Sri Lanka and the UN: Unslayable ghosts

Posted by Kathryn Hovington

For the first time since the end of the war in 2009, the Sri Lankan government may be forced to answer for its actions to the United Nations’ human-rights council. America (with European support) is expected to propose a resolution, calling for the government to report on both how it is fostering better ties with Tamils and its inquiries into possible war crimes. The expected Western-backed proposal may also try to use the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (the government-backed inquiry into the war’s end), to put pressure on the government by asking for other recommendations to be implemented. Basil Rajapaksa, brother to the president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, claims that it is the outsiders who are causing tension. Sri Lanka is backing a counter-resolution criticising Western funding of the council. For the full article from The Economist, please click here.