Govt lauded for rights protection measures at Geneva confab

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The steps taken by the Government to safeguard the human rights in Sri Lanka while engaged in a battle to eradicate the LTTE terrorism came in for high praise by representatives of many countries at the just concluded UN Human Right Council Session in Geneva, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said yesterday.

When considering the overall feedback and statements made by various countries at the UN Human Rights Council, many were the appreciations and acknowledgements of mechanism in place to ensure the protection and preservation human rights in the country, the Minister noted.

"However it is regrettable to note one or two statements fly in the face of all concrete evidence, and make out that the situation in Sri Lanka is deteriorating, in a situation where the country is battling terrorism, while keeping damage to civilians at a bare

minimum," Minister said. He said Sri Lankan delegation led by him had met the Foreign Ministers of many countries including Cuba, Iran, Nepal, Maldives, Norway, England and apprised them of the ground situation.

At these meetings it was stressed on the successful steps taken by the Government to protect human rights.

The Government has resettled 140,000 people according to the international standards, in Eastern Province after removing the threat of the LTTE.

"It was gratifying that India praised the efforts of the Government to implement the 13th Amendment. It was really helpful us to change attitudes of some countries at the Council," the Minister said.