PM reassures commitment to peace talks, religious freedom

In a letter to His Grace Rev. Oswald Gomis, Archbishop of Colombo, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse reiterated yesterday his commitment to direct talks with the LTTE and devolution within a democratic framework.

Prime Minister Rajapakse also reassured that he would safeguard the rights of all religions. The Premier's letter:"His read with sorrow your letter that was reproduced today by Mr. Lalith Kotelawala in some national newspapers. It was particularly sad that this appeared along with another advertisement also designed to encourage citizens to vote against me in the forthcoming Presidential Election. I am sure this was not your intention, but you will not appreciate the unfortunate use made of your letter.

I agree with you that 'a nation could be built only on mutual confidence, love, maithri and deep respect for each other and not on hatred or violence' but I would add that duplicity should also be avoided. As you may know already, the photograph used in Mr. Kotelawala's other advertisement was of July 1983, but it was intended to cast aspersions on my candidature and my allies.

With regard to the contents of your letter, I agree strongly with the points you make, as I hope is apparent from my manifesto. With regard to the ceasefire, which it has been suggested I wish to abrogate, I have only made it clear that it should 'be amended so as to ensure that acts of terrorism would not be permitted in any way.'

I believe continuing killings, and the smuggling in of arms, should be prevented, as was originally envisaged, and I am sure you share my beliefs in this regard. However, as my manifesto makes clear, I am committed to discussion, including direct talks with the LTTE, and maximising devolution within a democratic framework.

Your letter suggests that 'some radical and extremist elements are rejecting this path and paving the way for war'. I am not sure whether you were referring to one of the parties allied with me, as Mr. Kotelawala seems to insinuate. Again, later in your letter there is mention of what could be seen as another of my allies, in the context of religious freedom.

In this regard I should make it clear that, as my manifesto indicates, I will safeguard the rights of all religions, as I enunciated clearly at my meeting with the JHU at the Dalada Maligawa. And I should add that we are fully committed to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which you mention.

The second sentence in my manifesto affirms my determination that 'children of all religions would be able to obtain an education in keeping with their religious beliefs'. And, far from engaging in meaningless gestures where size is equated with spirituality, I am committed to rebuilding all religious places damaged by the tsunami, not simply those of particular religions. I would also draw your attention to the special attention I will give to the Madhu Church sanctuary (in addition to already rebuilding the road) in view of its unique spiritual status.

Unfortunately, my opponents seem determined not to accept that my allies all subscribe fully to my manifesto. Though some of them may have had different ideas, they all realize that, in participating in government, compromise and consensus are essential.

As we have pointed out, in response to the question as to whether I can achieve my vision in a coalition, it is better to have the cooperation of others, so we can discuss matters, rather than treat them as enemies. And it should be noted that we found a very helpful spirit of compromise in preparing the manifesto, and as you can see, the question of any anti-conversion bill has not even been raised.

I am aware that even within the church there are many mansions and many strands of thought. You will recall the very strong stand taken against the racism and authoritarianism of the government of the eighties by distinguished Churchmen such as Bishop Leo Nanayakkara and Bishop Lakshman Wickremesinghe of another denomination.

I believe they would have welcomed our willingness to talk to all interests, in particular those who see themselves as representing the downtrodden.

At the same time, as I believe my manifesto makes clear, there are certain principles, of pluralism and democracy, on which we will not compromise. That we have got all our allies to agree to the principles in my manifesto is, you will agree, a great step forward.

Whilst I am sure the Church itself will not engage in anything that will misrepresent facts, the use made of your letter by Mr. Kotelawala makes clear the need for constant vigilance.

I will also reluctantly release this letter to the media, in view of the unfortunate publicity given to your letter with the sensational headline 'Christians Awake' added by Mr. Kotelawala."