By Nicola Smith –
Nicola Smith
The Commonwealth’s secretariat has been accused of covering up a damning report that described the impeachment of Sri Lanka’s most senior judge as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional”.
The revelations will add to concerns about the human rights record of the island, which is controversially hosting this November’s summit for the heads of government of the 54-nation group.
Shirani Bandaranayake, Sri Lanka’s chief justice, was impeached in January after she fell foul of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regime, which brought a series of corruption charges against her, all of which she has denied. Her removal sparked an outcry: Britain, America and the United Nations expressed concern.
Two reports were commissioned by the secretariat, from a former South African chief justice, Pius Langa, and Sir Jeffrey Jowell, a London QC.
Read more in the Sunday Times UK
Thiru / September 15, 2013
Commonwealth Secretariat is setting up camp in Jaffna supposedly to monitor the elections:
Obviously they are not going to be impartial but will try to shore up Mahinda’s sagging image as a true democrat!
There seems to be no escape from their constant scheming to cover up the war crimes of the Mahinda regime.
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justice / September 15, 2013
They should avoid staying in accomodation commissioned by the army,& travelling in army vehicles accompanied by army personnel.
Else,they will see no election violations.
They must be present at counting centres to prevent ‘manipulation’ of ballots.
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Spring Koha / September 15, 2013
Just another of the many that the Secretary-General and his Secretariat are fighting to keep under wraps so as to not jeapordise the upcoming soiree in the sun. In the absence of a plan B, the planners at Marlborough House are keeping their fingers crossed and banking on the natives behaving well and the legendary over-powering Sri Lankan hospitality ensuring that everything goes smoothly and the soporific delegates will be too listless to raise a complaint. And let us hope that the rest of world find far bigger fish to fry during these next few weeks.
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Saro / September 15, 2013
Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma is consistant in his protection of Rajapakse government which is well known for extending generous hospitality to the friends or relatives of officials in high places. The favour is then returned in subtle ways.
It is obvious that the Secretay General neither listened to the professional opinion of the experts as at least one report described the impeachment of Sri Lanka’s most senior judge as “unlawful” and “unconstitutional”.nor did he refer or share with the members of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group which would have arrived at a considered objective decision as to the suitability of having the CHOGM in Sri Lanka.
The Civil Servants of world bodies are highly paid and must be above dishonest and corruptive behaviour.
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Siva Sankaran Sarma / September 15, 2013
Will the commonwealth take any action ?
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Burt / September 15, 2013
May be that dog is supplying underaged women to Sharma while the king keeps his bank account topped up.
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Max Silva / September 16, 2013
Lets make Wingeswaran the president of Ealam.And may be Shirani the PM.To make it more interesting lets have the statute of one Mr Prabakaran at independence square. Hope that it will be enough for Tamil terrorists living abroad.
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gamini / September 16, 2013
Hello Max where have you been all this while?
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sach / September 16, 2013
can anyone ask her to use a different profile pic? it is a horror to see it
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