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| Sunday, 23 February 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Peace process opinions The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran exactly a year ago yesterday, has effectively put an end to war, and brought immense relief to the country. Civilians particularly in the war-torn North and East feel that the MoU and the accompanying ceasefire has led them out of darkness into a positive atmosphere of hope. Day-to-day living in the North and East has improved to a great extent and civilians want the MoU to be strengthened further, and adhered to until a permanent solution is reached to the ethnic strife in the country. Here, government ministers, opposition businessmen, professionals and the common men and women express their views on the MoU and its impact on daily life. ###### People could be happy there is no war now - Mahinda Rajapakse by Deepal Warnakulasuriya Leader of the Opposition and Hambantota MP Mahinda Rajapakse said that the completion of one year of the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the LTTE was no big cause for celebration, but admitted that people could be happy that there is no more war, although it has not brought any benefit to the common man. He questioned whether the government was capable of maintaining democracy and said; "Human rights are being violated and abductions of school-children and youth are still taking place. Rights of other parties in the North and East to engage in political activities have also been stopped by the LTTE, often using force." "Peace is not something just to read about or listen to. People should be able to feel it by heart. Our wish is a permanent peace where democracy and human rights are accepted and respected." ###### Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Trond Furuhevede, commenting on the first anniversary of the ceasefire agreement said that the Sri Lanka Government as well as the LTTE are willing to meet for a concrete solution to the conflict. Both parties had come a long way in the confidence-building measures under the MoU and ceasefire agreement. He also said that communication between the government and the LTTE was very satisfactory at both high and low levels. At the same time, he added that the biggest problem they still face is violations of the ceasefire agreement by the two parties. "The continuation of the ceasefire depends on the determination of the both parties," Furuhevede said.DW ###### Betrayal of the country Propaganda Secretary to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna MP Wimal Weerawansa said that they saw the completion of one year of the ceasefire agreement as a year of the betrayal of the country. "It was a year of completion of all the needs of the LTTE. " The government has completely forgotten the public and are now drowning in the increasing CoL", Weerawansa said. DW ###### Courage and wisdom of PM, Prabhakaran deserve praise - SLMC by P. Krishnaswamy Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader and Minister of Ports Development and Shipping, Rauff Hakeem said: In going through the negotiatory process during the past year it has been possible to reach settlements on certain vital issues. But we must not forget that the very same negotiations can have the potential for one side or the other to establish justification to resume the war. This is our experience of the past. In efforts to engage the LTTE in a productive dialogue, we have learnt bitter lessons in the past and, therefore, it would be prudent for us to bear in mind the nature and character of the LTTE for adopting the course of approach. This does not mean that we are not optimistic about the peace talks. The PA and the JVP have made certain arguments regarding the intentions of the LTTE. It does not take much to make a case against the LTTE. The SLMC is very mindful in its approach as on many occasions during peace initiatives in the past, that the security of Muslim villages have been compromised. While engaging in a sincere dialogue, it is also important to win the confidence of the LTTE on the issue of Muslims being a neutral party, with its own political aspirations aimed at self-rule within a united Sri Lanka. Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) spokesman R. Yogarajan MP: Five sessions of peace talks have been held since the signing of the MoU last year. In this process a consensus has been reached whereby the LTTE has agreed that it would not insist on a separate state if a federal system of government can be introduced. Also there is consensus among the political forces of the South that a federal system may be offered as a solution to the ethnic problem. This augurs well for peace in the future. The two sides - the Government and the LTTE - must be congratulated for the patience and responsibility shown by them in holding onto the ceasefire and progressing in the peace talks. Up-country People's Front leader and Minister of Community Development P. Chandrasekaran: 'This day marks not only the completion of a year of the MoU between the Government and the LTTE but also a year free of human massacres both in the North-East and the South. It is particularly a year of concerted efforts to work out a political settlements to the ethnic problem. People of the country are now heaving a sigh of relief and are able to travel anywhere without fear and without having to encounter road barriers. Peace is prevailing in the country. A silver lining has now appeared on the horizon signalling lasting peace. Two decades of war has ended. The dedication, courage, wisdom and vision of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran in this regard deserve appreciation. The UPF appeals to all citizens to unite in order to work towards national welfare and peace.' ###### Permanent solution must be found - Jaffna journalist R. Raguram, journalist, Jaffna: "When the MoU was signed last year the people in the peninsula expected more and they placed a lot of confidence in it. But certain incidents in the North which led to some misunderstandings between the armed forces and the LTTE has created fears among the Jaffna people who expect the current ceasefire atmosphere to strengthen further. The MoU has paved the way for several encouraging developments in various areas such as in tourism, business activities and security in the South. But whereas in the North security of innocent civilians still remains a big question. Lots of relief measures have been announced with regard to rehabilitation and resettlement activities, but most of the displaced civilians are still in disarray, unable to get back to their homes particularly the people who were evicted from the High Security Zones. With the opening of the A-9 highway, essential items such as food, medicine and fuel started flowing into the peninsula, but their prices still remain high. With the completion of one year of the MoU, fresh measures must be taken to correct the shortcomings in the implementation of it and pledges