Baird talks tough on SL

2 December 2011 03:04 am - 40 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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OTTAWA - Sri Lanka needs to take accountability for serious allegations of war crimes committed during its 25-year civil war, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Thursday.

Baird's comments to MPs at the Commons foreign affairs committee come after Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly criticized Sri Lanka over its human rights record during the Commonwealth meeting in Australia in October.

"Other countries have taken 10 years for reconciliation, other countries never reconcile," Baird said. "But it's incredibly important."

Sri Lanka's government has denied its forces committed war crimes and refused any investigation.

Baird praised the UN for publishing a recent report on Sri Lanka contradicting the government's position, a report the minister called "deeply disturbing."

The South Asian nation is under growing Western pressure to probe allegations of war crimes following the end of the conflict with Tamil Tiger separatists in 2009.

"Two years after the civil war we've seen no meaningful attempt at reconciliation with the Tamil minority," Baird said.

"We've also seen a growing authoritarian trend by the government in Colombo."

Harper has threatened to boycott the Commonwealth 2013 heads of government summit in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo if the government fails to launch an investigation into allegations its military engaged in indiscriminate shelling of civilians and bombed hospitals in 2009. (owensoundsuntimes)

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Comments - 40

mystica1010 Saturday, 03 December 2011 06:51 PM

When somebody speaks the truth openly it hurts the wrong doer's.

Yuri Friday, 02 December 2011 09:05 AM

in Libya France started then NATO finished, here what Canada starting France will finish.. who knows

Tony Haniffa Saturday, 03 December 2011 09:40 AM

Double tong Baird,s .mas murderers LTTE still collecting money and supporting Mr,Bair,d,s poltical gains.Success.

Senna Saturday, 03 December 2011 02:47 PM

He will achieve Miliban's state?

dale Saturday, 03 December 2011 03:05 PM

ABSOLUTE FACT!!! Well Said.

hamid Saturday, 03 December 2011 03:43 PM

what about the war crimes comited in afghanistanand pakistan, your canadian troops should be investigated along with nato.

Someone Saturday, 03 December 2011 03:58 PM

So, you accept their dictates? We don't

kekuli Saturday, 03 December 2011 04:20 PM

why don't you solve your own human right violationns up north who are the real Canadians and their deplorable living conditions?
Are you the latest voice of defeated LTTE who was in Power due to politicians like you.

eddy Saturday, 03 December 2011 04:50 PM

Illiterate and stupid ministers who will do anything for personal gains. Dont they have protocol,check with Interpol,FBI etc instead of shooting off their mouth.Typical Canadians,I wonder whether he knows where Sri Lanka is?Or is Sri Lanka part of Canada.Everytime someone barks human rights or war crime we have to respond.

Ananda S Friday, 02 December 2011 07:19 AM

Never heard this one until he became Foreign Minister.This guy doesnt know anything about Sri Lanka or LTTE or terrorism. GOSL should continue to ignore these 2 peoples.

Asrar Sunday, 04 December 2011 02:07 AM

what kind of a bird is this , may be a vote eating bird

Nodrog Sunday, 04 December 2011 02:25 AM

Typical! Every time some two-bit politician needs a little publicity they talk about Sri Lanka just to get into the news.

upul Sunday, 04 December 2011 02:33 AM

Organize a fast on to death front of Canadian HC.

Yoonus Sunday, 04 December 2011 02:58 AM

Baird has to fly as a bird

gowravi Monday, 05 December 2011 05:56 AM

Yes, agree with u

Kennedy Coonghe Tuesday, 06 December 2011 02:37 AM

Yes Sir,Well done we need the same for 150 years British
Colonial Period in Sri lanka , Who had thousands of innnocent civilions and dsestroyed our country,

ila Tuesday, 06 December 2011 03:33 AM

when it comes to war crimes, you and your government has not taken fair actions against war criminals. you have punished some war criminals while leaving some war criminals around the world. Can you explain that sir?

SAM Tuesday, 06 December 2011 04:23 AM

Who's this man? What's he talking about? Go & complain to your dad! pawooooo

sathyapala Tuesday, 06 December 2011 04:38 AM

what wara is telling is the truth

Anoj Friday, 02 December 2011 05:56 AM

Fanam, How can you justify imprisonment of Fonseka as a political prisoner? Canada is true, We are heading towards uncivilised society.

Damsen Friday, 02 December 2011 03:56 AM

Who cares

raj Friday, 02 December 2011 04:37 AM

Don't you care about his warning? Warning comes first, action comes later. Be prepared.

nizam Friday, 02 December 2011 04:39 AM

Go Canada go..civilise the uncivilised society..

My-Raj Friday, 02 December 2011 04:49 AM

Mr.Baird,Have You ever raised your voice against LTTE terrorists who commited brutal Killings ,assassinations of VIPs,Innocent people & massive damage done to our economy and dragged the development of the country backwards for decades...we see LTTE voice is raised at its best in CANADA...

Lanke Banda Friday, 02 December 2011 04:58 AM

Take a cool walk man.

DUWI Friday, 02 December 2011 05:22 AM

Canada needs to take full responsibility and accountability for permitting the LTTE to raise funds in that country. This is not a serious allegation, but plain truth. The money that was raised in Canada by the LTTE was used by buy weapons which caused mass destruction and death in Sri Lanka.

fanam Friday, 02 December 2011 05:27 AM

These are biased people who does not see two side of a coin. They have something predetermined and then go on about it. Thank you for your ignorant remarks.
Yes, there should be some investigation into this but trying to punish the whole country is meaningless.

Wara Friday, 02 December 2011 05:24 AM

Any comment on killing 26 pakistanis soldiers by NATO or rather by your big brother ?

MIRA Friday, 02 December 2011 05:41 AM

In that case They are BLIND & DEAF.....clear double standards...shame on you..

Nodrog Friday, 02 December 2011 03:25 AM

Has he even been to SL to talk like this? Wonder how many Lankans in his constituent whose votes he's hoping to win?

perumal Friday, 02 December 2011 06:14 AM

There is only one fact we have to take note of, which has been correctly pointed out by him. "We've also seen a growing authoritarian trend by the government in Colombo."

asoka abeywardena Friday, 02 December 2011 06:23 AM

Mr. Baird how about a visit to Sri Lanka...?

Coconut Donkey Friday, 02 December 2011 06:41 AM

Keep telling yourself that...

Coconut Donkey Friday, 02 December 2011 06:42 AM

and a very civilized informed comment...

Ponting Friday, 02 December 2011 06:51 AM

Why not forward all these commets to this so called Minister in Canada.

Sathya Friday, 02 December 2011 06:48 AM

Dear Wara, You are always having a biased comments. We have never seen neutral view from you. It is kind of people like you who encourage our politicians to do uncivilized acts.

Andrew888 Friday, 02 December 2011 06:52 AM

His political campaign is fully funded by the LTTE living in that ice box of a country!

Dalu Banda Friday, 02 December 2011 06:49 AM

John Baird need another shipload of bad guys?

ase Friday, 02 December 2011 06:52 AM

there were causalities on both sides, that was a war not a cake throwing game, who found the word " collateral damages " so give peace.

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Baird talks tough on SL

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