By Colombo Telegraph –
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and former Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Kshenuka Senewiratne yesterday hit back hard at the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay saying her remarks at a recent briefing were biased and erroneous and amounted to interference in the internal matters of a sovereign country.
Foreign Minister
In a hard-hitting letter to High Commissioner Pillay, the Acting Foreign Secretary Pillay’s comments were indicative of “unequal and invidious treatment of Sri Lanka”, the Ministry official said.
Last Friday, the UN Human Rights Commissioner charged that the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was a calamitous setback for the rule of law in Sri Lanka and criticized the appointment of Mohan Peiris as Bandaranayake’s successor.
Seneviratne said the UN High Commissioner’s remarks “sadly demonstrates that neither you nor your office has the understanding of the provisions of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, and the related procedures for the removal of judges of the superior courts.”
The letter warned that Pillay’s statement could damage engagement between the UN and Sri Lanka. It comes just over a month before Sri Lanka is back in the hotseat at the UNHRC in Geneva, when the resolution adopted by the Council against Sri Lanka is reviewed. Pillay is also expected to submit a report on Sri Lanka to the UNHRC, regarding Sri Lanka’s progress on reconciliation and accountability issues.
“The Government of Sri Lanka as a sovereign country has followed the due procedure that is set out in the Constitution of our country. This procedure is indeed in conformity with principles which govern disciplinary proceedings against judges contained in the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary endorsed by the UNGA in 1985,” Seneviratne’s letter to Pillay stated.
Pillay’s concerns about the independence and impartiality of the new Chief Justice Mohan Peiris was “reflective of the complete bias and negative mindset manifested and nurtured by parties inimical to Sri Lanka and with vested interests,” the Acting Secretary of the MEA said.
Seneviratne said Pillay had adopted a sustained practice of prejudgment in matters relating to Sri Lanka and said the High Commissioner’s statements sought to undermine the office of Chief Justice.
“With regard to your reference to the new Chief Justice Hon Mohan Peiris, you are undoubtedly aware that he has been a member of the Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council sessions, originally in his official capacity as the Attorney General of the country, to handle legal issues required for our engagement in Geneva, which is not an uncommon practice amongst States. Subsequent to Hon Peiris relinquishing the office of Attorney General, based on his experience and expertise in the field, he was appointed Legal Adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers and therefore continued to serve in the Sri Lanka delegations to Geneva. It was by virtue of the offices he held at the time, which has direct relevance to the issues at hand, that Hon. Peiris served on the Sri Lankan delegation to the Human Rights Council Sessions,” the letter states.
According to Seneviratne said that Pillay’s remarks on Friday were reminiscent of the action taken by Mr Hanny Megally following the visit of the OHCHR team to Sri Lanka in September 2012, when he deviated from the accepted practice, by de-briefing third parties, even before briefing the High Commisioner for Human Rights. “It may also be recalled that when the latter pointed out the impropriety of this unacceptable conduct of Mr. Megally at that juncture, you accepted our Representative’s submission. However, your action in resorting to unwarranted comments with a series of innuendos on an issue which is entirely a domestic matter for Sri Lanka, and that too without first engaging with our Permanent Representative or the delegation of Sri Lanka in Geneva, demonstrates yet again the deviation from established procedure, amounting to blatant interference in an issue of a sovereign country,” the letter said.
Read the letter here
vizzy pooh / January 21, 2013
Oh come on shenuka. Don’t throw the rule book at the OHCHR. You know jolly well that what happened was against all laws of natural justice. You stand up for the regime and not the country unfortunately. Seems like you are another ass licker like GL Pieris.
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labbe saban / January 22, 2013
what do you expect from a glorified nanny and shit can carrier like &
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / January 21, 2013
MS Kshenuka Senewiratne;
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and former Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva,
asking from ;
Hon UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
With regard to your reference to the new Chief Justice Hon Mohan Peiris, you are undoubtedly aware that he has been a member of the Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council sessions, originally in his official capacity as the Attorney General of the country, to handle legal issues required for our engagement in Geneva, which is not an uncommon practice among-st States. Subsequent to Hon Peiris relinquishing the office of Attorney General, based on his experience and expertise in the field, he was appointed Legal Adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers and therefore continued to serve in the Sri Lanka delegations to Geneva. It was by virtue of the offices he held at the time, which has direct relevance to the issues at hand, that Hon. Peiris served on the Sri Lankan delegation to the Human Rights Council Sessions,”
MS Kshenuka Senewiratne wanted to show that newly apponted C j is like a virgin not avermin ,
but every body knows there is no use of talking of virginity of a prostitute.
