Issuing a statement former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the new Government to reject the report by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on war crimes allegations.
The full statement issued by Rajapaksa
As the former head of state, I think it would be appropriate to make known to the public my observations on the recently released report on Sri Lanka by the OHCHR. My government did not cooperate with this investigation for many reasons, foremost of which was that it was instituted outside the established procedure of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The usual procedure was for the President of the UNHRC to appoint a three member independent panel to carry out the investigation after the relevant resolution is passed in the Council. However the investigation on Sri Lanka was not carried out by an independent Commission of Inquiry but for the very first time, by the OHCHR.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
The OHCHR’s independence is questionable because it is funded for the most part not through the regular budget of the UN but through ‘voluntary contributions’ from the very Western states that sponsored the resolution against Sri Lanka. Furthermore all the important staff positions in this body are held by Westerners who make up half the cadre of the OHCHR. Resolutions are passed with overwhelming majorities at virtually every session of the UNHRC calling for an ‘equitable regional distribution’ in staffing at the OHCHR to no avail. Given the composition of the OHCHR, it would not be possible to expect an impartial inquiry from them.
The Pakistani Ambassador to the UNHRC, HE ZamirAkram observed during the debate on the resolution that set up this OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka, that “No self-respecting country would agree to the intrusive measures advocated in this resolution.” He also wanted to know how this investigation was going to be funded, and stated that if the ‘donors’ providing the funding were also the sponsors of this resolution, the whole process would be seen to be tainted. Despite persistent questioning, he did not receive a satisfactory answer to his query.
The Indian Ambassador HE Dilip Sinha warned that “an intrusive approach that undermines national sovereignty” is counterproductive and that what is needed is a “constructive approach for dialogue and cooperation.” India too refused to support the setting up of this OHCHR investigation. The final resolution had the support of only 23 members of the 47 member UNHRC despite all the pressure that its powerful sponsors brought to bear on the member states. That in brief, is the background to the OHCHR investigation that has led to this Report.
Some speculate that this report may have been watered down because a new government has been elected to power. If that is true, then the Pakistani Ambassador HE Akram would have been right in telling the UNHRC on 27 March 2014, that this resolution is “All about politics and not about human rights.” Be that as it may, I don’t see this report as having been watered down. The most that can be done with a report of this nature is to recommend the setting up of a war crimes tribunal and that has been done.
Neither the OHCHR nor the UNHRC has the authority to set up an international war crimes tribunal. The only body with the authority to do so is the UN Security Council where the veto power of China and Russia will be a factor to contend with. Sri Lanka cannot be taken before the International Criminal Court (ICC), because we are not a signatory to the Rome Statute under which the ICC functions. The other way is for the government of the country concerned to cooperate voluntarily with the UN to set up a hybrid war crimes tribunal. What has been recommended in the OHCHR report is the only practical way in which a war crimes tribunal can be instituted in relation to Sri Lanka. So it is wrong to believe that this report has been watered down in any way.
Some claim that this report has been watered down because no names have been mentioned in relation to any alleged incidents. That is obviously due to the fact that the OHCHR has no way of justifying such a linkage. But a prominent journalist D.B.S.Jeyaraj has pointed out that the names of important military personnel and units have in fact been mentioned in the report in a manner designed to incriminate and direct investigations even though those names have not been linked to specific incidents. While some think that the report is not as bad as was expected, I don’t share that view.
Though some politicians claim that the risk of our war heroes being arrested in foreign countries for alleged human rights violations under universal jurisdiction has receded because of this purportedly watered down report, the very opposite is true in fact. There is a specific request made in this OHCHR report on page 252 to member states of the UN to investigate and prosecute those allegedly responsible for war crimes. This is in addition to the proposed hybrid war crimes tribunal they have recommended. It is vital that the general public be informed about the real nature of this report.
Some appear to believe that had my government still been in power, this report may have led to economic sanctions being imposed on Sri Lanka. However, neither the UNHRC nor the OHCHR can impose economic sanctions on a country. Only the UN Security Council has that authority and they will not impose economic sanctions except in the most serious situations related to a threat to global security. The USA and the EU could if they so wished, have imposed unilateral sanctions on Sri Lanka as it is their sovereign right to refuse to trade with any nation. But such measures are very rarely implemented because the country imposing sanctions ends up making a permanent enemy of the people of the country at the receiving end. Unilateral sanctions against Sri Lanka was never on the cards during my tenure.
