Statement by H.E. Kshenuka Senewiratne, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva on the Statement of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay on 30 May 2011
Mr. President,
My delegation is perplexed to note the High Commissioner’s reference as stated, to the report of the Secretary General’s Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka. It is widely known that the said report was borne outside of an intergovernmental process. It is a report which was initiated solely by the UNSG to advise himself on the modalities, applicable international standards and comparative experience relevant to an accountability process in respect to the conflict in Sri Lanka. It is extremely unfortunate, Mr President, that the High Commissioner has thought fit to refer to it in her report to the 17th Session of the HRC, a document which was compiled by a Panel to advise the SG, that too at his own request, and well exceeding its mandate, thereby bringing into question her objectivity. In this context, the High Commissioner has resorted to drawing on recommendations culminating from a report of a non intergovernmental process, which also has no official status in the UN system. This Council would agree that at no point has it sought this so called information referred to by the High Commissioner.
• Statement by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, M.P., Minister of Plantation Industries, Special Envoy of His Excellency the President on human rights, and Head of Sri Lanka delegation at the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 28 February 2011
• Statement by Hon. Mohan Peiris, Attorney-General of Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s annual report - 16th Session of the Human Rights Council, 3 March 2011
• Statement by Hon. Mohan Peiris, Attorney-General of Sri Lanka during the general debate under Item 2 of the 15th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, 13 September 2010
• Statement by Hon. Mohan Peiris, Attorney-General of Sri Lanka exercising the Right of Reply during the general debate under Item 4 of the 15th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, 17 September 2010
• Statement of the delegation of Sri Lanka at the panel discussion on elimination of discrimination against women, Human Rights Council, 20 September 2010
• Statement made By Hon. Mohan Peiris, Attorney-General, during the General Debate on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: 31 May 2010
• Right of Reply by Delegation of Sri Lanka under Item 2: Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the office of the High Commissioner
• Statement of Sri Lanka at the general debate on the attack by Israeli security forces on the flotilla of Humanitarian aid to the Gaza:1 June 2010
International Labour Organization 99th Session of the International Labour Conference address by Hon Gamini Lokuge Minister of Labour Relations and Productivity Promotions Sri Lanka on 10th June 2010 Geneva
Mr. President
On behalf of the government and the delegation of Sri Lanka, let me congratulate you and the Vice Presidents on your election to preside over the 99th session of the International Labour Conference.
· Statement by Hon. Mohan Peiris, Attorney-General of Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights 4 March 2010
· Statement by H.E. Mrs. Kshenuka Seneviratne, Ambassador of Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on Counter Terrorism and Torture - 8 March 2010
Minister Samarasinghe Briefs High Commissioner for Human Rights,Country Missions to the UN in Geneva
Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, met with Navanetham Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, at the Palais Wilson in Geneva on Tuesday (09). The Minister, who was accompanied by Attorney General Mohan Peiris, PC, and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN at Geneva, Ambassador Kshenuka Senewiratne, briefed High Commissioner Pillay, on the progress achieved in developing a National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (NAP) in Sri Lanka. Noting that the NAP was the outcome of a pledge made in 2008 at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council, he outlined the process to date and also the next steps contemplated towards finalization of the first draft Action Plan.