UNHRC must get SL rulers to work according to Intl. norms: Cardinal

• In order to ensure a true sense of freedom and  justice in this country

By Yohan Perera   

Whilst highlighting that cruel and intolerable suppression  is exercised by the government, and expressing his surprise over the  alleged attempts to hide evidence and save those who are responsible for  the Easter Sunday attack, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm  Ranjith yesterday said he hopes UNHRC takes notice of the situation and  get Sri Lankan rulers to work according to international norms.   

“We hope that in the light of what our leaders are doing to  those who are struggling to achieve a true sense of democracy and  justice to the Easter Sunday victims even at the risk of being persecuted, the  United Nations Human Rights Commission takes due notice if this and  takes steps to get those responsible to follow internationally accepted  norms and procedures in order to ensure a true sense of freedom and  justice in this country,” Cardinal Ranjith said in a special statement.     

“We wish to express our surprise at the lackadaisical manner  in which people arrested and detained under various allegations with  reference to the Easter Sunday attack are being recommended for release by  the Attorney General’s Department without any seriousness, making the  whole exercise appear to be a drama enacted to mislead people. It is  surprising that Attorney General’s Department without carrying out  recommendations made by the Presidential Commission appears to be  carrying out the terms of the agenda proposed to it by political forces ruling  the country. We condemn this biasness of that department,” the cardinal  said.   

“Indeed the government continues to suppress with  arrogance the freedom of speech, expression and holding of such  peaceful protests, a right guaranteed by the constitution. We wish to  condemn the government for this abusive use, in an unjustified manner of Prevention of Terrorism Act and alienating social leaders and those  engaged in peaceful resistance to such policies. We cannot accept the  arrest of the Convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation Wasantha  Mudalige and Convenor of Inter-University Bhikkhu Students’ Federation  Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thera,” he added.   

• We cannot accept the  arrest of the Convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation and Convenor of Inter-University Bhikkhu Students’ Federation