Only home-grown solutions acceptable

Although the US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka was passed at the UNHRC sessions with a mere margin on Thursday, the Government while reaffirming its stance told the House that it was always ready to fulfil its national obligation on behalf of the country and face the consequences of the resolution in the same manner it encountered challenges in the past under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Acting External Affairs Minister D.E.W. Gunasekera in a special statement to Parliament on Friday explained the Government’s response to the US sponsored resolution. He assured the House that the Government would not let this country roll-back to the era of terrorism that devastated the country during the past three decades. Under any circumstances, the Government will not allow others to impose on us their advice or solutions. The Minister drew the attention of the House to the fact that it is only the Government of Sri Lanka which could evolve a home-grown solution acceptable to all the citizens in the country. He emphasized the importance of rallying round the government irrespective of political affiliations and ethnic or religious alliances. The Minister stressed the need for all Members of Parliament to work with a sense of togetherness at this historic juncture for a new Sri Lanka, which aims to be the Wonder of Asia.

The Minister told the House that it is a matter of great satisfaction to us that altogether 15 countries voted with Sri Lanka, in the face of intense pressure exerted upon them in a variety of forms while 8 countries declined to support the resolution by abstaining. The outcome of the vote was a clear indication that of the 47 member countries of the UNHRC, 23 countries didn’t support this unwarranted resolution moved by the US. Minister Gunasekera thanked the friendly countries who understood Sri Lanka’s position and stood by us, at the time of need.

Minister Gunasekera reiterated that the UNHRC’s decision failed to recognize even the genuine efforts made by the Sri Lanka government during the post conflict scenario for reconciliation. The Council by its very action has breached the cardinal principle of international law that domestic remedies must be bought prior to invoking external mechanisms. He was critical of pre-judging a sovereign and independent State by way of such action, wittingly or unwittingly subscribing to the agendas of the terrorist rump to derail the government’s delicate peace and reconciliation efforts. The Minister pointed out how the people representing all walks of life irrespective of cast, creed and ethnicity rallied round to express their protest against this unwarranted action by the council. It demonstrates the people’s patriotic will to stand by the country and its democratically elected Government, to defend their right to freedom from terrorism. Minister Gunasekera said that we had always been open to constructive engagement, but would not cave into unreasonable demands.

Prior to the vote on US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka on Thursday, the ruling party members led by Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne staged a demonstration opposite the Parliamentary complex to protest against the US resolution. The Government Ministers and Deputy Ministers were seen wearing black bands round their arms in protest against this unwarranted move by the US. They were armed with banners which read “USA don’t destroy earned peace”, “Sri Lanka suffered for 30 years, give us a break” and so on. The Government ranks who shouted various slogans in all three languages called upon the Party Leaders and the people to come forward to defend the motherland. The Government members also made an open invitation to the Opposition to join hands with the Government to safeguard the motherland and stop betraying the country. Later they led a peaceful protest march towards the main entrance of the Parliamentary complex.

Soon after the demonstration, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa told the media that whatever the outcome of the US resolution, the President and the Government were ready to face any challenge. He said certain Western countries attempted to sabotage the ongoing peace and reconciliation process in Sri Lanka. Though Sri Lanka is a tiny island, we have worked hard to win over the support of other countries against the US sponsored resolution. The Minister also recalled how the Government had to encounter such challenges when steps were taken to open Mavilaru sluice gates and when our Armed Forces advanced to Sampur. The President had the courage to face the pressure exerted by some of the Western countries.

The issue of US resolution and its consequences were became the hot topic during the debate on the Defence Services Command and Staff College (Amendment) Bill. Instead of speaking on the Bill, most of the Opposition members who joined the debate focused their speeches on the US resolution. Some Opposition MPs attempted to make use of the opportunity to realise their narrow political objectives. The Government members responded to the remarks made by the Opposition members. They interrupted UNP MP Lakshman Kiriella due to certain remarks made by him during his speech. Kiriella said that some of the domestic issues have reached the international level as we failed to resolve them through dialogue. As a country, we should deplore our inability to find homegrown solutions to our internal problems. Both the Government and the Opposition should be ashamed of this situation. MP Kiriella in his speech attempted to project the idea that the country was heading towards militarization. This led the Government members to interrupt him continuously counter his allegations. UPFA MP A.H.M. Azwer who interrupted Kiriella told him that even Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe toured Jaffna recently and visited Prabhakaran’s house. The Chief Government Whip Minister Dinesh Gunawardene urged the MP not to disseminate falsehoods targeting the country.

Raising a point of order Deputy Finance Minister Geethanjana Gunawardene drew the attention of the House to the fact that though the debate was on the Defence College, MP Kiriella attempted to discredit the Government by making use of the opportunity. Most of the ruling party members who interrupted Kiriella called him a “traitor”. Later UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera who joined the debate said that difficulties have arisen against the smooth functioning of the country’s premier museum.

Thieves have robbed the valuable artifacts in the museum. The MP told the House in a lighter vein that one Government Minister told the people to boycott Google. He said that if we are not in a position to resolve our international problems, various international forces may attempt to divide our country. UPFA MP Sarath Weerasekera told the House that the majority of the countries have not voted for the US resolution. The adoption of the resolution by a mere one vote would not have any impact on the country’s image.