While there may have been tensions between my government and some Western nations at certain times, there were Western leaders who understood our point of view as well. John Kerry when he was the head of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations wrote in his December 2009 report titled ‘Sri Lanka: Re-charting US Strategy after the War’ that the Obama administration should take a broader multi-dimensional approach to Sri Lanka not driven solely by short-term humanitarian concerns but involving political, economic, and security dimensions.
During the war, Sri Lanka and the USA had a mutually helpful exchange of information on security matters. Republican administrations in the USA generally took a less intrusive approach to Sri Lanka. There is more to international relations than just human rights. The purchases made, contracts awarded and opportunities provided for investors all play an even more important role in international relations. So I do not believe that the OHCHR report would have led to sanctions being imposed on Sri Lanka if my government had still been in power. Throughout my tenure, the main foreign investors in the Sri Lankan long term sovereign bond market and the securities exchange were from America and Europe. It is only after I was voted out of office that these investors started withdrawing their money from Sri Lanka.
In ruling a country, there are occasions when one has to go against the wishes of powerful nations in order to serve the interests of the people. In 1952, when Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake signed the Rubber-Rice Pact with China, the USA had imposed economic sanctions on the new Communist government of China and rubber was on the prohibited list. But Prime Minister Senanayake exported rubber to China even at the risk of antagonizing the USA because the people of Sri Lanka needed rice. Similarly, I too had to go against the wishes of certain powerful nations to defeat terrorism and bring peace to this country.
Had unilateral sanctions actually been imposed on Sri Lanka by Europe and the USA during my tenure, we would certainly have taken remedial measures. When the EU withdrew the GSP+ trade concession from Sri Lanka in 2010 under pressure from the powerful Eelamist lobby in Europe, my government saw to it that exports of apparel to Europe continued to grow year after year. In 2008-2009 when the entire world was reeling under the worst global depression since the 1930s, the people of this country were not even aware of the global recession because of the measures that my government took to contain the crisis. My government had an economic track record of which I am justifiably proud.
Many of the recommendations in the OHCHR report give cause for concern. In my view, establishing a hybrid special court to try war crimes integrating foreign judges, lawyers and investigators, and prosecutors is not feasible. If there are allegations of wrongdoing against any member of the armed forces, I strongly believe that those should be tried under the existing Sri Lankan law, under our present courts system and by our judges and our Attorney-General’s department. Our armed forces risked everything and made enormous sacrifices to save the country from the scourge of terrorism.
The recommendation that the OHCHR be allowed to establish a permanent presence in this country to monitor the human rights situation makes no sense since the country has been at peace for over 6 years with no allegations of ongoing human rights violations. The OHCHR has also recommended that the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka should retract its refusal to accept the competence of the UN Human Rights Committee to consider individual complaints from Sri Lanka. We had a similar arrangement with the Privy Council when we were a dominion of the British Crown. In my view, such an arrangement would not be of any benefit to Sri Lanka.
It has also been recommended by the OHCHR report on page 250 that the Sri Lankan government develop a vetting process to ‘remove from office’ security force personnel who are believed to have been involved in human rights violations. Nobody can, or should be removed from office on the basis of unsubstantiated allegations or on mere suspicions. The government should be mindful of the fact that these recommendations are being made by forces that tried their best to stop the final offensive against the LTTE but failed.
The OHCHR has also recommended the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Public Security Ordinance and the formulation of a new national security framework. Sri Lanka would not have survived as a state if not for these laws. The public security laws of a sovereign nation should be based on an assessment of threats and other such factors and not according to the dictates of an international organization which does not specialize in public security.
I wish to request the government to study the legal opinions on the law of armed conflict and humanitarian law given to the Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances by Sir Desmond De Silva QC, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, Rodney Dixon, David Crane and Paul Newton and consider circulating these to UNHRC member states –in particular the detailed report on the law of armed conflict in relation to the allegations made against Sri Lanka which was submitted to the Commission on Disappearances by Sir Desmond De Silva recently. The views of these international lawyers should in my view, be incorporated in any detailed response to the OHCHR report.
