PNM says the presidential panel and the Ban ki-Moon's advisory panel are 'part of the national and international conspiracy'

Chairman of the Patriotic National Movement (PNM) Dr Gunadasa Amarasekara said Foreign Minister Prof GL Peiris advised him not to appear before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

The LLRC that was appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in May headed by former Attorney General CR de Silva began its public hearings in August.

Dr. Amarasekara on conversation with Prof Peiris

The PNM is an organisation affiliated to Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s political party, National Freedom Front (NFF).

“There are some LTTE supporters in the Commission,” Dr Amarasekara told journalists in Colombo.

'Against us'

“I told Prof GL Peiris that we would testify before the LLRC. Then the minister asked me why you should testify, there are some members who are against us,” he added.

	Minister has reportedly accused panel members appointed by the president of being pro-LTTE

But the international human rights groups and western countries have expressed concern over whether the panel that has a limited mandate would be a genuine effort on national reconciliation after decades of war.

Dr Amarasekara also accused the advisory panel appointed by UN secretary general Ban ki-Moon as a “national and international conspiracy” against Sri Lanka.

Sections of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) are also part of that conspiracy, according to Dr Amarasekara.

Rejecting the allegation against the party, JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake told BBC Sandeshaya that allegations against the LLRC members is a “very serious matter.”

“They earlier said there are pro-LTTE elements in the foreign ministry. Now they are accusing the panel members appointed by the president. They should reveal who they are,” Mr Dissanayake added.