By Colombo Telegraph –

“Perera and Saravanamuttu believed that raising the issue of full implementation of the 13th Amendment was something of a “red herring” used by the GSL to avoid discussing reconciliation and a long-term equitable political solution.” the US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis wrote to Washington after a meeting with members of the civil society.

Perera and Saravanamuttu believed that raising the issue of full implementation of the 13th Amendment was something of a ‘red herring’ used by the GSL to avoid discussing reconciliation and a long-term equitable political solution.

A leaked US unclassified, but “SENSITIVE” diplomatic cable, recounts details of meetings the US Senate Foreign Relations staff has had with senior government officials, international organizations, political leaders, civil-society activists, and journalists  between November 2 and 8, 2009. The Colombo Telegraph found the cable from WikiLeaks database. The cable was written on December 1, 2009 by the US Ambassador to Colombo Patricia A. Butenis.

Ambassador Butenis wrote “At a roundtable discussion, Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Director P. Saravanamuttu, National Peace Council (NPC) Chairman Jehan Perera, University of Colombo Professor Dr. Keethaponcalan, and former SL Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Javed Yusuf discussed Tamil community concerns, freedom of movement of IDPs, and constitutional reform with the StaffDel. Saravanamuttu stressed that the detention of the IDPs was ‘illegal under Sri Lankan law.’”

“The group emphasized the need for electoral reform and international election observers and mentioned a possible role for the Carter Center. They explained the powers of devolution and decentralization, the weakness of the 13th Amendment and the GSL’s ability to undermine the authority of the provincial council system. Perera and Saravanamuttu believed that raising the issue of full implementation of the 13th Amendment was something of a ‘red herring’ used by the GSL to avoid discussing reconciliation and a long-term equitable political solution. National issues such as allocation of land, rule of law, and the non-implementation of the official languages policy continued to drive the conflict. The discussion underscored the president’s failure to implement the 17th Amendment and the politicization of the commissions and therefore the politicization of promotions and transfers within the police and the judiciary.” Butenis further wrote.

Below we give the relevant part of the confidential cable;

Related news to this cable;

WikiLeaks: ‘I am not saying we are clean!’ –  Basil to US Senate Foreign Relations staff

WikiLeaks: The war had ‘not been clean’ Gota to US Senate Foreign Relations staff

WikiLeaks:  GSL is very interested in greater engagement with the U.S. – Moragoda

WikiLeaks: “KEEP THE PRESSURE ON” – Ranil Wickremesinghe

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 COLOMBO 001054

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INSB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CE
SUBJECT: SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE (SFRC) FACT FINDING
MISSION TO SRI LANKA

¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 2-8, Senate Foreign Relations staff
members Nilmini Rubin and Fatema Sumar visited Sri Lanka and held
meetings with senior government officials, international
organizations, political leaders, civil-society activists, and
journalists to discuss post war reconciliation, resettlement of
internally displaced persons (IDPs), the humanitarian situation, and
media freedom.  They also visited the South, East and IDP camp at
Manik Farm.  The StaffDel observed that the post-war situation in
Sri Lanka was complex, particularly in light of possible elections;
Sri Lankans no longer sensed a strong partnership with the U.S.; the
U.S. "tool box" in dealing with the government of Sri Lanka (GSL)
was self-limited; a sense of palpable fear still hung over the media
and civil society; and while the GSL was making progress and doing
some good things, SL had a long way to go on reconciliation and
resettlement.  Recognizing SL's geo-strategic importance to the U.S.
and the current and long-term bilateral relationship, many SL
interlocutors gave their recommendations on strengthening the
relationship and noted a need for more U.S. assistance for
resettlement and demining. END SUMMARY.
CPA and NPC:  Constitutional Reform
-----------------------------------

¶10. (SBU) At a roundtable discussion, Center for Policy Alternatives
(CPA) Director P. Saravanamuttu, National Peace Council (NPC)
Chairman Jehan Perera, University of Colombo Professor Dr.
Keethaponcalan, and former SL Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Javed Yusuf
discussed Tamil community concerns, freedom of movement of IDPs, and
constitutional reform with the StaffDel.  Saravanamuttu stressed
that the detention of the IDPs was "illegal under Sri Lankan law."
The group emphasized the need for electoral reform and international
election observers and mentioned a possible role for the Carter
Center.  They explained the powers of devolution and
decentralization, the weakness of the 13th Amendment and the GSL's
ability to undermine the authority of the provincial council system.
 Perera and Saravanamuttu believed that raising the issue of full
implementation of the 13th Amendment was something of a "red
herring" used by the GSL to avoid discussing reconciliation and a
long-term equitable political solution.  National issues such as
allocation of land, rule of law, and the non-implementation of the
official languages policy continued to drive the conflict. The
discussion underscored the president's failure to implement the 17th
Amendment and the politicization of the commissions and therefore
the politicization of promotions and transfers within the police and
the judiciary.
BUTENIS