Travel ban on Army Commander result of co-sponsorship of UNHRC resolution: Govt.

Saturday, 24 October 2020 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Accuses Yahapalanaya regime of betraying war heroes by co-sponsoring resolution resulting in imposition of sanctions on them
Opp. Leader urges Govt. to discuss the issue with US State Secy who will be in country next week

Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva

The decision by the United States to blacklist and impose a travel ban on Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva was a result of the last Government’s decision to co-sponsor the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution No: 30/1, Parliament was told yesterday.

“It was due to that betrayal of our war heroes that the US imposed sanctions on them,” Leader of the House Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

The Minister said this when Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned if the Government would ask US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will be in the country next week, to lift the ban.

“There are media reports that US Secretary of State Pompeo is to visit Sri Lanka. During his stay here, he will meet Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. I request from the President, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister to ask Pompeo to lift the travel ban on our Army Commander. That should be done for the sake of all war heroes,” Premadasa said.

Gunawardena said the Government has already made that request to relevant authorities.

“We made the request within 24 hours of the imposition of the ban. We have informed the US State Department of our position and asked for the lifting of the ban. It was thanks to the great betrayal the previous Government did by co-sponsoring a UNHRC resolution against this country that these sanctions come,” he said.

Premadasa said that there was no need to write letters as the Minister would get the opportunity to meet Pompeo face to face.

Gunawardena said that the Government has already commenced a campaign under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to withdraw the co-sponsorship, to rectify the mistakes committed by the former Government and to standby the interests of Sri Lanka’s military on the international stage.