(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on the unity government to campaign harder for reconciliation in the country.
The NPC issuing a communiqué said there is growing uncertainty both locally and internationally about the government’s commitment to deliver on the promises regarding the reconciliation process that it made during the last elections.
It said concerns have surfaced with the initial governmental response to the report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms appointed by the Prime Minister.
The NPC noted that some government members have publicly criticized the report. Accordingly the National Peace Council called on the government to undertake a national education and outreach campaign with the support of civil society organizations that are active in the reconciliation process.
The NPC said, it is necessary to persuade the general population that the recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on reconciliation mechanisms are in accordance with the government’s commitments and these commitments are in the best interests of the country.
It said, failure to do so can pave the way for the breakdown of trust between the government, the war-affected people and the international community.