Says a slow, gradual reconciliation process will be fruitful

Even as sections within Sri Lanka criticise the government for its apparently delayed efforts on post-war reconciliation, President Maithripala Sirisena has sought the international community’s support for a “slow and successful” journey.

Addressing the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, Mr. Sirisena said haste would not yield good results and stated that a slow and steady path is the most suitable one to restore religious and communal harmony. “We all have heard that speedy journey is a dangerous journey. Therefore, I believe that you will understand the complex nature of issues that hinder the instant and radical solutions that some impatient groups are asking for,” he said.

While critics are frustrated with the government’s pace on reconciliation and accountability, Mr. Sirisena is also facing pressure from his political rivals opposed to such efforts.

Allegations of abuse

Mr. Sirisena said a huge foreign debt and allegations of rights abuses during war were two main challenges that his government faced. In addition to evolving an economic plan to service the massive outstanding debt, the government is “paying serious attention” to the allegations and is working on solutions as a matter of priority, he told the UNGA.

He also urged the international community to support his government’s “moderate but steady path” to find solutions.

Mr. Sirisena’s appeal to international actors for more time comes weeks after the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein urged the government to act on its commitment to establish a clear timeline and benchmarks for implementation. In March, the UN Human Rights Council had given Sri Lanka a two-year extension of deadline to fulfil its assurances on post-war reconciliation.

While countries, including the U.S., have commended the Sri Lankan government for its efforts so far, human rights organisations remain critical of its pace. “Setting up various reconciliation offices and talking of progress is not the same as implementing the 2015 [Geneva] resolution,” Human Rights Watch observed recently, pointing to “scant progress” on the UN resolution.