No plans to impose embargo: US

23 March 2013 04:08 am

The US government does not have any intention of imposing embargoes on  Sri Lanka despite its repeated rejection of the resolution brought by the US  at the United Nations Human Rights Council, US  Ambassador Michele J. Sison said yesterday.

She said the purpose of adopting resolutions at the UNHRC is to secure Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process and the protection of human rights.

The adoption of the resolution indicates the acceptance by the international community of the necessity of Sri Lanka’s commitments in implementing the proposals for reconciliation and accountability.

To implement the reconciliation the government should seek the assistance of the general public, civil society organizations and minorities.

The government should also focus attention on securing democracy, freedom of expression, Rule of Law and human rights as problems have cropped up in these areas during the four year period after ending the war in Sri Lanka.  

America would extend its assistance for peace, unity and  development of Sri Lanka as it had notified to the Geneva Human Rights Commission.

The American resolution has accepted the progress Sri Lanka has achieved in the disposal of land mines, resettlement of displaced, improvement of infrastructure facilities mentioned in the LLRC report.

The resolution was intended to make Sri Lanka more committed in implementing the recommendation of the LLRC in securing Human Rights and Rule of Law etc.

America has already initiated several programmes in organizing civil society groups and empowering the youth with a view to support the reconciliation process.(Sanjaya Gunasekara)