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Liberals welcome peace move SU warns

by Ranga Jayasuriya

Liberals and the Democratic Left Front yesterday welcomed the Government's peace bid, while the Sihala Urumaya warned the nation would have to pay for any folly of the Government soon after the false truce comes to the end.

Welcoming the lifting of embargoes on uncleared areas, DLF leader Vasudeva Nanayakkara said whatever Government's motives were, it was a 'positive step.' "The Government's move is significant since it is unilateral and it was done without expecting anything in response," he said.

What is however important is to create a genuine understanding among the Sinhalese community about the plight of the Tamils in this country, he said.

Liberal party leader Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe said he is very 'pleased' with the Government's peace efforts. While the Government is focusing on peace talks, it should try to provide a practical solution which would address the problems of minorities due to the inadequate representation, he said

Claiming that though embargoes in uncleared areas were mainly for the military purposes, in practice they harassed civilians, Prof Wijesinghe said removal of the embargoes would have a great impact as a confidence building measure.

Pointing to the history of failed peace talks with the LTTE, Sihala Urumaya General Secretary Tilak Karunaratne warned that the nation would have to pay for the blunder the Government was committing. "We had talks with Prabakaran on so many occasions in past and all efforts failed since he didn't want peace. The LTTE will not be satisfied with anything other than Ealam," he said

Karunaratne said the main benefactor of the lifting of embargoes is the LTTE, which he said makes profits from essential goods sent by the Government to uncleared areas.

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