It is welcome that Sri Lanka’s Department of Census and Statistics has started a nationwide exercise to assess the loss of human lives and damage to property after the civil war (Nov. 29). Whether it is due to immense international pressure mounted on Sri Lanka or British Prime Minister David Cameron’s moves that made Colombo speed up the probe is something in the realm of speculation. One only hopes that the move will help the process of reconciliation and healing.
Syamala Yashwanth Karri,
Visakhapatnam
Sri Lanka’s move is a belated exercise, bereft of any serious intent. That this exercise will cover the period from 1982 to 2009 raises serious doubts about the government’s real motives. The Rajapaksa government’s marked reluctance to inquire into alleged war crimes in the closing stages of the battle against the LTTE in May 2009 is clearly a thorny issue. The international community should apply sustained pressure on Sri Lanka to show results in relief and rehabilitation, alongside a credible and time-bound inquiry into alleged war crimes.
J. Anantha Padmanabhan,
Tiruchi
