Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation has decided to hold public sittings in the provinces, particularly, in affected areas. This enables persons in these areas to have easy access to the Commission to make their representations.

"This would also enable the Commission to gather first hand information from the affected areas. The Commission is currently engaged in drawing up a work plan as a part of this process," the Commission said in a press release.

The Commission expects to commence public hearings in August.

Full text of the press release:

The Members of the Commission of Inquiry on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation appointed by His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa under Section 2 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act has held regular meetings during the course of the month of June 2010. The initial focus of the current work of the Commission has been on institutional matters in order to set the stage for public hearings which would follow.

A public notice has been published in newspapers in all three languages calling for written representations of the Commission in respect of matters related to the Warrant. The public has been given time till 18th August to make such representations and is requested to send them early to facilitate the work of the Commission.

The Commission decided to hold public sittings in the provinces, particularly, in affected areas to enable persons in these areas to have easy access to the Commission, in order to make their representations. This would also enable the Commission to gather first hand information from the affected areas. The Commission is currently engaged in drawing up a work plan as a part of this process.

The Commission will also invite on its own motion persons who represent a broad spectrum of views and who have been actively engaged in the areas falling within the ambit of the Warrant to testify before the Commission.

The Commission expects to commence public hearings during the month of August 2010.