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FM questions whether UK pursuing anti-Sri Lanka agenda for political reasons
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris has questioned the British government action vis-a-vis Sri Lanka on the basis of its latest controversial travel advisory that warned of terrorist attacks.
Prof. Peiris condemned the British warning issued on 07 March 2022. Referring to the Easter Sunday suicide bombings that had been carried out by the National Thowheed Jaamat (NTJ), in April 2019, the UK government warned terrorists were likely to try to carry out attacks in Sri Lanka. Attacks could be indiscriminate and the targets could include places visited by foreigners.
The top academic declared that the government had no issue with foreign governments warning of current shortages in fuel, gas and other essentials but it would be totally unfair to issue warning, as regards impending terrorist attacks.
Prof. Peiris took exception to the British action at the launch of Lord Naseby’s ‘Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained’ at the BMICH on Tuesday (29) where he addressed a distinguished gathering. Among those present at the event were Secretary Defence Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Commander of the Army Gen. Shavendra Silva, former Commander of the Army Gen. Daya Ratnayake and several former and serving members of Parliament.
Prof. Peiris acknowledged that in spite of the Foreign Ministry taking up the issue at hand with the British High Commission in Colombo, the travel advisory hadn’t been revised.
Both Prof. Peiris and Lord Naseby, in their brief speeches discoursed how successive British governments suppressed official documents that contradicted unsubstantiated war crimes accusations which led to an accountability resolution at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in early Oct 2015.
The yahapalana government co-sponsored the resolution that targeted Sri Lanka’ wartime political leadership and the military.
Prof. Peiris said the UK’s response as well as that of some other members of the ‘international community’ to Sri Lanka’s triumph over terrorism was quiet questionable. Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009 on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon against the opinion of so many self-proclaimed experts in the West and their local mouthpieces, who repeatedly chorused the refrain that Sri Lankan security forces were incapable of defeating the LTTE, dubbed by the American FBI as the most ruthless terrorist outfit in the world.
Prof. Peiris, who served as the first post-war External Affairs Minister (2010-2015) explained how the UN squandered money on a costly project targeting Sri Lanka. The FM also flayed those who received mega financial benefits at Sri Lanka’s expense as a result of the UN body pursuing an agenda inimical to the war winning country.
Prof. Peiris said: “There are many problems in this country and tourists are well aware of them. There are power cuts, shortage of diesel and gas. These are all facts of life. A travel advisory can certainly draw attention to these inconveniences which may be suffered by tourists who are planning a visit this country,” he said.
Questioning the rationale in making unsubstantiated claim relating to terrorist attacks, Prof. Peiris expressed surprise at the British response to Sri Lanka’s protest. “The answer we have got is that this is what they have been saying for two years and that the travel advisory has been downgraded from very likely to likely by now.”
“Is that a convincing or acceptable answer? If you were a British family contemplating a holiday with your loved ones, your friends, in Sri Lanka, would you for a moment consider holiday in a country where your government says terrorists’ violence is likely’,” an irate FM asked.
Prof. Peiris said that foreign governments and politicians shouldn’t seek political advantage at Sri Lanka’s expense. The FM emphasized the importance in the public of this country believing that whatever is done is genuinely for the well-being of this country and not to promote the fortunes of politicians in other countries.
Commenting on the controversial Geneva process, Prof. Peiris alleged that the country had been singled out by the application of standards and criteria, which were not being applied to any other country on the planet. “Is that because we are small, we don’t have large armies, we are not an affluent nation?” the Minister asked.
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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order
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The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.
“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.
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“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.
“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”
“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.
As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.
As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.
I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.
Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.
Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.
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The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.
According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.
The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.
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