'Address grievances first'

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Commenting on the Government's reconciliation efforts, Jaffna District Parliamentarian of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Suresh Premachandran said that before bringing in reconciliation measures, the grievances of the Tamil people need to be addressed.

The Cabinet in early February approved the setting up of a Presidential Task Force on Reconciliation on a Cabinet paper presented by President Maithripala Sirisena.

According to Cabinet spokesman Minister Rajitha Senaratne, this Task Force will comprise seven members and identify immediate problems that need to be addressed expeditiously.

"The Government is trying to bring in a system derived from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa but before that the people in the North wish to get back the ownership of their original lands and some people need to be properly resettled. I think before we talk about reconciliation communities need to return to normalcy," Premachandran said.

"Persons who have toiled to bring in reconciliation were not consulted by successive Governments," complained the leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front, V. Anandasangaree.

"Governments have failed to recognise the efforts of such people," he said.

If the Government wishes to be successful in its reconciliation program they need to consult the correct people and groups which worked to establish peace and harmony in the country.

The Task Force that has been appointed by the President will make recommendations to alleviate the hardships caused to citizens as a result of the conflict, study and make recommendations with regard to persons under detention and regarding all other matters.