By Colombo Telegraph –
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) sent today an open letter to the Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma asking to change the venue of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November 2013.
Dear Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma,
We, the International Commission of Jurists, enclose an open letter addressed to President Mahinda Rajapakse of Sri Lanka, signed by fifty-six eminent jurists from around the world, condemning the unlawful removal of Chief Justice Bandaranayake and expressing grave concern for the decline of rule of law and independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka.
We urge you to follow through on your earlier statements and consider changing the venue of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting as part of the commitment to advance and strengthen adherence to the Commonwealth’s oft-stated values and Principles pertaining to the rule of law.
Removing the Chief Justice through a process declared unconstitutional by the apex court and in contravention of international standards on the independence of the judiciary goes directly against the core principles enunciated in the Singapore Declaration 1971, the Harare Declaration 1991 and the Latimer House Principles on the Three Branches of Government 2003; it flies in the face of the Commonwealth values of promoting and protecting democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
We recall your statement that ‘The Commonwealth’s Latimer House Principle, which govern the relationship between the three branches of government, are the cornerstone of our association’s values.’
The unlawful impeachment process marks a serious acceleration of the general and serious decline in respect for human rights and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, as documented recently in our report Authority without Accountability.
These developments are all the more alarming given the ongoing failure of the Sri Lankan government to respond to domestic and international demands for accountability for serious human rights violations in the country.
In the present climate, allowing Sri Lanka to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November 2013 would raise serious questions about the Commonwealth’s commitment to democracy, the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or comments. We thank you in advance for your sensitivity to this important matter.
Sincerely
Wilder Tayler
Secretary-General
The International Commission of Jurists
Senguttuvan / February 12, 2013
Even if Sharma has, for whatever private reason, developed a soft-corner to MR, he cannot easily ignore the ICJ call signed by a host of respected jurists claiming almost all core principles the Common Wealth stands for. It is time to send that great learned negotiator – Sajin V – whom the Sunday Leader accused of being a jailbird (Negombo prisons) for more than one financial fraud. Whether this former Wharf Clerk in Dubai will succeed in the task is another matter.
Senguttuvan
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Dodo / February 13, 2013
Good Work ICJ! An obtuse and irrelevant COLONIAL leftover – the so-called Commonwealth of Nations aka the Commonwealth of Clowns is the only so-called international organization to support the Rajapakse dictatorship in Sri Lanka. All other relevant and responsible international organization and countries avoid Mahinda Rajapakse like the plague. The Commonwealth of Clowns is one big SCAM – a hot air talk shop for third world dictators about non-existent “values” and Latimer rules observed in the breach!
Thus in the past three years the Rajapakse Dictatorship in Sri Lanka has gone from strength to strength with support from the so-called Commonwealth. viz. impeachment of CJ, militarization and power grab by Rajapassa family Dictatorship.
Sri Lanka’s Tax payers have spent massive sums on Commonwealth Games circuses – bids and Commonwealth Parliament circus in Colombo last year with no payback except of course to boost Rajapakses dictatorship and ego.
The Commonwealth has NO LEGITIMACY and is an obsolete, irrelevant organization that is a talk shops for Dictators from Asia and Africa.
Latimar House rules that Ranil W quotes are not worth the paper they are printed on!
The Commonwealth of Nations aka. Commonwealth of Clowns is an obsolete, irrelevant British colonial remnant which even the British do NOT take seriously!
The Commonwealth of Clowns is an organization that gives third world dictators a stage to STRUT ON and feel important, headed as it is by KS a national of the wanna be South Asia regional super power Indian which is a basket case of war with its own people’s Human Rights in Kashmir, Northeast, and the Maoist belt that traverses 12 states…
The collusion between third world dictatorships in Asia and Africa to keep this Commonwealth Circus going is to boost their egos.
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Saman Wijesiri / February 12, 2013
All Sri Lankans should salute the ICJ for the tough stand they have taken. We hope that the Commonwealth nations will heed the timely advice!
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Park / February 12, 2013
Once again there is a chance for the President and Gotha to have a conference of Paraiah Nations as the Commonwealth nations meeting seems to be off now.
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Leela / February 13, 2013
I say, Sri Lanka should not host any CHOGM ever not just in 2013. We all know that this white master and black servants CHOGM parley or party has been doing rounds for the last sixty years. Can anyone name one useful thing this talk-shop had done for us or for any of its members during all that sixty years? I wish President Rajapakse understand this reality.
If we go by the UK press, subjects of her majesty the queen’s UK base and white their soul mates in Canada, Australia and New Zeeland do not care two hoots about CHOGM and discussions they hold. For some fortune, we lost our stupid race and the game tests to hold the archaic commonwealth games. Citizens of the UK are more concerned about their treaties with the US and Europe. In fact, most of the British have not even heard of ‘Latima house’ or its principles that some of our leaders sycophantic to white masters has been pontificating us as the altar of democratic governance for the last several months.
