Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill to be taken up next Tuesday

The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation Bill is scheduled to be taken up for its Second Reading debate in the House next Tuesday, according to Acting Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne.

The Bill for the establishment of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation was gazetted on 22 Sept., 2023 on the order of the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms.

The purpose of this Bill is to establish a reconciliation office to build a society where all communities live in harmony.

This office consists of one member, nominated by the Minister, and appointed by the President, and 10 other members appointed by the President on the recommendations of the Minister.

Their term of office is three years.

The chairman of the office should be appointed by the President, and it should be done on the recommendation of the Minister.

A major role of the Office of Reconciliation is to recommend measures to the government to resolve issues that have adverse effects on national unity and resolve tensions and conflicts between different communities.

The Office of Reconciliation is mandated to find solutions to post-conflict issues such as the resettlement of internally displaced persons, and rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants.

A Secretariat should be established to administer the affairs of the Office of Reconciliation and a Director General should be appointed as its Chief Executive Officer.

This Bill has allowed the filing of cases in the Court of Appeal against those who provide false information to the office and obstruct the execution of its functions.