28 March, 2024

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‘I Can’t Remember’ Radhika To Be In Constitutional Council?

There is consternation among certain sections of Colombo’s political circles over rumours that the former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (2006-2012) Radhika Coomaraswamy is to be appointed to the Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka.

The Constitutional Council is a feature of the structure of governance produced by the recently enacted 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy

Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy

Coomaraswamy stirred much controversy towards the end of her tenure as the Chairperson of Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Council over an unpublished report on human rights violations that were widely condemned. The said report was commissioned during the time she sat on the Council. The report, put together by T. Suntheralingam, a retired judge, who acted as the Special Rapporteur of an inquiry into high profile violations including the killing of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006.

That report was never made public by the Human Rights Commission or the then Government. It finally entered the public domain when Colombo Telegraph published it in January 2014.

The controversy over the report stemmed from Coomaraswamy’s statements to Colombo Telegraph at the time the website published the report. She insisted in the first instance that the report had not been finalised. She said that neither she nor Dr Deepika Udagama (also a member of the Council) had seen a finalised report before they left the Council. She said “Neither she nor I can remember the contents and if it had been finalized we would surely have remembered.”

However, after we published the story quoting an investigator who insisted that the report had been finalised PRIOR to Dr Coomaraswamy’s departure to the UN, she changed her position, Coomaraswamy was forced to acknowledge that she was aware that the report had been finalised and that she had even received it and ordered it to be published. She said however that she didn’t have the time to read the report.

These circumstances indicate irresponsibility or incompetence or both on her part considering the enormity of the allegations and as importantly the seriousness of the findings. The report revealed the involvement of security forces in the said violations. Had the findings been published or been discussed it would have in the very least put pressure on the security forces to be more disciplined in the execution of operations against the LTTE, human rights activists who wish to remain anonymous say.

Strangely, Sri Lanka’s articulate human rights advocates as well as INGOs which profess a keen interest in rights issues never thought fit to question Coomaraswamy over this glaring act of negligence. As strange is the fact that this lobby did not take up the report when Colombo Telegraph finally published it in January 2014, giving rise to the view that they would sideline an important discussion and with it sweep aside notions of justice, truth and retribution rather than cause embarrassment to Coomaraswamy.

Incidentally Dr Coomaraswamy was appointed to the Human Rights Commission when Ranil Wickremesinghe became Prime Minister in 2001.

Related posts;

Security Forces Involved In High Profile Human Rights Violations – Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission’s Unpublished Report

Radhika Now Says She Received The Suntheralingam Report And Ordered To Release It

 

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Latest comments

  • 29
    11

    Ranil appoints Radhika since she is Tamil and can use that as a ploy to fool the UN.
    Also, Ranil appoints his “friends” to all the high places it seems, like the central bank and now CC.
    Another crook in the making?

    • 16
      4

      So Radhika is a liar then according to this article: I am not at all surprised.

      She is always be loyal to the Sinhala majoritarian state and its lackeys.

      Would she bite the hand that feeds her?

    • 11
      4

      Robert R, how unreasonable can you get?

      I don’t know whether Radhika C knows Ranil or not (possibly not directly) but she is no crook, does not need to be so, and will not be.

      She does not represent the Tamil People. She represents sri lanka and can see both sides of our internal divide better than most of us. THAT is why she’s there.

      As for Ranil appointing his friends to high places, what is wrong with that, if such persons are eminently well qualified for such positions and can be trusted to do the job better than any outsider? Do you mean to say if you ever became Prime Minister, you will appoint to all high places people you don’t know (and therefore cannot trust?).

      TRUST has to be established, and this happens only through familiarity, directly or otherwise.

      The Coomaraswamys are a well known and well respected Tamil and SRI LANKAN family. who are derided by only those who don’t know or are paranoid already.

      RC does not need this new job. The government needs her to take it, because they know she can deliver the requirements and will help placate (at least to a degree) the UN and others already after our blood. Radhika will NOT represent the Tamils. Neither will she represent the Sinhalese. She will instead represent all that is good in both, as a very well respected (both locally and internationally) Sri Lankan.

      Got it? (both you and all other ‘doubters’ including CT).

      The days when a Sri Lankan bearing the name of a community is automatically recognized as a representative of that community, are long over. If it isn’t, that’s how it should be.

