Ban hails progress in SL after 1 yr

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has asked the Sri Lankan government to continue moving forward in advancing reconciliation and good governance as the country continues its political transition.

The Secretary-General congratulated President Maithripala Sirisena and the people of Sri Lanka on the first year of the country’s political transition and said he is encouraged by the government’s commitment to a broad reform agenda that aims to realise durable peace, stability and prosperity for the Sri Lankan people.

“The Secretary-General acknowledges the initial steps the Government has taken to strengthen good governance, advance reconciliation and implement the resolution of the Human Rights Council of October 2015. “He urges continued progress in these areas and emphasises the need for inclusive consultation processes to address issues of transitional justice,” said a statement issued on Thursday by Ban’s spokesman on the occasion of the first anniversary of the island nation’s political transition.In the October resolution, the UN’s human rights body had unanimously recommended a credible probe involving foreign judges and prosecutors into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka in the brutal war against the LTTE. Ban said he supports the government’s efforts to advance a nation-wide dialogue to achieve a long-term political settlement acceptable to all and welcomed the government’s announcement to commence constitutional reform.