Sri Lankan govt ignores President's stand, decides to co-sponsor resolution

Sri Lankan government under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to co-sponsor a roll-over of resolution at the ongoing 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council ignoring the stand taken by President Maithripala Sirisena. 

President Sirisena had requested the Government not to co-sponsor the resolution, saying he will request UNHRC not to dig the past and re-open old wounds rather allow everyone to live in peace. 

The President, earlier yesterday, also named his own representatives to attend the session later this month. 

However, the Foreign Ministry said Sri Lanka will continue to demonstrate its commitment and determination towards a steady and long-lasting



reconciliation process through a co-sponsored resolution. 

The Ministry said it will seek an extension of the timeline of resolution of 2015, which was further extended for two years in 2017. 

Sri Lankan government had co-sponsored a resolution in 2015 to address war crimes and bring accountability while its progress is to come up for discussion during the ongoing session. 

The government has been slow to act on its promises and there are demands to withdraw the resolution. 

However, the different stance taken by two pillars of the same government underlines the ongoing tension between the President and Prime minister.