Sri Lanka successfully controlled negative consequences of post-conflict scenario

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Sri Lanka successfully controlled negative consequences of post-conflict scenario
Minister Peiris
The world has given inadequate recognition to what Sri Lanka has achieved in controlling the negative consequences in a post- conflict situation, stated Minister of External Affairs Prof G L Peiris today (26).
He was speaking at the Seminar on 'Conflict in Sri Lanka: Internal and External Consequences', jointly organized by the Centre for Security Analysis (CSA), Chennai, India and the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), Colombo.
Not only has Sri Lanka controlled negative consequences within the country but also managed to curb these in the world at large, he said.
Prof. Peiris pointed out that the proliferation of small arms is a problem seen in the aftermath of a conflict, especially in the post-conflict situation in Cambodia. No such thing has happened in Sri Lanka. This is not coincidental and was due to well thought out and properly constructed policies, he stressed.
Another negative consequence of the post-conflict scenario which is the refugee situation is successfully being handled by the government, he said adding that the government has managed to reduce the number of internally displaced persons to nearly 18,000 from an initial 280,000 who escaped from the LTTE. The government has placed no restrictions on those remaining as they move in and out of relief centres on their own accord.
The Minister further stated that ex-LTTE combatants are being rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Only around 1400 hardcore ex-LTTE combatants are held from the initial 11,000, he pointed out.
The Minister added that resuscitation of the economy in the areas ravaged by terrorism has been given significant attention to by the government with the help of external aid, particularly India. He drew attention to the 50,000 houses being built for IDPs with Indian assistance.
With the Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province and local government elections held in two areas of the Northern Province, due political process is taking place to establish democracy and stability in the area, he further said, adding that the Northern Provincial Council elections will be held in the near future.
Prof. Peiris emphasized that the government ensures humanitarian efforts are reinforced by political and economic processes.
Minister Peiris also cited that another negative consequence with the aftermath of a conflict was the high degree of collaboration between insurgent groups which the government of Sri Lanka did not allow to take place.
With regard to the refugee problem, the Minister stated that Sri Lanka has been commended by other nations such as Australia and Canada for the actions taken to prevent the situation from escalating. Australia was particularly appreciative of the steps taken by Sri Lanka that helped ease the pressure on the Australian government with regard to alleged refugees from Sri Lanka. He added that the Canadian government was also looking favourably at such a situation in view of the UNHCR's report that there was no justification to consider refugee status for Sri Lankans who arrive in groups and the growing acceptance that there was no reason for anyone to flee the country due to fear.
Minister Peiris also emphasized that the security of the sea lanes has also been ensured in order to prevent trafficking, piracy and other related issues that affected other regions.
Thus, the quality and magnitude of Sri Lanka's achievements has not been adequately recognized by the international community, he said.
He further stated that although terrorism has been defeated, insurgent groups continue to have assets such as a highly sophisticated international communications network, one that efforts to establish a Transborder Government of Tamil Eelam.
Minister Peiris, who is also a professor of law, explained that orthodox concepts of international law must be rethought in order to eliminate terrorism. At the moment, insurgent groups are at an advantage with the current laws. Therefore, intentional law needs to be re-modulated to make the fight against terrorism more effective taking into consideration that prevailing international law was framed in the context of conflicts between nation-states.The situation was different today due to the involvement of terrorists who are non-state actors.
Prof. Peiris also talked about internationalization of internal matters. He pointed out that the belief that problems should be solved at international standards is not suitable. Countries must be encouraged to solve their own problems and the colonial mentality of the belief in the intellectual and political inability of countries to handle their own crises, which is condescending and patronizing must be done away with, he stressed. He added that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is a good example of seeking home-grown solutions to internal issues.
Courtesy : President Media Unit