• SL does not agree with conclusions of UN report
• Foreign Min. says int’l support is welcomed as SL moves forward with a domestic mechanism for accountability and justice

Sri Lanka has responded to the report filed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, by stressing that external initiatives will only serve as hindrances to the ongoing national efforts and serve to polarise the population. Sri Lanka’s response and the UN report will be discussed at the upcoming Human Rights Council session.

The Government of Sri Lanka, in a statement, said that it does not agree with the conclusions and recommendations in the report with regard to international action concerning Sri Lanka. This was stressed in a note verbale dated 6 August from the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The statement added: “The Government has the mandate to and is firmly and sincerely committed to working towards a country that respects and celebrates the diversity of its people with no division or discrimination based on race, religion, class and caste. The Government is resolved not to leave room for a resurgence of racism or extremism in Sri Lanka.”

As Sri Lanka moves forward on this path through its domestic processes, the statement added, the understanding, encouragement and support of the international community is welcomed and appreciated.

In the conclusions and recommendations presented in the statement, the Government of Sri Lanka said: “The GoSL notes the opportunity that the High Commissioner has identified with regard to Sri Lanka to implement transformative reforms. The Government urges the OHCHR and the HRC to afford the space that is required to make use of this opportunity and advance the rights and wellbeing of all Sri Lankans. 

“In this regard, Sri Lanka observes that external initiatives will only serve as hindrances to the ongoing national efforts and serve to polarise the population. The GoSL does not agree with the conclusions and recommendations in the report with regard to international action.”

It further noted that the Government has the mandate to and is firmly and sincerely committed to working towards a country that respects and celebrates the diversity of its people with no division or discrimination based on race, religion, class and caste, and that the Government is resolved not to leave room for a resurgence of racism or extremism in Sri Lanka. 

Minister Vijitha Herath will be attending the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which is scheduled to commence in Geneva on 8 September and will continue until 8 October. He left the island yesterday (7) enroute to the conference.

The Foreign Minister is expected to deliver a special statement on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government during the session. A special meeting is set to take place between UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Minister Herath, it is learnt.

In addition to Minister Vijitha Herath, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General of the United Nations and Human Rights Dayani Mendis will also participate in this year’s Human Rights Council session.

During his visit, Minister Herath is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with several high-ranking diplomats in Geneva.