Posted on April 3rd, 2021
Prof. Asoka Bandarage
The recent UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution A/HRC/46/L.1/Rev.1
of March 16 has brought extensive charges against Sri Lanka over alleged human
rights violations, but is arguably seriously
flawed. Opportunistic and strategic use of
human rights by the western powers to maintain hegemony continually ignore violations
of the rights of nature and humanity rooted in the destructive model of
economic development the same powers introduced to the world.
Historical Background
Ancient Sri Lanka was known for its
Buddhist eco-centric approach to life. The origin of the contemporary ecological
and social crisis can be traced to the colonial period