CSOs in Sri Lanka began drafting UPR Report 2017

Sri Lankan UPR -2016/7 CSO report preparatory process began today with 35 organizations with 68 participants from all over the country. The participants are consisted with wider geographical coverage, sectoral and issue wise representation.
At the meeting there are 24 sections identified to report in the UPR report this year. Last term in 2012, it covered 18 sectors representing 31 organizations while another 06 sectors added to that list this time.
* Food Producers issues
* Indian refugee returnees issues
* Environmental issues
* Pakistani and Afgan asylum seekers issues
* Land related issues
* Religious freedom
Are added as new areas of concern this year.
PriyalalSirisena an attorney at law set the audience hopes high with his presentation on Why? & What UPR and it's importance.  Also,
Sampath Pushpakumara also attorney at law presented the 164 recommedations of various diplomatic missions and 60 accepted recommendations of GOSL in HRC in Geneva, at 2012.
The participants got together based on their sectors and had planned and shared the process, resource generation, set the deadline to submit sector report by 10 February.
The main responsible agency and the responsible person/s were also assigned the report preparation.
Final date for compilation and validation would be 15 February while there will be a training organized on 16/17 February to deepen the knowledge of the new comers to UPR.
Herman Kumara set the objectives at the begining and presented Way Forward at the end while highlighting how the CSO collective would facilitate the regional and sectoral processes.