Sri Lankan Cabinet Ministers approve proposal for establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal for the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism in the island nation on the lines of Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. Earlier in March this year, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry and Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe visited South Africa to discuss the working of the Commission.

Mr. Sabry had tweeted that he got insightful inputs, and added that a credible and transparent domestic Truth and Reconciliation Commission could be the solution to deal with intrusive and agenda-driven attempts. In October 2018, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was then Prime Minister, presented a Cabinet Memorandum together with a 26-page Concept Paper that was to form the basis for such a body. As President, Mr. Wickremesinghe has renewed efforts for setting up of the Commission. Several affected Tamils had been demanding to know of the whereabouts of thousands missing in the island nation which was affected by a three decade long armed conflict. However, there is scepticism among certain sections, as efforts were made earlier in 2015 also under pressure from the United Nations Human Rights body which were not followed up.