PM 'skeptical' of Sri Lanka's president's promises

31 October 2011 02:40 am - 4 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Alone among its Commonwealth peers, Canada is calling out Sri Lanka's government for failing to investigate war crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lanka's army in the final months of that country's bloody civil war.

The Commonwealth, on the other hand, rewarded Sri Lanka Sunday by re-affirming its decision to hold its 2013 heads of government summit in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper won't be going, though. He said Canada will boycott that meeting unless Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa allows an independent investigation into allegations that the Sri Lankan military engaged in indiscriminate shelling of civilians and bombed hospitals in 2009.

"I had a couple of opportunities to speak to the president of Sri Lanka," Harper said at the conclusion of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government summit held over the weekend here.

But Rajapaksa, who lobbied hard here to prevent any discussion of his government's potential complicity in war crimes, failed to convince Harper that he was serious about facing up to what a United Nations fact-finding panel called "credible allegations" of wrongdoing.

"I think it's fair to say that the general tone of the president of Sri Lanka regarding these concerns was reassuring. However, I remain skeptical of some of the reassurances and will be working, obviously, between now and the next Commonwealth to insure that our concerns are genuinely addressed," Harper said. "And if they're not genuinely addressed, my previous position remains what it is."

Sri Lankan foreign minister G.L. Peiris tried to make it sound like Canada was out to lunch.

"Canada raised this issue," Peiris told reporters here. "It is a unanimous decision so as far as we are concerned, it¹s final. It is irrevocable. It has never been subject of a dispute at any time during these proceedings."

If Harper doesn't go to Sri Lanka in 2013, his next chance to attend a Commonwealth summit will be in 2015 when it will be held in the Indian Ocean island state of Mauritius. (Souce: Edmonton Sun)

Order Gifts to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Vegetables, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,News, Courier/Delivery, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka.

Sell your vehicle & house fast with hitad.lk only cost is Rs.400, Advertise in Hitad.lk for free to sell your mobile phone. Want to sell your Pet, Advertise for Free in hitad.lk Search for Houses in Sri Lanka and find the best place through Hitad.lk find your best tuition place. Find the best partner for you, visit hitad.lk Find anything at any time hitad.lk.

Comments - 4

YURI Monday, 31 October 2011 04:59 AM

This is Sri Lanka, not Canada. otherwise why we all on one step to get out this Beautiful Island

buffaloa citizen Monday, 31 October 2011 05:11 AM

Salutations Mr. Harper for keeping to ethics and a clear conscience.

Ananda Monday, 31 October 2011 09:02 AM

Harper is harping about some misinformation he has got ! Who cares, except Harper, of course ?

nizam Monday, 31 October 2011 09:10 AM

Canadian PM is a sympathiser of LTTE and only he has voiced hisconcern about the brutal terrorists. Other Heads of States & Governments are ready to attend the next CHOGM in 2013 in Sri Lanka and why worry of Harper who harps to the tune of LTTE

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.

PM 'skeptical' of Sri Lanka's president's promises

Comments - 4

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Kamal Haasan returns to cinema with blockbuster ‘Vikram’

Lesson for Lanka from Ecuador’s crises, its relations with US and China

Some mill owners sell imported rice under local brands - Dudley Sirisena

Spotlight on losses associated with so called development projects

Fresh Approaches in Safeguarding the Environment

Without a Plan will Sri Lanka Overcome?

Free-fall of the nation Where is the alternative to ruinous Gotabaya regime?

Most Viewed in News

PM appeals to social media activists not to insult Hirunika

Japan will not help SL now

CB to liquidate five failed finance companies

Fuel prices to increase tomorrow?

MR's office denies reports of hospitalization

Sri Lanka to purchase four fuel shipments from India on cash payment terms

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Current developments in Sri Lanka SL envoy in New Delhi briefs BJP Rajya Sabha MP

Theft of jewellery from a shop in Norwood town Four suspects including a woman arrested

Customs seize Rs.60Mn worth booze, fags, cosmetics sent from abroad

Sri Lanka turns to Saudi Arabia for fuel on utmost urgent basis

MIRROR CRICKET

England take early T20I series lead over Sri Lanka

New Zealand clinch World Test title

LPL 2nd edition from July 30-August 22-SLC

Sanath Jayasuriya signs as coach at Melbourne cricket club Mulgrave

Spinners bowl Australia to win in first Test

Brother of Shane Warne to visit Foundation of Goodness

Australia take lead, spurred by Green, Khawaja half centuries

Five for Lyon, Australia hold edge