LLRC recommendations require systematic implementation – Liberal
Party
The Liberal Party has studied the recommendations in the LLRC report
and believes these could be used to promote consensus and as a starting
point for national integration and reconciliation, said “Secretary
General Kamal Nissanka in a news release”.
He said the Liberal Party sees the recommendations as dealing with
three areas. Firstly, it deals with measures to restore normality with
regard to problems that occurred during the long effort to overcome
terrorism. In this regard, the party welcomes the recommendations
regarding disappearances, rehabilitation and law enforcement mechanism
as required for surrendered cadre, and protection for vulnerable groups.
“It is pleased that the government has moved swiftly with regard to
resettlement and rehabilitation, but believes that, as the Commission
recommends, measures to promote livelihood, including much better and
more comprehensive training programs, and the provision of credit
facilities are essential. We support a program for household survey of
those affected by the conflict and also the drafting of legislation to
overcome continuing uncertainty about the missing. Control of the
actions of armed groups is also essential and in this regard we have
long talked of the need for strengthening the police and ensuring
professionalism as well as accountability”.
Even more important are recommendations with regard to causes of
unrest and in particular the role played by restrictive language
policies. We note that several recommendations made now were first
advanced by the Liberal Party in the program it put forward at its
inception 25 years ago. We thus welcome the recommendations on the
national, mixed school with ethnic and religious diversity, equal
language rights, and better language teaching. We also welcome the
recognition that power must be given back to the people, through
devolution on the basis of nine provinces, but also with greater
responsibility to smaller units.” Nissanka said.
Regarding accountability, we welcome the recognition of the Report
that there is no basis for wild general allegations, while affirming
that incidents about which clear allegations with details are available
should be further investigated, the release said.
It said, “ We note too the recommendations with regard to ensuing a
coherent land policy are important and the Liberal Party also expects
from all political parties not to use the issue of land policy for mere
political advantage. Ensuring that the landless affected by the conflict
are given adequate land is however a priority”.
The Liberal Party also supports the recommendations by the Commission
that hate speech should be avoided in all situations and reiterates the
need to engage with the hostile Diaspora in a constructive manner. The
Liberal Party affirms that coherent action is essential and hopes that
effective mechanisms that may be held accountable are soon put in place.
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