Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday called on the proponents of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka to divert millions of dollars it is seeking for the implementation of the proposal to improve the lives of the people affected by the conflict.

“This huge amount of funds is sufficient to build thousands of houses in the areas affected by the conflict, possibly to vaccinate the population of the entire Jaffna peninsula against COVID-19, or to provide drinking water to the entire province,” he said.

He said it is regrettable that the proponents of the resolution seek to create an ambiguous mechanism with funds of millions of dollars at a time of severe financial constraints faced by the UN.

The UNHRC is seeking $ 2.8 million to set up an office to collect information about alleged war crimes committed in the country.

Dinesh tells Parliament UNHRC resolution is illegal