Government committed to safeguard human rights

Dinesh Weerawansa in Japan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said his Government was taking all measures to safeguard human rights, though the island nation would continue its battle against terrorism.

The President gave this assurance when he addressed Japan's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) Committee in Tokyo on Monday. President Rajapaksa said his Cabinet has already approved a Bill on Witness and Victim Protection.

He added that Sri Lanka has maintained a policy of open and constructive engagement relating to human rights and has co-operated with all United Nations human rights mechanisms.

"Our openness has led us to invite top UN officials to our country. This year alone several high level officials have visited Sri Lanka," he said.

He said the Security Forces have been commended for "a difficult job well done" with absolutely no civilian causalities when they liberated innocent civilians in the Eastern Province and in the Mannar district from the clutches of LTTE terrorism.

But, the President said the Government has taken "serious note" of criticisms leveled against them, though most of those "have no basis".

"We have appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious concerns of human rights. The work of the Commission is being observed by international observers.

This Commission of Inquiry was appointed in consultation with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. My Government appreciates the role played by Prof. Yokota, Japan's representative in the deliberation of the Commission of Inquiry," the President said.

President Rajapaksa appreciated that Japan, as a member of the Asian Group of the Human Rights Council, has extended its fullest support to Sri Lanka against moves unfairly critical of the island, such as the European Union-sponsored draft resolution.

"Japan also disregarded a call by the Human Rights Watch to suspend development aid to Sri Lanka.

I believe that the denial of development is denial of peace. I wish to express my gratitude to the Government of Japan, its people and the ODA Committee for standing by us in promoting peace through development and understanding of our concerns," he observed.

Since last year, Japanese ODA to Sri Lanka has exceeded Yen 40 billion and Sri Lanka expects this level of assistance each year over the next three years from the Japanese Government in support of Sri Lanka's 10-year development initiative - The Mahinda Chinthana: Towards a new Sri Lanka.

"During the last two years, we have improved the project implementation and aid utilisation with the cooperation and assistance of JBIC and JICA officials," the President said. He said Upper House Parliamentarians from Japan, visited Sri Lanka last August on a ODA review mission.

"The rising oil prices have cost us heavily. Our exports are faced with global competition. Our people have demanded security, liberation from terrorism and economic development and peace. These are their priorities," he said.

The President said Sri Lanka's Security Forces are engaged in providing protection to people and property as well as exerting pressure on the LTTE to give up terrorism.

"We do not consider military means alone can solve all problems faced by innocent people. We work hard towards formulating a political settlement. We are also engaged in strengthening provincial administration in the East which is already provided under our Constitution," he said.

The President said the Government has designated the Eastern Province as a model for reconstruction and development since its liberation by the Security Forces.

"The Government has progressed on the resettlement of displaced families and has launched a programme of providing electricity, drinking water, schools, and hospital facilities to provide a decent living. Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and tourism have been revitalised.

Incentives have been offered for private investments. We are also seeking assistance from our development partners for the reconstruction strategy in the East. President Rajapaksa told the ODA Committee that the Government revenue has increased to 17 per cent of GDP - the highest level of revenue in seven years while defence expenditure is maintained below 3.5 per cent of GDP, despite an increased demand for providing much needed security for the people, property and national assets.

He pointed out that the Budget deficit too has been reduced from 10 to seven per cent of GDP while unemployment has been reduced to six per cent and per capita income is expected to reach US $ 1,500 this year.

He explained how several democratic solutions to harmonise the needs of different communities were attempted by successive Governments.

"All such attempts have failed due to LTTE arrogance that believes in only violence and terror. We, all who believe in democracy, agree that terrorism has no place in modern society. It is not an acceptable means of expressing political dissent.

There is no excuse for killing innocent children, women and men and terrorise innocent civilians. The Government will vigorously counter such terrorist threats," he said.