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Everyone must facilitate peace process with mutual trust- Bishop of Jaffna

by Jaffna special correspondent

The peace process that is in progress with the aid of the Norwegian facilitators is for the racial amity of the people of this country and not to safeguard the interests of either the LTTE or the armed forces. Therefore it behoves on everyone of us to facilitate the peace process with mutual trust and confidence said Rt. Rev. Thomas Saundranayagam Bishop of Jaffna. He was speaking at the workshop organised by the Berghof Foundation for Conflict Studies on "High Security Zones and the Peace Process" at Retreat House, Pandaitherippu.

Dr. Mario Gomes of Berghof Foundation presided.

The Bishop said after twenty years of active hostility between the LTTE and the armed forces our country is witnessing a period of cessation of hostilities where the people in the North and East are faced with two major problems. The problem of Internally Displaced persons (IDP) and de-mining of areas vacated by the army and the LTTE. The internally displaced persons are unable to re-occupy their homes as they are being occupied by homeless persons. Resettlement in the high security zone is tabooed by the army. But the lands in Valigamam North security zone are the gold mines of the farmers. These farmers should be given at least the permission to have access to their lands and cultivate them to upkeep their families.

Senior officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force representatives from LTTE, NGOs, Media, Vice Chancellor of Jaffna University and the Bishops of Jaffna and Mannar participated at the workshop.

Rev. Fr. A.I. Bernard, Chairman Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, Jaffna speaking on 'High Security Zones, a civilian perspective' said that as a result of the signing of the MoU, the people in the South are enjoying the fruits of the cessation of hostilities. The security personnel in the North too are relieved of the torments of war. But the internally displaced persons in the North and East are eking out a life worse than the international refugees. New camps are being opened in the farmlands in the North. The Northern fishermen who met 30% of the country's requirement of fish are beset with regulations that hamper their daily catch.

Brigadier Aruna Jayathilaka said that the Army has vacated from all the places in the high security zone. We are handing over the buildings to the people. Fishing is permitted all throughout the day and night. But they have to return ashore in the day light. The fishermen of Gurunagar and Passaiyoor are happy about this arrangement.

He also said that they were vacating the houses occupied by them in the High Security zone. Union College, Tellipallai and Vasavilan MMV had been handed over to the principals and these schools were functioning without complaints. The Army had also let the paddy fields in Thanagkilappu to be cultivated by the owners.

The Commanding Officer of Karainagar Navy said that the navy had been called in by the Police to assist them to maintain law and order in Delft. The Navy is there not to give protection to the EPDP but to maintain law and order.

Prof. P. Balasundarampillai Vice Chancellor, Jaffna University pointed out that in the jaffna Police stations complaints of Tamils are recorded in Sinhala and the signatures are obtained beneath. Steps should be taken to post Tamil Police officers in every Police station and complaints from Tamils should be recorded in Tamil.

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