Finding truth behind war imperative: CBK

25 March 2016 10:04 am - 26 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Discussing the circumstances that led to the violence that took place in the North as well as what took place during the war was essential if we are to move forward with the reconciliation process, Ex-President and National Unity and Reconciliation Office Chairperson Chandrika Kumaratunga said yesterday.

Mrs. Kumaratunga, who was one of those present at the panel discussion organised by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) to mark the International Right to Truth Day which fell yesterday, said finding out the truth about what took place during the war, talking about it and knowing that it is recognised, was the most important factor in coping with the results of such violence.

“The truth is essential for coping with loss and the pain that accompanies such loss. Some political elements try to prevent the people from learning the truth, especially with regard to the Tamil people during the conflict and the end of the war. They try to create division in the society,” she said.

She said all the victims of the violence including the families of missing persons and those who have lost loved ones, not only in the North and East but also in the South including the families of soldiers who were victims of bomb attacks have the right to the truth.

“We have to discuss all of this and accept the right of all these people to know the truth. Discussing the issues is essential to coming to terms with what happened. The new regime has accepted this and has put various mechanisms into places to seek the truth,” Kumaratunga said.

She said that previously the authorities had appointed many commissions without really being convinced about the need for them and added that there was hope for those seeking the truth under the new regime.

“The political will is there now but a lot of work has to be done in the future. The vision and the way forward are clear and have been worked out. The basic spadework has been done. What we need now is for everyone to give us their fullest support to complete this task, which is a messy operation which deals with millions of victims,” she said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 26

llanka Friday, 25 March 2016 05:53 PM

Why is this woman who was absolutely useless during her 10 years in office just vanish from the political scene. Her children are have nothing to do with Sri Lanka. She should not be allowed to poison the minds of future generations with her useless gibberish.

sach Saturday, 26 March 2016 04:33 PM

what nonsense eelam demand came in 1922

Onlooker Saturday, 26 March 2016 01:54 PM

She vanished when the book " Chaura regina " was published.

Lanka Lover Saturday, 26 March 2016 01:14 PM

Before commenting on CBK, check your English knowledge first.

These days Saturday, 26 March 2016 12:08 PM

AND - these are the days Ministries get perturbed when the 2 most suitable candidates (even asking for a lower renumaration) are reccomended and they happen to be unfortunatlly Muslims - happened in the Power Ministry a few years ago !

Thanos Saturday, 26 March 2016 10:40 AM

at Muhandiram,தமிழரசுக் கட்சி means Federal party

Ravi Saturday, 26 March 2016 10:05 AM

no body can not find what you did this country ha ha ha.....

jACOOB Saturday, 26 March 2016 08:02 AM

iLANKA, WHY NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT SHE SAYS , SEE WHETHER IF THERE IS ANY SUBSTANCE IN TEH WORD STHAT SHE UTTER RATHER THAT COMMENBTING ON HER .. PLEASE COME OUT FROM THIS UPDATED MENTALITY AND DO SOME GOOD FOR TH ECOUNTRY WHER YOU ARE BORN.

Muhandiram Saturday, 26 March 2016 07:38 AM

So why does tamil politicians formed a party named 'Illangei tamil arasu Kachchi" ("Demla Rajya Pakshaya")

siva Saturday, 26 March 2016 05:30 AM

We should stop blaming foreigners including India for our problems. We never cared for the economy and were looking at who's livelihood need to be tàken from him and given to someone else. The citizenship acts were the starting point. We threw out our best tea pluckers and business men. Nothing happened and we then looked at Government jobs and communities which had more of them and deprived their higher education. People like Prabaharan who should have ended up in the university rebeled against a system which blocked his passge to a govt job enjoyed by his father. The rest is history. Very few of the senior politicians like madam have no credibility due to their history.

Amaran Saturday, 26 March 2016 02:55 AM

Absolutely Correct, Don

Damiam Saturday, 26 March 2016 12:12 AM

She had her turn and what did she doGo back lady to wherever you hv come from

Sapu Friday, 25 March 2016 06:19 PM

The so called terrorisSt's were arrested under PTA without evidence while several soldiers were arrested by police to investigate eknaligoda

Thanos Friday, 25 March 2016 10:10 AM

Its not rocket Science. The 1st nail in the coffin was the Sinhala only act of 1956 and last nail in the coffin was the 1983 riots. Thus both both SLFP and UNP are equally to blame. People can take discrimination only so much before they rise up. I am not a fan of federalism but I perfectly understand why Tamils don't trust the south.

suresh Friday, 25 March 2016 04:08 PM

is BBS also a creation of India?

aja Friday, 25 March 2016 03:14 PM

Please lady do no more damage

Onlooker Friday, 25 March 2016 03:14 PM

Yahapalana dreams.

vithura Friday, 25 March 2016 03:13 PM

CBK is absolutely right that we get to the bottom of it, if we are to forge ahead as a united country. Getting into denial mode will only exacerbate the problem but not solve it. Burying the heads in sand and routinely blaming India for what is a fall out from domestic politics of this country, is not going to help solve this problem in anyway.

vithura Friday, 25 March 2016 03:01 PM

The war was not created by the Indians, rather they exploited it. But the war was created both ruling parties, anti-Tamil riots of 1955, 1958, 1977, 1983 and deliberate Sinhalese colonisation of to deny their democratic right in the guise of majoritarianistic democracy.

Damian Friday, 25 March 2016 01:57 PM

All that the new regime has done is released terrorist and put soldiers behind bars

Jayasingha Friday, 25 March 2016 12:26 PM

Will MR gets 40 years as well

Villains Friday, 25 March 2016 12:20 PM

India is a villain , So are we. Whether it be Tamils or Sinhalese. The dire communalism in recruitment prior to mid fifties (tamils having the upper hand) and after the mid fifties and even now (were tamils and muslims are discriminated) These are the causes why we are in such a mess . AND lately with BBS and others given a free hand to do, talk what they want. A personally feel we cannot raise or head at all as a nation loving each other.

patriot Friday, 25 March 2016 12:13 PM

Talking of power and prosperity, have we done enough for ourselves? If we did, we do not have to fear any other nation. But what we did was to shhot ourselves in our feet by enagging in communalism and insurgencies. 1958, 1971, 1977,1983 1988 and 2014 are examples of how we ahd either communal riots or class struggles. If we are to go forwad Singapore is an example. 70 percent chinese 20 percent malays and the rets hindus living as singaporeans .

BUSHEL Friday, 25 March 2016 11:55 AM

THIS IS THE UNIVERSAL TRUTH THAT ALL SRI LANKANS SHOULD UNDERSTAND.

Wildwine Friday, 25 March 2016 10:29 AM

Don 100% agree with you. India does not want an economically more powerful and prosperous neighbour that is the reality. They want every country around them to be submitted. Unfortunately our leaders either do not see this or they do see it yet powerless to do any thing about it. via DM Android App

Don Friday, 25 March 2016 10:11 AM

According to my Knowledge the war in Sri Lanka was created by Indian intelligence services to destabilize Sri Lanka,This is the truth which all sri lankans should keep in mind.

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Finding truth behind war imperative: CBK

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