Archives

Meeting the challenges of peace-making

This is undoubtedly one of the most trying moments for Sri Lanka since the launching of the current peace process. While the wish of the majority of Lankans is likely to be the swift resumption of the search for a negotiated political settlement of the conflict some sections could be confused by the plethora of views and interpretations of events being churned by vested interests guided by the narrowest of motives.

Nevertheless, the prime need is patience and understanding, for, any kneejerk reactions to developments based on short-term interests could permanently wreck the peace process.

A public opinion survey carried on our 'Peace Quest' page on Saturday, disclosed an array of points of view on issues which have arisen in the peace process. While the general consensus was that the LTTE should return to the negotiating table, considerable light was shed on the reasons which could have prompted the LTTE to suspend peace talks with the Government. These points of view should be considered seriously with great equanimity by all concerned, before hasty notions are formed on the motives of the parties to the peace talks.

No less a person than Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned at the very outset of the very hazardous nature of the peace effort. Years of experience in the turbulent politics of this country, would, no doubt, have helped the Premier in making this assessment. However, there is no getting away from the fact that the peace which should be finally worked out should be an honourable one. That is, it should be a peace based on fairness and the equal treatment of communities is an essential component of fairness and justice.

Another principle which seems to be very often slurred over by particularly the critics of the peace process is that it is the Lankans themselves who are the ultimate moulders of their future.

True, we are receiving the constructive and amiable assistance of foreign parties such as the Norwegian, Japanese and US Governments and the majority of Lankans are warmly appreciative of this help but the final peace could be evolved by only the Lankan parties involved.

It is the Lankans themselves who would be finally bearing the burden of working out a power-sharing arrangement which would be fair by all our communities. Our foreign friends are only facilitators. This fact should be faced squarely and remembered constantly.

Our reasons for highlighting these obvious but seemingly forgettable principles is the constant barrage, of mostly unfair criticism, which is directed at our foreign friends and facilitators by local parties acting mostly under the influence of short-term interests. Our foreign facilitators wouldn't be shoving solutions down our throats. It would be up to the Lankans to work out the final terms of the political solution. The SLMM, for instance, would be only facilitating this task. They couldn't be faulted for the ills we have earned for ourselves over the decades.

However, the Lankan parties cannot shun the basic parameters of finding a solution: power-sharing within an united Sri Lanka where every community could live in dignity.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager