*President talks to Kshenuka,Prasad&Dilan Ariyawansa and says “No Assault took place”

*Mahinda Refers to Nonis as “Eyagollo amuthu type ekey minissu ney”(they are a strange type of people)

*Basil Tells Elder brother “Ehema kiyanna honda nehe”(it is not good to say like that)

* British Foreign Secy Philip Hammond tells Nonis “Now you understand why we are pushing against Sri Lanka over human rights violations.”

*Ex-Maldivian President Nasheed says “What they are doing to me in Maldives, they are doing to you in Sri Lanka.”

*Chris Nonis was not Invited but welcomed at Dinner Hosted by Dilan Ariyawansa

Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam Separated Sajin and Chris when Attack on Nonis took place

*External Secy Kshenuka Seneviratne kept Saying “Go Chris, go Chris”…

*JVP Alleges Kshenuka’s husband had dealings with LTTE Connected Company

*Chris Nonis did not complain to Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith but the Colombo Arch Bishop Telephoned him.

UPFA parliamentarians caught a glimpse last Friday of how opinions clashed at the highest levels over an unexpected issue that haunts the Government — the alleged assault on Chris Nonis, the then Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom by Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, the Monitoring MP for the External Affairs Ministry at a dinner party in New Jersey, a suburb of New York.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who chaired the meeting of the Government Parliamentary Group on Thursday mimicked Nonis humorously and declared “Eyagollo amuthu type ekey minissu ney” or they are a strange type of people. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat. He said he had inquired into the incident by asking External Affairs Ministry Secretary Kshenuka Senewiratne, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Washington DC Prasad Kariyawasam and the host Dilan Ariyawansa, Sri Lankan Airlines representative in New York. They had all said that no assault took place, he added.

“Ehema kiyanna honda nehe” or it is not good to say like that, declared Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa. He said High Commissioner Nonis had defended the country. There was a class of people (Usas panthiya) who had appreciated his contribution and held him in esteem. He said HC Nonis was a person with a reputation (namak thiyana ekkenek). Hence the issue should not be dismissed altogether. Minister Rajapaksa said that an impartial investigation should be conducted.

By then news had reached UPFA leaders that Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was to raise issue in Parliament. They felt it should not be allowed on the grounds that a reference to an MP cannot be made without moving a substantive motion. “If you want to raise the issue with deference to a fellow MP, you have to do it through a substantive motion,” Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody told the JVP leader. Later, Parliament’s Secretary General Dhammika Dissanayake wrote to the JVP leader. He said: “Question raised on 09.10.2014 under Standing Orders 23 (2)
This is to inform you, Deputy Speaker has decided that as the question you have raised under Standing Order 23(2) is in reference to the conduct of a Member of Parliament the question cannot be allowed under Standing Order 31(9) and Standing Order 78.”

The JVP leader, a party spokesperson said, had asked permission from the Speaker to make the statement under Standing Orders 23 (2) which says “a matter of public importance may be asked at the conclusion of questions, by the Leader of the Opposition or a leader of a recognised political party after due notice has been given to the Minister concerned.” In marked contrast, UNP parliamentarians were silent on the issue. Only Lakshman Kiriella, a former Deputy Foreign Minister, who was assigned that week’s news conference — a routine which the party is now accustomed to — raised the matter all too briefly. If he declared erroneously that President Rajapaksa was present when the incident occurred, none of the UNP parliamentarians thought it fit to correct the claim or make the party’s position clearer on the developing controversy.

In Parliament where they could hold the Government accountable and seek answers, none raised issue. When it came to issues related to External Affairs Ministry, the UNP’s silence is ominous. After the Basil Rajapaksa intervention, UPFA leaders felt that acting Minister External Affairs Neomal Perera should make only a brief statement on the matter should the necessity arise. That necessity has not arisen with the Government dismissing the complaint of one of the country’s top High Commissioners as not of public importance.

