Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa

Human Rights Council 48th Regular Session

Agenda Item 2: Oral update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Statement by Hon. Prof. G.L. Peiris Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka (Geneva, 14 September 2021)

Madam President,

Let me begin by reiterating our strong and continued cooperation with this Council and the United Nations mandated human rights system, in keeping with our Constitution and our international obligations voluntarily undertaken.

Twelve years ago, Sri Lanka eradicated LTTE terrorism on its soil. We have restored peace, security and stability for the benefit of our people. We held firm to our democratic traditions and elections were held at regular intervals with high levels of voter participation – most recently at the 2019 Presidential and 2020 Parliamentary polls. The Government is committed to holding the Provincial Council elections at the earliest.

We are dealing with post-conflict recovery from the perspective of healing. Most recently, 16 LTTE cadres convicted of serious terrorist crimes were granted Presidential pardons. The success of post conflict demining, reconstruction and resettlement programs has contributed immensely to national reconciliation.

Despite the daily challenges of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, let me highlight the progress made in the domestic processes:

• The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) as its core function, is finalizing the list of missing persons in collaboration with other agencies. 

• The Office for Reparations (OR) has processed 3775 claims this year.

• The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) continues its 8 point action plan.

• The National Human Rights Commission is carrying on its mandate.

• A steering committee on SDG 16 is working towards enhancing peace, justice and strong institutions.

• A Cabinet Sub Committee was appointed to revisit the PTA and to bring it in line with international norms and best practices. A report will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers at the end of this month. An Advisory Board was appointed to look into cases of detention under the PTA and to make recommendations to deal with such cases expeditiously. Speedy disposal of cases under the PTA is also taking place.
• A Commission of Inquiry headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court was established to address issues on accountability and missing persons and to revisit recommendations by previous Commissions. The COI submitted its Interim report to the President. The final report will be submitted within the next 06 months.

• We are maintaining vigorous engagement with civil society to obtain their insights and to harness their support in achieving reconciliation and development.

Madam President,

Sri Lanka continues to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the appalling terrorist attack on Easter Sunday in 2019 complying with due process of law in all respects. As always, we will remain vigilant in combatting terrorism and protecting Sri Lankans of all religions.

Madam President,

We reject the proposal for any external initiatives purportedly established by Resolution 46/1 while domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters. This will polarize our society, as we experienced with Resolution 30/1. The Council must adhere to its founding principles. External initiatives embarked upon without the cooperation of the country concerned cannot achieve their stated goals, and will be subject to politicization. The resources expended on this initiative are unwarranted, especially when they are urgently needed for humanitarian and other constructive purposes in many parts of the world.

Madam President,

Under the current and pressing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider it a basic duty of a government to ensure the uninterrupted supply of commodities essential to the life of the community. We are open in acknowledging our challenges and as a responsible and democratic government, we are committed to achieving tangible progress on the entire range of issues relating to accountability, reconciliation, human rights, peace and sustainable development.

I thank you, Madam President.

The video can be viewed through the following link:

https://youtu.be/x1E0-kOsiTc

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-unhrc/)

Today, 11 September 2021, marks 20 years since the terrorist attacks were perpetrated on the United States of America (USA) causing loss of life and limb to many innocent people from the USA as well as many other nationalities.

The Government of Sri Lanka expresses its solidarity with the people and Government of the United States of America as they commemorate a very painful episode in the country’s contemporary history. Sri Lanka also wishes to pay tribute to the many victims and survivors of the dastardly attacks.

As a country that has for long suffered from terrorism and successfully overcame its challenge on Sri Lankan soil, the Government of Sri Lanka also wishes to reiterate the need for all countries to unite in eliminating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

11 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/us-20th-memorial-9-11/)

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris has sought greater economic cooperation with Iran, including enhanced bilateral trade, investment and the possibilities of cooperation in new sectors, such as tourism and energy. The Minister made this request when the  Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hashem Ashjazadeh called on him at the Foreign Ministry on 08 September, 2021.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Minister Peiris highlighted the long standing friendly relations between Sri Lanka and Iran which have a proud legacy of two ancient and great civilizations. In recent years, the bilateral relations have been reinvigorated by the exchange of high level visits that have contributed to closer cooperation and coordination, both at the bilateral level as well as in the international arena.

