SLFP says UN recommendations acceptable if suitably amended

SLFP Vice Chairman Minister of Social Empowerment and Welfare S.B. Dissanayake addressing yesterday’s media briefing. SLFP Media Spokesman and State Minister of Highways Dilan Perera (L) and Local Government Minister Faiszer Mustapha are also present – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) yesterday said that Sri Lanka would be able to comply with United Nations Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein’s recommendations if they were suitably amended. 

Addressing the first media briefing soon after the new Parliament assembled, SLFP Media Spokesperson and State Minister of Highways Dilan Perera stated that the Government could use the hybrid court concept in an effective manner. 

“It is not fair to refuse all suggestions of the UN Human Rights Chief. I believe we can use them in a good way for the country’s interest and we must maintain the relationship with UN,” he said.

However, comparing the foreign policy approaches of the present administration with its predecessor, Perera said that the current Government’s strategy was stronger. 

“Due to President Maithripala Sirisena’s leadership, Sri Lanka has been able to join hands with many countries, even those it has previously not shared cordial relations with, especially some European countries. We believe that this time the United States will stand alongside us,” he expressed.

Speaking about the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya’s (PHU) decision to propose an Act of Indemnity to safeguard Government employees, Perera said: “This will not be necessary. The OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights) report is based on hearsay therefore it is difficult to prove.”

SLFP Vice Chairman and Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B. Dissanayake stressed that they would continue to call for an internal investigation into alleged war crimes with a local mechanism. 

“The Government has provided a balance response to the OHCHR report. In this situation we should not be so aggressive or partial. However, the SLFP’s opinion on conducting an investigation will remain the same,” he emphasised.

Dissanayake also said that they were waiting for positive feedback from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). “President Sirisena will attend the UNHRC’s next session. He will express our views on the OHCHR report and the UNHR Chief’s recommendations. We believe we will receive the response we expect.”

Dissanayake said that the previous regime’s foreign policy strategy had spoiled Sri Lanka’s relationship with the international community. 

“The US, the UK and our close friend India have abandoned us because of our flawed foreign policy. Due to this the US wanted to punish Sri Lanka at the UNHRC. However, through President Sirisena’s intelligence the released of the OHCHR report, which was scheduled for last May, was delayed,” he said.

Commenting on the upcoming local government election, Dissanayake revealed that the SLFP would contest alone in some electorates.

“Our decision whether to contest alone at the upcoming polls is still being discussed. The SLFP will ask for the United People’s Freedom Alliance’s (UPFA) opinion,” the Minister stated.