must be made to enhance it until a permanent solution is found to the North-East crisis. ###### Great relief to people by R. Thurairatnam - our Batticaloa Correspondent Mrs. Kokila Thavarasa, teacher, Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Morakottanchenai, Batticaloa: The completion of one year of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam brings great relief to people like us who live in the villages in the north and East. The remote villages in the North and East have seen the worst hit by the civil war which lasted for two decades. We have nothing to lose. Education, medication, transportation fishing and agriculture were shattered due to the war and our sufferings remained unheard of to the world outside. But the signing of the MoU and the ceasefire afterwards have brought immense relief to the civilians in the north and East in the past one year. The LTTE also show great interest in the peace process. They should come forward to revive the educational activities in the remote areas in the North-East. Propaganda to attract children to join in their military activities should be stopped. The young ones who are already in the organisation should be allowed to return to their homes and continue with their studies. Both the government and the LTTE should make every effort to see that the MoU succeeds even in the future. Mrs. Kalaimathy Rasalingam, teacher, Omanthai, Vavuniya (Vanni): We the civilians living in the uncleared areas have witnessed untold hardships for the past two decades. The war has forced us to leave our homes and stray like wild animals in the thick jungles of the Vanni. We had to desert our lands which we were cultivating. School buildings were destroyed and hospitals did not have any medical facilities. The MoU and its outcome has brought considerable relief with the re-opening of the A-9 highway to the North. But we feel there is a long way to go to restore normalcy in the war-torn North and East. The peace talks should continue without any hitch. Rehabilitation and the restoration of economic and the agricultural activities should be expedited. We pray that all action towards peace should travel in the right direction for the greater relief of all citizens in the country. Mr. M. Selvakumar, fisherman, from Aliyavalai, Vadamarachi, Jaffna: The fishing community in the Jaffna Peninsula was the worst hit in the past two decades of war. I have lost several of my kith and kin due to the crossfire in the seas. We suffered the utmost hardships. Since the signing of the MoU a little bit of relief has come to the fishermen in the peninsula. We are now able to stretch our nets to a certain extent. Marketing of our catch has also improved satisfactorily due to the opening of the A-9 route. The MoU should be strengthened further and peace should be a reality and not a mirage. ###### Peace process should satisfy minorities J.K. Gunaratne (26), Company Executive All in all the peace process is progressing quite satisfactorily. There is much more improvement than during previous efforts. However, the negotiations should satisfy the aspirations of the minorities as well as the Sinhala majority. Whatever, the solution, it should be in a united country. First of all the Government and the Opposition should compromise their stands, for if they continue to be at loggerheads, we may lose this precious opportunity. And another might not come. There may be shortcomings, but our utmost goal should be to create a country where anyone can live peacefully despite race or religion. I feel the government at times becomes too flexible and the LTTE too rigid...But, not as much as they used to be. L.S. Fernando (24) English teacher at an International School, Colombo For nearly two decades this unending war brought nothing but horror, misery and grief, not only for those who were directly involved in the fighting but for millions of innocent civilians also. I feel a political solution is the best. But even if the peace talks break down, war should not be considered as the only alternative. It is true that we should learn from history. But we must not be sceptical to go on comparing the previous efforts with the current peace process. Now there is much pressure on the LTTE from the international community. Powerful nations as well as the United Nations keep a sharp eye on them. So it will be difficult for the LTTE to break away from the process and play the same old tune once again. P.K.G. Nishantha (35) businessman It is true that we now enjoy freedom do not have to bear the tension of bomb explosions or of being stopped and checked by security personnel, but we are not quite confident of the future of the MoU. The peace talks lack transparency. As citizens of this country we have every right to be well informed on the negotiations and the major decisions arrived at. You cannot say that the violence has completely stopped when you see what happens in North and East areas. For me they are like a forebidinig note of a dismal future. But we who live in Colombo experience a great change. Areas that were hardly illuminated, are now brightly lit and sparkle like jewels at night. Anyone can freely travel anywhere in the country. Mrs. Pathirana, housewife Maharagama War brought only destruction. For the past so many years this war was not fought with a sincere motive. The echelons in the forces grew rich on it. Through the media we got to know about corruption among the high officials in the army. Ultimately the poor soldiers were at the receiving end. Therefore, truce is a consolation for thousands of women whose sons, husbands or brothers are at the war-front. At least now they do not have to face the harrowing experience of the death of their dear ones. Many a youth from both sides were sacrificed on the altars of the malignant God of War, but at what cost? What have we gained? No more youth to be sacrificed to fulfil the selfish desires of a few in the hierarchy. Well-known environmental lawyer Jagath Gunawardane I opine not as an environmentalist or a lawyer but as a displaced Sinhalese from the Eastern province. The ceasefire agreement is a war under a different guise, another mode to arrive at the goal of the LTTE. I see the present calm as an eerie and ominous silence before a storm. The visible, immediate outcome is fine but its ugly head is hidden and the long-term consequences might be adverse. As a country we should look at the long-term effects, at least for 50 years. Less security checking may create loopholes for the enemy that might result in a drastic aftermath. When the Government is confined to the ceasefire agreement the LTTE is involved in area expansion and strengthening the military power. The recent incidents reported in the North and East cannot be regarded as minor, insignificant ones. The LTTE's motives are not sincere and we have not learned from history yet. The Sri Lankan Government was not fighting a despicable, individualistic offensive war but an honourable defensive war. |
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