http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/26/news01.asp


Diplomatic triumph for SL say ministers
Rasika Somarathna, Priyanka Kurugala and Ridma Dissanayake
* ‘Resolution failed to acknowledge country’s
victories’
* ‘Some voted in favour due to extreme
pressure from West’
Senior ministers yesterday hailed the support Sri Lanka received from many
quarters in Geneva as a diplomatic success as this had materialised despite
reports of intense pressure being brought upon many voting members by some
powerful countries. The resolution was passed by the United Nations Human Rights
Council (UNHRC) on Thursday with 24 members out of 47 voting in favour.
The ministers said that if India had voted against or even abstained from
voting, the outcome of the final result may have been different.
Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh
Gunewardene said that the decision to vote in favour by some may have been due
to political agendas far removed from the subject matter of the resolution.
He also questioned whether the sponsors of the resolution had considered Sri
Lanka’s multi - faceted progress in the post – conflict era when coming up with
it.
He noted that the resolution had failed to acknowledge the country’s
victories in development, restoration of democracy, promotion and protection of
human rights etc which did not exist when the LTTE was unleashing its terror.
Gunewardene said that with 15 countries voting with Sri Lanka, and eight
abstaining, the final result was that 23 countries, out of a total of 47 members
of the Council, did not support the resolution, while 24 supported it.
“The margin was as narrow. India’s vote may have tilted the balance,” he
said.
The minister said that the government in the future would take steps to
further strengthen its friendly ties with the international community and both
short and long term plans would be implemented towards this end.
Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that despite the Sri
Lankan delegation to Geneva making a valiant bid even at the last moment to
change the minds of the uncommitted delegates to consider Sri Lanka’s case in a
favourable light, some had apparently voted in favour due to extreme pressure
brought upon them by the US and some Western countries using their economic
clout.
He said that the decision taken by some countries to vote against the
resolution despite these pressure was highly appreciated.
The minister said that there were reports that if India had at least
abstained from voting, some countries who voted in favour too may have followed
suit.
Ranawaka said that Sri Lanka should look to further strengthen its
international relations in the future.
Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that the
recent voting as regard the US – sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka may have been
determined not by the merits of a particular issue but by strategic alliances
and domestic political issues in other countries which have nothing to do with
the subject matter.
He said that despite a systematic and organised campaign aimed at distorting
and misinforming the Council about the Sri Lankan situation, many international
partners had stood by the country.
Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister
Wimal Weerawansa said that Sri Lanka’s narrow defeat in Geneva may please the
LTTE proxies but not the people of the country.
He said that such efforts would only provide oxygen to the militarily
vanquished LTTE.