Roadmap to peace

The Government, through its Peace Secretariat, has made it clear that any fresh peace talks hinged on Tiger guarantees to lay down arms and stick to a negotiation timetable.

In the words of Peace Secretariat Chief Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, unless there is a clear road map that leads to a democratic political solution, the Government would not entertain any LTTE claim to negotiate a deal.

Prof. Wijesinha has explained that part of that road map would be a ceasefire and commitment guaranteeing the laying down of arms. That road map should encompass a very genuine commitment to negotiate a political solution.

It is in this context that the Government has said ‘no’ to a proposed Wanni visit by Norway’s Special Representative for the Peace Process Jon Hanssen Bauer. After all, the LTTE is well known for taking advantage of visits by high-profile personalities for their propaganda purposes on the lines of “Mr. X has come to see the terrible sufferings inflicted on Tamil people of Tamil Eelam”.

The Government is right on seeking a clear idea on why foreign dignitaries want to go to the Wanni. Just posing for a photograph with Pulideevan or even with Prabhakaran dos not help the peace process in any way. These visits should also mean a commitment on the part of the LTTE and what they want the foreign diplomats to come and talk about.

In other words, there should be a clear roadmap towards eventual peace.

Such a roadmap would include a genuine ceasefire, not a flawed one like the 2002 February Ceasefire Agreement which demarcated separate territory for a terrorist outfit. A genuine ceasefire should also leave no room for the LTTE to conscript and train cadres and bring in weapons shipments.

The other most important factor is decommissioning Tigers’ weapons or at least a providing a guarantee of decommissioning before peace talks begin. The LTTE will not see the need for peace as long as they remain armed. Any negotiations should be conducted on a given timeframe and core issues should be discussed sooner in the process rather than later.

The Government has always been ready for talks. It is the LTTE which has always walked out of the negotiations rooms on some flimsy excuse. This cannot be allowed to happen any longer. The Government should enter a negotiations process only if the LTTE is equally and genuinely committed to see a political solution.

Boon for three wheelers

The fuel crisis has hit Third World countries hard. Sri Lanka, a net importer of petroleum products, is no exception. Many Asian nations including Sri Lanka had to cut down on petroleum subsidies as it is no longer economically viable to maintain them.

Nevertheless, Governments cannot neglect their obligations towards the less privileged sections of society overnight. This is why the Government is continuing with a substantial diesel and kerosene subsidy at a huge loss to the Exchequer.

Naturally, the transport sector has borne the brunt of the fuel price rises. Bus and train fares have already gone up. Truck operators too are passing on their added costs to the consumers. The three wheeler drivers are another segment adversely affected by the higher petrol prices. They are squeezed from both sides as most customers themselves cannot afford the new rates demanded by the drivers.

With the exception of several hundred diesel powered three wheelers, nearly all of the 300,000 three wheelers countrywide run on petrol.

Transport experts have proposed a way out - converting petrol three wheelers to operate on gas, which is still substantially cheaper. This will be a win-win situation for both parties - operators and passengers as both operating costs and hence the rates will be lower.

But the authorities should insist on one thing: Three wheeler drivers should agree to fix fare meters. The last time this measure was proposed, there was an uproar from three wheeler owners and drivers and it was never implemented.

This time, the authorities should explain the benefits of taxi meters to the three wheeler drivers. One of the main advantages is that there is no need for both parties to argue over the fare, as it is clearly shown on the meter.

Then comes the issue of discipline, which is sorely lacking among the three wheeler fraternity. They weave in and out of traffic, cutting lanes abruptly and ignoring all road rules. They are usually rude to other road users and sometimes even to their own passengers.

Police should play a greater role in disciplining three wheeler drivers. In any case, a closer rapport between police and three wheeler drivers is necessary in these security-conscious times as three wheeler drivers come into contact with many people and see many things due to the very nature of their business.