At a news conference after the meeting yesterday the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group said it was not up to them but up to the heads of Commonwealth governments to decide the venue for the summit in November and they’d already chosen Sri Lanka.
We publish below the full transcript of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group Press Conference – Marlborough House, London – Friday, 26th April 2013.
Sharma
Safa / April 27, 2013
These are the types of hypocrites who are ruining the world. Call a spade a spade and get on with it instead of this futile engagement talk. More like a marraige. Years from now we will hear the same BS from these crocodiles.
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Ajith Kumara / April 27, 2013
Shortsighted LTTE leaders has again drained $ millions of poor Tamil Diaspora collection/ransom funds through some of the bankrupted journalists they choosed to implement their CHOGM 2013 project as well.
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Ben Hurling / April 27, 2013
Not only that rather than joining hands with progressive forces in Sri Lanka to better teh situation for all, these idiots are running after Jonathan Miller, Frances Harrison & Mr. Baird of Canada etc.
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Usha S Sri-Skanda-Rajah / April 27, 2013
In his answer to Frances Harrison, Kamlesh Sharma so far in his engagement with Sri Lanka, “using his good office” hasn’t achieved anything tangible worth speaking of, that’s why he fudged the issue by saying “it’s a work in progress and when it is achieved it will be widely known,” and that he would show evidence but is not working on a deadline!
Seems like from what Sharma said, he is having to teach, virtually spoon feed fundamental democratic values to Sri Lanka. What a joke!
Actually Sharma is using his good offices to defend allegations of human rights abuses including war crimes and crimes against humanity made against Sri Lanka not to mention Sri Lanka’s serious breaches of the rule of law.
It’s quite obvious he is not being objective; he shouldn’t be showing a whiff of bias, but it’s clear he is biased in favour of Sri Lanka; he is without a doubt complicit in Sri Lankan govt’s continuing impunity!
Sharma didn’t have anything specific to say in support of his claim that the Commonwealth is contributing to the international community, although he claims that Commonwealth does more on the ground, but wasn’t specific.
To a question asked by Jonathon Miller, Sharma said that “he is fully persuaded that Sri Lanka is sincere in subscribing and following those values,” enunciated in the Commonwealth Charter embodying principles of human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance, but had no real evidence to show what action Sri Lanka has taken in that direction!
It was first thought that CMAG did not discuss Sri Lanka at all but thanks to John Baird’s question it became apparent that it had actually discussed Sri Lanka but that CMAG was not willing to disclose the details!
CMAG and Sharma have shown that the Commonwealth is a waste of time!
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Ben Hurling / April 27, 2013
Usha
“CMAG and Sharma have shown that the Commonwealth is a waste of time!”
Exactly. Just like dealings Sri Lanka and the world had with your umbrella organisation LTTE and “Talented Mr. VP”.
Something Sri Lanka understood after trying to negotiate peace with LTTE for 30 years.
PS: I believe Rajapassa is deceiving both Sharma & the Commonwealth as well. Regarding progress in Sri Lanka on Rule of Law, Good Governance etc. These lofty goals will only achieved by Sri Lanakan people in Sri Lanka. By kicking Rajapassa out themselves. Make no mistake it will happen. With or without Commnwealth.
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Native Vedda / April 27, 2013
Ben Hurling
“By kicking Rajapassa out themselves.”
Replacing Rajapassa by Rajapassa X (times) Rajapassa.
Sri Lanka never had a good leader and never will.
Unless the people change themselves they always produce their leaders in their own image.
So what is in it for you?
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Piranha / April 27, 2013
Native,
“Unless the people change themselves they always produce their leaders in their own image.”
How very true is this statement!!
You do come out with some gems sometimes.
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Mahela / April 27, 2013
Majority people will never change until fake toots moodayas screwing them left and right are in power.
Sri Lanka already a failed state going down the precipee back to Veddha civilization.
Very soon get ready to eat Punnakku, Batala and thanakola and go in the bullock cart wearing native dress Amude.
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Native Vedda / April 28, 2013
Mahela
“Sri Lanka already a failed state going down the precipee back to Veddha civilization.”
Whats wrong with Veddah civilization?
Don’t you think it is a good thing to reverse the so called modernism and post modernism back to our Veddah civilisation?
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Mahela / April 28, 2013
Native,
You say…”Don’t you think it is a good thing to reverse the so called modernism and post modernism back to our Veddah civilisation?”
