Dr. Kohona says Reconciliation efforts underway
The economic imperatives were recognized immediately by the government once the conflict ended and the economic revival is in full swing in the North, stated Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona at a discussion on Sri Lanka's post-conflict rebuilding at Asia Society, New York on 14 March.
He said that resettling the displaced was the immediate priority and
today over 95% of the original 294,000 IDPs have returned to their
villages. The remaining 17,000 have been permitted to leave, but have
chosen to remain because of the facilities available in the camps, he
said.
today over 95% of the original 294,000 IDPs have returned to their
villages. The remaining 17,000 have been permitted to leave, but have
chosen to remain because of the facilities available in the camps, he
said.
With regard to reintegrating ex-LTTE combatants into civilian society,
Ambassador Kohona said that the government has adopted an extremely
conciliatory attitude towards former combatants.
Ambassador Kohona said that the government has adopted an extremely
conciliatory attitude towards former combatants.
‘The Government decided to treat most of them as victims rather than
as criminals’.
as criminals’.
He pointed out that in less than 15 months since the end of the
conflict over 6000 ex-combatants out of the 11,700 identified, have
been reintegrated after providing vocational and other trainings. The
Ambassador added that the government has implemented a clear policy to
return child combatants to their own families, communities and schools
after providing them with catch-up education, counseling as well as
English and IT training.
conflict over 6000 ex-combatants out of the 11,700 identified, have
been reintegrated after providing vocational and other trainings. The
Ambassador added that the government has implemented a clear policy to
return child combatants to their own families, communities and schools
after providing them with catch-up education, counseling as well as
English and IT training.
He also stated that the Ambepussa rehabilitation center set up for
child combatants and received high praise from visitors, will be
closed this year. All those at the Ratmalana rehabilitation centre
have now been returned to their own communities and parents, he said.
child combatants and received high praise from visitors, will be
closed this year. All those at the Ratmalana rehabilitation centre
have now been returned to their own communities and parents, he said.
A remarkable level of confidence has returned to the country
contributing to the reconstruction effort, he said and explained the
post-conflict recovery efforts.
contributing to the reconstruction effort, he said and explained the
post-conflict recovery efforts.
Over 850 schools and all the hospitals and clinics have been
rehabilitated and hundreds of miles of roads and power lines have been
restored. Agricultural and fisheries production in the former LTTE
controlled areas has continued to surge. 200,000 acres of rice have
come under the plough. An additional 75,000 tons of fish from the
North and the East are now added to the market monthly. The government
has committed $ 360 million to the development of the North, he said.
rehabilitated and hundreds of miles of roads and power lines have been
restored. Agricultural and fisheries production in the former LTTE
controlled areas has continued to surge. 200,000 acres of rice have
come under the plough. An additional 75,000 tons of fish from the
North and the East are now added to the market monthly. The government
has committed $ 360 million to the development of the North, he said.
He also illustrated the business opportunities now available with the
end of the conflict.
end of the conflict.
‘The revival of business confidence has been largely independent of
government involvement’ although it ‘firmly encouraged these economic
trends’. The Ambassador pointed out the record upward movement in the
stock market (over 180% increase) and steady inward investment flows
which reflect this confidence.
government involvement’ although it ‘firmly encouraged these economic
trends’. The Ambassador pointed out the record upward movement in the
stock market (over 180% increase) and steady inward investment flows
which reflect this confidence.
Inward tourism has rebounded by over 50% since January 2010 and there
is interest from foreign investors, including large hotel chains such
as Shangrila.
is interest from foreign investors, including large hotel chains such
as Shangrila.
Ambassador Kohona added that minorities have continued to prosper in
majority Sinhala areas of the country, including Colombo where many of
the leading professionals in Colombo come from the minority
communities and no restrictions exist on their lives, socially or
economically.
majority Sinhala areas of the country, including Colombo where many of
the leading professionals in Colombo come from the minority
communities and no restrictions exist on their lives, socially or
economically.
