Ban to speak to Mahinda

10 February 2010 02:23 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 8 Bookmark

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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is to speak to President Mahinda Rajapaksa regarding the arrest of General Sarath Fonseka, a UN spokesman told reporters in New York.

The UN Chief has urged authorities in Sri Lanka to ensure the rights and safety of the defeated presidential candidate and former army chief who was arrested on Monday.

Mr. Ban is following developments in the South Asian nation “with concern,” UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters in New York.

“He urges the authorities to follow due process of law and provide all the necessary protections and guarantees to his safety,” said Mr. Nesirky.

“He underlined the importance of ensuring a positive political climate as the country prepares for parliamentary elections and in the interest of peace, stability and reconciliation.”

The Secretary-General intends to speak to Mr. Rajapaksa, who was re-elected after obtaining nearly 58 per cent of the more than 10 million votes cast in the recent polls, and will maintain close engagement through his senior advisers, the spokesperson added.

Comments - 8

Wednesday, 10 February 2010 06:05 AM

I feel that the sympathy of civilized world towards Sri Lanka and it`s people could fade away very soon

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 07:25 AM

If anyone goes against MR this will be the result. what a shame.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 09:58 AM

Dear Secretary General, the UN is defunct and powerless. Why can't an organization like the UN send stern messages to Sri Lankan authorities instead of just expressing your "concerns". You have to live in SL to see what is going on. I'm not here to judge if SF committed any crimes or not. But the way the current government is taking law into its own hands creates hopelessness in our society. Pleae use your influence and do something worthwhile.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 12:14 PM

Dear IVJ, you seem to detest the way government is handling things. If the only opposition you can mobilise is a man like Sarath Fonseka with all his crimes, you should not be crowing the lost cause but instead accept that common sense had prevailed and we have been indeed blessed.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 01:05 PM

Time for talk is over...

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 02:31 PM

Mr. Ban-Moon
the present regime of Sri Lanka - my beloved motherland is governed by a troica and no matter what you people preach will not be taken into account.

what we need is ACTION and not just a empty words.

Dr. Kumara, K, VIC, AU

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 03:17 PM

IVJ, The UN is an inter-governmental organization, and not a World Government. Its fee-paying members are 192 governments of the world, including Sri Lanka which became a member in 1955. The UN is, in fact, the member governments, and the Secretary General is simply the head of its secretariat. The UN by its very nature cannot speak out or intervene against a member government, especially when powerful governments like China and Russia are backing Sri Lanka.

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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 10:35 PM

He too, must say something, to safeguard his job !

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