US resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC 19th sessions in Geneva; China, Pak, Russia and African states support Sri Lanka; India silent on the resolution; Japanese Envoy to Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka should implement the recommendation made by the LLRC; Att
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    • According to reports, the United States has submitted the draft resolution against Sri Lanka to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 19th session in Geneva. The draft resolution submitted to the UN body notes the report of Sri Lanka's domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and its findings and recommendations while acknowledging its possible contribution to the country's national reconciliation process. The resolution welcomes the constructive recommendations made by the LLRC in its report but, it also notes with concern that the report does not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. The draft resolution calls on the Sri Lankan government to implement the constructive recommendations in the LLRC report and take all necessary additional steps to fulfill its "relevant obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans." It requests the government to present a comprehensive action plan as "expeditiously as possible" detailing the steps the government has taken and will take to implement the LLRC recommendations and also to address alleged violations of international law. The draft resolution encourages the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and relevant special procedures to provide, and the Sri Lankan government to accept, advice and technical assistance of implementing those steps. It also requests the OHCHR to present a report to the UNHRC on the provision of such assistance at its 22nd session.

    Meanwhile, according to reports, Sri Lanka has received support from the power houses of China, Russia and Pakistan as well as from African states, the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the members of the Non-Aligned Movement on the resolution. 1

    Reports noted that India has largely been silent on its stance on the resolution presented to the Human Rights Council by the United States over Sri Lanka's delay in implementing reconciliation measures. However, responding to a letter sent by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking India to back the US resolution at the Geneva meeting, India's External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna told media that India will carefully consider the overall ties with its neighbor and the sentiments in its own country before making a decision at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on the resolution against Sri Lanka. 2 Janatha Party leader Subramanian Swamy on the other hand said that the center government should not support the "one-sided" resolution against Sri Lanka tabled by the United States at the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. 3

    According to reports, Japanese special envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi has said that Sri Lanka needs to be committed to fully implement the recommendations made by the Lesson Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) in its report. 4

    According to reports, sixteen fishermen from Rameswaram, who have gone fishing in over 600 boats near the IMBL, have said that they were pelted with stones and bottles by the Sri Lankan Navy personnel. An official spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs has told media that the Ministry has asked the High Commission in Colombo to take up the issue with the relevant Sri Lankan authorities. 5

    In the meantime Sri Lanka's Minister of Small and Medium Industries, Douglas Devananda has held a discussion with the officials representing many Fisheries Associations in Tamil Nadu on the constant problem of the problem of Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters. 6

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have held a joint commission meeting in Dhaka on March 7 after a lapse of 19 years. Latest round of trade talks took place at the 4th Session of Bangladesh-Sri Lanka Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Cooperation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The third session of the Joint commission was held in 1993. 7

    In another development, according to reports, a high-profile banking delegation was on a three-day tour in the oil-rich country of Qatar to market Sri Lanka's impressive post-war economic growth and attract more foreign investments to the country. The 11-member delegation, led by the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, is seeking investments in infrastructure, tourism and banking sectors on the basis of anticipated economic growth of 8 percent this year. 8

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka is to obtain a US$ 278 million loan from China to extend the Southern coastal railway line from Matara to Kataragama. The Ministry of Finance has announced that the Exim Bank of China has agreed to provide the US$ 278 million concessionary loan for the construction of the Matara-Kataragama Rail Track Project. The construction of the 27-kilometer long railway tracks from Matara to Beliatta under the first phase has already begun. 9

    According to reports, during a meeting with Sri Lanka' Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at his Ministry, Iran's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr. M.N. Hasani Poor has said that Iran will continue to provide loan facilities for 1,000 rural electricity projects undertaken to supply electricity to 300,000 families before the end of this year. Minister Ranawaka has appreciated Iran for its continuous support despite many obstacles Iran is facing currently. 10

    In other developments, according to reports, Japan announced on March 6, 2012 that it will provide over US$ 12.5 million in grant assistance to Sri Lanka for three development projects in the Northern and Eastern provinces. 11

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