Defence Ministry to evaluate NGOs

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: Defence Spoke- sman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government has developed a process by which the Defence Ministry under the Defence Secretary’s leadership will evaluate and assess the role played by all international and national Non-government Organisations in the ethnic conflict.

He told a press briefing at the Media Centre for National Security yesterday, that following extensive discussions, the Government has had with NGOs and INGOs, they had entered into an understanding with them for a streamlined process which would ensure the Government’s appreciation of the contribution of certain NGOs and INGOs, while rejecting those who have had an adverse impact on national security.

He outlined that under this process, the Defence Secretary reserves the right to probe into the essence of the matter under suspicion, and also to hear arguments, counter arguments and explanations offered by the parties concerned, prior to making its own judgements and conclusions.

“In this process, the organisations in question, posses the right to prove their innocence by their active participation. The good name of the organisations would not be unduly tarnished or brought to dishonour in haste.

Action will only be taken against those found guilty, after a full, proper and impartial inquiry into the allegations. However, until such time the allegations are proved false or otherwise, they should refrain from issuing statements pertaining to the matter in question,” he added.

Rambukwella said the Government has noted the serious allegations made by the dissident former Minister Sripathy Sooriyaarachchi, but will address them only if the allegations are proved.