Sri Lankan ministers met with senior officials of the ministry of defence this week and reassured them that they would protect the army against war crimes charges.
The acting defence minister, Ruwan Wijewardene was quoted by the country's Sunday Times newspaper as saying, "it was the full responsibility of this government to protect the army and the good reputation it had maintained."
"Nowhere in the OISL report was it said that the Sri Lanka Army as a whole was responsible for committing alleged war crimes," he added.
Minister Champika Ranawaka echoed his views, stating, "the army was a national institution and it was the responsibility of the Government to protect it."
He reportedly added, "the army had engaged in anti-terrorist operations which was a legitimate exercise the world over."
"As made clear, the responsibility of finding out who was responsible for certain alleged acts had fallen on the government. Thus, the idea was to identify only wrong doers who acted on illegal orders. There was no cause for worry since there would be no witch hunt."
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The acting defence minister, Ruwan Wijewardene was quoted by the country's Sunday Times newspaper as saying, "it was the full responsibility of this government to protect the army and the good reputation it had maintained."
"Nowhere in the OISL report was it said that the Sri Lanka Army as a whole was responsible for committing alleged war crimes," he added.
Minister Champika Ranawaka echoed his views, stating, "the army was a national institution and it was the responsibility of the Government to protect it."
He reportedly added, "the army had engaged in anti-terrorist operations which was a legitimate exercise the world over."
"As made clear, the responsibility of finding out who was responsible for certain alleged acts had fallen on the government. Thus, the idea was to identify only wrong doers who acted on illegal orders. There was no cause for worry since there would be no witch hunt."
See more here.
Related articles:
Triumphant return for president who 'achieved a great victory' at UNHRC, as he pledges 'domestic inquiry' (03 Oct 2015)
‘I saved Rajapaksa from the electric chair’ claims Ranil (03 Oct 2015)