Australian Council of Trade Unions - Support for an UN Advisory Panel in Sri Lanka 13 December, 2010 Australian Unions have welcomed the establishment of the Advisory Panel on Sri Lanka by the United Nations Secretary General. ACTU President Ged Kearney acknowledges the human costs of the conflict, dispossession and violence in Sri Lanka over the past decade and sees this first step as a closer step towards a resolution.

"This process will assist in achieving peace in Sri Lanka and be the start to minimise civilian disruption in Sri Lanka.

"We urge the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the panel and engage in establishing an effective process of national reconciliation to ensure the country moves forward after many years of internal conflict.

"The people of Sri Lanka deserve a peaceful and lasting solution that respects the economic, political, social, linguistic and cultural rights of everyone who shares residence in their nation state.

"It is our hope that anyone displaced by this conflict will soon be able to return to their homes and land to start rebuilding their communities" she said.

Restoration of a free media and respect for freedom of expression and rights of all working people are essential to achieving a lasting peace in Sri Lanka.

The ACTU calls on all parties to support the work of the UN Advisory Panel to ensure it can discharge its brief openly and transparently
http://www.actu.org.au/Campaigns/International/News/SupportforanUNAdvisoryPanelinSriLanka.aspx