T. Yogeswaran. Their deaths highlight how legal professionals across Sri Lanka faced threats from multiple armed groups operating in different regions of the country.
The targeting of lawyers by the LTTE represented part of a broader pattern of violence against political figures and professionals in the north. These killings occurred within the context of the ethnic conflict that had been escalating since the early 1980s, creating additional layers of complexity to an already dangerous environment for legal practitioners throughout the island.
The Context of the Second JVP Insurgency
The second JVP insurgency emerged from deep-seated political and economic grievances that had been building throughout the 1980s. The movement, led by Rohana Wijeweera, launched a violent campaign against the government of President J.R. Jayewardene. The insurgency was characterized by brutal tactics on both sides, with government forces responding to JVP violence with equally harsh measures.
During this period, human rights lawyers played a crucial role in documenting abuses and representing victims of violence. Their work made them targets for both government forces, who viewed them as sympathizers of the insurgents, and JVP cadres, who sometimes saw them as obstacles to their revolutionary agenda. The legal profession's commitment to upholding the rule of law placed many practitioners in direct conflict with groups that sought to achieve their goals through violence.
Impact on the Legal System
The systematic killing of lawyers during this period had profound implications for Sri Lanka's legal system and the rule of law. The loss of experienced human rights advocates weakened the country's capacity to address violations and protect vulnerable populations. Many lawyers were forced to flee the country or abandon their practices, creating a brain drain that affected the profession for years to come.
The climate of fear that pervaded the legal profession during this time also had a chilling effect on the willingness of lawyers to take on sensitive cases. The knowledge that colleagues had been killed for their professional activities created an atmosphere of intimidation that undermined the independence of the legal system and the protection of fundamental rights.
Historical Significance and Legacy
The record of lawyers killed during the 1986-1990 JVP period serves as an important historical document that highlights the human cost of political violence. These deaths represent not just individual tragedies but also a systematic attack on the institutions that uphold democracy and human rights. The targeting of legal professionals demonstrates how armed groups sought to eliminate those who could hold them accountable for their actions.
Today, this record stands as a reminder of the importance of protecting the independence of the legal profession and ensuring the safety of those who work to uphold justice. The sacrifice of these lawyers contributed to the eventual restoration of democratic governance and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, though the scars of this period continue to influence the country's political and legal landscape.
The documentation of these killings by researchers like Dharman Wickremaratne ensures that the memory of these fallen legal professionals is preserved and that their contributions to human rights and justice are not forgotten.