UNHCR to phase down operations in Sri Lanka

Friday, 5 October 2012 10:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United Nations refugee agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will trim its operational role in Sri Lanka as the country has shown considerable progress three years after the country emerged from defeating terrorism.

Responding to the statement made by the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha at the 63rd Session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR on Tuesday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres observed that “the operational role of the UNHCR in Sri Lanka will be phased down for many of the reasons that were elaborated upon in the Ambassador’s statement”.

The Ambassador has noted that “in contrast to the considerable difficulty and gloom in the humanitarian crises that continue to engulf many parts of the world today, Sri Lanka’s recent achievements provide confidence and hope”.

He has highlighted the considerable progress the country has made a little over three years – in IDP resettlement, de-mining, re-integration of ex-LTTE combatants, the shrinking of the high security zones, increase of economic growth in the Northern Province and operationalisation of LLRC recommendations.

Responding to Ambassador Aryasinha’s comments, Guterres has said the “UNHCR will continue to be committed to supporting voluntary repatriation of some of the refugees of Sri Lanka from India, as well as with the resettlement of the remainder of the internally displaced in their places of origin.”

Ambassador Aryasinha has commented that “those who downplay the significance of Sri Lanka’s post-conflict achievements and constantly keep shifting goal posts, show disrespect not only to Sri Lanka and its international partners whose steadfast commitment to this task has made these achievements possible, but also to those who have at last emerged from the suffering caused by 30 years of terrorist conflict.”

The Ambassador has said that Sri Lanka remains ready to share its experience and best practices in post-conflict resettlement and rehabilitation with the international community, and looked forward to strengthening the ongoing cooperation between the UNHCR and member states.