Focus of the international community has once again turned towards Sri Lanka with Gen (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka’s false allegation, said Minister for Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe in a press conference today (23 Dec).

Referring to Gen (Rtd) Fonseka’s statement to the Sunday Leader alleging that the Defence Secretary ordered to shoot surrendering LTTE cadres, Minister Samarasinghe stressed that it is unfortunate that Sri Lanka is once again under scrutiny when in May this year, Sri Lanka achieved a great victory at the UNHRC special session by defeating a resolution presented by Western states that seek an investigation into possible war crimes in Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan resolution which called the international community to assist Sri Lanka in reconstruction and development in the aftermath of the war against terrorism was adopted with a majority of 29 nations voting for, 12 against and 6 abstentions.

Until Gen (Rtd) Fonseka’s false allegation, Sri Lanka successfully avoided the focus of international forces. But now his statement has led the country to answer to the UN once again which is not a task that needed to be done, stressed the Minister referring to the letter sent by the UN Special Rapporteur, Phillip Alston asking the government to provide explanations.

“Being the former Army Commander, Gen (Rtd) Fonseka has committed treachery against all those who sacrificed their lives, those soldiers and officers he was leading and the entire nation. People who love the country do not accept this kind of statement”, emphasized Minister Samarasinghe.

The Minister further stated that the letter by the UN Special Rapporteur will be closely studied and an official reply will be sent by the government in due course denying such allegations.