The recent appointment of Lt. General Shavendra Silva as Sri Lanka’s Army Commander is a sovereign decision taken by the Head of State, Sri Lanka Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Ambassador A.L.A Azeez told the 42nd Session of the Human Rights Council this week.
“External attempts to influence decisions and internal administrative processes of public service promotions in Sri Lanka are unwarranted and unacceptable,” he said, addressing the council.
He said that articulating a position of concern on this appointment by certain bilateral partners and international entities, based on allegations, is regrettable and contrary to the principles of natural justice.
Meanwhile, Azeez commenting on the steps the Government has taken since the Easter Sunday attacks said the Sri Lankan Government remains committed to combating hate speech and all forms of crimes directed against ethnic and religious communities and is taking steps to counter religious radicalisation and violent extremism.
Commenting that Sri Lanka was put to the test subsequent to the terrorist attacks over four months ago, he said, “however, we witnessed the continued resilience of Sri Lanka’s security forces to protect the country and its people, while ensuring fundamental rights, consistent with the pledges it has made before this Council.”
“These range from the speedy restoration of security which has minimised the impact on the country’s socio-economic fabric and upheld its international reputation, the lifting of the State of Emergency within four months, providing the ICRC full access to individuals detained, engaging in an informed debate on seeking to upgrade the new counter-terrorism legislation, and in deference to the sensitivities of the Muslim community, adjustment of the regulation banning full facial cover attire,” he said.