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UNISCI Discussion Papers, Nº 33 (Octubre / October 2013) ISSN 1696-2206Accordingly, a four-pronged strategy can be proposed: The first, second and third havealready been completed with the rehabilitation of 11,500 LTTE cadres, 132 the reintegration of280,000 displaced and the process of reconstruction of the north and east, particularly theWanni. 133It is now time for the active initiation of programmes on reconciliation highlighting itsrole in realizing the fourth aspect -- the building of relationships between and withincommunities. 134 This must, however, be state-led to have any meaningful value andoutcome. 135 While not discounting the need and value of all actors and stakeholders joininghands to contribute towards reconciliation, the need for the state-led process is critical giventhe nature of the conflict in the first place, namely - one where the Tamil community soughtto restructure the State with a view to removing features discriminatory of the minorities asopposed to what has been usually described as a struggle between the Sinhala majoritycommunity and Tamil minority community per se.While the Government's efforts in the rehabilitation and resettlement processes in theNorth-East have been commendable, it is imperative that the important next step is taken -reaching out to the Tamil community to address their concerns and grievances. 136The Muslim community has oft been caught in the crossfire and hence needs to be takenseriously and made stakeholders in any endeavour aimed at peace and stability. Accordingly,the minority communities too must be urged to reposition themselves - by not onlydemanding equality but also conducting themselves as equals. One way of doing this is for theminority communities not to speak on issues affecting their respective communities only butalso to participate in national issues and lead national campaigns. 137The key purpose of reconciliation is to address the underlying suspicion, mistrust anddiscrimination that have been manifest and symptomatic of the three-decade conflict. Creatinga sense of inter-dependence between all communities is crucial if minority communities are tofeel a connection to the newly-rebuilt nation.In this connection, two positive developments in the current political context areworthy of note - increasing acceptance that the conflict requires a political settlement asopposed to the view that it is only a terrorist problem; and rather than operating through a top-132Yusuf, Salma: "Transitional justice: Rehabilitation in review", Daily Mirror, 31 July 2012, athttp://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/20735-transitional-justice-rehabilitation-in-review.html.133 Statement delivered by Ravinatha P. Aryasinha, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka and leader of the SriLanka Delegation to the 23rd Session of the Human Rights Council on May 27, 2013, in response to the HighCommissioner for Human Rights’ update on her Annual Report to the Human Rights Council, athttp://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/30104-sl-has-made-significant-strides-in-reconciliation-process-.html.134 Yusuf, Salma: "The potential and promise, three years after the end of war", The Sunday Times, 13 May 2012,available at: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/News/nws_29.html.135 Yusuf, Salma: "Sri Lanka: A Nation Moves On: A Review of Sri Lanka’s First National ReconciliationConference titled "Reconciliation: The Way Forward for Post-Conflict Sri Lanka", e-International Relations, 3January 2012, at http://www.e-ir.info/2012/01/03/sri-lanka-a-nation-moves-on/.136 Yusuf, Salma: "The potential and promise, three years after the end of war", The Sunday Times, 13 May 2012,at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/News/nws_29.html.137 Yusuf, Salma: "Sri Lanka: A Nation Moves On: A Review of Sri Lanka’s First National ReconciliationConference titled "Reconciliation: The Way Forward for Post-Conflict Sri Lanka", e-International Relations, 3January 2012, at http://www.e-ir.info/2012/01/03/sri-lanka-a-nation-moves-on/.212
UNISCI Discussion Papers, Nº 33 (Octubre / October 2013) ISSN 1696-2206down approach of political patronage and proxies there is now a recognition of the need toengage elected representatives of the Tamil community in the nation building endeavour. 138That said, it must be remembered that reconciliation is both a process and a goal. Hence,it will necessarily require time and space to bear fruit. Reconciliation cannot be imposed orforced on a nation as an event. It requires both a strategy and a systematized responsemechanism by the state and other stakeholders to deal with the likely obstacles that willemerge along the way. 139Another aspect of nation-building that requires immediate attention in Sri Lanka is thepromotion and protection of the rule of law. The Rule of Law should be considered as thebedrock for achieving a democratic and economically developed society. The political andadministrative will has to be garnered, or else nation building efforts will be hindered. 140Four aspects which remain critical to Sri Lanka's nation-building enterprise are: First,the need for internal consensus within government of positions related to issues of nationalimportance: 141 such will augur well not only for keeping citizens and stakeholders informed ofnational decisions and plans but also for the country's international relations; Second andclosely related, is the need for an improvement in the state's visibility strategy which will notonly serve as a barometer for measuring progress but also identify gaps to be filled byproviding direction for taking the nation-building and peace-building agenda forward;Thirdly, there remains a need for greater and more active involvement of citizens and relevantgroups in national processes of consultation particularly in decisions that have an impact onthose particular groups and persons. Additionally, such involvement will reap the invaluablebenefits of fostering increased buy-in for the processes and programmes, while improvingimplementation and ensuring sustainability of dividends. 142 Fourthly, any state action ought tobe as a result of deliberation and a conscious decision making process, as opposed to beingperceived as knee-jerk and ad hoc sporadicism. 143Ultimately, it is a home-grown political process addressing the economic, social andpolitical grievances and aspirations, acceptable to all sections of society that will address thecritical aspects of nation building - a nation that yearns to metamorphose into one that findsits strength in multiculturalism and diversityFinally, most of the country's bilateral and multilateral engagements are haunted by aspecter of reconciliation and human rights concerns. We must remember that human rights138 Yusuf, Salma: "The potential and promise, three years after the end of war", The Sunday Times, 13 May 2012,at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/News/nws_29.html.139 Yusuf, Salma: "Sri Lanka: A Nation Moves On: A Review of Sri Lanka’s First National ReconciliationConference titled "Reconciliation: The Way Forward for Post-Conflict Sri Lanka", e-International Relations, 3January 2012, at http://www.e-ir.info/2012/01/03/sri-lanka-a-nation-moves-on/.140 Conference Report, Inaugural National Conference on Reconciliation, Lakshman Kadirgamar Institution ofInternational Relations and Strategic Studies, available athttp://www.kadirgamarinstitute.lk/pub/inaugural_national_onference_on_reconciliation_session_1.pdf;141 Yusuf, Salma: "The potential and promise, three years after the end of war", The Sunday Times, 13 May 2012,at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/News/nws_29.html.142 Yusuf, Salma, Sri Lanka: "Justice And Equity As Pathways To National Security – Analysis", EurasiaReview, 29 August 2012, athttp://www.eurasiareview.com/29082012-sri-lanka-justice-and-equity-as-pathways-to-national-security-analysis/143 Yusuf, Salma: "The potential and promise, three years after the end of war", The Sunday Times, 13 May 2012,at http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120513/News/nws_29.html.213
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ISSN 1696-2206 Nº 33 Octubre /Octo
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Juan Emilio CheyreDirector, Center
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