Crucial moment in peace-making
PRESIDENT Kumaratunga's position that negotiations with
the LTTE on ending our conflict "could commence sooner rather than
later", should help greatly in clarifying the Government's future course
of action.
There is no doubt that talks towards a settlement with
the LTTE is very much on the cards and that the Government is the prime
mover in this process.
This much was made abundantly clear by the President to
the EU's Commissioner for External Relations, Ms. Benita Ferrero -
Waldner, who was here on a post-tsunami assessment visit aimed at
helping the country meet its humanitarian needs.
Among other things, the President also indicated that
the LTTE has been "cooperative in several ways in addressing the needs
of the tsunami affected" in the North-East.
These amount to some of the most definitive statements
we have received from the Government on how it is acting to end the
country's conflict.
The picture that emerges is that of a Government which
is working quietly but confidently towards resolving the conflict. This
is in sharp contrast to the image sought to be created in the minds of
the public, of the Government, by some sections of the media.
The notion that the Lankan State is weak and fumbling,
is a concoction of these sections of the media which have made the
dubious craft of fishing in troubled waters, a pastime par excellence.
Apparently, a disinformation campaign is on in these
sections of the Government's intentions, with spin and fabrications
taking prime place in what's purporting to be news and views.
For instance, an administrative mechanism for the
provision of relief to the North-East is deliberately confused with the
ISGA. The aim, apparently, is to ignite public passions.
However, we now have it on the authority of the
President that negotiations would begin sooner rather than later,
indicating that concrete moves are afoot to end our conflict by peaceful
means.
Among other things, this proves that the President is of
firm resolve to end Sri Lanka's suffering. We hope she will be endowed
with the necessary vision and sprite to take the peace effort to its
logical conclusion.
The President's further clarification that the
settlement would be sought within the framework of the Oslo Declaration,
prefigures the kind of settlement we could look forward to.
While under the guidance of the President, the
Government could be expected to move consistently towards a settlement,
the public should guard against being misled by the purveyors of
disinformation.
However, the public would do well to turn the
searchlight inwards and spend some time in quiet reflection on these
issues.
The Government has no choice but to work towards an
equitable settlement; in short, a solution which will be fair by all.
The golden norm is that we should treat others the way we would have
them treat us.
Since we like to be treated fairly, we need to do the
same to others. It is the gross violation of this cardinal principle
which has caused a rift among our communities, which has eventually led
to war.
Sharing and caring is the basis of civilized living. The
non-observance of this norm leads to savagery and war.
The President is more than ready to forge ahead towards
a fair settlement. However, the rest of the polity should back her to
the hilt, knowing that a crucial moment in our history is at hand. |