Of couse yes. I agree. But the Hambanthota Gas Gembas after coming to Colombo think that only they could have Lamborginis, Rolls Royce, acquire other people’s land, print money, Buying Planes when already Airline industry loosing Billions to our economy, while making people to eat Polkudu.
THIS IS CALLED BANDA COME TO TOWN.
They are the ones to be sent back to stone age to eat their own proud happy Helapa and leave us alone.
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Capricon / April 30, 2013
We are already eating poonakku,thanakola unfortunately not shit.But we will come to that eventually when the COL hits it’s highest soon
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Native Vedda / April 27, 2013
Piranha
“You do come out with some gems sometimes.”
I attribute such gems to my elders.
There are lot of things I don’t understand hence I think I am bit thick. You know all my teachers were either Tamils or Sinhalese. I am sorry abut it.
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Ben Hurling / April 27, 2013
There will not be another Rajapassa after this guy.
Believe me people are silent. But fed up & furious. Will explode in Rajapassa’s face soone than you think.
Multiple murderer Duminda Silva upon discharge from Nawaloka had gone straight to pay a visit to King Rajapassa. In which other country does the President mingle so openly with criminals?
I share your worry. We need leaders of much better quality. But, quality people avoid politics. That attitude must change. If we are to take our country back from thieves, killers, rapists and drug dealers.
PS: There is something in it for me. I love my country. So, it is entirely selfish ;-).
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ONE / April 27, 2013
Quite rightly.
UK, the largest economic market for Sri Lanka is the hidden hand as in most cases of this nature.
All cMoron can say is how great the elam tamils are and how responsible they are as citizens.
Well the UK needs the Commonwealth more than anyone else because even the former aspirants to join the EU aren’t interested anymore.
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Real Peace / April 27, 2013
Dear Usha
Sharma is basically bribed by Mahinda. All we need is an investigative journalist to unearth what went behind screen between these two.
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eureka / April 27, 2013
Sri Lanka is only worried about its name and fame, not about what the citizens go through in their daily lives.
Kalesha Sharma and the Commonwealth seems to be in the same frame of mind.
Pathetic answers from Sharma and Moni.
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eureka / April 27, 2013
Readers
Have you seen the Joint Civil Society Submission on Sri Lanka to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG)April 2013:
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/sri-lanka-lay-down-clear-benchmarks-joint-civil-society-submission-to-commonwealth-ministers/
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gamini / April 27, 2013
Strange that these Pseudo Pandits of the CMAG did not blame Ranil Wickremasinghe for the Human Rights Violations and for the lack of Law and Order in this country. At least now, does the intelligent realize how some of the corrupt International Community Heads, aid and abet MR to continue to brutalize this country? What a bunch of Hyenas the world has evolved?
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Ranjo / April 27, 2013
Everyone and everything has a price. It seems, Australian Government / Bob Car is gone!!!
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Nihal / April 27, 2013
This [Edited out] Kamalesh Sharma is the [Edited out] although he is using empty words! He is in collusion of Rajapakshas to destroy Sri Lanka. This Common Wealth is a joke and must be shut down!
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J muththa / April 27, 2013
Statement is like one of those Asanga Seneviratne dummies which he sold during his days in the rugby field.
And, a beautiful pass to the Heads,
Is there anything that contain in the heads of Harper, Cameron & the likes??Yes. they behave like PRAWNS.
As for Fiji, Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, heads of those countries were aware that there was nothing inside the heads of the CW Heads.
Lol…lol all the way to enjoy the hospitality of a HR abuser. hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Sri Lanka style.
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Mahela / April 27, 2013
I think CHOGM Committee is slowly tightning the noose around Rajapakse neck.
Wait and see the changes in coming weeks. it’s the carrot and stick policy that CHOGTM is adopting and they know how to civilise the un-civilised Similar to what they did to South Africa Figi and Pakistan.
Re-instating CJ Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake should be a priority and the Election and Police Commission.
Still there is seven more months left for Rolls Royce ride.
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Pissuhutan / April 27, 2013
Commonwealth is a dead organization and why bother so much?
It is “COMMON WEALTH” for people like Sharma and Uku who get all perks of life thanks to the common wealth CW has. Therefore, they suck the members of the CW for their sustenance and to avoid extinction!
