Terrorism cannot be eliminated by application of good governance alone

23 October 2011 06:00 pm

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakodi had highlighted at the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) that terrorism cannot be eliminated by the application of good governance alone.

Speaking during the IPU sessions in Switzerland recently Mr. Weerakodi had said terrorists who are extremists absolutely have no respect for human lives or property. He said Sri Lanka countered the terrorist conflict effectively to comprehensively liberate the North and East of the country and free the people from the shackles of tyranny and terror. However Mr. Weerakodi said the task was not an easy one, as the government had to face terrorism on one hand and undue extraneous foreign pressure on the other.

The Deputy Speaker explained that good governance applies to everyone including the entire international community. “It is our responsibility to ensure that the world is a more secure and peaceful place and to take the necessary course of action when the circumstances legitimately demand it,” he said.

He said it is the responsibility of world leaders to make an objective distinction, without prejudice, of the need to eliminate terrorism and of the need to restore good governance, to ensure peace and security for the peoples of this world.

Mr. Weerakodi also explained that good governance, embodied with the attributes would lead to economic, social and political advancement and empowerment, thus diminishing the likelihood of instability. Further, it promotes peace, stability, security and development in any given nation. “Unfortunately, today we do not provide adequate focus on good governance as it deserves,” he noted adding that good governance would also benefit the Government of the day, the peoples of the respective country and of course the neighbouring nations as well.

He therefore said good governance when comprehensively applied, could markedly reduce the rise of any conflict.

Referring to the developments in Middle East and North Africa people in this region have felt a new found freedom and aspire to achieve economic prosperity and political pluralism through equality and justice for all. “At the end of the day, what is paramount is the desires and hopes of these people,” he added.