Step forward for reconciliation

• Consultations Task Force opens discussions on design of reconciliation mechanisms
• Process expected to be completed in two months
• Comes as UN Chief urges Sri Lanka to “move faster” on disappearances and other rights issues     

Reconciliation took a step forward yesterday when the Consultations Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, appointed by the Prime Minister, opened online submissions in order to seek the views of stakeholders, experts and the general public on the design of the reconciliation mechanisms.

The reconciliation mechanisms planned by the Government of Sri Lanka include an Office of Missing Persons; a Truth, Reconciliation, Justice and Non-Recurrence Commission; an accountability mechanism; and an Office of Reparations, as previously detailed by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last September.

Samaraweera also told the international community the process for seeking reconciliation and repatriation would be set up within the next two months.   

The online submission questionnaire is now live on the trilingual website of the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms, www.scrm.gov.lk. 

In addition to the online submissions process, face-to-face consultations will take place in all districts of the Island via town-hall meetings, focus group discussions and structured interviews, the statement released by the Secretariat noted. 

The Consultation Task Force is chaired by Manouri Muttetuwegama. The other members are Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamuttu, Gamini Viyangoda, Visakha Dharamadasa, Shantha Abhimanasingham, Prof. Sitralega Maunaguru, K.W. Janaranjana, Prof. Daya Somasundaram, Dr. Farzana Haniffa, Prof. Gameela Samarasinghe and Mirak Raheem.

Fresh steps by the Task Force comes hot on the heels of the UN Human Rights Chief saying Sri Lanka needs to “move faster” on key issues like release of land held by the military, even as he acknowledged the “powerful symbolic gestures” made by the country to achieve reconciliation with the minority Tamil community. 

“Sri Lanka is on its own journey toward accountability, reconciliation and durable peace. Important steps have been taken to reform the Constitution, revive independent institutions and restore an environment for free expression and debate,” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement at the 31st session of the Council. 

“Powerful symbolic gestures of reconciliation have been made, for instance singing the National Anthem in Tamil – although other steps, such as the release of land held by the military, reviewing the cases of security detainees, and resolving the issue of disappearances, need to move forward faster,” he said. 

Hussein said the next few months would be important as the Sri Lankan Government embarks on national consultations for the design of a comprehensive transitional justice process to implement fully this Council’s resolution. 

Over the weekend President Maithripala Sirisena also released an additional 700 acres of land to their original owners.  

“It will be very important that this takes place in an environment free of surveillance and intimidation, so the voices of victims can be heard. Reports of violations must be promptly investigated and addressed,” he said. 

Hussein visited Sri Lanka in February to have consultations on the progress which will be reviewed at the June session of the UNHRC.