Lanka to work closely with UN Human Rights Council

Sri Lanka will continue to engage with members of the UN Human Rights Council in a spirit of constructive dialogue and co-operation, assured Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe.

He was addressing the 11th Regular Session of the Council in Geneva yesterday. Minister Samarasinghe said the Government was grateful to the countries which supported Sri Lanka’s resolution at the Special Session of the Council held last week.

He said: “We were humbled by the expression of support for the Resolution co-sponsored by Sri Lanka and 17 other countries last Wednesday.

Those member states who supported Sri Lanka’s position, delivered a resounding message on behalf of the international community in recognizing the primacy of the principles embodied in Articles 1 and 2 of the United Nations Charter and in requesting the larger world community to assist Sri Lanka in its efforts to recover from decades of conflict.

Those who co-sponsored and supported the Sri Lankan Resolution also demonstrated a resolve to assist countries such as Sri Lanka.”

The Minister who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the Council Session outlined the several initiatives being taken by the Government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to lead recovery efforts in the post-conflict phase.

Minister Samarasinghe also pledged to work closely with the Human Rights Council in the future. He stated that he was grateful to the “members of (the) Council for their sustained interest in Sri Lanka.

He added: “I also wish to acknowledge the encouragement and support received from the regional and cross-regional groups for their cooperation and interest in Sri Lanka. I assure you that Sri Lanka will continue to engage with members of this Council in a spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation.”

Prior to addressing the Council’s plenary, Minister Samarasinghe met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanetham Pillay and briefed her on current developments relating to the promotion and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka.

Associated with Minister Samarasinghe were Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights and Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN at Geneva.