The Presidential Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, this week, received criticism from both opposition and ruling coalition parties, reports the Sunday Leader.
The opposition UNP in a statement criticised the decision to conduct the inquiry, suggesting that it was a betrayal of Sri Lankan soldiers.
“They (the public) should be told why President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who boasted he would sit in an ‘electric chair’ than betray soldiers, has now done an about turn and that too quite secretly. The UNP strongly believes the public should also know whether the actions are in the best interests of Sri Lanka or are the outcome of ignorant, shady but powerful brokers who are on an adventure wrapping up secret diplomatic deals behind the backs of the people,” read the statement.
The leader of the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), a party within the ruling party (UPFA) coalition, criticised the government’s expansion of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Missing Persons without gaining approval from members of the ruling coalition.
Warning of unrest should anything happen to Sri Lankan soldiers as a result of the inquiry, the General Secretary of the JHU, Minister Champika Ranawaka said,
“Those responsible for the move have lost the moral responsibility not claim no war crimes took place during the final stages of the separatist war.” We will hold those who proposed this and implemented it responsible. We know who they are and their tactical moves.”
Wimal Weerawansa, the head of another party within the ruling coalition, the National Freedom Front (NFF), labelled the commission as a strategic blunder, warning Sri Lanka had been left in a ‘dangerous situation.’
TNA remains sceptical over government commission (27 July 2014)
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