சமாதானத்தின் பிரதிபலனை நாட்டுமக்கள் தற்போது அனுபவிக்கின்றனர் - கோட்டாபய

''நிரந்தர சமாதானம் மற்றும் சமூகத்தை நோக்கி" என்ற தொனிப்பொருளில் 2012 ஆம் ஆண்டுக்கான பாதுகாப்பு மாநாடு  புதன்கிழமை தினம் கொழும்பில் ஆரம்பமானது. 40 நாடுகளை பிரதிநிதித்துவப்படுத்தும் 250 யிற்கும் அதிகமான உள்நாட்டு, வெளிநாட்டு பிரதிநிதிகள் பங்கேற்றனர்.

5 கட்டங்களாக இந்த மாநாடு நடத்தப்படுவதுடன் அது எதிர்வரும் வெள்ளிக்கிழமை வரையில் இடம்பெறவுள்ளது. இந்த மாநாட்டின் ஆரம்ப உரை, பாதுகாப்பு செயலாளர் கோட்டாபாய ராஜபக்ஸவினால் நிகழ்த்தப்பட்டது.

இதன்போது உரையாற்றிய பாதுகாப்பு செயலாளர் கோட்டாபாய ராஜபக்ஸ, சிலர்  நல்லிணக்க யோசனைகள் தொடர்பில்  முன்வைக்கும் கருத்துக்கள் உண்மைக்கு புறம்பானது என குறிப்பிட்டார். நிலக்கண்ணி வெடி அகற்றல், புனர்நிர்மானம், புனருத்தாபனம், மீள்குடியேற்றம் மற்றும் மீண்டும் சமூகத்தில் இணைத்தல் போன்ற நடவடிக்கைகளில் பெற்றுக்கொண்டுள்ள தரவுகளை பார்க்கும் போது யாராலும் குறைகூறமுடியாது என தெரிவித்தார்.

எனினும் இதற்கு சில தரப்பினரே எதிர்ப்பினை வெளியிடுகின்றனர். அது உண்மையான எதிர்கருத்து அல்ல. கடந்த மூன்று வருட காலப்பகுதியினுள் நாட்டின் சகல இன மக்களுக்கும் வர்க்கம், குலம், வதிவிடம் என்பவற்றை கருத்தில் கொள்ளாது, தேவைகளை அறிந்து, அரச சேவையில் இடம் வழங்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

விசேடமாக தமிழீழ விடுதலை புலிகளின் பிடியில் இருந்த சகல மக்களும் தற்சமயம் சமாதானத்தின் பிரதிபலன்களை தற்சமயம் அனுபவிக்க முடிவதாக பாதுகாப்பு செயலாளர் கோட்டா பாய ராஜபக்ஸ தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

 'Defence Seminar - 2012', organized by the Sri Lanka Army began today at the Galadari Hotel, Colombo. The annual international gathering brings together senior military personnel, administrators, bureaucrats and intellectuals to share experiences and discuss matters on a range of issues related to Sri Lanka's post-conflict achievements and development. 

Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa delivering the key note address said that Sri Lanka today is one of the most peaceful and stable countries in the world and the great progress that has been accomplished here is worthy of study at a time it is enjoying its third year of peace and stability after the defeat of terrorism. 

He further said that he particularly encourage the foreign delegates to make full use of their time here to interact with and learn from the people who were instrumental in our post-war efforts. 

He noted that the most pressing issue that needed to be addressed was ensuring the wellbeing of the civilians who had been displaced from their homes and by the time the war ended with the LTTE's defeat, 295,873 internally displaced people were left in the Government's care. De-mining more than five thousand square kilometers of land was a challenge that the Government unhesitatingly undertook immediately after the war ended, and as of today; nearly all of the two main priority areas that were identified for demining have been cleared, he said. 

Speaking further Secretary Defence said that alongside the de-mining process, reconstruction was expedited in each area that was cleared of mines and rendered safe and at the end June 2012, a total of 469,275 antipersonnel mines, 1,399 anti-tank mines, and 388,963 unexploded ordnance devices had been recovered. The Sri Lanka Army was given the responsibility of demining the largest area of land. 

He added that alongside the de-mining process, reconstruction was expedited areas that demined and rendered safe and despite the governments continuous provision of utilities and services long term development activities have been prevented from taking place in these areas for nearly three decades due to LTTE terror. Housing was a key priority of the government in terms of reconstruction and through the on-going programmes, the housing stock in the North will be greatly increased and improved over the next few years. The Army has been involved in several programmes to renovate damaged houses and construct new ones, he further said. 

Welfare Villages for the displaced were set up by the Government While demining and reconstruction activities were going on. Vocational training centers were also established for capacity building and empowerment. Special public administration services were provided, including facilities to reconstruct legal documents and issue temporary Identity Cards, he said. 

Secretary Defence also said that in order to Rehabilitate the ex-LTTE cadres a 'six plus one' rehabilitation process model was adopted and particular attention was given to the 594 surrendered child soldiers. Non Governmental Organizations such as the IOM and UNICEF were given free and unfettered access to the rehabilitation centers, so too were diplomats, media personnel, lawyers, and family members of the beneficiaries. 'Peace Villages' were created to enable many beneficiaries to continue their rehabilitation without any disruption to their family life and also a special programme was drawn up to facilitate education for them, So far 10,965 rehabilitees have been reintegrated to society and there is complete freedom of movement for all people in the North. Since July 2011, more than 51,400 foreign passport holders from over 100 countries have visited Sri Lanka and travelled to the North, including nearly 31,500 this year alone, he added. 

Concluding his speech Secretary Defence said that through unwavering commitment and resolve of the Government to swiftly implement measures for Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Reconciliation has laid the foundation for a prosperous future for all our citizens, irrespective of their diversity and differences and that is the greatest accolade that can be paid to the success of Sri Lanka's post-conflict development; that will be our legacy to future generations. 

During this year's event titled 'Towards Lasting Peace and Stability', the participants will deliberate on issues on Sri Lanka's post conflict efforts on Reconstruction, Resettlement, Rehabilitation, Reintegration, and Reconciliation (5Rs) during the course of the seminar. A number of scholars and renowned experts are scheduled to speak at the three day event. 

More than 250 foreign and local delegates are attending the event. Guest speakers from the UK, US, India and Pakistan will be among the over 22 speakers who are scheduled to share their views, learn and adapt experiences, explore ways and means for applicability of new technologies for development, promote economic revival and reconciliatory moves for long-lasting peace and stability in Sri Lanka. 

Hon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris and Dr. Subramaniam Swami (Member of Parliament, India), governor of the Central Bank, Ministry Secretaries, Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the three forces, Inspector General of Police, diplomats, foreign dignitaries, military and public officials was among the distinguished gathering. The event will conclude on Friday.