I would like to welcome Mr. Tyronne Fernando, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, to today's meeting. He is accompanied by the honorary consul of Sri Lanka in Ireland, Dr. D. A. Samarakoon and the ambassador designate to Ireland of Sri Lanka, His Excellency, Mr. Faisz Mustapha, who will present his credentials to the President tomorrow. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is visiting Ireland to strengthen further the cordial relations between our two countries. In addressing the committee this morning, Mr. Fernando will discuss the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka, particularly the peace process there following the signing of a peace treaty a year ago between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Perhaps the Minister will give the committee an update on the current humanitarian situation in the Ratnapura region following the recent flooding there. There will be an opportunity for an exchange of views with members following the Minister of Foreign Affairs' contribution. I ask Mr. Fernando to make his presentation.
Visit by Sri Lankan Delegation.
Mr. Tyronne Fernando
I thank the Chairman and members of this committee. I would like to begin by expressing my sense of privilege and honour for the opportunity to be here this morning. I am deeply grateful to the Chairman and the members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs for inviting me to speak at this distinguished forum.
Sri Lanka's civilisation is 2,500 years old. It had ambassadors in Rome and China 2,000 years ago. The majority Sinhala and minority Tamil communities have generally lived in a tradition of harmony. In the second century BC, for example, the Sinhala King Dutugamunu who defeated the Tamil King Elara decreed that everyone passing Elara's tomb should pay homage.
Parliament plays an important role in shaping foreign policy and relations in modern democratic societies such as ours. I welcome the opportunity, therefore, to speak to the committee about the current status of the Sri Lankan peace process, which is a topic of contemporary relevance in the Sri Lankan national context as well as from an international perspective. The international community's consistent support for the peace process has been crucial in sustaining our efforts. The European Union and its member states, including Ireland, continue to play a significant role in providing political support, as well as resources for reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement.
The peace process has become very much a people's project. The Sinhalese, who constitute 78% of the population, and the Tamils, who constitute 12% of the population, have become war weary. Let us remember that wars are made principally in the minds of men, and so will peace be made. The UNF Government, which assumed office in December 2001, received a clear mandate in the parliamentary elections of that month to seek a durable peaceful solution to the long-running ethnic conflict, to strengthen democracy and to revive the war-ravaged economy. The people of Sri Lanka overwhelmingly reaffirmed this mandate at the subsequent local government elections in March 2002. Consistent with this mandate and in response to a unilateral ceasefire declaration by the LTTE, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or armed Tamils, the Government initiated the ongoing peace process in December 2001 in an attempt to achieve a durable settlement to the ethnic conflict. The document signed in December 2001 was a ceasefire agreement and not, as the Chairman suggested, a peace treaty. The agreement represented a first step.
The Sri Lankan ethnic conflict has been identified as one of the world's longest running intrastate conflicts. Efforts to find a solution over the past 20 years, at national level as well as with external support, have been unsuccessful. Talks have been started with the LTTE on about three occasions, but we were on a road to nowhere. One of the important lessons of this long drawn-out conflict is that a military solution is not viable. A return to war is not an option, particularly after the last round of fighting which lasted more than six years and saw the deployment of maximum resources by the Government. This round of fighting resulted in Sri Lanka's economic growth falling below zero.
The current peace process has been designed to take into account the lessons of past unsuccessful efforts. We are carrying forward a structured and flexible process, supported by the people of Sri Lanka and the international community and underpinned by appropriate institutional mechanisms. I stress that the flexible and incremental aspects of the process are important elements of it. The process envisages a series of incremental steps, addressing the urgent humanitarian problems confronting the people in areas affected by war and implementing confidence-building measures incorporated in the mutually agreed ceasefire agreement which is being supervised by a monitoring mission from Nordic countries. Both parties have, by and large, respected the ceasefire agreement since it was signed in February last year. Parallel to the negotiation track, a carefully co-ordinated programme is being undertaken, with the assistance of national and international partners, at bilateral as well as multilateral level, for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the areas affected by the conflict to bring peace, relief and security to the hundreds and thousands of internally displaced persons.
