Baseless allegations must be put to rest

The international conspiracy hatched by the 'ghosts' of the now defunct terrorist outfit LTTE is crystal clear in the backdrop of the war crimes allegations levelled in Australia against former Navy Commander Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe who is currently serving as Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia.

It is beyond a shadow of doubt that the latest version of the concocted stories and baseless allegations have been levelled by LTTE sympathisers in Australia to focus attention on the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which is scheduled to commence in Perth later this week. Similar baseless allegations had been levelled against Sri Lanka's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Major General Shavendra Silva, the former Commander of Sri Lanka Army's 58th Brigade, on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. A lawsuit was filed against Major General Silva by the American University Washington College of Law's UNROW Human Rights Impact Litigation Clinic in the Southern District of New York, which sought damages for alleged violations of international, Sri Lankan and US domestic law under the Alien Torture Claims Act (ATCA) and Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA) of the United States.

Earlier, a criminal plaint had been filed against Sri Lanka's Deputy Ambassador to Germany and Switzerland, Major General Jagath Dias, by TRIAL (Swiss Association against Impunity) and the Society for Threatened People's (SPM).

The latest episode by LTTE sympathisers in Australia surprisingly comes only a few days prior to the Commonwealth Summit. A brief now before the Australian Federal Police said that Admiral (Rtd.) Thisara Samarasinghe should be investigated for war crimes allegations in Sri Lanka's battle against terror, during which time he served as the Northern Naval Commander. This submission has been made by the International Commission of Jurists' Australian section.

In a calculated attempt to tarnish Sri Lanka's image at the Commonwealth Summit, the Australian section's submission has also been sent to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Australia.

However, the president of the Australian section, former New South Wales Supreme Court judge and Attorney General John Dowd had initially declined to comment on this move. Subsequent reports from Australia said that Admiral Samarasinghe has not been named in a brief of evidence supplied to the Australian Federal Police accusing the Sri Lankan Government of war crimes. However, Dowd QC said that the dossier, a copy of which was also sent to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, did not accuse individuals of war crimes. It is evident that the submission by the International Commission of Jurists' Australian section is by no means an isolated incident but rather a timely action by LTTE sympathisers and shadow wings and front organisations on the eve of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Hence, these countries where the LTTE sympathisers and shadow wings and front organisations file cases against Sri Lanka's valiant soldiers turned diplomats should not fall prey to such baseless and unfounded allegations. First and foremost, these former commanders of Sri Lanka's Security Forces enjoy diplomatic immunity as they serve in top positions in Sri Lanka's missions abroad.

Notwithstanding the fact that these former top commanders, as well as others in diplomatic service for that matter enjoy diplomatic immunity, the LTTE sympathisers, shadow wings of the Tigers and their front organisations file legal action in foreign countries to attract international attention. Lead-up periods to major international gatherings of Heads of State such as the United Nations General Assembly and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are picked to intensify these campaigns against Sri Lanka. There had been similar attempts under different guises before every United Nations Human Rights Commission session in Geneva during the past few years - be it in the form of a controversial Channel 4 'video release' or a concocted report by Amnesty International.

These organised attempts during specific time periods are not alien to Sri Lanka and its Government. A section of the Tamil diaspora which is still full of sympathy to the defunct LTTE has been the wind behind the sails of all these actions in its desperate attempt to bring Sri Lanka into disrepute. In the event the international community is really concerned about Sri Lanka and the well-being of its people, it should allow Sri Lanka to solve its internal problems. Leaders of Sri Lanka and its democratically elected Government which continue to enjoy increased popularity at each and every election during the past six years, know only too well what is best for the country and its people. Should extraneous elements show undue concern and shed crocodile tears over the well-being of people in Sri Lanka? If the international community is sincerely interested in helping Sri Lanka in its reconciliation and nation-building process, it should fully support the Government's development activities in the North and the East. Far from making such a noteworthy contribution and becoming an active partner in Sri Lanka's reconciliation process, certain countries are attempting to dig into the past and play the role of arbitrator. Nevertheless, if one were to go into the track records of these countries, it would be seen that these same countries had committed numerous war crimes, not only during the past few years, but even centuries ago by invading countries such as Sri Lanka and killing thousands of hapless civilians.

Hence, it is now time that they stop grave-digging and extend a hand of solidarity and goodwill to Sri Lanka's reconciliation efforts. They should instead, commend Sri Lanka's exemplary role as the first country to eradicate terrorism. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government are making a sincere effort to usher in a better tomorrow for all communities in Sri Lanka. It would be far better if those who level charges against Sri Lanka tour the North and the East and see for themselves the progress the nation has made in reconciliation and resettlement. Top priority has been given for infrastructure development projects while thousands of ex-LTTE cadre have been rehabilitated and integrated into the society.

World leaders should take a closer look at Sri Lanka and get first-hand information on its progress in resettlement, reconciliation and nation-building after terrorism was eradicated in May 2009.