SL seeking support of friendly congressmen to defeat US resolution

14 September 2012 03:17 pm - 24 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka is lobbying the support of friendly US congressmen to defeat a resolution tabled in the House of Representatives by seven congressmen demanding an international inquiry into alleged violations of the international humanitarian law during the war in Sri Lanka, officials said.

In this resolution tabled on September 7, the congressmen urged the United Nations to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to look into reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations by both sides during the war and after it ended.

The resolution also seeks international intervention to encourage the Sri Lankan Government to allow for greater media freedom and for access by humanitarian organizations, journalists and international rights groups to war affected areas and rehabilitated LTTE combatants. The seven congressmen have also called for a political settlement on a meaningful devolution of power.

When asked for a comment, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunaratne Amunugama said the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington Jaliya Wickramasuriya had been asked to lobby friendly congressmen for their support to defeat this resolution.

“The tabling of the resolution does not mean much. Yet, our ambassador will work to defeat it,” he said. (KB)

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Comments - 24

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 15 September 2012 10:41 AM

Why waste time looking for "friendly congressmen" because there are none. All what we should do is to send our super patriot Minister Weerawansa to argue our case in the US Congress, after all he has enough experence in eating American fast food and visiting Disnehyland. All what is required to give him some English tuition!

Naman Sunday, 16 September 2012 09:18 AM

Why is the GoSL wasting hard earn foreign currency on soliciting support from foreign senators,MPs,Ministers etc to cover up the lack of reconciliation with Tamils.
Do the right thing to your country and stop this unwanted campaign.
Let us live in peace,freedom,
Let us work hard for living and NOT depend on getting easy money by bribery,corruption,kidnapping,murdering etc as at present.

Lobo Sunday, 16 September 2012 08:33 AM

Why is the UN only for bigger countries to take action against smaller nations? A crime is a crime and castigation should apply to all irrespective of how powerful or weak they are.

kumar Sunday, 16 September 2012 07:55 AM

If it is the case then why the Al-Qaida and other Islamic terrorists are struggling with USA? Easily they can buy the congressmen.

Hussain Sunday, 16 September 2012 05:57 AM

They have all been bought by the Tamils Diaspora living in the USA. Any congressman could be bought at a price. Thats what happens with 'lobbyists' for various causes, they go to the highest bidder. Study the history of the US Congress and the lobby groups that operate in Washington.

Lobo Sunday, 16 September 2012 06:02 AM

There is no way to prove or disprove other than 3rd party allegations of abuses from both sides. The West will believe what they want irrespective of what anyone says. As we all know they thrive on instability and are ever ready to throw a spanner in the spokes of anything for their crooked means.

Calistus Jayatilleke Sunday, 16 September 2012 02:33 AM

Hello Nicky Karunaratne: Leave Jesus out of your outbursts and referring to Him as a "guy" is an insult to Christianity. Only when you respect others' religions, you will get respect for your own religion.

bernardwijeyasingha Sunday, 16 September 2012 01:02 AM

The Obama admins. is under the control of the Tamil lobbyists and such a motion may require a Security Council decision. If this is the case it would be far easier to offer China a strategic advantage in exchange for her veto against such a resolution.

KArunaratna Sunday, 16 September 2012 01:14 AM

Why we go through all these trouble? Why don't we corporate for independent investigation and punish if criminal are identifed? When are we goin to be civilised?

bandara Saturday, 15 September 2012 06:01 PM

you think SL is important enough in the world platform to table motions against the US

Fusion Saturday, 15 September 2012 11:10 AM

GoSL would have committed war-crimes no doubt, especially fighting an enemy like the LTTE. They will never voluntarily submit to an investigation at the same time the so called "international community" does not care about human rights. They care about a situation only if it suites them and their interests. ICC is purely voluntary and has its jurisdiction limitations. George W. Bush threatened to invade the ICC host if any US personnel were arrested. Even under Obama that applies. Nothing will change until there is a global mandatory law that applies to all countries whether they like it or not.

Malin Saturday, 15 September 2012 10:57 AM

Hand over the problem to Muslims in America and they will solve the problems within a day ifo Sri Lanka

Gonibilla Saturday, 15 September 2012 02:15 AM

The big question is-are there any friends of SL left in the US let alone in the congress???

Saskia Saturday, 15 September 2012 09:38 AM

Why is SL always denying the war crime allegations instead of proving that there were no war crime committed? By doing so, it will be cleared for international community. After that they will not talk about it.

molligoda Saturday, 15 September 2012 08:56 AM

They do these to countries that do not storm their embassies. This waning power is doing its damnedest best to harass Sri Lanka because it is altering the geo-political game plan of the US and India in South Asia. The more they do to us the more we should encourage China here. Regardless of our political leanings we should support the govt to take on the US.

Vicks Saturday, 15 September 2012 08:24 AM

Wait a minute.... why do we look for 'friendly' Congressmen? Are we looking for a favour? Can't we find the 'real'or 'neutral' congressmen to support Sri Lanka??

Fusion Saturday, 15 September 2012 08:06 AM

More than you'd imagine. The souring of relations with of the Obama Administration & SL made the Republicans side with SL. Republicans control 241 seats out of the 435 in the HoR. About 2 years ago there was a similar resolution by over 50 reps that failed in the HoR. This time just 7. Even in the "Senate " where the the democrats have a slim majority only passed a non-binding resolution. You have no idea how partisan US politics is. The GoSL just needs to play their cards right.

Kautilya Saturday, 15 September 2012 07:33 AM

Send Mervyn Silva and Rambuwella to address US Congressmen. They all will surrender in a platter.

Hussain Saturday, 15 September 2012 06:19 AM

The USA are the worst violators of human rights all around the globe. Who in hell cares what they table in their utterly corrupt congress. Any congressman could be bought by the highest bidder. All 535 congressman are beholden to powerful lobbies that control each congressman with perks. Most congressman when they retire join a lobbying organization and makes millions. The US Congress is the most corrupt government body on earth.

Nodrog Saturday, 15 September 2012 05:24 AM

SL should table a motion in the UN for an inquiry into human rights violations by the US in Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Afghanistan not forgetting Guantanamo Bay.

M.V.R.Perera Saturday, 15 September 2012 04:47 AM

The resolution was based on a video made by channel 7 at present we are witnessing the damage cause to the whole world by such type of videos

nicky karunarathna Saturday, 15 September 2012 04:09 AM

This lunatic pariah country does not like peace in any part of the world.If peace prevails, they cannot sell their lethal arms. US economy highly depended on arms sales for its survival. From anal cavity they talk peace in the world and oral cavity use to sell arms and their hidden agenda. Last year alone, 2011, 80% of the world arms trade dominated by US to a tune of $ 66 billion. Out of this $ 36 billion arms sold to Saudi Arabia. Entire planet on the ground has garrison by military establishment by this lunatic country US. On sky also controlled by their drones. US is the cancer of the world and cancer for peace of the world. They call "God save America" while playing on Palestinian blocking their statehood in UN, knowing that their God is Palestinian origin guy call Jesus. What a hipocrits!

patriot Saturday, 15 September 2012 02:49 AM

do not say "resolution doesnot mean much ".That shows your ego! MR 's nephew is in hotspot in US. this time it is very difficult . outr govt never going to learn what is undelying issue is- find political solution

Fusion Saturday, 15 September 2012 02:19 AM

So thats 7 representatives out of 435? They had 50-60 representatives the last time a similar resolution was brought on SL. Since 241 of the 435 are held by the republicans, I think I can guess who the government sees are friendly congressmen ;)

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SL seeking support of friendly congressmen to defeat US resolution

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