Laudable initiative by clergy

Many would regard as very encouraging the news that a peace delegation consisting of top Buddhist and Catholic clergymen would soon be off to the Wanni to explore the possibility of reviving the peace process and of bringing to an end the current armed clashes in the North and East.

This is indeed welcome news and we ardently hope that the inter-religious delegation’s mission to the North would be a success.

The resuscitation of an opinion climate conducing to the promotion of the peace process, depends considerably on spontaneous initiatives such as these and we warmly endorse this worthy endeavour by our clergy.

Besides helping to prepare the foundation for a resumption of the peace process, initiatives such as these would contribute towards strengthening the bonds between our religions.

They would also act as catalysts in fostering more and more civil society initiatives in bringing about reconciliation in the country, cutting across ethnic, religious and class barriers.

We cannot help but observe that we are yet to build a popular movement for the establishment of peace and reconciliation. That is, a movement consisting of the ordinary men and women of the land.

As usually non-controversial institutions, the organised religions of the land could take the lead in establishing a mass-based peace movement which could complement the Government’s efforts at working out a political solution.

The State’s APRC process is, no doubt, a laudable measure, but more popular backing for it would strengthen the hands of the State.

In fact, increased proactive involvement of civil society in ending the current round of hostilities would help in impressing on the international community that the degree of popular backing for a political solution is substantial.

Currently, as indicated by PLOTE leader Dharmalingam Sithadthan, the international community is discriminatory in its condemnation of the violence in Sri Lanka. It is largely silent about the atrocities committed by the LTTE, thereby, encouraging the Tigers into increasing bestiality.

However, the State is accused by sections of the world community of committing acts of lawlessness.

A deafening silence on the part of the local people on these issues could encourage the international community into persisting in these double standards.

The people, while backing the current initiatives for a negotiated solution, need to make it clear that the Tigers are helping to keep the flames of conflict alive by their acts of terror and barbarism.

Such positions would enable the world community to acquire a clearer and more comprehensive grasp of the situation in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, ideally, the voice of the people for ending hostilities should be heard more clearly and forcefully. It would help in complementing the Government’s efforts at ending the conflict.

Accordingly, the top clergy would do well to broad-base their peace thrust, through stirring the hearts and minds of the people.