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| Sunday, 5 June 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Joint Mechanism : Important first step National Peace Council of Sri Lanka in a media release says that progress on Joint Mechanism can bolster the current situation The debate about the merits of the proposed joint mechanism on tsunami recovery has taken the centre stage of politics for the past two months. Due to the lack of progress in achieving agreement on this central issue, the focus of public attention has been shifting to very negative issues. The use of religious symbols should not be discredited by using them for political purposes or to symbolise ethnic dominance. In a plural society like Sri Lanka, people must commit to promote diversity and to celebrate it, be it ethnic or religious. The National Peace Council urges the government to implement the decisions of the judiciary regarding the dispute in Trincomalee in an impartial manner. We deplore any threats to use violence to resolve the issue. We also urge the religious and civic leadership to engage in a dialogue that leads to a mutually acceptable solution. In the meantime, the series of killings in Colombo and the north east in which the LTTE and forces opposed to it have been engaging in, has claimed the life of a senior army officer, Major Nizam Muthaliph, in the heart of Colombo. The victim was a member of military intelligence. The National Peace Council condemns this assassination. There is increasing frustration and concern among the people about these assassinations that are continuously taking place with victims from all sides, which erode their faith in the peace process, and the deteriorating law and order situation. International experience shows that extremists on both sides get most active just prior to peace settlements which they hope to wreck by their actions. We urge partisan organisations to desist from exploiting the present situation for their own partisan and short term gains. The NPC welcomes the efforts of President Chandrika Kumaratunga to work out a joint mechanism on tsunami recovery with the LTTE. But we also express our concern at the lack of consensus within her government. We believe that an inclusive peace process, in which all major political actors participate, is a much surer foundation for long term success in the peace process. Finally, at this important juncture in the country's history, the NPC calls on the government and LTTE to go beyond talking the words of peace, to also practicing it in deeds, in which the setting up of a joint mechanism on tsunami recovery can be an important first step. We urge them to stop making allegations and accusations against each other and agree on a set of principles by which they can take the peace process forward. We also ask them to lead and encourage a credible programme of public
education regarding the peace process that will win the confidence of the
general population and make them active participants in the peace process. |
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