SL signed UNHRC resolution without my knowledge: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday said that he is not ready to do anything that is contrary to the country's constitution or harmful to its sovereignty simply because the international community or anyone else was saying so.

He said that the UNHRC Chief stated in her proposal that security forces had not released the lands to the original owners in the North and East and she wanted to appoint a commission to look into that. “Her statement was purely based on false information given by some NGOs, because of that there is no need to appoint such a commission for that purpose,” he said.

“I would like to say that we as a government are ready to accept what is correct in the UNHRC report, but at the same time we are not ready to accept what is wrong,” the President said addressing an event in Meegahatenne in Kalutara.

The President said that Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Geneva had signed to co-sponsor the resolution to consider the report on Sri Lanka again in two years without his approval and he completely rejects it.

He said that the signature had been placed without his knowledge or of the Foreign Ministry or the Foreign Ministry secretary. He said that he is opposed to this process which happened because of the wrong decision by certain sections of the country. The President said that he sees it as a betrayal of the people, the government and the tri-forces. He added that the responsibility of international relations rests with the President and not anyone lesser than that.

The President said that the delegation to Geneva had been appointed without any discussion with him and he took steps to change it afterwards. The President said that he advised the Foreign Minister subsequently on the way the presentation has to be made in Geneva in a way that is suitable to the country.