Visit of the high-level GOSL
delegation to Geneva
Press Release-Permanent
Mission and Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Switzerland
Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human
Rights led a high level delegation to Geneva from 3-6 September to brief
the international community on the situation concerning human rights
in Sri Lanka. The delegation consisted of Hon. C R De Silva, Attorney-General,
Professor Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary-General of the Secretariat for
Coordinating the Peace Process and H. E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Permanent
Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva.
Hon. Minister and the delegation conducted extensive bilateral consultations
with Portugal, the current Chair of the European Union and several other
countries, including Canada, China, Cuba, India, Ireland, Japan, Pakistan,
the Russian Federation, Switzerland, Thailand, and the USA.
The delegation attended a working luncheon with the Bureau of the UN
Human Rights Council hosted by H E Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, PRUN/Geneva.
Chairpersons of the various regional groupings as well as the Vatican
Representative participated in the event.
The GOSL delegation had consultations with the representatives of the
member States of the European Union at a breakfast meeting and exchanged
views in an open and transparent manner. The delegation welcomed efforts
to support and strengthen the country's human rights institutions.
During consultations with International Non-Governmental Organizations,
the delegation met with the representatives of International Commission
of Jurists, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Geneva Call
and stressed the need for accurate, balanced and non-partisan reporting.
At a well-attended two-hour briefing for the representatives of all
member States of the UN and Inter-Governmental Organizations held at
the UN Headquarters in Geneva, the delegation provided a comprehensive
picture of the situation in Sri Lanka and the Government's efforts.
The event was followed by a reception.
A large number of representatives of States who attended the briefing
and other bilateral meetings appreciated the opportunity to exchange
views with key government officials and commended the high level of
transparency shown by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's consistent and long-standing policy of open and constructive
engagement with UN human rights mechanisms while fighting a struggle
of self-defense against one of the most feared and ruthless terrorist
organizations in the world was appreciated by all delegations. They
welcomed in particular the invitations extend by the Government of Sri
Lanka to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Mme Louise Arbour, the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur
on Torture, and Dr. Walter Kaelin, the Special Representative of the
UN Secretary-General on the Human Rights of IDPs to visit Sri Lanka
this year.
Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva
6 September 2007
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