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SL’s war effort didn’t result in Hollywood movies: SL envoy

21 February 2020 06:24 pm - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka said its war effort did not result in Hollywood movies, but was proud of its security forces who completed the task assigned to them by a democratically elected administration and freed people from ruthless terrorism.

“Just as much as the US is proud of the men and women of their armed forces, so is Sri Lanka. We also have war heroes. Allegations are made against militaries of democratic countries including the US are actions taken on mere allegations,” Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the US, Rodney Perera said.

He said articulating a position on the appointment of the Army Commander of Sri Lanka, which is a sovereign decision by the Head of State, based on allegations, is regrettable and contrary to the principles of natural justice espoused by all responsible members of the international community.

The ambassador said this at the American Foreign Service Association Club in Washington D.C., to a distinguished gathering of the Serendipity Group, which included several former US Ambassadors and senior officials who served in Colombo.

He referred to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s vision "to establish an honourable governance that will allow Sri Lanka to maintain its sovereignty, security, national pride, and deal with all nations on equal terms.

The ambassador explained the strong democratic traditions of Sri Lanka including its utmost respect to democratic ideals; separation of powers; the multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of the society. He went on to illustrate that the Sri Lankan culture is based on ancient civilization and that the form of governance the island nation had for thousands of years was drastically changed through colonialism.

He emphasised the statement by the Minister of Foreign Relations that, “Lt. Gen. Silva was one of the senior military officials who contributed significantly to liberate Sri Lanka from terrorism over a decade ago, and it is disappointing that a foreign government should question the prerogative of a democratically elected President to call upon persons of proven expertise to hold key positions on national security-related matters.”

The minister said this action unnecessarily complicates the US-Sri Lanka relationship and said

the designation of Lt. Gen. Silva is not based on independently verified information, but on the much disputed OISL Report of 2015 and other, unspecified, organizations. Sri Lanka’s position is that the United States should verify the authenticity of the sources of information. He also reiterated the sentiments of the Prime Minister’s statement on the inclusion of the family members of Lt. Gen. Silva: “Even though we are now in the 21st Century, even members of his family who have not been accused of any wrongdoing, have been subjected to a collective punishment reminiscent of the practice in medieval Europe.”

The ambassador the Sri Lankan Government will remain strongly engaged on this issue with the United States to have it review its decision. 


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  Comments - 11

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  • Kapila Senaratne Friday, 21 February 2020 07:34 PM

    Mr. Ambassador US can stand on its own and we still can’t. Full of corruptions, Bad records of human rights violations and our own Ambassadors are fugitives like Jaliya Wickramasuriya. We are still struggling. By the way I admire your speech.

    Lord Wolfstein Friday, 21 February 2020 08:06 PM

    Day dreamer

    Retired Accountant, Jaffna Friday, 21 February 2020 08:20 PM

    All the cultured Hindu Tamils welcomed the May 2009 result where the Anti-High Caste and Anti-Middle Class LTTE terror outfit was comprehensively eliminated by the Sri Lankan Army. We only wish this had happened 25 years earlier,so that so many good Tamils would not have died in thousands in the 80s and 90s. Our only contention is in the process of eradicating the terrorists, the Sri Lankan Army also killed hundreds of innocent Tamil civilians.

    Retired Accountant, Jaffna Friday, 21 February 2020 08:20 PM

    All the cultured Hindu Tamils welcomed the May 2009 result where the Anti-High Caste and Anti-Middle Class LTTE terror outfit was comprehensively eliminated by the Sri Lankan Army. We only wish this had happened 25 years earlier,so that so many good Tamils would not have died in thousands in the 80s and 90s. Our only contention is in the process of eradicating the terrorists, the Sri Lankan Army also killed hundreds of innocent Tamil civilians.

    A Friday, 21 February 2020 08:31 PM

    Well said

    june macapagal Saturday, 22 February 2020 01:14 PM

    So you are talking in favour of your army who carried out genocide against its own citizens. You cannot hoodwink US and other developed countries with your rubbish talks

    Vijith Abeysekera Saturday, 22 February 2020 04:16 PM

    Every person or government makes its own judgement. They have their own standards to determine who is war criminal and who is a terrorist. Is they don't want you to come there go to another country, but you cannot impose your standard on others.

    Dilshan Saturday, 22 February 2020 06:10 PM

    Ambassador you are in your profession. You lie so well on behalf of the.Governments war criminals

    D. Nimal Saturday, 22 February 2020 06:14 PM

    Well SL Government did write a film script about the war but no takers in Hollywood!!! There was too many "make believe" episodes. So the Hollywood industry in dropped it. Ha Ha Ha

    vithura Saturday, 22 February 2020 06:29 PM

    What a moronic statement to make!

    Dilshan Saturday, 22 February 2020 08:36 PM

    Shavendra killed 150,000 terrorists. He should be commended. I wish he had killed all 2.6 million terrorists


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