University of jaffna, University in Kokuvil East, Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that Colombo would look at the resolution in a "national viewpoint in order to make it balanced and non-partisan".He said the top priority of new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's administration was to ensure national security.The minister recalled that the President's election manifesto made it clear that any foreign agreements that had a negative impact on Sri Lanka's national security, sovereignty and integrity would be reviewed."Sri Lanka will revisit all bilateral agreements, particularly the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) worked out by the previous government, and if necessary, introduce amendments," he said on Monday.He told reporters that President Rajapaksa had clearly outlined the new government's foreign policy based on non-aligned principles in his election manifesto."There is no doubt that we have to review and carefully go through all bilateral agreements inked after 2015 and remove any line, clause or paragraph detrimental to our national security, sovereignty, well-being of our people and negatively affect our economy, trade and industry. Sri Lanka has witnessed a tremendous political change through which has restored political and economic stability under a fresh development path. The main task at hand of the new government is to strengthen national security and rebuild the lost confidence both domestically and internationally," he said.Gunawardena pointed out that the Foreign Ministry would be providing the President and the Cabinet with the full details of the said agreements and supplying them with expert opinions in order for them to decide the best way forward.President Rajapaksa had commented on the UNHRC resolution in the lead-up to the election, calling it illegal.Gunawardena, flanked by fellow parliamentar including Sarath Amunugama and Bandula Gunwardana, as well as senior ministry officials, obtained the blessings of religious leaders prior to assuming office. Senior diplomats and ministry officials were also present at the ceremony.He said the new government will call upon the Sri Lankan expatriate community including the Tamil diaspora to take part in the development and reconciliation process to bring prosperity and peace among all communities."To reach that goal, we need the friendship and cooperation of all nations, which is why Sri Lanka would not be party to any power bloc," he said.In September 2015, Sri Lanka had co-sponsored a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution which made it committed to fulfil a range of measures dealing with human rights, accountability and transitional justice.( With inputs from IANS )

University Of JaffnaFOLLOW

University of jaffna, Latest News

The newly elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan here on Friday. ...

Newly elected President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa met External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday. ...

Newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who is here on a three-day official visit, will discuss ways of strengthening bilateral ties in key areas with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. ...

India-Sri Lanka ties are set to see new traction with the visit of the island nation's new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who arrived in India on Thursday evening on his maiden overseas visit, highlighting the significance both sides attach to the rel ...

Sri Lanka newly-elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday arrived in the national capital for a three-day visit to India, his first trip overseas since he took over this month. ...

Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko and his supporters were detained by the Delhi Police on Thursday for protesting against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's visit to India. ...

The newly-elected Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrives in India on Thursday, on his maiden overseas visit that will see the two close neighbours seek to strengthen ties. ...

Sri Lanka's new government has announced that it will "review and revisit" the 2015 UNHRC resolution promoting accountability, reconciliation, and human rights for its wartime abuses. ...