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by The Rt Revd Duleep de Chickera, Bishop of Colombo

Most Sri Lankans breathed a sigh of relief on receiving news that the location deadlock for Peace talks had been resolved. The growing anticipation of war and the uncertainty of life and death was for several Sri Lankans in certain sectors and regions in a sense more intimidating than declared war.

We are grateful that sanity prevailed at last. Gratitude must be expressed to all concerned, the President and Leader of the LTTE and Norway and Eric Solheim for their role, and indeed the several groups and individuals who advocated that talks were more important than the location.

Most however also know that this is only a necessary first step. There is much hard work to be done. Geneva is not going to be easy. Here the real causes of the continuing CFA violations, the recent spate of violence and future steps to sustainable peace will have to be addressed. We will require sensitive but purposeful facilitation.

The calibre of those who participate and the agendas they represent will consequently be of paramount importance. The presence of women will bring a welcome freshness at these talks. Women represent half the population and carry most of the pain. They bring a sensitivity to suffering and impartial justice and a reverence for life that is crucial at this stage.

Tired of rhetoric

May there be a vigorous passion for peace in these persons and agendas. The people are tired of rhetoric, blaming and counter blaming strategies and power seeking ideologies by the very persons who stand accountable for the mess.

Undoubtedly amongst the immediate concerns is the need not simply to stop the violence and killings but also to investigate and report on the recent incidents. Those who sit at the table must this way justify they have a mandate from the people. The people must know the truth. To talk on behalf of the people and the need for power sharing amongst the people and use power to bypass the deep questions of the people is un-democratic.

Who exactly are the forces behind the Groups who fought the recent shadow war? Who takes responsibility for the killings of civilians, soldiers and cadres, many of them fulfilling a duty by society such as journalists or under command, and all of whom were killed during a mutual commitment to the CFA.

An amnesty

Who comforts bereaved parents with truth and justice and provides for widows and children? Who wipes away the tears? Who assures "no more" and who takes the moral responsibility for so much suffering?

The euphoria of Geneva and the pragmatism of peace talks cannot disregard these questions. To do so would be counter productive since it would convey the possibility of easy irresponsible repetition.

Moreover the quest for justice can only be quenched by the truth. Let us learn however late that complacency with matters of life and death and arrogance and aggressiveness is not the route to the peace table.

Shame and repentance in that we have failed the very people we represent and are called upon to nourish, and an ensuing vulnerability that we are guilty and wounded aspirants of peace, are indispensable tools for peace that bear fruit at the table.

The call to disarm all para military groups is timely and proper. We must keep in mind however that the majority of these cadres are trapped. These are mostly exploited youth with little voice or choice who were coerced into continuing violence in the law of the jungle.

In the circumstances their option to return to civic life would have been as dangerous. They require an amnesty, and should be helped to return to normalcy through adequate and careful protection and rehabilitation. They cannot be disarmed and left to the mercy of foes and forces. Here we will do well to learn from the experiences of other countries who have engaged in disarming such groups.

Return to positive development

The presence and activity of these para military groups in certain parts of the country has effectively silenced the democratic process and freedom of expression. People lived in fear and spoke in whispers.

Intimidation and fear of reprisals led to the exodus of some. It appears that several academics of the Eastern University have moved out.

This too on the eve of the establishment of the new Medical Faculty. It also appears that students have been divided and staff paralysed at the University. The prevention of students from attending lectures and registering for admission at University is also of serious concern and must be addressed and revoked.

These are all a clear breach of the objectives of the CFA and must be rectified. " The great avenues through which free men (and women) walk to build a better society will (must) open soon" (President Allende 1973)

There must also be a return to a positive development of the CFA, when Military Commanders of both sides were able to meet and settle local disputes.

This was owing to the calibre of these persons and the trust that had been built over the years.

Hand-picked Commanders who love peace, acknowledge the priority of protecting life and know how and when to use limited force must be appointed to key posts. Their best qualification is that they know the cost of war and benefits of peace more than any others. Thankfully there are still many around to provide this leadership.

This is also the time to appreciate and review the difficult role of the SLMM. They are here at the invitation of both Parties to exercise a sensitive and even thank-less assignment. When violations are perpetrated by either side they are often at the receiving end of our frustrations. Their work of monitoring and assisting the CFA can only be effective to the extent that the parties to the CFA comply with their findings and requests.

There is reason to believe that both parties continuously disregard their interventions. When this happens the SLMM is helpless. We simply cannot have our cake and eat it. If we have invited the SLMM to assist us we must co-operate. If not we must seek an alternative. But if the SLMM is to continue, then its role must be re-defined in such a way that the people of this country could hear the SLMM when this co-operation is not forthcoming.

Finally, all Sri Lankans have a part to play in our aspirations for peace. It is unfair and impossible to leave it all to the political leadership. Each in our different circles should seek to understand and welcome the "other", overcome prejudices and stereotypes and build trust .

The paradox of rights such as dignity, justice and freedom is that there is always room for all. Unlike sectarian and divisive teachings suggest, they do not diminish the more they are shared. These rights are limitless and endless entities. In fact the opposite is true. The more these attributes are shared the more there is to share. So is the case with Love and Maithriya, and Karuna and Kindness, as every integrated family on earth knows.

Renewal or destruction

The words of Ariel Dorfman writing on "The last Sept 11" -1973 crisis in Chile, and referring to the recent Sept. 11 crisis in the US are starkly applicable for us today as we approach Geneva:

"A crisis of this magnitude can lead to renewal or destruction, it can be used for good or evil, for peace or for war, for aggression or for reconciliation, for vengeance or for justice, for the militarization of a society or for its humanisation."

No doubt these words could well be a prayer on the lips and in the hearts of millions of our people.

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