MEA warns of international judiciary tribunal

Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena has been quoted in media overseas as announcing his intention to appoint a judicial tribunal to investigate war crimes charges against personnel belonging to the Armed Forces, External Affairs Minister (MEA) Prof. G.L. Peiris stated in a release yesterday.

“This is a matter having far-reaching consequences. A clear statement is, therefore, certainly required from the Opposition candidate with regard to the nature of the investigation which he proposes to undertake, the powers and scope of the tribunal he plans to appoint, and the use he plans to make of the findings of the tribunal,” he said. He also needs to clarify issues relating to the authority of the proposed tribunal to summon and interrogate members of the Armed Forces, Prof. Peiris added. The release added: “More broadly, statements have been made by the Opposition to the effect that they will adopt a totally different approach to the international investigation against Sri Lanka. Here, again, they owe an explanation to the country as to the extent to which the Opposition candidate will capitulate to the demands made in the Resolutions against Sri Lanka. “These are demands which proved unacceptable to a significant swath of the globe. China, India, Russia, Japan, the Arab world and the overwhelming majority of countries in Asia and Africa declined to support crucial elements in these Resolutions. The country has a right to know whether, for narrow political gain, Mr. Sirisena is prepared to make compromises on this vital issue. “He seems to be under the mistaken impression that, simply because Sri Lanka has not signed the Rome Statute, we are in no danger. This is obviously not the case. Recent experience shows that countries which are not signatories, can be vulnerable. “The Opposition candidate, with a view to pleasing forces which are continually exerting pressure on Sri Lanka, appears willing to sacrifice the country’s vital interests and the safety of the Armed Forces, to help himself at the election. While this has been a regular feature of the Opposition campaign, the pledge to institute a judicial tribunal hits a new high. This is clearly a matter which calls for clarification.”