With reference to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission
(LLRC) he pointed out that it included representatives from the
minorities as well and it is hoped that the LLRC will address the
concerns expressed by interested persons, primarily with a view to
facilitating the return to normalcy and helping the country to recover
from its 27 year nightmare of terrorism. He added that the LLRC has,
through a public notification, made it possible even for the SG’s
Panel of Experts to make submissions before it.
(LLRC) he pointed out that it included representatives from the
minorities as well and it is hoped that the LLRC will address the
concerns expressed by interested persons, primarily with a view to
facilitating the return to normalcy and helping the country to recover
from its 27 year nightmare of terrorism. He added that the LLRC has,
through a public notification, made it possible even for the SG’s
Panel of Experts to make submissions before it.
Comments from Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian
Affairs, and former United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake
Affairs, and former United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Robert Blake
Addressing the gathering Assistant Secretary of State for South and
Central Asian Affairs, and former United States Ambassador to Sri
Lanka Robert Blake stated, ‘in the nearly two years since the end of
the conflict, Sri Lanka has made steady progress in normalizing life
for its citizens and reconciling the differences that devastated parts
of the island for so many years, but there is much that remains to be
done’.
Central Asian Affairs, and former United States Ambassador to Sri
Lanka Robert Blake stated, ‘in the nearly two years since the end of
the conflict, Sri Lanka has made steady progress in normalizing life
for its citizens and reconciling the differences that devastated parts
of the island for so many years, but there is much that remains to be
done’.
The end of the conflict has presented an incredible opportunity to
build a peaceful, just, democratic, united Sri Lanka, he stated,
adding, ‘in the spirit of friendship and partnership, the United
States has not wavered in our support for the people of Sri Lanka ,
providing humanitarian and livelihood assistance as the country
rebuilds itself’.
build a peaceful, just, democratic, united Sri Lanka, he stated,
adding, ‘in the spirit of friendship and partnership, the United
States has not wavered in our support for the people of Sri Lanka ,
providing humanitarian and livelihood assistance as the country
rebuilds itself’.
‘The U.S. is ready to continue helping the Sri Lankans to restore
their country’.
their country’.
‘It is clear to me that Sri Lanka has the potential to be one of South
Asia’s bright spots. With 8 percent GDP growth last year, a renewed
tide of visiting tourists to take in the country’s beautiful scenery
and impressive history, and strong investor confidence, the country’s
economy is on an upward trajectory. Sri Lanka has some of the best
health and social indicators in Asia with one of the lowest infant
mortality rates and highest literacy rates, 90 percent, in the region,
for example. The country has a well-educated young population…’
Asia’s bright spots. With 8 percent GDP growth last year, a renewed
tide of visiting tourists to take in the country’s beautiful scenery
and impressive history, and strong investor confidence, the country’s
economy is on an upward trajectory. Sri Lanka has some of the best
health and social indicators in Asia with one of the lowest infant
mortality rates and highest literacy rates, 90 percent, in the region,
for example. The country has a well-educated young population…’
He highlighted a few events and developments such as the hosting of
the Cricket World Cup and IIFA-the Bollywood Oscars, that ‘would not
have seen even two years ago’.
the Cricket World Cup and IIFA-the Bollywood Oscars, that ‘would not
have seen even two years ago’.
He added the US welcomed as an important step in this reconciliation
process President Rajapaksa’s appointment of the LLRC, and the
Interagency Advisory Committee.
process President Rajapaksa’s appointment of the LLRC, and the
Interagency Advisory Committee.
‘We look forward to the final report to President Rajapaksa shortly
after its work concludes in May. We hope that the report will be made
public and will include strong recommendations for national
reconciliation’, he said.
after its work concludes in May. We hope that the report will be made
public and will include strong recommendations for national
reconciliation’, he said.
