“Ambassador Dayan is one of the stars of UN bodies including the Human Rights Council, who commands respect and admiration…” (Palestine)

 

-“Sri Lanka, through its permanent Mission in Geneva led by His Excellency Mr. Dayan Jayatilleka plays an active role within the Human Rights Council,  a role that has been reflected as presidency of the Asian Group in the crucial establishment of various bodies for the Council and as the Vice-Chairman of the Council as well… “(Morocco)

Dr. Jayatilleka, who was a member of the Sri Lankan delegation, also intervened to explain the 13th amendment, the power-sharing package proposed by the Sri Lankan government.

Given below is his statement: “Mr President, as the Christian Science Monitor noted a few days ago, the government of Sri Lanka believes not only in a military solution but a political solution to the Sri Lankan conflict. The political component of this is the maximum devolution of power within a unitary framework. The 13th Amendment which issued from the Indo-Sri Lanka accord strives precisely to achieve provincial autonomy.

We were unable to implement that fully for 20 years because the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam conducted a war in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Well, having militarily liberated the Eastern province, we have just concluded    the holding of elections which has re-empowered the Eastern Provincial Council.

An eminent group of 17 Asian election monitors has validated the election as free and fair. We intend to do the same in the Northern Province. The President of   Sri Lanka has promised that the North, just like the East, will be militarily liberated and politically empowered by the holding of elections to an autonomous Provincial Council in the North. 

Meanwhile the president has appointed a high level National Task Force for the Northern Province which will implement the programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation. So we are attempting to revive, restore and re-activate the13th Amendment which provides for full devolution of powers within a unitary state.

Thank you.”