Sri Lanka to learn reconciliation experience from South Africa

COLOMBO, February 25, 2015

A high-level delegation from South Africa will brief Sri Lanka this week on South Africa’s experience in reconciliation and nation-building, Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The delegation led by South Africa’s International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindia Mfeketo is undertaking a five-day visit to Sri Lanka.

Mfeketo will meet her counterpart and other important role-players in Sri Lanka during the course of her visit. South Africa has been asked to share with Sri Lanka its experience in terms of reconciliation and nation-building.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera said that the South African delegation would on Thursday brief the Sri Lankan government and opposition members as well as civil society on South Africa’s experience,Xinhua news agency reported.

He said that Sri Lanka would not look to use the South African model but would learn from it and create a home-grown solution in the reconciliation process.

“We will look at a Sri Lankan model on reconciliation. Separately we will have the accountability process as well,” he said.

This is the first high-level visit from South Africa to Sri Lanka since the new administration of President Maithripala Sirisena took over following the presidential election held Jan 8, 2015.

Sri Lanka is looking at learning from South Africa to reconcile the communities following the end of 30 years of civil war in 2009.