      • 2
        1

        1 ) . . .if such persons are eminently well qualified for such positions and can be trusted to do the job better than any outsider?
        2 ) . . .TRUST has to be established, . . .
        3 ) . . .they know she can deliver the requirements and will help placate (at least to a degree) the UN

        . . . She said that neither she nor Dr Deepika Udagama (also a member of the Council) had seen a finalised report before they left the Council. She said “Neither she nor I can remember the contents and if it had been finalized we would surely have remembered.”
        . . .Coomaraswamy was ” forced to acknowledge ” that she was aware that the report had been finalised and that she had even received it and ordered it to be published. She said however that she didn’t have the time to read the report.

        . . .The report, put together by T. Suntheralingam, a retired judge, who acted as the Special Rapporteur of an inquiry into high profile violations including the killing of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006.

        . . . That report was never made public by the Human Rights Commission or the then Government.

        . . . These circumstances indicate irresponsibility or incompetence or both on her part considering the enormity of the allegations and as importantly the seriousness of the findings.

        = Got it? (both you and all other ‘doubters’ ).

        HOPE THIS WILL ANSWER YOUR SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS . . .

        • 3
          0

          I think some of you Tamil folks are equally rabid as my Sinhalese brethren.

          It is an attitude that will not help. Try the middle path; it works.

    • 1
      0

      Robert R:-

      “Birds of a Feather Flock together”
      Ranil is only following in the Tried and Trusted Path of Mahinda!

  • 24
    3

    CT,

    You’re absolutely right and I applaud your efforts in publishing the report and exerting pressure on Dr. Coomaraswamy. I also commend your other investigative pieces, including those about Dr. Saravanamuttu and Mr. Weliamuna.

    That said, I would rather have any of the aforementioned people in the Constitutional Council than, say, the likes of Dr. DJ, Rajiva W, or any other sycophants that either of the two main political formations may opt for.

    After all, we have to be willing to be a little flexible at this crucial juncture in our political trajectory.

    • 5
      1

      Dear bandana,

      Up to now your comment has got the highest approval rating. The whole purpose of having a Constitutional Council will be negated if every appointment is criticised like this, and the views of people like H.L.D. Mahindapala are promoted by “vichara” below. Asoka says he has checked, and found the information we’ve been given is incorrect.

      “Bandana”, I think that you have knowingly allowed yourself to be attacked by those who CLAIM to be more rigorous by saying we have to be “a little flexible”. Most seem to agree.

  • 20
    2

    I fully agree that the January 2014 denials, back tracking and falsehood by Radhika in the CT columns have completely exposed Radika for her duplicities and destroyed all of her credibility.

    Her responses were indicative of issures much worse than just “irresponsibility or incompetence”. It exposed her as a willing hand-puppet, either of the Sri Lankan authoriies or specific UN officials intent of cover-up.

    It is truly shameless that dispite her CT-blog fiasco she would still want to be in public’s ee!

  • 3
    0

    Not all human-rights violations are Kosher.

  • 9
    6

    Robert- You are wrong in your assessment. Radhika is Tamil people’s
    representative in constitutional council and Singhalese and Muslims
    chose their representatives. Still, its not clear whether TNA was consulted by President/PM before selection as Radhika is not favoured
    by the majority Tamils as she,tho’highly educated and experienced in international politics, always lived abroad and did not face the hardships suffered by the Tamils during the last six decades. Tamils want a person,who had gone through hard times under successive regimes,
    to represent them.

    It is suggested that Mr. Raa Sampanthan,(TNA Boss,)a moderate, retire from politics as he is aging and takes this position and Mr.Sumanthiran
    to take Mr. Sampanthan’s place as minority rep. in the council. He is bilingual and an eminent lawyer and he should do a good job and will
    be acceptable to smaller parties. However, this Govt. has not given thought, as to what will happen to CC if another govt. comes to power. We are all aware of what happened to LLRC and other commissions formed during the former regime.

    • 9
      1

      I too would go for Mr Sumanthiran

      • 0
        4

        As our supreme leader has decided and made it clear to Tamils, no Tamil should be in sinahla institutions. traitors will be punished when the glorious Tigers resurrect

        • 6
          1

          Eelam or death

          Your leader has gone to never never land.

          He promised many things to Tamils which he never delivered except total destruction to them.

