WikiLeaks: Gota Requests US Law Enforcement Assistance To Address Civilian-Military Issues

December 18, 2013

“Highlighting a reduction in civilian casualties as ‘the one thing to improve,’ Sri Lankan Secretary of Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested U.S. law enforcement assistance to address civilian-military issues and improve communication. The GSL has taken measures to reduce civilian casualties in the fight against the LTTE, he stated.” US Embassy Manila (Philippines) informed Washington.

A classified diplomatic cable which details a meeting the US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte had with Gotabaya Rajapaksa on July 31, 2007. The Colombo Telegraph found the related US diplomatic cable from the WikiLeaks database.

Gota in a secret meeting with UN official

 Wednesday, 18 December 2013 

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has reportedly held a discussion with a senior UN official at a meeting that has been kept confidential by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government.

The meeting according to a foreign news report had taken place at the UN Headquarters in New York.

According to Innercitypress, Rajapaksa had met UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson.

Contents of the discussion are not yet known.

The Defence Secretary has been a staunch critic of the UN and has accused the UN Human Rights Commissioner of being influenced by pro-LTTE elements.

However, the government is now trying its best to address the growing dissention against its failures in addressing human rights and accountability issues at the next UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in March 2014.

The UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka that was adopted last year is to be taken up for review in March and members of the international community have warned of another resolution and severe repercussions if the government fails to address concerns before the next Council session.