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/)

Following the statement of the Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary General yesterday  (25 September 2019) that the UN Department of Peace Operations has decided to repatriate a  Sri Lankan Army unit and individual officers currently serving with UN Peacekeeping due to concerns on the appointment of Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, the Government of Sri Lanka is in discussion on this issue with the UN.  Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the 74^th General Assembly Session is scheduled to discuss this matter with the Under Secretary General of the UN Department of Peace Operations, on Friday, 27 September 2019.

 Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

26 September 2019

Text in Sinhala (PDF)

Text in Tamil (PDF)

Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto together with Toronto Police Community Partnership and Engagement Unit and the Toronto Police Cricket Club organised a 'Sri Lanka Day' on 08^th September 2019 at the Toronto Police Perceval Cummins Cricket Field in Scarborough, Toronto.

'Sri Lanka Day' was ceremonially started with a procession carrying Sri Lankan national flags, Sesath and other traditional symbols and a march by Toronto Police Ceremonial Unit. After playing the national anthems of Sri Lanka and Canada, the event was adorned with traditional cultural dances of Upcountry, Bharatha and a bridal pageant.

Delivering the opening remarks, as the Chief Guest, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in Canada  highlighted  the importance of sports in unifying all expatriates in Toronto and admired the assistance extended by the Toronto Police to organize this event under the theme of    “Partnership and Engagement”. The Superintendent of Toronto Police as Chief representative from the Canadian side, David Rydzik assured their support for partnership among all in his speech. Other dignitaries who graced the event as special guests were representatives from diplomatic corps and international organisations, senior Toronto Police officials, Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament Mayantha Dissanayake and other professionals from Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Malay communities.

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/)