Elections Key to National Reconciliation, Says India At UNHRC

COLOMBO (News 1st); India hopes that the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka would further the cause of national reconciliation in the island nation.

Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India made these comments during the 57th session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He reiterated India’s steadfast support for Sri Lanka’s relief, rehabilitation, resettlement, and reconstruction efforts since 2009.

Speaking at a recent session, Thakur highlighted India’s multi-faceted assistance, which totaled over USD 4 billion in 2022, aimed at helping Sri Lanka overcome its economic challenges. 
He also noted India’s collaboration with the Sri Lankan government in finalizing debt restructuring discussions.

""As a close friend and immediate neighbour, India has consistently supported the relief, rehabilitation, re-settlement and reconstruction process in Sri Lanka since 2009. India has also provided multi-pronged support totaling more than USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka and its people in 2022 to tide over its economic challenges and subsequently worked closely with the Government of Sri Lanka in finalising the debt restructuring discussions," he said.

Thakur emphasized two fundamental principles guiding India’s support: the aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamil community for equality, justice, dignity, and peace, and the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. He called for a comprehensive political solution to the ethnic issue through meaningful devolution of powers to Provincial Councils, the holding of Provincial Council elections, and the full implementation of the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution.

“While we have taken note of the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka towards reconciliation in the recent past, we continue to urge the Government of Sri Lanka towards an early and meaningful implementation of its commitments,” Thakur stated. He expressed hope that the upcoming elections in Sri Lanka would further the cause of national reconciliation.