MP Markar queries SL’s stand on Palestine; regrets failure by President to express solidarity at UN

SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar 

Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar yesterday in Parliament questioned Sri Lanka’s stance on Palestine and expressed regret over President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s failure to express solidarity during his address to the UN General Assembly in September.

“Whatever party comes to power, we Sri Lanka as a country stood against all the types of occupations and colonialisms throughout history. In this line, our country leaders used to make the supportive comments in regards to the South African and the Palestinian freedom struggles during their speeches at the UN general assembly. However, during the September 2021 UNGA, our country leader did not mention anything in this regard in his speech,” Markar said.

The SJB Parliamentarian raised the issue following the detailed statement by Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Sri Lanka’s recent engagement with the international community and asked the Foreign Minister whether there were any policy level changes on the stance in this regard. 

In response Prof. Peiris thanked Markar for asking such an important question. “There is no change in our stand, no changes at all at policy level. The Palestinian Ambassador met me recently, I have told him that we strongly maintain our stand with Palestine, and our position still remains same unchanged,” Prof. Peiris added.

He  recalled that there is a street in Ramallah, Palestine named after Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Sri Lankan Embassy is situated in that square as well. “HE Mahinda Rajapaksa is the pioneer leader of the Sri Lanka-Palestine Friendship Association and he was very active as its President in the supportive campaign for around 23 years since he entered the Parliament as a young member and he is still in that position,” Foreign Minister said.

“Not only Palestinian friendship, but he is also very close to the Arab and Muslim world too. During my visit to UN, I met the Chairman of the OIC (57 Muslim Countries) and I have explained him our position on the relationship with the Arabic and Muslim world. I repeat that, nothing has changed,” the Foreign Minister added.

However, Prof. Peiris said: “This year (Sep 2021 – UNGA) we thought not to mention specifically any country’s name considering the other countries’ counter queries for not mentioning their names. Apart from this, I reiterate and would like to confirm that our country’s and our Government’s very close relationship with Palestine is still alive, strong and remains unchanged.”