Gota’s affidavit to US has put country in jeopardy: UNF

The affidavit which has been submitted to California District Court by SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa is dangerous as it gives an opportunity for the international community to take the Sri Lankan Government before international courts, UNF led alliance leaders said yesterday.

Senior representative of the UNF led alliance, Minister Rajitha Senaratne told a news conference yesterday that the affidavit was dangerous as he had said in it that the Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga had been killed by a group connected to the then Sri Lankan Government in 2009 and that he had only been an officer in it.

“Mr. Rajapaksa’s affidavit which says the killing was carried out by the then Sri Lankan Government is dangerous as that would help the international community to take action against Sri Lanka,” the Minister said.

“Mr. Rajapaksa was acquitted by the California District Court on the premise that Mr. Rajapakasa’s affidavit was true which put the country in jeopardy,” he said.

Dr Senaratne said this situation could put Sri Lanka in danger despite the favourable situation created by the present government. “The present government just like the former one had dealt with the situation on the basis of the notion that Sri Lank never violated human rights during the wartime and managed to see the country through the international crisis but this affidavit may turn things around,” he also said.

UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim who also participated in the conference came up with a similar idea and added that Sri Lanka also lost its credibility as a result of the constitutional crisis which took place exactly one year ago.  (Yohan Perera)