• Resolution approved by 141 votes in favour, 35 abstentions and five against

By Sunil Jayasiri  

Sri Lanka along with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh abstained from voting on the resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that strongly criticised Russia’s action for invading Ukraine.   

The resolution also demanded that there should be an immediate withdrawal of all Russian forces. 

 
The resolution was approved by 141 votes in favour, 35 abstentions and five votes against. The resolution “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the Charter”.  

It also demands that the “Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and to refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any Member State”.  

The larger South Asian countries, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh abstained from voting. However, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives, voted for the resolution. 

• The resolution “deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the  Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2 (4) of the  Charter”