Details of the incident where EAM Monitoring MP Vass Gunawardena allegedly slapped High Commissioner Nonis in the early hours of September 24 were revealed in these columns last week. On October 3, High Commissioner Nonis was informed that his letter of resignation dated September 24 had been accepted. EAM officials in Colombo said he had also been told by a High Commission staffer in London last Monday that he would have to return his car and vacate his office immediately. Chamari Rodrigo of the High Commission had been asked by the EAM to overlook the work of the High Commissioner.

Upon his return from New York after tendering his resignation to President Rajapaksa, Nonis was at the annual conference of the ruling British Conservative Party in Birmingham. This had been on the basis that his letter of resignation had not been accepted then. At a reception to foreign envoys and dignitaries, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, an onlooker at the conference said, had walked up to Nonis and declared, “Now you understand why we are pushing against Sri Lanka over human rights violations.” Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed was to remark, “What they are doing to me in Maldives, they are doing to you in Sri Lanka.” India’s former Foreign Secretary and High Commissioner to UK, Ranjan Mathai declared, “I am appalled.” The news of the incident of which more details are now emerging had reached the diplomatic community in Britain. Another envoy, whom the onlooker could not identify by name, had asked Nonis “Any broken bones?” He laughed it off.

In new accounts emerging, eye witnesses said, it was Ambassador Kariyawasam who reportedly separated the duo when the alleged attack on Nonis took place. Kariyawasam had travelled to the dinner party in Nonis’ rented car from the Waldorf Astoria where President Rajapaksa and his delegation members were staying. Moments after the alleged attack, External Affairs Secretary Senewiratne had exclaimed “Go Chris, Go Chris!!”

Nonis returned to his hotel and hours later went to a New York hospital. Doctors there said they carried out a CT scan on him and declared he was out of serious danger. When he returned to Waldorf Astoria, Nonis saw President Rajapaksa walking out of his suite. It was there that he related the incident and told him he was resigning as High Commissioner. One eye witness said Rajapaksa asked Nonis not to do so saying he would return in an hour. He was going to the UN to deliver his address at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly. At a later meeting before he emplaned for London, Nonis had handed in his resignation.

In London, Nonis was to face queries from many Sri Lankans over the incident. To one confidant he declared that his host on the night of the incident, Dilan Ariyawansa had met him only the previous day. He had complained that the High Commissioner had not heeded his invitation to Sri Lanka delegation members last year to attend his dinner party. Hence, he said, Ariyawansa had said he would very much like him to attend this time. At the Waldorf Astoria, Nonis had asked Ambassador Kariyawasam about the party. He had said he too had been invited.

Thus, Nonis told his confidants in London, he invited Kariyawasam to travel in his car. He had alleged that on the night of the incident Vass Gunawardena had made some remarks about how the Portuguese betrayed Sri Lanka in the years past. This was just before his necktie was pulled and he was allegedly given two slaps and a hard shot on the right ear. Nonis had also referred to a previous engagement the night before Ariyawansa’s dinner party. Saying he was a last minute invitee to a dinner hosted by Vass Gunawardena at a bar cum steak restaurant in New York City,Nonis had claimed that there was some tension when he attended — with Vass Gunawardena taunting him there with unsavoury remarks in the presence of guests.

Besides those named in these columns last week, others present were Major General Shavendra de Silva, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative at the United Nations; Ambassador Kariyawasam and SriLankan Airlines representative Ariyawansa. At one point, it is alleged, that Vass Gunawardena was locked in a mild argument with Kariyawasam, who sat across the table. The issue was about his official driver reportedly ‘carrying tales.’ The Sri Lankan envoy had declared that he would sack the driver if the allegations were found to be true.

Another matter Nonis had insisted is that he had not asked Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith to prevent Vass Gunawardena from meeting Pope Francis when President Rajapaksa visited the Vatican after the UN visit. According to him, the Cardinal had telephoned Nonis and asked what happened. He had related the story of his assault.

