Sri Lanka has initiated a crucial move towards the establishment of the long-awaited Truth Commission, a pivotal step in addressing post-2009 reconciliation following the conclusion of the armed conflict with the LTTE in the northern and eastern regions of the island nation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially released the gazette for the Bill that will pave the way for the formation of 'The Commission for Truth Unity and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka.' The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) waged a military campaign for a separate Tamil homeland in the northern and eastern provinces for nearly three decades until its collapse in 2009, marked by the demise of its supreme leader, V Prabhakaran, at the hands of the Sri Lankan Army.
As per the notification issued on Monday, the Commission's mandate includes investigating, inquiring, and providing recommendations for complaints, allegations, or reports related to damage or harm caused to persons or property, loss of life, or alleged violations of human rights anywhere in Sri Lanka. These incidents are to be connected to the conflict that occurred in the northern and eastern provinces from 1983 to 2009 or its aftermath.
One of the primary objectives of the Commission is to offer a platform for truth-telling, providing people with an opportunity to share their experiences. Additionally, the Commission aims to suggest effective remedies for those who have suffered grievances.
Sri Lanka has consistently assured the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) of establishing a truth-seeking mechanism as part of its commitment to transitional justice processes. Since 2012, Sri Lanka has been the subject of successive UNHRC resolutions, with the October 2022 resolution reinforcing the call for promoting healing and reconciliation.
The gazette, once presented in the parliamentary order paper, will undergo scrutiny by the Supreme Court for its constitutionality. This process is essential for anyone seeking to challenge the bill before it can be debated and enacted into law.
According to Sri Lankan government statistics, over 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts, including the brutal three-decade war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east, resulting in the loss of at least 100,000 lives.
(With Agency Inputs)
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