http://www.dailynews.lk/2012/03/05/news04.asp

GL briefs Botswana Foreign Minister:
Inclusivity, a core element of reconciliation in SL
There is a time, a place and a method for intervention by the Human Rights
Council in the affairs of individual states. What is distressing about the
current initiative in respect of Sri Lanka is its highly selective and
discriminating character, External Affairs Minister Professor G L Peiris said in
Botswana’s capital, Gabarone on Friday.
He made these comments at a meeting with Botswana’s Foreign Affairs and
International Co-operation Minister Phandu T C Skelemani.
“Sri Lanka’s policy of bringing to her people the full benefits of peace and
stability consists of a combination of several elements - development,
reconciliation and accountability,” he said.
The minister said that these are interlocking strands, each complementing and
reinforcing the others. Prof Peiris explained in detail to Botswana’s Foreign
Minister the nature and effect of Sri Lanka’s initiatives in each of these
areas.
He illustrated the practical success of the government’s overall strategy by
describing the results achieved within two years in such fields as demining,
resettlement, housing, the creation of livelihoods through employment
generation, especially in the Northern province, the establishment of structures
for resolving land issues, elevating income thresholds by means of viable
partnerships between the public and private sectors, and the revival of
electoral mechanisms.
The cumulative thrust of these efforts, Prof Peiris pointed out to his
colleague, has been commended by representatives of many countries.
He said that visiting legislators from a number of foreign countries
including the United States had been encouraged by the government in a spirit of
total openness to visit the North, and many of these delegations had commented
favourably on the substantial progress on the ground.
Explaining the steps taken by the government during the last eight weeks
towards systematic implementation of the recommendations by the Lessons Learnt
and Reconciliation Commission, Minister Peiris remarked that criticisms in some
quarters relating to alleged delay are entirely at variance with the
demonstrable reality and, regrettably, indicate significant bias and
pre-judgment.
On the issues relating to accountability, the minister said that the
Commission, far from being evasive, had brought its mind to bear directly on the
issues and made a series of practical proposals for upholding the values
enshrined in accountability through recourse to a structured domestic process.
The Attorney-General, naturally the central authority for dealing with these
aspects of the Commission’s recommendations, is in Geneva right now to engage
candidly with delegations there with regard to ongoing work in this field, the
minister told his counterpart.
Prof Peiris identified inclusivity as the core element of the government’s
approach to reconciliation. He added that Sri Lankan government was
overwhelmingly supported by the public at successive elections at all levels
during the last seven years, is acutely conscious of the imperative requirement
of inclusivity - straddling language, religion and cultural background -as the
essential basis for giving the country the benefit of the progress of which it
had been deprived by terrorism for more than a quarter of a century.
Foreign prodding in this regard is both unnecessary and offensive to the
natural pride and dignity of the people of Sri Lanka, the minister said.
Prof Peiris commented on a range of circumstances which strongly suggest that
the current initiatives against Sri Lanka, because of their strikingly divisive
and polarizing impact, are certain to harm the ongoing domestic process.
Assistance, he insisted, must be spontaneously requested if its effect is to be
beneficial; it is certainly a misnomer to characterize as “assistance” measures
which are sought to be thrust upon a country against its will.
During the first visit by a Sri Lankan Foreign Minister to the Republic of
Botswana, Professor Peiris had the opportunity of interacting informally with
several senior officials including Attorney-General of Botswana, Dr Athaliah
Molokomme and Botswana Central Bank Governor Linah Mohohlo.