US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO516

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Identifier:	05COLOMBO516
Wikileaks:	View 05COLOMBO516 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Colombo
Created:	2005-03-11 06:01:00
Classification:	CONFIDENTIAL
Tags:	PHUM PREL CE UNHRC
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000516 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND IO 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, CE, UNHRC-1, Human Rights 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA:  RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON UNCHR 61 
 
REF: A. STATE 42847 
 
     B. COLOMBO 451 
 
Classified By: POL PMAHONEY.  REASON:  1.4 (B,D). 
 
1.  (SBU)  Poloff delivered Ref A demarche to Sumedha 
Ekanayake, Assistant Director for UN and Multilateral 
Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 11.  Ekanayake 
identified child soldiers (Ref B) as an issue of particular 
concern and one that the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister will 
emphasize in his statement.  In addition, the Foreign 
Minister will address steps taken by the Goverment of Sri 
Lanka (GSL) to improve its human rights record, particularly 
with respect to torture/abuse of detainees. 
 
2.  (C)  In keeping with past practice, Ekanayake expects the 
GSL would abstain from a resolution on Cuba.  (Sri Lanka has 
abstained every year except 1999, when it voted against the 
resolution.)  The GSL would "most probably" support 
resolutions on Belarus and DPRK.  Despite "a growing 
understanding" within the GSL that too much time is spent on 
Israel in CHR proceedings, Ekanayake said that Sri Lanka's 
strong bilateral and regional relationships with some of the 
sponsors can make it difficult for the GSL to oppose such 
resolutions. 
LUNSTEAD