‘Peace, the ultimate human right’:

Lanka’s resettlement program a model to the world - Lankan envoy

WASHINGTON: Sri Lanka’s continued economic expansion, job creation and redevelopment are central to the effort to sustain lasting peace nearly two years after the defeat of terrorism, according to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya told an Asia Society breakfast meeting, that “Peace is the ultimate human right, and without it nations cannot prosper and citizens cannot be happy.” “Our view is that economic growth and prosperity will continue to guarantee post-conflict stability.” The breakfast forum was moderated by Ambassador Teresita Schaffer, who served as US envoy to Sri Lanka in the mid-1990s.

She raised questions about the criticism of Sri Lanka’s military as it defeated the LTTE terrorist group in May 2009.

Ambassador Wickramasuriya said that the LTTE held civilians as human shields, and that Sri Lankan troops moved slowly into LTTE areas to prevent casualties and also open rescue paths for civilians. Eventually, the civilians successfully fled from the LTTE to government controlled areas.

“This humanitarian operation was a model for the whole world,” the Ambassador said. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s clear instructions to the forces were, rescue the civilians from the LTTE, but ensure a zero (civilian) casualty rate.

“We set up No Fire Zones and opened rescue paths for civilians.

Sri Lankan soldiers died doing this. We knew where the LTTE leader was. We did not want to harm civilians. That is how the civilians were rescued. In fact, 12,000 terrorists also escaped in the guise of civilians. We have since resettled all civilians and have rehabilitated terrorists and provide them jobs and educational facilities.” “Since then, not one single incident or death had occurred due to terrorism in Sri Lanka.”

Most of the Asia Society discussion focused on Sri Lanka’s economy, which has shown an 8 percent GDP growth, two years after the end of terrorism despite the global economic downturn.

Foreign investments in Sri Lanka should top $1 billion this year, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

“Last month I accompanied officials of nine US companies to Sri Lanka so that they could explore investment opportunities. These companies included Boeing, John Deere and Coca-Cola, Transinnova, AGL Partners and Venture Global Partners.

“Starwood Hotels, Hilton and Marriott have all shown renewed interest in Sri Lanka and are currently scouting sites in Colombo for resort properties.”

Tourism has rebounded with a 48 percent increase in 2010 compared to 2009, the Ambassador said.