Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa called on lawmakers “regardless of party affiliation” to block moves to pass new legislation to prosecute for war crimes in Sri Lanka.

In a statement delivered at a press conference, Mr Rajapaksa said “the people of this country should be aware of the challenge confronting the country as a result of the government co-sponsoring the Geneva resolution against Sri Lanka”.  

“This is nothing but a project to persecute our war heroes,” he said, adding that “no self-respecting citizen should allow this to happen”.

A UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka calls for the “reform its domestic law” to allow for “the trial and punishment of those most responsible for the full range of crimes under the general principles of law recognized by the community of nations relevant to violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law”.

“Parliament has the power to thwart all these plans being made to victimise our war heroes who sacrificed so much in the war against terror,” said Mr Rajapaksa.

Criticising the resolution he added “I appeal to all Members of Parliament regardless of party affiliation, not to allow the passage of any legislation aimed at persecuting members of our armed forces”.“This is a matter that goes beyond politics and is about our country, our nation, our sovereignty and our self-respect.”

“The people should be vigilant about what these powerful forces are trying to achieve by jailing our war heroes, sacking through an administrative process those who cannot be jailed, and breaking the back of this nation,” he warned.

“It is my belief that we as a nation are now faced with the most perilous moment since independence in 1948. We are all duty bound to come forward on behalf of the nation at a time like this.”

See the full text of his statement here.