Ranil Wickremesinghe Defends Sri Lanka’s Stance on International Accountability

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe opposes international accountability, particularly a referral to the ICJ, citing Sri Lanka’s contributions to World War II. He stresses the need for justice through domestic mechanisms, calls for more power for Provincial Councils, and criticizes perceived double standards in international responses to countries like Ukraine. Wickremesinghe’s remarks suggest a continuation of prior government positions rejecting international scrutiny.

Former Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe recently expressed his opposition to Sri Lanka’s potential referral to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) during an interview reported by the Jaffna daily, Maalaikathir. He accused Western nations of applying double standards and contended that Sri Lanka’s contributions to World War II were instrumental in the establishment of modern human rights frameworks. Wickremesinghe insisted on domestic mechanisms for justice for Tamil victims instead of international intervention.

Emphasizing his consistent stance, Wickremesinghe called for more power to be granted to Provincial Councils, acknowledging past failures such as the incomplete implementation of the 13th Amendment. He underscored the need for accountability among perpetrators and insisted that Sri Lanka must uphold its prior commitments to the United Nations. Despite persistent international pressure for investigations into alleged war crimes, Wickremesinghe’s comments align with a history of resistance to international accountability within Sri Lankan governance.

In response to ongoing debates about international mechanisms, Wickremesinghe highlighted perceived inconsistencies in how Western nations approach issues. He noted that countries like Ukraine receive favorable treatment, including autonomy and support, which he argues Sri Lanka has not been afforded. He referenced the recent meeting between American President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, indicating that if missteps could be pursued there, Sri Lanka faces a far harsher scrutiny.

Furthermore, Wickremesinghe directed criticism toward the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), advocating for dialogue rather than hostility from the OHCHR. He expressed disappointment over the current approach by the OHCHR, differentiating it from the tenure of former UN High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay. The former president’s remarks also included a historical perspective, positing that Sri Lankans, along with Indians and Africans, played a crucial role in liberating Europe during World War II and that their sacrifices contributed significantly to the establishment of human rights charters today.

In summary, Ranil Wickremesinghe’s remarks reiterate the Sri Lankan government’s historical stance against international scrutiny regarding human rights issues. Highlighting the contributions of Sri Lanka to World War II, he defends the use of domestic mechanisms for justice while criticizing perceived double standards in international responses. His assertions reflect enduring challenges in addressing accountability and justice for war crimes in Sri Lanka, amidst ongoing calls for independent investigations.

Original Source: www.tamilguardian.com