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Urgent priorities

Indications that Lanka's economy is on the mend provide early evidence of the correctness of the Government's fundamental strategy in resolving the ethnic conflict. That is, peace by peaceful means. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka, whom we quoted yesterday, cited the "continuation of the ceasefire" and many other factors, such as, the removal of the war risk surcharge, a decline in inflation, improving business confidence, a stable power supply and increased capital flows, as some of the reasons for these initial signs of an economic turnaround.

While Sri Lanka cannot claim to be out of the woods, these positive developments in the economy and their cumulative beneficial impact, besides proving the UNF administration right in seeking a negotiated end to the conflict, prefigure the great gains which await the country if the peace process is relentlessly persisted with.

An urgent priority for the Government in the economic sphere is to ensure that all local sections benefit from these positive trends because a country couldn't be said to be developing unless and until the masses too partake of the material gains the economy is generating. We hope the State is addressing this issue in view of evidence that conventional approaches to development have thus far not proved to be great equalisers. In short, the condition of the poor needs to be urgently addressed.

Meanwhile, the peace process needs to be perpetuated and protected. This is a task for not merely the Government and the LTTE but also for the entirety of the Lankan citizenry.

We say this in view of evidence that some hardline sections are intent on making partisan, political capital out of some problem areas which have cropped-up in the peace effort. While the Government is addressing these issues pertaining mainly to High Security Zones in the North and the consolidation of the ceasefire, sections of the opposition, for whom power seems to be an obsession, are displaying extra alacrity to fan popular discontent over them.

This is singularly unfortunate because such machinations dangerously undermine the national interest and raise the spectre, once again, of anarchy and chronic internal strife. In such scenarios, of course, everyone ends up a loser. Is this what is sought by these power-hungry critics?

While we call for sane counsel among these disgruntled elements, we appeal to the people to remain supportive of the peace effort in the belief that only the national interest is being served by this unprecedented endeavour. As we have said right along, differences and disagreements are likely to arise among the main parties to the conflict but these need to be resolved on the basis of wisdom, mutual accommodation and patience. The people, in particular, need to steel themselves against the panic-button reactions of the disgruntled and the power-hungry.

While the Government and the LTTE need to approach the next round of talks too in a constructive and co-operative spirit, with goodwill and fraternal love uppermost in their minds, the task of raising awareness among the people on the finer issues in the process and on its overall invaluable nature, cannot be postponed by the State. This too has been constantly emphasised by us. We urge prompt action in this regard, for the greater good of peace and harmony.

It should be plain to see that a knowledge vacuum among the public in these circumstances, could be a dangerous thing. This is mainly because rabble-rousers and peddlers of misinformation could step into the breach and misguide the people. This is already happening to a degree and could escalate as the peace process advances. There is no alternative to the Government talking to the people and disabusing their minds of any misconceptions on the peace effort.

The State needs to remind itself that truth is always triumphant. However, the truth needs to be vigorously and courageously advocated. As for those parading untruths and spouting division, ignominy and condemnation await them.

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