12 February 2022 12:00 am Views - 115
By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana
Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday said he will inform the upcoming 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) later this month that a resolution in Geneva cannot be enforced on the rest of the world.
Speaking during the condolence vote on late Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Minister said, “We believe fundamentally that reconciliation must be adhered to in keeping with historical cultured antecedent social traditions of each country and I will highlight this point at the 44th UN Human Rights Council coming up on February 28, 2022 where Sri Lanka will be taken up for discussion on March 3rd”.
He said institutions such as the Office of Missing Persons (OMP), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should handle issues locally and without any international involvement.
“Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said no resolution came against Sri Lanka in the UN during the tenure of Mr. Samaraweera as the minister in charge of foreign affairs. Of course there were no adverse resolutions during his time as he believed that matters should be handled internationally. He believed in this sincerely. Mr.Samaraweera co-sponsored a resolution on Sri Lanka despite certain officers strongly advising against it. He did it, knowing that this move will not enhance his political career,” he added.