Major General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratna’s ears and fingers and
heads of 999 others.
At a recent event Maj Gen (Rtd.) Kamal Gunaratna
of SL Army (who fought in the last battle to end the 30 year war) was heard
saying that his ears are 55 years old. Since he sold many copies of his book on
the final battle within a month after releasing, he must be hearing much with
the old ears.
Some say SL Foreign Minister (FM) was seen
on TV commenting on the book while holding a copy after returning from Geneva
Human Rights (HR) sessions. They must have wanted to hear more about what
happened in Geneva than Gunaratna’s book. Others must have felt that Prince
Hussein too (head of UN HR body) must have read Gunaratna’s book. After
watching the media briefing one might think that Hussein even suggested other names
other than ‘Road to Nandikadal’.
FM accurately mentioned that as per the
present constitution it is not possible to introduce hybrid courts with foreign
judges. President Sirisena & PM Ranil are said to be against hybrid courts too.
President Jayewardene should be praised for not changing the initiative (in the
1978 constitution) of Dr. Colvin R. De Silva (architect of 1972 constitution)
who got our judiciary released from the Privy Council (in other words foreign
judges).
Some say that the committee (appointed by
PM Ranil in 2015) headed by Dr. Colvin’s daughter to study UN charges &
make recommendations has endorsed hybrid courts & establishing the office
of the missing persons among other things. Government of President Sirisena
co-sponsored the Human Rights resolution against Sri Lanka in 2015 & the
government should be praised for the good work towards reconciliation in Sri
Lanka.
Hussein is an employee of the UN & seems to
be having a focused professional approach. If he had actually read Gunaratna’s
book, he may use it against the Sri Lankan armed forces who eradicated
terrorism in SL as per the view of some. His predecessor Navi Pillai had
concerns about the Buddhist flag at the Independence Square. He might remember
it & recommend SL government to ban Buddhism as the Buddha was a leader who
protected Angulimala responsible for disappearing 999 innocent souls. He might recommend
summoning Angulimala to the office of the missing persons to ask about the 999
souls. May be he might not push it as Prabakaran too killed an Indian VIP after
killing more than 999.
In case if Hussein comes up with
Angulimala, to reduce the impact one can always say that our policing top brass
are far more professional (and not the law bending type as charged by the joint
opposition) than those during the time of ‘Operation Angulimala’ as the guys
couldn’t catch the fellow until the Buddha got involved. One might even say
that those in charge of the policing ones during the Angulimala days are fit to
be in the ‘Salvation Army’ since their inability got the Buddha involved thus
salvaging Angulimala.
Are we really focused on genuine reconciliation in Sri Lanka?
Can the goal be achieved with a blame game? Were the
minorities cheated? If so why? By whom?
© Dr. Samitha Hettige, March 2017
