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Pillay’s statement smacks of prejudice: Keheliya

01 Sep 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government said today UN Human Rights Chief Navanetham Pillay’s statement that the state was heading in an authoritarian direction leaves room to suspect that her judgment on Sri Lanka was predetermined.

“The fact that she said we are heading towards an authoritarian state gives us reason to believe that she had already made up her mind. There is nothing to support such a notion. The constitution has never been violated nor has the electoral system or the franchise of the people to choose someone of their choice been violated.

The stability of the Government and Parliament has also never come into question. In such a situation how can anyone think that we are moving in that direction of authoritarianism,” Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella asked.

On Saturday Ms. Pillay in a hard-hitting statement said she was, “deeply concerned that Sri Lanka, despite the opportunity provided by the end of the war to construct a new, vibrant and an all-embracing state, is showing signs of heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction.”

The minister said the conclusion she had reached without sufficient indicators of a slide towards such a direction, did not befit a person of the calibre of the Commissioner.

“She is an educated person, who has been recognized throughout the world for her accomplishments and intellect. The fact that she made such a statement without proper facts leads us to suspect that she has judged Sri Lanka in a manner that smacks of having been pre-determined,” he said,
When questioned about her statement that those whom she met had been intimidated, Mr. Rambukwella, like all government ministers usually do, blamed it on the TNA.

“Where is the evidence of such intimidation, if there is any evidence she could have presented it. She can’t believe everything that the TNA tells her. The TNA were LTTE stooges in parliament,” the minister charged.

Ms. Pillay had also said she was disturbed by reports of police and military personnel visiting those who met her.

“I like to turn to a disturbing aspect of the visit, namely the harassment and intimidation of a number of human rights defenders, at least two priests, journalists, and many ordinary citizens who met me or planned to meet me. I have received reports that people in villages and settlements in the Mullaitivu were visited by the police or military officers both before and after I arrived there. In Trincomalee, several people I met were subsequently questioned about the content of our conversation,” she said in her statement.

The minister said the invitation extended to the Commissioner was genuine and sincere and the government expected a constructive report from her, but it did not turn out to be so.

“It only leads us to suspect that her mind was already made up. She spoke to people in the North. They enjoy freedom, elections and peace. But no mention was made of this,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)

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Pillay’s statement smacks of prejudice: Keheliya

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