By Mr. Sarath. Wijesinghe, LL.M (London) Solicitor-Attorney-at-Law ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Why Sri Lanka ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Why only Sri Lanka

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ US Spokeswoman Victoria Newland alleges to have made a statement on the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-podiumƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ that US pushes for credible war crimes throughout and threatens a possible international inquiry if adequate steps were not taken by Colombo for a credible probe into charges of alleged humanitarian offences carried during the last stages of the LTTE war and humanitarian operation by Sri Lankan Government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This is given wide publicity on CDB and other ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ News cartels, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and we wish the news is incorrect considering the grave nature of the statement which is followed by many dangerous and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ damaging statements contrary to all norms and accepted principles pertaining to international law and international relations and of course the spirit of the charter of United Nations which espouses equality and equal treatment for all nations.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka Senior Member of the United Nations

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka though small in size is a senior member of the UN and the world family with equal rights, duties and responsibilities.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  She is a senior and a respectable member of the United Nations which possesses ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a credible mechanism for the protection, enhancement and preservation of human rights ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  world standards. The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka is powerful.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  LLRC which is the Lessons Learnt Commission is functioning as an independent body consisting of respectable and respected jurists with credible past history of not having any links or favourations from non-governmental organizations or United Nations.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankan people are not frustrated

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This lady has spoken of concerns of alleged frustration of Sri Lankan people for not appointing a credible inquiry panel and for not taking steps to punish the alleged offences leveled by the international media such as Darusman Report and Channel 4.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This is completely surprising as the people of Sri Lanka are now enjoying the peace bestowed on them after having gone through the misery ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  30 years under the most cruel terrorist outfit which is now completely eradicated. Apart from the few NGOsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  aiming at funds and some frustrated local and international politicians who are interested in tarnishing the image of Sri Lanka for some reason, no one else is bothered or interested on this issue. People of Sri Lanka have now started a new lease and breath of life having completely set aside the bitter past of 30 years of misery until the Darusman Report and Channel 4 episode haunted and stirred the healed wounds of the unfortunate past orchestrated by some NGOs and selfish politicians operating mainly in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Why Sri Lanka is targeted

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ One wonders why Sri Lanka is targeted as a soft target and has made a hunting field for the international media looking for new hunting fields forƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  publicity.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Syria,Yemen, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Bahrain, Lebanon, Iraq and many other countries in the Middle East, Afghanistan in the SAARC Region and some poor African countries have become hunting fields for the fat cat NGOs, selfish western powers and greedy international media.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ They little realize that Sri Lanka is different from them being a model democracy emerged victorious after 30 years of war. Sri Lanka is a country with beautiful sceneries, environment ,over 250,000 archaeological sites and one of the best sought for destinations for tourism.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The pervasive international media needs hunting fields and funds at any cost.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  For them human rights is an industry.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Their targets are emerging and developing nations. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ This lady in her statement on the podium states that Sri Lankan Government should take its responsibility and establish a kind of accountable system that its people can have confidence .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  People have full confidence on the current regime by electing the President, Government and winning all the electionsƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  overwhelmingly by free and fair elections.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The country is proud of maintaining democratic ideals since 1930s along with India both of which are model democracies in South Asia.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Her statements are very unusual and rude.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  She states that results must be quick and expeditious if not they will receive the right to discuss matters on international forums in public.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  She further states on the podium that she will not set a time frame or targets and it is left for the Sri Lankan people for their own good to develop a mechanism. These threats are not only hard and harsh it is against the spirit and the norms of all accepted international law and practice.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  How could she speak on this tone and give targets and deadlines when the USA and the Sri Lanka are members in the UN with equal status based on the United Nations Charter.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Do not throw stones from glass houses

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ One should not throw stones from ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ glass houses as the past history of some nations are bitter and miserable.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Some nations in the recent past have hunted ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ a major population ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ofƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  aborigines people chasing them and eradicating the traditional groups for ever.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the real owners of the land with a long history and a culture to themselves .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ history of some Western countries areƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ very short and their breeding is not culturally developed and broad. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ There are human miseries, disruptions and mass scale killing which amounts to more than war crimes ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in the past created by some miserable nations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  On 6^th August 1945 60,000 innocent Japanese were killed in few seconds followed by 250,000 other innocent civilians.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Subsequently hundreds and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ thousands of people were maimed and made cancer patients.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Carpet bombing in Vietnam and Laos too have given rise to making hundreds of thousands of cancer patients.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Even today they are involved in removing bombs to make the land free to be fertile without danger.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Middle East has been a region full of natural wealth.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Natural wealth including ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ gas and oil are needed for the rich Western countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They need power directly and indirectly for continuous supply of natural resources.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore they are engaged in regime changes in their favour.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They are engaged in regime changes to install puppet rulers and puppet governments. in order to ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ grab natural resources including gas, petroleum ,diamonds, gold and many other similar resources for their luxurious livelihoodƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  and development.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  They use various methods to instigate people in the guise of democracy and the mob rule has completely destroyed the culture and the stability of certain regions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Iraq was invaded to find nuclear armaments which never found.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is a battle field today but the natural resources are in the hands of the West as the country is controlled by the West and a puppet Government.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Afghanistan too is a country with enormous resources.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Libya has been a threat for the West and as a result of the cyber revolution initiated by the invisible Western forces are now in the brink of division where the citizens fight with each other.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Situation in Egypt , Syria, Lebanon, Tunisia andƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Bahrain are equally unstable.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The international foreign media is ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ever prepared to ignite the situation by giving maximum publicity for minute incidents.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Fortunately except Afghanistan which is under the control of USA, other SAARC countries are stable and leading towards development.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  India and China are in the verge of becoming world powers and a guiding forces leading ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ in the Asian Region.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  African Region is completely in shatters but the natural resources are directly and indirectly under the clutches of the West.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This shows how unreasonable and unfair the so-called Western leading nations espousing democracy and democratic ideals to small upcoming nations.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka has a proud history running back to thousands of years developed in the shade of great religions , preaching non-violence and human rights.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore without direction and preaching of the West they are used to be human and guardians and protectors of human rights.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Demarche

