http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/19/news02.asp


Army tells Channel 4, NGOs and Tamil Diaspora :
‘Present allegations to LLRC with evidence’
Chamikara WEERASINGHE
‘Channel Four should present the allegations they make against Sri Lanka Army
with evidence to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) instead
of dramatizing their old video clips taken from open sources of pro-LTTE
websites’, the Sri Lanka Army yesterday said. “NGO activists,such as, Pakiasothy
Sarawanamuttu, Sunila Abeysekara, Nimalka Fernando and Sunanda Deshapriya from
Sri Lanka, could have done the same, if they had any true interest in Sri
Lanka’s human rights situation”, states the Army.
Sri Lanka Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasekera said, Channel 4 as a
rule telecast anti - Sri Lankan material under the influence of the pro - LTTE
diaspora. Their new video footage, which is supposed to be a follow up of their
first one, is full of “shocking comments” synchronized on their old collection
of material from open sources.
Asked why Channel 4 would do that against Sri Lanka, the Brigadier said, “ I
do not want to speculate why they do this, but this is their second attempt to
paint a horrible picture against an Army that has removed one of the ruthless
and internationally banned terrorist group.”
“Yet, they may present their allegations to the LLRC with evidence for
rightful action,.”he said. Asked if the Sri Lanka Army would take action upon
such evidence provided by Channel 4, Brig. Wanigasekera said, “the Army had
appointed a Board to act upon the LLRC, to investigate and punish any
perpetrator in accordance with military law.
“Who is leveling charges against whom” does not matter as long as there is
credible evidence against the perpetrators,” he said.
“The surfacing of the renewed version of Channel 4 video has a close bearing
with members of the Tamil diaspora living in European countries who are now
being asked to return to Sri Lanka,” he pointed out.
“These people have not undergone any hardships during the war. Most of them
had sought asylum in European countries by virtue of the war.
“Raising funds under the banner of helping the Tamil public and the LTTE has
been a lucrative trade for them until Sri Lankan Security Forces eradicated the
LTTE,” he explained.
“They are unable to generate funds from foreign agencies as they used to, or
continue to live comfortable lives in Europe without showing valid cause to do
so in these countries. Hence, they have resorted to this option of “Sri Lanka’s
accountability on war crimes’’ to create an “euphoria” which will prolong their
comfortable living standards in the West”, he said.
On being asked to comment on the situation of NGOs that have criticized Sri
Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Brig. Wanigasekera said, these
NGO activists have been enjoying the democratic rights of Sri Lanka whole
inflicting damage on the country’s peace.
“They are exercising their freedom of speech and right to expression at the
UNHRC as they have been doing so in Sri Lanka”, he added