Sri Lanka committed to C'wealth values - President Mahinda Rajapaksa

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa who addressed Thursday's pre-CHOGM press briefing held at the BMICH, Colombo along with the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma briefed the international media on how Sri Lanka has recovered fast after three decades of terrorism and restore peace in the country.

The President responding to foreign journalists asserted the eradication of terrorism has immensely benefited Sri Lanka. The president who responded to queries from the international media on the alleged human rights violations said that he is willing to probe the complaints of any alleged human rights violations if they are presented through the country's established legal system.

Addressing the year's largest press conference attended by over 400 local and international media, President Rajapaksa informed the international media that he will not hesitate to take action against any human rights violation because his Government had nothing to hide and they are very transparent.

The President was of the view that the legal system established by his Government was adequate to tackle human rights issues in Sri Lanka. The President categorically stressed that anyone who wants to complain about any alleged human rights violation in Sri Lanka should respect the existing rule of law in the country.

He asserted that if anyone was found guilty of alleged human rights violations, the Government was ready to take action against them. In some of his responses given to the media, President Rajapaksa explained how the LLRC recommendations are being implemented by the Government. The President said he was ready to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss the allegations of human rights violations in the final stages of the war against terrorists.

What the President attempted to convey to the international media was after a lapse of 30 years, the Government was able to bring permanent peace to the country. He remembered how Sri Lanka suffered over the past 30 years due to the threat of LTTE terror.

He said grave human rights violations were committed by the LTTE by killing innocent civilians, children and pregnant women. However at that time, the world did not care about those atrocities committed by the terrorists. After 2009, there is not a single bomb or killing that took place in Sri Lanka due to terrorism.

President Rajapaksa asked the Western media who kept on asking about alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka to look at what is happening in other parts of the world, especially in the Middle East in recent times. Are those not grave human rights violations, the President asked.

A foreign journalist who raised a question said the President managed to rid the country of terrorism. When asked how Sri Lanka was going to deal with pro-LTTE diaspora and do away with the separatist Eelam ideology, the President replied he had already made an open invitation for them to visit Sri Lanka and have a dialogue with the authorities.

"We are waiting for that. Instead of listening to only LTTE sympathisers and their proxies, the diaspora should also listen to us and have a dialogue with us. They should come and see for themselves what is really happening in Sri Lanka. We also have a strong Opposition in the country", he said.

The President explained how the Government had rehabilitated all detained LTTE cadres and integrated them into the mainstream society within three years and all the child combatants released within two months. The President said his policy was even to win over those who still extend their support to terrorists.

We are ready to talk with anybody, but we will not allow anybody to divide the country, he said.

When an Indian journalist asked whether President Rajapaksa was satisfied with the level of Indian participation of CHOGM, he said that he was satisfied. When the Indian reporter asked for his views on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s decision to skip CHOGM due to Tamil sentiments in Tamil Nadu, President Rajapaksa said the Indian Premier in his letter has not mentioned such a reason for not attending the CHOGM.

The President noted that the Indian Prime Minister had not attended CHOGM held in Perth in 2011 as well. The President expressed satisfaction over Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid attending this year's CHOGM summit.

Responding to a question raised by a Sri Lankan journalist on how the President as the new Chairperson of CHOGM was going to steer the Commonwealth nations for the next two years, the President replied he couldn't do whatever he wanted in the Commonwealth and it is up to the members of the Commonwealth to decide on the program.

He said he will have a dialogue with everybody about that. The President gave a very significant answer to the final question raised by a British journalist at the press conference. The reporter queried whether the President would admit to human rights violations at least when he was to shake hands with Prince Charles.

The President told the reporter that before he shook hands, he will say Ayubowan to Prince Charles. He said that is the way Sri Lankans treat anybody, be it a king, queen or a beggar.

President Rajapaksa in his opening remarks at the press conference said as one of the eight founding members of the modern Commonwealth, Sri Lanka remains committed to upholding the fundamental values of the organisation.

As such, Sri Lanka is honoured to have the privilege to host this prestigious summit, providing a forum for Commonwealth Leaders to discuss matters of common interest and priority. While the Commonwealth is unique in its diversity, we as Member countries must ensure that it remains relevant to its 2.2 billion people. Collectively, we make up one -third of the world's population. Over 60 percent of our citizens are under the age of 30, making the Commonwealth family home to the largest number of young people.

In this context, it is fitting that we commenced CHOGM week with the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Hambantota.

The President said the theme for the CHOGM 2013 Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development was relevant to all Member States. Equitable growth and inclusive development must cover all segments of society.

We in the Commonwealth, must unite to achieve rapid, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, especially in developing countries, to ensure that no one was left behind.

This theme also connects directly to the Post 2015 Global Development Agenda. As an organisation that cuts across all regions of the world, the Commonwealth should contribute towards advancing this global dialogue.

In view of investor confidence in Sri Lanka and enhanced business opportunities available after the eradication of terrorism, the Commonwealth Business Forum has attracted over 1,600 registered participants. It is expected that this event would give way to greater economic activity both in Sri Lanka and the wider Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Youth Forum was conducted on the theme Inclusive Development Stronger Together . Undoubtedly, investing in young people and enabling them to contribute meaningfully towards national development is the foundation for a prosperous tomorrow.

The hosting of the World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka in 2014 is an indication of my country's commitment to our young, as they are the future of our countries. Representing the face of the Commonwealth, the Peoples' Forum will enhance connectivity and people to people contact among the Member States.

It is for this reason that we decided to take the Commonwealth to the non urban population of Sri Lanka. This is the vision of Sri Lanka for the orientation of the Commonwealth during its term as Chair. Undoubtedly, this vision is based on securing betterment for the peoples of the Commonwealth.

President Rajapaksa in his concluding remarks said the outcome of the CHOGM discussions will be reflected in the final Statement, which will be released on November 17. He said as CHOGM returns to Asia after 24 years, he hoped that the media will give a fair coverage to all events connected with the Summit, and will convey the outcomes of the meeting to international and local audiences in a balanced and professional manner.