Joint statement by the government of SL and the UN secretary general
at the conclusion of un secretary-general's visit to SL, 23rd may 2009
 At
the invitation of the H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka,
the Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Ban Ki-moon paid a
visit to Sri Lanka. During the course of his visit, he held talks with
the President, Foreign Minister as well as other senior leaders of Sri
Lanka. During his stay, he also consulted other relevant stakeholders,
members of the international humanitarian agencies and civil society.
The Secretary-General visited the IDP sites at Vavuniya and overflew the
conflict area, near Mullaitivu that was the scene of the conflict.
President Rajapaksa welcomed the Secretary-General as
the highest dignitary to visit Sri Lanka in the post-conflict phase.
This was a reflection of the close cooperation between Sri Lanka and the
United Nations as well as Sri Lanka's commitment to work with the UN in
the future.
President Rajapaksa and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
agreed that following the end of operations against the LTTE, Sri Lanka
had entered a new post-conflict beginning. In this context, the
Government of Sri Lanka faces many immediate and long-term challenges
relating to issues of relief, rehabilitation, resettlement and
reconciliation. While addressing these critical issues, it was agreed
that the new situation offered opportunities for long-term development
of the North and for re-establishing democratic institutions and
electoral politics after 2 1/2 decades. The Government expressed its
commitment to ensure the economic and political empowerment of the
people of the North through its programmes.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Secretary-General
agreed that addressing the aspirations and grievances of all communities
and working towards a lasting political solution was fundamental to
ensuring long-term socio-economic development. The Secretary-General
welcomed the assurance of the President of Sri Lanka contained in his
Statement in Parliament on 19th May 2009 that a national solution
acceptable to all sections of people will be evolved. President
Rajapaksa expressed his firm resolve to proceed with the implementation
of the 13th Amendment, as well as to begin a broader dialogue with all
parties, including the Tamil parties in the new circumstances, to
further enhance this process and to bring about lasting peace and
development in Sri Lanka. .
 President Rajapaksa and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
discussed a series of areas in which the United Nations will assist the
ongoing efforts of the Government of Sri Lanka in addressing the future
challenges and opportunities.
With regard to IDPs, the United Nations will continue
to provide humanitarian assistance to the IDPs now in Vavuniya and
Jaffna. The Government will continue to provide access to humanitarian
agencies. The Government will expedite the necessary basic and civil
infrastructure as well as means of livelihood necessary for the IDPs to
resume their normal lives at the earliest. The Secretary-General
welcomed the announcement by the Government expressing its intention to
dismantle the welfare villages at the earliest as outlined in the Plan
to resettle the bulk of IDPs and call for its early implementation.
The Government seeks the cooperation of the
international community in mine-clearing which is an essential
prerequisite to expediting the early return of IDPs.
The Secretary-General called for donor assistance
towards the Common Humanitarian Action Plan (CHAP) jointly launched by
the GOSL and the UN, which supports the relief, shelter and humanitarian
needs of those in IDP sites.
President Rajapaksa and the Secretary-General
recognized that the large number of former child soldiers forcibly
recruited by the LTTE as an important issue in the post-conflict
context. President Rajapaksa reiterated his firm policy of zero
tolerance in relation to child recruitment. In cooperation with UNICEF,
child-friendly procedures have been established for their "release and
surrender" and rehabilitation in Protective Accommodation Centres. The
objective of the rehabilitation process presently underway is to
reintegrate former child soldiers into society as productive citizens.
The Secretary-General expressed satisfaction on the progress already
made by the Government in cooperation with UNICEF and encouraged Sri
Lanka to adopt similar policies and procedures relating to former child
soldiers in the North.
 President Rajapaksa informed the UN Secretary-General
regarding ongoing initiatives relating to rehabilitation and
re-integration of ex-combatants. In addition to the ongoing work by the
office of the Commissioner General for Rehabilitation, a National
Framework for the Integration of Ex-Combatant into Civilian Life is
under preparation, with the assistance of the UN and other International
Organizations.
Sri Lanka reiterated its strongest commitment to the
promotion and protection of human rights in keeping with international
human rights standards and Sri Lanka's international obligations. The
Secretary General underlined the importance of an accountability process
for addressing violations of international humanitarian and human rights
law. The Government will take measures to address those grievances.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
May 23, 2009
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