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Do not interfere

13 September 2010 07:33 am - 51     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin


The government today called on the United States to stop interfering in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka and added that they should refrain from making ‘unwarranted’ and ‘irresponsible’ comments about the island’s recent constitutional changes.

Reacting to the statement released by the US State Department, condemning Sri Lanka’s passage of a constitutional amendment which would grant the President vast new powers, Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella said that the government would not consider any such “unacceptable comments” and called on the US to address its own problems first.

“By making such unwarranted comments, not only has the US interfered in the internal affairs of the country, but it has also disrespected the country’s highest authority – the Supreme Court. We call on the US to first study Sri Lanka’s constitution before releasing such statements,” Minister Rambukwella told Daily Mirror online.

The Minister added that the Sri Lankan government had also condemned the US statement as the recent constitutional amendment was done within the framework of the constitution. “What we have done is legal. Therefore no one has the right to comment,” the Minister said.

The US on Saturday released a statement condemning Sri Lanka's passage of a constitutional amendment granting the president vast new powers, saying it undermined democracy.

“The United States is concerned that this constitutional amendment weakens checks and balances and thus undermines the principles of constitutional democracy,” US State Department Spokesman P.J. Crowley had said in a statement.

Crowley called on the Sri Lankan government to take steps to strengthen independent institutions, increase transparency and promote national reconciliation.

Meanwhile the External Affairs Ministry, in a statement today, expressed regret at the US State Department comment noting that it has not been able to do justice to the true intent and circumstances behind the enactment of the 18th Amendment.

The Ministry observed that the passage of the Amendment is an entirely internal matter that moreover took place in full accord with the provisions of the Constitution and in total compliance with a unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, with an overwhelming majority of 161 Members of Parliament of a total of 225, voting in favour. (Daily Mirror online)

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  Comments - 51

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  • bernard Monday, 13 September 2010 03:36 PM

    US should follow Sri Lanka's constitution and give more powers to US President.

    michi Monday, 13 September 2010 12:08 PM

    DO US cut American GSP for Sri Lanka?

    yohan Monday, 13 September 2010 12:40 PM

    until china says fly a kite..... then what next

    Defender Monday, 13 September 2010 01:12 PM

    Yes Dogs do not understand the Law of the country.

    Defender Monday, 13 September 2010 01:15 PM

    Well said Minister Keheliya. We are an indipendent country not a colony of US. We do what we want according to the supreme Law of our country.

    adhil Monday, 13 September 2010 01:18 PM

    we sri lankans are like the snake on lord shivas(china) neck. always heckling the garuda(us)

    Defender Monday, 13 September 2010 01:24 PM

    Then how the Wikileaks got the top secret doc's from US defence? There are ways that things happen, some can't understand.

    Podi Guru Monday, 13 September 2010 01:45 PM

    Coconuts will do! :))

    RamzyLanka Monday, 13 September 2010 01:58 PM

    The real Supper Powers are behind us, not to worry about the fake now...

    thusi Monday, 13 September 2010 02:47 PM

    US - Utter Stupidity

    thusi Monday, 13 September 2010 02:48 PM

    Dont worry, they will not....They have been good friends for last 60 years... Well before MR came...

    TP Monday, 13 September 2010 03:16 PM

    This could be another concessions cut like the GSP. Looks as if there is no diplomacy in tackling the situ.

    aaaaaaaaaaaa Monday, 13 September 2010 12:07 PM

    there will be no democracy in this country...the rest of the world should wipe off this curse

    N.C.Wijeratne Monday, 13 September 2010 03:37 PM

    Supreme Law of the Land-Are you talking about ASri Lanka?

    herbert Monday, 13 September 2010 05:31 PM

    We are getting into an era where mice can 'roar' and be heard half the globe away! Bravo!

    Bashir Monday, 13 September 2010 06:29 PM

    Sri Lanka v. USA! David v. GOLIATH? Better watch out and recall what happened during Sirima's time from 1971 to 1975.

    mevan Monday, 13 September 2010 06:52 PM

    The whole world should interfere!

    roy Tuesday, 14 September 2010 12:36 AM

    Instead of antagonizing the US go personal and attack the person who said this.

    lasantha perera Tuesday, 14 September 2010 01:01 AM

    Don't think that oil is the only resource they are interested in. 70 percent of world's container traffic and 50 percent of oil traffic goes through S.L.'s sea. The Hambanthota harbour project is not a waste of time!

    lasantha perera Tuesday, 14 September 2010 01:08 AM

    Democracy? Where do you find that?