          “traitors will be punished when the glorious Tigers resurrect”

          Have the imaginary tigers got permission from Hindians?

          • 1
            0

            Native Vedda,

            “Have the imaginary tigers got permission from Hindians?”

            It is impossible to know what some of the young guys dream about. The ones who never saw the war themselves and are fed hate and revenge. Many of them have no father and follow middle aged leaders.

    • 1
      2

      Lanka Watch,

      “Radhika is not favoured by the majority Tamils as she,tho’highly educated and experienced in international politics, always lived abroad and did not face the hardships suffered by the Tamils during the last six decades. Tamils want a person,who had gone through hard times under successive regimes,”

      Isn’t Sumanthiran very much like Radhika? What does he know about hardship?

      • 1
        1

        Heretic – In education yes ! but If you know the history of these two people, you will not ask this question. Mr. Sumanthiran is a
        local boy.

        • 0
          0

          Lanka Watch,

          “Mr. Sumanthiran is a local boy.”

          Please explain why Sumanthiran should be considered a “local boy”? In the context of my comment local means Jaffna. Sumanthiran was born in Jaffna but I don’t know anything of him experiencing the war years here.

          According to Wikipedia he is a Colombo/Chennai/Australia Tamil.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._A._Sumanthiran

          “Sumanthiran grew up in Colombo and was educated at Royal College, Colombo.[2][3] After school he joined the University of Madras, graduating with a B.Sc. degree in physics.[4] He then proceeded to Sri Lanka Law College, qualifying as an advocate.[4]”

          “He received an LLM degree in internet and electronic law from Monash University in 2001.[4][14]”

          • 0
            0

            Heratic – When I said Mr. Sumanthiran is a “local boy”,what I meant was, he was born in Jaffna and educated in Sri Lanka and may have spent time abroad for further education.For the last decade or so, he is with the Tamil people as an appointed MP.
            The TNA leadership sent him alone to Sampoor, a remote area,
            recently to look into the problems faced by the poor people over land issues and this shows his popularity with the Tamil people.
            He was always there with Mr. Sampanthan, where ever or whenever problems arose in Tamil areas. This is the description of a
            ‘local boy’ in my opinion . Dr. Radhika was actually in ‘Transit’ in Colombo and not a permanent resident .Even Mahathma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela were educated abroad but they spent their life time with the people as their people’s representatives.

            I have high regards for Dr. Radhika and her deeds in the UN but my argument was whether she could fit into CC. with seven other
            parliamentarians in the group. There is a greater demand for Mr.
            Sampanthan to lead the Tamils of N/E, hence this problem as to who should be in CC, does not arise and let Dr.Radhika takes this
            place, though it is not the people’s choice. It is the choice of
            the elites in Colombo.

            • 0
              0

              Lanka Watch,

              Please note that I have nothing against Sumanthiran even as a “bigger boss” (president,chairman or whatever they are called) of ITAK.

              Many in Jaffna do not consider Sumanthiran a “local boy” and some of them prefer boys from Jaffna. Boys from Jaffna know about the sound of artillery, ground shaking, living without electricity, food rationing, deaths, disappearances and fear. Hope you can understand this.

              • 0
                0

                Heretic – You have gone off the track. The meaning of a “local boy” is a person who moves with the people of area, helps them
                with their day to day problems, whenever possible and he is fully aware of the ground situation.This does not necessarily mean that his physical presence is required all the time as with modern
                communication systems, which is so advanced and one could study the events on their cell phones, where ever they are.
                Not all the N/E youth joined the armed struggle and some made their grades in schools,locally or in Colombo,and after achieving something great, academically,they came back to serve the Tamil people and Mr. Sumanthiran is one of them, who is serving through
                the Tamil alliance (TNA)and we should be thankful to such people. He is an eminent civil lawyer and can you guess how much he will be saving in terms of money if he did not come to serve the people
                as a politician. Have I solved your dilemma with this explanation

                • 0
                  0

                  Lanka Watch,

                  “The meaning of a “local boy” is a person who moves with the people of area, helps them with their day to day problems, whenever possible and he is fully aware of the ground situation.”

                  Yes

                  “This does not necessarily mean that his physical presence is required all the time as with modern communication systems, which is so advanced and one could study the events on their cell phones, where ever they are.”

                  Shall we create a new word “E local boy”?

