The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has rejected the call by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navnanethem Pillay‘s “to establish an international inquiry mechanism to further investigate the alleged violations of IHRL and IHL and monitor any domestic accountability process in Sri Lanka”, saying “it gives scant or no regard to the domestic processes ongoing in Sri Lanka within the framework of the LLRC NPOA, and is politicized in premise”. The government said, the trajectory that has emerged with regard to the recommendation of the High Commissioner “reflects the preconceived, politicized and prejudicial agenda which she has relentlessly pursued with regard to Sri Lanka”, since just a week following the defeat of terrorism in Sri Lanka, on May 26, 2009 at the 11th Special Session of the UNHRC on Sri Lanka, and at subsequent sessions and reports. It is noted that the reference in the current report that “the High Commissioner remains convinced” for an “independent, international inquiry” demonstrates her persistent efforts against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka said, “it is pertinent to question the factual basis for the High Commissioner’s initial formal call to the HRC for an independent, international investigation in May 2009 and its continuation, in order that the international community not be misled”.
Ravinatha Aryasinha – Ambassador Geneva
GOSL made these observations in “comments” submitted to the draft report of the High Commissioner on 12 February 2014, ahead of the High Commissioner’s(HC) final report on Sri Lanka to the 25th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) which was placed on the OHCHR website today (24 February 2014).
Although on the last occasion when the HC reported on Sri Lanka to the 22nd Session of the HRC in March 2013, GOSL’s “comments” were placed as an addendum to the report, ensuring the integrity of the HC’s report and the GOSL comments, and also that they were equally visible, the GOSL’s request this year that its comments be published as an addendum to the HC’s Report has been refused, and have instead been placed at a separate link under “Communications from Governments” which contains an assortment of correspondence from governments on a broad range of matters of specific concern to respective governments.
In its “comments” GOSL noting its “non-recognition and categorically rejected of resolution 22/1 that mandated the HC’s report”, observes that “it has nevertheless continued to make significant progress in its own reconciliation process, and has continued to regularly update the Council on such progress. In this context, GOSL rejects, without prejudice to its position of non-recognition of resolution 22/1, the High Commissioner’s claim that most of the recommendations made in her previous report to the Human Rights Council remain unimplemented”. GOSL has also “reiterated its categorical rejection of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the HC’s Report, which reflects bias and is tantamount to an unwarranted interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign State”.
In its detailed point by point “comments” on the HC’s report, GOSL has regretted that “the HC had raised concerns regarding a range of issues based on information of questionable veracity and arrived at conclusions in a selective and arbitrary manner”. It added that this included many she had raised during her August 2013 week long visit to Sri Lanka, “where the GOSL had requested the High Commissioner to provide factual evidence to substantiate allegations” and “to refrain from making general comments without a degree of specificity which would allow the GOSL to investigate and respond in a comprehensive manner”, which however had not been forthcoming.
To read the full text of GOSL’s “comments” on the HC’s draft report submitted to the OHCHR click here
*Statement by Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva
Robert.R / February 25, 2014
LOL Thanks for the response !
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Thiru / February 25, 2014
Why reject an international investigation by impartial investigators from all over the world, if you haven’t got any grave crimes to hide?
This vehement rejection shows the gravity of the crimes committed, doesn’t it?
How long are the Sri Lanka mass murderers going to resist the global momentum building up for the investigation?
Be brave, and face your cruelty to Tamils, the way you brazenly committed it.
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Lal / February 25, 2014
Why only the government of SL, the role of LTTE and its funders, role of LTTE diaspora organisations, foreign elements should also be investigated.
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Point Man / February 26, 2014
Mark my word. Nothing will come out of this blatantly biased report full of half-truths and outright fabrications. GOSL is quite right to reject it.
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Native Vedda / February 26, 2014
Pointless Man
“Mark my word. Nothing will come out of this blatantly biased report full of half-truths and outright fabrications.”
How do you know the report was ‘blatantly biased, full of half-truths and outright fabrications’ unless there was a credible independent investigation?
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rajash / February 26, 2014
If Navi Pillay was not a TAMIL of South African Orign and not a WOMAN would the response of the GOSL be any different? Not Shooting the messenger but Taking the bitter pill?
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Amarasiri / March 3, 2014
Robert,
The fact that Pillai is a Tamil, is part of the Problem, because LTTE and the rebels were Tamils,
A Scandinavian or some other European would have been more Appropriate.
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Eusense / February 25, 2014
“GOSL’s request this year that its comments be published as an addendum to the HC’s Report has been REFUSED, and have instead been placed at a separate link under “Communications from Governments” which contains an assortment of correspondence from governments on a broad range of matters of specific concern to respective governments.”
A preview of how justice will be served!
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Rajash / February 25, 2014
..along with the photo of Mahinda and Family with Prince Charles?
aney sin no?
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Palmsquirrell / February 25, 2014
Blatantly obvous GOSL does not want the truth to come out, because an international investigation will not be a whitewash like GOSL ‘investigation’.
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Amarasiri / February 25, 2014
Well, Well,
Identify the targets and use the drones or Tomahawks.
It is very cost efficient.
Collateral Damage? What is it?
