'P-TOMS, a sound basis for peace'

BY LYNN Ockersz

THE Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure (P-TOMS) could form a suitable basis for reactivating and promoting the Lankan peace process. This was stated by Dr. Kapila Gunawardene, Consultant Obstetrician, Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, in an interview with the Daily News.

The P-TOMS is an important option the State has in hand to go ahead with the country rebuilding process. It is important that the State uses the P-TOMS administrative arrangement because right now, the eyes of the international community are on Sri Lanka and it is keen that the State goes steadily ahead with the process of country rebuilding.

If the Sri Lankan State does not go ahead in earnest with the country rebuilding task, it could come in for criticism by the international community that it is not committed to bringing Sri Lanka out of the present crisis.

Therefore, the P-TOMS arrangement must be given a try, Dr. Gunawardene explained. If the State explores the P-TOMS option it would be in a position to tell the world community that it has tried its best to restore normalcy in Sri Lanka, in the event of any future peace efforts crumbling and the country being forced to return to war once again.

Dr. Gunawardene called on the critics of the P-TOMS proposal to suggest an alternative to it, if they believe it is not an option for us, without engaging in destructive fault-finding.

He called on the country to consider the enormous benefits which have been accruing to it as a result of the current ceasefire. We need to consider, for instance, the number of lives that have been saved as a result of the cessation of violence. If not for the Ceasefire bombs would still be exploding in civilian centres.

Therefore, the peace process must be resumed and the P-TOMS could form a good basis for its revival. Dr. Gunawardene also pointed out that the Lankan State needed to act fast because plenty of money is being already pumped into the tsunami-affected areas by the NGO sector.

If the Government is seen as slow-footed in carrying out rebuilding operations, the NGO sector would play an even more prominent role in the rebuilding effort - LTTE controlled areas included - and take the initiative away from the Lankan State, in this context. The P-TOMS proposal should therefore be implemented.