Gandhi endorses allegations of war crimes against SL at the President’s Anniversary Function

Former Indian High Commissioner to Colombo Gopalkrishna Gandhi accused the previous government of having executed LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran’s son during the final phase of the Vanni offensive in May 2009.

Gandhi alleged that the Sri Lankan military had executed 12-year-old Balachandran because he was the younger son of the LTTE’ leader. The retired Indian career diplomat subscribed to the allegation of mass scale killings of civilians during the final assault though he refrained from mentioning an exact figure.

Gandhi was invited by the Country president Sirisena who is widely popular as pro-minority as he was elected through the minority votes, delivering the keynote address at a ceremony to mark the completion of first year in office by Sirisena, at the BMICH. The statement of Gandhi a sort of acknowledgment by the Sri Lankan government leaders like President, Prime Minister and former president Chandrika whom were present at the function. War winning Army Chief Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka was also in the audience. Field Marshal Fonseka has denied accusations pertaining to Balachandran’s execution.

Gandhi served as Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka in 2000 before taking over Indian mission in Oslo. Gandhi addressed the gathering after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who briefly explained the existing UNP-SLFP partnership and future projects.

The Colombo-based diplomatic community including UN Resident Representative Subinay Nandy and Indian High Commissioner Y. K. Sinha were among the guests.

India voted twice in 2012 and 2013 for resolutions moved against Sri Lanka at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Many an eyebrow was raised at the timing of Gandhi’s statement meant to give credence to war crimes allegations.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday declared that preparations for the setting up of war crimes court would begin next week.

The guest speaker went to the extent of declaring that there wouldn’t have been no requirement for Prabhakaran to take up arms if Sri Lanka had addressed the grievances of Tamil speaking people raised by past Tamil leaders. Having formed the LTTE in the early 1980s by India, India deployed its Army here (July 1987-March 1990) leading to the loss of over 1,500 of its officers and men.

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