Sri Lanka sets the record straight in UN over arrests

Thursday, 20 March 2014 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Exercising its right of reply opportunity, the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN on Tuesday said: “K.P. Selvanayagam a.k.a. Gobi who had been overseas and returned to Sri Lanka was actively involved in reviving the LTTE through the regrouping of LTTE cadres and recruiting unemployed local youth with the intention of using them for acts of terrorism.” The Mission also said: “The detention on 16 March of Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the PTA were in connection with the aforesaid investigation into attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the arms caché at Vishwamadu and the shooting incident in Dharmapuram involving Gobi.” The full statement is as follows: Right of Reply by Sri Lanka 25th Session of the Human Rights Council Agenda Item 4 Mr. President, Sri Lanka wishes to exercise its right of reply on statements made regarding the arrest and detention of Ms. Balendran Jeyakumari, and the detention of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen. a. Investigations revealed that K.P. Selvanayagam a.k.a. Gobi who had been overseas and returned to Sri Lanka was actively involved in reviving the LTTE through regrouping LTTE cadres and recruiting unemployed local youth with the intention of using them for acts of terrorism. b. The intention of these LTTE operatives headed by Gobi had been to recover arms cachés hidden by the LTTE prior to their defeat. c. The key operative directing the operations, Gobi, had been evading arrest. Following further investigations, the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) had recovered an arms caché including mortar and RPG type live ammunition, 3 hand grenades, 2.5 kg claymore bomb and ammunition for T-56 weapons. d. Pursuant to this recovery, and a lead obtained on the whereabouts of Gobi, a team of Police Officers proceeded to the residence of Balendran Jeyakumari in Killinochchi. During the search operation Gobi had fired at the Police, injuring a sub-Inspector and escaped. e. At this residence, the landlady Balendran Jeyakumari and her 13 year old daughter Vibooshika were present. Since suspect Gobi, while being armed, escaped, a search was carried out on the said residence. A Menelab F-3 type mine detector was recovered. Therefore, Ms. Jeyakumari was placed under arrest on suspicion of aiding and abetting Gobi in his activities. f. As Balendran Jeyakumari had been unable to provide an appropriate caregiver/relative to keep her 13 year old daughter, she was taken along with the mother and produced before the Killinochchi Magistrate. Based on the Magistrate’s order, Vibooshika has been placed under the care of Probation and Child Care Services. g. The aforementioned arrest was made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The ICRC has access to all detainees being held at Boossa. Therefore, it is regrettable that an elected member of the Northern Provincial Council, Ms. Ananthi Sasitharan, has chosen to misrepresent this case in this august body and depict it as an arrest made of a child who had participated in protests. It is also regrettable that Ms. Sasitharan, despite being a member of a provincial administration, has chosen to make statements in the Council using time allocated to two NGOs. We also note that Ms. Sasitharan, in referring in her statements to the Council to “Tamil Eelam”, has failed to adhere to the agreed language of the United Nations, and is in violation of the Constitution she has pledged to uphold as a Provincial Councillor. The detention on 16 March of Mr. Ruki Fernando and Father Praveen under the PTA were in connection with the aforesaid investigation into attempts to revive the LTTE by operatives, including the recovery of the arms caché at Vishwamadu and the shooting incident in Dharmapuram involving Gobi. Investigations have revealed that Mr. Fernando and Father Praveen had been in Killinochchi engaging with persons connected to Gobi. Their questioning is continuing at present to ascertain the whereabouts of Gobi and other related operatives. The above actions taken by the Law Enforcement Authorities of Sri Lanka are well within the existing legal framework and following due process. This development also underscores the need to be vigilant on the activities of the remnants of the terrorist group, considering its bearing on national security. Thank you.

GL tells parliament of Govt.’s disapproval of US intervention

By Ashwin Hemmathagama Our Lobby Correspondent

Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday disapproved of the US Government’s intervention in internal matters of a sovereign nation, regardless of the “common agreements” it has with Sri Lanka and the “cooperation extended on military, economic, and higher education.” Responding to a question for oral answer raised by United National Party MP Ravi Karunanayake confirmed the Parliament the first official meeting with the State Secretary Hillary Clinton was held on 28 May 2010 where she “saw it commendable the steps taken to implement the LLRC recommendations” and expressed support to that effect. As a result of the particular meeting Prof. Peiris said: “She also agreed to remove the US travel warning as a vote of confidence. She also welcomed the Northern Provincial Council Election process. But she never disclosed plans of bringing a resolution against Sri Lanka at UN Human Rights Commission. But they intended to act like a supernumerary government to Sri Lanka by giving directions to resolve internal conflicts and the relationships between government officers and the political leadership. Foreign governments can’t take decisions for internal issues of Sri Lanka.” However, MP Karunanayke wanted the Minister Peiris to refrain from skirting around the big issues now thrashed at Geneva, and to get the US support if Sri Lanka has “such a healthy relationship, which is a small aspect.” In response Minister Prof. Peiris said: “We met her again on 18 May 2012 for a different purpose. We don’t meet the US officials based on the same issue. She has suggested that we move forward with relations in a cooperative manner. Defence, economic, and higher education are some of the areas we are collaborating fruitfully. But there is a sharp difference in opinion with regards to the human rights. Disagreements with the US is not a small aspect but a matter with utmost importance to this country. There are things we can agree to. But there are things we can’t agree. Their particular proposal wants us to execute their directions. We unable to authorise a foreign government to handle Sri Lanka. We are a proud nation and will not allow foreign interventions regardless of the size of our country. “With the war coming to an end we have resettled 296,000 internally displaced persons. For the first time in the world we have rehabilitated those who took weapons against the Government by teaching them a livelihood. Now the development in the northern area is almost over 21%,” added Minister.