Mon, 29 Apr 2024 Today's Paper

MR defies Cameron

By

17 November 2013 10:01 am - 25     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

President Mahinda Rajapaksa directly responding to the British Prime Minister David Cameron warned the latter against “dictating” to him.

“Do not dictate to me, I’m not ready to take orders from others. We have a tradition and culture of over 2500 years and a time tested legal system together with a law enforcement process to address any issue,” he told a packed news conference in Colombo a short while ago.

Sri Lanka has refused to allow foreign investigators onto its soil, but Cameron warned Rajapakse he would lead a push for an international probe through UN bodies unless an internal inquiry produces credible results by March.

"Let me be very clear, if an investigation is not completed by March, then I will use our position on the UN Human Rights Council to work with the UN Human Rights Commission and call for a full, credible and independent international inquiry," said Cameron on Saturday.

But Rajapakse reiterated on Sunday that Sri Lanka would not bow to pressure and would complete its own inquiries in its own time.

"This is not something you can do overnight. You must also respect our own views without trying to push us into a corner, so please be fair," he said.

"We have suffered for 30 years, that's why they (the people of Sri Lanka) want a new life. That's why people elected me."

The largely pro-government press in Sri Lanka acknowledged that debate about Colombo's rights record had soured the summit.

Ceylon Today said Cameron's push for UN action had ensured "the festive mood at the Commonwealth parley turned sour", bemoaning how "media obsession over the host country's human rights record had overshadowed the official business".

Mauritius had been due to host the next summit in 2015 but it withdrew in protest against Sri Lanka's rights record.

Malta will now step in as hosts, the organisation's top official announced.

"The prime minister of Malta has invited the Commonwealth to hold CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) 2015, with Malta as the venue," Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said.

"It (the offer) was received by all members with acclamation." (SAJ)

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

  Comments - 25

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • r y d jayasekera Monday, 18 November 2013 12:00 AM

    We'll done hats off to u president via DM iPad app

    Jfdo Tuesday, 19 November 2013 11:58 AM

    It is very appropriate for Priminister of UK to provide an area for the LTTE diaspora to establish an ELAM in the UK.They are contributing so much for the UK political parties and the betterment of the country.In SriLanka they have been destroying the good people and the country's assets.

    Duminda N Jayatileke Monday, 18 November 2013 09:47 AM

    But you cannot defy a UN panel no matter how hard you try to duck & hide the truth. Be prepared for an international enquiry into war crimes.

    Randitha Monday, 18 November 2013 09:36 AM

    what will be if it is, u can't be sure ne...

    Randitha Monday, 18 November 2013 09:34 AM

    hey hey oops so sorry mr president, haiyoo not sorry 4 president sorry 4 ourselves, sri lankan people, specially sinhalese he putting us in danger without clear out this...

    priyantha Monday, 18 November 2013 09:31 AM

    go Cameron!!!!

    bandara Monday, 18 November 2013 04:56 AM

    Kothelawala is free even now

    ind Monday, 18 November 2013 03:33 AM

    Cameron should have tell it in front of MR as well.

    ind Monday, 18 November 2013 03:32 AM

    Dream on !!

    ganesh Monday, 18 November 2013 01:16 AM

    If that Corrupted CJ was in existance Kothelawala would have been a freeman by now. Along with Potta Nawfer

    C.K.LankaputhraThe t Monday, 18 November 2013 01:13 AM

    Even much strong "Aiyas" had to kneel down under international pressure in the past. This is talking to the gallery.

    idiot Monday, 18 November 2013 01:10 AM

    But having the CHOGM in SL has simply speeded up the date at Hague.

    C.K.LankaputhraThe t Monday, 18 November 2013 01:05 AM

    Said for hell.

    Priyankara Sunday, 17 November 2013 11:58 AM

    well said ...

    k.manoharan Monday, 18 November 2013 12:38 AM

    if you want come out from the mess solve the ethnic problem still you got time

    kane Monday, 18 November 2013 12:22 AM

    The country has nothing to do with his actions of inequity. He is responsible for it and he is standing by his own decisions and actions. He is not doing anything for the sake of the country. It is for his self glory.

    aka Monday, 18 November 2013 12:00 AM

    beginning of the end....!!!! via DM Android App

    kalu Sunday, 17 November 2013 07:14 PM

    This is the reason why you continue to win elections. People love leaders with a backbone who stand by the country. There will be no conclusion of investigations by March 14.

    R.R.Rohanp. Sunday, 17 November 2013 04:41 PM

    looks like we are in a precarious situation, I really feel sorry for the president.

    Vic Sunday, 17 November 2013 04:30 PM

    "Beware of Ides of March"

    bandara Sunday, 17 November 2013 04:23 PM

    Sri Lanka missed deploying a 'media strategic thinking tank'. China, USA, UK, Germany use such tools, if i say, to communicate accurately with the peoples worldwide cutting off non-sense that might (in Sri Lanka case it was ill-created already by the UK attackers) be created in world events such as Olympics, world leader gathering events.

    Dicttator Sunday, 17 November 2013 01:57 PM

    Where is Modawansa, he should have started a fast UN to death in front of the British High Commission.

    Dingimahattaya Sunday, 17 November 2013 12:30 PM

    Ane President, it is too late, why dont tell, when Cameroon was in Sri Lanka.

    Dingi

    Anoma Sunday, 17 November 2013 12:21 PM

    Legal system??

    Impeachment of the CJ by a set of thugs.

    Anoma Sunday, 17 November 2013 12:19 PM

    cutting across party lines all the lankans respect you for the response.


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.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment




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