Nimal sees glimmer of hope in Geneva

24 March 2014 11:49 am Views - 4290

House Leader and Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today there were positive signs with regard to the UNHRC resolution after the wording on an international inquiry on alleged human right violations had been changed because of pressure from other member countries.

Minister de Silva said amendments could be brought to the final draft at the last minute.

“External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris explained Sri Lanka’s stance at the UNHRC sessions on the alleged human right violations in Sri Lanka. The draft of this resolution is being changed daily. By now they have changed their stance about an international inquiry. But we cannot be too happy about it because they can amend the draft even on March 26,” the minister said.

He said Sri Lanka would not agree to an international inquiry being held over alleged human right violations in Sri Lanka.

“We are totally against this resolution. If there is a human right issue in the country, it should be addressed through a domestic process. This resolution has a hidden agenda. This is totally a political process. It is not an independent panel which is taking decisions at the UNHRC. The other member counties have been subjected to influence. We briefed them about the actual state of the issue. We also explained to them that this is not only against Sri Lanka but it will be a precedent to the interference in the internal affairs of other countries as well,” the minister said.(Ajith Siriwardana)