Sajith says weak foreign policy, divisive politics led to UNHRC resolution on SL

Friday, 26 March 2021 01:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Says traditional allies voted in favour or abstained due to divisive policies of Govt.
Says failure in Geneva exposes Govt. incompetence to country and world
SJB regrets resolution was adopted, reiterates that there is no room for foreign judges or interference in internal affairs
Says domestic mechanisms must gain credibility internationally to be a success
Says SJB stands committed to the PC system

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday hit out at the Government for its failure to win support

Sajith Premadasa

against the resolution adopted by the UNHRC on Sri Lanka, blaming the loss on divisive policies aimed at causing disunity among ethnic and religious groups in the country and weak foreign policy.

“The Government’s foreign policy is extremely weak. Our traditional allies either voted for or abstained from voting on the resolution due to the ill thought-out policies of the Government,” Premadasa said in Parliament.

He said of the 16-pages in the report on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, more than half the pages were devoted to addressing the weakening of democratic institutions in the country since this Government took office.

He said the SJB regrets that the resolution was adopted, but noted that the Government must not try to blame the Opposition for its failures.

“The reason we lost is because the Government has adopted policies that have led to disunity and mistrust among different communities in the country. The failure at the UNHRC showcased the incompetence of the Government. The Government has lost its credibility due to its duplicity, campaigning the cause of Sinhala-Buddhists while addressing the domestic audience, but telling the international audience that this is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country.”

Premadasa however reiterated that the Samagi Jan Balawegaya (SJB) does not support international interference in domestic affairs. “We do not want foreign judges. We don’t want foreign interference in internal matters, but all this is happening due to the weak policies of the Government.

He added that the SJB is willing to support the Government to take forward a domestic mechanism.

“What is needed is a domestic mechanism that gains credibility internationally. It cannot be a kangaroo court. Let us settle our problems in our country. We do not want any international interference.”

Premadasa said the SJB would support the Government stop any such resolutions that might be moved in the UNHRC in the future, but warned that to do that a credible and just system would need to be put in place to address the grievances of the people.

Premadasa also said the SJB supports the Provincial Council system. “The PC system must continue as it is. The SJB is strongly of that view.”