action plan table (cpa commentary on llrc action plan)

7/31/2019 Action Plan Table (CPA Commentary on LLRC Action Plan)

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THENATIONALPLANOFACTIONTOIMPLEMENTTHERECOMMENDATIONSOFTHELESSONSLEARNTANDRECONCILIATIONCOMMISSION

CentreforPolicyAlternatives

August2012

1

1News.lk,SriLankanMilitarytoinvestigationonLLRCrecommendation,16February2012,lastaccessedon21August2012,(Availableat

http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/1489-sri-lankan-military-to-investigation-on-llrc-recommendation ).

ThetablebelowexamineseachoftheissuescoveredintheNationalPlanofActiontoImplementtheRecommendationsoftheLessonsLearnt

andReconciliationCommission(ActionPlan)providing a summaryofthe proposedactions,responsibleagencies,indicators, timeframesand

CPAscomments,concernsandquestions.ThistableaccompaniesacommentarybyCPAthathighlightskeyconcernsrelatingtotheActionPlan

anditsimplementation.

SummaryofActivitiesProposedinthe

ActionPlan

KeyResponsibleAgency,Key

PerformanceIndicator&TimeFrame

proposedintheActionPlan

Comments,ConcernsandQuestions

1.INVESTIGATIONSINTOALLEGEDVIOLATIONSOFIHL

1.Completeon-goingdisciplinaryprocessbeing

conductedintermsofArmedForcesstatutesandtakefollowupactiontoprosecutewhere

relevant.Inrelationto;

a. ThespecificallegationsofattacksonciviliansdetailedintheLLRC.(LLRC9.9and

9.37a)

b. Theallegationsofdisappearancesofpersonsaftertheysurrendered/were

arrestedandwheresuchinvestigation

produceevidenceofanyunlawfulactonthe

partofindividualmembersoftheArmy,

prosecuteandpunishwrongdoers.(LLRC

9.23)

2.Usetheexistingsystemasprovidedforin

(1)MinistryofDefence(MoD)

MinistryofJustice.

Completeon-goingprocess12months

Offendersprosecuted-24months

(2)Attorney-Generals(AGs)

TheroleoftheMoDandothergovernmentactorsinprocesses

involvingincidentsimplicatingthemilitaryraisesquestionswhethertheprocessessuggestedwillbeimpartialand

independent.

TheArmysetupaCourtofinquiryinJanuary20121toinquire

intosuchallegationsbuttherearenopublicreportsrelatingto

progressmade,ifany.

GiventhattheActionPlanstatesthattheinquirybythemilitary

isanongoingprocessandthatthecourtsstartedinJanuary,is

thisactiontobeconcludedinDecember2012?

TheLLRCrecommendationsdonotadequatelyaddressall

allegationsofviolationsofIHL.Itisimportantforareconciliation

processtoinvestigateallallegationsthroughanindependent

processandmakepublicitsfindings.


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2

2InternationalIndependentGroupofEminentPersons(IIGEP),TheFinalReportoftheIIGEP,15April2008,(Availableat

http://www.ruleoflawsrilanka.org/resources/IIGEPnbspSTM.pdf).

3SeealsoTheNationalActionPlanfortheProtectionandPromotionofHumanRights2011-2016(NHRAP),P.19.

4SriLankaArmy,DefenceMinistry,ExpertsReviewUnalteredVideoProbeLaunched:FreshProbeLaunched,4July2011,lastaccessedon21August2012,

(Availableathttp://www.army.lk/detailed.php?NewsId=3465).

5LiesAgreedUpon,MinistryofDefenceSriLanka,lastaccessedon21August2012,(Availableat

http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110801_LAUvdo).

theCriminalProcedureCodetooriginatea

complaintandgivesuchmechanismsufficient

publicity.

Department.

Casesfiledincourt-24Months

TheabsenceofaneffectiveVictimandWitnessprotection

legislationhasbeenalongstandingobstacletoconducteffective

investigations.

2

IntheabsenceofsuchlegislationitisunlikelythatvictimswouldusetheproceduresetoutintheCodeof

CriminalProceduretooriginatecomplaints.Evenifacomplaintis

made,concernsremainastowhetherwitnesseswouldcome

forwardtotestifyandreprisalstheymayfaceindoingso.3

3.Assesstheinquirycurrentlyconductedbythe

Armytoexaminetheauthenticityofthe

allegationsinChannel4videoandtakefollowup

actionasappropriate.(LLRC9.39)

MoD&PresidentialSecretariat.

Assessmentcompleted,

Followupactionidentifiedandpursued,

asappropriate-6months

TheMoD,Armyandothershaveonseveraloccasionsdeniedthe

authenticityoftheChannel4videoandtheallegationsmadein

it.4AvideowasmadebytheGovernmenttocounterallegations

intheChannel4video.5Insuchacontext,questionsareraised

whethertheMoDandotherGovernmentactorscanconductan

assessmentwhichisindependent.

4.Conductaprofessionallydesignedhousehold

surveycoveringallaffectedfamiliesinallparts

oftheislandtoascertainfirsthandthescaleand

circumstancesofdeathandinjurytocivilians,as

wellasdamagetopropertyduringtheperiodof

theconflict.(LLRC9.37b)

Department of Census & Statist ics

(PresidentialSecretariattooversee)

Mechanismlaunchedtoconductsurvey

ongoing

Suchanexercisecanbeconstructiveinassessingtheimpactof

theconflictbutshouldbedonethroughaprocesswhichis

transparent.Furthermorethepublicshouldbemadeawareof

thisprocess.

5.Implementrecommendationsofpast

CommissionsofInquiry(CoI),particularlythose

AGsDepartment,

DepartmentofPolice

Notimeframehasbeengiventoimplementandcompletethe

activities,otherthantosuggestitison-going.


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6See(below)Activity9,PromotingCommunalHarmonyandDevelopment.

relatingtofurtherinvestigationandprosecution

ofoffendersinvolvedinthedeathof(LLRC

9.120)

a)5studentsinTrincomaleeinJanuary2006b)17aidworkersoftheACFinAugust2006

Recommendationsimplemented

ongoing

Informationshouldbepubliclyavailableregardingtheprogress

madesofar.

Thefindings/recommendationsofthepastCoIsshouldbemade

public.Thisisessentialtomonitorwhetherthe

recommendationsarebeingfullyimplemented.

RegardlessoftherecommendationsofthesaidCoI,itisessential

thatinvestigationsintheabovecasesareconcludedandthe

perpetratorsbroughttojustice.

2.MISSINGPERSONS,ABDUCTIONS,INVOLUNTARY/ENFORCEDDISAPPEARANCES

1.Identifyimpediments,ifany,totheeffective

enforcementofthelaw.Thattheoffencesof

abductions,enforced/involuntary

disappearancesandarbitrarydetentionare

visitedwithserioussanctions.(LLRC9.48)

2.StrengtheninvestigationskillsofPolice.(LLRC

9.48)

3.Strengthenaccesstojustice.(LLRC9.48)

4.EnhancethecapacityofthePolicetoputin

placeamoreeffectivesurveillancemechanism

ofthelocalityincooperationwiththelocal

communityandestablishcommunitypolicing.

(LLRC9.48)

(1)MoD/PoliceDepartment.

Impedimentsidentifiedandremedial

actiontaken6months.

Improvedpolicetrainingmodules12

months.

(2)LegalAidCommission,CBOs,

MinistryofJustice,PoliceDepartment.

Accesstojusticeprogrammesidentifiedandimplementedbyestablishing

communitypolicingunits-12months.

Inlightoftheseriousnessoftheviolationsandtheallegationsof

Stateinvolvementinsomeoftheseviolations,concernsare

raisedwhethertheGovernmentactorsidentifiedcanconduct

independentandeffectiveinvestigations.

