Sri Lanka better prepared for UNHRC session - Foreign Secretary

Foreign Secretary, Admiral (Rtd) Professor Jayanath Colombage is of the view that the Sri Lankan delegation heading for the 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is better prepared. 

Addressing a media briefing on the session, Colombage noted that the government has communicated numerous inaccuracies of the Human Rights Chief’s draft report, and expressed hope that they will be taken into account.

He said there will only be a written submission at the Human Rights Council session this time.

Speaking further, the Foreign Secretary stated that Sri Lanka has communicated the inaccuracies of the draft report prepared by the high commissioner to be tabled at the said session.

Colombage expressed disappointment with the draft report asking questions on the internal domestic political nature of an independent country like Sri Lanka. “We have categorically said it is not right to ask these questions. If there are issues regarding human rights, we are ready to face them, we are committed to find solutions to these residual issues coming from a long-drawn out conflict.”

The Foreign Secretary also noted that Sri Lanka became a victim of terror twice in the recent history. “We have not supported terrorism at all,” he stressed adding that a victim of terror being taken to task by an international institution is completely unfair.

“This is the dichotomy we are facing right now. We feel that Sri Lanka does not deserve the attention of the UNHRC.”

Pointing out that Sri Lanka’s human rights situation must be given contextual consideration, the Foreign Secretary noted that Sri Lanka is the most peaceful country that upholds human rights in the region.

Right now, the policy of the government is to find solutions to the residual issues in a tangible, measurable and verifiable manner, Colombage added.