Shenali D Waduge

Why Sri Lanka Should Not Ratify the ICC

1. Sovereignty at Risk

·      External ICC jurisdiction would override Sri Lanka’s Constitution, domestic courts, and national security decisions.

·      Even functioning national mechanisms would be sidelined, undermining judicial independence.

2. Politically Motivated Targeting

·      ICC disproportionately targets smaller or weaker states while ignoring powerful nations.

·      Sri Lanka’s experience with UNHRC resolutions shows international mechanisms can be weaponized politically.

3. Domestic Justice Exists

·      Sri Lanka has laws and institutions to prosecute war crimes, terrorism, and human rights violations.

·      ICC ratification could duplicate or override domestic legal processes.

4. Military & National Security Risks

·      Armed Forces could face unfair investigations for counter-terrorism operations (e.g., defeating the LTTE).

·      Morale and operational effectiveness could be compromised.

5. One-Sided ICC Actions – Examples

African Focus:

·      Sudan (Darfur), Kenya (post-election violence), Libya, Uganda – disproportionate scrutiny on African states.

Powerful Nations & their illegal invasions & occupations Omitted:

·      U.S & NATO crimes.: Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria civilian casualties ignored.

·      Libya (2011 NATO intervention): Civilian deaths and regime change facilitated by Western powers; ICC focus limited.

Non-State Actors Ignored:

·      LTTE (Sri Lanka), Boko Haram (Nigeria), ISIS (Middle East), Taliban (Afghanistan) largely escape ICC scrutiny.

Reputational & Financial Pressure:

·      Investigations often lead to sanctions, loss of aid, or political isolation, irrespective of domestic judicial processes.

Ratifying the ICC would compromise sovereignty, judicial independence, and national security. Sri Lanka has functioning domestic mechanisms and should not be subjected to politically-motivated international scrutiny.

Powerful nations evade accountability while small states are targeted — ratification risks making Sri Lanka the next victim. 

PUBLIC MESSAGE TO ALL SRI LANKANS: 

Sri Lanka must resist ICC ratification to protect sovereignty, military integrity, and national judicial authority. 

Human rights should be a shield for people — not a weapon against governments to weaken the state. 

Weak governments should not think giving into western pressures will enable them to politically survive. They will be the first casualty.

The same players that carried out regime change in 2015 is said to have allegedly brought down that government with 2019 Easter Sunday massacre. 

There are no friends in politics.