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The new administration that has been set up following the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the PA and JVP gives the country a measure of hope in a stable government. The National Peace Council of Sri Lanka said in a media release last week.

Much of the agreement focuses on establishing the frameworks for good governance in the form of independent commissions, abolition of the executive presidency and a caretaker government to conduct elections. These are frameworks on which the support of other political parties is expected for ensuring their rapid establishment.

"The National Peace Council calls upon the new administration to address the peace process in a focused and consensual manner. The agreement is evidenced that former foes, even mortal foes, can seek to work together in their own advantage and in the common interests of the people. The twin yearnings of the vast majority of people are that the war should be ended and that their economic hardships be alleviated. The parlous state of the economy and the ongoing war are inextricably connected," the release said.

"We welcome the JVP's shift in position away from a demand for a one-year suspension of the peace process and urge that the peace process be immediately recommenced. The PA-JVP agreement is the result of a genuine process of negotiations that resulted in major sacrifices being made to ensure a stable government. We believe that a process of negotiations with the LTTE with a similar readiness for sacrifice can likewise yield an outcome that ensures the survival of the nation," it added.

In its first statements since the establishment of the new administration, government spokespersons have indicated their desire to make a joint statement with the UNP requesting the LTTE to commence peace talks as soon as possible. We note that this was one of the measures agreed to in principle during the abortive PA-UNP talks in the recent past. We call on the UNP to consider this proposal favourably, and the government to proceed with confidence-building measures even unilaterally," the Council said.

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