UN financially supporting domestic mechanism

A leaked United Nations document over reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, , was raised at the United Nations noon news briefing, following a programme on Britain's Channel 4.

Here are excerpts from a report in the New York-based Inner City Press:

"Inner City Press: yesterday I'd asked you about Sri Lanka and this memo that's emerged where the UN appears to be working for a purely national mechanism. And the foreign ministry spokesman there has spoken today about Mr. Feltman's trip and has mentioned the Peacebuilding Fund. So I wanted to ask you more specifically, is Mr. Taranco and the Peacebuilding Fund considering funding a purely national accountability mechanism in Sri Lanka contrary to what's been said here and to the Human Rights Council report that's due in September?

"Spokesman Dujarric: I think what I can tell you is that the UN supports the Government and the people of Sri Lanka and their efforts to advance reconciliation and accountability as evidenced by commitments made by the Secretary General and during the Under- Secretary- General's recent visit - Feltman's recent visit to Sri Lanka. In this regard, we're exploring provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance at the request of the Chief Minister, also including the support of the Northern Province to bolster citizen confidence in the peace process. What is currently under discussion for support by the Peacebuilding Fund are initiatives to advance the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka by resettlement of internally displaced persons, national reconciliation, strengthening human rights mechanism, and ending impunity. The UN support is always based on the basis of inclusive and participatory consultations with all key stakeholders. And my understanding is that already $1 million have been dispersed to support resettlement and integration initiatives for the remaining internally displaced people in the north and east on land that's been… on seized land that have been returned by the Government. For the rest, we continue to consult with the Government of Sri Lanka and the Northern Provincial Council and all key stakeholders to finalize the UN support.

"Inner City Press: Are you saying this Peacebuilding Fund support is not for an accountability mechanism that would be entirely national, which is the one denounced by the Tamil group that you mentioned?

"Spokesman: You know, I think the… whether there should be domestic or international process, the… I think what we are looking at is obviously implementing projects both with the support of the Government and the Northern Provincial Council. If I have more, I will share it with you.

"Inner City Press: What about an international mechanism?

"Spokesman: I think, you know, whether it's domestic or international, that will need to be determined. We are obviously awaiting the High Commissioner's report and recom- mendations to make that decision.

"Inner City Press: This has to do with the UN's engagement on the issue of Sri Lanka. There's been a… Channel 4 has published what they say is a leaked UN document in which it appears that the UN is preparing to give its blessing to an entirely national accountability mechanism that would involve the National Provincial… according to the document, Northern Provincial Council, Tamil, which they deny that they ever saw it. They say it's an outrage and would be a… a… kind of selling out the Human Rights Council and any international mechanism. I wanted to know, since I saw the pictures of Mr. [Jeffrey] Feltman meeting with that group and that there was a lot of discussions of documents going back and forth, is the document referred to by Channel 4 a document that Mr. Feltman had?

"Spokesman: Let me see… I don't have any language on that with me here."

PERERA, CHITHRA GURUSINGHE - Devoted mother of Lakshani (General Secretary, Ceylon Bible Society), Kanthi and Santhoshni, mother-in-law of Hilary Fernando & Rohan Rupesinghe, dearest archi of Rakhitha, Charitha and Kshyahla, Kshanika, Hirosh & Manique, daughter of the late Richard and late Kate Gurusinghe, grand-daughter of the late Rev. H.A. and late Emily Nonis. Cortege leaves residence "Singhagiri", 102, Charles Place, (Lunawa Station Road), Moratuwa at 3.15 p.m. on 2nd August for service at the Uyana, Methodist Church and thereafter burial at the Moratumulla Methodist Church Cemetery at 5 p.m. (T.P. Lakshani 0773022521, Kanthi 0773186264.) STM

WEERASENA, Mahinda (Dr.) Passed away peacefully on Tuesday 28 July 2015, aged 92 years. Beloved husband of Manel. Loving father of Nihal (UK) and Shivanti. Father-in-law of Mala and Kumar Mather. Loving grandfather of Jeevaka, Shobini, Inoshi, Ruchira and Rukshan. Brother of the late Upali Weerasena (Galle, Sri Lanka). A service to celebrate Mahinda's life will be held at the All Saints Chapel, 100 St. Johns Road, Meadowbank New Zealand on Monday 3, August at 1.30 p.m.

SITHY ZOWRIAH SAMATH - The death occurred on Monday July 27 of Mrs. Sithy Zowriah Samath residing at 15, Government Press Housing Scheme, Jaela - Ekala. Wife of the late T.B. Samath (former Additional Government Printer), loving mother of Zaithoon, Feizal and Charmeen, mother-in-law of Thyib, Kumudini and late Raju, loving grandmother of Anuranie, Kavinda and late Sofiani (wife of Ishan) and great-grandmother of Zayne and Kiyaan. Janaza was held the same day. STM 486577.

WIJEGOONAWARDENA LALCHANDRA (Attorney-At-Law) (J.P.U.M) - Beloved son of late Muhandiram and Mrs. D.B.W. Wijegoonawardena of Welgama Walauwwa Kalawellawa Bulathsinhala died under tragic circumstances. Remains lie at A.F. Raymond's Funeral Parlour. Cortege leaves at 4.30 p.m on Sunday 2nd August, burial at General Cemetery Borella (General Section). STM