Opposition demands “truth” of US resolution

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The joint opposition yesterday urged the Government to reveal the truth regarding the content of the resolution co-sponsored by the US and Sri Lanka at the recently concluded 30th session of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. 

Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) Leader and MP Dinesh Gunawardena claimed that the Government has failed to table the true copy of the resolutions to date. 

MP Bandula Gunawardane addressing the media briefing. MPs Dinesh Gunawardane, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are also present – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

“The Government promised of a Parliament debate over the co-sponsored resolutions and the proposed war crimes investigation mechanism, but both of them are still pending,” he said.

He went on to say that his party would not participate for the budget without having a look at the original documents. 

“The Government has failed to produce the full document as promised and we cannot go into a debate only with certain sections which we have found by ourselves. Hence, we urge the Government to table the document as soon as possible,” he quipped.

Gunawardena also said that joint opposition intend to organise a national summit on the US resolution in order to create awareness among public.

“This co-sponsorship resolution betrayed country’s sovereignty. The Government is trying to mislead the public by hiding the truth and media suppression. We are going to reveal the reality by organising a national summit on 19 October at Vihara Maha Devi open air auditorium,” he stressed.

Adding to this, the National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa asserted that the joint opposition will raise its opinion regarding hybrid court concept in the next Parliament session scheduled on 22 October. 

“All Government officials who participated for the UNHRC session refused the allegations levelled against proposed international mechanism. However, the risk of a hybrid court still remains. We are quite vigilant about this national issue and would not let it pass easily,” he stressed. 

“The resolutions comprised with proposals to abolish or amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). If this takes place, all the terrorist suspects would be released and lead the country into deep risk,” Weerawansa claimed.