RECONCILIATION IN THE HANDS OF SL PEOPLE: MONCHAU

French Ambassador Jean-Paul Monchau, during an official visit to the Northern Province, noted that reconciliation could only be carried through by the will of all Sri Lankans themselves, in the setting of a united country and with the co-operation of partner countries.

While in Jaffna, he held a meeting with the Governor of the Northern Province, G. A. Chandrasiri, and was provided with detailed information about the changes that had taken place in the Province since the end of the war, particularly in terms of advances made in the fields of reconstruction, rehabilitation, and infrastructure. He was also shown the initiatives taken by the government in terms of the economic development in the Province.

At a meeting with the Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council, C. V. K. Sivagnanam, the Ambassador had the opportunity to discuss issues relating to land ownership, the functioning of institutions and the politics of language. Mr Sivagnanam reiterated the hope of the population to continue to live in peace with dignity

He noted that reconciliation could only be carried through by the will of all Sri Lankans themselves

and with respect for the identity of Tamils. These issues were also brought up spontaneously by representatives of Jaffna’s civil society over a luncheon to which the Centre for Women and Development, the Social Organisation for Networking Development, the Red Cross, Caritas and Sarvodaya North were invited by the Ambassador.

Paying a visit to the Uthayan Newspaper, the Ambassador congratulated its editor-in-chief, Kanamailnathan, for winning the International Press Freedom award given by the French organisation “Reporters without Borders” and discussed the existence of press freedom in the country with him.

In Kilinochchi, the Ambassador also met with Government Agent, R. Ketheeswaran, and discussed the situation of the district’s population, including the construction of housing for the vulnerable populations, efforts made to improve the situation of women, specifically that of widows.