SL WITHDRAWS FROM ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ UN RESOLUTION

● Says resolution 30/1 unjustly vilify Sri Lankan security forces ● Cabinet, Parliament, President not consulted when co-sponsoring

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday informed the UNHRC of the government’s decision to withdraw from co-sponsoring ‘Resolution 30/1’ terming it ‘unconstitutional.’

He said the government would set up a domestically-designed reconciliation and accountability process to achieve sustainable peace, which would also include a Commission of Inquiry (COI) headed by a Justice.

Speaking at the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council High Level Segment in Geneva, he said the previous government recognised the ‘much flawed’ OISL report which unjustly vilified the heroic Sri Lankan security forces. In co-sponsoring Resolution 30/1, he said, the previous government violated all democratic principles of governance.

“Most seriously, it is seen that the dictated changes in the country pursuant to 30/1 undermined the national interests and compromised security including weakening intelligence operations and related safeguards which are deemed to have contributed to the lapses that resulted in the Easter Sunday attacks last April,” he said.

Notwithstanding the withdrawal from co-sponsoring the resolution, he said Sri Lanka remained committed to achieving the goals set by people of Sri Lanka on accountability and human rights towards sustainable peace and reconciliation.

“The government will set up a domestically-designed reconciliation and accountability process to achieve sustainable peace. Sri Lanka will continue to remain engaged with, and seek as required, the assistance of the UN and its agencies.

Finally, in conjunction with all members of the UN, Sri Lanka will seek to work towards the closure of the resolution,” he said.

The minister will respond to the oral update on Sri Lanka by Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet today and meet her on Friday.