Revisiting Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka: The Rhetoric, Realities & Opportunities
- - on 09/08/2015
2015 witnessed two national elections in Sri Lanka- Presidential and Parliamentary, with a mandate given to President Maithripala Sirisena’s government to usher in much needed reforms. This reform project is likely to include a broad and diverse set of issues including those related to the past and reconciliation, ideally focusing on the four pillars of transitional justice- truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence. There is also talk of establishing what is being tagged as a ‘credible domestic mechanism’, but so far limited progress has been made beyond the rhetoric. Although time and care are needed in the design and deliberations, there is also an urgency in terms of the fundamental issue of the right of victims to truth and justice. It is in this context that one hopes the reform project demonstrates the same commitment, energy and enthusiasm towards transitional justice as is likely to be evident with other issues.
