(UTV|COLOMBO) – At the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September, President Maithripala Sirisena will announce a set of new proposals for consideration at the March 2019 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHCR). He will also submit these proposals to the United nations Secretary General António Guterres as well as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet. The President expects to meet both of them during his New York in two-weeks’ time.
Addressing the Media Heads, newspaper editors and Heads of audio visual media institutions at the President’s House in Colombo on Friday (14), the President said that the proposals aimed at solving issues and provide relief without causing harm to the pride of the security forces and safeguard independence, sovereignty and national security. Furthermore these proposals would facilitate harmonious solutions to remaining issues with regard to the alleged acts of both sides during the conflict.
The President said that although a section of the media level baseless allegations that the Government was placing national security in danger by reducing the military strength, the Government has taken every possible step to ensure national security. He pointed out the biggest budget allocation of Rs. 230 billion is for the defence and the forces have been provided with every requirement from modern weapons to aircraft and ships.
There is a positive recognition for the Sri Lankan armed forces internationally as a disciplined army and that is evident from the fact that United Nations Peace Keeping recruit increased number of army personnel from Sri Lanka, he pointed out.
The President said that he will present the proposals to the UN General Assembly on September 25 and also intends to hand it over in writing to the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who he is expected to officially meet for the first time on the side-lines of the UNGA.
Pointing out some shortfalls in the investigations conducted since 2015 on attacks of journalists and other civilians, abductions and killings, he said although several persons were detained in this connection, not a single person has been charge-sheeted or prosecuted. Although military officers have been detained and placed under remand custody, there were no cases filed and such actions merely bring bad reputation to the Government, he pointed out. The President said that he had given instructions in a stern manner to the officials of the Criminal Investigation Department and the IGP in this regard.
Expressing his views further, the President said that under the administration of the present Government the national security of the country was not weaken at any rate. The President pointed out that even though a restructuring process was executed, it does not mean this process weaken the strength of the security forces. He pointed out the course of maintaining a security force in a country where there is no war was different from peace times. At present our security forces receive the cooperation as well as training opportunities in powerful nations of the world than the previous era. He also said that even today the highest allocation of the budget is made to the Ministry of Defence.
President Sirisena, recalling the various statements made by some persons said that those comments were made by them are based on their personal agendas.
The President expressing his views regarding the criticisms on the fuel pricing formula said that according to the upcoming budget proposals it will be decided whether to continue with the fuel pricing formula or to take actions to make necessary alterations to the pricing formula with the aim of creating a better situation for the public than the existing situation.
President Sirisena, commenting on the development process of the country, apprised the heads of the media institutions regarding the mega projects of irrigation schemes and renovating tanks for the development of agriculture.
Today a higher price is offered for paddy and there is no proper response from media on that, said the President stating that even the price of paddy has increased, the Government will work to ensure that the price of rice will not increase, thus providing a relief to the customer.
President Sirisena, when asked about the recent protest carried out in the Mullaitivu district that Sinhala people were being settled in the North, said that the policy is that every community holds the right to live in whatever part in the country. The expectation in a country is that everyone lives in reconciliation and harmony without regional barriers and the Government has not got involved in any housing settlement programmes that could create controversies and will not do such things in the future said, the President said denying the accusations levelled against the Government.
President Sirisena who spoke about the accusations against the Sri Lanka –Singapore Trade Agreement said that he has appointed a special committee of experts to conduct an inquiry and those inquires are being successfully moving forward and anyone is able to present ideas to the Committee.
If that committee report includes that this agreement will make a negative impact over the country he would take the responsibility to remove those harmful clauses, he said and added that if the committee finds it is a matter of serious harm, necessary decisions would be taken.
Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagywanna and Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Kapila Waiydyarathna were present in this event.
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