Arbour to meet Jaffna Bishop, Forces

Rafik Jalaldeen

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour will visit Jaffna on Friday and meet with the Jaffna Bishop, members of the Security Forces and of civil society.

The UNCHR High Commissioner Arbour who arrived in the island on Tuesday on a four day visit to look into the human rights situation in Sri Lanka held talks with Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday at his office.

“The Minister discussed with Arbour details of her four day agenda during her stay in the country. The Minister also pledged to facilitate Arbour and her visit to Jaffna,” Ministry sources said.

According to these sources, in terms of a prior understanding between Minister Samarasinghe and Arbour details of the purpose of her visit will be divulged to the media at a press conference scheduled for Saturday at the BMICH prior to her departure.

Arbour was scheduled to meet leaders of the UNP,JVP,TNA,SLMC and SLFP(M) on Wednesday afternoon. She will also meet with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Chief Justice Sarath Silva and Attorney General C.R. de Silva today.

The High Commissioner will also hold meetings and discussions with the local and international Humanitarian Organisations today. Before winding up her trip to the island Arbour will fly to the North on Friday and will meet Jaffna Bishop Rt. Rev Dr. Thomas Saundranayagam.

She also will meet with Security Forces personnel and family members of abductees and civil society members, Ministry sources said.

Consequently, a press briefing will be held at the BMICH on Saturday morning jointly with Minister Samarasinghe at the end of her fact finding mission.