Independentactorswithexpertiseinthisareashouldbebrought

inincludingcivilsocietyandcommunitylevelactors.

Themodalitiesofthecommunity-basedpolicingprogrammeare

notspecified.However,theActionPlandoesspecifythataction

willbetakenthroughtheCivilDefenceCommitteeprogramme

ofthePoliceinotherareaswherecommunitypolicinghasbeensuggested.

6

5.Invokethepresentproceduresasavailablein

theCodeofCriminalProcedureswithpriority

Police,AGsDepartment,Ministryof

Justice,InformationandCommunication

TheLLRCrecommendedtheestablishmentofaSpecial

CommissionerofInvestigationstoinvestigatealleged


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4

7InternationalIndependentGroupofEminentPersons(IIGEP),TheFinalReportoftheIIGEP,15April2008,(Availableat

http://www.ruleoflawsrilanka.org/resources/IIGEPnbspSTM.pdf).

8SeealsoTheNationalActionPlanfortheProtectionandPromotionofHumanRights(NHRAP),P.19.

giventocomplaintspertainingtoalleged

disappearances.(LLRC9.51)

6.Sensitizethepublicwithregardtoavailabilityofthevariousmechanismsthroughthe

GovernmentInformationCentre(GIC)(1919)

andenhancethecapacityofthepresentGICto

entertainthereceiptofinformation.(LLRC9.51)

TechnologyAgency(ICTA)

Thelaunchingofappropriate

mechanismstoinformthepublicofthepresentfacilitiesviathemedia3

months

disappearancesandprovidematerialtotheAGtoinitiate

criminalproceedings(LLRC9.51).Howeverthishasnotbeen

includedintheActionPlan.

Theactivityfailstofullyappreciatethecomplexityand

seriousnessoftheissueofdisappearancesandtherebyidentifies

activitiestoimproveproceduresratherthanaddresstheroot

causesoftheproblemandpracticaldifficultiesfacedbythose

affected.

TheabsenceofaneffectiveVictimandWitnessprotection

legislationhasbeenalongstandingobstacletoconducteffective

investigations.7Intheabsenceofsuchlegislationitisunlikely

thatvictimswouldusetheproceduresetoutintheCodeof

CriminalProceduretooriginatecomplaints.Evenifacomplaintis

made,concernsremainastowhetherwitnesseswouldcome

forwardtotestifyandreprisalstheymayfaceindoingso.8

Thesuggestionthatmembersofthepublic,especiallynextof

kin,beingabletoaccessinformationonmissingindividuals,does

notacknowledgethefullnatureoftheproblem.Itisnotmerely

anissueofcapacityandlackofawarenessintermsofthepublic

astowhichgovernmentinstitution/stogotobutitisalsothe

lackofaccessibility,transparencyandcooperationonthepartof

stateactors.

SeveraloftheactorsidentifiedintheActionPlanareperceivedaspoliticalappointees,therebyraisingquestionsof

independence.ThisisaggravatedbytheAGsdepartmentbeing

underthepurviewoftheExecutiveandtheAGbeingappointed


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9See(below)Activity6,Demobilization,DisarmamentandReintegration/LawandOrder.

bytheExecutive.Thisisfurtherexacerbatedbythelackofa

NationalPoliceCommissionthatisindependentandthe

politicisationofthePolice.

7.Establishanintegrateddatabasetocollate

informationregardingmissingpersons.(LLRC

9.51)

DeptofCensus&Statistics,MoD

Databaseestablishedandinformation

included6months

Thisshouldbetheresponsibilityofthecivilianadministration

withnoroleplayedbythedefenceauthorities.Suchaprocess

shouldbetransparentandinformationprovidedregarding

processandhowthedatacollectedwillbeused.Family

membersshouldbeabletochecktheinformationandefforts

shouldbemadebytheStatetoactontheinformationincluding

informingthenextofkinofthestatusofthecase,includingifthe

individualisingovernmentcustody.

8.Considerestablishinganational,Government

led,multidisciplinarytaskforcetodevelopand

implementacomprehensivechild-tracing

program.(LLRC9.81)

Childconscriptsidentified,rehabilitated

andre-integrated.NoKeyResponsible

AgencyorTimeFrameidentified.

Tracingshouldnotbelimitedtochildconscriptsalonebutshould

beexpandedtoincludeothercaseloadsofmissingchildrenand

missingadults.9

9.Examinetheneedforlegislationtospecifically

criminalizeenforcedorinvoluntary

disappearances,formulateandpresentlawto

Parliament,iflawreformisfoundtobe

necessarywithemphasisontheneedtoimpose

heavytermsofimprisonmentasadeterrent.

(LLRC9.59)

MinistryofJustice,AGsDepartment,

PoliceDepartment

Reviewoflawscompleted,Legislation

draftedandpresentedtoParliament,if

foundnecessary24months.

Whilethisisapositivestepforward,thereneedstobe

recognitionthatintroducinglegislationalonewillnothaltthe

occurrenceofdisappearances.Thereneedstoberecognition

fromtheGovernmentthatitisastructuralproblemrequiring

stepsbeingtakentoconductindependentinvestigationsand

holdingperpetratorstoaccount.

Draftingoflegislationshouldbedonethroughaparticipatory

andtransparentprocesswithsufficienttimetoprovideforcommentsbythepublic.

Timeandspacefordebatingthebillshouldbeprovided,henceit

shouldbemadepublicassoonasitisdraftedforamendments

andlegalchallengeifneedbe.


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Thelegalandpolicyframeworkaddressingthisissueshould

adheretotheinternationalstandardsandpractices.

10.Reviewofprogressofimplementationofthe

RegistrationofDeathsActintermsof

instructionsalreadyissued.Giveadequate

publicityoftheavailabilityofinformation

throughtheGovernments1919facility,to

peopleinconflictaffectedareas(LLRC9.52)

MinistryofPublicAdministration&

HomeAffairs

Instructionsissuedtoimplementthe

provisionsofnewlegislationongoing

ThereshouldbewidepublicityinSinhalaandTamilusingall

formsofmediatoraiseawarenessoftheframeworkand

assistanceavailable.

Localgovernmentofficialsshouldbetrainedtoprovideanswers

tothepublicregardingtheprocess.

Clarificationisneededastoanyimplicationsofnextofkin

obtainingadeathcertificateforsomeonewhohasbeen

disappearedorismissing.

3.DETAINEESANDREHABILITEES

1.DisparitybetweenRecommendationand

Action:ThecitedLLRCrecommendation(LLRC

9.57)callsfortheappointmentofan

IndependentAdvisoryCommitteetomonitor

andexaminedetentionandarrestofpersons

takenintocustodyunderanyregulationsmade

underthePublicSecurityOrdinanceorthe

PreventionofTerrorismAct.TheActionPlan

refersbacktoactivities1,2,3and4ofSection1(InvestigationsintoallegedviolationsofIHL)


HomeAffairs

NoTimeFrame

Thereisadisparitybetweentherecommendationandthe

suggestedactivityasthelatterdoesnotcallfortheappointment

oftherecommendedcommittee.

Thesuggestedactivityrefersbacktoactivity1,2,3and4inthe

sectiondealingwithInvestigationsintoallegedviolationsof

IHL.TheseareactivitiesspecifictoIHLandaremeanttobe

undertakenbythemilitaryandMoD.However,inthepresent

instancetheActionPlandesignatestheMinistryofPublicAdministration&HomeAffairsasthekeyresponsibleagency.

Itisunclearhowthesuggestedactivitywillachievetheobjective

oftheLLRCrecommendation.

