The Presidential Secretariat in a media release said that it is greatly disturbed to see the Political Column of the Sunday Times of 24 February 2013 making references to the forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva and trying to sully the reputation and cast aspersions on the professional conduct of Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha.

The statement further said that "it is the view of the President that both international and local entities are exploring all avenues of dragging Sri Lanka into disrepute in the run up to the Council sessions and thus place our country at an awkward and embarrassing position bringing in unfounded allegations notwithstanding the enormous work accomplished in reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation. De-motivating and insulting our PR and his staff in Geneva is also one such malicious activity aimed towards dragging Sri Lanka into disrepute. "

"Whilst reiterating that this Political Column is deliberately trying to create a misunderstanding in the minds of the readers, the Presidential Secretariat asserts that what has been said in this column about our PR in Geneva has no basis and is a complete misrepresentation of what actually transpired. The Presidential Secretariat further refutes these allegations and hereby conveys the full confidence placed in the professional capacity and capability of our PR in Geneva, Mr. Ravinatha Aryasinha and his staff to handle the forthcoming events and activities of the UNHRC sessions in Geneva in March this year and ably assist Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries who has been tasked to lead the delegation to the Council sessions. "