OHCHR chief admits UN report erroneous

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Michelle Bachelet admitted there were mistakes in compiling the UNHRC report on Sri  Lanka and thus advised the two officials who attended to the compilation to be more responsible and cautious hereafter, Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan said. 

Addressing a news briefing, he said the UN Human Rights Chief – whom he recently met with in Geneva – admitted that certain facts incorporated in the UNHRC report against Sri  Lanka could not be condoned whatsoever. 

• Says there were false data on the Digana incident against which they were able to present correct facts

“Most of the citations have been extracted from gossip websites. I can reveal the digital platforms but it is inappropriate as it could bring undeserved popularity to such public domains. The report articulated that the mass grave in Manner was where those who disappeared during warfare had been buried. However, we showed the Carbon dating report from the Beta Analytic Institute of Florida which revealed the skeletal remains found in the Mannar mass grave dated back to a period between 1499 and 1719 AD. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan delegation clearly expressed its stance that there was no necessity to bring foreign judicial personnel or to set up a hybrid court to hear cases in Sri  Lanka. Our court system is independent and impartial. This became evident when the Supreme Court (SC) delivered the verdict against the Head of State during political turmoil that prevailed in October 2018,” he said, adding that there were false data on the Digana incident against which they were able to present correct facts. 

Meanwhile, he said the ‘Geneva trip’ was a success as they were able to counterattack the false allegations levelled against Sri Lanka.   

He said the ‘Geneva trip’ was a success as they were able to counterattack the false allegations levelled against Sri Lanka