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| Sunday, 9 June 2002 |
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Features |  |
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On the right track... by Vimukthi Fernando
It was late. The train usually leaves the Colombo Fort railway station at 5.45 a.m. But, at nine o'clock the train was still waiting. If it was a usual day, the official of the Railway Department would have received hundreds of complaints. However on this day there were none. For, it was a special day. The day that a commuter train was utilised to bridge the gap between the North and the South; The PEACE TRAIN all decked in white, with flowers and doves, symbols of peace painted on its body and messages in all three languages - to support the efforts of peace, both the Tamil and the Sinhalese communities are taking. Being late posed no barrier, for lasting peace has also been late in coming was the view of many at the grassroots of both communities. They have been waiting for peace for a long time - to bring normalcy to their lives. They would support any positive and honest effort towards that end.
That was the objective of the Peace Train as well - to create awareness and to inculcate a positive attitude towards peace. To promote pluralism and harmony of society and to carry the legacy of Neelan Thiruchelvam, said Sujeevan Perera, Programme Director, Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust. The Peace Train will be maintained by the Trust for a period of one year - carrying the message of peace between Colombo and Vavuniya. The Canadian Development Fund (CIDA), Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA) and the Artists for Peace are backing the efforts of the Trust. The Peace Train was initiated with much fan fare. Dr. Jayalath Jayawardene, Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees was at the Fort station to see it depart on May 20. Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thera, Member of Parliament and Vice President, Desha Vimukthi Janatha Pakshaya, Vasantha Obeysekera, Film Director, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, Director VAFA were travelling in the train as their contribution to this message of peace. Many other dignitaries, government officials, religious representatives and most importantly, the common people at the grassroots thronged to Anuradhapura and Vavuniya to welcome the Peace Train. However the absence of LTTE representatives among the welcoming throng was noticeable.
The route selected to deploy the Peace Train is "a symbolic route, going through the heart of the country. People down this route have gone through a lot of difficulties", said Sujeevan Perera. Parts of this route leading to Jaffna still stay closed, the grass, shrubs, trees and wild animals taking the place of the trains that were plying these tracks. Now the opening of A9 route has brought the North closer to South and increased the demand for trains from Vavuniya to Colombo. Anyday you could count over 2,000 passengers waiting to board the 5 trains plying the route. That is how Ponnampalam Thurairatnam, a 50 year old farmer from Kilinochchi arrived in Vavuniya after 14 years, the day the Peace Train went there. He was on his way to Colombo, to get treatment for his heart ailment. "Peace is all we want. It is such a relief to be able to go there without checking, without special passes and no fear." Thurairatnam's smile, revealed the rest of the story. Nishanthi Sivarajah, a 19 year old student from Jaffna waiting for the train at Vavuniya was in agreement. However, she expressed her doubts about lasting peace. "How can there be a lasting peace when both parties are not really ready to give and take?" she questioned. "Peace should be permanent not temporary. The peace train surely contributes in bringing awareness and reminding people that we are closer to peace. But, when would the day arrive that young girls like us are able to travel without any fear?" Her fears and reservations were echoed by Kalanchiye Piyaratane Thera, from Mahawa, another commuter on the Peace Train. "Travelling together by train brings people together. Today all of us are travelling together while a few months back, some had to go by ship or by airplane, paying large amounts of money. We had lots of hope talking about 'Peace' but now.... There is news of LTTE gathering arms and strengthening their armies. People at the grassroots thirst for peace and the truth. What we usually hear is not the truth. For lasting peace and a lasting solution, people should be told the truth and given an opportunity to get involved in the peace process. That is how you can bring peace. Not through any painted train or street theatre group", he was critical of the Peace Train and pointed out that it was temporary though the motive was good. His sentiment was echoed by Robert Gunatileka of Kesbewa who was on a pilgrimage to Anuradhapura. "We just chant - Peace Peace Peace like a mantra. That would not be of any help. Now, peace has become a business. Peace is what all of us citizens of Sri Lanka want and yearn for. Tell me who is against peace? The forces and the LTTE both want peace. The LTTE is fighting to gain their objectives, if there is a non-violent way to achieve their objectives, with understanding between the two parties, there is no need for war. At present there is no opportunity for the common man to participate in this so called peace process. Peace will only arrive the day that we get an opportunity to participate in the process." All these people want an opportunity to participate in the peace process. They keep a keen eye on the day-to-day happenings for they are the victims of war and would be the victors of peace. As Mohamed Abdul Cader Ayub, a displaced citizen from Jaffna who was travelling back there after 12 years saw the process "peace will definitely come to Sri Lanka. This is only the beginning. We have been living with the people in Jaffna in harmony and there will be a day we could do that again. I will go back to live there when development returns to Jaffna. Small and practical efforts like this peace train will bring that day closer." |
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