STATEMENT BY A GROUP OF CONCERNED SRILANKANS
""The attached statement is the result of discussion and reflection by a group of individuals whose thoughts and ideas on these issues are not firmly fixed. It is, in the best sense, a work in progress, but considered by this group as needed at this time to start a process of reflection and action. Some of the expressions in the statement, because of the way in which they are cast and if taken out of context, may cause unintended distress to some citizens. All signatories do not agree completely with the entire text but have reached a consensus on the core approach. We welcome suggestions to take this discussion further in a productive direction.""
We have come together as a concerned group of Sri Lankans recognizing that we are living at a time when momentous events are shaping the destiny of our country. The recent trends and developments in all parts of the country will determine the course of the future for many generations to come. It is a time which calls for sustained vigilance and constructive action on the part of all citizens.
The prospect of a successful end to the war and the brutal violence we have experienced during the last three decades has brought an immense feeling of relief to all our people. We applaud the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces in creating the conditions for the restoration of democracy. In the words of President Mahinda Rajapakse in his Independence Day speech, the end of the war ushers us into a new future of expectations - a future that can truly fulfil the promise of our independence. These feelings however are tempered by the deep anguish and helplessness we feel at the plight of our fellow citizens who have been held captive by the LTTE. The efforts that have been made to ensure safe passage to these civilians out of the war zone should be redoubled and repeated.
The acts of violence against the media and the killings of the journalists including the brutal murder of the chief editor of the Sunday Leader have appalled all peace loving citizens and seem to portend a different darker future. They are acts directed against the basic right that citizens enjoy in a democracy to express their views and opinions freely on public issues and be critical of government and other groups. They appear to signify a dangerous trend that can undermine the foundation of democracy and lead to a regime in which individual freedom for dissent and disagreement is suppressed with violence and murder.
The main challenges facing the government, the political parties and civil society as a whole are those of fulfilling the expectations generated by the events in the North and dispelling the grave fears and doubts that have arisen in the wake of the many recent acts of violence against the exercise of democratic rights.
It is imperative that the end of the war be celebrated without a trace of triumphalism and without any racial or partisan overtones. It must be celebrated as a victory of democracy and freedom over a regime of terrorism and suppression of freedom, a victory in which all communities can share. All public and official events around the conclusion of the war must be sensitive to the aspirations of every community and become a means of forging a genuine foundation of national harmony. Above all, as stated by the President, the victory has to be seen as the restoration of the sovereignty of the people in the North and the East and this has to be demonstrated through political institutions of genuine participatory democracy based on the principle of subsidiarity throughout the country. The victory of democracy over terrorism will be hollow if it is not followed by these political reforms.
The constitutional safeguards for good governance as provided for in the 17th amendment such as the Constitutional Council and the Elections Commission need to be effectively activated without delay and the freedom of speech and the media protected through new legislation which includes the right to information. The fruits of peace should result in accelerated economic growth and human development which will raise the standards of living of people in all parts of the country, equitably.
The main challenges facing the government, the political parties and civil society as a whole are those of fulfilling the expectations generated by the events in the North and dispelling the grave fears and doubts that have arisen in the wake of the many recent acts of violence against the exercise of democratic rights.
The constitutional safeguards for good governance as provided for in the 17th amendment such as the Constitutional Council and the Elections Commission need to be effectively activated without delay and the freedom of speech and the media protected through new legislation which includes the right to information. The fruits of peace should result in accelerated economic growth and human development which will raise the standards of living of people in all parts of the country, equitably. The main challenges facing the government, the political parties and civil society as a whole are those of fulfilling the expectations generated by the events in the North and dispelling the grave fears and doubts that have arisen in the wake of the many recent acts of violence against the exercise of democratic rights.
It is imperative that the end of the war be celebrated without a trace of triumphalism and without any racial or partisan overtones. It must be celebrated as a victory of democracy and freedom over a regime of terrorism and suppression of freedom, a victory in which all communities can share. All public and official events around the conclusion of the war must be sensitive to the aspirations of every community and become a means of forging a genuine foundation of national harmony. Above all, as stated by the President, the victory has to be seen as the restoration of the sovereignty of the people in the North and the East and this has to be demonstrated through political institutions of genuine participatory democracy based on the principle of subsidiarity throughout the country. The victory of democracy over terrorism will be hollow if it is not followed by these political reforms.
The constitutional safeguards for good governance as provided for in the 17th amendment such as the Constitutional Council and the Elections Commission need to be effectively activated without delay and the freedom of speech and the media protected through new legislation which includes the right to information.
The fruits of peace should result in accelerated economic growth and human development which will raise the standards of living of people in all parts of the country, equitably.
Managing the future that is emerging requires a profound transformation of our politics and full commitment to the core human values of a just society. The challenges we face transcend the narrow partisan agendas of gaining or retaining power. We urge all political parties to rise above divisive partisan rivalry, forge a national consensus and commit themselves collectively to deal with the critical issues that face the country. In this regard the two main parties have a special responsibility.
The primary responsibility for leading this country into this new era is borne by the elected President, Mahinda Rajapakse. In as much as he has brought the divided parts of the country together, the task of bringing the people of the country together through the just fulfilment of the social economic political and cultural aspirations of all, lies with him. We pledge our full support to all efforts that lead to this end.
Civil Society Forum
The Civil Society Forum is organized as one of the main activities of the Institute to deal with social, economic and political issues of national importance. Its main objective is to explore and examine the policy alternatives to enable Sri Lanka to realize its full potential for human development. Work in this area will lead to an annual publication.
The main themes which will be dealt with in the Forum are:
(i) Development policy to Promote Human Development
The themes will under this heading will be selected from issues arising out of the analysis of the Mahinda Chintana referred to later and will include:
- Policy Challenges in integrating Growth with Equity.
- Reduction of Inequality, region ethnic class and implications for human development and poverty reduction.
- Critical Issues in Health.
- Critical Issues in Higher Education.
- Critical Issues in the Energy Sector.
- Policy Challenges of the Aging Society in Sri Lanka.
- The Quality of the Environment.
- Needs of Adolescents and Youths - Policies and institutional responses.
(ii) Democratic processes
- Policies and institutions for promoting participatory governance- operationalising the principle of subsidiary and sovereignty of the people.
- Accountability , Access to public information and the right to information on all state activities from the GN Division upwards.
- Civil Society action to Prevent Corruption - promoting an anti-corruption culture.
- Review of Institutions under the 17th Amendment.
- Parliament and the Democratic Process.
- Political Parties and Accountability of Politicians.
- The Public Accountability of Civil Society Organizations.
- Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
(c) Resolving the Ethnic Conflict and promoting Peace
- Constitutional Reforms for a Lasting Political Settlement.
- Human Rights – International Surveillance and National Capacity for Protection of Human Rights.
- Truth and Reconciliation for Peace – Unresolved Issues of Past Human Rights Violations.
- The Transition from Militancy and Armed struggle to democratic politics.
- Participatory Processes and Institutions for Human Security - the Relations between Police Armed Forces and the People.
- Inter- religious Dialogue for Ethnic and Religious Harmony and Peace Building
