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He emphasised that the UN was not in a position to impose sanctions against Sri Lanka on the instigation of the UNHRC as two out of the five members of the Security Council, China and Russia would no doubt veto it.
Minister Peiris said Sri Lanka would never accept an international probe and compromise the sovereignty of the country and its people, as it was against the basic law of the country.
Minister Peiris however maintains that countries like the US or the UK individually or the EU collectively can impose sanctions on Sri Lanka, but it was extremely unlikely.
Commenting on the one-sided and arbitrary actions taken by the EU on Sri Lanka, Minister Peiris said it was like a cricket match played by giving 50 runs to one side at the start of the match.
“The EU takes decisions en-block in Brussels and 17 countries vote together on any issue at UNHRC or at the EU Parliament. Therefore Sri Lanka is at a disadvantage because the EU has already has taken a decision on its voting at the UNHRC,” he said.
“Who is suggesting punitive actions against Sri Lanka on alleged human rights violations after all? She is none other than UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Navaneethem Pillay who termed the humanitarian operation that was launched to eradicate separatist terrorism as ‘an attempt to persecute Tamils under the guise of terrorism’ and added giving the responsibility to probe Sri Lanka on alleged HR violations was like ‘Horage Ammagen Pena Ahanawa’ or asking prophecy from the mother of the thief. Do we have confidence in this lady?” Prof. Peiris asked.
Minister Peiris said diplomats of several smaller member countries of the UNHRC had told him in Geneva during the High Level Segment interactions that they did not agree with the attitude towards Sri Lanka at the UNHRC but they were helpless because they relied much on countries like US on their defence and economic development matters.
“The US and western countries keep these smaller countries in Africa and elsewhere as their satellite states by providing them with defence and economic aid. Their plight is understandable but what is important is that they do not vote with the resolution on their conscience. They even asked me why this unprecedented and unusual interest on Sri Lanka on Human Rights. Is Sri Lanka the only country where internal troubles were prevalent? What about other troubled spots like Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria? What is this injustice? What is this transgression?” Prof. Peiris questioned.
The UN or UNHRC must look independently and without bias. They must not take decisions one sided or on the pressures exerted by interested parties, he added.
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