• States Constitution of Sri Lanka does not allow any external mechanism
• Says Sri Lanka is looking at a holistic and a long lasting solution for human rights

 By Ajith Siriwardana 

Sri Lanka under the present government will not agree to any external mechanism on human right issues and would advocate for a domestic mechanism which is transparent and acceptable to all, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said yesterday. He told a news conference that the Cabinet and President Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed to adopt such a policy at the upcoming UNHRC sessions.The Minister said Constitution of Sri Lanka does not allow any external mechanism and that any judicial process should be in terms of the Constitution.

“Sri Lankan Constitution is very clear on that. Any judicial process should be in terms of the Constitution. Even if we agree on an external mechanism, it cannot be implemented. Anyone can challenge it in domestic court. We will agree on any domestic mechanism. We will not agree to any external mechanism by trying to pressurize and take away the power from the Constitution,” he said.

He said Sri Lanka is looking at a holistic and a long lasting solution for human rights and stressed the need to go for a truth seeking mechanism within the framework of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.

“We have continuously engaged with the international community. We are not interested in any confrontations. We are only interested in cordial relationships with all multilateral agencies and bilateral countries. That is the policy of this Wickremesinghe government. Specific instructions have been given for engagement. We are looking at a holistic solution or a lasting solution to the problems or the grievances of all parties who have suffered the long term conflict of this country,” he said.