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<p>The UK has long supported efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka,
including in our role as penholder on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
We firmly believe that UNHRC resolution 30/1, and its successor resolutions 34/1 and
40/1, remain the best framework for establishing truth and achieving justice and lasting
reconciliation following the conflict in Sri Lanka. We continue to encourage and support
Sri Lanka to deliver on the commitments it made to the UNHRC through these resolutions.</p><p>We
are concerned about the Government of Sri Lanka's decision to withdraw support for
the UN resolution. Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth, Lord (Tariq)
Ahmad of Wimbledon, has raised these concerns on several occasions with the Sri Lankan
High Commissioner and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. The Foreign
Secretary also underlined the importance of accountability and reconciliation when
he spoke to Foreign Minister Gunawardena in May. The UK Government made our concerns
clear in statements delivered on behalf of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC
in February, June and September. These statements reiterated our ongoing commitment
to justice and accountability for victims of conflict and human rights violations,
and lasting reconciliation. We also have an active programme of engagement with a
wide range of civil society groups and vulnerable communities, and support efforts
to deliver peace and reconciliation through our programme work, including as part
of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund. This includes support for resettlement
and sustainable livelihoods of those displaced by the conflict, peacebuilding and
landmine clearance, and a number of capacity building programmes to strengthen democracy,
the rule of law and reconciliation.</p>
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