Pro-LTTE misinformation campaign cracked
Sri Lanka has cracked the misinformation campaign by pro-LTTE
elements and the anti-Sri Lanka lobby in Geneva. Sri Lanka’s missions in
UN member States must keep the momentum going until the Human Rights
Council (HRC) sessions conclude, Dr. Prathibha Mahanamahewa of the Human
Rights Commission told the Sunday Observer yesterday.
Going by the recent US statements, India and other prominent HRC
members, it was evident that they had deviated from the earlier
‘negative’ stance and are prepared to acknowledge Sri Lanka’s progress,
he said.
“We may even stand a chance of mooting an alternative resolution
instead of the one that is being circulated by the US.”
Dr. Mahanamahewa said that there was no need to move a resolution
against Sri Lanka adding that it would only hamper the ongoing efforts
to bring all communities together.
“The world community has welcomed the Human Rights Action Plan
2011-2016,” he said. The report was prepared by the Government after
many years of research as a voluntary exercise to meet international
Human Rights obligations. The ‘final outcome’ of Sri Lanka’s second
Universal Periodic Review which concluded last year will be adopted on
March 15 and the report compiled by the High Commissioner’s office which
followed the US sponsored resolution last year will be tabled on March
20.
Dr. Mahanamahewa said that Sri Lankan missions in UNHRC member States
must work a double shift till March 20 to brief State officials in their
capitals to counter the malicious LTTE propaganda. He said the anti-Sri
Lanka lobby in Geneva is spearheaded by the British Tamil Forum, Global
Tamil Forum and Tamil National Action Group of the US, Canadian Tamil
Congress and the TETG.
“They have been providing millions of dollars to disseminate the
misinformation and disinformation campaign against Sri Lanka to create a
negative HR image.” These extremist elements have amply displayed that
they would settle for nothing less than a separate state and would not
support a political settlement.
“They are using the HRC as a forum to win what they lost four years
ago on the battle ground,” Dr. Mahanamahewa said.
He also commended the Indian central government for taking speedy
action to apprehend the culprits in the recent Mihin Lanka office attack
while stressing the need for a serious dialogue with Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister Jayalalitha Jeyaram and DMK President Karunanidhi on their
visits to Sri Lanka.
- MF
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