• Calls UNHRC mandate expansion/OHCHR evidence gathering mechanism unprecedented, ad hoc, serving elements with vested interests seeking to create divisions/polarise communities, counterproductive
• Says ongoing domestic processes include strengthening inde. OMP/OR/ONUR, operationalising TRC/inde. public prosecutor´s office

Sri Lanka, while disagreeing with coercive international action, rejected the Resolution 60/L.1/Rev.1 presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Genèva, Switzerland.

Speaking during the 60th session of the UNHRC, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva Himalee Arunatilaka reiterated Sri Lanka’s rejection to the unprecedented and ad hoc move to expand the UNHRC’s mandate and the proposal to establish an external evidence gathering mechanism set up by the Office of the High Commissioner (OHC) for HR.

Arunatilaka noted that Sri Lanka participated in discussions on the resolution in a spirit of open and constructive engagement that the country has demonstrated throughout. She also appreciated the Core Group’s engagement on language amendments proposed by Sri Lanka but regretted the failure to find agreement on certain key concerns. Arunatilaka thanked all delegations for their constructive participation on the draft text and also to the countries that made positive suggestions during informal consultations and bilateral meetings. 

She said: “As Sri Lanka has indicated from the beginning to the Core Group, our fundamental issue with the text is the reference to Resolution 51/1 of 2022 denoting the external evidence gathering mechanism on Sri Lanka within the OHCHR, which, in our view is an unprecedented and ad hoc expansion of the UNHRC´s mandate.”

Arunatilaka added: “Participating in the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka on 8 September, the Foreign Affairs Minister reiterated that Sri Lanka does not accept the external evidence gathering mechanism set up by the OHCHR, which it has labelled as the `Sri Lanka Accountability Project’, at a time when the Government is continuing to strengthen the domestic institutions based on its genuine commitment to reconciliation and HR in the interests of our own people. The ongoing domestic processes include strengthening the independent Offices on Missing Persons (OMP) and Reparations (OR), and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), as well as the operationalisation of a truth and reconciliation commission (TRC), and an independent public prosecutor´s office. 

“Sri Lanka, as well as many other countries, has repeatedly questioned the credibility and transparency of how this project within the OHCHR was set up, its work and the budget allocated to it. After four years of its existence, the UNHRC is yet to see any benefits of this project for the people of Sri Lanka. This is clearly evident from the contents of the HCHR’s Report as well. The extension of its mandate will only serve the interests of elements with vested interests seeking to create divisions and polarise the communities in Sri Lanka, and will be counterproductive to the Government’s efforts on promoting unity, reconciliation and HR. 

“We believe that genuine, nationally owned processes are best placed to address matters relating to HR. National processes are rooted in the local context, allow for greater ownership, recognise unique sensitivities, and make implementation of action more efficient and effective. The HCHR who visited Sri Lanka in June had the opportunity to experience firsthand the ‘momentum of change’ across all segments of the Sri Lankan society and the ‘genuine openness of the Government to address issues’. In his report to the UNHRC too, the HCHR highlighted that there is a historic opportunity in Sri Lanka to implement transformative reforms. As set out by the Minister in his statement to the UNHRC, within a very short time, the Government has taken a series of tangible and decisive steps on reconciliation and HR. Therefore, it is only fair that Sri Lanka be allowed to seize this opportunity to advance the rights of its own people through domestic processes.”

Meanwhile, Opposition Parliamentarian Dilith Jayaweera condemned what he described as “the disastrous execution of foreign policy by Sri Lanka’s delegation to the UNHRC”. 

“The Government must provide answers to the people, and about the shocking betrayal of our allies who stood with us by speaking against unfounded UN resolutions against Sri Lanka. The sheer weakness and incompetence portrayed before the international community is a testament to how our nation’s priorities are being treated by the Government. This is a complete abandonment of Sri Lanka’s inclusive nationalistic vision, an action that has cost Sri Lanka dearly,” he said.