UNHRC does not acknowledge SL’s development - Minister Gunawardena

The US brought a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC with the support of some Western and European countries. It does not carry any acknowledgment of Sri Lanka's victories, the ongoing development process, restoration of democracy, human rights and equality which did not exist when the LTTE was active in the North and East, said Water Supply and Drainage Minister and the Leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Dinesh Gunawardena during an interview with the Daily News.

Here are his comments:

The US brought a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC with the support of some Western and European countries. It does not carry any acknowledgment of Sri Lanka's victories, the ongoing development process, restoration of democracy, human rights and equality which did not exist when the LTTE was active in the North and East. Sri Lanka's position has been clear and the country presented the true situation factually before the international community.

The UNHRC came up with similar criticisms when Sri Lanka was carrying out the humanitarian operation under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to rescue the Tamil people from the LTTE clutches. Sri Lanka was open in terms of the last resolution which was rejected by the UNHRC. Sri Lanka set a record by restoring democracy and human rights within a very short period after the war. The 9/11 attack alarmed, shocked and changed the Western opinion on terrorism. At the UN, the US called upon the world to condemn and unite to defeat terrorism. Today the victorious country, Sri Lanka which completely eradicated terrorism and separatism, is being questioned without considering the facts or any reasoning.

Local Government election

In Sri Lanka, the economy is restored in the North, East and the rest of the country. Local Government elections have already been held in the North and East, democratic institutions have been restored, economy of the people in the North, East and all other parts of the country have been strengthened and our economy is the fastest growing economy in Asia. People have gone back to their normal life styles and have jobs.

The SAARC summit repeatedly called to end terrorism which Sri Lanka and its friends were totally committed to. The Geneva resolution has been sponsored by Western conspirators and funded by terrorist organizations that had been called dangerous and banned by the same countries. The resolution is based on untruth. Sri Lanka's position at the UNHRC has been very truthful, factual and clear. It presented the road map and the timetable of implementing the LLRC recommendations. We have reassured our commitment to and honoured the LLRC recommendations at every forum.

We have speedily removed landmines from almost all areas and have done this faster than any other country in the world which had wars. This is appreciated by our friendly countries. We are a champion in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Our friends in the African region and other parts of the world appreciated this. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his country has a large number of friends all over the world, especially in the NAM because the President stood by those countries as a true friend whenever they required our support. There is pressure and suppression by dominating forces who do not want development of sovereign countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. They try to change regimes to implement their dictatorship in those countries.

In Sri Lanka, we are protecting our independence and sovereignty under the leadership of President Rajapaksa. Many friendly nations have already extended their solidarity and stand by us at the UNHRC. Our neighbours, partners in the SAARC and NAM members responded making statements. India is a sovereign nation which makes its own decision. But President Rajapaksa clearly stated that there may be friends in the international community who agree and disagree with us, but all of them are our friends.

LLRC recommendations

We are considering both the positive and negative aspects of the LLRC recommendations and the government tabled it in Parliament and also released it to the public. But the Opposition continued to boycott it in Parliament. Perhaps the Opposition parties may have been taken for a ride by certain elements. The leaders of those political parties were murdered by LTTE terrorists. At this juncture, we ask them to act with responsibility and take part in the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC).

The Right to Protect Doctrine (R2P) has its own interpretations. But in Sri Lanka, we practice Buddhism and follow the great teachings of the Buddha. What we follow is Nahi Werrena Werani (hatred is never ceased by hatred). This is our past, present and future vision.

Invasions of Iraq and incidents in Libya and Syria were based on fabricated facts. In Iraq, the US searched for something that never existed and destroyed the country killing civilians and violating human rights. We are committed to the road map we submitted. This is the calendar we follow to implement the LLRC recommendations. Sri Lanka is a sovereign and independent country. It has its own mechanism of inquiry, action plan, and law and order. In Sri Lanka, all ethnicities are equal before the constitution. Fundamental rights are a very important clause in our constitution. This does not exist in the constitutions of some other countries.

The Tamil people, our armed forces, our political leaders and even leaders of foreign countries sacrificed their lives because of LTTE terror. Today, these facts are openly disclosed by the rehabilitated persons. Today, there are 280,000 people living in the North.

Comments of those who joined the democratic stream from the North should be heard, studied and considered. Then the truths and facts can be revealed.

Their plan to change the current regime in Sri Lanka is well known today. A few countries dominate the world and they acquire resources from other countries to lead luxurious lives leaving people in poverty, hunger and destitute. But Asia is now emerging and has already changed the world's economic balance. Countries of Latin America are also emerging.

Pro-LTTE Diaspora

Certain INGOs, NGOs mislead the people and governments. But certain INGOs and NGOs genuinely help people. The pro-LTTE Diaspora, JVP and UNP could be referred to as the defeated remains of the LTTE. Their agenda is to destabilize the present government. President Rajapaksa and the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government recorded a historical and unprecedented victory after defeating the LTTE, totally eradicating terrorism from Sri Lanka and establishing peace.

The Opposition, the pro-LTTE Diaspora and the remaining segments of the LTTE based in foreign countries try their best to destabilize the government to create an anarchy in Sri Lanka. It was repeatedly proved that the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is not the sole representatives of the Sri Lankan Tamil community. It was clearly proved during the elections in the Eastern Province and other parts of the country.

I appeal to the Sri Lankan public to unite, shed petty differences, join hands with the government and rise to defeat the foreign conspirators in Geneva. Every possible step should be taken by all of us to defeat their conspiracy which is aimed at destroying our independence and sovereignty.