Pillay’s comments draw flak

Chaminda Perera

Politicians and Civil society representatives yesterday voiced their anger over the UN Human Rights Commissioner Navy Pillay ‘s request to set up an accountability mechanism to investigate into the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka.

They said such an international mechanism will serve no purpose as the Government has already appointed a high profile independent commission to probe all issues inclusive of human rights violations.

Civil Society activist Ven Elle Gunawansa Thera told the Daily News that the vestiges of separatism and terrorism are still raising their ugly heads against the Motherland.

He said certain Non Governmental Organizations in the country backed by handful of media persons, Buddhist monks and those who introduce themselves as professionals provoke the international community to investigate into human rights violations which have never occurred in the country.

The activities of the LTTE terrorists are still going on internationally although the LTTE was totally eradicated from Sri Lanka, the Thera said.

The Thera said the people of this country should keep a constant vigil on the various forces operating against the country and its peace-loving citizens.

Meanwhile, the Patriotic National Movement yesterday condemned the attempts of UN Human Rights Commissioner to set up an international body to investigate into the human rights violations in Sri Lanka under pressure of the various separatist forces that stood against the country. According to the Secretary of the Movement, Dr. Wasantha Bandara, the purpose of an international investigation body can easily be met within the Reconciliation Commission set up by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

He said that this independent Reconciliation Commission will look into a gamut of issues including the alleged human rights violations and an international probe is no longer a requirement as it is purely an internal matter. Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon cannot appoint such a team to look into accountability issues.

He said the establishment of a team to look into accountability issues is a total violation of UN Charter and the well established norms and the practices of the world body. The Minister added that the Human Rights Council has not approved such an move. “ The law should be equal to all. The UN has failed in initiating any investigations into countries which are actually violating Human Rights”, he added.

He queried as to how the eradication of terrorism could be considered as human rights violations.