Attempt to placate countries attacking us at international level:

Why is new Democratic Front talking of judicial inquiries? - Minister G.L.Peiris

By Manjula Fernando

While questioning the New Democratic Front (NDF) Candidate Maithripala Sirisena's sudden desire to appease the countries proposing measures against Sri Lanka with a domestic inquiry External Affairs Minister, Prof.G.L.Peiris said his policy statement indicates his readiness to make concessions detrimental to the country's interest.

Foreign media including Indian newspapers last week quoted the opposition candidate as saying that he would institute an investigation by a local independent court to probe the conduct of military operations since Sri Lanka has not ratified the statute that established the International Court, it is not bound by it..

In a brief interview with the Sunday Observer yesterday Prof. Peiris said, “The common candidate is under the mistaken impression that we are not in danger at all, because Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the Treaty of Rome. That view is wrong.”

Excerpts of the Interview,

What is happening recently clearly shows, that countries which have not signed the Treaty of Rome have also found themselves in jeopardy. There have been politically instigated moves against them at international level.

International investigation

The Government is clear on its position that an international investigation is unwarranted, it is a political exercise and it is not at all a fair inquiry.

This investigation is basically an attempt by some countries to satisfy powerful elements within their societies particularly the diaspora, to gain political advantage for themselves.

The intention of certain politicians in these countries is to take advantage of the huge resources that are at the disposal of the diaspora.

I have pointed out, that of the 39 countries that sponsored the resolution against Sri Lanka, 36 were from Europe and North America.

The rest of the World including China, India, Russia, Japan the whole of the Arab world and an overwhelming majority of countries in Asia and Africa have not supported the resolution against Sri Lanka.

In such a backdrop, why is the NDF candidate making pronouncements of inquiries against the military and the Police.

Judicial tribuna

They talk of a judicial tribunal. Why is the NDF candidate suddenly announcing judicial inquiries in this country, it is obviously an attempt to please the countries that are attacking us at international level.

Why are they bending over backwards to please these countries? What is the reason for this sudden desire to placate them? Is there some obligation, that is the question I raise.

This is a matter having far-reaching consequences. A clear statement is, therefore, certainly required from the NDF candidate with regard to the nature of the investigation which he proposes to undertake, the powers and scope of the tribunal he plans to appoint and how he plans to make of the findings of the tribunal.

He also needs to clarify issues relating to the authority of the proposed tribunal to summon and interrogate members of the Armed Forces.

Statements have been made by the Opposition to the effect that they will adopt a totally different approach to the international investigation against Sri Lanka.

They owe an explanation to the country as to the extent to which the NDF candidate will capitulate to the demands made in the Resolutions against Sri Lanka.

Here again, it is an indication that the countries opposed to us are looking for a change.

They want a regime change because they think they will have far more influence with a Maithripala Sirisena administration. If not why is he suddenly talking of judicial inquiries against the armed forces and the police.

Foreign policy

In that kind of a situation, we have always insisted, while we work amicably with all countries, the pivot of our foreign policy has been and continues to be the national interest of Sri Lanka.

I have repeatedly said that we can stop these resolutions tomorrow morning, but we have to make concessions which are not in the country's interest.

It seems that the NDF candidate is prepared make those concessions for political advantage. But it will be at a huge cost to the country.

That is something the people of Sri Lanka should take into account in deciding their stand at this crucial election.