CJA warns against attempts to ‘water down’ United Nations resolution on Sri Lanka
In particular, the TNA has welcomed the draft resolution’s call on Sri Lanka to involve foreign and Commonwealth judges, lawyers, investigators and defenders in a judicial mechanism to be set up in Sri Lanka that would be mandated to try worldwide crimes.
Karu Jayasuriya, speaking at the conference said: “We want more mainline callers to use Sri Lankan ports, we want to expand cruise tourism, bulk and Ro-Ro shipping in Hambantota and Trincomalee, bunkering, ship making and fix services, and new areas such as ship financing, registration, arbitration and maritime education”.
The 2,235-word resolution underlines the “importance”, but does not insist on having independent foreign judges and prosecutors. Mr Wickeremesinghe stated on Wednesday that “there was nothing to be gained from overseas”, rejecting global involvement.
Wickremesinghe could celebrate the fact that the word “hybrid” is not anywhere in the resolution although the UNHRC had used the term last week.
The report charged both the government troops and the LTTE of committing crimes against humanity between 2002 and 2011 in the island’s civil war.
But in a major shift Washington last month announced it would support Colombo’s plans for a domestic inquiry, which is also supported by neighbouring India.
His government has proposed a series of new measures to promote reconciliation and accountability after accusing the previous administration of breaking promises to deliver justice. It also recommends that the OHCHR should continue to assess the progress of implementation of the draft resolution and stand ready to provide an oral update during 32nd session of the Human Rights Council followed by a comprehensive report during the 34th session.
The Tamil National Alliances had welcomed the draft text of a resolution on Sri Lanka tabled by the co-sponsors of the resolution today.