Convergence of Patriots to Canberra -new
Posted on March 8th, 2014
Chanaka Bandarage
On Friday 7 March 2014 about 50 patriots from different parts of Australia converged to Canberra to meet with representatives of the UNHRC member countries located in Canberra. The delegates met with nearly 30 such Missions located in Canberra. They also met with the Office of Julie Bishop, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs for Australia, a friend of Sri Lanka.
The delegates had lengthy discussion with representatives of the UNHRC member countries and most representatives offered signs that their countries may not vote in favour of the proposed US Resolution in Geneva this time. It seems many member countries are not happy with the way the US is bringing forward such a Resolution that will not help Sri Lanka, but will damage Sri Lanka. The proposed Resolution will be an impediment to Sri Lanka’s economic progress, unitary status (sovereignty) and ethnic reconciliation.
At the discussions, a Petition was handed to the representatives of the UNHRC member countries and that of Ms Bishop’s Office and representatives of the US/UK , Indian and Canadian Governments. Below, please find a copy of the said Petition:
____
7 March 2014
UPCOMING US SPONSORED UNHRC RESOLUTION AGAINST SRI LANKA
Dear Your Excellency
PREAMBLE
We, the peace loving Australians of Sri Lankan origin, wish to register our concerns with your government through Your Excellency, in regards to the proposed US Resolution against Sri Lanka at the March sessions of the UNHRC. The US is seeking a probe into the human rights violations allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan security forces, in the last stages of the over three decades of long war in Sri Lanka conducted by the Sri Lankan Government against the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) -a UN designated international group (under the UN Resolution 1373 of 2002). It is disappointing that such a Resolution will be brought forth by the US when Sri Lanka has done everything possible to restore normalcy to those who were affected (mainly Sri Lanka’s Tamil population) from Tamil Tiger terrorism.
THREE DECADES OF TAMIL TIGER TERRORISM
In Sri Lanka, for over 30 years, the Tamil Tigers bombed, killed and maimed people and committed other horrendous crimes. During the period of Tamil terrorism, Sri Lankans hardly had a day of peace, having to suffer terrible carnage at the hands of Tamil Tigers. Hundreds and thousands of innocent Sri Lankans died due to Tamil Tiger terror and many thousands were maimed. Husbands and wives did not travel together in the same train compartment (they travelled in separate compartments) due to the fear that the train may be bombed (a recurring occurrence at the time). They knew at least one of them should live to provide for the children.
In 2009, the Tamil Tigers were successfully defeated by the Sri Lankan security forces, under the leadership of the President, HE, Mahinda Rajapaksa, with overwhelming support from the peace loving citizens of all communities of Sri Lanka.
It is indeed an achievement without any parallel where 21 million of Sri Lankans were liberated from the yoke of the Tamil Tiger terror. The Tamil Tigers held the country to ransom for many years. The whole world witnessed on electronic media how nearly 300,000 Tamils ran towards the Sri Lankan forces seeking shelter and protection; after freeing themselves from the LTTE.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in their publication dated 10 January 2008, under the title “Taming the Tamil Tigers’ identified Tamil Tigers as the most dangerous and deadliest extremists among all of the terrorist groups in the world. The Tamil Tigers invented the suicide belt, used women in suicide attacks and extensively used child soldiers. All the LTTE cadres wore a cyanide capsule around their neck. The LTTE launched many civilian suicide attacks – frequent bombings in Colombo and other major cities, attacked Sinhalese villages in the North and the East where they raped women and killed infants. They assassinated politicians (including scores of Tamils, Government ministers, a Sri Lankan President and the then Indian Prime Minister). They also committed other forms of crimes. such as, armed robberies, human trafficking, drug peddling and money laundering.
The Tamil Tigers had fund raising organisations established throughout the world, especially in the West. Although the US, UK, EU, Canada, India, Malaysia and several other countries proscribed the Tigers (Australia made a limited listing of them under the Charter of the United Nations Act), it is well known that displaced LTTE members, Tamil separatists and their sympathisers, continued with fund raising, and used those funds to buy arms/ammunitions and war equipment to continue with its brutal war against Sri Lanka.
