Government Prioritizes Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion - Minister of Justice

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Justice and National Integration Attorney Harshana Nanayakkara has stressed that the government is committed to peacebuilding and social cohesion as key priorities. 

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday (04), Minister Nanayakkara acknowledged that while international friends have supported Sri Lanka for years through resources, expertise, and training, significant progress in fostering unity and understanding among communities has been lacking.

He criticized past efforts as being superficial, aimed more at satisfying international donors or meeting external expectations than creating real social harmony. "It was just a sideshow," he said, emphasizing that under the current administration, these initiatives are not secondary but central to government policy.

He highlighted the importance of recognizing and respecting the country's diverse ethnic and cultural identities. He assured that the government will implement policies to encourage and protect these identities, fostering a more inclusive and cohesive society. 

"We understand we are culturally different. We have different ethnic identities, different cultural identities. We respect them all," he added.