President commended on human rights front

GENEVA: President Mahinda Rajapaksa who arrived in Geneva on Wednesday to attend the 96th ILO conference, held discussions with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louis Arbour.

President Rajapaksa came in for high praise by Arbour over steps taken by the Government to protect human rights amidst heightened acts of terrorism.

She also expressed her regret at the propaganda launched by various organisations to discredit the Lankan Government.

Following the meeting, the Lankan Head of State also held discussions with the President of the International Human Rights Council Luis Alfonso where the latter spoke of the need for continuing with the ongoing programmes between the Sri Lankan Government and the Council.

Alfonso appreciated steps taken by the Sri Lanka Government to not only appoint a Presidential Commission to probe human rights violations but also to permit an International panel of eminent persons to be present as observers.

Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, Douglas Devananda, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Attorney General C.R. De Silva, Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN Office in Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleke were also present.