Foreign missions briefed

10 April 2012 12:26 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The External Affairs Ministry informed all the diplomatic missions based in Colombo today that Kumar Gunaratnam was deported from Sri Lanka because his stay in the country was in breach of immigration laws.
Issuing statement, the Ministry said Mr. Gunaratnam had now re-appeared and had in fact been deported from Sri Lanka because his stay in this country was in breach of Sri Lanka’s Immigration laws and therefore illegal.

Following is the letter sent to the diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka:

The Ministry wishes to emphasize to the diplomatic community the following aspects of the situation:

It appears that Mr. Premkumar Gunaratnam has changed his name three times. The first name, Wanninayake Mudiyanselage Daskon, appears in his marriage certificate. A different name, Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Dayalal, is used in the passport which he obtained from this country. Yet another name, Noel Mudalige, was used when he obtained the Australian passport which he produced on his arrival in Sri Lanka on 4th September 2011.

(a) Other circumstances relating to his previous history, which are clearly relevant in assessing the credibility of his statements, will be communicated to the Australian High Commission in Colombo. These are circumstances which have come to light in the course of detailed interrogation by the Police, who have questioned Mr. Gunaratnam and members of his family.

(b) There are many features relating to the alleged abduction which throw considerable doubt on the reliability and trustworthiness of the version of the events which have been released to the media. For example, the abduction of Mr. Gunaratnam is alleged to have occurred at 4.00 a.m. on 7th April 2012. A complaint to the Police in this regard was made only at 4.10 p.m. in the afternoon. There was a lapse of 12 hours.

(c) With regard to Ms. Dimuthu Attygalle, the abduction was alleged to have taken place at 8.00 p.m. on 6th April 2012. However, the complaint with regard to this matter was made to the Police only at 3.35 p.m. on the following day, 7th April 2012. The interval was therefore almost a full day. It is quite obvious that a genuine abduction would have been reported to the Police far more swiftly.

(d) The story of Mr. Gunaratnam stands entirely on its own without corroboration in any manner whatsoever. It suffers from a series of infirmities which significantly detract from its credibility. For example, although there is clear evidence that elaborate arrangements were made by his political group in respect of his security, which had been entrusted in particular to a definite person, it is claimed that at the time of the alleged abduction, he was occupying a room in the upstair portion of a partly constructed house, which had not been inhabited for a long period.

(e) Mr. Gunaratnam’s wife who made several public statements about his alleged abduction, had stated categorically to the Police that she had not lived with her husband since 7th November 2006 and had no knowledge of his whereabouts.

(f) It is quite clear that Mr. Gunaratnam was staying in this country illegally for more than 5 months. His visa had expired 5 months ago.

(g) It is evident even at a glance that there are significant discrepancies between the versions of Mr. Gunaratnam and Ms. Attygalle.

The Ministry of External Affairs wishes to state that, while the Government is responsive to constructive criticism, it is important that allegations of a volatile nature should be based on facts properly ascertained and objectively assessed. Whenever a person chooses to withdraw from the community for personal reasons, or with the deliberate intention of causing embarrassment to the Government, it is grossly unfair to arrive at the conclusion that there has been an abduction and to point a finger at the State. This has happened on many occasions and now seems to reflect a recurring pattern. The objective of this is clearly to target Sri Lanka in international fora on the flimsiest of evidence. What is lacking by way of evidence seems to be amply compensated by emotion, surmise and invective. The Government asks nothing more than that objectivity and basic fairness should be the criteria governing reactions to these irresponsible and malicious campaigns.

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 - 14

Thaha Muzammil Tuesday, 10 April 2012 01:10 PM

If he has contravened the laws of the land why didn't the authorities charge him and produce before the court...?

buffaloa citizen Tuesday, 10 April 2012 01:31 PM

This statement sounds like a child pleading against a beating from his mother for doing something naughty. What a shameful status this regime has bought upon Sri Lanka!!!

Siril Tuesday, 10 April 2012 01:54 PM

Simple points to hide a big story.

Dinithi Tuesday, 10 April 2012 04:01 PM

This is a good statement. This regime is under fire for only one reason - for destroying the LTTE military wing. All previous governments were as rogue as this one if not more. But they all managed to get the good word from wetern foriegn missions because they kept the LTTE in tact. The common man in the village continues to vote for the government even with economic hardships because the government did one thing critical - they stopped the death of sons and daughters to the war.

Conty Tuesday, 10 April 2012 05:07 PM

It is called DIPLOMACY.

cuthbert Tuesday, 10 April 2012 05:45 PM

what a childish undertaking god save our country

Lakpth Tuesday, 10 April 2012 07:13 PM

There will be so many others like this hidden in the country. Look for them and deport as soon as possible before a big problem starts.

Karu Tuesday, 10 April 2012 10:05 PM

Why the govt.authorities have not taken him to custody.A wanted criminal?Why did they just allow him to walk away?

Reader Tuesday, 10 April 2012 09:59 PM

These are no reasons for him to be white van abducted!

lal Wednesday, 11 April 2012 02:39 AM

Well said Dinithi. This is something the English speaking dunderheads in Colombo don't understand. - the common man is grateful to the govt for stopping the spilling the blood of their sons. The govt and true sons of the land have given peace to the land. The well off did nothing for the country during difficult times except go and come in air conditioned cars. All they want is a good time at the expense of the poor. No one should underestimate the intelligence of the poor in Sri Lanka.

Alex Wednesday, 11 April 2012 05:11 AM

I have noticed only one thing,

All these concenrs because they are Aussie citizens.

What if such a thing happens to a poor sri lankan.

LW Wednesday, 11 April 2012 05:16 AM

Very true.

MOHAMED ASFAR Wednesday, 11 April 2012 05:53 AM

he is an illegal alien. kicked out of the country. period.

Realist Wednesday, 11 April 2012 07:40 AM

It is people like you who are collaborators of western misinformation campaign, who should take part responsibility for this state of affairs. The glee is shown between the lines. And I hope DM would not censor this reply as well as they did earlier.

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.

Foreign missions briefed

Comments - 14

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

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’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

MIRROR CRICKET

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

TODAY'S HEADLINES

SL took minimal steps to punish officials who committed human rights abuses: US report

Iranian President’s visit Sri Lanka withstands western pressure

25 tons of solid waste disposed along Sri Pada route

Temperature rises to ‘Caution’ level

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident

Indian cricket manager indicted for Legend Cricket League match-fixing allegations