SL to invite UN Human Rights Chief – MFA confirms

Sri Lanka is considering inviting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage told with MediaLK that, following the devastating report on Sri Lanka presented by the UN High Commissioner Bachelet at the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC), the President has decided to invite her to Sri Lanka to witness the situation of the country.

“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s idea is it’s better to visit Sri Lanka and make such a report after witnessing the situation here other than a composing it on a table on Geneva. After considering everything, we are expecting to invite the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Bachelet to Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lankan Government has already rejected the report by the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka, stating that the report exceeds her scope.

As the 46th Regular Session of the UNHRC continues till 23rd March, the Council is to vote on a resolution on Sri Lanka, which is based on the report presented the UNHRC by the High Commissioner Bachelet.

When inquired about the resolution to be presented against Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Professor Admiral Jayanath Colombage confirmed that 40 countries are co-sponsoring or additional co-sponsoring to this resolution.

Sri Lanka has already rejected the draft of the resolution and its content. Addressing the council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that the ‘resolution and the attention drawn on Sri Lanka by the Council, driven by political motives.’