Developing and sustaining a bipartisan approach among the main national parties is crucial to the entire peace process. The Sri Lankan Government has made it clear that transparency would be the foundation of the entire process. It might be noted that, even though PresidentKumaratunga and the Opposition People's Alliance have expressed reservations about certain aspects of the current effort, they have consistently reiterated their continuing support for the peace process. As the committee is aware, President Kumaratunga is from a different party from that of the government, of which I am a part.
The importance of engaging the only armed group, the LTTE, in search of a durable settlement has been clearly recognised. Sustained engagement and dialogue is the path for the transformation of the conflict into a durable peace. There is a complex, mutually reinforcing interrelationship between peace and development. Prospects of peace combined with the government's growth oriented strategies have already had a positive impact on the Sri Lankan economy during the past year. When we took hold of the reins of government, our economic growth rate was below zero. It was raised to 3% last year; the Sri Lankan Central Bank forecasts growth of 5% this year. We look forward with confidence to robust growth this year, despite the continuing uncertain global environment.
The ceasefire agreement, which came into force in February last year, has ended senseless bloodshed and destruction. The peace process has provided the space to pursue our common objective of achieving a durable settlement and justice for our people through dialogue and negotiation. There is a firm commitment to move forward by building mutual trust and confidence. We have reiterated our determination to sustain the process even when difficulties emerge in addressing contentious issues.
The international community has been unwavering in its support and encouragement for our efforts. Norway's facilitation has been crucial for the entire process. The monitoring mission, consisting of Nordic representatives, has played a significant role in the maintenance of the ceasefire. Bilateral donors and multilateral institutions have demonstrated their firm support for the humanitarian and rehabilitation programmes as well as reconstruction. Pledges at the Oslo meeting last November clearly reflect this.
The forthcoming Tokyo donor conference is expected to provide further impetus to resource mobilisation. Japan has assumed a leading role in our economic rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Japan is, in effect, repaying a debt she owes to Sri Lanka, since it was Sri Lanka which took a firm stand at the San Francisco peace conference in 1952 in order to forgive Japan for her conduct in the Second World War. This helped with the economic rehabilitation of Japan and Japan is now helping us.
Our closest neighbour, India, has been extremely supportive. Mutually agreed joint structures and mechanisms are being established with the objective of channelling resources and ensuring speedy implementation of projects. Both parties have agreed to explore a settlement based on a political structure within a united Sri Lanka. During six rounds of peace talks, the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE agreed on a solution along the federal model with Sri Lanka to accommodate the Tamil population who are largely in the north and east provinces of Sri Lanka. However, the LTTE on 21 April informed the government of its decision to suspend its participation in negotiations for the time being, citing the failure of implementation of decisions already taken as reasons for this move. The LTTE has clarified that this was not a step towards the resumption of war and that its commitment to pursue a political settlement remained undiminished. I need hardly tell the committee that all similar negotiations have been subject to this process of breakdown and restart.
The government recognises and has repeated several times that the path towards a durable settlement will be long, arduous and beset with pitfalls and setbacks from time to time. The government is of the view that the practical issues raised by the LTTE regarding speedy implementation of urgent humanitarian and rehabilitation tasks could be addressed. The government is ready to deal with these problems relating to the sub-committee on immediate humanitarian and rehabilitation needs through concrete steps. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister is giving his personal and urgent attention to enhance the effectiveness of this sub-committee in order to implement these urgent tasks.
The resettlement of internally displaced persons and the normalisation of civilian life is another reason given by the LTTE for its temporary withdrawal from the negotiation process. The government has pointed out that out of the 200,000 families who were displaced during the conflict about 75,000 families have been voluntarily resettled since the ceasefire agreement came into effect. The resettlement of the remaining families will be addressed as a matter of urgent priority, reconciling the humanitarian imperatives with security concerns. The LTTE has also emphasised that a formal mechanism to administer funds for the reconstruction of the north east was a prerequisite for it to participate in the forthcoming Tokyo donor conference. The major countries actively involved in the peace process, such as Norway, Japan and the United States, have urged the LTTE to return to the negotiation process. The government is confident that the misconceptions and practical issues raised by the LTTE could be satisfactorily resolved to enable the resumption of the peace process, which has been temporarily stalled. I will conclude with the words of Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago: "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the Earth."
