After President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s unexpected statement that the Government is willing to hold talks with Tamil diaspora groups to build a domestic mechanism to address internal issues, on 22 September, the President, again, reiterated that the Government is determined to do a great deal of work with the engagement of domestic actors.
At the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, the President stated that fostering greater accountability, restorative justice, and meaningful reconciliation through domestic institutions is essential to achieve lasting peace, and that ensuring more equitable participation in the fruits of economic development was also of equal importance. Further, he stressed that history has shown that lasting results can only be achieved through homegrown institutions reflecting the aspirations of the people, and that the Government was therefore willing to engage with all domestic stakeholders, and to obtain the support of international partners and the UN in that process.
He said that during the process of building a prosperous, stable, and secure future for Sri Lankans, ethnicity, religion, or gender would not matter.
As a matter of fact, the President’s words were promises several Sri Lankan leaders have maintained both in domestic and international contexts for years, and establishing a domestic mechanism to resolve internal issues, especially post-war issues, and refusing international intervention, are not exactly novel ideas. The most recent such comment came from Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who said at the 46th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that Sri Lanka rejects proposals for any external initiatives established by Resolution 46/1 while domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters.
However, the President’s statements, which are more or less promises given before the international community which is awaiting both assuring words as well as actions from Sri Lanka, should be considered seriously, as they were made at a time when the country is being insisted upon to establish a proper mechanism to address inter-ethnic harmony and to ensure human rights and the rule of law. This was also a remarkable moment due to this being the first time Rajapaksa addressed an international forum of this magnitude and nature, after becoming the President in 2019.
Most importantly, the President’s comments were voluntary, as there was an option to reject any significant action on matters of the past. Therefore, the Government has to remember that by choosing this path, i.e. initiating a domestic mechanism in addition to the existing ones to address internal issues, Sri Lanka is also bound to stick to that path. Hence, these mechanisms should result in concrete changes for the better, not more reasons for the international community to point fingers at us for delays, inaction, and buying time.
To do that, the Government will first have to ensure that a proper administrative and institutional structure is also in place, and at the UNGA, the President further stated that Sri Lanka’s Parliament, the Judiciary, and its range of independent statutory bodies should have unrestricted scope to exercise their functions and responsibilities.
Discussions on the state of Sri Lanka’s human rights and the rule of law are not new discussions; they began even before the end of the war between State-led forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist outfit.
However, despite many discussions with international bodies such as the UNHRC, Sri Lanka has not achieved considerable progress to convince the international community that as a country, Sri Lanka is capable of resolving its own issues. This is the main reason the incumbent Government has had to have the same discussion the two previous governments had after the end of war. It is also important to understand that Sri Lanka is not facing stern actions such as sanctions or forced interventions thanks to the little progress the country has achieved through projects such as the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office of Reparations (OR).
In this context, the responsibility the President has on his shoulders is massive, and if put into action, his words are quite capable of saving the country from not only international interventions, but also the adverse effects of a delayed reconciliation process.
Global words and local actions
23 Sep 2021
Global words and local actions
23 Sep 2021
After President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s unexpected statement that the Government is willing to hold talks with Tamil diaspora groups to build a domestic mechanism to address internal issues, on 22 September, the President, again, reiterated that the Government is determined to do a great deal of work with the engagement of domestic actors.
At the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, the President stated that fostering greater accountability, restorative justice, and meaningful reconciliation through domestic institutions is essential to achieve lasting peace, and that ensuring more equitable participation in the fruits of economic development was also of equal importance. Further, he stressed that history has shown that lasting results can only be achieved through homegrown institutions reflecting the aspirations of the people, and that the Government was therefore willing to engage with all domestic stakeholders, and to obtain the support of international partners and the UN in that process.
He said that during the process of building a prosperous, stable, and secure future for Sri Lankans, ethnicity, religion, or gender would not matter.
As a matter of fact, the President’s words were promises several Sri Lankan leaders have maintained both in domestic and international contexts for years, and establishing a domestic mechanism to resolve internal issues, especially post-war issues, and refusing international intervention, are not exactly novel ideas. The most recent such comment came from Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, who said at the 46th UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that Sri Lanka rejects proposals for any external initiatives established by Resolution 46/1 while domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters.
However, the President’s statements, which are more or less promises given before the international community which is awaiting both assuring words as well as actions from Sri Lanka, should be considered seriously, as they were made at a time when the country is being insisted upon to establish a proper mechanism to address inter-ethnic harmony and to ensure human rights and the rule of law. This was also a remarkable moment due to this being the first time Rajapaksa addressed an international forum of this magnitude and nature, after becoming the President in 2019.
Most importantly, the President’s comments were voluntary, as there was an option to reject any significant action on matters of the past. Therefore, the Government has to remember that by choosing this path, i.e. initiating a domestic mechanism in addition to the existing ones to address internal issues, Sri Lanka is also bound to stick to that path. Hence, these mechanisms should result in concrete changes for the better, not more reasons for the international community to point fingers at us for delays, inaction, and buying time.
To do that, the Government will first have to ensure that a proper administrative and institutional structure is also in place, and at the UNGA, the President further stated that Sri Lanka’s Parliament, the Judiciary, and its range of independent statutory bodies should have unrestricted scope to exercise their functions and responsibilities.
Discussions on the state of Sri Lanka’s human rights and the rule of law are not new discussions; they began even before the end of the war between State-led forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist outfit.
However, despite many discussions with international bodies such as the UNHRC, Sri Lanka has not achieved considerable progress to convince the international community that as a country, Sri Lanka is capable of resolving its own issues. This is the main reason the incumbent Government has had to have the same discussion the two previous governments had after the end of war. It is also important to understand that Sri Lanka is not facing stern actions such as sanctions or forced interventions thanks to the little progress the country has achieved through projects such as the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office of Reparations (OR).
In this context, the responsibility the President has on his shoulders is massive, and if put into action, his words are quite capable of saving the country from not only international interventions, but also the adverse effects of a delayed reconciliation process.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!