June 21, 2018 (LBO) – Outgoing US Ambassador Atul Keshap has met with senior Sri Lankan officials to convey the assurance of the United States government on human rights front despite their withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Ambassador Keshap has said that the US will remain fully engaged with the Sri Lankan government to help it meet its continuing and standing commitments to the international community to advance the cause of reconciliation and lasting peace for all Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka co-sponsored with the United States two UN Human Rights Commission resolutions: 30/1 in 2015 and resolution 34/1 in 2017.
“The United States continues to extend its support to Sri Lanka to fulfill these important commitments and obligations as articulated and reaffirmed in these resolutions,”
Sri Lanka’s continued progress toward fulfillment of these international commitments will facilitate further growth of our bilateral relations and enhance Sri Lanka’s ability to engage with friends and partners around the world, Keshap has said.
“We will follow Sri Lanka’s progress closely and look ahead to engaging with Sri Lanka between now and March 2019 in the spirit of friendship that has marked our recent relations.”
US Embassy in Colombo said in a statement that the United States will also support and expand their bilateral partnership as Sri Lanka takes further steps outlined in the Geneva resolution.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council effective June 19, 2018.
Meanwhile, former Human Rights Commissioner, Prathiba Mahanamahewa yesterday said that Sri Lanka should use this opportunity to get rid of the resolution that leads the country to a hybrid court.
Related: United States steps out from United Nations Human Rights Council