Special report about Sri Lanka’s conflict to be submitted to President - Sarath Weerasekara
October 12, 2023 07:55 pm
A special report on the real state of the affairs in Sri Lanka’s conflict is set to be presented before the President, MP Sarath Weerasekara, Chairman of the Sectoral Monitoring Committee on National Security revealed.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on Thursday (12 Oct.), Weerasekara emphasised that the report was compiled in a bid to address the constant accusations of war crimes levelled against Sri Lanka during every United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva.
He further noted that the relevant report ‘comprehensively outlines the genuine circumstances surrounding the conflict in our nation’.
“We have taken these accusations seriously and acted accordingly. It is crucial to understand that Sri Lanka experienced a non-international armed conflict. Therefore, our committee has promptly compiled a report elucidating the nature of the conflict within our borders. Our foremost objective is to present the Geneva Human Rights Council with an accurate depiction of our current situation”, he said in this regard.
MP Sarath Weerasekara further said;
National security holds immense significance for a nation. It is imperative to foster an environment where the citizens can lead their lives free from fear and uncertainty. Moreover, ensuring a robust national security framework is crucial to attracting investment opportunities.
National security encompasses not only physical safety but also economic stability, food security, environmental protection and personal well-being. Shockingly, over the past decade, road accidents have claimed the lives of approximately 27,000 individuals, surpassing the toll of 29,000 casualties during the thirty-year war. Regrettably, road accidents have become distressingly common in our country.
In addition, the scourge of drugs poses a considerable threat to our national security. Energy and public health also fall within the purview of national security concerns. Terrorism, extremism, the drug epidemic and underworld activities are challenges faced by all nations. However, it is the government’s solemn duty to address these issues in a manner that does not disrupt the lives of its citizens.
As a committee, our dedicated efforts are focused on making the most substantial contributions to bolster our nation’s security. We categorize terrorism rooted in separatism and extremism stemming from terrorism as physical threats.
