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Peace - the popular preference

The majority of Sri Lankans believe that peace could be brought about only by peaceful means and not through war. This is one of the most significant findings of an opinion poll conducted by the Social Research Unit of the Centre for Policy Alternatives, which we highlighted yesterday.

According to the Peace Confidence Index study launched by the Centre, Lankans favouring peace by peaceful means have been steadily on the increase since May last year. For instance, while the number of Lankans backing peaceful options stood at 59 per cent in May 2001, this figure steadily rose from 68 per cent in September to 80 per cent in January 2002.

On the other hand, hopes in a military solution to the ethnic conflict have registered a steady decline. While this figure stood at 20 per cent in September last year, it dipped to 19 per cent in November and a little over nine percent in January. Confidence that the Government is for a negotiated political settlement had meanwhile, risen to 58 per cent in January 2002 in comparison to the corresponding figures of 43 per cent in September 2001 and 44 percent in November last year.

Coming from an important think tank in this country, these are statistics which should be closely reflected on and analysed. If evidence is needed that the current peace effort should not only be persisted with but worked out to its logical conclusion, here it is.

The results of the opinion poll could be considered an endorsement of the mandate which was received by the Government on December 5th last year. The message is clear that the majority of Lankans are solidly behind the peace effort. The Government should ensure that this groundswell of support doesn't go waste. From now on, ideally, there ought to be further positive and consistent action by the State to evolve a political solution to the conflict.

Coupled with this overwhelming domestic support for the peace process, we also have evidence of rising international backing for the same undertaking. The UN Secretary General and the US are the latest international actors to voice their support for the Government's peace initiative.

Therefore, we could take the position that the opportunity for peace-making which has offered itself is truly historic. For, support for a negotiated settlement has never reached these proportions.

The opposition and those resisting the peace effort need to take cognizance of these developments. The will of the people should be respected if the democratic ethos of the country is to be perpetuated. The popular preference is for peace. If peace is not realised the wishes of the majority of the people could be said to be subverted

The Government has taken a step in the correct direction by permitting a parliamentary debate on the MoU. Parliament should be the forum for the airing of misgivings and reservations about the MoU and not the streets. Extra-parliamentary activity on these issues would be tantamount callously disregarding and riding roughshod over the will of the people.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 26.02.2002:
  Gene twisted: right to choose
  

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