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JULAMPITIYE AMARAYA / February 25, 2014
GOOD MOVE BY Jarapassas AMMmbaru dor,
When the U N call for Full investigations for all the Human right violations since 1989,
Wholesale, our so called Patriots will get in to the stages telling that is not us who did Human right violations.
All of UNP,SLFP,JVP,UNFP LTTE,some Government Security Goons And other Terrorist P ee s should join in to the Caravan that goes to GENEVA.
HAIL you all Shameless Patriot Politikkas.
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Machumo Fekias / February 26, 2014
Amare,you have not mentioned one important party.The safron clothed thugs who caused this problem to infect and turn to an ulcer.I have seen them doing this since my youth.Anybody who wants to solve this problem should implement the vinaya rules, the rules of justice. If any such thugs wishes to continue he should disrobe himself without insulting Lord Buddha.Failing that they should be hung by their necks with a fine4 hook
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Ivor Biggun / February 25, 2014
Shaa, we should all hail this chap Ravinatha Aryasinha as our hero.
What intellectual rigour he is blessed with to make the above statement and reject the calls from that fair damsel Ms Pillay for an independent inquiry.
The main strength of his convincing argument is that he is not willing or prepared to intelligently refute all those baseless allegations in Ms Pillay’s statement with the solid evidence that Lanka has (or has destroyed), given the very small matter of the passage of nearly five years of time in which he could have conducted his own credible inquiry and thereby help to exonerate the government forces and their commanders of any war crime allegations or HR violations.
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Palmsquirrell / February 25, 2014
” Shaa, we should all hail this chap Ravinatha Aryasinha as our hero. “
Aryasinha , the Aryan Lion…
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Amarasiri / February 25, 2014
Well, Well,
Identify the targets and use the drones or Tomahawks as the visiting agent mechanism.
It is very cost efficient.
Collateral Damage? What is it? Nobody heard of it.
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Rajash / February 25, 2014
nothing new here …same old denial.
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Leon / February 25, 2014
If the Govt of Sri Lanka has nothing to hide, why are they objecting to an international investigation. Once the investigation is carried out, and the Govt of Sri’ Lanka’s name has been cleared, there won’t be any further resolutions at the
Human Rights Council. If you keep,on objecting, it would mean that the Govt of Sri Lanka has things to hide.
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Robert.R / February 25, 2014
Well I guess it does have something to hide then LOL
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Paul / February 25, 2014
Of course it has things to hide. All governments do. Why pick on a small island in the middle of nowhere? Politics.
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burt / February 25, 2014
” “it gives scant or no regard to the domestic processes ongoing in Sri Lanka”
This should be a top secret process, no one knows that there is a domestic process. :)
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Piranha / February 25, 2014
Denial is the only defence the Rajapaksa has against overwhelming evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The official Sri Lankan response is pathetic and laughable. Seems like the regime is resigned to its fate and is bringing out its domestic attack dogs like Modawansa to whip up the gullible Sinhala masses against the Western aggressors.
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Priya / February 25, 2014
This is a difficult juncture for us. On one hand the corrupt regime is ruining the country.On the other hand the international community is projecting us as barbarics which is far from true.These kind of jokers will not bring any hope for the country.They go he’ll bent to fulfill the duties forRjapakse and not for the country.
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Park / February 25, 2014
Govt of SL can accept or reject the resolution. If after the resolution SL government does not adhere to the resolution it would make the hands of those who bring the resolution stronger and the result would be blockage of all SL politicians and diplomats travelling abroad and may also some accounts of the individuals will be blocked. Are we ready for this?
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jenn / February 25, 2014
If you read the full text . Most things said by our man is all but twisted lies as usual and we lankans will believe it but not the western world
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Cyril / February 25, 2014
Pillay is a hypocrite and a stooge of the so-called western elite. She snoozes while human rights violations are being perpetrated by the Australian government under her nose: Asylum seekers are being packed in lifeboats and sent back perilously to Indonesia (just another form of people smuggling?); refugees are being tormented in PNG camps and recently a young Iranian was bashed to death in a Manus Island camp; Australian Navy and Customs have made incursions into Indonesian waters(passed off by Abbott and his enforcer Scott Morrison as inadvertent, even though they transgressed time and again). Why isn’t the UNHCHR speaking out against these atrocities? The Australian Greens too are commenting about SL’s “war crimes” but are remarkably silent about Australia’s blatant disregard for the safety and rights of the asylum seekers. C’mon Pillay, wake up!!!
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srilal / February 25, 2014
“The Australian Greens too are commenting about SL’s “war crimes” but are remarkably silent about Australia’s blatant disregard”
obviously you have no idea of ” Australian Greens” so why don’t you stick to some thing you are very good at, that is attacking N Pillai and safe guarding the Mass murders.
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Sirimal / February 25, 2014
It seems axiomatic that every right thinking would go against human rights violations be it in Australia, US, EU countries or in countries like ours. Not to mix it up lanken human rights violations with those of few dozens of counters in developed countries. What we are seeing today in the country are unique to Rajapkshe oligarch. Particular men in power have only one intention that is to stay in power by manipulating the vulnerable rural masses. These buggers would do that so long their peoples allow it. They are born criminals – squandering funds have been their top of agenda rather than seeking solutions to people^s problems. There are masses today, that are struggling for 3 meals in the country not being able to face the higher price hike even on daily essentials.
