Sri Lanka making serious efforts in reconciliation: Russia

The Sri Lankan Government is making serious efforts in rehabilitation of former Tamil Tiger combatants, their reintegration into society and reconciliation with the minority, a high ranking Russian Government official said.

Konstantin Dolgov, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, and Ambassador-at-Large, said the situation in terms of human rights and democracy is progressing and serious efforts are being made to promote reconciliation.

Commissioner Dolgov is currently on a four-day visit to Sri Lanka on an invitation of the External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris.

Addressing a press conference in Colombo Wednesday, Dolgov expressed his view that the human rights situation in the country is improving rapidly following the end of war.

The visiting Russian official, who had visited the Boosa rehabilitation centre where the former LTTE combatants are being rehabilitated, has felt that the rehabilitation process is being carried out in accordance with international standards.

According to Dolgov, it is the responsibility of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka to address the humanitarian issues and no other country can dictate terms.

The former Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN in New York also met Minister Peiris who has apprised the visiting official of the work already done by the Government with regard to reconciliation and development, and priorities in respect of future plans.

Dolgov’s visit, following a meeting between Minister Peiris and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, is a demonstration of further enhancing the strong bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Russia.

Russia has always stood by Sri Lanka in international forums when the country comes under attack from Western governments.