Sri Lanka respects international laws, says G.L. at UNHRC

COLOMBO (News 1st); The resolution which was adapted at the United Nations Human Rights Council is in direct contradiction to the council's founding principals, including impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, which goes beyond the mandate of the council, says the Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris addressing the 49th session of the United Nations' Human Rights Council.

The resolution which was adopted previously, the Foreign Minister said, was adopted in the house with a divided vote, when Sri Lanka itself opposed it citing flawed procedure and unacceptable content, particularly operative clause on an evidence gathering mechanism. 

Despite the rejection of the resolution by Sri Lanka, the country will continue our voluntary undertakings on human rights and engage with the UN, including this council, the Foreign Minister stated. 

Quoting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, "We are a nation that respect's international laws and conventions. We have regularly shared our progress and challenges with this council in a candid manner, and with other relevant organs in the UN system", the Foreign Minister stated that he is convinced that there are serious anomalies in the report presented to the house by the High Commissioner.

Fundamentally, the report's intolerably intrusive nature is impinging closer to the functions and responsibilities of the State which has already been mandated by the people of the country during elections, Prof. G.L. Peiris stated.

Moreover, he said that there is also discernible discrimination which the council, which should certainly not take it upon itself to engage in an inquisitorial procedure on the other member states, as that action in itself strikes at the roots of the foundation of the UN system.

The UN High Commissioner should consider all the member states as the same irrespective of their size and influence, he emphasized.

Numerous instances of unsubstantiated allegations and superficial conclusions insensitive to the complexity of the ground situation of nations have found their way into the report, the Foreign Minister alleged.

Prof. G.L. Peiris stated that he is dismayed by the Commissioners' unwarranted onslaught on the seminal institutions in the country, which comes under the constitution of Sri Lanka and are originating from the rich and complex cultural heritage, in addition to being strictly reviewed which form an integral part of tried and tested laws.

He added that limited resources, especially the expenditure of millions of dollars should be prudent at a time of a global crisis, and assured that the Government will be maintaining its security and stability that have been restored for people and will ensure sustainable progress in the country.