* Sri Lanka's progress in reconciliation and human rights accepted by many internationally
Mon, Jun 10, 2013, 01:06 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
June 10, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government says the progress it made in addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation is accepted by many in the international community.
Exercising Sri Lanka's right of reply with regard to references made to Sri Lanka by Canada and the US in the General Debate of the 23rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the Sri Lankan delegation said it was surprised by Canada's claim of "ongoing violations of human rights and lack of reconciliation in Sri Lanka."
Replying to Canada's statement, the Sri Lankan delegation said the "Government's progress with regard to addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation is being amply demonstrated on the ground, acknowledged by many in the international community, and elaborated comprehensively and in detail at successive Council sessions by the Sri Lanka delegation, including during the current Council session."
"The many facets of reconciliation including resettlement of displaced persons, demining, rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants including child soldiers, resolution of land issues, infrastructure development, housing, implementation of the language policy, as well accountability issues are being addressed in a comprehensive manner taking into consideration the aspirations of the affected communities," the government said.
The delegation noted that the progress achieved in the implementation of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations is well documented in the public domain and it is easily accessible.
As a founding member of the Commonwealth, Sri Lanka said it is firmly committed to its values and principles.
Sri Lanka said its "longstanding engagement and commitment to the Commonwealth is known" and demonstrated by the undertaking to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November this year.
The delegation expressed puzzlement over Canada referring to the Commonwealth meeting at the UNHRC meeting considering its membership not being universal.
Responding to US concerns, the Sri Lankan delegation said that every effort is being made by the Government to investigate incidents relating to alleged attacks on the media and to prosecute perpetrators of such crimes in instances where they are identified and sufficient evidence is available.
The delegation reiterated Sri Lanka's continued and constructive engagement with special procedures which itself is evidence of Sri Lanka's serious commitment to engagement with the Council and its mechanisms.
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