If CW banished GOSL our brave heroic President would have chucked up CW membership. This is the threat he made to Sharma when he met him a few weeks back. Are the CW members and administrators like Sharma and Uku like to hear of such? Nonsense.
People like Sharma and Uku are civil servants and do not want to get involved in political dilemmas like the journos.
Our President will give good food, drinks and anything these guys want and our hospitality will make things rosy for them and spouses and he will be the Leader of the CW whatever Channel 4 or Frances Harrison and other guys who were intently questioning why CHOGM venue is not moved away from our sunny island?
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Mahela / April 28, 2013
At the moment President Rajapakse is taking the country on a Dictatorial path. All he wants is to rule the country like North Korea. He don’t care of the People, UN, UK, CW or other organisations as long as he maintains and get support from the 75% local Buddhist Sinhala Vote base and keep the security apparatus, Judiciary, police, media, and election commissions under his wings.
Recent GPL’s Parliament speech say it all.
Also shunning down Sri Lanka from CHOGM will give Rajapakses to restrict tham visa to visit Sri Lanka while Rajapakses could do whatever he wants inside Sri Lanka.
Therefore I think what Sharma plans to do is to keep Rajapakses under control and that’s a good idea.
It’s nothing like a tamed and obedient Loin.
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w.Diyana / April 27, 2013
Replies given by Sharma sounds a replay of what our hypocritical politicians have been saying around the world all this time. They ( our politicians ) say one thing to the ordinary people and do just the opposite. They are very clever in deceiving their counterparts around the world. (e.g. 13 + – to India , human rights- to UN etc) Blake once observed that he can never trust our leaders . I wonder if the Commonwealth leaders are any better.
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Ajith / April 27, 2013
It is not surprise that Common Wealth followed similar approach to that of United Nations during the last phase of war which was thought to be done away without witness.The secretary general of United Nations played the same game play to hide the truth and the role played by Vije Nambiar (Indian)during the last phase of the war. Now Kamalesh Sharma (another Indian) is doing the same thing to protect SriLanka.
It is not secret that Sri Lanka massacred a large number of innocent civilians using prohibited weapons obtained from China and other anti western nations like Iran and Pakistan. International community and India played considerable role in defeating the LTTE and they allowed Sri Lanka to continue with the massacre of civilians. They thought LTTE is more difficult to influence their ideas than Sri Lanka.
The pressure exerted by Tamil Diaspora, the truths and evidence coming from the real people who witnessed the horror,the current trend in Tamil Nadu etc forced international community to take some actions against the world most worst dictatorship in Sri Lanka.Rising cost of living, Corruption is widespread, rule of law is on the worst, increased activities against other religions, actions against chief justice, land grabbing, attack on journalists etc.The current regime in Sri Lanka is now in fear of truth and thinks that racism is the only hope to save them from the people.
There is a limit dictators can go on. Tamils need tolerance and patience and continue to fight using democratic means until justice is done. Definitely Sri Lanka will be isolated not only from IC but also from its own people.
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douglas / April 27, 2013
Did you notice the question and answer at the very beginning of the press briefing? I refer to the question by Jonathan Miller (Channel 4) and the answer by Kamalesh Sharma.
The answer by Kamalesh Sharma “The CMAG has no role in the matter of a deccision concerning CMOGM………AND NO GOVERNMENT HAS INDICATED REMOTELY THAT IT WISHES TO CHANGE THE VENUE” (High lighted by me)
So what are you all discussing here of changing of avenue. I hope the Prime Minister of Canada and all other “AUGUST” Bodies who clamoured for a change of venue will note that reply and assess their own skills and capabilities of handling matters of this nature.
In that context I give full credit to Sri Lanka Governemnt for having identified this “negtlect and oversight” and boasting of the role they are to play in hosting the event. So the match is over.
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ONE / April 27, 2013
The match is yet to begin
ho ho the virus!
Never say die!
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Piranha / April 27, 2013
Kamlesh Sharma’s performance was just pathetic. Despite opposition from many institutions within the commonwealth itself Sharma is trying to defend the undefendable.
No one has managed to reverse, or even slow down, the inexorable decline in the human rights situation in Sri lanka under the Rajapaksa rule but Sharma appears to see some hope. Sharma, as the Secretary General, is bringing shame and ridicule on the Commonwealth.
