Sunday April 8, 2012
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| By Our Political Editor | |||
A string of diplomatic blunders saw a resolution on Sri Lanka being adopted at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva two weeks ago. A return to the route that brought the country under the microscope of the international community leaves behind a trail. The first international focus came when UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon established a three-member panel of experts to examine accountability issues. It related to the separatist war that ended with the military defeat of Tiger guerrillas. In essence, the trio examined alleged war crimes by both the guerrillas and Sri Lankan troops and brought out damning indictments. Whether they are right or wrong is another question.  Officially, the government of Sri Lanka took up the position that it did not recognise the UN panel. None other than the country's External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris declared that it was an advisory body that was tasked by the UN Secretary General and therefore had no sanction from the world body. Once again, whether that is right or wrong is another question. Nevertheless an official Sri Lanka delegation representing the government of Sri Lanka and headed by then Attorney General (and now Cabinet advisor) Mohan Peiris secretly testified before the Commission. It became public only after an exclusive revelation in the front-page of the Sunday Times. Formal confirmation came when UN panel's report was made public.
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