No Human rights monitoring office without our consent, says Govt
[Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 10.00 GMT]   

The government is opposed to the establishment of any United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Office in Sri Lanka without its consent as it infringes on our sovereignty, said Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the weekly press briefing held in Colombo this morning. “Such an office could be established only on the invitation of the Government of Sri Lanka”, the Minister added.

It is learnt that there are moves by certain international non-governmental organizations and others to pass a resolution calling for the establishment of such an office during the current session of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council in Geneva. While objecting to such a resolution the Government is ready to cooperate with the United Nations in matters relating to human rights in the country, Minister Rambukwella added.

Last week Disaster Relief Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the Human rights Council in Geneva invited the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on the human rights of IDPs to visit Sri Lanka.

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Last Updated Date: March 21, 2007 - 10.00 GMT