Britain, as the head of the Commonwealth should take a firm stand on the issue of Sri lanka and come out openly and call for a change in the venue of CHOGM. The Australians, as usual, are playing politics as their primary concern is the inflow of refugees from Sri Lanka but I take my hat off to the Canadians for being brave and open about their opposition to the Rajapaksa regime.
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Senguttuvan / April 27, 2013
Kamlesh Sharma has delivered to the Rajapkses. In the good tradition of Cricket, the regime needs to be congratulated. The question now is who will come and who not – and therein will depend the integrity the hosts enjoy among the other Commonwealth leaders. Was there a Quid Pro Quo as some readers allege. And what indeed transpired under Any other Business? For the moment kiribath and kavun at Araliya Maligawa is in order.
And the million dollar question. Will QE2 (not the ship) grace the occasion?
Senguttuvan
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Nihal / April 27, 2013
This KS bastard pompously uttered few months back that he would proceed to take other measures if the regime does not correct the mistake of impeaching CJ. Now all of a sudden this mutt KS is mollycoddling the war criminal regime uttering utter nonsense! With mutts like KS and rogue states like Bangladesh Commonwealth is doomed to smear its reputation and earn the contempt and hate of peace loving people around the world. This KS joker must be impeached for breaching the norms of Commonwealth.
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manisekaran / April 27, 2013
Well dome Mr Kamalesh from so called country of Ahimsa! You served really well your master who are ruling currently in India, and hope god gives you some courage to sleep in night, if at all you posses anything called conscience! I wonder how people like you ascend to top of few world governing bodies.
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Vaasala / April 27, 2013
This mutt KS is a sheer disgrace to the Commonwealth norms and values. That Sri Lanka has committed excesses, abuses, rights violations, crimes against humanity, breach of law and order, assault on democracy and democratic institutions etc. has been admitted by the very Sri Lankan government itself! And all the reputed and accepted world bodies, organizations, rights groups, states, seniors, experts and professions have clamored, claimed and denounced the Rajapaksha regime for such crimes. All democracy loving countries have adopted resolutions against Sri Lanka for committing crimes against humanity and other rights violations. Only rogue regimes have supported the corrupt Rajapaksha family in these international forums. Even India supported the resolution against Sri Lanka because they too know the regime is culpable! And whereas this bird-brainer KS must have spoken and taken steps in par with the concerned majority decent people and states, this motherfucker has done quite the opposite and become an accomplice of the war criminal regime by not doing anything meaningful against the regime but protecting and encouraging it to commit more and more crimes! This son of a bitch KS fucker must be kicked on the ass and chased away from Commonwealth otherwise this organization would lose all its credibility and reputation and become a haunting place of cockroaches like the Rajapakshas!
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lankan / April 28, 2013
It is time for Kamalesh Sharma to pack his bags and go home back to India. His legacy would be appointing a Chair of the Commonwealth who has been accused of violating Commonwealth rule, rule of law and human rights. This is the beginning of the end of Commonwealth. Countries like UK, Canada and others who feel that Sri Lanka should not host the next heads of state meeting should boycott Commonwealth events until the leadership is moved away from Sri Lanka.
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Park / April 28, 2013
This article and all the comments should be sent by Colombo Telegraph to Kamalesh Sharma and the Chair of the last meeting who is from Bangladesh. Hope the editor will do it.
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Bensen Burner / April 28, 2013
Bob Carr is being mischievous. The government that he represents will not last after August 2013. He and his government will not participate for they will not be re elected.
Bensen
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Capricon / April 30, 2013
This Guillard woman should go to spread her legs
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S.Thiagarajah / April 28, 2013
It is time Kamalesh Sharma try to do something good instead of talking about road maps.He does not know when he will pursuade Sri lanka to give up murders,rape of Tamil women ,abductions,killing journalists,taking revenge against judges who are against him,like the kings of Farows of Egypt.It is better Sharma does something and then talk.What is the use of Commonwealth charter if they cannot be obeyed.Sharma cannot say whether they will be obeyed or not by Sri Lanka.He is biased in his replies.Sharma should be replaced by someone else if Commonwealth is to play its part in the World.
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Native Vedda / April 28, 2013
S.Thiagarajah
“Sharma should be replaced by someone else if Commonwealth is to play its part in the World.”
What part do you have in mind for the Commonwealth?
