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IAC progress remarkable - Minister Samarasinghe
'Foreign envoys appreciated SL reconciliation efforts'
Plantation Industries Minister and Presidential nominee on Human Rights Affairs Mahinda Samarasinghe said that he met more than 50 envoys representing a number of countries in Geneva and they understood the importance of having an internal mechanism to look into what actually happened during the time of conflict.
"The majority of them appreciated what we are doing to improve infrastructure in the former war zone. They were also pleased about the ongoing LLRC process and rehabilitation of LTTE cadres," he said, adding that a majority of member states of the UN Human Rights Commission appreciated Sri Lanka's reconciliation efforts.
He said so addressing the media yesterday (8) on his return from Geneva, where he briefed the Human Rights Commission of post-conflict reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts.
The Inter Agency Committee (IAC) appointed to facilitate the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations has made remarkable progress, he added.
He criticised ongoing attempts in some quarters to undermine the LLRC and said they have arrived at pre-conceived notions without any rational basis that the LLRC is a non-independent body even before the final report is out.
He added that no person can claim that the LLRC comprised Government's representatives as they are eminent persons who excelled in many fields in the country. He said the Commission has already issued an interim report to the President.
"We will ensure that the LLRC recommendations are implemented in the country," he said.
The Minister also said that the reconciliation commission appointed by the President met people in the North and East as well as ex-LTTE cadres and recorded evidence from them.
He also pointed out that the Government has received information that certain members of the Tamil Diaspora are still involved in extorting money, purchasing arms and drug peddling. The Minister said that a number of LTTE activists who were involved in such activities were arrested by Canada, Switzerland and Norway during the last two weeks.
Pointing out that the Government deals only with the UN Secretary General, Minister Samarasinghe stressed that the Government has no dealing with the members of the UN panel.
He also said the Government is committed to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan to further promote Human Rights in Sri Lanka. This Action Plan would be implemented soon, he said.
He pointed out that a special committee is in the process of formulating this National Human Rights Action Plan. The committee headed by the Attorney General comprises representatives of various ministries and civil society organizations.
Courtesy : President's Media Unit