Marapana makes statement on ex-Army commander Jayasuriya in P’ment

Upholding the Government pledge to protect military personnel against alleged war crimes, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Assignments Tilak Marapana yesterday confirmed to the Parliament that no firm submissions were made against former Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya.

According to Minister Marapana, the Brazilian group has failed to provide any evidence to prove war crimes committed by the General, who was a commander in the final stages of the war against the LTTE.

The Minister, responding to UPFA Joint Opposition Parliamentary group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena, rejected departing with his private opinion of the matter, but confirmed that he would represent the collective decision of the Government under the guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena.

“Raising war crimes allegations is not a new thing. Two similar cases had been filed against Sri Lankan security forces by NGOs in the United States and Switzerland in 2011. However, the governments in the two countries had withdrawn both cases. The allegations were made even after General Jayasuriya’s term ended and he left Brazil as its Sri Lankan Ambassador,” explained Minister Marapana. (AH)