Sri Lanka to co-sponsor rollover resolution at UNHRC

Colombo (News1st) - Sri Lanka plans on co-sponsoring a rollover resolution during the 40th session of the UNHRC which is currently underway. Issuing a joint press release the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Ministers office and the Department of Government Information notes that Sri Lanka will continue to demonstrate it's commitment and determination towards a steady and long-lasting reconciliation process through the new co-sponsored resolution which seeks an extension of the timeline of resolution 30/1 of October 2015. The resolution calls for a two-year extension of the timeline The release notes that this initiative will further attest to Sri Lanka's ownership of the implementation process and to it's continued policy of constructive engagement and dialogue with the UN and bilateral partners. It adds that this strategy will prevent international war crimes allegations from being continuously leveled against Sri Lankans through strengthened ownership of the implementation process. The release also noted that the draft rollover resolution recognizes the strong role played by the democratic institutions in the peaceful resolution of the political situation that arose in Sri Lanka from October to December last year, which is a strong testimony to the independence, credibility, and resilience of the national institutions. Allegations made against the co-sponsoring of the rollover resolution by the GOSL, according to the release, is part of a campaign to mislead the public and gain undue political advantage. It further reads that with the withdrawal of the US from the UNHRC, the UK has taken the lead in the core group on Sri Lanka in the council and notes that Sri Lanka will join hands with the core group leader UK to co-sponsor this resolution.