Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the US secret service has ruled out any foreign involvement in the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
During an exclusive interview with German Media, Deutsche Welle, the President said the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its report has ruled out outside involvement, possibly referring to it being an internal matter without the involvement of foreign elements despite earlier reports of ISIS being behind the attacks.
“We had the FBI, we had the British Police, the Australians, Indians, Chinese and the Pakistanis. If those secret services have given reports, what are these allegations,” he questioned.
The President further emphasized that the Sri Lanka Government does not have international inquiries.
“A few people may have called for an international inquiry, but the Parliament has not requested for such an inquiry. Sri Lanka conducts its own inquiries using its own personnel,” he said.
In a heated exchange of words with the interviewer, the President said Sri Lanka will not have international inquiries on any issues related to the nation, drawing parallels with European nations and questioning if European countries conduct such inquiries.
Pointing out that action has been taken pertaining to the Commissions on the Easter attacks, the President acknowledged that there are commissions on which the State has acted on and some commissions on which action is yet to be taken.
Commenting on the recent report of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) on alleged abuse of power and human rights violations in Sri Lanka, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that his government rejects the report.
“The Government of Sri Lanka has rejected the report and I am not accepting that report. The UNHRC report is wrong,” he reiterated.
When questioned on the newly appointed Truth and Reconciliation Commission and persuasion of the US Government to put pressure on Sri Lanka over human rights violations, the President said the new Presidential Commission on Truth and Reconciliation has been established in agreement with the UN member states.
“At the moment discussions are ongoing with the parties as well as the Sri Lankan Government. We are also engaging with the Western Governments. The Truth and Reconciliation Bill will come to Parliament before the end of the year,” he said.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe also revealed that since taking over power there have been no reports of incidents. (NewsWire)
