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Ex-diplomat Tamara to take legal action against Mangala

21 March 2015 08:39 am - 32     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam today said she is currently seeking the possibility of taking legal action against Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera against the statements he had made concerning her, alleging the former diplomat was one who ‘came forward on behalf of the LTTE’.
 
Kunanayakam held a special press conference this morning in order to respond to the accusations allegedly made against her by Minister Samaraweera during a TV program on March 17, where he had said that its necessary to ‘find out’ about her as it is she who continuously highlights the controversy surrounding the audit report on the renovations of the official residence of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Geneva. She claims he also accused her of coming forward on behalf of the LTTE at the UN and in the Human Rights Council in 1989 -1990.
 
Vehemently rejecting the allegation and the other comments the Minister has allegedly made against Kunanayakam, she noted the following:

"-          My reasons for requesting an audit into the functioning of the Permanent Mission in Geneva was not, as alleged by Minister Samarawera, due to a personal dislike for Ambassador Kshenuka Senevirathne. I had no reason to like or dislike her since I had never met her before and had no personal or professional contact with her

-          I categorically state that I have never ever spoken on behalf of the LTTE - not in 1989 -1990 and not before and not after. In fact I have worked closely with the Mothers’ Front Movement of which, the Minister was a co-convener.

I have denounced the violation of human rights by the State as well as by the LTTE. It is for this reason that I was branded a ‘traitor to the Tamil cause’ by the LTTE beginning as far back as 1987. I have also been subjected to written and physical threats by representatives and sympathizers of the LTTE.

-          Contrary to the allegation made by Minister Samaraweera, I was not a ‘member’ of the World Council of Churches. Members of the World Council of Churches are church institutions around the world to which also belongs the protestant churches in Sri Lanka and to which the National Christian Council of Sri Lanka is affiliated."


 Kunanayakam went on to state the Minister has ‘misused the fact that she is Tamil to automatically brand her’ as being an advocate for the LTTE while overlooking her consistent and relentless fight against the LTTE and the criticisms she leveled at the terrorist group throughout her private and professional life.  
 
She went on to state that as a former Ambassador of Sri Lanka, it appalls her to think that Sri Lanka should lose its credibility internationally its Foreign Minister makes false statements and is ‘playing on racist and chauvinist anti-Tamil sentiments’.
 
“In my mind, such a person is unsuitable to represent us internationally,” she said.
 
Former State Minister of Higher Education and MP Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe who also commented at the media briefing said that he is extremely disappointed by the statement made by the Foreign Minister that implicated Kunanayakam and said this government too has adopted the same policy followed by the previous regime, of branding any individual who is a Tamil or is criticizing the government policies as a ‘LTTE-er’.
 
Meanwhile, former diplomat and political scientist Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka who also expressed his views at the press conference this morning said Minister Samaraweera’s statements on Tamara has undermined the credibility of the Sri Lankan state and said that he also suspects whether a need has emerged from within the new government to go out of the way to protect Ambassador Senevirathne, as she provided misleading and damaging advice to former President Rajapaksa on matters of significant concern. (Lakna Paranamanna) 

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  Comments - 32

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  • douglas wickramaratne Saturday, 21 March 2015 06:32 PM

    I met with Tamara in Geneva when I participated in UNHCR meetings. As ambassador she made powerful presentations on behalf of Sri Lanka . To brand her as a LTTE supporter is unforgivable. The minister has forgotten his role in undermining the forces by his Sudu Nelum organisation.

    Nimal Sunday, 22 March 2015 01:25 PM

    Very good at show offs,she knows how to do it best. People who worked with her know how she showed that sending /copying heaps of correspondence on simple matters , to all powerful ones. Truth is she was doing nothing in Cuba except trying to increase her perks and looking for an opportunity to be with he links in Swiss.

    Nimal Tissa Wijetunga Sunday, 22 March 2015 01:16 PM

    I would like to know what happened to the article written by me to news about Tamara Kunanayakam.Pls publish it without any further delay. if any other decision is taken, kindly let us know.

