By Rajeewa Jayaweera –
Rajeewa Jayaweera
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon has bombastically declared, “In an ideal world, we should not need this Council. In an ideal world, states would meet the human rights obligations they have to their people. States and non-state actors would not abuse the vulnerable, persecute certain communities or silence those who speak out. In an ideal world, those who did such despicable things would face justice. Sadly, we do not yet live in an ideal world. That is why this Council is important, and why the UK is and will continue to be one of the most steadfast supporters.”
The UK Minister spoke of persecution of Religion and Beliefs in China and Russia. He also spoke of violations of human rights in Syria, Burma, North Korea, South Sudan, Libya, Iraq and finally in Sri Lanka.
According to a GoUK media release, Ahmad has stated, “Finally, to end on a more positive note, we welcome the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to return more land to its people, and to establish an Office of Reparations and we encourage them to implement in full the commitments made to this Council to secure long-term reconciliation.” He made this hypocritical declaration recently during his address at the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
This is the Council the former US Ambassador to the United Nation, Nikki Haely, in June 2018 branded as a ‘Cesspool of Political Bias’ and a ‘Protector of Human Rights Abusers’ before announcing America’s withdrawal.
In another development, the UN’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, by an overwhelming 13 to one majority (only dissenting judge was an American) has passed judgement, UK’s administration of Chagos Islands as “an unlawful act of continuing character.” The judgement concluded, UK should end its control of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean “as rapidly as possible.”
UK’s response to the ICJ judgement has been, “This is an advisory opinion, not a judgement.” It added it would look “carefully” at the detail of the opinion, which is not legally binding.
The case was referred to the court, which hears legal submissions over international boundary disputes by the UN General Assembly. In 2017, Britain suffered a humiliating 94 to 15 defeat at the UN General Assembly attempting to prevent the Mauritius sponsored resolution to seek an advisory opinion from ICJ. A further 65 countries including France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Latvia, Greece and Finland, Canada and Switzerland abstained.
UK blackmailed Mauritius in 1968 to give up its claim over Chagos Islands when negotiating for independence. It paid a princely sum of GBP 4 million to Mauritius. It was in breach of UN resolution 1514, passed in 1960, which specifically banned the breakup of colonies before independence.
The Chagos People were forcibly evicted by Britain before leasing out the island of Diego Garcia to the Americans as a military base for which Britain received a USD 14 million discount for the submarine launched Polaris missiles it obtained from the US.
What ever land occupied by the Sri Lankan military in the North or else where in the island is Sri Lankan territory. Needless to say, land occupied by the government and its branches, if illegal must be challenged in court and a solution found by either returning the land to its rightful owners or compensation paid if acquired for reasons of national security.
However, Ahmad’s assertion has no basis and only goes to confirm Nikki Haely’s statement of the UNHRC being a cesspool of political bias. If not, how can a junior minister of a nation even speak of the land issue in Northern Sri Lanka when it has exiled an entire people from their native land, gained financial advantage by leasing such land as a military facility to another country and has failed to return the Chago Islands to its rightful owners for 51 years?
Why is Britain, whilst pontificating in Geneva, “In an ideal world, states would meet the human rights obligations” ignoring the fundamental right of the Chegos People to return to their land of birth?
As we say in Sinhala, it is a classic case of ‘Loketa Purasare, gedereta madagathe’ (boasting to the world, chickeneray at home).
Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
somass, Lal loo, Champass, the Sinhala speaking Tamil Ravi Perera, ………………….. Hela, …… Shenali, ….
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Aren’t you supporting the Chagossians and their right to have their island back? You should because one patriotic little islander has taken it upon himself to cry foul at the imperialists while casually dismissing the right of the people to claim their land back from occupying unproductive war criminals. Hypocrisy seems a virtue.
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Similarly aren’t you supporting my people’s right to have our island back?
What do we do with the descendants of Kallathonie Indians, starting from Dutta Vijaya and his hoodlums, Maha’s mercenaries, Imperial Cholas, ….Pandyas, Portuguese, Dutch, Brits, … ?
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soma / March 1, 2019
Native
I am the only Sinhalese in this forum who supports a separate Homeland for all Tamils (Tamil speaking people irrespective of their religion caste or the date of arrival) scattered across the island.
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Soma
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Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
somass
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What do we do with the descendants of Kallathonie Indians, starting from Dutta Vijaya and his hoodlums, Maha’s mercenaries, Imperial Cholas, ….Pandyas, Portuguese, Dutch, Brits, … ?
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soma / March 2, 2019
I hope you will welcome them all to your Homeland leaving the Sinhalese free of any future problems.
