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Monday, 17 May 2010 08:33 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed the eight member ‘Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation’ Commission to report on the lessons to be learnt from the events in the period, Feb 2002 to May 2009, their attendant concerns and to recommend measures to ensure that there will be no recurrence of such a situation.
The Commission has been charged with reporting whether any person,group or institution directly or indirectly bears responsibility in this regard.
It is also charged with reporting on measures to be taken to prevent the recurrence of such concerns in the future and promote further national unity and reconciliation among all communities.
The appointment of this Commission follows cabinet approval to a memorandum by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. It states that it has been apparent for quite some time to the Government, that the conflict situation due to the very brutality and long duration of the violence perpetrated against Sri Lanka, would have caused great hurt and anguish in the minds of the people, that requires endeavours for rehabilitation and the restoration of democratic governance complimented by measures for reconciliation.
The cabinet noted that the President had sanctioned Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in the UN to mention in his remarks at the UN Security Council Interactive Briefing on 5th June 2009 that the Government was in the process of initiating a domestic mechanism for fact finding and reconciliation. This statement stemmed from the Government’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, as consistently articulated and affirmed by Sri Lanka at Sessions of the Human Rights Council. The President informed the cabinet that in order to accomplish this task it has become necessary to set in motion a mechanism which will provide a historic bridge between the past of a society characterized by inflicted strife and a future society founded on the continued recognition of democracy and peaceful co-existence and the affording of equal opportunities for all Sri Lankans as guaranteed by the Constitution.
The President informed the cabinet that the Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation has been influenced in part by the South African experience and the Iraq Inquiry of the UK.
The Commissioners appointed under provisions of Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act (Chapter 393) are,
Chitta Ranjan de Silva Esquire, PC - Chairman
Dr. Amrith Rohan Perera Esquire, PC
Prof. Mohamed Thahir Mohamed Jiffry Esquire
Prof. Karunaratna Hangawatta Esquire
Chandirapal Chanmugam Esquire
Hewa Mathara Gamage Siripala Palihakkara Esquire
Mrs. Manohari Ramanathan
Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama Esquire
They have been asked to report back to the President within six months from the date of appointment – 15th May, 2010.
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The World Bank said Sri Lanka’s economy expanded by 3.3% in the second half of 2009. The Bank said it is the fastest rate recorded since 2002 showing stability despite a weak global economy.
The World Bank report released yesterday said that despite entering the Global Financial Crisis in a weak macroeconomic situation, the Sri Lankan economy has recovered rapidly.
The World Bank’s economic update for 2010 on Sri Lanka said the economic growth indicators confirmed a strong increase in economic activity for the region with agriculture, transportation, and communication sectors showing strong performance in the last quarter of 2009 and the hotel industry growing approximately 32% due to an influx of tourists after the end of the conflict.
Although inflation moved upward gradually since falling to 0.7% in September 2009 and reaching 6.9% in February 2010 before easing to 6.3% in March, it is expected to stay relatively low in 2010, due partly to increased agricultural production in the North, which will help contain food prices, the monetary body predicted.
In looking ahead the World Bank report says that increases in foreign direct investment and tourism, along with improved employment and large-scale reconstruction projects in the North, are expected to
sustain and accelerate Sri Lanka’s growth throughout 2010. The World Bank concluded that the short-term prospects for the Sri Lankan economy are positive.
Courtesy : www.news.lk |
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Tuesday, 11 May 2010 04:23 |
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My Government has also been mindful of the need to heal the wounds caused to national amity by the conflict situation. It is our intention to shortly appoint a Commission on Post- Conflict Study and Reconciliation, the preliminary work on which is now being concluded.
It is our responsibility to ensure that henceforth, no future generation of Sri Lankans, will have to experience the anguish that we underwent during the last three decades, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the diplomatic community at the Presidential Secretariat today (10 May).
The period of inquiry of the Commission covers from the commencement of the Ceasefire Agreement of February 2002 to its manifest breakdown that then finally led to the termination of the conflict situation in May 2009. The Commission will comprise persons of eminence, representing the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nature of Sri Lankan society. I am confident that the Commissioners will discharge their responsibilities with a deep commitment to protect the dignity and independence of both this country and the Commission, the President added.
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Thursday, 06 May 2010 11:22 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa will shortly appoint a Commission to report on the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation with regard to the difficulties and troubled times that Sri Lanka had to undergo due to the terrorist inspired, manoeuvred and created conflict situation in recent years.
The President is of the view that the situation today provides an opportune moment to reflect on the recent conflict phase and the sufferings the country has gone through, in keeping with the common aspirations of all people in their resolve to have an assured era of peace, harmony and prosperity.
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Tuesday, 04 May 2010 04:23 |
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The new Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris assumed duties at the Ministry of External Affairs on 3rd May 2010 amidst the chanting of pirith followed by a brief sermon and blessings by the religious dignitaries present on the occasion.
Thereafter, addressing the staff of the Ministry, the new External Affairs Minister stated that he has assumed duties as the Minister of External Affairs at a time when terrorism has been successfully defeated and the focus is on social and economic development. He stated that the approach of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy as underlined in the Mahinda Chinthanaya was to ensure that it was homegrown, indigenous and reflects Sri Lanka’s history, culture, social and economic values which are considered sacrosanct, and our own relations with countries. He also pointed out that while it may not be possible to be in agreement with the international community at all times, Sri Lanka would convey its stance in the spirit of camaraderie, listen and respect the views of others. He also said that Sri Lanka would continue engaging with other countries and that it would be on the basis of partnership and participation. The External Affairs Minister also stated that one of the main objectives of the country’s foreign policy would be to focus on the unique opportunities available in Sri Lanka and encourage countries to explore them and be partners in Sri Lanka’s progress.
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