UK reiterates commitment to accountability issues, won’t comment on ex-CID Director’s case

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The UK will continue to take up accountability issues with Sri Lanka in terms of the latest Geneva Resolution, says the British High Commission.

A BHC spokesperson said: “We’ll continue to raise human rights concerns with the Government of Sri Lanka and independent bodies and encourage full engagement with the resolution. We regularly meet with politicians from all political parties and discuss importance of minority engagement, reconciliation and social cohesion.”

 The official said so in response to the following questions submitted to the BHC, Colombo in the wake of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) making representations as regards Sri Lanka’s alleged failure to address grievances of the Tamil community in terms of the latest Geneva Resolution to BHC Sarah Hulton: “Would BHC, Colombo take up this issue with GoSL? Did TNA seek a meeting with BHC, Colombo? Several weeks ago BHC addressed the new HRCSL (Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka) Would you explain the issues discussed, raised by the BHC and also whether the issue of interdicted SSP Shani Abeysekera, former Director, CID was taken up with the HRCSL or the government (Core Group raised the issue at the UNHRC) and finally what is the status of the new Geneva-based investigation authorised at the March 2021 session?

Retired Major General Chagie Gallage told The Island that the TNA having stood by the LTTE until the very end having recognized the LTTE as the sole representative of the Tamil community was spearheading a campaign against the war, winning military. The war veteran said that if the British were genuinely interested in post-war national reconciliation among communities they could share wartime dispatches from BHC, Colombo. The TNA’s relentless push for punitive action against the military over war crimes should be examined against the backdrop of the grouping backing General Sarath Fonseka at the 2010 presidential election, Gallage said.

Pointing out that the EU once faulted the TNA for receiving the LTTE’s backing at the 2004 general election, Gen. Gallage said that the eradication of the LTTE restored peace in the country. The TNA losing its grip in the North in the absence the LTTE’s backing is a different matter, the Gajaba Regiment veteran said, urging all stakeholders to appreciate the ending of LTTE terror.