Leela
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Uthungan / February 13, 2013
Well said Leela.
What you have said is good proof that you are capable of saying something sensible once in a way.
How did you manage to get permission from MR?
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Samson / February 14, 2013
Fully agree, Leela^s stand seems to be cement like. I really dont know whether she has at all a brain the size of a mustard seed. No doubt UN has failed to the due as every state would expect it to be, but if there was no UNO – what could have been the case for many countries ? When there is no rule of law, humanbeings and their behaves are not that different from animals.This is what we see in the country today.
It is almost like Srilanken Police- almost everyone is against it, but if there was no police – how our people would have reacted even against family ones – as seen on the tabloid today. In so called predominantly buddhist nation even stab the monks as no seen in the past. That is current day lanka. Even at the time the war was in its climax – no such brutal incident were reported – but today.
Leela^s and his or her ilk are the curse for all these.
ANE APOI APE LANKAWATA GIYA KALA.. sad to see the current situ in SL. :(
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Safa / February 13, 2013
No possibility of shaping this up. GLP who crowed loudly on the impeachment should now be called upon to resign. These people who should proffer correct advise to the govt and the president are taking the whole country for a ride. What do GLP and Sajin Vas have in common?
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Samson / February 14, 2013
Most ridiculous thing is his professorship was awarded for the faculty of Law as I see it – is not that so ?
One should be loyal to a Regime – that is true, but to the manner that GLP has been – no doubt beyond the academic status. I believe even if any wholehearted, genuine, highly educated personalities shamelessly loose their initial aims after entering to politics. May be – power greediness is almost comparable to addiction to hard drugs.
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kris / February 13, 2013
Hooo Hoooo, Sharma already confirned the venue and confirmed the Queen’s visits
Saman. Park, Leela Hoo Hooooooooo
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mahela / February 14, 2013
CW play carrot and stick policy with GOSL. Yes they come with conditions attached. Already results appear with releasing two Jaffna students. Many more to follow.
What ever Sri Lanka did not learn from British after Independence….they will teach in coming months.
Await for more surprises.
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Basil Jarapaksha / February 13, 2013
Leelo, I am sending Sajin to London to shape things up and somehow have the meeting in Colombo and you are talking nonsense
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mahela / February 14, 2013
Yes having CHOGM in colombo with conditions attached. Remember this could also be a Russian Roulette and could Back fire on GOSL……like Sirima Bandaranaike Loosing badly in 1978 election after 1976 Non Align Summit.
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Leela / February 15, 2013
Jayantha cum Mahela,
Sing your songs the way you like, but mark my word for they always come true: There is no possibility of MR’s party loosing any of the coming-up elections because there is no credible party with policies acceptable to mass that challenges it. I hope a good Sri Lanka opposition party and not an opposition party to Sri Lanka emerges out of the opposition doldrums.
Leela
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Mahela / February 13, 2013
CHOGM is another elete club membership fun event. There is nothing other than Fun,music,frolic, good food, spirits, love,travel,sun, sea and sand and lot of photo-ops for albums, media publicity…and an opportunity to Rajapakses to cover up their dirt.
I think the Queen does not want to embarass and humiliate her beloved cutee country Sri Lanka….just because of a stupid moron.
There may still be some issues that Rajapakses have to comply with before November to be a good Commonwealth neighbor and a leader…..and he may have to prove it. Lets see in the coming months.
But for the country and citizen there is absolute nothing except chasing all the beggers away to country side, lots of traffic jams,identity checks, security checks etc.
Also in the sly prices of essential goods may go up….while more limousines and Rolls Royces could be import on sly paying less import duty..
Also more commission for various projects and additional service providers
THIS IS THE FUN BONUS FOR SUPREME PARLIAMENT MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND TOP GOVT.SERVANTS…….WHILE PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO STAY IN BREAD LINES.
Other than the fun for Maha Raja family and parliament members and their friends….., there is absolutely nothing benefitting for the Govt. or we citizen or to the economy from CHOGM other than some tourist and cultural promotions.
Govt. should be lucky to get any projects or contracts out of CW members due to the absence of independent Judiciary.
There is absolute no country will do business wothout an independent Justice system and Law. GOSL should know about it.
According to my calculations 2013 CHOGM event could cost our country anything around 25 Billion Rupees which includes Infrastructure developments, security, travel, board and lodging, entertainment,gifts, special tours etc…etc…..
AWAIT FOR NEXT PRICE HIKE OF ALL COMMODITIES AND ESSENTIAL ITEMS.
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Jayantha / February 13, 2013
I think both CW Secretary General as well as heads of states of WC countries are playing a very delicate game regarding holding CHOGM in Sri Lanka. The reason is…………
REASONS WHY CW WILL HOST CHOGM IN SRI LANKA…..
