No giving in to Geneva resolution:

Well-being of SL, govt’s prime aim

“No deal, no compromise”:

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

* ‘A non - binding resolution’

* Home grown solution will continue as planned

The government’s policy on the Geneva resolution was based on one main clear fact. That was, no matter what the result is, the government would face the challenge without surrendering. “No deal, no compromise” was the Sri Lankan government’s stand, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said.

“The result is now known and many countries appreciate our stand. When considering all future activities in connection with the issue, the government’s main concern will be the well - being of the future of Sri Lankans and the country,” he said.

“It is the only guideline and determination of the government,” Prof Peiris said. Addressing a special press briefing at the External Affairs Ministry auditorium yesterday,

Prof Peiris said Sri Lankans have nothing to fear in connection with the Geneva resolution because it has nothing to do with economic sanctions.

“The resolution has nothing to do with the UN Security Council”.

“It is only a non - binding resolution. The government and the people strongly opposed the resolution to prevent internal affairs of the country being internationalised and to protect sovereignty and independence of the country. It enabled outside elements to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. This is why the government and the people opposed it,” the minister said.

Prof Peiris pointed out that the implementation of the home grown solution to the ethnic issue, the LLRC report recommendations, has already commenced and will continue as planned systematically, step by step.

“It cannot be done overnight because then the people will tend to think that the LLRC recommendations are being implemented because of international pressure,” he said.

“It will then become an obstacle for the implementation and will not be helpful at all. Sri Lanka will work with the UN and UNHRC as usual and in the same way it has been doing so far. There will be no change in this,” the minister said.

Prof Peiris said that the eight countries which abstained from voting pointed out that the resolution set a bad example by allowing the international community to interfere in internal affairs of other countries.

“They said that they do not agree with the resolution. All eight countries which abstained from voting were on the Sri Lankan side but were forced to give in due to pressure on them.

"The resolution was passed with only a solitary vote. Sri Lanka can legitimately be proud of the result,” he said.

"Three main steps were taken by the Sri Lankan government to secure votes. They were communicating with countries from Colombo, communicating with the countries as a team while in Geneva and visiting the capitals of countries, meeting leaders and making them understand the reality,” the minister said. “The decision of some countries which voted against the resolution would have been the opposite if we did not visit and make them understand the reality. We are proud about the support we received from the Arab world.

"Uganda, Congo and Mauritania directly supported us from the African region. Sri Lanka will continue its friendship and all bilateral ties with all countries, including the US and there will be no change in anything in future.

"The Geneva resolution against Sri Lanka is only a single issue,” Prof Peiris added.