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. |