Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)
Encyclopedia
Born out of a need to institutionalize the Peace Process, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) was established on 6 February 2002 with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). The Secretariat was headed by Bernard Goonetilleke (2002-2004), Jayantha Dhanapala
(2004-2005), Dr. Palitha Kohona
(2006 - 2007) and by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
(2007 - 2009). On May 19, 2009, the President of Sri Lanka
Mahinda Rajapakse officially claimed an end to the insurgency and the defeat of the LTTE, following which SCOPP will be winding up operations with effect from July 31 2009 .
SCOPP employees were drawn from both the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka and included specialists in Communication
s, Diplomacy
, Economics
, and Law
.
For over two years since its inception, SCOPP was under the direct purview of the Prime Ministerof Sri Lanka though in its later years it came under the direct purview of the President of Sri Lanka
.
SCOPP was primarily a coordinating and facilitating body of the Peace Process. It was the main instrument of the Government to consolidate and strengthen the Peace Process. SCOPP engaged in extensive consultations with all stakeholders involved in the Peace Process including the public and private sectors, civil society, donor community and line agencies on a regular basis.
Jayantha Dhanapala
Professor Jayantha Dhanapala is a member of the Board of Sponsors of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists and a governing board member of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Dr. Dhanapala was Sri Lanka's official candidate for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations,...
(2004-2005), Dr. Palitha Kohona
Palitha Kohona
Palitha T. B. Kohona is a Sri Lankan born diplomat. He is the current the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN. Until August 2009 he was the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sri Lanka and was the former Secretary-General of the Secretariat for...
(2006 - 2007) and by Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha
Rajiva Wijesinha
Rajiva Wijesinha, MA, DPhil is a Sri Lankan writer in English, distinguished for his political analysis as well as creative and critical work...
(2007 - 2009). On May 19, 2009, the President of Sri Lanka
President of Sri Lanka
The President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the elected head of state and the head of government. The President is a dominant political figure in Sri Lanka. The office was created in 1978 but has grown so powerful there have been calls to restrict or even eliminate its power...
Mahinda Rajapakse officially claimed an end to the insurgency and the defeat of the LTTE, following which SCOPP will be winding up operations with effect from July 31 2009 .
SCOPP employees were drawn from both the private and public sectors in Sri Lanka and included specialists in Communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s, Diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
, Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
, and Law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
.
For over two years since its inception, SCOPP was under the direct purview of the Prime Ministerof Sri Lanka though in its later years it came under the direct purview of the President of Sri Lanka
President of Sri Lanka
The President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is the elected head of state and the head of government. The President is a dominant political figure in Sri Lanka. The office was created in 1978 but has grown so powerful there have been calls to restrict or even eliminate its power...
.
SCOPP was primarily a coordinating and facilitating body of the Peace Process. It was the main instrument of the Government to consolidate and strengthen the Peace Process. SCOPP engaged in extensive consultations with all stakeholders involved in the Peace Process including the public and private sectors, civil society, donor community and line agencies on a regular basis.
The SCOPP Mandate
- Coordinate the implementation of decisions of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) on the PeacePeacePeace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
Process
- Liaise with the Sri Lanka Monitoring MissionSri Lanka Monitoring MissionThe Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was established on 22 February 2002 under the terms of a ceasefire agreement signed by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, as a body that would monitor the ceasefire and enquire into reported violations of the ceasefire agreement...
(SLMM) and the Norwegian facilitators
- Monitor the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) between the GOSL and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil EelamLiberation Tigers of Tamil EelamThe Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was a separatist militant organization formerly based in northern Sri Lanka. Founded in May 1976 by Vellupillai Prabhakaran, it waged a violent secessionist and nationalist campaign to create an independent state in the north and east of Sri Lanka for Tamil...
(LTTE)
- Provide research and logistical support to the GOSL delegation during political negotiations between the GOSL and the LTTE
- Liaise with government ministries, institutions, armed forces and the Police, UN agencies, international humanitarian organizations and national and international NGOs on matters pertaining to the Peace Process
- Monitor the free movement of people and goods to and from the uncleared areas
- Communicate issues relating to the Peace Process to the national / international media and the public through its Communications Division
- Provide logistical and technical support to the National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation (NACPR)
Policy Division
- Directly involved in updating the policy issues pertaining to the SCOPP and the overall peace process.