Some politicians have been telling the people that all these international initiatives are based on my joint communiqué with the UN Secretary General of 23 May 2009. I see that as a deliberate attempt to mislead the people and seek justification for their own cooperation with interventionist foreign forces. There was nothing in my joint communiqué with the UN Secretary General about war crimes investigations and hybrid or local war crimes courts. All that the Sri Lankan government undertook in that joint communiqué was to address ‘grievances’. The accelerated development of the north, the holding of the Eastern and Northern provincial council elections, the setting up of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances were all measures taken in that spirit.
In fact during the debate on the resolution that set up the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka in March 2014, the Indian, Cuban and Pakistani Ambassadors to the UNHRC taking the floor one after the other said in one voice that the US backed resolution had not taken into account the wide ranging measures taken by the government to address outstanding issues, including the setting up of the LLRC. That was one of the reasons they decided not to support the proposal for an OHCHR investigation against Sri Lanka.
Amarasiri / September 22, 2015
President Mahinda Rajapaksa
RE: Reject The UN War Crimes Report: Mahinda Rajapaksa Tells Govt.
No.
Go after the criminals, identify them and punish them based on their crimes. If they are qualified to be hanged hang them,
After all you falsely accused the real Hero Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka and put him in jail for 2 1/2 years.
Why don’t you commit suicide along with Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the coward and be gone.
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Pena Kiyanna / September 22, 2015
WHy does this [Edited out] open his stinki mouth on everything. Doesn’t he have anything else to do?
Probably a middle man making a killing by doing nothing!
Go in to your hole in Maligawatta and let others decide matters. You are too stupid.
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Off The Wall / September 23, 2015
The best punishment for Mahinda is to put him in solitary confinement in a tiny cell under total sensory deprivation except for an endless stream of Amarasiri’s CT postings. If this doesn’t break the man, nothing will. There’s nothing more lethal in this world than comments that push you over the edge by their sheer nuttiness. Amarasiri has elevated this craft to an art form.
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Amarasiri / September 24, 2015
Off The Wall
“The best punishment for Mahinda is to put him in solitary confinement in a tiny cell under total sensory deprivation except for an endless stream of Amarasiri’s CT postings.”
[Edited out]
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Thiru / September 22, 2015
Mahinda has a vested interest in firmly rejecting this report: The Commander in Chief who ordered the massacring of Tamils during the war.
He doesn’t want to end up the Saddam Husein of Sri Lanka.
Amen.
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srilal / September 22, 2015
This whole UN saga is MR’s baby , he himself is solely responsible for every damn thing which went under his watch.who gave a free hand to Gotabaya to do what ever he wanted to ? didn’t Gotabaya bypass Gen Fonseka and issue illegal orders ? didn’t Gotabaya give direct orders to field commanders( Shavindra , Kamal , Jagath , Prassanna et al) ? who gave the orders to attack NFZ , who gave orders to limit the food supply ? who gave orders to kill the surrenders ( Praba’s 12 year son , Ramesh , Isapriya , Nadesan , pulidevan et al ) ?. who invited Ban Ki Moon to SL and agreed to do an investigation ? who is responsible for LLRC and its findings ? who thanked Ban Ki Moon for appointing Darusman’s committee ? who co-operated with Darussman committee ? who is responsible for short sighted foreign policies ? who promised 13+ ? who is responsible for Sri Lanka getting in to a pariah state ? who reaped the maximum benefits from the war ? if Gen SF is willing to face any inquiry , why can’t MR ? we remember MR beating his chest before the gallery crowd thundering ” i am prepared to go to the Electric chair to save the country ” , why is he hiding behind the skirts today ? where is that “pora talk ” now ? didn’t he say , ” we had conducted a zero civilian causality war ” ? didn’t he order the soldiers to carry the human right charter in one hand ? looks like Mafia king got caught red handed , the whole world knows who this accidental president cum mass murder is , no more lies Mr Rajapaksa , you are exposed !
PS: Thanks to MY3 and Ranil duo ,not only Mafia king and his entire clique are saved from fully fledge International inquiry but also sri lanka as a country is saved from a possible EU/US sanctions !
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backlash / September 23, 2015
Srilal is right.
Mahinda Rajapakse’s response to reject the UNHRC Report is characteristic of his established and semi-educated behaviour. That is his poor reputation as a dangerous man in the outside world.
