Tamil-speaking people aspire for peace - Douglas Devananda

Secretary General EPDP and Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare Douglas Devananda said "If we dream, we can achieve anything through war", such an intention will lead us towards loosing the freedom we already have.

This is the reason why we seek the path of peace. We work for peaceful co-existence within a united Sri Lanka. The Tamil-speaking people too, long for this goal. But the Tiger leadership fears, sidelining by the Tamil speaking people. It also hesitates to lead a life politically and physically in a peaceful atmosphere and want to wage war in the name of Tamil speaking people. Nothing is going to be achieved through this war. We are part of the government to demonstrate the desire of the people for peace. We accepted Cabinet portfolio to display such goodwill.

Let's compare an incident that took place during the Indo-Sri Lanka pact. The LTTE leader Prabhakaran was brought down from India. A rally was organised at Suthumalai. Thousands who were transported to the venue by the LTTE were present there. Prabhakaran declared at the meeting that the LTTE was going to hand over its weapons. The thousands of people who gathered there acclaimed such decision with great enthusiasm.

Comparisons should be made between these two incidents. People long for peace. They want a peaceful solution. That incident establishes this fact. The LTTE leadership, out of fear, dragged the Indian Army into war. It ruined the implementation of the Indo-Sri Lanka agreement. Since then the LTTE is waging war against the will of the people. It is in this circumstances, we by comprehending the wishes of the people are working towards finding a solution through democratic processes.

Our people acknowledge our participation in the government. But the LTTE says in the negative. The Tamil politicians fearing the threats levelled by Tigers, say that we should not be part of the government. None of them comes forward boldly to extend the gesture of goodwill. They welcome the facilities offered by the government and in the meantime condemn it. This amounts to saying that 'Fish is smelling bad but not the cash that came into the hands by the sale of same'.

They hate the government, yet when there is scarcity for food and medicines they approach the same government with demands, just for eyewash. They, in the meantime patronise the LTTE as well. We cannot postpone anything fearing the LTTE. We cannot abstain from doing the right things fearing mud slinging of the pro LTTE media.

We dare support the government in all matters facing all the challengers. By doing this we convince the international community that the Tamil speaking people have a desire for peace. We also disclose to the Sinhala population that the Tamil speaking people do want to co-exist in a united country. This approach of ours remove many an obstacle in the way leading to solutions.

"I believe this approach of ours has removed many suspicions of the Sinhala people. I also believe that this has brought in support from the international community in the promotion of peace.

We wish to be pioneers of peace! We have shown the path! Our desire is that all should join the path of peace shedding the politics of violence and selfishness", he said.