- Develop concept papers and an overall policy for the SCOPP (no-administrative) in consultation with the other divisions. Focus on the focal point of the overall policy and strategy for SCOPP by compiling the policies of the Government on the peacePeacePeace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
process, mediaMass mediaMass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
, terrorismTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, and related areas.
- Develop options and strategies for consideration by the political leadership on the overall direction of the peace process.
- Be the link between the general public, civil society, political initiatives and the Government through awareness programmes, educational programmes etc. on peace building and reconciliation.
- Develop concept papers relating to the peace process and related areas and share such information with the other Divisions at SCOPP and the political leadership where it is necessary.
- Inform and liaise with the political leadership on matters relating to the peace process and negotiationNegotiationNegotiation is a dialogue between two or more people or parties, intended to reach an understanding, resolve point of difference, or gain advantage in outcome of dialogue, to produce an agreement upon courses of action, to bargain for individual or collective advantage, to craft outcomes to satisfy...
process and other related areas.
- Liaise with Government agencies, security sector, Ministries, Diplomatic sphere and civil society and other institutes in relation to policy issues.
- Compile discussion papers on substantive matters relating to peace talks and other elements of the negotiation process and share them with the Government negotiating team.
- Maintain close links and monitor institutes that are working on peace, conflict resolution, human rights and related areas and share relevant information with the political leadership and other Divisions at the SCOPP.
- Develop and implement a monitoring mechanism of International Experts’ Visits on relevant issues to the peace process and related areas and share such information with political leadership and other Divisions at the SCOPP.
- Analyse LTTE strategy and posture in relation to the peace process and share such analysis with political leadership and other Divisions at the SCOPP.
- Utilize expert knowledge on terrorism research initiatives taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Diplomatic Missions and the Academic institutes and formulate reports.
Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) Affairs
- Monitors the CFA and deals with issues pertaining to it
- Examines LTTE violations with reference to the provisions of the CFA and prepares representations to the SLMM as appropriate
- Prepares responses of the Government regarding alleged violations of the CFA by the Government of Sri Lanka
- Prepares reports based on the SLMM monthly statistics on ceasefire violations
- Coordinates with relevant ministries on ceasefire related issues
- Coordinates with civil society groups on matters relating to the peace process
- Channels representations by public on matters relevant to the CFA and the peace process to appropriate entities
- Liaises with GOSL Local Monitors to the SLMM on ceasefire related issues and hold quarterly meetings with Local Monitors
Communications
- Liaises with local and foreign media in disseminating information on the Peace Process
- Maintains the official SCOPP website www.peaceinsrilanka.lk in Sinhala, Tamil & English
- Monitors local and foreign media
- Guides and assists NGOs and INGOs in communications related Programmes
- Supports other SCOPP Divisions in communications related matters
- Coordinates the annual International Peace Day Activities
- Disseminates information on the Peace Process to individuals for educational purposes
Economics
- Promotes private sector trade and investment in the North and East
- Provides logistical & technical support for the North East Donor Coordination Cluster of the National Council for Economic Development (NCED). Cluster is chaired by the Secretary General of SCOPP
- Assists in identifying & resolving policy and implementation issues affecting donor-funded projects in the North and East
- Liaises with government agencies, donors and NGOs on peace-related development and reconciliation issues, especially in the North and East
- Undertakes research on economic dimensions of governance and peace-related issues
Legal
- Handles legal aspects relating to the political, economic and social dimensions of the peace process
- Addresses issues of domestic and international law, including human rights and constitutional law
- Prepares and reviews position papers, aides-memoires and other documents
- Corresponds and meets with concerned parties, including civil society organizations to obtain input on relevant aspects of the peace process
- Liaises with government entities, foreign embassies, NGOs and other organizations on legal matters related to the peace process
Operations and Logistics
- Liaise with Security Forces and Police on peace/security related issues
- Monitor current security situation on the ground
- Analyse possible national security-related developments
- Facilitate land, air and sea movements of the ceasefire monitors, facilitators and the LTTE to and from the uncleared areas