‘Full steam ahead with state programmes; resolution ineffective’

Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

The policy decisions pertaining to Sri Lanka are taken by the Sri Lankan government which is elected on the mandate of the country’s people and not by the UNHRC in Geneva, said External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris in Parliament yesterday.

He reiterated that the resolution passed in Geneva on Sri Lanka would have no effect upon the government’s ongoing activities and programmes and nothing would change because of it.

The minister noted that the government considering the needs and interests of the citizens of the country would decide on the priorities and would take decisions in a far sighted manner.

Prof G L Peiris stated that the internal problems of the country would be solved following a local mechanism without letting any group to influence the government.

Prof Peiris also observed that among the 24 who voted in favour of the resolution on Sri Lanka 11 European representatives had no choice of their own but had to agree to the EU decision as one bloc.

He also stated that the decisions on behalf of these 11 countries were arrived at Brussels, depriving the members the opportunity to act independently.

He stated that this was revealed from the private discussions Sri Lankan representatives had with several European representatives in the UNHRC. He observed that some of those countries voted against their conscience.

The minister also noted that the UNHRC is a political council and not a council established to meet justice. He observed that US Congress foreign affairs committee Chairman had referred to the UNHRC as a 'rogues gallery' and had requested the US to withdraw from it and establish a credible alternative forum. He also pointed out the response of Israel to the resolution against it, adding that it has openly stated that it was suspending all working relations with the UNHRC.

Prof Peiris also said that the Russian ambassador in New Delhi had stated that the resolution which was passed against Sri Lanka is a unfair by the UNHRC itself. He noted that he was invited by Russia for an official visit to Moscow in May-June. Prof Peiris also stated that the Sri Lankan government from the beginning maintained the position not to accept the resolution observing that if Sri Lanka had involved in it, it could have posed long term negative influences on the country.