Rajiva Wijesinha

“ It shares certain other characteristics with democracy as properly understood, Mr President, for it seeks to empower all on the basis of equality. Too often do we find the debate on human rights hijacked by a few, with partisan agendas, and it is salutary that we, the member states of the United Nations, have here a mechanism that enables us to explore our strengths in all areas of human rights with a view to building on them, and to examine our weaknesses so that we can improve. ”

“ If they could perhaps express their views in a different room, with one of your staff allowing them in here if and only if they had something novel and constructive to say, perhaps much time could be saved. Holding such sessions in a different continent might even help to build up another hotel industry to rival and even surpass that which we have so conscientiously to endure. ”

“ Sri Lanka wishes, Mr President, to express its appreciation of the UPR process, both as it has been conducted under your leadership this year, and in general. It may not be perfect, and it could certainly be refined, but like democracy it is as good a system as we will get. ”