Govt yet to react to UNHCR resolution says Cabinet spokesman

Sri Lanka government has not officially announced its response to the resolution passed by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHCR) in Geneva, says the acting Media Minister and cabinet spokesman, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena.“Government may give its official reaction in the future”, he said answering to a question from a journalist on Thursday.

He said that a statement made by Foreign Minister Prof.G.L.Pieris that the decision taken at the UNHCR will be rejected, is not the decision of the government.

Official reaction

“It does not reflect the government views”, he said.

Media carried news reports on March 26 quoting Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris saying that Sri Lanka does not accept the UN resolution and will implement (Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission) LLRC recommendations through its own processes.

Acting Media Minister Abeywardena said that the government has not rejected the LLRC either.

LLRC

“LLRC is appointed by the President. Cabinet and parliament have approved it. Government has taken steps to implement the recommendations taking into consideration the report proposals, he said.

Answering to a question, Mr.Abeywardena pointed out that Israel has strongly opposed to a UNHCR resolution to send a fact-finding mission to Israel to investigate human rights violations against Palestinians.

“Israel has even proposed to withdraw from the UNHCR over this issue”, Acting Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardeha added.
 BBC sinhala