If he knows even the basics of law at all, he must know that one should engage the charges made against you – not to work up the dregs in the streets. The Rajapakses have brought unnecessary scorn, disrepute and disgrace to the good name of Sri Lanka.
Not just he but anyone committing grave War and HR crimes
are answerable to the laws of the country and the world.
Backlash
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Shrikharan / September 22, 2015
“if the ‘donors’ providing the funding were also the sponsors of this resolution,”
Exactly for the same reason the accused (Sri Lanka) cannot be also be the judge for the case against it! The justice will be fundamentally flawed.
MR you are too late you should thought about these consequences before you conducted a war without witness. Now you have to face the music. Please give the victims a chance at least now, and all of them unanimously want an international inquiry.
Sri Lanka does not have the capacity to deliver justice. The justice system in Sri Lanka is a sham. If shameless people of the quality Sarath Silva and Mohan Pieris could become chief justice, what can you expect? All mock trials conducted by your Government never brought any justice and only protected the perpetrators who unleashed immense human tragedy who felt they were safe in the war without witness.
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Shamil / September 22, 2015
The whole world knew that you will reject the report if you are in power thats why all got together and threw you in dustbin before the report came out. You cant handle UN like Mattala or Mahindodaya.
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Rakesh Chelliah / September 22, 2015
Since when did MaRa acquire such profound knowledge or become eloquent in the English language? You don’t need to be Einstein to work out that this piece has been authored by the pseudo-intellectual and MaRa sycophant Dayan Jayatilleke.
It is precisely because of the pathetic foreign policies of the Rajapakse regime, and in particular its alliance with ‘less desirable’ (in Western eyes) nations such as Iran, Russia, China, Seychelles, Zimbabwe et. al that Sri Lanka has such a poor reputation among the international community and was considered a ‘pariah regime’.
MaRa is trying, yet again, to mislead the ‘Yahapaalanaya’ government hoping that they would follow his advise and become a laughing stock. I am sure MS-RW are far too seasoned to fall prey to MaRa’s Machiavellian manipulation.
It is about time that somebody tells that nincompoop to keep his mouth shut. Sri Lanka has heard enough from it from 2004 to 2015.
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Sensible Citizen / September 22, 2015
Few points in brief from Rajapakse comments;
1) Establish LLRC and spend tax payer money and don’t do anything with it. Was it the plan right from beginning. You take the International community for a ride, Is it a wise diplomacy in the long run
2) John Kerry’s Statement in December 2009 stating “Re-charting US Styrategy after the war” was when bogus promises were given knowing fully well it is sham to dupe the world. Does he want to create a pariah state like North Korea in the world.Srilanka’s are not ready to starve like North Koreans. Who is he trying to fool. May be some one should ask John Kerry to clarify his statement and Rajapakse’s reference as John Kerry has all the right to clarify with caution not to the extent of interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.
3) Pakistan and Indian Representatives at OHCHR Zamir Akram and Dilip Sinha should should clarify to their local press if the context that Rajapakse quotes them are the same views they hold today and if it is in the best interest of Srilanka.
4) As for the funding it is the western countries who come forward in a massive way to fund relief work in natural disasters, refugee relief in war torn areas, economic aid or bail out of helpless governments. Will Rajapakse complain this too.
5) Rajapakse says OHCHR and UNHRC does not have the power impose economic sanctions. It is like saying Mangala Samaraweera does not have the power to set foreign policy, it is the government of Srilanka. OHCHR is a trusted body of the UN specialized in Human rights violations and is the only body that can propose sanctions on this matter. The security council by itself cannot ot act on Human rights matter on its own without recommendation from OHCHR according to UN charter.
6) The biggest Joke is the claim that “there are no human rights violations after for over six years. It is the case of a rogue cat closing her yes and stealing the milk to think that the world can’t see because she cannot see
We can go on further and further on how the spin master Rajapakse spins the whole truth to mislead people or dupe the rest of the world.
The Srilankan masses have to think what is the best course of action to build the future of Mother lanka. One is an Isolated Srilanka, an out cast tagged as “Pariah” or a clean Srilanka that is a key player with dignity and respect from the rest of the world. Choice is unto the masses
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Samy / September 22, 2015
I agree with comments from Amarasiri. Shrikharan, Shamil and Rakesh. Also, with all those follow after me will have the same opinion as myself. Thank God this fellow was thrown out of office just in time. Otherwise, if the International community had introduced sanctions, our country would have gone under. Never to recover for ever. It is time for this guy and his family members in Parliament to keep their mouths shut. Next election comes they are gone for ever to the “no man’s land”.
