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UNHRC ‘informal consultations’ on Sri Lanka kicks off

01 Mar 2021

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) began “informal consultations” on Sri Lanka with the Permanent Missions of Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the UK yesterday (28 February). The informal consultations on “promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka” are scheduled to continue until 10 March. At the interactive dialogue sessions on the High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka that took place last week, many western countries, including the UK and Canada, criticised the human rights conditions in Sri Lanka, whereas most Asian countries such as Pakistan supported Sri Lanka. However, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, former Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva between 2007 to 2009 and Senior Adviser on International Affairs to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, told The Morning yesterday that of the 21 countries which had spoken in favour of Sri Lanka, only nine or 10 were members of the Council. “Sri Lanka’s base vote has not broken yet – these are members who have anyway voted for Sri Lanka in the years we lost as well,” said Dr. Jayatilleka. Meanwhile, India stated last week that although it supports Sri Lanka’s right for territorial integrity, it is still committed to the demands of Tamils for equality, including through the complete implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. “We call upon Sri Lanka to take necessary steps to address such aspirations, including through the process of reconciliation and the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” Ambassador of India to the UN Indra Mani Pandey said. Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage had stated last week that Sri Lanka is seeking proactive support from India. However, he also told The Morning last month that the 13th Amendment did not serve its desired purpose. Dr. Jayatilleka yesterday said that such glaring contradictory stances from the Government were not effective in garnering support from India. The UK said at last week’s dialogues that the Core Group of Countries on Sri Lanka (Canada, the UK, Germany, North Macedonia, and Montenegro) will present a new resolution in support of accountability and lasting reconciliation for all communities in the country.


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