Government notes importance of addressing human rights issues

The Government yesterday noted the importance of addressing human rights-related issues following the end of the war.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Harsha de Silva said that addressing human rights concerns would not only heal individual wounds but would also protect the country’s future.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at an event held in Jaffna yesterday to mark national reconciliation week.

Dr. De Silva said that people in Sri Lanka had been affected by violence.

He also noted that many continued to suffer as the fate of their loved ones who disappeared was not known.

“Respect for the rule of law and political stability is crucial for development,” he added.

The Deputy Minister said that he hoped Cabinet would approve the much awaited Human Rights National Action Plan when it met tomorrow.

He said that there were no shortcuts in the reconciliation process and Sri Lanka would take time to complete the process based on a roadmap.

The Deputy Minister also said that the issue of language was what kept communities apart.

He said children today had the potential of resolving the issue by learning the two national languages. (Colombo Gazette)