Canada encourages Sri Lanka to move forward in reforms without delays

Thu, Jul 28, 2016,

July 28, Colombo: Canada today, welcoming the positive engagement by Sri Lanka with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, encouraged the government to take advantage of this momentum to move forward on other reforms without delays.

"We encourage your government to take advantage of this momentum to move forward on other reforms, including those to strengthen good governance and economic stability. It is clear that delays in the implementation of these critical reforms are not in the public interest," Canada's Foreign Minister Stéhene Dion said Thursday.

Addressing a joint press conference after meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Minister Mangala Samaraweera, the Canadian Minister said as has already been conveyed by Prime Minister Trudeau, Canada stands ready to support the Sri Lankan Government to advance peace, accountability, reconciliation and prosperity for all the peoples of Sri Lanka.

Mentioning that Canada is home to a large community from Sri Lanka, including one of the largest Tamil communities outside of Sri Lanka and India, Mr. Dion said Canada welcomes the positive engagement by Sri Lanka with the UN Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, in the context of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka.

Noting that the government has taken several initial steps to implement the resolution, Minister Dion said more needs to be done.

"We welcome the initial steps taken by your government to implement this Resolution, and we note the progress made toward constitutional reforms. In particular, we note the public commitment for the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons, and the release of some lands in militarized zones. However, much more remains to be accomplished."

He said Canada can share its experience with Sri Lanka on issues such as official languages, the devolution of power, sustainable economic development, empowerment of women, legal expertise, and youth skills development.

Going forward, Canada encourages an inclusive process in Sri Lanka that welcomes the participation of all of society and advocates peaceful pluralism, he said noting the importance of meaningful international involvement in such accountability and reconciliation mechanisms.

Minister Dion said promotion of official languages is critical for advancing the Government's reconciliation efforts, and fostering an inclusive society and Canada is offering its support to the Government to advance the delivery of public services in both Sinhalese and Tamil.

He announced the National L