Govt united and firm in its commitment to achieve reconciliation - FM

The Government of Sri Lanka today assured the international community that the judicial mechanism which will be set up to probe allegations of human rights violation will be one which has the confidence of the stakeholders, especially the victims. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera said that there are varying views on the nature, level and role of international participation in the mechanism. 

“Divergent views are indicative of a healthy democracy and consultative process,” he said, delivering a statement at the 32nd Session of Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva today (29).

“Despite such divergent views, however, I can assure you that the mechanism that is finally set up will be one which has the confidence of the stakeholders, especially the victims, with fair trial and due process guarantees.”

The Sri Lankan foreign minister was speaking after the presentation of the Oral Update on the implementation of the HRC Resolution A/HRC/RES/30/1 by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

“Reconciliation does not happen at once, overnight. It requires effort, hard work, commitment, and careful, continuous, concrete action,” he said. 

It is not an end that can be reached where no further work is required and it is not a box that can be ticked as achieved, he said, adding that it is a journey that requires constant striving. 

“What we have achieved so far since January 2015 may seem like ‘baby steps’ for some, but for us they are ‘giant leaps’.”

Samaraweera said that the road ahead is certainly challenging, but it is powered by Sri Lanka’s determination and resolve to achieve reconciliation. 

“There are some who doubt our sincerity to do so, and also a few who want us to fail.”

He stated that those who pray that the government won’t succeed are the “forces of extremism on both sides of the divide, who, in league with the ghosts of the past,” wait to rejoice to see Sri Lanka fail to succeed in its journey of reconciliation. 

He assured that the government is united and firm in its commitment to achieve reconciliation, development and ensure non-recurrence. 

“Let us have the benefit of your doubts in order to take forward this extremely challenging yet essential process for our nation,” he said.  

Samaraweera said that last week the military released another 701 acres of land to the District Secretary of Jaffna, out of which, 201.3 acres were handed over to their original owners on 25th June. 

“The Government has clearly instructed the military that all the land obtained from civilians must be released latest by 2018, and that the owners of whatever land that may be required for national installations or development purposes would be fully compensated.”

The foreign minister said that the three principle pillars on which the architecture of the new Sri Lanka is built, are democracy, development and reconciliation.

“We invite all who are interested in Sri Lanka’s progress to visit us, including all those who criticise us, fairly or unfairly. We are ready and willing to accept praise as well as criticism in the correct spirit, and use both for reflection and improvement.” 

He said that one of Sri Lanka’s weaknesses has been the failure to communicate its strategies and plans, effectively. “We are already planning on starting a communication drive to address this essential requirement.”

View full statement below:

Statement by Mangala Samaraweera at 32nd Session of UNHRC by deranapics