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Fonseka’s allegation on war crimes:
Country in danger
*Under threat: 58 Division and Major General
Shavendra Silva
*Attempt to institute War Crimes Tribunal
against Lanka to try leaders
* Sri Lanka could be barred from UN peace
keeping operations
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UN probe, a national
issue
Sandasen Marasinghe
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka
yesterday requested media institution heads and newspaper
editors to take the question of the United Nation’s demand
for an explanation from the Sri Lankan Government in respect
of the allegations made by retired Army Commander General
Sarath Fonseka as a national issue irrespective of political
allegiances. The Prime Minister made this request at a
briefing at the Prime Ministers’ Office.
Prime Minister Wickramanayaka remarked
that it was bad for the country’s self-esteem as a situation
has been created for international institutions to intervene
in internal affairs and queried as to what would be the
country’s future if this continued to happen.
He also said the UN dealt with Governments
and not with individual persons and as a member of the
United Nations, the Sri Lankan Government had to respond to
its demand.
The letter dated December 18, 2009 sent by
the United Nations to the Sri Lankan Government clearly said
that its demand for explanation was based on allegations
made by Fonseka in his interview to a Sunday Newspaper.
The Government as a country had to give an
explanation with reference to an incident that never
happened, the Prime Minister said.
Mass Media and Information Minister Anura
Priyadharshana Yapa said it was pathetic that the Opposition
Leader had made a statement at Chennai asking for an inquiry
in this connection. |
UPFA leaders and intellectuals yesterday expressed alarm at the
United Nations initiating a probe into allegations made by former Army
Commander and Chief of Defence Staff General Sarath Fonseka that Defence
Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had instructed 58 Brigade Commander Major
General Shavendra Silva to shoot those surrendering.
For the first time the United Nations has initiated a probe
against Sri Lanka and this gives it and other international players an
opportunity to interfere in the internal affairs of the country. The
Army may have to forego opportunities for foreign training and attempts
will be made to institute a War Crimes Tribunal.
Incalculable damage
Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof G.L.Peiris
told the media yesterday that Sarath Fonseka’s statement has caused
incalculable damage to the country and the Army.
It was a treacherous act no Sri Lankan had done before, the Minister
added.
This very serious allegation is even more harmful than the charges
that were brought against former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet as
they were only circumstantial where as the charges made against Major
General Shavendra Silva were categorical.
At great risk
Major General Shavendra Silva and all members of the 58th Brigade
have to suffer the consequences and they or their families will not be
able to leave the country even for medical treatment.
War Crimes Tribunal threat
Former Navy Commander and Advisor to the President on National
Security Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said that in case the allegations
against Sri Lanka are upheld by the United Nations, our leaders may have
to face a War Crimes Tribunal.
A similar situation arose sometime ago with reference to President
Slobodan Milochovic of Serbia who was hauled before the International
War Crimes Tribunal and convicted, he added. Admiral Karannagoda said
Sri Lanka may also not receive the opportunity of sending our soldiers
for International Peace Keeping Operations of the UN.
Greatest crime
National Freedom Front Leader Wimal Weerawansa said that the NDF
candidate had not taken revenge from one person but from the entire
Nation and it was the greatest crime he had committed against the
country.
People should stand up as one, irrespective of party differences to
defend the country, he added. |
