Govt. rejects OHCHR’s external accountability initiative

Says international action will only hinder ongoing reconciliation efforts

By Chandani Kirinde

The Government has rejected calls by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for international action to advance accountability in Sri Lanka, stating that external initiatives will only serve as hindrances to the ongoing national efforts and serve to polarise the population.
The Government instead urged the OHCHR and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to afford the space that is required to make use of the available opportunity and advance the rights and wellbeing of all Sri Lankans.

“In this regard, Sri Lanka observes that external initiatives will only serve as hindrances to the ongoing national efforts and serve to polarise the population. The GoSL does not agree with the conclusions and recommendations in the report with regard to international action,” the Government said in its comments on the comprehensive report released by the OHCHR on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka.

Read more on the story in today's Sunday Times here