                  “Not all the N/E youth joined the armed struggle and some made their grades in schools,locally or in Colombo,and after achieving something great, academically,they came back to serve the Tamil people”

                  The point is that he left very young, very long time ago and to my best knowledge continues in Colombo.

                  “and Mr. Sumanthiran is one of them, who is serving through the Tamil alliance (TNA)and we should be thankful to such people. He is an eminent civil lawyer and can you guess how much he will be saving in terms of money if he did not come to serve the people as a politician.”

                  Saving money? You mean earning more as a full time lawyer instead of serving the people? I am sure that you have seen in the news that many other politicians are accused of having helped themselves to a lot of money. I am not accusing Sumanthiran but at the same time I don’t believe that Tamil politicians are immune to corruption and other abuse of power.

                  “Have I solved your dilemma with this explanation.”

                  No you have not but I have no problems with his background. You have to convince the other voters not me.

                  I noticed that Wiki had more info than before on his background. That is a good start.

                  • 0
                    0

                    Heretic- Thanks for taking part in the debate and lets close the
                    subject as valuable space in CT should not be wasted

                    h

                    • 0
                      0

                      Lanka Watch,

                      I decided to waste some more CT space and your time.

                      Please note that the CC is looking for three non-politically affiliated civil society members not active or former politicians.

                      Until next time.

    • 0
      0

      “as Radhika is not favoured by the majority Tamils as she,tho’highly educated and experienced in international politics, always lived abroad and did not face the hardships suffered by the Tamils during the last six decades”

      Aside from the fact that there are precious few Tamils left alive who have been around since the 1940s, who exactly are these majority Tamils you speak of? The majority of Tamils in the North and East are poor people, whose main priorities are finding out what happened to their loved ones during and after the war, and establishing stable livelihoods. The majority of the people that are involved in the politics are those living abroad- people who have also chosen folks like Rudrakumaran, who, also, has never lived in Sri Lanka for any appreciable length of time. Neither points you made make much sense.

  • 10
    14

    CT & to all and sundry

    This has nothing to do with Radhika! This is an anti Ranil/UNP campaign by CT over the years. Ranil has proved too smart and good than you bunch at CT.

    Take a rest CT! Take bow Ranil!

    • 10
      9

      Asaipillai , I totally agree with you.

      CT has been on an unfounded vendetta against some very good people. Radhika Coomaraswamy is one.

      Why does not Sri Lanka allow people to get on with their jobs, without raking up a controversy at every turn? Why are we like this? Can anybody do anything here, without risking their good name?

      Weliamuna unearthed a pile of corruption at SriLankan and sent a bill for his labours. CT and other interested persons thought THAT was unfair.!!!

      Why does not CT jump up and down asking for a follow up on those findings?

      Does CT survive in raking up a controversy at every turn?

      Radhika Coomaraswamy is fine; just let her be and allow her to do her job.

      • 3
        6

        ‘Justice n fairplay’, your name simply does not reflect your ideas but one sided. “Radhika Coomaraswamy is fine; just let her be and allow her to do her job”.

        This same lady once compared Jaffna city to Gaza strip and wanted SL military to contained to barracks. And wanted a referendum for the separate north and east from rest of the country.

        so it is obvious what her ‘job’ is.

        Though CT has exposed her for another reason, what it has done should be commendable.

        Her appointment to the constitutional council is an awesome news for those who have separatist agenda. But not for peace loving Sri Lankans.

  • 5
    11

    Stupid women with Tamil name…..[Edited out]

  • 4
    1

    Personally I have nothing against Radhika Coomarasamy.She may be doing well as a high ranking UN official.

    But I pose the question whether Sri Lanka should always seek high flying personalities like Rhadhika known for controversies as highlighted by this article to fill important constitutional positions. She was known to be favourities of some past and present politicians and known to have been groomed by TULF’s Neelan Thiruchelvam as his protege.

    Membership in the Constitutional Council reserved for non-MPs should be given to people who have no political affinities or known to be controversial personalities. In the presence of a majority of MP representatives of the Constitutional Council, it is these non MP members who will be in position to air non-sectarian views on the suitability of candidates to hold high public positions. Appointing persons like Radhika as a non MP member of the Constitutional Council will defeat that purpose.

    Why should Sri Lanka go for high flying personalities like Radhika to fill these positions? There are other Sri Lankans from all walks of like uncorrupted by political affiliations or unaffected by controversies who may be eminently suitable to be members of the Constitutional Council.

