‘Help Sri Lanka to forge ahead’ - UNSG urged

“We believe that you are well aware of the prevalent peaceful situation in Sri Lanka after three decades of war that resulted in the sufferings of all communities by brutal killings, tortures and destructions of public and personal properties. The people are now just returning to normalcy and beginning to work hard with the belief in a ‘just and fair’ future.

“All Sri Lankans irrespective of their caste, creed and religion extended their gratitude to the government under the leadership of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the bold actions taken to eradicate terrorism in its entirety, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama says in a letter to UNSG Ban Ki-Moon.

“We the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, the apex body of Islamic theologians in Sri Lanka understand that the UN Panel of Experts have accused the Sri Lankan government of alleged war crimes and human rights violations according to the media reports received in Sri Lanka, it said.

The letter adds that: “We consider this to be totally unfair if one is to go by the atrocities committed by the LTTE for 30 long years and the suffering the Sri Lankans had to undergo including the Tamil population during the tenure of terror.

“It is saddening to note that the act of the brave and courageous soldiers of our country has been brought to such disrepute.

“We are therefore of the firm opinion that the UNO assists the country in general to help and improve our situation and avoid re-activating ethnic conflicts, bitter feelings of enmity and hostility.

“Sri Lanka as a whole is now free of terror and looking forward to a just and peaceful future.

“It will take time and it is the duty of all concerned to give President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his government time to sort out all issues pertaining to ethnic grievances.

“We consider it our bounden duty to impress upon you the courageous responsibility taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to free our country from terror.

“It was a time when we Sri Lankans had given up hope for peace for Mother Lanka.

“Ably assisted by Gotabhaya Rajapaksa the actions of our President and his government are being revered by the nation and any attempt by anyone to disregard or reject these acts of bravery will be totally condemned by us all Sri Lankans.

“We therefore appeal to your Excellency to reconsider the whole issue of the appointment of the Expert Panel and its report and instead help Sri Lanka to forge ahead with vigour helping all her people to live in a peaceful and just society as one.”