http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Common_Differences_Screened_20130403_07

'Common Differences'- Screened

Secretary Defence attends as Chief Guest

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest at the screening of the documentary film 'Common Differences' at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies in Colombo this evening (03 April).

'Common Differences', attempts to provide a balanced insight to the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict by exploring into the reasons for and the development of the conflict in Sri Lanka. Director Daniel Ridicki has used interviews of a number of eminent personalities including Secretary Defence, Deputy Minister V. Muralidaran, opposition Member of Parliament Eran Wickramaratne, senior journalists, religious personalities, NGO activists and academics to give the viewers a balanced view of the conflict that lasted for almost three decades. Produced by Suren De Silva the documentary opens up the question as to where and how the country should proceed.

A large number of invitees including members of the diplomatic corps, Commanders of the Army and Navy, experts, think tanks, and media personnel were present at the event.

The conflict that claimed thousands of lives and maimed many more came to an end with the defeat of the LTTE terrorist in May 2009. Now the nation has embarked on a journey to rebuild and reconcile. It is a time where people from all socio-religious backgrounds have come together in unity to regain the lost glory that the country once commanded. Sri Lanka has achieved tremendous results in its Reconciliation programme. The country has seen unprecedented socio-economic development especially in the former conflict zone, within a relatively short span of time. Even though there is much to be done the people are happy as they now can live in a land that has ceased to hear the sound of gun fire, death and destruction once and for all.