Now after the war, expatriate Tamil separatists, Tamil separatist sympathisers and their cohorts have started another war (by pen) – to exert pressure on politicians and intellectuals in their respective domiciled countries to garner support to achieve their final goal of carving out a separate, racist state exclusively for the Tamils in the North and East of Sri Lanka, the ‘Tamil Eelam’. It is estimated Tamils constitute less than 14%, of Sri Lanka’s total population, but they claim more than 1/3 of Sri Lanka’s landmass and ¾ of the coastal area. In Sri Lanka, majority of the Tamils live outside of the claimed area – it is believed that in Greater Colombo, at least 40% of the population is Tamil.
ADDRESSING ACCOUNTABILITY
In the aftermath of the LTTE military defeat a key allegation made against Sri Lanka was that there were large scale Tamil civilian deaths by the Army during the last stages of the war. The Government correctly refused the accusations and requested those who made the accusations to provide them with particulars.
During last stages of the war the Government soldiers refrained from firing at the ‘No Fire Zone’, fearing that the civilians may be harmed. But, Tamil Tigers continued to shell at the Army, this resulted in many soldiers being killed – effectively they sacrificed their lives to save the lives of the Tamil civilians. The Tigers shelled and fired at the civilians who freed themselves from their captivity. The war finally ended on 19 May 2009 after the terrorist leader, Prabhakaran was killed that day (the ‘final war’ was started in March 2007). Prior to its Northern operation, the Sri Lankan Forces successfully rescued thousands of civilians from the East with minimal collateral damages. The security forces adopted the same tactic when it came to rescuing civilians in the North.
During the war, according to the UN spokesman in Colombo of the time, Mr Gordon Weiss the dead civilian number was only about 7,000 (he gave these numbers in about March/April 2009), the Sri Lankan Government at that time rejected that high number. Mr Weiss was asked to leave the country.
About 9 months after the war, there were claims, (mainly by Mr Weiss) that the dead civilian number was much higher – about 40,000. In 2011, the UN Secretary General’s advisory panel-‘Darusman’ alleged that a similar number may have been killed. When questioned at his book launch in Melbourne in October 2010, Mr Weiss was unable to properly answer how his own 7,000 figure had increased to 40,000. Under intent questioning, Mr Weiss stated that the dead number may have been between 10,000 – 40,000, he failed to explain properly how he arrived at different figures at different times.
Thus, after end of the war, there had been accusations against the Sri Lankan government of gross civilian deaths (something that was not raised during the time of the war, including by India), but no one had been able to say how such a number (eg 40,000) had come to be – who were the dead people (their names, addresses, or at least who are their living relatives), where were the dead corpses buried (the ‘No Fire Zone’ was less than a 3 sq. km area). Documentary videos prepared by a British TV station (Channel 4) made horrendous accusations of war crimes against Sri Lanka but it later emerged that authenticity of the claims made in the documentaries was highly dubious. It became obvious that Channel 4 had deliberately concealed important information from its viewers, allegedly used edited videos to produce the documentaries. Channel 4 stated that the original videos provided to them were taken using mobile phones by those who were in the battlefront. Expert technical analysis show that some of the videos have been made using sophisticated video cameras that have zoom lenses. Mobile phone cameras do not have zoom lenses. On 27 February 2014 Lord Nesby stated in the British Parliament (House of Lords) that 2 people who appeared in a Channel 4 video had admitted that they were paid by Tamil Tigers. It is a well-known fact that Channel 4 is highly biased against Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Government produced a series of documentaries ‘Lies Agreed Upon’ which correctly showed the dubious nature of the Channel 4 documentaries.
As stated before, all those who have made allegations of horrendous war crimes atrocities against Sri Lanka have failed to articulate the sources of their information, details of the alleged incidents including names of the alleged victims or their relatives and any witnesses etc. Even the Darusman Report (UN) did not provide such information and when questioned the UN panel refused to disclose the evidence that it allegedly have. This placed the Sri Lankan government in a very difficult position – it very much wanted to investigate the allegations made against it, but those who made the allegations apart from rhetoric, would not provide any information/evidence about them. The Government appointed a Commission of Enquiry – Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC); only five incidents of civilian deaths were complained to the Commission. We believe they are now being investigated under the Government’s ‘National Plan of Action’.