2.Identifyandestablishproceduresinthe

existingsystemtoaddresstheissueofpersons

beingheldindetentionforlongperiodswithout

charges,completedecisionmakingregarding

AGsDepartment

Processesidentifiedandestablished

Activities2,3and4ofthissectionarepositivemeasures.

ThetimeframeforActivity2isproblematicespeciallyfor

individualswhohavebeenheldindetentionforanumberof

yearsalready.However,itisnotedthatActivities3and4are


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10TheNation,LankadeniesholdinganyTamilpoliticalprisoners,24May2012,lastaccessedon21August2012,(Availableat

http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/6374-lanka-denies-holding-any-tamil-%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%CB%9Cpolitical-

prisoners%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2.html);MaryamAzwer,NorthAndEastAreHistoricHabitationOfTamilSpeakingPeople-M.A.SumanthiranThe

SundayLeader,3June2012.

11NewsLine,SpecialcourtstobeestablishedtohearcasesagainstLTTEsuspects,24May2012,lastaccessedon21August2012,(Availableat

http://www.priu.gov.lk/news_update/Current_Affairs/ca201205/20120524special_courts_be_established.htm).

detaineesthroughadedicatedunitintheAGs

Departmentmandatedtoexaminedetention

cases.(LLRC9.57)

andreductioninthenumberof

detainees24months.

tobecompletedbytheendof2012.

InMay2012thegovernmentpromisedtosetupaspecialunitin

ordertoprocessthebacklogofcaseinrelationtodetaineeswithinonemonth10andtoalsosetupfourspecialhighcourtsin

ordertohearcasesagainstthoseaccusedofbeingformerLTTE

combatants.11Thestatusofinitiativesproposedpreviouslyand

theirconnection,ifany,withthoseproposedactivitiesinthe

ActionPlanisunclear.

3.Formulateaprogrammetodivertsuspects

fromthecriminalprocesstovoluntary

rehabilitationinappropriatecases.(LLRC9.63)

PoliceDepartment&AGsDepartment

Reporttobepublished-End2012

4.Enableindictmentstobefiledinanadditional

numberofcourtstoeasethebacklog.(LLRC

9.63)

MinistryofJustice

Reporttobepublished-End2012

5.Thepresentdatabasecontainingalistof

detaineestobeenhancedwitheasyaccessto

informationbeingavailabletonextofkin.(LLRC9.63)

MoD

Enhanceddatabase6months

Althoughseveralstatementshavebeenmadebythe

Governmenttoindicatethatfamilieswillhaveaccesstosuch

information,problemscontinueinobtaininginformation.Inaddition,thereneedstobeclarityinhowinformationfromthe

databasecanbeobtained,especiallyinlightofthepresent

difficulties.

Thereneedstobeclarityastowhetherfriends,relativesand

legalrepresentativesofmissingpersonswouldhaveaccessto

thisdatabase.

6.Continuecurrentpracticeofinformingnextof

kinregardinglocationofdetaineeandalso

informtheNationalHumanRightsCommission

PoliceDepartment

Acomprehensivelistofnamesand

Reportsindicatethatthisisnotauniformpracticeandshouldbe

adheredtoinallcases.


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8

ofSriLanka(NHRC).(LLRC9.63)

relevantdataavailabletothenextofkin

on-going

7.Examineandreportonthepracticalapplicationandthefeasibilityofaprocedureto

issueacertificatewhenapersonisdischarged

(sothatthesamepersonisnottakeninto

custodyagain,unlessnewevidenceisdiscovered

againsthim).(LLRC9.63)

AGsDepartment

Reportpublished-End2012

Thiscouldbeapositivestepifproperlyimplementedandadheredto.

8.Reviewthestatusoftheremainderofthe

detaineeswithaviewtoassessingwhether

specialattentiontocertaingroupsorindividuals

isneeded.(LLRC9.68,9.69,9.78&9.82)

CommissionerGeneralofRehabilitation

Statusrequiredtobesubmitted3

months

ThisactivityshouldbedoneincollaborationwiththeAG

Departmentasithasalreadybeentaskedwithasimilaractivity

(Activity2inSection3DetaineesandRehabilitees).Thereshould

beconsultationwithlawyersandcivilsocietygroupsworkingon

thisissue.

4.DEMOBILIZATION,DISARMAMENTANDREINTEGRATION/LAWANDORDER

1.Examinecrimestatisticsandtrendstoidentify

criticalissuestoensurethemaintenanceoflaw

andorderandtakenecessarymeasuresto

improvelawenforcement.(LLRC9.204)

MoD/PoliceDepartment.

Effectivevigilanceanddecreasedin

incidentsofcrimeon-going

TheleadshouldbetakenbythePoliceandinvolveotheractors

includingAGsDepartmentandtheNHRC.

Informationshouldbemadepublic.

2.Ensurestrictenforcementoftheprovisionsof

theOffensiveWeaponsAct/TheFirearmsand

ExplosivesActandthesuccessfulprosecutionoflegalactionagainstoffenders.(LLRC9.204)

PoliceDepartment

Disarmingallpersonsinpossessionofunauthorizedweapons6month

Thisisawelcomemoveandshouldbeimplementedfullywith

theinvolvementoftheAGsdepartment.Questionsariseasto

whethersuchataskcanbecompletedduringtheidentifiedtimeperiodandthereforeconsiderationshouldbegiventoan

extensioninconsultationwiththenecessarystakeholders.

TheAGsdepartmentshouldindictandprosecutealloffenders,

regardlessofbackgroundandpoliticalconnections.

EvenwhiletheActionPlanclaimsallillegalarmedgroupsareno

longeroperative,therehasbeennopublicinformationregarding

thedisbandingofthesegroupsandthedemobilisationand


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12See(above)Activity8,Missing,Abductions,Involuntary/EnforcedDisappearances.

disarmamentofthemembersofthesegroups.Doingsowould

ensuretheimplementationoftheLLRCrecommendationcalling

forthedisarmingofillegalarmedgroupsasperLLRCInterimand

FinalRecommendation.(LLRC9.74)

3.Conductinvestigations(includingallegations

relatedtoBhareti,Karuna,EPDPextortion,anda

gangledbyapersoncalledMajorSeelan)

speedilyandensurethattheRuleofLawprevails

havingdueregardtotheguaranteeoftheequal

protectionofthelaw.(LLRC9.213)

PoliceDepartment,AGsDepartment,

MinistryofJustice

Increasedrateofsuccessful

prosecutions6months.

Unclearwhatistobeachievedduring6months.Whetherit

providesonlyforinvestigationstobeconductedorwhether

prosecutionscanalsotakeplacewithin6months.

ThereshouldalsobeactiontakenwithothercrimesacrossSri

LankaincludingintheSouthwherepoliticiansaffiliatedwiththe

rulingpartyareinvolved.

4.SetupunitsoftheAGsDepartmentinthe

ProvincesandformulateTermsofReference

(ToRs)forthemtoguideandadvisethepolice

regardingcriminalinvestigations,prosecutions

andothermatterstouchinguponthecriminal

justicesystem.(LLRC9.212)

AGsDepartment

EnhancedcapacityofAGsdepartment

units12months

Awelcomestepandshouldbeimplementedimmediately.

5.Includerelevantmodulesinthetraining

programmesforPoliceOfficersandenhance

capacityoftheTrainersofthePoliceTraining

College.(LLRC9.212)

PoliceDepartment

Improvementinthequalityof

investigationsandgreatersuccessin

prosecutionandageneralimprovement

inthecriminaljusticesystemNoTime

Frame

Awelcomeactionbutmoreinformationneedstobeprovided

withstepsthatareproposedincludingtimeframe.

