The following statement was made by Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva in Geneva:

Mr. President,

High Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioner, Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I thank the High Commissioner for the presentation of his Report in which many of the achievements made by Sri Lanka during the period concerned have been acknowledged.

As this Council is aware, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of SriLanka, Hon.Mangala Samaraweera addressed this Council on the 28th of February on behalf of the Government, and outlined what we have achieved in terms of Resolution30/1 and beyond, what still remains to be done, and the challenges that we face in the process.

Most importantly, he stressed that Sri Lanka’s resolve to the reconciliation process has not diminished. He said–with the help of all our citizens in all walks of life, our friends and partners in the international community, and Sri Lankans overseas; with patience, understanding, and constant and consistent effort and perseverance; we strongly believe that we can make the reconciliation process a success, and establish a progressive and united society, working in harmony to take our nation towards new heights of socio-economic development.

I take this opportunity today, to reiterate our resolve and reaffirm our commitment to the reconciliation process and commitments articulated in Resolution30/1.

As the Council is aware, Sri Lanka has been working with the United States and the other main co-sponsors of 30/1,UK, Macedonia, and Montenegro, on a Resolution for a two-year extension of the timeline for fulfilment of commitments made in Resolution 30/1. We are pleased to announce that Sri Lanka will be co-sponsoring this Resolution, and we thank the Council, the UN, and our bilateral partners for their support to strengthen reconciliation in Sri Lanka, and for this extension of the timeline.

We are especially appreciative that the Council, in recognition of the firm commitment of the National Unity Government to the process of reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, endorsed the proposals made by the Government in 2015, for credible ‘Government of Sri Lanka-led’ processes embodied in Resolution 30/1.

Mr. President,

We work closely with the High Commissioner and his Office and we are committed to continuing this constructive and meaningful engagement for the benefit of all our people. The views, observations and recommendations of the High Commissioner are useful, as we work to strengthen, promote, and protect human rights, good governance, and the rule of law in Sri Lanka.

This Council knows that no country’s human rights record is perfect. It is always work-in-progress. The people of Sri Lanka have been through extremely difficult and painful times, and although much has been done, there is much still left to do, including strengthening our institutions and achieving economic progress. There are multiple challenges that we face. But, as a responsible and committed Government, under the leadership of President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, we are determined to stay the course. We will listen to all, we will study all reports carefully, we will exchange information, share our concerns and comments, engage constructively and meaningfully with our partners, and take the necessary steps required to ensure that Sri Lanka is a nation that is prosperous, united in its diversity, upholding human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

We remain firm in our resolve to enhance the fundamental rights of all citizens as equals in a free and democratic country, where fear and intimidation have no place. We are committed to the reconciliation agenda including truth, reparations, justice and non-recurrence with a victim-centred approach, recognising the impact of conflict on all our citizens, irrespective of their communities of origin, gender, social status, age and other identities.

As we go through the complex process of establishing new mechanisms, we are considering the Report of the Consultation Task Force, and we will continue to consult with all segments of our society. We will also seek international expertise and assistance, as all countries do, when they undertake such responsibilities.

We request the support of all Council Members and Observers to help Sri Lanka succeed in this transformative and challenging agenda that we have undertaken, including economic development, that plays an important role in ensuring the success of the reconciliation agenda.

Thank you.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is now in hot water after the revelation that he allegedly ran a secret death squad with the involvement of the former Army intelligence unit chief. 

Highly placed Police sources said the former Defence Secretary, the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, would be summoned before the CID soon over the death squad allegation. 

The CID earlier this week informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate that  Journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge had been killed by a special unit attached to the Army intelligence wing which operated under retired Major General Kapila Hendawitharana. 

The CID'S statement was based on former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka's statement to the CID over Lasantha Wickrematunge's killing. 

The former Army Commander had said the unit operated under the instructions of former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. 

He had also added that at the time of Wickrematunge's murder, Hendawitharana and Rajapaksa were in charge of the security of the capital city. 

Top police sources said Rajapaksa would soon be questioned on Fonseka's revelation and Lasantha Wickrematunge's killing. 

Rajapaksa, however, has vehemently denied secret death squad allegations.

“I deny any involvement with these killings,” Gotabhaya Rajapaksa told AFP. “If he (Fonseka) knew there was a secret hit squad, what action did he take as Army Commander?”

An A/L student of Mahanama College Colombo was arrested after he attempted to enter Yashodara Balika in Colombo as part of the ‘Big Match’ frenzy.

As many as 50 students had attempted to enter the school by force, the security officials said.

They said they had managed to detain one of the students but a fight occurred when the Mahanama students tried to free their friend.

Many were injured in the fight between the Mahanama students and the Yashodara Balika school officials. 

Many parents at the scene said the students of Mahanama College had been drunk at the time of the incident. 

Cinnamon Gardens Police are conducting further investigations into the matter. 

Sri Lanka will not include foreign judges in its judicial mechanism, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament.

