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Thursday, 16 June 2011

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Anti-SL slander and the LLRC

The latest slanderous onslaught against Sri Lanka in the form of the new Channel-4 video footage helps put the spotlight on the importance of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The Lankan state has been consistent in the reconstruction and rehabilitation work it has undertaken in the North, and these achievements need to be greatly highlighted as we go along, to rubbish the baseless criticisms which are being leveled against Sri Lanka, but the work undertaken by the LLRC is of equal magnitude and much will hinge on the Commission’s effectiveness.

As should have been evident to observers, the state is increasingly relying on the LLRC for the good work which would effectively blunt the adverse criticisms that are doing the rounds about Sri Lanka in particularly the West. In fact, the main thrust of the state’s ripostes to these negative comments is that they would do grave harm to the process of reconciliation launched by the state. And the LLRC is pivotal in bringing reconciliation to Sri Lanka.

The latest instance wherein the key significance of the LLRC is underlined is the statement issued by the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on the Channel-4 issue. This document is reproduced by us on page one today and it is plain to see that the LLRC is a principal pillar of the reconciliation process.

What the LLRC has achieved thus far has been dwelt on by the state before and all that is adequate to say now is that it should not be hindered in any way. It has given its ears to a wide-cross section of the people of the North-East and their grievances and needs have been noted, and many of them have been acted upon. For instance, many Tamil detainees against whom there are no serious charges have been freed. Ex-combatants have been rehabilitated in great numbers. Many of such persons are leading normal lives. Likewise, the language needs of the North-East people are being addressed by the authorities and many persons of those regions have been recruited to the Police force.

Therefore, some steps have been taken to rectify North-East grievances although, of course, much remains to be achieved. However, the LLRC process could suffer a setback if it is not given the full opportunity to help in facilitating the normalization effort in the North-East. The continuing slanderous attacks on Sri Lanka, though, could achieve just that. They would effectively reopen ‘healing wounds’ in the psyche of some sections of our people and help stir -up ethnic animosities which are dying out currently.

Therefore, Sri Lanka should be given the opportunity and the space to effect national reconciliation rather than be made to countenance a barrage of ill-founded allegations. Persistent efforts at damning this country would only have the cumulative effect of ‘reopening old wounds’ and in pitting the country’s communities against each other. Besides, such attacks would be a welcome fillip to the extremist elements of both North and South. By constantly trying to corner Sri Lanka, anti-Lanka elements abroad would be providing much needed ‘oxygen’ to these hardliners, who in an electoral contest cannot garner more than a handful of votes and come to power by the ballot.

This is the reason why the international community needs to approach Sri Lanka with a great deal of flexibility and enlightenment. If it means well by this country, rather pander to anti-Lanka opinion abroad, it would try its utmost to help out in the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka; that is, among other things, give the LLRC a chance to prove itself.

Therefore, much will, indeed, depend on how effectively the LLRC carries out its responsibilities. The world must be convinced very strongly that concrete moves are being made in the direction of reconciliation and there should be no doubts about this in any quarter.

The international community needs to give consideration to the thought that the healing process in Sri Lanka should proceed apace. The tenacity with which some sections of the world community persist in criticizing this country, gives one the impression that they are not at all inclined to give Sri Lanka the opportunity to put things right in full and to emerge as a completely self-sufficient member of the international community. This begs the question: are they intent on weakening Sri Lanka and in rendering her abjectly dependent? If that is so, Sri Lanka should muster all her resources to defeat this dark, neo-colonial design.

Better information dissemination strategies required

Having heard the various presentations at the seminar about Defeating Terrorism, I think that second only to admiration for the systematic work of our forces was regret about the deficiencies Rohan Guneratne noted, with regard to presentation of the story. I hope government will swiftly take up his suggestion that we develop better information dissemination strategies, not only in the Foreign Service and the Information Ministry but also within the services themselves.

Full Story

Beautification of Colombo city

The planting of trees should be undertaken along with the paving of the pedestrian walkways to avoid extra expenditure later on in removing the paving stones and creating tree planting beds. The UDA should be commended for providing pavements for pedestrians along most of the major roads in Colombo. If trees like Kohomba (Margosa) are planted at 25’-0” centres it would enhance the quality of the street tremendously. Kohomba is a dry zone plant which will also thrive in Colombo. The addition to the paving with planting will definitely give a three-dimensional effect to the streetscape and also give shade to the pedestrians who walk along it.

Full Story

The pavement hawkers’ revolution

Towards the North of the Gampaha District is the Maha Oya. Towards the South is the Kelani River. On the West is the ocean; Towards the East is the equator. In the past this district was part of the province known as Maya Rata. The Gampaha district borders Puttalam and Kurunegala on the North, Colombo on the South and Kegalle in the East. The extent of the district’s land area is 1,387 square kilometres.

Full Story

 

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