Cabinet split over government approach to 

UNHRC

 

Saturday, 01 March 2014 

The Cabinet of Ministers has split into two groups on the government’s approach on facing the US backed resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions.

The ideological clash between the extremist nationalist elements in the Cabinet and the moderate members has now come out in the public.

Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Rajitha Senaratne, Douglas Devananda, D.E.W. Gunasekera, Tissa Vitharana, Reginald Cooray, Deputy Minister Navin Dissanayaka and parliamentarian Wasantha Senanayake together with a group of intellectuals have compiled a report on how the government could overcome an adverse situation for the country at the UNHRC.

However, Ministers Wimal Weerawansa, Patali Champika Ranawaka and Rohitha Abeygunawardena have criticised the report.
Meanwhile, the moderate group of ministers are also disgruntled that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had yet failed to acknowledge the report presented by them.

The clash between the two groups in the Cabinet has now filtered to the media including the state media.

The state owned Dinamina newspaper has published with equal prominence two stories on the report submitted to the President. One news story is a positive one while the other is a critical story on the report.

The internal clash is expected to increase further during this month when the UNHRC sessions commence.