(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said it is a weakness on the part of the present government to keep attaching itself to the UNHRC resolution, when the US, who co-sponsored the resolution, had detached themselves from it.
He said the government should learn to utilize changes in the international political arena like the change in US administration.
Speaking at an event held at the Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mandiraya, yesterday (13th March) to launch a report compiled against the UNHRC resolution on the country, Mr. Rajapakshe stated, “With the election of President Donald Trump, officials who were interested in Sri Lanka such as Nisha Biswal and Samantha Power were removed. The US has clearly shown that it is not interested in the resolution but it’s our government which keeps pushing on it. This is a weakness of our government and the Foreign Ministry.”
The report was put together by a group of lawyers headed by Darshan Weerasekara at the invitation of the Federation of National Organizations headed by Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero. The report has been titled ‘A Factual Appraisal of the OISL Report: Rebuttal to the Allegations Against the Armed Forces.’
Rear admiral Sarath Weerasekara is said to be flying to Geneva, where he has received a slot at the ongoing 34th regular session of the Human Rights Council, where he will submit the compiled report.
Mr. Rajapakshe further said that, the former members of the LTTE in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) should take responsibility for their crimes.
Moreover, the gathered public seconded a public proposal to President Sirisena requesting him to reject the UNHRC resolution.