Cancellation of MR's visit not due to pressure

6 December 2012 05:33 am - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Despite protests by Indian groups against the planned visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Malaysia, its High Commission in Kuala Lumpur confirmed the cancellation was not due to political pressure.

Leaders from the Indian community, who are largely of Tamil ethnicity, had expressed disapproval of Rajapaksa’s role in the Sri Lankan civil war. His brother, Lt-Col Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, is also the country's defence secretary.

Rajapaksa was due to attend the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Johor Baru from Tuesday to today.

Sri Lankan acting High Commissioner Maj-Gen S.W. Lalith Daulagala told The Malay Mail, the president had cancelled the visit as he went to visit ailing Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, who was receiving treatment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, United States.

“The president had initially declined the offer in January and later agreed when persuaded by a Malaysian VIP who met him during a business meeting in Sri Lanka.

“The president was on his visit to Kazakhstan when we were informed that his plans to visit Malaysia was cancelled due to unavoidable circumstances. He had decided to visit his prime minister in the US. He informed us of the cancellation on Nov 23, which was days before the uproar here,” said Lalith Daulagala.

Rajapaksa has been blamed for allegedly orchestrating the massacre of Tamil civilians and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters, also known as the Tamil Tigers.

The Sri Lankan government defeated the Tamil Tigers in 2009 after a 26-year war against the separatist movement which wanted to create an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the country.

Last month’s Report of the Secretary-General’s Internal Review Panel on United Nations Action in Sri Lanka reported the estimated number of civilian deaths could have been as many as 40,000 between 2006 and 2009. (Source: The malay Mai

The report also said “sources” had indicated that over 70,000 people were unaccounted for. (Source: The Malay mail)

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Comments - 37

Coolman Thursday, 06 December 2012 09:29 AM

He has chosen his jewels over a trip so that he can have more roving trips later.

S.K Thursday, 06 December 2012 09:34 AM

Before 2009 only LTTE against Sri Lanka.
After 2009 All Tamils around the world (85 million) against Sri Lanka.

Nodrog Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:26 PM

Poor buffaloa, so much of animosity in you. Careful you might rupture something with your hatred. Those whom your venom is directed at don't even know or care for your rantings and your hostility only affects your health.

Alibaba Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:31 PM

If you want to get rid of KP send him to Malaysia

Godaya Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:47 PM

Dirtiest people in the universe

Ramachandran Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:51 PM

Tamils are a headache for India as well. As I am an Indian, I know that the majority of Indians don't like Tamils. We are with majority Sri Lankan brothers and sisters.

Dinithi Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:02 PM

but they shake hands with George Bush, Obama, David Cameron etc who are responsible for thousads of deaths around the world, don't they? So it is not about what people have done, it is about what people can do for you. MR being the president of a small country like Sri Lanka is of no use to them.

Union Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:26 PM

No one like killers or criminals

MirakRajBanda Thursday, 06 December 2012 09:19 AM

It's high tide for MR & Co. He is been given red card where he goes. If he keeps on ignoring the rights of Tamils and Muslims of this country, soon the 'Compagnie' will be landed in red line in red handed. No more red carpets!!!!!!!

man hattont Thursday, 06 December 2012 01:58 PM

better proceed to Libya, Iran, Kazakhstan, or Pakistan..........

chithra Thursday, 06 December 2012 02:06 PM

It is us who paid - Specially when the PM was coming to SL on Monday, President visit him Thursday before. Could not wait another four days to see him. What a waster of money and disregard to public opinion.

Lobo Thursday, 06 December 2012 02:23 PM

Nicely said Dinithi. Its all about who has the power and money and the small countries be damned.

Kolomba Kolla Thursday, 06 December 2012 02:26 PM

Yes but they are Muslims. So congratulations, you are awake somewhat in being able to recognize that. But they are also humane. Why would they want a despot like MR visiting Malaysia with a begging bowl to feed the Monks??

kumar Thursday, 06 December 2012 03:22 PM

But Libya has voted against Sri Lanka in the last session

Haminad Pajaraksha Thursday, 06 December 2012 03:35 PM

I am not scared to any body in this world. mamai maha raja.

sorenson Friday, 07 December 2012 08:06 AM

The bottom line is that the forum did not lose anything. And both countries have saved foreign exchange.

lovesri Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:03 AM

No interest in commenting

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:19 AM

Of course, Of course - but go tell that to the marines !

honest Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:23 AM

The Malay Mail report containing Sri Lankan's Ag HC's face saving version.

Rattapakse Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:31 AM

World is getting small for some...

Rattapakse Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:34 AM

70,000 Sri Lankas were unaccounted for?

OMG!

Imran Hussein Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:45 AM

If not external pressure then it could be BP. Still the likes of Rwanda Burundi Lesotho are left to visit.

Mason Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:48 AM

Whatever the reason the cancellation was done, but definitely not for the fun of cancelling. MR has at least now learnt how to save face and uphold the dignity of the position he holds.

OMG Thursday, 06 December 2012 07:56 AM

LTTE is alive and kicking in all other countries except Sri Lanka, and are flushed with tons of money.

renure Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:01 AM

Though President of the country some don't tolerate his presences in certain countries ,

Damma Deepa Thursday, 06 December 2012 06:19 AM

" Why they don't like you there for a visit even is very disgusting for our citizens because Malaysia is a Muslim country but they are been controlled by the Tamils"

buffaloa citizen Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:12 AM

Any human being with a minute of honesty, human conscience and principles would not want to be in the presence nor shake hands with any mass murderer whether directly or indirectly involved in such heinous crimes. Wearing white and peddling buddhism will not cover ones crimes.

Lobo Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:15 AM

Oh, our list of friends shrinking some more. Soon there'll won't be anywhere fr MR to visit and then we can save a whole lot of money squandered on these useless visits.

kumar Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:17 AM

Even he recently visited Indian amidst protests. The actual reason is MR want to show his displeasure to Malaysia over it's recent statement on humanitarian situation in Sri Lanka

meenavan Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:22 AM

No pressure but foreign exchange saved.

Chow Chow Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:37 AM

Interesting to note that HE the President went to USA to visit the ailing PM. Wonder who paid for this trip.

Jaramara Man Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:37 AM

Did the President pay from his pocket for his trip to USA to visit the Prime Minister? Or did the Sri Lankan publis bear this expense also, as usual?

Thomas Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:42 AM

We want to know the reasons for the cancellation?

sorenson Thursday, 06 December 2012 08:57 AM

Nothing lost for the forum anyway. There wouldn't have been any value addition. The host and us both saved money.

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Cancellation of MR's visit not due to pressure

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