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| Sunday, 14 April 2002 |
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Business urge positive response by SUREKhA GALAGODA The country's business leadership is reacting positively to the outcome of Wednesday's landmark LTTE media briefing and hints at a growing confidence in prospects for peace and stability. Commenting on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's statements to the media, business leaders told the 'Sunday Observer' that the LTTE was committed to a compromise 'internal solution' and called for a focussed and sustained national effort to bring about a political settlement of the conflict. They also cautioned against 'extremist' reactions that could cloud the atmosphere and deter peace efforts. President of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), Macky Hashim, said that the LTTE leadership was very keen to bring about a settlement to all communities specially to the Tamil community. He said: "Since the LTTE leader is keen to come to the negotiating table some give and take must be there to make the peace process a success." Sincerity is high on both sides. Therefore, based on the cornerstone of sincerity a give and take policy should be adopted to bring about a negotiated solution to the ethnic problem". Aitken Spence and Co. Ltd Chairman, Prema Cooray, said: "The LTTE leader's speech was not a surprise, but his exposure to the outside world shows his transparency and commitment to solve the issue. "Since he will try to get the best terms for the Tamil people, the government will find it very difficult to go through the process, but they should recognise that it is the way forward", he added. Well-known industrialist A.Y.S. Gnanam said it was a very welcome and positive speech and added that this was what he expected. Immediate Past President of National Chamber of Exporters and FCCISL, Patrick Amarasinghe said that Prabhakaran has given a clear message to the world that he would take to arms again if the peace process failed. "We must all unite and see that the government is in a stronger position at the negotiating table to ensure that a peaceful settlement to the ethnic issue is found," he said. He was of the view that the two major political parties should sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before signing a similar one with the LTTE. A press release from Ceylon Chamber of Commerce states that the public press conference by the leader of the LTTE "was an important step in the peace process". It further states that "the terminology used in any such conference has subtle and varied meanings and fine definitions which if misinterpreted would lead to misunderstandings and hamper peace negotiations". |
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