People made helpless, powerless by political culture – LLRC

16 December 2011 08:30 pm - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report states that the political culture of the country has made the people powerless and helpless to a point they had become dependent on politicians to obtain many of the services and amenities they are entitled to.

The report which was tabled in parliament today recommends that an independent institution be established to address the grievances of all citizens and in particular the minority community grievances that arise from abuse by public officials and others involved in governance of the country.

While recommending a political solution, the Commission observes that devolution should promote greater harmony and unity among the people of this country. The promotion of oneness and a common identity should be the principal aim of any form of devolution while protecting and appreciating the rich diversity.

In this endeavour, the LLRC states that the focus should be to ensure that the people belonging to all the communities are empowered at every level.

“Devolution of power should not be discriminatory or seen to be discriminatory,” the report says.

It recommends that the Police Department be de-linked from the institutions dealing with the armed forces, which are responsible for the security of the state.

The Commission states that the Police Department is a civilian institution to be entrusted with the maintenance of law and order and that an independent permanent police commission is a pre-requisite to guarantee the effective functioning of the police service and as a means of enhancing public confidence.

“This mechanism should be vested with a strong investigative arm to enable it to effectively discharge its functions,” the report states.

Referring to allegations about the activities of certain illegal armed groups, the report calls for a full investigation into complaints against the EPDP, as otherwise, it may create a sense of impunity. The LLRC has received complaints about the activities of an illegal armed group led by a Major Seelan and this group is alleged to have carried out abductions, robberies and extortions are the offences allegedly committed by this gang using the security forces as a cover.

The LLRC has alleged that principal offender still remained at large though the matter was brought to the notice of the police in the area. Only an accomplice of Major Seelan has been arrested. The Commissioner regrets that full effect has not been given to its interim recommendations.

The report states that police officers serving in the provinces do not have adequate access to legal expertise, and therefore proposed the setting up of the units of Attorney General’s Department in each of these areas. The LLRC states it regrets the failure on the part of the authorities concerned to take action against a person called Bhareti who had allegedly committed crimes of abductions, extortions and robbery.

The LLRC states that an investigation should be carried out into the incident in which 600 police officers were killed during the conflict after they were ordered to lay down arms and surrender and had strongly recommended the need to address the issues of Muslims who were evicted and the Sinhalese families affected by the war. (Kelum Bandara and Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 28

Liyanage Saturday, 17 December 2011 09:20 AM

There are enough reports: past and present cope reports now LRRC But so far what have they done about THESE reports

ase Sunday, 18 December 2011 02:59 AM

LLRC, COPE what will happen ?? nothing,absolutly nothing, it is even pity for the paper been usued. do no blame the system, it is the greedy people who manupulate the system for own advantages. ex. when the father brings a knife home for mother to easy kitchen work and the foolish son stab a person with it, who is to blame ???? the father or the son ??? or the knife ??? think !!!! how did other countries gain such a devolopement ???? with honesty and hard work
with correct politics and honest polititions who love their motherland and not to root her down. i started schooling in 1958 and up to date we are a devoloping country, when are we hoping to devolope ???? think how politions of all parties have con and let the folk bleed, shame on all polititions an their advices.

meranchim Sunday, 18 December 2011 02:50 AM

suaver ruling political body take the law in their hand we cant any Justice even from the police and even from the court many proof i got........i

indika0000 Saturday, 17 December 2011 05:34 PM

Best comment I hear for sometime....

Engineer Saturday, 17 December 2011 02:46 PM

yes

ampare son Saturday, 17 December 2011 01:27 PM

Does not apply this question.

Engineer Saturday, 17 December 2011 01:26 PM

de-list police from MoD? big mistakes. all agency responsible for security weather internal or external should be working on a single page on a single data base.

we have seen mistakes that can happen when internal and external security agencies operate on by themselves

xlntgson Saturday, 17 December 2011 01:09 PM

Sri Lankan Political Culture: A few (10%) hawks sideline majority (90%) doves!

kumaraya Saturday, 17 December 2011 12:05 PM

Perumal, you are right! There is no sanctity of law, as the Parliament is UNDER the President!! If the Parliament looses power then the Judiciary also looses power and the people are held hostage.

The only thing that we Sri Lankans had something to be proud of, or to take joy in was our cricket team. Now that too is gone, thanks to politics. Only the living God can save us.

steve Saturday, 17 December 2011 11:51 AM

Please dont tell us that LLRC wasted all the time and money just to tell what we already know?
unless we have a remedy this information means nothing to the public!

nilame Saturday, 17 December 2011 11:36 AM

By generalising the whole issue and providing some general observations, the commission has wilfully neglected the specific crimes committed during the final days of the war and the preceding days. This is going to be another COPE or PAC report. This is a cynical attempt at covering the truth, which will not provide any road map towards reconciliation.

