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<p>The UK continues to encourage and support Sri Lanka to deliver the commitments
it made to the UN Human Rights Council through Resolutions 30/1 and 34/1. We firmly
believe that this is the best framework for establishing truth and to achieve justice
and lasting reconciliation. I have made these points personally to Sri Lankan Ministers,
and I welcome the announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka on 6 March that it will
co-sponsor a further resolution at the current Council session.</p><p>The UK welcomed
the Annual Report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 21
March 2018, which assessed progress made by the Sri Lankan government in the implementation
of UN Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and 34/1. The report found that the Government
of Sri Lanka has taken some steps to address human rights concerns and to introduce
more democratic and accountable government.</p><p>These include the return of some
military-held civilian land, the establishment of an Office of Missing Persons and
the ratification of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances. However, as I made
clear to a range of senior Ministers on my visit to Colombo in October, and to Finance
Minister Marapana in January, more needs to be done. I have urged further progress
on these issues, and encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to deliver meaningful
devolution through constitutional reform, and to establish credible mechanisms for
transitional justice.</p><p>The United Kingdom has made a long-term commitment to
improving human rights in Sri Lanka. The British High Commission in Colombo is in
regular contact with the Government of Sri Lanka and other key stakeholders to encourage
and support the implementation of Resolution 30/1.</p>
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