SL scotches rumours of collaboration with US

22 February 2012 08:53 pm Views - 9672

Sri Lanka yesterday scotched speculation in diplomatic circles here in Geneva that the country had agreed with the United Stated to draft the proposed resolution to be presented at the upcoming sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with regard to the country’s human rights situation.

According to sources, the US has resorted to such an action in its lobbying spree to discourage the member countries from taking a stand in favour of Sri Lanka. Currently, the government of Sri Lanka has undertaken a diplomatic offensive in Geneva to secure the support of friendly countries to defeat such a resolution against the country.

“They have spread rumours that we have agreed to draft this resolution together. In this manner, they have tried to convince the other countries that Sri Lanka is also supportive of the proposed resolution.

Once the member countries are convinced that the resolution will be brought by the US with the consent of Sri Lanka, they will not take the issue seriously. That is the ploy. We will not allow such rumours to gain ground.

"This is to discourage the countries supporting us. There is no any element of truth in such rumours,” sources said.

Sri Lankan diplomats based in Geneva for the diplomatic offensive are perturbed over this development.

Asked about the latest situation, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that Sri Lanka would not agree to such a measure with anyone at all.

“We will inform the diplomats of the countries supportive of us in this regard. We are not agreeable to such a move at this juncture,” he said. (Kelum Bandara reporting from Geneva)