    Hutaslander Sunday, 22 March 2015 12:29 PM

    Please note we passed just 60 days. See what they do, Foreign Minister and Finance Ministers are total failures. It would have been given to Harsha De Silva Finance and Eran Wickramaratne - Foreign .Today Cabinet is enlarged. MR did same to save our country to free us from Terrorism. Now why they do is to politically murder MR and silence Gotabaya. very sad.

    knight Sunday, 22 March 2015 09:09 AM

    why not you get on with your business without getting into unnecessary gossip. God knows whether youre right or wrong. He will mete out judgement. via DM Android App

    Push Sunday, 22 March 2015 06:20 AM

    Authorities above minister rank should coordinate with the ministers before high profile decisions are made. Inexperienced, incapable, incompetent and unqualified ministers otherwise will create a situation similar to that of MR’s time.

    Waco Sunday, 22 March 2015 06:11 AM

    Mangala ,wyou Sri Lsnka will become coloney of India. So resign before you become Ava-Mangala.

    sam Sunday, 22 March 2015 05:30 AM

    Can you guys remember the deals he had during his previous ports and shipping portfolio? He is not suitable represent SL in international level.

    Rani Sunday, 22 March 2015 04:11 AM

    Foreign minister of a country has a great responsibility of checking facts before opening mouth. Specially when making comments about someone. Wonder Mangala is fit enough to be a responsible foreign minister. It does not matter if Tamara is MR camp or Ranil camp as far as she is in SL camp. If he is a true gentleman Mangala should apologize to Tamara.

    dharma Sunday, 22 March 2015 01:58 AM

    Mr Mangala was sent out by the previous government supported the Tamils. mr laxmanan is minister not good with tamils he worst than communal Buddhist monks,ms thamara is a supported of mr Rajapaska she is a good books of mr Rajapaska in personal the mr Rajapaska policy, because of mr Rajapaska srilanka is isolated in the western world.

    Sarath Buddhadasa Sunday, 22 March 2015 12:22 AM

    Tamara is a patriot who stood against LTTE and defended Sri Lanka world over. It is not Tamara who supported LTTE but Mangala Samaraweera by launching sudu nelum and thawalama that demotivated and demoralized Sri lankan forces and strengthened LTTE.As a Sinhalese am ashamed of these comments made by Sri Lankas FM. President MS must take stern action on this man. We people of Sri Lanka see to it that at the next election these illiterates must not be sent to parliament. A man without even O/L holding such an important portfolio. Can imagine the future of this country.

    Ganesha Saturday, 21 March 2015 10:16 PM

    Mr Smaraweera can no not simply accuse this lady who had been advocating the case of Srilanka even that was against the views of Tamils in the international forums. But one thing is certain any Tamil who talks and works for the government ultimately will be kicked down . May be Luxman or Kunanayagam. However Mangala is not anti Tamil otherwise he would not have been fired from his portfolio by Mahinda on the advice of Gota kottapaya

    meranchi Saturday, 21 March 2015 09:18 PM

    Madam thamara you are great mother of Sri Lanka immediately go for the legal action against to stupid minister when they got the power change the colour personaly i agans to his statement. ........i

    BuffaloaCitizen Saturday, 21 March 2015 08:16 PM

    We see Sinhalese diplomats always protecting Sinhalese whether they are right or wrong when it comes to issues concerning the ethnic issue. Some of them are Dayan and Shenuka. Tamara simply said is a paid camel of the Sinhalese, she condemns everything right or wrong concerning Tamil rights and is a typical shill. Obviously she has flawed principles and ethics and gets into controversies even with the Sinhalese, such as what has happened now.

    abay Saturday, 21 March 2015 07:45 PM

    You are great patriot of SRI LANKA.You fight against LTTE. .Now there are no more .People live peacefully .Elections can be held.Peace is there.Not like IRAK.Why new Govt, cannot remove HR Motion.

