Britain suggests Sri Lanka to follow Mandela’s example for reconciliation
Thursday, 12 December 2013 00:57
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London: Sri Lanka should follow Mandela’s example to bring peace and unity to the country’s people, the UK Government suggests.
Paying tribute to the former South African leader, late Nelson Mandela in the House of Commons of UK parliament on Monday, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said Sri Lanka should emulate South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process.
Clegg said that Nelson Mandela laid down a “blueprint” that has made it possible for other divided communities, such as in Northern Ireland, to reject violence, overcome their differences and make a fresh beginning.
“That is why I hope, in communities where people are still struggling to replace violence and conflict with peace and stability, that the principles of forgiveness and reconciliation that Mandela embodied are followed by others too,” he said.
He noted that recently the House debated the alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
“Surely there could be no better way for that country to heal its wounds and bring peace and unity to all its people than to follow Mandela’s example and emulate South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process,” the Deputy Prime Minister of Britain said.
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, already showing interest in learning more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa and its process and the outcome, discussed the South African model with the country’s President Jacob Zuma when the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo last month.
