• Dep. Nat. Integration Min. says Foreign Affairs Min. to study matter and Justice-Nat. Integration Min. to make necessary interventions

The Government stated that the new resolution on Sri Lanka to be submitted to the upcoming 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is not expected to be of a ‘severe’ nature.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Minister of National Integration Muneer Mulaffer said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will first study the matter and express their views. The necessary interventions will then be made by us (the Ministry of Justice and National Integration). Our idea is that it won’t be a ‘severe’ one.”

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra was not available for comment.

It was reported earlier that the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada have informed the Government that a new resolution on Sri Lanka would be presented at the 60th UNHRC session next month (September). With the United States, a co-sponsor of previous resolutions, no longer part of the UNHRC, the core group on Sri Lanka is likely to change. Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, which joined the UK, US, and Canada, in the previous core group, may not be part of it this year.

Sri Lanka’s presence at the UNHRC has been marked by years of scrutiny over accountability and reconciliation following the civil war. Since 2009, a series of resolutions have been brought against the country, with governments alternately pledging cooperation or resistance depending on shifting political priorities.