Saturday , 16 February 2013
Alistair Burt the Parliamentary undersecretary of state at the foreign and the Commonwealth office said, despite the “fading of the manifestations of conflict, the root causes are not”.
He said further, allegations must be investigated, and if crimes were committed, whether by liberation tigers or government forces, those responsible must be brought to justice.
I visited the north and the capital. I met displaced families, and Tamils trying to rebuild their lives. Much has been done. The economy is growing and infrastructure in the conflict zone is being rebuilt and expanded.
Large areas have also been demined, allowing for a significant reduction in Internally Displaced People.
Detractors point to a host of reasons why progress has been slow. Some argue that the Government is justified in reconciling on its own terms. They also point out, often accurately, that there is more to do by all sides to advance a political settlement.
Yet there is one very good reason that the Government should do more; . If you don't make every effort to give people a stake in politics and if you fail to hold to account those responsible for the crimes of the past, you sow the seeds for future conflict. It is now time for the needed to heal the wounds
2013 will be an important year in Sri Lanka: in November it plans to hold the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The UK has not yet made a decision on attendance.
CHOGM is a time to recall the values uniting the Commonwealth values. The Sri Lankan Government must think through exactly what will be seen when the international spotlight shines upon them. As host, we look to them not only to adhere to the Commonwealth values of good governance, the rule of law and human rights, but to champion them.
