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| Sunday, 22 September 2002 |
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Editorial |  |
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Please forward your comments to the
Editor, Sunday Observer. E-mail: [email protected] Snail mail : Sunday Observer, 35, D.R.Wijewardana Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Telephone : 94 1 429239 / 331181 Fax : 94 1 429230 Leadership and international solidarity vhe reception given to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in the United States by the US government, international agencies and sections of civil society, including business, leaves no doubt about the vast reservoir of international goodwill and solidarity available to Sri Lanka as this country begins what is likely to be a long and tortuous process of negotiations for peace. The role of the Norwegian Government is particularly notable. Not only did the Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vidar Helgesen, devote much time and energy to make the first round of talks in Sattahip a success, but he found more time and energy to travel all the way to New York to be with the Prime Minister and his colleagues and give his personal support and endorsement of Sri Lanka's search for assistance. The United States has firmly and actively stood behind the Norway in its facilitation of the peace process. Washington has also extended a very supportive hand directly to Colombo in every way, from economic and social aid to urgent technical support for de-mining. So have many other countries extended their support, including Thailand, which has generously hosted the peace talks, Japan, Canada, the European Union, Australia, China and Russia. As the Premier himself has reiterated time and again at many international for a and locally, this support is critical at this juncture in our history. Given the success of the process that has been initiated, given the very favourable nature of the specific political context of the current peace effort, the expectations of the people of Sri Lanka are high. At the same time, the Cease-fire agreement and the various processes it has set in motion, such as the free movement of people throughout the country, has also brought in possibilities of new tensions and problems. As negotiations to meet the aspirations of communities have begun, various interest groups of Sri Lankans are clamouring for attention and for their rights. All this is indicative of the gigantic effort that is needed by all Sri Lankans and all political forces in order that the future of the country is mapped in a more efficient and comprehensive manner than has been done in the post-colonial era so far. Just as much as the world comes forward to help, we, Sri Lankans must help ourselves. Ultimately, it is we who must extricate ourselves from the crisis we are in and this endeavour can only succeed if there is a collective effort. Hence the urgency for co-operation between all political formations, especially those parties, fronts and alliances that command the larger part of the people's electoral mandate. The people have asked for such political collaboration. On no account may politicians or political groups that have received this mandate divert from that responsibility. On no account may they block the efforts and initiative being taken to fulfil this mandate. Such hindrance would be a betrayal of the trust of the people that has been democratically articulated. At the same time, any political behaviour that prevents or deters political formations from co-operating and participating in the peace endeavour is also a betrayal of the democratic impulse. Never has there been a time in our post-colonial history when a truly enlightened political leadership has been needed than today. |
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