UNHRC resolution 30/1 is not a valid agreement, Parliament to be dissolved on March 2nd - Dinesh Gunawardene

Colombo (News 1st) -  With the 43 sessions of the UNHRC commencing in Geneva today the topic of UNHRC resolutions 30/1 and 40/1, which the Government has announced that it will withdraw from, are once again in the political spotlight. Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardene who is scheduled to travel to Geneva to officially inform the UNHRC of the Government's decision speaking to reporters today noted that the Government is of the stance that any agreement signed in violation of the country's constitution, is not valid.  When asked if this was a move to portray President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a hero in the Sinhala community, the Minister notes that he is already a hero and that is why he was elected the President. He went onto state that MPs like M.A. Sumanthiran would realise this when the country goes in for an election after the dissolution of parliament on the 2nd of March. UNP MP Ajith P. Perera speaking on the matter noted that Sri Lanka withdrawing from resolution 30/1 would have no effect on the final result. The MP noted that if the Government wanted to truly oppose the UNHRC it could withdraw its membership from the council like the United States of America. Perera believes that the Government is using this move to gain popularity among the masses ahead of the General Election. State Minister of Investment Promotions Keheliya Rambukewella voicing his opinion on the matter noted that then Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera decided to co-sponsor the UNHRC resolution without informing the Cabinet. He noted that Sri Lanka could have taken advantage of the controversy surrounding US Ambassador Nikki Haley to withdraw from the UNHRC or the process of co-sponsoring the resolution. Min. Rambukwella noted that the current administration would not portray the country as one which committed a crime in the face of the international community adding that this was a decision taken to uphold Sri Lanka's sovereignty and respect.