Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism: Cabinet approves proposal to draft law

By Kelum Bandara 

In another step for the implementation of matters envisaged in the UNHRC resolution, the Cabinet yesterday endorsed a joint memorandum submitted by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry seeking approval to draft the piece of legislation that provides for the establishment of Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Daily Mirror learns.   

The Cabinet granted approval to direct the Legal Draftsman to work out this piece of legislation to be enacted by Parliament later.  The bill, once enacted, will provide for the setting up of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission modelled on the similar mechanism adopted in South Africa after the end of Apartheid (Discrimination of people based on race) .  
The two ministers submitted this Cabinet paper after a tour of South Africa where they interacted with various stakeholders in that country on the pluses and minuses of such a system to bring about reconciliation among the communities here in the post war context.   

A source familiar with the move said anyone affected by the conflict between 1983 and 2009 can appear before this commission once set up to present grievances and seek redress .  
“The Commission will have 21 members. They will act in separate benches to hear various cases by the affected people and recommend redress in terms of reparations or legal assistance. Redress will vary according to cases to be heard,” the source said.