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Mangala asks government to file action in the International Criminal Court if Channel 4 footage is false |
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2009-09-02 | 2.30 AM |
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SLFP (M) Wing Leader Mangala Samaraweera addressing a news conference at the party headquarters yesterday (1) said that the barbaric video footage showing several soldiers shooting and killing several blind folded naked youth telecast on UK’s Channel 4 and later on other international media like BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, has dealt a severe blow to the country’s image and dignity like never before.
The SLFP (M) Wing, DPF and the New Sihala Urumaya participated at the press briefing.
Samaraweera said the country’s international image that was built since ancient times was developed after independence and by SWRD |
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Bandaranaike in 1958 when he built ties with the Socialist countries. However, the image that has been built through centuries has been destroyed in just two and a half years by the Rajapakse government. He said that the country has now become isolated among the international community due to allegations of human rights violations and many countries are of the opinion that Sri Lankan leaders have to be tried for war crimes.
Samaraweera said that taking a Sri Lankan leader before the war tribunal would not only demean the Rajapakse government but also the citizens of the country.
He also said, “Although Sri Lanka is a small, poor country, it was much respected by the diplomatic community. The Rajapakse administration has denied the country of this. The worst incident in this case was the video footage telecast in the media globally.
“When this video footage was telecast world wide, a responsible government should not have found fault and insulted the individuals and institutions that spoke of the incident, but take action to prove the video footage was doctored.
“The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in the UK after looking at the footage said that it was doctored. The Minister who calls himself the Media Spokesperson has said that the video footage was a conspiracy launched against the government and that a complaint regarding the matter has already bee lodged with the relevant authorities. All this could be true. Even I agree that given the technological advancements of today, such footage could be doctored. If the footage has been doctored, it would definitely prove there is an international conspiracy against the country.
“Therefore, regardless of the amount spent, it is now the responsibility of the government to prove that this footage is doctored in order to protect the dignity of all Sri Lankans. It is not difficult. The video footage in question could be subject to an examination and determined if it has been doctored or not. There are several institutions that provide internationally accepted reports on such matters. The Sri Lankan government has the ability to get this video footage examined by such an institution to verify if it has been doctored and then take it before an International Court.
“Courts in the US, UK and Europe accept certificates issued by accepted forensic video tape experts. The Rajapakse government has received the best opportunity to protect the good name of the people in this Dharmdveepa by taking such a certificate before an international court. We call on the government not to lose this opportunity to get a certificate on the video footage and if it is proven to have been doctored, take legal action in an international court against Channel 4 and other international media institutions that telecast the footage and get the maximum cash compensation for the country.
“A large amount of money would have to be spent for the examination and to institute legal action in an international court. However, every cent spent on it could not be considered a waste, as it would be spent to safeguard the good name of every citizen in this country.
“It is not only the duty of the government; we all have to play a role in changing Sri Lanka’s image that it is a land of cannibals. Therefore, regardless of how much is spent, I call on the government to free all of us from the allegations leveled against this Dharmadveepa.”
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