Sri Lanka respects the principles underlined in the UN Secuirty Council’s thematic resolutions since 1999 and its commitment was demonstrated in the manner in which Sri Lanka addressed civilian protection issues during the conflict with the terrorist LTTE and the speed and efficacy with which it is now addressing, post conflict issues such as IDP resettlement, rehabilitation, post-conflict reconstruction and development, and accountability and reconciliation issues, Dr. Palitha T.B. Kohona, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations said.
Addressing the UN Security Council Open Debate yesterday he said during almost three decades of combating terrorism in in Sri Lanka, the government took utmost care to draw a clear distinction between civilians and terrorists. " Those who are intent on dismissing this effort will continue to do so. But, successive Governments had ensured a continuous supply of essential goods and services such as food, free health services and education to the Tamil civilians in the North and the East of the country over the twenty seven years of the conflict despite the control that the terrorists had over them. While allegations of infractions have emerged after the end of the conflict, these allegations were not heard until the end became abundantly clear to the terrorist LTTE. Once the end of the terrorists became obvious, a well oiled propaganda machine began to churn out reams of allegations to set the stage to continue the conflict by other means", he said.
Dr. Kohona said that the challenges posed by terrorism in many parts of the world today may necessitate a re-evaluation of the rules of military engagement. Much of the rules of war are based on the presumption that the parties to a conflict are conventional armies of responsible states engaging other state parties.
" But terrorists disregard these laws and principles as they wage asymmetric warfare. They mingle with and use civilians to achieve their goals. Whether it is one human being that is held as a human shield or many, the fact remains that theirs is an inhumane strategy that existing International Humanitarian Law has not adequately factored in. Once again, the practical realities based on the experiences of Member States must be seriously looked at instead of a theoretical application of one size fits all humanitarian framework. One size does not fit all, and the complex Sri Lankan experience seems to demonstrate that reality",he said.