Special rapporteur to probe Zeid’s report: Sarath Weerasekara

31 March 2017 05:00 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara MP, today rejected reports that he requested the UN General Assembly to assign a special rapporteur to probe war crime charges allegedly committed by the Sri Lankan armed forces.

He said he only requested for a special rapporteur to investigate the basis on which the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid al-Hussein compiled his report on Sri Lanka.

“We want a rapporteur to probe Prince Zeid report and then ours. The reports we submitted have clearly mentioned that we have never committed war crimes. Therefore, it’s only reasonable that the UN report be probed and the resolution on Sri Lanka be suspended till the probe is completed,” he told a news conference.

Mr. Weerasekara said they were against any form of hybrid courts to convict Sri Lankan forces, and that the proposed Office of Missing Persons (OMP) would be vested with powers to punish armed forces personnel.

He said the British Prime Minister has vowed to protect British troops from any legal abuse never allowing them to be victims of war crimes, but unfortunately, Sri Lanka lacks leaders of that calibre.

“When British PM, Obama or Trump make a decision, it becomes the stance of the government. None of their foreign ministers contradict the government stance and express different opinions in Geneva or elsewhere.

However, in Sri Lanka, though the President and Prime Minister say there will be no participation of foreign judges in the local mechanism, the Foreign Minister contradicts this stance in Geneva,” Mr. Weerasekera said.

He said several foreign ministers talked to him following the submission of the two reports to the UNHRC last week. “They said they are not agreeing to anything at this level. However, they also said they now know that there is another side to the story,” he said.

Mr. Weerasekara said they would increase their participation at the next UNHRC sessions in September and March to make the international community aware of the ‘original’ version of the story. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

Video by Susantha

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 19

Nuwan Saturday, 01 April 2017 07:29 AM

Read the news item you...The rapportuer is to investigate the report not the country.

sara Saturday, 01 April 2017 08:47 PM

If you don't want to lsten to UN why are you all atttending UN. You expect them to say yes to all what you state.

nick Saturday, 01 April 2017 06:27 PM

sheri ur spot on but dont think they will look into non tamil if they do then the damage for Sinhalese & Muslims were more than 90% by terrorist glad we r not in a midleast if we were by now our country would have been destroyed by west just like what they did & what theyre are doing via DM Android App

Roney Saturday, 01 April 2017 05:58 PM

Most of these comments are in favor of singalese. Others are rejected by DM. due to their racist thoughts.

DillonDP Saturday, 01 April 2017 12:22 PM

well for one we never had a rosy war affair, and seeing lasantha and various other people being killed innocent civilians too would have been killed. if one cries foul that needs to be looked in,,, why are we not trying to clear the armed force names by having a external party look into the matter hence it would be transparent, one must be hiding something to be worried so much,,,, i for one thought the armed forces would have not done war crimes, but i feel now thats not true

sara Saturday, 01 April 2017 11:39 AM

Frankly speaking, this is not about the justice, this is mere utter remorse for LTTE defeat. during this 30 year war not only Tamils but also Sinhalese suffered enough. did UN take any action or did they produce any reports regarding war victims of South. Just because LTTE was a terrorist group what they did to sinhalese people was unaccountable ?

nick Saturday, 01 April 2017 09:25 AM

Unfortunately our FM is not somebody who was in power when the war ended so he will not feel the joy of peace so betrayal of our soldier is very near maybe same sex marriage will also come closer God bless Sri lanka via DM Android App

Sheri Saturday, 01 April 2017 08:38 AM

Remember the war was started by the tamils? If the UN special rapp is fair and unbiased which we Sinhalese and the rest of the world expect them to be, then they should collect statements from the parents or loved ones of the innocent school children, monks and priests, office workers, passengers in buses and trains, forces personnel and the millions of innocent civilians killed and who suffered and still suffer to this day because of the dammed tamil terrorist and his henchmen. Why would you think they would obtain statements from tamils only - any hidden agenda there?The remnant diaspora culprits and and the supporters living in this country and abroad, should be brought to justice. That is being fair and unbiased!

Joker Saturday, 01 April 2017 08:29 AM

ANOTHER GOUBELS FROM JOKERS FRONT . via DM Android App

S B lokuge Saturday, 01 April 2017 08:04 AM

Another Tiger has surfaced.

LOKKA Friday, 31 March 2017 06:02 PM

Well done Sir, we salute you for your courage.

Hubert Saturday, 01 April 2017 07:09 AM

who is this man ?

Ranga Saturday, 01 April 2017 05:22 AM

His unprofessional attitudes displayed may be better for his political ambition back home but he has insulted the image of the nation's armed forces by his unprofessional attitudes in an international arena. Please don't go there if you don't know how to control yourself when others comments, whether right or wrong, irritate you.

ajith Saturday, 01 April 2017 05:16 AM

You ask for it and you will get special rapporteur. When him come and investigate don't cry then.

Santha Friday, 31 March 2017 10:52 PM

The previous occasions where a special rapporteurs were appointed by UN for investigations, involved the countries such as - Somalia, Myanmar, Sudan, North Korea, Haiti, Eritrea etc. By this request he has placed Sri Lanka in par with those countries, without considering the background of those countries. Over to you JO and Mr. Gammanpila !

ceylon Friday, 31 March 2017 08:34 PM

this man is not a military man.he is trying to help criminals.crimes are strictly punishable in military. via DM Android App

S.P.Ramkumar Friday, 31 March 2017 08:04 PM

Sir you must think that this in an internal conflicts, not a war between two countries, If UN special rapporteur come we have to give our statements, If you challenge with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it won't help anyway, There is no war crime in this world because war is a crime.

chandra Friday, 31 March 2017 07:56 PM

Only a Sri Lankan to speech on behalf of the country when our foreign ministeres were speech against. Good works via DM Android App

Shelly. Friday, 31 March 2017 06:52 PM

This gentleman had gone to UNHR and got himself messed up. via DM Android App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Special rapporteur to probe Zeid’s report: Sarath Weerasekara

Comments - 19

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Sri Lanka defaults on USD 6 billion payment despite rising reserves: Patali

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

New Visa procedure implemented

April 15 declared a government holiday

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

MIRROR CRICKET

TODAY'S HEADLINES