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Sunday, 16 November 2003  
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GOSL has right to renegotiate ISGA proposals

Press release of People's Peace Front

People's Peace Front (PPF), set up in 1999, is a coalition of about 140 peace based organizations working in all parts of the country. The coalition emphasizes the importance of settling all matters in a framework of negotiation.

We wish to make our observations on two issues of recent origin. First, the Sinhala-Tamil Cultural Festival organized by the HIRU group at which artists belonging to the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities from the north, east and south gathered at the New Town Hall, Colombo to analyze and study the literary works, created during the last twenty years. We understand that this event was organized not only to felicitate the artists but also to bring unity among the diverse cultural, ethnic and religious bases.

According to the organizers, the event started off peacefully until some unruly elements, purportedly belonging to the Sihala Urumaya, from the audience, sans any form of incitement, started shouting abusively, casting incendiary remarks and communal slogans. When efforts made by the organizers to calm them failed, the trouble makers were requested to leave the hall. No sooner had they left the hall, a large crowd from outside the premises stormed in to the New Town Hall premises and started assaulting the organizers with clubs, cycle chains, etc. which is a clear indication that the whole thing was preplanned and orchestrated by peace spoilers to disrupt the festival and in the meantime, bring discredit to themselves.

It is an irony that those who attempted to disrupt the proceeding were acting on the guise of protecting the unity of the country, whereas, on the contrary, the event was aimed at fostering unity among the different communities.

We, at PPF, condemn this atrocious conduct of those who for no cause whatsoever planned to disrupt the proceedings.

Those responsible for this barbaric act have, in our opinion, acted with malice and should be ashamed of themselves. There is no gainsaying the fact that the disruptors were either illusory of some imaginary vendetta or were giving vent to their pent up frustrations.

At a time, when the GOSL and the majority of Sri Lankans are pinning their hopes on a lasting solution to the ethnic conflict, acts of this nature would prove to be counter productive. We, in turn, congratulate the organizers, HIRU group, of this festival for their commitment and determination with which they completed their scheduled programme undeterred.

The other issue is the LTTE's proposal for ISGA. There have been vociferous opposition as to the contents of the proposal and observations that the proposal has been designed to establish a de facto Tamil Eelam. It must be emphasized that this is only a proposal put forward to the GOSL and not a final or ultimate document for the solution of the problem.

The GOSL has every right, and in our opinion, will study and analyze the proposal and renegotiate with the LTTE to amend certain provisions, which it deems necessary, in the proposal to bring about an amicable settlement which will be acceptable to all communities concerned. Don't we negotiate with the vendor on the price he quotes ?

www.ppilk.com

www.carrierfood.com

Call all Sri Lanka

www.singersl.com

www.crescat.com

www.peaceinsrilanka.org

www.helpheroes.lk


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