19.09.13 - Media Release
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- Friday, 20 September 2013
POST-ELECTION COOPERATION WILL BE CRUCIAL TO SRI LANKA’S UNITY AND PEOPLE’S DEVELOPMENT
The forthcoming election to the Northern Provincial Council on Saturday is the most significant political development relating to the ethnic conflict since the end of the war. By and large the run up to the elections have been free and fair which speaks well for the government and makes reconciliation more feasible. The establishment of a provincial council for the Northern Province is an advance over the existing situation of centralized rule in which the military continues to play an inordinate role. In principle the establishment of the Northern Provincial Council will give to the people of the North, the same devolved power that the people in the other eight provinces enjoy, a right to which they are entitled.
SIDE STEPPING THE ISSUES THAT NAVI PILLAY RAISED -- Jehan Perera
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- Monday, 16 September 2013
The country is heading towards provincial council elections in which the government is the strong favourite in two of the three provinces where elections are to be held. The victory in war enables the government leadership to have a strong hold over the larger number of voters in the country, who continue to be grateful that the government succeeded in what once seemed impossible. But unfortunately, the government has been unable to broad-base its political support to extend to the ethnic minorities. The pragmatic political calculation of the government appears to be one of continuing to rely on Sinhalese nationalism to deliver it the votes. But if the country is to be truly united, the government has to show that it is embracing all communities, and not just the largest one.
RESPOND POSITIVELY TO ISSUES RAISED DURING MS PILLAY’S VISIT -- Jehan Perera
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- Wednesday, 04 September 2013
The recently concluded visit to Sri Lanka of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay was in pursuance of two resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council in relation to serious human rights problems in the country. The visit enabled the Commissioner to see the country situation at first hand without having to rely on the interpretations of other interlocutors. She met with a wide range of stakeholders, including leaders of the government, opposition, civil society and war victims. In her concluding statement to the media, the visiting Commissioner appreciated the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to give her access to all parts of the country and to all persons she wished to meet, and facilitating her visit in general, which she described as “excellent cooperation”.
Media Release 2013-09-02
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- Wednesday, 04 September 2013
TAKE STEPS TO MOVE IN DEMOCRATIC DIRECTION IN AFTERMATH OF UN VISIT
The recently concluded visit to Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay was in pursuance of two resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council in relation to serious human rights problems in the country. The visit enabled the Commissioner to see the country situation at first hand without having to rely on the interpretations of other interlocutors. She met with a wide range of stakeholders, including leaders of the government, opposition, civil society and war victims. In her concluding statement to the media, the visiting Commissioner appreciated the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to give her access to all parts of the country and to all persons she wished to meet, and facilitating her visit in general, which she described as “excellent cooperation”. It was most unfortunate therefore that unwarranted and unsavoury criticisms were directed against this internationally respected UN official.
