UNP calls on Govt. to take a firm stance on UN resolution

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday called on the Government to make a firm stance on the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and create a mechanism for it.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, UNP General Secretary MP Tissa Attanayake said the Government needs to decide and announce its stance on the LLRC recommendations and the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka that was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

He explained that Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who informed parliament that the LLRC recommendations would be implemented when presenting the report to parliament last year has now said the government would only implement some of the recommendations.

Minister de Silva has said that there is no legal requirement to implement all the recommendations of the Commission in the exact manner.

The Sri Lankans would have to face adverse circumstances if the government attempted to make the Geneva resolution a political project, the opposition lawmaker warned.

The resolution on Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka adopted at the 19th session of UNHCR last week calls on the Sri Lankan Government to speedily implement the recommendations of the LLRC and take credible steps to ensure accountability for alleged serious violations of international humanitarian laws committed during the final stages of the country’s civil war.

Attanayake added that the Government was also trying to close down diplomatic missions in European countries that had supported the UNHRC resolution.

The Government has decided to close Sri Lankan missions in Poland, Netherlands, Austria Norway and Sweden and establish one mission to oversee affairs in these countries.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, however, has said the decision to close some the missions in Europe was not linked to the UNHRC resolution.

Attanayake said the Government needs to work with the opposition in dealing with the current situation, but has instead ignored Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe’s call. (Colombo Page)