Cabinet nod for setting up Truth and Reconciliation Commission in line with South African model

The Cabinet of ministers had approved a proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism in Sri Lanka taking into account the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardena told reporters yesterday.

Addressing the media, Gunawardena said the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabri had visited South Africa recently at the invitation of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in South Africa to conduct a preliminary study on South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

During that visit, they had held discussions with the South African President, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation and other heads of the South African government, the minister said.

Gunawardena said that such a mechanism would help resolve many issues that remain following the end of the war and other conflicts. (RK)