[I HAVE INTENTION TO / AND NO ANY REMARKS OR INSULTING TO BOTH LADIES]
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / January 21, 2013
MS Kshenuka Senewiratne;
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs and former Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva,
asking from ;
Hon UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
With regard to your reference to the new Chief Justice Hon Mohan Peiris, you are undoubtedly aware that he has been a member of the Sri Lanka delegation to the Human Rights Council sessions, originally in his official capacity as the Attorney General of the country, to handle legal issues required for our engagement in Geneva, which is not an uncommon practice among-st States. Subsequent to Hon Peiris relinquishing the office of Attorney General, based on his experience and expertise in the field, he was appointed Legal Adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers and therefore continued to serve in the Sri Lanka delegations to Geneva. It was by virtue of the offices he held at the time, which has direct relevance to the issues at hand, that Hon. Peiris served on the Sri Lankan delegation to the Human Rights Council Sessions,”
MS Kshenuka Senewiratne wanted to show that newly apponted C j is like a virgin not avermin ,
but every body knows there is no use of talking of virginity of a prostitute.
[I HAVE NO INTENTION TO / AND NO ANY REMARKS OR INSULTING TO BOTH LADIES]
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Chandra / January 21, 2013
Was it not the Rajapakse Govt that undermined the Office of Chief Justice and the Independence of the Judiciary in the first place?
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Piranha / January 21, 2013
Not a good idea writing nasty letters to the UNHC of human rights just before you are about to face the UNHR council. You know you are going to get the stick this time as you failed to comply with the resolution passed against you last year. Miss Pillay will be very angry with you now and so you can expect a severe beating this time. Can’t wait.
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Lankika / January 21, 2013
Kshenuka, I understand where you are coming from, you are a paid government servant so you have to make all the noise you can. I am of the strong opinion that even the letter you addressed would have been written in Sri Lanka or by a consultancy firm in the US to which SL Govt pays large amounts. The bottom line is, do you as a representative of Sri Lanka can tell us one thing that GL Pieris, Palitha Kohona, the new Cheap Justice Mohan Pieris, Samarawickrema or you have promised the world in UN forums has been delivered. If Kshenuka truly believes that the law of the country was followed, when the courts decided that the impeachment procedure is unconstitutional the government should have gone to the supreme court and petitioned the courts, not after appointing a cheap justice and then running to the supreme court. This act alone says that 1) you have accepted the verdict of the courts that the impeachment was against the constitution of the country 2) you don’t have the trust in the Supreme Court 3) you will not get a positive answer from the Supreme Courts unless you have your man the cheap justice there. Here is a challenge, if SL government is so sure that they were within the laws of the country the government should go in front of an international court and prove that they were correct. This would give us adequate evidence to trust the government and would solidify the position of the President.
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Jayantha / January 21, 2013
My Friends,
Kshenuka Senewiratne is another MARA paid mouth piece similar to Hired GL peiris the respectable donkey.
They thin they always hoodwink the International community….and think that other countries live like them as Game Gode Veddhas.
They don’t know even what is going on in their Bedroom information are transferred in MILI SECONDS around the world.
Their movements are checked, analysed and respond even faster than their reaction. Therefore the time they played hide and seek with international community is lapsed long ago.
This Hambantota paiyas think hey are the Biggest Puppet show Crooks. They don’t know that Kolamba Kakkas are smarter than them.
[Edited out]
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Citizen / January 23, 2013
It won’t be a surprise that G.L.Peiris would be thrown away in the near future, like how Chandrika threw him. G.L.Peiris is avaricious to be the PM which is very doubltful and may engage in sabotage activities. How long can he dance to the tune of MR to cheat the world. Let us wait and watch the drama.
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / January 28, 2013
they are used to M R’s condoms theory.
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Safa / January 21, 2013
After carrying through an unlawful process, undermining the constitution and rule of law, prostituting the office of CJ, govt says the culprit is the UN.
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Leon / January 22, 2013
I dont think the International community is interested in listening to the braying of these two donkeys.
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frank hilary / January 22, 2013
I think its the govt’s actions and NOT Pillai’s statement that undermine the office of Chief Justice. Shame on you Dr Peiris.
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P.B / January 22, 2013
The current principal and staff of the prestigious school , could not have shaped,this bootlicking , unpatriotic , self serving , lady if you can call her that,
But we Sri Lankans wish to appeal to the Principal of this great ,school to , teach their ,usually admirable, products, that no matter what, stand up for what is right. And to Think of your country before self
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Sunila Mendis / January 22, 2013
Let us be very clear as to who undermines the integrity of the Office of CJ? MRS. Navineethan Pillai is right about what she said.Sri Lanka has signed many many International Conventions by accepting to adhere to the rules of the afforesaid Conventions.Therefore SL is bound by them and any deviation of behavior can be criticised by that International Organisation.People in this country cannot be fooled all the time.This Govt has not only undermined the integrity of the Judiciary but has undermined the Legislative and in short entire country has been made the laughing stock of every person here and abroad.WHAT MORE?
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Pat / January 22, 2013
“Today we continue a never-ending journey to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time. For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they’ve never been self-executing; that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth. The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob” Barak Obama (January 21, 2013)
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Jayantha / January 22, 2013
The Muppet show, Computer gilmart, white van abduction or sending party goon liers to meslead or distraught International community era is gone.
They want Sri Lanka to represented by respectable, honest, educated and people with integrity.
