Domestic mechanism in accordance with Constitution-President

2 October 2015 03:14 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Maithripala Sirisena said his government's policy is to have a domestic mechanism in accordance with the country's Constitution to look in to human rights allegations.

Making a special statement the President also said an all party conference would soon be convened along with all religious leaders to discuss finding solutions to the resolution on Sri Lanka, that was adopted at the UNHRC session in Geneva a few days ago.

Soon after arriving home after a hectic but successful tour in the US to address the 70th UN General Assembly, President Sirisena told the media at President’s House last afternoon that the government faced the UNHRC boldly and was able to remove the proposal to conduct an international probe by a hybrid court that would ultimately take the perpetrators if found guilty to the electric chair.

“We did not achieve this under any pressure, stress or arm twisting. We told the global community in no uncertain terms that an international probe was unacceptable to us. We also told them that we were ready for a domestic probe within the constitutional framework of Sri Lanka. There will be no orders, no decrees in this exercise from any one. Therefore, Sri Lanka now can face the challenges and charges against her in a positive and optimistic frame of mind,” President Sirisena stressed.

However, President Sirisena maintained that the objective of the global community was to stabilize Human Rights, Fundamental Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in Sri Lanka.

In this endeavour of domestic probe under International standards, the government was ready and keen to obtain the help, consultation and goodwill of all concerned and would closely study the UNHRC report, the Nissanka Udalagama Report, Sir Desmond De Silva Report, the LLRC report and the Armed Force Reports that carry information pertaining to alleged war crimes. The UN Human Rights Council had compiled reports on war crimes in other countries and it had taken more than 20 to 30 years to complete such probes and for remedial and punitive actions. But Sri Lanka would not take such a long time to bring this entire process to a positive and satisfactory conclusion, he emphasized.

He said the indigenous mechanism that would be set up on the International standard and guidelines would definitely give the opportunity to all accused if any including ex-LTTE cadres to prove their innocence before such court or panel.

President Sirisena said a special legal panel would be appointed to go through the alleged violation of the International Human Rights Law, Fundamental Rights and War Crimes and also to make recommendations on how those issues could be addressed in accordance with the law of the land.

“As the President of the country, I look at all these developments in an unbiased and impartial manner. There is no doubt that there will be many a problem when we put these measures into practise. If and when we find obstacles to take the programme forward we will consult the UN General Secretary for consultation and further action. Whatever action we take, they must not be a hindrance or affect the people of the country negatively. The government is fully resolved to protect peace, reconciliation and ethnic harmony as it is the government policy,” he added.

He said the National Unity Government headed by him and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was fully committed to promote peace, reconciliation, inter-communal harmony as it was the declared policy of the government and added not only the people in the North-East but those in the South who were affected and harmed during the ethnic conflict would be compensated, resettled and returned the lands to their rightful owners.

President Sirisena pointed out that the government’s resolve and objective was to take all possible action to prevent a repetition of past mistakes.

All these were possible as a result of the January 8 regime change that brought him to power and the formation of the National Unity Government on August 17. The government has scored a major victory following his address at the 70th UN General Assembly and new approach taken in Geneva at the 30th UNHRC sessions.

All great leaders in the past who have waged wars have become great rulers with compassion, love and humility after realizing the merits and demerits of war. That was how Chandashoka in India became Dharmashoka and spread Buddhism and friendship in Asia and in Sri Lanka in particular.

In our war, Sri Lanka obtained help against separatist terrorism from many friendly nations like US, Britain, India, China and Pakistan. Interestingly, it was some of these cou8ntries who brought war crime charges against us after the war. When Sri Lanka failed to respond to these allegations positively and in a pragmatic manner, the Tamil Diaspora took the issue into their own hands and agitated for action against Sri Lanka. We must not forget that though the separatist terrorism was physically defeated in May, 2009, the ideology and the concept of the Tamil Eelam had not been defeated. That was why the Global agitation against Sri Lanka was able to withdraw the GSP+ facility from Sri Lanka and fish exports to the EU.

“When I, try hard to save the country from this predicament, my opponents brand me a ‘Stooge of the America. But I will prove them that they are wrong and it was I and my government that saved them from the electric chair and the country from the international blacklist of war crimes,” he said.

President Sirisena said the Mahinda Rajapaksa government antagonized Sri Lanka’s friends by humiliating them. Once, foreign dignitaries were summoned down South and boasted that they were sent back by making them to eat Maniocs. Then again there were pseudo fasting before the UN office in Colombo that distanced Sri Lanka from the UN member countries and made them think about Sri Lanka in a negative manner.

However, this government has been able to retrieve Sri Lanka from this predicament and restore its good name and turn our those who acted against us our friends. they are keen to help Sri Lanka's progress and see Sri Lanka become a country that uphold reconciliation, Reparation, Rule of Law, Human Rights and Fundamental Rights.

President Sirisena paid a special tribute to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera and the Cabinet of Ministers for their unstinted support to restore Sri Lanka's good name among the global community and save Sri Lanka from a so called international war crimes probe.

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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Comments - 6

Sene Saturday, 03 October 2015 11:28 AM

MR fans should read the entire article before commenting

gayan Saturday, 03 October 2015 12:29 PM

Yahapalana fans should understand articles

Sapu Saturday, 03 October 2015 01:02 PM

"Then again there were pseudo fasting before the UN office in Colombo" They should have invited Wimal when he said that

Seya Saturday, 03 October 2015 02:04 PM

exactly, well said . well done mr. president. we take the country forward

paddy Saturday, 03 October 2015 02:58 PM

Just hold on action will come in few weeks u can then slowly but surely eat your words.

war Sunday, 04 October 2015 09:24 AM

when Japan surrendered (at the end of WW 2), the Japanese emperor was given due respect. Was any relation (at least) of the enemy spared (son , daughter , wife ..). ?

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Domestic mechanism in accordance with Constitution-President

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