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| Sunday, 29 January 2006 |
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Govt - LTTE talks : Acclaim for breakthrough by Rashomi Silva In this round up of opinion on the Govt-LTTE accord for resumption of peace talks religious establishments, political parties, and NGOs in one voice welcome the breakthrough in the peace process and the salutary stand taken by President Mahinda Rajapakse in pressing for talks. Ven. Ellawala Medhanandha Thera, Jathika Hela Urumaya leader: Despite our stance that Norway should be withdrawn from the role of mediator and talks be held in Colombo, we support government moves to bring peace. As far as we are concerned Norway has acted in a most biased manner. We want the government to look for a neutral mediator and hold talks in Colombo. Father Cyril Gamini, Catholic Church Colombo: The Catholic Church of Sri Lanka has always been maintaining that a settlement to this ethnic problem should be found through dialogue. Therefore we are happy that the parties have finally decided to resume talks. We also hope that all the political parties in the South would support talks despite their political and party differences. Steps should be taken to strengthen North-South links and to build trust among communities. People should have faith in the talks. For that all killing should be stopped and an awareness created at the grass roots level. Religious organizations come in there with their direct link to common people. We also welcome All Party Talks aimed at creating consensus among Southern political parties. I hope the Religious Leaders Conference and the All Party conference can contribute to the success of the talks. Hasan Ali: Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, General Secretary: We have pledged our support to the peace process and devolution. But here we as a stake holder in the process feel that we should be given space at the negotiating table. We have heaps of problems in the East and we want them to be addressed in the correct manner. Dr. Pakiyasothy Sarawanamuttu, Executive Director Centre For Policy Alternatives: Resumption of talks is highly welcome. But parties should make sure that they do not make the talks a temporary halting point in the heightened tension instead talks should be used as a spring board to build up for talks on deeper political dialogue. Commenting on the Norway's role he said so far they have played a constructive role, that needs to be commended. Their involvement has broken the deadlock to resume talks. Speaking on the issue of separate Muslim delegation he said, when talks are on political issues it is necessary to have a separate delegation, but initial rounds would be dedicated for revising of the ceasefire, for that presence of signatory parties would suffice. Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratne: New Left Front: The steps taken by the President not withstanding his allies, JVP and JHUs dislike to holding talks outside Sri Lanka has to be admired. Of course the LTTE had other motives in insisting on talks to be held in Europe. They want the travel ban removed and to collect funds from sympathisers and the diaspora. President Rajapakse should take more bold steps in devolution if we are
to attain a permanent peace here and to check the LTTE, the South should be
prepared for maximum devolution. |
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