Hours before the UN Human Rights Council is set to vote on a resolution calling on the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights undertake a comprehensive investigation into Sri Lanka, the country's President Mahinda Rajapaksa proclaimed it was “unconcerned about the outcome of the Geneva election”, asserting that the “people would win” regardless of the outcome.

The Sri Lankan Presidents remarks came as the country's ambassador to Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha warned that Sri Lanka would reject the resolution, as it had done the two previous ones. 

Speaking at an election rally in the South yesterday, President Rajapaksa told the Sinhala people,

"The Government is certain to win the Provincial Council elections and therefore is unconcerned about the outcome of the Geneva election."

The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka further quoted him as saying,

“Betraying one's motherland is similar to betraying one's own mother. Patriotic people never betray or harm their motherland”.

His remarks follow Sri Lanka telling the UN Human Rights Council that it has "consistently rejected previous resolutions" and "would do so again".

President Rajapaksa went on to that people were now living in “peace and harmony” and slamming those who “betray” the country, adding,

"Certain people furnish false details and data to foreign elements, including certain NGO's for petty gains. The government protects the rights of all which is the greatest of all human rights".

See more from the Daily News here.

See our earlier post: Sri Lanka dismisses OHCHR report, warns will reject upcoming resolution as it has before (26 March 2014)