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Soma
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JD / March 1, 2019
I think Diego Garcia is also France owned Island from which natives were chased out and leased to the military camp. This story is interesting as UK had stolen Indian artefacts, during the colonial period, worth 41 Trillion (Indian rupees I suppose). I say one Scientist alone published about 150 Patents in those days. Those are also from Stolen Indian Scripts. Asia had many techniques to manufacture different kinds of Steel as Swords needed different kinds of Steal. So, that were also stolen and now even Kimbula Lakuna Darana Mammoties are manufactured in UK.
I am pretty sure, AHMED in order to keep his LORDSHIP read this speech written by some one. Even a filthy rich Pakisthani who owns a Supermarket in UK did not get citizenship there because his son courted one, now dead, former royalty.. It is the same thing with Muslims. British muslims were very vociperous and they deported those clerics to USA. that was it.
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soma / March 1, 2019
Native
I am the only Sinhalese in this forum who supports a separate Homeland for all Tamils (Tamil speaking people irrespective of their religion caste or the date of arrival) scattered across the island.
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Soma
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Naman / March 1, 2019
Just because a Foreign Country had done something wrong, it doesn’t mean that we Sri Lankan’s are allowed to the wrong thing—suppressing/Subjugating the minorities. It’s TIME that GoSL recognises the wrongs done to the minorities since Independence and RECTIFY them.
Live the Peaceful way the Lord Buddha had advocated and renounce VIOLENCE.
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Eagle Eye / March 1, 2019
Naman,
“It’s TIME that GoSL recognises the wrongs done to the minorities since Independence and RECTIFY them.”
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Successive Governments since independences have not done anything wrong to minorities. What they did was to rectify the wrong things done to majority Sinhalayo by British colonial rulers with the support of Wellala Demalu who licked the a*s of British colonial parasites. Wellala Demalu wanted to maintain the superior status gained as a result of licking the a*s of British. An administration dominated by Wellala Demalu. Medical College and Engineering Faculty with about 70% Wellala Demalu; Science Faculty with about 65% Wellala Demalu. Sinhalayo were majority only in the Arts Faculty. Only Wellala Demalu from North enjoyed this privileged status.
Free education from kindergarten to university and Standardization introduced by Governments after independence affected the elite Wellala Demalu as well as Sinhalayo in urban areas but benefitted ordinary Demala people and Sinhalayo from rural areas. Free health service benefitted both Demala and Sinhala ordinary folks.
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The situation prevailed in Sri Lanka at the time of independence was similar to the situation prevailed in South Africa where white Afrikaans oppressed the majority black people. The situation changed after majority black people got power due to struggle carried out by Nelson Mandela. White Afrikaans accepted the change but Wellala Demalu did not want to accept the change in this country and became the pain in the neck of Sinhalayo.
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Native Vedda / March 2, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye with birds brain
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Could you cite your reference.
Even from Mahawamsa would do nicely.
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Hela / March 1, 2019
The duplicity that Samantha Power is lauding at traitor Mangy’s B’day party……………
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Mama Sinhalam / March 1, 2019
Well, Ahmed, obviously a migrant, holds a high position in the UK within a short period, a fact unthinkable in Sinhala Buddhist Sri Lanka. It could be that another migrant Sajjid Javid is PM. The possibility is remote in Sinhala Buddhist Sri Lanka where hypocrites like Jayaweera are a dime a dozen. Mauritius itself has driven its indigenous people to the ground, like the Sinhalayas, the Veddahs and an Indian is Prime Minister. Racist chauvinists who kill minorities in modern times must not seek refuge in the fact that colonial powers did the same. The fact is that the Sinhala nationalists think that they rule the minorities and can kill them at will. This cannot be done. We will ensure that the killers are brought to trial some day. Be in no doubt of that.
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chiv / March 1, 2019
It is time Lankans should focus in saving their “shit hole” than exploring others. Dont you think so Rajeewa??? (The EXPERT)
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K.Anaga / March 1, 2019
Rajeeva Jayaweera!
Just because UK has its own faults it doesn’t mean that Srialnka should justify its faults. Uk was originally responsible for the present plight of the Tamils. When they left Ceylon in 1948, if they had restored the status quo of the Tamils prior to their occupation, most of the problems would have been solved . As if to add insult to injury the the constitution drafted by Sir Ivor Jennings referred to as Soulbery constitution did not realize the attitude of Sinhala Buddhist population to words the Tamils of then Ceylon which, deteriorated steadily in Srilanka. Section 29 of the only ineffective safeguard for the Tamils too were withdrawn. This was supported by the leftist MP’s too, to safe guard their seats on the Parliament. In short Britain is responsible for the conduct of the Sinhalese by their inaction and their action during the civil war..
