President to present new proposals to UNHRC

President Maithripala Sirisena in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 25 will include a series of proposals to the United Nations Human Rights Council with a view to freeing Sri Lanka from the scrutiny of the world body.

The President, however, declined to divulge the details, saying that if he did so, it would take the shine off his speech.

Addressing media heads today, the President said he would also meet the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the UNHRC’s new head, Michelle Bachelet, in New York to discuss Sri Lanka’s proposals with regard to war crimes allegations related to the last stages of the separatist war in 2009.

The President said the present government had a good rapport with the international community and world bodies and he believed the Government would be able to solve the war-time issues diplomatically, while protecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and dignity.

Mr. Sirisena said the Government was fully committed to the reconciliation process.

When asked to comment on Ms. Bachelet’s complaint on Monday that Sri Lanka was slow to implement measures necessary for post-war reconciliation, the President said that the process involved several complex and delicate issues and the Government had to go slow in the interest of peace and national reconciliation.

The President said the UNHRC chief in her maiden speech at the UNHRC session this week was hailing Sri Lanka’s progress and it was a welcome message.

He said he would hand over a document containing Sri Lanka’s proposals to the UNHRC chief during his meeting with her in New York.

 

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