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Maha Nayake Theras optimistic on reaching peace consensus

by L. B. Wijayasiri in Kandy

The Most Ven. Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Mahavihara Chapters told Enterprise Development and Ethnic Affairs Minister, Professor G. L.Peiris on Saturday that they were optimistic about reaching at a consensus through the negotiation between the LTTE and the Government with a view to bringing about lasting peace to the country ending the war.

They made those observations when Enterprise Development, Industrial Policy and Constitutional Affairs Minister Professor G. L. Peiris called on them on Saturday. The Minister called on the Most Ven. Rambukwelle Sri Vipassi Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter at the General Hospital Kandy where the prelate is undergoing treatment.

Thereafter, the Minister called on Most Ven. Udugama Sri Rathanapala Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Maha Vihara Chapter and had discussions on the current situation.

Most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya told the Minister that if the people were given an opportunity to exercise their franchise more freely at the recent General Elections the United National Front would have secured a comfortable majority. However, the change expected by the masses took place.

The reason for the deterioration of our country in every aspect was the disunity among the people and their division on various different political party views. The multi party system existed even in many developed countries but they forgot the party differences after the elections and worked together for the benefit of the country by giving preference to the country.

This country would not prosper until the system of the opposition wishing and waiting for the collapse of the government and the government looking at all what the previous governments did as wrong and useless things, ceased to exist added the Mahanayake Thera.

Many people today are awaiting the government to give them everything. That could not be done. As a result of that thinking, a large acreage of cultivable land was abandoned. He did not like continuing even the Samurdhi assistance. The people should be taught to get their needs cultivated in the home gardens, the prelate said.

Minister Professor G. L. Peiris said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had all the strength and power to save the country from the present crisis situation. He had all the experience and will too. He was backed by a similar team. Problems could not be solved by keeping on talking about the past. In order to solve the problems a clearcut policy and a program of work should be there which the present government has.

Professor Peiris also expressed his optimism that the peace negotiations would gradually bring fruitful results. The removing of permanent road barriers would not be a danger to the security as some people said. The government had alternative arrangements to ensure the security in the absence of permanent road barriers.

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