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Ambassador Dr. Jayatilleka commended at
Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review of
Sri Lanka
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the
United Nations Office at Geneva
19th May 2008
Sri Lanka's human rights situation came under review on 13th May 2008
within the framework of the second session of the Universal Periodic
Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is now being
held in Geneva and which report on Sri Lanka will be adopted this evening
at Palais des Nations.
During the review, Sri Lanka was praised by many member countries on
its achievements in different areas of human rights. Many speakers acknowledged
the difficulties Sri Lanka has been going through (war, financial difficulties,
etc.) and admired the progress the country has nevertheless achieved
and maintained in several key areas of development, i.e. education and
health.
Following the presentation of Sri Lanka's national report at the beginning
of the review, Member states engaged in an interactive dialogue with
the Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister
of Disaster Management and Human Rights.
A number of delegations also made positive comments about the Sri Lankan
representation in Geneva, particularly the role which the Sri Lankan
Ambassador/ Permanent Representative H.E. Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka plays
within the UN Human Rights Council. Given below are excerpts of the
statements made by a few countries:
-"Sri Lankan delegation has taken active parts in the work of
the human rights council and its ambassador has played a constructive
role for which we would like to express our admiration …"
(China)
-"Sri Lanka is a founder member of the Human Rights council. It
was elected with the support of the majority of the member states of
the United Nations (…) We've all witnessed the role played by Sri
Lanka in the institution building in the council, and friend and colleague,
Ambassador Dayan, in his capacity as Coordinator for the Asian Group,
initially and present, Vice President of the council…." (Cuba)
-"Sri Lankan Mission in Geneva led by their able Permanent Representative
has also played a leadership role in its capacities as Coordinator of
the Asian Group and Vice Chair of this Council in promoting human rights
tenders and in the interest of the developing countries… "(Pakistan)
"Ambassador Dayan is one of the stars of UN bodies including the
Human Rights Council, who commands respect and admiration…"
(Palestine)
-"Sri Lanka, through its permanent Mission in Geneva led by His
Excellency Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka plays an active role within the Human
Rights Council, a role that has been reflected as presidency of the
Asian Group in the crucial establishment of various bodies for the Council
and as the Vice-Chairman of the Council as well… "(Morocco)
-"…. Would like to pay a particular tribute to the Ambassador
for his active participation in the Human Rights Council… "(Tunisia)
-"We also note and appreciate the contributions made to the construction
of the Human rights Council by Sri Lanka as the Coordinator of the Asian
Group and also as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Council …"
(Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
-"…We commend the role played by Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative
in the Human Rights Council…" (Algeria)
Dr. Jayatilleka, who was a member of the Sri Lankan delegation, also
intervened to explain the 13th amendment, the power-sharing package
proposed by the Sri Lankan government. Given below is his statement:
"Mr President, as the Christian Science Monitor noted a few days
ago, the government of Sri Lanka believes not only in a military solution
but a political solution to the Sri Lankan conflict.
The political component of this is the maximum devolution of power
within a unitary framework. The 13th Amendment which issued from the
Indo-Sri Lanka accord strives precisely to achieve provincial autonomy.
We were unable to implement that fully for 20 years because the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam conducted a war in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Well, having militarily liberated the Eastern province, we have just
concluded the holding of elections which has re-empowered the Eastern
Provincial Council. An eminent group of 17 Asian election monitors has
validated the election as free and fair. We intend to do the same in
the Northern Province. The President of Sri Lanka has promised that
the North, just like the East, will be militarily liberated and politically
empowered by the holding of elections to an autonomous Provincial Council
in the North.
Meanwhile the president has appointed a high level National Task Force
for the Northern Province which will implement the programme of reconstruction
and rehabilitation. So we are attempting to revive, restore and re-activate
the13th Amendment which provides for full devolution of powers within
a unitary state. Thank you."
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