Peace, Development and Equality

by Deshaputra

The country witnessed the dawn of a new era in politics last week. The two leaders of the main political parties, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe entered into a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work for the betterment of this country. This move has been hailed by all segments of our society. It was a need long overdue. It came at a time, President Rajapaksa had given the green light to restart the peace process. In the face of continued provocation by the LTTE, the President's move to recommence a dialogue is visibly sincere and honest. He has shown his deep commitment towards peace by that action. The MoU with the UNP which gives priority to the restoration of peace through negotiations is a blessing in disguise at this crucial juncture.

The Government in its sincere efforts offered safe passage for the LTTE delegation to travel to Geneva via Colombo. Unlike in the past, the Government is keen to resolve core issues that confront the lives of the Tamil speaking minority. Defence spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella reiterated this stance several times before the Government delegation left for Geneva.These issues have not been addressed at past meetings. The LTTE was to place its agenda before the table at talks. In the past, the LTTE claimed that core issues of the Tamil people were always kept out at talks. They harped on that shortcoming as an excuse to leave the negotiating table and revert to violence.

The government, this time has given priority to the core issues of the Tamils. The LTTE should not find excuses to get away. Instead it should cooperate at the table to contribute in a viable manner to make the process more effective. The people want peace. They've been yearning for peace over the past three decades. It is exactly three decades of violence orchestrated by the LTTE. The first crime was the killing of former Jaffna Mayor,Alfred Duraiappa in 1976. Since then many Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim leaders have been hunted and gunned down. Over a hundred-thousand people in this country have been killed in violence. The LTTE should not confine its call for peace only to mere words. It must be exercised in thought and deed.

There cannot be development without peace. Temporary peace will only bring relief. People who have suffered because of violence start rebuilding during temporary peace. What happens? The LTTE reverts to violence. The country goes back to destruction. This had happened over the past two and a half decades. People have suffered in all aspects of life. Mostly in the spheres of education, health and development. In the South, politics of confrontation is over between the two major parties. Other parties in the South, should heed the clarion call by the President to join his government for the sake of the nation. The President is for an undivided country. He is for a solution that suits Sri Lanka.

The need of the hour is to strengthen his hands by offering cooperation and support. The people look forward to politicians of that calibre at this juncture.

Supporting or extending cooperation to the Rajapaksa administration to save the people and the nation does not mean that political parties enter into permanent marriages. Such steps are taken in the interest of the nation. President Rajapaksa during his address on the signing of the MoU with the UNP quite rightly pointed out that the MoU did not affect the individual identity of either political party.

The President does not believe in harming the existence and identity of any political party. Such decent political strategies create an atmosphere for goodwill and equality. All people in this multi ethnic country yearn for equality. When political party leaders take the lead on the correct path, the understanding between these mutli ethnic groups would begin to grow steadfastly.

This is the only way Sri Lanka could establish equality to its people irrespective of ethnicity.

At this hour of need, criticism by politicians and media must be constructive and fair. Ridiculing political party leaders by putting up derogatory posters on public walls must stop. The people look for peace. What is important is-Peace, Development and Equality for a prosperous Sri Lanka. This could only be achieved if we walk the path - "Together for All".