“Dramatic Failure of the Government to peruse Meaningful Reconciliation”

(January 31, 2013, Toronto, Sri Lanka Guardian) The meetings confirmed our view and our concern there has been a Dramatic Failure of the Government to peruse the opportunity for Meaningful Reconciliation, Human rights, dealing with Reports of Disappearances, Lack of Accountability of Serious and Violent Crimes, excessive Militarization of the north east, said Jason Kenney, the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, in a media roundtable discussion about his recent trip to Sri Lanka, in Markham Ontario on January 26, 2013.

Ongoing failure of the Sri Lankan Government to deal with Reconciliation in post-war environment, Failure to produce any meaningful accountability for crimes committed during and after the civil war, General failure to protect and strengthen Human rights and the Rule of Law are all Confirming statement of Prime Minister Harper, if we do not see significant progress in Reconciliation, Accountability and Human rights then the Prime minster will disinclined to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government in Colombo, said Mr. Kenney.

He also said during his trip he met with or talked to TNA MP. Sumanthiran, Catholic Bishop of Mannar - Rayappu Joseph, Non-governmental organizations, Sri Lanka and Tamil NGOs. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Peris, Deputy Foreign Minister Perera, Opposition leader Ranil wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapakse.

Impeachment of Sri Lankan Chief Justice was unlawful and in conflict with the norms of the Commonwealth, he further said. There have been some efforts by the Government of SL in resettling refugees but generally the whole situation is Discouraging and many cases of reports from NGOs is that the political situation is Deteriorating rather than improving, he said.


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