National reconciliation

It was a rare show of unity when President Mahinda Rajapaksa chaired the inaugural session of the Presidential Committee on Development and Reconciliation at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday.

The meeting, at which leaders of 18 major national political parties in the country were present, was a positive sign for President Rajapaksa's determined effort to develop the country under the `One country, One nation' banner.

It was indeed heartening to see all major political parties coming under one umbrella, shedding petty differences, in the name of Mother Lanka. Heeding the President's call for political parties to sit together and discuss the burning issues faced by the country, the political leaders of those parties expressed their willingness to contribute towards the prosperity of the country.

What was even more significant and unique at the meeting was the presence of major parties such as the main opposition United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). These opposition parties which were reluctant to take part in such events earlier due to major differences of political opinion were active participants on this occasion.

There was a time many opposition parties kept away from the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) convened with the objective of achieving southern political consensus on the national problem. But Thursday's meeting gave fresh hopes for unity and national reconciliation.

This could well be considered as a new step towards establishing national unity, by which, Sri Lanka could uphold President Rajapaksa's stand that there are no minorities in the country, but only one race - Sri Lankans. In his address to the Nation after eradicating terrorism, President Rajapaksa declared that there are no different ethnic groups such as majority and minority but only two groups of people - those who love the country and those who are not.

As President Rajapaksa emphasised, this is the most appropriate time for political parties to unite as one team of patriots. It is not the time to concentrate on differences but on equality and to hold hands as one to give a better meaning for the great victories achieved by our valiant Security Forces.

It is the duty of all patriotic and peace-loving people to rally round the President and strengthen his hands in the Government's determined efforts to develop this country and take the nation forward.

The true voices of some of the TNA leaders had been stilled due to LTTE's gun culture and terror rule. Most of the TNA Parliamentarians had no option but to voice for the Tigers as it was a do or die situation for them at that time. As a result, the TNA was tagged a Tiger proxy and the party endorsed almost all LTTE views.

However, this scenario changed dramatically with the crushing of the LTTE and the TNA leaders now have an opportunity to think freely with a greater vision. The active participation of the TNA in the forum should be viewed in a positive manner. This was the first occasion where the TNA sat with other major parties of the country to discuss a solution and welfare activities of those displaced.

The time is now opportune to bury the hatchet and make a fresh beginning.

The need of the hour is to alleviate the sufferings of those displaced and affected due to the LTTE terror. All political parties must make a collective effort to work out a mechanism which could effectively help the liberated civilians to go back to their normal lives without fear or discrimination.

Winning the war against the LTTE alone will not help to achieve these goals.

There should be a greater understanding amongst the communities here. The Sinhalese must win the confidence and hearts of other communities. It was the LTTE which destroyed it in the early 80s. Most of the present day Tamil youth are unaware how in the good old days the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims lived in harmony in the North.

We must restore that confidence. Ethnicity was no barrier and there was a greater understanding amongst communities who lived in the Jaffna peninsula.

Rebuilding the affected areas quickly, removing landmines, providing infrastructure and introducing viable livelihood projects is the top priority of the Government and all leaders - political or otherwise, should extend their maximum support for the Government to achieve this goal.

The main target of the Government is to resettle the majority of those displaced within six months and bring the Northern Province on par with the Western Province. Apart from freedom to live and development, the Government is keen on restoring democracy in the North. Local Government and Provincial Council elections will be held no sooner the resettlement process is completed. It was the LTTE which robbed the democratic rights of the Northerners and later made a desperate bid to project themselves as the saviours of the Tamils.

It is of utmost importance to ensure equal opportunities for all - irrespective of where they live. We must promote unity and understanding.

Reconciliation would be impossible without development. Around 300,000 persons were rescued during the humanitarian operations in the North and the Government is determined to resettle the displaced civilians and find a political solution acceptable to all communities.

The liberation of the country from LTTE terrorism after three decades should be followed by a comprehensive humanitarian mission to assure a better tomorrow for people who have been rescued from terror.

The need of the hour is unity, reconciliation and development, to take Sri Lanka to greater heights in all spheres.