TNA and Sri Lanka Ex-General communique

TNA and Sri Lanka Ex-General communique
January 5, 2010 at 12:54 am · ~ Press Releases

Full Text of “Programme of Immediate Relief Measures for War Affected Persons & Areas for Peace”, handed over to Hon. R. Sampanthan, Leader of the TNA by General Sarath Fonseka common Presidential Candidate at his campaign headquarters on Jan 4, 2010:
1. Restoration of Civil Administration and Normalcy

1. Full restoration of all institutions of Civil Administration from the Office of Grama Sevaka upwards – Free from Military, Police and Political interference.

2. Committees for each District headed by the respective District Secretary (GA), and comprising,

-Nomine of the President

-Divisional Secretaries

-Other Officials (Representatives of such Officials)

-Members of Parliament / Their Representatives

-Representatives of Local Authorities

-Judicial Officer/s

-Securities Forces /Commanders / Officers North / East

-DIG – Police /Officers

-Civil Society Representatives

To prepare Plan Action for immediate implementation within one month.
Monthly Reports on progress to be submitted to the President, Cabinet and Parliament.

A dedicated Secretariat to be established under the President to monitor progress and ensure implementation.

3. The immediate measures stated herein to be implemented through Presidential Orders, including appointing Presidential task Forces therefor.

4. Securities Forces to be stationed at strategic location only, taking into consideration national security. High Security Zones to be dismantled in keeping with the re-location of the Security Forces.

5. Free movement of all persons to be guaranteed without being impeded by Security and Police personnel.

6. Polce to be manned, as far as practicable by Officers, who are conversant in Tamil.

2. Prohibition of ‘para-military cadres’ and armed groups (self styled ‘war loads’)

1. All ‘para-military cadres’ and ‘armed groups’ to be disarmed forthwith.

2. Areas of civilian activity to be free of weapons.

3. Except the Security Forces and Police, only persons with permits under the Firearms Ordinance, would be entitled to possess firearms.

3. Re-settlement and rehabilitation of internally displaced persons.

1. De-mining of areas to be speedily concluded, through De-mining Units.

2. Displaced persons to be returned to their original homes, and where homes have been destroyed alternative accommodation to be provided, with financial support to establish themselves and develop

livelihoods.

3. Social infrastructure requirements, such as provision of essential Foods, Medical Centers, Hospitals, Schools, Transport, etc., to be provided.

4. Land & Agriculture

1. Restoration of possession of private land and buildings, now occupied by Security Forces / Police Government Agencies, to those lawfully entitled to such land and buildings.

2. Committees referred to in 1.2 above to arrange for such restoration.

3. Committee to submit a Scheme to the Government for payment of compensation for damage caused to buildings.

4.
(a) Eviction of persons legitimately entitled to State Land from such Lands

(b) Other instances of deprivation of legitimate title holders of State Lands, and

(c) Unlawful occupation of State Lands

To be reviewed and the position regularized on lawful and just basis.

5. Indiscriminate alienations of State Lands to be terminated. Allocations thus far made to be reviewed and cancelled, where such allocation:

-has not been transparent, or

-lacked equal opportunity to all concerned, or

-lacked proper consultation with the elected Representatives of the areas concerned , or

-are unwarranted, or

-has been on a corrupt basis

6. Relief packages for full cultivation of lands

7. A special law enacted to decide on disputes, as to ownership and succession of lands.

5. Fisheries

1. Full restoration of fishing rights

2. Joint Committees to be set-up of Representatives of those engaged in the fishing industry and the Navy to ensure security.

6. Trade and Commerce

1. All barriers in respect to transport of passengers, goods, agricultural and fisheries produce to be eliminated forthwith.

2. No payments (‘Kappang’) to be levied by anyone. Stringent action to be taken against those who do so.

7. Transport

1. Trains service to be restored., without delay within the Jaffna Peninsula, i.e. Elephant Pass to Point Pedro.

2. All implements for shipping and air transport to removed, with effective facilities which would ensure a reduction of costs of shipping and air transport.

3. Establishment of a new rail line, with private sector participation, from Point Pedro to Trincomalee.

8. Special Relief Packages

1. For dependents of all persons, who have lost their lives during the war, including military and polce personnel, and civilians.

2. For persons disabled, as result of the war.

9. Persons in Detention

1. Release of all persons in detention, within a period of one month against whom, there is no evidence, and on the basis that such detention would not be a stigma or a set back for their future.

2. Rehabilitation of those persons, who had been engaged in war activities, on the basis of a general amnesty.

10. An overall measure affecting all Sri Lankans:

The State of Emergency presently in force and the Regulation made thereunder to be terminated, since it affects the liberties and fundamental rights of all People,

in accordance with my Pledges

General Sarath Fonseka
Jan 4, 2010