6.Investigateinstanceswherethereisprima

facieevidenceofconscriptionofchildrenas

combatantsandensurethatoffendersare

broughttojustice.(LLRC9.79)

Investigationscompleted.

NoKeyResponsibleAgencyidentified

Althoughthisactivityislistedashavingbeencompleted,thereis

noinformationpubliclyavailableonthestatusofprosecutions

andanyoffenderswhohavebeenbroughttojustice.This

informationshouldbepubliclyavailable.

Thereisalsonomentionofanyfollowupaction,ifany.12


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5.DEMILITARISATION

1.FormulatePlanforfurtherreducing

involvementofSecurityForcesincivilianwork.(95%alreadywithdrawnfromcivilianduties)

havingregardtotheexperiencesofthe

reconciliationprogrammes.(LLRC9.171and

9.227)

MoD

Amarkedreductionorwithdrawalofsecurityforcepersonnelfromcivil

activities6months

Thisisessentialforreconciliationbutalsoforrestorationof

normalcy.Questionsthoughremainonhowthefigure(95%)wascalculated?

2.Identifyandremoveimpediments,ifany,that

hindernormalciviladministrationandreview

progressatthemonthlyGovernmentAgents

(GAs)conferenceconductedbytheMinistryof

PublicAdministration.(LLRC9.195)


HomeAffairs

Allimpediments,ifanyremovedand

normalciviladministrationrestored12

months

Broadscopeofimpedimentscanbereviewedunderthis

recommendationbutgivenoverlapwithrecommendation

above,thereisalackofclarityastohowthesetwoprocesses

willfunctioninparallel.

3.Consequenttothereviewofthe2existing

HSZsinPallaliandTrincomalee-Sampur,aswell

assmallextentsofprivatelandcurrentlyutilized

forsecuritypurposesbeingcompleted(LLRC

9.142)

a)Releaselandswherepossible;

b)Takestepstore-locateortopay

compensationunderapplicableStatutes(Land

AcquisitionAct).

MoD

Landsreleasedon-going

MinistryofLands

Re-locationcompleted6months

Compensationpaid3years

Provideanswersonthelegalbasisfortheoccupationasthereis

nolegalframeworkjustifyingthepresenceofHSZsinSriLanka.

TheGovernmentshouldprovidealistofalloccupationbythe

military.EventhoughtheLLRCrecommendationdoesnotrefer

topubliclandtheGovernmentshouldprovideaplanfora

phasedwithdrawalfromcivilianandpublicproperties.In

exceptionalcircumstancestheGovernmentshouldacquiresuch

propertiesfortheuseofthesecurityforcesandinthecaseof

privatepropertiesprovideduecompensation.Military

occupationshouldbeanexceptionandnotthenorm.


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13SeeRohanEdrisinhaandAruniJayakody(eds),The18

thAmendmenttotheConstitution:SubstanceandProcess,CPA,2011.

14See(below)Activity3,IssuestobedealtwithbytheproposedPSC.

15Supran.13.

6.INDEPENDENTINSTITUTIONS

1.Independentpolicecommission.(LLRC9.215)

ANationalPoliceCommissionhas

alreadybeenestablished

Concernsareraisedwhetheranyofthesocalledindependent

institutionsareineffectindependentduetotheprovisionsof

theEighteenthAmendmenttotheConstitution.13

TheActionPlandoesnotrefertootherrecommendationsand

suggestionssuchasthepolicecommissionsroleinpromotions

(LLRC9.215)andalsodisciplinaryactionagainstpoliceofficersin

casesoftorture.

TherecommendationsrelatingtodelinkingthePolicefromthe

MoDisreferredtoabove.14

2.Reviewsprovisionsofexistinginstitutionsto

addresscitizensgrievancesandtoidentifyandintroduceadditionalandmoreeffective

measures,mechanismsandamendmentstolaws

tostrengthencitizengrievancemechanisms.

(LLRC9.218and9.219)

PresidentialSecretariat,MoD,

AGsDepartment,MinistryofJustice

Reportsubmittedbymajorstakeholders

totheCabinetofMinisters6months

Thisisanimportantrecommendationbutquestionsremain

whetherimplementationcanbeeffective.

Whilststrengtheningalreadyexistingmechanismsiswelcome,

becauseofthelackofclarityastowhichmechanismswillbe

reviewedandwhetherfollowupactionwilltakeplace,concerns

remainoverwhetherimportantinstitutionssuchastheNHRC

willbeoverlookedorwhethertherecommendationsmadeto

theCabinetwillbeimplemented.

3.IndependentPublicServiceCommissiontobe

establishedtoensureequalityforallandavoid

politicalinterference.(LLRC9.226)

Completed. Concernsareraisedwhetheranyofthesocalledindependent

institutionsareineffectindependentduetotheprovisionsof

theEighteenthAmendmenttotheConstitution.15

4.ImplementtheNationalHumanResources

Policytobringaboutattitudinalchangethrough

OfficeoftheSeniorMinisterforHR

development.

Inprincipleapositiveactionbutmoreinformationrequiredasto

whatthisentailsandwhethertheactioncanbecompleted


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12

trainingprogramstoenhancetheworkethicof

thepublicservice.(LLRC9.224)

HumanResourcesPlanofAction

formulatedandimplementation

commenced3months

withinthreemonths.

7.RESETTLEMENTOFINTERNALLYDISPLACEDPERSONS(IDPS),REFUGEES&OTHERCONFLICTAFFECTED


Action:WhilethecitedLLRCRecommendation

(LLRC9.92)callsfortheestablishmentofan

Inter-AgencyTaskForcemandatedtoaddressin

acomprehensivemannertheneedsofwomen,

children,elderlyandothervulnerablegroups

suchasdisabledaffectedbyconflict,andprovidenecessaryrelief,theactionistoimplementthe

activitiesintheNationalHumanRightsAction

Plan(NHRAP).

AscontainedintheNHRAPon-going

Thereisadisparitybetweentherecommendationandthe

action,includingthatintheNHRAPthereisnoreferenceofan

Inter-AgencyTaskForce,insteaditcallsforaNationalPolicyon

Displacement.

Therehasbeenlittlepublicinformationtothepubliconthe

implementationoftheNHRAPwhichwasapprovedbytheCabinetinSeptember2011apartfromtheappointmentofa

CabinetSub-Committeetomonitortheimplementationofthe

NHRAPinFebruary2012.

NoreferenceintheActionPlanastowhowilltaketheleadin

thisactivityandhowlongitwouldtaketocompletethetask.

Sincetheactivityislistedasongoing,informationonprogress

madesofarshouldbesharedwiththepubliconaregularbasis.

Whoistodecidewhatshouldbeclassifiedasnecessaryrelief?

TheLLRCrecommendedthatlivelihoodassistanceshouldbe

providedforIDPswhohavebeenresettledandareinthe

processofrebuildingtheirlivesasitisstillnecessarytopay

attentiontotheircontinuingneeds.(LLRC9.1019.103and

9.143).Theneedforactiononlivelihoods,housingand

assistanceforvulnerablegroupsamongthedisplacedis

highlightedintheNHRAP.

2.GrantownershipoflandtoIDPsunderLand

CircularNo.2011/4of22.07.2011andcreate

MinistryofLands

WhilethereisanurgentneedtoaddressthelandrightsofIDPs

themeasuressuggestedbytheActionPlanpertainto


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13

16See(below)Activity5,IssuesRelatingtoLand.

awarenessamongIDPsaboutpolicies(with

regardtotheareasthatareavailableforpeople

toresettle)andtheoptionsavailabletothem.

