MR denies Army killed Balachandran

2 March 2013 05:15 am - 32 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied that the Army killed LTTE chief Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son Balachandran.

“Had it happened, I would have known [it]. It is obvious that if somebody [from the armed forces] had done that, I must take responsibility. We completely deny it. It can’t be,” he told The Hindu in an exclusive interview.

On new evidence of wrongdoing in the final stages of the war in 2009, collated by international organisations and media outlets, he said that putting out such reports and videos was their job. “We must not merely look at one side. They must not merely listen to one group and the Opposition [in Sri Lanka]. So they [the Opposition] are trying to get the support of other countries to create an ‘Arab Spring’ here. That won’t happen in Sri Lanka.”

Asked whether he would hold the Northern provincial elections in September, as he had told this newspaper, Mr. Rajapaksa said: “Yes, we will hold [the poll] in September. That’s why we have postponed the other [provincial] elections too. I did not want to face the criticism that I was doing it only because I had no intention of holding the Northern provincial elections.” The North would have powers which are “not more, not less” than those enjoyed by the eight other provinces.

On the coming U.S.-sponsored resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Mr. Rajapaksa said Jaffna was provided with all infrastructure just three years after the war ended. “Who did this within three years? Anybody who has come and seen it has talked about it positively and has commended us.”

Even India was “harassed” by the UNHRC over Kashmir, he said. “Sri Lanka is like a volley ball. Everyone is taking turns punching it to cover up their sins.”

On the issue of a political solution for the Tamil people, he said that unless the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), an umbrella group of Tamil parties, joined the Parliamentary Select Committee, there could be no way forward. “Without TNA [on the committee], I will not be able to do anything… Earlier, all the leaders gave their solutions from the top. It has failed. The 13th Amendment has failed. Everything has failed,” he said.

Mr. Rajapaksa allayed fears that MPs of the majority community would hijack the agenda, pointing out that some individuals and parties in the government would not allow it to happen.

The President said he had not discussed with India its support to Sri Lanka at the UNHRC. “India must know its duty, as a neighbour…, as a friend of Sri Lanka. I can’t dictate to India.”

Referring to External Affairs Minister Salman Kurshid’s comments in Parliament on accountability for alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, he insisted that Sri Lanka had held people accountable for excesses. “We have filed cases… We have handed down punishments. But this can be done only as per the laws of this country…I have released 14,000 [LTTE] prisoners, who had serious charges against them like murder, after a process of rehabilitation. Had I filed cases against the 14,000 people, what would have happened? I am a Buddhist. We have tolerance and compassion. There are still some more people [of the LTTE] in prison. We are examining ways…to release them.”

Sri Lanka’s relations with India were fine after the 2012 vote in Geneva. “There are many incidents to show that the relationship is good. We don’t hold… Indian fishermen who routinely fish in our waters…Thousands of fishermen are crossing and fishing…We sent so many Indian prisoners back home. Despite incidents in Tamil Nadu [where Sri Lankan pilgrims were sent back], there has not been any incident [involving] Indians in Sri Lanka. I understand that there are people who want India to have some confrontation with Sri Lanka… It is all politically motivated,” he said.

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Comments - 32

Lucky Weeramantry Saturday, 02 March 2013 02:48 PM

Natural Death

tjeyar Monday, 04 March 2013 12:00 AM

This s a conspiracy of economic asylum seekers. via DM Android App

Silva de Mervin Sunday, 03 March 2013 03:38 PM

Kalu,

Lets tell that to the UN!!

Nodrog Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 PM

VCK...ask the LTTE media crew who took the photos!

tjeyar Sunday, 03 March 2013 12:00 AM

when there were so many leaders sent their children to foreign,he didn't send any of his children and kept them in vanni to send battle field via DM Android App

Kalusena Sunday, 03 March 2013 11:02 AM

Nirmala don't be silly, the kid didn't kill himself.Most probably his dad Velu had given orders to the last remaining tigers to kill all their family members and commit suicide rather than getting captured.

