COLOMBO, June 10 – The Sri Lankan government said it has made progress in addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation, saying this has been acknowledged by the international community.
A government statement said it was surprised by claims made by Canada last week at the UN Human Rights Council currently meeting in Geneva that there were ongoing violations of human rights in Sri Lanka and that there was lack of reconciliation in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.
“The many facets of reconciliation, including resettlement of displaced persons, demining, rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants, land issues, infrastructure development, housing as well accountability issues are being addressed in a comprehensive manner,” the statement said.
The government also said that as a founding member of the Commonwealth, Sri Lanka is firmly committed to its values and principles. “Sri Lanka’s long-standing engagement and commitment to the Commonwealth is known and demonstrated by the undertaking to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November this year.
“The reference to the Commonwealth by Canada in this forum is rather puzzling, considering its membership not being universal,” it said. The government also said that the progress achieved in the implementation of recommendations of the post war commission is well documented in the public domain.
-BERNAMA
