NO GUILT CONSCIENCE, NO PROBLEM FACING UNHRC

*Ready to face any challenge

*No hidden agenda

Disna Mudalige

The government is fronting up to Human Rights challenges with full confidence because it does not have a guilty conscience, Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the ministry auditorium yesterday, the minister said the government is content with the achievements it has made so far, adding that it is ready to meet all challenges coming its way in the post war scenario.

He said the government exerted its full strength to rebuild the country after the 30 year war. The minister said Plantation Industries Minister and President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe would lead the Sri Lankan delegation to United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) session in Geneva in March. He said the delegation also includes a team from the External Affairs Ministry.

Rambukwella said the government is ready to face any challenge since it has not worked to hidden agendas. He said the government is aware that such challenges would be directed at the country even in the coming years.

The minister said over 50 percent of the recommendations by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed by the President with genuine intentions have already been implemented successfully. He said short term and mid term recommendations of the LLRC have been put into action, adding that more time is needed to make the required changes to provide for the implementation of long term recommendations.

The minister said nobody should expect the government to complete the entire process overnight.

He said LTTE remnants and sections of the diaspora supporting LTTE terrorism are capable of exaggerating any issue to harm the image of the country. He observed the international network of the LTTE is still active with its illegal activities such as money laundering, drug trafficking and contract murders around the world. He observed certain politicians around the world have also fallen prey to their propaganda.

Government Information Department Director General Prof Ariyaratne Athugala also participated.

Responding to a question by a journalist, the minister also said the government’s position with regard to India is that it is a greatest friend and closest nation to Sri Lanka adding that issues between the two countries would always be solved through discussion at the diplomatic level. He said India has been extremely helpful to Sri Lanka on many occasions.