Sri Lanka says despite withdrawing from co-sponsorship of Resolution 30/1, it remains committed to achieve reconciliation, accountability and human rights, within the framework of the Sri Lankan Constitution, through a domestically designed and executed process in line with the Government’s policy framework.

Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, made these comments while delivering the statement by Sri Lanka at the Interactive Dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her oral update on COVID-19, during the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council Thursday in Geneva.

Responding to the views expressed on 30 June by the core group on Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka (UK, Canada, Germany, North Macedonia and Montenegro, the envoy urged all parties to recognize the ground reality in Sri Lanka.

“We urge all parties once again to recognize the realities on the ground, and appreciate this approach of focusing on deliverable measures of reconciliation – which is backed by a people’s mandate and is in the interest of Sri Lanka and its people, instead of opting to continue with a framework driven externally that has failed to deliver genuine reconciliation for over four and half years,” she said.

The envoy assured that the Government will continue its engagement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Human Rights mechanisms and work in close cooperation with the international community through capacity building and technical assistance in mutually agreed areas, in keeping with domestic priorities and policies.

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