At UN on Sri Lanka, Weerawansa Speaks of Buddha, Silva of Love, Ban Has No Comment
by Matthew Russell Lee
Inner City Press
(May 18, New York, Sri Lanka Guardian) Relations between the UN and Sri Lanka took a surreal turn on May 16 when the minister who organized a blockade of the UN in Colombo last year Wimal Weerawansa appeared in the General Assembly, shaking hands with UN Under Secretary General Kiyotaka Akasaka and others.
While Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman Martin Nesirky refused to confirm, much less comment on, Weerawansa's speech at a meeting on Buddhism in Ban's presence, Inner City Press managed to speak with Weerawansa later in the day.
With Shavendra Silva, a Sri Lankan General who is now its Deputy Permanent Representative doing the translating, Inner City Press asked Weerawansa to contrast his visit to the UN with his calls to replace it, his organization of a blockade and so-called fasting unto death.
After a pause, Silva relayed “He says we are a member state of the United Nations, and he can here to attend the 2,600 year anniversary of the Buddha's enlightenment. He's happy he attended the 2,600 year celebration herein New York.”
At UN May 16: Silva, Weerawansa, Kohona, Ban Ki-moon not shown (c) MRLee
Earlier, Silva had shown Inner City Press a copy of his book, which begins with a quote that “anger can't be overcome by anger, because it has no end in itself - it can only be overcome by compassionate loving kindness.”
The book contains photographs by Helen Bohn Andersen. Inner City Press ask her about the irony of co-authoring a book with a general in charge in a military action that reportedly killed tens of thousands of civilians. “I didn't write the text,” she said. “I only took the photographs.”
Here is from the UN's May 16 noon briefing transcript:
Inner City Press: at this meeting on Buddhism this morning, Wimal Weerawansa, it’s reported, it’s under the Colombo page, that the Minister of the Sri Lankan Government who led the protest against the UN compound in Colombo was present here. I don’t know if it’s true or not, I just know it’s reported in the press there. Is that the case, is the UN aware of Wimal Weerawansa, and what do you say about that?
Spokesperson Nesirky: And what would be your problem if that person was there?
Inner City Press: No, I want to know, did Ban Ki-moon meet with Wimal Weerawansa, and if so, would you have any…?
Spokesperson Nesirky: I have no idea. As you would have also seen if you went there, there was a lot of people and I do not know. I suspect that the Secretary-General moved on to other appointments without working his way around the room, Matthew.
Inner City Press: No, my point is the UN accredits people to come into the building. Since this is an individual that the UN condemns his organization of a blockade of UN staff in Colombo…
Spokesperson: Well, as we’ve said before, peaceful demonstrations are legitimate. Where someone has crossed the threshold and the authorities have taken action against them, that would be a different matter. But peaceful demonstrations are not against the law.
Question: Didn’t you condemn the Wimal Weerawansa sponsored demonstrations at the time?
Spokesperson: The point I am trying to make is that if people are demonstrating, they are legally entitled to demonstrate, and the demonstrations are peaceful, then they are legitimately entitled to do that. If I have any information about this person’s presence, and as you yourself said, you don’t know for a fact that that person was there. But you’ve seen reports.
Question: These are reports I am asking you to check with DSS [Department of Safety and Security] whether a pass was granted for Wimal Weerawansa…?
Spokesperson: Yes, yes, Matthew, I hear, and as your dutiful servant, I will take a look and find out, okay?
But after that, Nesirky never provided any answer, even nine hours later.
Footnote: Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative Palitha Kohona was also on the scene, insisting that Inner City Press take a picture with Weerawansa.
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