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Native Vedda / September 23, 2015
Samy
What do you say to those MR supporters who believe that China and Russia being all weather friends can be relied upon to protect from nasty westerners and Hindians?
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Ajith / September 22, 2015
Mahinda,
I am 100% sure that this report is written by Dr.DJ in your name. You don’t have the knowledge to understand these things. If you have knowledge and brain to understand the reality, you shouldn’t have behaved like a greedy animal. It is you and your brother responsible for the current state of affairs. There is no doubt that you committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. You thought China’s veto power will save you and your brother. There are enough evidence to prove that you & your brothers are war criminals. Don’t cry now! Even Sinhalese wants you should be hanged for the crimes you committed against Sinhalese.
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Non PhD / September 22, 2015
Mara Sir,
You are now asking the government to reject the report. Under your regime you could have easily took Sri Lanka out of both the UN and the Commonwealth. You made Sri Lanka to depend mainly on China and Pakistan. You also don’t want India to be a permanent member of UN.
Alternatively you can beg the Chinese Leader and the Indian Leader as both of them are currently in the US, to have a word with US President in favour of you and your regime.
You can also bring a motion for your request and get it passed in the STparliament . I am sure China, India & US will get together and bring you back to power as your leadership can be made an example to all the small countries in Asia and Africa.
I fully understand your sentiments. ie SL never had the necessity to join an organisation like UN during King Dutu Gemmunu time , why should we be part of UN now ?
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rohan polwatte / September 22, 2015
Reply to Non PhD,
Thanks for nick name your genuine qualifications.
You don’t need to call yourself Non PHD from reading your comment we know you don’t have ordinary level. You must be another booruwansa.
If you proved that you were sarcastic then I am sorry I should call my self a tube light without a choke!
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P.U.K. M / September 22, 2015
The sooner this corrupt, shameless individual is put away for all the crimes he has committed (not even related to the war), the better for us all.
Dayan, the sychophant’s style is all over this statement!
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gamini / September 22, 2015
This bugger MR is Complaining that the UN has violated all procedure and protocol in handling the War Crimes Report. What did MR do when he almost manhandled CJ43 to oust her? Did MR adopt procedure and protocol to unseat the CJ or when he dealt with SF? Retribution comes slowly but surely.
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salam / September 23, 2015
Seems GL Pappa would defend him at university only but never at a court/tribunal.
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P.U.K.M / September 22, 2015
The sooner this corrupt individual is put a way for good for all his crimes (not even counting the war-crimes) the better for us all.
Dayan, the sychophant’s, style is all over the ‘statement’! Rajapakse is too ignorant to have authored it.
Both these guys are idle (unemployed) and have nothing better to do than try to disrupt the progress being made by the current administration, to the detriment of the country.
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Point of View / September 22, 2015
Oh the idiot is back ! Didn’t we get rid of him, twice ?
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Burt / September 23, 2015
Twice and in the same year and he is still back. Like a bad smell that doesn’t go away. :)
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Burt / September 22, 2015
“Reject The UN War Crimes Report: Mahinda Rajapaksa Tells Govt.”
This would directly affect my family.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / September 22, 2015
The face of the man and the expression tells it all. He wants to bully the other nations just the way he bullied the people of this country, sweeping and destroying all opposition.
He is a big coward and ran away scared leaving MR and SF to handle the last days of the war. Now he is roaring like a toothless lion behind the protection provided by MR and RW but cannot venture out of his territory for fear being torn to pieces. The guy is only a jackal frustrated and looking for carrion.
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Mallaiyuran / September 22, 2015
Misinterpretation in every sentence suggests it is another Dayan’ Draft. Old King said he will comment after the finalizing the report. Now they are getting scared.
This is the guy ran out of the Temple Tree by the fear of Sec.Kerry sending US army. Now he is barking if he was in the power he might have shot down America.
Aren’t you the one started complaining to UN? Go back to the beach and send some more pictures. Then Lankawe Modayas will think you are fearless cool guy.
