Govt. backs domestic structure to promote reconciliation

By Nuwan Senarathna  

Information and Communication Technology  State Minister Lakshma Yapa Abeywardena  - Pic by Lasantha Kumara

The Government yesterday advocated the need for a domestic reconciliation process which will bring sustainable peace, while assuring that they will continue to work closely with international organisations.     

The Cabinet last week decided to withdraw from co-sponsorship of the United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC) resolution 40/1 of March 2019, which incorporates and builds on preceding resolutions 34/1 of March 2014 and 30/1 of October 2015. Speaking to reporters at Media Ministry, Information and Communication Technology State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said the Government would convey its intention of withdrawing the resolution at the UNHRC.

“Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena will meet the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet and explain Sri Lanka’s stance. He will also explain the Sri Lankan Government’s willingness to work closely with the UN and other international agencies while giving prominence to a domestic mechanism to inquire into allegations and promote sustainable peace,” he said.

Abeywardena assured that the Government will be committed to achieving a sustainable peace through a domestically-designed mechanism that will include all stakeholders. He added that accountability and reconciliation could be attained through domestic mechanisms, in line with the Government policy framework.Meanwhile, the Government is expecting to appoint a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by the Justice of the Supreme Court, to review the reports of the previous CoI that investigated alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

He charged that the decision to co-sponsor UNHRC resolution 30/1 was taken without consulting the Cabinet or former President Maithripala Sirisena. He claimed the decision to co-sponsor the resolution was taken by former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, based on personal preference, and as such was not endorsed by the Cabinet.  “Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera did not inform the Cabinet nor former President Maithripala Sirisena about the decision to co-sponsor UNHRC resolution 30/1, therefore it cannot be taken as a decision of the Government. However, when a Foreign Minister co-sponsors such a resolution, there is a very slim chance to revise that, and that is what we are trying at the moment,” he said.