UNHRC resolution: Special statement in Parliament

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena is set to make a special statement in Parliament today pertaining to the government’s decision to withdraw from the process of co-sponsoring the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution 30/1.

The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the proposal tabled in this regard by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, during the Cabinet meeting held yesterday.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday issuing a special statement said the present government has decided to withdraw from the process of co-sponsoring the United Nations Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, which was co-sponsored by the previous Good Governance Government.

Prime Minister Rajapaksa said the previous government betrayed the country by co-sponsoring the resolution in 2015.

The Good Governance Government co-sponsored the resolution promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, along with a number of countries including the United Kingdom and the United States and was adopted without a vote on the 1st of October, 2015.

The Premier said following the adoption of the resolution, countries are able to name members of Sri Lankan Armed Forces as violators of human rights.