(LLRC9.104and9.106)

Circularimplementedongoing

Awarenessprogrammesconducted6

months

implementingtheLandCircularwhichwaswithdrawnbythe

GovernmentinJanuary2012asaresultofacasefiled

challengingthecircular.16

3.TwoseparateActionPointscallingforthe

formulationofapolicyontheissueofMuslim

IDPs(displacedfromtheNorthernProvince)and

implementingthepolicy.(LLRC9.113and9

.195).

InoneactionpointthePresidentialTask

ForcefortheNorthandEast(PTFforthe

N&E)istoformulateandimplementa

policyina9monthtimespanbutin

anotheractionpointtheMinistryof

ResettlementandthePTFforN&Eisto

publishthereportidentifyingthe

requirementswithrecommendationsfor

theresettlementandreintegrationof

thedisplacedMuslimsin18months.

Duplicationofanactionpointandtwodifferenttimelinesfor

onegeneralactionofdevisingapolicyandimplementingit.

Itisextremelyimportanttodevisesolutionstofacilitate

NorthernMuslimreturnandreintegrationandthetimeframeof

18monthssuggeststhatthereisrecognitionthattheissueis

complexandquickfixapproachisnottheanswer.

Whileconsideringsolutions,itisalsoimportanttoconsiderthe

followingissues-

Return,rehabilitationandreintegrationofalldisplaced?WouldIDPs,hostcommunitiesandgroupsworkingwiththese

groupsbeconsultedintheprocess?

WhyisthePTFinvolvedinthisactivity,especiallysincethereis

nopublicinformationonitsToRorastohowlongitwillcontinue

tofunction?

4.Formulatepolicywithregardtorefugeesin

India(LLRC9.108)

5.Conductbi-lateraldiscussionswithIndiaintermsofpolicy(LLRC9.108)

MinistryofLands,MinistryofExternal

Affairs(MEA),MinistryofResettlement,

MoD

MEA,MoDBi-lateraldiscussionsheldanddecisions

implemented24months

Theformulationofpolicyshouldalsoinvolvenon-governmental

actorswhohavebeeninvolvedinsupportingrefugeesinIndia

andrepresentativesofaffectedcommunities.

ThereisconfusionintheterminologyusedastheActionPlancallsforactionwithregardstoIDPsinIndia(i.e.refugees).


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August2012

14

8.ISSUESRELATINGTOLAND

1.Conductastudytoascertainwhether

practicesinfringeonthelegalrightofanycitizen

ofSriLankatoacquirelandinanypartofthe

countryandtakeappropriatestepstoremove

infringements(ifanyexist)(LLRC9.124)

2.Effectiveimplementationofthepolicyonland

usewithaviewtoidentifyingappropriatestate

landavailableforsettlement.(LLRC9.124)

MinistryofLand

Acompletedstudyofthealienationof

statelandwithspecificreferencetothe

NorthernandEasternProvince12

months

Astudyonthealienationofstatelandisnecessaryinthepost-

warcontextbutanumberofquestionsariseincluding-

DoestheMinistryofLandshavethecapacitytoconductsucha

study?

Willcivilsociety,communitiesandotherswithexpertisebe

involvedinthisprocess?

Itisalsounclearwhichpolicyisbeingreferredtointermsofland

use,andifitistheLandUsePolicydevelopedin2007(see

below).Policyformulationshouldbeconductedinatransparent

andparticipatorymanner,providingasmuchinformationas

possibletothepubliconprocessandoutcome.

3.ProvideMinistryofLandswithresourcestopreparetheLandUsePlanforNorthandEast.

ActingundertheLandUsePolicyadoptedin

2007,developLandUsePlanfortheNorthand

East.(LLRC9.151)

MinistryofFinanceandMinistryofPublicAdministration

Budgetaryprovisionsmadeavailableto

andstaffprovidedtoMinistryof

MinistryofLand

LandUsePlanforNorthernandEastern

ProvincesdevelopedLands36months

Shouldbewelcomedandtheinvolvementofcivilsocietyandothersatthedistrictlevelshouldbeincluded.

4.Ensureeffectiveimplementationofstatutes,

i.e.TheStateLandsOrdinance,LandDevelopmentOrdinance(LDO),LandGrants(Sp.

Provisions)Act.(LLRC9.124)

PTFfortheN&E

WhyisthePTFtoplayaroleinthisprocess,especiallyinlightof

concernsraisedregardingthelackofinformationonitsToRanddurationofoperation?

Whilewelcomingeffectiveimplementationofstatues,due

attentionshouldbegiventoamendingparticularsectionsof

existinglegislationincludingLDOandPrescriptionOrdinance.

ThisshouldbeconductedbytheMinistryofLandin

collaborationwiththeMinistryofJusticeandLegalDraftsmans

Office.


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15

17See(below)Activity2,IssuesTobeDealtwithbytheproposedParliamentarySelectCommittee.

5.Carryoutawarenessprogrammeand

implementcircularNo2011/4of22.07.2011

MinistryofLand6monthsfor

awarenessraisingandimplementationis

on-going.

TheLandCircularwaswithdrawnbytheGovernmentinJanuary

2012asaresultofacasefiledchallengingit.InJuly2012,the

Governmentconfirmedthisundertakingtocourt.Therefore

questionsareraisedastohowthisactivityisbeingimplemented

whenthecircularhasbeenwithdrawn.

TheActionPlanmakesreferencetoimplementingtheCircularin

multipleactionpointsandinoneofthesestatesthatthetime

frameforimplementationbeing3months.(9.140)

Sincetheimplementationislistedaso-ngoing,information

shouldbesharedonthestatusofprogressmade,ifany.

6.Ensureimplementationofprovisionsofthe

CircularoftheMinistryofLandswhichapply

strictcontrolstopreventanyalienationofStatelandotherthanforIDPsuntiltheproposed

Programmeisimplemented.(LLRC9.140)

MinistryofLand

Implementationofcircular3months

UnclearwhetherthisisinreferencetotheLandCircular

pertainingtotheNorthandEastwhichwaswithdrawn.Ifso,the

continuedreferencetoacircularwhichhasbeenwithdrawnisproblematic.

7.Evaluatetheneedforanexternalpartnerto

supporttheprogrammeandformulateaproject

proposalifexternalresourcesarefoundtobe

needed.Secureassistanceasappropriate,if

feasible.(LLRC9.141)

MinistryofLands,Ministryof

Resettlement,DepartmentofNational

Planning

Areportdealingwithactivities3

months

UnclearwhethertheprogrammementionedisthatoftheLand

Circular.Ifthisisthecase,developmentpartnersandothers

shouldbeawarethatthematterisbeforecourtandthereisan

undertakinggivenincourttowithdrawthecircular

8.Appointa4thLandCommissionwithTermsof

referencesimilartothepreviousthree(i.e.1927,

1936and1985)torecommendpolicytoaddress

issues.(LLRC9.124)

MinistryofLand

AppointLandCommission24months

Whyappointa4thLandCommissionwhenthefirststepshould

betoestablishtheNLCasprovidedinthe13thAmendment?The

ActionPlansuggeststheestablishmentoftheNLCshouldbe

takenupbythePSC.17

MakepublictheToRsofthepreviousLandCommissions.

Theprocessofpolicyformulationshouldbetransparentand


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16

18SeeACommentaryonNewGovernmentLandPolicyInitiatives,B.FonsekaandM.Raheem,LandIntheNorthernProvince;PostwarPolitics,Policyand

Practices,CPA,December2011.

participatory.

