Consensus sought for solution

6 June 2010 05:58 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The government is to have a broad spectrum of consultations in order to achieve a consensus for a political solution, External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris told the 9th IISS Asia Security Summit at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore today.

He noted that tomorrow President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be meeting representatives of Tamil political parties, to ascertain their own views with regard to constitutional reform adding that the Tamil political parties must make a vigorous input into the processes of political reform.

“Many governments in Sri Lanka during the last 15 years have endeavoured to put in place a viable political solution, but regrettably none of these efforts succeeded because of the lack of a sufficient consensus in the country in support of the implementation of the proposals that were made. We do not wish to add yet another leaf to the thicket; it is our effort this time to have as broad a spectrum of consultation as possible, in order to achieve a consensus that would enable the proposals that are ultimately made to be implemented on the ground,” the Minister said.

He also noted that Sri Lanka has set up a Reconciliation Commission, drawing upon the experience of South Africa in particular, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with which the name of Desmond Tutu is indelibly associated.

The emphasis is not on retribution, not on punishment, or the imposition of sanctions. But, rather, on restorative justice, enabling people to pick up the pieces, to get on with their lives. The State is firmly resolved to put at their disposal all the resources that would facilitate this difficult task, Peiris said.

“The Government of Sri Lanka has no illusions that a military victory per se is going to provide us with a durable and lasting solution,” he added.

The Minister also noted that the Diaspora in the Western World and elsewhere have a dynamic role to play and urged them to choose for themselves a constructive mode of engagement instead of financially supporting destructive activities, to annihilate the people of Sri Lanka.

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Comments - 13

Sunday, 06 June 2010 07:56 PM

carry on fooling the world

Sunday, 06 June 2010 08:25 PM

Thanks minister for accepting that no political solution ever implemented in srilanka because of lack of support from majority . this clearly shows why Tamil struggle dragged on so long..

Sunday, 06 June 2010 09:31 PM

Peiris, there is no pint in your talks. You have been talking for donkeys years. People want action and not "bla bla". For how long are you going to keep on talking!!!!!!

Monday, 07 June 2010 02:20 AM

Same old script, time passes and nothing happens. Priorities are elsewhere.

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:17 AM

Everytime there is an election in SL, all leading majority based parties directly or indirecty place denying the minorities equal rights and opportunities in their agenda to win majority community votes. In many instances the election resutls show the majority community do not want to give anything to minorities. The leading parties too want to cash in on this mentality to secure power. When the majority mind set is like this how can their be true peace and prosperity in SL?

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:25 AM

Fed up of hearing the government's proclamation in finding a solution. These days we don't hear of the home grown solution. Whatever is said and done in the end it will be an Indian solution.

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:44 AM

Hasn't the government been talking about this for decades already ? Till the cows come home they will be talking, but alas, no consensus and no solution.

Monday, 07 June 2010 04:58 AM

President Mahinda Rajapakse has no right to devolve powers.After so many young heroes died to win over the country from the enemy.It will be a shameful act if the government attempts to devolve any powers and it will be an insult for the great heroes and for the people that bought the government to power.

Monday, 07 June 2010 05:27 AM

These things have been spoken of at length for the last one year. Now action is what matters to all concerned!

Monday, 07 June 2010 05:28 AM

census is a good thing, unless these idiots misuse it against the minoroties..

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:31 AM

I don't understand why these people are talking about Tamil rights. Everything they say is relavant to Sinhalese as well. Only thing is Tamil politicians give those problems a racial view. Innocent Tamil people get into that trap and destroyed their future. ONLY THING TAMILS AND SINHALESE WANT IS TO LIVE IN HARMONY ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY. NOT ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY OR ANY OTHER POWER. This has been a issue forcibly put on to Tamil people by Tamil politicians. And it's worsened by Tamil diaspora to extend their assylum visas.

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:47 AM

Peace is to bringing war & violence to an end.... the war is over but the violence against minority & opposition continue

Monday, 07 June 2010 06:50 AM

yes susantha, keep on talking like this and make sure the country is divided

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Consensus sought for solution

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