In contrast to the considerable challenges in the humanitarian crises that continue to engulf many parts of the world today, Sri Lanka’s achievements particularly following the ending of the terrorist conflict, provides confidence and hope that even the most severe and insurmountable humanitarian crisis can be overcome, with political commitment, Lankan Representative to Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha said. 

 Ambassador Aryasinha made this observation during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in the Human Rights Council on Thursday, 12 June. The Special Rapporteur presented his report to the 26th session of the Council, currently underway in Geneva, pursuant to his mission to Sri Lanka in December 2013 at the invitation of the Government. He undertook several field visits during his mission, where he was provided with unfettered access, to engage with a variety of actors, including civil society. 

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Regretting "the tendency among sections of the international community to undervalue and downplay the tremendous humanitarian achievement of the Government of Sri Lanka", the Ambassador said that this shows disrespect not only to the Government and its domestic and international partners, but most of all to those who have at last emerged from the suffering caused by 30 years of terrorist conflict. He reminded the Council that the humane approach of the Government was not a mere post-conflict development, but had been the hallmark of the Government’s approach to its citizens in the former conflict-affected areas during the entirety of the conflict, prompting Dr. Beyani's predecessors Dr Francis Deng and Prof. Walter Kalin to commend Sri Lanka for this exceptional exercise. He said Sri Lanka's policy had been described by the former Executive Director of UNICEF late Dr. James Grant, as being “uniquely humanitarian in a conflict situation”.

 Acknowledging the Special Rapporteur’s contribution to address the issue of resettlement of IDPs in the context of Sri Lanka's reconciliation process, the Ambassador assured that Sri Lanka remains committed to share its experience and best practices with respect to IDPs with the international community.

The Ambassador elaborated on the many significant achievements made by Sri Lanka in addressing issues of IDPs within the framework of the LLRC National Action Plan as well as in cooperation with the UNHCR and UNOCHA, especially the Joint Needs Assessment conducted by the latter in consultation with the Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Security and Development of the Northern Province (PTF) to address residual displacement needs, including those of displaced persons, with a view to provision of durable solutions to IDPs.

Referring to some of the comments and recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur in his report, inter alia, with regard to alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, call for the involvement of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, allegations of impunity of security forces, Ambassador Aryasinha said the Government of Sri Lanka regretted that the Special Rapporteur had exceeded his mandate as stipulated in Council Resolution 5/2. He said that through such politicized comments and recommendations, the Special Rapporteur had regrettably compromised on the impartiality and objectivity principles central to the Code of Conduct of special procedures mandate holders. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has informed NFF Leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa that he is ready to have in-depth discussions on the 12 proposals presented to the government by Weerawansa's party. 

Two weeks ago, a delegation representing the National Freedom Front, led by Minister Wimal Weerawansa, met the President at Temple Trees and handed over the proposals to senior leaders of the UPFA. The proposals were endorsed by the National Conference of the National Freedom Front, which was convened weeks after Parliament passed the controversial Strategic Development Act. 

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It is also learnt that the 12 proposals will be widely discussed at the SLFP Central Committee meeting, which will take place today(09) at 7 pm. However, a considerable number of SLFP seniors are of the view that the government should now bow down to the pressure exerted by "minor stakeholders" of the government, such as the NFF. 

Speaking to Asian Mirror, a senior NFF spokesman said the party was willing to meet the President and have in-depth discussions with the government over the 12 proposals. 

With the positive signs coming from the Presdient, the spokesman said, Minister Wimal Weerawansa would stop his 'unofficial' Cabinet boycott this week. 

Minister Weerawansa did not take part in weekly cabinet meetings for five weeks in a row. 

U.N. secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has said he will appoint Jordan’s ambassador  Prince Zeid al Hussein as the new high commissioner for human rights, bringing to that post a voice from the West Asia.

Moon’s office announced on Friday that Prince Zeid al Hussein, a long-time diplomat and former U.N. peacekeeper, has been nominated to replace Navi Pillay.

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The South African-born Ms. Pillay’s term as U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights was originally set to end in 2012 but was extended for two years.

Prince Zeid, who has been ambassador to both the U.N. and the United States, announced in late April he would resign as U.N. ambassador.

He was a candidate for U.N. Secretary-General back when Mr. Ban was chosen for the job. In his career, Prince Zeid has built a reputation as being strong on issues such as international justice and sexual violence.

“I think that, given that he comes from Mideast, it brings that advantage and burden in this post,” said Peggy Hicks, global advocacy director for Human Rights Watch.

“Obviously a challenge is that he has to be willing to speak frankly about the record of silencing civil society, crushing peaceful protests, which is endemic in that region at this stage.”

Syria is a special concern. Hicks said that as ambassador, Prince Zeid has shown interest in addressing “horrific abuses” in the three-year conflict, and he was among the Security Council members pushing for the council’s resolution in February on humanitarian access.

According to the World Health Organization statistics, one person in Sri Lanka consumes 2.5-4.9 litres of Alcohol on a yearly basis. Sri Lanka's 'per capita consumption of alcohol, as the WHO reveals, is as the same as India! 

However, from a global perspective, Sri Lanka's per capita alcohol consumption is fairly moderate.

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The WHO study reveals Russians and their neighbors drink more than almost everyone else in the world.

Portugal, Grenada, and Andorra are also ranked in the highest category at more than 12.5 litres per person over the age of 15 in 2010.

WHO notes in its report that 48% of those included in this data abstain from drinking altogether. So if those people were excluded, per capita consumption among those who do drink would be even higher than what's shown on this map.

Canadians drink more than Americans, keeping pace with most European countries. Alcohol consumption is low in northern Africa, but the southern half of the continent sees higher drinking rates, especially South Africa and Namibia.

Alcohol consumption in Russia is a major concern. A recent study  found that the high number of early deaths in Russia could be attributed to people drinking too much. Commons causes of early deaths include liver disease, alcohol poisoning, and getting into accidents or fights while drunk.

Other countries near Russia, including Ukraine and Belarus, have similar levels of alcohol consumption.

WHO's report notes that the European region contains just 14.7% of the world's population above the age of 15, but accounts for 25.7% of the total alcohol consumed worldwide. The report uses the most recent data for alcohol consumption around the world.

In addition to having some of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world, Russia and Ukraine also have the most risky patterns of drinking, according to WHO.

To determine which countries have the riskiest drinking patterns, WHO considers the usual quantity of alcohol consumed per occasion, proportion of drinking events when drinkers get drunk, proportion of drinkers who drink daily or nearly daily, festive drinking, drinking with meals, and drinking in public places. (with inputs from Business Insider - Pic courtesy: Brett Davies's Flickr page) 

South Africa's Special Envoy on Sri Lankan issue, Cyril Ramaphosa like to arrive in Sri Lanka late next month or in early June to hold key discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and senior leaders of the UPFA.

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe today said in Geneva that what is happening to Sri Lanka today, could happen to any other NAM country tomorrow, and called upon all Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) member states to continue to show solidarity with Sri Lanka.