Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Sunday Dec 15, 2024
Friday, 13 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
ng to buy time by encouraging the international community to postpone the report, which is still on the official UNHRC agenda to be presented on 28 March during sessions in Geneva. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stepped up efforts to postpone presentation of the report and is expected to make a fresh appeal when he meets US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Sirisena is kicking off his first foreign tour as President on Sunday following an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recent overtures on reconciliation made by the Sirisena administration is expected to be raised by him during the meeting.
“Discussions will be wide-ranging and the UNHRC report may come up. The Government is also keen to deepen ties with India on all fronts including promoting trade and investment between the two parties,” Acting Cabinet Spokesman Lakshman Kiriella told reporters.
“We are confident that if we carry out the steps outlined in the 100-day plan and encourage reconciliation then the international community will be considerate of our requests. It was the previous Government that ignored demands for an internal investigation and triggered this international inquiry. But we believe there is space for a credible internal inquiry,” he added.
Cabinet also signed off on a string of measures to deepen relations with India including waiving of visa for diplomatic passport holders, MOUs on highways, higher education, investment promotion and agriculture. A MoU on the Nalanda University was also in the mix.
Sri Lanka is also to seek grant assistance of about $ 260 million dollars for construction of 20,000 houses for estate workers in landslide prone areas and re-roofing of 30,000 existing line rooms. Mutual cooperation on Customs will also be considered by the two neighbours.
