GL explains why Sri Lanka lacked support at UNHRC

by Amani Nilar 07-10-2022 | 4:15 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said that Sri Lanka lost support at the United Nations Human Rights Council session because the country did not keep its word on the pledges made at the earlier sessions.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday (7), the former Foreign Minister pointed out that it is a tragic situation that two countries, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates which contribute with significant foreign exchange at this time, especially in the context where migrant workers send much-needed foreign exchange to the treasury at this time, did not show support to Sri Lanka.

Moreover, the former Foreign Minister pointed out that the general tradition was that the countries of Asia supporting Sri Lanka. However, even Indonesia and Malaysia abstained from voting.

"We need to think about why this is happening. The main reason is that we take solemn promises lightly and break them," Prof. Peiris said.

He further stated that while the Foreign Minister made a solemn pledge on behalf of the country that the Prevention of Terrorism Act will not be used, while he was in Geneva, only to break that very promise thereafter.