Lesson Plan: Sri Lanka briefs diplomats on LLRC action plan

Sri Lanka Tuesday briefed diplomats on the implementation of recommendations of a post war commission that looked into the root causes of the island's ethnic conflict, ahead of a key UN human rights review later this year.
 External Affairs minister G.L. Peiris and secretary to the president Lalith Weeratunga has met Colombo's diplomatic community for a 'comprehensive briefing' on the work carried out to implement the proposals of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), the ministry of external affairs releasing a statement said.

Sri Lanka's LLRC has come up with a number of proposals to increase the liberties of all citizens, justice and rule of law, some of which may involve deep rooted changes to the structure of the state.

Weeratunga told reporters last Thursday that some of the complex recommendations like land and police powers needed a political consideration but there were many other recommendations that could be easily implemented.

Sri Lanka's national action plan headed by Weeratunga will monitor key measures taken under international humanitarian law issues, human rights, land return and resettlement and restitution and compensatory relief.

The action plan approved by the cabinet of ministers will monitor the implementation of LLRC recommendations with assessment tools to measure performance, and time frames to achieve goals.

"The detailed matrix, including priorities, the institutions entrusted with responsibility, key performance indicators and time frames, was explained to the diplomatic community," the statement said.

In March this year the UN Human Rights Council passed a US led resolution backed by the island's closest neighbor India demanding Sri Lanka to probe alleged rights violations by government forces and the Tamil Tigers.

Sri Lanka has been under persistent pressure to implement the recommendations of the island's own commission appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to probe the 30-year war which ended in 2009 and suggest measures for reconciliation and accountability.
 Sri Lanka has nearly completed the resettlement of people displaced by the war, de-mining the former war zone, and rehabilitating former Tamil Tiger combatants including children within three years of the end of hostilities.

Sri Lanka faces a universal periodic review at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this November where the island's human rights record and good governance will be evaluated.
LBO