Powerful countries should realize the difficulties of fighting terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said while addressing the 66th Independence Day ceremony at Kegalle today.
He said it will be a “grave crime” if anyone brings war crime allegations against his government over its conduct in the final months of a quarter-century civil war, adding it would be a victory to forces opposed to peace in the island nation.
Mahinda Rajapaksa did not mention any country in the Independence Day speech, but the United States has said that it is frustrated at Sri Lanka’s lack of progress in post-war reconciliation and accountability and says it will bring a third resolution to the United Nations human rights body calling on Sri Lanka to do more.
“No country was bothered when the LTTE killed their own leaders and even the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
“No one raised rights concerns when the LTTE forcibly recruited school children.
“Powerful nations are now trying to hide behind the northern people in trying to interfere in our country,” he said.
Rajapaksa urged powerful nations not to be swayed by information coming from defeatist forces meaning the pro-LTTE Tamil diaspora.
“Geneva (resolution) will be an attack against Sri Lanka. We will not betray our sovereignty,” he said.
“I see the allegations of war crimes attempted to be brought against Sri Lanka in Geneva as a victory for those who are opposed to peace, “said Rajapaksa, adding it was a “grave crime” to make such accusations based on information provided by “separatists and losers.”
Rajapaksa said the proposed resolution was against peace, justice and fairness.
He reiterated that Sri Lanka is not prepared by any means to lose the freedom won.
It is unreasonable to file war crimes charges against Sri Lanka based on the information provided by those who were under the influence of separatism, he said.
The President further said that those who are launching war crimes charges against Sri Lanka are those who were genuinely against the peace of the country. He stressed that no room will be allowed at any cost to deprive the country of the freedom achieved.
Prime Minister D.M. Jayarathne, Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, Provincial Governors, MPs and Ministers, Chief Ministers of Provincial Councils, Public Representatives, special invitees and ambassadors have also attended the Independence Day ceremony.