The Sri Lanka’s critics have completely ignored independent and reliable reports/sources such as the Sri Lankan Census and Statistics Department’s Report which confirmed that the number of deaths were around 7,000 up to the end of May 2009; they included the dead LTTE cadres. In the last stages of the war, thousands of Tamil Tigers were killed by the Sri Lankan government forces (to camouflage the Army, some of them wore civilian attire). Sri Lankan forces were killed by the Tamil Tigers and Northern civilians died of non war related causes; so deaths did occur in the war areas. But, the Sri Lankan Army did not intentionally or recklessly kill Tamil civilians.
The Sri Lankan Government continues to request those who make the blatant allegations against it to provide them with information/evidence of the alleged atrocities. But, no one has come forward to do so (apart from the 5 complaints to the LLRC), thus, as stated before it is currently placed in a precarious situation..
PROGRESS IN THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS IN SRI LANKA
As mentioned before, soon after the conclusion of terrorism in May 2009, the Sri Lankan government appointed the LLRC and the Government did all it could do to implement its recommendations (the National Plan of Action). The areas of action taken by the Government, apart from the massive infrastructure development (over US$ 3 billion worth of projects in the North alone), included resettlement of people, providing compensation/relief to people and implementing policies of reconciliation.
A key progress was achieved via restoration of the democratic rights of the people by conducting elections in the areas affected by the war (North and the East), appointment of a Commission of Enquiry into the alleged disappearances (in co-operation with the ICRC) and conduct of a Census on deaths/injuries to civilians and property damages due to the war. These achievements are further described below.
The status as at December 2013 of the Government’s progressive actions in the North in brief are as follows (the statistics provided hereunder are authentic and can be substantiated).
a) Tracing of missing/disappeared persons:
A survey on the tracing of missing/disappeared persons, especially those who were forcibly abducted by the LTTE, was completed with the corporation of the Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) Unit of the UNICEF.
The President, HE Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed a Commission to investigate cases of missing persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, particularly those who allegedly went missing during and after the war. The Commission has been given the authority to conduct inquires and investigations as necessary, and submit a report to the President. The President stressed the necessity to identify the persons responsible in cases where abductions or disappearances were found to have taken place and to take legal action where necessary.
It is noted that well over 100,000 Tamil citizens left Sri Lanka between 2007-2013, seeking refugee status in Canada, Europe, Australia, India and some using illegal means (boat people). It has been reported that these people have also been included in the ‘missing’ persons’ lists by those who have prepared such lists. It is estimated that about 7,000 Tamils travelled to Australia alone in boats in the past 5 years.
b) Rehabilitation of the Ex-LTTE cadres:
Out of the total of about 12,000 ex-LTTE cadres surrendered/captured, 97% have already been rehabilitated and released to the society. A further 2% is currently under rehabilitation. This gesture alone shows that the Government is keen on rehabilitation rather than retribution. This also rebuts the accusation that the Government deliberately killed Tamil civilians; if wanted, it could have easily killed those captured LTTE cadres.
c) Resettlement of IDPs:
Out of the total of 224,432 Tamil families who were residing in temporary accommodation 96.9% have already been resettled. There are 22,134 Muslims registered for resettlement in the Northern Province and are in the process of being resettled. Out of the 100,000 Sinhalese displaced from the Northern province since early 1980s, about 90% are still living in areas outside of the Northern Province.
d) Re-establishing of democracy:
Presidential, Parliamentary, Local Government and Provincial Council elections were held since the eradication of terrorism. A Tamil political party (TNA) won the election and are currently governing the Northern province.
e) Land released by Security Forces and the reduction of troops:
Out of the 34.561 acres of private lands occupied by the security forces, 78% has already been released. The army battalions have been reduced from 152 to 104 since May 2009. These numbers continue to come down.
f) Demining
According to the data available up to September 2013, only 4.2% of land is yet to be cleared.
g) LLRC
Some of the recommendations of the LLRC require an evolving/progressive consensus among the ethnic, religious, regional and political diversity of the nation, the Government has commenced grassroot level activities to achieve these.
AN APPEAL TO YOUR EXCELLENCY
Considering the gravity and enormity of the conflict, we say that the goal for full reconciliation cannot be achieved within a short period of time. Quick fixes and ad hoc policies in the guise of resolving problems (especially as enunciated by powerful external elements) will in reality acerbate the problems. All solutions to the conflict must arise within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, and they must be authentic, indigenous and acceptable to all peoples of Sri Lanka.
