Prince Zeid's first visit to SL

by Manjula Fernando

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera briefed the UN Human rights High Commissioner Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the progress the government had made in setting up the domestic apparatus to investigate war crimes charges against Sri Lanka.

The talks had largely focused on the progress of the implementation of recommendations in the joint resolution adopted on October 1, 2015 to promote reconciliation and accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.

However, the UN office in Colombo and the Foreign Ministry remained tight-lipped over the luncheon meeting between Foreign Minister and the visiting UN Human rights High Commissioner Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein yesterday.

There was no official press release from the Foreign Ministry after the much-awaited meeting, the first of a series, the High Commissioner was scheduled to have during his four-day visit here. The UN office limited itself to a picture caption showing the two dignitaries meeting at the entrance to the Minister's official residence.

Soon after arrival Prince Zeid told reporters, "I am delighted to be here in Colombo".

He said it was his first trip to Sri Lanka and he was looking forward to meeting both the highest officials of the state as well as the representatives of all communities.

"I will listen to everything that they have to say and I look forward to very constructive discussions in the days to come," he added.

Zeid visited the UN compound last evening to meet meet with UN Resident Coordinator Una McCauley, and the Heads of UN Agencies in Sri Lanka.

His visit had been undertaken in response to an invitation by the Government. While here, the High Commissioner is expected to discuss a range of current challenges and opportunities for strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights in the country, the UN Colombo office said.

He will be in Jaffna and Trincomalee today meeting the Chief Ministers and the governors of the two provinces as well as the members of the civil society and victims of human rights violations. He will pay a visit to Nallur Kovil and an IDP camp at Walikamum North.

The High Commissioner will call on the President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and meet other ministers in the government as well as regional level. He is also scheduled to visit Kandy before departing on February 10.

Zeid's visit takes place in the backdrop of his calling for an ad hoc hybrid special court, integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka. A call the government had so far rejected to comply.