The Foreign Minister conveyed the Sri Lanka Government's appreciation for the steadfast support extended by the Islamic Republic Iran during the Human Rights Council sessions held in Geneva and at other multilateral fora.

Ambassador Ashjazadeh extended his warm felicitations to Minister Peiris on his appointment as the Foreign Minister and assured the firm commitment and support of the  Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the expansion of bilateral cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

9 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-iran/)

The Ambassador of Viet Nam in Colombo Ho Thi Thanh Truc paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Foreign Ministry on 08 September 2021.

While recalling that the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries took place in 2020, Foreign Minister Peiris appreciated the mutually beneficial partnership existing between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam, and reiterated the country’s interest to further strengthen cooperation in political, economic and cultural spheres. He also recalled regular high-level interactions between the two countries, including the official visit of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Viet Nam in 2009.

Ambassador Truc elaborated on the multifaceted nature of ongoing cooperation between Sri Lanka and Viet Nam drawing attention to political ties at all levels, as well as cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, science and technology, education, culture, among other spheres.

Minister Peiris expressed his deep appreciation for the support extended to Sri Lanka by Viet Nam in international fora and welcomed collaboration in areas of mutual interest.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

09 September 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-viet-nam/)

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will shortly make a visit to Bologna, Italy, to participate in an international event which is to be graced by the Prime Minister of Italy and other dignitaries from Italy and other European countries.

The Foreign Minister, at his briefing conducted on Monday 6 September, clearly described the purpose of the scheduled visit. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the opening session of the international symposium which will be held in one of Europe’s oldest seats of learning, the University of Bologna.

At no stage has the Prime Minister requested nor has he received an invitation to visit the Vatican for an audience with His Holiness, the Pope.

The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister will be leaving Italy, at the conclusion of the events in Bologna.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

08 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/pm-visit-italy/)

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions to the health, safety, and livelihoods of people around the world. Therefore, multilateralism and international cooperation provide the best possible means to effectively and sustainably defeat the pandemic.

It is equally important to conduct a comprehensive, inclusive, and impartial study on the origin of the virus.

Sri Lanka notes the leading role played by the World Health Organization (WHO) in this regard and the contents of the joint report of the WHO–convened Global Study released in March 2021.

Sri Lanka reiterates that the study on the origin tracing of SARS-Co-V-2 should be based on scientific and evidence-based methods and should not be politicized. The next phase of the study should reflect the key findings of the previous WHO-led joint study report.

Sri Lanka will continue to constructively engage with all international partners to find amicable and comprehensive solutions to unresolved issues in this regard.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

8 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/origins-covid-19/)

The Ambassador of Italy to Sri Lanka Rita Giuliana Manella paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on Thursday 2 September at the Foreign Ministry.

The Ambassador extended her warm felicitations to Minister Peiris on his recent appointment as Foreign Minister.  Minister Peiris appreciated the strong, friendly, mutually beneficial partnership existing between Sri Lanka and Italy spanning political, economic and cultural relations.  The potential for further expansion of trade and investment ties, tourism and people-to-people contacts were discussed.

The Foreign Minister alluded to the positive contribution by the Sri Lankan community in Italy towards economic and cultural enrichment of both countries, as well as the recorded history of strong diplomatic ties that existed between Sri Lanka and Rome since 1st century AD.

Minister Peiris apprised the Italian Ambassador on Sri Lanka’s regional and multilateral engagements, and it was agreed to continue close dialogue and cooperation on matters of mutual interest.  Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry participated in the meeting.

Foreign Ministry

Colombo

04 September, 2021

(https://mfa.gov.lk/sl-fm-italy/)