‘Ensuring peace and security for all Sri Lankans is essential. To this
end the government has said it plans to strengthen firearms laws and
to help law enforcement officials learn to speak the language of those
they are charged with protecting. The government has hired 335 Tamil
police officers and plans to recruit an additional 475 Tamil-speakers
for inspector and constable positions. The trilingual national
language policy also will be important in bringing Sri Lankans
together’.
end the government has said it plans to strengthen firearms laws and
to help law enforcement officials learn to speak the language of those
they are charged with protecting. The government has hired 335 Tamil
police officers and plans to recruit an additional 475 Tamil-speakers
for inspector and constable positions. The trilingual national
language policy also will be important in bringing Sri Lankans
together’.
‘An increasing number of Sri Lankans displaced prior to 2008,
including those who went as refugees to India, are also returning to
their homes’, he said.
including those who went as refugees to India, are also returning to
their homes’, he said.
He pointed out that the Government, together with demining NGOs and
U.S. support, has made ‘considerable progress’ in demining to
accelerate resettlement, clearing over 5 million square meters of
mine-infested land throughout the northern provinces of Sri Lanka ,
and destroying over 25,000 landmines and unexploded ordinance.
U.S. support, has made ‘considerable progress’ in demining to
accelerate resettlement, clearing over 5 million square meters of
mine-infested land throughout the northern provinces of Sri Lanka ,
and destroying over 25,000 landmines and unexploded ordinance.
Sri Lanka is also proceeding with creating places for people to go
home by reducing the area considered to be “High Security Zones”,
which had restricted freedom of movement and access, he pointed out.
home by reducing the area considered to be “High Security Zones”,
which had restricted freedom of movement and access, he pointed out.
Interagency Advisory Committee (IAAC), set up to implement the interim
recommendations of the LLRC, has said that the high security zones
have been reduced by 25 square kilometers, making some 2,800 homes
accessible. In collaboration with international partners, the
Government also has plans to construct an additional 100,000 homes in
the north giving priority to families who suffered during the
conflict, he said.
recommendations of the LLRC, has said that the high security zones
have been reduced by 25 square kilometers, making some 2,800 homes
accessible. In collaboration with international partners, the
Government also has plans to construct an additional 100,000 homes in
the north giving priority to families who suffered during the
conflict, he said.
It is also important that the LLRC and the Advisory Committee, in
consultation with Tamils and other minority communities, find a way to
resolve the often conflicting and tangled claims to land in former
conflict zones so families may rebuild their lives, he pointed out.
consultation with Tamils and other minority communities, find a way to
resolve the often conflicting and tangled claims to land in former
conflict zones so families may rebuild their lives, he pointed out.
Blake added, ‘the U.S. is concerned, however, that some developments
are shrinking the democratic space and respect for human rights in the
country’.
are shrinking the democratic space and respect for human rights in the
country’.
Nearly two years after the conclusion of the fighting, substantial
parts of the emergency regulations remain in place, the north
continues to be heavily militarized, and the role of the armed forces
appears to have increased with the Ministry of Defense assuming
responsibility in non-traditional areas such as urban development, he
said.
parts of the emergency regulations remain in place, the north
continues to be heavily militarized, and the role of the armed forces
appears to have increased with the Ministry of Defense assuming
responsibility in non-traditional areas such as urban development, he
said.
An unfettered media environment in which journalists can work without
intimidation or interference, and incidents against journalists are
credibly investigated and prosecuted, is essential for the
reconciliation process, he added.
intimidation or interference, and incidents against journalists are
credibly investigated and prosecuted, is essential for the
reconciliation process, he added.
He also said that deaths during the conflict must be investigated and
those who committed wrong-doing must be brought to justice.
those who committed wrong-doing must be brought to justice.
I encourage Sri Lankans living overseas to respond to overtures from
the Government of Sri Lanka and opportunities to promote development
and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, he said in his concluding remarks,
adding ‘the end of the conflict presents an opening for everyone that
is a friend and partner of the country to help realize the dream of
opportunity for all Sri Lankans’.
the Government of Sri Lanka and opportunities to promote development
and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, he said in his concluding remarks,
adding ‘the end of the conflict presents an opening for everyone that
is a friend and partner of the country to help realize the dream of
opportunity for all Sri Lankans’.
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