9.Theproposed4thLandCommissionto

considerthefeasibilityofimplementingthe

followingrecommendationswhichwere

proposedtoensurethatthelandpolicyandthe

associatedProgrammeproposedinJuly2011is

effectivelyimplemented;

9.126-Assurepeoplethroughapublicityeffort

that the Programme seeks to make available

land to all returning IDPs as expeditiously as

possible andis nota substitutefor recourse to

the Courts of Law where people are in

possessionof validlegalproof oftheir claimto

thelandinquestion

9.128-Providetheneededhumanandfinancial

resources

9.129 -Supervise civil administration officers

tasked with the implementation of the

Programme by respective Government Agents

and monitor implementation quality at the

nationallevelbytheLandCommissionerGeneral

9.131- Organize a well-plannedmedia seminar

on the Programme to enable the Media to

project an accurate and clear v iew of the

Programme

9.132 -Conduct well des igned tra ining

MinistryofLand

Implementationoftheactivitiesin

keepingwiththefindingsofthe4thLand

Commission24months.

ThissectionseemstoindicatethattheLandCircularchallenged

incourtandsubsequentlywithdrawnistobeimplemented.This

isproblematicastherewasanundertakinggivenbytheState

thatthesaidcircularwillbewithdrawn.Thisundertakingwas

giveninJanuary2012andtheundertakingwasreinforcedbythe

AGsDepartmentinJuly2012.CPArecognizesthataprogramme

addressinglandissuesisneededinthepostwarcontextbut

shouldbedoneadheringtonationalandinternationallaws.

TherecommendationsprovidedintheActionPlanarelargely

positive,includingrestrictingthemilitarysroleintheprocessto

thereleaseoflanditiscurrentlyutilizing,andshouldbeincluded

inanewcircular.18

Itisalsonotcleartheexactpurposeofthe4

thLandCommission

examiningthefeasibilityoftheserecommendations,ifthe

circularistobeimplementedinparallel.


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17

programmes for all officers and community

leadersselectedforvariousCommittees

9.133-Launch a well-designed, communicationcampaign in simpleTamil andSinhala language

to help displaced persons come forward to

benefitfromtheProgramme

9.134 -Confine the participation of security

forces officers to expediting the release of

maximum extents of lands being utilized for

securitypurposes

9.135,136-Organizeandholdawell-publicized

CommunityConsultationMeetingineach

DistrictSecretariatareapriortothelaunchoftheFirstCommitteeinvestigationprocess.

Establishamechanismtorapidlyconsider

constructivesuggestionsmadethroughthis

process

10.Formulateapolicytodealwiththeissueof

settlements.(LLRC9.124)

MinistryofLand

Policyformulated-12months

Apolicyonsettlementsiswelcomebutshouldbedraftedin

consultationandcollaborationwithcivilsocietyandotherswith

expertiseonlandandreturnissues.Thepolicyshouldreiterate

thatprivatelandswillnotbeusedforgovernmentsettlement

schemes.

9.RESTITUTIONANDCOMPENSATION

1.Examinetheissuesthataffecttheeffective

implementationoftheREPIA(RehabilitationOf

Persons,PropertiesAndIndustriesAuthority)

andtakeappropriateactiontodealwithissues

identified.(LLRC9.155)

MinistryofRehabilitationandPrisons

Reforms

ReportonREPIAreceivedactiontaken

andissuesresolvedongoing

Therecommendationiswelcome.TheActionPlanstatesthatthe

activitiesareon-going.TheGovernmentshouldmakethereport

andon-goingactivitiespublicandincludeallstakeholders

includingcivilsocietyinsuchprocess.


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18

19See(above)Demobilization,DisarmamentandReintegration/LawandOrder.

2.Providefundsforpaymentofcompensation

basedonanacceptablevictimidentification

process.(LLRC9.155)

MinistryofFinanceandPlanning

ongoing

Therecommendationiswelcome.TheActionPlanstatesthatthe

activitiesareon-going.

Informationshouldbealsomadepubliclyavailableastothe

criteriatobeusedfortheprocessandforwhatdisastersand

problemscompensationwillbeprovidedfor.Theprocessof

drawingupcriteriashouldalsobemademoreconsultative.

3.Examinegovernmentpolicytoidentifywhat

disqualificationsexistforpublicservantswhen

accessingassistanceprovidedbyNon

GovernmentalOrganizations(NGOs)and

determineandintroduceprovisionstoensure

equitableassistance.(LLRC9.162)

MinistryofPublicAdministration

Policyexaminedandproblemareas

identified(ifany)newpolicy

determined,ifnecessary3months

TheGovernmentshouldengageinawiderprocessforreviewof

disasterrelief.

4.DisparitybetweenRecommendationandAction:TheActionPlancallsforacontinuation

withGovernmentprogrammeforthe

rehabilitationandre-integrationofex-

combatantsandareconciliationprogrammefor

thenextofkin,whilethecitedLLRC

recommendationcallsforcompensationfor

deathandinjuryofthoseinvolvedwiththeLTTE.

(LLRC9.164)

MinistryofResettlement,PTFN&E

Theeffectiveimplementationofthe

reliefprogrammesgrantingreliefto

thosenextofkinaffectedbydeathor

injuryasadirectresultoftheconflict

24months

WhiletheLLRCrecommendationisspecifictothosewhowereinvolvedwiththeLLTE,theactivityproposedintheActionPlan

appearstobemuchbroader.

Thereneedstobeclarityastowhetherthiscompensationis

availabletoallvictims,includingcombatants.19

10.LANGUAGEISSUES

1.FormulateanActionPlantoensureeffective

implementationoftheLanguagepolicy.(LLRC

9.2459.247,9.249)

2.ExaminetheroleoftheOfficialLanguages

MinistryofNationalLanguagesand

SocialIntegration,PresidentialTask

ForceonTrilingualSociety

ProgrammeofMinistrypre-datestheLLRC.

Timelinenotprovidedbutnotedasanon-goingactivity.

GiventhattheInterimRecommendationsincludedsuggestions


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August2012

19

20SeeNHRAPp23,29and42.

21SeealsoBhavaniFonseka,LuwieGaneshathasanandMirakRaheem,ShortTermBenchmarksforPeaceandReconciliationinPost-WarSriLanka(Short

TermBenchmarks),CPA,30May2012,Recommendation10.g.

22SeeShortTermBenchmarks,Recommendation10.d.

Commissionandidentifyareasthatneed

strengthening.Includeremedialstepstobe

taken,intheActionPlan.(LLRC9.248)

3.ImplementrecommendationsofthePresidentialTaskForceonTrilingualSocietyby

2020.(LLRC9.2459.247,9.249)

4.Designamonitoringandevaluationplanto

assesswhethertheprogrammesimplemented

areeffectiveandwhetherthereiscompliance

withpolicy.(LLRC9.2459.247,9.249)

EffectiveMonitoringofthe

implementationoftheTrilingual

Initiativeon-going

onlanguageissues,includingtheneedtohaveinterpretersin

policestationsitwouldbeusefulfortheGovernmenttoprovide

aprogressreportonhowfartheserecommendationshavebeen

implemented.

ThereisanoverlapwiththeNHRAPwhichincludessimilar

activitieswithaoneyeartimeframe.20

Questionofcitizenparticipationisignoredandcommunitylevel

Implementation.(LLRC9.241)21

InadditionitisimportanttheGovernmentdocumentsincluding

circulars,gazettes,regulationsandnoticesshouldbetranslated

intoSinhalaandTamil.22

5.MonitorobservanceoflanguagerightsrecognizedintheConstitutionandidentify

additionalremedialmeasuresrequiredtoensure

observanceoflanguagerightsandsuggest

remedialmeasures.(LLRC9.2459.247,9.249,

9.250)

MinistryofNationalLanguagesandSocialIntegration

Monitoringactivitycompleted12

months

Additionalremedialmeasuresidentified

andimplemented24months

Thisactivitycouldbeincludedwithrecommendation9.250.