    Muslim community is going for former Justice Cader who is known to be a good judge. Why can’t they find others like Justice Cader?

    I do not even agree with the proposal of nominating TNA leader Sampanthan. He is too old and he himself seems to now delegate functions of TNA leadership to Sumanthiran perhaps because he is physically unable to perform his TNA leadership duties. He cannot even walk properly and I have seen him being helped by others. How then is he going to discharge the functions as a member of the Constitutional Council?

    • 0
      0

      Naga,

      “I do not even agree with the proposal of nominating TNA leader Sampanthan. He is too old and he himself seems to now delegate functions of TNA leadership to Sumanthiran perhaps because he is physically unable to perform his TNA leadership duties. He cannot even walk properly and I have seen him being helped by others. How then is he going to discharge the functions as a member of the Constitutional Council?”

      The CM is weak also. Who will be the new leaders? I don’t know if Jaffna ITAK will accept somebody like MAS. Not from Jaffna, overqualified, Christian and caste unknown. I don’t have a problem with him but many others do.

    • 0
      0

      Naga – I agree with you that Dr. Radhika is over qualified for this
      job. She comes from an aristocratic family of educationists and her brother Ananada too excelled in education and highly respected. With
      such back ground, she should spend rest of her period with UN and more
      over she should be bilingual as there are altogether 10 members in CC
      and there may be discussions taking place in national languages and whether she will be able to cope is the question.There is a possibility
      that CC may get kicked out or subdued with selection of ‘yes men’ in the event,a new govt. comes into power some day as 19A could be changed
      with 2/3 majority and the constitution is already shredded into many pieces. Dr. Radhika ,as we know, cannot be subdued and she will stand
      for reasoning.
      Re selection of Mr. Raa Sampanthan, TNA boss to this job, I do not agree with your comment as he is not going to do a field job but sit
      at a table and discuss administration matters and advise the govt.in power. He too is bilingual, and highly respected by both sides of the
      aisle in the parliament. Unlike Dr. Radhika, he is well versed with the current problems faced by the Tamils in places like Pungudutheevu & Sampoor and he knows fully well the ground situation. This job is meant to a down to earth man or a woman and not open to elites of the nation.

      • 0
        0

        Lanka Watch,

        Radhika’s brother is Indrajit Coomaraswamy the famed economist and Rugby player and not Ananda.

        If you are referring to Ananda Coomaraswamy, he is not a relative of RC.

        • 0
          0

          Justice and Fairplya – Thanks for the correction

  • 7
    2

    As long as A SRI LANKAN appointed to CC , there is nothing wrong in that.Why are we so racist???.What I realise is just the way majority community in d country do not want to see educated experience people to do the job, minority community also do not want to see one from elite family or experience citizen to do job for the country. This is what LTTE exploited. Where all communities live harmony in one side, a bunch of idiots want carry the legacy of hatred towards other community in one nation. Stop identifying race but consider as one nation.

  • 2
    1

    When I write about Radhika, CT cuts top to bottom. It is not worth to struggle though it. I don’t want to comment about “ I Can’t Remember Radhika To Be In Constitutional Council?.

    Did anybody tap Vije Nambiar to represent Tamils in the council. Mahendran in Central Bank, why not Vije in the CC.

    Good Choice.

  • 6
    3

    I checked Radhika was appointed by the first Constitutional a Council set up under Chandrika Kumaratunga- the Council was chaired by HL de Silva QC. Her name was propis d by the late SS Wijeratne who was the JVP appointee on the Council. So the above is all completely false.

  • 2
    2

    Dr. R.C, has the academic and relevant wide experience to be a member of the C.C. But her past is tainted according to Don Mahindapala. Pl.read below just a paragraph of his article in Asian Tribune at website
    http://www.asiantribune.com/node/9346

    “Of late, using her international network, she had been promoting the idea of Responsibility to Protect. She had used her ICES base, through her successor, Dr. Ram Mani, to get down Gareth Evans, her fellow board member of Global Centre, to preach the principle of R2P to Sri Lanka. Gareth Evans, who did not know as much he pretended to know about Sri Lanka, (see letter of Peace Secretariat below) threatened to use international forces to stop the Security Forces marching into the Vanni where “the latest Pol Pot of Asia” (New York Times, James Burns, May 28, 1995) rules with an iron fist. She even traveled to Melbourne, Australia to promote the idea of R2P though she has not been that enthusiastic in doing her job of protecting children by taking positive action against Prabhakaran, who is committing crimes against children by abducting them forcibly while Coomaswamy spends her time painting moon-sized “pottus” on her forehead.”