“We will not join the International Criminal Court either,” he added.

The Prime Minister was responding to a question raised by Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardene regarding the inclusion of foreign judges in the UNHRC resolution.

Although the inclusion of foreign judges in a ‘hybrid court’ is the recommendation of the UNHRC, Sri Lanka is not beholden to include foreign judges in its post-war judicial mechanism.

Sri Lanka has promised a credible domestic mechanism to hear alleged war crime during the end of the civil war between the Sri Lanka government and the LTTE in 2009.  

The eight Sri Lankans aboard the Aria 13 that was hijacked on Monday were released without incident or ransom this morning.

The release came after the ship was surrounded by Puntland Marine Forces who opened fire at oil tanker prompting the Somali pirates to ask for an end to the firing. 

The Somali pirates had relayed the message to stop firing through the Sri Lankan crew who contacted Sri Lankan media to relay the message.  

Sri Lanka's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister had then contacted Puntland authorities asking them to cease firing at the oil tanker. 

The Sri Lankan crew were subsequently released by the Somali pirates without incident or ransom. 

Reports say the eight will be back in Sri Lankan early next week.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Harsha de Silva, in a statement posted on Facebook, said he was relived the pirate saga had ended.

‘Pirate saga ends! Happy to report our efforts paid off and all Sri Lankan crew is safe,’ he wrote.

‘We thank the President of Puntland Region Mr Gaas and his Chief of Staff Mr Abdinasir Sofe who continuously communicated with us to defuse the escalation that saw shots being fired.

We appreciate the understanding that led to a negotiated settlement. We thank the US government for helping us establish contact between us and the Puntland Presidency and all others who helped. Relieved!’

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Sri Lanka have agreed to work together in pressuring North Korea into giving up its nuclear weapons programme, the Korea Herald reported.

It said South Korea's Yun Byung-se and Sri Lanka's Mangala Samaraweera had shared the understanding that North Korea's recent series of ballistic missile launches pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the Asia-Pacific as well as the entire international community.

The South Korean Foreign Minister is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, to mark the 40th year of establishing diplomatic ties. 

Somali pirates are demanding a ransom to free an oil tanker and crew seized off the coast of Somalia on Monday.

Foreign Media reported that European Union anti-piracy outfit had made contact with the tanker, but said that the armed men aboard the Aris 13 had not yet decided on the amount they wanted in ransom.

The Comoros-owned ship is manned by eight Sri Lankan crew. The Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said it was in touch with shipping agents and officials abroad for more information.

Sri Lanka Navy said yesterday it was trying to establish contact with the tanker to ensure the safety of the Sri Lankan crew.

Pirates have hijacked a ship carrying eight Sri Lankan ship off the coast of Somalia, foreign media reported.

Foreign media said the Sri Lankan-flagged freighter had been boarded by over two dozen men.

It said the ship had sent out a distress call, turned off its tracking system and altered course for the Somali coast, giving rise to speculation it was hijacked off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

It said that if confirmed, the incident would be the first hijack of a commercial ship by Somali pirates since 2012.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has said that Sri Lanka must ‘fully implement’ obligations to the UNHRC Resolution.

‘All Sri Lanka’s obligations in terms of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 of October 1, 2015 co-sponsored by the Sri Lanka Government must be fully implemented,’ the TNA said in a statement.

‘These obligations must be fulfilled under strict conditions, under the monitoring of an office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which must be established in Sri Lanka,’ it added.

 The full text of the statement is given below:

TNA Decision Concerning Impending UNHRC Resolution

The following decision was arrived at following a meeting of TNA Members of Parliament and Provincial Council Members held in Vavuniya yesterday (11):

All Sri Lanka’s obligations in terms of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 of October 1, 2015 co-sponsored by the Sri Lanka Government must be fully implemented. These obligations must be fulfilled under strict conditions, under the monitoring of an office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which must be established in Sri Lanka.

The UN Human Rights Council must ensure that, in the event that the Sri Lanka fails to fulfill the above-mentioned obligations by way of an appropriate mechanism, victims will receive the intended benefits of the fulfilment of such obligations, by way of international Mechanisms.

MP Nadesu Sivasakthi stated the EPRFL did not agree with above-mentioned decisions.

Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim told Parliament yesterday the government had ‘no choice’ but to cancel the three A 350 aircraft ordered for SriLankan Airlines.

He was answering a question raised by UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

Minister Hashim said it was necessary to cancel the three aircraft to avert a loss of Rs 32 billion.

The Public Enterprise Development Minister also told Parliament the decision to cancel the three aircrafts was not arbitrary but made after discussions with all relevant parties.

The Minister also alleged there were irregular dealings with the purchase of the three aircraft – he said the previous government had agreed to pay over and above the market value for the aircraft, incurring a loss of Rs. 644 million.

He reminded however that there were four A 350 aircrafts ordered by the previous Government which are not yet cancelled.