|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
New Alliance backs peace process by Deepal Warnakulasuriya The newly formed National Alliance Against War (NAAW) with the collaboration of over 100 peace organisations in 18 districts welcomed the government's peace process and said that it paved the way for a negotiated political settlement with the cessation of hostilities following the ceasefire agreement with the LTTE. It augured well for a lasting solution now that dates for peace talks in Thailand with the LTTE have been fixed. The Rev. Fr. Oswarld B.Firth told the Sunday Observer that streamlining the current peace process and preventing a recurrence of war are pre-requisites for a positive approach. He pointed out that the absence of a bipartisan agreement in the South with a section of two major political parties and other extremist groups opposing the ceasefire pact and the current peace process, were a big threat. Fr. Firth said that peace-loving citizens from 18 districts had met for three days in Colombo and decided to form an anti-war alliance representing all the sections of civil society. Another active participant of the NAAW, the Ven. Madampagama Assaji Thera said that it was decided at the three-days conference held in Colombo on August 9, 10 and 11 to organise a forum representing civil society organisations comprising 5,000 delegates. He said that delegates would initiate an action program to mobilise civil society against any attempt to sabotage the peace process. Kingsley Rodrigo (PAFEREL) representing the anti-war alliance, said that the aim of the forum was to make people vigilant about peace instead of being bystanders. He said that the public had given a mandate to the UNF government to restore peace. The three-day conference had also decided to strengthen peace and democracy in all districts. The new alliance comprised representatives of National Peace Council, Inter-Religions Peace Front, Foundation for Co-existence, PAFEREL, Sedec and other organisations. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
