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Military stifling growth in North: EU
The European Parliamentary Delegation, which is on a visit to Sri Lanka, expressed concern over the military presence in the North and the involvement of the military in economic activities there.
Jean Lambert, who heads the Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia, noted that this excessive involvement would endanger international trade agreements since military involvement would indicate an unfair competitive advantage.
“We feel that the role of the military in economic activities has hampered the growth of the economy in the North and this would have direct implications on Sri Lanka from a trade perspective, due to military involvements in civilian economic activities,” Ms. Lambert said.
She said there were concerns with regards to the job opportunities in the North and articulated the need for greater training in those areas.
The announcement comes in the backdrop of an announcement by Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, earlier in the week that the Army was awaiting cabinet approval to form an entity that could venture out into profit-making business.
Despite commending the government on reconstruction in terms of infrastructure the delegation was sceptical on the progress made in more sensitive areas.
“There has been much growth in terms of physical reconstruction, however there needs to be more done on issues of accountability and we feel that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Report is the best roadmap for that process,” Ms. Lambert said.
She said the issues of disappearances both ongoing and historic were an area of concern, while comparing the situation to the aftermath of the conflict in Northern Ireland.
The Delegation said the Northern Provincial Council Elections was an area of great importance to the EU and did not disregard the possibility of Monitors from the EU arriving in the country, if such a request was made by the Elections Commissioner. During meetings with the Elections Commissioner the Delegation had queried on issues of voter identification and free and fair campaigning.
The delegation was comprised six members from the European Parliament. They visited the Northern and Central Provinces, during a five-day visit that began on Monday. They met several leading Government officials including Economic Minister Basil Rajapaksa, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peries and members from the civil society. (Dianne Silva
)
Pix by Kushan Pathiraja
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