Post conflict progress:

Lanka way ahead

* G L, Lalith brief diplomats on LLRC implementation

* Work begun in a structured manner

The government yesterday emphasized the importance of acknowledging the substantial results already achieved on the ground within a far shorter time span than had been necessary in post conflict situations in other parts of the world.

This was conveyed by External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga when they met with the diplomatic community at the auditorium of the External Affairs Ministry yesterday.

Minister Prof G L Peiris and Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga at the briefing

A comprehensive briefing took place on the work underway regarding implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, with emphasis on the results already achieved and the planned trajectory for co-ordination and implementation in the future. The detailed matrix, including priorities, the institutions entrusted with responsibility, key performance indicators and time frames, were explained to the diplomatic community.

Prof Peiris said that the Cabinet of Ministers, two months ago, had approved the establishment of a mechanism under the Presidential Secretariat, headed by the Secretary to the President, to be in overall charge of implementation of the LLRC Report.

The matrix prepared by this committee was presented to the Cabinet by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was endorsed by the Cabinet, Minister Peiris said.

He added that full information in this regard was made available to local and international media at the briefing held by Minister Peiris and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga at the Ministry of External Affairs last week.

It was considered appropriate to have an interactive session with the diplomatic community, he said.

Weeratunga explained in detail the approach which his Committee adopted to the work they had undertaken. He said that the recommendations, capable of short-term implementation, had already been given effect, while work had begun in a structured manner with regard to the longer-term proposals. Both Prof Peiris and Mr Weeratunga emphasized the importance of acknowledging the substantial results already achieved on the ground within a far shorter time span than had been necessary in post conflict situations in other parts of the world.

This is of particular relevance in the context of the significance consistently accorded by international law and practice to domestic remedies and procedures, they declared.

Their presentations to the Ambassadors and High Commissioners were followed by an extensive discussion.