• SJB ready to assist with protection of rights: Senanayake

The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has stressed that the Government should look at the report issued on Sri Lanka by the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights ahead of the next UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting with an open mind, and that necessary steps should be taken if such reports discuss legitimate human rights-related concerns.

This was stated by SJB Executive Committee member Mahesh Senanayake while speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (17).

He added: “If such reports present legitimate human rights violations, everyone should come together to protect the human rights of Sri Lankan citizens. If any allegations are levelled against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC session, the Government should look into such concerns with an open mind and take measures to ensure the human rights of Sri Lankans.

Senanayake further said that the reports showed injustice taking place against the country’s citizens, and that pointing out such matters was a positive development. 

He opined that if the present Government was failing in its duty to provide protection to citizens, at least the international community should point them out. According to him, the SJB remains ready to extend any form of assistance to protect human rights in the country.

“Instead of criticising the international community, learn what can be learnt from it and serve justice to the people,” he stated.