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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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'UNF govt given clear mandate to restore peace' The United National Front Government has been given a clear mandate at the December 5 general election to restore peace in the country and achieve a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis. All political parties including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) should support the government's peace initiatives without disrupting them. If not, the future generation will hold them responsible for the destruction of the country thereby depriving the posterity, to live in peace and harmony. "Peace comes from the heart and not from ceasefires". These view were expressed by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph, Bishop of Mannar diocese, in an interview with the Sunday Observer at the Bishop's House in Mannar, over the relaxation of certain prohibitions and restrictions imposed by the government for the benefit of the people living in the uncleared areas in Vanni on January 15. The Bishop said that the UNF government led by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had manifested its sincerity in relaxing those measures which allowed people from the Vanni to cross over to the cleared areas at ease and also transport their goods freely. "People are happy today, they are confident and optimistic that something good will happen this time. We as the Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishop Conference of Sri Lanka, and I as the head of the Diocese of Mannar, strongly believe that this is the last chance we have had for peace. There is strong pressure from the civilians, the authorities, both the Government and the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that we should enter into peace negotiations without any longer deceiving the people," the prelate said. Bishop Rayappu said that the people did not want war but peace. The civilians insisted that the LTTE should enter into peace negotiations. "We are also aware that the LTTE does not want to do anything to disrupt the peace process. Even if the talks fail, we should keep on trying again without resorting to war. We are very happy to note that Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has made it known that there will be no turning back. He has pledged that he would not allow anyone to create another 'black July' and let the country go up in flames." This is indeed a very encouraging and positive way of giving expressions to one's convictions in the face of rising objections from certain quarters to his peace moves." The Bishop said that it was not only the obligation of the government but also the bounden duty of all to get together and achieve peace. He called upon all political parties including the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and civil organisations to support the government in its peace process. "Give a chance for this government to fulfil the task of restoring peace. Friendship, brotherhood and understanding were vital ingredients for peace. Do not try to play with the lives of the people to achieve political mileage. We have to be united to develop our country," he said. Peace had been given priority in the agenda of the Government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, and the Catholic church was indeed appreciative of the efforts of government in that connection and hoped that its promises would not remain mere words or political slogans. Referring to what the Tamil people of the country expected of the government, the Bishop said that the Tamils did not wish to see division. "What they want is to recognise their fundamental rights and treat them as part and parcel of the whole nation and to live with dignity," the prelate said. The Ven. Rupaha Saratha Thera who spoke to the Sunday Observer at the Madhu camp while visiting the refugees, said as Buddhists he would like to see everyone living in the country as members of one family. "We have come all the way to tell these people living under trying conditions that we accept them as our brothers and sisters. We want them to see us as their fellow-beings, friends and not as enemies," the Thera said. The Administrator of the Mannar Cathedral, the Rev. Fr. Emmalianuspillai, said that the diocese used to hold special prayer services and penitential services every Saturday seeking the intervention of God for the success of the peace process. Madhu Shrine Administrator, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Philips, said that the prime concern should be to look into the welfare of the people. "It is their interests, their dignity and equality that should take precedence if the current peace moves are to succeed," he said. |
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