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kerives / April 28, 2013
What a load of crap by Sharma- the Commonwealth is the biggest circus going around the world. These guys do not have a clue about what good governance, rule of law and democracy is. Very apt that the leadership of the Commonwealth should be given to Sri Lanka, the champion and model in the eyes of the Commonwealth for human rights, free media, toleration of dissent, democracy, rule of law, independence of the judiciary, religous tolerance, minority rights, anti corruption and transparency, accountability and fairness and respect for citizens rights. KS displays ignorance and is a good example of how UK taxpayers funds are being wasted on hosting CHOGM which provides an excellent opportunity for more corruption and success to be flaunted by publishing photographs of this leader and his entourage of the beauties who will be accompanying him to Sri Lanka.
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Senguttuvan / April 28, 2013
A reading of the brief transcripts gives an inkling of what could have happened in a “deal-making” process. Bob Car intervenes and categorically states SL has assured (1) full implementation of the LLRC (2) full accountability of what happened during the end of the war in May 2009. No wonder Australia and Canada showed a markedly different approach to the contentious issue in the meeting.
Now both these are important breaks-through and two areas in which both MR and GR were obstinately unyielding so far. Now they have got off the hook by promising to implement both. Hall-mark Rajapakse style.
Few will agree with Sharma “Commonwealth Secretariat’s credibility (under his leadership) is increasing” As far as we can remember, the position/office has never been subject to this much of attack and criticism in its entire history. Sharma’s assurance things will improve between now and the actual meeting “because of his engagement” has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Senguttuvan
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Mahela / April 28, 2013
CW could do better job in Sri Lanka by pressing Sri Lanka Govt. to implement LLRC and by interacting directly with the citizens and opposition parties to find solutions on their Economic, social, religion and political issues.
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Senguttuvan / April 28, 2013
Is Kamlesh Sharma, whose role has been suspect for sometime, being truthful when he declared no member of the Commonwealth called for a change of venue. Here’s Canada’s Foreign Minister John Baird “We are stunned by the decision…..Canada didn’t get involved in the Commonwealth to accommodate evil; we came to combat it. We are deeply disappointed that Sri Lanka appears poised to take on this leadership role” ????
Senguttuvan
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Mahela / April 28, 2013
Before a cow or a pig is killed, they feed them well in order to get more money.
Also before they get their work done, first they install a king.
Same with Commonwealth CHOGM.
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crazyoldmansl / April 28, 2013
It is not only the common wealth but the whole world that supports the functional principles of the Sri Lankan government. The rule of law, human rights and democratic process are all ‘doctrines’ that no government honestly respects or contributes towards and which all governments on the contrary seek to subvert and use the powers of the state to do so.
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Sumith Ariyasinghe / April 28, 2013
The Secretary General’s answers are based on the assumption that the Sri Lankan regime is honest and credible, when in fact it has proved itself to be neither. I hope the Secretary General is credible when he says that he is using his good offices to encourage Sri Lanka to achieve reconciliation and good governance. The problem however is that “encouragement” is inadequate when dealing with a regime with no credibility. Such a regime does not respond to encouragement. It will respond only to the one thing it knows and uses, coercion. Suspension accompanied by economic sanctions would be a start.
The regrettable failure of the CMAG to place Sri Lanka on the agenda leads impartial observers to only one conclusion, that the CMAG is pampering a regime that violates the principles that are the basis of its own existence and justification. If the Commonwealth leadership is unwilling to take proper action against so blatant a violator of its principles, it no longer has any moral authority or justification to exist as a serious fraternity of nations. It might as well disband itself.
Sumith Ariyasinghe
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Piranha / April 28, 2013
India’s role in the shenanigans behind the scenes in saving Rajapaksa’s face is revealed in today’s Sunday Times. I suspected India’s dirty hands in this right from the beginning. Now it has also been revealed that India’s economic interests in Sri lanka are going to go full steam ahead as a “thank you”. India has, as usual, its own interests in mind and gives a damn about the welfare of the Sri Lankan people.
Quite apart from the human rights and democracy issues affecting the people under the Rajapaksa regime the cost of hosting the CMAG itself is going to inflict even more hardships on the already suffering people and it will also be seen by Rajapaksa as a white flag to carry on the repression and the human rights abuses without fear.
Even if the people attempt to overthrow the evil Rajaaksa regime I fear the dirty Indians will try and save him and keep him in power to serve its own interests. Not only the Sinhalese but the tamils must also regard the central government in Delhi as an enemy. Surreptitiously the Indian government is screwing the people of Sri lanka, both economically and politically.
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