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Excessive external pressure counter - productive - GL

Establishing an international mechanism for accountability is misplaced as primacy needs to be given to local remedies rather than have external entities seeking to prescribe solutions, External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris said.

He was addressing members of the academia, diplomatic community and think tanks at the Institute for the Study of Human Rights of the Columbia University in New York.

Relating this aspect to Sri Lanka, he questioned the need for external expertise as the country has highly developed institutions and therefore would be against its national prestige and pride.

The minister said the people of Sri Lanka are proud to be heir to their political culture and he was confident that they would surmount all challenges in the same manner of overcoming the world's most ruthless terrorist organisation three years ago.Referring to the recent Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province, Prof Peiris pointed out that although demographically there are approximately only 27 percent Sinhala voters, the ruling party emerged as the single largest party, which was a clear indication of the extent of appreciation and support of all communities.

He said each country had its own culture and mechanisms to deal with the respective issues and it is inappropriate to thrust external solutions as the people are best placed to decide on the required options.

Minister Peiris said Sri Lanka needs time and space to deal with the plethora of challenges and was making clear progress in this regard. Prof Peiris provided an overview of the developments relating to the post - conflict era which included the successful completion of resettlement of the IDPs, status of demining, rehabilitation of ex-combatants, demilitarisation of the former theatre of conflict and repeal of the Emergency Regulations.

He said the Sri Lankan government embarked on massive programmes for infrastructure rebuilding in the North, based on its firm conviction that reconciliation can be sustained only with economic development.

The minister said President Mahinda Rajapaksa pursued policies to ensure the percolation of economic benefits to the rural people, and create an economic renaissance.

Minister Peiris said over 600 delegates attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference held in Sri Lanka recently and the Parliamentarians were impressed with the progress and developments on the ground.

Noting that after winning the war, three and a half years ago, Sri Lanka has every intention of winning the peace, the minister extended an invitation to interested persons to visit the country and witness at first hand the progress.

The minister said the trilingual language policy of President Rajapaksa is a cultural cross pollination to extenuate the challenges. He pointed out a Land Commission to deal with disputes concerning ownership and title deeds would be another mechanism to be established by the government.

Further, inconsideration of the diaspora as being an essential part of the country's development process, the minister encouraged efforts at bringing them on board. Observing that it was incorrect to assume that if results are not arrived at speedily, it is the fault of the government, the minister noted that while the government is ready to move forward with the Parliamentary Select Committee, this was not possible without certain stakeholders who were delaying their participation, as an open and sincere dialogue involving all political parties was required to address the issues.

He said political talks with the Tamil National Alliance had been useful in identifying some of the issues and seeking possible options. Further, with regard to the holding of Provincial Council elections in the Northern Province, he pointed out the necessity to conduct a census and thereafter compile the electoral registers, which process is now nearing completion.

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