The Cabinet of Ministers approved the setting up of a “Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission” when President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented a cabinet paper at the weekly meeting. This was announced by the Minister of Mass Media and Information, Keheliya Rambukwella at the post cabinet press briefing held at the Department of Information today (May 13).

The period of inquiry of the Commission covers from the commencement of the Ceasefire Agreement of February 2002 to its manifest breakdown that then finally led to the termination of the conflict situation in May 2009. The Commission will comprise persons of eminence, representing the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural nature of Sri Lankan society. President expressed confidence that the Commissioners will discharge their responsibilities with a deep commitment to protect the dignity and independence of both this country and the Commission.

The cabinet has allocated Rs.10 million to carry out its functions as mandated by the government. The Commission will also report on whether any person or institution was responsible for what happened.

The Commission is free to adopt its criterion to investigate and make recommendations. A team of senior lawyers will assist the Commission while the Attorney General will function as the government’s chief legal adviser to the Commission.

A Secretariat is to be established to carry out the administrative functions of this Commission while the President would appoint a Secretary General to oversee its financial management.

The President is of the view that the situation today provides an opportune moment to reflect on the recent conflict phase and the sufferings the country has gone through, in keeping with the common aspirations of all people in their resolve to have an assured era of peace, harmony and prosperity.

This inquiry stems from the President’s overriding interest in the need for restorative justice by the Sri Lankan people. Its findings will seek to take the Sri Lankan nation towards the common goals of a multi-ethnic polity, in a spirit of cooperation, partnership and friendship, learning the lessons from recent history to ensure that there will be no recurrence of such tragic conflict in the future.

In assessing the Lessons Learnt from the recent conflict phase there will be the search for any violations of internationally accepted norms of conduct in such conflict situations, and the circumstances that may have led to such actions, and identify any persons or groups responsible for such acts.

It is also expected that recommendations would be sought on the nature of compensation to be granted to the victims or their dependents who have suffered in this conflict situation, as well as the institutional, administrative and welfare measures already taken in the post-conflict phase, and should be further taken in order to effect reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation.

The legislative and administrative measures that may be necessary in order to prevent such situations in the future, and to promote national unity and reconciliation among all communities will also be part of the mandate given by the President.