UNHRC resolution Sri Lanka not optimistic of overcoming it Confident of getting only six votes

• Sri Lanka would not be able to muster sufficient number of votes from the 47 member council to prevent the resolution from being adopted
• Countries such as Bangladesh and Russia which traditionally vote with Sri Lanka are not members this time

By Kelum Bandara   

Ahead of the vote on the latest resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC ),Sri Lanka is only confident of six countries voting along with it against the move , Daily Mirror learns .  The resolution is co-sponsored by the United States, Canada ,Germany, the United Kingdom ,Malawi, Montenegro and North Macedonia .   

 A foreign ministry source said Sri Lanka could not keep unnecessary hopes that it could overcome the adoption of the new resolution which , among others , calls for the strengthening of the evidence gathering mechanism on alleged human rights violations and accountability issues in Sri Lanka .  

The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has set up this mechanism in keeping with the resolution 46/1. The new resolution asks for more resources to be allocated to proceed with its work.  

The ministry source said Sri Lanka would not be able to muster sufficient number of votes from the 47 member council to prevent the resolution from being adopted .
The countries such as Bangladesh and Russia which traditionally vote with Sri Lanka are not members this time . India is also likely to abstain from voting . Nepal will also abstain since it is under pressure to do so from a regional power .  

Most of the middle eastern countries,which are traditionally with Sri Lanka,will also abstain .  

“The movers of the resolution will be able to get enough votes to adopt the resolution. We are awake to the reality ,” the source said .  

The resolution will be put to vote on October 6 or 7. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry was to fly to Geneva last night to present Sri Lanka’s case.  

• Most of the middle eastern countries,which are traditionally with Sri Lanka,will also abstain