The Sri Lankan government has expressed “deep concern” at the escalating violence in Gaza and said it condemns all “deliberate attacks causing mayhem and loss of life of civilians”, in a statement read at yesterday’s special session on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the UN Human Rights Council.

Sri Lanka welcomed the convening of the session to address the current human rights issues in the region and said it was “deeply concerned [at the] tragic loss of civilian lives, and extensive damage to property”

“One cannot remain unmoved by the cruel fate of children who are innocent victims of violence. We offer our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and for the devastation and grief they have suffered recently,” the statement said.

Sri Lanka, speaking ahead of the passing of the resolution calling for an international inquiry into human rights violations, expressed hope that the resolution would get “the widest support” in the Human Rights Council.

See full statement below.

Mr. President,

We welcome the convening of this special session of the Human Rights Council to address the current human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and refer the Council to the Statement made by Iran on behalf of the Non Aligned Movement.

Mr. President,

The Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned at the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of civilian lives, and extensive damage to property. One cannot remain unmoved by the cruel fate of children who are innocent victims of violence. We offer our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and for the devastation and grief they have suffered recently.

As each day passes, we see more innocent lives lost or harmed. We condemn all acts of deliberate attacks causing mayhem and loss of life of civilians. We are convinced that dialogue remains the only viable option that can effectively address the issues confronting the region and reaffirm our commitment to a peaceful solution.

Sri Lanka calls upon the parties concerned to exercise the utmost restraint in a bid to halt the violence and ensure a climate conducive to the recommencement of negotiations for a lasting solution to the conflict. We urge the parties to engage at the earliest in direct dialogue, which is the only sustainable path to peace and security in the region. We remain hopeful that since both parties wish to secure the right to life for their peoples, concerted action would be taken towards this end. The Egyptian ceasefire initiative would be a meaningful starting point for this purpose.

Mr. President,

The draft resolution presented to the Council in this regard provides a trajectory in keeping with the ground situation, to overcome the challenge to achieve peace and security in the region which we hope would get the widest support in the Council.

I thank you, Mr. President.