Peace actions:

Countries commend Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka received many commendations at the Human Rights Council for action taken on the domestic front by the Government to address accountability and reconciliation issues.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera at the UNHRC session in Geneva

While many countries said they eagerly awaited the release of the report not all voiced that Sri Lanka should adhere to the special hybrid court proposed by the High Commissioner Zeid to investigate allegations of war crimes.

The Human Rights Chief, releasing the report on Wednesday said the hybrid court will deepen the national involvement as well as the international focus on Sri Lanka.

He said the different atmosphere witnessed in the country after January election merited an altered approach by the Human Rights Council but it was not to say that they were taking a u turn regarding the accountability issues Sri Lanka has been called upon to address.

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China

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said, "We respect Sri Lanka government's position and we believe the Sri Lankan government and its people have the capacity and wisdom to manage the issue. China will continue to support Sri Lanka within its capacity."

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India

A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission in Colombo said:

"Our mission in Geneva is examining the report, the US is drafting the resolution and we are waiting for the resolution to come out. Until the resolution is out India will not comment."

At the Human Rights Council several countries made references to Sri Lanka in their statements and commended the efforts taken by the Government and progress shown in the human rights front.

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UK

Minister Hugo Swire:

"To end on a more positive note, in Sri Lanka we commend the newly elected government for beginning to address post conflict accountability and reconciliation.

I am encouraged by Sri Lanka's willingness to engage with the international community, as it seeks to deliver lasting peace.

We hope and expect it will take forward the recommendations made in the High Commissioner's report and deliver the credible processes and mechanisms it has promised. The United Kingdom stands ready to help them in any way possible."

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EU

" The EU will continue to support efforts towards further progress of the human rights situation as well as to promote reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka."

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US

"We eagerly anticipate the release of the report on Sri Lanka. The US will engage with the Government of Sri Lanka to develop a resolution that will gain the consensus of this Council and will assist Sri Lanka in achieving meaningful and credible accountability as well as address the important findings of the OHCHR investigation report."

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Macedonia

"We would like to congratulate Sri Lanka on the election process in August this year and to commend the efforts of the new Government to ensure accountability and reconciliation process with effective results."