All parties must support APRC process - LSSP

COLOMBO: If a set of proposals can be produced, that a majority of Sinhalese accept, which also adequately address the grievances of the minority communities, and the Tamils in particular, and satisfies their aspirations, this would in itself help draw a majority of the Tamil people away from the separatist policies of the LTTE, the Lanka Samasamaja Party (LSSP) said yesterday.

In a statement issued yesterday, the LSSP said the APRC process must be supported by all political parties with due attention being given to minority opinion in reaching a final consensus.

Excerpts from the statement: "The LSSP is deeply disturbed by the escalation of violence and of human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Non-combatant civilians are those mainly affected. The LSSP condemns all these acts of violence affecting civilians and extends our heartfelt condolences to all those affected.

A major component of the violence arises directly from the increasing military conflict between the LTTE and the Armed Forces.

When the US military, with the best technology in the world, repeatedly missed its targets and killed civilians in Iraq, the Sri Lankan combatants with lesser technology cannot be expected to do any better.

The deaths, injuries, damage to property and displacements resulting from all bombings, be they artillery from both sides, or claymore by the LTTE or aerial by the Air Force, they only add to the suffering of our people.

If a set of proposals can be produced, that a majority of Sinhalese accept, which also adequately address the grievances of the minority communities, and the Tamils in particular, and satisfies their aspirations, this would in itself help to draw a majority of the Tamil people away from the separatist policies of the LTTE.

When both the SLFP and the UNP are signatories, the Tamil people will have confidence that whichever Government comes into power the proposals would be implemented within the framework of one country, Sri Lanka.

The LTTE in order to obtain the leadership of the Tamil people, will be forced to support such a solution at the peace talks, if they do not and continue with their separatist position they will lose the support of the Tamil people. It is then, and only then, that the LTTE will become very vulnerable and defeatable militarily."