UNHRC clearly understood Lanka's situation - Minister

Chaminda PERERA

Sri Lanka, as a democratic country was able to talk about the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka openly at the International Human Rights Council, said Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

Sri Lanka has followed a transparent policy right throughout the humanitarian operation to free innocent Tamil civilians from the clutches of terrorists and is always ready to talk about the situation in the country openly, the Minister said.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the Minister said the delegates represented Sri Lanka at the UNHRC effectively convinced the Council on how basic human rights of Tamil community were deprived by the LTTE. Sri Lanka has nothing to hide. The Majority of countries at the UNHRC have clearly understood the situation and extended their unreserved support to adopt the resolution brought forwarded by Sri Lanka.

The Minister said that Sri Lanka's delegation led by Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe presented the case at UNHRC very effectively. "It is the Government that restored the rights of Tamil people. The LTTE held thousands of civilians hostage for months.

Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said Sri Lanka is proud of having a disciplined Armed Force and they were able to evacuate thousands of civilians from the clutches of terrorists.