Addressing humanitarian concerns, govt’s priority – GL

Correct path

* 95 percent of displaced already resettled

* Ex-combatants integrated into society

The first priority of the government after the war, was addressing humanitarian concerns to ensure resettlement and reconciliation, including early returns of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes, External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris said. Briefing diplomats, academics and officials on the current situation in Sri Lanka, invited by the Institute of South Asian Studies of the National University of Singapore to deliver an address on ‘The Current Situation in Sri Lanka and The Way Forward,’ the minister said that after almost three decades, the government has been successful in restoring peace, stability and security in all parts of the country.

He said that 95 percent of the displaced have been resettled in their original places of domicile or in new homes.

“The very small number remaining in the camps stay there willingly. They visit relatives and return to the camps of their own free will,” the minister said.

Another crucial part of the humanitarian efforts made by the government was the integration of ex-combatants into society.

Minister Peiris said that this was more a human story than a political story, emphasizing that 140 of these young ex combatants have been successful at the GCE A’level examination.

Referring to the political aspect of the current situation in Sri Lanka, Prof Peiris said that the government has embarked on negotiations with the elected representatives of the Tamil community and has already completed five rounds of talks with Tamil political parties. On the Tamil diaspora, Prof Peiris stressed that Sri Lanka was engaged in talking to some sections inviting them to take a hand in the country’s economic and social development and help improve the livelihood of people in the North and East. “We encourage the Tamil diaspora to involve themselves in developmental activities,” he said.

Prof Peiris who visited Singapore last week, also called on Tharman Shanmugaratnam, deputy prime minister, Finance minister Manpower minister and Monetary Authority of Singapore chairman and conveyed President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s message of congratulations on his new appointment.

Minister Peiris briefed the deputy prime minister on the current situation in Sri Lanka and the government’s initiatives in respect of reconciliation and steps taken toward economic development. He pointed out that the numbers of IDPs have been drastically reduced and added that the overwhelming majority of ex-combatants have been reintegrated into society.

He pointed out that the government was keen on arriving at an agreement with the Tamil political parties on appropriate constitutional arrangements.

Minister Peiris emphasised that the government encourages the Tamil diaspora to involve themselves actively in developmental activities.

Minister Peiris invited Shanmugaratnam to visit the country and see for himself the new developments in Sri Lanka.

Minister Peiris also met Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang, and congratulated him on his reappointment to the new Cabinet of Singapore. Prof Peiris said that Sri Lanka is very keen to expand the scope of existing relations for mutual benefit.

The minister stated that the BPO/KPO sector in Sri Lanka is a fast growing area where ample opportunities are available for Singaporean business entities, seeking outsourcing.

This will enhance employment opportunities in Sri Lanka, he said.

Minister Peiris highlighted that Sri Lanka’s tourism which had never grown earlier at the pace it is now growing is a sector that responds fast to the growing dynamics in the renaissance period that began with the conclusion of the 30-year long conflict.

The Singaporean minister said that the trajectory of the Sri Lankan economy is very positive and the culture and the talents of citizens of a country are key to the success of its development.

He mentioned that the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore has been actively working with organizations such as IE Singapore and the Singapore Business Federation to further increase awareness of emerging business opportunities in Sri Lanka among Singaporean businessmen.

The minister also visited the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies of the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore which is devoted to research into political violence and strategies with regard to counter-terrorism.