Govt. to include progress in implementing LLRC recommendations in UPR report

The Government is to include the progress made in the implementation of recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in the country’s report to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights.

Sri Lanka’s UPR is to be taken up in November at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

A senior government source told ColomboPage that Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who headed the committee that prepared the report had sent it for Presidential approval and has also sent copies to External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris, Minister Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, the Attorney General’s Department and former Attorney General Mohan Peiris.

“The government will make some amendments in order to add the progress made with regard to the implementation of LLRC recommendations on the human rights front,” the senior government member said.

The changes to the UPR report regarding the LLRC recommendations are to be made by Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga who is heading a Presidential Committee to oversee the implementation of the LLRC recommendations.

Sri Lanka’s UPR report was to be sent to Geneva via e-mail yesterday.

The UPR to be held on November 01 will be the midway mark since the adoption of the US sponsored Resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th Session of the UNHRC on March 22 this year.

Adoption of the report on Sri Lanka is scheduled for 5th of November.

The UNHRC has appointed India, Benin and Spain to the troika that is scheduled to review Sri Lanka. All three countries voted in support of the UN resolution on Sri Lanka.