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| Tuesday, 19 October 2004 |
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The Ministry of Justice and Judicial Reforms will launch a program to introduce Mediation at secondary school level. A pilot project for thirty identified schools will be launched in partnership with the British Council, in the Colombo, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Galle and Kandy districts. The inaugural district meeting will be held on October 22 at the Ferguson Girl's High School in Ratnapura under the patronage of the Minister of Justice and Judicial Reforms W.D.J. Seneviratne. Mediation is a form of dispute resolution which is gaining popularity around the world as a meaningful mechanism in a conflict ridden world. It is a mechanism which is non-adversarial and which helps disputants to settle differences in an amicable manner. In Sri Lanka, disputes which arise in the community have been settled through the Mediation process by Mediation Boards that have been established under the Mediation Boards Act No. 72 of 1988. The settlement rate is highly satisfactory, the Ministry said in a press release. The Mediation process involves techniques that help not only to resolve disputes but also to avoid disputes. It helps disputing parties to understand the true nature of the dispute and to appreciate the other party's point of view. These are features that will help to eradicate the root cause of a conflict and which thereby help to effect a lasting solution. The program formulated by the Ministry of Justice and Judicial Reforms seeks to establish Mediation cells in schools to train students and teachers in the techniques and skills of Mediation and to establish Panels of Mediators from among those who have been trained. These panels will have the competence thereafter to undertake the settlement of disputes that arise within the school environment. The Mediation cell in each school will also thereafter promote Mediation activities. It is believed that encouraging students and teachers to settle their own disputes will contribute to the creation of a more peaceful and healthy environment within schools. The skills acquired as a trained Mediator will serve the individual well even in later life in the larger society. These persons will be an asset in a society in which there is a serious decline in discipline and increased violence and crime. The state is faced with the serious challenge of arresting this trend. It is in furtherance of this challenge that the School Mediation program is being launched by the Ministry of Justice and Judicial Reforms, the release said. |
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