By Colombo Telegraph –
A Leaked ‘Confidential’ US diplomatic cable, dated January 17, 2003, updated the Secretary of State regarding the anti-peace process tirades and Sri Lanka’s ‘Sinhalese extremists’ shows that the controversial ‘importing radio equipment’ by the Norwegian Embassy has done at the specific request of the government’s Peace Secretariat.
Jon Westborg and Bernard Goonetilleke,Head GSL Peace Secretariat
The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable is classified by the US Deputy Chief of Mission Lewis Amselem and signed by the US Ambassador to Colombo E. Ashley Wills.
“One of the issues that has them up in arms is Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg, who they want kicked out of the country. They charge that Westborg illegally allowed the Norwegian Embassy to import radio equipment for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a diplomatic consignment. (Note: In fact, the Norwegian Embassy did this only at the specific request of the government’s Peace Secretariat. This issue has prompted a recent exchange of letters among the GSL, President Kumaratunga, and the GoN — see Reftels” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Read the relevant part of the cable below;
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 COLOMBO 000101 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SA, SA/INS; NSC FOR E. MILLARD E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/13 TAGS: PGOV PTER SOCI CE NO LTTE Refs: Colombo 90, and previous (U) Classified by Lewis Amselem, Deputy Chief of Mission. Reasons 1.5 (b,d).
(SBU) In addition to their usual anti-peace process tirades, Sri Lanka’s Sinhalese extremists have been raising a ruckus lately on five peace-related issues. (Note: FYI. About 75 percent of Sri Lankans belong to the Sinhalese ethnic group, which is mostly Buddhist. Sinhalese extremist groups maintain the support of somewhere over 10 percent of the total body politic.) One of the issues that has them up in arms is Norwegian Ambassador Jon Westborg, who they want kicked out of the country. They charge that Westborg illegally allowed the Norwegian Embassy to import radio equipment for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in a diplomatic consignment. (Note: In fact, the Norwegian Embassy did this only at the specific request of the government’s Peace Secretariat. This issue has prompted a recent exchange of letters among the GSL, President Kumaratunga, and the GoN — see Reftels. End Note.)
WILLS
Kiri Gamarala / December 28, 2012
Now the question is who instructed Mr. BG, Head of Peace Secretariat of GoSL to request the GoN to import radio equipment. Was it the Head of State or the Head of Government? Good information for Minister VW. “Kadeta palayan Chang Choon.” “Pattare genen Chang Choon.” “Ahenna kiyapan Chang Choon.” Berihan deepan Chang Choon.”
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leel / December 28, 2012
This happened after strict instruction from Ranil to the Peace Secretariat. Not only this there are more military item including weapons also received by LTTE with the help of Ranil.
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Kiri Gamarala / December 28, 2012
Now the question is who instructed Mr. BG, Head of Peace Secretariat of GoSL to request the GoN to import radio equipment. Was it the Head of State or the Head of Government?
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Lihini / December 28, 2012
I am 100% sure that Ranil and Jayalath Jayawardena were involved. What more can you expect from a spineless puppet like Ranil. He was working for Prbhakaran then, Now he works for the government. The opposition is like a ministry under government. This traitor should not be in politics, he should be in jail for betraying our nation. Remember Athurugiriya safe house episode?
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pradeep / December 28, 2012
In reality,incidence was politically,economically,socially,culturally,geographically, historically and so on…… revealing all the time most traitorous party & party leader in our grate sri lanka.
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dicky Bird / December 28, 2012
Ranil instructed and the Dostharaya JJ collected the commission.
Deal closed.
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Raja / December 28, 2012
It is said that either Ranil or his supporters made a bogus claim that the Athurugiriya safe house was used for the purpose of harming Ranil, knowing very well that this would lead to the arrest of these patriotic soldiers who took great risks to stop the onward march of Prabakaran’s killing machine. It is not rocket science to understand that this would have been done merely to expose the names and addresses of these soldiers, which allowed Prabakaran to target them and kill one by one. During this violenet period, the safest men in the country were probably Ranil and Jayalath, who were not touched by the terrorists as a reward for this type of assistance LTTE received.
But the biggest let down is the failure of this Govt to investigate the betrayal of Athurugiriya Soldiers and punish those guilty.
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Sahadevan / December 31, 2012
Dear friends,
See things according to the context that prevailed in 2002/2003. Most of the members of the Cabinet of the present Government ( Rajitha, GL, Kehaliya, Bandula, Hakeem) highly praised the peace process untill they crossed over to UPFA to gain personal benifits.Do not forget that GL was the leader of SL delegation to peace talks. Get more information from him. Also ask the so called “deshapremis’ on how they sit with so called trators in the Cabinet ?
Sahadevan
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