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Saro / September 22, 2015
Any person interested only in his family, getting commissions from lenders and abhorrent to democracy and rule of law and guarantees impunity to looters and killers has no right to preach how to deal with a report meant to do justice to the victims of starvation, torture and murder. If this man is allowed to rule longer he would have legitimised looting of state funds a norm and weli-suda and his accomplices would have been a party to his government.
The present government is trying to find a way out of international isolation. Wasting millions on public advertising firms is an option open to any government. Setting one people against minorities is not an option either. Civilised way of doing things will raise problems but they can be resolved if approached with open mind and sense of justice.
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Peace Lover / September 23, 2015
yes yes lets reject this damm report and instead ask K A Sumanasekera to pen a report on Vellalas and Dalits ;-)
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WalaGemba Raja / September 23, 2015
I challenge Hon. MP Mahinda and his allies (defendants) to the following. If Mahinda states that if either the OHCHR or the UNHCR has overstepped her boundary in taking this resolution forward in an “illegal manner”, then why don’t the defendants go to an international tribunal and sue these organizations. Even though we in Sri Lanka can’t take responsibility or accountability, I am sure these HR organizations will take accountability because they have oversight at their end. If we can prove that this entire resolution is a farce and is made of lies by those who are sympathetic to LTTE diaspora and those enemies of the Mahinda regime, then why not prove this in an international court.
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NIRMALAN N / September 23, 2015
Mahinda
Too late.
You are a stubborn man and have lost grounds now. I trusted you and paid a heavy price and I am not going to support you any more.
Having been my good friend, I can advise you to retire. Don’t worry about the war crimes against you. You will be 70 on November 18, 2015. Only few more years to go. By the time international process of war crimes finishes, you will be in ashes and dissolved in the waters.
Your Sinhala supporters will call you a hero and the international judgement will brand you as one on the worlds criminals.
Even Jimmy Saville is pursued after is death. At least skeletons Jimmy is there, but for you there will be nothing.
Please scream and shout until your death. You will be safe.
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 23, 2015
Wonder where the Sinhala Buddhists in the UNP who follow Dudley as well as the Sinhala Buddhists extremists who are wearing fluro Green Jackets with the Elephant Logo in both front and the back..?..
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 23, 2015
Batalanda Ranil the PM has been very kind to the ex President.
The PM said “Mangalan and Wijedasan rescued the Rajapaksa brothers from the Electric Chair” according to Infolanka yesterday..
Has the PM agreed in his MOU with Cameron , Kerry, Harper and Solheim to commute Death penalty to life imprisonment in exchange for Eelaam for Vellala Sambandan?.
..
Will the Life sentence be in the Hague Or is it Bogambara?..
Will our Mahanayakas tie Pirith Nule on Batalanda Ranil and invoke the Blessings of the Triple gem, when his mates sit in the Hybrid in Hultsdorf?..
Will Batalanada PM build a Memorial for the Tamil Terrorists after the ex President is incarcerated?..
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Waltzing Matilda / September 23, 2015
Sumanapala the donkey is praising his own tail.
How pathetic can Mahindapala get???
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Saman / September 23, 2015
Mahinda….you are the man who completely fabricated and created this situation for our country.
It is not only war crimes but also you, your brothers, sons, and your henchmen have committed numerous crimes in our country.
Now you are powerless man….Only MP like others.
You must be responsible for everything.
Now you must e shut up.
Do not bark like Buruwansa and Gembampila.
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Dr Laksiri Fernando / September 23, 2015
I really doubt whether MR understands head out of tail of some of the procedural matters and details referred in ‘his statement.’ Whoever drafted this statement, has the sole intention of clearly creating a wedge between the ‘new government’ and the ‘international community’ including the UN. I hope MS and RW would not fall into this trap. Some of the utterances against the ‘Westerners’ in the statement are inwardly racist, hateful, undiplomatic and shows a particular mental setting. This is not a statement a decent former head of state of any country should issue to the public.
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Agnos / September 23, 2015
Dr. Fernando,
The words and contents are clearly coming from Dayan Jayatilleka.
The spinmeister forgets, though, that while the representative of the banana republic of Pakistan to the UNHRC questioned the source of funding, the final UNHRC report was co-written by Pakistan’s own Asma Jahangir.