Asked for his views during a telephone call to London, Nonis replied, “The fact of the matter is that I was unlawfully assaulted. I cannot say anything more except to add that I stood for Sri Lanka at the events I attended after the assault. I praised our Government and our leaders until my resignation was accepted.” Vass Gunawardena was not available for comment. A media event arranged at a five-star hotel in Colombo on his behalf by an official who dealt with the subject was called off at the eleventh hour. The Government’s official response to the incident in New Jersey came from Media Minister and Official Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella. It was at Friday’s news conference to brief the media on the previous day’s ministerial meeting.

Here are edited excerpts from the proceedings that were recorded:

Q: There was an incident where a Monitoring MP assaulted a High Commissioner. Who is carrying out the investigation, what is the progress of the investigation and when will it be completed?

A: There was a question raised in Parliament. There was a response to this question. Parliament is a higher authority. Therefore if you get that response you will find the answers for this question.

Q: But the question was ruled out.

A: Correct, Correct.

Q: We have been trying to contact the Minister concerned, but have not been successful.

A: He is overseas.

Q: But even Deputy Minister Neomal Perera is not contactable.

A: Yes, what do you want to know?

Q: We want to know the progress of the investigations.

A: In the first place this did not take place in a location during an official function. It took place at a private event where a group of friends were meeting. The Monitoring MP (Sajin de Vass Gunawardena) has said there was a heavy exchange of words. The Secretary (Kshenuka Senewiratne) has said that there was no assault. The host says this person (Mr Nonis) was not invited. If it had happened during the UN sessions, it would have had a severe impact. But this happened in a house. Last time too when you all went into the question, I checked with External Affairs Minister G.L.Peiris. At that time a complaint had not been lodged. We should try to see what the need is to go into detail. I can stop at this point saying it was something which happened at a private party. Since you are asking I wish to say that statements have been recorded from both sides. The Ministry is acting on it, but we cannot give details.

Q: But here the High Commissioner has resigned, therefore it should be a serious incident.

A: But, I do not know that. Even you do not know that. I too could not ask that, whether it was a major reason or not. Therefore I cannot answer.

Q: Isn’t it the responsibility of the government to safeguard the High Commissioner?

A: But, before he was safeguarded, he has resigned.

Q: The JVP’s Provincial Council member Wasantha Samarasinghe in remarks to a television channel claimed that the Foreign Secretary’s husband was dealing with a company which had connections with the LTTE. He claimed that he is in possession of a report by an influential Minister or a Secretary about this. This is a serious allegation. What is the response?

A: Both sides can take legal action.

Q: Can you enlighten us on the complaint by the Foreign Secretary.

A: That is a statement. It is in the form of a complaint.

Q: The President’s media office said that an investigation is being held regarding the incident and the complaint by the External Affairs Ministry Secretary.

A: That is a statement made by the External Affairs Secretary. It is in the form of a complaint.

Q: What is the complaint?

A: Those are things which I cannot explain here. It has to go through the process. Once the final result comes I will let you know.

Q: Was Mr. Nonis a guest or gate crasher?

A: I do not know whether you could call him a gate crasher. He (the host) says that he (Nonis) was not invited – but welcomed, he was not thrown out.

Q: He was not invited – but welcomed?

A: That can happen. I come to your house, you welcome me.

Q: Diplomats like Dayan Jayatillake and Tamara Kunanayagam have said that there are persons in the External Affairs Ministry who were not allowing those who can work to carry out their duties. Isn’t this one such instance?

A: Those are statements you can accept them or reject them.

Whether there will be action or not the alleged slapping scandal has now become a secondary issue. This is particularly after the acceptance of the resignation of High Commissioner Nonis. However, the absence of proactive measures like a formal statement soon after the alleged incident offering an impartial investigation would have helped the Government tremendously. Such a message was downgraded to a mere SMS from the Information Department to mobile phone owners. It would have saved the colossal damage to the country’s image and prevented exposing inherent weaknesses and lack of professionalism in the Foreign Service. An attempt was also made to prevent the news of the incident from spreading but it boomeranged. It also spread to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and Vass Gunawardena was not allowed to meet Pope Francis together with President Rajapaksa and other members of his entourage.

Courtesy: Sunday Times