Far-sightedness essential for a stable Sri Lanka

TUESDAY, 28 AUGUST 2012 
By Ayesha Zuhair

Q: What are your views on the Action Plan to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC)? Do you feel that it adequately demonstrates the government’s commitment towards peace, justice, and reconciliation?
We welcome the action plan just as we have welcomed other statements of intent. Such statements do not by themselves demonstrate commitment, however. Only concrete action can do that and therefore it is ultimately on the basis of its actions that the government will be judged by the Sri Lankan people and international stakeholders.


Q: Do you think that enough is being done on the ground to ensure that there is no relapse into armed conflict?
When I arrived, the most important change had already taken place and that was, of course, the end of the violent conflict. The relief of the general population, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation was, and still is, palpable.
There is no magic formula to “ensure” an end to violence. But I leave Sri Lanka with a nagging sense that there is not sufficient urgency on the part of various players to take the difficult steps needed to address underlying grievances that could fuel a resurgence of radicalism. “Winning the peace” is not just a slogan. Making Sri Lanka a stable and prosperous home to all of its citizen groups will require magnanimity and far sightedness from those holding the levers of power.

Q: Canada has expressed concerns intermittently that Sri Lanka is not living up to her international obligations with Prime Minister Stephen Harper even warning last year that he will not attend the 2013 Commonwealth leaders’ summit in Colombo if there is no progress in terms of human rights. What is your assessment of the human rights situation in the country? Does accountability for alleged war crimes continue to be of concern to Canada?
There are general human rights issues and also specific ones arising from the closing months of the war. On the general, we empathize with many Sri Lankans who feel that there has been erosion in standards previously held dear. Too many crimes occur that seem to go unpunished, undermining the people’s faith in their institutions. If a culture of impunity takes hold, if journalists simply disappear without a trace, it becomes a slippery slope.
Where the alleged war crimes are concerned, Canada naturally supports bringing perpetrators to account. Indeed, Sri Lanka supports the same principle or it would not be signatory to international human rights covenants, nor would it belong to organisations like the Commonwealth.
But while Canada believes in and will continue to press for accountability, it would be best for Sri Lankans themselves to design internationally credible mechanisms to bring all criminals to justice. 
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