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ United States has delivered a demarche to Sri Lanka that it wants the final report of the Lessons ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) discussed at the 19^th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March next year.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  A demarche is a formal diplomatic stand of one governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s official positions views and wishes of one particular subject.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It originates from a French word whose liberal meaning is Gait which refers to a line of action, move, maneouvre in diplomatic relations or formal diplomatic representation of the official position and views or wishes on a given subject.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  This process is to persuade or gather information from one Government to the other.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

It is very unusual and strange why USA Government is harping on Sri Lanka for the report to be submitted to the UNHRC.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  If it is to be used for whatever the purpose it is left for the Sri Lankan Government to do so as it is their prerogative. On the other hand by submitting it to UNHRC, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka opens a flood gate for internal intervention which is disastrous when the country is aiming at development giving full concentration and priority for development.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  For development peace is necessary and Sri Lanka is blessed with absolute peace.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These disturbances will disturb the peace bestowed on the country with the sacrifice and blood bath of so many.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Therefore the best assistance that can be given to upcoming nations is to leave them alone without imposing ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ unreasonable conditions.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  On the other hand the legality and morality of the conditions of the requirement are undiplomatic and unfair.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Most difficult period for Sri Lanka

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ It is noted that Sri Lanka went through the most difficult period before.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  30 years war has been bitter and dangerous.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Nobody ever thought the Sri Lankan Government was winning the war of terror, the terrorist organization, the USA itself has categorized as the most feared terrorist organization.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  During the war Sri Lankan Government showed magnanimity and professionalism and there are no complaints of the conductingƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  of the humanitarian operation ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ during the difficult period.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Human shields

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Last few days of the humanitarian operation LTTE used 300,000 people as a human shield.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The world must accept that for 30 years, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lankan Government fed the terrorists too with the civilians because they have encroached the civilian areasƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  living with them. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Major portion of the land was ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ forcibly occupied by them.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  But the Sri Lankan Government never wanted the civilians ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ to starve including terrorists .ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Salaries of the government servants were paid, hospitals were functioning ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ and the schools were open,there was normal life despite terrorist activities. Today Sri Lanka is the only Government that provides education from Kindergarten to University free and free ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ medical aid to all citizens at any level except United Kingdom which provides free healthcare and education.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These are additional ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ human rights enjoyed by theƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Sri Lankans which is not found in any other part of the world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

The Constitution provides for an independent and impartial judiciary and strong legal system of international standards. Human Rights Commission set up in Sri Lanka is one of the most important organizations using as a platform to the Supreme Court which is the highest court which enjoys ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ the fundamental and human rights jurisdiction.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  The legal aid system and the NGOism are extremely powerful by providing a powerful mechanism for the protection, preservation and enhancement of human rights.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Nowhere in the world – ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ not even in the UK such international mechanisms are available.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In the UK one has to go through the arduous system of screening to obtain legal aid to have access to the higher judiciary.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In Sri Lanka it is cheap, easy and there are short cuts.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  These are facts that should be considered by the international community when the powerful Western countries try to steamroll small nations dictating and demanding .

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka is in the correct path with a fearless and dedicated leader who loves the country maintaining ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ friendly relations with all the countries based on ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Sri Lanka friendly foreign policy.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Powerful countries should realize that the ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ small countries too are powerful in their own way. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ West is no longer powerful today. ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Their economy is in disarray and in shatters, and there is mob rule in some ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There is economic instability in the EU, ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Italy, Norway, Greece and many other Western countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Now it is the era for the Asians with leading countries ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ such as India and China in the zenith for a new economic and political order coupled with equality and protection of individual and collective human rights.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  One wonders whether the international media and some Western nations are jealous of this wonderful and ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ beautiful nation emerging peacefully and steadily in spite of stormy economic world order reaching the target of being the Wonder of Asia.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (The write is the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to United Arab Emirates)