G L takes TNA to task

Chaminda PERERA

The government yesterday insisted that Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should first discuss issues with the government instead of making representations to foreign countries. According to External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris, a solution can only be reached within the country and the TNA should first discuss issues with the government rather than making representations to foreign countries on internal matters.

He said that discussions with foreign countries would not help solve problems. “It should directly discuss with the government,” he added. The External Affairs Minister said that the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) to look into the cause of the conflict, its effects on the people and reconciliation will be made public after it was handed over to the President.

Minister Prof Peiris stressed that the Commission will hand its report to the President. He said that the Commission does not have the right to print this report and it is the government that prints the Commission report.

Minister Peiris said that countries in the region in one voice held the view that entire region is benefited by the eradication of terrorism by the government of Sri Lanka, headed by the President, at the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Perth.

He said that the Foreign Ministers in the region reaffirmed that Sri Lanka’s victory over terrorism was an international achievement and it helped to strengthen peace in the region too.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo, Minister Prof Peiris added that the attempts of Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird to raise human rights issues in Sri Lanka were effectively foiled by Sri Lanka with the support of 15-member countries.

The minister added that raising such an issue at such a meeting is improper.

The External Affairs Minister reiterated that Sri Lanka is ready to have bilateral meetings with any country at any time and discuss such issues.

He stressed that Sri Lanka has nothing to hide in relation to the human rights issue and reiterated that this type of matter cannot be allowed to be politicized at a forum such as the CHOGM.

The minister said the country achieved three major victories at the CHOGM, which, concluded in Perth last Saturday. He said the country succeeded in negating the forces that tried to leave the voice of President Mahinda Rajapaksa unheard by filing a case against him in an Australian Court.

He said that the LTTE sympathizer who is afraid of the truth being divulged by Sri Lanka filed this action without success.

The External Affairs Minister said that the Australian Attorney General and the government reaffirmed that this case cannot be proceeded with and that the Heads of State visiting Down Under enjoy diplomatic immunity.