|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 27 January 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Security |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Exchange
of prisoners a gesture of goodwill
by SUREKHA GALAGODA The exchange of prisoners is treated as an integral part of the peace process in other countries whereas we consider the release of prisoners as an isolated activity," said the Rev. Father Dr. Oswald Firth of the Centre for Society and Religion at a press briefing held in connection with the release of 10 prisoners by the LTTE. Father Firth requested the government to respond to this gesture of goodwill by releasing some LTTE prisoners as it would help build the trust and goodwill between the people of the North and South. He said that the release of prisoners should be considered as an integral part of the peace process as it revealed a gesture of goodwill. He described the releasing of the prisoners as a crucial moment in the history of the peace process, and was indeed unique since it was done by the civil society. He said that promoting peace was not only the responsibility of the government but the civil society as well. Chairman of the Association of Relatives of Soldiers Missing in Action E.P. Nanayakkara reiterated the request of Father Ferth and urged the government to release some LTTE prisoners as a gesture of goodwill, as it would pave the way for the release of the other seven prisoners held by the LTTE. The Political chief of the LTTE Thamilchelvam in a speech has said "we are glad to announce that our national leader, on humanitarian grounds has decided to release ten detainees - prisoners of war. We feel it is the most appropriate time to express our goodwill to the government and the people to strengthen the current peace efforts to restore an honourable settlement to the ethnic crisis so that we can all live happily." Chairman, Ceylinco Consolidated and Founder Society for Love and Understanding ( SOLO-U) Lalith Kotalawala, requested the government to allow the civil society to get involved with the peace process as it would help usher in lasting peace to our country. Chief Engineer of the Ship Mission L. Sunil Perera and Mr. Padmakumara two of the released prisoners also spoke on the occasion. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
