Rajiva Wijesinha

“ I should conclude by noting that your account seems to suggest a Government desperate for approval, seeking support from individuals such as Desmond Fernando and Nicholas Howen. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Government was quite secure in its belief that there had been no tampering with evidence, and while Dr Dodd’s subsequent report in which he categorically dissociated himself from the ICJ allegation was most welcome, the position vis-à-vis an adventurer like Nicholas Howen had been made abundantly clear from the start. ”

“ Perhaps you and senior members of the institution could discuss this with him, since it would be a pity if your vital contribution to Sri Lanka had to cease.
I say this because the Minister made it clear that Mr Howen’s attempt to put behind us, without any apology, his outrageous statements made on behalf of the ICJ in earlier releases, would not be tolerated. If Mr Howen is not gentleman enough, or indeed man enough, to admit a mistake, the Sri Lankan government will not be able to deal with your hitherto highly respected institution. ”

“ Though the Sunday Times is generally balanced in its reportage, occasionally its allegiance to the opposition shows through. This has become more marked in recent weeks as with its most recent assertion that ‘And now, a Provincial Council election, set for May 10, will determine whether the new process in the East will take a turn for the worse or call a halt for good. The turn for the worse will be if the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance, its ally the TMVP and now renegade Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC top runger) M L A M Hisbullah win the mandate of voters in the East’. ”