Sri Lanka assures UNHRC of progress by 2017

The Government yesterday assured the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of progress in the promotion and protection of human rights for the benefit of the Sri Lankan people by 2017.

Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy to the President told the Council yesterday during the adoption of Sri Lanka’s Universal Periodic Report (UPR) that a national mechanism would take into consideration the recommendations supported and pledges made consequent to the adoption of the Report before the Council.

“We are confident that we can incorporate the outcome document into our national plans and programs of action, so that by 2017 when we next face a Review, that we will be able to demonstrate further advances in the promotion and protection of human rights for the benefit of the Sri Lankan people,” he said.

While some countries welcomed Sri Lanka’s UPR report, the US and the UK raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s failure to address some issues. The US raised particular concerns over the Government’s failure to implement all the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

 – See Page 13 for the full text of Minister Samarasinghe’s speech