Resolution amended again at India’s  behest to include key operative words, ‘in  consultation with and with the concurrence of the government of Sri Lanka

The US resolution on Sri Lanka was adopted by the UNHRC yesterday in Geneva with a majority of nine votes––24 for, 15 against and 8 abstaining.

Although India succumbed to US pressure to vote for the resolution, key Asian countries, including those representing SAARC and two UN Security Council members voted against it.

Although India had never voted for a ‘country specific’ resolution, the US and the Tamil Nadu politicians pressured the Manmohan Singh government to change the country’s position.

India on Thursday voted for a United States-sponsored resolution at the United Nations' top human rights body censuring Sri Lanka for its alleged rights violations during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

India initially showed reluctance to vote on a nation-specific resolution but changed its stand after political parties in Tamil Nadu exerted pressure on the United Progressive Alliance government to go with the resolution. The DMK, in particular, threatened to pull out its Ministers from the UPA government on the issue.

With 24 votes for, 15 against and 8 abstentions, the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted the resolution, which noted with concern that an internal inquiry report in Sri Lanka did not adequately address “serious allegations” of violations of international law.

• Right to Information Act required to ascertain govt’s growth rate claims

Mihin Air, which had suffered total losses of Rs.13 billion between 2007 and 2010, should be closed down immediately without burdening the treasury and masses any further, UNP MP Harsha de Silva said yesterday.

He told a news conference in Colombo that among the many white elephants was Mihin Air, which served no purpose since the country already had a national airline and it was also in a severe financial mess.

The Norachcholai coal power plant has again broken down indefinitely since last Friday and authorities are unable to say when it would be able to generate power to the national grid.

According to Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka if the 300MW plant doesn’t contribute to the grid, it costs the Ceylon Electricity Board, a staggering Rs. 80 million per day to get electricity from independent sources.

Frequent technical problems occurring at the 300MW Norachcholai coal power plant is due to conspiracies by some foreigners allege Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers’ Union, Senior Engineer Assistant U. R. K. Senaratne.

"I take the responsibility that mishaps at Norachcholai are due to Chinese intervention," Senarathne told The Island. The Chinese company was keen to continue with maintenance and operations, he said. Recent Cabinet approval for a contract for maintenance and operations to the Chinese firm was the best evidence, he said.