The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Michele Sison, in a speech to the Sri Lankan Foreign Correspondents Association, Thursday evening, outlined that US concerns in Sri Lanka remain unchanged.

The Ambassador dismissed accusations that the US was targeting Sri Lanka. Outlining that its actions were echoing longstanding international concerns, including those of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,  she said,

“This resolution, and its call for an independent international investigation, does not in any way preclude – and is, in fact, meant to support – a genuine, credible, and transparent domestic process.”

“Additionally, we echo the High Commissioner’s concerns regarding the increase of sexual harassment and violence against women in the former conflict zones.”

The Ambassador went on to reject claims that the UNHRC resolution would spark divisions on the island.

 “Sadly, those divisions existed long before any UN resolutions,” she said.

Expressing concern regarding reprisals of those who engage with international officials, Sison reiterated,

“I also note our serious concern about reprisals against those who meet with visiting diplomats and UN officials, or those who traveled to Geneva to meet with various delegations during the month of March.”

The Ambassador emphasised concern regarding the ongoing impunity in Sri Lanka, describing it as ‘contagious.’

Responding to questions on possible sanctions on Sri Lanka, Sison told press,

“We are not at this point discussing sanctions. We are very much committed to seeing progress on those issues that were raised at the Human Rights Council”

See full statement here.