And how ironic that even as he quotes the Pakistani rep to say that the process will be tainted by UNHRC’s diverse funding sources, Rajapaksa wants to include the opinion of lawyers who were hired and funded by himself.
In the face of the enormity of the evil that Rajapaksa regime is accused of perpetrating, and not having anything to challenge the indictments in the report, the only thing the war criminal can do is question “procedure” or “jurisdiction.” It amounts to an admission of guilt, all the more reason why there should be no slackening of the pressure for international involvement in the investigations.
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srilal / September 23, 2015
Dear Dr Laksiri Fernando ,
Forget the notion of MR being a former head of state , it was an accident , he had cheated his way in ,as a result in 2005 he become the president of Sri Lanka , rest is history ! MR shouldn’t ,couldn’t and mustn’t have become the president of Sri lanka ,period ! it was an incident pretty much similar to Adolf Hitler becoming the President of Germany on Aug 19 1934. pl compare the similarities , both claimed to be the patriots of their respective countries , Hitler wanted to rescue Germany from Jews and other foreign elements , he loved Germany ,he wanted the best for Germany , his plans were 1000 years ahead , under the pretext of patriotism what crimes didn’t he commit in mid thirties to early forties ? taking in to consideration of 21 st century , what crimes MR didn’t commit under the guise of eradicating LTTE terrorism ? he had managed to persuade the gullible masses to march along with him every step of the way until he got passed the 18 th Amendment , all most all the intellectuals were busy justifying each and every crime which MR committed , how many university dons were there to justify the 18 A , General SF incarceration , CJ Shirani’s dismissal ? hasn’t he institutionalized the crimes in SL ? even though we managed to get rid of of him in jan 8 , his legacy continues , all most all the institutions are being run by his henchmen , it would take few more years to rescue SL from that curse word ” Mahindana Chinthanaya “
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 23, 2015
How can the blacks and brownies be racist towards Westerners…Dr Lucksiri must be in La La land…
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Dr Laksiri Fernando / September 23, 2015
Racism is an aliment of some people whether ‘white, black or brown.’ I have seen you yourself uttering such remarks, Mr Sumanasekera. I am saying this without any prejudice. The world require better understanding and tolerance without prejudicial about others, ‘white, black or brown’ – not to speak of Tamils, Sinhalese or Muslims in our own country.
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K.A Sumanasekera / September 24, 2015
That’s it…
Do we have Liberal, Labour or Greens as the Opposition in our beloved Srilanka?….
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Mallaiyuran / September 23, 2015
“Some of the utterances against the ‘Westerners’ in the statement are inwardly racist, hateful, undiplomatic and shows a particular mental setting. This is not a statement a decent former head of state of any country should issue to the public”
Certainly a hateful, indecent statement!
What a great deed they used yo do? What a loving reception they gave to Navipillai with a marriage proposal? When Nimalka went UNHRC didn’t they make her to take resting vacations in foreign country by telling not to rush back to Lankawe? Forget about the renaming of “Dharusman Report” when the UN tried make the UNSG’s Experts as nameless anonymous people? They brought back The experts to limelight! Didn’t Wimal gave up his food for the UN employees to enjoy at colombo and drank only Old King’s orange juice? The Hakeem employed muslims’ protest on fridays against America when the UNHRC’s 2012 resolution was passed? Why did they change, after running out of Temple Tree house, like this to end with only a lower end report like this? Shame for those great people.
This what in Tamil you call “Kazhuuthai Theanthu Kedderumpaanathu” (by the work donkey jaded as an ant).
(They are Genocide criminals. Ugly rotten low births! It is really funny to expect greatness, gratefulness, gracefulness.. decency. People have to stop this silliness and start to write some useful things)
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Ram / September 23, 2015
I must disagree with you. I see it as a valid response to a set of demands placed in front of the GOSL by the OHCHR. The questioning of the funding of the OHCHR is no less legitimate than is the questioning of funding of the HRW, which hogs the world stage as an ‘NGO’, described by some as the bastard child of George Soros and the US State Dept.
Hillary Clinton used to refer to an ‘International Community’, that seems so dear to you too, which in effect was little more than the Anglo-Saxon collective, and it’s usage seems to have died down since her departure to seek higher office. The moronic deeds of the very same international community are visible in the Middle East, yet today the perps are shedding the all too obvious crocodile tears for the victims from the lands made uninhabitable by them. The racial overtones that you refer to in the above document unfortunately escape me, but then, I am not wearing your tinted lenses.
