Foreign secretary Aryasinha meets Human Rights Council President in Geneva
Ahead of the upcoming 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) scheduled to commence Monday (24 February), Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha briefed the President of the HRC Ambassador Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger on the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to withdraw its co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 of March 2019 on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’, which also incorporates and builds on preceding Resolutions 30/1 of October 2015 and 34/1 of March 2017.
The Foreign Secretary who is presently in Geneva, on Friday (21 February) informed the President that the Cabinet of Ministers had on Wednesday approved this decision following a cabinet paper submitted by Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The decision had also been presented to the Parliament on Thursday.
He also informed her that Minister Gunawardena will lead the Sri Lanka delegation to the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council, and will formally inform the Council Members on the Government’s decision when he addresses the High Level Segment of the Council, on Wednesday 26 February.
Minister Gunawardena who will also respond to the Oral Update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner on 27 February, is scheduled to meet the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, during his stay in Geneva.
She was also informed by the Foreign Secretary that on the eve of the decision being taken by the Cabinet, the Ambassadors of the ‘core group’ that had moved the resolution, who were resident in Colombo ( the UK, Germany and Canada), had also been briefed by Minister Gunawardena.
Ambassador Tichy-Fisslberger appreciated Sri Lanka’s initiative to keep her briefed on the matter.
Sri Lanka Permanent Mission
Geneva
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Only when money is in the lap, there will be fear on the way.
Why should anyone come to the conclusion that if an international investigation is launched our brave soldiers will be punished ? Why cannot we hope on the contrary that their innocence will be established?
International investigations will be very partial as they have accepted that our security forces have committed genocide
With back boneless Yaha Palanaya Genva was only an one way affair. Ridiculing and bullying Sri Lanka with the support of Tamil Diaspora, NGOs formed and funded by foreign elements, trainers such as Mangala, Rajitha, Ranil et al. Mangala co sponsored US accusation even without the knowledge of President Siri Sena. Sri Lanka has all the rights to protest this infamous resolution 30/1. Mr. Jesuthasan your argument valid for USA, UK, France, Canada who were engaged in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and even Libya. Mr. Jesuthasan please lobby for International investigation for the countries I named too. SL will question regarding killing of 300 unarmed policemen by the Tamil terror outfit LTTE. This Newtons 3rd Law brother. This time around it will be not pongal in Geneva.