The United States sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka adopted at the 19th session of UNHRC; Indian PM Manmohan Singh writes to Mahinda Rajapaksa; US eases restrictions on defence sales to Sri Lanka; Japan extends US$ 93,177 in grant aid to Sri Lanka; Saudi
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  • In an important development, the United States sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted at the 19th session of United Nations Human Rights Council on March 22, 2012. Twenty Four countries including India voted for the resolution while fifteen voted against including Sri Lanka. Eight members abstained from voting. The resolution tabled by the US calling for the speedy implementation of the recommendations made by Sri Lanka's domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the investigation of the allegations of international humanitarian law violations. Ambassador Tamara Kunanayakam addressing the Council at the conclusion of the 19th session of UNHRC said the resolution "reflects a blatant case of politicization that takes the Council hostage to the hidden agendas of the mighty." 1

    Meanwhile, in a gesture of peace and friendship with its closest neighbor, India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote to Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 24, 2012 explaining India's decision to support the United States-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.2

    According to reports, the US announced that it has eased restrictions on defense sales to Sri Lanka to allow exports of equipment for aerial and maritime surveillance. The State Department enacted the changes with effect from March 22, 2012. The new exceptions allow exports, on a case-by-case basis, of equipment such as, light aircraft, cameras, and related components.3

    In another development, the Government of Japan has extended US$ 93,177 in grant aid to Sri Lanka for a project to improve agriculture activities in the North Central Province. The aid given under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects scheme (GGP) is to be used for the rehabilitation of the Weliwewa Tank in Mihinthale Divisional Secretary Division of Anuradhapura district. Rajarata Janasahana Foundation will implement the project, which aims to improve agricultural activities and livelihood of approximately 300 families who are engaging in agriculture around the area.4

    In a similar development, the Saudi Kingdom has offered financial aid worth SR225 million for the upgrading of road networks in Sri Lanka. The draft agreement for the financial assistance was finalized in Riyadh on March 19, 2012 during a meeting between the Vice Chairman of the Saudi Fund For Development (SFD) Yusuf Al-Bassam and Dr. P.B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, at the SFD headquarters in Riyadh.5

    According to reports, Sri Lanka, affected by the sanctions imposed by the United State on Iranian oil, has entered into an agreement with Oman to buy oil from that country way ahead of the US deadline.6

    Reports noted that Sri Lanka on March 20, donated 10,000 mertic tons of rice to the World Food Programme which will be sent to Ethiopia, where tens of thousands of refugees have fled, after devastating drought contributed to famine in Somalia last year.7

    In other developments, according to reports, Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shameem Wynne called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 19, 2012 at Temple Trees. General Wynne is in Sri Lanka on a five-day official visit from 18th to 22nd March on the invitation of Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke.8

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