  • 9
    1

    Radhika Coomarasamy, Tamara Kunanayagam, et al are not at all favored by the Tamils. These are people with Tamil names but they never live as Tamils. Choosing Radhika to represent the Tamils at the CC is purely a decision by Ranil without the consent of Tamils.

    • 1
      1

      Why the PM need to consult ant community. Country president ir PM decide what is best. No community is above any other community in United srilanka. It is one country and one nation…

  • 3
    3

    RC is more than qualified and has a wide experience. CC pools in a wide range of inputs but finally has to have a consensus. For those that are not happy about this choice could support someone like Douglas Devananda or Karuna Amman.

  • 5
    3

    i wonder why DJ or Rajeewa are so late to join this slander. Can CT name any better person to be replaced Radika here. Oh..Why only this also CT can drag her ICES past into the article as well.

    “There is consternation among certain sections of Colombo’s political circles”

    who are they?? just like ITN News.

  • 2
    0

    On 19th Nov 2005 MR became President of SL.
    He appointed the following :

    1. Ratnasiri Wickramasinghe as Prime Minister
    2.Gothapaya R as Defence Secretary
    3. Sarath Fonseka as the Army Commander
    4. Kotakadeniya as DIGP

    When compared to the above 5 people who are still around what power or authority Radhika Coomarasamy had to act on her own or with the support of those in her team ?

    It is true that T. Suntherlingam together with his team has carried out their work under tiring and dangerous circumstances and produced a good report, until Jan 8th 2015 Rajapakse brothers were in power and probably she did not want to go to Jail like Sarath Fonseka.
    Are the above 5 real patriots of SL then they have moral duty to come clean and tell what happened from Nov 2005 until RC was given another post.

  • 2
    2

    good pedigree. a family of Tamil lackeys.

  • 3
    5

    Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy is eminently qualified to be on the Constitutional Council .
    She is an alumna of Yale,Columbia , and Harvard Universities and has been a visiting professor at Oxford , and has vast experience working for the UN on specific assignments dealing with violence against women, and the use of child soldiers in armed conflicts etc.,
    She hails from a very distinguished family that has served Sri Lanka with distinction
    for several decades .We should consider ourselves fortunate if she were to accept the position if it were to be offered to her .

    • 1
      0

      I agree with Dr. Goebells. But I hope she does not accept to get involved in any such position in this country at this point of time – nothing but a snake pit of cheap politics and cheaper politicians.
      She has many years of service ahead of her in the UN system with the possibility of going very high there.

      If she wishes to give something back to the country, she can always help strengthen the ICES to continue its useful and welcome services to post-graduate students within and outside the island – a function in which the ICES has gained global plaudits over the years.

      R. Varathan

  • 2
    0

    Consternation in which circles? The racist mysogynist ones? Everywhere in Sri Lanka and around the world people are delighted.

  • 5
    2

    A lot of nonsense here about Radhika. Unlike the claims here she has lived for many years in Sri Lanka and contributed. When she lived out, it was because her father was working outside or for her studies or most recently to serve the world at the UN. Her commitment has always been to justice
    .
    I would like to hear her side on judge Suntharalingam’s report but she must not enter that debate in this forum. There are too many people prepared to say untruthful and even nasty things about her in this unmoderated forum. She has spoken up for justice which itself will make her many enemies. She must ignore the rabble and carry on.

    • 7
      1

      Observer,

      You assert that “her commitment has always been to justice.”

      Please consider CT’s article on the basis of what transpired in January 2014.

      Sundaralingam’s report became public, and it had details of “high profile violations including the killing of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006.” The report was commissioned during the time she sat on the Council. She got the funding for the Report, had oversight on the inquiries and had actually signed off on the Final report that was submitted to her.

      However when CT asked for comment about her awareness of the findings, she repeatedly refused to be forthright, and had to backtrack on her own “excuses” progressively as the CT article above details.