Btw, even if UN has asked to improve the human rights by last two UN resolutions, nothing tangible steps have been taken against to give people a secure today. Not few days ago, the incident reported in Wanathamulla made it further clear how whitevanning like incident still repeat in the country, also after 5 years since the war is no longer there.
Besides, not only Australians, European countries too have their country specific laws limiting foreigners entering their territories by any illegal means. Uk for example would not even issue visa to educated individuals today if you would want to visit london for academic purposes.I myself dont see wrong the actions taken by them , so long those refugees are not real ones that are really in need to claim asylum there. If the europe, australia and other rich nations to open their for any poor, even black americans (larger fractions) living beyond poverty levels would claim asylum in Europe, Australia and the like safer grounds.
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Anton / February 25, 2014
ha, ha, there you are ,, no one messes with The Rajapakshe’s
The entire west and India will come with all their hands face down licking the ground and begging .
The entire west have been thought a lesson at-last by a South Asian Leader.
Must appreciate it.
Go to Hell west and your stooges in The UN is a clear Message from this.
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usmachan / February 25, 2014
GOSL requests Economic Embargo
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Burt / February 25, 2014
GOSL also challenged EU to take away GSP and got it. Better watch what you wish for.
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Bruz / February 25, 2014
Sri Lanka of course rejects everything. By trying to deny and hide things, they are only exposing the naked truth and guilt. Everything is going to be exposed internationally and it is too late Mr Ravi Ariyanath. Just face the music if those guys are really serious at UNHRC. If not, don’t you worry. Send Thiru Nadesan again to bribe Narendra Modi through Subramanian swamyji and JJ in TN. Any one can be bought these days and MR has all the loot money. Ravinatha, your days are numbered in Geneva man ! See what happened to Dayan and Tamara ? Start sending resume right now…
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Anton / February 25, 2014
GOSL requests Economic Embargo
usmachan -anay mage pusmachan -Sri Lanka is the most powerful nation today in The world you know? everybody is afraid of our Army .
China and russia will never allow any embargo and beside USA and the west will have to starve without our exports and our support ,
But one-thing sure they will never try any military nonsense , they know they will have run without their nickers ,LOL .
See how this Afghanistan fellow is now coming begging to Sri Lanka , he wants our great leader to finish the Taliban , our army is now getting ready to go and finish the buggers.wait and see.
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Anton / February 25, 2014
Park -aiyo samy –
we have China ,,Long live China ..
All our assets in China , how can anyone touch it? even USA bugger is a pauper today ,USA living on money begged not borrowed or traded from China LOL !!
You Think Mahinda is a fool ? why do you think all the politicians (esp Muslim buggers ) are licking his feet , even the big Moulana kissed our President hand , why?
Kasu Panam ,money,money .. hee, hee,
http://youtu.be/0mUyOlaOZwI
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Vibhushana / February 25, 2014
Accountability of last phase of the war should find a place alongside the other cocomeme phrase Sadam Housein weapon’s of mass destruction really isn;t it?
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Pecy / February 25, 2014
All countries faced same charges,deny the allegations,but what happened at last ended up in prison & some died while in prison.
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Bruz / February 25, 2014
Mahinda is going to discard everything and go for Nirvana. Enough is enough and what is he going to do with all the loot ? How much and how long can anyone go on looting or making more Nooraicholai’s , Air Ports and harbors.
Mattala air port was first taken over by monkeys, elephants, peacocks and now by snakes and air planes are waiting in line to land with tons of tourists. Hamabanthota port is so busy you cannot find space to dock the ships sailing with goodies like arms, ammunition, drugs and Russian and Chinese tourists. Kith and Kin are well off with all they can make in this short period. Now it’s time for Nirvana before being forced to sit on electric chair or train. Enough of these money raking and dirty Lankan politics, but let the prince take over. Standing in the dock at Haque is even worse and now is the best time to go see the long avoided Dalai Lama and seek advice on how to attain Nirvana for real.
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Rajash / February 26, 2014
absolutely..he has invited Pope to visit Sri Lanka … be to make his wife a Beacon..
can he also buy the Pope?
but howbaout attaining Nirvana.
may be he thought he can bundle Nirvana in a white van ?
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dyno / February 25, 2014
[Edited out]
We are sorry, the comment language is English – CT
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Dawn Dale / February 26, 2014
it looks like ambassador has totally mismanaged the situation including the visit of the high commissioner to sri lanka – should be recalled immediately. without send out convoluted articles – please do your job or go home
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Citizen / February 27, 2014
If one goes through B 31 of the Statement by Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva, it appears to be a lie and deception – the squeezing of the Press, the absence of the rule of law, the impeachment of CJ Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake, the behaviour of the law enforcing officers towards Dr.Shirani Bandaranayake, the behaviour of the PSC members, the illegal activities of the Parliamentarians and the protections afforded to them, etc. Is the ambassador blind on all these issues.
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