Japan abstained from voting on the US-backed resolution at the UN Human Rights Council back in March after considering the proposal and deciding that it will not help Sri Lanka, the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister said.
“We considered whether the Resolution on Sri Lanka moved in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva would help Sri Lanka. We decided it will not. That is why we abstained when the vote was taken,” Seiji Kihara, told President Mahinda Rajapaksa when they met at Temple Trees last evening (09).
“Please tell this truth to rest of the world”, President Rajapaksa urged the visiting Japanese vice minister.” Except for an international inquiry we are in the process of implementing all other demands made by sponsors of the Resolution”, President added.
The Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is in the Island on an official visit, assured Japan’s continued support to Sri Lanka at international fora, the President’s International Media Unit said in a statement.
“We are not ready to accept biased reports prepared by international bodies. We are confident that Sri Lanka is capable of solving its problems one by one. What is needed is to engage the international community,” Mr. Kihara said.
Recalling President Rajapaksa’s state visit to Japan last year the Japanese vice minister noted that it was instrumental in further strengthening of bilateral relations under the able leadership of the President.
He expressed Japan’s hope to further expand ties in economic, trade, investment and maritime security sectors.
“Japan is a close friend of ours. It is the biggest investor in Sri Lanka”, President Rajapaksa observed. The hospital built in Jaffna with Japanese assistance is so far the best hospital in the country, President pointed out.
Mr. Makoto Matsuda, Director, South West Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Nobuhito Hobo, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka accompanied Mr.Kihara.
Mr. Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development and Mrs. Kshenuka Senevirathne, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs were also present.
