Lalith Weeratunga in US

Ahead of the March session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, who is in charge of the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the Recommendations by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), was to leave for the United States (US) yesterday to brief the leaders of that country on the developments here.

Mr. Weeratunga wrapped up his briefing session for the permanent representatives of the UNHRC member states based in Geneva yesterday.  From there, he was to proceed to Washington to interact with the officials of the US State Department, congressmen and senators.

The US has already said that it remains concerned about the lack of progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka in addressing issues of human rights violations during the latter part of the war. The two US sponsored resolutions have been adopted by the UNHRC urging the government to address human rights and accountability issues, and to implement LLRC recommendations.

Meanwhile, Minister of External Affairs G.L. Peiris met with the Board of Directors of the Asia Foundation on Tuesday for an informal discussion.

Members of the Board who have distinguished themselves in business, politics, academia, diplomacy and other walks of life in the United States, are currently on a visit to Sri Lanka to survey projects being supported by the Asia Foundation and to attend some events marking the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of the Foundation.

Among those visiting the country are David D. Arnold, President of the Foundation, Ambassador Michael H. Armacost, former U.S. Ambassador and Under Secretary of State and Distinguished Fellow of Stanford University, Ambassador Theodore L. Eliot, former U.S. Ambassador and Executive Secretary of the State Department and Dean Emeritus of the Fletcher School, Ambassador Teresita C. Schaffer, former U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Dr. Seok-Hyun Hong, Chairman and CEO of Joon Ang Media Network, Mr. S. Timothy Kochis, former Chairman and CEO of Aspiriant, Ms. Masako H. Shinn, Partner of Graphis Asia, Mr. Paul S. Slawson, business leader and Mrs. Judith Wilbur, Civic Leader.

The Minister regretted the excessive pressure being exerted on Sri Lanka by repeated resolutions by the Human Rights Council in Geneva which, he said, were counterproductive because of their polarising effect.  He told the Asia Foundation delegation that there was a growing perception in Sri Lanka that the country was not being fairly treated, that difficult accomplishments within a brief time span were not sufficiently acknowledged and that standards not invoked in respect of comparable post-conflict situations were being applied selectively to Sri Lanka.  He urged greater sensitivity and understanding, and the desirability of approaches founded more on partnership and respect consistent with the country’s dignity than on coercive elements which injected needless strain into a long-established relationship.(KB)