Independent countries need not to provide unlimited access: Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe

Those who are engaged in various activities in Sri Lanka should work according to guidelines provided by the government. If not, we will become their subordinates. We cannot let them come to our country and engage in their own activities in a way they want, says Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights.

“They requested for unlimited access, so that the United Nations and the Red Cross could go there and provide relief at welfare centres. We are not ready to grant them unlimited access. An independent country does not need to provide unlimited access,” Mr. Samarasinghe said addressing a media briefing yesterday.

Commenting on the recent developments at the UN Human Rights Council, the minister said that it actually was a major victory.

“It was countries with strong economies that joined forces to present it to the council against us. But what was done is in the past. Now, we are ready to even bridge the gaps with those countries. We are not at loggerheads with anyone. But what they did was wrong. We request them to refrain from doing such things in the future. We are not under anyone,” the minister said.

Minister Samarasinghe also said that he had met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillai.

“When I met her, I told her directly that what she did was wrong. I also reiterated that we cannot allow her to open up an office in the island. I also told her we will stop obtaining their assistance if they continue to act in that manner. I said that on behalf of the country, we ought to say it,” the minister said.