UNHRC RESOLUTION: VERY LITTLE HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY SRI LANKA, SAMPANTHAN TELLS FRANCE

TNA photo: Sampanthan meeting a delegation of Senators from France.

27/02/2017

At a meeting with a visiting delegation of Senators from France the Leader of the Opposition and the TNA, Hon. R. Sampanthan MP told them that very little had been achieved on the UNHRC 30/1 resolution, which was cosponsored by the Sri Lankan government.he further said that  an an extension of time to the government to fulfill its commitment to the resolution should be granted only under strict conditions. He, nevertheless, asserted that the resolution should be implemented in its entirety and that the government should take all steps necessary to ensure reparations, guarantees of non-recurrence, accountability, and justice.

Full text of the press release follows:

Press Release/ 27 Feb 2017

The Leader of the Opposition and the TNA, Hon. R. Sampanthan MP met with a delegation of Senators from France at the Opposition Leader’s office in the Parliamentary complex today (27 Feb).

At the meeting, Mr. Sampanthan briefed the delegation on the constitutional making process, stating that the new constitution should possess features that will give more powers to the provincial councils concerning matters of socio-economic development.

Commenting on the upcoming UN Human Rights Council sessions, Mr. Sampanthan stated that very little had been achieved on the UNHRC 30/1 resolution, which was cosponsored by the Sri Lankan government.

Mr. Sampanthan also stated that an extension of time to the government to fulfill its commitment to the resolution should be granted only under strict conditions. He, nevertheless, asserted that the resolution should be implemented in its entirety and that the government should take all steps necessary to ensure reparations, guarantees of non-recurrence, accountability, and justice.

The France delegation comprised of Mrs Marie-Christine Blandin, Senator of Nord Department, Chairwoman of the France-Sri Lanka friendship group, H E Mr. Mean-Marin Schuh, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka, Mrs. Mireille Jouve, Senator of Bouches-du-Rhone Department, Mr. Patrick Chaize, Senator of Ain Department. Mr.  Olivier Delamare Debouteville, Senior advisor. Mrs. Isabeele Miscot, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France.