I wish also to add a few words on the situation of recent flooding and landslides in the Ratnapura district. These happened a few days ago after I left Colomobo. I gather that damage has been extensive because some of the flood waves reached 40 feet. There are 500 fatalities, large numbers are missing and large numbers of houses were submerged by tidal waves. We are in urgent need of foodstuffs, shelter, medicines and clothing for those affected.
I welcome the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Fernando, the ambassador designate and his colleagues. I join with the Chair in expressing sympathy and solidarity with the humanitarian situation that has developed. If there is any assistance that the Irish Government or Parliament can give, it will be forthcoming. We have an active Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
We also have had more than 30 years of conflict and are still coming to terms with the aftermath of it. We have learned much and part of that learning process has been the need to accommodate human rights structures both north and south of the Border. Can Mr. Fernando tell us something about the provision that is being made in Sri Lanka for the vindication of human rights and how this will play a part in the peace process?
What effect has the conflict had on the Sri Lankan economy? Mr. Fernando mentioned in his contribution that the economy is picking up and that the ceasefire was a contributory factor. Can Mr. Fernando tell us more about the state of the economy and how he sees the peace process playing a part in its development?
I will be brief as we have a heavy agenda. I welcome the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and its ambassador to Ireland to whom I extend my best wishes in his efforts to deepen relationships between our two countries. I am glad the Foreign Minister stressed the background to Sri Lanka's ancient culture and its international relations.
In the federal structure agreed between the majority community of 88% of the population and the minority community, which makes up 12% of the population, what is the relationship in terms of government posts? How is it envisaged these will be allocated?
The Foreign Minister's comments on resuming the humanitarian agenda are positive. The issue of resettlement is a related issue. It has been suggested that resettlement is conditional on security arrangements. How will these be defined, as a product of negotiations in the peace process when it is resumed or by the government? With regard to international relations, it would be useful to have a statement on Sri Lanka's current international debt.
I also welcome the Foreign Minister and his colleagues. Like other speakers, I extend to them our sympathy and concern with regard to the tragedies which have befallen their country in recent days. As Deputy Mitchell stated, many of us could echo their comments in terms of our peace process in Northern Ireland.
I note the Sri Lankan Government has made clear that transparency will be the foundation of the process. We are finding this to be the case here also. Will the witnesses briefly outline what this has entailed in the process to date and how trust can be built? The issue of normalisation or demilitarisation has been discussed as a means of bringing about a sustained and lasting peace in our country. How does the Minister propose this will be done in Sri Lanka?
Members will be delighted the peace process is under way and a ceasefire has been achieved. We understand how much effort this required and wish Sri Lanka every success in its peace process. I now ask the Foreign Minister and ambassador to reply to the various questions raised by members.
Mr. Fernando
I thank you, Chairman, and members of the committee for your expressions of support and concern for the victims of floods and landslides in Ratnapura and other areas. It was stated Ireland would be happy to help. I plan to raise this issue when I meet the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas aid, Deputy Tom Kitt.
There are many parallels between the Irish and Sri Lankan peace processes. In 1996, 29 members of Parliament, including me, travelled to Ballymena in Northern Ireland to study the peace process here. We stayed for about two weeks and met all the key players. In both processes we found it of vital importance that the people should be heard and a facilitator involved. Ireland used facilitators such as US Senator George Mitchell. The delegation of 29 MPs from various parties called upon the then government to appoint a facilitator. This was not a popular move as it was widely felt that we should settle our own problems and not bring in outsiders. As a result of our call and other factors, the Norwegians came into the picture, again during the term of the previous government. This and most other steps to date have been mutually agreed between the government and the LTTE. Although the ceasefire was declared unilaterally, it was followed by a mutually agreed ceasefire agreement. We have proceeded step by step.
