At United Nations:

Sri Lanka on strong wicket - Minister Keheliya Rambukwella

By Manjula FERNANDO

Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella says President Mahinda Rajapaksa will brief the world community on Sri Lanka's success story which continues into the second year since the elimination of terrorism and the ongoing efforts to win the Economic war. "He will be going to the 65th United Nations General Assembly with an open mind. We believe that a good part of the globe is very appreciative of what we have done. There could be few hostile comments. But we are absolutely confident of handling any situation."

"The kind of efforts that we have made and the results that we have seen speak for itself. We are not jittery, excited or disturbed over any eventuality during the sessions or afterwards," he added.

Q: There was speculation that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will not attend the 65th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). But the latest news indicate that he is in fact going to address the UNGA?

A: It was just a rumour, he will be in New York on September 20 to attend the General Assembly. He is currently in Germany on a private visit and he will proceed to US from there. The UN visit was there in his agenda right from the beginning and it was not a decision taken at the eleventh hour.

Q: What will be the focal point as far as Sri Lanka is concerned ?

A: It will depend on the developments that take place there while he is present.

Q: The president is expected to express his opposition to the advisory panel appointed by the UN Secretary General ?

A: That will be a private discussion. He will be meeting a lot of leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA. These meetings are a good opportunity for countries to straighten their bilateral ties and impress upon them their individual achievements.

He will stress his point at the meeting with the UN Chief. Right at the outset we opposed the advisory panel. Our stand has not change. He will emphasise on that and he will set out as to why the objections came forth from the Government.

Q: Are you concerned that there will be HR issues raised during the General Assembly despite the groundbreaking achievements so far in eliminating terrorism and resettling Northern IDPs?

A: We have miraculously covered that area. I don't think any country has ever done this. A massive 300,000 IDPs were resettled within 16 months and only 7% - 8% IDPs are currently housed in transit camps. They have been retained due to reasons beyond our control. The areas they wish to be resettled are still being cleared of mines. Due to this we are unable to send them off. Many of these people engage in their own usual livelihoods. The IDP camps have become their place of accommodation. They leave for their work on a daily basis and return in the evening.

Whatever they take up in relation to Human Rights or IDPs, we are in a very strong position to make them understand, and emphasise the fact that we have done our best to come out of the situation successfully. Comparatively, we have been outstanding.

At the outset we had serious problems with the IDPs, we do not deny that. It was to be expected, given that such an experience - a flood of 300,000 IDPs was overwhelming and too much to handle. We had to face a burst of criticism. But, finally we have proved our credibility. It is not an exaggeration to say that we have outdone many other countries with similar experiences.

Q: You met the US Ambassador Patricia Butenis recently and had discussions on the 18th Amendment ?

A: Before I met her I expressed the concerns of the Government. I did not hesitate to mention that the US statement criticising the 18th Amendment was short of facts. That it has been made perhaps not with a comprehensive understanding of this piece of legislature.

I emphasized that Sri Lanka as a sovereign nation did not entertain this kind of unwelcome statements and it was purely an internal matter. She did not dispute our position but said that the Sri Lankan Government's concerns have been conveyed to the US Department of State.

This issue deals with the sovereignty of the country and the sovereignty lies with the people and people had given us the mandate. We have not been unconstitutional. The provisions of the Constitution were made use of to bring in the amendment. The highest judicial office of Sri Lanka, the Supreme Court has approved and had dictated the manner in which it should be executed.

Q: What would have provoked such a statement?

A: This has been happening, even in the UN, based on some comments by someone, by the Leader of the Opposition even. When it came to GSP + there were so much lobbying against it. This was against the country. I would not rule out the possibility of feeding them with misinformation.

Q: The Panel of Advisors appointed by the UN Secretary General was going to meet him on (Friday) and commence their official sittings. Are you expecting any negative outcome during the UNGA?

A: We are not particularly perturbed over the advisory panel. These are issues we have handled before. So we will continue to stand by our stance that we oppose this body appointed by UN Secretary General outside the UN mandate and do not hesitate to take whatever measures to safeguard our country's interests. We have expressed this explicitly, in no uncertain terms.

We have done extremely well given the situations and circumstances and taking into consideration the experiences elsewhere in the world. The kind of efforts that we have made and the results that have seen speaks for itself. We are not jittery, excited or disturbed over any eventuality during the sessions or afterwards.

Q: The 65th General Assembly is presided over by Switzerland, which did not favour Sri Lanka during its battle against LTTE terror?

A: As I told you we have been very clear. We are very clean. We are absolutely content of what we have achieved so far.

And the people of this country have seen that and many outsiders too have acknowledged that. Expressions of opposition and adverse comments from certain sections are not unusual and should be anticipated when dealing with world affairs.

We are going there with an open mind. We believe that at least a good part of the globe is very appreciative of what we have done. There could be a few hostile comments. But we are absolutely confident of handling any situation.

Q: During the recent House of Commons debate on Sri Lanka, the British Foreign Minister has expressed positive comments on our post war state of affairs. Are we to gather that there is a shift in Britain's foreign policy towards Sri Lanka since Miliband's departure? A: We want to say thank you for expressing the realities. The fact that Sri Lanka is being debated in the House of Commons shows that we are an important entity in Britain's foreign relations policy. And it is also a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to unveil the truth and counter LTTE propaganda.

The President believed the victory could change everything. Many of those people, I believe honestly, in their own scenarios were convinced that things need to be settled through discussion. We have turned the tables around. Now they know that we mean business. So obviously things change with that kind of direction.

Q: What is the response from the International Community and the diaspora to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission ?

A: Many important people have already made submissions at the Reconciliation Commission. It is very important . That's why I say we are not perturbed over the UN Secretary General's panel. Much before it was suggested, President Rajapaksa decided that we should have a domestic mechanism to look into accountability issues and take stock of the past experiences to prevent history being repeated.

We welcome any suggestions and advice. But we will not be guided by them. This LLRC is one of such examples. This was first conceived in the President's mind. We implemented it as soon as possible. The international community can it see that we have not ignored that area.

We are more concerned than anybody else to provide a better place for all Sri Lankans and learn lessons from our past. Why should anyone be concerned of a dead organization, namely LTTE.

Q: What is the response to the Reconciliation Commission?

A: Some people try to ignore it as I told you but we are not concerned. Some have shown an interest but others, in fact, have praised us as to what we have done. All these views are welcome but we are not going to be guided by them. We will not be disturbed or perturbed by the adverse comments because we have done it in good faith.

Q: The TNA at first did not want associate with the LLRC, but now they say although they don't have faith in it, their members will record statements before the Commission?

A: As we progress people do change their mind and begin to show confidence. And this is a classical example. We are thankful to them. TNA is part of our administration and they are represented in Parliament. We are very happy that they have taken this stance.

Q: There are moves to appoint the parliamentary council proposed under the 18th amendment in place of the Constitutional Council but the TNA parliamentarian who is nominated to the five member council by the Opposition Leader has refused to accept the post?

A: See the kind of immaturity the Opposition Leader has manifested.

I am sorry to say this, with all his experience, either it is his immaturity or he is purposely trying to bring some dissension. He has made a nomination without consulting the individual.

His refusal also shows that he cannot muster support from even the minority, not just within his own party.

Q: When will the Bribery Commission be appointed?

A: Hopefully by the end of the year, all the six Commissions will be in operation.

Who will be appointed to these Commissions is the prerogative of the President and he is already making arrangements to select suitable persons.