Sri Lanka rejects UN resolution, will continue own process to implement LLRC recommendations

Dismissing speculations that the resolution adopted by the United Nations can impose economic sanctions on the country Sri Lanka today assured the public that there will be no such move as the UN Human Rights Council has no powers to impose economic sanctions. Addressing a media briefing External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said
Sri Lanka does not accept the UN Resolution and there will be no change in Sri Lanka's stance to bow down to any foreign pressure. "There is no justification for this form of intervention. The people of this country do not want to decisions imposed on them," he said. The Minister stressed that Sri Lanka does not need unwarranted pressure to successfully implement the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). He added that the Internationalizing the issue which is internal to Sri Lanka, by any initiative through the UNHRC at present would not help but only harm the reconciliation process launched by the government. The resolution tabled by the United States was adopted at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva last week with 24 countries including India voting in favor and 15 countries opposing it. Eight countries abstained from voting. The resolution is a "highly selective and arbitrary process not governed by objective norms or criteria of any kind," the Minister said adding that despite its adoption, Sri Lanka will continue with its current process of solving the national issue. "Our policy in respect of all matters will continue to be guided by the vital interests and wellbeing of the people of our country," Prof. G. L. Peiris said. He said Sri Lanka will continue to engage with the UN and its organs in the most proactive manner as Sri Lanka consistently has done in the past. Speaking of the relationship with the US and India, the Minister reiterated that Sri Lanka has a strong relationship with the two countries and hope to strengthen the relations further. "One single incident will not change the Government's foreign policy," the Minister said. Minister of Irrigation and Water Management Nimal Siripala de Silva speaking at the media briefing said that the government has absolutely no intention to hold a referendum on implementing the LLRC recommendations as some have suggested. Minister de Silva said that there is no legal requirement to implement all the recommendations of the Commission in the exact manner. The resolution on Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka calls on the Sri Lankan government to speedily implement the recommendations of the LLRC and take credible steps to ensure accountability for alleged serious violations of international humanitarian laws committed during the final stages of the country's civil war.