I turn to the important question in the context of resettlement as to who will define security. This will be done by mutual agreement. Nowhere has the LTTE maintained that government troops must completely evacuate the north and east. The problem is that the troops are currently occupying certain areas which, ultimately, will be resettlement areas. The immediate question is how many troops can be withdrawn and how much of the areas in question can be released for resettlement. Many people in the south take the reasonable view that an amount of weapons must be laid down by the other side before the armed forces withdraw in substantial numbers. After all, the process involves two factions on ceasefire which have been at war for 20 years.
The removal of firepower on both sides is a matter for negotiation. We did not insist on conditions such as the giving up or laying down of arms. With regard to the Irish peace process, members will recall that during his time in office Mr. Major insisted that the IRA lay down its arms, whereas Mr. Blair entered unconditional talks and progress in the peace process was made immediately. A measure of decommissioning has been achieved under the international inspectors, Cyril Ramaphosa and Martti Ahtisaari. Similarly, we will solve the issue of arms by mutual agreement. For this reason, it is important the leaders of the LTTE return to the talks, even if they feel we have not fulfilled some of their demands. There is no getting away from the table. They are probably flexing their muscles and will return to the talks sooner or later.
I now turn to the question on federalism which is still under discussion. While we are agreed on a basic federal framework, its structures still have to be discussed to determine the degree of power to be devolved and retained by central Government. The most important issue is that the principle has been agreed. Throughout the conflict the LTTE demanded a separate state. It has now stated it would be agreeable to a federal solution in which there would be a largely autonomous region in the north and east where most Tamils live. It should be noted that Muslims live alongside Tamils. Our new ambassador to Ireland, for example, is a Muslim and could tell the committee that the eastern region contains a minority within a minority, a Muslim minority within a large population. In fact, the north is largely Tamil - it is a little more than 90%. The rest of the south is 80% Sinhala. We have a problem in the east where there is 40% Tamil, 30% Sinhala and 30% Muslim. Again, we have to talk and settle those matters. While the structures have still to be put in place, the sixth round of talks has been agreed. We have been talking about humanitarian assistance and making the ceasefire effective.
The important subject of human rights has also been the subject of discussions. A representative of the LTTE appeared before the committee to speak about human rights abuses in 2001. We came to power at the end of 2001 and since then many of the human rights abuses have been minimised. The boiling issue at the moment is the violation of the ceasefire by the LTTE in conscripting children as soldiers and that type of human rights abuse. I chair a permanent committee of Ministers on human rights which consists of the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Internal Security. We meet regularly with our officials in order to review the situation and take corrective action. We brought in Ian Martin, a former secretary general of Amnesty International, to advise both sides on this issue in order to draw up a road map. The UNHCR is actively involved on the question of resettlement. I may have missed out on the point in my text that the UN is very much involved in assistance, along with Japan, the US and other countries. A UN aid mission visited us and it is very much involved, not least on the question of child soldiers. The executive director of UNICEF, Carol Bellamy, visited the north and we are leaving it to sort out the matter. It is a sensitive issue.
The committee wished to know something about the economy which I dealt with only briefly. The economy is reviving. Naturally, foreign investors and tourists are not coming to get their heads blown off or even to get SARS. Since we are now free of both bombs and SARS, we have had an upturn in tourism and tourism investment, which is why the growth rates have gone up from zero or negative growth when we came to power to 3% and currently 5%. Some 30% to 40% of my constituents are carpenters. They have a flourishing business in the north, which their fathers had before them. They have become re-established in this context and are using the airline to travel with their goods. There is consequently a huge revival in the economy. The north is also producing foodstuffs so, apart from foreign investment and tourism, there is a revival of internal business as well.
I thank the Minister. As he can see, everyone here is very pleased with the peace process. We wish him well with it and offer him our support. We note that he was influenced by the situation in Northern Ireland and the work which we have been doing over a good many years.
The recent flash floods have been a massive tragedy with over 200 people dead, a further 200 still missing and 100,000 evacuated from their homes. We offer the support of humanitarian assistance to alleviate the disaster in Ratnapura. We thank the Minister, the ambassador designate and Dr. Samarkoon for taking the opportunity to meet us and we wish them well in their work.
Mr. Fernando
I thank the Chairman once again for the committee's patient hearing, interest and concern about our country.
The joint committee suspended at 11.45 a.m. and resumed at 11.55 a.m.