Reconciliation efforts, accountability process dominate New York discussions

Prof. Peiris meets SA, Indonesia and UK counterparts

Sri Lanka, facing a fresh accountability investigation at the behest of HRC Chief Michelle Bachelet, as announced at the 48th session of the Geneva council, has discussed ongoing post-war reconciliation efforts and the accountability process with South Africa. Prof. Peiris also deliberated the same with the British Minister of State for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon. Both meetings took place in New York on the sidelines of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and South African Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Dr. Naledi Pandor have taken up the issues at hand at the Permanent Mission of South Africa. The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, a former Commander of the Navy.

Prof. Peiris has pointed out that Sri Lanka had closely looked at South Africa’s rich experience and unique history in the areas of reconciliation and truth. Having acknowledged that many aspects were particular to South Africa’s own national experience, Prof. Peiris said Sri Lanka had carefully reflected on some aspects of this experience.

Prof. Peiris briefed Dr. Pandor about Sri Lanka’s own initiatives, including its own Office of Missing Persons and Office of Reparations and their contribution towards Sri Lanka’s post conflict development and national unity. Both mechanisms had been set up in terms of the 2015 Geneva resolution co-sponsored by the then Yahapalana government.

Minister Pandor has declared that South Africa was pleased to share their experiences and lessons with countries looking to address post conflict issues and noted they were presently sharing some elements on reconciliation with South Sudan and that they were still involved with issues related to the return of remains of many who had died in the freedom struggle outside South Africa and that they continued to learn lessons in addressing past human rights abuses and on issues related to reparations, amnesty and justice.

War-ravaged South Sudan was recognized as the newest country in the world on July 09, 2011. The declaration was made in the wake of a six-year peace process based on a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. However, the Security Council, having determined that the situation therein continued to constitute a threat, established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) to consolidate peace and security and to help establish conditions for development.

Foreign Minister Peiris underscored the need to adapt South Africa’s inspiring national experience to each country’s unique circumstances and challenges. The Minister noted that Sri Lanka was also looking at similar issues, related to post conflict, to bring matters to a closure, following the end of the conflict.

Minister Peiris invited his counterpart to visit Sri Lanka to expand on the rich bilateral relations between the two sides. Minister Pandora also extended an invitation for the Minister to visit South Africa and renew close ties.

Prof. Peiris was on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s delegation to UNGA.

Prof. Peiris has discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, investment opportunities available in the Port City and elsewhere, resumption of tourism, and matters relating to development and reconciliation with particular reference to relations with Tamil expatriate groups. The UK is home to the influential Global Tamil Forum (GTF) that represents expatriate communities.

Minister Peiris briefed Lord Ahmad in detail about the substantial progress on the ground in a variety of sectors by domestic institutions, despite constraints imposed by the Covid pandemic. Lord Ahmad has accepted an invitation extended by Minister Peiris to visit Sri Lanka at his early convenience.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi has emphasised the need to finalise a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) meant to enhance bilateral trade when she welcomed Prof. Peiris to the Indonesia mission in New York. The Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasised the priority should be to strengthen bilateral relations with a special focus on economic cooperation.

Declaring that both Sri Lanka and Indonesia share a keen interest in Indian Ocean security, Prof. Peiris stressed the importance of empowering the Indian Ocean Rim Association and ASEAN Regional Forum. Minister Peiris has also appreciated the cooperation in defence, intelligence sharing and staff level consultations with regards to countering terrorism and other forms of maritime crimes. (SF)