Courtesy The Daily Mirror

The international lobbying spree by the government gathered momentum today with 21 countries speaking in favour of Sri Lanka and 15 against during an Interactive Dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Daily Mirror learns.

A core group of countries led by the United Kingdom has proposed to move a resolution on Sri Lanka calling for action on alleged human rights and accountability issues during wartime. Sri Lanka has sought to thwart the adoption of such a resolution.

The Interactive Dialogue took place amidst intense campaigning for support.

The representatives of the countries such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Canada, the United States Germany and the European Union spoke against the position of the Sri Lankan government.

However, India and Japan took neutral positions. Australia also spoke with a moderate tone despite it being an ally of the western world.    

Among the 21 countries that spoke in support of the Sri Lankan government’s position, ten are member states of the UNHRC. These countries are Russia, China, Pakistan, Iran, Vietnam, the Maldives, Cuba, Nicaragua, Eritrea, Nepal, Cambodia, Laos, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Belarus, North Korea, Gabon, the Philippines, Syria and Egypt. (Kelum Bandara)