Dilrook Kannangara

Government of Sri Lanka without delay should enact laws to protect hard won peace and reconciliation. Various groups are trying to undermine the reconciliation process with hate mongering, spreading rumours and trying to impose a foreign reconciliation model which is actually about pitting ethnic communities against each other than reconciliation.

War crimes investigations and allegations of war crimes can seriously harm the reconciliation process. If such processes go ahead, Tamil people in the north will look at defence forces personnel with hate, mistrust, fear and as enemies. Security forces personnel are doing a great job trying to maintain peace in war ravaged areas. Allowing war crimes allegations to linger in the society will disturb all these good work. It will be almost impossible for people to face and work together with security forces personnel on a daily basis if allegations of war crimes are made against them. It will be a lose-all situation for all.

War and resultant disasters provided a livelihood to many NGO activists. They lived thanks to the calamities of the people. However, after the war when people started to live without fear, regular unnecessary deaths and destruction, NGOs find they cannot earn money from the miseries of the people. To overcome this, they plan to restart violence by introducing hatred into the society. This is why a group of top NGO activists are working towards disrupting the reconciliation process with the collaboration of foreign agents.

Government of Sri Lanka must urgently bring in laws to ban all such activity that can harm reconciliation. Culprits must be punished with long jail terms and confiscation of their property.

Matters to be considered in framing a law to protect national reconciliation

Propagating, broadcasting, publicizing and/or participating in the following should be made offences.

1. Any act that brings to attention an allegation of deaths of tens of thousands of persons during the war allegedly owing to attacks by Sri Lanka Defence Forces without accurately segregating the number of LTTE combatants and civilians.

1. Any act that discredits the professional conduct of Sri Lanka Defence Forces. Causes of action instigated in established courts of law and representations at duly appointed Presidential Commissions are excluded from being offences.

1. Any act that may cause disgust, hate, distrust, fear or dislike in the northern Tamil community towards any member or all members of the security forces. Causes of action instigated in established courts of law and representations at duly appointed Presidential Commissions are excluded from being offences.

1. Any act that is done publicly, intended to create sympathy for the alleged casualties of the war without mentioning with respect and appreciation the sacrifices made by members of Sri Lanka Defence Forces for peace.

1. Any attempt to link any member of the security forces, any public servant, a member of parliament or the President to allegations of war crimes or civilian deaths without providing concrete evidence of such involvement. Causes of action instigated in established courts of law and representations at duly appointed Presidential Commissions are excluded from being offences.

Any other act that is likely to dent, reverse or otherwise adversely affect the reconciliation process of the government of Sri Lanka.