JDS

Thursday, May 05, 2011

Sri Lanka guarantees 'security of sea lanes' on Blake visit

Posted by JDS

JDS Info
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The Sri Lankan government assures western powers that the sea lanes in the region has become safe since its' militarily defeated the Tamil Tigers in a bloody war that killed tens of thousands of Tamil civilians.

Addressing the Parliament on the third of May during the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State to Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister GL Peiris said that the accomplishments of the government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa "go far beyond the national situation".

Prof. Peiris declared in the house that the government has "achieved things which has brought about stability, tranquility in the entire SA region," .

"Particularly I would stress the security of the sea lanes in this region," he added.
Commenting on the report to the UN Secretary General by the experts panel, Minister Pieris critisised it for stating in the introduction that the war in Sri Lanka 'ended tragically amidst controversy'.

Panel report attacked in parliament

Prof. Peiris who said it was tragic "certainly not for the people of Sri Lanka," questioned whether it is "because the wrong side won the war".

Claiming in parliament that the panel report is "replete with palpable bias and prejudice" the foreign minister said that the panel "travels far far beyond its mandate".

"It has been set up to advice the UNSG. But it proceeds to provide gratuitous advice to the government of Sri Lanka on a wide range of matters which pertain exclusively to domestic policy. Our court system, the role of the Attorney General, public order, constitutional issues. None of these matters fall within the ambit of the mandate that the Secretary General has given to the Panel."

SL will work with UN system

However, the minister assured the parliament that the Sri Lankan government will work with the UN system in future as well.

"Far be it from us to entertain any thought of living in isolation in the contemporary world," said Minister Peiris.

Following his meeting with the Sri Lankan government team led by Minister Peiris on the 4th of May, US Asst. Secretary Robert Blake said that he is encouraged that External Affairs Minister Peiris will communicate soon with the UN Secretary General.

Blake speaks of 'positive progress'

USAS Blake who said that the government has made some 'positive progress' had praise for the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

"The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is playing an important role in the reconciliation process. The Commission has heard testimony from Sri Lankans from all regions and ethnic backgrounds." a statement from USAS Blake issued by the US embassy in Colombo said.

However, the statement does not mention whether the US ASS has discussed the UNSG's panel report that called the LLRC 'deeply flawed, does not meet international standards for an effectively accountability mechanism'.

"The UN report underscores the importance of a durable political solution that can forge a prosperous, democratic and united Sri Lanka, but also the importance of dialogue between the UN and the Government of Sri Lanka," was all the US statement had to say.

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