Lanka proud of handling post conflict developments - Minister Prof Peiris

Sri Lanka can be proud of its handling of post conflict developments, stated External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris when he addressed the Professionals’ Association of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in the Galle and Matara districts recently.

An initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the SLFP Central Committee and the SLFP Professionals’ Associations which have already been formed in 10 districts, implemented this initiative.

Minister Prof G L Peiris addresing the paricipants

Addressing the Professionals’ Association of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in Galle, Prof Peiris said contrary to typical responses in other parts of the world, Sri Lanka, after defeating terrorism approached the complex tasks of rehabilitation and reintegration in a manner characterized by its compassionate culture and value systems, and the country we have every reason to be proud of this achievement. Prof Peiris gave a detailed account of the work done by the government with regard to internally displaced persons resettlement, the rehabilitation of ex-combatants, the reduction of high security zones, the resolution of land issues, the rolling back of emergency regulations and initiatives in respect of infrastructure development.

Regionally, for the South Asian region as a whole, he explained the country’s achievements relating to the security of sea lanes, preventing problems with regard to refugees and forestalling collaborative action among terrorist groups in the area.

During his address to the Matara district Professionals’ Association of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Minister Peiris said the greatest protection for a country and its leadership consists of robust public opinion founded on complete information.

In forming public opinion the most significant role is that of professionals in the country, the Minister added.

Prof Peiris endorsed recent remarks by Minister Dullas Alahapperuma at a media briefing regarding the need for clarity and objectivity in respect of concepts central to strategies in combating terrorism.

He also referred to the desirability of new thinking in formulating approaches of international law and practice to situations – all too common in the modern world – where terrorist groups do not consider themselves bound by any of the rules or values which govern states in their action against terror.

The United Nations Charter is based on the principle of sovereign equality among States, and it was never more important than it is today to insist on the application of this principle in practice to ensure even-handed treatment and the application of the same ground rules to all nations, he continued.

The Minister briefed the professionals in detail about the government’s achievements in ensuring stability and tranquility, both within the country and throughout the South Asian region, after the defeat of terrorism.

He emphasized the primacy of local context in evolving solutions to national issues in the field of rehabilitation and reconstruction, and dealt with the work of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the Inter-Agency Advisory Committee which was appointed by the government to undertake rapid implementation of the LLRC’s interim recommendations.

The Minister drew a clear distinction between the United Nations system and the Darusman panel. He declared that the Government would continue to work closely with the United Nations System, although it found the Darusman Report fundamentally flawed in many respects.

Prof Peiris referred with appreciation to the very constructive resolutions which had been passed by bodies like the Organization of Professional Associations and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

He called on the Professionals’ Association of Matara to play a leading role in safeguarding the interests of the country at this crucial time.

Lalith Gamage was elected President of the Galle Professionals’ Association.

Senior Minister Piyasena Gamage, Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva, the Galle district MP Romesh Pathirana and Lalith Gamage, President of the SLFP Professionals’ Association of Galle, spoke at the meeting.

The meeting was organized by Southern Provincial Council Chief Minister Shan Wijelal de Silva.

Ministers Dullas Alahapperuma, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena participated.