    Teacher Saturday, 21 March 2015 07:16 PM

    This is pathetic. Mangala Samaraweera is not qualified to be a Foreign Minister. He is the one who met the LTTE guys in the UK and is now trying to pass a bill in Parliament to get the LTTE ban lifted. You people in SL, what are you thinking?

    jackass Saturday, 21 March 2015 02:23 PM

    Tamara, you have shown yourself to be a true daughter of mother Lanka many times, on the international scene. Unfortunately, you were relegated to the background due to the jealous actions of worthless, backboneless people who should be ashamed to call themselves Sri Lankan. I hope justice will be served.

    Lima Saturday, 21 March 2015 06:23 PM

    YES, BOTH RAJIVA AND DAYAN ARE THE ONES WHO ARE STOOGE FOR MR AND NOW TRYING TO JUSTIFY , WE NEVER SEE SUCH TYPE OF THIRD CLASS SO CALLED CLAIMED PROFESSIONAL , WHO GAME THEM DOCTORATES , MAY BE FORM THE BACK DOOR , IF THEY ARE TRUE PROFESSIONAL WHY THEY SUPPORTED ROGUE AND MURDERER , SHAME FOR NOT RESPECTING THE FREE EDUCATION , TRAITORS

    Mad-Hawa Saturday, 21 March 2015 06:13 PM

    UNUTH HORU _ MUNUTH HORU- Dear Madam, let us have new force to teach a lesion to all of eaters of public property

    iemerald Saturday, 21 March 2015 06:12 PM

    TELL US WHEN YOU ARE READY. NOT NOW WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOOT IT.OTHERWISE IT JUST VERBAL DIARRHEA LIKE THAT COMING FROM THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT MINISTERS.

    shamantha Saturday, 21 March 2015 06:08 PM

    I really can not understand what is going on in our Country. No one can be trusted in our Politicos, Government servants?.Is there any reason to safeguard the Shenuka Even after an recognized audit report ?

    crana Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:57 PM

    I have no idea why he was appointed as the FM. Pathetic.

    Das Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:52 PM

    Kunanayakam as a member and activist of the World Federation of Christian Students, severely criticized the sri Lankan government on its human rights record at the annual sessions of the UN Human Rights Council.After she was offered a diplomatic post by Mahinda Rajapakse, she became a loyalist of his military autocratic regime.

    sss Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:50 PM

    looks like kehasnuka has friends every where despite her bad record

    Pradeep Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:50 PM

    Tamara is an asset to our country. We need many more Tamaras in our Foreign Ministry.

    Sinhaya Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:22 PM

    It is an absolute tragedy that our corrupt politicos of both sides are unable or totally ignorant in picking an educated enlightened experienced son of the land such as Dr. Dayan to be our Foreign Minister. No wonder that Sri Lanka cannot command any respect in the world.

    Patriot Saturday, 21 March 2015 05:20 PM

    Mangala Samaraweera does not know whether he is coming or going. This is the person who joined USA and five other nations to vote against a UN resolution favoring the Palestinians. I hope Tamara Kunanayakam would be able to get this minister to apologies.

    cyril n Saturday, 21 March 2015 03:26 PM

    She is trying to promote herself through press interviews. She was in the camp of MR may be for the last 25 yrs but as usual MR dumped her. The present Foreign Minister, Mangala S had to state what was happening in our foreign mission and she is entitled to take legal action if she is right.

    Handipora Saturday, 21 March 2015 03:06 PM

    It is apparent who is behind organising this so called press conference to tarnish the image of Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Tamara could have had the conference alone by herself without soliciting the other two cronies of the former regime.

    Rathne Saturday, 21 March 2015 02:36 PM

    Instead of bringing Kshenuka back to Sri Lanka for inquiries, Mangala promoted her as the ambassador to Thailand. Its so disappointing to see the corrupt officers of previous regime being well protected by present regime.

    Cheers Saturday, 21 March 2015 02:25 PM

    My question to you what did you do when you had death threats by Tamil diaspora in the west and also the LTTE operatives overseas did you complain and informed UN or USA or UK?

    Premalal Saturday, 21 March 2015 02:24 PM

    One of the main reasons for international isolation of our country has been the inability to find a good foreign minister. The late Luxman Kadiragama was the only exception. GL was pathetic and Samaraweera has begun to put his foot in his mouth.


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