UNHRC resolution: We have nothing to fear, says Rajapaksa

Monday, 10 March 2014 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said he has nothing to fear as his country faces a US-moved human rights resolution at the UN rights body. Addressing a televised question and answer session on Friday night, the president said: “We have nothing to be worried of, I am not worried”. He said a handful of powerful countries are being backed by local elements to undermine him and his government. “The opposition who can never be victorious in the country and certain NGOs are carrying tales to the international community. They try to win this way,” Rajapaksa quipped. The US-moved resolution is to back UN rights Chief Navi Pillay’s proposal to subject Sri Lanka to an international investigation over its alleged human rights abuses. “This commissioner (Pillay) came here and stayed for 4 days gathering incorrect information. Now they are trying to base those wrong information. We have rejected it. We have said we will not accept it,” he said. Rajapaksa said Cuba and Israel have also faced similar action by the UN Human Rights Council against their countries. “So it is not only us. There are more countries”. Rajapaksa said he had guaranteed the right to live of all Sri Lankan communities by ending the separatist armed campaign of the LTTE. “What greater human rights than being allowed to live?” he asked. Stating that by taking steps such as the appointment of a panel to probe disappearances in the island, Rajapaksa said, the Government had already addressed rights concerns. The resolution to be put to vote at the UNHRC session in Geneva at end of this month will be the third in as many years censuring Sri Lanka on its lack of progress on human rights accountability and reconciliation with its Tamil minority after the civil war ended with the defeat of the LTTE in 2009. India had backed the previous two resolutions. (Hindu)

President assures stern punishment for drug traffickers

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured to impose stern punishment on those involved in drug trafficking regardless of their status. Participating in a live TV program Janapathi Jana Hamuwa aired from the Temple Trees on Friday, President Rajapaksa said the people who bring the drugs into the country need to be apprehended and punished. He said the Army and Police have been instructed to take every possible action to curtail drug trafficking and dealing. The President also requested the support of all parties in the country to eradicate the drug menace.

Envoy appreciates US Senate resolution

Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya has thanked the US Senators who introduced Senate Resolution 364 recognising Sri Lanka’s success in restoration of democracy, rebuilding and reconciliation after the dawn of peace in 2009. In a letter addressed to the Senators, the Ambassador called the resolution a very a positive gesture of goodwill and understanding towards Sri Lanka from these senior representatives of the American people. He underscored the facts enumerated in the Resolution such as the continued peace in the entire country , restoration of democracy and the concrete steps taken towards reconciliation that represent the true situation in Sri Lanka. “I wanted to express my gratitude to you for co-sponsoring Senate Resolution 364. This resolution is fair and balanced and one that reflects the actual progress made by the Government of Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Wickramasuriya said in the letter. The Ambassador is also of the view that adopting such a positive resolution on Sri Lanka by US Senators would certainly be seen in Sri Lanka as moral encouragement to continue the process of healing and reconciliation. “I am appreciative that this resolution acknowledges the establishment of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the multitude of categories it addresses. This resolution is a historically significant piece of legislation that I believe will enhance the US-Sri Lanka relationship.” Ambassador Wickramasuriya also thanks all Sri Lankan-Americans who have been tirelessly working to keep their legislators informed about the true story on Sri Lanka. He opines the Senate Resolution 364 is clear evidence that their endeavours have been successful. Further, Ambassador Wickramasuriya requests the Sri Lankan community to continue updating their political representatives in the US on the current positive developments in Sri Lanka and encourage them to visit the country and see the progress for themselves.