Opposition censure UN expert panel report on SL
The report of the United Nations Secretary General’s expert panel
appointed to look into human rights abuses during the war on terrorism
in Sri Lanka, has now been submitted to the government. The report has
given rise to various views locally as well as internationally. As far
as the local political sphere is concerned, the debate is just
beginning. Several Members of the United National Party, the main
opposition party gave their comments in varying degrees regarding the
report. Here are excerpts of the views they expressed to the Sunday
Observer news desk.
Karu Jayasuriya MP (Gampaha District) said we will extensively study
the report before issuing a statement. Not only as a political party,
but as citizens of Sri Lanka we will soon make our comments once we
study the report. Otherwise it will be unethical.
Buddhika Pathirana MP (Matara District) said obviously we need to
study the report first before commenting. But we need to keep in mind
that we are an independent and sovereign State. Along the history Sri
Lankan Forces have taken suitable decisions at that time to bring
violent disturbances under control.
This we see in incidents that occurred during 1971, then in 1987-1989
JVP insurrection and the LTTE terrorism that existed from 1975-2009.
Undoubtedly the grievances of innocent people of Tamil, Muslim
communities should be properly addressed. But the decisions the Sri
Lankan Forces took to safeguard every citizen irrespective of their
ethnicity, were to protect the country. We value that. We hail our pride
as an independent state. If any international intervention disregards
this we need to stand by our country and our forces.
Dayasiri Jayasekara MP (Kurunegala District) said it is not possible
for me to comment on the so called report issued by the UN panel as we
have not yet seen the report. And also I believe we should study the
report first and wait for the comments of the Government to issue our
views on it.
Ranjith Madduma Bandara MP (Moneragala District) said as a country we
won the war against terrorism where a legitimate Government and its army
fought against a terrorist group.
As citizens of this country it is necessary for us to stand by our
country’s pride and our forces if any international intervention is
trying to act against it.
We should think and act as one nation and safeguard the country.
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