Ambassadors and high commissioners from various nations were present at this special seminar.

The minster of External Affairs G.L.Peries and the presidential secretary Lalith Weerathunga were present at this seminar.

They briefed about the final report of LLRC recommendation and its implementation in the country.

Presidential secretary Lalith Weerathunga briefed about the long and short term process of the LLRC recommendations in the country.

(2nd lead)

Implementation of LLRC recommendation – Minister of External Affairs

External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga yesterday emphasized the importance of acknowledging the substantial results already achieved on the ground within a far shorter time span than expected in post conflict situations in other parts of the world.

This is of particular relevance in the context of the significance consistently accorded by international law and practice to domestic remedies and procedures, they said.

These remarks were made at a meeting with the Colombo-based diplomatic community at the External Affairs Ministry. The External Affairs Ministry summoned the meeting to explain the situation as regards the action plan to implement recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

A spokesperson for the ministry said: "A comprehensive briefing took place on the work underway regarding implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, with emphasis on the results already achieved and the planned trajectory for co-ordination and implementation in the future.

The detailed matrix, including priorities, the institutions entrusted with responsibility, key performance indicators and time frames, was explained to the diplomatic community.

Prof. Peiris said that the Cabinet of Ministers, two months ago, had approved of the establishment of a mechanism under the Presidential Secretariat, headed by the Secretary to the President, to be in overall charge of implementation of the LLRC Report. The matrix prepared by this Committee was presented to the Cabinet by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and was endorsed by the Cabinet, Minister Peiris said.

He added that full information in this regard was made available to local and international media at the briefing held by Minister Peiris and Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga at the Ministry of External Affairs last week. It was considered appropriate to have an interactive session with the diplomatic community, he said.

Weeratunga explained in detail the approach which his Committee adopted to the work they had undertaken. He said that the recommendations, capable of short term implementation, had already been given effect, while work had begun in a structured manner with regard to the longer term proposals."