Implementation of LLRC recommendations:

Govt depts given specific time frames

* Tasks listed in the National Action Plan

* Ministry Secretaries to assess progress

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

The committee headed by Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga to oversee the implementation of recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission(LLRC), has given specific time frames during which the implementing agencies of LLRC recommendations are required to complete their assigned tasks.

Member of the committee and former Attorney General Mohan Peiris on Thursday said all government departments have been given specific time frames to complete their tasks under the National

Action Plan on the Implementation of LLRC recommendations.

" The process will cover the whole spectrum of LLRC report. The time frames and tasks have been detailed out to all government departments to carry out their tasks within the stipulated time frames listed in the National Action Plan," said Peiris.

"We have also set up performance indicators to assess the level of progress of each task under the Action Plan," he said.

"The National; Action Plan to implement LLRC recommendations is to be carried out on the basis of Activity, Key Responsible Agency, Key Performance Indicator and Time frame, "he explained.

" The process will encompass implementation of LLRC recommendations relating to international human rights, land rights, resettlement and accountability issues," he said.

"The Army has already heard some 30 cases with witnesses in relation to various violations," he said.

Asked how that the progress will be assessed, Peiris said , " It will be assessed through Ministry Secretaries. The tasks relating to National Action Plan have been placed under them for effective performance."

"We have called on Ministry Secretaries , NGOs and INGOs to support the process of monitoring the progress of the tasks under the Action Plan," Peiris said.

Meanwhile, the government plans to present the progress it has made in implementing the National Action Plan on implementing LLRC recommendations to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sri Lanka to be taken up next month by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, External Affairs Ministry sources said.