WikiLeaks: Anti-Conversion Bill Is ‘Dead’, I Told JHU ‘To Forget About It’ – Mahinda Assured US
“PM Rajapakse describes his pact with the JVP, which reads as an utter renunciation of the peace process and economic reform, as ‘just words’ and assures the Ambassador of his commitment to peace and his ability to use and control the JVP. We will continue to make the point that even in the heat of an electoral campaign, words matter. Rajapakse described anti- conversion legislation as ‘dead.’ the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.
Mahinda with the Buddhist JHU party
A Leaked “CONFIDENTIAL” US diplomatic cable, dated September 12, 2005, updated the Secretary of State on Sri Lanka’s presidential election 2005. The Colombo Telegraph found the related leaked cable from the WikiLeaks database. The cable was signed by the US Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead. The cable details a US meeting with Prime Minister and the Presidential candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Under the subheading “Anti-conversion Bill ‘Dead’” the ambassador wrote “ As the meeting wrapped up, the Ambassador asked Rajapakse about the status of anti- conversion legislation. The PM waved his hand dismissively and said ‘it is still in the Parliament but it is dead.’ He said he had told the Buddhist JHU party ‘to forget about it.’
Related post to this cable;
