By Colombo Telegraph –
Ongoing failure of the Sri Lankan government to deal with reconciliation in post-war environment, failure to produce any meaningful accountability for crimes committed during and after the civil war, general failure to protect and strengthen human rights and the rule of law are all confirming statement of Prime Minister Harper, if we do not see significant progress in reconciliation, accountability and human rights then the Prime minster will disinclined to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government in Colombo, says Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.
Jason Kenney
The minster made above remarks in a media round-table discussion about his recent trip to Sri Lanka, in Markham Ontario on January 26, 2013.
The meetings confirmed our view and our concern there has been a dramatic failure of the Government to peruse the opportunity for meaningful reconciliation, human rights, dealing with reports of disappearances, lack of accountability of serious and violent crimes, excessive militarization of the north east, said Jason Kenney.
He also said during his trip he met with or talked to TNA MP. Sumanthiran, Catholic Bishop of Mannar – Rayappu Joseph, Non-governmental organizations, Sri Lanka and Tamil NGOs. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G. L Peiris, Deputy Foreign Minister Perera, Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice was unlawful and in conflict with the norms of the Commonwealth, there have been some efforts by the Government of SL in resettling refugees but generally the whole situation is discouraging and many cases of reports from NGOs is that the political situation is deteriorating rather than improving, he further said.
Watch his presentation;
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b2J78Scibs&feature=youtu.be
Q&A
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMiWOlFJwzA&feature=youtu.be
dicky Bird / January 31, 2013
Jason Kenny… just mind your own business and Bu..er off.
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Soma / January 31, 2013
That attitude of yours is the one which will put you all in trouble and god help you!
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Sen / January 31, 2013
What Mr Kenny says I totally agree. We, common Sinhalese, specially, those who are ignorant to English language, deserve sympathy because they are brainwashed and blanketed out to what is actually happening here in their own land by Brother’s Company using public money and media shows.This is what keeps this regime in power. It is up to the Opposition and the other interested parties and individuals to get together and build up a common front and erase from the minds of the peasant Sinhalese majority the false values and beliefs inculcated in their minds by this horrible regime. Dear friends,if you do not focus your attention on the poor Sinhalese village people, and raise their awareness, to make them see things in proper form, whatever effort you make with the international community will be an utter failure.
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Citizen / January 31, 2013
What Jason Kenny said was absolutely correct. First of all, Sri Lanka cannot be corrected so long as corrupted politicians are in power. Canadian politicians and all Canadian people are community service-minded, a fact that Sri Lankans has to learn. Sri Lankan politicians are communal minded. Even after the war, the Tamils are chased from their lands for the purpose of colonizing the Sinhalese, which cannot be considered as a meaningful reconciliation. It is more than three years within which period demining areas would have been completed. It is an accepted fact that Sri Lankan rulers are reluctant to allow the Tamils to resettle in their own lands. Instead of having Rehabilitation Centres for these refugees and constructing Sinhalese villages in the Tamil areas, it is far better to have Long-term Care centres, Homes for Senior Citizens, Homes for war widows), etc. throughout the country, Such a measure would have prompted the Tamils to invite the Sinhalese to their areas. Deliberate settlement of Sinhalese in the Tamil areas will only develop hatred within the communities. Giving protection to the Sinhalese is another unwanted expenditure. This is not the method of confident building measure. The commitment of Sri Lanka to implement the LLRC is only in name. Sri Lanka politicians are only exploring ways and means to colonize the Tamil areas with Sinhalese to harass the Tamils.
Had Sri Lankan politicians not plundered the wealth of the country, by now there would have been a number of Long-term Care centres, Homes for Senior Citizens, Homes for war widows, etc, which Sri Lankan politicians cannot imagine. The circumstances surrounding the impeachment of the CJ, speaks how narrow-minded the ruling politicians are. The manner in which money have been spent on transporting and feeding the criminals, Police and Army in order to quell the protests is a clear indication of waste of public funds for committing abuse of human rights. They are only interested in watching the defunct of the Provinces by having the full control of the funds in their own hands. This is the reason why the controversial Bill was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. On the other hand, Sri Lanka while formulating a sound economic policy, it is alleged MR’s brother is engaged in illegal activities carrying the business of Kasippu (illicit liquor). There are allegations that Chamal’s daughter-in-law carries on with Kasippu (illicit liquor) business, for which formalin worth Rs.2,000 million was imported. Has the country been benefited out of this illegal business. Apparently, an Opposition MP was attacked and had his arm broken by a ruling MP over this illegal business. Moreover, import of luxury Lamborigin cars without payment of duties had taken place by MR. Further, the Cabinet of 69 Ministers is nowhere to be seen in the world and what a waste of public fund. Will it not be better to utilize such billions of Rupees for the establishment of Long-term Care centres, Homes for Senior Citizens, Homes for single mothers, etc., not only for Tamils, but also for the Sinhalese and Muslims and have a meaningful transparency. If the country wastes a large amount of money, which country will give aid? In addition, Military interferes in the educational activities of the students in the Jaffna University and arrest and keep in detention without producing in Court, thereby committing grave human rights abuse. Even the journalists had been threatened during the impeachment period. This is the time for Jason Kenney to point out that the Sinhalese also are beneficiaries under the Canadian Federal system. He should have reminded of Sri Lanka’s commitment of the Commonwealth values. Even the independence of Judiciary could be guaranteed in Federalism with the system of Checks and Balances. Will Jason Kenney point out to the Sri Lankan ruling politicians that Sri Lanka has proved to be a failed State, and instead point out the merits of experimenting Federalism on the Canadian model which will answer the present crisis swiftly?