Tintin Saturday, 17 December 2011 10:56 AM

Good one! usual scenario of NATO ( no action talk only) is also well known to follow suite.

Ellepola Saturday, 17 December 2011 10:44 AM

Yes, we could do that but unfortunatley in our constitution we have items forced upon us at gun point (13) so we have have a patriotic leader (who ever he is) in power at the helm. Hindu scriptures say If you want to unite with the god (heaven) you got to go through Lord Shiva the supreme lord who destroys all karma .

dammika Saturday, 17 December 2011 10:27 AM

Most of thhe recomendation of the LLRC I havent seen howe ever peoples executive power should not be given to no body exept parliament , countrys law and oder should be in hands of the justice system not with the politicco , Right now nothing is in oder no one is respecting to the law , need to re structure evry thing with the mind set of evry one , law shoul be in the hands of justice system not with politicco;

C.K.Lankaputhra Friday, 16 December 2011 09:18 PM

Another Commission Report never to be implemented.

NAIDE Saturday, 17 December 2011 08:46 AM

THIS LESSON WE LEARNT LONG BEFORE THE COMMISSION EVEN SAT FOR ITS DELIBERATIONS !

Sober-guy Saturday, 17 December 2011 07:47 AM

Most of the matters here are well known to the public for a long time but no one dares to ask any question.

Chamara Saturday, 17 December 2011 07:23 AM

Is LRRC 100% independat?

Hareesz Saturday, 17 December 2011 07:14 AM

It is just another report. All suggestions etc will be forgotten soon.

ibadun nizar Saturday, 17 December 2011 06:59 AM

This is/was a practice that appointing commissions and getting recommendations and no one willing to implement strongly , Dear President, please implement better solution for all citizens as citizen,

Lafir Saturday, 17 December 2011 06:49 AM

Appreciate the LLRC reporting the truth clearly. But people do not understand this truth as majority of them have already become stooges like in the kingdoms of ancient rulers. The UNP introduced this bizarre, and the UPFA has been promoting it today thereby making graft, thuggery, favoritism and plundering public property order of the day.
No solution to be seen in the offing, and nobody can expect such as well under the present circumstances.

Eddy Saturday, 17 December 2011 06:51 AM

LLRC had done their job, properly, but who's going to implement it? MR & his cronies? MR better implement it properly and fast,or he will have to face the International community or even a Gaddafi style exist !! The recent dismissal of Gen Sarath Fonsekas appeal shows, what pathetic levels our judiciary had stooped to!!
De linking the Police from the Defense ministry(Gotabaya) and managed by a proper Police Commoission is a must!! Then they can arrest all these crooked politicians & their goons, and the rule of LAW WILL PREVAIL. Presidency too should be abolished! This position is the biggest curse for SL!

MEP Saturday, 17 December 2011 06:30 AM

Gee LLRC, we knew all that even before you published

Labby Saturday, 17 December 2011 05:59 AM

There's nothing new mentioned in this report. These issues were always known to us. And what about an independent elections commission? Was nothing mentioned about that?

Mishra Saturday, 17 December 2011 05:40 AM

Barathi...Is he the one now working as a Ampara District coordinating Secretory for President????

Nodrog Saturday, 17 December 2011 05:27 AM

Identifying the problem is good but what will anything be done about it?

perumal Saturday, 17 December 2011 04:56 AM

How to empower people when president (a politician) is placed above the law, above the constitution? Even Lord Buddha, when He saw that there was no one superior to Him, appointed Dhamma as his Guru. Why not consider Constitution as supreme instead of the president? Even company law is geared to protect minority share-holders' interests. Why can not the constitution/tradition ensure rights of minorities so that they can not be withdrawn by even two third or even 100% majority?

Ranjith Gunawaradana Saturday, 17 December 2011 12:18 AM

Since 1977 under JRJ dhamariste rule sri lanka people become voiceless,all freedom of speech, association and orginization right had been removed from opposition politicial parties.But JRJ granteed free and liberity for anachist-terrorist groupe of JVP clan to function politcial actvities to underminne
politicial democratic culture of Sri Lanka.And LTTE to move and work of armed tranning in north-east been freely allow to operate by JRJ_UNP.This was agenda of West politicial line of UNP politics in NEWAGE of UNP democratic model.
Result of such move country become land for wars,vilonces armed strggles thought out island.That was one part of undermine whole nation of srilanka.

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People made helpless, powerless by political culture – LLRC

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