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| Sunday, 3 March 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Less power, more kindly light by Factotum What is all this hype about the cohabitation exercise falling apart and differences between the two power centres being unbridgeable? Despite the forebodings of pundits and sycophants the people decided to experiment with a hitherto untried formula of power sharing by voting in a Government of a political hue that was at variance with that of the incumbent of the other power centre - also voted in by the people - in order that they would cooperate in matters of national urgency bereft of narrow partisan political bickering. Orientation to the new set up is taking place day by day although there are those who tend to sensationalise and over play differences that have come up on the way. That may suit their own agendas which of course they are entitled to pursue. The present peace process is looked upon as a continuation of what was begun in 1994 and looked upon in that light the hopes of a greater number of people will be realised when the major political configurations do not go for each other in the run up to the polls that are to be conducted shortly. Addressing party locals and stalwarts at Anuradhapura HE, it has been reported cautioned her bandwagon about rocking the boat as far as the Government efforts at reducing tensions and opening the way for more tangible results by and by in dealing with the Tiger outfit. That is indicative of mature leadership in reacting to efforts by 'rivals' to settle a national problem taken away from the realm of petty political bickering and campaigning. In fact, in a statement issued after a careful scrutiny of the ceasefire agreement the most notable sentiment is an exhortation to carry the mass of the people to achieve the goal of lasting peace for which whatever strains the cohabitation exercise undergoes will have to be superseded, to affirm the commitment to peace. Significantly, our columnist in his 'observations' last Sunday said "while the military hostilities have ended it is to be hoped that the mass media does not carry on the war at an ideological level..." Statements from the highest in the land to the effect that "on our side, as far as the Government of Sri Lanka is concerned, you and I must in close consultation and cooperation with each other make this ceasefire work ..."and then summing it all up ".... assist me in my endeavours to make consensual government work effectively," are salutary. So, all is not lost. At Coolum in Kangaroo country our team can be expected to make a major contribution extolling the virtues of commencing meaningful dialogues as an alternative to war and that would stand in good stead not only to fight insurrections but to overcome the strains of the usual slander and recriminations especially at poll times. The doubling of power cuts has brought to the fore the urgency for a kindlier light to lead us on and that seems to be dawning. |
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