COLOMBO, Oct 15 (APD) – Sri Lanka’s main opposition Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on Tuesday, denied allegations related to the War in the country.
Rajapaksa was Defence Secretary when a 30 year War with Tamil Tiger rebels ended in May 2009 and he was accused of being involved in War crimes at the time.
Speaking to journalists today the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate dismissed allegations that rebels who surrendered to the military during the War went missing.
Asked about the War missing, Rajapaksa said that all the Tamil Tiger cadres who surrendered to the Army during the final stages of the War were rehabilitated and released into society.
He said that there is no evidence to back allegations that rebel cadres who surrendered are missing.
Rajapaksa also said that the remains of some rebels and even soldiers had not been recovered during the War.
The former Defence Secretary also said that his Government will not recognise a UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Sri Lanka.
Rajapaksa said that if he becomes President his Government will not recognize the UN Resolution on Sri Lanka which was passed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2015.
He said that the Resolution which was co-sponsored by Sri Lanka is illegal.
However, he said that an SLPP Government will work with the UN and also all other countries.
Rajapaksa said an SLPP Government will take forWard a neutral stand on its foreign policy.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)