Sri Lanka categorically rejected the UNHRC draft-resolution promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka while requesting the member states not to put spokes in the wheel of the country’s reconciliation process.

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha stated while addressing the Council that anyone walking into this room who is unfamiliar with the ground situation in Sri Lanka cannot be blamed for thinking Sri Lanka is the most troubled place on this planet but insisted that there was no urgent situation in the country that warranted such concern.

He claimed that the draft resolution could pose a great threat to sovereignty and independence of the member states while adding that it violates the principles of international law and erodes the sovereignty of the people of Sri Lanka. He added that it also violates the basic principles of law that postulates equality among all.

He charged that the resolution contained new which were unsubstantiated and uncorroborated due to the vested interests of the few.

Aryasinghe added that OHCHR had neither the mandate to conduct investigations nor capacity or resources to do so. He highlighted the fact that the time frame of the resolution completely excluded the period prior to 2002 which was littered with atrocities committed by the LTTE.

Sri Lanka expressed its disappointment at its observation that the key imperative driving the resolution was not genuine concern for the people of the country but for the electoral purposes of those with links to the LTTE.

Aryasinhe stated that the resolution ignores ground realities and trivialises the sacrifice by the people of the country over 30 years to eradicate terrorism.