Sri Lanka reaping dividends through peace

*Establishment of transition justice mechanism priority

*Legislative provisions being scaled down

Text of the statement by Attorney-General of Sri Lanka Mohan Pieris, PC, under agenda Item 2 of the 14th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in response to the Statement made by High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanetham Pillay in Geneva, May 31, 2010

My delegation notes the High Commissioner’s interest on Sri Lanka as contained in her statement. Having seized the opportunity for peace and reconciliation with the end of the terrorist conflict, we in Sri Lanka have now begun to reap its dividends through the meaningful implementation of the necessary measures to ensure they are enjoyed by every citizen of the country. The very fact that only 30,000 remain from the 300,000 IDPs to resettle from a year ago signals the provision of the basic fruits of peace.

The President of Sri Lanka has instructed for immediate action to be taken to resettle these remaining IDPs within three months and close the welfare centres in the North. Infrastructure facilities such as highways, drinking water, schools, electricity and housing are being developed in this region.

It is also noteworthy that the ruling UPFA swept the boards the Parliamentary Elections held on April 8.

This undoubtedly is a resounding endorsement by the people, of the policies being implemented by the Government, having been able to begin partaking of the peace dividends.

Security situation

With the ending of the terrorist conflict, the Government of Sri Lanka has now commenced the scaling down of legislative provisions, which are no longer necessary but were previously needed to deal with an extraordinary security situation that prevailed in the country.

As a first step in this direction, on May 2 this year the Government decided to withdraw a substantial segment of the Emergency Regulations, which had been continuously in force since August 2005. This process has repealed the provisions no longer needed and modified several others.

Among those repealed were the emergency provisions having a direct bearing on the freedom of expression, which has resulted in further strengthening the protective measures in the area of freedom of opinion and expression and the removal of Regulation 64, which enables the admissibility of a statement made by a suspect to a Police officer thereby revoking these provisions tantamount to derogation. They will also result in further relaxation of measures pertaining to publications and printing, distribution and possession of literature. The provision with regard to search of household premises has been amended in keeping with the relevant principles of the ICCPR. The roll back of the Emergency Regulations at this juncture is only the beginning of a process which will be continued as and when the ground conditions become conducive to their further relaxation.

In keeping with the pledge of President Rajapaksa, that the pursuit of national unity and peace requires reconciliation among all communities since the defeat of terrorism, the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism has been one of the foremost priorities of the Government.

In order to accomplish this task, the Government has now established a ‘Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation’, with emphasis on restorative justice; focusing among others, for determining responsibility regarding events in question. This mechanism will soon commence its work. Concomitantly discussions are ensuing with the Tamil National Alliance, the main political party representing the people in the North, addressing any related grievances. My delegation has already shared information on these post conflict developments, with the High Commissioner and other interested States, in keeping with our policy of close engagement with the international community.

This Council would recall the issue of J S Tissanayagam who was sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment on three counts under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and had been referred to in a number of instances by some sections of the international community. Tissanayagam has been granted a free pardon, by H E the President in terms of Article 33 of the Constitution, which process is expected to be completed by June 1, 2010.

Social progress

The Government of Sri Lanka during the last week also achieved the completion of the rehabilitation and releasing of all child soldiers numbering 294 to their parents legally through a court procedure. These helpless victims of the war aged between 12-17 years were afforded a Presidential pardon and provided facilities for their training to integrate them into normal civilian life.

It would be appropriate to note that the draft of Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan on Human Rights has been finalised and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, who will refer the matter to a Select Committee of Parliament for study and recommendation. The Victims and Witness Protection Bill as amended will also be presented to Parliament shortly. In addition, a special committee has also been established to study the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure with a view to addressing the issues of torture. The proposed amendments will incorporate provisions for a duty attorney’s scheme. We are in the process of studying ways and means of having a Press Council with enhanced powers in keeping with other international regimes.

All these initiatives Mr. President, will undoubtedly contribute positively to the post conflict development process in Sri Lanka, which I am confident would be appreciated and acknowledged by this Council. My delegation will continue to update the international community as we progress further in our endeavours to consolidate peace, reconciliation and greater social progress for the people of Sri Lanka.

My delegation wishes to make some observations with regard to the references made by the High Commissioner in her statement on Sri Lanka.

We are of the view that the High Commissioner’s observations on the Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation, which has just been established, regrettably seeks to prejudge its outcome even before the mechanism has begun its work, which is most disconcerting.

Armed conflicts

It may be opportune to remind ourselves of the Biblical saying “Let him who hath not sinned cast the first stone.” We are sure that none of us could boast the capacity to earn for ourselves a place in the litany of the saints. However, every accommodation must be made possible, even an endeavour to achieve goodness, and that is precisely what the Government of Sri Lanka has sought to embark on, in a genuine sense of reconciliation.

It is not unusual, Mr. President, that sovereign States having emerged from protracted armed conflicts resort to domestic mechanisms, as encouraged by the Secretary General of the UN himself, due to the complexed nature of the issues at hand and their domestic relevance and better understanding.

It is in this context that the Government of Sri Lanka has consistently upheld and established a domestic mechanism for transitional justice, rather than one with an international complexion, which would impinge on the very sovereignty that was under threat for nearly three decades.

Further, it is inappropriate to be wholly guided by precedent, that too not having paid heed to connected issues, in order to keep advocating for a so called “independent international accountability mechanism” .

While history can be interpreted subjectively, its tenets remain unshaken which should be understood before seeking it as a justification.

In this context, it may be recalled that the Government of Sri Lanka has delivered on related undertakings in the past.

In this instance too we will deliver on our commitment as the domestic mechanism’s Warrant clearly provides for the identification of direct or indirect responsibility, which would hold perpetrators, if any, accountable for past violations, and will not be deterred by any pressure or force in achieving a lasting peace for our people.

We say to those who are our protagonists let this process commence as envisaged, observe its progress constructively and provide the necessary space without unwarranted and misplaced rhetoric.

Permit the people of Sri Lanka and opportunity of achieving sustainable peace.

It is disconcerting for the Government of Sri Lanka to be needlessly confronted, at this time of a paradigm shift in the hearts and minds of our people, by the observations in the High Commissioner’s statement, after having taken concrete steps in keeping with domestic compulsions, to address post conflict reconciliation issues.

My delegation looks forward to constructive engagement with the UN in this regard.