Harsh Lessons

Oct 01, 2010 (LBO) - A citizen's group in Sri Lanka has outlined harsh lessons from the island's post independent history and suggested ways to a regain lost liberties by re-establishing rule of law. The submission of the 'Friday Forum' group was made to a state-appointed 'Lessons Learnt & Reconciliation Commission' (LLRC) which is looking into a recently ended 30-year armed uprising by a section of the Tamil minority.

Members of the Sinhalese majority have also take up arms against the state twice after independence from British rule in 1948.

The full statement is of the Friday Forum group reproduced below.

INTRODUCTION

The Friday Forum is an informal gathering of public spirited persons committed to contributing to the future development of Sri Lanka within a framework of democracy, pluralism and social justice. The Forum brings together a diversity of expertise and viewpoints reflecting its membership consisting of academics, various professionals, retired diplomats and civil servants, educationists, leaders of civil society organizations and leading personalities from the business sector. Furthermore, our membership reflects the diverse ethnic and religious composition