Pillay’s arrival not linked to Geneva Resolution - GL

Disna MUDALIGE

Prof G L Peiris

The scheduled visits of UN Human Rights Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay and a team of her representatives have nothing to do with the resolution on Sri Lanka passed at the UNHRC in Geneva on March 22, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said.

Addressing a press conference at the ministry yesterday, the minister said a visit by a team sent by UN Human Rights Commissioner is due on Friday.

“The invitation to Commissioner Pillay was extended by the government 11 months before the resolution. Therefore the visits by her or members of her staff have no connection with the resolution.

Accepting our invitation, she said the visit would be more useful after the LLRC report was released. We agreed to this response. She believes the time is now appropriate for the visit. However, prior to her visit she prefers a visit by a technical team to prepare the necessary ground, which is acceptable” he clarified.

He stressed the interests of Sri Lanka are not served by preventing people from coming to the country. He said the country needs more exposure to showcase the vigorous improvement made by the country within a short period of three years after the war in spheres mainly of resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Prof Peiris questioned as to why the country should deny itself the opportunity to earn credit from incomparable achievements made in post conflict scenario. Responding to a question by a journalist as to whether there are any conditions for the visiting UN Human Rights Commissioner or her team, the minister said there were no conditions whatsoever, adding that imposing conditions on them is detrimental to Sri Lanka.

He said their sole intention is to inform themselves by real observations.

Commenting on the Universal Periodic Review, the minister stated it is a process which all 192 member countries of the UNO are subjected to in every four and half years, adding that it is not something extraordinary to Sri Lanka. He said a very credible report of achievements by Sri Lanka has been presented to the UPR which is to be taken up in November.

He also noted the group of three rapporteurs which include India, Spain and Benin was selected by a lottery and not by deliberate decision of anybody.

Prof Peiris said the function of the rapporteurs is not that of judges or evaluators but of reporters.

Commenting on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November 2013, he noted 24 committees led by Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga have been appointed to make arrangements for the CHOGM. He said the President has been keen in adding vital concerns of the people in Sri Lanka to the themes discussed at this meeting.

The minister expressing his concern on the rising incidents of illegal migration to countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand observed these were activities conducted to generate resources by the organizations that are linked to terrorist friendly forces. He said the illegal migration has caused problems relating to law and order in the countries which the asylum seekers attempt to enter, since they clearly violate emigration laws and abuse their welfare systems.

The minister applauding the role of the Navy in controlling people smuggling said, about 1,400 persons who were attempting migrate illegally have been arrested by the Navy within last three months, adding that it is a tragic episode even resulting in loss of life at times. He said Australia has invited for a joint operation to prevent escalation of this problem which has serious implications.

He said human smuggling has become a lucrative business that strengthens the link organizations of terrorism. He said these illegal migrants are economic migrants who are going in search of greener pastures.