SL’s national statement delivered to UNHRC

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The Head of Sri Lankan delegation to the 20 th session of the UN Human Rights Council Acting Permanent Representative to United Nations in Geneva Manisha Gunasekera yesterday told the Daily News from Paleis Des Nations in Geneva, where UNHRC sessions are held, that they delivered the country’s national statement to the Council during yesterday’s proceedings.

Sri Lankan delegation has drawn the attention of the Council to the fact that Sri Lanka has been delisted by the UN Secretary-General from Annex II of UN Security Council Resolution 1612, on Children and Armed Conflict.

“This is a result of the sincere efforts taken by the GOSL, inter alia, to investigate several cases on child recruitment and comply with the recommendations of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict and those of the UNSG’s Special Representative,” the delegation pointed out in the national statement.

Commenting on the Council’s proceedings on the second day in Geneva, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amunugama yesterday said, there was no mention of Sri Lanka during yesterday as on the previous day.

He said the Council held discussions with Special Rapporteur on the Right to the Enjoyment of Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, Anand Grover and Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Kishore Singh.

Anand Grover pointed out the importance of formulating , implementing , monitoring and evaluating national occupational health laws and policies in countries. Kishore Singh outlined on universalizing access to primary school education.

“There was no mention of Sri Lanka in both their reports. However, Sri Lankan delegation took this opportunity to inform the Council on the progress Sri Lanka has achieved in the health and education sectors,” said Amunugama.

Sources in Geneva said, “We apprised them on the action taken by the government to provide free education and health services to the public.”

We also informed them about the 2011 Action Plan developed by the government to facilitate the provision of occupational health.

“Many developing countries are yet to address the issues surrounding the area of education and provision of health. We informed the Council of Sri Lanka’s efforts to improve the quality of education,” sources said.