      The question then is, despite the education and her authority as the UN official, is she credible when she claimed that she had not read the report before signing off on that. Is that what is expected of educated officials with any sense of responsibility? The inquiry was not about some petty theft – it was an incident of “very high-profile violations of Human Rights” by the State that the report uncovered, and scathingly condemned.

      Radika’s response in CT made it obvious that there was some specific reason why she not only chose to ignore the findings, but was in fact complicit in hiding the findings! Perhaps she was under pressure from some higher authority to do so. That does not speak well for the assertion that you make. She needs to be forthright and truthful, at least now, as to why she chose not to make public the findings of the report that she got funded and supervised.

      Observer, you have possibly seen the photo “Unknown Rebel” taken by Jeff Widener at the Tinnaman Square uprising in China in 1989, when a lone unknown civilian stood courageously in front of a tank to obstruct it from advancing. The lowly tank driver was ordered by the dictatorial authorities to advance regardless – but the driver refused to do so, despite the order from one of the world’s worst dictatorship that ruled with an iron fist over a billion Chinese! That is courage! That is commitment to justice!!

      When a person of Radhika’s intellect, education, upbringing, and international official recognition shows complicity in hiding such a “high profile violations of human rights,” particularly when she earns her ‘bread & butter” as an employee of the foremost international organization for the protection of human rights, on what basis would you justify asserting that “her commitment has always been to justice”?!

      • 4
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        Not only that. She wrote with a pseudonym “kunju” in CT and defended herself!

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          flash like pop. like dj she runs behind ambulances.

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        Kumar R

        I agree with your comment

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    Ken Robert.

    You are right; She had a Pseudonym Kunju when she was under fire.
    [Edited out]

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    Radikha is a highly intelligent articulate Cambridge scholar. Her knowledge base on human rights, women’s rights, constitutional rights and her written thesis along with her experience makes her the best qualified person in Sri Lanka to be appointed to the constitutional council of Sri Lanka.The critics of her appointment still live in the dark ages. Their comments reflect their perception about women taking up positions of power within our society. I have no doubt in my mind that some of these critics have a touch of racism articulated through their comments.
    Rather than be pleased that the best person qualified for the job is appointed, showing a slight movement in gender equality at the same time,these critics are trying to discredit her and her appointment.

    Kumar Sandirasegaram
    BA(Hon)LLB(London)

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      Kumar

      “BA(Hon)LLB(London)”

      Are you threatening us?

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      Kumar,

      You surprise me that despite your ” BA(Hon)LLB(London)” you have problems either paying attention, or perhaps understanding plain language. No one is disputing her qualifications – it is her credibility that is being questioned and criticized.

      Let me reiterate — When a person of Radhika’s intellect, education, upbringing, and international official recognition shows complicity in hiding such a “high profile violations of human rights,” particularly when she earns her ‘bread & butter” as an employee of the foremost international organization for the protection of human rights, on what basis would you justify asserting that “her commitment has always been to justice”?! “

      In how she uses her intellect, position and international recognition, she does not seem second to the other prominent PhD, Dayan Jayathileke.

      Perhaps you can express your view on whether it is becoming of such an intelligent, educated, responsible person to first claim that the Report was not finalized before she left, and then after it was revealed she was indeed still holding the office when the report was released, to backtrack and claim she had not seen it, and finally when the truth came out that she had in fact signed it, trying to hide behind the ‘dog ate my homework” type excuse of “I did not have time to read” expected of only an elementary school kid!

      PhD’s alone don’t make people honest, responsible, or just! Nor does PhD make people less avarice, as Dayan has consistently proved!!

      Either you can explain and substantiate your reason for your unwavering confidence, or be exposed that you too are nothing more than another invocation of “kunju” that a reader cited above!

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      “BA(Hon)LLB(London)”

      Looks like another Dayan Jayathilika. I have observed that, some of these people who display their qualifications, it is not worth the paper it’s written on. Even the coconut pluckers in the villages sound more Intelligent than some of these title holders.

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        Silva, please show respect. Dayan Jayatilleke has a PhD from the land of banana pluckers (Queensland) not coconut pluckers. As he says in one blog, he lives at Ward place, no villager he, like you or me.

