NFF challenges Govt. on content of US resolution

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday challenged the Government to accept the truth regarding the real content of the resolution co-sponsored by the US and Sri Lanka, which was submitted to the United National Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The Government decided to co-sponsor the US resolution, and expects to promote reconciliation and accountability in the island. It was approved by the UNHRC during its 30th session on Thursday. 

NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa claimed that the United Nations Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s same recommendations had been approved by the UNHRC as a ‘so called resolution’.  

“The content of the resolution has remained the same and there were no amendments. However, the word ‘hybrid’ has been removed to water down the pre-recommendation,” he said.

Criticising President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s comments on the approved resolution, Weerawansa alleged that the Government should apologise to the public for being liars.

“The Government must reveal the true meaning of the resolution before the people find out the truth. Otherwise it will sabotage the county’s peace. The Government should accept the facts regarding the implementation of an international inquiry,” he asserted.

“President Sirisena said that the approved resolution was calling for a domestic mechanism where Sri Lanka could expect an impartial investigation for war crimes. However, the resolution is to establish a special court which is controlled by foreign judges, inspectors and lawyers. Sri Lanka will be only a facilitator of the mechanism, not the controller,” he stressed.

Weerawansa also claimed that the Government had forced the media not to reveal opposing opinions regarding the US resolution in order to mislead people.

“The President and the Prime Minister were saying that the UN allegations were made due to the Rajapaksa regime’s unprofessional foreign policy. We urge Wickremesinghe to learn from the late former president J.R. Jayewardene about how not to betray the county,” he asserted.