The Organization of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA) referring to the UN Advisory Committee, has expressed its grave concern over and condemns, the wanton manner in which the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has been, on his own volition, acting against the sovereign nation of Sri Lanka.

The President of OPA, Prof. A D V de S Indraratna in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa further states that this action by the Secretary-General jeopardizes the Reconciliation process in Sri Lanka and expects the UN Secretary-General to disband the Advisory Committee appointed by him without creating unnecessary dissention in the world body.

Following is the text of the letter:

The Executive Council of the OPA, the independent organization of 43 professional associations of a membership of more than 50,000, having taken note of the pressure exerted on the Government of Sri Lanka by the action taken by the Secretary-General of the United Nations in appointing an Advisory Committee on the alleged violation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka, was unanimous that,

• The Government of Sri Lanka has taken all necessary action in conformity with the joint statement of the Government of Sri Lanka and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-Moon, at the conclusion of the latter’s visit to Sri Lanka on 23 May, 2009, which include

a. The Government of Sri Lanka has appointed the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission consisting of Eminent Persons to inquire into all matters, pertaining to the conflict, and

b. The Government of Sri Lanka has afforded facilities and cooperated with the many representatives of the UN Secretary General who visited Sri Lanka.

• In spite of these salutary measures by the Government of Sri Lanka, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed an Advisory Committee on Sri Lanka without being directed by the UN Security Council or the General Assembly.

• The action taken by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is not in the spirit of the UN, but appears to have been taken under the influence of some individuals and groups with vested interests.

• The appointment of the Advisory Committee was against the advice and spirit of both the Non-aligned Movement and the Human Rights Council of the United Nations;

Therefore, the OPA, while expressing its support for the UN and its organs, which have been establish to serve the people of the world without discrimination on nationality, race, caste religion, politics and wealth, expresses its grave concern over, and condemn, the wanton manner in which the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has been, on his own volition, acting against the sovereign nation of Sri Lanka. The OPA wishes to state that this action by the Secretary-General jeopardizes the Reconciliation process in Sri Lanka. The OPA expects the UN Secretary-General to disband the Advisory Committee without creating unnecessary dissention in the world body. Sri Lanka, on its part, it is hoped, will further strengthen its relationship with the UN, and maintain its foreign policy of non-alignment.