De-militarisation of the North-East to be complete next year

De-militarisation of the North-East will be complete by next year, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said at a side event held at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

He also called?on the international community to give Sri Lanka a chance amidst civil society concerns of the Government’s slow progress and reneging on its commitment to the UN Human Rights Council resolution and accountability and reconciliation, the Tamil Guardian reported.

?As we all know soon after the elections in 2015, a historic government consisted of a unity government that did a 180 degree turn in terms of human rights and engagement with the international community. With the election of the new government we ended a self-imposed isolation of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka broke away from the past and began to engage with the rest of the world after. Our engagement with the office of the high commissioner was advanced. We have been working closely with the OHCHR and all UN human rights mechanisms,” he said.

He also called on the diaspora to join hands with the Government?saying they have?a very important role to play.

“In fact that is why one of the first steps we took was to de-list some of the organisations which were listed by the earlier government,” he added.

The Minister also noted that some people have?expressed concerns about the public consultation process when forming the?new Office of Missing Persons.

“Some are concerned that you haven?t consulted enough with the office of missing persons. The bill is available online at the moment and we would appreciate your opinion because until it is taken up in parliament there is room for more input,” he said.

However he said?influential members of the Tamil diaspora have said the Office of Missing Persons is a good proposal. (Colombo Gazette)