Friday Forum writes to AG on LLRC

The Friday Forum, a group of concerned citizens, has written to the Attorney General Mohan Pieris with regards to the Progress of Implementing the Interim Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation. Here is the text of the letter:

Mr. P. M. Mohan Pieris PC

Attorney General,

Attorney General’s Department,

Colombo 12.

Dear Mr. Attorney General,

A Follow up Inquiry by the Friday Forum regards the Progress of Implementing the Interim Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission

The Friday Forum, is a group of concerned citizens who have been meeting frequently, giving thought as to how they could help in accelerating socio economic development and peace, ensuring good governance and solving the national question in our country.

The Friday Forum collectively and some of its members in their individual capacities made submissions before the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission in response to the public invitation extended by the Commission.

We welcomed the public release of the interim recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC). We also welcomed the approval of these recommendations by H.E. the President.

The Friday Forum encouraged when approval was granted by the Cabinet in October 2010 to set up an Inter-Agency Advisory Group (IAAG) under your leadership, comprising very senior officials of the government, to facilitate the early implementation of the interim recommendations made by the LLRC. The Friday Forum and many other Civil Society Groups welcomed this move and looked forward to the recommendations being speedily implemented with effectiveness, transparency and in consultation with the impacted communities, their elected representatives and civil society. Such an effective implementation would have laid the foundation for building reconciliation and harmony amongst the ethnic communities in Sri Lanka. As importantly it would enhance the credibility of the LLRC as it prepares its final report.

In February 2011 the Minister of External Affairs, Prof G.L. Peiris, briefed the diplomatic community on the progress made by the IAAG in implementing the recommendations of the LLRC through practical measures and strengthening the related processes at the same time.

The members of Friday Forum would appreciate if you could kindly direct us to the relevant published information sources or linked web sites, where Friday Forum members as well as the public can access information which shows the current state of progress in implementing the LLRC interim recommendations, the details of the relevant strategic action steps taken in pursuit of such implementation, associated process improvements implemented, any remaining recommendations yet to be implemented and the assessed outcomes of such implementation in realising the goals set by the LLRC in making the interim recommendations.

We look forward your early response.

Yours Sincerely,

Jayantha Dhanapala

On behalf of Friday Forum, the Group of Concerned Citizens

Cc. Lalith Weeratunge Esq. Secretary to the President

 S. B. Atugoda Esq. Secretary, Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation