http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201211/20121106sl_keen_continue_political_reconciliation_process.htm Tuesday, November 06, 2012 - 05.56 GMT

Sri Lanka keen to continue political reconciliation process – Minister Peiris

Sri Lanka is keen to continue the political reconciliation process and welcomes the constructive engagement with the international community and the support and interest shown by countries involved with its post-conflict development process, Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris said. Meeting with the ambassadors and high commissioners of 76 countries accredited to Sri Lanka and operating from New Delhi at a reception hosted in his honor by Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam on Friday Minister Peiris briefed the envoys on Sri Lanka's post-conflict achievements at length. The Minister apprised the diplomats of developments in Sri Lanka during the post-conflict phase, including resettlement of the internally displaced, demining, rehabilitation of ex-combatants, human rights and related issues, the reconciliation process, as well as rebuilding and infrastructure development, an External Affairs Ministry statement said. Minister Peiris informed the envoys that most of the 99 member states of the UN that spoke at the just concluded Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council has been very supportive of the approach taken by Sri Lanka in terms of promotion and protection of human rights in the country. Among other developments noted by the Minister were, the high economic growth rate in the conflict-affected Northern Province, resettlement of all the displaced persons, recruitment of over 900 Tamil speaking police officers, rehabilitation of almost all former combatants and the massive construction and rebuilding of infrastructure in the war-torn region. He reiterated that the reconciliation process must include restoration of both economic and social wellbeing that would enable affected people to exercise their democratic rights. The Minister emphasized that the Sri Lankan government was keen to continue the political reconciliation process through the most democratic means available, and that for this purpose, the government was keen to work with all parties including the major Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance in the Parliamentary Select Committee, as early as possible.