Minister Peres briefed the South African Government on plans to implement the recommendations of the Sri Lankan Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission relating to human rights, the return and resettlement of displaced communities, restitution and compensatory relief for the affected people, and post-conflict reconstruction and nation-building.
South Africa believes in the need for a peaceful and sustainable political solution, which will be best achieved through broad consultation and inclusive dialogue amongst all the peoples of Sri Lanka.
Both sides agreed on the need to grasp the opportunity to finally settle the conflict in Sri Lanka, including the speedy implementation of the LLRC Report, as well as the setting up of an impartial, inclusive and transparent mechanism to deal decisively with questions of accountability and justice.
South Africa continues to encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the LLRC Report in the same spirit as South Africa implemented the TRC processes.
South Africa stands ready to assist and share with the Government and people of Sri Lanka its experiences in terms of nation-building through the TRC.
In addition to paying a courtesy call on President Jacob Zuma, Minister Peiris also visited the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg.
Enquiries: Mr. Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for DIRCO, 082 884 5974
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building,
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria