LLRC report and reconciliation

The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission has finally concluded its sessions after a lengthy run of one and half years. The LLRC report is to be handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on May15.

The President appointed the eight member Commission to report on the lessons to be learnt from the events in the period February 2002 to May 2009, their attendant concerns and to recommend measures to ensure that there will be no recurrence of such a situation. The Commission was also charged with reporting whether any person, group or institution directly or indirectly bears responsibility in this regard. It was also charged with reporting on measures to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such concerns in the future and promote further national unity and reconciliation among all communities.

The appointment of the LLRC was a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to promote and protect human rights as consistently articulated and affirmed by Sri Lanka at sessions of the Human Rights Council. It also showed the openness and transparency of the Government in the matter of probity amids unfair allegations of human rights violations.

The Commission members travelled the length and breadth of the country speaking to those directly affected by the war, community leaders and peoples' representatives. In the main it heard the views of eminent personages such as intellectuals, religious leaders, diplomats, politicians and civil society leaders with a view to obtaining the widest possible opinion and insight into the origins and ramifications of the conflict towards understanding its dynamics.

The LLRC report no doubt would form an ideal basis for evolving an understanding leading to putting in place the necessary institutional mechanism to facilitate the reconciliation process and one could expect the Commission which comprises eminent persons of exceptional credentials and probity to have gathered and collated all evidence placed before it dispassionately when compiling the report.

This would also be an ideal basis for the homegrown solution the President is desirous of pursuing. No doubt the report would be placed before Parliament where it will be debated leading to the emergence of several shades of opinion which would no doubt help in the evolution of durable solution. Most importantly it will provide an opportunity for minority MPs to make a comprehensive study of the document and come out with their own views. What is needed is a consensus from as wide a spectrum as could be mustered so that the suggestions and elements contained in it would be acted upon leading to a permanent healing of wounds and unifying a fractured nation for the greater good of its development and progress. It should not be allowed to go the way of other reports that was pigeon holed never to see the light of day.

Sports unifying power

At the time of writing the world cup semi-final between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is about to get underway at the R Premadasa Stadium. This is the final World Cup match in Sri Lanka and whatever the outcome Lankan fans were treated to a cricketing feast during the past few weeks what with the stupendous performance of Sanga and the boys adding to glamour and ecstasy.

Yesterday too from all accounts the venue was teeming with spectators to cheer our lads to triumph and book a ticket to the finals in Mumbai. In the midst of this joy and celebratory mood one should also not forget the organizers of the Lanka leg of the World Cup whose dedication and devotion were not second to players themselves, especially in the matter of getting the venues prepared on time, getting them into shape not to mention the enormous logistical responsibility that was indeed a herculean effort.

The successful holding of the World Cup in Sri Lanka is also thanks to the peace that has dawned on the country relieving tensions and anxieties that were hitherto prevalent in crowded gatherings. The final stages of the World Cup will see not only spectator frenzy at all venues where the World Cup matches were played but also diplomatic triumph where leaders of countries whose relations were strained sitting together watching the action in the middle. In that sense this World Cup has done more towards cementing relations between nations while also mending fences which goes to prove the universal claim of the power sport as a unifying force.