Sri Lanka not averse to resolution from India

Friday, 22 March 2013 01:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Sri Lankan Government said that it is not averse to a resolution by the Indian Parliament that has been under discussion over the past few days parallel to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution that calls for stronger human rights implementation in the island.

India’s ruling party has begun discussions on the possibility of introducing a resolution on Sri Lanka to the Indian Parliament to appease South Indian political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) who on Tuesday dropped out of the Government leaving it vulnerable ahead of polls early next year.

Prominent Tamil Nadu politician and DMK leader M. Karunanidhi withdrew his support insisting that the Indian Central Government was not being tough enough on its Sri Lankan counterpart in promoting minority rights and pushing ahead with credible investigations, into war crimes allegations.

Sri Lankan Government spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella appeared unconcerned about an Indian resolution telling media that since India does not call for an international investigation they would not protest.

“The Indian Government so far has stressed that they want a ‘credible investigation’ and not an ‘international investigation’ therefore we are not averse to it.”

Rambukwella also insisted that the Government would not open any discussion with South Indian politicians or the Tamil Nadu politicians over recent attacks on Sri Lankan citizens.

“Sri Lanka’s External Ministry has already conveyed its displeasure, which will be conveyed to the Indian Central Government. As a sovereign nation we do not deal with State governments, that has always been our policy and we will continue with it,” he added.

On Saturday and Monday two Buddhist priests were attacked in Tamil Nadu along with 16 other tourists as tension ran high in the State over the impending UNHRC resolution.

Indian media reported that an all-party meeting convened by the Indian Government to explore the possibility of Parliament adopting a resolution against Sri Lanka on Wednesday night saw most parties opposing such a move, leaving little scope for it.