Govt. tells UNHRC it hopes to strengthen domestic processes on accountability/reconciliation

Minister of Foreign Affairs  Vijitha Herath told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today that the domestic mechanisms and processes established to address challenges emanating from the conflict will continue their work in an independent and credible manner within the Constitutional framework.

“Our aim is to make the domestic mechanisms credible and sound within the constitutional framework. This will include strengthening the work towards a truth and reconciliation commission empowered to investigate acts of violence caused by racism and religious extremism that give rise to tensions within Sri Lankan society,” the Minister said in his address to the 58th Regular Session of the UNHRC in Geneva.

He said that domestic institutions such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations, and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) will be strengthened while the truth and reconciliation framework will be further discussed with the broadest possible cross section of stakeholders to ensure a process that has the trust of all Sri Lankans.

He added that a number of confidence building measures have also been taken in the last few months towards  advancing national unity and reconciliation.

This includes opening the Palali- Achchuveli main road, invitation to the youth in the North to be  a part  Lanka’s police service as well as significant allocations to upgrade the libraries throughout the country, including the historical Jaffna library which is a symbol of education and enlightenment for the Tamil community.

“ The Government is fully cognizant of the responsibility that accompanies the people’s mandate, including the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces, to fulfil their aspirations for a just, fair and prosperous society for all our citizens. As we move forward on our path towards national unity and reconciliation and inclusive development, the continued encouragement and support of the international community will be important,” he added.