|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 5 September 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Peaceful campaigns to the fore in East by Rashomi Silva Experts here last week voiced their concern over the impact the 'Eastern Awakening' an initiative launched to mobilise mass support to de-merge the North-East, would have on the country's stalled peace bid. The move backed by the JVP a partner of the ruling UPFA government was expected to draw attention to the cause of the regional minorities in the East such as Sinhalese and Muslims and run counter to the ISGA proposals forwarded by the LTTE, which was viewed by them as a threat to the sovereignty of the country. The initiative should be appreciated for the voice it makes on the rights of the Sinhalese and the Muslims, groups apparently forgotten by most peace advocates. But on the other hand the very foundation of the CFA and even the Memorandum of Understanding which brought about the two-and-half year old truce rests on the merge of the North-East therefore the chances are that any challenge to the merged status of the North-East would hurt the fragile peace bid further. Commenting on the issues the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives Dr. Pakiyasotti Sarawanamuttu pointed out the peace process at the moment operates on the merged North-East and this was the stance of almost all Tamil political parties in the country "But we have to respect the right of the citizen to engage in non-violent campaigns and to express one's views in a peaceful manner" he said. "We can expect the LTTE and other political parties led by the Tamil National Alliance to look at the move with suspicion. However there is a clause in the 13th Amendment of the Constitution that a referendum should be held before contemplating on a permanent merge or demerge, he pointed out. In a counter attempt the LTTE is also scheduled to launch its awareness program on ISGA proposals. Legislators of the Tamil National Alliance will go grass roots in the North-East to canvass the public support for the ISGA. Using the same logic of the right to engage in a peaceful campaign one can justify the LTTE and their political ally TNA's campaign for the ISGA proposals. Given the enviable reputation of the JVP's organising capabilities and the possible backing from the Muslims in the East, one can expect the 'Eastern awakening' to be a mega success for it's organisers. In the meantime we cannot underestimate the LTTE propaganda machine which scored them numerous successes here and abroad. In this back drop we can expect to see a full swing battle of campaign and counter campaign in the coming weeks. But the crucial questions that beg answers are if the campaign and counter campaigns will help to alleviate the fears of the regional minorities in the North-East? Will that give an assurance to the war weary people of the island that country would not slide back to war? A more constructive way to address those issues perhaps would be to launch a national level discussion and encourage civil society and the government and the constitution experts to explore means of protecting the rights of minorities and regional minorities in a future Sri Lanka. The legitimacy of any solution will depend on the public support and a final solution to the crisis will have to meet the aspirations of all the segments of the people. Army-LTTE to meet again? In an encouraging development the LTTE and the government troops in the East decided to meet on Tuesday to discuss the situation in the troubled East after three months of stand off. A team of seven led by LTTE special commander of Batticaloa and Ampara Ramesh and Eastern political division head E. Kousalyan were to attend their routine meeting with the LTTE hierarchy in Kilinochchi. Sources close to the rebels said the discussions will concentrate on the issues to be taken at Tuesday's meeting. A senior military official said that they were expecting to have more discussions when there were more troubles in the East, but the LTTE decided to do just the opposite. "They avoided meeting during the most crucial time." |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
