External timelines would hinder reconciliation: Lanka tells UN
Sri Lanka told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday (13) that timelines evolved externally would only hinder the country’s reconciliation process.
Speaking during a one-day debate titled “Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Transitional Justice in conflict and post- conflict situations,” Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative Kshenuka Senewiratne stated that such externally evolved timelines would hinder the reconciliation process since they would be “bereft of ground realities.”
The ambassador added that when seeking mechanisms of transitional justice, related simple theories would need to also take cognizance of the various historical, cultural and religious sensitivities.
Ms. Senewiratne said the basic tenet of a transitional justice process was the application of its theoretical principles on State obligations and it was the State that needed to pursue truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.
Sri Lanka's envoy pointed out that newly elected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had pledged to work towards guaranteeing human rights and political and economic freedom for his people in a truly democratic Sri Lanka.
She informed the Security Council that Sri Lanka’s engagement at the debate was in keeping with the Government’s vision for a country that embodied the universal values of human rights, justice, rule of law and good governance, while ensuring economic dividends to its people.
She said Sri Lanka looked forward to continuing its cooperation with the international community through capacity building and technical assistance in mutually agreed areas, in keeping with domestic priorities and policies.