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1)CW does not want to see Sri Lanka further deteriorate into anarchy with Communal, religion, racial disharmony….and further fall into economic chaos by not having CHOGM in Sri Lanka.
2)CW is also using CARROT AND STICK POLICY in order to put pressure on Sri Lanka and back into the correct parth.
3)CW is holding CHOGM in condition that GOSL adheres to all it’s conditions stated in it’s final report……..there by applying pressure without a conflict and without cornering Sri Lanka. Remember a cornered tiger is the worst tiger.Thereby this is the only option CW has to TAME THE TIGER.
4)As a long term member of CW, and since wes till have reputed and respectable gentlemen who are doing wery well and doing great work to the international community, both Queen and the CW do not want to Humiliate and disgrace Sri Lanka in front of the world.
5)Not having CHOGM in Sri Lanka will tremendously effect our economy,our world standing, morale,respect,reputation, business investments and will stamp GOSL as a Pariah State etc…throughout the world……and the final sufferers and bearers of all of these will be us the Citizen of the country and not the President or Parliament Pin Padiyas…….and CW know about this.
6)Some of the issues that CW discussed are reaping benefits already when President rushed to Jaffna and releasing the two students from prison while helping farmer community, and implementing other development issues.
7)CW will be eying and anaylsing Govt. behavior and actions until Nobember CHOGM inaguration.
8)Finally CW does not want to bare the brunt of taking responsibility of a sick patient with economic ,Communal and religious fallout in Sri Lanka.
It is like you are undertaking to treat a very sick patient for none of your fault ………. or Marrying a 65 year old man who is blind, deff, dumb and insane….who is worth nothing except over borrowed with huge debt and unable to pay them, with no visible assets to pay that debt back.
Who is the Mutt to marry a half dead 65 year old patient…..CW will neve like to take that responsibility.
So the CW is right not to fall into Lanka syndrome by not having CHOGM in Sri Lanka
ON PRESIDENT RAJAPAKSE SIDE….
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1) He want to get recognition from CW to further his seat as president of Sri Lanka.
2)He is looking to put all the political, communal, racial and religious and human right dirts under to carpert to show a different picture to the world.
3)Mass publisity, propeganda, and use of communication to strengthen Rajapakse political dynasty both locally and Internationally.(Remember Sirima Bandaranaike used Non Align Summit to establish world recognition)
4) To side step all opposition Political opponents, opposition parties,democratic Free media, human right activists etc and use all govt. propegnda and media to strengthen his political control.(expect more cut outs through the country)
5)The ever Queen and VIP happy Photo-ops and media show off propagandist will politicise every opportunity to further strengthen his power stay.
6)Fun, frolic, happy time with both foreign and local officials, degnitories,diplomatic community,parliament members with lot of entertainment.
WHAT DO WE CITIZENS GET…..
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1)High traffic congestion, road closures, identity checks, security checks etc…
2)sudden road closures and diverting traffic elsewhere….
3)Cost of living and prices of essential goods to go up with long lines to buy food.
4)Utility, petrol, gas and water costs may go up…while transport costs will increase.
5)Pesident and Parliament goons will try to show a nice picture with Lamborghinis, Rolls Royce, fun and frolic hiding the true picture to CW
delegates, ordinary peoplr will have to suffer both economically and day to day life.
INTERNATIONALLY.
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1)More Si Lankan minority communities in CW countries, reporters, journalists, Judicial and Law associations, human right activists etc… will pressure those governments not to participate for CHOGM.
this could effect those countries political and governing bodies.
2)More protests in CW countries and via electronic media will effect CHOGM IN SRI LANKA.
3)UNHR March report as well as Channle 4 new video could effect holding CHOGM in Sri Lanka.
4)Possibility of some countries boyotting CHOGM will effrect the stability of CW.
5)CHOGM heads and International reporters adverse remarks and experience after CHOGM in Sri Lanka may effect our economic and political stability.
THEREFORE AFTER ALL OF THERE BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO BENEFIT I SEE TO OUR COUNTRY WHAT SO EVER…….OTHER THAN STRENGTHENING MORE OF RAJAPAKSE FAMILY DYNASTY COULD ALSO BACKFIRE ON THEM AFTER CHOGM.
REMEMBER SIRIMAVO BVANDARANAIKE TWO YEARS AFTER HOLDING NON ALIGN SUMMIT IN 1976…………HISTORY MAY REPEAT WITH CHOGM.
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AYMAN / February 19, 2013
“C H O G M,” SHOULD NOT BE HELD HERE.
IF IT IS HELD THEY WILL BE “LEGALIZING” ALL THE WRONGS COMMITTED BY
DESPOT AND FAMILY IN THIS “PARIAH” STATE.
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