• Some individuals who committed the worst ever war crimes were living in the countries that take on Sri Lanka at the  UNHRC

By Kelum Bandara  

Ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday questioned the double standard of some countries which pursue war crime allegations against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), while providing shelter to some of the worst perpetrators of such acts.  

It said some individuals who committed the worst ever war crimes such as conscription of child soldiers and hanging cyanide capsules around their necks, were living in the countries that take on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC.  
At its regular press conference, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) had worked out a report with no mention of war time happenings but actions taken by the present Government upon its election to office in November, 2019.   

“It is not a report based on scientifically examined facts. It does not deal with what happened during the war,” he said.  

Prof. Peiris who is one time External Affairs Minister with experience in dealing with the UNHRC process, said the decisions, actions and certain appointments of the new Government had been dealt with in the report. He said it was totally outside the mandate of the UNHRC.   

“It is direct interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs,” he said.  
He said the vote on Sri Lanka is expected to be taken within the next two or three weeks in Geneva, Switzerland. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardane informed the UNHRC about Sri Lanka’s position.