Legal action against Lankan vilifiers

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

Sri Lanka will institute legal action against all allegations and clear the name of the country, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

The minister was addressing the media at the weekly Cabinet briefing at the Mass Media and Information Ministry yesterday.

Rambukwella said the government will take measures against false and fabricated allegations levelled by various segments about Human Rights violations by the government. Such baseless and fabricated allegations tarnish the country's good image and is a disgrace to all Sri Lankans, he said.

Asked about Human Rights allegations against the country by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) Organisation, the minister said the organisation has a history of this nature, tarnishing the country's good image by making baseless and fabricated allegations.

"HRW allegations are totally fabricated and baseless. According to them 75 LTTE detainees have been sexually harassed by Security Forces personnel at detention camps. The government asked the HRW for details including medical evidence of persons harassed. But they failed to furnish them since the allegations are fabricated," Minister Rambukwella said.

"This is a well organised campaign to defame the country. The country's image has to be safeguarded," he said.

The minister said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is also playing a role in this process. "This is understood when considering her speech at the session. The aim of these forces is to divide the country. The role performed by Prabakaran then, is now being performed by the TNA. The government cordially invited the TNA to hold discussions with it regarding the 13th amendment. But the TNA refused that invitation," the minister said.

The government is taking measures to implement the LLRC recommendations, Minister Rambukwella said.