More measures needed to take forward reconciliation: UNP

Monday, 18 May 2020 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday said more steps need to be taken to push forward reconciliation measures begun by the former Government and reduce ethnic and religious divides in Sri Lanka.

Given below is the full statement released by the UNP to mark the end of the conflict.

As we mark the 11th anniversary of the end of our nation’s Civil War, we take the time to remember all those who lost their lives in the conflict and the contributions made by our brave security forces.

For over 30 years, our nation was divided along ethnic lines, with our citizens pitted against one another. The end of the war marked a new chapter in our country’s history, providing Sri Lankans with an opportunity to move forward and heal the wounds of the past.

The United National Party suffered greatly at the hands of terrorism. As a party, we have always been committed to ensuring a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict within a unitary state.

During our tenure in Government from 2015, we, as a party, promoted measures that would address the grievances of those who suffered during and after the war by find a lasting political settlement.

We made significant progress but a few more measures must be finalised to complete this process. It is only through discussion and engagement can we, as leaders of our country, hope to reduce the ethnic and religious divides, and prevent further bloodshed on our soil. We must do this for the future generations. Acts of racism and ethnic violence will only hamper that settlement.