Sri Lanka again abstains from UN vote on Russian invasion

• The resolution was passed 141-7 with 32 abstentions 
• The seven countries who voted against it were Russia,  Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria 

 By Sunil Jayasiri

Sri Lanka has once again abstained from voting  on a resolution against Russia at the UN General Assembly on Thursday,  where the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to call for a cessation  of hostilities in Ukraine and for Russia to withdraw its forces  immediately.   The resolution, which passed 141-7 with 32 abstentions on  the day before the one-year mark of the Ukraine war, calls for Russia’s  “immediate cessation of the attacks on the critical infrastructure of  Ukraine and any deliberate attacks on civilian objects, including those  that are residences, schools and hospitals.”   

It also calls on nations and international organizations to  redouble support for diplomatic efforts to achieve a comprehensive,  just and lasting peace in Ukraine.   

The seven countries who voted against it were Russia,  Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria. Sri Lanka,  India, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan Iran and South Africa were among the  32 countries to abstain in the vote.   

A year ago also, Sri Lanka abstained in the UN General  Assembly on a draft resolution calling for Russia to be held accountable  for violations of international law by its invasion of Ukraine.