11.FREEDOMOFSPEECH,ASSOCIATIONANDASSEMBLY,ANDMOVEMENT


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August2012

20

1.Takeappropriateactiontoensuremedia

freedom(LLRC9.115ac);

(a)Pursuitofgrievancemechanisms-

ComplaintstoPolice,FRApplicationstoSC,

ComplaintstoPressCouncil(withawider

jurisdictionandenhancedpowers)

(b)ComplaintstoNPCagainstPoliceinaction.

MinistryofMassMedia&Information

Effectiveredresstogrievancesofmedia

personnel12months

Therehavebeenseveralcaseswhereinvestigationsintoattacks

onjournalistsandmediainstitutions,assassinationsand

disappearancesofjournalistshavenotresultedinthe

perpetratorsbeingarrestedandprosecuted.Mostofthese

investigationshavebeenon-goingforseveralyears.TheLLRC

recommendedthatinvestigationsshouldbeexpeditiously

concludedsothatoffendersarebroughttobookwithoutdelay

andtheimpositionofdeterrentpunishmentforsuchoffencesso

astobuildthepublicconfidenceinthesystemofjustice.

HowevertheActionPlandoesnotrecommendanyspecific

actiontoachievetheserecommendations.

Theabsenceofanindependentpolicecommissionandthe

politicisationofthepolice.

2.Completeinvestigationsintocurrentcases

(LLRC9.115ac)

PoliceDepartment

InvestigationscompletedNoTime

Framegiven.

3.NocorrespondingLLRCRecommendation

Promoteresponsiblejournalismandconsidera

codeofconductforjournalists.

PressCouncil

NoTimeFramegiven.

Thisisanactionthathasnocorrespondingrecommendationin

theLLRCFinalReport.

Concernthattheactivityrelatingtopromotingresponsible

journalismmayleadtostatecontroloverfreemedia.

4.Identifyimpedimentstofreemovementof

mediapersonnelintheNorthandEastandtake

appropriateactiontoremoveimpediments(if

any)(LLRC9.115d)

MinistryofMassMediaand

Information,

PoliceDepartment

Impedimentsidentified(ifany)andall

impediments,ifany,removed6months

Positivemeasurebutlackofclarityifthisisforbothnationaland

internationalmedia.

Ifanyimpedimentsremainaftertheperiodof6months,these

shouldbemadepublicwithreasonsgivenastowhysuch

impedimentsremain.

5.Enactlegislationtoensuretherightto

information(LLRC9.115e)

MinistryofMassMediaandInformation

CabinetofMinisterstodecidethe

suitabletimeframefordrafting

legislationtobeconfirmed

Itshouldbenotedthatthedraftlegislationonrightto

informationhasbeendiscussedsince2003withrepeated

promisesonthepartoftheGovernmenttoenactsuch

legislation.HowevertheActionPlandoesnotdiscloseanytime

framefortheenactmentofthislegislation.


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21

6.Identifyandremoveanyremaining

restrictionsonvisitingplacesofworship(LLRC

9.117)

MinistryofReligiousAffairs

Restrictionsifany,removed12months

Apositivemeasure.

7.MonitormonthlyatGovernmentAgents

conference,whetherthereareconstraintstothe

freedomofpeople,communityleaders,and

religiousleadersorganizingpeacefuleventsand

meetings(LLRC9.118)

MinistryofPublicAdministration

Mainindicator-zerocomplaintsre

inabilitytoorganizeeventson-going

TheGovernmentshouldhaveanopenforumatthedistrictlevel

wherestakeholderscanraiseanyproblemsonaregularbasis.

8.Identifywhetherthereareunduerestrictions

tovisitorsfromoverseastovisittheirfriendsand

relativesinrecentlyresettledareasandremove

suchrestrictions(LLRC9.119)

MoD,PoliceDepartment,respective

GAs

Theformulationofareportwhich

confirmsthatnosuchrestrictionexists

6months

Thisactivityshouldbedrivenbytheciviladministrationandthe

reportmadepublic.

Thereisaneedtoalsolookatrestrictionsfacedbycitizensin

general.

TheKPIprejudgestheoutcomeofthereport.

9.Identifyandremoveunnecessaryobstacles

thatimpedefreemovementontheA9(ifany)

(LLRC9.195)

MoD

Unnecessaryimpediments(ifany)

removed2months

Whatstepswillbetakenininstanceswherethesecurityforces

maybethesourceofsomeoftheseobstacles?

AstheLLRCnotestheproblemoffreedomofmovementisa

broaderissuenotjustrelatedtotheA9.(LLRC9.116)

12.ISSUESTOBEDEALTWITHBYTHEPROPOSEDPARLIAMENTARYSELECTCOMMITTEE

1.Todevelopaconsensusondevolutionwithall

politicalpartiesandthoserepresenting

minoritiesinparticular.(LLRC9.236and9.237)

PresidentialSecretariat

RefertoPSC

TimeframeN/A

Theissueofdevisingaconsensusonthepoliticalsolutionisa

complexchallenge.ThePSCthatwasproposedbythe

Governmenthasnotyetbeenconstitutedandkeypolitical

partieshaveyettoagreetosubmitnomineeswiththeTNAin

particularobjectingtothePSCby-passingtheGovernment-TNA

talks.

2.Providerecommendationsforestablishinga

NationalLandCommission(NLC).(LLRC9.150)

PresidentialSecretariat,Ministryof

Lands

WhyshouldthisissuebeforwardedtotheproposedPSC?The

NLCasprovidedintheThirteenthAmendmenttothe

Constitutionshouldbeandcanbeimmediatelyconstituted


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August2012

22

23See(above)Activity1,IndependentInstitutions.

ProposalincludedinToRofPSC-Time

FrameTobeconfirmed

withoutdelayingthematterthroughaPSC.

3.Arriveatabi-partisanunderstandingthat

restitutionoflandisanationalissueandwillnot

beusedasatoolbypoliticalpartiestogain

narrowpoliticaladvantage.(LLRC9.152)


RecommendationreferredtoPSC.on-

going

Thisisanimportantissuebutthereisaquestionastowhythis

issueshouldbereferredtotheproposedPSC.

Accordingtothetimelinetheactivityison-goingbutthereis

littleinformationinthepublicrealmregardinganyprogress

made.

4.De-linkPoliceDepartmentfrominstitutions

dealingwitharmedservices.(LLRC9.214)

Recommendationreferredtoproposed

PSC

TimeframeN/A

Questionsareraisedastowhythisissueshouldbetakenupby

theproposedPSCwhenthisisadecisionthatcanbemadeby

theincumbentgovernment.

Inlightoftheconcernsraisedwiththeintroductionofthe

EighteenthAmendment,theindependenceofthePolice

Commissioninquestion.23

5.Establishaconstitutionalprovisionforjudicial

reviewoflegislation.Reachaconsensusonan

appropriateconstitutionalamendmentto

provideforanadequatetimeframetochallenge

proposedlegislation.(LLRC9.228)


RefertoPSC

TimeframeN/A

Thisiswelcomeandmuchneededtoensurethattheprocessof

law-makingisinkeepingwithgoodgovernanceprinciplesandto

avoidthepassingandimplementationofunjustandunfair

legislation.

Itisnotclearwhythisdecisionneedstobedeferredtothe

proposedPSC.

TheLLRCsrecommendationfortheneedtoreviewUrgentBill

isnotincludedinthepresentActionPlan(LLRC9.228).This

shouldbeaddressed.

6.Examinetheimplementationofthe

recommendationtomaintainandsupport

currentpracticeoftheNationalAnthembeing

sungsimultaneouslyintwolanguagesvisavis

thecurrentconstitutionalprovisions.(LLRC


Theimplementationofthe

recommendationsofthePSC1year

UnclearwhythePSCshouldlookatthisissue,whenthe

Governmentcantakeadecisiononthis.

