Image: Sarath Weerasekara addressing the HRC 39.
Making an intervention under the agenda item 6 of the on going 39th session of the Human Rights Council, former Rear Admiral of Sri Lanka Navy, Saratha Weerasekara asked Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet not to speak to the cowards of this Government but to speak to them.
Sarath Weerasekara is one of the leading figures of the presidential aspirant Gotabhaya Rajapaksa’s propaganda outfit “Viyathmaga”
In his speech he also criticized the Sri Lanka’s independent Human Rights Commission too saying that its chairperson “is biased, her conduct boosts the morale of the LTTE diaspora.”
Transcript of his full speech follows:
Teruwan Serenai,
Regarding Sri Lanka, the UPRs appear to be of a vengeful nature against the forces that defeated LTTE. Instead of punishing the terrorists as a deterrent, the very soldiers who fought them are targeted.
Men including a Senior Army General and a Senior Police Officer who headed the CID – are denied visas to enter western countries. No war crimes or any criminal charges against them – but penalised for protecting the motherland.
The Human Rights Commission in Sri Lanka abstained from giving clearance to army and police officers selected for UN peace-keeping missions. Col Hewegeye, recipient of 7 gallantry medals, 101 army men and 11 police officers, are still awaiting clearance since 6 March.
The only crime they have committed was fighting the terror – isn’t it hilarious or contempt towards the men who brought peace to the country are denied peace-keeping by the UN. The Head of the SL HRC is biased, her conduct boosts the morale of the LTTE diaspora.
The UK and USA men fighting terrorism are not treated like us. Aren’t you violating the principle of impartiality? Aren’t you insulting our sovereignty which your mandate obliges you to respect?
Mme Michele, you said that you always listens to the government concerned. But no point in talking to my government who came to power with the help of the US and pro-LTTE diaspora, promising to divide the country.
Will you co-sponsor a resolution against your own country – No! But our government did.
So you must speak to us who condemned that act – and not to the cowards of this Government.