COLOMBO, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's main opposition blamed the government on Wednesday for failing to protect the country's international reputation ahead of a second U.S. backed resolution being tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council on human rights in the island, an official said here.
Sri Lanka's main opposition, United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella told media that the government failing to promote human rights and reconciliation after the end of a three decade war in 2009 was the main reason for successive resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
"The government's dismissive attitude towards human rights and democracy is costing Sri Lanka's international reputation. This is proven by the decision not to send any ministers to head the delegation attending the UNHRC later this month," he added.
The government had earlier announced that it would send a ten member delegation headed by Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN Ravinath Ariyasingha.
In 2012 the Sri Lankan government sent a fully stocked delegation including President Mahinda Rakapaksa's special envoy on Human Rights and Plantation Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe and External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris.
Kiriella charged that the government failing to implement the recommendations made by its own commission on accountability was the reason for the second resolution being presented by the U.S. this year.
If the resolution is passed next month Sri Lanka may end up on the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) and lose its position as host of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting ( CHOGM) to be held in November.
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