LLRC report silenced critics, enemies of peace - ministers

Waruna PADMASIRI

Anyone can examine and independently verify the veracity and accuracy of the evidence used by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report unlike the Darusman report which used information provided by the LTTE's publicity wing and unspecified sources, Lanka Sama Samaja Party (LSSP) General Secretary and Scientific Affairs Senior Minister Prof Tissa Vitharana said.

LLRC report satisfactory - Prof Tissa Vitharana

The minister was speaking at a press conference held by the Socialist Alliance comprising the LSSP, Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Democratic Left Front, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party and Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party to express their views on the LLRC recently.

The minister said that he is himself a witness to the observation that there was no policy to target civilians. He recalled how the President provided him an audience with the Security Forces' Commanders during the last days of the conflict.

The minister said that the LLRC rightfully points out that there are reports of incidents that need further investigation. “Allegations of individuals breaching laws of armed conflict and alleged instances of not following military orders needed further investigation. The LLRC recommends setting up a mechanism to find out the truth of those incidents,” Prof Vitharana said. He urged the government to act immediately on this recommendation to prevent the enemies of Sri Lanka and enemies of peace from having an excuse to attack Sri Lanka in March at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Prof Vitharana said that the LLRC report was a satisfactory one which addressed the questions posed to it in depth, based on evidence in a scientific manner. He said that the Commission has silenced most critics through its report.

National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that the three fundamentals for creating a united Sri Lanka was equality, mutual respect and heartfelt social interaction between the people.

Most organizations, countries have toned down their overtures - D E W Gunasekera

“Some expected the report to whitewash the entire war so that they could throw stones at the country. However, the report managed to silence most of this criticism. Some people say that the LLRC has gone beyond its mandate and discusses unnecessary things.”

He said that these people are either unwittingly or purposefully taking us backwards.

The minister warned that that this is how the war that was ended with so much sacrifice, can begin again. He hoped the extremist views that were influential in the past will become a joke in the future.

Human Resources Senior Minister D E W Gunasekera said that just as the LLRC was formed, various foreign organizations, countries and LTTE sympathizers opposed it, criticized it and even boycotted it when invited to give evidence before it. “It was the responsibility of everyone who had a genuine interest to give evidence to it at the time. After the report was published most of these organizations and countries have toned down their overtures. Even countries like Canada are saying, lets give it a chance. LLRC's observations and recommendations are based on the evidence before it.”

The LLRC has recognized that the problems that lead up to the events of May 2009 cannot be solved by one party or by the government. The solution must come from many sides and satisfy all stakeholders. Most of all the solution must be pursued with “sincerity of purpose and political will”.

Senior Minister Gunasekera said that devolution must be understood for its true essence.

Report silenced most critics - Vasudeva Nanayakkara

“It means giving an opportunity for the people to have a say in decisions that affect them. For example there is a serious problem when administrators in Colombo decide which road should be repaired in Killinochchi.”

Senior Minister Tissa Vitharana said that all 13 parties at the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) came to an agreement that a separate Police Commission in each of the nine provinces is impractical for such a small country.

He said that the APRC came to an agreement on all 21 questions before them and that the political problems we are faced with, are not impossible problems to solve.

On the question of land powers, he said that there are only about 200,000 acres of government land left in the North and East.

He pointed to the national policy that is already at work in the rest of the country where the landless people of the district get priority when receiving state land, followed by the people of the neighbouring district and then the people in areas of high population density.

Sticking to this policy means that there will be no major issues about land powers. He said that the problems are created by the wealthy few who have ulterior plans about using this state land for their personal benefit.

He said that he chooses his words carefully so as to not to use the word ‘racist’ but to use the term Sinhala and Tamil extremists when referring to some of the politicians who are criticizing the LLRC