Statement by External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris in Parliament on July 7 in reply to Chief Opposition Whip:

A deliberate attempt to distort the truth

The UNP must have the courage of its convictions:

Continued from yesterday

About four days before my official meeting with her in my capacity as Sri Lanka’s Minister of International Trade, there was a letter sent under the signature of Ranil Wickremasinghe telling Benita Ferrero Waldner that Sri Lanka was in breach of her obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, that Sri Lanka was not in compliance and did not qualify for the extension of the GSP Plus facility. This was a letter which was given to me by the Ranil Wickremasinghe’s own side. Because of the internal situation, this letter that was written to the Foreign Minister of the European Union was placed in my hands and I tabled it on the Floor of this House. Not only that, I tabled on the Floor of this House an interview that was given to “The Hindu” newspaper by Ranil Wickremasinghe where he openly, unabashedly, shamelessly calls upon the UN and the West to intervene directly in this country. This is unique behavior, Mr. Speaker. I say this not in anger, but with deep sadness.

Opposition Leader

I am firmly convinced that no Leader of the Opposition anywhere in the world would behave as he has done. (Interruption) The Leader of the Opposition in this country asked the Foreign Minister of the European Union not to extend the GSP Plus benefits because Sri Lanka does not satisfy conditions, in his view. (Interruption)

Then, he goes to India and he says openly that the West must intervene in this country. John Amaratunga has the effrontery. I use the world ‘effrontery.’ Having done all of these, not he himself, after all this has happened, he has the effrontery to place at the door of the Government culpability with regard to matters connected with GSP Plus.

A H M Azwer MP: It is a shame.

Prof. G.L. Peiris: Mr. Speaker, he has made the complaint (Interruption). You must be fair, Hon.John Amaratunga. Only two days ago.

John Amaratunga MP: You had the Ceasefire Agreement.

Prof G.L. Peiris: Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena returned recently from Malaysia and Singapore.

Do you know that 48 hours ago, somebody very high in the LTTE hierarchy and somebody very closely linked to the LTTE was arrested in Malaysia? That happened 48 hours ago.

Arrests in the EU

There have been many people arrested in European countries during the last two months. Several countries in Europe have sent Missions here, Mr. Speaker, to cooperate with us in gathering information. All of this has happened, and we have to give due credit to former military personnel who have done very valuable work with regard to these matters.

Then, MP John Amaratunga complained about the appointment of what he regarded as outsiders. Mr. Speaker, the present position is that in the Sri Lanka Foreign Service, the total cadre is 237. We are carrying at the moment 97 vacancies. So, 97 out of 237 positions are vacant at present. Now, of course, we want to fill those vacancies.

Mr Speaker: Order, please!

Prof. G.L. Peiris: Mr. Speaker, a statement has been made which, on the face of it, is damaging and it is my duty on behalf of the Government to set the record straight.

Open examinations

With regard to the large number of vacancies that we are carrying at present, we have held an open competitive examination in February 2011. The results have not yet been released. It is an examination held by the Department of Examinations and a large number of candidates have sat for the examination. It is totally wrong to say, as the MP John Amaratunga did, that young people have been appointed without qualifications. A group of 20 young trainees were appointed, and 19 of them are degree holders. Now, Mr. Speaker, all career officers who can be considered for appointment as Heads of Missions have been accommodated with the exception of three people and their cases are being gone into and we will be making appropriate arrangements shortly.

Then, Mr. Speaker, MP John Amaratunga said that senior people are leaving the Foreign Service and joining foreign universities. I am sorry to say, Mr. Speaker, that this statement is entirely false. I wish to state categorically, that statement, Mr. Speaker, is absolutely false. Two Senior Officers have asked for leave; Grace A. Asirwatham has been selected as Deputy Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons at The Hague and Aruni Wijewardena wanted to accept the position of Director at the Monterey Institute of International Relations in the United States of America. They have been seconded. I went to Cabinet at their request and I got Cabinet approval for two years’ no-pay leave for them.

Career prospects

These are important and prestigious positions. Their career prospects will be enriched and it is our duty to allow them this kind of exposure. I went to Cabinet and I got Cabinet approval to give them no-pay leave for a limited period without loss of seniority, about which they were particularly anxious. They told me in person that they do not want to lose their seniority and that is because they wish to come back to the service of which they are proud. So, that is an absolute falsehood, I am sorry to say, Mr. Speaker.

There is one other matter I wish to refer to. MP John Amaratunga has referred to our relations with India. He has said that we have distanced ourselves from our closest neighbour, India. I would like to ask what the policy of his Party with regard to India is. Tissa Attanayake, General Secretary of the United National Party, in a television interview used the word ‘Adhipathya’ in relation to India. Now, I know Tissa Attanayake. He is a cautious man.

I do not for one moment believe that the Tissa Attanayake would have made that statement about India without clearance by the Party hierarchy.

Is it then the position of the United National Party that they subscribe to this view that there has been “adipathya” - overlordship - over Sri Lanka by India? We know that the United National Party has expressed a completely different view to the Government of India.

I think that is duplicity. They must have the courage of their convictions. If they feel that there is ‘adipathya’ on the part of India with regard to Sri Lanka, they must have the courage to say so openly, not to say one thing through the General Secretary of the Party and something completely different to the Government of India.

Wrong interpretations

Mr. Speaker, in summary then, the statement by MP John Amaratunga is a dismal combination of wrong interpretations, misstatements of facts and downright falsehoods.

My position as the country’ Foreign Minister, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka is that, in spite of everything that is being done by his party to reverse the progress that is being made and particularly to tarnish Sri Lanka’s image abroad, the Government will persevere in its efforts to consolidate our achievements with regard to foreign policy, which are already quite considerable.

I thank you, Mr. Speaker.