Dilrook Kannangara

Quoting UK’s defence attache to Sri Lanka in 2009 Anton Gash, Lord Naseby presented a case to the British parliament on the absurdity of war crimes allegations against Sri Lanka. His reports were comprehensive and clearly annul allegations of war crimes leveled against Sri Lanka’s military. Their usefulness was harped by various patriotic groups from 2015 until 2019. Unfortunately, none of that was presented at the 2020 UNHRC sessions attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This is a very disappointing development as it leaves room for UN members to vilify Sri Lanka with war crimes allegations.

Another notable deficiency at the UNHRC this year is the absence of patriotic groups that made the trip in the past few years. This brings into question their true motive. If they truly intended to promote Sri Lanka’s interests, they must have made a showdown this year as well.

Sri Lanka’s proposed resolution which intends to replace 30/1 and 40/1 does not challenge the war crimes allegation. Instead, it proposes an alternative method to arrive at the same outcome intended by 30/1 and 40/1.