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Anpu / March 1, 2019
Buddha’s preaching and murderous Sinhalese politicians (not all)
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Ajith / March 1, 2019
“What ever land occupied by the Sri Lankan military in the North or else where in the island is Sri Lankan territory. Needless to say, land occupied by the government and its branches, if illegal must be challenged in court and a solution found by either returning the land to its rightful owners or compensation paid if acquired for reasons of national security.”
Based on your argument Military can forcefully occupy your home with your wife and Chase you out is acceptable and not illegal.
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Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
Ajith
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Being a smart patriot Rajeewa Jayaweera would be happy to provide Kandyan Hospitality to the Ranavirus.
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Prasanna Rajaratne / March 1, 2019
What Mr Rajeewa Jayaweera so eloquently expresses is the duplicity of UK, and by implication, most other Western countries in dealing with such issues. He does not mention that private land taken over by the military in Sri Lanka should not be given back. What he says is that any such dispute ought to be settled in a judicial process, indeed implying land legally owned by someone should be given back. There is no doubt in that. Of course, because of the separatist clamour for “all” the land during the 30-year war makes any government hesitant and extra cautious to return land that they perceive as inimical to security as doubts still linger. But, as time goes on and mutual confidence grows, such doubts will naturally be erased.
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K.Anaga / March 1, 2019
If every illegal action of the government is to be challenged in courts there won’t be enough courts to hear the cases. It is not a case against the President to be heard, completed and the verdict given in a Month.
There are over 20,000 cases pending in the courts for over 10 years with no signs of conclusion. It will not be surprising if some Judges withdraw from hearing the cases as per the present’ style’ of their conduct.
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K.Pillai / March 1, 2019
Yes Rajeewa Jayaweera, we know that RW is not the best. But after considering the leaks by the PCoI on Srilankan Airlines, do you think that RWis the better bad.
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Native Vedda / March 1, 2019
Prasanna Rajaratne
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“What Mr Rajeewa Jayaweera so eloquently expresses is the duplicity of UK, and by implication, most other Western countries in dealing with such issues.”
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I wonder whether you were not aware of Western duplicity in the past until the responsibility of informing, educating, and entertaining you and others has finally fallen on Rajeewa’s shoulders. Its a heavy burden not the responsibility itself but being an ignorant hypocrite.
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Those who seek truth all over the world are aware of how duplicitous the West is. In the case of little islanders they are not only conditioned by selective amnesia but they believe in their extraordinary ability to dodge international, moral, collective, personal responsibility towards their own people.
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The consequence of it all reflects in the state of the state.
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By the way do you have any vested interest in land or land grabbing?
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Who is Rajeewa kidding, himself or you?
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Eagle Eye / March 2, 2019
Moda Native Vedda
Did you say land grabbing? Come and take a look in places like Wellawatte, Pettah etc. and many houses in top residential areas such as Rosmead Place and Barnes Place. How come so many Tamil MPs from outside the ‘Traditional Tamil Homeland’ or were they voted to office by the Sinhalese? On the other hand, how many Sinhala MPs from the North? You talk of land grab. Moron.
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Native Vedda / March 2, 2019
Eagle Blind Eye with Birds brain
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“How come so many Tamil MPs from outside the ‘Traditional Tamil Homeland’ or were they voted to office by the Sinhalese?”
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Did the state, you, the Sangha, Mahindawamsa, …. give out all those houses to Tamils as gifts?
Once in a while you should pull out your head from wherever it is now.
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Eagle Eye / March 2, 2019
Moda Native Vedda
They were gifted in a manner of speaking. The Sinhalese did not introduce and implement their
own ‘Thesawalami’ law.
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jansee / March 2, 2019
This retard called Rajeewa Jayaweera is asking to believe that “Needless to say, land occupied by the government and its branches, if illegal must be challenged in court and a solution found by either returning the land to its rightful owners or compensation paid if acquired for reasons of national security.”
Either he thinks we are naive or plain stupid. When has a Sri Lankan court dispensed “justice” as regards to Tamil issues. That is the reason why foreign judges were requested to be roped in to sit on the war crimes tribunal. If this man is so itchy with anything mentioned on a Sinhalese SL, then he has an illness that needs treatment.
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alex / March 4, 2019
What the author and many nationalists misunderstand, is while the UK is not perfect, on its home soil it has created a peaceful prosperous land for its home nations – the Welsh, Scots, Irish and English. It is the land of law and rules that recognises these nations and their rights … and so it prospers.
Sri Lanka needs to understand this – you can have hypocritical foreign policy, but it is the agreements and laws of the home nations that keeps the peace and creates wealth.
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