News
UK sanctions on former military top brass biased, unjustifiable: Ex-PM
Former Prime Minister and leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Dinesh Gunawardena has alleged that the UK sanctioning retired top brass and ex-LTTE commander is biased, unjustifiable and a blatant interference in an internal affair of Sri Lanka.
The following is the text of statement issued by former parliamentarian Gunawardena: “The United Kingdom Government recently imposed sanctions on former head of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Jagath Jayasuriya and Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman.
The imposition of sanctions on three former commanders of Sri Lankan armed forces over alleged human rights violations during the conflict between the terrorist outfit Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the armed forces by the UK is biased, unjustifiable action and a blatant interference on an internal affair of Sri Lanka.
It is most regrettable that the UK thought it fit to impose sanctions that are not based on any transparent investigation or legal proceedings. Instead, they reflect the selective application of international pressure on Sri Lanka, targeting those who played key roles in Sri Lanka’s military victory against the most ruthless terrorist organization, which is banned by many countries, including the UK.
I wish to reiterate that the people of Sri Lanka have the highest respect for the sacrifices made by the military and the Commanders of armed forces and they would always stand by them against any unjustified attempts of prosecution or slander as their valiant fight against terrorists have ensured long-lasting peace in Sri Lanka.
We urge the United Kingdom to withdraw the one-sided sanctions in the interest of our long-standing bilateral relations and norms.”
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is on an official visit to Paris, France to participate in the high-level segment of the International Expert Conference on ’An Integrated and Sustainable Approach to Safeguarding the World Heritage Property of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Associated Living Heritage’ which was to be held at UNESCO Headquarters today [Tuesday 1 April], with the participation of the Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.
The Conference, organized by UNESCO in partnership with Sri Lanka, brings together leading international experts to discuss sustainable strategies for the conservation of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of immense cultural and historical significance.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet senior interlocutors of the French Government to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
The Delegation of the Prime Minister includes the Minister of Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) BUNGO and ETAJIMA arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill visit this morning (01 Apr 25).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
The 141m long JMSDF BUNGO is an Uraga-Class Minesweeper Tender commanded by Commander TANAKA Koji and the ship is manned by a crew of 125.
Meanwhile, JMSDF Etajima, a 65-meter-long Minesweeper, is under the command of Commander Oda Takayuki and operates with a crew of 54 personnel.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ships will explore some tourist attractions within the city of Colombo. The ships are scheduled to set sail from Colombo on 04 Apr.
“You and your families will be eliminated”
By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randun
A full-scale investigation has been launched to track down an underworld character, ‘Navy Dinesh,’ a key accomplice of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, for issuing death threats over the phone to three police officers, including the Gampaha HQI, Crime Branch OIC, of the same police station, and others.
Navy Dinesh is believed to have fled the country.
According to police sources, threats were issued following the arrest of Navy Dinesh’s father and brother in connection with a drug trafficking case.
Phone analysis reports have confirmed that the calls originated from Dubai and France.
Following the murder of Ganemulle Sanjeewa, Navy Dinesh assumed leadership of the underworld gang he had previously been involved with.
Navy Dinesh contacted the Gampaha HQI, the OIC of the Crime Branch, and the investigating police constable, and threatened to kill them and their family members. “You and your families will be eliminated,” he said.
A special police team had been assigned to investigate the matter, and a report has been submitted to the courts, police sources said.
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