Strong govt delegation to Geneva

by Manjula Fernando

The Government will finalise the official delegation to the upcoming UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva next week.

The External Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary Rodney Perera said the team is to be headed by External Affairs Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris but the other members joining the team from Colombo is yet to be confirmed. "It will be finalised by next week," he responded when inquired.

According to authoritative sources the President's Human Rights Sepcial Envoy and Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe too will play a leading role in Geneva. He is expected to take over from the second week.

The sources said Prof. Peiris will attend the first week of the sessions and utilise the 20 minute slot alloted to a ministerial level member of a delegation, at the main segment on March 5, to address the Council and set the record straight on behalf of Sri Lanka.

He is expected to counter false allegations and call for support from moderate members to fight 'unjust calls for an international inquiry on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka'.

Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake also confirmed Prof. Peiris's appointment as the head of delegation to Geneva by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

External Affairs Minsitry Monitoring MP Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena and President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga will also be included in the team.

Minister Samarasinghe is expected to leave for Geneva during the first week of March.

The 25th regular sessions of the Human Rights Council will be held from March 3 - 28.

Meanwhile UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillai's report compliled after her visit to Sri Lanka last year, titled 'Advice and Technical Assistance for Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka' will be tabled for debate among member states during the second week of the sessions. It will be the Agenda item No.2.

According to her leaked report Pillai has reiterated her stance that an international inquiry mechanism was needed on Sri Lanka despite the progress Sri Lanka has shown after defeat of terrorism.

The much hyped US sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka, is expected to be moved on March 26.