‘Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka, Wanted for Genocide’ – Scottish Parliament lit up ahead of Gotabaya visit

Projections across Scotland, including on the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh, called for international accountability for the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka ahead of the island’s president Gotabaya Rajapaksa visiting the country next week.

“Wanted for Genocide, President of Sri Lanka,” warned the projections which were placed in several locations across Scotland, by Scottish Tamil activists.

In Edinburgh, the Scottish Parliament Building and the historical Tron Kirk were lit, whilst in Glasgow the famous Barras market, the People’s Palace museum and McLennan Arch all bore projections ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, next week.

“We will not rest until Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other war criminals like him are brought to justice,” said Durga, one of the organisers of the projections.

The campaign follows several full page adverts that have been taken out in Scottish papers, including The Herald and The National, as Rajapaksa prepares to visit Glasgow.

Rajapaksa previously served as Sri Lanka’s defence secretary and oversaw a military campaign that saw hospitals shelled and tens of thousands of Tamils killed. He has repeatedly vowed not to prosecute those accused of war crimes, which includes senior military generals and his elder brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is currently Sri Lanka’s prime minister.

Efforts have continued across Scotland and around the world to ensure Rajapaksa faces justice, with a legal submission filed to the International Criminal Court earlier this week, naming him as a violator of international law.

“Rajapaksa is a war criminal and a perpetrator of genocide,” continued Durga. “He will not have any safe havens in Scotland or anywhere around the world until he is held accountable for his crimes.”

See more photos from locations across Scotland below.