June 15, Colombo (LNW): A recent report by an external mechanism established in Geneva to collect evidence against soldiers and political leaders accused of war crimes in Sri Lanka has uncovered significant evidence against the country’s military leaders, according to MP Sarath Weerasekera, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security.
MP Weerasekera explained that this external mechanism, set up in Geneva, Switzerland, for the past two years under resolution 46/1, has been collecting evidence related to war crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan soldiers and political leaders. The latest report from this mechanism indicates a substantial amount of evidence implicating the military leadership.
He further noted that this external mechanism has the potential to frame the war in Sri Lanka as a conflict against the Tamil population rather than the LTTE. Weerasekera emphasized that this portrayal poses a threat to the self-esteem of Sri Lankan war heroes and national security.
In response to these developments, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take immediate action to prevent other countries from accusing Sri Lankan military personnel of war crimes and prosecuting them in the International Military Tribunal. The committee has also sought clarification from the Ministry on their strategies to counter the external mechanism brought by Geneva Human Rights Organizations and their preparedness to defend against potential prosecutions.
During the committee meeting held on June 5, it was revealed that several countries are collaborating to file cases in international courts under universal jurisdiction against Sri Lankan military leaders accused of war crimes. Although the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected the external mechanism, the continuous collection of evidence by this body creates a scenario where Sri Lankan military officers could be arrested and prosecuted in any country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by stating that it has taken steps to inform impartial countries about the situation and has expressed strong protests against the reports from the Geneva Human Rights Commission. Attorney at Law Darshana Weerasekera, who was present at the committee meeting, recommended that Sri Lanka establish a robust domestic mechanism capable of countering the external mechanism with concrete evidence. He suggested incorporating facts from the LLRC report and the Paranagama report into a comprehensive local data file.
MP Weerasekera also warned that the proposed Commission for Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation might inadvertently support external forces against Sri Lanka.
