Sarvajana Balaya’ leader and MP Dilith Jayaweera has called on the government to urgently explain what he described as a “shocking betrayal” of key international allies who had previously supported Sri Lanka in opposing UNHRC resolutions.
In a post on X, Jayaweera said he was “appalled by the disastrous execution of foreign policy” by Sri Lanka’s delegation, led by the Foreign Minister, during the 60th session of the Council in Geneva.
“The GoSL must immediately provide answers to the 22 million people that they were duty bound to represent, and the shocking betrayal of our allies who stood with us by speaking against unfounded UN resolutions against Sri Lanka,” he wrote, alleging that the delegation’s conduct displayed “sheer weakness and incompetence before the international community.”
He accused the government of abandoning Sri Lanka’s “inclusive nationalistic vision” and claimed the misstep had “cost Sri Lanka dearly” on the international stage.
Jayaweera’s remarks come a day after the UNHRC adopted a resolution titled Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka (A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1), without a vote.
The resolution was introduced by a core group including the United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
Sri Lanka has rejected the resolution and any coercive international measures, with the country’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Himalee Arunatilaka, reiterating Colombo’s opposition to the move.
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