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Tyrannical rule in Sri Lanka, says Samaraweera

B. Muralidhar Reddy

PHOTO: AP

SCATHING ATTACK: Ousted Ministers Mangala Samaraweera (left) and Sripathi Suriyaarachchi at a press conference in Colombo on Thursday.

COLOMBO: In a scathing attack on Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the recently sacked Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday alleged that due to his "tyrannical rule" the nation faced the prospect of international isolation and a serious human rights situation.

At a news conference, Mr. Samaraweera who is also the treasurer of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), vowed not to accept any ministerial portfolio. He would work within the party to pressure the Government to return to the "middle path" philosophy of the party.

Mr. Samaraweera lashed out at the two brothers of Mr. Rajapaksa — Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa and senior adviser to President Basil Rajapaksa — saying the "emerging tyranny of the troika" posed threat to democracy. Mr. Samaraweera said the three stifled dissent. Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, one of the three Ministers dismissed last Friday, was present.

Venue shifted

Mr. Samaraweera said the Government pressured a local hotel where the press conference was originally scheduled to cancel the booking. Mr. Samaraweera followed up his press meet with a 13-page letter to Mr. Rajapaksa rebutting charges levelled against him and proposing a 10-point programme to restore the "lost prestige' of the party, Government and the country. They include a suggestion to reduce the size of the Cabinet to 35; renewal of political understanding with the Opposition groups; settlement of the ethnic conflict through political dialogue and redressal of human rights situation.

Mr. Samaraweera said he was placing his life and the lives of his colleagues in the hands of the President who is also the Minister of Defence. "I face threat from Prabakaran from north and Prabakarans in the south."

On the charges that his actions have helped the LTTE, Mr. Samaraweera said when he was the Foreign Minister, he requested the President and the Defence Secretary that until individual countries within the European Union legislates laws banned the LTTE, steps should be taken to avoid human rights violations, abductions, harassing the media, attacking places of worship, hospitals and schools "even when we take defensive military action against the LTTE".

Credit

"As a true patriot, I was focused on creating a conducive environment to get the LTTE banned in 25 countries. Therefore it is indeed very disappointing when you attempt to portray me as an LTTE sympathiser."

The letter further said, "I am fully aware that you have been acting in an agitated manner from the time the former President arrived in Sri Lanka. We should give her credit because we were able to come in to power after 17 years. President Kumaranatunge was the leader who united a party split by bitter infighting and brought it back to power after 17 years in the political wilderness. On numerous occasions, I have informed you that the close friendship I have with her is not detrimental to you. Today she is not involved in politics. Therefore, there is no political danger to you from her."

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