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      What myths you make Kumar Sandirasegaram exalted one with BA (hon) LLB (London) no mere mortal. The lady was nowhere near Cambridge. She had a JD from US, a first degree in law and passed herself off as a doctor. Then, after her stint at the UN,she collected some hororry (honorary) doctorates. It is possible for the self-promoters to climb high particularly when you have the pedigree stooging the right people. So Kumar Sandirasegaram, BA (Hon) LL B (London without honors) please follow in the right footsteps. Sell your people so that you could advance.

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    Radhika will do anything to be in the good books of the government which gives her the appointment. May it be Ranil, Rajapakse or Sirisena, she will dance to their tune.She [Edited out]. I hope the intellectuals of this country realise this.

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    We just had gang rape in Jaffna and now this…Tamil women and women generally seem to have a hard time in these columns. Such disrespect for a lady who should make all of us very proud.. It says more about CT and its readers than about anything else. Sad.

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      Para and the other apologists (not unlike and perhaps another manifestation of “kunju”!)

      The criticisms that the CT and many raised against Radhika relates to her gross lapses in taking responsibility, her sincerity in responses, perhaps cowardice exhibited in repeated excuses, incompetence and perhaps outright complicity in how she handled a very critical Human rights investigation where she had the principal role, including that of signing off on the Report as the highest official. What is in question is her credibility and integrity based on her own write-ups in CT in January 2014.

      The issue has nothing to do about her education, aristocracy, racism, women’s issues – all irrelevant if not imaginary items you want to use to distract from reality, only because you apologists have no way to defend her behavior in helping hide very critical Human Right violations by the State! And, doing that while she earns her “bread & butter” working for the foremost international organization established exactly for that — to safeguard, what else but, Human Rights!

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    I very much doubt whether this Constitution Council can do justice because Ranil has already done the ground work behind the screen. Already Ranil has strategically appointed his own UNP people for all governing bodies. Those UNP’ers were starving for many years and thanks to President Maithreepala Sirisena they got an opportunity. Take any Board of management or any Governing body. All newly appointed members are old UNP’ers who were waiting for an opportunity. For example new members have been appointed to all University Councils and many of them, if not all, are UNP’ers. They will select the Heads of those Universities from among their party fellows. Take the Vice Chancellor election recently held at Peradeniya. The council excluded the current Vice Chancellor’s application and voted for their own party man who worked for the UNP over the last 15-20 years. The person elected by the council is a great UNP’er and a close associate of Ranil. In fact members for the council were appointed by Ranil in consultation with this candidate. This is Sri Lankan politics. If the Constitution Council wants to prove otherwise, ie “Yahapalanaya” or good governance, appoint apolitical people into those high positions. Then people will believe that the 19th amendment is in effect. Otherwise we all become fools!

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    Went at looked at the old entries- did she hide the report?
    It was handed over to her on the day before her departure to New York and she asked that it be released. No less a person than Suriya Wickremesinghe vouched for it in her tribute to Sunderalingam. Perhaps Kumar R wants to be on the Constitutional Council. Anyone so intemperate should just go to a meditation centre! It was interesting to note that one commentator said she should keep out of the public eye. I think this is a campaign to intimidate her, Sara, Jayantha, Weliammunne etc… To keep them out of the public eye so that the lunatics can thrive again! But without the support of Gota will they succeeded? We can only wait and see.

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      Hello Para

      RC is a HR luminary and She should continue to support srilanka. However,CT is right to criticise her past deeds.

      She rightly helped sri lankan government in the issue of child soldiers. But conveniently forgot her responsibilities to protect the minorities and war crimes against them.

      Her reputation should not be tarnished, I am beginning to understand her contribution in ICES as a layman.

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    Let me make it clear to all you doom mongers that Rathika is the best qualified for the post and she has a superb and a formidable intellect with ample vigor and the best qualifications that is required to do the job. Her qualifications and experience working for the UN and travelling to all parts of the world resolving conflicts will help her to provide advice and guidance to the Sri Lankan authorities. We are lucky to have her services. Thank you Rathika for coming back to SL and offering your knowledge and services to Mother Lanka.

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    Is there any person on this planet who is not tainted?
    Why are the goal-posts changed only for her? The Tamils disown her; The Sinhalese appear to be suspicious of her.Lo and Behold,that gutter HLD.Mahindapala has arrogated to himself the the privilege of even writing about her.

    In view of this Radhika is the perfect choice to be a member of the CC.
    The question now is whether she would condescend to accept this.
    My vote is for her!

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