Sri Lankan religious leaders urge gov't to implement war report

English.news.cn   2012-01-05
COLOMBO, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of all main religions in Sri Lanka on Thursday urged the government to immediately implement the recommendation made in the war report released last month.

The Congress of Religions, comprising leaders of Buddhist, Christian, Muslim and Hindu, at a press conference said that implementing the outcome of the report is essential to bring about lasting peace to the country that was devastated with three decade civil war.

The religious leader stressed that for a permanent reconciliation the country needs to ensure media freedom, independent of judiciary and independent commission to solve problems relating to lands.

"The report also has recommended to probe into the alleged war crimes and civilian deaths alleged to have committed by the government forces and the Tamil Tiger rebels," Buddhist clergy Bellanvila Wimalarathana Thera said.

He stressed the need to immediately resettle the internally displaced during three decades of civil war and sending them back to their original lands.

He also noted government should establish an independent judiciary and ensure a society free from violence.

Former Bishop Oswarld Gomis said recommendations should be implemented soon in order not to repeat another war.

"We have won the battle but the war will not be over until a lasting solution is found to the ethnic problem," Gomis said.

Sri Lanka released its 400 paged war report, prepared by " Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission" which was appointed by the president to probe the reasons for the three decade conflict that ended in 2009 along with possible war crimes committed during the last phase of the war.