Mr. Ian Martin, International Human Rights Advisor to the Peace Process met with Mr. Jayantha Dhanapala, Secretary General of SCOPP on Monday 10 October. The discussion focused on the current status of the peace process and the need to address human rights issues as a matter of urgency within the current peace process. During the discussions Mr. Dhanapala, indicated the need to move forward on the basis of the decision taken by the GOSL and the LTTE at the sixth round of talks in March 2003 in Hakone, Japan, which called upon Mr. Martin, to develop three aspects for a proposed human rights ‘roadmap. These aspects were:

1) The drafting of a Declaration of Human Rights and Humanitarian Principles.

2) The planning of a programme of human rights training for LTTE cadres and government officials, police and prison officials.

3) Proposals for the strengthening of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to enable it to develop the capacity for increasingly effective monitoring throughout the country.

Mr. Dhanapala, reiterated the commitment of the Government to decisions taken at Hakone, and indicated that the Government was keen to move forward with a draft declaration on human rights and humanitarian principles. In this regard Mr. Dhanapala, presented proposals for inclusion in the draft declaration.

Mr. Martin recognized the need to address human rights issues and agreed to seek the views of the LTTE, after which he will present proposals to both parties for consideration. Mr. Martin emphasized the need for an effective monitoring mechanism, which the GOSL supported. Mr. Martin will be visiting, Kilinochchi on 13 & 14 October to consult the LTTE on these issues.

Mr. Ian Martin arrived in the island on 8 October 2005. Mr. Martin was invited by the GOSL and LTTE at the fourth round of peace talks in his personal capacity as an expert on human rights to assist the parties address human rights issues within the peace process.

Mr. Martin, visited Batticaloa and Kattankudy on Sunday 9 October 2005, and met with the SLMM, civil society groups, Muslim representatives and international organizations in the area.

Mr. Martin will also meet with the Deputy Minister of Defence and Law & Order Hon. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, Minister of Justice Hon. John Seneviratne and the Commissioners of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, in relation to the other two elements of the roadmap that the parties have agreed on.

Associated with SG/SCOPP at his meeting with Mr. Martin was Mr. Harim Peiris, Director General of the Ministry of RRR, Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe, Director, Legal, SCOPP, Ms. Shobhini Gunasekera, Deputy Director, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other officials.