Sri Lanka reconciliation must ensure sustainable peace: Australia lawmakers

Dec 14, 2011 (LBO) - A visiting Australian parliamentary delegation has said Sri Lanka's reconciliation efforts after the end of its 30-year ethnic war must ensure sustainable peace and progress. Five Australian-members of parliament have gained a "first-hand insight" into Sri Lanka’s current political, economic and social situation during a week-long visit to the country," the Australian high commission said in a statement.

The delegation's tour included visits to the northern Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts, among the worst affected by the war which ended in 2009.

The five MPs met ministers, fellow parliamentarians, senior bureaucrats, local officials and community representatives.

The statement said the visiting lawmakers appreciated advice from senior politicians that the report from the government-appointed 'Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission' seeking ways to resolve the conflict would be tabled in Parliament shortly.

"The delegation confirmed Australia’s keen interest in seeing action by the Sri Lankan Government, following the LLRC report, to take forward national reconciliation in a way that provides a basis for sustainable peace and progress," it said.