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Starting off on a positive note

It is most appropriate that the UNP, has declared today, January 1st, a 'Day of Brotherhood'. This is indeed the note on which the new year must be launched and we hope it will continue to be our theme, as a people, in the days ahead. As Lanka enters a crucial phase in her post-independence history with the resumption of the peace process, the need has never been so great for peace and brotherhood not only in Southern Sri Lanka but also among its communities spread among her different geographical regions.

In our efforts to jump start the process of reconciliation and unity, symbolic gestures and rituals are important. Therefore, we warmly welcome UNP plans to share kevum and kiribath with their political rivals in gestures of exemplary cordiality. However, it is also our hope that the process of reconciliation among political rivals of the South would pass from symbol to substance because the kernal, so to speak, of bringing about unity consists of close cooperation and collaboration among one-time adversaries.

Ideally, confidence-building measures and other arrangements aimed at realising mutual accommodation between the Government and the opposition and the major political actors of the country, should be put in place. This process should of course, parallel efforts aimed at resolving the ethnic conflict - a project that is, rightly, receiving the urgent attention of the Government.

It gives gladness that a section of the opposition has realised the gravity of collaborating with the Government to resolve the principal problems facing the country. The recent electoral verdict is proof that the people are yearning for real and positive change. The fact that efforts to appeal to chauvinistic and communal sentiments by some Southern leaders during the polls campaign proved futile, is strong evidence that the people's main wish is that a just and durable peace will be brought about in the country. The people's heart is then likely to be in the current peace effort. Accordingly, the opposition is duty-bound to help out in this process and put the past behind them permanently. A failure to do so would amount to betraying the trust of the people.

While it is heartening to note that the Government has lost no time in reactivating efforts to resolve the national question, it is likely to be the common wish that consistency of purpose will be displayed in the days ahead. We have made a sound start to the new year by establishing a cessation of hostilities in the North-East war. While peace plans have to now get into top gear through Norwegian facilitation, concrete efforts must also be made to end hostilities among political forces in Southern Sri Lanka. Stringent enforcement of the law and a firm resolve to end lawlessness would help greatly in this process.

• Editorial of  The Observer - 31.12.2001:
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