The Centre for Human Rights (CHR) has strongly criticized the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) yesterday for preventing journalists from covering the session at the Boosa Detention Camp recently stating that transparency and accessibility is vital in bridging the gap between communities.CHR Executive Director, Keerthi Tennakoon said that hundreds of suspected hardcore LTTE cadres are detained in the Boosa Detention Centre.

He said that during the LLRC sessions in Jaffna and Trincomalee it was clear that addressing the issue of detainees is vital in achieving reconciliation. “We believe that the LLRC session in Boosa was one of the most pivotal and the most sensitive LLRC sitting because the Commission had the chance to meet a group of young men who once believed to be involved in an  armed struggle and listen to what they have learnt and what they suggest to achieve reconciliation,” Tennakoon said.“Openness of the process and the accessibility to information is important in achieving reconciliation since it clears away misunderstandings and prejudices. Therefore preventing independent journalists covering LLRC sessions is counter-productive in achieving the goal of reconciliation,” he said.