Not the Ape Minissu….game gode pandam karaya, uneducated, uncultured villege thug crooks.
What Opposition parties or others couldn’t teach……..International community will teach.
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Oh Danny boy / January 22, 2013
WAIT FOR MARCH WHEN THESE ASSHOLES WILL FACE THE THE UN IN GENEVA.
THEY WILL GET SOMETHING FROM THE UN TO MAKE THEM RUN SHITTING TO THE SHIT HOLE.
ALL THESE IDIOTIC MOVES BY THE DEVIL DANCERS FROM RUHUNU WILL HAVE TO COME TO A STOP WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, WORLD BANK LOANS ARE RECALLED, ALL THE SCHOLARSHIPS, TRAINING GIVEN ABROAD, WITHDRAWN,
SANCTIONS APPLIED.
SOON THIS ISLAND WOULD BE A REAL PARADISE, ONCE THE DEVIL DANCERS FROM RUHUNU ARE CHASED BACK TO THEIR MUD HUTS TO RETRAIN FOR THE NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION OF REGISTERED THOIL DANCERS.
THEY COULD THEN ENTERTAIN THE TOURISTS ARRIVING IN MILLIONS.
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Kautilya / January 22, 2013
This Kshenuka Seneviratne is trying to come to the lime light one again after hibernating in FM without any resposible work for sometime. She has picked this Cheap Justice issue to curry favour from GL who cornered her from doing active work because she was a favorite of the monitoring MP Sajin Vas and became a reporter against GL and Amunugama.
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gaje / January 22, 2013
Is this what do you expect from Colvin R de Silva’s neice, Volvin’s daughter? The old guard must be turning in their graves???? We saw the baila dance with the prince in waiting in London. Or is she just a slave to the other former ‘great’ with a lot of S (gas…) but no S (solid matter), who we now know is a humbug trying to fool us and the whole world in the shoes he wears! How long cane you do this? Whole issue is no one has an insight to their behaviour probably blinded by power, surely all cannot be suffering from psychosis?
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Pera / January 22, 2013
Kshenuka,
Don’t justify unlawful appointments because of your job( Badagosthara).Can you find a another job suitable for you. Pera.
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JULAAMPITYE AMARAYA / January 23, 2013
What about a house maid job in middle east???????????.
work for unbaked Bedouins.
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Park / January 22, 2013
What cannot the Sri Lankan diplomat and GL Pieris get it right, the comment by Pillai is not against the position of Chief Justice, but its against the new cheap justice.
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Park / January 22, 2013
Typo, the above should read -“Why cannot and not What cannot”. Sorry.
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Jayantha / January 23, 2013
Madam CJ Shiranee Bandaranayake should write a book on her life including the impeachment case showing all the problems she had to face as CJ under MARA dictatorship, including the Govt.Golden Key scandal,Basil’s Divineguma Bill,harassing Judiciary and Govt threats and corruptions including ex.CJ Sarath N. Silva’s influence on Judiciary……and how Madam CJ was chased both from her CJ position and from her official house and humiliated like convict by MARA.
Aslo Mr.Kariyawasam could write how MARA used him in the TFC shares scandal and later dumped him, and how he became a victim and humiliated and chased like a thief by MARA in the TFC scandal.
Also Shaveen could write what difficulties he had to face both Brom MARA Govt. and from his party goons both effecting him Physically, Mentally, monitary and public humility.
Educating the public is the most important thing that CJ Dr.Bandaranayake, Mr.Kariyawasam and Shaveen could do, and with this publication they could prove their innocence to the public and as Citizens we like to know the truth.
THIS BOOK COULD BE A BEST SELLER.
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Dayantha / January 23, 2013
“..Seneviratne said the UN High Commissioner’s remarks “sadly demonstrates that neither you nor your office has the understanding of the provisions of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, and the related procedures for the removal of judges of the superior courts.”
“..saying her remarks at a recent briefing were biased and erroneous and amounted to interference in the internal matters of a sovereign country…”
“..the Acting Foreign Secretary Pillay’s comments were indicative of “unequal and invidious treatment of Sri Lanka”, the Ministry official said..”
The letter warned that Pillay’s statement could damage engagement between the UN and Sri Lanka.
Look at those statements uttered by a poor 3rd world country depending everything from condom to ass-shower on foreign countries and loans and this uttering lady is being fed by the sweat of general masses for such an arrogant and irresponsible diatribe!
If I were Pillai I would make sure that these arrogant beggars are taught a good lesson for lifetime payment! I think this time the regime and its donkeys will learn a very good lesson!
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ferdi / January 24, 2013
Who are you kidding , you are supposed to be a diplomat, you have no bloody right to put this Country into a situation which might bring us endless misery , if sanctions are imposed . It is only the poor people who will suffer. Poeple like you are a bane on this country. go back to the hole you came from, and stick you head in the SAND.
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Chandraprema / January 26, 2013
GL Peiris is one of the pariahs of GOSL. He is a liar and shameles man. Seneviratne is a selfpromoter and opportunist and this fact is clear from her past career
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