Statement by Sri Lanka at the 57th session of the
UNHCR Executive Committee – 3 October 2006
Mr Chairman, dear Asian Colleague,
The delegation of Sri Lanka congratulates you on your well deserved election to chair this 57thsession of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme and our good wishes also to the Bureau. We wish Deputy High Commissioner Wendy Chamberlin all the best for future success and thank her for her endeavours at UNHCR.
Mr. President,
I would like to thank High Commissioner Arbour for her update on the current global human rights situation. We had hoped however that OHCHR would have engaged our Mission earlier to convey your concerns on Sri Lanka. We have always been available for fostering a dialogue of cooperation and mutual respect.
Mr. Chairman
Distinguished delegates and
representatives of UN and International Organizations
I am in Switzerland to make a presentation at the Conference on International Disaster Reduction which is being held in Davos. Having received an invitation from UNDP, I am also pleased on this same occasion to be able to make a statement at today’s launch of the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for Sri Lanka and to present some perspectives from the Government of Sri Lanka.
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Distinguished delegates,
On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and on my own behalf, may I congratulate you Mr. President on your election to the Chair of this historic inaugural session of the UN Human Rights Council. I would like to assure you my delegation’s support and cooperation as you undertake the onerous task of presiding over the deliberations of this august body.