Editorial misreads Sri Lankan government's situation
YOUR NOV. 14 editorial "Violence drags on in Sri Lanka" contains numerous misperceptions.
It says Tamils "live mostly in the island nation's north and east." However, 54 percent of Sri Lanka's Tamils now live outside the north and east, among Sinhalese, Muslims, and others.
We do not deny that human-rights abuses occur in a climate of conflict, but they are not part of government policy. Where credible evidence was available, legal action was taken, details of which have been communicated to US authorities.
Regarding the necessity of "a United Nations monitoring mission," dialogue is underway with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights on how assistance could best meet Sri Lanka's needs.
A "current offensive into the Jaffna peninsula" resulting in 300,000 displaced civilians describes a situation that never happened.
The editorial proposes "an international arms embargo on Sri Lanka." It is easy to impose embargoes on legitimate governments. How can embargoes be imposed on the Tamil Tigers, who purchase heavy artillery and other warlike material unhindered?
If, by "a meaningful devolution of power to the Tamil areas," you mean the north and east, it is noteworthy that Sinhalese and Muslims together outnumber Tamils in the east.
The highway to the north is operational except at the Muhamalai entry point to the peninsula, which the Tigers tried to breach in August 2006.
"Constitutional changes" for devolution of power are being negotiated, the outcome of which cannot be determined by the international community, but by the people of Sri Lanka following a democratic process.
BERNARD GOONETILLEKE
Sri Lankan ambassador
Washington