The possibility that the above document was not the sole effort of MR is neither here nor there.
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jansee / September 23, 2015
Hanging him (MR) is a big NO. But I would certainly grant his own wish – he has emphatically said that he is willing to sit on the electric chair. Why not grant the man his wish? Of course, he will be fortunate enough to have trial, something he denied most of the victims.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 23, 2015
Dear Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse,
If you are a man of principles, volunteer to face any inquiry- local, international or hybrid. If you have done right, you have nothing to fear. If you have made mistakes or done wrong and this is proven in any inquiry, accept guilt and apologise. You will the win the respeect of this nation and their spontaneous support, instantaneously. You were the Commander-in-Chief, as president, now prove that you have what it takes to take responsibility for what happened during your command. We have to know the truth.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has proved he is a man, by volunteering to face any inquiry. Follow his example.
This country is in uregent need of a catharsis and the present opportunity is God sent. Please do not sabotage it.
Dr.Rajasingham Narendran
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sbarrkum / September 23, 2015
Sarath Fonseka specifically said he was willing to face a local inquiry/courts.
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Dr.Rajasingham Narendran / September 24, 2015
In an interview with The Hindu,Sarath Fonseka, said: “If there are allegations against military operations, I am ready to face anybody and present the right picture. There is no problem. My conscience is clear.”
Dr.RN
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sbarrkum / September 25, 2015
He recalled that when the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was in Sri Lanka between July 1987 and March 1990, there were “enough complaints [against it].” He added that a section of those who went through detention during the Eelam War must have indulged in “propaganda” against the Army.
However, Fonseka did not reject all the findings made by the UN report. He favored a domestic investigation mechanism.
So I guess it remains open as to whether SF is for mixed tribunal or domestic inquiry.
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_15B/Sep20_1442762924CH.php
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sach / September 23, 2015
Now this is what I call a proper response
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John / September 23, 2015
…..I wonder if the son reads these comments, to realize his father’s folly in taking the country to the ‘guillotine’ or will he and the tribe still feel they are victims?!
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Point of View / September 23, 2015
They are illeterate dumb idiots just like the father and the uncles !
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alex / September 23, 2015
This man wouldn’t even prosecute Karuna, who murdered 600 policemen in cold blood. His government is a joke and it proved there is no justice in Sri Lanka.
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Bensen Berner / September 23, 2015
Here is the principal architect of the final act of genocide committed with the connivance of his brothers talking. He should cite Ban ki Moon and Vijay Nambiar as his principal witnesses to establish his innocence to the world.Bensen
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David M / September 23, 2015
I am no fan of politicians. I think most of them are morons. However, analyzing how politicize the UNHR and whole UN system, none of these problems associated with HR issues and influence from west to Sri Lanka is a none issue today, if daily killing by LTTE is still continued. If it is not all politics, why not take any action or inquiry against Adele Balasingham who comfortably live in England. We haven’t seen anything against her in CH-4 either. What about the murders committed by LTTE over 30 years. These morons who write about human right violations didn’t talk about them those days. I guess human right violations didn’t happen in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else for UNHR resolutions. Fairness and justice should be applied equally for all instead of this damn fXXXXXXX politics.
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Native Vedda / September 23, 2015
David M oron
Who is stopping you or the Sri Lankan state from investigating Adele or other LTTE cadres?
“What about the murders committed by LTTE over 30 years.”
What about it?
“These morons who write about human right violations didn’t talk about them those days.”
How do you know? Have you had time to survey all the news items that criticized LTTE over the past 30 years through out the world?
It seems that you have woken up on 16 September 2015 suddenly and learnt that there was this report and wanted to fit in with other morons, hence started typing your 500 years of colonial anger. The report points to both partys to the conflict.
Go read the entire report then say what you want to say.
” I guess human right violations didn’t happen in Iraq or Afghanistan or anywhere else for UNHR resolutions. “
Those are problems for Iraqis and Afghanies to deal with you. Let them deal with their problem and you should focus on yours.
If the armed forces did not commit war crime there is nothing to fear. Now you can go back to sleep and come back in 20 years time.
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