‘Some LLRC recommendations can be implemented this year’

Rasika SOMARATHNA

A number of state institutions are engaged in the implementation of some main recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Some can be implemented within this year, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge said yesterday.

Addressing a meeting to explain matters related to the President’s recent visit to UK, he told the media it was important to make concrete progress in the implementation of the LLRC recommendations.

Commenting on the importance of implementing LLRC recommendations,

Mr. Weeratunge said: "If we implement LLRC recommendations enthusiastically, the world will look at us more positively".

He said the attitude of the international community is that Sri Lanka must help itself top enable the world, in turn, to help it.

"One of the ways is implementing the LLRC recommendations," Weeratunge said. The Secretary said the committee headed by him, which is overseeing the implementation of the LLRC recommendations, met about five times since May.

He said the progress made so far had also been explained to British Premier David Cameron during the President's recent visit and the matter was discussed cordially with the Premier explaining the British point of view.

During the meeting with the British Prime Minister, matters relating to the progress in rehabilitation of IDPs, providing vocational training and livelihood opportunities to ex- LTTE cadres, efforts at reconciliation, caring for the disabled, etc too were discussed besides regional issues, the Secretary said. According to him, discussions also centered on matters related to British financial institutions HSBC and Mark Spencer and the possibility of a free trade agreement.