Sri Lankans cannot be hauled before ICC, opposition only whips up fear- SLPP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna(SLPP) said today Sri Lankan war heroes could not be hauled before the International Criminal Court (ICC) because Sri Lanka was not a signatory to the Rome Statute that provided for the establishment of it, but the opposition was trying to create an unrealistic fear psychosis in the minds of people regarding the UNHRC resolution.

Addressing the regular weekly press conference, party chairman Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the UNHRC had no authority to implement the resolutions adopted by it.

He said the implementation of such resolutions or trying Sri Lankans before the ICC could be done only by the approval of the UN Security Council. However, he said Sri Lanka’s long standing and consistent supporters- China and Russia- had veto powers as permanent members of the UN Security Council , and therefore such a fate would not befall Sri Lanka under no circumstances.

“We are 100 percent certain that the UN Security Council cannot take such action against Sri Lanka due to the presence of China and Russia,” he said.

The Minister said it had been the habit of the opposition to whip up false fear in the minds of people in this regard.

He said Sri Lanka would continue to present its case internationally with the support of the likeminded countries that stood by it in Geneva this time. (Kelum Bandara)