.JPG)
( November 2, 2012, Paris, Sri Lanka Guardian)
On Thursday, October 25th, 2012, Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka spoke on the
theme of “Post-War Reconciliation and External Relations: the Challenges for
Sri Lanka”, at a conference organized by the ILERI, an institute for
International Relations based in Paris, founded in 1948 and presided for over
20 years by its founder René CASSIN, French Nobel Peace Prize winner, followed
in 1976 by former French Minister and essayist Edgar FAURE and by former French
Prime Minister, Raymond BARRE.
The first part of the conference
consisted of introductory remarks by Ambassador Jayatilleka on the complexity
of Sri Lanka ’s post-war situation. “If there is one lesson that I have learnt
from been a participant, an observer, a student, an activist, a teacher, an
analyst and commentator on Sri Lanka, it is to understand the value of
complexity. It is necessary sometimes to complexify, so to speak, but not to
obscure the reality […] because if you do grasp complexity, then you can
understand problems of theory in politics, in international affairs; probably
even problems of philosophy” he said.
The introductory remarks were
followed by an interaction between Dr. Jayatilleka and Prof. Jacques de
Goldfiem, former Defence Attaché at the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and
lecturer specialized in Asia at the ILERI, on matters pertaining to Sri Lanka
’s current situation.
A question and answer session
also took place during which Ambassador Jayatilleka answered many questions
from both students and lecturers on Sri Lanka’s Constitution, its political
system and its economic growth; issues of human rights, accountability and
political reconciliation, and Sri Lanka’s relationship with India, China and
Pakistan. He also responded to questions from the students on his role and
duties as Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.
