Govt. says it endorsed adoption of LLRC recommendations

The Government of Sri Lanka, in recognition of the importance of the issues highlighted by the LLRC, endorsed the adoption of its recommendations, stated Minister of External Affairs G. L. Peiris briefing the Heads of Diplomatic Missions on the progress made by the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) in implementing the interim recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

In a series of briefings held on 1 and 2 February, Minister Peiris said that since its establishment, the IAC has met regularly under the Chairmanship of the Attorney General to review and implement the recommendations of the LLRC. These relate to measures to be taken in the broad areas such as Detention, Land issues, Law and Order, Administration and language issues, and Socio-economic and livelihood issues.

The Minister and the Attorney General, who attended the briefings, detailed the action taken by the IAC in each of the above areas, to bring relief to the civilians. The Attorney General further informed the Heads of Mission that he had personally visited the affected areas last week in order to review the progress that had been initiated by the IAC.

The Attorney General also confirmed that shortly, the IAC will issue a detailed report of its progress, and will continue the process of implementation of the IAC recommendations while awaiting the final LLRC report.

By Cabinet Paper dated 27 October, 2010, the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC) was established to implement the recommendations of the LLRC through practical measures and to strengthen the related processes that are already underway.

The LLRC appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa pursuant to the Warrant dated 15 May, 2010, was established with a view to healing the wounds created in the minds of the people as a result of the protracted conflict in order to bring about reconciliation and unity among the people of Sri Lanka. The LLRC had commenced its public sittings on 11 August, 2010.

On 13 September, 2010, the LLRC submitted its interim recommendations. The interim recommendations were based on extensive testimony received by the LLRC during its interaction with affected civilians following field visits to several locations in the conflict-affected areas, including places of detention, rehabilitation and IDP welfare centres. According to the LLRC, the objective of the interim recommendations is to highlight issues which deserve the urgent attention of the GoSL.

The IAAC, chaired by the Attorney General, comprises the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Development, Secretary to the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Secretary to the Presidential Task Force.