Since ending the war, Sri Lanka has taken great strides to address concerns raised by the international community. Sri Lanka has always been willing and able to listen to the international critique and has adjusted its policies accordingly. Given that Sri Lanka has co-operated well with the international community and has taken genuine attempts to redress grievances of the minority Tamils, Sri Lanka should not be subjected to harsh measures by the UNHRC member nations in March this year. There is absolutely no requirement to conduct an international investigation to the alleged civilian deaths/human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Demanding an enquiry only to investigate the conduct of the war in the last stages of the war has no rational. What about the atrocities committed by the LTTE and the alleged atrocities committed by an occupying foreign Army during the 30+ years of the war? Why should those atrocities go un-investigated?
It is only the wearer who knows wherein the shoe that pinches. In Sri Lanka, it is its people who have the tragic war experiences. It is Sri Lankans who know what it meant to live under the clutches of brutal terrorism. It is Sri Lankans who defeated terrorism using their own skills and resources (when Sri Lanka was winning the war in 2009, some powerful nations tried to stop it). It is Sri Lankans who should dictate the future pathway of their country, not outsiders, who have little or no understanding of Sri Lanka.
The emergence of the new Sri Lanka that dawned after 19 May 2009 should change lives for all Sri Lankans for better. True everything that happened in Sri Lanka after the war in the past 4 years may not be perfect, yet, Sri Lanka has moved forward. Sri Lankans want to continue that forward march – so that they can build a rich, harmonious, peaceful Sri Lanka for all Sri Lankans. Already Tamils, Muslims, Sinhalese and Burghers live like the children of one mother in Sri Lanka. This ‘settled peace’ must not be disturbed.
Adverse outside forces should not be allowed to come and interfere with the intricate way of Sri Lankan life. Again, they should not be allowed to destroy Sri Lanka’s recent gains after winning of the war. The proposed US Resolution should be looked in that perspective. It is a reckless attempt to unduly interfere into Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and a measure to stop its forward march. It is important to note Australia’s excellent policy on Sri Lanka – engage, not isolate/punish Sri Lanka.
The best way to assist Sri Lanka is to provide her with financial, moral and other assistance. And include Sri Lanka fully in world affairs. At the Tokyo Summit in 2002, the international community pledged to assist Sri Lanka with a rebuilding fund (like the post-World War II ‘Marshal Plan’) worth over $US 4.5 billion. These pledges were not met with. After the war, Sri Lanka borrowed monies (about US$ 7-8 billion) at high interest rates. Most of the monies were used to build new infrastructure for their Tamil brethren in the North and East. Many large scale infrastructure projects are in the pipeline.
In the recent past, the Sri Lankan Government conducted negotiations with South Africa and the two countries agreed to work together to resolve the outstanding issues, including the West’s demand to establish an international Commission of Enquiry to investigate the alleged war crimes. We say that the international community must give this new initiative a chance to succeed than giving deference to the proposed US Resolution.
Before casting your country’s valuable vote at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva in March 2014, we humbly request you to carefully consider all the factors outlined herein. A vote in favour of the US Resolution (ie against Sri Lanka) or an absent vote will have the huge impact of derailing all the gains achieved after winning the most brutal, recent civil war of the world. The US Resolution will damage the substantial achievements that Sri Lanka has gained over the past 4+ years especially in relation to ethnic reconciliation, ethnic harmony and economic development. Even a section of Senators within the US are opposed to the US Resolution.
The US Resolution will polarise the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, not unite them. Sri Lankans are determined to make their beautiful country ‘the Wonder of Asia’; we ask you to cast your country’s vote against the US Resolution (ie vote in favour of Sri Lanka) in Geneva, so that this dream of the 21 million Sri Lankans will become a reality. Again, please note that a vote in favour of the US Resolution or abstaining from voting means sending Sri Lanka backwards.
We kindly ask you to forward this Petition to your foreign office and the UNHRC post in Geneva.
We thank you very much.
1) Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka VIC
2) Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka-NSW
3) Australian Federation of Sri Lankan Associations-NSW
4) Sri Lanka Support Group-ACT and Global
5) Sinhala Cultural Association of Australia Inc ACT
6) United Australians of Sri Lankan Organizations- VIC
7) Sri Lankans Against Terrorism NSW
8) Veera Parakramabahu Foundation NSW
9) Sinhala Cultural and Community Services Foundation Inc VIC
10) Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka-QLD
11) Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights in Sri Lanka- WA
12) Only One Lanka, ACT
ps – The 10 point draft Resolution presented by the US this week is very different to what the US had previously proposed. This shows that the US itself is unsure about the allegations of human rights violations that it is making against Sri Lanka. If the situation in Sri Lanka is so bad as stressed by the US previously, why is it that the US now not demanding an international investigation into the alleged atrocities?
The proposed Resolutions 4 and 5 deal with domestic incidents that occurred in Sri Lanka (alleged attacks on places of religious worship and the ‘Weliweriya incident’ where a demonstrator was shot dead by the security forces). These two incidents are not serious enough to warrant an UNHRC intervention. Such incidents frequently take place in many countries around the world. Many Muslim and sometimes Buddhist places of worship have been attacked in Western Europe in the past few years.
The proposed Resolution 6 is a request that the Sri Lanka government implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Sri Lanka has abided by the 13th Amendment thus far. In any case this is a Constitutional issue of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Government has been provided guidance in this regard by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, the government is bound by the Supreme Court’s ruling. The UNHRC does not have the jurisdiction to make demands about Sri Lanka’s constitutional matters. It is strange that the Resolution 6 only refers to the Northern Provincial Council, there are 7 other Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka, the 13th amendment applies to all of them. Does this mean that the UNHRC discriminates against the people of other 7 provinces? The intention of the proposed Resolution 6 is to make Sri Lanka ungovernable.
The Proposed Resolutions 7 and 8 create an obligation on the part of Sri Lanka to conduct a local investigation into the alleged violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka and to work in close co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (the Resolution does not identify the 2nd party – it seems like the LTTE. Such bad drafting shows that the US itself is not serious about its own Resolution),. Sri Lanka has clearly shown that the Human Rights Commissioner, is extremely biased against Sri Lanka. In this Petition, we have clearly articulated that these two Resolutions (7 and 8) are totally unwarranted.
We again humbly request you not to support the proposed US Resolution. It is designed to create enormous, untold problems to Sri Lanka. Thank you.
Contac Person:
Chanaka Bandarage, Sri Lanka Support Group, GPO Box 3004, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. Ph , srilaankasupportgroup@bigpond.com
_____ End of Petition
(to suit individual needs, slightly different versions were handed to different countries)
March 8th, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Since it is now obvious working with the accusers to come to some mutual understanding is almost impossible Sri Lanka has to act independent of them. Seek out those elements within Sri Lanka who continue to perpetuate the propaganda and the lies. One main group would by the Tamil political part the Tamil National Alliance. They should be held accountable for their role in working with New Delhi and the nations who host the Tamil Diaspora in supporting this concocted human rights resolution. If the party is found guilty of treason then do what the laws of Sri Lanka state in regards to treason.
It is also time to move on the issue of the 13th amendment drafted between New Delhi and Colombo during 1987 for the explicit purpose of ending the war and giving more autonomy to the northern and eastern provinces as a leverage. That amendment failed and is only kept alive by the Tamil Diaspora and India. But as for Colombo this amendment is a dead issue. In order for it to be a dead issue for India and the Tamil Diaspora it has to be addressed in Colombo where it is “formally” ended and by that the Tamil National Alliance, India nor the Tamil Diaspora can use the issues of removing the military presence in the northern and eastern provinces and the demand for police powers as part of their human rights violations propaganda again.
Finally and most importantly Sri Lanka must take the next step with China regarding her strategic alliance agreement between Sri Lanka and China signed a year ago and now official. Russia is preparing to build eight military bases across the world including three in the New World where Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua will host them and by that end the US “Monroe Doctrine”. Sri Lanka is in a very strong position since both China and Russia want an unfettered access to the Indian ocean. This is one of Sri Lanka’s most powerful natural resource, her harbors and her strategic location. Offer both Russia and China the opportunity to build their military bases in Sri Lanka. No doubt India and the US will vehemently protest. But since India has used her power against the best interest of Sri Lanka she is morally bankrupt to dictate foreign policies with Sri Lanka. The US not only stood idly by for most of the war but played host to the Tamil Diaspora who funded the LITE during that war and never took action against them on US soil. That act alone morally bankrupts the US in determining what Sri Lanka wants.
