'UNHRC will witness N-E renaissance'

Ridma Dissanayake and Rakshana Sriyantha

The Udayan newspaper reported recently that the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner decided to come to Sri Lanka in August and she is to express her ideas about incidents during the final stage of war.

She is also to make an inspection tour of war affected areas to identify changes with the end of terrorism.

Major General Boniface Perera

Commenting, Vanni Security Forces Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Displaced Persons Major General Boniface Perera said: "this visit will be a great opportunity for her to know the truth about the situation of the North and East Provinces if she visits Sri Lanka with an impartial mind. If she visits Sri Lanka with the ideas propagated by the Tamil Diaspora, the visit will never be important for her."

He said the government has implemented welfare projects such as water supply, electricity, road development projects and resettlement programmes for the benefit of the Tamils of the war affected areas.

The civil administrative service in the two provinces has been strengthened. Religious places were also renovated. The United Nations Human Rights Commissioner should visit the development projects launched by the government, he said.

Perera said road systems, railway lines, bridges, reservoirs and houses destroyed by the terrorists have been renovated by the government. The living standards of the people have been raised while introducing self-employment opportunities, health and nutritious programmes.

The commissioner will understand that these projects have been implemented by the government for the benefit of the Tamils, Major General Perera said. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa have been directly involved in the welfare of the people in the North and East.

The commissioner will understand the dedication by the President and the Defence Secretary to uplift the livelihoods of the people, he said.

The Tamil Diaspora, some Tamil political parties and some INGOs are criticizing the military presence in the Northern Province.

The Commissioner will pay her attention to the work of defence personnel in those areas.

She will understand the correct situation of Sri Lanka during her visit, he said.