Ifatall,thePresidentialSecretariatshouldtakeresponsibilityof

monitoringtocheckwhetherobstaclestoitbeingsunginboth

officiallanguages,especiallygiventhattheobstacleshavebeen


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August2012

23

9.277) fromstateactors.

13.PROMOTINGCOMMUNALHARMONYANDDEVELOPMENT

1.Examinethecurrentpolicyinadmitting

studentstouniversitieswithaviewto

recommendinganychangesthatwouldimprove

thecriteriaforadmissions.(LLRC9.251)

UniversityGrantsCommission(UGC),

MinistryofHigherEducation

ExpertCommitteesEstablished12

months

Positivemeasurebutlackoffollowupaction.

2.Upgradefacilitiesinschoolsisland-wide

throughimplementingthecurrentprogrammes

inkeepingwiththeMahindaChintanaya.(LLRC

9.252)

MinistryofEducation

Upgradingofeducationalfacilitiesin

schools36months

Itmaybemorepracticabletohaveminimumstandardsrather

thanassumeequalityinfacilitiescanbeachieved.

Giventhatthisisanon-goingprogrammeitmaybeusefulfor

morepublicinformationastowhereitcurrentlystands.

3.Formulateapolicythatwould

encourageethnicallymixedschoolsandensure

thatschoolsincludeprogrammestopromote

inter-communityinteractions.(LLRC9.253and

9.254)

MinistryofEducation

Theestablishmentofapolicy

encouragingethnicallymixedschools

andinter-communityexchanges24

months

Positivemeasure.

4.ImplementactivitiesidentifiedintheNHRAPtoprovidecomprehensive,island-widehuman

rightseducationprogrammestargetingthe

schoolchildren,youth,membersoftheSecurity

Forces,andthePoliceetc.andformulatea

moduleforinclusioninsecondaryschool

curriculum.(LLRC9.60)

NHRC,MinistryofEducation,ArmedForces,

InspectorGeneralofPolice,

NationalInstituteofEducation

ImplementationofNHRAPmonitored

andModuleformulatedandincludedin

curriculum-Governedbythetime

frameaspertheNHRAP.

Thisshouldbedonewiththeinvolvementofcivilsocietyandindividualswithexpertiseinthearea.

Atimeframeshouldbeidentifiedtoimplementthisactivity.In

theNHRAPthereisanawarenessraisingamongdutybearersfor

whichthereisnospecifictimeframe,insteaditstatesthe

programmeison-goingandthetimefordevelopingthemodules

is3months.


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August2012

24

5.Whilethepresentpolicycatersadequatelyto

thepolicyofensuringpublicuniversitieshave

ethnicallymixedstudentpopulationswitha

choiceofcoursesofferedinallthreelanguages,

agroupofexpertstobemobilizedtoconsider

thepresentsystemandrecommendanychanges

thatwouldpromotethetrilingualprocess.(LLRC

9.257)

UGC,

MinistryofHigherEducation

Identificationofagroupofexperts12

months.

Anumberofcommissionsandcommitteerelatingtoeducation

havesubmittedreportswhichhavenotyetbeenimplemented.

Thusthiscouldbeyetanothercommitteeandreportwithno

action.

Notimelineforimplementingfindings.

6.Presently,nationalcompetitionsensureisland

wideparticipationininter-provincialand

nationalsportscompetitions.However,a

programmecouldbeimplementedtoactively

promotesportsintheformerconflictareas.

(LLRC9.258)

MinistryofSports

Numberofsuchcompetitions

successfullyconductedisthemain

indicatoron-going

Positivestepbutchallengesremainregardingcapacityto

implementsuchaprogrammelackofclarityontheprogramme.

7.Formulateandimplementprogrammeto

harnesstheuntappedpotentialoftheexpatriate

community,throughSriLankanoverseas

Missions.(LLRC9.261and9.263)

MinistryofExternalAffairs

Programmeformulated3months

Programmeimplemented3months

Positivefocusondiasporaandinclusionofcivilsociety.

8.Assesstheimpactofexistingprogrammesto

improvethehealth,educationandhousing

facilitiesfortheestatesector,toidentifyareas

thatrequireimprovementandrevise

programmestomakeinterventionsmore

effective.

MinistryofHealth,

MinistryEducation,

MinistryPlantationIndustries,

MinistryChildDevelopment&Womens

Affairs

Thepublicationofareportindicating

theeffectivenessofexisting

programmes-6months

Lackoftimelineforimplementingfindingsofthereport.Also

broaderrangeofproblemsfacedbyUp-CountryTamilsincluding

documentationandlandrightsneedtobetakenup.


Action.TheLLRCrecommendationscallsfor

establishingamechanism,inconsultationwith

inter-faithgroupsthatcanserveasanearly

warninganddiffusingsystem.TheActionPlan

PoliceDepartment

Implementationofsuchprogrammes

andwidepublicityofsuchprogrammes

6months

Thereisasignificantdisparitybetweentherecommendationand

suggestedactions.TheActionPlanignoresthespecific

recommendationcallingfortheinclusionofinterfaithleaders

andforthesettingupofamechanismthatcanensurethat

communalorreligioustensionorfrictiondoesnotleadto


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August2012

25

callsforacontinuationoftheimplementationof

theCivilDefenceCommitteeprogrammeofthe

PoliceandCommunityPolicingprogramme.

Implementcapacitybuildingprogrammesfor

thePoliceofficersintheCDCs.(LLRC9.270)

conflict.

Inclusionofcivilsocietyandownershipinthecommunity

policingisimportant.

10.Examineandintroduceappropriate

measuresthatcouldbeadoptedtocreate

awarenessofculturalaffinitiesincludingthrough

translationofliteraryworks.Engagethecultural

sectortohighlightcommonalitiesandmutual

understandingbetweencommunities.(LLRC

9.274and9.275)

MinistryofCulturalAffairs

Programmesthatwouldpromote

culturalaffinitiesandcommonalities

betweencommunitieson-going

Asthisison-goingwhatisitsstatus?RoleofStateTVandRadio

inthis?

11.Examinetheadequacyofpenallegislationto

dealwithhatespeechrelatingtoethnicity,religion,andliteratureandintroducelawreform

ifnecessary.(LLRC9.283)

MinistryofJustice

Submissionofdraftlegislationto

Parliament12months

Whiletherearepositiveaspectstoreviewinglegislationand

standardsrelatedtohatespeechthereneedstobeamoreconsultativeprocess.

Beyond,legalreformthereneedstobegreaterattentionon

addressinghatespeech,itscausesandimpact.


Action.TheActionPlancallsforcontinuingthe

presentpracticeofexpressingsolidarityasone

nationandonepeopleandofpledginga

collectivecommitmenttonon-violenceand

peacesoastoensureanon-recurrenceofthepasteventsthatledtotheconflict,whilethe

LLRCFinalReportcallsforaseparateeventtobe

heldonNationalDaytoexpresssolidaritywith

allvictimsoftheconflict.(LLRC9.285)

PresidentialSecretariat,

MinistryofNationalLanguagesand

SocialIntegration,


HomeAffairs

TheactivityonlyaddressespartoftheLLRCrecommendation

anddisregardsanaspectoftherecommendationtoSetaside

aneventforrememberingvictimsoftheconflictontheNational

Day.(LLRC9.285)

WillvictimsbeallowedtomournandholdtheirowneventsasrecommendedbytheLLRC?(LLRC9.118&9.285)

Noreferencetopublicapologybyallpoliticiansasrecommended

bytheLLRC.(LLRC9.284)

action plan table (cpa commentary on llrc action plan)

Documents