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Piranha / January 31, 2013
It is commendable that Canada has taken a stand against the Rajapaksa regime’s actions and inactions regarding the tamil issue in particular and the human rights issue in general affecting all Sri Lankans. He appears to have seen through the veil created by the Rajapaksa regime masking its devious behaviour. His responses to the questions clearly indicate that he did not fall for the “monologues” of the regime’s apologists and paid spokesmen.
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Siri / January 31, 2013
We are against to the ruling government in SL, but what this meeting is about – only handling the matter with Canadian tamils or tamil refugees living there. See the audience is not diverse one.
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Jayantha / February 1, 2013
We thank Mr.Jason Kenney and the Govt. of Canada for their interest in looking into the actrocities that are taking place in Sri Lanka under Rajapakse government.
After releasing it’s brutality against minority tamil community, now the regime is focusing the same brutality against it’s own Sinhala community.
While the regime through it’s despicable use of Media,military might, govt.contract killers and through white van abductions and other methods to murder and to suppress free media, human rights groups, opposition and minority party supporters and the honest govt. servants such as CJ Shirani Bandaranayake who voice their concern against Govt.corruptions and misduings……now lay helpless due to Govt. using all the above methods to suppress all of them.
Also Rajapakse brutal regime now send misinformation through it’s mass media to discredit Commonwealth, USA, Australia, Canada, UN and other countries who come to voice their concerns against the brutal regime.
Therefore we assume the International community should use their powers to further sanction Sri Lanka govt, isolate it, cut off trade, travel and membership and should bring in more pressure until it adheres to international norms.
As citizens of Sri Lanka we are not looking for another dictator such as Idi Amin or Saddham Husain or Pol Pot, Marcos or Gaddafi.
We want to live in peace and harmony with all communities in Sri Lanka and Rakapakses are not the suitable type to accomplish that dream.
Therefore if Rajapakses do not change their attitude and does not follow International Law, norms, true governance and guidelines…..it is time Internatiuonal Community think seriously of a Regime Change.
While I thank the International community for showing their love and concern towards us citizens of Sri Lanka, I also thank Colombo Telegraph for the bringing in the wonderful video clip interview.
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Patta Pal / February 1, 2013
Bear in mind this is for the Canadian audiences, both present and for their media. He is a politician who is mindful of his voter base too. Diplomatic double speak is a very different subject and one needs to be aware of that before passing judgement.
That is why the SL govt. does not care about these veiled threats, knowing none of these countries have the spine to act despite the war of words from a bully pulpit
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Bob / February 1, 2013
Besides the Audience seen on the video – is thin and are only tamil refugees/migrants.
This particular talk giver here – is not informed well about the title of GR – he names him as a minister to the ruling coalition in SL (not just as the defence secretary).
With all respect of their critics against the brutal regime in SL, I am also in the opinion that these kind politicians are only interested in their vote bases rather than putting pressure on lanken regime about their weak post war performances.
It is like that they are trying to make use of the abuses of MR, to win their voters in Candian villages where tamils are said to be living. This is comparable to the some districts int he UK and perhaps, in the near future in Switzerland.
What I see is – they can put the pressure on lanken govt – in many ways, if they could study WELL the current nature of the MR regime.
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Salmans Beautiiful Butt / February 2, 2013
Talking of human rights, why has White Canada marginalized the native Innuit Indian population and confiscated their habitat for the shameful exploitation of oil and minerals? He should be rehabilitating the drug-addicted victims of his countrys supremacy by providing them jobs and a better standard of living.Jason Kenney is wasting his time here.Shooo!
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Darlin de Silva / February 3, 2013
Anything lawful is not tolerated in Sri. Lanka. Everything unlawful has the blessings and the patronage of His Majesty. Imagine the work of a onetime Professor of Law being supervised by an eighth-standard qualified former wharf-clerk, who is not qualified even to sweep the class rooms of a school. When spineless intelectual frauds are advising His Majesty on legal matters and when the streams of justice flow through a muddy channel can anything lawful happen in this once upon a time paradise of a nation?
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Batalanda Ranil / February 3, 2013
Then what about money matters. An OL qualified joker is heading the central bank and is responsible for the economy of the country when the only thing he is clever at doing properly is organising ponzi schemes with the help of his wife, organising conga dances with saucy indian actresses for the benefit of his princelings and talking economics through his other orifice.
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Samson / February 3, 2013
He is just Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism
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Kos Ata Cabraal / February 3, 2013
But his skin is white. So he has the clout. The international community will listen to him.
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