Truth, Justice and Reparation

‘Sri Lanka is deeply committed to Truth, Justice and Reparation’, Head of the Sri Lankan delegation to the 17th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in his statement to the world forum. Indeed, Sri Lanka has committed herself to the establishment and sustenance of these values and some results of this commitment are already making themselves visible in the work of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). It is, in fact, quite some time since Sri Lanka considered herself conscience-bound to incorporate these values in her constitution and traditions of governance, and the fundamental rights chapter of our constitution and other documents setting out the cornerstones of good governance, bear this out.

The Minister has dwelt at some length on the work that the LLRC has set for itself and it is plain to see that justice to those affected by the Lankan conflict and the bestowing of reparations to the latter constitute a good part of its operations. For this purpose the LLRC has been travelling the length and breadth of Sri Lanka, and as the Minister pointed out, has been listening to the grievances of affected persons and groups and is in the process of restoring to them what is due to them. That is, restorative justice is a foundation of the work the LLRC has taken on itself.

Following the clear and categorical rejection of the controversial Darusman Report by the Lankan state, very much would depend on the achievements of the LLRC in the crucial areas of Truth, Justice and Reparation. Accordingly, the operations of the LLRC would not only need to be increasingly result-oriented but they should prove invaluable and supremely effective in the establishment and sustenance of Truth, Justice and Reparation. Thus, would the current criticisms emanating in some quarters against Sri Lanka prove to be lacking in both substance and foundation.

Meanwhile, increasingly positive developments in the areas of rehabilitation and reconstruction would prove to the world that Sri Lanka is very much on the mend. Minister Samarasinghe has already outlined to the world the pluses achieved by Sri Lanka in these areas and such efforts would need to continue on a sustained basis if our values of Truth, Justice and Reparation are to be increasingly served.

We have stressed over the past couple of days, the importance of Sri Lanka starting anew and this objective should be the foundation of the thinking of not only the state but also of those who mean well by this country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has time and again emphasized the importance of Sri Lanka rising as one man, in a spirit of unity among its communities, to meet and overcome the challenges ahead and such thinking should be the basis of the collective endeavours of the people of this country to emerge as both a united and strong country.

The government has gone some distance in establishing important infrastructure facilities in almost all parts of the country and such efforts must continue if development is to filter through to the masses. Besides, such development must prove to be equitable and not the sole preserve of specific groups and classes.

Fortunately, the state has realized the importance of bringing healing to those sections which have been affected by the conflict. For instance, former LTTE cadres are being rehabilitated, rendered effective persons and returned to civil society. This amounts to building up persons and more and more of this is needed if the wounds of the past are to heal fast. Once returned to society, these persons must also be provided the opportunities to further their prospects and be useful citizens.

Sri Lanka has also done right by reaffirming her commitment to her international obligations, rights and duties and has, generally speaking, underscored her continuing engagement with the UN system. This is, in fact, one of the most effective ways of defeating any hostile international moves that have been launched to undermine Sri Lanka’s interests. To the degree to which Sri Lanka remains committed to the UN, to the same degree would she be in a position to muster international support to ward off hostile moves against her. In fact, Sri Lanka already has an abundance of good will and support internationally and the proof of this is the strong likelihood of the Darusman Report not having any takers at the current UNHRC sessions.

These developments are an indication that the anti-Lanka destructive politics engaged in by sections of the Diasporic community would not yield any dividends for its perpetrators. Sri Lanka is in a strong position in the international community and Diasporic elements’ efforts to destabilize her would only back-fire on them or fizzle-out. Rather than continue on this futile track, these sections would do well to accept President Rajapaksa’s invitation to help out in rebuilding Sri Lanka and thereby make this country a thriving state in which all our communities would be winners.