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. |