Resolution in 2009 was not fully implemented

The resolution in support of Sri Lanka presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2009 was not fully implemented, former Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said today.

Samarasinghe, who was the Minister in charge of human rights at the time, said that if the resolution was fully implemented then the 2012 and 2013 resolutions against Sri Lanka may have faced difficulties in being adopted.

Speaking to reporters at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headquarters today, Samarasinghe recalled?that the 2009 resolution backed reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

He noted that the United States is now working with Sri Lanka to put forward a similar resolution at the UNHRC next month in order to support the reconciliation process in the country.

Samarasinghe, who has been included to the new Parliament through the National List, said that the Government must ensure it fully implement the new resolution if it gets the support of the UNHRC.

He said the Government must now put in motion an independent domestic process to investigate allegations over the war in a manner which builds confidence among all communities.

He also said that the Government may need to implement the recommendations of the report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which is set to be presented to the UNHRC next month. (Colombo Gazette)