Vijitha Herath Concludes Geneva Visit, Reinforcing Govt's Stance on Human Rights

Colombo – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, has concluded a significant visit to Geneva, where he addressed the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), firmly reiterating Sri Lanka's commitment to a domestic reconciliation process while opposing any externally imposed mechanisms.

Delivering the government's statement during the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka on September 8, Minister Herath outlined the concrete measures being taken by the government to advance the rights and well-being of all its citizens. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he emphasized that the path to lasting peace and reconciliation would be driven by local initiatives.

During his visit, Minister Herath held a crucial meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk. Discussions centered on potential UN cooperation and assistance to support Sri Lanka's home-grown human rights and reconciliation efforts. The Minister stressed the need to address the full spectrum of rights—including economic, social, civil, and political rights—for all Sri Lankans. He also reiterated the need for "time and space" for the government's domestic processes to be carried through to completion.

High Commissioner Türk acknowledged the dialogue, expressing his appreciation for the facilitation provided during his own recent visit to Sri Lanka. He further underlined what he described as a "historic opportunity" for the current government to achieve lasting reconciliation in the country.

The Minister's diplomatic engagements also included a meeting with the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jürg Lauber of Switzerland. Additionally, Minister Herath met with a large group of ambassadors from like-minded nations who supported Sri Lanka during the dialogue, expressing the nation's gratitude for their continued solidarity.