Gota could lose civil rights in ‘MiG deal’ probe - Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today welcomed the the US State Department report which had revealed the existence of the LTTE’s financial network and said that it reflected the “failure” of the former government.

“It’s a welcome report. This report I would say is a reflection of the total failure of the strategy of the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration,” he said responding to a question from media.

The US State Department’s 2014 Country Reports on Terrorism has said that despite its military defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan government in 2009, the LTTE’s international network of sympathizers and financial support persists.

“LTTE’s financial network of support continued to operate throughout 2014,” the report said.

Samaraweera stated that the report basically reflects what was happening in 2014 and that the reports of 2012 and 2013 had revealed the same issue.

“So it’s a reflection of the utter failure of the strategy followed by Rajapaksa,” he reiterated.

The Foreign Minister also claimed that former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa started his war against the Tamil Tigers by accepting commissions.

As an example, he said, that if a proper investigations is carried out regarding the controversial MiG deal and appropriate action is taken, Gotabaya Rajapaksa could even lose his civil rights.  

Addressing a Media Conference at the Government Information Department today (24), Samaraweera also issued a challenge to the former Defence Secretary to sue him, if what he says is untrue.

Meanwhile the Minister of Foreign Affairs strongly rejected allegations that a diaspora festival suggested by him has received funds from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to reintroduce the separatist Eelam agenda.

The Minister rejected the media reports and explained that the diaspora festival is solely his suggestion and not by any other organization or UNHRC.
 
 Minister Samaraweera said that there are many talented and skillful Sri Lankans living in other countries and a diaspora festival was being organized with the intention of securing their services for the benefit of the country.
 
The Minister said when the word diaspora is heard some people think they are terrorists but the diaspora is the Sri Lankans who are living and working in foreign countries whether they are Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher.
 
The Minister said he believes that the diaspora can immensely help the future developments in the country and the government would like to invite them to share their skills and experiences with the youth in the country.
 
He asked whether it is wrong to invite the diaspora Sri Lankans to contribute to the development of the country.
 
Samaraweera emphasized that since the Independence a few Sinhala and Tamil extremists obstructed the country’s development but with the election of President Maithripala Sirisena on January 8 the moderates prevailed.