    Prince Tuesday, 14 September 2010 02:43 AM

    as citizens of a sovereign nation all responsible should vehemently condemn the statement by the US.This is strictly an internal issue whether right or wrong.

    C D A Gunasekarea Tuesday, 14 September 2010 06:43 AM

    This is not the first time, US interferred with the internal
    matters of this country. Not only with Sri Lank, US had interferred with countries such as Afganistan, Iraq,Palastine,and Iran. They think that they are still the Policeman of this world specially with other developing countries.

    suwimal Tuesday, 14 September 2010 07:19 AM

    Sri lanka had given birth to a deformed and ugly child in 1978. The prostheses rigged out later were also deformed and malfunctioned. The latest prosthesis added can not be any better, because it too is in conformity with the deformity.

    Above the crowd Tuesday, 14 September 2010 09:48 AM

    U S we need your help

    Rjay Monday, 13 September 2010 08:30 AM

    UN - Utter Nonesense

    Pasindhu Monday, 13 September 2010 07:28 AM

    UN should note that we are not Haiti to be played and plundered at.

    local boy Monday, 13 September 2010 07:30 AM

    Power of chinese dragons!!!!! . however , US is too much..

    dhamsen Monday, 13 September 2010 07:36 AM

    UK, Don't you have any internal problem to discuss other than matters relating to Sri Lanka

    rajitha Monday, 13 September 2010 07:38 AM

    bravo!

    DHA Monday, 13 September 2010 07:39 AM

    YES DO NOT INTERFERE...WE WILL CALL YOU WHEN WE NEED A LOAN.....!!!

    Palitha Heenthotuwa Monday, 13 September 2010 07:40 AM

    dont worry US will not invade us, we have no oil.

    Neil Monday, 13 September 2010 07:57 AM

    UN has an obligation to act on behalf of the helpless citizens who love true democracy.

    lankaman Monday, 13 September 2010 08:23 AM

    But they simply cannot resist the lure of trinco harbor

    whataload Monday, 13 September 2010 08:24 AM

    UN does, but do the US do too?

    Tanya D Monday, 13 September 2010 08:24 AM

    US has no right to interfere and by doing this they distance themselves even more. Naturally Sri Lanka will lean towards countries like China.

    PARAMANATHAN.K Monday, 13 September 2010 08:27 AM

    what about another fast unto death campaign?

    marcus fernando Monday, 13 September 2010 08:28 AM

    never drop words. minister mind the words you use

    Tharaka Chanaka Monday, 13 September 2010 07:27 AM

    waiting to see WW going for a "saline" fast again....

    sltk200404 Monday, 13 September 2010 08:40 AM

    It's not UK, but US

    rajitha Monday, 13 September 2010 08:43 AM

    as if there's any difference

    Ruwan Monday, 13 September 2010 09:05 AM

    Get your facts right. US hasn't given us anything significant for last two decades other than preaching

    Ibnu Batuta Monday, 13 September 2010 10:24 AM

    What moral right the US has to preach us democracy while trampling every right in Iraq and Afghanistan.

    s.jayawardene Monday, 13 September 2010 10:48 AM

    Please do not be a coward

    Citizen Monday, 13 September 2010 10:55 AM

    How did the US get a copy of the 18th amendment when the MPs in our Parliament did not get their's ?

    Tonto Monday, 13 September 2010 11:18 AM

    The death has occured of D.E.M. O'cracy under tragic circumstances.

    lankaputha Monday, 13 September 2010 11:35 AM

    I bet, there will be another statement coming in few hours saying it is Rambukwella's personal view and not the SL government view. These are the jokes for the galery, don't get high on adrenaline.

    Muhandiram Imsid Monday, 13 September 2010 11:50 AM

    Uncle Sam can afford to offend us. But can we afford to offend Uncle Sam who can hit back in more ways than one?

    Would the govt. have called it interference if the US welcomed the 18th Amendment?

    TDDC Monday, 13 September 2010 12:03 PM

    One day I saw a an stray dog was barking loudly at an elephant going along the road. (Guess who is dog and who is elephant?)

    RF Monday, 13 September 2010 12:06 PM

    Correct. But US has a big say in IMF who gives loans.... Anyways US should mind its own business....


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