Zeid hails progress in Sri Lanka during meeting with President

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights?Zeid Ra?ad Al Hussein has welcomed the progress in Sri Lanka seen so far under the new Government.

The High Commissioner had expressed his appreciation during a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena in New York.

The President said that Sri Lanka is performing for the betterment of its people with much responsibility, in keeping with the charters of the UN, as a member of United Nations.

He said the Government is taking the process to ensure human rights and reconciliation forward step by step.

The President pointed out if the Government would take sudden actions regarding these, the extremist groups will take advantages. He said two years are sufficient for Sri Lanka to complete the matters adopted by UNHRC resolution. He invited Prince Hussein to visit Sri Lanka to witness the progress it has achieved.

President Sirisena stated that he signed the relevant gazette notification to establish the office on missing persons before he made this official visit to US. He said this office will be actively operated.

The President said all lands in the East which were under the control of security forces have now been released. He stated that a substantial extent of lands in the North also have been released. He said the rest will be released to the people after solving the relevant administrative issues.

The UN official said he will be more satisfied if this journey of the Sri Lankan Government gathers more pace. He commended the actions taken to establish the office on missing persons. He requested to appoint officers for this office from all communities so that every community can accept the actions of the office. He added the UN Human Rights Council will give its fullest support to Sri Lanka on this regard. (Colombo Gazette)