Sunday, 13th July 2014
Certain groups within the government including the National Freedom Front (NFF) are strongly opposing South African mediation in Sri Lanka. However, the government carried out a closed door meeting with the South African Special Envoy Cyril Ramaphosa during his recent visit to Sri Lanka and the content of the discussions was not revealed to the public. Nevertheless, the government assures that the intention of the meeting was only to strengthen the bilateral relationship and to share experiences.
Speaking to The Sunday Leader Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera further assured that the meeting with Cyril Ramaphosa was not a ‘conclusive discussion’.
Excerpts of the interview:
By Waruni Karunarathne
Q: What is the governments’ overall response towards South African Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa’s visit and what was his response?
A: We need to strengthen our relationship with all foreign countries. The government including all the members of parliament and Parliament Select Committee intend to learn something from their experiences.
Cyril Ramaphosa was a special envoy from the South African president. He is happy to share their experiences with us.
Q: What role does the South Africa see for them in the present Sri Lankan context? Are we looking at implementing any South African process in Sri Lanka towards reconciliation?
A: I did not have an opportunity to meet him personally. But our intention is very clear. We want to strengthen the relationship between the two countries for the benefit of our people.
They are interested in their people. We are not looking at implementing any South African process. We are looking at sharing their experience. We are implementing our process by learning from the experiences of other countries.
Q: Are we looking at the Truth and Reconciliation process implemented in South Africa?
A: We are looking at the Truth and Reconciliation process and everybody should look at it – because the majority of what is implemented under the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been successful and recognised by the international community.
We should look at such successful stories. But the TRC is based on South Africa. Therefore we have to look at what is best for Sri Lanka. We are not going to implement A-Z of what is in TRC. We have to determine what to implement.
Q: Certain groups within the government are saying that there is no necessity of looking at the TRC and opposing any role played by the South Africa in the reconciliation process. Does it block the path of reconciliation?
A: No. We are not going to implement the South African system in Sri Lanka.
Q: What do you think of the reaction of these groups towards the government’s recent talks with the South African Special Envoy?
A: The meeting we had with the South African special envoy is to share their experiences. There is no necessity for anybody to react.
Q: Do you think the talks between the Sri Lankan government and the South African government as an initiative to take steps towards reconciliation?
A: While the LLRC is being implemented, this is an initiative to show the world the government’s commitment towards building reconciliation. It also shows who is not committed and willing to go for reconciliation.
Q: Does the government perceive any radical constitutional changes?
A: At the moment we cannot do that – but if it is necessary the government will take the required measures. The changes have to be recommended and accepted by the people.
The government’s wish is to implement what is acceptable to the people. Constitutional changes have to be accepted by the majority of the people of all parties.
