Small group trying to harass Sri Lanka - GL

Lakshmi de Silva

There were certain people and groups who are in a minority attempting to harass Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes and human rights violations issues when the UN Human Rights Council had overwhelmingly voted in favour of Sri Lanka on these issues last year, External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Minister Prof G.L. Peiris

Answering queries at the press conference held at the Ministry Prof Peiris said the UN system’s principles were enshrined to protect the small and weak nations.

The strong nations did not need such protection but in this case there was a sustained effort made by a minority group of people like Navanethem Pillay who were trying to reverse the decision of the UN Human Rights Council decision.

The Human Rights Council was the appropriate body to make decisions on such issues and the attempt by Pillai and others cannot bring about any change of the decision.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon wanted to appoint a committee to advice him (Ban Ki-Moon) on the alleged war crimes or human rights violation issues in Sri Lanka but President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already appointed a reconciliation commission with adequate terms of reference, powers and resources to go into the issue.

This was an internal issue and the solutions to be found are essentially to be home-grown ones. Therefore the Government would not want any external elements to interfere in the process, Prof Peiris said.

He said US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton appreciated the appointment of the reconciliation commission by President Rajapaksa and action would be taken to ensure that the commission’s working was made open to the public.