Transport Minister Kumara Welgama yesterday said that United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay’s intervention in domestic affairs of Sri Lanka was not acceptable.
Minister Welgama said that contrary to reports, the UN official was free to visit any part of the country.
Addressing a public gathering at Matugama, Minister Welgama alleged that the UN rights chief was silent on atrocities committed by US-led Western forces in various parts of the world. Minister Welgama said that since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009, the UN had been targeting Sri Lanka.
Commenting on Pillay’s meeting with Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem, Minister Welgama pointed out that the UN representative had gone to the extent of calling for the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) while the US, UK and India, among other countries, still exercised anti-terrorism laws.
The minister said that US interference was detrimental to post-war national reconciliation as well as rapid development programme.
IS