UNHRC not empowered to impose external mechanism, says Foreign Sec.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Admiral (Prof.) Jayanath Colombage noted that there is no need for an external mechanism to solve the internal issues of the country, adding that the UN Human Rights Council is not empowered to set up such a mechanism.

The Foreign Secretary told a virtual event that solutions for the country's domestic issues are available within Sri Lanka's domestic legal system.

The Foreign Secretary made these remarks at a virtual media briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on the topic “Geneva Allegations, the United Nations General Assembly and Sri Lanka's Foreign Policy”.

Fifteen countries including China, Russia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Pakistan, Iraq and Venezuela have joined hands with Sri Lanka in condemning the interference in its internal affairs under the guise of human rights.

"Unfortunately, four countries were against us," he said.

The Foreign Secretary said Sri Lanka maintains a position that any external mechanism on the country's issues will be a futile process, and the money and manpower used for such efforts too will be a waste.