National Policy on Reconciliation and Co-existence launched

A comprehensive National Policy on Reconciliation and Co-existence, prepared by Office for National Unity and Reconciliation was launched at a ceremony held at the Regal Cinema in Colombo, yesterday. A film titled  “Thundenek” was also screened. 

Participating at the event as Chief Guest, President Maithripala Sirisena said that all must unite together to conquer the challenges against the peace and reconciliation.

He also pointed out that the reconciliation is a spiritual philosophy and in a society where spiritual values are not considered, it is challenging to achieve targets sets in this regard. He further said that it is the responsibility of all to fulfill respective duties towards achieving this target.

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation prepared this National policy, fulfilling the need for a comprehensive national policy which emphasizes the need of reconciliation, and this is the first time that such a policy was launched.

The national policy for reconciliation and  public co- existence has been drafted taking into consideration the destruction and damage caused to the society, security and the reputation of all the citizens of Sri Lanka due to the socio- economic unrest including the war and conflict that lasted three decades and with the fullest commitment of the government to ensure that such conflicts would not occur again, formulation of futuristic principles for reconciliation with multiple approaches, under democracy, good governance, rights to language and cultural heredity, guarantee and respect for human rights, authority of law, national unity and diversity.

This policy statement was presented to President Sirisena by the Director of Office of National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), M.S.Jayasighe.

The film “Thundenek” co-directed by Prasanna Vithanage, Vimukthi Jayasunadara, and Ashoka Handagama exhibits the tragedy of the humankind going through the unrest caused by war and conflicts that lasted 30 years.

This film is composed of   three inter- connected short stories with three parts. The film depicts the pain and sheer terror of the individuals living today memorizing the lost members of families and the terrifying experiences they had to undergo due to the war.

The film expects to give a message to the society by depicting the aftershock caused during the war as well as trauma after the war was over, lost of family members, pain and sufferings caused due to the war and it emphasizes the imperative need to build a country where all the Sri Lankans live in peace and harmony.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Chairperson of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and other State officers, experts, artistes and other distinguished guests were present at this event.