Sri Lanka is committed to investigations being carried out in respect of violations of the law, through judicial processes, respecting due process, Deputy Minister Dr Harsha de Silva said, delivering Sri Lanka’s opening statement at the Third Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka in Geneva. 

He stated that there is no nation that does not have challenges, and no nation is perfect and that Sri Lanka recognises that promoting and protecting human rights is constant work in progress. 

“It is not something that can be done overnight despite the most sincere of commitments and the most fervent sense of determination.” 

The Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs, who is heading the Sri Lankan delegation, said there are many, both in Sri Lanka and overseas, who question the commitment of the National Unity Government to addressing concerns of human rights. 

“Of course it is natural to be impatient; it is natural to question; and it is natural to feel a sense of frustration. We all know very well that some who criticize do so with the best intentions as they want Sri Lanka to do well.”

In a democracy, however, it is not easy to always make changes at great speed, or navigate change in a rapid manner, or along a straight and preconceived path, he said. 

The deputy minister said that significant progress has been made in Sri Lanka since the last UPR in 2012. 

“The reconciliation mechanisms that are being set up are for the entire people of Sri Lanka, and are intended to benefit all in an equal manner.” He said that investigations into allegations pertaining to human rights and humanitarian law violations during the conflict are unfortunately misperceived by some in Sri Lanka, as specifically targeting the security forces, which is completely erroneous. 

Harsha said that as the President of Sri Lanka recently stressed, security forces will not be unfairly targeted or punished. “But, we are committed to investigations being carried out in respect of violations of the law, through judicial processes, respecting due process.”

He stated that for the very first time in the history, a section of the National Budget for 2018, is expressly dedicated to reconciliation. “We consider investments in reconciliation and peace as sound economic policy as they strengthen security and stability and foster a fertile environment to attract investment.”

He said that Sri Lanka has accomplished much and yet, it does not consider it a reason to be complacent. “Neither are we, as some tend to allege, indifferent or uncaring about human rights. We remain acutely aware and conscious that there is much more to be done, to ensure that all our citizens enjoy the rights due to them to their full extent.”

“We firmly believe that citizens empowered by their individual rights will strengthen our nation,” he added.

The deputy minister said that unfortunately, each step taken to reconcile the nation and acknowledge the legacies of our difficult past is contested. “Our efforts to protect and promote human rights are often attacked by opponents as inviting foreign interference. Our efforts to ensure harmonious relations between the different ethno-religious communities, and our commitment to constitutional reform, are often attacked by opponents as attempts to create divisions. Yet, we persevere with strong determination.”

He also said: “As a democratic country, we welcome robust criticism and debate about our journey towards the full enjoyment of human rights, and sustainable peace and reconciliation. But we are aware that our public sphere, like that of many other democracies, features some degree of misinformation, manipulation and prejudice. It is for this reason that we have sought to tread cautiously and prudently with a view to building and sustaining national consensus on the importance of protecting and promoting human rights, and advancing reconciliation. As a nation, we have been through much strife for long years. At this historic moment when the two main political parties are working together, we want to ensure that we tread cautiously to take steps that would ensure that the reform that we initiate is sustained in the long-term.”

Opening Statement at Sri Lanka UPR by deranapics on Scribd