Response to Mohan Samaranayake's interview

STEPS: We note with concern steps taken by an officer of the United Nations Office to reprimand Mohan Samaranayaka - a well-known and highly respected international affairs analyst, who is an employee of the United Nations Office in Sri Lanka.

The World family looks upon the United Nations as the custodian and Guardian of promotion, establishment and maintenance of individual and collective "Human Rights".

United Nations Organization was formed aftermath of the terrible world war, and as a development of the League of Nations which was not effective as a world body.

One of the main mandates and objects of the UNO is for the protection and equality of the "Peoples" in the world family on areas of human rights, living conditions, independence, protection and other forms of rights, including right to live, right to life, freedom of expression and especially the freedom of independent journalism and journalists.

It is very sad that the very same institution on which the people have entrusted the protection of all forms of freedom has started a whichhunt on independent journalists who speak fearlessly in our fearless nation.

It is the duty of the UNO to treat all the nations alike.

We have gone through very carefully the interview with Mohan Samaranayaka in Divaina and Daily News, and find the contents are of highest educational and academic value, which are true and impartial.

The definitions given on crimes on humanity, international realities, international relations, international court of justice are classic, academic and important to every citizen.

What Samaranayaka has given in answer to questions on Saddam Hussain and LTTE are matters that are non controversial and based on facts and theories on international law and relations.

He has answered on the proscription of LTTE in the United Kingdom and USA. He has answered extremely well on the national problem.

We do not see any reason why Samaranayaka should not discuss these issues, and it is very unfair if the UNO is taking up the possession that he is barred on airing views because he is an employee of the UNO.

This is a gross violation of human rights, and all norms of other rights that individuals and the writers enjoy anywhere in the world.

We wonder for a moment whether UNO is penalizing and reprimanding Mohan because we are a small country and economically not as strong as USA or any other rich Western Nation who are main funders of the UNO.

The fact remains, that though Sri Lanka is small, it is one of the respected and senior members of the world family.

Please let us voice our views loud and clear as citizens of Sri Lanka that it is time for the US Staffer Olara Clinton to stop the whichhunt and stop reprimanding our journalists.

It was not an honourable act to telephone our national publishing institutions and to make enquiries on matters which are the ambit of independent and journalistic sphere.

We request the newly appointed Secretary General of the UNO to look into this matter and not to repeat similar incidents anywhere in the world especially, in small countries.

Sarath Wijesinghe, Solicitor and Attorney-At-Law, Ex-Chairperson, SAARC Centre, United Kingdom.