CBK briefs UN on Sri Lanka’s massive reconciliation program

New York: Sri Lanka's former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has briefed the United Nation on the present government's massive reconciliation program to win the hearts and minds of all the people in the island nation.

Making introductory remarks at a special session of the United Nations General Assembly focused on UN, Peace and Security at the UN Headquarters in New York on Wednesday (11), the former President relayed her country's experience in years following the "very destructive war."

Kumaratunga said the opposition had been crushed, but the country did not win peace because the then Government did not undertake a peace building process. After a change of government, however, the two major political parties were brought together through a common vision. "This makes things very easy," she said.

"Military means are not sufficient to end a conflict," she stressed. Deep-rooted causes must be dealt with. In Sri Lanka's case, accusations of human rights violations during the conflict also had to be addressed and for those reasons, a reconciliation mechanism had been set up working very closely with United Nations agencies, she said.

Creative programs had been instituted to change attitudes. Equal rights had been accorded to minorities and for that purpose a new constitution was being drafted with the participation of the former Opposition. In schools, children of the four major communities were being brought together for the first time in their lives. Young professionals were being brought together in workshops and through arts festivals. Psycho-social support was being provided for those traumatised during the conflict. In districts damaged by conflict, including those dominated by minorities, five-year development plans were being implemented.

In addition to United Nations agencies, bilateral partnerships were being developed to support these programs, the former President said.

US Ambassador to UN reiterates support for Sri Lanka's reconciliation efforts, trade and economic growth

The United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power met with former Sri Lankan President and current Chairperson of Sri Lanka's Office of National Unity Reconciliation (ONUR) Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, and Secretary-General for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms Mano Tittawella on 11 May, 2016, at the Sri Lankan Mission to the United Nations in New York.

During the meeting, Ambassador Power reiterated U.S. support for Sri Lanka's reconciliation efforts. She and Chairwoman Kumaratunga discussed the work and plans of the ONUR, the challenges faced and the critical importance of bridging old divides and reconciling with the past.

Ambassador Power described the moving experiences she has had in Sri Lanka meeting with the families of disappeared and missing people. Among the matters discussed at the meeting was the work of the Office of Missing Persons, including its efforts to consult broadly across Sri Lankan civil society and minority communities. The importance of accountability was also dicussed. Ambassador Power emphasised the need to address human rights abuses and urged that transitional justice efforts move forward as soon as possible. She urged that any mechanism be accompanied by proactive outreach to keep the public informed and engaged. The parties also spoke about the challenges ahead and timelines along which progress would be made.

The Sri Lankan Government's ongoing efforts to counter corruption and overcome the economic challenges left behind by the previous government were also taken up at the meeting. The three dignitaries agreed on the urgent importance of delivering a "democracy dividend" to the Sri Lankan people and stressed the importance of U.S.-Sri Lankan bilateral efforts to support trade and economic growth.