Min. Dinesh Gunawardene departs to attend UNHRC session

Colombo (News 1st) - Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardene and the Sri Lankan delegation attending the 43rd sessions of the UNHRC departed for Geneva, Switzerland this morning. The 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council began on Monday (Feb 24). According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations Minister Gunawardena will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council, and will formally inform the Council Members on the Government’s decision to withdraw co-sponsorship of UNHRC resolutions 30/1 and 40/1, when he addresses the High Level Segment of the Council, on Wednesday (Feb 26). Minister Gunawardena who will also respond to the Oral Update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner on Thursday (Feb 27), is scheduled to meet the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, during his stay in Geneva. On Friday (Feb 21), Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha briefed the President of the HRC Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger on Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw its co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 and Resolution 30/1.