Lanka aims to make domestic mechanisms credible within constitutional framework: FM to UNHRC

The Government says it is firmly and sincerely committed to working towards a unified Sri Lanka that respects and celebrates the diversity of its people with no division or discrimination based on race, religion, class and caste.

“We will not leave room for a resurgence of divisive racism or religious extremism in our country,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Tuesday (25).

Minister Herath made these comments while delivered a statement at the High-Level Segment of the 58th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

In his address, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to human rights, reconciliation, and sustainable development, highlighting the country’s progress and government’s strategies for continued engagement with the international community.

He stressed that the fundamental and longstanding principles of democracy and freedom enshrined in Sri Lanka’s Constitution will be fully respected and safeguarded while protecting the human rights of all citizens.

Every citizen should feel free to practice their religion, speak their language, and live according to their cultural values without fear or discrimination, he said, adding that no one should feel that their beliefs, culture, or political affiliations will make them targets of undue pressure or prejudice.

“Administrative, political and electoral processes will be activated towards this end.”

He emphasized that the Government has pledged to take tangible steps in the interest of further advancing national unity and reconciliation and that the President has proposed to declare a “Sri Lanka Day,” in line with the government’s vision for a reconciled Sri Lanka and commitment to bridging gaps between communities.

“We will ensure that the domestic mechanisms and processes established to address challenges emanating from the conflict will continue their work in an independent and credible manner within the Constitutional framework,” Herath said.

The minister assured that the domestic institutions such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations, and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) will be strengthened.

He said the contours of a truth and reconciliation framework, will be further discussed with the broadest possible cross section of stakeholders, before operationalization to ensure a process that has the trust of all Sri Lankans.

“Our aim is to make the domestic mechanisms credible and sound within the constitutional framework,” he stressed.

This will include strengthening the work towards a truth and reconciliation commission empowered to investigate acts of violence caused by racism and religious extremism that give rise to tensions within Sri Lankan society, the minister emphasized.

He stated that the Government is fully cognizant of the responsibility that accompanies the people’s mandate, including the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces, to fulfill their aspirations for a just, fair and prosperous society for all citizens.

“As we move forward on our path towards national unity and reconciliation and inclusive development, the continued encouragement and support of the international community will be important,” he highlighted.

The minister said that Sri Lanka is committed to genuine dialogue and cooperation in human rights through continuous and constructive engagement.

He further said that Sri Lanka stands ready to support the UN Human Rights Council in addressing pressing global challenges in a balanced and holistic manner in line with its founding principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.

“We believe that States must be encouraged and empowered to address their challenges through robust national human rights frameworks, supplemented by assistance upon request,” he added.

As a nation on the trajectory towards people-led and people-centric national transformation and as a responsible member of the international community, Sri Lanka will continue to work in a constructive spirit of dialogue and cooperation with the members of the United Nations including the UNHRC within the country’s national legal framework, he said.