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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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Peace impetus Politicians, leaders of social organisations, trade unionists, religious dignitaries and other prominent persons in society welcomed the establishment of a National Peace Advisory Council mooted by President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga to speed up the stalled peace process. The inaugural meeting of the council will be held tomorrow. From The news desk UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe has turned down the President's invitation to participate tomorrow, stating that the government should first start talks based on the ISGA. Wickemesinghe has stressed that although a council was a necessity to discuss the final solution, the NPAC was too early. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) too has taken a position similar to the UNP. It has asked the President to start talks based on the ISGA. However a wide spectrum of society have recognised the establishment of the NPAC as a timely action to prevent any further delays of the peace process. Members of political parties outside Parliament too have hailed the President's move, adding they would be pleased to participate if invited. People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Chairman, Kingsley Rodrigo who is in favour of the NPAC prior to resuming talks with the LTTE described the difference of opinion as the biggest curse of the country and said that, when (an effort was being made) for the benefit of the whole nation, there were always impediments to it. Rodrigo said that "At least the major parties should co-operate with the President for the betterment of the country. How can this happen when all they want is to get credit for themselves," he asked. Managing Director of Lanka Global Online (LGO), Rohan Karunaratne said the peace issue was already late and that there should be more action rather than talking. He observed that if there was to be any meaning to the peace process, the combination of all parties should be a `must'. "The President is doing her best to see an end to this long drawn out process. Other politicalparties too should co-operate with her and help to achieve the goal," he noted. PLOTE leader S. Siddharthan said that although his party was not invited, they would support the conference and added that a consensus among the Southern political parties was essential for a breakthrough in the peace process. When questioned about the non-participation of the Ilankai Tamilarasu Kachchi, he said most of the Tamil parties were for devolution of power. The Ceylon Workers Congress Parliamentarian V. Puthirasigamony said his party would participate in the conference, but declined to comment on the non-participation of the other parties. He said the CWC would participate in the conference and take a decision, emphasising on the ISGA as the basis for talks with the LTTE. EPRLF (Varathar Wing) leader T. Sridharan said the conference was a good move. "Consensus and coordination could help much to bring the Sinhala and Tamil communities together", he said. A spokesman for the Up-country People's Front said his party was unlikely to attend the conference and described the conference as 'a farce staged to get foreign assistance and aid'. The All Ceylon Tamil Congress M. Neelakandan said they had not received any invitation, but added that the Congress would decide on whether or not to participate, if they received the invitation. Lionel Gulawita of the Diriya Foundation said the President's decision to form an NPAC was a good move, but pointed out that as `peace' has become a national issue, it would be best for the President to give a hearing to what the opposition political parties have to say on the issue. Gulawita stressed the need for all registered political parties to get together at these discussions . Bishop of Colombo Duleep Hamil De Chikera said that in the current context the consultative process that has been initiated has to be welcomed. "It is necessary to have a broad consensus on this contentious issue. We know from the history of similar conflict elsewhere that the only way forward is to at least consult and to address the fears and concerns of all parties involved," he said. Public Sector Trade Union Committee, Convener W.H. Piyadasa said that it was a good opportunity for both the UNP and the TNA to make their representations at the NPAC, rather than resuming peace talks without any objective. "Before the peace talks begin all recognised political parties must come under one umbrella and discuss the new proposals to be put forward at the negotiating table, represented by the LTTE," he said. Inter Company Employees Union (JVP), General Secretary Wasantha Samarasinghe said that not making representations at the NPAC by the main opposition party- UNP indicated they were not opposed to giving control of a part of the country to the LTTE under its Interim Self Government Administration system. Ceylon Bank Employees Union, President M.R. Shah said that non representation by the main opposition party UNP was (not surprising )when we look at the history of the political situation in the country. "Whatever good or bad proposals, brought by the existing government is opposed by the main opposition parties. Therefore the duty of the government is to go ahead with the establishing of the NPAC and seek the views of all represented parties . Professor of Political Science and Public Policy of the University of Colombo Laksiri Fernando said the NPAC was a positive step to finding a lasting solution to the ethnic problem, but pointed out that the requirement at this stage was not only negotiation, but finding a way for a broader and accepted solution for all communities. Tamil National Alliance MP, Ravi Raj described the NPAC as 'delaying tactics' and said there was no necessity for such a Council to find a solution. "How many such conferences have we had in the past. The requirement of the hour is to start negotiations," he said. Former Speaker Joseph Michael Perera said the UNP was in full agreement with the peace talks, but pointed out, "Negotiations should start on the ISGA proposals . National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, K.Baiz said they would attend the meeting on the first day and decide whether to continue participating at the meeting thereafter. Rohan Edrisinha, lecturer Colombo Law Faculty said it was a good idea to appoint a National Advisory Council on Peace and Reconciliation. "Getting the views and ideas of many people is always better than working on the ideas and views of a single party or an individual,but I feel it is still a bit too premature to predict on it. If the council is meant to be just another body to bolster Public Relations, it will not serve the purpose," he said. Commenting on the UNP and TNA decision not to participate in the Council, he said the decision was understandable. "If the President expects the Leader of Opposition to be just a member in the council, it is not realistic and so is the TNA. I believe the President should consult the Opposition Leader outside the Council and also get the TNA to play a more active role in the peace building context," he said. Jehan Perera, Director of the National Peace Council said that inviting all the political parties and members of civil society to be a part of the advisory body was a good idea in conflict resolution, but asked, "If the main opposition party and the main militant party or their representative the TNA are not represented in the committee, will it server the purpose?" The other point to be considered, he said was whether a committee with over 100 members would be able to bring about a consensus. " What the President should do is to form a small committee with her as the head and the opposition leader, TNA group leader or LTTE representative as committee members," he said. Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Chairperson of the Human Right Commission of Sri Lanka said they welcomed the move. "A broad based approach to the peace process is the need of the moment. The participants should consider the move very seriously," she added. |
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