UN Panel Report should not be made public: Govt

The Government of Sri Lanka thoroughly objects to the publication and acting on the recommendations of the report that has been produced by the Expert Panel appointed by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, the Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peris informed at a press briefing held yesterday afternoon at the Ministry of External Affairs

Joining the cause

A Sri Lankan Muslim school girl signs a petition against UN panel’s report about Sri Lanka war crimes at a bus stand in Colombo yesterday – Pic by Dinuka Liyanawatte

The Sri Lankan Mission in New York has conveyed to UN that publishing of this report and implementing its recommendations will cause an irreparable damage to the sovereignty and the solidarity of Sri Lanka. The Minister further noted that this report is an obstacle and is harmful to the process of reconciliation and increasing the unity among all communities in the island which has become the need of the era, in terms of Sri Lanka, which has suffered by a three decade war. As such Peiris urged the Secretary General of UN to consider whether the contents of the report is consistent with the objectives of the committee, since it was supposed to be only an advice oriented and as to whether it contributes to the task of reconciliation process in Sri Lanka or otherwise. He further questioned whether it is possible and justifiable to submit recommendations, even before the Sri Lankan Commission reaches the end of its mandate, due on 15 May 2011. The establishment of this commission was appreciated by the international community as it is in the process of rebuilding peace and understanding among all communities in the island. (www.news.lk)