Let the children be spared the suffering, says Foreign Secretary

VAKARAI: Foreign Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona said Sri Lankans have suffered enough over the past nearly 25 years due to the conflict in this country.

"But, let us not hand down this suffering as a legacy to our children, making their future bleak as well. The Government wants to change this situation; it is resolved to create a situation where our children are able to live in peace.

We will give all the assistance to make this a reality," Dr. Kohona who is also the Secretary General of the Government's Peace Secretariat (SCOPP), said when he met community leaders at the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat last Friday.

SCOPP officials, the Batticaloa District Army Commanding officer, Major General Parakrama Pannipitiya and Vakarai Commander Major General Daya Ratnayake were present.

The Eastern Province had been a major player in the national economy, contributing 12 per cent to the national economy in 1981; but it has now declined to 4 per cent. The Tamils living in Western and other provinces are prospering. The Government's objective is to enable all citizens to share this prosperity, Dr. Kohona said.

"At various meetings I had in Batticaloa with leaders of civil society and religious dignitaries, the overwhelming voice of the people was for peace," Dr. Kohona said. "They are totally against the war," Dr. Kohona said and appealed to the Tamils to support to efforts being made to restore peace.

The Secretary General pledged immediate action by the Peace Secretariat to facilitate the rebuilding of 12 schools including the Vakarai Maha Vidyalaya and to speed up the provision of electricity supplies to Vakarai.

At the meeting at the Vakarai Divisional Secretariat, Security Forces' personnel explained their plans to transform Vakarai into a model township. They also pointed out that they have organised a five-day tour of Colombo and Kandy by 63 students of Vakarai.

The dearth of staff at the Divisional Secretariat was brought to Dr. Kohona's attention. He pointed out that action to resolve the issue had already been taken. The Peace Secretariat had already identified problems faced by the people of the Batticaloa District.

A dearth of teachers, unavailability of school texts and stationery, problems faced in obtaining potable water were some of the issues raised and solutions found.

Meanwhile, representatives of more than 15 Civil Society Organisations of the Batticaloa District were present at a meeting with Dr. Kohona at the Batticaloa Government Agent's office last Friday.

The representatives complained that certain NGOs that had pledged to undertake rebuilding work had suspended their operations for reasons unknown to them.

Dr. Kohona told them there were no obstacles or restrictions on NGOs carrying out their activities. "The Government has not placed any restriction on NGOs. They are allowed to work independently and their security has been assured. It is their duty to continue the task they have undertaken," Dr. Kohona said.

It was also pointed out that there are Police, STF and Army officers proficient in the Tamil language serving in the East. Therefore, the people are able to communicate with them in their own language.

Military officials said arrangements have also been made to conduct Tamil language classes to the officers.

Dr. Kohona told the participants that the Government had put in place plans to make the East into a model, in reconstruction and development.