| by Our London
Correspondent Geeta Vamadevan
( October 31, 2012,
London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The second successful meeting of the well intended
cross party Sri Lankan parliamentarians and the representatives of the
different political parties was held in South London on 27 (Saturday) October
2012. The meeting was the follow up of the fact finding mission of the young
Sri Lankan parliamentarians in December 2011.
The engagement is the
joint effort of the One Text Initiative, The Royal Commonwealth Society and the
International Alert. Tamil Information Centre (TIC) was the co-hoister of both
the meetings. Vasantha Senanayake MP (SLFP/UPFA), Harin Fernando MP (UNP) and
Ragu Balachandran (TNA) participated in the latest follow up meeting.
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In the climate of hate, prejudices, misconduct, misinterpretation and unwanted suspicions rampant in the conflict ridden and polarised Sri Lankan community that has its roots in the un-accommodative politics practice since independence and the unprecedented arm rebellion of the Tamil people for nearly thirty years, this meaningful engagement facing the traditional lopsided criticisms must be considered as a step in the right direction.
The latest meeting
held in the South London considered the recommendations of the representatives
who undertook the 2011 visit. The end product of the 2011 meeting was the
thirteen points recommendations to the government and it was widely circulated
by the TIC before the meeting. In the hard talking meeting of 27/11, multitudes
of matters were discussed and the Diaspora Tamils and Sinhalese had the
opportunity to air their views and dissect the socio-political-war crimes-good
governance issues. The recommendations of the parliamentarians were:
Accountability – If proper
investigations followed by perpetrators of acts contrary to aforesaid rules of
engagement are prosecuted, greater confidence will be achieved.
Insufficient and inadequate circulation
of positive measures taken by the Government – In this context the Government information
centers, the Diplomatic Missions and media units have to be more proactive and
aggressive.
Furnish more comprehensive information – It is vital to
know who is still in Governmental custody, and in some instances to know who is
declared dead, as this can bring closure to some families still living with
uncertainty.
Resettlement of IDPs – Even though
this has been accomplished to a great degree it has not happened in its
entirety due to
various reasons. In this context, the issue of long
term displaced Muslims from the North and East, camped in Districts like Puttalam,
in some cases for over two decades, is also very urgent.
Language issues – A practical
means of educating both communities in both languages with an added advantage
of English education as well is recommended.
The Government should make direct
overtures to the Diaspora – While making direct overtures to the Sri
Lankan
Diaspora, the Government should be aware that while it
should educate the Diaspora on what is happening in the country, they should
also be prepared to listen, sometimes even to criticism which can be
constructive.
A Ministry/Department to handle and
co-ordinate Diaspora affairs – Such a Ministry should be
created and a person with sensitivity to such matters appointed to head such an
institution.
A day of National Remembrance – Despite the
President’s National Message immediately after the war had ceased; many
Tamils are of the view that the grand victory
celebration held yearly appears to them as a victory of Sinhalese over Tamils.
Preservation of the Tamil identity – Be
particularly sensitive to Tamil cultural identity and accordingly introduce
local administration and mechanisms having adequate powers of protection to
keep their heritage intact.
Military presence – Create a fair
balance in which the overwhelming military presence is reduced to give a
greater degree of independence in day-to-day activity including commercial
activity to Northern civilians.
To
engage in discussions –
It would be prudent to discuss with all relevant parties to arrive at the most
appropriate manner in which some form of devolution should take place.
A more conducive environment for
investment –
Such an environment to be facilitated within Governmental Departments,
particularly, where foreign investment is concerned. A more effective
anti-corruption policy and more efficiency be created within Government
institutions.
LLRC
Recommendations-
Implement the recommendations without much delay.
The report was well
received by the audience, whilst few privately expressed their reservations
that the recommendations will not achieve anything with the entrenched mind-set
of the government that will undermine any effort like many other
recommendations and dialogues of the past.
At the meeting,
criticisms were levelled at the government of Sri Lanka on variety of issues
ranging from systematic state backed Sinhala settlements in the Tamil areas,
militarisation, war crimes, victory celebrations and many other issues that are
frustrating the peaceful transition to good governance practices in Sri Lanka.
Both parliamentarians
made positive notes about the need for a broader reconciliation process and
their personal feelings of one community celebrating the victory over the
others downfall. They expressed their personal experiences and opinions of
regret about the war victory celebrations in May 2009.
The parliamentary
delegates said that their recommendations have been presented to the political
leaderships with their personal engagement and have been sent to the
leaderships of the Provincial Councils. Further efforts will be made to widen
the engagement with the cross sections of the Sri Lankan community and the
diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.
In responding to a
question of producing a one page report, the parliamentarians said that they
prepared a brief document with the view to impact on the decision makers, as a
long winded report would not have been read and only been shelved. They said
that the media has picked up their recommendations already and there is wider
debate in Sri Lanka on the recommendations.
In the climate of
hate, prejudices, misconduct, misinterpretation and unwanted suspicions rampant
in the conflict ridden and polarised Sri Lankan community that has its roots in
the un-accommodative politics practice since independence and the unprecedented
arm rebellion of the Tamil people for nearly thirty years, this meaningful
engagement facing the traditional lopsided criticisms must be considered as a
step in the right direction.
Ever-ready mechanisms
and individuals are there to give unwanted spins to subvert any meaningful
efforts. The key board tap campaign mechanism of the modern day is there to
pounce and savage any good mission and the meaningful efforts of the young Sri
Lankan parliamentarians had its lacklustre grinding of the vested interests
that are determined to derail any process of goodwill efforts.
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