Resolution on Sri Lanka has been presented to the US Congress; Prof. Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris: “Government will not allow external forces to use human rights as a political weapon to oust the government”; United Nations Assistant
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    • (FEBRUARY 3-9)

    According to reports, the resolution S. RES. 348, titled, "Expressing support for the internal rebuilding, resettlement, and reconciliation within Sri Lanka that are necessary to ensure a lasting peace," co-sponsored by Senators Robert Casey, Patrick Leahy, Sherrod Brown, Barbara Boxer and John Cornyn has been presented to the US Congress by the Republican Senator of North Carolina Richard Burr. The resolution presented in the Senate on February 6 calls on the US and the international community to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to evaluate reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights violations committed by both sides during and after the war in Sri Lanka. The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. 1

    In another development, according to reports, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told in parliament on February 7, that the government would not leave any room for external forces to use human rights as a political weapon to oust the government. 2

    Reports noted that United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Chair, United Nations Development Group Asia-Pacific and UNDP Assistant Administrator & Director, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Haoliang Xu visited Sri Lanka on February 8, 2014 for a three day visit. 3

    In other developments, according to reports, the United States Pacific Army's fourth Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) team concluded its three week training program in Vavuniya on February 7, 2014. From 2003 - 2013, the U.S. government has provided over US$ 35.5 million in aid for Sri Lanka's demining activities. An additional $2.7 million in equipment and training will be spent on demining efforts this year. 4

    Reports noted that a senior delegation of the Russian parliament Duma led by its Deputy Chairman and Vice-Speaker Sergey Zheleznjak visited Sri Lanka on February 3 on a three day official visit. The delegation met with Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister Professor G.L. Peiris on February 5, 2014. The delegation also met with the Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan parliament Chandima Weerakkody on February 6 and assured their government's full support to Sri Lanka in its efforts to face challenges posed by the international community. 5

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