A massive islandwide protest campaign was held yesterday against the anti- Sri Lanka resolution at the UNHRC sessions. Here a section of the mammoth crowd which gathered in Colombo. Picture by Nissanka Wijerarne

Islandwide protests, including several in Kilinochchi and Mullaitiviu,were held yesterday against the resolution which is to be resented against the Sri Lankan government at the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. Protestors down South included foreigners. Pictures by A S M Irshad and Bakthi Mendis

Massive demos against Geneva resolution

Chaminda PERERA

* Mahanayakes hold Adhistana pooja

* President’s leadership lauded

Tens of thousands of people across the country took to the streets yesterday to condemn a resolution sponsored by the US and the West against Sri Lanka that is to be moved at the 19th United Nations Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva. They voiced their anger over attempts by United States and Western countries to meddle in the internal affairs of the country under the cover of human rights.

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Minister Samarasinghe at 19th session of UNHRC:

Urgency for resolution unjustified

Plantation Industries Minister and Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said there was no justification or urgency to float a resolution calling for the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations and engagement with the UN High Commissioner for HR when this has already been effectively undertaken by the government.

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Join hands to defeat conspiracies - Mahanayake Theras

The Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas in a joint statement yesterday have called upon the people to shed all petty differences and join hands with the government to defeat all foreign conspiracies aimed at undermining the country’s development efforts and the communal and religious unity and amity now building up. “If the people go against a government they themselves have elected by raising issues regarding temporary economic problems and other differences, it would only contribute towards the country’s downfall,” they said.

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Extensive reconciliation measures underway - envoy

Sri Lanka has progressively adopted a broad range of measures to facilitate reconciliation after May 2009 when the conflict against terrorism ended, Sri Lankan ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya told a gathering of the Serendipity Group of retired US diplomats. He said international pressure might make it difficult to enact the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission's (LLRC) recent recommendations.

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