Opposition calls for a referendum on US resolution

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The joint Opposition yesterday demanded a referendum over the resolution co-sponsored by the US and Sri Lanka which is expected to be presented today at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) 30th sessions. 

The Government has decided to co-sponsor the US resolution. The drafted resolution was submitted to the UNHRC last week with several amendments.

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa, whose party is part of the Opposition, stressed that if the Government really wanted to comply with the US resolutions and the UNHRC recommendations it should do so after a referendum.

“The Government cannot do what it wants. The people have the right to decide what they really need. We request the public to urge their political leaders to vote against the US resolutions,” he asserted.

“Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said they would never establish a hybrid court in order to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, we have noted that the US resolution indirectly calls for a joint international and local judicial mechanism. Wickremesinghe is trying to cover this major issue with a thousand lies,” he charged.

Meanwhile, Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena stressed that it would be much better if the Government backtracked on its decision to co-sponsor the US resolution.  

“If the Government joins hands with the country’s enemies it will be the biggest betrayal in Sri Lanka’s history. We urge the Government to stop this at least at the last moment,” he stressed.