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24 July 2010 05:50 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon to advice him on matters relating to Sri Lanka has so far not made any request for visas to visit the country, a top Sri Lankan diplomat in the US told Daily Mirror online.

The diplomat noted that the three member UN panel, led by a former Indonesian Attorney General and including members from the US and South Africa, has not even had formal discussions in New York since being named by the UN Chief.

However although the panel has not yet sought visas to visit Sri Lanka the government on a previous occasion asserted that visas will not be provided even if such a request is made by the UN.

UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon had said that the three member panel appointed by him on Sri Lanka has been set up to advise him with regard to taking forward the objectives of the joint statement of 23 May 2009 between Sri Lanka and the UN and is not an investigative body.

Chairman of the Panel, Marsuki Darusman had earlier told the BBC said that Sri Lanka’s decision to deny him and his two colleagues visas was “highly unfortunate” and a barrier to finding out the truth. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 29

sidath Sunday, 25 July 2010 08:02 AM

if they cant issue visas, face the the santions in the near future

Lakmini Monday, 26 July 2010 11:49 AM

If Thaksin Shinawatra could be given a visa to Sri Lanka when he is a wanted man in Thailand why cant the UN panel be given visas??? Sounds weird.

INDIKA Monday, 26 July 2010 03:42 AM

They might have already prepared the report or whatever. We know the results even before start, that it will be curse for SL as Pillai join the party !!

Faqi Monday, 26 July 2010 01:20 AM

MagodisThuma - The problem with most Sri Lankans is when they enter into a developed country, they try an overstay or apply for asylum or use other ruses not to return, this has happened time and again and these countries are very aware of this. So do not blame other countries for all the restrictions. In the good old days prior to 1956 a Ceylonese could travel anywhere in the world, countries such a UK did not even require a visa, with most it was only a formality. So we have to blame ourselves
for this situation.

Faqi Monday, 26 July 2010 01:14 AM

Ananda - It has nothing to so with being patriotic or unpatriotic , Its being honest in a free society to express one's views. That is called true democracy - freedom of expression.

Smart Aleck Sunday, 25 July 2010 11:51 PM

Autumn or Fall is approaching in the West.The High Season for tourism in Sri Lanka is about to commence. Those jokers must be waiting to have a holiday in Sunny Sri Lanka on the pretext of writing a "Report" which most probably is already in draft form.

Senior Citizen Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:30 PM

The best friends are those who criticise to improve things in Sri Lanka and raise the voice against non democratic governance and are the most patriotic.

Saliya Wickremasuriy Sunday, 25 July 2010 02:16 PM

Stupid SL Govt is waiting to punish the UN with visa denial. The panel will never apply for visa, nor will they visit Sri Lanka but operate in the US, hehehe.

henry Sunday, 25 July 2010 12:50 PM

Ban Ki Moon should investigate the killings of Pakistani civilians by USA drones. Those poor people face no trials but summary executions by USA. Also, Moon should investigate Israel who violated about 14 security Council Resolutions. Why no action Ban Ki Moon on Israel which keeps on killing Palestinians and building settlements in violating UN resolutions. Open your eyes Ban Ki Moon.'
henry

gerry Sunday, 25 July 2010 11:00 AM

funny how ;analyze patriotism :)

KD Sunday, 25 July 2010 10:20 AM

Sneak in as tourists. That seems to be the trend these days.

wanamohini Sunday, 25 July 2010 10:15 AM

the confused panel must be just happy to meet in NY fancy restaurants... those restaurants make luvly Lobster dishes there. Great cocktails too.
then if they at least try to DE-MISTIFY for them selves WHAT they are supposed to do, it would be a great success.

Wasantha Sunday, 25 July 2010 09:35 AM

At the end government will issue visas though they have already asserted not to provide visas to UN panel. This is also very similar to the recent fast unto death of Wimal.

Dennis Sunday, 25 July 2010 09:15 AM

First of all the panel appointed by UNOSG is out of his UNO charter & it is not a legitimate panel of UNO. As the matter is as such, why Govt of SL issues visas for every TDH to enter the country. UNOGS pl note, you are making history by appointing un-necessary panels.

Ananda Sunday, 25 July 2010 08:42 AM

Look at the voting here. It is pathetic note how unpatriotic most people are, unless most of those who have voted are not Sri Lankan,

Shovini Saturday, 24 July 2010 06:17 PM

When the Rajapakses are out of power they could come and start their investigation. Hope it will be soon.

rudi Sunday, 25 July 2010 07:54 AM

Wickrema, well in that case the SL govt should encourage them to come and find the truth. Why deny the world of knowing the truth? It is the SL govt's denial of entry to the UN that will cast a doubt on the truth. Let the UN come and hear both sides of the story. If the stories are 'uncorroborated' then this is not going to hold as evidence for any purpose. So why worry unless the SL govt does have things to worry about?

lanka opinions Sunday, 25 July 2010 07:34 AM

sad ... but sure sounds like how things really go in sri lanka.

lanka opinions Sunday, 25 July 2010 07:33 AM

so are u saying that the sri lankan citizens (even those living in the predominantly tamil regions) have similar experiences to suspected terrorists held in GITMO?

if sri lanka has nothing to hide, why grand stand?

Wickrama Sunday, 25 July 2010 07:24 AM

What is the point in speaking to them? They are going to produce a biased report anyway!

Anura Sunday, 25 July 2010 06:57 AM

Even if requested, visas will not be granted.

MagodisThuma Sunday, 25 July 2010 06:38 AM

Sri Lankans have to produce lots of documents (including five copies of grand mothers horoscope) to get a visa to visit western countries. Same applies to moon & the gang.

creature Sunday, 25 July 2010 05:45 AM

this is a Real Sri Lankan government....

anura Saturday, 24 July 2010 10:43 PM

GOSL obligated to grant visa to this panel. denying means hiding ! This is UN group , if we deny it will add more doubts about war crime

Rattapakse Saturday, 24 July 2010 10:37 PM

No point in applying for visa as no one dare to speak to them.

Chaminda Tilakumara Saturday, 24 July 2010 09:44 PM

They should visit US military camp in Guantanamo Bay -Cuba first, prior to applying for visas to travel to SL.

raj Saturday, 24 July 2010 08:24 PM

it is a good joke to ask a permission from a criminal who commited crime. How can anyone expect any criminal would ever give permission to inquire about his/her own cirme!

nizam Saturday, 24 July 2010 08:10 PM

So why our joker rejected before the request. I guess our politicians and diplomats are suffering from mad cow dicease

Wickrama Saturday, 24 July 2010 07:58 PM

They don't need visas to come to SL to write a biased report based on bogus and uncorroborated stories from LTTE and their supporters!

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