The actions of certain MPs and ministers have contributed towards the resolution being brought against the country at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) concerning alleged human rights violations, the Maha Nayakes of the ...Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters of the Siyam Nikaya and Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas said.An epistle signed by the respective four Maha Nayakes to be sent to the UNHRC in Geneva today (26).
Signatories include Maha Nayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera; Maha Nayake of the Malwatte Chapter, Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sumangala Thera; Maha Nayake of the Amarapura Chapter, Ven. Dawuldena Gnanissara Thera; and Maha Nayake of the Ramanna Chapter, Ven. Naapane Premasiri Thera.
Committee Member of the Asgiriya Chapter, Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thera told Ceylon Today, "We are facing this resolution because certain ministers have used political might to take the law into their own hands."
He continued: "Minister of External Affairs, G.L. Peiris, briefed us that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay's report was based on two conditions: That human rights violations had taken place in Sri Lanka and that there was no religious reconciliation in the country. We feel that this report is biased. Sri Lanka has become a scapegoat for global political agendas. This is not because of an internal issue. We request the UNHRC to not poke fingers into the affairs of our small island nation."
The Thera said further: "There are certain ministers and government insiders who publicly oppose the government's stand regarding the UNHRC. One example is Minister of National Languages and Social Integration, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, and the other is former Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka.
We told Minister Peiris that the country's diplomatic missions were weak. We don't accept the allegation that there is no religious reconciliation in the country. Every religion has a fair share of extremists.
We however admit that such groups have created certain issues inside the country. Because of these religious tensions incited by certain Buddhist religious organizations, Sri Lanka is seen as a primitive society by the international community.
Even though we disagree with Minister of Justice Rauff Hakeem's actions, we also agree that all other Muslims live in harmony in Sri Lanka's society. Although certain bishops of the Christian and Catholic Churches have expressed views antithetical to the government, Archbishop of the Catholic Church, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is very much on the side of the powers that be. Rightfully, Ranjith should right now be in discussion with us."
Ceylon Today