US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele J Sison has dismissed Sri Lanka’s accusation that the West has singled out Colombo for human rights abuses in moving a resolution against the country.

“To those who have accused the US over the past few months of targeting Sri Lanka, I want to point out that this was only one of numerous multilateral responses at the UN Human Rights Council to human rights situation in a particular country,” US Ambassador Sison had said yesterday.

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 Sison said, “I have heard the claim that the resolution sparked divisions in the country. Sadly, those divisions existed long before any UN resolutions. But, I do want to point out that the resolution passed last week reaffirms a commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.”

She urged the Lankan government to “take heed”, to fulfil its obligations to its people and to take meaningful, concrete steps on reconciliation and accountability. Sison said the US wished to encourage the government to cooperate fully with the UN mechanisms.

Sison said the US had taken serious note on reprisals against those who meet with diplomats and UN officials.

“It is disturbing to see this targeting of human rights defenders who have devoted their careers and lives to promoting and defending the rights of their fellow Sri Lankan citizens,” she said.

“Reconciliation is a lengthy process it must be started in earnest as soon as possible,” she added, Indian Express reported.