Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has emphasized that Sri Lanka will remain engaged with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) while seeking “more time and space” to address concerns raised about the reconciliation process and alleged wartime rights violations, Daily Mirror reports.
Ahead of the UNHRC’s 60th session, which begins on September 8, and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s upcoming visits to the UN in New York and Japan, Minister Herath briefed the Colombo-based diplomatic community.
The UK-led core group of countries working on Sri Lanka’s issue is expected to move another resolution during the session. Preliminary discussions have taken place, but the resolution has not yet been finalized, according to sources.
Minister Herath highlighted the need for additional time and space to respond to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ concerns and sought support from the diplomatic community for Sri Lanka to present its case.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who previously visited Sri Lanka, is expected to submit his report during the upcoming session.
The previous government had rejected UNHRC resolutions on Sri Lanka, and the current government also opposed the resolution when it was considered last year.
During the briefing, Minister Herath outlined developments achieved by the government during its first 11 months in office. Foreign Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, who was also present, noted that President Dissanayake will address the UN General Assembly on September 24 before traveling to Tokyo on an official visit.