If Russia and China were to accept Sri Lanka as a member nation as they have done with many of the central nations such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan then they can do the same with Sri Lanka. Currently both India and Sri Lanka are guest members of the SCO but if Sri Lanka emerges as a member state of these organizations her air force will leap frog since the CSTO has a combined air force including that of Russia. It will also upgrade Sri Lanka’s military to the standards of the CSTO including that of the SCO.
As a member state Sri Lanka would be partners of two Security Council members and by the very nature of it would end the Tamil Diaspora’s continuous diplomatic attacks on Sri Lanka for both Russia and China will not permit one of their member states face such accusations. It will also place Sri Lanka in a position greater than any of the South Asian nations and become one of the centers of power of the CSTO and the SCO which would mean that power would extend from the China sea to the East to Belarus and Armenia to the West and Sri Lanka to the south, creating a triangle and uniting Sri Lanka with the two emerging powers of the 21st century. As for India she will be enveloped on all sides by the member states of the CSTO and the SCO and will not be in the position to dictate or even play dirty politics with Sri Lanka without having to deal with Moscow and Beijing.
March 8th, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Live: Terrorism fears grow after discovery that TWO passengers on missing Malaysia Airlines flight were using STOLEN passports
March 8th, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Good work BUT these govt.s will NOT change their decision due to what we say NOW.
The decision has ALREADY been made and any participant is ALREADY in Geneva because the session ALREADY STARTED by March 7.
March 8th, 2014 at 6:20 pm
We should be and will be ever grateful to these Sri Lankan Societies and members of these societies, (unlike the LTTE sponsored and funded hostile Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala NGOs and societies), for spending their own time and funds to come forward to defend the TRUTH about the Sri Lankan situation, much against possible threats to themselves from hostile elements, such as some LTTE activists still operating within and outside Sri Lanka.
Australian people of today form a civilised and friendly nation, providing equal rights to all, irrespective of ethnicity, and it is the duty of all its citizens to support the welfare of Australia by preventing peddlers of falsehoods trying to mislead the people and their leaders to create disharmony.
In a recent Editorial on 27/2/14 in the Daily News of Sri Lanka, it was revealed the type of low grade disinformation these enemies of Sri Lanka can resort to, in order to deceive the foreigners who are not familiar with the Sri Lankan situation and not alert to their cunning methods.
Following is an extract from the Editorial:
“What else would be expected from UN lobbyists and activists who went around the UNHRC premises distributing leaflets that had photographs of Sinhala children killed by the LTTE, being passed off as pictures of Tamil children killed by Sri Lankan government forces?!”
This is the same thing they are said to have done several decades ago, by carrying pictures of Hindu devotees at Kataragama, sleeping on “nail beds”, hanging from hooks inserted to back of their skin, rods piercing through their cheeks etc, all of which as we know are Hindu rituals to impose penance on themselves, but shown to innocent foreigners as torture of Tamils in Sri Lanka. This type of disinformation is still going on and only through societies like yours and competent and energetic diplomats, could such propaganda be countered.
Those ex-Sri Lankans grateful to what the country gave them and try to protect the good name of Sri Lanka, have the qualities to be good citizens of their adopted foreign homelands, but those who vilify Sri Lanka with fabricated lies, have the potential to vilify one day, those foreign nations they have settled down in.
March 8th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
Sorry, the Daily News editorial extract in my previous comments, is only the 3 lines section typed within quotes, and the rest below it are my own observations and comments.
