C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 001122

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV AORC KUNR CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: GSL WILL REFLECT ON US PRIORITIES FOR
UN REFORM

REF: A. STATE 114051


B. STATE 111657

Classified By: DCM J. ENTWISTLE FOR REASONS 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Ambassador delivered Reftel demarches to
Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara on June 24.
Palihakkara indicated that the GSL will likely vote in favor
of the framework resolution that increases the Security
Council to 24 members. He said that his government might
consider supporting a Human Rights Council but expressed some
reservations. Palihakkara said the Government of Sri Lanka
(GSL) would support the idea of a Peacebuilding Commission,
but again added some caveats. End summary.

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SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM
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2. (C) On the topic of Security Council Reform, Palihakkara
said that his government generally supports Japan, India,
Brazil, and Germany for permanent member status. He added
that his government does not like all of the aspects of the
proposed framework resolution that calls for 24 seats on the
Security Council, but if pressed to a vote, the GSL would
vote in favor of it. He added that the GSL would like
language included in the text of the resolution that will
require Africa to provide a list in advance of the rotation
it will use to give countries representation.

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HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION
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3. (SBU) Palihakkara said that in principle, the GSL could
support a Human Rights Council, but his government wants to
be certain that a new body does not re-create the work of the
Human Rights Committee. He also said that it is important to
engage countries that are violators of human rights, and if
the proposed Council excludes those countries completely,
perhaps it will be less effective at promoting human rights.
He conceded that the large size of the Human Rights Committee
sometimes makes it difficult to come to decisions, but
asserted that the Committee was purposely designed to draw
broad representation and to permit many voices to be heard.
As far as a Peacebuilding Commission, Palihakkara said the
GSL could support it as long as the body was respectful of
local customs and would remain non-intrusive. Palihakkara
concluded by saying the GSL will have an open mind about
institutional reform that might make the UN more effective,
but that his government will need to reflect on the matters
further.
LUNSTEAD