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Lanka's ties with UN in danger

18 March 2010 01:38 pm - 32     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lankan government has warned that ties with the United Nations (UN) is in danger of going sour if the present conflict with UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon over his move to appoint a panel on Sri Lanka is not resolved.

The Foreign Ministry quoted Minister Rohitha Bogollagama as saying that if not resolved taking into consideration Sri Lanka’s unique context and rising public anger against the UN Chief’s proposed move, it has the potential to dent or sour the excellent partnership Sri Lanka has been enjoying with the UN since Independence.

The government reiterated its position that the proposed move by the UN Secretary General to appoint a Panel of Experts to advise him on accountability issues relating to Sri Lanka is an infringement on the sovereignty of an independent Member State, without prejudice to the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII.

The Foreign Minister said that the UN Chief should facilitate the proposed visit by Mr. Lynn Pascoe, the Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs, to Sri Lanka following the General Elections to assess first hand, the progress made on key fronts and discuss the details of the proposed domestic mechanism to be set up by the Government.

“These issues can be dealt with by Sri Lanka that already has full fledged local mechanisms like the judiciary, commissions of inquiry to undertake such inquiries. Further, the situation in Sri Lanka is not on the agenda of either the Security Council or the General Assembly or its subsidiary body, the Human Rights Council. Therefore, this proposed measure can only be construed as an “intrusive unilateral initiative” by the UN Secretary General,” the Foreign Ministry said.  

It noted that the timing of the proposed initiative to coincide with the election cycle in Sri Lanka smacks of a deliberate attempt to derive political mileage by providing  unnecessary fodder to the opposition, to local and international apologists of the LTTE  including to those remaining elements of the LTTE currently active abroad.  (Daily Mirror online)


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  Comments - 32

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  • Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:33 PM

    It is the bounden duty of every Sri Lankan, in spite of his political affiliation and religious allegiance, to stand by his motherland, in the hour of her crisis!

    Friday, 19 March 2010 08:43 PM

    Read the UN's website news to get yourself updated on what action can be taken by the UN ...

    Friday, 19 March 2010 06:25 PM

    Dump SL from all international forums.

    Friday, 19 March 2010 05:47 AM

    Very good step. We should not bend our head for Western (mainly US) Powers. What they do is, try to achive their goal by threatning small countries if the leaders are not flexible. US is the most treacherous country in the whole world. Therefore its better to get rid of it. But it will not be that easy.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 11:26 PM

    Sri Lanka's sovereignty should not be compromised. Sri Lanka should stand firm against all interference with her internal affairs. We, the people of Sri Lanka, regardless of our political views, should support our President 100 percent, to repel the international forces pitched against us.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 10:14 PM

    It is time for the UN to prove its authority again ...

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 09:44 PM

    Sri Lanka is heading downhill; each day that passes is like a countdown, and, when this time expires, many new changes will be clearly visible.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 09:25 PM

    Following in the footsteps of RM of Zimbabwe. Good luck, to all of us.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 09:25 PM

    Is it not hypocrisy to rely on them for aid and trade ... and then curse them for 'interference'?

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 07:56 PM

    Only strengthens the people's support for the government!

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 07:30 PM

    Secretary-General, this shows how much the GOSL knows about the UN ... just let them get out of the UN.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 07:24 PM

    Could Ranil please announce his stand here - very crucial to the voters.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 07:00 PM

    We need the assistance of the UN to put things right ...

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 06:31 PM

    UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, IS THERE NOTHING HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT YOU HAVE TO 'MESS' WITH SRI LANKA?

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 06:22 PM

    If Sri Lanka is not guilty of 'war-crimes' or 'crimes against humanity' it should open its doors to any investigation.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:40 PM

    Not worth even commenting as it is now obvious that this government's stupidity has reached its zenith. The people of Sri Lanka would be the ultimate losers whilst the decision-makers will 'jump ship' and 'take wing' to foreign climes, when things get tough for the country.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 01:56 PM

    How many commision did this govt, so far had appointed to investigate? HRV. any result yet? SL in UN not other way around. Very funny.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:09 PM

    Lets hope our friends will come to help this moment once again like they did in wartime. china,india and russia will make big diference easy to this western influence idea

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 05:01 PM

    Thats good move UN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 04:52 PM

    High level committee should be appointed by the govt to look into the issues and resolve to have a common concept without creating problems which might affect us.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 04:50 PM

    I doubt how many Sri Lankans understand the possible consequences of getting entangled with UN? Kicking out UN... It is easy to said than done.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 04:40 PM

    Never give in to the pressures of the West or the West controlled UN.

    We fully suport iour President's efforts to safeguard the sovereigity of Sri Lanka.

    UN, USA, UK hands off Sri Lanka.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 04:32 PM

    Well said!!!

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 04:28 PM

    YES>>> with this stupid government, Sri Lanka is going to be isolated. There is no nail to scretch, but show as prince.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 03:31 PM

    Threatening to SNAP TIES with the UN, what a FM

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 03:24 PM

    i think it was a corrcet decision not to play to the tune of foreign music as we have our own

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 03:24 PM

    Good one, Mr Foreign Minister - for once!

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 03:17 PM

    Sri Lanka is following the footsteps of Myanmar.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 02:50 PM

    Would MR has guts to follow through? I doubt. UN should be kicked out denying any role here.

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 02:43 PM

    Mr.Minister,time will prove that,you can not fool all the people all the time!!!

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 02:24 PM

    Mr. Bogollagama, are we working towards an isolation in terms of international affairs?

    Thursday, 18 March 2010 02:16 PM

    even recognized pariah states don't go against the UN.


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