Withdrawing from UNHRC resolution could backfire - Sajith

Colombo (News 1st) -  The cabinet of ministers on Thursday (Feb 10) approved the decision taken by the government to withdraw from the process of co-sponsoring UNHRC resolutions 30/1 and 40/1. Minister of Foreign Relations and Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena informed the Parliament on the government's decision to withdraw from the UNHRC resolution. He noted that a decision was made to appoint a Commission headed by a Supreme Court judge, to review the report of the Sri Lankan Commission which investigated allegations of human rights violations, and the progress of implementing its recommendations, and to propose the steps which could be taken in this regard in line with the new government's policies. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in response noted that 5 days after the end of the war the then head of state issued a joint statement with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and that Moon's statement spoke about violation of human rights. While noting that this was root cause for the current situation, the opposition leader called on the Government to refrain from acts that can backfire. However, Premadasa noted that the opposition is ready to stand together for the country's territorial independence and political freedom. MP Mangala Samaraweera who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2015 when resolution 30/1 was signed, noted that their actions at the UNHRC saved Mahinda Rajapaksa from the electric chair. Withdrawing from UNHRC resolution could backfire - Sajith