UN chief Ban-ki-Moon has warned Sri Lanka that "history could repeat itself" if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, even as he demanded "unimpeded access" to aid agencies to the camps that houses 300,000 displaced Tamil civilians.
"Moon said if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself," UN said in a statement after Ban met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.
Ban asked Colombo to initiate a political process of accommodation, dialogue and reconciliation to solve the three- decade old ethnic conflict in the country.
"Sri Lankans of every ethnic and religious identity – Tamils, Sinhalese, Muslims – must enjoy equal justice, economic opportunity and security under the law, as President Rajapaksa declared in his recent address to Parliament," Moon said.
Rajapaksa and Ban have agreed that addressing the grievances of all communities, including Tamils, and working towards a lasting political solution was fundamental to ensuring long-term socio-economic development of Sri Lanka, a joint statement said.
While discussing the critical issues of the post-LTTE scenario, the two leaders agreed that the new situation offered opportunities for long-term development of the North and for re-establishing democratic institutions and electoral politics after 25 years, it said.
{{/usCountry}}While discussing the critical issues of the post-LTTE scenario, the two leaders agreed that the new situation offered opportunities for long-term development of the North and for re-establishing democratic institutions and electoral politics after 25 years, it said.
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