March 8th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Lorenzo, it’s not all over; there is scope to garner votes to us, given the new US draft Resolution. The issues raised therein are not serious enough to warrant an UNHRC intervention (Weliweriya, mosque attacks etc are past problems which have now been fully resolved. In the past few years hundreds of mosques have been attacked in Europe alone; even a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in London was attacked). The draft US Resolution on 13th Amendment is about interpretation of Sri Lanka’s Constitution. UNHRC is not qualified to do that only Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court is empowered to interpret the Constitution. Because the UNHRC High Commissioner is biased against Sri Lanka (she even wanted to place a wreath in Nanthikadal?), involvement of the said High Commissioner into an investigation that Sri Lanka may conduct in the future against the allegations that have been made against it is unwarranted. I believe if we canvass well many UNHRC member states will vote against the US Resolution. Our delegation on Friday in Canberra met with a number of Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other senior diplomats of the UNHRC missions. We have had very cordial, friendly discussions. Some of them were very lengthy discussions. that were conducted on a one to one basis. The feedback we received was very positive.
March 8th, 2014 at 8:54 pm
CB,
We FULLY support your moves. FANTASTIC!
But in my view we should have done this EARLY before the DELEGATES took their positions in Geneva.
The shape of the resolution was known then.
Anyway better late than never! Good luck!
March 8th, 2014 at 11:06 pm
Lorenzo, the US put out its Resolution only last week – Wednesday; as you can see it is a much diluted Resolution. The previously strong rhetoric is gone. It is possible they might further amend it; so we have a chance to lobby. The countries will not just vote, they want to see what’s in the Resolution. I still think the Resolution can be defeated. It will be a BIG win then.
March 9th, 2014 at 2:12 am
I think the USA is very cunning and has deliberately watered down the resolution to ask only for another report from Navi Pillai, instead of an investigation by a Panel, as USA has confidence in Navi Pillai to do what ever is told, unlike an yet unknown panel. This means USA is prepared to wait another year, giving it more time to canvass more nations to support them and get Navi Pillai to present an even more scathing report, most probably written for her in Washington. Their modus operandi is to ignore all positive things done in Sri Lanka and create bogus or exaggerated allegations, like what the TNA and NGOs are doing today. This could give the impression to the International community that Sri Lanka is a failed state needing external “help”. Therefore, I hope this US resolution would be defeated, even with the block vote for USA from EU/NATO countries.
March 9th, 2014 at 5:09 am
The UK Govt was adamant that if Sri Lanka failed to establish a local commission of enquiry, they want an international enquiry established this year. They need to explain why they now like to settle for something less, given that the allegations are extremely serious. Are they implying they themselves are unsure of the allegations?
March 9th, 2014 at 6:26 am
Thanks for all the good work.
India, Indians, Indian colonial parasites and vermin are crying foul saying US resolution has not gone far enough.
March 9th, 2014 at 6:36 am
When it comes to the Western nations it is Inda, Indian colonial parasites and vermin and of course the Western Socialists who are pushing for the heads of Sinhalese. There are high ranking individuals and MPs in Canada, US and the UK who are Indians. (Note:Tamils are Indians). India did not expect Mahinda will wipe out the Indian terrorist arm branded Tamil Tigers.
We have to wait and see what will happen after the Indian elections.
March 9th, 2014 at 10:13 am
Bandu Says;
Dear Chanaka,
Thank you for the final text of the Petition handed over to Heads of
Mission in Canberra. I note that slightly different versions were
handed over to different Hs/M. That’s good. Australia was the best
place to take such an initiative as the Ausie govt is supportive of
SL’s efforts and fully understands the need for time for
reconciliation which is no easy task for any country after a long
debilitating war against a ruthless terrorist outfit.
Australian govt’s stance can make an impression on Hs/M present there.
I wish similar efforts were made in other Capitals. Thanks for this
excellent initiative which I have observed as a former SL diplomat who
served a long time in Australia as Deputy HC and acting H/C for a good
part of the time. Pl convey my appreciation to other groups which
co-operated.
Regards
Bandu
March 9th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Bandu, Australia was a co-sponsor of the US Resolutions in previous years. The fact that they are not doing that this year itself is a major victory for us
March 9th, 2014 at 4:07 pm
CB,
Good work. Since they are hanging on to the ropes, it is the time now to knock out the buggers.
March 9th, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Nanda, if we win in Geneva this time, it will be equally important as winning the war on 19/5/09
March 10th, 2014 at 2:58 am
Hi all I am sure Australia got a new government in September last year.
March 10th, 2014 at 4:57 am
CB,
Even if we win , if it is on the assumption that LLRC rubbish and 13A will be implemented OR some South African nonsense introduced accepting a false Tamil Land, it is the same as RanNils CFA, not 190509.