Thursday, 5 March 2015 01:37
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SRI Lanka has a fleeting chance to fix the mistakes of the past. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffery Feltman during his visit reminded officials of this and outlined the significant deadline the country faces in September.
Since the appointment of President Maithripala Sirisena, the Government has laid out a much more balanced foreign policy, losing almost no time in resetting its engagement with the world. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in his address in Geneva moved away from the triumphalist speeches of the past years and extolled a conciliatory tone that was met with renewed confidence from the international community.
Understandably, it will take many more months of discussions for Sri Lanka to emerge from its hazy reputation. However, now that the promises have been made Colombo is under the eagle eye of the international community to make certain that pledged steps towards reconciliation will be implemented. Having had its patience worn thin over the years due to the feet-dragging of the previous administration, the international community will be looking for swift action and possibly back tougher consequences if promises are unfulfilled.
This was never more evident than in the statement made by the UNHRC. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has said “I give my personal, absolute and unshakeable commitment that the report will be published by September” and that he had received a clear commitment from the new Sri Lankan authorities to cooperate on various issues related to the UN investigation. This alone shows the high stakes game Sri Lanka is engaged in.
The High Commissioner noted that the three distinguished experts, who were appointed by his predecessor Navi Pillay to advise the investigation, had informed him that, in their unanimous view, a one-off temporary deferral would be the best option to allow space for the new Government to show its willingness to cooperate on human rights issues. So far the willingness has been obvious and it has been backed by action but stronger efforts will be called for in the next few months.
Back home, the Government still has a tough balancing act. Certain key demands of Tamil politicians such as allowing land and police powers as well as demilitarising the north can have deep implications to the fragile coalition, especially with general elections round the corner. Allowing UN officials to assist in investigations of the missing will also cause deep fissures on the ground with pro-nationalist forces already seeing it as an attempt to undermine the military.
Sirisena throughout his campaign insisted military presence in the peninsula will not be reduced and he will retain the Defence Ministry post even after executive powers are trimmed. Yet, maintaining this stance and not being caught out by a wily Opposition during the next round of polls will certainly be a challenge. Extra pressure will also be exerted on the United National Party to make sure it bags sufficient seats to continue its present policy superiority.
The Government will also have to push forward on human rights issues unconnected to reconciliation but still focused on by the UNHRC. One such instance was the Welikada Prison riot in 2012, which the Government has appointed a new probe on and assured the report will be published. With less than 50 days to go, the countdown has begun.
