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Lanka explains post-Aluthgama measures to UNHRC
View(s):Sri Lanka has told the UN Human Rights Council that President Rajapaksa has assured an impartial inquiry into incidents in and around Aluthgama “irrespective of race, religion or ethnicity.” Exercising Sri Lanka’s ‘right of reply’ to statements made by Germany, Norway and Canada during the General Debate, Manisha Gunasekera, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, said the President had given an assurance that properties damaged in last week’s incidents would be repaired while all steps were being taken to bring the area back to normal.
Ms. Gunasekera said the Sri Lanka Army was currently estimating the damage to property, while the Ministry of Rehabilitation was conducting its own estimates in a parallel process with the District Secretary.
“Funds for repairs will be channelled through the Ministry of Rehabilitation. The Ministries of Social Welfare and Disaster Management are in the process of providing food and resettling the displaced persons. All those indulging in hate speech will be taken in for questioning,” she added.
The Deputy Permanent Representative said all Sri Lankan people enjoyed freedom of religion, which was a constitutionally guaranteed right and that the Government did not condone any acts of violence against any religious or ethnic community. “In all instances where credible information relating to incidents has been available, the Government has taken appropriate action. Sri Lanka, therefore, wishes to assure this Council that the Government remains deeply committed to protecting the lives of all its citizens, places of worship and property,” Ms. Gunasekera said.