…assures probe on those foreign experts who backed JRJ govt

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The British government has sidestepped a query on the UK accommodating a group of LTTE cadres responsible for international crimes.

Global Justice Forum (GJF) representing civil society groups based in UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand-all member States of the Commonwealth, in addition to Israel, UAE and Switzerland has raised the continuing presence of those responsible for terrorism receiving privilege status at a time the UK was pushing for new resolution in respect of Sri Lanka at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

A spokesperson for GJF told The Island that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, in its response to their appeal dated January 8, 2021, refrained from commenting on the continuing presence of LTTE cadres therein.

The GJF has submitted a list of 27 LTTE cadres living there to Dominic Raab, MP, and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth.

Pointing out that UK based Tamil groups wanted an International Independent Investigation Mechanism (IIIM) to probe Sri Lanka and the UK was being asked to back the move, the GJF urged the UK to take tangible measures to investigate LTTE cadres living in the UK, probe Adele Balasingham, wife of late Anton Balasingham, the LTTE theoretician and prosecute former members of the Keenie Meenie Service (KMS).

Former employee of the British High Commission, Colombo, Anton Balasingham, a UK passport holder of Sri Lankan origin passed away in Dec, 2006 in the UK.

Responding to another The Island query, GJF spokesperson said that instead of opposing the proposed IIIM, the outfit felt the need to request the British to probe those who received shelter in the UK. The GJF also called for inclusion of KMS in the Geneva led investigation.

GJF made available a copy of the UK response to The Island released by South Asia Department.

The spokesperson pointed out that while the UK had assured the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Unit initiated an inquiry into the conduct of KMS personnel who had been in Sri Lanka’s employment in the 80s, no specific reference was made to LTTE cadres and Adele Balasingham living there.

The UK also reiterated its firm commitment to the Geneva Resolution 30/1 adopted in early Oct, 2015. The UK emphasised that there was absolutely no change in its position as regards accountability issues regardless of Sri Lanka’s decision to quit the Resolution it co-sponsored in 2015.

The GJF consists of Global Sri Lanka Forum, UK, Sri Lanka Canada Action Coalition, Justice for Sri Lanka Global Movement, Friends of Sri Lanka, Canada, Global Sri Lanka Forum, Israel, Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights, Australia, Montreal Friends of Sri Lanka and Calgary Friends of Sri Lanka.

Interestingly, GJF didn’t make reference to Lord Naseby’s Oct 2017 disclosure that contradicted the very basis of the Geneva accusations.

Civil society activist involved in the GJF initiative Ajantha Premaratne told The Island that Sri Lanka was being persecuted for eradicating terrorism whereas a significant number of those who had been engaged in terrorism received British passports. Many EU countries, the US and Scandinavian countries provided citizenship to LTTE cadres without questions asked, Premaratne said, pointing out how war winning Generals were being hounded.

“Chagie Gallage’s is a case in point,” Premaratne said.

Premaratne referred to a study undertaken by Darusman Committee member Yasmin Sooka, which had revealed the presence of LTTE cadres in many countries, including UK and Germany.

Premaratne pointed out how Balasingham enjoyed privileged status as a British national in spite of his organization carrying out a murderous campaign. When Balasingham’s men assassinated Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in August 2005, the British allowed the then ‘peacemakers’ Norwegians to secretly meet the LTTE theoretician in the UK, Premaratne said.

Meanwhile, authoritative military sources questioned the rationale in GJF complaining against the KMS as the outfit was invited by the then JRJ government in the absence of anticipated Western support. KMS provided invaluable expertise and was instrumental in strengthening fighting capabilities of the military et al, sources said, urging those interested in defending Sri Lanka also to be mindful of facts.

KMS included former members of the elite British Special Air Services (SAS).