Mar 21, Geneva: The resolution against Sri Lanka adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council today is potentially damaging the regional relationships and South Asian Solidarity, the country's Special Envoy for Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

Expressing strong opposition against the resolution 22/1 on Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, the Minister noted that the U.S. sponsored resolution is based on the Resolution 19/2 of 2012 which was not recognized by Sri Lanka.

Speaking against the resolution that welcomed the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Minister pointed out that although the earlier resolution calls for the High Commissioner and relevant special procedures mandate holders to consult and concur with the Sri Lankan government on implementing measures recommended by the resolution, the Office of the High Commissioner prepared its report recommending measures without consulting the government.

The High Commissioner's report presented to the Council yesterday (March 20) is flawed and contains factual inaccuracies, the Minister said adding that the report has exceeded the mandate given by the UNHRC.

"The report seeks to bring in extraneous elements and substantive recommendations which were never sought. Moreover the recommendations were never made in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka," the Minister said.

In conclusion, the Minister stressed that those genuinely concerned on the future well-being of Sri Lanka's people should encourage the country in its ongoing reconciliation rather than single it out for disproportionate attention in the Council.

"We expect that proponents of this resolution would do nothing to endanger the delicate reconciliation process ongoing in Sri Lanka, as well as the constructive engagement Sri Lanka is presently pursuing with the UN, the HRC, the High Commissioner and the OHCHR," the Minister emphasized.

Full Text of Minister's Speech