Politicos give priority to political agendas, not reconciliation: Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya

Politicians give priority to their political agendas and not to the reconciliation process, Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya said at a discussion at the National Library and Documentation.

The theme of the discussion organised by the National Fraternity Collective and National Shura Council was 'Say NO to Communalism - YES to National Unity'.

Senior journalist Jayatilake de Silva said no ethnic group should demand their rights from another, because as humans, all, irrespective of their colour, race or gender are entitled to their basic human rights.

"The National Fraternity Collective is not a Sinhalese-only group cheering for ethnic harmony. We are a combination of all ethnic groups working for a single goal. We need a solution for the ethnic conflict that ailed the country for more than 60 years. We cannot establish reconciliation while stepping on another's toe. People should take the reconciliation process seriously. Nobody can grant reconciliation. Nobody should beg for it. It should bloom out of the understanding that all people are entitled to their freedom and human rights," Jayatilake said.

Prof. Wijesooriya said the previous government's attempts on reconciliation failed due to the lack of quick and valiant political decision making. He said the regime change on January 8 was people's calling for reconciliation. With guidance and communication, the people who gathered around the political change, has the capacity to understand and lead a new Constitution which assures the rights of ethnic minorities in the country, he said.

The two leaders in the government, Prof. Wijesooriya said, seem to be adamant on the reconciliation process. Uniting a land is not enough, the nation should be united, Prof. Wijesooriya said.

"We have made our education based on ethnicity and religion. When we divide students according to the language they speak and the faith they follow, how do you expect them to be united in the outside world?" Prof.Wijessoriya questioned.

"Unless the government has a plan to make the public aware of the new Constitution, they should not opt for a referendum. The Joint Opposition and ex-president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s followers have branded the new Constitution to be a federal and pro-separatist movement. Unless the government identifies the importance of raising public awareness, the government cannot make the Constitution a reality," Prof. Wijesooriya said. political analyst A. Sajindra said it is time that political representatives of the Tamil people, keep terminology aside and reach out to a practical solution to the ethnic issue. "As much as the Sinhalese fear the word 'federal', the Tamils fear the term 'sovereignty'. They feel unsure because they think the power they are to receive from a Constitution, will be taken back based on the concept of 'sovereignty'. We are at a political turning point where the two major political parties have expressed their willingness to make a joint government. We should not let this opportunity go. The TNA, should go for a solid solution. If they have to drop the term 'federal', they better should do it and go ahead. We should stop abusing jargon and opt for a solution agreed by a majority," Sajindra said.

"People from the South feel skeptical to give power to the North, in fear that the politicians of the North will create a conflict. The Tamil community is not feeling secured that their rights shall be assured by the new Constitution," Sajindra said.

"Institutions should be strengthened. They should depend or rely on politicians. They should be geared to build and lead the country to a future where all communities live in amity, getting justice irrespective of their ethnic identity," Senior Attorney-at-Law Javid Yusuf said.