Blake says visit positive, key challenges remain
By Uditha Jayasinghe
The Government has assured US envoy Robert O. Blake that provincial council elections in the north would be held before September 2013.
Speaking to the media at the end of a brief two-day visit, the Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia said that he had had “positive” discussions with a range of Government officials, opposition politicians and civil society and that they had assured him of the deadline for elections.
Nonetheless, Blake urged that they be held sooner, observing that the polls were held in the east a year after it was cleared.
These officials included Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, Plantations Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and leaders of the TNA.
He also called on the Government to fast track implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations, but noted that he was “disappointed” over continued failed talks with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
“I discussed in all our meetings the need for accelerated progress to implement the recommendations of the LLRC and the National Action Plan. I emphasised the importance of progress in reducing the role and profile of the military in the north, and full respect for human rights,” he said.
Despite his appeals for the Government to speed up the Action Plan, Blake declined to comment on any timeline.
He reiterated the US stance for a credible and transparent accounting, investigation and prosecution for outstanding and serious allegations of human rights violations, as well as progress on the missing.
“I also urged that the Northern Provincial Council elections be held as soon as possible and encouraged an early resumption of talks between the TNA and the Government to agree on powers to be devolved to the provinces.”
Responding to questions, Blake stressed that the US Government was keen to see progress on all human rights related matters, including missing people and media freedom. Those issues would continue to be a priority during interaction between the two States in the future as well as during the upcoming Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
Progress on the Action Plan was deemed “very important” by him in the run up to the UPR and subsequent sessions in Geneva next year. Blake repeatedly noted that it was the responsibility of the Sri Lankan Government to “take ownership” of the Action Plan and push it forward as “quickly as possible”.
On the economic front, Blake said he was pleased that the American Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a trade fair to celebrate its 20th anniversary. “I met with members of the AmCham at a lunch to discuss both the opportunities in sectors such as tourism and information technology, and the challenges that need to be overcome for Sri Lanka to attract greater investment,” he said.
“Our hope remains that all Sri Lankans will be able to enjoy the same rights and dignity, and share a democratic, secure, and prosperous future,” Blake added.
