Lanka ready for pro - LTTE challenges at UNHRC

by Manjula FERNANDO

Sri Lanka is ready to counter pro-LTTE propaganda during the UNHRC sessions in September and post-conflict development and resettlement progress will help us counter-attack these dark forces, Plantation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in an interview with the Sunday Observer.

Minister Samarasinghe will lead the Lankan delegation to the UN Human Rights Council’s 18th regular sessions that will be held from Sept 12 - 30.

It has been predicted that international forces still influenced by LTTE ideologies will once again make use of this sessions to attack Sri Lanka and the Government with ‘accountability’ and ‘human rights allegations’.

”We have nothing to be shy of or diffident about. We have impressive achievements to talk about,” the Minister said adding however they were aware that there were challenges to overcome.

“ I would be the last to state that we have a perfect record.

"That is why initiatives like the National Action Plan for the promotion and protection of Human Rights which is now before the Cabinet of Ministers for approval, are so important to carry through.” He said impunity occurs when there is a collapse of legal and institutional safeguards to protect the people’s rights and that no one with any sense of responsibility can say that of Sri Lanka.

He said the lifting of the State of Emergency, a long felt need and a commitment the Government had been aspiring to fulfil, will have a positive impact on Sri Lanka and dissuade forces that work with the country’s downfall in mind.

"I am confident that we as a Government and a united Sri Lankan nation can face any challenge and overcome it just as we did in overcoming terrorism just over two years ago.”