Eddy Sunday, 03 March 2013 10:17 AM

How about the countless civilians killed and infrastructure destroyed by the ltte over 30 years of terrorism. Forgotten. Yes the army killed the ltte leader who had a cynide and was running like a monkey. Coward who has disgraced his kind . Does ch4 pl show that ? Does the ltte talk about that? Trying to discredit the brave soldiers who helped the Tamils from the crutches of the Tamil tigers. Time to extradite these cowards hiding behind the skirts cf corrupt western officials.

kumar Sunday, 03 March 2013 10:09 AM

Army didn't kill him. So he knows who killed him!

sam Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:49 AM

When thousands of other sinhalese and tamil boys were killed during war time nobody uttered a word. If Chaneel 4 can prepare documetaries of those events the true picure will emerge.

rosan Sunday, 03 March 2013 07:12 AM

RITE RITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shalini Sunday, 03 March 2013 04:40 AM

Well said President! We salute you for saving Sei Lanka from ruthless terrorists. No one talks about suicide bombs, innocent school children, by standers, intellectuals both Tamil and Sinhalese KILLED BY Peabhakaran and LTTE for nearly 3 decades.

Saman Sunday, 03 March 2013 02:20 AM

May be a lightning struck......while eating snacks.

Dave Saturday, 02 March 2013 05:38 PM

Gracious? Which planet are you on mate? He is pulling the very carpet from under your feet and you still don't know. Typical.

SureshP Saturday, 02 March 2013 05:37 PM

Yes, like impeaching the CJ

Roshan Saturday, 02 March 2013 05:24 PM

yes, let international community to find out the truth through the independent inquiry.

Nirmala Saturday, 02 March 2013 12:00 AM

Yes, he killed himself. via DM Android App

RealityBites Saturday, 02 March 2013 02:13 PM

If not Army, then Who? Anyway, we do not care as there are other serious burning issues in the country....

VCK Saturday, 02 March 2013 02:18 PM

Dear Rakitha, Who took the Photo on 19th May noon, while the boy was eating biscuits???

raa one Saturday, 02 March 2013 12:00 AM

This is definitely LTTE's work. via DM Android App

baga Saturday, 02 March 2013 12:00 AM

why oscar doesn't nominated LTTE movies for the best movies.. via DM Android App

Sammati Saturday, 02 March 2013 09:27 AM

'Not More Not Less' has some resonance to Chelva's 'Little Now, More Later'! Rajapakse has underscored the fact that every province enjoys equal powers and rights.

kkr Saturday, 02 March 2013 09:06 AM

what happend to former Chief Justice is the good example of how he is

Wije Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:58 AM

There are more important things to do in this country!

Punithan Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:55 AM

Like his dad who insisted on other Tamil kids to do a similar after the last supper with him!

chandrakumar Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:50 AM

Well said sir. The truth will come to surface one day. Let the dogs bark. Sooner they will come to realise that they are barking at the wrong tree.

sham Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:35 AM

an answer in your statement

Karu Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:29 AM

ha ha ha

Anver Saturday, 02 March 2013 08:18 AM

There is no smoke without fire!

Rakitha Saturday, 02 March 2013 07:25 AM

Well Said Sir........ Lots of dirty Hidden agendas as Pro-Terrorist cells in the west and TN are trying to create issues in SL again for their own dirty plans to keep doing business in the west by getting east refugee status Visas and TN need to play politics and plan break away from India some day to create a Tamil Nation for 80 Million Tamils around the world and SL north and east is not the only part they want!!!!!!! India should know this more than SL and stand by SL as a dear friend positive benefit for both nations national security..!!!

Jan Chandra Saturday, 02 March 2013 06:52 AM

A gracious man and a gracious response. May you have the strength and courage to guide our country to stability and prosperity as you have done in the past three years. Wish you blessings from all Devas and Gods.

ram Saturday, 02 March 2013 06:10 AM

Why it took so long.

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MR denies Army killed Balachandran

Comments - 32

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