Week in parliament

D. Report, an attempt to rekindle gruesome past

The Government members who joined the emergency debate in Parliament explained with details on the deliberate attempt made by the Darusman report to hinder the delicate reconciliation process that the Government has put in motion and described it as a move to put behind us the pain and anguish of the past.

The Government ranks charged when the wounds are healing at this stage of reconciliation, Darusman Report has accentuated the dividing line between Sinhala and Tamil communities and revisits certain incidents in a spirit of rancor and acrimony. Therefore the Government members stressed the importance of dealing with the matter with unity, irrespective of petty political differences.

The Government ranks who completely rubbished the Darusman report queried on the double standard maintained by the United Nations on the killing of LTTE Leader Prabhakaran and Al-Qaeda Leader Osama bin Laden. The most important point highlighted by the Government members was the LTTE Leader Prabhakaran was killed within Sri Lankan territory at the final stages of the military operations launched by the Armed Forces against the LTTE terrorists. However, Bin Laden who was unarmed was killed by the US troops in Pakistan. The Government ranks were very critical on why the UN does not see this incident as a human rights violation when Bin Laden was killed by the US troops in Pakistan. They charged why the UN Secretary General dosen't conduct an inquiry into the killing of Bin Laden outside the territory of the US?

The Government members raised the point according to the remarks made by the US Assistant Secretary of State Robert O'Blake if both terrorist leaders Prabhakaran and Bin Laden are equal, why the UN Secretary General appoint advisory panels and level allegations only against the Leader in Sri Lanka who successfully eliminated LTTE terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil by setting up a perfect example to the entire world. The Government ranks raised serious concerns on this double standard maintained by the UN on the killing of these two terrorist leaders. They queried why the UN Secretary General and the UN maintain stoic silence on the killing of Bin Laden? Sri Lanka could completely eradicate LTTE terrorism with its leader and the entire structure. Even if Bin Laden was killed, the entire structure of Al-Qaeda still remains. The Government Ministers pointed out if the US killed Bin Laden, they cannot compare it with the killing of Prabhakaran. They described the defeating of the LTTE terrorism in Sri Lanka is unique as the Government was able to completely eliminate the entire structure of the LTTE.

The External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris who made a special statement in Parliament on Tuesday to elaborate the Government's stance on the Darusman report informed the House that this is a matter to be dealt with from a different perspective and at a different level. The Minister was fully confident the rich traditions of the country and the whole reservoir of experience that the country had accumulated over the past three decades would put Sri Lanka into a very strong position to deal with this challenge with courage and fortitude.

Prof. Peiris who clearly outlined the Government's position on Darusman report described it as a private initiative on the part of the UN Secretary General which has done the gravest possible damage to the very delicate reconciliation process that the Government has put in motion. The Minister maintained the view that after the report was carefully studied by the Government, it has not been able to agree with regard to any of the matters discussed in the report. The Minister introduced this as a deliberate attempt made to put behind us the pain and the anguish of the past.

The Minister pointed out when the wounds are healing at this stage of reconciliation and the country needs more support of the international community towards its healing process. However the Darusman report has led to accentuating the dividing line between Sinhala and Tamil communities. The Minister informed the House the report is also flawed in the sense that the panel travels far beyond its mandate. The Minister in his well constructed speech explained how this expert panel has taken the liberty to comment on our Court system, the role of the Attorney General, public order and constitutional issues, when none of these matters fall within the ambit of the mandate that the Secretary General has given to the panel.

Though the Government cannot agree with any of the matters contained in the report, the Minister told the House that he will bring to the notice of the Secretary General what the Sri Lanka Government has done upto now since the cessation of hostilities and what the Government has planned to do in the near future.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who also made a special statement on the Darusman report stressed the importance of rallying round all parties and the people under one banner and commit themselves to reconciliation and peace. National reconciliation is very necessary to regain Sri Lanka's prestige internationally. The Opposition Leader urged the Government to take action to create an environment to build a national consensus based on unity by respecting the rights of all communities. However, he also maintained the view of maintaining a continuous dialogue with the UN and its Secretary General on this issue. According to him shouting at streets saying various slogans would not bring any impact on this issue. Wickremesinghe said national unity is the most powerful strength which would help Sri Lankans stand before the international community. The Opposition Leader winding up his speech reminded the House on the apt quotation read by J.R. Jayewardene who was then Prime Minister. "Turn the search lights inwards. Be a lamp unto yourself. Hold fast to the truth; no harm can come to you in this life and the next".

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne moving the motion to extend the emergency regulations informed the House the mammoth crowd gathered in Colombo on May Day displayed to the entire world that they fully endorse the bold stand taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to eradicate three decades old terrorism. Despite the factions created within the UNP, the Premier extended his thanks to the remarks made by the Opposition Leader and UNP MP Sajith Premadasa on this move taken against Sri Lanka by the UN. He also said there are some groups who make various contradictory statements on Sri Lanka to get Dollars. Premier requested them to first think of their motherland rather than getting Dollars.

Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka maintained the view if the UN wants to conduct an inquiry on Sri Lanka, it should be made on the ruthless killings committed by the LTTE and those who supported them. The Minister made the point if anybody attempts to justify the move taken by the UN on Sri Lanka, we can also raise the point that war crime charges should be brought against the LTTE suspects and its supporters as well.